St3611 aug 15 layout 1

SIGNAL T

Vol. 36 No. 11

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“Mesoamerican Dreams” Acrylic on canvas

By Alex Garcia See page 9

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

August 15, 2014

Your Weekly Community Newspaper

So Cal water-agency board directors, wife plead not guilty to felony corruption charges

Sean Belk Staff Writer

Sean Belk/Signal Tribune Long Beach resident Marie Alvarez checks out with her child after shopping for housing products and clothes on Customer Appreciation Day at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Long Beach on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul thri store honors its customers with discounts, lunch

Sean Belk Staff Writer

Customers got more than they bargained for while shopping at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store at 2750 E. Pacific Coast Hwy. in Long Beach on Aug. 13 during a Customer Appreciation Day free-lunch event.

Customers received a 25-percent discount on items all day long while a free-taco cart was provided for lunch. In addition, members of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Council of Los Angeles recognized the West East Side Community Association (WESCA) for community clean-ups in the area.

Also in attendance were representatives from the offices of State Sen. Ricardo Lara and 4th District Councilmember Patrick O’Donnell, who recognized WESCA for its efforts as well. Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia was invited but was unable to attend.

According to the organization’s website, proceeds from sales go to help the “needy become self-sufficient by providing emotional and financial support, food, clothing, furniture, appliances, housing,” connecting disadvantaged individuals to resources in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

David Fields, executive director of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Council of Los Angeles, said the Catholic nonprofit organized the event in order to shine a light on the many services it helps to provide in hopes of colsee APPRECIATION page 13

An elected board director of a regional water agency, his wife and a board director of another water agency have pled not guilty to felony corruption charges, including embezzlement and conflict of interest, filed last week by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s (DA) office.

Robert Katherman, 68, a former lobbyist and aide for a Los Angeles city councilmember and a Division 2 board director for the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD), and his wife, Marilyn Katherman, 65, surrendered last Tuesday, Aug. 5 after being charged with “an elaborate embezzlement scheme” to help Ron Smith, 55, a board director and former treasurer of another water agency, pay about $20,000 in personal expenses, according DA officials.

In court on Tuesday, Aug. 12, Smith, who serves as a board director of the West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin), pled not guilty to seven felony counts, including two counts of misappropriation of public funds, four counts of perjury and one count of conflict of interest, according to the DA’s spokesperson, Ricardo Santiago. The Kathermans, who are charged with two counts each of misappropriation of public funds, have also pleaded not guilty.

Smith and the Kathermans are due back in Los Angeles Superior Court in Department 4 in Torrance on Aug. 27 for a preliminary trial-setting hearing.

Deputy District Attorney Alison Mat-

sumoto Estrada, with the public integrity division, is assigned to the case.

Prosecutors said that the embezzlement scheme occurred after Smith got the West Basin board to make “multiple contributions to help sponsor the Adopt A Storm Drain Foundation, a nonprofit educational foundation to promote water conservation, run by the Kathermans,” according to a statement from the LA DA’s office.

The contributions occurred over a three-year period, beginning in August 2010.

During the same time period, Smith also contributed money from his district outreach fund that did not need board approval, prosecutors said.

Shortly after receiving the West Basin donations, prosecutors allege that the Kathermans began writing checks from foundation accounts to schools and organizations that had no connection to the foundation.

The checks allegedly covered school and college tuition and paid for tennis and dance lessons for Smith’s children. Adopt A Storm Drain checks also allegedly paid for repairs to Smith’s boat and his rent. Smith also allegedly wrote checks from his West Basin discretionary account to pay various school expenses for his children.

In all, about $20,000 was stolen, prosecutors said.

If convicted, Smith faces up to nine years in state prison. The Kathermans each face up to four years in state prison if convicted as charged. The case remains under investigation by the Torrance Police Department.

Robert Katherman

Ron Smith

On Monday, Aug. 4, the day before charges were filed against him, Robert Katherman resigned from his position as deputy chief of staff for Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price, Jr., confirmed Connie Llanos, spokesperson for Price’s office. She said Katherman had worked for the councilmember since July 1, 2013.

The WRD issued a statement regarding the charges, stating that the “allegations are not related to WRD or its operations and the District will continue our steadfast commitment to provide safe, reliable and affordable drinking water to the district's four see WRD page 13

Local organization to save LB’s recent history from the shredder

CJ Dablo Staff Writer

File boxes that were likely only collecting dust somewhere in the City’s storage areas got a new lease on life.

One organization is betting that those boxes may hold the key to understanding Long Beach’s history.

It’s a very routine event for the Long Beach city clerk’s office to destroy records after some time has passed, and files from some municipal offices that date as far back as 22 years ago were on the list to be shredded. However, when members of the Historical Society of Long Beach asked to look over the 17

file boxes that were scheduled to be destroyed, they discovered documents that recorded significant moments from the city’s recent past.

At its Aug. 5 meeting, the Council supported the Historical Society of Long Beach’s desire to review these archived boxes with the understanding that the organization will save what it thinks may be important.

The file boxes are from the City’s legislative department, the 7th-council district and the mayor’s office, and they cover the years 1992 to 2011. It was this span of time that caught the attention of Julie Bartolotto, who serves as the executive director of that historical society.

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She knew that major public projects happened in those two decades.

She and Craig Hendricks, the society’s secretary and a former history professor, briefly reviewed the file boxes last week. Among the printed emails, recommendation letters, thank-you notes and other routine documents, Bartolotto and Hendricks discovered important correspondence that could help tell the story of Long Beach’s recent past…especially the city’s military past.

Bartolotto remembered Long Beach’s former Navy base, shipyard and naval hospital, which eventually closed in the 1990s. The letters between

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government entities and the city officials who were serving at that time offered to shed light on Long Beach’s transition from its roots as a navy town to the city that it is today.

For historians like Hendricks, the boxes represented a major part of Long Beach’s past. Hendricks is working on a history of Long Beach in the 20th century, and he noted that these archives could play a key role in explaining what happened at the time the naval operations were about to close.

“The whole story at some point needs to be told,” Hendricks said in a phone interview. He described the extensive correspondence contained in

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the file boxes that detailed what he called a “very heroic effort by the mayor and city council” to keep the Navy base open and when the base couldn’t be saved, to help the City recover from the loss of military facilities in the area. He said those file boxes contained extensive correspondence between Long Beach city officials, federal agencies and the White House.

“These are the kind of records… [that] help us understand exactly what happened in that critical moment,” Hendricks said.

Bartolotto agreed. She acknowl-

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auguST 15, 2014

BNSF puts controversial railyard project on hold during litigation

Sean Belk Staff Writer

Though the City of Los Angeles gave Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway its blessing to move

forward with a highly controversial railyard project planned adjacent to west Long Beach, a representative with the railroad company said the project likely won’t move forward this year as litigation over potential environmental impacts continues.

A spokesperson for BNSF Railway confirmed with the Signal Tribune this week that the $500-million project, which received approval from the Los Angeles City Council in May 2013 despite appeals from Long Beach and other parties, would remain on hold at least through year’s end even though the railroad company has a right to start construction.

“We do have a permit [and] we could begin construction, but that’s not the plan at this time,” said BNSF spokesperson Lena Kent in a phone interview. “We don’t have plans to start construction this year.”

Last year, the City of Long Beach and six other parties, including the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), filed a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles and BNSF over the project, citing concerns over an environmental-impact report (EIR) conducted by the Port of Los Angeles, which owns a 153-acre site where the railyard would be located.

For more than a decade, BNSF has

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been planning to build a near-dock railyard facility, called a Southern California International Gateway (SCIG), in order to load cargo containers (from trucks onto rail lines) closer to port docks, which would allow the railroad and the Port to increase capacity and efficiency.

The state-of-the-art facility would be located on property currently occupied by various trucking and warehouse companies, bounded by Sepulveda Boulevard, Pacific Coast Highway, the Dominguez Channel and the Terminal Island Freeway. The railyard would ultimately displace the existing tenants.

Kent said a settlement with at least one of the tenants has so far been reached.

However, environmentalists and Long Beach city officials, including former 7th District Long Beach Councilmember James Johnson, have asserted that the Port of LA’s EIR is flawed and that the project as currently proposed would increase health risks and air pollution in the community, closely impacting west Long Beach schools, Villages at Cabrillo homeless shelter and local neighborhoods.

The Port of LA and BNSF, however, defend the EIR’s findings, maintaining that the project would actually decrease pollution emissions in the long-term and improve air quality by taking dieselburning trucks off the freeway and adding new environmentally friendly infrastructure, such as all-electric cranes and requirements for trucks to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG).

BNSF officials say the company plans to spend $100 million on “green” technology while donating $2 million to the Ports for technological-advancement projects.

The litigation is one of the first orders of business for the newly elected Long Beach City Council, which conducted a closed-session meeting on the lawsuit earlier this month. After taking office, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia vowed personally to improve the City’s relations with the City of Los Angeles.

During a meeting of the Long Beach Central Project Area Council, Inc. (CPAC) last Thursday, Aug. 7 at Queens Wharf Restaurant, also known as Berth 55, in the Port of Long Beach, newly elected 7th District Councilmember Roberto Uranga dodged questions from community members about the litigation, stating that he was advised by the city attorney to not speak about the lawsuit, calling it a “gag order.”

However, the councilmember did say he hopes the lawsuit won’t create too much “backlash” from other parties, adding that he foresees an eventual positive outcome.

“It’s moving forward and that’s all I can say,” Uranga said. “It’s in litigation.

There are some items that are being discussed, and we shared with all the litigants. And then, we’ll take it from there.

My hope would be it stays amongst that group, that hopefully we won’t get too much flack and backlash from other groups that aren’t part of the lawsuit …

I’m sure that good things will come from it.”

LaDonna DiCamillo, BNSF executive director of state government affairs, gave a brief overview of the project and

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Sean Belk/Signal Tribune

LaDonna DiCamillo, BNSF Railway executive director of state government affairs, gives a brief overview of a controversial railyard project proposed near west Long Beach during a meeting of the Long Beach Central Project Area Council, Inc. last Thursday, Aug. 7 at Queens Wharf Restaurant.

answered questions during the CPAC meeting. However, she too told the crowd of about 30 people that she couldn’t discuss the litigation, adding that the City of Long Beach “took a position to litigate.”

DiCamillo, who last year was installed as board chair of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, said the railroad company began looking into the project as early as 2000 but hasn’t found a site within the Port long or narrow enough for the railyard other than the proposed site.

“We’ve looked at other properties in the Port area, [but] there’s nothing long enough to accommodate what we need to do,” she said.

DiCamillo said on-dock rail, which would load containers onto rail lines directly near terminals instead of further inland near communities, would be BNSF’s preferred option, but sufficient rail infrastructure has yet to be built. In addition, she said 28 terminal customers and the Port prefer loading containers off dock so as to not have cargo building up between shipments.

Though some 8,000 trucks per day is expected to be added to local highways in coming years, according to previous reports, DiCamillo stated that additional trucks will come whether the railyard is built or not. Currently, most cargo is taken up the I-710 Freeway to BNSF’s rail facility in Commerce, she said.

The goal with the new railyard, DiCamillo said, would be to, instead, utilize the Alameda Corridor, an interconnected rail line system, to make goods movement more efficient and reduce approximately 1.5 million truck trips per year from the I-710 Freeway.

“If we don’t handle this cargo at the proposed facility, we will continue to take it up the 710 Freeway to our facility in Commerce,” DiCamillo said. She added that BNSF and the Port analyzed 25 different intersections, and the EIR found “no significant increase or decrease” in traffic at those intersections.

However, some residents said that BNSF’s notion that adding a railyard facility would improve air quality in the area is “disingenuous.”

John Cross, a west Long Beach environmental activist and vocal opponent of the project, said the railyard may reduce pollution along the I-710 Freeway but the increase in 1.5-million truck trips per year coming to the facility would likely increase pollution in west Long Beach and other local communities.

“Explain to me how 1.5 million trucks is going to be cleaner,” he said

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during a question and answer portion of the meeting, adding that estimates show that the current operations bring in only about 300,000 truck trips to the site per year.

“There are some major flaws with this project, and if you live on the other side of the LA River and you think you’re not going to be affected by it, your wrong,” Cross said, adding that the best option would be for BNSF to find a location in the Port that’s not near neighborhoods, schools and a homeless shelter.

Other speakers touched on potential mitigation measures.

Brian Ulaszewski, an urban-planning consultant and founder of nonprofit City Fabrick, gave an overview on a proposal to create a “buffer,” including a possible park space with vegetation, to create separation between the community and the railyard facility.

The project, which he calls “The Yard,” would be a “proactive solution” to help mitigate impacts of the project, similar to the Waterfront Park in Wilmington, which was mitigation paid for by a terminal customer that expanded in the Port of LA, he said.

“There [is] precedent for what we’re talking about,” Ulaszewski said. “There is a solution out there that can include SCIG even in this proposed location…

It’s still not good, but it’s better. What we’re talking about is trying to get to a closer solution.”

He said the buffer project could move forward with SCIG or with out it.

DiCamillo said BNSF has offered to pay for installing a wall and trees to block the community from the facility, however an agreement would have to be reached with the City of Long Beach.

Westside activist John Taeleifi said the community should be open to adding a buffer as a possible solution to environmental and health impacts the rail facility may cause, adding that, even if the City of Long Beach and other plaintiffs are successful in stopping the project from moving forward, something else might return in its place.

“We all know that something will be put there, whether it be down the road or somewhere nearby,” he said. “The time will come and the impacts of whatever will be placed there will come to be realized. Myself and many of my residents, concerned and engaged members in west Long Beach, want to be able to ask, request and demand that we form some kind of collaborative effort to place something to buffer the impacts that are going to come.” ß

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auguST 15, 2014

SigNal TribuNE

Health officials caution aer first human case of West Nile in LB

The first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) this year in Long Beach has been confirmed. The 61-year-old east Long Beach resident has no known underlying health issues and is currently recovering well, according to the City’s Health Department. As of Aug. 6, 2014, 35 human cases have been reported in 10 California counties, including Los Angeles (1) and Orange (6). There have been two WNV-related deaths this year in northern California.

WNV is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Signs and symptoms of WNV may include fever, body aches, rash, nausea, vomiting and headaches. Most people infected have no symptoms; approximately one in 150 may develop more serious disease, such as brain inflammation or paralysis. Persons with these symptoms should seek immediate care, according to the Health Department.

Dr. Mitchell Kushner, city health officer, is encouraging residents to protect themselves from WNV by taking the following precautions: • Avoid mosquito-infested areas, especially at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.

• Mosquitoes can breed in standing water. Eliminate standing water on property by dumping or draining water in neglected ponds, birdbaths, fountains, buckets, old tires or anything that can hold water. Dumping or draining water will interrupt the mosquito life cycle.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.

• Use mosquito repellant containing DEET, icaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Residents should follow repellant instructions on the label. Consult with a pediatrician for appropriate concentrations of DEET to be used on children under the age of 2 years old.

• Keep tight-fitting screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes, and check to make sure window screens are in good condition.

• Maintain all swimming pools in a clean and sanitary manner, with all circulation and filtration equipment operational and chemical levels within recommended guidelines; drain water from pool covers.

• Limit the watering of lawns and outdoor plants to twice a week to avoid runoff to gutters and around sprinklers. Do not overwater plants or lawns, to avoid creating pools of standing water.

• Report dead birds and dead tree squirrels to the California Department of Public Health by calling 1-877-WNV-BIRD or online at westnile.ca.gov .

For more information, contact the Vector Control program at (562) 570-4132 or online at longbeach.gov/health . More information about WNV may be obtained at the State of California Department of Health Services website at westnile.ca.gov or at the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile .

Source: LBPD

Rep. Lowenthal demanding oil companies pay fair share to use public lands

Congressmember Alan Lowenthal (CA-47, Long Beach), a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, is requesting immediate action to modernize oil and gas rental and royalty rates on federal lands, rates that remain below other comparable land owners and which are shortchanging the American public while benefiting petroleum companies, according to a press release issued by his office.

In a letter to the Interior Department cosigned by 42 of his House colleagues, the Congressman urges the Interior Department to update the outdated federal onshore royalty and rental rates for oil and gas, the fees that petroleum companies pay to extract the public’s natural resources.

Petroleum companies operating on federal public lands currently pay the Interior Department 12.5 percent of the value of the oil and gas they produce as a royalty to the taxpayer, a rate which has not been updated in nearly a century.

“The current federal royalty rate is not close to what others charge and needs updating,” Lowenthal said. “Not only is this less than our Western states charge, and what is charged for offshore oil and gas royalties, but it is one of the lowest rates of any country in the world. These lands belong to the public, and this current royalty rate system is neither fair nor equitable for

SHPD to conduct DUI/license checkpoint

The Signal Hill Police Department (SHPD) traffic unit will conduct a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint beginning on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 8:30pm and concluding the following day at 2:30am.

Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. Officers will also check drivers for proper licensing and will strive to delay motorists only momentarily, according to the SHPD. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, and other expenses that can exceed $10,000, according to the SHPD. Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the SHPD by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Source: SHPD

the American taxpayer.”

The Department of Interior’s own studies have estimated that updating onshore royalty rates could increase revenue collections by about $1.25 billion over 10 years.

The Department of the Interior has the ability to administratively change both the royalty and rental rates charged on federal lands.

In addition, rental rates, which petroleum companies pay just to reserve the right to use certain tracts of federal land, have not been raised since the 1980s, and like royalty rates, are

exceedingly low.

A new report just released by the Center for Western Priorities titled “A Renters Market: Outdated Oil and Gas Rental Rates Fail Taxpayers,” highlights the Interior Department’s badly outdated rental system in which oil and gas companies pay only $1.50 per acre, per year– basically less than the cost of a cup of coffee per acre– to rent federal public lands.

“A fair return on public lands is not too much for the American public to expect,” Lowenthal said.

Source: Rep. Lowenthal’s office

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TAKE A TOUR What Downtown Long Beach Walking Tour Who Long Beach Heritage Foundation Where Meet at the WPA Mural at 3rd Street and the Promenade When Saturday, Aug. 16 from 9am to 11:30am More info The tour will explore Downtown Long Beach’s historic buildings, including the WPA Mural, the Insurance Exchange Building, the Breakers, the Wilmore Building, the Farmers & Merchants Bank, the First National Bank and the Security Bank Building. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased by visiting lbheritage.org. Call (562) 493-7019.

READ ALL ABOUT IT What Book signing Who Kenneth J. McKenzie, author and funeral director Where Barnes & Noble at 7651 Carson Blvd.

When Saturday, Aug. 16 at 2pm More info Event will feature a signing of the book Over Our Dead Bodies: Undertakers Lift the Lid, written by McKenzie and Todd Harra, authors of Mortuary Confidential. Proceeds from the event benefit Kamm Cares.

SING IT LOUD What CME Community Gospel Choir Concert Who South Coast Interfaith Council Where First Congregational Church at 241 Cedar Ave. When Saturday, Aug. 16 at 6pm More info The interfaith and intercultural community join for an evening of gospel music performed by a world-famous gospel choir. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children age 5 to 10 years old and free for younger children.

Call (562) 983-1665 or email office@scintrefaith.org .

MUSIC TO YOUR EARS What Concert in the park Who Los Cerritos Neighborhood Association (LCNA) Where Los Cerritos Park off of Country Club Drive When Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 6pm (early start time due to early sunset) More info This community-funded event will feature a performance by Party Jones following the Muni Band. Visit loscerritosna.org .

YOU ‘CAN’ DO IT What Inaugural Long Beach CANStruction Competition Who Food Finders Where Mercedes Benz dealership at 2300 E. Spring St. in Signal Hill When Tuesday, Aug. 21 from 8am to 8pm More info Four teams composed of five local architectural and engineering firms will transform thousands of cans of food into larger-than-life artistic masterpieces. The art pieces will be on display through Sept. 2. Visit longbeach.canstruction.org .

SOUND OFF ON BUDGET What Budget summit Who Office of Long Beach 6th District Councilmember Dee Andrews Where Ernest D. McBride, Sr. Park, 1550 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. When Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 6pm More info Andrews and Long Beach City Manager Part West as well as other city officials will discuss the 2015 city budget. Call (562) 570-6816 or email dee.andrews@longbeach.gov .

BLUES IT UP What First New Blues Festival Who Various blues musicians Where POA (Police Officers Association) Park at 7390 E. Carson St. When Sunday, Aug. 31 from 10am to 10pm More info The debut blues festival features various star-studded blues musicians, including award-winning acoustic blues guitarist Bernie Pearl and singer/songwriter Jamie Bess Belushi. Food and craft vendors will be offers.

Tickets are $20. Children 12 years old or younger get in free. Call (562) 7628317 or visit newbluesfestival.com .

JOIN THE CLUB What Literary society meeting Who Bixby Knolls Literary Society Where Elise’s Tea Room at 3924 Atlantic Ave. When Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 7pm More info The regular monthly meeting features discussions about P.G. Wodehouse’s The Code of the Woosters. Call (562) 595-0081 or email info@bixbyknollinfo.com .

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Courtesy Justin Rudd

Long Beach has lost one of its unofficial mascots. Riley the bulldog, whose owner was community activist Justin Rudd, died on Monday, Aug. 11. Rudd, a Belmont Shore resident, has organized numerous annual dog-themed events, such as the Howl-o-ween parade and a bull dog beauty contest, to which Riley was often in attendance.

OpiNiON

4 SigNal TribuNE

auguST 15, 2014

houghts from the Publisher T

by Neena Strichart

In the last few days it seems one cannot escape the ongoing news of the death of the beloved actor/comedian Robin Williams. Whether you turn on the television, listen to the radio, read a newspaper or participate on Facebook, there has been a constant stream of details and comments surrounding the tragic circumstances regarding Robin’s apparent decision earlier this week to take his own life.

I am especially sensitive to the subject of suicide, having a father, brother and nephew who all perished in the same manner. I have so many thoughts and opinions on the subject, yet I hesitate to share any of them with you, our gentle readers, at this time. With such constant news about Robin Williams reaching me from every angle, sadness, grief and confusion have come flowing back to my being as if my personal experiences happened just yesterday– when in reality, my family members made their decisions to leave this earth decades ago.

Instead of trying to write a cohesive and meaningful column on the topic, I have instead turned to my friend Karyn Mancini, a mental healthcare professional, to use her words to comfort and inform our readers on the subject of suicide. Below are her remarks:

Many people are surprised by the death of Robin Williams. To the public, he was a brilliant, funny actor, which made us think he was a happy, well-adjusted man. Unless you followed the actor’s history closely, you would have no idea that he struggled the better part of his life with substance abuse and mental-health issues. This type of highly publicized tragedy can trigger different emotions for different people, especially if you were one of the people who were shocked by the news of his passing. It would not be surprising if his family was not as surprised as the public. They likely watched Robin struggle on a daily basis. They likely saw his ups and downs and knew well if he was having a “good” day or a “bad” day.

It is often those who are closest to the person suffering from addiction and/or mental illness who are left feeling like they should have done something more. While the public hears and experiences the impact of Robin Williams’s suicide, his family has suffered with him during his life. For those of you who have lived with family or close friends who have dealt with addiction, mental illness, and ultimately suicide, you have a keen understanding of the true impact of this event. Robin Williams’s suicide was the finale in a lifelong battle that was devastatingly lost.

When a loved one commits suicide, family and friends can have a variety of reactions.

These reactions are often based on the dynamics that defined the relationship between the person and his/her family and friends. One common reaction to suicide is guilt as the loved one wishes they could have done something more to help prevent the tragic outcome. The guilt however, is usually one of a continuing nature as the loved one could not stop the other behaviors that were so damaging to the person throughout his/her life, such as drinking, using drugs, reckless behavior and possibly poor relationship choices. Because of the long and intense history between family members and the suffering individual, some people may not feel guilt at all, but instead may feel relief. When loved ones have watched the individual suffer for so long and have also been at the impact of that suffering, there may be a sense of relief that the person is finally at peace. Commonly, there is guilt associated with this feeling of relief as well. There are so many “shoulds” in our world– we have scripts that tell us how we should feel if someone dies, how we should feel if someone lives, how we should feel if we fail in a relationship– the reality is that people feel whatever it is they do, and that is perfectly normal. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Death never becomes the story of

the relationship– only the person closest to the individual who has ended their life can truly understand the dynamic interplay that occurred. That person will feel many different ways, and they are all okay.

Suicide is a serious issue. There are often warning signs, but sometimes there is nobody that can make the person make changes in their lives except the person himself. This is often cited as the hardest part about being in a relationship or in a family where mental illness and addiction are prominent. Family members can offer support, can lead their relative to services, can engage in planned interventions, all of which can be effective, but in the end, only the suffering individual can be responsible for their change. The devastation of this reality can leave loved ones with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness and a constant wish that they could have done more. While those who suffer with depression and other mentalhealth challenges need support, their families and friends need that support just as much.

The pain and suffering on both sides can be immense. If you have been touched by the tragedy of Robin Williams and find that you are reflecting on your own life as a result, don’t wait to get help. Please see below for some resources that can help you now.

National Alliance on Mental Illness nami.org Support Groups and Information on Mental Illness NAMI Long Beach PO Box 91206 Long Beach, CA 90809-1206 (562) 435-2264

nami@namilongbeach.org namilongbeach.org

AL-ANON – Support network of those who are close to someone with addiction issues. http://alanonla.org/html2/index.html City of Long Beach Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255

If you are looking for one-to-one support to get through a difficult time in your life, please reach out to your insurance provider to access mental health therapists that can help support you. You can also find reputable therapists– some of whom will take insurance and some who will not– at Psychology Today, psychologytoday.com,“Find a Therapist.”

Please feel free to also contact the author of this article at the information below: Karyn Mancini, Psy.D. drkarynmancini@gmail.com 310.279.9814

LETTERS, EMAILS and WEBSITE COMMENTS

an uneasy target

Earlier this year, in the good company of other animal protectors, I attended a meeting with the Parks, Recreation & Marine Commission of Long Beach to advocate against using replicas of animals for target practice by the archery department of Parks and Recreation.

After a relatively quiet half-year, the group that really wants to shoot bows and arrows at animal figurines as targets will be fighting for their right to do so at a Parks, Recreation & Marine Commission meeting on Thursday, Aug. 21, at 9am. It will be at the El Dorado Park Community Center at 2800 Studebaker Rd. in Long Beach.

Unfortunately, I will be across the country for three weeks during this time.

To all of my animal-loving friends, please step forward and attend this meeting. We already have had trouble in our city with someone using a real cat as a target for their archery skills, and the cat did not survive. Can we not have hope that people are becoming more civilized, as we progress forward with technology, and with our struggles against poverty, ignorance, and prejudice? No animal, whether a pet or wild, should be a symbol of disregard, disrespect, or a target of cruelty. Using animals as targets simply sends the wrong message that animals have no import and that they don’t have the same feelings and basic needs as people.

Please contact me with any ideas on how to fight this, so that our city will be a kinder, more civilized place to live. And I ask as many of you as possible to go to that meeting in my absence.

deborah Turner Humane educator deborah@wheelywilly.com

publiSHEr/EdiTOr-iN-cHiEF

Neena R. Strichart

aSSOciaTE publiSHEr

Stephen M. Strichart

STaFF WriTErS

Sean Belk CJ Dablo culTurE WriTErS

Trafficking update

As you know, over the last few years, we have been working hard to bring awareness to the issue of child sex trafficking.

Up to this point, our work has been primarily focused on drawing the public’s attention to this horrific crime, as well as training our own staff to recognize signs that a child may be a victim. However, we recognize that staff in a variety of County departments may come in contact with a victim and we need to have a process in place for how that is handled.

Later this week, we will be launching a series of protocols that will serve as a blueprint on how to handle trafficking victims who come into contact with the County. Over the next several months, we will be testing the protocols in a few locations, before launching county-wide. Soon every County employee will know how to get these kids off the street and into the services and programs necessary to keep them safe.

Other municipalities across the country look to Los Angeles County as a national model in our fight against child sex trafficking. The launch of these protocols will help us lead the way in our fight to ensure victims get the help they need to get their lives on to a better path.

SIGNAL T

Vicki Paris Goodman Heidi Nye

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B

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adMiNiSTraTivE aSSiSTaNT

Tanya Paz

don Knabe la county Supervisor Fourth district

MaNagiNg EdiTOr

Cory Bilicko

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dESigN EdiTOr/prOducTiON MaNagEr

Leighanna Nierle

advErTiSiNg cONSulTaNTS

Barbie Ellisen Jane Fallon cOluMNiSTS

Kenneth McKenzie Shoshanah Siegel

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. Letters must be 400 words or less. The Signal Tribune will publish no more than one “pro” letter and one “con” letter on a particular topic in a single issue. The Signal Tribune does not print letters that refer substantially to articles in other publications and might not print those that have recently been printed in other publications or otherwise presented in a public forum. Letters to the editor and commentaries are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Signal Tribune or its staff. Although the editorial staff will attempt to verify and/or correct 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 $50.

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NEWS

auguST 15, 2014 Crimes reported by LBPD Council Districts 6, 7 & 8 (no arrest information supplied)

THurSday, aug. 7 8:45am Non-injury hit-and-run San Antonio Dr./Orange Ave. 10:56am Battery 2000 block Long Beach Blvd.

11:16am Non-injury hit-and-run E. PCH/Cherry Ave. 12:25pm and 5:21pm Residential burglaries 2200 block Pacific Ave. 1:10pm Battery 100 block W. PCH 2pm Non-injury hit-and-run W. 28th St./Pacific Ave. 5:50pm Non-injury hit-and-run 46th St./Atlantic Ave. 6:03pm Non-injury hit-and-run E. PCH/MLK Jr. Ave. Friday, aug. 8 12:25am Non-injury hit-and-run Locust Ave./E. 20th St. 12:27pm Residential burglary 3000 block Linden Ave. 4:42pm Residential burglary

29-year-old man shot dead during apparent burglary

Courtesy Tara Riggi

Ryan Anderson A 29-year-old Long Beach man is dead after an apparent botched burglary early Sunday morning. On Aug. 10, at approximately 3:07am, officers from the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) were dispatched to the 2800 block of East 3rd Street regarding an in-progress burglary at a residence with an intruder inside.

Prior to the officers’ arrival, the calling party indicated the suspect had been shot inside the home.

Officers arrived within two minutes and twenty seconds of the initial call to 911, according to the LBPD, and located a male adult inside the home with gunshot wounds. Long Beach Fire Department Paramedics responded to render aid to the suspect but pronounced him deceased at the scene.

Homicide detectives responded and interviewed the residents, witnesses and neighbors. Evidence collected at the scene indicates the suspect scaled a wall to gain access to the back yard then broke a window to enter the home. The suspect was found to have personal property belonging to the resident on his person.

The suspect has been identified as Ryan Anderson, 29, of Long Beach.

There is no indication at this time that there is any connection between the suspect and the residents of the home. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Those with information regarding the investigation are asked to call (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLAplus the tip to CRIMES (274637) or visiting lacrimestoppers.org .

Source: LBPD

1900 block Long Beach Blvd.

4:55pm Commercial robbery 1900 block Locust Ave.

SaTurday, aug. 9 7:20am Recovered stolen vehicle 4900 block Long Beach Blvd.

8:43am Residential burglary 500 block Rhea St. 5:29pm Non-injury hit-and-run 1000 block E. 20th St. 6:02pm Non-injury hit-and-run 2800 Atlantic Ave.

SuNday, aug. 10 1:29am Battery W. PCH/Henderson Ave. 1:34pm Residential burglary 3600 block Cedar Ave. 3:02pm Non-injury hit-and-run 4900 block Oregon Ave. 3:06pm Non-injury hit-and-run 4500 block Atlantic Ave. 6:43pm Residential burglary 1 block W. 47th St. MONday, aug. 11 8:44am

EYE ON CRIME

Residential burglary 1900 block Long Beach Blvd.

10:22am Recovered stolen vehicle 3200 block Oregon Ave. 1:07pm Battery 1800 block Magnolia Ave. 1:20pm Assault 400 block E. Columbia St. 5:21pm Non-injury hit-and-run W. 27th St./Pacific Ave. 7:09pm Non-injury hit-and-run 3800 block Gardenia Ave. 9:37pm Robbery (commercial) 4800 block Atlantic Ave. TuESday, auguST 12 6:09am Residential burglary 1800 block Atlantic Ave. 8:39am Robbery of person 4800 block Atlantic Ave. 12:13am Non-injury hit-and-run 2400 block Daisy Ave. 12:26pm Commercial burglary 4500 block Atlantic Ave. 6pm Grand theft of motor vehicle 2300 block Locust Ave.

SigNal TribuNE Crimes reported by SHPD Citywide THurSday, aug. 7 12:08pm Forgery 2200 block E. Willow St. 4:12pm Non-injury hit-and-run Gaviota Ave./E. 28th St. Friday, aug. 8 1:22pm Battery 700 block E. Spring St. 1:34pm Residential burglary 1800 block Stanley Ave. 6pm Forgery 2200 block E. Willow St.

SaTurday, aug. 9 1:31am DUI E. 33rd St./Lemon Ave. 5:02pm Battery of spouse, cohabitant or date 700 block E. Spring St. 6:15pm Vandalism of $400 or more 1800 block Redondo Ave. 8:45pm Commercial burglary 3000 block California Ave. SuNday, aug. 10 8pm Auto burglary 2600 block E. 19th St. 9:55pm Unreasonable noise 1800 block Raymond Ave.

MONday, aug. 11 2:35am Injury hit-and-run Walnut Ave./E. 21st St. 1:27pm Stolen vehicle 3300 block Falcon Ave. 6:11pm DUI E. Willow St./Town Center W. 6:16pm Non-Injury hit-and-run E. Burnett St./Cerritos Ave. 6:46pm Attempted residential burglary 2900 block E. PCH 7:41pm Identity theft 900 block Nevada St. TuESday, auguST 12 1:55am DUI causing injury 2800 block Temple Ave. 1:21pm Petty theft 900 block E. 33rd St. 5:31pm Unauthorized use of ID 2500 block E. 19th St.

WEdNESday, aug. 13 10:13am Forgery 1800 block W. Willow St. 8pm Grand theft of property 2500 E. Willow St. 9:15pm Injury hit-and-run 2400 block Lewis Ave.

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JuST FOr FuN

auguST 15, 2014

cOMMuNiTy

auguST 15, 2014

Elected officials, nonprofits distribute hundreds of backpacks to local kids

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia and 6th District Councilmember Dee Andrews, along with local nonprofits What’s Next Now.Org and New Life Beginnings, gave away 1,200 backpacks filled with school supplies at the 6th District Back-to-School Fair on Saturday, Aug. 9, at Lincoln Elementary School.

As part of Andrews’s effort to expand services in the community, he teamed up with the Long Beach nonprofits to distribute the backpacks to families. “There are a lot of families that are barely getting by in our city,” Andrews said. “The extra cost of purchasPhotos by Andy Witherspoon ing school supplies can cause financial hardships. This event Sixth District Councilmember Dee Andrews (center) and Long Beach Deputy Police Chief helped relieve some of the bur- Robert Luna (far right) distribute backpacks filled with school supplies to local children den. The back-to-school event on Aug. 9 at Lincoln Elementary School. provided students with the supplies they need to succeed in school.”

Rebecca Younger, founder of New Life Beginnings, said, “It is always a great joy to see the smiling faces of the children when they got their backpack. One kid was so excited that he hugged Councilman Andrews like he was Santa Claus.”

This is the second year that Andrews has hosted the fair, and it attracted more than 1,000 people, with some families lining up four hours in advance to secure a back pack for their children, according to Tonya Martin of Andrews’s office.

Each backpack, full of school supplies, was distributed to kids from 5 to 16 years old. The event also included school safety tips presented by Long Beach Deputy Police Chief Robert Luna, as well as a demonstration from the Long Beach Fire Department, the Safe Moves Bike Rodeo and information booths to help attendees with free community services.

Source: 6th District Council office

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Sorority, local nonprofit to host food, clothing event for homeless

Beta Pi Sigma Sorority, Inc./Tau Chapter and Community Advocate Program Services will co-sponsor a special summer event for the homeless population in Long Beach this Saturday. The organizations will supply free snack lunches consisting of nachos, a hot dog and a bowl of chili along with free clothing and shoes for adults and children.

The event will take place Saturday, Aug. 16 from 2pm to 4pm at the U.S. National Guard Armory facility located at 854 East 7th St. Evelyn Steele founded the nonprofit Community Advocate Program Services to feed the homeless and provide them with clothing. Each year, she organizes several events to feed and provide clothing for the homeless, and solicits help from various organizations to assist her in accomplishing her mission.

Beta Pi Sigma Sorority, Inc. is a business and professional sorority that works with local nonprofits. Tau is the Long Beach chapter of Beta Pi Sigma Sorority, Inc and has partnered with Steele several times during the year to hand out personal items to the homeless each spring, summer, and prior to Christmas. This summer Tau Chapter will hand out their personal items under the “Operation Kindness” program in addition to co-sponsoring the feeding and clothing event with Steele.

To provide donations for the event, contact Steele at (562) 719-5975 or Hattie Herring with Beta Pi Sigma Sorority, Inc./Tau Chapter at (562) 728-4496.

Source: Beta Pi Sigma Sorority

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Source: LBCC

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language interpretation, materials in alternative formats and other accommodations are available to the public upon request. All requests for reasonable accommodations to participate in a Board meeting must be made at least three working days (72 hours) in advance of the scheduled meeting date.

For assistance, contact the Office of the Superintendent-President at (562) 938-4124 or jhann@lbcc.edu or Communications and College Advancement at (562) 938-4004 or stoda@lbcc.edu .

The ad-hoc advisory committee includes: Long Beach resident Richard Gaylord; Academic Senate President Karen Kane; Superintendent-President Eloy Ortiz Oakley; Board of Trustees Vice President Otto; and Student Trustee David Root.

Residents who are interested in being appointed as the provisional Board of Trustee Member must be a registered voter and live within Area 2 of the Long Beach Community College District. Area 2 is located within west and central Long Beach. Residents can check the Los Angeles County Registrar’s website to see if they live in Area 2. (Visit lavote.net/OnlineDistrictmapApp .)

The appointed candidate will hold office until the next regularly scheduled Board election in April 2016. The appointed candidate is eligible to run for the Area 2 seat during this election.

Applications must be received no later than Aug. 22 by noon. Applications can be found on the LBCC website at events.lbcc.edu/detail.cfm?eventid=24 94&pagerefer=home .

For additional information, call the Superintendent-President’s Office at (562) 938-4124.

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Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees Vice President Doug Otto has scheduled ad-hoc advisory committee meetings to discuss the Area 2 Board vacancy, and all meetings are open to the public.

“There will be opportunities during each of these meetings for the community to speak and give their thoughts on an ideal candidate to represent Area 2,” said Otto, chair of the ad-hoc advisory committee. “Our goal is to find an individual who will not only represent Area 2, but will also address the needs of our current and future Long Beach City College students.”

Members of the Long Beach City College (LBCC) community and the greater Long Beach community are invited to give comments regarding the Area 2 vacancy at any of the following dates and times: • Friday, Aug. 22 at 5pm • Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 5pm (regular meeting of the Board of Trustees; the ad-hoc advisory committee will give recommendations to the Board on candidates to interview) • Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 5pm (regular meeting of the Board of Trustees; the Board will conduct candidate interviews, continue the evaluation process and may select the provisional appointment to fill the remainder term for Board of Trustees Area 2) Each speaker will have up to three minutes to express comments. All meetings will take place at Long Beach City College (Liberal Arts Campus), Room T-1100, 4901 East Carson St. Additional meeting dates regarding the Area 2 Board of Trustees vacancy may be scheduled if needed and will be publicized in advance.

Foreign language translation, sign-

!

Families line up in front of Lincoln Elementary School last Saturday to receive free backpacks during the 6th District Back-to-School Fair.

BARGAINS GALORE!

cOMMuNiTy

8 SigNal TribuNE

A Matter of Life

osher Lifelong Learning Institute to begin registration for fall courses

e twilight’s last gleaming Kenneth McKenzie Columnist

Last week, I was approached to help “retire” flags as the other funeral home in the area has recently changed their corporate policy and will no longer honor this gesture. Even after 25 years of funeral-directing, I can still come across requests that require me to do a little research. This is okay; it keeps me on my toes. I knew the U.S. Flag Code calls for burning a flag when it is put into retirement, but how does this differ from someone practicing political demonstration by burning a flag?

When do you know the flag is ready to retire?

According to the U.S. Flag Code, “The flag when it is [in such condition that it is] no longer a fitting emblem of display should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” I learned there is a proper ceremony that is conducted each time a flag is put into retirement. It is similar to how we would honor our loved ones.

It starts with gathering information about the history of the flag– a type of eulogy, if you will. Where was the flag flown? How long was it flown? Were there significant national events during its time? Then, once its history is gathered, the ceremony can start. It begins with reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag (one last time). Then the “eulogy” is presented.

During the eulogy, the flag is held up and is not to touch the ground. Now, this is the part that is important. The flag must be cut before it is burned. “A flag ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces,” [according to the Flag Code]. The canton, or the blue section with white stars, is cut first and is left whole, signifying the union of the 50 states. Then, each stripe is cut away. It is important that while cutting you are being as precise as possible. In the end, you will have 14 pieces, one for each stripe and one canton. All the pieces are placed one by one into the flame. It is suggested that, during the incineration process, we sing patriotic songs or share patriotic stories.

So, come to find out, just like the rest of us, even Old Glory has her time.

McKenzie is the owner of McKenzie’s Mortuary in Long Beach.

alzheimer’s Walk seeking teams, donations and volunteers

The 4th annual Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Long Beach will take place Saturday, Oct. 18 at Rainbow Lagoon Park along Shoreline Drive. More than 1,000 residents from throughout the South Bay are expected to participate in the event to raise awareness and funds to fight the disease.

In addition to a 5K route, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s includes entertainment, food, awards and a family festival.

Walkers who raise $100 receive a commemorative T-shirt, and there are prizes for top fund-raising teams and individuals. Onsite registration will open at 7am, opening ceremonies will begin at 8:30am, and the walk will begin at 9am.

To start a team, donate, or volunteer, contact the Alzheimer’s Association, California Southland Chapter at alz.org/socal or call (800) 272-3900.

The 3rd annual event in October 2013 broke the goal, raising more than $157,000 for Alzheimer’s disease care, support and research, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. AJ’s Army, led by Rick Burgeno of Rolling Hills Estates, was the top “friends & family” team for the second year, raising more than $6,700 for the cause. Marilyn Rafkin of Torrance was the top individual fundraiser with $3,590 raised. The Avengers from HCP, Inc. in Long Beach took honors as the top corporate team, raising more than $9,600, and the honors for the “most spirited” teams went to The Avengers and Tater’s Collaborators. The “Most Fashionable” teams were Team Mami Chuy and Grandma’s Blessing.

“We are overwhelmed by the passion for the cause demonstrated by those in the South Bay,” said Susan Galeas, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, California Southland Chapter. “Their commitment to fighting Alzheimer’s disease through the Walk is heartwarming and reinforces the growing need that exists in our communities. Alzheimer’s is growing at an alarming rate and affects not only those diagnosed, but countless numbers of spouses, children, family members and friends. We look forward to our Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Rainbow Lagoon Park on October 18 and encourage everyone to get involved, lead a team, join a team, or volunteer.”

Funds raised at the Walk provide needed care and support for people FOLBA touched by the disease throughout Los Angeles County, enable efforts to educate the public about Alzheimer’s as a growing public health threat, and fund research to fight Alzheimer's disease. In California, more than half a million people have Alzheimer’s disease. Experts estimate that someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s disease every 67 seconds. By mid-century someone will develop Alzheimer’s disease every 33 seconds. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. The Walks have raised more than $546 million since they began in 1989, according to the Pet of the Week: Alzheimer’s Association. Major sponsors of the Long Beach Walk include Ralphs, Belmont Village and SCAN Health Plan For more information about the California Southland Chapter, visit Four-year-old Izzy is a beautiful alz.org/socal or call (800) 272-3900.

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The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Cal State Long Beach will open fall registration on Saturday, Aug. 30, in person in the OLLI Classroom HSD 101, from 8:30am to 11:30am. Thereafter, registrations are accepted in the OLLI office located in the CSULB Human Services and Design Building, Room 100, near the corner of Palo Verde Avenue and East University Drive, or by mail.

This fall, OLLI will offer Classic Movie Comedies, Japanese 101, The Greening of America, CSI for the Potential Juror, Land of Enchantment and 55 other classes. Returning this session will be Copy-Cat Art, Opera presentations from LA Opera Educators, Taking Better Photos, Fear Not, I Speak Shakespeare and more.

For those looking to improve their health and fitness, OLLI offers: Tai Chi Chih, Senior Yoga, Naturopathic Medicine and Longevity Stick. Fitness classes are held in the CSULB LifeFit Center on campus as well as at the Pine Avenue and Leisure World OLLI locations.

There are four locations for classes: HS&D Building on the CSULB Campus, Rooms 101 and 119 and the computer lab; OLLI Pine Avenue, 737 Pine Ave., Suite 202; OLLI Leisure World, 13533 Seal Beach Blvd. in Seal Beach; and the Alpert Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Willow St. The annual membership fee of $40 covers participation during the fall, winter, spring and summer sessions. Tuition is $10 per class for the term. Computer classes are $35 for eight weeks and $20 per four weeks. Campus parking permits are available for a reduced fee.

For more information, call (562) 985-8237, email olli@csulb.edu or visit CSULB.edu/centers/olli .

Source: OLLI

Various performers needed for Velveteen Rabbit production

The Children’s Theatre of Long Beach will be conducting auditions for Margery Williams’s classic children’s story The Velveteen Rabbit, with roles open for performers of all ages.

The Velveteen Rabbit, with music and lyrics by Erik Pryztulski, was adapted for the stage by Bethany Price, who will be directing this production. Originally presented by Minnie Gant Elementary School less than 10 years ago, the show has now seen a half dozen productions throughout the United States, including productions in Virginia, Pennsylvania and an upcoming show in Florida in March.

It tells the story of a stuffed rabbit made of velveteen fur and the young boy who loves it. The story is set in 1920s America and features a cast of characters that includes several members of the boy’s family, a Nursery Magic Fairy, a trusted nanny, rabbits, toy soldiers, and a whole closet full of toys. A full range of characters, including a Model Boat, a Race Car, a Spinning Top, Raggedy Ann and Andy, the Skin Horse, Velveteen and multiple blocks and toy soldiers discuss, debate, and sing and dance in this musical, and need actors young and old to bring them to life.

Auditions, rehearsals and performances will take place at the California Heights United Methodist Church, 3759 Orange Ave. Remaining auditions will be Saturday, Aug. 16 from 9am to noon. The show will rehearse Wednesdays through Fridays from 6:30pm to 9pm and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. Actors will not be called to all rehearsals. Performances will be Sept. 25–28.

For more information, visit childrenstheatreoflongbeach.org or call (562) 9994691. To sign up for the Children’s Theatre of Long Beach email newsletter and begin receiving information regarding lessons, auditions and performances, email info@childrenstheatreoflongbeach.org and include “newsletter” in the subject line.

Source: Children’s Theatre of LB

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auguST 15, 2014 Imitating Life

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old, discarded family photos get resurrected by children and adult artists in gallery exhibit

When artist and Signal Tribune managing editor Cory Bilicko walked into the Long Beach Depot for Creative Re-use one Saturday afternoon last spring, he was seeking inspiration from the bins of odd objects. Among the well-organized containers of empty pill bottles, 1980s clothes patterns, vinyl LPs and old-school postcards, it was a small box of discarded family photos that really resonated One of the vintage photos that serve as inspiration for Child’s interpretation of vintage photo with him. a child artist and an adult artist “As you browse this and examining how different indi- have a well-studied sculptor store, you become so stimulated by opportunity to curate a show based who has been working for Interpretation of vintage photo by Alex Garcia viduals see things differently. all the colors, textures, patterns and on his own concept.

Once all 60 students had com- the famous artist Jeff “Immediately, I thought of those nostalgic items,” Bilicko said. “But, when I came across these vintage old photos,” Bilicko said. “I just pleted their drawings, he narrowed Koons, a punk photograencouraging them by teaching art in photos from various families, it sad- wasn’t sure exactly what I’d do with those down to the 30 that he found pher who’s snapped early shots of two local classrooms and putting the most arresting and compelling, the likes of Nirvana and Social Disdened me. How did these pictures them.” their artwork up alongside profesAfter some rumination, he so that each adult artist’s piece tortion, a successful children’s book end up in a second-hand store? Why sional artists. He is also utilizing his weren’t they in someone’s photo decided the best way to honor the would be accompanied by a child’s illustrator, and a professional mid- extensive network of artists he has album or framed on a grandmother’s forgotten images, as well as the indi- work and they would both be dis- dleweight boxer, to describe just a interviewed over the years to few of them.” viduals in them, was to either invite played next to the original photo. wall?” encourage creation of new, original Hocking said Bilicko’s concept “This is my first time curating, Bilicko bought about a dozen of various artists to create their own work by artists working from many the photographs, not yet knowing interpretations of them or have chil- and, although this is a multifaceted is perfectly aligned with her different perspectives.” dren interpret them in their own project, which will also include a gallery’s vision. what he’d do with them.

Dorte Christjansen, an artist orig“When Cory came to talk with A few weeks later, Greenly Art way. Vacillating between those two film I’m making about the entire inally from Copenhagen, Denmark Space in Signal Hill presented him ideas, he eventually chose to incor- process, I think the most exciting me about his idea for this art show, I with an ample résumé and who with their first Fellowship Award, in porate both approaches: adult artists part for me will be the weekend was very excited and impressed,” works primarily in watercolor and before the opening, when all the Hocking said. “His concept brilrecognition of his support of local and kids. batik, is one of the people Bilicko After scouring other second- artists drop off their work at the liantly combines the many values artists. Bilicko profiles a different wanted in his show. artist from the area each week in the hand shops and purchasing more gallery,” Bilicko said. “I can’t wait we have at Greenly Art Space in the “I was invited to participate, was newspaper, featuring their work on photos, he assembled a group of 30 to see how these old photos have way that it encourages the produc- intrigued by the proposal, thinking it the front page and an interview with artists from the Long Beach-Los inspired this diverse group of tal- tion of original art by both profes- would push me out of my comfort them, along with more images of Angeles area and had each choose ented individuals, which, by the sional and children artists. His zone by introducing the figure into their work, in the Culture section. To an image to re-interpret. Then he way, include seasoned, well-estab- concept encourages contemplation my usual botanical or landscape date, he has featured about 160 dif- worked with a first-grade class and lished artists and art educators, as of ‘discarded’ photographs and content,” Christjansen said. “I find ferent artists in this weekly column, a fourth-grade class, conducting well as shy, creative types who have gives them new life through art. He visual exercises related to perception never shown their work before. I is mentoring young artists and “Imitating Life.” see ARTISTS page 15 As part of that award, Kimberly Hocking, Greenly’s founder and gallery director, offered Bilicko the

In Loving Memory

Doloros Vivian MacGlashan D

oloros Vivian MacGlashan of Signal Hill passed away peacefully aer a brief illness, surrounded by her family, on august 6, 2014.

Born Doloros Griffin on March 27, 1926, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Beatrice Helena Drew and Richard Bernard Griffin, she was the youngest of 10 children and had five brothers and four sisters, who have all predeceased her. Her mother’s family were immigrants from Canada, her grandparents from Great Britain. Her father Richard was born in Minnesota, and his parents were immigrants from Ireland. Doloros oen shared her vivid memories of living in Sioux Falls during difficult times during the Great Depression and enduring harsh winters in South Dakota. as a young woman, she lived for a time with her family in oakland, then moved to Long Beach, where she helped in the war effort as a welder at the Kaiser Shipyards during WWII. aer the war, she worked for Kirkhill Company in Brea. She married Lee MacGlashan in 1949 and became a full-time homemaker around 1960. Doloros and Lee had two children, Deborah Gillam and Mark MacGlashan. Lee passed away in 1991.

She was known for: her vast knowledge of horticulture; her artistic and sewing skills; her wonderful cooking; her perfect, beautiful handwriting; and most of all, for her wry, gentle sense of humor.

In addition to her children Deborah and Mark, she is survived by granddaughter jennifer Burke and two great- grandchildren allison and Drew, and her beloved dog Benji. a memorial service was held at all Souls Catholic Cemetery on ursday, august 14.

Approved Watering Schedule March 27, 1926 – August 6, 2014

Watering is approved on the following days:

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For more information, call the Water Conservation Hotline:

562-989-7350

10 SigNal TribuNE

auguST 15, 2014

cOMMuNiTy

auguST 15, 2014

Local Salvation army chapter dedicates new Social Service offices and Hispanic Ministries facility

Courtesy Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Long Beach Citadel hosted a dedication of its new Social Service offices and Hispanic Ministries facility at 3090/3092 Long Beach Blvd. on the morning of Aug. 12. Pictured above, from left, are: Pedro Blanco, project manager for KARDENT Architects, the firm responsible for the facility’s architecture; Richard Dilday, president of KARDENT Architects; Captains Moy and Erika Hernandez, corps officers of Long Beach Salvation Army Corps; Lt. Colonel Douglas O’Brien, from the Salvation Army’s Western Territorial Headquarters and who served as the dedication speaker; Captain Grady Brown, secretary for business at Divisional Headquarters; Steve Trifon of Consolidated Construction Group, the project contractor; Irene Camagong, divisional property director; and Lt. Colonel Douglas Riley, divisional commander for the Southern California Division. After the dedication service, organizers conducted tours of the Social Service offices, Food Pantry and Hispanic Ministries for those in attendance.

Source: Salvation Army

SigNal TribuNE

Back-to-school event to offer free backpacks and haircuts

Eighth District Long Beach Councilmember Al Austin and the Andy Street Community Association are joining together to help more than 1,000 students get ready for the start of school.

On Saturday, Aug. 16, between 10am and 2pm, they will host a “Back-to-School Summer Blast” where schoolchildren can receive backpacks filled with school supplies, as well as free haircuts, free health screenings and free food.

The event will take place at “Pops” Davenport Park, 2910 E. 55th Way, just off of Paramount Boulevard between Market and South streets in Long Beach. Staff from Long Beach’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine will be present to gather input on the next phase of Davenport Park, an additional 5.6 acres that will be completed following environmental remediation required because of the park’s location on a former landfill site.

“I am proud to partner with the community to ensure our kids are healthy and have the tools to learn and be prepared for school,” Austin said. “I am also excited to hear from the community about what they would like to see in Phase II of Davenport Park.”

The event will offer games,

prizes, resources and entertainment for kids of all ages.

Covered California will be represented and St. Mary Medical Center will provide health screenings.

There will be music and several resource booths, and the Long Beach Police Officers Association will be providing free hot dogs.

The Making Connections Alliance, of which the Andy Street Community is a member, was started as a way to bring socialservice coordinators and property managers of local affordable housing developments together. The affordable housing developments taking part in the event are: Northpointe Apartment Homes, Andy Street Community Association, Pacific City Lights and Long Beach & Burnett Apartments. The YMCA and Boys and Girls Club are also participating.

For more information about the event, call (562) 570-6685 or (562) 513-5354.

Source: 8th District Council office

Local lifeguards organize coastal swim to raise money for john Wayne Cancer Foundation

Last week, lifeguards from throughout Southern California, including Long Beach, gathered together for the SoCal PaddleDown for Cancer to raise money for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.

The event, a paddle-board relay, started at Gaviota Beach near Santa Barbara and is scheduled to finish at Imperial Beach south of San Diego. “At over 250 miles, this relay is a testament to the teamwork and comradery shared by lifeguards from throughout the area to support this worthy cause,” said Jake Heflin of the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD).

The relay centers on the passing of a rescue buoy and a rashguard worn by lifeguards as they paddle through the waves en route to their final destination at Imperial Beach. Each lifeguard agency along the route completes a specific leg of the journey through their jurisdiction.

The paddler passes the rescue buoy and rashguard off to neighboring lifeguards who continue the effort.

Last Saturday, the rescue buoy and rashguard made their journey through Long Beach waters from Cabrillo Beach. Jeff Martinez, 28, an eight-year Los Angeles County and Los Angeles City lifeguard, paddled up to Long Beach Lifeguard Headquarters for the exchange. The rescue buoy and rashguard were passed off to awaiting Long Beach lifeguards, who then made their mark on the rescue buoy and continued the mission. James Applegate, 17, a seasonal lifeguard for Long Beach Fire/Marine Safety, then entered the water and continued his four-mile leg to Seal Beach.

Those interested in making a donation to support local lifeguards and the John Wayne Cancer Foundation can visit johnwayne.org/blocktheblaze .

For more information, visit facebook.com/SocalPaddledown or instagram.com/socalpaddledown . The SoCal PaddleDown for Cancer was organized to raise money for the John Source: LBFD

11

Photos courtesy LBFD

James Applegate, 17, a seasonal lifeguard for Long Beach Fire/Marine Safety, enters the water to continue his four-mile leg to Seal Beach for the SoCal PaddleDown for Cancer last Saturday.

Lives Lived Lori ann Clendening 48 tracy Morgan 49 Clara Enright 90 Margaret Day 80 Velma Wyett 98 Marian Gima 94 arthur Watkins 90 Steven Zergman 54 Paul Ross 67 Bung Still 65 Lenny Winans 69 Ethel Batts 69 Gladys Dyson 90 Soth Em 55 Harold Lutz 63 Karla Edwards 55

e families were assisted by McKenzie Mortuary.

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

Wayne Cancer Foundation.

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12 SigNal TribuNE CELEBRATING SIGNAL HILL’S 90TH ANNIVERSARY

auguST 15, 2014

For several weeks, the Signal Tribune is republishing stories, including the one below, from our June 20, 2014 special issue honoring the City of Signal Hill’s 90th anniversary. To view the commemorative issue in its entirety, visit signaltribunenewspaper.com/?p=24162 .

a PRICKLy ‘PoRCUPINE HILL’

Sean Belk Staff Writer

There was a time when oil was king of the hill.

It started in 1921 at a well famously known as Alamitos No. 1, located at the corner of TemAn oil-drilling crew in Signal Hill is seen in this photo taken in ple Avenue and Hill Street in Signal Hill.

1923. Pictured (from left) are Fred Spreen, Otto Kinney, John Royal Dutch Shell Oil Company had broken Augsberger, Roy Blodgett and an unidentified person. through the ground, producing the first “gusher” that made way for one of the most productive oil fields in the world.

The well, which today is memorialized by a plaque, a bronze statue and the name of a nearby park, is recognized as the first major discovery of oil in Southern California that triggered a drilling frenzy that lasted for decades.

At 9:30pm on June 23, black crude erupted 114 feet into the air from the site, an event that took the oil industry by surprise, according to historical records. Two days later, on June 25 the well was completed at a depth of more than 3,000 feet. The well flowed with 590 barrels of oil per day, eventually producing 700,000 barCrowds gather to watch a crew from Shell Oil Company cap a gusher at a new Signal Hill oil well, named Andrews No. 3. In those days it could have taken rels of oil.

Before the well was found, oil companies days to cap a well and people would often stop by to see what was going on. had been skeptical about the hill’s potential. over most oil operations on the hill. “It’s a transitioned from its previous fire-engine house tral unit but was not successful.

Union Oil Company began drilling in Signal unique circumstance, and it’s the foundation of a at the Civic Center on Hill Street that today Signal Hill Petroleum, on the other hand, was Hill as early as 1916 at the corner of Wardlow unique relationship that our company has with serves as the municipal library, city officials said. able to utilize new technology to analyze the reserRoad and Atlantic Avenue but stopped after the the community.”

By the 1960s, however, Signal Hill’s forest of voir more closely, using 3D seismic-imaging techwell failed to produce any oil.

In the early days, however, oil operations oil derricks began thinning as the oil field began nology.

The persistence of Shell Oil Company led to were much different from what they are today.

“To the good fortune of Signal Hill Petroleum, to play out. A headline in a 1965 article in the the influx of oil speculators, who came from far Homeowners, who also owned the mineral then Long Beach Independent-Press Telegram [Shell] just didn’t drill in the right spot,” said and wide in search of “black gold.” rights in and around their properties, were the read “Signal Hill is losing its ‘5 o’clock shadow.” Slater, who has worked for Signal Hill Petroleum The oil boom, which was documented in a beneficiaries of the first wells, but the messy In the 1970s, however, the price of oil sky- for 15 years. novel titled Oil! written by award-winning writer operations drove them from their houses.

The oil operator, however, also continued as an rocketed, and the three major oil operators on the Upton Sinclair, attracted all sorts of people to Black crude, which sprouted up from gusher hill– Shell, Texaco and Arco– banded together active real-estate company in Signal Hill and was town. wells, was caught and collected in dirt berms on and made a corporate decision to reinvest in the involved in most of the commercial and residential Shell had acquired about 25 percent of the the surface of the ground. Oil and large stones oil field to create a water flood system. development in the city. field before the hill’s acreage became flooded often rained down onto homes, making them “I like to say ‘oil is our major, and real estate is The system, which became a multi-million with speculators, and the hill was soon split up uninhabitable. In many cases, an insurance com- dollar investment, involves injecting water into our minor,’” Slater said. among about 130 owners, according to historical pany would pay to knock down a house, only to the ground and pumping it back up to skim oil off The first project was a Price Club (now a records. Those who had owned land before oil buy the land and put in more oil wells. the top. The field was also divided into three oper- Costco) on property that was formerly owned by was discovered ditched plans for more homes For instance, just one year after oil was dis- ating units. New technologies made oil drilling a Signal Hill Petroleum, which sold the land to the and instead signed contracts for 25 to 30 percent covered in Signal Hill, about 7,500 barrels of oil much cleaner and safer process, and old oil der- City, that then used funds from the Signal Hill of the mineral rights.

Redevelopment Agency (RDA) to close down oil had fallen on an entire city block, bounded by ricks were replaced with more advanced rigs.

Signal Hill reached its peak production in Willow Street, Cherry Avenue, Burnett Street After oil prices dropped back down again, the wells and help subsidize the construction of a 1923 with 69 million barrels of oil. and Walnut Street, according to historical oil companies took steps to divest themselves from shopping center.

The following year, the City of Signal Hill records.

Signal Hill Petroleum was involved in the the field. was born with a population of about 1,800 resiBy 1984, the Long Beach/Signal Hill oil field development of several other shopping centers in The City, however, was able to survive on oildents, just surpassing the number of wooden oil barrel taxes for decades. had produced more than 1 billion barrels of oil, Signal Hill that have attracted retailers, from groderricks that dotted the land at the time.

At the time, Signal Hill was considered the making it a “super giant” oil field. That same year, cery stores and fast-food chains to two Home Residents agreed in 1924 to incorporate as a richest city per capita in the country, valued at a new oil operator came into existence– Signal Hill Depots, generating major retail sales-tax revcity, mainly as a way to avoid a per-barrel oil tax about $34 million. Besides oil operations, how- Petroleum. enue for the City. sought by the surrounding City of Long Beach, ever, the only establishments that existed in town The City now relies mostly on retail-sales tax Jerry Barto and his son Craig Barto, who both which had a plan to annex the Los Angeles were a few gas stations, a nightclub and restau- had started a previous oil-operation enterprise after rather than oil-barrel taxes like in the past.

County territory for its revenue potential.

With a tax of about 99 cents per barrel, Signal rants. Also, the oil crowd brought with it illegal dealing in commercial and residential real estate, It was no surprise that the footprint of the 2.2- activites such as gambling and prostitution. founded the company, which went on to purchase Hill to this day collects just under $1 million a year square-mile city nearly mirrored the limits of the in oil-barrel taxes, considered one of the highest oilMajor oil fires were also a problem. The all oil holdings from Shell, Texaco and Arco. oil field. The City of Signal Hill’s own oil-barrel largest one was a fire that erupted at the Hancock At first, Signal Hill Petroleum, which had extraction taxes for a city in California, said current tax produced just enough revenue for the City to Oil Refinery in 1958. The fire was so large that it experience closing down oil wells in Orange City Manager Ken Farfsing. build roads, utilities and city buildings.

As oil production has subsided while the size of required resources from multiple jurisdictions, County, was in a real estate-development mode, And it was then that a long-held relationship including the United States Air Force, to put it but that changed when the company realized there the City’s government has grown to meet the needs between the City and oil companies began. of a rising population, oil taxes cover a much was still life left in the oil field. out.

“Signal Hill the oil field and Signal Hill the Shell, which at the time was repositioning itself smaller portion of the City budget than it first did, The fire prompted the City to join the Los city have grown up together,” said Dave Slater, Angeles County Fire Protection District, contract- in Southern California and focused more on a he explained. chief operating officer and executive vice presi- ing out fire services to the County, according to major acquisition of oil interests in the San Joaquin Today, out of the City’s budget, oil-barrel taxes dent of Signal Hill Petroleum, which later took city officials. A new fire station was built and Valley, had deep-tested a well in Signal Hill’s cen- account for just 5 percent of city revenue. “That wouldn’t be enough to fund one of our smallest departments,” Farfsing said.

While Signal Hill Petroleum continued oil operations by re-drilling wells and searching for new ones, the company has proven how a community and oil operators can coexist in harmony, Slater said.

“We built into the design the criteria for all of the development projects that we were involved in, and that’s one thing we were very successful at,” Slater said. “People believe the only option is that you’ve got to get rid of all the oil wells before you can do anything else, but we blew that paradigm up a long time ago.”

Meeting strict regional and state requirements for oil-well remediation, the company helped to develop retail storefronts that today can be seen strategically placed around oil rigs. Also, oil drilling near residential neighborhoods is limited between the hours of 7am and 7pm, he said.

Slater said the company has partnered with the City over the years to work together on a “community vision,” which is a far cry from the early days of the oil boom.

“We’re really proud of our relationship with the City, city management and the community,” Slater said. “Everybody has worked really hard Signal Hill was given the nickname “Porcupine Hill” because nearly 1,700 wooden oil derricks stuck out of the ground during the oil boom in the 1920s to build a successful partnership over the last and 1930s. In this photo, St. Louis Street is pictured connected to 19th Street and dead-ends above at 21st Street. Homes have filled in and the hill has decades, and we’re looking forward to good things for our company and the City of Signal grown with oil derricks.

Hill for decades to come.”

auguST 15, 2014

Appreciation

continued from page 1 laborating with other groups in the area.

Fields said the organization, which has about 2,500 volunteers, has helped close to 60 people get off Skid Row in Los Angeles by helping to provide them with housing. The organization also provides a ranch camp for about 1,200 children.

“We want to be a part of the community here,” Fields said. “We really want to spread the word that we are more than just a thrift store.”

At the event, Long Beach resident Marie Alvarez said she was pleasantly surprised to receive a discount on housing products and clothes, which were already discounted.

“I like the fact that they help other people,” she said. “And it saves me money.” ß

Aug. 5, the West Basin Board of Directors voted unanimously to remove Smith as treasurer and assigned the responsibilities to West Basin’s Chief Financial Officer Margaret Moggia. The board also directed staff to implement a combined forensic and financial audit of the outreach and sponsorship funds and any other relevant programs. An external, independent auditing firm will conduct the audit. The board also directed staff to report all findings and any associated recommendations upon completion of the audit.

“I fully support the immediacy of the Board’s actions today to address the serious nature of the alleged charges against Ronald C. Smith. The Board and staff remain fully committed to continuing to meet the mission of the District,” West Basin Board President Donald Dear said in a statement.

As first reported by the Signal Tribune, Katherman is listed in records as the principal officer of Coalition for Clean Affordable Water, a political-action committee that funded campaign mailers in an attempt to unseat longtime Signal Hill city councilmembers in an election in 2013.

Signal Hill city officials called the mailers “hit pieces” and “smear tactics” and claimed the mailers, funded by WRD lobbyists, attorneys and consultants, according to records, were a blatant attempt to influence the local election with outside money, connecting the campaign to retaliation for an ongoing legal battle between the City and WRD over allegedly failing to follow state law for raising water replenishment assessment rates. ß

17 boxes to determine what should be kept. The box contents aren’t in a digital format (e.g. external hard drives or CDs of the files), but some of the material may be already available in electronic format on the City archives on the website. City Clerk Larry Herrera-Cabrera said that since 2005, studies and reports related to councilagenda topics have been digitized. He said in a phone interview that he was

happy to comply with the society’s request.

“Otherwise it would have been sent to the shredder,” Herrera-Cabrera said, explaining that he was happy that someone did desire to preserve this piece of history. “There’s nothing secretive.

There’s nothing that anyone is trying to conceal [or] contain in those files, so we’re happy to share those [files] for the history of the city of Long Beach.”

There aren’t resources for the Society to make digital archives out of the file boxes. Bartolotto noted that the organization relies on staff, volunteers and some grant funds to take on projects like this one. The Society will be working with the city clerk’s office to determine what will ultimately be kept or tossed, and Herrera said that he will be reporting back to the Council in about 30 days. ß

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started confronting Katherman in 2010 about checks that he was writing and wasn’t properly accounting for them in the books. She eventually resigned from the nonprofit at the advice of her attorney.

“I thought if they’re going to use the board for illegal purposes then I didn’t feel comfortable being executive director of the board,” she said. “For every single penny I spent in that nonprofit, I told Rob about what I was spending it on. There was not one penny in which Rob did not get a phone call or email telling him what I was spending that money on. Rob was continuing to write checks and do things without notifying me.”

Katherman said he was “shocked” and “dismayed” to learn from the DA’s investigation about what had happened with the checks, adding, “I just couldn’t believe it.”

Katherman said he had sent checks to Marymount College and Palos Verdes High School but learned Smith used the money for his rent. Still, Katherman said it must have been a “misunderstanding.”

“Basically, that was a misunderstanding between he and I,” Katherman said.

“We thought it was going to be used for rent for part of the garage for some of our tools and equipment.”

Katherman added that he wrote checks to an organization to provide money for a “boating and water-shed education experience for kids” but recently learned that the money was used to repair Smith’s boat instead. Smith could not be reached for comment before the Signal Tribune’s deadline.

During a special meeting on Tuesday,

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described how some key documents in the archives could help to explain the background behind their decisions.

“So we think it’s the context,” she concluded.

Bartolotto said that her organization is already maintaining an archive of 75 file boxes that came from the city manager’s old archives. She acknowledged that the society will thoroughly examine the new cache of

13

continued from page1 million residents.” The water agency added, “WRD has earned a reputation for public transparency and sound fiscal operations as reflected by our national awards for financial accountability and for innovative groundwater projects.”

Pete Brown, spokesperson for WRD, said in an email that Katherman “continues to serve in his elected position.” Division 2 covers an area that includes territories such as El Sugundo, Rancho Palos Verdes and San Pedro.

In a phone interview with the Signal Tribune, Katherman said he is innocent and the allegations that have been brought against him and his wife are “inaccurate” and “unfounded.”

“Checks were written, that is true, to various charities with the intent to donate to those charities for water-education programs,” he said.

Katherman said Cathy Beauregard, a bookkeeper and a co-founder of the Adopt A Storm Drain nonprofit, brought the charges to the DA as a way to retaliate against not being elected president of the nonprofit’s three-member board, which consisted of the Kathermans and Beauregard.

“I have several hundred emails she has sent my wife and I, proving that she resigned because I would not make her president,” he said. “She felt this was her nonprofit in spite of the fact that I was the one that paid the attorney and organized, did all the paperwork and followed up and that she had rights to it after I was no longer president of the board.”

Beauregard, however, said in a phone interview with the Signal Tribune that she

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continued from page 1 edged that the city staff already saves documents that relate to the council meetings, legislative actions and ordinances, but she noted that there is significance to the particular documents in the boxes.

“So we think that these [documents] are important because this helps to determine why decisions were made at council [meetings],” Bartolotto said as she

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Sean Belk/Signal Tribune

David Fields, executive director of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Council of Los Angeles, gives a presentation at the organization's thrift store at 2750 E. Pacific Coast Hwy during Customer Appreciation Day.

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562-498-8788 • 3225 E. Pacific Coast Highway • LB

14 SigNal TribuNE

TST4706 / 2014 197317 FICTITIouS BuSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: AFe SPoRTS, 2683 Lime Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755. Registrant: ASPHALT, FABRIC & eNGINeeRING, INC., 2683 Lime Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755. This business is conducted by: a Corporation. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Douglas e. Coulter, vice President. The registrant has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on July 22, 2014.

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: July 25, & August 1, 8, 15, 2014.

TST4707 / 2014 197811 FICTITIouS BuSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: 1.

BeeLeR & ASSoCIATeS, 2. BeACHCoMBeR, 3. CITYWATCH FoUNDATIoN, 5199 e. Pacific Coast Hwy. Suite 608, Long Beach, CA 90804. Registrant: JoHN GoRDoN BeeLeR, 1110 Ramillo Ave., Long Beach, CA 90815. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: John Gordon Beeler. The registrant has begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. The registrant began using this fictitious business name on September 30, 1978. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on July 22, 2014. 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: July 25, & August 1, 8, 15, 2014.

TST4708 / 2014 200761 FICTITIouS BuSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: 1.

ALvA ToWING, 2. SeRvICIo De GRUAS PLAYAS, 6670 Coronado Ave., Long Beach, CA 90805. Registrant: GUILLeRMo ALvARez, 6670 Coronado Ave., Long Beach, CA 90805. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Guillermo Alvarez. 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 July 24, 2014. 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: July 25, & August 1, 8, 15, 2014.

TST4709 / 2014 202266 FICTITIouS BuSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: LADYHUG, 1709 e. 28th St., Signal Hill, CA 90755. Registrant: WITH AN H, LLC, 1709 e.

28th St., Signal Hill, CA 90755. This business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Sarah Helen evans, Ceo. 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 8, 2012. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on July 25, 2014. 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: August 1, 8, 15, 22, 2014.

TST4711 / 2014 204701 FICTITIouS BuSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as:

public NOTicES

PoWeR oF oNe LAKeWooD, 211 W. 48th St., Long Beach, CA 90805. Registrant: BeNNeTT Do, INC., 211 W. 48th St., Long Beach, CA 90805. This business is conducted by: a Corporation. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Tami L. Bennett, 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 June 25, 2014.

This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on July 29, 2014. 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: August 1, 8, 15, 22, 2014.

TST4715 / 2014 213937 FICTITIouS BuSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as: ReeFeR PIPeS, 3050 Pattiz Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808. Registrants: 1. ANTHoNY McCLURe, 2. vIvIAN McCLURe, 3050 Pattiz Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808. This business is conducted by: a Married Couple. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Anthony McClure. 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 August 5, 2014.

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: August 8, 15, 22, 29, 2014.

TST4713 / 2014 188019 FICTITIouS BuSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: HoMeReACH HoSPICe, 2250 obispo Ave. Suite 101, Signal Hill, CA 90755. Registrant: FINe HoMe HeALTH, INC., 2250 obispo Ave. Suite 101, Signal Hill, CA 90755. This business is conducted by: a Corporation. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Lydia Chin, President. The registrant has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on July 11, 2014. 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: August 8, 15, 22, 29, 2014.

TST4716 / 2014 188109 FICTITIouS BuSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: KUMAGAI JAPANeSe MURALS, 2508 Palm Dr. #101, Signal Hill, CA 90755. Registrant: SHARoN e. KUMAGAI, 1537 Armando Dr., Long Beach, CA 90807. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Sharon e. Kumagai. 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 July 11, 2014. 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: August 8, 15, 22, 29, 2014.

TST4712 NoTICe oF TRUSTee'S SALe APN: 7215-014-065 T.S. No. 013316-CA Pursuant to CA Civil Code 2923.3 NoTe: THeRe IS A SUMMARY oF THe INFoRMATIoN IN THIS DoCUMeNT ATTACHeD IMPoRTANT NoTICe To PRoPeRTY oWNeR: YoU ARe IN DeFAULT UNDeR A DeeD oF TRUST, DATeD 3/4/2005.

UNLeSS YoU TAKe ACTIoN To PRoTeCT YoUR PRoPeRTY, IT MAY Be

SoLD AT A PUBLIC SALe. IF YoU NeeD AN exPLANATIoN oF THe NATURe oF THe PRoCeeDING AGAINST YoU, YoU SHoULD CoNTACT A LAWYeR on 9/11/2014 at 9:00 AM, CLeAR ReCoN CoRP., as duly appointed trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust recorded 3/10/2005, as Instrument No. 05-0552500, The subject Deed of Trust was modified by Loan Modification recorded as Instrument 20120500861 and recorded on 04/03/12. of official Records in the office of the County Recorder of Los Angeles County, State of CALIFoRNIA executed by: STeeN D. SPRoUFFSKe, AN UNMARRIeD MAN WILL SeLL AT PUBLIC AUCTIoN To HIGHeST BIDDeR FoR CASH, 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 FINANCIAL CoDe AND AUTHoRIzeD To Do BUSINeSS IN THIS STATe: vINeYARD BALLRooM, DoUBLeTRee HoTeL LoS ANGeLeS NoRWALK, 13111 SYCAMoRe DRIve, NoRWALK, CA 90650 all right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State described as: AS MoRe FULLY DeSCRIBeD oN SAID DeeD oF TRUST The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 2209 BAY vIeW DRIve SIGNAL HILL, CA 90755 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be held, but without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, condition, or encumbrances, including fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust, to pay the remaining principal sums of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is: $997,124.32 If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder's sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located. NoTICe To PoTeNTIAL BIDDeRS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself.

Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder's office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information.

If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NoTICe To PRoPeRTY oWNeR: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (800) 280-2832 or visit this Internet Web site WWW.AUCTIoN.CoM, using the file number assigned to this case 013316-CA. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. FoR SALeS INFoRMATIoN: (800) 280-2832 Date: 7/30/2014 Date executed: CLeAR ReCoN CoRP. ,Authorized Signature CLeAR ReCoN CoRP. 4375 Jutland Drive Suite 200 San Diego, California 92117 A-4475833 08/15/2014, 08/22/2014, 08/29/2014

auguST 15, 2014

ciTy OF SigNal Hill

TST4717 NoTICE oF PuBlIC HEARING NoTICe IS HeReBY GIveN pursuant to Article xIIID of the California Constitution (Proposition 218) that the City Council of the City of Signal Hill will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at 2175 Cherry Avenue, Signal Hill, California 90755 in the City Council Chambers to consider a proposed increase in Solid Waste Collection Service Rates for City of Signal Hill customers. The purpose of this notice is to provide you with information about the hearing and protest proceedings being conducted by the City of Signal Hill for the proposed solid waste collection service rate adjustments.

Why are the solid waste collection rates increasing?

Solid Waste Collection Service Rates may only be increased because of fee increases at solid waste disposal sites; such as landfills, transfer stations, material recovery facilities; cost of living adjustments, or because of extraordinary circumstances. Rates are calculated in accordance with the rate formula established in the Agreement. The rate formula has two components: Refuse Disposal Fee and the All Urban Consumer Price Index (CPI) Adjustment. effective July 1, 2014, refuse disposal tipping fees for residential solid waste increased from $49.32 to $51.64 per ton, or 4.70 percent. Refuse disposal tipping fees for commercial and multi-family solid waste increased from $50.97 to $52.52 per ton, or 3.04 percent. In addition, refuse rates for all customer accounts are adjusted based on the All-Urban Consumer Price Index - Los Angeles Metro Area, which increased 1.14 percent from December 2012 to December 2013.

How do I determine my increase?

The effect of the disposal fee increases on the three most common levels of service is detailed in the table below. A complete list of proposed rates for all levels of service will be available at the public hearing. If approved, the average residential customer’s monthly charge will increase by 38 cents per month. The effective date for the proposed solid waste collection rates is october 1, 2014.

The following tables show the current and proposed monthly Solid Waste Collection Service Rates for the three most common levels of service. Customers with additional carts or bins or multiple weekly collections will have other charges. For information about the rate for your level of service, please call 562-989-7351.

Residential Rates 1 gray/ 1 blue cart Residential Rate NPDeS Trash Fee Total Monthly Rate Total Change per month

Current (Aug 2013) $13.22 $0.78 $14.00

Multi-Family Rates (3-Yard Bin/ 1x Week) Base Rate NPDeS Trash Fee Total Monthly Rate Total Change per month

Current (Aug 2013) $106.01 $6.29 $112.30

Roll-off Rate

Current (08/01/13) $159.42 $9.46 $168.88

Commercial Rates (3-Yard Bin/ 1x Week) Base Rate NPDeS Trash Fee Total Monthly Rate Total Change per month Haul Rate NPDeS Fee Total Rate Total Change

Current (as of 2008) $112.44 $6.67 $119.11

Proposed (as of 10/1/14) $13.57 $0.81 $14.38 $0.38

Proposed (as of 10/1/14) $108.44 $6.43 $114.87 $2.57

Proposed (as of 10//1/14) $115.01 $6.82 $121.83 $2.72

Proposed (as of 10/01/14) $161.70 $9.59 $171.29 $2.41

eDCo is also seeking approval for annual (weighted) rate adjustments to refuse rates for the next five years. As described above, these proposed annual rate adjustments would also be based on a weighted formula consisting of both a refuse disposal tipping fee increase component and inflation based adjustments (CPI) as allowed under the terms of the Agreement and Proposition 218. each year eDCo will review these two rate components to determine an appropriate annual rate adjustment over the next five year period. The CPI component of the rate would be allowed to increase a maximum of 3.5 percent, annually, while the refuse disposal/tipping fee component of the rate would be allowed to increase a maximum 10 percent, annually. Again, eDCo only utilizes these two components to set the overall rate based on a complex formula. For instance, the proposed 2.65 percent residential rate adjustment (that would become effective october 1, 2014) actually consists of a 1.14 percent CPI increase and a refuse tipping fee increase of 4.72 percent.

To summarize, starting october 1, 2014, based on the weighted rate adjustments of the two components, the residential refuse rates are increasing by a total of 2.65 percent and multi-family and commercial accounts are increasing by 2.29 percent, respectively. Also, eDCo is requesting to increase their roll-off rates, (also known as the temporary bin or dumpster rentals used for home or tenant improvements) by 1.43 percent What is the procedure to protest? owners (or renters subject to the fee increase) of real property in Signal Hill who wish to protest the increase can either send in a written protest to the address below or attend the public hearing to register their protest at the hearing. Written protests must be received prior to and during the public hearing on Tuesday, September 2, 2014.

Any written protests received following the close of the public hearing will not be counted. All written protests must (at a minimum) include the following information to be counted: (a) Address or assessor parcel numbers or property subject to the fee increase, (b) the name of the owner of the property and (c) a clear statement protesting the increase in the Solid Waste Collection Service Rates pursuant to this notice.

Written protests should be addressed to: City of Signal Hill Attn: City Clerk 2175 Cherry Avenue Signal Hill, CA 90755

All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing to present written information, express their opinions, or otherwise present evidence on the above matter.

However, State law limits the protest to owners (or in some areas, renters responsible for the fee) of real property, with one protest per identified parcel to be counted. only written protests received prior to and at the public hearing will be counted. oral protests will be heard, but may not necessarily affect the outcome of the protests as showing in the final sentence of this paragraph. The City Council will receive a report from the Director of Public Works, who will report the number of protests received prior to the public hearing. Upon the conclusion of the public hearing, the Mayor will request that the Director of Public Works tally all of the written protests received upon the conclusion of the hearing, with the written protests received prior to the hearing and provide a tally of the oral protests. The City Council will not be permitted to adopt the rate increase should a majority written protest be received (50% plus 1) on all identified parcels subject to the increase.

//ss// Steve Myrter Director of Public Works

Published in the Signal Tribune:

Posted at Discovery Well Park, City Hall, Library, Reservoir Park:

August 15, 2014

August 15, 2014

culTurE

auguST 15, 2014

Artists

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myself speculating about who these people were, their relationship to each other, what their lives were like, who took the photo, where they were, what the circumstances of the photo were, etcetera. I also contemplate the passage of time when I look at the photo– all that has happened over the years since it was snapped, how we are alike, yet different.”

On the other end of the experience spectrum is Juan Garcia, a Los Angeles artist who has, until now, never shown his work in a public setting. He has mainly created very personal portraits as gifts, but Bilicko was impressed with his techniques and offered him a place in the show.

“The idea of creating a piece of artwork for public display has really challenged me to think about my artistic interests and about how I want to communicate to people as an artist,” Garcia said. “My portraiture work has always been tailored to the recipient, which has been the extent of my experience practicing portraiture. Participating in this show has allowed me to break away from that tendency and challenged me to make this opportunity a reflection of my interests, my passions, my technique, and my state of mind.”

For Relative Aperture, Garcia left behind a com- One of the vintage photos that serve as inspiration for a child fort zone and opted for the only available vintage artist and an adult artist photo that did not include any people.

“The photo I chose is an aerial photograph of numerous subdivided farmlands and properties,” Garcia said. “Upon close examination, you see the variety of uses of land and the different stages of crops that are represented as variations and texture and gradation. The roads wind organically through these divisions of land, and you can faintly see trees, houses and other manmade structures. Given all the other photographs are remnants of anonymous people celebrating and living life, this photograph represented the land and how it was used then. My submission will be based on my interpretation of this concept and my interpretation of how we utilize our surroundings today.”

As Bilicko continues organizing the exhibit and creating his own piece for it, he keeps relating the old pictures to how we capture moments and people in today’s world.

“If you want to be rosy about it, you could say we’re taking a short break from our all-consuming realm of instant socialmedia gratification to honor these physical mementos from the not-that-distant past,” Bilicko says. “But, on the somewhat pessimistic side, we’re acknowledging the reality that, just as we are temporary beings granted a limited existence on this planet, Child’s interpretation of vintage photo whatever forms of sentimental preservation we currently cling to, be it digital photos or blogs, are possibly just as fleeting. As I work hard to develop a painting that does justice to my chosen vintage photo, I can’t help but ponder the question, Will all our digital photos even still exist 50 years from now?”

Relative Aperture will open Saturday, Sept. 6 from 7pm to 10pm at Greenly Art Space, 2698 Junipero Ave., Suite 113, in Signal Hill, and will be exhibited through Oct. 11. The gallery is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11am to 2pm, or by appointment at (562) 533-4020.

Participating artists are Andres Alarcon, Caryn Baumgartner, Cory Bilicko, Dorte Christjansen, Kirk Dominguez, David Early, Mojgan EdalatMcClusky, Cynthia Evans, Alex Garcia, Juan Garcia, Melanie Gottlieb, Susan Hawkins, Rhett Johnson, Brigitte Johnston, Nate Jones, Leslie Lay, Nate Lubben, David McKeag, Lara Meintjes, Leighanna Nierle, Cathy Pavia, Vinny Perez, Sergio Piña, Richard Romero, Joan Sanders, Annie Stromquist, Emily Kiwa Tanaka, Kellie Thomas, Mackenize Woolvett “Motherhood,” mixed media by Andres Alarcon– an interpretation of the vintage and Danelle Wulc. photo above

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auguST 15, 2014

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