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Close-up of

“Sass” by Mary Grace

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For more on this artist, see page 7.

VOl. 34 NO. 42

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

Bike-infrastructure plans for north LB move forward as community gives majority support

Your Weekly Community Newspaper

March 22, 2013

Sean Belk Staff Writer

Plans to install an integrated bike system along a portion of Pacific Avenue from downtown to north Long Beach that would provide access points to the Los Angeles River bike path continues to gain traction.

Long Beach city officials said a majority of community members surveyed about the project have given their support, even though some residents, primarily in the Los Cerritos neighborhood, have protested the proposed bike lanes and circular medians that would eliminate parking in front of homes and businesses.

Steve Tweed, Long Beach transportation planner, said the City is still moving ahead with designs to be finalized by the end of summer.

“We’ve had our trials up in the Los Cerritos neighborhood, but we will continue… for the next year until we build this thing,” he said during a presentation about the street alterations at a Central Project Area Council meeting on March 7. “Our intention is to continue to move the project forward.”

The nearly $1-million federally funded project includes adding a series of “sharrows” along Pacific

Photos by CJ Dablo/Signal Tribune

Newly elected Vice Mayor Ed Wilson, Mayor Michael Noll and Councilmember Lori Woods raise their glasses in celebration at a reception at the Community Center on March 19.

Sean Belk/Signal Tribune

Steve Tweed, Long Beach transportation planner, shows residents a map of proposed bike routes during a Central Project Area Council meeting on March 7 at Mental Health America, 456 Elm Ave. Designs for the Pacific Avenue bike infrastructure project are expected to be finalized by the end of summer.

Avenue from Ocean Boulevard to Pacific Coast Highway. The greenstriped lanes, similar to those first painted on 2nd Street in Belmont Shore, are designed for bicyclists to share the road with drivers. The bike

route would continue on Pacific Avenue with a Class 2 bike lane up to Spring Street, winding through other streets in the Bixby Knolls area, including San Antonio Drive, provid-

Groundwater Festival draws thousands to WRD headquarters

see BIKES page 15

Nick Diamantides Staff Writer

Nick Diamantides/Signal Tribune

At this year’s Groundwater Festival, the Water Replenishment District’s board of directors presented the Ambassador Award to Congressmember Alan Lowenthal for his efforts to protect and increase the regional groundwater supply during his tenure as state senator. “I was glad to be just one part of the evolution of water protection here in southern California,” Lowenthal said. From left: WRD Boardmember Rob Katherman, Lowenthal, Boardmember Sergio Calderon and Board President Albert Robles. ABC7 Eyewitness News Reporter Rudabeh Shahbazi is standing in the background.

During its sixth annual groundwater festival, entitled “Treasure Beneath Our Feet,” last Saturday, the Water Replenishment District (WRD) presented Congressmember Alan Lowenthal (Democrat, CA-47th District) with an award for his support of the agency’s efforts to maintain an adequate supply of clean underground water for the region it serves.

“WRD is proud to host this successful community event that raises the public’s awareness of our most fundamental public resource– our groundwater,” said WRD Board President Albert Robles. “As the costs of imported water from the Colorado River and northern California continue to

Weekly Weather Forecast Friday

70°

see WRD page 6

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Noll becomes Signal Hill mayor; City bids farewell to Ward, welcomes Woods to Council CJ Dablo Staff Writer

for Signal Hill Council challenged incumbents Noll, Wilson and Ward for their office. Ward narrowly lost her bid to stay on the Council, and Tuesday marked the end of her 12 years on the dais.

In her final address as the outgoing mayor, Hansen devoted much of her time recalling the accomplish-

There was a lot of love to go around the Signal Hill Council Chamber at the March 19 meeting.

Well-wishers and local community leaders packed the chamber that night to offer hugs, flowers and numerous awards to the outgoing see COUNCIL page 14 officers and to congratulate the incoming officers.

They bade farewell to outgoing Councilmember Ellen Ward, welcomed Lori Woods to the Council dais and congratulated Michael Noll and Ed Wilson, who will now serve a year term as Signal Hill’s new mayor and vice mayor, respectively. Outgoing mayor Tina Hansen finished her term as the leader of the Council and now resumes her role as a councilmember.

The annual city tradition for the changing Outgoing Signal Hill Councilmember Ellen Ward of the guard comes just makes a few heartfelt wisecracks as she thanks two weeks after the the City and her supporters. Ward finished her municipal election in term on the Council at the March 19 meeting. She which four candidates has served on the Council since 2001.

March 22 through March 26, 2013 Tuesday

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NEWS

2 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

MARCH 22, 2013

Sen. Ricardo Lara sworn into new 33rd District office Sean Belk Staff Writer

The son of Mexican-immigrant parents and a native of east Los Angeles, Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach) was sworn into office Thursday, March 14 to serve the newly drawn 33rd senate district.

Lara, 38, now the youngest state senator, won the senate seat nearly unopposed in last year’s November election, receiving 80.5 percent of the vote over write-in candidate Lee Harrison Chauser. The former assemblymember announced his candidacy just weeks after Assemblymember Bonnie

Lowenthal dropped out of the race to run for a second assembly term.

The new senate district, which has a Hispanic majority, represents Vernon, Maywood, Bell, Huntington Park, Southgate, Lynwood, Paramount and Signal Hill, as well as portions of Los Angeles, Lakewood and Long Beach.

During the swearing-in ceremony that drew a crowd of about 200 people, including local dignitaries, at the Museum of Latin American Art, Lara called himself a “true advocate for hard-working families” and gave credit to his parents, whom he said migrated from Mexico as teenagers and lived as

Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach) gives a speech at MoLAA about his political goals and objectives in front of a crowd of about 200 people, including local dignitaries, after taking an oath of office to serve the newly drawn 33rd senate district.

undocumented citizens for 12 years.

“Only in our great country can the son of a seamstress and a factory worker now serve the eighth-largest economy in the world, which is the great state of California,” he said “…

In this country, it’s still the land of opportunity for all of us. That is why people continue to fight so hard to come to this country.”

The Democratic former assemblymember was sworn in by 4th District Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, whom Lara pointed out is a Republican.

“I felt that it was important for us to set a new trend in California that we don’t care about political parties,” Lara said. “We care about communities.”

Knabe, who won a fifth term last year, spoke highly of Lara for working with the county on various issues, most recently helping to expedite the development of a new regional voice- and data-communication system for public safety and first responders in addition to introducing legislation, known as SB 804, that would help promote technology to convert trash into energy.

“He’s been one of the most effective lawmakers in the state, has fought to improve quality of life for all Californians and [brought] legislation that brought jobs and equal opportunities for working families as well as students,” Knabe said. “He’s a very important legislator here to us in the County of Los Angeles and our 10 mil-

Photos by Sean Belk/Signal Tribune

Sen. Ricardo Lara (right) is sworn into the office of the newly drawn 33rd senate district by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe during a ceremony Thursday, March 14 at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach.

lion residents. He is someone we’ve been able to count on.”

Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster also praised Lara, adding that he has had a chance to work with the new senator in the last couple of months.

“I have to tell you, on the few issues I have worked with him… he’s hard working and very smart, and he cares about the people he serves, so I am delighted he is now representing the city of Long Beach,” Foster said.

The senator, who has served as chairman of the Latino Legislative Caucus and has had 24 of his bills pass and signed into law while serving as an assemblymember, thanked residents, organizations and government officials

Congratulations to Mike Noll and Ed Wilson on your re-elections, and welcome to Lori Woods as Signal Hill’s newest councilmember!

May your next 4 years be effectual & prosperous!

MIKE NOLL

From

ED WILSON

LORI WOODS

for their endorsements during his campaign. He especially thanked new constituents from cities that he didn’t represent in the 50th assembly district, such as Long Beach, which Lara called “one of the most diverse cities in this country,” Paramount and Signal Hill.

“It means a lot that you were willing to give this kid from east L.A. a chance to serve as your representative on the state senate,” he said. The young state senator also joked about his age. “I want other senators to join me and get some pep in their step,” Lara said.

The ceremony also provided a platform for Lara to deliver his legislative goals. One of his priorities in Sacramento, he said, is “ensuring that we protect our most vulnerable,” which Lara said are seniors, immigrants, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) youth and multi-cultural families, “who are just struggling to make ends meet.”

Serving a heavily industrial area known for its Gateway Cities, Lara noted that the new 33rd district now represents the Port of Long Beach, which is the sixth-largest seaport in the world and the second-largest in the United States, providing for one in eight jobs in Long Beach.

As the new chairman of the Senate Select Committee on California Ports & Goods Movement, Lara said it will be his “responsibility to craft a new vision for the state,” to make sure the local ports stay “competitive, as we ensure that the goods continue to move through our state and [as] we continue to leave a mark in goods movement in our country and throughout the world.”

On efforts to modernize the polluted and heavily congested 710 Freeway, he promised to continue fighting for a “balance” between the need for port operations and the well-being of residents who live near the freeway.

“We have to make sure we continue to provide the resources so that we can create healthier, sustainable communities, especially for those who live... amongst the freeway and [near] other heavy emitters in our community,” Lara said.

The senator added that he sees small business as a priority in Sacramento.

“I believe one of the most important things we can do is support our small businesses and our business community, “ Lara said. “We have to ensure that we move carefully and that we’re diligent in ensuring that overregulation is not putting a stranglehold on our small businesses and our small mom-and-pop shops that are the true backbone of our economy.”

Lara also spoke about some of his new programs, including the inaugural Young Senators Program for the 33rd District and the Parents on Patrol program. As a field representative when first starting out, he encouraged representative staff members to envision a career as a politician.

“I want you to dream big, and I want you to enjoy what job you’ve been given,” Lara said. “I want you to see yourself in my shoes because this is what it’s all about.” ß

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NEWS

MARCH 22, 2013

LB city leaders look to rally residents to continue ‘fight’ against controversial railyard project

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

3

COME RUMMAGE AROUND What Rummage sale Who Covenant Presbyterian Church Where 607 E. 3rd St. When Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23 from 8am to 4pm More Info All proceeds will benefit Rising TIDE, a after-school drop-in program. Call (562) 437-0958, ext 25.

GARNISHING YOUR GARMENTS What General meeting Who Long Beach Chapter of the Embroiderers Guild of America Where California Heights United Methodist Church, 3759 Orange Ave. When Friday, March 22 beginning at 10:30am More Info This month’s meeting will focus on Ukrainian Border stitch. The Chapter meets the fourth Friday of every month. Call (714) 345-2338.

Sean Belk/Signal Tribune

During a panel discussion at a meeting of the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance, Inc. (WANA) on March 18, vocal opponents of a controversial railroad project being proposed in west Long Beach called on residents to rally against the project. Those on the panel included, from left: East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice Co-Founder Angelo Logan, West Long Beach Association President John Cross, 7th District Long Beach City Councilmember James Johnson, and Long Beach Unified School District Boardmember Felton Williams.

Sean Belk Staff Writer

In what appears to be an uphill battle, Long Beach city leaders and community activists said they hope to rally residents in coming months against Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co.’s (BNSF) $500million railyard project being proposed in Wilmington near west Long Beach, a fight they said may end up in federal court.

After years of contentious debate among building-trade unions, goods-movement industry representatives, environmentalists, city officials and local residents, the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners unanimously voted (5-0) on March 7 to approve a final environmental impact report (EIR) on the project. The EIR, conducted by the Port of Los Angeles, was re-circulated last year after several groups, including the Long Beach City Council, disputed the Port’s original findings.

Despite the approval, on Tuesday, March 12, the Long Beach City Council voted unanimously to appeal the Harbor Commission’s decision, along with environmental groups, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, which has vowed to take legal action. The appeal will now be taken up by the Los Angeles City Council.

For nearly eight years, BNSF has been planning to build a new railyard facility, to be called the Southern California International Gateway (SCIG), in order to load cargo from trucks onto rail lines closer to port docks, which would allow the railroad company to increase capacity and efficiency.

Ultimately, the project would also boost the Port’s competitiveness in the eyes of the international-trade industry.

Although the facility would add some 8,000 trucks per day on local highways once completed, BNSF claims the project would clean up

pollution in the long term by using all-electric, state-of-the-art goodsmovement equipment, adding that trucks would not be allowed to pass schools or neighborhoods.

The project, however, has drawn heavy criticism from environmentalists as well as Long Beach city officials, school board members and residents over what they see are objectionable statistics cited in the Port’s EIR and faulty emissions projections.

The proposed near-dock facility would be located on a site just yards from homeless veterans, two elementary schools, a city park, a high school and Villages at Cabrillo family homeless shelter, in west Long Beach, an area called the “diesel death zone” that already suffers from poor air quality. Neighborhood activists say that increased air pollution caused by the new rail facility would not only affect west Long Beach but drift into other

see SCIG page 10

Your club for great events...and special times!

Planning a Spring Wedding or Special Event?

Save 50% on room rental by booking your event on a Sunday! Must be booked by 5/31/13.

Open Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM for site visits and quotations.

TOUR THE WETLANDS What Willow Springs Park Tour Who 7th District Long Beach City Councilmember James Johnson’s office Where 2745 Orange Ave. When Saturday, March 23 from 9am to 10:30am More Info The monthly tour is led by volunteers and focuses on the history, wildlife, plants and new developments of Willow Springs Park. Four acres, known as Longview Point, are located at the highest accessible point in Long Beach. Dogs are welcome, as long as they are on a leash at all times. Call (562) 570-7777, email district7@longbeach.gov or visit facebook.com/WillowSpringsLB .

FIX IT UP AROUND HERE What “Neighborhood Fix It” Who 7th District Long Beach City Councilmember James Johnson’s office Where Dana Branch Library, 3680 Atlantic Ave. When Saturday, March 23 from 9:30am to 1:30pm More Info Residents will be surveying neighborhoods in the Bixby Knolls area, including Cal Heights, Los Cerritos, Chateau Thierry, Bixby Terrace and Bixby Highlands, using the “Go Long Beach” app to report graffiti, potholes and sidewalks that need patches or ramps. Visit jamesjohnsonlb.com .

TIME TO TAKE A STAND What Screening of the documentary Bully Who Long Beach Public Library Where Mark Twain Neighborhood Library, 1401 E. Anaheim St. When Saturday, March 23 at 2pm More Info As part of the campaign “A Season for Nonviolence,” residents may join the library at a screening of the award-winning documentary, which examines the issue of peer-to-peer bullying in schools across America. This event is free and open to the public. Call (562) 570-7500.

GREEN THUMB? What 41st Annual Plant Sale Who LBCC Horticulture Club Where LBCC Pacific Coast Campus, 1305 E. PCH St. When Wednesday, March 27 through Saturday, March 30 from 9am to 6pm More Info Thousands of plants from around the world, including drought-tolerant, roses, shrubs, cacti, succulents and bedding plants will be for sale. All proceeds will go toward the horticulture program, student scholarships, field trips as well as community projects and donations. Call (562) 938-4353.

MEET AND EAT What Bixby Knolls Supper Club Who Hosted by the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association Where Georgie’s Place, 3850 Atlantic Ave. When Monday, April 1 at 6:30pm More Info Bixby Knolls Supper Club promotes the concept of supporting local restaurants on a Monday night, which is typically a slow night. Residents are invited to meet, eat and support the local economy. RSVP required. Email supperclub@bixbyknollsinfo.com .

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS What Small Business Seminar Who Sponsored by The State Board of Equalization Where LBCC’s Community Multi Purpose Room, 4901 E. Carson St. When Thursday, April 4 from 8:30am to 4pm More Info Seminar will cover topics from permit-holder training, audit and compliance issues, employment taxes to business marketing. Visit boe.ca.gov/sutax/sbf.htm .

MEET YOUR CITY AUDITOR What Community meeting Who North Long Beach Community Action Group Where North Division Police Substation, 4891 Atlantic Ave. When Sunday, April 7 from 2pm to 4pm More Info During this event, Long Beach City Auditor Laura Doud will provide a presentation on her office and two audits, including one for business licenses and nonprofit Partners of Parks, which help secure corporate funding for parks in Long Beach. To RSVP, call (562) 428-7710.

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Signal Hill 562.595.0210

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NEWS

4 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

Mentally ill-homeless facility moving to 6th district in new deal to use Schroeder Hall site as police substation Sean Belk Staff Writer

After years of discussion and negotiations, the City of Long Beach has reached a tentative agreement on where to locate a mentally ill-homeless center as part of a new deal with the US Army to reuse the abandoned property known as Schroeder Army Hall for an east Long Beach police substation.

The treatment center, to be operated by Mental Health America (MHA), will not be located at a oneacre site at Burnett Street and Grand Avenue near the Long Beach Health and Human Services Department off of Willow Street in the 5th District as previously proposed.

Instead, the City is planning to purchase a 28,237-square-foot building at 1955-1965 Long Beach Boulevard in the 6th District for the homelessaccommodation site, according to a prepared statement released March 15.

The transaction was unanimously approved by the Long Beach City Council at its Tuesday, March 19 meeting.

The City is paying $2.8 million for the building, in addition to $1.2 million for related improvements, including providing programming and designing and constructing a retail establishment, a community meeting room and tenant improvements. The total cost to the City will be $4 million.

Tom Modica, Long Beach director of government affairs, said the City is purchasing the structure from RB Real Estate Holdings, LLC. The plan for the new treatment facility calls for an outside patio and amenities that include coffee, refreshments, a deli, a bakery, a meeting space and free Wi-Fi. Sixth District Long Beach City Councilmember Dee Andrews said in a prepared statement that the district is receiving “much needed retail and

provided amenities for the neighborhood,” under the new arrangement.

“What we have done here is create a positive benefit for the community,” he said. “This $4-million investment brings jobs with professional employees working at the location, as well as job training and a great retail establishment to reactivate this section of Long Beach Boulevard to serve all of the Long Beach community.”

The original proposal was strongly opposed by 4th District Long Beach City Councilmember Patrick O’Donnell and Neighborhoods First, a community group that rallied local residents and sent petitions to fight the original plan they said would have brought mentally-ill homeless patients wandering into nearby neighborhoods and Stearns Park.

O’Donnell said in a statement released March 20 that he saw the new agreement as a “victory for our neighborhoods and our quality of life,” adding, “The originally proposed Schroeder Hall location was not fair to the nearby residents and was not fair to the homeless.” He said that placing the treatment center near a residential neighborhood was "not a good fit.”

Joe Sopo, a local real estate agent and member of Neighborhoods First, said in a phone interview with the Signal Tribune that he was glad to see the item on the agenda and sees the development as a victory for residents.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Sopo said. “I’m happy to see the City of Long Beach and MHA came to an agreement on another location away from the neighborhoods... The neighborhood has risen up and has made themselves known.”

Fifth District Councilmember Gerrie Schipske, in whose district the new eastside police substation will reside, praised the new deal on her Facebook page, adding that the previous pro-

Thoughts from the Publisher

by Neena Strichart

I recently ran into a buddy of mine by the name of Ron Petke. We had a nice little chat, and I reminded him about the time nearly five years ago when he filled in for me as a guest (not ghost) writer for my Thoughts from the Publisher. I then teasingly said, “If you think you finally have something else significant or witty to share with our readers, feel free to send it to me.”

Well, earlier this week he did just that. I think he did a great job– enjoy!

Your Aunt Stella is telling you about some delicate operation she had: the procedure, the stitches, the outcome. You finally have to tell her “T.M.I.” and she stops abruptly because she knows the meaning of the acronym. My view is the world is being bombarded by TOO MUCH INFORMATION! You go onto “The Facialbook,” and you learn that some acquaintance is getting a tattoo or someone posted a picture of kittens and puppies driving a covered wagon across a rainbow. Do I care?

You turn on the television, and you’ve got thousands of channels in all shapes, colors and languages to choose from but after channelsurfing you decide on I Love Lucy. You’ve seen it hundreds of times, but it’s still funny. In the middle of the last century, we had four to five channels on television that went off at midnight with The Star-Spangled Banner. But you always found something to watch and without a

posal would have cost the City rental fees.

“This is a win for everyone involved,” she stated. “It took a while, but now the City will receive a $4.6million dollar property from the US Army, which will house our new eastside police substation and save the City from having to pay rent.”

The new homeless-accommodation facility will have operating conditions required under the agreement to ensure the facility will co-exist with the neighborhood, according to a prepared statement. Provisions include operating hours, developing a “good neighbor side agreement” with the neighborhood and establishing a 24hour phone line for neighborhood concerns.

The City and MHA will enter into a memorandum of understanding for an additional five years after the conveyance of the property to continue the provisions not covered by existing zoning, according to a statement from the City.

“Mental Health America looks forward to serving the Long Beach community at the Long Beach Boulevard facility,” said David Pilon, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of MHA, in a prepared statement.

“This location will enable our organization to address important community needs by providing healthcare services to some of the most vulnerable members of the community.”

Pilon added, “MHA is also very excited to offer at this new location an expansion of our existing retail café– bakery businesses within a beautifully renovated building with architecture and design that will enhance the neighborhood. We believe that this agreement benefits the entire city in many ways, and MHA’s members, volunteers and staff greatly appreciate those who have supported it along the way.”

OPINION

Stephanie Raygoza

ASSISTANT EDITOR/STAFF WRITER

Sean Belk

COLUMNISTS

Jennifer E. Beaver Carol Berg Sloan, RD

Cory Bilicko

Managing Editor

Tanya Paz, administrative assistant at the Signal Tribune who lives with her family in the area where a gunman opened fire on a Long Beach police officer Monday night, was among the downtown Long Beach residents who police evacuated from the area while they searched for the shooter.

Paz, who lives near the intersection of Maine Avenue and 8th Street, said she and her family were at a nearby house for a birthday celebration around 8:00 that night when they heard the news.

“We were just at my neighbor’s house, and we heard a knock on the door,” she said.

“It was a police officer, and he said, ‘You guys have to leave right now.’ We were escorted a few streets down, they took our information, and we waited on a city bus for 20 minutes. Then the bus took us to Cesar Chavez Park.” Paz said that she and her family members then called a taxi and went to stay at a relative’s house for the night.

Paz said police officers searched garages in the area as well as her neighbor’s home. “I think the police thought the suspect might be hiding in our back yard or around our house,” she said.

“It was an unfortunate event.

Something like that hasn’t happened in a long time.”

Ron Petke DESIGN EDITOR

Leighanna Nierle

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/WEBSITE MANAGER

STAFF WRITERS

CJ Dablo

Monday night

Source: LBPD

Cory Bilicko

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Jane Fallon

On Thursday, March 21, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) officers arrested a suspect for a recent attempted shooting of a police officer.

On March 18, 2013, at approximately 6:30pm, officers were dispatched to the area of 8th Street and Maine Avenue regarding a group of possible gang members loitering at the location.

According to the LBPD, upon arrival, an officer was making contact with one of the male Hispanic subjects when he began to run. The officer chased him, and, during the foot pursuit, the suspect began firing rounds from a handgun at the officer. The officer returned fire, and the suspect fled into the neighborhood.

The officer was not injured, and it is unknown if the suspect was struck by the gunfire.

Responding patrol units established a perimeter, and the Long Beach Police Department SWAT unit responded to search for the suspect.

Homicide detectives reviewed evidence and interviewed residents in the neighborhood and were able to identify a suspect, according to the LBPD. On Thursday, the LBPD SWAT unit served a search warrant in the city of Wilmington and arrested 24-year-old Juan Carlos Vasquez, a resident of Long Beach.

Vasquez, who is a gang member, was booked for the attempted murder of a police officer and is being held without bail.

Those with information regarding the incident are asked to call Homicide Detectives Malcolm Evans or Todd Johnson at (562) 570-7244. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus their tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit LACrimeStoppers.org .

MANAGING EDITOR

Stephen M. Strichart

Neena R. Strichart

Police make arrest Signal Tribune for attempted employee among shooting of officer those evacuated

remote (maybe you had to use a pair of pliers to change the channel).

You get a new phone that doesn’t have buttons but responds with the outside world by use of a touch screen. You slip and slide trying to answer an incoming call but, alas, it goes to voicemail hell, where you still can’t access it.

Your friends send you pics of their vacation. In the past, vacation pictures were shared with friends in the den after dinner and you couldn’t wait until they were done so you could escape. Today there is no escape. They text you, and your reply is LOL, LMAO, or K. No one wants to talk anymore. Does a second-grader actually need a cell phone? Maybe. If they’re in their bedroom and they want a snack; no need for the child to actually communicate with the parent– just text out an order. It’s better than a drivethrough.

Please understand, I think the Super Information Freeway is the best invention since sliced bread. It’s today’s Encyclopedia Britannica.

You want to listen and watch Al Jolson sing “California, Here I Come?”

It’s on the Youtube. You want to learn more about Monsanto, who brought you Agent Orange and DDT, and what produce not to buy? Just Google it and go to the website that teaches you how Monsanto bought out the small farmer and the politicians they backed during the election so GMOs would not be labeled.

I believe that a lot of our ailments, time speeding by like a bullet, and the ignorancing of America are due to “Too Much Information.”

Try giving it up for a day, talk to your family and call me in the morning. You’ll feel better.

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MARCH 22, 2013

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.

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MARCH 22, 2013

COMMUNITY

TV show Bar Rescue renames and makes over cantina located in both Signal Hill and Long Beach Sean Belk Staff Writer

It’s not too often you see a business that has one part of its building in one city and the other part in another.

In the case of a local bar and grill, it’s a reality and has been that way since the 1930s. Formerly known as Lona’s Wardlow Station, the rustic saloon located at 1174 E. Wardlow Rd. has taken on a new name– Lona’s City Limits Cantina– thanks to Spike TV’s reality show Bar Rescue, which has given the establishment a fresh start.

TV producers have taken an interest in Lona’s in an episode that airs this Sunday at 7pm and 10pm.

The show is hosted by famed nightlife and food & beverage expert Jon Taffer, who temporarily takes over struggling bars and whips them into shape. Producers decided that the new name is a better match for the dark-lit cantina that is oddly placed on city borders.

For example, when patrons enter the tavern, they’re officially in Long

Beach– California Heights to be exact.

If they sit down in the back of the building, they’ve entered Signal Hill. But, when they go to pay the bill, they’re back in Long Beach again.

In fact, this is why Long Beach gets the sales-tax revenue because the cash register is positioned in that city, explains Lee Lona, who has owned the establishment for 13 years.

Artwork on the walls and even some of the stools now resemble oil derricks, reminding customers of Signal Hill’s oil history– all courtesy of the TV show’s makeover.

Some regulars have known about the property separation but never made a big deal about it, she said. But now, the new theme is something to embrace, Lona said.

“I love the name City Limits, and they put my name on it,” she said.

Lona, who also works behind the bar, said she didn’t know what to expect when turning her keys over to the surly TV-show host who she called “really a nice man.” Production of the show ear-

Lona’s City Limits Cantina at 1174 E. Wardlow Rd. recently received an interior and exterior makeover while being on the reality TV show Bar Rescue. Food items added to the menu include fish tacos, Lona’s albondigas, fajitas and a signature “border burger.”

lier this year was an ordeal that involved closing the doors for nearly a week but ended up being a blessing in disguise, Lona said.

Regarding Taffer’s tough love, she said, “I cried so much, because I was getting screamed at. My bartenders were getting chewed out, the cooks were getting chewed out, but out of gratitude, gratefulness and appreciation, I just felt so blessed.”

Lona also expressed heartfelt emotion at the taking down of the bar’s former sign. She said that heirs to the family after whom Wardlow Road was named offered to purchase the sign to keep as memorabilia, adding that the family still keeps in touch by dropping by whenever they visit nearby Long Beach Municipal Cemetery.

What was left over from the old Lona’s was put in storage, she said.

The entire enterior and exterior makeover included re-felting the pool tables, adding a new draft system with refrigerated kegs, taking walls out to create three entrances to the pool table, replacing windows, putting in new lamps and replacing blinds. As far as the new look, she said, “Everybody loves it. It’s much cozier, and it’s warmer.”

Lona said the menu also got an overhaul. New food items include fish tacos, Lona’s albondigas, fajitas and a signature “border burger.” Also, Lona’s staff members, including four bartenders and a waitress, were sent to a school where they learned a point-ofsale system, and employees worked with one of the top mixologists in the country.

The episode, titled “In A Pinch,” also highlights the bar’s former, and controversial, lobster-tank game that once allowed customers to attempt plucking the crustaceans with a claw crane. Lona has since gotten rid of the tank.

Lona’s will host a viewing celebration when the episode airs this Sunday.

Space will be limited.

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

5

Photos by Sean Belk/Signal Tribune

Lee Lona, owner of Lona’s City Limits Cantina, formerly known as Lona’s Wardlow Station, talks to customers at the bar in her newly remodeled establishment that will be featured in an upcoming episode of Spike TV’s reality show Bar Rescue.

ST3442 - March 22_Layout 1 3/22/13 1:08 PM Page 6

NEWS

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MARCH 22, 2013 Councilmember Gerrie Schipske declares candidacy for Long Beach mayor Fifth District Councilmember Gerrie Schipske announced her campaign for Long Beach Mayor Thursday in an email through her spokesperson and consultant Derek Humphrey. Schipske, who has served on the Long Beach City Council for the past seven years, said her campaign will focus on creating jobs, improving neighborhood safety and bringing needed reforms to City Hall to increase transparency and accountability.

“Long Beach deserves a mayor who’s committed to fixing local problems and moving our great city forward,” Schipske said. “I am running for mayor to create quality local jobs, protect our quality of life, and make City Hall more efficient so we can keep our kids safe by putting more police on our streets and expanding after-school pro-

grams. I am proud of my track record of delivering results for local neighborhoods, and I am looking forward to talking to Long Beach residents in living rooms and coffee shops throughout the city about what it will take to meet the challenges we currently face.”

Schipske was born in Long Beach and has served the community as both a City Councilmember and a Long Beach City College Trustee.

Schipske has worked locally as a registered nurse practitioner, attorney and California State University at Long Beach instructor. She served as Long Beach’s first Public Information Officer in the late 1970s and has authored three books on the history of the city.

Schipske has been a member of a number of community organizations

over the years, including the National Women’s Political Caucus, the Women’s Political Committee, the National Organization for Women, the American Association of University Women, the Young Women’s Christian Association, the City of Long Beach Board of Health and Human Services, and the Queensway Bay Advisory Committee.

She helped establish the police department's Women’s Advisory Committee, the Sexual Assault Response Team, Long Beach Cares and the Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation. She was appointed to the U.S. Attorney General’s National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women and currently serves as the vice president of the Medical Board of California.

continued from page 1

and local government agencies– all aimed at educating children and adults on water conservation, environmental issues, or eco-gardening. Organizations participating in the festival included the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the Southeast Community Development Center, the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, the Mono Lake Outdoor Experience Program, the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, and others.

ABC7 Eyewitness News reporter Rudabeh Shahbazi served as the master of ceremonies for the award presentation. This year the WRD board of directors presented the Groundwater Ambassador Award to Lowenthal for his efforts to protect and increase the regional groundwater supply.

“I am so proud and happy that we can honor him today for the wonderful job that he’s been doing,” said WRD Boardmember Lillian Kawasaki. “He really worked so hard to fight for us.”

Kawasaki was referring to the fact that, during his tenure as state senator, Lowenthal authored and helped pass SB 1386, which was signed into law last year. “We had 200,000 acre-feet of water storage capacity below us that was not being used because of an ongoing court battle between WRD and the Central Basin Municipal Water District,” Lowenthal explained. “But there should be just one institution that protects and stores the groundwater in a specific region.”

Lowenthal explained that SB 1386 basically vested all groundwater storage authority in WRD, thus settling the fight between the two agencies once and for all, and removing it from the courts. “Central Basin also provides vital services to the people of this region, but WRD should be solely responsible for underground water storage,” he added. “I was glad to be just one part of the evolution of water protection here in southern California.”

Robles said that SB 1386 has saved WRD a lot of time and money. “The law has clarified that WRD is the groundwater monitor for this area,” he said. “We appreciate that very much.”

Elected and appointed officials from all over the region attended the festival. One of them, Carson Mayor Jim Dear said he was delighted to attend WRD’s sixth annual community festival. “This event educated the public on the importance of groundwater, on how to be ecologically responsible, and on how to keep the planet environmentally healthy,” he said.

Christina Kysella-Dixon, staff analyst for the Huntington Park Public Works Department, agreed. “It’s a wonderful event for adults and for kids, and I look forward to coming to it every year,” she said. “I am also glad that WRD has set up its own displays that show the public how important it is to have an agency that monitors the quality and ensures the supply of our groundwater.”

At one of the WRD displays, civil engineer Paul Fu outlined one of the procedures undertaken by the agency.

“Our advanced water treatment turns wastewater into highly purified recycled water that we can inject into our seawater intrusion barrier wells,” he said. “The wells prevent seawater from moving inland and entering into our freshwater supply.”

Fu explained that the wastewater goes through micro filtration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light disinfection before it is injected into the barrier wells. “Scientific evidence shows that the quality of that water exceeds the standards set for drinking water,” he added.

Los Alamitos resident Gina Rosenthal visited Fu’s display as well as other educational booths at the event.

“This festival is wonderful,” she said.

“It gives people the assurance that our water supply is safe.”

WRD

rise, our reliance upon local groundwater supply becomes even more important in keeping water affordable, and this event helps to highlight the need to protect our precious public resource.”

The event took place at WRD headquarters in Lakewood and came on the last day of National Groundwater Awareness Week, which recognizes the importance of groundwater as an indispensable and renewable resource across the nation. Locally, according to a WRD press release, groundwater is vital to south Los Angeles County because it accounts for almost half of the water used by the region’s four million residents, which represent 10 percent of the state’s population. WRD manages the groundwater in a region that encompasses 43 cities in south Los Angles County.

The festival featured more than 40 tables, booths, and interactive displays set up by a variety of nonprofit, state

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ST3442 - March 22_Layout 1 3/22/13 1:08 PM Page 7

CULTURE

Local ‘crackpot’ artist aspires to show 108 tea bowls MARCH 22, 2013

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

7

Ariana Gastelum Editorial Intern

“Crackpot” art is made with various techniques that can take anywhere from five minutes to two hours in the making, apart from firing and blazing, according to Mary Grace, a Los Angeles artist who participated recently in the Long Beach Open Studio Tour.

In addition, two never look exactly the same. “It’s almost like Christmas when you open the kiln,” she explained. “It’s always mysterious and wonderCourtesy Mary Grace Mary Grace is a self-described “crack- ful. It’s always a surprise.”

When Grace began taking a pot” artist who has been working with ceramics class in high school, clay and ceramics since she was in high school. She is currently working she was instantly hooked. “That on putting together a show in Portland just grabbed me and didn’t let me go,” she said. that consists of 108 tea bowls.

Grace received her education at University of Colorado, where she took more professional classes.

She also taught workshops at a community Christian school in Long Beach for four years.

Today, she still attends ceramic classes. In the future, she hopes to teach seniors how to mold clay.

Grace’s inspiration is simply life. “I open my eyes in the morning, and I see something fabulous immediately...all of nature, actually,” she said. “Anyone who does art inspires me in some way or another. More of my inspiration comes from my internal connection with my world.

The bigger place inside of me is very expansive. It’s more of a spiritual practice. All of creativity is really innate in all of us. It’s a matter of connecting into it.”

“Totem” by Mary Grace Out of a series, Grace always finds one particular favorite. “I like everything that comes out generally,” she said. “It may not be what I expected or wanted, but I find something redeeming about most of it.”

In one particular series, the pieces had the implied texture of dolphin skin. “They were really fantastic,” Grace added.

Grace is currently putting together a show made up of 108 tea bowls. “It’s an auspicious number,” she said. “I did it over a couple years with a lot of other things in between. I had to make several hundred in order to make the 108 that I wanted to show. They are all completely different kinds of clay, different kinds of blazes [and] different kinds of firing. Yeah, it’s fun.”

Grace hopes to show this series next winter in Portland. She also aspires to take it overseas.

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8 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

A pet project

PAM PER YOUR PET

City of Signal Hill to host annual event for pets and their people

The City of Signal Hill Community Services Department will host its annual “Hounds on the Hill” in Signal Hill Park on Saturday, June 1 from 11am to 2pm.

The event will feature vendor booths, pet vaccinations, activities for children, music, demonstrations and more.

The goal of the event is to raise awareness about responsible pet ownership, including current laws regarding

pets. “We want to show that we are a pet-friendly community that appreciates the joy and comfort that a well-cared-for pet can bring to any family,” reads the press release from the City’s Community Services Department.

For more information, call (562) 989-7330.

MARCH 22, 2013

Source: City of SH

The Pet Post and Pet Sit Pros hosted a free dog-themed, literacy-promoting event called “Bark Twice If You Love Long Beach Reads One Book” on March 17 at Good Neighbor Park, 2800 Studebaker Rd. The event included a “My Dog Looks Like Me” contest, a St. Patrick’s Day dressed-alike contest, a dog-training demonstration, exhibits, Beach Animals Reading with Kids (BARK) and more. About a dozen rescue groups sought homes for dozens of displaced pets.

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Community picnic expected to host more than 100 Saint Bernards

Photos by Justin Rudd

Sunny Saints St. Bernard Rescue of Southern California will host its third annual reunion picnic from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, March 23 at the Long Beach Recreation Dog Park, 5201 E. 7th St. “With each dog weighing anywhere from 100 to 200 pounds, this is quite a sight to see,” said Pam Henry, CEO and founder of Sunny Saints.

“Last year we had over 100 people and 40 Saint Bernards enjoying the park.

This year we hope to double that number.”

Over the past three years, Sunny Saints has rescued nearly 200 Saint Bernard dogs from animal shelters and abusive homes, according to Henry.

Owners also turn to the organization when they can’t keep their pets due to economic or health situations.

“Animal abuse and abandonment is cruel, but our reunion highlights the personal satisfaction and joy found in rescuing and fostering animals,” Henry said. “We all want to have purpose, and what better way to find that purpose than to help a pet in need– one who will undoubtedly return the favor with unconditional love and pure joy.”

The public is invited to attend the event, which will have Saint Bernards available for adoption.

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ST3442 - March 22_Layout 1 3/22/13 1:08 PM Page 9

COMMUNITY

MARCH 22, 2013

LBCC to offer its 41st annual plant sale

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

9

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Long Beach City Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 41st annual Horticulture Club plant sale will include plants from around the world.

Long Beach City Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 41st annual Horticulture Club plant sale will start on Wednesday, March 27 and continue through Saturday, March 30 from 9am to 6pm at the horticulture gardens located on the Pacific Coast Campus, 1305 E. Pacific Coast Highway.

Thousands of plants from around the world, including droughttolerant, roses, shrubs, vegetable, herb and tropical plants, cacti and succulents, bedding plants and more will be available at affordable prices. All proceeds go toward the horticulture program, student scholarships, field trips as well as community projects and donations.

Quantities are limited. Free parking will be allowed in all lots.

Because of construction, shoppers are encouraged to use the parking lots located along Walnut Avenue.

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ST3442 - March 22_Layout 1 3/22/13 1:08 PM Page 10

10 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

NEWS

SCIG

continued from page 3

neighborhoods as well, including the Wrigley, California Heights, Bixby Knolls and Los Cerritos neighborhoods.

During a panel discussion at a meeting of the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance, Inc. (WANA) on March 18, vocal objectors of the project vowed to carry on their fight against the railyard.

Those on the panel included 7th District Long Beach City Councilmember James Johnson, Long Beach Unified School District Boardmember Felton Williams, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice Co-Founder Angelo Logan and West Long

Beach Association President John Cross. The panel included no representatives from the Port or BNSF. “It’s like David and Goliath,” said Cross, who has spearheaded efforts to protest the railroad giant’s plans. “We’re David, but we just haven’t found the right rock to knock them out.”

Johnson, who has called the project a “textbook example of environmental injustice,” said his main concern is that the project doesn’t consider the possibility of a requirement for zero-emissions technology.

Even though plans are currently underway to use an overhead electrical catenary system for cargo trucks, similar to trolleys and some light commuter rail lines, as part of the 710 Freeway expansion project, the Port has disregarded the technology to be included as a requirement of the railyard, Johnson said.

“The more diesel pollution you have, the more kids get sick, the more asthma, the more lung cancer, the more heart disease,” he said.

“It’s absolutely vital for us in our neighborhoods and for our economy, frankly, that we try to move goods and people without polluting the air… That’s the Holy Grail.”

Felton said students are at risk of developing health problems due to the poor air quality at schools caused by passing cargo trucks on the nearby freeway. He added that many of the schools, with the exception of Cabrillo High School, were built years before rail facilities were constructed in the area.

“It’s so bad at times, we have to bring the kids in from recess,” he said. “That’s how bad it is. We’re talking about adding to that.”

The councilmember added that he organized a public hearing on the EIR in Long Beach after Port of L.A. staff refused to do so.

“At the end of the day, L.A. cares about L.A., and they [couldn’t] care less about Long Beach residents along their property,” Johnson said. “I wish that were not the case, but so far that’s been the case… I got my colleagues and said we need to stand up together with one voice. We need to unify. It’s not just about one community, it’s about

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the Long Beach community, and L.A. can’t tell Long Beach to drop dead, because that’s what they’re saying right here… I’m going to continue to fight for you guys.”

Cross said the project has been pushed by outgoing Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and claimed that the mayor has received political contributions from BNSF to pass utility-tax measures in 2010.

Williams said BNSF had offered to contribute $1,000 to his last campaign but he sent it back by airmail.

Logan pointed out, however, that the fate of the railyard project will ultimately be decided by a new mayor and a new city council.

Councilmember Johnson said he spoke with mayoral candidate Eric Garcetti, who told him that he is undecided on the project but was willing to have a conversation about the issue.

“He said he needs to be openminded and has not taken a position on the project,” Johnson said. “But I do think he’ll have a conversation... which will actually be a big improvement.”

In a Los Angeles Times article, mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel has stated that she supports the SCIG project because it would increase the Port’s competitiveness globally. However, she adds that she also supports “moving toward zero-emissions technologies for trucks that eliminate trips through residential neighborhoods.”

Regardless of the dispute between Los Angeles and Long Beach, Logan, who has spent the last seven to eight years fighting the project, said, no matter what mitigations are implemented, the SCIG project would still have detrimental impacts due to increased pollution of air, light and noise.

Logan added that if the project isn’t stopped he plans to bring federal and state civil rights cases against the project that he said impacts a segment of the population that consists primarily of the homeless and low-income minorities.

“Folks know this is a bad project,” he said. “It sets a precedent for goods-movement projects, not just here locally but nationally. If this project goes forward, it’s really a message to the world that environmental racism is okay, and it’s not… We are working diligently to defeat this project.”

Asked whether the project could be defeated, Logan said it could go either way.

“The chances are 50/50, in my opinion,” he said. “This is definitely going to go before a federal judge for sure… We could win and justice will prevail, but you never really know.”

Although some residents questioned whether such a large railroad company can be defeated by residents, Joan Greenwood, vice president of WANA, said local residents have won what seemed like impossible battles before.

In the mid 1980s, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s plan to build the Blue Line light rail originally would have displaced homes in the historic Wrigley district, she said.

After residents united in opposition, the mass-transit agency decided to alter its plans.

“Yes, you can win a [California Environmental Quality Act] lawsuit, but you’ve got to have the public behind you to do it,” Greenwood said. “The science is so bad on this SCIG EIR that it’s like a piece of cake to walk all over it. You can use the railroad’s own data … to defeat it.”

At the end of their meeting, WANA members unanimously voted to oppose the project and to support all legal action against it. ß

ST3442 - March 22_Layout 1 3/22/13 1:08 PM Page 11

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

MARCH 22, 2013

sH Chamber Luncheon

Bixby Knolls Car Wash & Detail Center

Full service wash • Fast exterior wash 6 self-serve wash bays with air dryers (3)

date: Thursday, March 28, 2013 Location: Signal Hill Park Community Center 1780 E. Hill St. (behind the library) speaker: Vivian Shimayama, Executive Director, Goldman Sachs presenting their 10,000 Small Business Program at LBCC Doors open at 11:45am for networking and the program starts at noon. Enjoy a delicious lunch catered by Bliss 525 while mingling with other members of our business community, local officials, and legislative representatives.

Cost is $25 per person but will be discounted to $15 for 2012-2013 current members with advance non-refundable reservations made before noon on the day before the luncheon. Non-members are welcome at a cost of $25 per person. Please make your reservations by e-mail to shcc@verizon.net or leave a message at 562-424-6489 and make your payment at the door via cash, check, MasterCard or Visa only.

Golden Eagle

Restaurant

1 OFF

11

We have the most polite and friendliest employees, & best of all...

THE BEST CUSTOMERS IN THE WORLD!

Free WiFi!

Shell & Sheldon Grossman

Owners for 35+ years

577 E. Wardlow Rd. @ Atlantic • 562-595-6666

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner • Combos

$ 00

orders $4.99 or more

Dine In or Take Out

HOURS Mon-Fri 6am-930pm Sat 6am-8:30pm Sun 6:30am-7:30pm

“Thank you for your loyal support”

-Louie & Jim

2101 E. WIllOW ST., SIGNAl HIll 562-492-1216 OR 562-492-1336

camoves.com/terry.rogers

Ph: 562-713-4630

email: trogers@coldwellbanker.com

© 2004 Coldwell Banker Corporation. An Equal Opportunity Company.

Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned and Operated by NRT Incorporated.

If your property is listed with another broker, this is not intended as solicitation.

Hartford Court Wine Dinner FIRST COURSE Potato Gnocchi, Shredded Pork, Marinated Green Apple Celery Cilantro Salad Russian River Chardonnay

Friday, March 29

SECOND COURSE Cherry Smoked Octopus, Watercress Salad, Beluga lentils, Cherry Vinaigrette Russian River Pinot Noir

Cost: $85 per person

THIRD COURSE Beef Short Rib Ravioli, Pinot Reduction, Organic Mushrooms Land's Edge Pinot Noir FOURTH COURSE Cumin and Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb, Chestnut Puree, Swiss Chard Russian River Zinfandel FIFTH COURSE Dessert

@ 7:15pm

Reservations are required.

Dinner will be accompanied by a wine pairing from the Hartford Family Winery.

2951 CHeRRy Avenue, SignAl Hill

for reservations, call 562-426-0694 | www.deliusrestaurant.com

ST3442 - March 22_Layout 1 3/22/13 1:08 PM Page 12

12 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

TST4315 Title No. 6231293 ALS No. 2011-7007 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT OF A LIEN, DATED MARCH 12, 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 April 10, 2013, at 9:00 AM, ASSOCIATION LIEN SERVICES, as duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to a certain lien, recorded on March 15, 2012, as instrument number 20120404979, 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. The street address and other common designations, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 2209 Bay View Drive , Signal Hill, California 90755 Assessor's Parcel No. 7215-014-065 The owner(s) of the real property is purported to be: Steen D. Sprouffske, unmarried man 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 $17,634.06. 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: March 8, 2013 Association Lien Services, as Trustee P.O. Box 64750, Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310) 207-2027 By: Alvin Okoreeh, Trustee Officer P1026742 3/15, 3/22, 03/29/2013 TST4323 Loan No.: FREEMAN RESS Order No.: 75035 A.P. NUMBER 7215-027-063 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE UNDER DEED OF TRUST YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED March 15, 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. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that on 04/12/2013, at 9:00 A.M. of said day, behind the fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA, RESS Financial Corporation, a California corporation, as duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to the power of sale conferred in that certain Deed of Trust executed by

PUBLIC NOTICES

MARKESE FREEMAN, an Unmarried Man recorded on 06/01/2007, in Book n/a of Official Records of LOS ANGELES County, at page n/a, Recorder’s Instrument No. 20071326299 , by reason of a breach or default in payment or performance of the obligations secured thereby, including that breach or default, Notice of which was recorded 12/10/2012 as Recorder’s Instrument No. 20121894739, in Book n/a, at page n/a, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, lawful money of the United States, evidenced by a Cashier’s Check drawn on a state or national bank, or the equivalent thereof drawn on any other financial institution specified in section 5102 of the California Financial Code, authorized to do business in the State of California, ALL PAYABLE AT THE TIME OF SALE, all right, title and interest held by it as Trustee, in that real property situated in said County and State, described as follows: Portion Lots 9 and 10, Block "P", per Book 9, pages 2 and 3, being also a portion of Parcels "A" and "B" per Certificate of Compliance recorded November 12, 2002, as Instrument No. 022721165. The street address or other common designation of the real property hereinabove described is purported to be: 2749 EAST 21ST STREET, SIGNAL HILL, CA 90755 . The undersigned disclaims all liability for any incorrectness in said street address or other common designation. Said sale will be made without warranty, express or implied regarding title, possession, or other encumbrances, to satisfy the unpaid obligations secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest and other sums as provided therein; plus advances, if any, thereunder and interest thereon; and plus fees, charges, and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of said obligations at the time of initial publication of this Notice is $113,749.67. In the event that the deed of trust described in this Notice of Trustee's Sale is secured by real property containing from one to four single-family residences, the following notices are provided pursuant to the provisions of Civil Code section 2924f: 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's 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 75035. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not be immediately reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.

Dated: 03/13/2013 RESS Financial Corporation a California corporation, as Trustee By: Bruce R. Beasley, President 1780 Town and Country Drive, Suite 105, Norco, CA 92860-3618 (SEAL) Tel.: (951) 270-0164 or (800)343-7377 FAX: (951)270-2673 Trustee’s Sale Information: (714) 573-1965 www.priorityposting.com P1027069 3/22, 3/29, 04/05/2013

TST4316 APN: 7216-018-018 TS No: CA05002533-12-1 TO No: 1325084 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED December 11, 2006. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On April 8, 2013 at 09:00 AM, Vineyard Ballroom at Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles-Norwalk, 13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk, CA 90650, MTC FINANCIAL INC. dba TRUSTEE CORPS, as the duly Appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on December 20, 2006 as Instrument No. 06 2830189 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California, executed by DANIELA VLNKOVA, AND IGOR VLNKA, HUSBAND AND WIFE AS JOINT TENANTS, as Trustor(s), in favor of AMERICA`S WHOLESALE LENDER as Lender and MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. as nominee for Lender, its successors and/or assigns, 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

CITY OF SIGNAL HILL TST4319 NOTICE OF VACANCIES

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION PLANNING COMMISSION PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that due to terms expiring on May 31, 2013, three vacancies each exist on the Signal Hill Civil Service, Planning, and Parks & Recreation Commissions. The City of Signal Hill will be conducting a recruitment to fill each vacancy. All interested residents are encouraged to apply.

To serve as a Civil Service, Planning, or Parks & Recreation Commissioner, you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age or older; and a registered voter and resident of the City at least 29 days prior to the date of appointment. Each member shall continue to reside in the City for the duration of the term of office (Signal Hill City Charter Section 602).

If you are interested in serving as a Commissioner, please call (562) 989-7305 for an application. Applications are also available in the City Clerk’s office, 2175 Cherry Avenue, Monday–Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You may also apply on the City’s website at HYPERLINK "http://www.cityofsignalhill.org" www.cityofsignalhill.org. Applications must be accompanied by a letter of interest.

Applications will be accepted until Monday, April 15, 2013, at 5:30 p.m.

Published in the Signal Tribune on March 22 & 29, and April 5 & 12, 2013.

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: 1916 JUNIPERO AVENUE, SIGNAL HILL, CA 90755-6012 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 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. 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 $373,127.77 (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. 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. 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 Auction.com at 800.280.2832 for information regarding the Trustee's Sale or visit the Internet Web site address www.Auction.com for information regarding the sale of this property, using the file number assigned to this case, CA05002533-12-1. 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. Date: March 9, 2013 TRUSTEE CORPS TS No. CA05002533-121 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-2528300 Stephanie Hoy, Authorized Signatory SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ONLINE AT www.Auction.com FOR AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL AUCTION.COM at 800.280.2832 TRUSTEE CORPS MAY BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. P1026562 3/15, 3/22, 03/29/2013

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: BC.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.

TST4311 044414 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: UNITED SECURITY TRAINING CENTER, 3639 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807. Registrant: UNITED SECUITY SERVICES, 3639 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807. This business is conducted by: a Corporation.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Candice L. Wright, CFO. 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 March 5, 2013. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on February 6, 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 8, 15, 22, 29, 2013.

TST4312 / 2013 025235 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: LEVEL UP ENTERTAINMENT, 1066 E. 46th St., Long Beach, CA 90807. Registrant: STELLAR EVENT SERVICES, LLC, 1066 E. 46th St., Long Beach, CA 90807. This business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

Signed: Dianna Manson, 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 January 1, 2013. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on February 6, 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 8, 15, 22, 29, 2013.

TST4313 / 2013 044097 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as: EAST LONG BEACH CURVES, 6536 E. Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90815. Registrants: 1. ROBERT E. GREEN, 2. ROSE MARIE J. GREEN, 2945 Ladoga Ave., Long Beach, CA 90815. This business is conducted by: a Married Couple. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Robert E. Green. 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 6, 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 8, 15, 22, 29, 2013.

MARCH 22, 2013

TST4310 / 2013 028797 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENTS, 4580 Atlantic Ave. #7123, Long Beach, CA 90807. Registrant: ITORO ESEME UDOFIA, 4482 N. Banner Dr. #1, Long Beach, CA 90807. This business is conducted by: an Individual.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Itoro Eseme Udofia. 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 11, 2013. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on February 11, 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 8, 15, 22, 29, 2013.

TST4317 / 2013 049167 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: CS PAUL, 627 Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802. Registrant: PAULA A. ELIAS, 627 Pine 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: Paula A. Elias. 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 March 12, 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 15, 22, 29, & April 5, 2013.

TST4314 / 2013 046278 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: 1. TOM AND JERI FLORIST, 2. CHRISTENSENS, 5353 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90805. Registrant: POPATIA CORPORATION, 9573 Cedar St., Bellflower, CA 90706. This business is conducted by: a Corporation. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Sheila Mamdani, 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 July 11, 2012. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on March 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: March 15, 22, 29, & April 5, 2013.

TST4321 / 2013 040655 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: NAIL BEAUTY 4U, 10732 Arrowood St., Temple City, CA 91780. Registrant: KRISTY TRINH TRAN, 3849 Cypress Ave., El Monte, CA 91731. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Kristy Trinh Tran. 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 28, 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 22, 29, & April 5, 12, 2013.

TST4322 / 2013 034182 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: BETTY SUE NIBBLES, 1405 E. 1st St., Apt. 7, Long Beach, CA 90802. Registrant: RACHEL CERDENIO, 1405 E. 1st St., Apt. 7, Long Beach, CA 90802. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

Signed: Rachel Cerdenio. 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 20, 2013. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on February 22, 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 22, 29, & April 5, 12, 2013.

TST4324 / 2013 051657 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: RINCON CHICO CANTINA & GRILL, 2476 Santa Fe Ave., Long Beach, CA 90810. Registrant: MARIO L. MIRAMONTES, 3186 Locust 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: Mario L. Miramontes. 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 March 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: March 22, 29, & April 5, 12, 2013.

TST4325 / 2013 054753 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: CENTURION JET, 5250 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 617, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Registrant: MICHAEL HENRIQUEZ, JR., 5112 Keynote Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808. This business is conducted by: an Individual.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Michael Henriquez. 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 March 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: March 22, 29, & April 5, 12, 2013.

TST4320 / 2013 040703 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME The following person has abandoned the use of the fictitious business name: NAIL BEAUTY 4 U, located at 10919 Freer St., Temple City, CA 91780. The fictitious business name referred to above was filed on February 9, 2010, original File No. 2013 040636, in the County of Los Angeles. Registrant: HUA PHUONG, 9746 E. Loftus Dr., Rosemead, CA 91770. This business is conducted by: an Individual.

Signed: Hua Phuong. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on February 28, 2013. Pub. The Signal Tribune: March 22, 29, & April 5, 12, 2013.

ST3442 - March 22_Layout 1 3/22/13 1:08 PM Page 13

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Robbery (person) 8:20am– W. 21st St./Pacific Ave.

Assault (not firearm) 9:30pm– 2000 block Lewis Ave.

Sunday, March 17 Residential burglary 9:01am– 300 block E. Carson St.

Residential burglary 12:30pm– 4500 block Deal Dr.

Thursday, March 14 Auto burglary 4:04pm– 2600 block E. 20th St.

Bike theft 8:48pm– 2000 block Cherry Ave.

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Friday, March 15 Identity theft 3:45pm– 2000 block E. 21st St.

Auto burglary 5pm– 2700 block Cherry Ave.

Saturday, March 16 Auto burglary 2am– 600 block E. Columbia St.

Commercial burglary 9:30am– 2200 block Pacific Ave.

Commercial burglary 2:30pm– 3900 block Long Beach Blvd.

Crimes reported by SHPD • Citywide Petty theft 10:30am– 900 block E. 33rd St.

Stolen vehicle 4:16pm– 1800 block Stanley Ave.

Child abuse, neglect 6:29pm– 2200 block Legion Dr. Sunday, March 17 Battery 2:11am– 2500 block Palm Dr.

Commercial burglary 12pm– 2400 block Cherry Ave.

Non-injury hit-and-run 12:04pm– Palm Dr./E. Willow St.

Robbery (person) 4:58pm– 1800 block Cedar Ave.

Monday, March 18 Garage, residential burglary 5am– 2400 block Oregon Ave.

Battery with serious injury 9:29pm– 1900 block Pacific Ave.

Battery 11:55pm– 2500 block Palm Dr.

Monday, March 18 Auto burglary 12pm– 2400 block Cherry Ave.

Residential burglary 3:23pm– 2900 block E. Pacific Coast Hwy.

Stolen vehicle 4:05pm– 1400 block E. Wardlow Rd. DUI 8:28pm– E. 33rd St./Lemon Ave.

Auto burglary 9:46pm– 1400 block E. 33rd St.

ST3442 - March 22_Layout 1 3/22/13 1:08 PM Page 14

NEWS

14 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

Obituary

MARCH 22, 2013

William Seal was WWII veteran, educator and mentor to disadvantaged

William Blois Seal, who was born in Long Beach on June 14, 1924 at Seaside Hospital, passed away Friday, March, 15, 2013. He died peacefully of natural causes in the arms of his daughter Judy Seal, surrounded by family, according to Judy.

William attended Burnett and Fremont elementary schools, Jefferson Junior High School and Wilson High School. It was while he was at Wilson at a Sadie Hawkins Day Dance at the Pacific Coast Club that he met his future wife, Betty Houston, a Poly High student and daughter of Judge Oscar E Houston.

William enlisted in the Army on Terminal Island with most of his classmates in 1942.

One of his hobbies was raising homing pigeons, and, while in the service, he was sent to England to train pigeons with English pigeoneers.

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the Germans kept releasing, requiring a constant flow of newly trained birds.

William was also in the fourth wave in Omaha Beach.

Judy says that she had asked her father throughout his life, “Why don’t you ever complain about anything?

You are always cooperative and positive.” His answer was that once he survived the gunfire at Omaha Beach, he promised he would never complain about anything again. On his way to the Battle of the Bulge, he was called to the captain’s quarters and was handed an order to report to Amherst College within the next 16 days. He had passed the officer’s test for West Point, and he went to Amherst and Cornell for training.

William graduated from Long Beach City College and then earned a bachelors and a masters in education from USC, where he had been a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

He was on the first faculties of Stanford Junior High School and Millikan High School. He was activities director at Poly High School in the early ‘60s and worked with students who went on to become prominent athletes and community leaders, such as Gene Washington, Kenny Booker, Charles Brown, and Dr. John Ingram.

He began counseling students at

LBCC. At that time Long Beach Unified School District was a K-14 system with all employees and students under the Board of Education. In the late 60’s, the two systems separated, and William followed his own father’s footsteps at Long Beach City College.

He became very active in Veterans Services at LBCC, counseling Vietnam veterans and getting them on academic paths to success. During the time of the fall of Cambodia and large numbers of immigrants coming into Long Beach, he coordinated with LBUSD closely to enroll parents of students in LBUSD into English-as-aSecond-Language classes. The coordination came easily, according to Judy.

His wife Betty was in charge of the school district’s ESL and bilingual programs, and William was well known for paying for books and tuition for LBCC students who had run out of financial aid, Judy said.

“My parents always considered getting an education a social responsibility more than a privilege,” Judy said. “Therefore, if there were barriers to fulfilling that responsibility, both of my parents spent their lives removing them. They did whatever it took. And oftentimes it meant having students in need living with us. I never quite knew who would be at the dinner table. Dad

fed, clothed and educated students who had recently left the Navajo Nation, former Poly students, exchange students, and homeless Vietnam veterans. I think I got an excellent education in the process. My parents shaped my entire philosophy of public education, the need for higher education for all students, and the enduring strength of this nation. Removing barriers to higher education became front and File photo center. Little did I William Blois Seal (seated) with his late wife Betty, who know I would spend passed away on Aug. 7, 2011 my life doing the same thing.” reception at his home in Alamitos William’s career spanned 43 years. Heights, which will take place ThursIn his retirement years, he traveled day, March 28 at 10:30am. with his wife and children, volunIn lieu of flowers, the family teered in the community, and contin- requests that donations be made to ued his open-house policy for students the LBCC Foundation for the in need.

William B. and Betty H. Seal ScholWilliam requested a graveside arship fund or to the Community service at Sunnyside Cemetery with a Hospital Foundation.

On Sunday, March 24, the southern terminus of the Long Beach (710) Freeway will be closed below Anaheim Street from 5am to 1pm so that crews can complete street maintenance during an annual maintenance project.

Signs will inform motorists of

detours, as the following ramps will be closed: Southbound 710 Downtown offramps that access 6th Street, Broadway and Golden Avenue exits Northbound 710 on-ramps from Shoreline Drive, Ocean Boulevard, 3rd

Street and 7th Street

Annual street maintenance project to close southern terminus of 710 Freeway on Sunday morning

Council

continued from page 1

ments made by the City since Ward joined the Council. Hansen honored the exiting councilmember who has often offered zingers, pointed remarks and regular reminders to shop in Signal Hill during her time on the Council.

“I have sat on the City Council with her for 12 years,” Hansen said of her friend and colleague who turns 76 next month, “and it’s been nothing but enjoyable even when we fight. Because Ellen is one of those rare people who is nothing but honest in telling you what she thinks. She will let you know when she is mad at you, but she will forgive you and move on.”

Hansen remembered how the councilmember created both a mayor’s cleanup effort and a community yard sale and served on the Council at a time when the City completed 45 major capitalimprovement projects and finished the new police headquarters. The outgoing mayor’s voice broke a little as she summed up Ward’s service to her community.

“She will be missed on the Council,” Hansen said, “but I know she will never stop working and supporting the city of Signal Hill because this is where her heart is. And I, on behalf of the entire City of Signal Hill, want to thank you, Ellen, for your love, devotion, service and commitment to the city we all share.”

Ward acknowledged the outpouring of heart-

Harbor Scenic Drive will not be affected by the closure.

The project Sunday morning will supplement the maintenance work that is done throughout the year, and it will

felt appreciation with humor. She recalled the days she spent campaigning and how she finished the election with a vote tally that totaled less than her colleague Wilson, who finished third behind Noll and Woods.

“I needed 12 more votes, and Ed would have been up here,” Ward said with a laugh. After the final vote was tallied and all ballots were counted a few days after the election, Ward ended up 19 votes behind Wilson.

The outgoing councilmember also praised new Councilmember Woods.

“I know she’s going to do an outstanding job,” Ward said of Woods. “I have really good feelings about leaving it because she ran an honest campaign and she worked hard.”

Ward couldn’t resist the temptation of one final passing zinger. She made a parting request to the Council to approve a two-percent cost-ofliving raise to the City employees. Ward said these employees have not received a raise in five years. Her request drew laughter, applause and a number of cheers.

Her last quip begged the question– is it funny because it’s true? Yes, for the most part. The last time City employees received a cost-of-living raise was in 2009, according to Deputy City Manager Charlie Honeycutt.

New Councilmember Woods acknowledged Ward’s contributions to the city. She even hon-

focus on street repairs, traffic signs and lights, pavement markings, tree trimming, weed abatement, graffiti removal, rail repairs, landscape improvements, street lighting and street sweeping.

Source: City of LB

ored her former rival later that evening at the reception with a gift. Woods also thanked her supporters as she expressed her enthusiasm for her new role to represent the city.

“It’s a very humbling experience to have been elected with such a vote of confidence by you, the residents of Signal Hill,” Woods told the scores of supporters and local leaders who joined the reception.

The City also celebrated Noll and Wilson, who were earlier that evening unanimously elected by the Council to serve as mayor and vice mayor.

In a follow-up interview Tuesday night, Noll named a few items on the priority list for the new Council: bills in the State Legislature that will be reviewed by city leaders; the property that is now managed by the City’s Successor Agency after the State dissolved the former redevelopment agency more than a year ago; and the proposal to construct a new library.

“We have a great Council, and we’ll work together as a team like we have in the past,” Mayor Noll told the Council in his brief remarks as the new leader. “Sometimes we don’t always agree, but after we vote, we work towards the goal.”

The next Signal Hill City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 2 at 7pm in the Council Chamber at City Hall. ß

SIGNAL TRIBUNE’S FOCUS ON BUSINESS Name of Business: Blackbird Café Address: 3405 Orange Ave. | Phone: (562) 490-2473 Type of Business: Restaurant; outdoor seating available, dogs welcome How Long in Business: 1.5 years | Hours: 7am to 3pm, 7 days a week owner(s) Name: Debbie Rosetti-Colacion Email: blackbirdcafeinc@gmail.com | social Networks: Facebook, Yelp What else would you like customers to know about your business?

We are a neighborhood restaurant that serves classic breakfast and lunch with a twist. We now offer Mimosas, Bloody Marys, beer & wine.

ST3442 - March 22_Layout 1 3/22/13 1:08 PM Page 15

MARCH 22, 2013

Bikes

continued from page 1

ing access points to the Los Angeles River bike path.

In the Los Cerritos neighborhood, city officials plan to install a traffic signal at Wardlow Road and Pacific Avenue as well as a “roundabout,” which is a landscaped, circular median, similar to those along the “bike boulevard” on Vista Street in Belmont Heights used for “traffic calming.”

The roundabout would be located at Pacific Avenue, 36th Street and Country Club Drive, serving as a “gateway” to the Los Cerritos neighborhood. In addition, city officials plan to construct a “traffic circle,” or round median, at Pacific Avenue and Bixby Road.

Allan Crawford, Long Beach bike coordinator, said a letter was recently sent out to residents from Long Beach City Traffic Engineer David Roseman, providing results of a survey on the project from a community meeting attended by 130 people at the Expo Arts Center in Bixby Knolls in January.

A draft of that letter obtained by the Signal Tribune states that 122 survey forms were returned and all results were tabulated. Overall, 69 percent of the respondents reported that the “proposed infrastructure changes represented an overall enhancement to their neighborhood,” and, on a scale of 1 to 10, the average answer was an 8 when asked whether respondents favored the project.

Survey results about specific elements of the project are as follows: 79 percent favored the traffic signal at Wardlow and Pacific, but only 38 percent favored the left-hand turn restriction; 73 percent favored the traffic circle at Bixby Road and Pacific Avenue; 68 percent favored the traffic circle at Pacific Avenue, 36th Street and Country Club Drive; and 64 percent favored the bike lanes on San Antonio Drive.

Roseman stated that, after listening to ideas and concerns from the community, city officials have adjusted the project accordingly, and they are now moving forward with the traffic signal at Pacific and Wardlow without the turn restriction, traffic circles at Bixby/Pacific and at 36th/Country Club, bike lanes on San Antonio, and a bike route on Roosevelt.

Tweed said another part of the project that didn’t receive majority support from residents was a plan to add bike lanes on a portion of Pacific Avenue, north of Bixby Road. He said city officials plan to modify the proj-

ect to accommodate residents’ requests.

“The residents on Pacific [Avenue], north of Bixby [Road], really don’t want that pain on their street, so we’re fine with that,” Tweed said. “We’ll just put up a couple signs and a few sharrows.”

He added that construction on the project is expected to start early next year after a contractor is awarded by the Long Beach City Council. However, Tweed added that it’s imperative to move forward since the timeline to use the federal funding expires next year. “The problem with federal money is, not only does it have a lot of strings attached, it has a time limit,” he said.

The survey results are the next step in what has been a nearly decadelong process to map out suitable plans for the proposed bike infrastructure funded by federal grants through the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Pacific Avenue was selected as one of the key corridors for bike infrastructure in a bike master plan that was established in 2001. Nearly five years later, an $862,000 grant, which requires a portion be matched by local funds, was awarded for the project, which was later approved by Caltrans in 2010.

Tweed said the City conducted months of planning and more than eight meetings with various community groups over the past year to provide outreach about the project.

Gaining consensus Roseman has stated that the City planned to summarize comments from residents to formulate a “consensus” before moving forward with final designs, adding that the City would only move forward with plans that a majority of residents support.

The project’s goals are to reduce vehicle speeds on residential streets, minimize “cut-through” traffic through neighborhoods, ensure safe crossings for pedestrians and cyclists on busy streets, and provide safe and convenient access to schools, parks and businesses.

Still, some residents have expressed opposition to parts of the project. John Deats, a longtime resident, lives directly across from the proposed roundabout site in Los Cerritos and is one of two residents who would be directly impacted by the project, which includes eliminating 150 feet of parking space.

Other residents have opposed the traffic signal at Pacific Avenue and Wardlow Road out of fear that it would encourage “cut-through” traffic through the neighborhood.

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However, Tweed said that, after conducting an analysis, City officials concluded that the traffic signal was warranted due to the volume of traffic and the time it takes to make a left turn at the intersection. He added that, although there were no fatal crashes, there were 48 collisions over a 10year period at the intersection and 23 of them deemed serious and required hospitalization.

“I don’t know if you folks have tried to cross that and make a left turn, but it’s tough,” said Tweed, who added that the new traffic signal would include crosswalks, push buttons, pedestrian curb ramps and countdown timers.

In addition, he said installing bike lanes on a four-block section of San Antonio Drive would ultimately entail removing parking on the north side of the street. Tweed said residents so far are “surprisingly” in favor of the plan.

In the letter, Roseman stated that, since several residents have expressed concerns about the design for the traffic circle proposed for Country Club Drive and 36th Street, city officials plan to work with designers and residents in an attempt to “minimize loss of parking.” He added, however, that the City’s number-one concern is “safety for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians.”

Roseman added that the City plans to work with residents on San Antonio Drive to develop a “preferentialpolicy and a parking” “street-sweeping” policy that “best fits their needs while gaining safe bike lanes.” He stated, “We will be working with our design consultants to finalize the plans for each element of the project. We are confident that as a result of those conversations we have ended up with a far better project that will meet the needs of the neighborhood as well as the City at large as we work to become the most bike-friendly city in the U.S.”

Designed for ‘short trips’ The Pacific Avenue bike corridor is one of several bike projects moving forward, including a 10-mile route along Daisy Avenue that would include adding eight roundabouts, 11 traffic circles and three traffic-signal modifications, Tweed said. The city

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

15

Sean Belk/Signal Tribune

In an effort to encourage bicycling to school as a healthy activity for children, Long Beach city officials have visited elementary and middle schools as part of the Safe Routes to School program. Pictured above is a presentation board depicting recent events that promoted safe biking practices.

has received about $17 million in grants earmarked for bike infrastructure, he said.

Crawford said, however, that the intent is to develop safe passages for residents to make “short trips” to local businesses, stores and restaurants.

“We know most people aren’t going to ride from the north part of Long Beach… they’re going to ride a mile or two miles,” he said, adding that nearly 40 percent of the trips that drivers make are a mile or under, and the average number of trips per day per household is about eight by car.

“What we’re trying to do is make it really comfortable,” Crawford said. “People say, ‘you know, I really want to go to the restaurant or I just need a loaf of bread or some milk’ and say, ‘you know, I could more easily ride my bike than get in the car, find a parking space, not get exercise’… What does that do for traffic on your streets? What does that do for our air quality? What does that do for the health of our neighborhood?”

Bike fever in Bixby Knolls Krista Leaders, a bicycle advocate and project coordinator for the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA), said that, although some residents still aren’t “totally hip to the idea” of the proposed bike infra-

structure, the overall goal is to make it easier for cyclists to get around.

“I don’t think any of the bike infrastructure is going to impact anything negatively,” she said. “I think it’s just good for the neighborhood.”

She added that, even though the bike infrastructure wouldn’t be located directly along the business corridor as it is in Belmont Shore, the plan is to make residents more confident to cross major, busy streets, ultimately leading them to local businesses.

The BKBIA’s regular Kidical Mass bike rides attract about 50 to 60 people, and biking in Bixby Knolls, which is a bike-friendly business district, continues to gain momentum, she said. The BKBIA is planning a bike festival in May to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Kidical Mass bike rides that were started last year, said Leaders, who is a certified bike instructor and member of Women on Bikes SoCal. In addition, 8th District Councilmember Al Austin, in collaboration with Bike Long Beach, last Saturday kicked off a series of bike tours called “Know Your Neighborhood” that are scheduled to eventually take place in every council district.

“The goal is to get parents and kids out,” Leaders said. “If we do it in a group, there’s safety in numbers, and we can take them by the hand and show them how it’s done.” ß

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Bellflower, CA 90807 562-920-1871

for all your auto care needs!

Atlantic shop 3619 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA 90807 562-427-4256

www.orozcosautoservice.com

Shell & Sheldon Grossman

– Bixby Knolls owners for 35+ years

We are environmentally sensitive and friendly. We reclaim our water.

We installed energy-saving and low-noise-drying equipment. We use cleaning and waxing products that are best for the environment.

Bixby Knolls Car Wash

577 E. Wardlow Rd. @ Atlantic Avenue • 562-595-6666

& Detail Center

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SIGNAL TRIBUNE

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