Friday, July 25, 2008

Angels Gate School Opponents to Hold Community Meeting

Residents opposed to construction of a public high school at Angels Gate are holding a community meeting Tuesday.

The meeting is organized by Neighbors Organized and Involved to Support Education (NOISE), which opposes the Los Angeles Unified School District plans to build a marine magnet high school at Angels Gate.

The meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m. on July 29 at the Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club, 211 W 22nd St. For more information, contact nohighschool15@cox.net.

Fountain of Fanfare







As many as 1,000 people gathered on the waterfront promenade Friday for the grand opening of the fountain called Fanfare.

There was fanfare aplenty as guests enjoyed the sights, lights and sounds of dancing waters.

The fountain will run at midday and in the evenings. It will perform continuously from noon to 1 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m. daily. It will go at a slower pace in the late afternoon and through the night, with performances every 10 minutes from 4 to 10 p.m.

More information is posted on the Port of Los Angeles website.

Not Just a Food Feast: 20th ‘Taste in SP’ to Include Art, Music and Fireworks

The 20th annual Taste in San Pedro is taking place Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2 and 3 in Point Fermin Park.

New features this year include an artists pavilion with local art work on display and for sale.

Musicians will set a festive tone for Saturday night’s anniversary celebration. Rolling Stones and Santana tribute bands will take to the stage, followed by a fireworks display.

The Taste hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, military members and children ages 4-17. After 5 p.m. Saturday, admission is $20 for the evening concert.

A number of discounted ticket “packs” are available, as described on the tickets page of the event website.

Individual taste tickets for food are $1.

The participating restaurants and their menus are posted on the food and restaurants page.

The Taste website contains additional information from parking instructions to a video welcome message.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Democratic Details

The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council elected officers this week. President Dan Dixon, Vice President John Mavar and Secretary Mary Hamlin were re-elected to their posts. Craig Goldfarb is the council’s new treasurer. Goldfarb takes over from Sanni Wehbe, who did not seek re-election to the council this year.

The Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council meets Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Cabrillo Marina Community Building. The meeting will include a workshop led by the California Clean Money Campaign, designed to help neighborhood councils evaluate possible reforms to reduce special-interest money in city elections. For more information, call (310) 290-0049 or visit www.coastalsanpedro.org.

The Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council planning committee is conducting a downtown walking tour Wednesday. The tour is intended to generate ideas for connecting downtown to the waterfront through signage, public art, sidewalk furniture and other such means. The tour begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Warner Grand Theater (478 W. Sixth St.), goes down to Harbor Boulevard then north to the new fountain in front of the cruise terminal. (See story below). For more information, call (310) 489-3026.

Community Invited to Port Fountain Celebration Friday


A dedication ceremony will be held Friday for the new Las Vegas-style water fountain along Harbor Boulevard.

The free event begins with music and refreshments at 7 p.m., followed by the dedication program at 8 p.m.

The fountain’s completion is a visible milestone in the ongoing, decades-long waterfront renovation.

For more information, view the flyer or call (310) 732-3567.

Scenes from ‘Old Ft. MacArthur Days’








‘Old Fort MacArthur Days’ presented a full complement of military re-enactors, ranging from Roman times to the present. Pictured are World War II-era soldiers, a Civil War cannon crew and colorful Polish horsemen of the 17th Century.

Fort MacArthur Museum director Steve Nelson said this year featured the most groups ever and they expect even more next year.

A Fling for Things: Hobby Shop Hosts ‘Collectors Day’

If you collect things, San Pedro’s downtown hobby shop is the place to be on Sunday.

JD Hobbies is holding its first annual “collectors’ convention” on July 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Collectors will buy, sell and trade model planes, trains, automobiles, military relics, books and assorted memorabilia.

The celebration will include a barbecue and live music in the parking lot off Seventh Street, behind the shop.

JD Hobbies is located at 455 W. Sixth St. For more information, call (310) 514-3702.

Community Calendars

In addition to the events previewed last week, seemingly half a dozen festivals are underway today alone.

Here are three community calendars with details of the Mary Star Fiesta, Enduro windsurfing competition, Hot Pedro Nites and more, more, more:

Friday, July 11, 2008

Summer’s Leisure Agenda

Today (Saturday, July 12)

Relive military history at Old Fort MacArthur Days, Saturday and Sunday

Next Saturday (July 19)

Start the day with a family-friendly hike at White Point Nature Preserve. An experienced naturalist will lead a tour to discover the preserve’s lively and colorful inhabitants. Sponsored by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, the event will include updates on projects at the preserve and free nature crafts for kids. Hike at 9:30 a.m., information booth open until 11 a.m. Info: (310) 541-7613 or www.pvplc.org.

Head down to the waterfront for a historical play dramatizing the early days at White Point and Royal Palms beaches. The play is produced by the Hedley family, sponsors of several events commemorating this year’s centennial anniversary of the beaches. 11 a.m. Info: (310) 831-6397 or tradewinds@dslextreme.com.

If you find yourself downtown Saturday morning, you can have breakfast at Nosh Café. The café is expanding its summer hours to include Saturday breakfast from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Located at 617 S. Centre St., Nosh is owned by Susan McKenna, the original co-owner of The Corner Store. Info: (310) 514-1121.

Other events next weekend include the Enduro windsurfing race at Cabrillo Beach and the Hot Pedro Nites benefit for Clean San Pedro. Information about these and other events can be found at Summer in San Pedro.

Summer’s Political Agenda

The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council meets Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Peck Park. This will be the first meeting for the three new boardmembers elected in June, when five incumbents were also re-elected. The meeting agenda was not available at presstime. Visit www.nwsanpedro.org or call (310)-732-4522.

A new committee will be getting to work regarding Knoll Hill. The port-sponsored committee will study and recommend future uses for Knoll Hill. At Tuesday’s Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council meeting, Sue Castillo, Andrew Silber, Phil Trigas, Carrie Scoville, John Delgado, Jr. and Max Pierce were appointed to the committee. Linda Marinkovich and Bruce Horton have been appointed from the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council. The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council has yet to name its two representatives.

Any day now, the port will release the draft environmental impact report for the Bridge-to-Breakwater redevelopment project. In May, the port made a preliminary presentation to neighborhood councils and other civic groups, who are now anticipating the official release this month.

Meanwhile, individual waterfront projects are proceeding, such as the Las Vegas-style fountain at First Street and Harbor Boulevard. Tests are underway ahead of the July 25 official unveiling. Much to the dismay of port officials, neighborhood children have been using the fountain as a wading pool, the Daily Breeze reports.

Information has been released for the Central neighborhood council election on Sept. 9, when five seats will be filled. Prospective candidates can find the eligibility requirements and election timeline in the filing forms.

Friday, July 4, 2008

Hahn Calls for Investigation of Biker Picnic

Last Saturday, coastal San Pedro neighborhoods were overwhelmed by motorcyclists roaring to a non-permitted picnic at Joan Milke Flores Park.

As many as 6,000 bikers gathered at the park, revving altered engines, overtaking streets, parking illegally and later becoming rowdy.

Police dispersed the crowd late in the afternoon, but, as the Daily Breeze headline stated, the motorcyclists left a “bad taste” in the community.

Councilwoman Janice Hahn has asked the Los Angeles city attorney to investigate whether the incident constitutes unlawful assembly.

“While people have the right to gather at our parks, when a small party turns into thousands of people, it is clear that we require a permit for a reason,” Hahn said.

Scenes from SP’s Fourth



Hundreds of people attended a morning ceremony at the Korean Friendship Bell.

Councilwoman Janice Hahn and Korean officials led the tribute to the two countries’ shared values and mutual respect.

San Pedro “Citizen of the Millennium” John Olguin read the names of the 13 original states and the South Bay Young Marines presented a flag-folding ceremony.

The Navy frigate USS Gary was open for free tours through the morning and afternoon. The ship arrived in San Pedro Thursday with water-borne pomp and circumstance, including a fire-boat escort.

See pictures of the ship in the Daily Breeze photo album.

What’s more,

  • The Golden State Pops Orchestra performed seaside and the annual fireworks show was staged at Cabrillo Beach;
  • The Cabrillo Beach Boosters held a fundraiser at the boy scout camp;
  • The Muller House Museum hosted an ice cream social. Guests listened to a talk by a military historian and watched the Cabrillo Beach fireworks from the museum;
  • San Pedro Neighbors for Peace and Justice held a “free speech assembly” at Liberty Hill, paying tribute to civil and workers’ rights; and
  • The flag was raised at the home of Vince and Dee Villa for the 42nd year. The San Pedro family annually invites the community to their lawn to observe the flag raising, accompanied by a recorded bugle call and release of 150 doves.


The Channel 7 news made the morning rounds in San Pedro and broadcast a report on the festivities.

Living History on Display at ‘Old Ft. MacArthur Days’



Journey through the history of Ft. MacArthur next weekend at the 22nd annual “Old Ft. MacArthur Days” celebration.

The weekend features historic reenactments of military battles that took place on the grounds of what is now the Battery Osgood-Farley historic site at Angels Gate Park.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 12 and 13. Angels Gate Park is located at 3601 S. Gaffey St.

Admission is $10 for adults and $ 5 for children under 12. Proceeds benefit the restoration, preservation and educational programs of the Fort MacArthur Museum.

For more information, call (310) 548-2631 or visit www.ftmac.org/OFMD2008.htm

Longshore Workers to Mark ‘Bloody Thursday’

Dockworkers will join together in Peck Park Saturday to commemorate the union’s violent founding.

The midday event will honor ‘Bloody Thursday,’ when striking San Francisco workers were killed and injured on Thursday, July 5, 1934.

The clash led to the formation of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

Harbor Area union members and families will hold a tribute picnic at the park from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The union’s current contract negotiations are sure to be a topic of discussion. West Coast dockworkers are at the bargaining table for a new six-year agreement to replace the contract which expired Tuesday.

The Daily Breeze reported Friday on the status of the negotiations.

For Marie Callender’s, Western Avenue is Home, Sweet Home

After months of questions over the prospect of a move to downtown San Pedro, Marie Callender’s has signed a new lease to stay on Western Avenue.

The family restaurant will be renovated over the course of its new 10-year lease, according to a report in the Daily Breeze.