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

Final candidate forum for SH Council is reduced to choice between experience or change

Your Weekly Community Newspaper

“Juan,” acrylic on polytab on wood,

by Jose Loza

For more on this artist, see page 12.

March 1, 2013

Two theater companies ‘collide,’ and a new entity is born

Jonathan David Lewis

Nick Williams and Aaron Van Geem perform in Alive Theatre’s 2011 production of Entropy General. Alive Theatre has recently merged with The Garage Theatre to form a new company called The Garage Theatre In Collision With Alive Theatre.

Nick Diamantides Staff Writer

CJ Dablo/Signal Tribune

Five of the seven candidates who will be on the ballot for the Signal Hill City Council election were present during the third forum of the campaign season. From left, Robert Mendoza, Michael Noll, Lori Woods, Ellen Ward and Ed Wilson debated issues that included the proposed construction of a new library and a controversial charter-amendment initiative that will be on the ballot in 2014. Nancy Sciortino was ill, and Elizabeth Wise had a family emergency.

CJ Dablo Staff Writer

At the Feb. 25 Signal Hill City Council candidate forum, three incumbents seeking another term in office continued to defend their records as long-time councilmem-

bers, but their opponents pressed for a change in leadership.

The Signal Hill Police Station’s community room was packed with more than 60 people at the forum, where five out of the seven candidates turned up to debate local issues

that included the proposed construction of a new library and a controversial charter-amendment initiative that will be on the ballot in 2014.

Monday’s forum was the final time that the candidates would debate

Exhibit on Long Beach area’s gay-rights history ‘comes out’

see FORUM page 16

Sean Belk Staff Writer

Sean Belk/Signal Tribune

Grammy and Oscar Award-winning singer and musician Melissa Etheridge (left), with her partner Linda Wallem at the opening gala of the Historical Society of Long Beach’s exhibit Coming Out in Long Beach, talks about when she played in various gay clubs in Long Beach.

Often considered an overlooked part of Long Beach history, the gay rights movement that today involves such issues as same-sex marriage and gays in the military can be traced back to the local area, where organizations and activists for decades have led a charge against discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Major historical moments span as far back as 1914, when 30 gay men were entrapped by Long Beach police and charged with “social vagrancy.” More than 50 years later, Long Beach resident Lee Glaze led a flower protest outside of the Los Angeles Police Department station in 1968 after police had raided a gay bar known as The Patch once located in Wilmington.

These stories and many others are now being told through the Historical Society of

Friday

84°

see LGBT page 22

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Two of Long Beach’s avant-garde theatre companies joined forces recently, and the leaders of the new entity said audiences can expect more energy and creativity on stage beginning with the new season that opens March 15. The Garage Theatre and Alive Theatre merged into the new company now calling itself The Garage Theatre In Collision With Alive Theatre.

A press release issued by the group contained this statement: “Our mutual goal is to combine our strengths and pool our resources, furthering

our shared vision, aesthetic and mission, allowing our companies, now unified, to keep growing and thriving here in Long Beach. We will be colliding at the current home of the Garage Theatre on 7th Street with the two companies now acting as one: one board, one season, and one mission.”

Eric Hamme, Jamie Sweet and Matthew Anderson founded Garage Theatre about 13 years ago. In a phone interview with the Signal Tribune, Hamme outlined the history of that company, explaining that the three founders met while see THEATERS page 18

Courtesy freshframefoto.com

Jessica Variz, Paul Knox, and Matthew Anderson in The Garage Theatre’s 2012 production of Goose and Tomtom

March 1 through March 5, 2013 Tuesday

85° 69° 66° 65° This week’s Weekly Weather Forecast sponsored by: Very sunny

Partly sunny

Partly sunny and cooler

Very sunny

Sun all day

Lo 55°

Lo 52°

Lo 50°

Lo 51°

Lo 47°

4350 E 7th St Long Beach (562) 856-1999

A place for books & handmade gifts

Join us as we celebrate our new location!

Friday, March 1, 2013 We will have a DJ courtesy of the BKBIA, champagne, and a raffle of handmade items from our featured artists to benefit the Friends of Long Beach Animals

4244 Atlantic Ave., LB

Facebook.com/BeachCraftersLB

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2 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

A LOFTY EXPERIENCE What Loft Walk 2013 Who Long Beach Heritage Where Insurance Exchange Building on East Broadway and other downtown buildings When Saturday, March 2 at 4:30pm, 5:30pm and 6:30pm More Info Tours start with hosted appetizers at Congregation Ale House then move to the Big Red Bus for a tour of downtown Long Beach with Art Deco historian John Thomas and then the Loft Walk at the Insurance Exchange building before concluding at the penthouse for wine tasting and appetizers. Tickets are $55 ($50 members, $35 students). Call (562) 493-7019 or visit lbheritage.org .

WORKOUT WITH WATER POLO What Water Polo Clinic Who Long Beach Aquatics Foundation Where Long Beach Poly High School, 1600 Atlantic Ave. When Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3 starting at 2pm More Info U.S. National Team representatives will work with youth players on developing basic and advanced skills in passing, shooting and defense. All ages are welcome. Call Sean Forsha at (562) 533-8865 or Nicholas Graffis at (562) 879-2558.

WINE NOT? What Wine-tasting fundraiser Who The Long Beach City College Latino Faculty Association Where The Willmore Wine Bar, 3848 Atlantic Ave. When Thursday, March 7 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm More Info Event will include appetizers and drinks. $35 entry fee.

Funds will benefit scholarships for LBCC AB540 students. Call (562) 938-4569.

MENTOR A YOUTH What Academic mentoring program Who POWER 4 Youth Where Antioch Church, 1535 Gundry in Long Beach When Thursday, March 7 at 6:30pm More Info This academic mentoring program for middle-school students is looking for adult volunteers who can give an hour and an half a week to help a youth. The program is hosting a no-obligation information meeting for prospective volunteers. Call (562) 435-2352 or email info@power4youth.

GET READY FOR THE BIG ONE What Earthquake preparedness forum Who Office of 5th District City Councilmember Gerrie Schipske Where El Dorado Community Center, 2800 Studebaker Rd. When Saturday, March 9 at 9am More Info Federal, state and local emergency officials will provide presentations on how to prepare for a large earthquake or emergency. The event is being facilitated by KCET anchor Val Zavala. Call 562 570-6932 or email district5@longbeach.gov.

THE WRITE STUFF What Free writers event Who California Writers Club of Long Beach Where Long Beach Los Altos Branch Library, 5614 East Britton Dr. When Saturday, March 9 from 3pm to 5pm More Info The open-mic event offers a chance for members and the community to read their work related to The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. All writers and the public are welcome to read. Visit calwriterslongbeach.org .

BOOKWORMS, UNITE What Monthly community book club Who The Bixby Knolls Literary Society Where Elise’s Tea Room, 3924 Atlantic Ave. When Wednesday, March 13 at 7pm More Info Next month, the club will delve into The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. Parking is available along Atlantic Avenue.

Refreshments will be provided. Call (562) 595-0081 or email info@bixbyknollsinfo.com .

dnt txt n drv A reminder from the Signal Tribune

NEWS

MARCH 1, 2013

Congressmember Lowenthal pleads for bipartisan solution to sequester

Congressmember Alan Lowenthal on Feb. 28 made an eleventhhour plea for a bipartisan and balanced solution to the impending across-the-board federal budget cuts set to go into effect on March 1. Known as the sequester, the potentially devastating cuts will impact nearly every American state, region and city.

“Unless we do something, Friday will be the day none of us wanted to see, but one that very few of us in Congress seem to have the courage or conviction to prevent,” Congressman Lowenthal said Thursday on the floor of Courtesy Lowenthal’s office the United States House of RepreScreenshot of YouTube video showing Congressmember Alan Lowenthal on the sentatives. “Today, we face two floor of the United States House of Representatives on Feb. 28 making an options: devastating, meat-cleaver eleventh-hour plea for a bipartisan, balanced solution to the impending sequester cuts, or political courage. I choose political courage. We must come to the floor for a vote. Van ation Administration (FAA), the together to do what we were sent Hollen’s bill, the third such alter- Transportation Security Adminishere to do. I’m calling for a bal- native to the sequester offered by tration (TSA), and the Customs anced approach to deficit reduc- House Democrats, would replace and Border Protection (CBP). tion that eliminates the sequester with a balanced mix These cuts could lead to worker sequestration.” of cuts and revenue generated by furloughs at these agencies and In calling for a balanced solu- closing tax loopholes and tax slowdowns in commuter transit at tion that includes new revenue preferences that benefit the very border check points, points of and responsible cuts, Lowenthal wealthy. entry and airports such as Long offered his support for CongressThe March 1 sequester dead- Beach Airport. man Chris Van Hollen’s H.R. 699 line will trigger automatic cuts to The Office of Management and and urged that the bill be brought agencies such as the Federal Avisee SEQUESTER page 9

eDWilson Re-elect

PartIaL LISt oF SUPPorterS: congreSSMan aLan LowenthaL congreSSwoMan JanIce hahn

State Senator rIcarDo Lara

La coUnty SUPerVISor Don Knabe

La coUnty FIreFIghterS LocaL 1014

Sh coUncILMeMberS MIKe noLL & tIna hanSen Sh PLannIng coMMISSIoner Jane FaLLon

Sh ParKS & rec coMMISSIoner gary DUDLey

Worthy I ntuitive Loyal S incere O pen-minded N oble

For Signal Hill City Council

ED WILSON PLEDGES TO:

• Represent the people first • Maintain government accountability & transparency • Maintain a balanced budget • Transition to renewable energy sources • Diversify city revenues • Enhance residents’ quality of life • Invest in Signal Hill • Promote sustainability

WILSON’S QUALIFICATIONS:

• Father • Mayor 2000, 2005, 2010 • City Council 1997-present • Signal Hill Sustainable Committee 2009-present • President Gateway Cities 2004/05 • President LA Division CA League of Cities 2001/02 • Executive Board CA League of Cities 2002-2004 • Miller Children’s Hospital Advisory Board 2010-present • Board Member Rivers & Mountain Conservancy 2004-present • Board member LA County Board of Sanitation 1997-present • Board member LA Economic Development Corp 2001/03 • Board Member LBCC foundation 2002-present • SCAG– EEC & Audit Committees 2011-present • Chief Financial Officer Family Savings Bank, fsb • Comptroller State Street Bank • CPA 25+ years

Vote March 5

Experience Matters

Mike Noll Paid for by Committee to Re-elect Ed Wilson | ID#940841

RE-ELECT Vice Mayor

Experienced Leadership Working for You! VoTE

Tuesday, March 5

Mike Noll

Signal Hill City Council Paid for by the committee to re-elect Mike Noll

#902714

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MARCH 1, 2013

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

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4 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

Thoughts from the Publisher

by Neena Strichart

Although I get in my fair share of local entertainment, I am often envious of our writers who have the opportunity to see theatre productions and then tell the world in print what they thought of them. Once in a while one of our reviewers needs to take a night off, and I am happy to fill his or her seat. Other times I assert my authority, the little I have, put in my dibs to see and then write the play review myself.

When I learned that Oklahoma! was being produced by Musical Theatre West (MTW), I knew I’d be in for a night of bliss if I had the chance to attend. As it turned out, I got the gig.

The reason we are running the review in my column rather than in the body of the paper on a Culture page is that I didn’t feel it would be appropriate to do anything else. Oklahoma! is my favorite musical. Whether I saw it on stage at a dinner theatre in Orange County (back in the ‘70s) or more opulently in Los Angeles at the Pantages Theatre in the 21st century, I loved it. I will watch the movie version on television every chance I get or pop in the DVD on a whim. The story and music take me away to somewhere wonderful, magical and a little unsettling. Thank goodness Mom enjoys it almost as much as I do. As she tells it, she saw it in on stage in New York back in the ‘40s, so naturally I chose her to be my date.

For those who know the storyline, I won’t go into too much detail. Suffice it to say it revolves around two pairs of young sweethearts in the summer of 1907. Oklahoma was still a territory at that time, and the land was still a bit wild and free. The farmers and cowmen did a bit of feuding between themselves over the topic of fences, and folks were gearing up for the territory to be named a state.

In this production, the audience was brought up to speed quickly with a beautifully lighted stage with enough scenery and props to help move the story along without being overbearing.

The colors were so crisp and vibrant, I felt as though I was seeing the show in Technicolor. The skill of the sound director was evident as every word of the more than a dozen songs and clever dialogue were clear as a bell. Heck, Mom didn’t even need her hearing aids!

OPINION

Being able to hear and see what is happening on stage is certainly important for any theatre-goer, but more, or at least equally important, is the quality of what is heard and seen. The singing voices of MTW’s actors playing Curly (Bryant Martin) and Laurey (Madison Clare Parks) were phenomenal. I ended up with goosebumps from head to toe listening to them belt out their rendition of “People Will Say We’re in Love.” Knowing every word of every song adds to the fun for me, but imagine my surprise when they started playing a tune I didn’t recognize. “Lonely Room” was then sung by the only real antagonist character in the play, Jud Fry (Christopher Newell). A hired hand on Laurey’s Aunt Eller's ranch, Jud is an unkempt and scary kind of loner. In most productions, Jud’s only singing part is part of a duo with Curly in a tongue-in-cheek ditty, “Poor Jud is Daid.” However, MTW’s powers-that-be took the rather serious song from the original stage play and added it for Jud, in my eyes, making him a bit of a more sympathetic character.

Other stand-out performances were given by the wonderful actors portraying Aunt Eller (Saundra McClain), Will Parker (Luke Hawkins), Ado Annie (Teya Patt) and Ali Hakim (Amin El Gamal). These fine actors all came together in a way rarely seen in casts working together on stage for such a short run. Now, don’t think Oklahoma! is just lots of singing and dialogue, although there’s nothing wrong with that! The dancing is as good as anything I’ve ever seen in a musical production. Especially memorable is the rather nightmarish Dream Ballet. No singing there, folks, just beautifully haunting modern and ballet-style dancing.

Toward the end of the evening, I knew the title song, “Oklahoma,” was just around the corner, and I was so looking forward to it. As the music rose louder and the voices came together, I found myself sobbing into my hands. Holy cow, I hadn’t expected that! I did feel a bit vindicated later when the lights came up and I saw other women dabbing tissues at the corners of their eyes.

This is the final weekend for MTW’s Oklahoma!, and I encourage you to see it with someone you love, or like, or go with a casual stranger, or go by yourself– just don’t miss it.

Oklahoma! continues at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 E. Atherton St., on the campus of Cal State Long Beach, through March 3. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. Due to overwhelming demand, shows have been added Saturday, March 2 at 2pm and Sunday, March 3 at 7pm. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased through the MTW Box Office at (562) 856-1999 ext. 4 or online at musical.org .

MARCH 1, 2013

Courtesy MTW

Bryant Martin as Curly McClain and Madison Claire Parks as Laurey Williams in Musical Theatre West’s current production of Oklahoma!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Positive signs?

I am very excited about the City Council election on March 5 and encourage everyone to vote. We have had the same Council for nearly 20 years and what I find exciting is seeing how many candidate signs there are for both incumbents AND challengers in the SAME yard! Historically, many voters made their decision based on the incumbent or challenger identity. This time, I feel people are voting based upon the best candidate, which includes both incumbents and challengers. From personal experience, it is not easy to run for City Council, and all of the candidates are working hard to make our city even better. The best way to applaud all of the candidates’ efforts is to go out and vote!

Matthew Simmons Signal Hill Former City Council candidate

Muddy waters

How dirty can dirty politics get? If you ever wondered the answer to this question, all you need to do is look at the “hit piece” most of us got in the mail last week. This ludicrious and possibly libelous piece of dirt was aimed at the three incumbents running for re-election to the [Signal Hill] city council. It seems that it maliciously accuses them of corruption and incompetence ad nauseam and makes a totally ridiculous and insulting comparison of Signal Hill to Bell and Vernon. It was sent out by a fake, mud-throwing group called “Coalition for Clean Affordable Water” with absolutely no tranparency as to who they are.

I am both sad and incensed to see this kind of political pollution being used in our election. I hope the good people of Signal Hill will see this piece of trash for what it is and put it where it belongs– in the garbage can.

Carole Yochum Signal Hill

Star-crossed?

America has its own Romeo and Juliet in the tragic death of that young couple, Keith Lawrence and Monica Quan. As Shakespeare would put it, a murder so foul it defies understanding. How appropriate that they were buried together. May they never be forgotten by the people who love and are loved.

Vivian C. Nelson Long Beach

Mea Culpa

In the article “Lawsuit filed by Signal Hill, other cities against WRD for refund of water-pumping fees nears trial” in the Feb. 22 issue of the Signal Tribune, the last name of the general manager of the Water Replenishment District of Southern California should have been spelled as “Whitaker.”

Getting ‘street smart’

Los Cerritos resident and long-time community activist John Deats calls the proposed Pacific Avenue Bike Corridor project, at least the part through his Los Cerritos neighborhood, insane. And he’s right. Unfortunately, it’s just the latest in a long line of money-wasting, worse-than-useless projects by a City that is already broke and can’t even afford sufficient police and fire protection.

Long Beach thinks it’s reassuring to residents when they tell you that projects such as this will be financed all or partially with “grant money”– as if it still didn't ultimately come from taxpayers.

The current fiasco proposes spending over $1 million on a bike path with “roundabouts” in Los Cerritos like those on Vista Street in Belmont Heights. Hopefully, it will be better planned.

Can you believe the City actually constructed one of these small “traffic circles” on busy Ximeno Avenue where it intersects Vista Street, but made it too small for busses and emergency vehicles to navigate, and then had to rebuild it?

The most absurd part of the current plan, however, is installing a new traffic signal at Pacific Avenue and Wardlow Road. Likely, this is another in a long line of expensive ideas dreamed up by a few Los Cerritos residents to discourage people from going through their neighborhood.

Two years ago their plan was to get then-councilmember Rae Gabelich to close the pedestrian walkway under the San Diego Freeway that Wrigley area residents use to get to Los Cerritos School and Los Cerritos Park. One day, without notice, local residents just found the gates welded shut.

A number of years before that, their idea was to erect a barricade on Pacific Avenue just north of the San Diego Freeway to completely bar traffic to or from Wardlow Road. A dozen residents from Los Cerritos and Wrigley Heights met every month for a year with a traffic consultant hired by the City– another waste of tens of thousands of dollars. It was clear from a preliminary study that traffic through Los Cerritos was actually very light. But apparently to appease the Los Cerritos residents, the meetings and studies continued.

Maybe worse than the money wasted is what this new traffic signal will actually do. It makes the fourth signalized intersection drivers will have to navigate in just one-half mile on Wardlow between Magnolia Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard. As it is, during rush hours, traffic frequently backs up to the top of the bridge over the Los Angeles River, as one train after another causes crossing gates to repeatedly close.

Many years before this bicycle path was even proposed, local residents petitioned the City and the MTA (now Metro) to give us a little relief from Blue Line trains blocking traffic so often and for so long. We were promised some improvement, but we’re still waiting. Instead the City now wants to add another traffic signal?

Delays getting out of our neighborhood when going to work or school are bad enough; worse is how long it sometimes takes police and firefighters to reach our homes, since the Blue Line tracks separate our neighborhood from both the nearest police station and the closest fire house. Often, you can see emergency personnel just sitting in their vehicle waiting for trains to pass by.

Richard Gutmann Long Beach

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MANAGING EDITOR

Stephen M. Strichart

Neena R. Strichart

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Jane Fallon

Stephanie Raygoza

ASSISTANT EDITOR/STAFF WRITER

Sean Belk

COLUMNISTS

Jennifer E. Beaver Carol Berg Sloan, RD

Leighanna Nierle

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/WEBSITE MANAGER

STAFF WRITERS

CJ Dablo

DESIGN EDITOR

Cory Bilicko

Nick Diamantides

Shoshanah Siegel

Tanya Paz

CULTURE WRITERS

Daniel Adams Vicki Paris Goodman Gregory Spooner CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Matt Sun

EDITORIAL INTERN

Ariana Gastelum

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Rachael Rifkin

DESIGN INTERN

Kaelyn Bruno

The Signal Tribune welcomes letters to the editor, which should be signed, dated and include a phone number to verify authenticity. Letters are due by noon on the Tuesday before desired publication date. The Signal Tribune reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, language and space requirements. The Signal Tribune does not print letters that refer substantially to articles in other publications and might not print those that have recently been printed in other publications or otherwise presented in a public forum. Letters to the editor and commentaries are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Signal Tribune or its staff. Although the editorial staff will attempt to verify and/or correct information when possible, letters to the editor and commentaries are opinions, and readers should not assume that they are statements of fact. Letter-writers will be identified by their professional titles or affiliations when, and only when, the editorial staff deems it relevant and/or to provide context to the letter. We do not run letters to the editor submitted by individuals who have declared their candidacies for public office in upcoming races. This policy was put in place because, to be fair, if we publish one, we would have to publish all letters submitted by all candidates. The volume would no doubt eliminate space for letters submitted by other readers. Instead, we agree to interview candidates and print stories about political races in an objective manner and offer very reasonable advertising rates for those candidates who wish to purchase ads. The Signal Tribune is published each Friday with a circulation of 25,000. Yearly subscriptions are available for $45.

939 E. 27th St., Signal Hill, CA 90755 (562) 595-7900

www.signaltribune.com newspaper@signaltribune.com

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MARCH 1, 2013

Toyota dealership moving from traffic circle to Willow and Redondo in Long Beach Sean Belk Staff Writer

Hooman Toyota of Long Beach is moving from its location at the traffic circle to an abandoned auto dealership lot at the corner of Willow Street and Redondo Avenue, according to representatives from Caliber Collision Centers, which officially opened at the site on Monday, Feb. 18.

Although the lot has already been filled with new cars from Hooman’s Toyota and Nissan dealerships, the dealer has not officially opened yet. Caliber representatives said the auto dealer might open its new location as soon as four to five weeks.

Hooman Nissani, owner of Hooman Nissan in Signal Hill and Hooman Toyota, would not immediately comment on the move, but

he said he would be able to make a statement in coming weeks.

The former dealership lot, located at 3399 E. Willow St., has been empty for the last few years after Coast Cadillac moved to the Signal Hill Auto Center at 2850 Cherry Ave. The owners of Boulevard Buick GMC purchased the Cadillac dealership, now called Boulevard Cadillac, in 2010. That same year, Hooman purchased and took over a Nissan dealership at 1800 E. Spring St. in Signal Hill.

Hooman, however, is the second auto dealer to leave the traffic circle, following Mitsubishi, which left the spot at 4400 E. Los Coyotes Diagonal in the summer of last year, relocating to the Cerritos Auto Square at the Cerritos Mall.

CVS Pharmacy purchased both dealership lots, totaling more than

Irvine-based Caliber Collision Centers officially opened its newest location in Long Beach on Feb. 18. The newly renovated 11,000-square-foot facility is the company’s 21st location in the greater Los Angeles region and the 123rd location in the United States.

NEWS

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

5

Photos by Sean Belk/Signal Tribune

New cars from Hooman Toyota and Nissan dealerships now fill a once empty auto dealership lot at 3399 E. Willow St. Hooman Toyota of Long Beach is planning to relocate there from its existing location at 4401 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., at the traffic circle.

three acres of land, in 2008, with initial plans to build a new retail center there.

As incentive to stay at the traffic circle at 4401 E. Pacific Coast Hwy, Hooman had entered into a sales-tax revenue-sharing agreement with the City of Long Beach that expires later this year.

Meanwhile, Irvine-based Caliber Collision Centers celebrated the opening of its new 11,000square-foot facility this week. The newly renovated facility that used to serve as the body shop for Coast Cadillac is offering state-of-the-art auto-body services, including repairs and paint services. James D’Amore, center manager, said the auto-body center will soon service customers from both Hooman dealerships.

Robert Tavarez, vice president for Caliber Collision Centers, told

the Signal Tribune that the Long Beach site would expand the company’s California portfolio. “It’s going to be a phenomenal location for California,â€? he said. “Long Beach is a very anticipated community for Caliber to be in‌ We’re expanding rapidly and continue to expand in the California market.â€?

The Long Beach center is also the company’s 21st location in the greater Los Angeles region and the 123rd location in the entire United States, with certified collision centers in California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas and Oklahoma. “As our clients continue to look for improved customer retention and reductions in customer churn, we are committed to adding centers across the southwest that provide greater operational consistency, laser customer focus

and cost management they need to compete in today’s highly competitive insurance market,â€? said Caliber Collision Centers’ Chief Executive Officer Steve Grimshaw in a prepared statement. Ă&#x;

Be sure to cast your vote on Tuesday, March 5!

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ST3439 - March1_Layout 1 3/1/13 12:49 PM Page 6

NEWS

6 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

MARCH 1, 2013

Law firm plans to buy Arnold’s restaurant property in Bixby Knolls Sean Belk Staff Writer

A local law firm is in the process of purchasing a vacant property formerly occupied by Arnold’s Family Restaurant, which had been a staple in Bixby Knolls for 59 years before closing in 2010.

Perona, Langer, Beck, Serbin and Mendoza (PLBSM) is currently in escrow to buy the property at 3925 Atlantic Ave. that has 7,356 square feet of space and a parking structure in the back, said Ron Beck, a partner of the law firm, in a phone interview with the Signal Tribune.

He said PLBSM, which is a sister law firm to the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, plans to buy the former restaurant property to house its workers-compensation department that currently operates at 4201 Long Beach Blvd.

Beck said it’s undetermined how much the estimated renovations to the building will cost, however he said the law firm plans to move about 50 employees there.

But, in order for the relocation to take place, he said the law firm has to receive approval for what’s called a “lot line adjustment” with the City of Long Beach that would split the property, currently owned by Chase Bank, into three parcels, including the parking structure and the neighboring bank building.

“That has to go through the City of Long Beach process, and, if it does, the escrow should

close,” Beck said, adding that the law firm would share the parking structure with Chase. He said Larry H. Parker and PLBSM offices would remain at their locations in Bixby Knolls on the 300 block of E. San Antonio Drive.

“It will be nice

to have Arnold’s occupied again.”

–Mike Johnson, former owner of Arnold’s Restaurant

Speaking about the sale during the State of the District event on Feb. 20, Bixby Knolls Business Improvement District Executive Director Blair Cohn said that, although the law firm’s move eliminates a restaurant location from the business corridor, on the plus side, employees would likely eat and shop at local businesses.

“We look at it as a good thing... more people out there and more investments,” he said to the crowd of local business representatives.

Eighth District Long Beach City Councilmember Al Austin echoed that notion. “I welcome continued investment and jobs in my district,” he said via email.

“It's a great place to live and do business.”

Mike Johnson, who previously owned the restaurant and leased the space, said he first heard of the pending deal months ago, adding that having a business take up the

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The property of former Arnold's Family Restaurant, which had been a staple in Bixby Knolls for 59 years before closing in 2010, may be taken up by a local law firm. The property at 3925 Atlantic Ave. has 7,356 square feet of retail space and a parking structure in the back.

vacant property would be an improvement for the area.

“It will be nice to have Arnold’s occupied again,” said Johnson, whose family owns two Porky’s Pizza locations in Long Beach, one on Atlantic Avenue across from the former Arnold’s building and another on 7th Street, just south of Wilson High School. “I’m very, very happy to see that take over… we had a very good run there.”

Arnold’s closed three years ago after the restaurant owner and the landlord couldn’t reach an agreement on lease terms.

Johnson said various banks

have owned the landmark property. Chase Bank took over ownership after buying out Washington Mutual. He said the restaurant was “making money” and “doing well,” but the landlord was “unbending” in lease negotiations and had increased the rental rate nearly 60 percent after the restaurant’s lease term expired.

Johnson said the family offered to purchase the building but could never work out a deal because of parking issues.

He said the building has 90 spaces of parking. Turning the property into offices, Johnson

said, “won’t be as difficult as having a restaurant there,” since restaurants require more parking than commercial offices.

The structure, however, is in dire need of renovations since it is “old” and “deemed to be unsafe,” added Johnson, who said he took over the restaurant in 1997. He said his uncle, Miles Arnold, who later partnered with Johnson’s father, first started Arnold’s, known for its buffet-style dining, in 1951. All of the items inside the restaurant were sold at auction the same year it closed.

The Long Beach Central Project Area Council (LB CPAC) will conduct its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, March 7 at 6pm at Mental Health America (MHA), 456 Elm Ave. (The meeting is open to the public, and attendees are asked to enter the building through the door on 5th Street.)

Brian Ulaszewski of the nonprofit City Fabrick, Steve Tweed of Public Works and a representative from the 7th District City Council Office will provide presentations about improvements in the central area. A focal point of the discussion will be Willow Street from Atlantic Avenue to the river.

Ulaszewski is the executive

director of City Fabrick, a nonprofit urban design studio dedicated to improving the physical environment of Long Beach through design, planning, policy and engagement. Their current projects include Armory Park (at 7th Street and Alamitos Avenue), Walking Loops to identify and improve pedestrian safety and comfort in several areas of the city, and several other progressive urban design projects. Ulaszewski will discuss the Walking Loops project, which includes Willow Street and other areas in Wrigley.

He’ll also provide an update on the Amory Park project.

Tweed will discuss the Willow Street Metro Improvement District plans regarding

improvements along Willow Street from Atlantic Avenue to the river. He will also give an update on three other projects within the LB CPAC target area.

Representative of the 7th District City Council Office will also discuss their involvement in and the status of the plans to improve Willow Street.

LB CPAC replaces the Central Project Area Committee for Redevelopment, which ceased to exist when the redevelopment agencies were eliminated

by Governor Brown in 2012.

For more information about LB CPAC, contact the president, Annie Greenfeld at (562) 225-9462.

On Thursday, Feb. 21, at approximately 1am, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) patrol officers were in pursuit of a felony suspect in the 6400 block of E. Keynote Street when they were involved in a shooting, according to the LBPD. Shortly before 1am, the LBPD was notified of a stolen-vehicle pursuit involving the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The vehicle had been stolen during a Redondo Beach residential burglary. CHP had lost sight of the vehicle shortly after it exited the 405 Freeway at Studebaker Road. Long Beach police officers located the vehicle in the area

and initiated a pursuit. The suspect vehicle crashed into a vacant residence in the 6400 block of E. Keynote Street. The suspect driver armed himself with a handgun, began firing multiple rounds, and an officer-involved shooting occurred.

The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Two handguns were recovered at the scene. No officers were injured in the incident, and the investigation remains ongoing. The suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Christopher Taylor from Maryland.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is conducting an

Improvements in 7th district to be focal point of LB CPAC meeting

Source: LB CPAC

19-year-old Maryland man dies after gunfight with police

independent investigation of the shooting, as they do with all officerinvolved shootings that occur in Los Angeles County that result in injury or death.

Those with information regarding this incident should contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Mark McGuire or Roger Zottneck at (562) 570-7244. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), text TIPLA plus the tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit LACrimeStoppers.org .

Source: LBPD

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NEWS

MARCH 1, 2013

In Signal Hill, violent crime stays low, but property crime jumps in 2012 The number of violent crimes reported in Signal Hill last year was below the city’s five-year average, but the number of property crimes in 2012 was the highest in five years, according to crime statistics released by the Signal Hill Police Department on Feb. 19.

Up until last year, violent crime was on a downward trend since 2008, dropping from 59 reported violent crimes down to only 28 in 2011. Last year, however, there were 43 reported violent crimes, which was an overall increase over the prior year, but still below Signal Hill’s five-year average of 44.6 reported violent crimes, according to statistics.

“The instances of random acts of violence are very few and far between here in Signal Hill,” said Signal Hill Chief Michael Langston in a prepared statement.

“Our residents and people working in Signal Hill are not being accosted or robbed in their homes and businesses.”

According to the police department’s statistics, last year there were 24 aggravated assaults, 15 robberies, three rapes and one murder. The murder, which was the first homicide in the city since 2009, involved a woman who was arrested for shooting and killing her boyfriend in a Signal Hill home at the 2100 block of Sea Ridge Drive.

Langston added that the police department has “an extremely fast response time” and “responds and investigates every crime reported to the department.” He stated, “If a citizen calls, we proactively respond to their request for service.”

Still, Signal Hill saw a substantial jump last year in the number of property crimes. According to the statistics, there were 536 reported property crimes in 2012, which was more than the city’s five-year average of 458.8 property crimes. Much like violent crimes, the number of overall property crimes had been decreasing since 2008, however, it started to spike in 2011.

According to the statistics, the number of reported larcenies has increased in the last two years from 312 to 362 while the number of auto thefts jumped “considerably” from 60 in 2011 to 87 in 2012. Still, Langston stated that the police department was happy to see that reported instances of residential and commercial burglaries went down last year, decreasing from 99 in 2011 to 87 in 2012.

Lt. Ron Sagmit said the rise in property crimes has become a “regional problem” and is likely due to the prison “realignment,” California’s early release and transfer of prison inmates, a measure implemented in 2011 as a federal court order to reduce overcrowding and costs.

“We feel, although it’s too early to tell for sure, that it can be attributed to the prison realignment,” he said. “We feel that is contributing to this problem in the region and throughout the state really.”

Sagmit said the police department is working with neighboring law-enforcement agencies since every jurisdiction in the region is experiencing the same increase in property crimes. “As far as we know, we’re not seeing anything different from any of those other agencies,” he said.

In addition, Sagmit said the Signal Hill Police Department is

specifically taking proactive steps to address the increase in property crimes by restarting the neighborhood-watch and business-watch programs while working with residents to help educate them about protecting property.

“We’re working towards turning this around a bit,” he said. “We have hopefully rejuvenated our neighborhood-watch program…

We can’t put a police officer at every corner, so it’s really important to have some additional eyes and ears out there.”

He said various neighborhood groups have approached the department and some have formed new neighborhood-watch programs. “We’re trying to take advantage of the increase in interest and organize these groups together,” Sagmit said. “The program has always been; there just hasn’t been a lot of involvement up until recently.”

He said one particular group has been very active in reporting suspicious persons, most recently helping police to make multiple arrests in at least two incidents in which suspects were potentially involved in committing property crimes.

Also, the Signal Hill Police Department now has the capabilities and the infrastructure to incorporate some new crime-fighting technologies after opening its new, modern station last month, Sagmit said. Specifically, he said the department is proposing to partner with local businesses to set up surveillance video that would be able to be viewed from the police station. However, Sagmit added that partnering with businesses would be a complicated effort and there’s no guarantee the program would be implemented.

On Feb. 25, at approximately 9:50pm, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) officers responded to a report of shots heard in the 4800 block of Clair Del Avenue that resulted in the death of a female adult and the wounding of a male teenager.

Officers arrived at an apartment complex and discovered that a woman and her teenage son had been shot inside their apartment.

The woman was determined deceased at the scene, and her son was transported to a local hospital, where he remained in critical but stable condition at press time.

The suspect, who was husband

to the woman and stepfather to the teen, fled the scene. He later surrendered himself to the Los Angeles Police Department, which subsequently released him to the custody of the LBPD. Based on the preliminary investigation, it was determined that the couple had recently separated and the suspect was not living at the residence. The shooting stemmed from a domestic incident between the husband and wife that escalated into the shooting. Detectives are investigating whether there was any history of domestic violence between the couple.

The victim was identified as 41-

year-old Lorena Reyes. The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Henry Reyes, was booked for murder and attempted murder, and he is being held at the Long Beach City Jail on $1,000,000 bail.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Mark McGuire and Roger Zottneck at (562) 570-7244.

Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus the tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting lacrimestoppers.org .

Sean Belk Staff Writer

Man arrested for murder, attempted murder

Source: LBPD

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

LETTER TO THE VOTERS OF SIGNAL HILL Last week many Signal Hill voters received what is referred to as a “hit piece” in the mail. e target of the “hit piece” was the City Council incumbents running for re-election. Since the non-incumbent candidates were not mentioned in the “hit piece,” one could come to the conclusion that: 1) one or more of the other candidates may have paid for the piece; or, 2) a Political Action Committee (PAC) group paid for by someone supporting one or more of the candidates may have paid for the piece. e return address of the “hit piece” was Coalition for Clean Affordable Water, 3700 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1050-B, Los Angeles. e piece was extremely derogatory toward the incumbent candidates and the City staff including accusing “waste and corruption,” “incompetent council members wasting tax dollars”and "residents being ripped off.”

Why would a water coalition in Los Angeles spend money on the Signal Hill campaign for City Council especially when water is not an issue in the campaign? I went on Google and although I could not find the Water Coalition at the mailer return address, I did find a political consulting firm– David Gould Company, who specializes in political campaign services including PAC management and Administration. A PAC engages in activities expressly advocating the defeat of a candidate, which is the purpose of the coalition mailer. e preparation and mailing cost of the coalition mailer and retaining a “political consulting” firm is very expensive. Why would one or more of the non-incumbent candidates spend such a large amount of money not only on the large number of their political materials and mailings but also on retaining a political consultant. e base wage for a Signal Hill City Council member is $5,932 annually (City of Signal Hill website), not a sum worthy of the money they are spending. Is there a hidden agenda that one or more of the non-incumbent candidates and their backers are hoping to put in place if elected? Personally. I don’t want to find out by seeing them elected.

As for the allegations in the coalition mailer: Mailer Allegation: City Attorney Costs of $1.5 million FACT: e $1.5 million was not paid only to David Aleshire. It was paid to the Aleshire and Wynder law firm not only to advise the City on legal matters but to direct the City through the redevelopment process which this year was discontinued by the State. is required an inordinate amount of work by the law firm in maximizing use of the remaining redevelopment funds for the good of the City. $1.5 million is not expected to be spent in the future once the redevelopment issues are settled. It should be pointed out that as a testament to his positive position in local politics, David Aleshire worked pro bono (for free) for a grassroots group that took the lead to recall officials of the City of Bell.

Mailer Allegation: Signal Hill City Manager’s Salary (Is Signal Hill another Bell?)

FACT: Signal Hill City Manager Ken Farfsing is paid $202,039 annually (City of Signal Hill website) which is less than the average pay of $210,000 for a City Manager in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles Times, August 6, 2010).

Mailer Allegation: Grand Jury Report (Signal Hill spent $7 million more than revenue income) FACT: e Grand Jury report was based on only one year (20092010) of information including inaccurate numbers for 2010. e City was operating at a deficit for that year partly because the State borrowed more than $633,000 from the City and the State transferred over $5.1 million from the redevelopment agency (Signal Tribune, August 24, 2012). e Grand Jury noted that Signal Hill’s assets are stable and recommended that cities have a “rainy day” account (Signal Hill has a $6 million rainy day account). e “hit piece” mailer is full of lies and half-truths which seem to reflect the positions of one or more of the non-incumbent candidates.

I hope that the voters can see through their disingenuous rhetoric and their flamboyant and unethical campaign programs and vote for the incumbents who have ethically and sincerely given their abilities for a combined total of nearly 48 years to make Signal Hill an outstanding community.

Gary Dudley President, Concerned Citizens of Signal Hill VoTe FoR THe InCuMBenTS! Re-eLeCT MIKe noLL, eLLen WARD & eD WILSon WWW.CCSH90755.CoM

7

ST3439 - March1_Layout 1 3/1/13 12:49 PM Page 8

8 SIGNAL TRIBUNE COMMUNITY A Matter of Life Al Austin, BKBIA to host e-waste drive and shred fest Doing it before

Eighth District Councilmember Al Austin and the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association are joining together to host the district’s annual ewaste drive and shred fest on Saturday, March 2.

The event will take place at Scherer Park, at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Del Amo Boulevard, in front of the North Division Police Station. Shredding documents will be taken from 9am to noon, and e-waste will be collected from 9am to 2pm.

A local company, Future Shredding, Inc., will destroy the documents on-site and then recycle the paper shreds.

The first five boxes per vehi-

cle are free, and each additional box will be shredded for $5.

In addition, residents can drop off electronic waste, such as old computers, monitors, televisions, plasma screens, DVD players and other electronics, for proper disposal. Proceeds from the donated items will benefit the Expo Arts Center Fund, to support its maintenance and operations.

No batteries, fluorescent tubes or household hazardous waste will be accepted.

For more information, call Austin’s office at (562) 5706685, or email district8@longbeach.gov .

The North Long Beach Community Action Group will have its monthly meeting at 2pm in the North Police Substation Community Room located at 4891 Atlantic Ave. Sunday’s discussion panel will consist of members of Long Beach media discussing how they report, how they select press releases for publication and how they

work within the community.

The public is invited to attend.

Media outlets expected to participate include Gazette Newspapers, The Signal Tribune, GreaterLongBeach.com, The Long Beach Post and The Press-Telegram.

Source: 8th District Council office

Public invited to meet local press

M ORE I NFORMATION (562) 428-7710

MARCH 1, 2013

it’s too late

Last night I conducted a funeral service here at the mortuary chapel. The services were for a man who had died unexpectedly.

At his service, many family members, friends

and neighbors stood up and shared a personal story or memory. It was then that I realized that this service was very similar to almost every service I have listened to during my 25 years in this industry. The similarity is clear: “I wish I would have called more often,” “I wish I would have told him that I loved him,” etc. We are all guilty of this. It is so true.

Why don’t we just tell our family and friends how we feel about them while they can hear it.

I hope when these printed words are read by you today that you (we) each call two people that we have been meaning to check in with, and tell them how you (we) feel.

The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is alerting residents about recent reports of people falsely representing themselves as utility workers as a ruse to commit burglary.

In the scam, the bogus workers are apparently targeting homes to burglarize when no one is expected to be home or working as a team to distract the occupant and burglarize the home.

The following information is provided to allow residents to confirm that they are interacting with Long Beach City employees:

• Utility employees are identifiable by their uniform and are required, upon request, to show a City-issued identification card • Customer contact is made either in person by a uniformed employee or through a form that is left in a prominent location on the property. The form provides a contact number to inquire about the work scheduled or to reschedule the work at a more convenient time • If residents have any doubt, they are encouraged to call the appropriate department to verify the legitimacy of the employee:

Long Beach Gas and Oil– (562) 570-2140 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Long Beach Water Department– (562) 570-2300 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Kenneth McKenzie Columnist

Kenneth McKenzie is the owner of McKenzie Mortuary in Long Beach.

LBPD warning public about utility scams

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Residents are advised to keep gates to back yards locked and secure at all times and to immediately report suspicious activity, including loiterers, to the Long Beach Police Department by calling 9-1-1 with a suspect description.

Source: LBPD

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ST3439 - March1_Layout 1 3/1/13 12:49 PM Page 9

NEWS

City of LB announces new business-enhancement position MARCH 1, 2013

“

The City of Long Beach has announced the creation of a new position dedicated to business enhancement and property development. The position is expected to enhance and strengthen the City’s focus on facilitating business in Long Beach and to develop publicly owned parcels into quality developments.

“Over the past several years, we have made concerted efforts to develop our economy and create a more welcoming environment for business,” said Mayor Bob Foster. “From streamlining our inspection process to making business licensing more customer-service oriented, Long Beach has come a long way in crafting a business-friendly environment.

This position is one more step that we can be proud of.”

In October 2012, the City Council approved an agenda item sponsored by Vice Mayor Robert Garcia and Councilmembers Gary DeLong, Patrick O’Donnell and James Johnson to explore the creation of this position at no additional cost to the General Fund.

City Manager Pat West has selected Mike Conway to serve as the Business and Property Development director to ensure

that new and existing businesses have Mike Conway has a central point of contact who can been involved with every help them access major development deal City services, as in Long Beach over the well as guide businesses through the past 10 years and has an planning and perintimate knowledge of mitting process.

The position will business, real estate and reside in the City Manager’s Office the City’s departments and will build on and services. the progress made through the consol–Long Beach City idation of the City’s inspection Manager Patrick West and functions improved outreach practices in Business Licensing City’s departments and servto further enhance the ombuds- ices,” West said. “He is an man concept. Additionally, this incredibly creative real-estate position will help develop and and business professional who market publicly held properties will serve the city well as the in Long Beach. With the disso- Business and Property Devellution of redevelopment, the opment director.”

Conway currently serves as City is expected to gain access to over 225 parcels represent- the Public Works director, ing over 80 assembled sites overseeing a $180 million that will need to be developed operation with 580 staff members and a capital-improveover the next several years.

“Mike Conway has been ment budget of $46 million. involved with every major Prior to becoming Public development deal in Long Works director, Conway served Beach over the past 10 years as the interim director of Comand has an intimate knowledge munity Development, Property of business, real estate and the Services Bureau manager, and

Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal, 70th District, has introduced AB 1291, updating California’s laws governing data collection and privacy to include a broader definition of personal data and simplifying the disclosure process for consumers.

“Today, our personal data is everywhere– we share it when using mobile phone apps, search engines and websites like Facebook and Twitter.

Companies buy and sell it for profit,” Lowenthal said. “As technology advances, so should our consumer protections.”

In 2003, the passage of SB 27 (Figueroa) provided Californians with the right to know how businesses share their personal information. Under existing law, consumers can

ask a company what personal data they have collected, and how that data is shared. However, the requirements for reporting are limited to the information used for direct marketing purposes, such as postal mail, and telemarketing.

Privacy advocates contend that individuals have lost jobs and been denied mortgages when businesses share incorrect information. Companies have exposed sensitive health and sexual orientation information. Women have even been hurt or killed when cell providers or apps have shared location data with their abusers.

AB 1291 expands the definition of personal information to include sensitive data, such as location, buying habits, and sexual orientation. By mod-

ernizing the requirements, consumers have a right to know not just how their basic information may have been used for junk mail, but also how it’s collected and shared with data brokers, advertisers, and others.

AB 1291 is sponsored by the ACLU of California, California NOW, California Public Interest Research Group, the Consumer Federation of California, and the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

Lowenthal is the chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, the Legislative Women’s Caucus and the Select Committee on Ports.

She is the vice chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Management.

continued from page 2

District (GGUSD) will endure $7,581,658 and $2,618,581 in federal funding cuts, respectively.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) will also be affected by sequestration– facing up to $900 million in cuts to loan guarantees to small businesses.

On Feb. 15, 2013 Lowenthal and 21 of his colleagues in Congress co-signed an open letter to

Speaker of the House John Boehner, urging him to delay the congressional recess in order to reach a bipartisan agreement on the issue of sequestration, though Republican House members have been reluctant to commit to taking action before March 1.

”

real-estate officer in the former Community Development Department. He has had extensive experience managing the City’s real-estate activities, including acquisition, remediation, lease negotiations, environmental clearance, entitlements, and land re-use and redevelopment.

Prior to his service with the City in 2001, Conway worked for Legacy Partners Commercial, Inc., guiding developments up to 4 million square feet through the entitlement and development processes. Mr. Conway also served as a property development project manager for Union Pacific Railroad for 10 years prior to his time at Legacy Partners.

With Mr. Conway assuming this new role, the City Engineer,

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

9

Mike Conway

Ara Maloyan, will assume an interim role as the Public Works Director/City Engineer. Combining the roles of Public Works Director and City Engineer, which is common in cities throughout California, allows for the opportunity to create the Business and Property Development Director at no net cost to the City’s General Fund. The transition for Mr. Conway and Mr. Maloyan will be effective March 1.

Source: City of LB

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Assemblymember Lowenthal introduces bill to strengthen privacy safeguards

Sequester

Budget (OMB) has estimated that Title I education funds, roughly 14.5% of California schools’ revenue stream, would be cut by $750 million. According to the California Superintendent of Schools, the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) and Garden Grove Unified School

Source: Lowenthal’s office

Source: Lowenthal’s office

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10 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

MARCH 1, 2013

ST3439 - March1_Layout 1 3/1/13 12:50 PM Page 11

MARCH 1, 2013

Affordable-housing project proposed for Signal Hill in peril as ‘seed money’ dries up Sean Belk Staff Writer

For several years, Signal Hill has planned its sixth affordablehousing complex, but city officials now say it’s unclear when, if ever, the project will move forward since “seed money” for the development has dried up, primarily after State legislators last year eliminated the largest funding source for low- to moderateincome housing.

Even with rising rents across the region, funds set aside to stimulate affordable housing have dwindled after the State abolished redevelopment during the recent budget crisis, taking away nearly $1 billion in annual affordable-housing support.

Meanwhile, funds from state housing bonds (Props. 46 and 1C) are nearly exhausted while federal housing assistance is being cut back. As a result, cities are left with little money to assist in new affordable-housing projects.

Before redevelopment was dismantled, Signal Hill city officials were in the initial stages of setting up an affordable-housing development that would consist of 60 units, taking up properties at 1500 Hill St. and 2170 Gundry Ave. The project would involve demolishing existing structures, combining the properties into one complex and then submitting a request for proposals for an affordable-housing developer to take over the development.

Although the total cost of the development is yet to be determined, the project would be funded much like Las Brisas 1 and 11 developments that were built in a partnership with nonprofit Adobe Communities.

For the new project, the former Signal Hill Redevelopment Agency (RDA) had already acquired both properties that have since been transferred to the Signal Hill Housing Authority.

The Gundry property, which consists of an old metal Quonset hut built after World War II and currently occupied by P&M Diesel, was acquired through eminent domain in January 2011.

The adjacent Hill Street property, which is occupied by existing renters, was acquired in 2010.

Rental income collected from both tenants is being placed in an account designated for the Housing Authority, minus a property management fee and maintenance expenses, according to a previous City staff report.

The State Department of Finance (DOF), which has final approval of leftover redevelopment funds during the dissolution, has already approved a “settlement agreement” that requires the tenant on Gundry Avenue eventually move out of the property to make way for the housing project.

However, in December of last year, the DOF determined that $2.6 million in affordable-housing funds slated for the project are “un-obligated” since the City hadn’t signed a contract agreement with a developer yet. As such, the State forced Signal Hill to “remit” the funds to various taxing entities in Los Angeles

County, said Elise McCaleb, Signal Hill’s economic development manager.

Although the properties have been acquired, she said the City must now find new ways to fund the project, since such developments, usually taken up by nonprofit developers, require “several layers” of funding that no longer are available through redevelopment funds set aside for affordable housing. McCaleb said “a lot of things have to happen” before the City will be able to turn the project over to a developer.

“We have to figure out some kind of replacement for affordable housing funds… that will be the difficulty of developing it,” she said. “We’ll need to see if the State has some other funds for low- to moderateincome housing… We’ll have to wait until the dust settles on the redevelopment dissolution to see what comes out of this.”

McCaleb added that there are still 34 acres of property in Signal Hill previously owned

NEWS

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

11

Sean Belk/Signal Tribune

Property at 2170 Gundry Ave. in Signal Hill that consists of an old metal Quonset hut built after World War II is slated to be demolished to make way for a 60-unit affordable-housing project. However, funds for the project have dwindled.

by the former Signal Hill Redevelopment Agency, and the City’s redevelopment successor agency must prepare a “long-range property management plan” to determine what

property will be used for economic development and what will be kept for public use.

By April 1, the City is expected to receive information on the results of a due-

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diligence review for non-housing funds, and the City will be eligible for a “finding of completion” once all un-obligated funds are remitted, she said. see RDA page 18

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CULTURE

12 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

MARCH 1, 2013

Long Beach muralist’s work is ‘representative of historical, environmental and community narratives’ “Juan,” acrylic on polytab on wood

Cory Bilicko Culture Writer

Jose Loza is an artist of few words. Perhaps he relates to the theory that less is more. Or maybe he believes in the adage of “Show, don’t tell.” There’s also the possibility that he’s rather shy in discussing his art. No matter the reason, his responses for this artist profile were decidedly brief– more so than any others who have agreed to be featured in these pages.

But, then, perhaps I’m overthinking it, and Loza just wants his art to speak for itself. His creations will

have that opportunity Saturday, March 2 when his new exhibit Obverse Topographies opens at The Bungalow Building, 727 Pine Ave., from 6pm to 10pm.

Although he was born in Cuernavaca, the capital city of Morelos, Mexico, Loza was raised in Long Beach since he was 2 months old.

He said his interest in art began when he was 5, but he began producing art 15 years ago, when he was 15.

As a teen, he continued to pursue his interest by participating in the Long Beach Summer Youth

Employment Training Program.

After the program, he was an apprentice to several renowned muralists working in Long Beach.

He began his formal art education at Art Center in Pasadena, and he is currently continuing his education at Long Beach City College. He has also taught numerous art and mural workshops that involve the community and specific workshops with atrisk youth.

He is currently a board member of the Cultural Alliance of Long Beach (CALB). He was invited to become a member after his completion of the Beach High School mural sponsored by Long Beach GRIP (Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention), the Long Beach Unified School District and CALB. In addition to participating in several public art projects throughout Long Beach, Loza has shown paintings as far as Australia and Mexico. He describes his murals as “representative of historical, environmental, and community narratives” and says his personal work is “representational of the human figure and oftentimes wild life in a contemporary context.”

He does consider himself a fulltime artist, though he is employed part-time at the City of Long Beach Mural Conservancy Program as a lead conservator.

Dine In Take Out

“Extended Magazine,” acrylic on polytab on wood

How do you feel when people ask you to explain the meaning of your art?

I feel it helps me clarify the meaning in my work.

listening to radio, eating, talking, etc.) while you work?

As I work, I like to listen to a variety of music.

How prevalently does your cultural background play into your art?

My culture is an important part of who I am, and it plays a part in every piece I produce.

From where do you typically draw inspiration?

I typically draw inspiration from the people in my life, the community, the environment and the city.

What does “Obverse Topographies” mean?

“Obverse Topographies” means the study of facial features and personal identity.

Do you ever get “artist’s block?”

If so, how do you combat it?

Yes, I combat it by listening to music, speaking to other artists, and by discussing my work with my wife.

Do you listen to music or engage in any other activity (watching TV,

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Do you enjoy having company while you work, or do you prefer to be alone?

Usually it depends on how I feel that day; at times I prefer to be alone or have company.

Who are your favorite artists, or what is your favorite type of art?

I do not have a favorite artist, but I appreciate representational figurative works of art.

Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve done?

Usually my favorite piece tends to be the one I am working on at that time.

Do you ever use any unconventional materials or methods in your work?

I do not think any materials or methods tend to be unconventional when it comes to art.

What do you think your life would be like if, for some reason, you couldn’t make art?

It would be dull.

To view more of Loza’s work, visit lpmurals.com .

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CULTURE

First Fridays Art Walk to go ‘green’ MARCH 1, 2013

The March 1 First Fridays Art Walk in Bixby Knolls will celebrate a theme of “The Sides of March”with a spectrum of music from gypsy jazz to indie rock, the world’s tallest leprechaun, breakdancers, an ice cream social, “green” activities (and hair), a Victorian Ball at Nino’s Restaurant, community art projects, face painting, and the Knolls Ranger mascot.

District CounEighth cilmember Al Austin’s “Council on Your Corner” will be set up at Atlantic Avenue and Burlinghall Drive to meet and greet attendees.

Seventh District Councilmember James Johnson’s “First Books at First Fridays” will begin at 5:30pm at the Dana Branch Library, 3680 Atlantic Ave., featuring LBPD North Division Commander Robert Luman as the guest reader.

Attendees may dine on “Art-Lantic” Avenue at one of the local restaurants then grab the Big Red Bus to travel from venue to venue via designated stops at the participating businesses.

Bella Cosa, 3803 Atlantic Ave., will have all the information about First Fridays, maps,

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Local author to discuss her book on acclaimed Long Beach wax artist

SHOP & DINE

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

Gatsby Books, 5535 E Spring St., will host Long Beach author Suzanne Sumner Ferry for a Q&A session and book-signing of her second book, The Day the Stars Stood Still, a memoir about the late Logan Fleming, a Long Beach resident who spent more than 25 years as the top wax artist and creative director at Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park.

Logan was an acclaimed wax artist who used no computer technology to create his life-like wax likenesses of some of the favorite stars of yesteryear.

For more information, contact Sean Richard Moore, owner of Gatsby Books at gatsbybooks@hotmail.com or (562) 208-5862.

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ST3439 - March1_Layout 1 3/1/13 12:50 PM Page 14

COMMUNITY

In the pink!

14 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

MARCH 1, 2013

Courtesy Blaine Group Inc.

Fullerton firefighters recently wore and sold pink “Give Cancer the Boot” T-shirts, raising nearly $12,000 for the wife of one of their own members. Burt Allen is a Fullerton firefighter, and his wife, Sue, has been battling non-small cell lung cancer since March 2005. She has received multiple grants from The Vanguard Cancer Foundation for assay tests. The firefighters donated their funds raised that day to the foundation. Pictured above are the firefighters, along with Burt (left of the check) presenting the funds to Long Beach’s Dr. Robert Nagourney of Rational Therapeutics (in necktie), who was honored by The Vanguard Cancer Foundation for his extensive research.

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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.

Lifetime Gifts given during your life avoids probate because probate only applies to those assets owned at time of death. A Living Trust is very beneficial when dealing with titled real property and other assets. A complete estate plan included in the Living Trust includes many ancillary documents that protect you financially, physically and allows for peace of mind.

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City of Signal Hill to host low-cost pet clinic

The City of Signal Hill Community Services Department will sponsor a low-cost vaccination and microchip clinic at Signal Hill Park, 2175 Cherry Ave., on Saturday, March 2, from 11am to 2pm. The Society for California Veterinary Vaccine Care (SCVVC) will provide services at the pet-friendly event.

Microchips will be available at a cost of $28, which includes AVID registration and lifetime 24/7 lost-and-found monitoring.

Dog and cat rabies vaccines will be available at a cost of $7 for animals ages 4 months or older.

Other vaccines available at a low cost include bordetella, lyme, DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvo virus), feline leukemia and FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calci,

and panleukopenia). Dewormings will also available at a cost between $13 and $35. Pet owners must notify the veterinarian prior to vaccination if their pets have ever had a reaction to a vaccine, have recently shown any sign of illness or could be pregnant.

Animal licensing will also be available during the event.

Clinics are held on a “first come, first served” basis. Pet owners must be at least 18 years of age to participate. All pets must be on leashes or in carriers.

Checks will be accepted for licensing, but only cash will be accepted for all veterinary services.

For more information, contact Community Services at (562) 989-7330 or visit cityofsignalhill.org .

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MARCH 1, 2013

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

15

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16 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

Forum

continued from page 1

the issues before the city election on March 5. The incumbents, Michael Noll, Ellen Ward and Ed Wilson, were joined Monday evening by Robert Mendoza and Lori Woods, two of the four challengers who are hoping for a spot on the council dais.

Challengers Nancy Sciortino and Elizabeth Wise did not attend. Terry Rogers, president of the Signal Hill Chamber of Commerce, which hosted the event, announced at the beginning of the forum that Sciortino was ill and that Wise had a family emergency.

The incumbents emphasized their experience and knowledge of the pressing issues.

“Experience does matter,” incumbent Wilson said at the forum, “and this election, that’s what it’s about.

Where are we going? Where do you want the city to go? Do you just want change, or do you want us to continue to move our city forward?”

Wilson talked about the number of positions he’s held with various organizations like the California League of Cities and the Signal Hill Sustainability Committee. He said that the city benefits when he and the other incumbents are active both outside the city and in the city, highlighting $10 million in grants that Signal Hill has received in the last six years.

Both incumbents Ward and Noll emphasized their experience as well.

Ward pointed to her years working for the Cities of Hawaiian Gardens, Paramount and Santa Ana in various posiNoll named several tions. commissions and committees on which he served, including the Civil Service Commission and the local historical society.

The two challengers acknowledged that they have not served on major commissions for the city, but they each pointed to other leadership experience they felt was relevant.

Mendoza pointed to his success as a businessman who runs a cleaning contractor company. He also told of a time when he helped defend school employees who were classified as terminated and were going to be disciplined. He said he put together an improvement plan for the employees.

He added that he did ask to serve on commissions and committees, but his applications to these committees were repeatedly rejected by the Council.

“I have been trying to get involved in this city, and the City Council has turned their back on me,” said Mendoza. “So don’t let them tell you that we haven’t asked.

Don’t let them tell you that we

haven’t applied. I’m in a position where I did apply, and they turned me down.”

Woods readily acknowledged that she had never served on any commissions in the city.

“And that’s what I feel is the beauty of American democracy,” Woods said, “that you don’t have to be a part of, you know, the clique or…the good old boys’ club to step up and serve your community.”

She added that she could help the city change in a way to respond better to the residents. Woods pointed to one example of her leadership abilities as she described how she organized on her own a 60-day campaign to run for office. Offering to show one sample of her creativity in leadership, Woods held out a small, reusable shopping bag that had been personalized for the campaign. She reached into the bag to show a stack of discount coupons for Signal Hill businesses or businesses owned by Signal Hill residents. She also displayed an informational guide that she created for residents.

A controversial charter-amendment initiative also dominated the candidate forum. The measure dubbed “Taxpayers’ Right to Know and Vote” proposes to change the city charter governing taxes, bonds and fees. The initiative is scheduled to be on the ballot in June 2014. All three incumbents have regularly criticized the initiative measure in the past and continued Monday night to point out what they perceived were major flaws.

Among its provisions, the initiative requires voters to approve all taxes, assessments and fees with a two-thirds majority. It also requires taxes and fees to expire within 10 years. Assessments will expire in 20 years. Bonds would have to be repaid within 20 years. Noll had said in the first candidate forum that elections cost about $30,000.

Wilson, who is also an accountant, explained how he thought the initiative would be a problem for economic-development projects.

“A two-thirds vote, though, makes the process of actually creating an economic development almost impossible,” Wilson said, as he further described how developers would have to wait at least a year for residents to vote on a development before a developer could start a project.

“That will kill our economic development,” he added.

Mendoza, however, actively supports the initiative and said that it would largely affect any potential developer.

NEWS

MARCH 1, 2013

Photos by CJ Dablo/Signal Tribune

Challenger Robert Mendoza (left) and incumbent Michael Noll during the Signal Hill City Council candidate forum at the new Signal Hill Police Station’s community room on Feb. 25

“I don’t think that there will be any impact at all except that developers will not be able to come into this city and develop and expect the residents to pay the bill,” Mendoza said.

He went on to explain his understanding of how the process would work in the case of a developer if he planned to build near the local hospital.

“If a developer wants to come in and develop across the street from Memorial Hospital,” Mendoza said, “he’s going to have to pay the $30,000 for that election to be held, or he’s going to have to wait until the regular election is held.”

Mendoza also said that municipal elections happen every two years.

“So we don’t have that many people developing,” Mendoza said. “It’s not a big deal. Everybody’s all excited about the Know and Vote. It’s really a good thing.”

Woods also painted the intent of the charter-amendment initiative in a positive light, stating that the initiative gives voters a say in the assessments and fees. She acknowledged that there are disputes over the initiative’s details and suggested that the city council and the city attorney meet with proponents of the initiative.

“I think if we go back to the nature and intent of it,” Woods said, “it can be fairly easily worked out.”

Noll, however, disputed whether there could be any negotiation on the intent at this time. He said that the initiative cannot now be changed because the State of California has already certified it.

“So, you’re going to have to start over,” Noll said, explaining that another initiative could be proposed to be on the ballot.

Noll did not discuss the work that it took to get one initiative on the June 2014 election. The movement to get the original initiative on the ballot required a great deal of volunteer effort. Over six months, proponents of the original initiative collected about 871 valid signatures for a petition to get it on the ballot.

Noll pointed out another problem that he perceived with the initiative. He said that the City could not pass on increases to user fees. Ward agreed, adding that dog-license fees and police tickets could be affected.

“First of all, a lot of people were given misinformation,” Ward said. She added that people were told that the initiative was about property taxes.

Ward suggested that the police chief could not increase the cost of a ticket.

“If the chief needs to raise a ticket, he can’t do it without going to the vote of the people,” Ward said.

The proposed construction of the library also proved to be a controversial topic. While all of the candidates said that they were in favor of building a new library, both Woods and Mendoza expressed concerns about the library.

“I definitely think we need a new library,” Mendoza said, “but we don’t need one that’s bigger than City Hall.”

He noted that the Department of Finance has turned down the library three times.

“It’s dead in the water,” Mendoza added, “We have to think out of the box. We have to do something different.”

Woods stated that she is concerned about ongoing maintenance costs.

“I fear that it could stretch the resources down the road in keeping it,

maintaining it and staffing it.” Woods said. “We can always go around the corner for a library book. We can’t go around the corner for a new police officer.”

Wilson, however, stated emphatically that he is in favor of a new library.

“I want to be a premier city,” Wilson said, “and I want to continue moving us forward. And to do that, we have to invest in the city. We can’t shortchange ourselves because someone doesn’t like the size of the library.”

Ward and Noll echoed his enthusiasm for the library. Ward said she felt positive that the City will get the bonds approved for the library.

The theme of experience dominated much of the incumbents’ statements, but for his closing statement, Noll criticized what he called a “hit piece,” a political advertisement that was mailed to some Signal Hill residents. Citing news articles, the mailer blasted the incumbents and criticized City Attorney David Aleshire and City Manager Ken Farfsing, according to Noll. He described how the mailer incorrectly reported large salaries for the city attorney and manager. The vice mayor said that the piece was produced by an attorney in Los Angeles working with an attorney in Signal Hill.

Ward summed up her service as councilmember for Signal Hill by emphasizing her role in creating jobs.

“Because I would like to continue serving the city,” Ward said. “I have the energy. I have the time and the experience. And I will not hold the inexperience or youth of my people competing for the position against them.” ß

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Challenger Lori Woods, incumbent Ellen Ward and incumbent Ed Wilson at the Signal Hill City Council candidate forum on Feb. 25

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LBFD makes arrests in three arson cases MARCH 1, 2013

Last month, the Long Beach Fire Department’s (LBFD) Arson Unit solved and made arrests regarding three arson cases, according to a press release sent on Feb. 22 by Captain Jim Arvizu, public information officer with the LBFD. According to Arvizu, the following arson cases have been solved: • On Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, a female suspect was arrested at 820 Hoffman Ave. in connection with a fire the previous day at 1077 Orange Ave. The suspect was charged with arson of an inhabited structure, and her probation was violated.

• On Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, a male suspect was arrested in connection with burning his vehicle at 17th Street and Daisy Avenue in August 2012.

The suspect was charged with arson and insurance fraud.

• On Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013 a male subject was arrested for presenting false ID to a police officer and conducting an illegal burning without a permit after setting a fire in the back yard of his apartment. “He was initially contacted by Engine 11 and understood he was wrong to burn his belongings in public,” Arvizu said. “Over four hours later, they returned, and the subject’s attitude had changed, and he was arrested.”

NEWS

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

17

EYE ON CRIME Crimes reported by LBPD - Council Districts 6, 7 and 8

Thursday, Feb. 21 Residential burglary 3:30pm– 2400 block Daisy Ave.

Residential burglary 4pm– 2800 block Maine Ave.

Battery 10:43pm– 2800 block Atlantic Ave. Robbery of person 11:47pm– 1800 block Pacific Ave. Auto burglary 4pm– 900 block W. 19th St.

Source: LBFD

Friday, Feb. 22 Robbery of person 4:27pm– 200 block Nevada St. Assault 5pm– W. 27th St./Pacific Ave.

Battery 11:40pm– 2800 block Atlantic Ave.

Crimes reported by SHPD - Citywide Thursday, Feb. 21 Stolen vehicle 1:23pm– 1900 block Raymond Ave.

Annoying, obscene matter and threats by phone 4pm– 2100 block E. Willow St.

Disorderly conduct, under the influence of drugs, alcohol 6:54pm– 2300 block E. Willow St.

Friday, Feb. 22 Exhibiting deadly weapon 10:15am– E. Pacific Coast Highway and Stanley Avenue

Saturday, Feb. 23 DUI 1:39am– Molino Ave./Wall St.

Commercial burglary 11:15am– 900 block E. 33rd St.

Commercial burglary 12:47pm– 3000 block California Ave. Auto burglary 2pm– 3300 block Lemon Ave.

Sunday, Feb. 24 Commercial robbery 1:54pm– 2200 block E. Willow St.

Monday, Feb. 25 Identity theft 2:27pm– 2100 block Gaviota Ave.

Threatening phone calls 3:40pm– 2100 block E. Willow St.

Saturday, Feb. 23 Robbery of person 6:09pm– 4900 block Long Beach Blvd.

Monday, Feb. 25 Commercial burglary 8:32am– 200 block E. Willow St.

Residential burglary 9am– 700 block Cartagena St.

Tuesday, Feb. 26 Commercial burglary, shoplifting 7:28pm– 300 block E. Willow St.

Auto burglary 4:30pm– 4200 block E. Colorado St. DUI 10:30pm– 1700 block E. Hill St.

Tuesday, Feb. 26 Non-injury hit-and-run 8:12am– 2000 block Dawson Ave. Auto burglary 9:13am– 1400 block E. 33rd St. Residential burglary 6pm– 1100 block E. 23rd St.

Wednesday, Feb. 27 Disorderly conduct under the influence of drugs, alcohol 2:01am– E. Hill St./Obispo Ave. Stolen vehicle 5:04pm– E. 19th St./Junipero Ave.

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18 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

RDA

continued from page 11

Affordable-housing legislation New legislation, however, proposes to rejuvenate at least some affordable-housing funds in the state. Senate Bill 391, known as the California Homes and Jobs Act of 2013, introduced Feb. 20

by Sen. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord), would generate an estimated $500 million in state funds for affordable housing each year through charging a $75 fee on real-estate transactions, excluding home sales.

The legislation, based on a similar bill that didn’t pass last year, requires a two-thirds vote to be approved in the State Legislature and must be signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. So far, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association opposes the bill.

The revenue comes out to only half of what redevelopment once provided. However, city officials, affordable-housing advocates and some legislators say the bill is a good start, adding that the legislation would create housing funds “without creating new debt” and would also “leverage an additional $2.78 billion in federal funding

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NEWS

and bank loans annually.”

A statement on the legislation states that a private/public partnership model will be able to create 29,000 jobs annually, primarily from new housing construction, adding that the bill would assist in the building of affordable singlefamily homes and apartments for Californians in need, including families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.

The bill is sponsored by the California Housing Consortium and Housing California and, so far, has received support from business organizations as well, including the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, the Orange County Business Council, Silicon Valley Leadership Group and the Los

Angeles Business Council.

“I think it’s important to note that the housing crisis isn’t over for many Californians,” said Mike Roth, spokesperson for the legislation. “Now that we’re seeing home prices rise, which is driving affordability down, we need to get California building again… it won’t replace all of the redevelopment funds, but we recognize each community’s housing needs are unique. We look forward to working with coalition members and congressional members on how funds can be allocated for existing, highly successful housing programs.”

Tom Modica, Long Beach’s director of government affairs, said the City supports affordable

housing but the bill isn’t on its legislative agenda, adding that the City hasn’t taken a position on the legislation.

In Long Beach, two affordablehousing projects are able to move forward after the State DOF approved $18.3 million in bond proceeds. Of the total, $5.9 million is going toward revitalizing the Belwood Arms Apartments at 6301 Atlantic Ave., while the remaining $12.4 million is be allocated for the construction of the Ramona Park Senior Apartments at 3290 E. Artesia Blvd. expected to break ground on March 6. The $22-million Ramona complex is expected to replace the vacant Farmers & Merchants Bank to make way for a two-story, 61-unit complex. ß

continued from page 1

City Hall,” Hamme said.

It turned out the club did not have the necessary city permits to host live audiences. When city officials began putting the pressure on Studio 354, the operators kicked Garage Theatre out. “So we got in touch with the operators of a theatre in the Lafayette Building on Broadway and Linden, which is now a bike shop,” Hamme said. “They let us finish our second show there during the 2001-2002 holiday season.”

During the summer of 2002, Garage Theatre staged its third play at the Edison Theatre on Broadway and Pine Avenue, which the company sub-rented from CSULB. “Then we rented the Guerilla Theatre in Santa Ana for one show in 2003,” Hamme noted. “We came back to Long Beach later that year and did another show in the Lafayette Building “ For the next year or so after that, Garage Theatre produced shows in several different venues as rental space became available.

“None of those was a traditional theatre, so we had to build a theatre before each production and tear it down at the end,” Hamme said. “We finally got fed up with that and decided we needed a permanent home for our shows.”

Then, in late 2004, another company, Found Theatre, moved to a new location on 6th Street and Long Beach Boulevard, leaving behind a vacant theatre at 251 E. 7th St. “We ended up getting the keys to that theatre at the end of 2004,” Hamme said. “We renamed it Garage Theatre and opened our first show there in February 2005.”

The company has put on about 50 plays since then, usually six per year.

Danielle Dauphinee, another CSULB theatre graduate, founded Alive Theatre with Jeremy Aluma in 2008. That company’s first production was the Cherry Poppin' Play Festival.

A collection of seven new plays that opened in January 2008.

Since then, Alive has put on an average of four plays per year.

That company had a history similar to Garage Theatre’s. Until now, it did not have a venue of its own and was constantly moving from one building to another. The company has used 25 different buildings for its productions since 2008. Dauphinee explained that after four and a half years of constantly moving, the core group of company members realized they were spending far too much of their time arranging venues, negotiating rent and contracts, and building a theatre and stage. “That left us with very

time little to build our company and keep our focus strongly committed to the art,” she noted. “As we got older and more full-time jobs, our precious time volunteering to our theatre needed to be spent more wisely.”

Meanwhile, Garage and Alive theatres were working together to get permission to put on plays in the Edison Theatre, which was owned by the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency (RDA). When a state law abolished all such agencies, the ownership of the building passed to the City, which is now trying to sell it. The two companies gave up trying to get use of that building soon after the RDA ceased to exist. “But that effort was so cohesive and pleasurable that it helped show us how great our companies could be together,” Dauphinee said.

“And Alive Theatre has always looked up to The Garage Theatre since they have been a mentor of ours and paved a similar path.”

She added that as the relationship between the two companies progressed, everyone involved began to realize that if the two companies combined their efforts, good things were bound to happen.

Hamme explained that for the last several years a core of about seven people was committed to planning and organizing the Garage Theatre shows. “We are all good friends, and we worked very well together,” he said. “But last year a couple of them had to move away, and that left a big gap in our company.”

Soon after that, the core group of Garage Theatre began contemplating joining forces with Alive Theatre. In subsequent discussions the leaders of both companies agreed that a merger was in everybody’s best interests.

“Alive and Garage have always been friends and had the same actors, designers, crew and even audience throughout the years, so why not get together and make it official and pool our resources?” Dauphinee said. “We both had members move away, and instead of filling the holes, we all saw the advantage of coming together.”

“From our end, the people of Alive Theatre are incredibly talented and motivated,” Hamme said. “They will infuse new energy and creativity into our performances.”

The new entity now has five members from each group serving as organizers, planners and directors.

Theaters

studying theatre at CSULB. They each received their bachelor’s degree in 1999 and soon thereafter began looking for a place to produce plays.

“Our first show, Scenes From The New World by Eric Bogosian, opened in February 2001,” Hamme said. “The performances were held on 4th and Elm in a sort of underground club called Studio 354 that featured live music and poetry readings.

The two guys that ran it let us be their resident theatre company.”

Later that year, Garage Theatre put on its second play and distributed fliers in hopes of attracting a bigger audience.

“Our second show got a review in the Press-Telegram, and that was probably read by someone in

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TST4298 Trustee Sale No. 12-00774-5 Loan No. 0030209944 APN 7216-002-028 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED April 22, 2004. 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 PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On March 14, 2013, at 09:00 AM, Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles-Norwalk, 13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk, CA 90650, Vineyard Ballroom, Power Default Services, Inc., as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on May 4, 2004, as Instrument No. 04 1107769 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA, executed by: STEVE G. BLASKO, ANDREA M. BLASKO, HUSBAND AND WIFE AS JOINT TENANTS, as Trustor, in favor of AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE ACCEPTANCE, INC. as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 2621 EAST 20TH STREET #3, SIGNAL HILL, CA 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 without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining unpaid balance of the obligations secured by and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust (together with any modifications thereto). 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 1-800-280-2832 or visit this Internet Web site www.auction.com, using the file number assigned to this case 12-00774-5. 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.

The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $344,025.94 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check 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 California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. DATE: 02/19/2013 POWER DEFAULT SERVICES, INC., Trustee By: Fidelity National Title Company, its agent 11000 Olson Drive Ste 101, Rancho Cordova , CA 95670, 916-636-0114 By: Megan Curtis, Authorized Signature SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT HYPERLINK "http://www.auction.com" www.auction.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 1-800-280-2832 P1021983 2/22, 3/1, 03/08/2013

TST4307 Trustee Sale No. 25657CA Title Order No. 1315793 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 11-162006. 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 PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 03-222013 at 9:00 AM, MERIDIAN FORECLOSURE SERVICE f/k/a MTDS, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION DBA MERIDIAN TRUST DEED SERVICE as the duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust Recorded 11-30-2006, Book , Page , Instrument 20062652606 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of LOS ANGELES County, California, executed by: MARGARITA URIBE AND DANIEL URIBE WIFE AND HUSBAND AS JOINT TENANTS as Trustor, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS NOMINEE FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL GROUP, INC., as Beneficiary, will sell at public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier's check drawn by a state or national bank, a cashier’s check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashier’s 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. Sale will be held by the duly appointed trustee as shown below, of all right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by the trustee in the hereinafter described property under and pursuant to the Deed of Trust. The sale will be made, but without convenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possesssion, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the notes (s) secured by the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale. Place of Sale: Behind the fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, 400 Civic Center Plaza Pomona, CA Legal Description: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The street address and other common designation of the real property purported as: 2325 LEWIS AVENUE, SIGNAL HILL, CA 90755 APN Number: 7211-021-014 Amount of unpaid balance and other charges:$378,995.49 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 the property itself. Placing the highest bid at trustee auction does not automatically entitle

PUBLIC NOTICES

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 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) 573-1965 or visit this Internet Web site www. Priorityposting.com , using the file number assigned to this case 25657CA. 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.

In addition, the borrower on the loan shall be sent a written notice if the sale has been postponed for at least ten (10) business days. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. The property heretofore described is being sold “as is”. DATE: 02-27-2013 MERIDIAN FORECLOSURE SERVICE f/k/a MTDS, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION DBA MERIDIAN TRUST DEED SERVICE 3 SAN JOAQUIN PLAZA, SUITE 215, NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660 Sales Line: (714) 573-1965 OR (702) 5864500 JESSE J. FERNANDEZ, PUBLICATION LEAD MERIDIAN FORECLOSURE SERVICE IS ASSISTING THE BENEFICIARY TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. P1023670 3/1, 3/8, 03/15/2013

TST4297 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE T.S. No.: 9985-1653 TSG Order No.: 93736 A.P.N.: 7217-027-005 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 08/02/2007. 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. NBS Default Services, LLC, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded 08/10/2007 as Document No.: 20071882190, of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California, executed by: JOSEPH E. PECOT, JR., A MARRIED MAN, AS HIS SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY, as Trustor, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable in full at time of sale by cash, a cashier's check drawn by 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). 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. Sale Date and Time: 03/25/2013 at 11:00 AM Sale Location: By the fountain located at 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766 The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 2421 AMELIA COURT, 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. Said sale will be made in an "AS IS" condition, 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, if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust, to-wit: $575,970.15 (Estimated). Accrued interest and additional advances, if any, will increase this figure prior to sale. It is possible that at the time of sale the opening bid may be less than the total indebtedness due. 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, https://www.lpsasap.com/, for information regarding the sale of this property, using the file number assigned to this case, T.S.# 9985-1653. 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.

If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The Declaration pursuant to California Civil Code, Section 2923.5(a) was fulfilled when the Notice of Default was recorded on 11/13/2012 NBS Default Services, LLC 301 E. Ocean Blvd. Suite 1720 Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone:800-766-7751 Fax: 562-983-5379 For Trustee Sale Information Log On To: https://www.lpsasap.com/ or Call: (714)730-2727. NBS Default Services, LLC, Gaby Ospino "We are attempting to collect a debt, and any information we obtain will be used for that purpose." A-4362432 03/01/2013, 03/08/2013, 03/15/2013

TST4296 TSG No.: 7447819 TS No.: CA1200248841 FHA/VA/PMI No.: APN: 7148-018-022 Property Address: 3310 GUNDRY AVENUE SIGNAL HILL, CA 90807 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 07/10/2003. 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. On 03/14/2013 at 10:00 A.M., First American Title Insurance Company, as duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust recorded 08/01/2003, as Instrument No. 03 2207988, in book , page , , of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of LOS ANGELES County, State of California. Executed by: LA TAUSHA C. BOWLER AND GERALD W. BOWLER, WIFE AND HUSBAND, 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) Behind the fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona CA All right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County described as: AS MORE FULLY and State DESCRIBED IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED DEED OF TRUST APN# 7148-018-022 The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 3310 GUNDRY AVENUE, SIGNAL HILL, CA 90807 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 $167,388.07. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust has deposited all documents evidencing the obligations secured by the Deed of Trust and has declared all sums secured thereby immediately due and payable, and has caused a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be executed. 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 (916)939-0772 or visit this Internet Web http://search.nationwideposting.com/propertySearchTerms.aspx, using the file number assigned to this case CA1200248841 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. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse. First American Title Insurance Company First American Title Insurance Company 3 FIRST AMERICAN WAY SANTA ANA, CA 92707 Date: FOR TRUSTEE'S SALE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL (916)939-0772 First American Title Insurance Company MAY BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.NPP0213623 SIGNAL TRIBUNE 02/22/2013, 03/01/2013, 03/08/2013

TST4295 Title No. 6451274 ALS No. 2012-4157 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT OF A LIEN, DATED MARCH 6, 2012. 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 PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT: On March 13, 2013, at 9:00 AM, ASSOCIATION LIEN SERVICES, as duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to a certain lien, recorded on March 9, 2012, as instrument number 20120376768, of the official records of Los Angeles County, California. WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR LAWFUL MONEY OF THE UNITED STATES, OR A CASHIERS CHECK at: Behind the fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona CA 91766. The street address and other common designations, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 2506 E Willow #303, Signal Hill, California 90755 Assessor's Parcel No. 7214-009-108 The owner(s) of the real property is purported to be: Anthony Castro and Myriah B. Castro, husband and wife as joint tenants The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designations, 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 a note, homeowner's assessment or other obligation secured by this lien, with interest and other sum as provided therein: plus advances, if any, under the terms thereof and interest on such advances, plus fees, charges, expenses of the Trustee and trust created by said lien. 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 $17,887.58. Payment must be in cash, a cashier's check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state bank or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings & loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state.

The real property described above is being sold subject to the right of redemption. The redemption period within which real property may be redeemed ends 90 days after the sale. 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 contact Priority Posting & Publishing for information regarding the trustee’s sale or visit its website www.priorityposting.com for information regarding the sale of this property. 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 website. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. The beneficiary of said Lien hereto 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. Date: February 8, 2013 Association Lien Services, as Trustee P.O. Box 64750, Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310) 2072027 By: Alvin Okoreeh, Trustee Officer P1020357 2/15, 2/22, 03/01/2013

TST4285 / 2013 014780 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: PLUMBING BY EDWARD, 1016 Concord St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Registrant: EDWARD HERNANDES, 1016 Concord St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Edward Hernandez. 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 January 23, 2013. 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: February 8, 15, 22, & March 1, 2013.

TST4286 / 2013 016949 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: GARTH'S JELLY DONUT, 3350 E. 7th. St. #128, Long Beach, CA 90804. Registrant: CHRISTOPHER KRAMME, 630 Magnolia Ave. Apt. 202, Long Beach, CA 90802.

This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Christopher Kramme. 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 January 24, 2013. 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: February 8, 15, 22, & March 1, 2013.

TST4287/ 2013 019221 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: BEACHCRAFTERS, 4350 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807. Registrant: MICHELE WILLIAMS, 36 Gaviota Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Michele Williams. 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 December 7, 2012. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on January 29, 2013. 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: February 8, 15, 22, & March 1, 2013.

TST4288 / 2013 020238 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as: 1.

CHERRYWOOD PROPERTY SERVICES, 2.

CHERRYWOOD PROPERY HOLDINGS, 2201 E. Willow St. Suite D#185, Signal Hill, CA 90755. Registrants: 1. STEVE LEWIS, 2. JUNE LEWIS, 3265 Orange Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755. This business is conducted by: a Married Couple. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

Signed: Steve Lewis/June Lewis. 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 January 30, 2013. 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: February 8, 15, 22, & March 1, 2013.

TST4291 / 2013 024386 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: DIAL PRINTING, 633 Terrylynn Place, Long Beach, CA 90807. Registrant: HMS INDUSTRIES, INC, 633 Terrylynn Place, Long Beach, CA 90807 This business is conducted by: a Corporation. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

Signed: Phillip Sigman, 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 February 5, 2013. 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: February 8, 15, 22, & March 1, 2013.

MARCH 1, 2013

TST4292 / 2013 024887 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: PROFIT BUSINESS BROKERS, 133 Argonne Ave., Long Beach, CA 90803. Registrant: MITCHELL BARNEY, 5318 E. 2nd St., Suite 640, Long Beach, CA 90803.

This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

Signed: Mitchell Barney. 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 February 5, 2013. 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: February 8, 15, 22, & March 1, 2013.

TST4294 / 2013 021829 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: 1.

DDR PROJECTS, 2. DEVIL DOLL RECORDS, 3546 Gaviota Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807.

Registrant: JOHN GELDBACH, 3546 Gaviota 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: John Geldbach. The registrant has begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein.

The registrant began using this fictitious business name in January, 1996. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on January 31, 2013. 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: February 15, 22, & March 1, 8, 2013.

TST4300 / 2013 027860 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: 1.

CHARIS LONG BEACH, 2. CHARIS NONPROFIT, 2701 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90803. Registrant: JAMES K. LEWIS, 2701 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90803. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: James K. Lewis. 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 February 8, 2013.

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: February 22, & March 1, 8, 15, 2013.

TST4301 / 2013 031522 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: BRAWNY BUILT, 1441 E. 28th St., Signal Hill, CA 90755. Registrant: BRANDON HOLSTEIN, 5833 Gaviota Ave., Long Beach, CA 90805. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Brandon Holstein. 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 February 14, 2013.

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: February 22, & March 1, 8, 15, 2013.

TST4302 / 2013 033106 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: LOS ANGELES ROBOTICS CLUB, 4619 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712. Registrant: ANNIKA O'BRIEN, 4619 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712. This business is conducted by: an Individual.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Annika O'Brien. 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 February 19, 2013. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on February 19, 2013.

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: February 22, & March 1, 8, 15, 2013.

TST4303 / Case No. NS026435

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 NhatVy Nu Ton For Change of Name.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner NHATVY NU TON, filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name: NHATVY NU TON to Proposed Name: JANET NU TON. 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: March 27, 2013; Time: 1:30 P.M.; Dept. H, Room 53. 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: February 22, & March 1, 8, 15, 2013. ___//ss//___ Joseph E. DiLoreto, Judge of the Superior Court Dated: February 13, 2013

ST3439 - March1_Layout 1 3/1/13 12:50 PM Page 21

PUBLIC NOTICES

MARCH 1, 2013 TST4308 / 2013 034294 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: HD TANDEM, 4300 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, CA 90804. Registrant: HDPSTN, LLC, 4300 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, CA 90804. This business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

Signed: David Erickson, President. 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 October 1, 2012. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on February 20, 2013.

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: March 1, 8, 15, 22, 2013.

TST4309 / 2013 039744 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as: 1.

GUTIERREZ FAMILY TRUST, 2. EZ DOCUMENTOS, 3. DOCUMENTOSIMPLES, 4. PERSONAL CONSIGLIERE, 1951 Snowden Ave., Long Beach, CA 90815. Registrants: 1. GERARDO MARLON GUTIERREZ, 2. GERARDO GUTIERREZ, 3.

MARTHA GUTIERREZ, 4. BRIAN GUTIERREZ, 1951 Snowden Ave., Long Beach, CA 90815, 5.

HERIBERTO GUTIERREZ, 6. JENNIFER ROCCO, 2711 Fanwood Ave., Long Beach, CA 90815. This business is conducted by: a General Partnership. I declare that all information in this statement is true

and correct. Signed: Jennifer Rocco. 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 February 27, 2013. 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: March 1, 8, 15, 22, 2013.

TST4306 / 2013 038575 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: B-C.H.I.L., 3308 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90808. Registrant: BEATRIZ NIEVES, 3308 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90808. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Beatriz Nieves.

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 February 26, 2013.

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: March 1, 8, 15, 22, 2013.

CITY OF SIGNAL HILL TST4305 PUBLIC WoRKSHoP NoTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT on Tuesday, March 12, 2012, the Planning Commission of the City of Signal Hill, California, will conduct a public workshop at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers located at City Hall, 2175 Cherry Avenue, Signal Hill, California, to consider recommendations on the following: A TWO-STORY 18,994 SQUARE FOOT MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING ON A 1.32 ACRE PARCEL AT 845 WILLOW STREET LOCATED IN THE CG, COMMERCIAL GENERAL, ZONING DISTRICT. PLANS FOR THE PROJECT WERE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED IN 2009 BUT THE APPROVALS HAVE SINCE EXPIRED. THE SITE PLAN HAS BEEN MODIFIED TO SHIFT THE BUILDING FROM THE REAR PORTION OF THE LOT TO THE FRONTAGE ALONG SPRING STREET Applicant: Ware Malcomb for 2H Construction ALL INTERESTED PERSONS are hereby invited to attend this Workshop to present written information, express their opinions or otherwise present evidence on the above matter.

THE FILE containing information relative to the proposed project may be inspected by the public between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays, in the Community Development Department at City Hall.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to submit written comments to the Community Development Department prior to the Workshop.

Written comments may also be submitted at the workshop or via email at scharney@cityofsignalhill.org FURTHER INFORMATION on this item may be obtained at the City of Signal Hill Community Development Department located at 2175 Cherry Avenue, Signal Hill, California, or by calling Scott Charney at (562) 989-7343.

Published in the Signal Tribune newspaper: Posted in accordance with S.H.M.C. Section 1.08.010 on or before: Mailed to affected property owners: March 1, 2013

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TST4304 NoTICE oF A PUBLIC WoRKSHoP NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, the Planning Commission of the City of Signal Hill will conduct a public workshop at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber located at City Hall, 2175 Cherry Avenue, Signal Hill, California, to consider recommendations on the following: DRAFT COMPLIANCE PLANS AND RECLASSIFICATION FOR TWELVE TRUCKING YARDS THE PLANNING COMMISSION WILL REVIEW DRAFT COMPLIANCE PLANS FOR TWELVE TRUCKING YARDS AND CONSIDER CHANGING THE USE CLASSIFICATION FOR NINE TO STORAGE YARDS ALL INTERESTED PERSONS are hereby invited to attend this public workshop to present written information, express their opinions or otherwise present evidence on the above matter.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to submit written comments to the Community Development Department, prior to the Planning Commission workshop. Written comments may also be submitted at the public workshop.

FURTHER INFORMATION on this item may be obtained at the City of Signal Hill Community Development Department located at 2175 Cherry Avenue, Signal Hill, California, or by emailing Colleen Doan, Associate Planner at cdoan@cityofsignalhill.org or calling at (562) 989-7344.

Published in the Signal Tribune newspaper: Posted in accordance with S.H.M.C. Section 1.08.010: Mailed to affected property owners and tenants: March 1, 2013 March 1, 2013 March 1, 2013

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ST3439 - March1_Layout 1 3/1/13 12:50 PM Page 22

22 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

LGBT

continued from page 1

Long Beach’s latest exhibit called Coming Out in Long Beach, which includes nearly 1,000 items, such as Tshirts, old photographs, pamphlets and buttons, documenting the rise of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the local area. Historians recorded the stories of nine local residents who were active in the LGBT community, involved in various initiatives and causes as early as the 1960s.

The exhibit is part of a larger undertaking called the LGBT History Project that involves a yearlong effort to collect artifacts and information through interviews for a permanent archive. The exhibit officially opened to the public this week and runs through March 1, 2014 at the historical society at 4260 Atlantic Ave. The project was kicked off last Saturday, Feb. 23, during an opening gala attended by more than 200 people, including local government dignitaries and Grammy and Oscar Award-winning singer and musician Melissa Etheridge.

The gay and lesbian activist who officially came out in 1993 with the release of her album Yes I Am moved from Kansas to Long Beach, where she first launched her musical career, playing at local lesbian bars, including Que Sera and

the Executive Suite. As part of the exhibit, one of Etheridge’s gold records is on display.

“This is a trip,” said Etheridge, who has released a new album titled 4th Street Feeling and attended the event with her partner Linda Wallem, an actress, writer and producer. “It was those very people who I see here who gave me a job…

It was years performing those songs for you. You guys were gathering in the daylight saying you were ‘gay’...

This is what America is about...”

Other subjects in the exhibit include: the controversy of the first Pride Parade and Festival in Long Beach; the Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club that successfully lobbied for a city ordinance to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation; the AIDS epidemic once called the “gay disease;” and the start of the first AIDS Walk.

Items also involve: the election of the first openly gay city councilmembers in Long Beach and Signal Hill; the gay social scene and growth of gay bars along Broadway; and the opening of Sojourner Bookstore on Redondo Avenue that sold books on lesbianism.

“The exhibit is unique in that Long Beach is now stepping up to the plate, recognizing that we are part of the historical community…

It’s time,” said Vanessa Romain, who was quoted in the exhibit for being an activist for lesbian and

T-shirts from various LGBT events make up part of the Coming Out in Long Beach exhibit

NEWS

MARCH 1, 2013

Photos by Sean Belk/Signal Tribune

Jamie Hunt, a board member in charge of project activities for the Center Long Beach, views framed documents in a timeline that is part of the Historical Society of Long Beach’s exhibit Coming Out in Long Beach, which opened this week and will run through March 1, 2014.

gay rights for many years and involved with the Pride parade since its inception.

Julie Bartolotto, executive director of the Historical Society of Long Beach and co-chair of a steering committee on the project, said the largest collections came from the Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Center, Long Beach Pride and David Hensley, a former teacher and local gayrights activist.

“What we know now is that we know a little,” said Bartolotto during the gala. She added that she was “impressed with the overwhelming success of the event and the support from the community.”

In addition to the exhibit and a permanent archive of materials and oral histories, the project involves creating a documentary and organizing various programs and events throughout the year. Other events include public oral histories, panel discussions, a documentary preview and a walking tour of places significant to

Buttons and other memorabilia from the Coming Out in Long Beach exhibit

LGBT history. Programming will be announced throughout the year.

To donate historically valuable LGBT materials, contact Letticia

Montoya at letticiam@hslb.org. For more information on the LGBT History Project, visit hslb.org or call (562) 424-2220. ß

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