Two community activists are leading an initiative campaign to cut the pay of L.A. city politicians.
The proposal by Doug Epperhart and Bob Gelfand, veteran members of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council, would cut in half the salaries of the mayor, city attorney, city controller and city councilmembers. The reform measure would be a city charter amendment, anticipated to appear on the November 2010 ballot.
At $178,789, L.A. councilmembers are the highest paid legislators in the country, outearning members of the U.S. Senate and Congress. The L.A. “half-off” campaign is the cover story in the current issue of Random Lengths News. (At presstime, there were technical difficulties with the online version. But, you can view the Random Lengths video interview with Epperhart and Gelfand.)
Friday, July 31, 2009
Fill Your Plate at ‘Taste in S.P.’ This Weekend
The 21st annual “Taste in San Pedro” is this weekend, Aug. 1-2. The festival runs 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Pt. Fermin Park, 807 Paseo del Mar.
Saturday concludes with fireworks at 9 p.m. Sunday’s military tribute takes place at 12:55 p.m. (not at the festival conclusion, as San Pedro News erroneously reported last week). General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, members of the military and children 6-17. Tickets for food and drinks are sold separately.
All the volunteer shifts are filled and the vendor booth space has sold out. Read more background in the Daily Breeze.
Saturday concludes with fireworks at 9 p.m. Sunday’s military tribute takes place at 12:55 p.m. (not at the festival conclusion, as San Pedro News erroneously reported last week). General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, members of the military and children 6-17. Tickets for food and drinks are sold separately.
All the volunteer shifts are filled and the vendor booth space has sold out. Read more background in the Daily Breeze.
‘First Thursday’ Next Week
The monthly First Thursday artwalk is Aug. 6. Highlights were not posted online at presstime. Check the website next week for an update.
Media Roundup
A new issue of San Pedro Today has been published in print and online, with a cover story on multigenerational family-owned local restaurants.
San Pedro is the featured community in the August issue of Los Angeles Magazine. Half a dozen downtown shops and restaurants are profiled in the “Street Smart” story.
San Pedro is the featured community in the August issue of Los Angeles Magazine. Half a dozen downtown shops and restaurants are profiled in the “Street Smart” story.
More on 7-Eleven
Random Lengths reports on 7-Eleven’s presentation to the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council, which voted to oppose its proposed store at 19th Street and South Pacific Avenue, and the Harbor Area Planning Commission meeting the following day. And Erin Strelich, chair of Coastal’s planning committee, shares her thoughts in a letter to the editor responding to last week’s San Pedro News story.
More News Videos
Add Random Lengths News to the sources of local news videos, along with Councilwoman Janice Hahn and former Honorary Mayor John Mavar. See Channel RLn for Random Lengths’ videos.
Friday, July 24, 2009
7-Eleven Decision Delayed 1 Month
The Harbor Area Planning Commission this week delayed action on the proposed 7-Eleven in coastal San Pedro until next month. Following testimony by supporters and opponents of the proposed store at 19th Street and South Pacific Avenue, commissioners moved to postpone a decision until the August 18 meeting. 7-Eleven is no longer seeking authorization to sell alcohol right away but may apply for permission a year or two after opening, according to Councilwoman Janice Hahn’s office. The store is seeking approval for 24-hour operations, a point of contention among some neighbors and community activists.
‘Taste in San Pedro’ Begins with Special Friday Concert
The 21st annual “Taste in San Pedro” kicks off this Friday, July 31 with a rock concert from 6 to 10 p.m. headlined by Platinum Rockstars, plus 110 South and the Jerry Butera Blues Band.
The food booths are not open for this special concert, but will be serving tastes of San Pedro cuisine beginning at 11 a.m. on Aug. 1.
The ‘Taste’ is open until 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2 at Pt. Fermin Park, 807 Paseo del Mar. A fireworks show will close the festival on Saturday and a military tribute will wrap it all up Sunday night.
Admission is $10, plus individual food and drink tickets. Guests who buy and print tickets online can enter through preferred express gates. Use promotion code FL09 to save $1 off adult general admission tickets online. (The code is not valid on family, military, senior or couples packages).
Go to www.tasteinsanpedro.com for information and tickets.
The food booths are not open for this special concert, but will be serving tastes of San Pedro cuisine beginning at 11 a.m. on Aug. 1.
The ‘Taste’ is open until 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2 at Pt. Fermin Park, 807 Paseo del Mar. A fireworks show will close the festival on Saturday and a military tribute will wrap it all up Sunday night.
Admission is $10, plus individual food and drink tickets. Guests who buy and print tickets online can enter through preferred express gates. Use promotion code FL09 to save $1 off adult general admission tickets online. (The code is not valid on family, military, senior or couples packages).
Go to www.tasteinsanpedro.com for information and tickets.
Week in Review
Downtown business owners have launched a grassroots organization to stage special events and promote local commerce. Shops will be open late every Thursday night, not just on First Thursday.
Seaside Pharmacy, San Pedro’s oldest known business, lost a piece of its history when former owner Virgil Ray “Mac” McCutchan died on July 16, the Daily Breeze reported.
“Port facing April 1 deadline for inner Cabrillo Beach cleanup” and they’re already racing against time, according to the Daily Breeze.
Sunken City sank a little more Friday.
“Single drivers can pay tolls to use carpool lanes starting in Dec. 2010,” the Daily Breeze reported. The policy will apply to the Harbor Freeway and a portion of the San Bernardino Freeway.
Catching up on last Friday – Here is the July 17 Daily Breeze story on the Attorney General’s money-bearing visit to a San Pedro drug treatment center and here is a look at the newly named director of Angels Gate Cultural Center.
Seaside Pharmacy, San Pedro’s oldest known business, lost a piece of its history when former owner Virgil Ray “Mac” McCutchan died on July 16, the Daily Breeze reported.
“Port facing April 1 deadline for inner Cabrillo Beach cleanup” and they’re already racing against time, according to the Daily Breeze.
Sunken City sank a little more Friday.
“Single drivers can pay tolls to use carpool lanes starting in Dec. 2010,” the Daily Breeze reported. The policy will apply to the Harbor Freeway and a portion of the San Bernardino Freeway.
Catching up on last Friday – Here is the July 17 Daily Breeze story on the Attorney General’s money-bearing visit to a San Pedro drug treatment center and here is a look at the newly named director of Angels Gate Cultural Center.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Key Hearing about Plan for 7-Eleven in Coastal San Pedro
The Harbor Area Planning Commission on Tuesday will consider whether to sustain or overrule a zoning administrator’s rejection of alcohol sales at the proposed 7-Eleven on South Pacific Avenue.
7-Eleven has appealed the zoning administrator’s May ruling to deny alcohol sales. The decision now rests with the Planning Commission, which will vote on the appeal.
The meeting takes place on July 21 at 4:30 p.m. at the port building, 425 S. Palos Verdes St. View the full agenda here. (The 7-Eleven issue is item 5 on page 3).
Councilwoman Janice Hahn supports 7-Eleven’s quest to sell alcohol at the store. The Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council will vote at its Monday meeting on a motion to support the zoning administrator’s findings. Opponents are expected to turn out and testify at both the Coastal council meeting and the Harbor Area Planning Commission meeting. Details of the Coastal council meeting are published below.
7-Eleven has appealed the zoning administrator’s May ruling to deny alcohol sales. The decision now rests with the Planning Commission, which will vote on the appeal.
The meeting takes place on July 21 at 4:30 p.m. at the port building, 425 S. Palos Verdes St. View the full agenda here. (The 7-Eleven issue is item 5 on page 3).
Councilwoman Janice Hahn supports 7-Eleven’s quest to sell alcohol at the store. The Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council will vote at its Monday meeting on a motion to support the zoning administrator’s findings. Opponents are expected to turn out and testify at both the Coastal council meeting and the Harbor Area Planning Commission meeting. Details of the Coastal council meeting are published below.
Civic Notes
Attorney General Eric Holder held an event at Support for Harbor Area Women’s Lives (SHAWL), presenting the San Pedro drug abuse treatment center with an economic stimulus check for $150,000.
San Pedro High School has a new principal, Jeanette L. Stevens. The San Pedro resident sparked controversy this spring when she denied diplomas to Leichy Middle School students who protested the culmination speaker.
The Daily Breeze reports on the waterfront update port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz gave at this week’s Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council meeting.
At City Hall this week, Councilwoman Janice Hahn called for taxing medical marijuana and pushed for health-care coverage for airport workers.
The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council elected officers at its meeting Monday. President Dan Dixon, Vice President John Mavar and Treasurer Craig Goldfarb were re-elected to office. Diana Nave is the council’s new secretary.
So, how’s “Nuch” doing? “New LA City Attorney Trutanich already making waves,” according to the Daily Breeze.
The Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council meets on Monday , July 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cabrillo Marina Community Building, Cabrillo Plaza, Berth 28. The agenda includes a vote on the 7-Eleven zoning issue referenced above and an election to fill a vacant board seat. For more information about the council or serving on the board, visit www.cspnc.com or call (310) 290-0049.
San Pedro High School has a new principal, Jeanette L. Stevens. The San Pedro resident sparked controversy this spring when she denied diplomas to Leichy Middle School students who protested the culmination speaker.
The Daily Breeze reports on the waterfront update port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz gave at this week’s Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council meeting.
At City Hall this week, Councilwoman Janice Hahn called for taxing medical marijuana and pushed for health-care coverage for airport workers.
The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council elected officers at its meeting Monday. President Dan Dixon, Vice President John Mavar and Treasurer Craig Goldfarb were re-elected to office. Diana Nave is the council’s new secretary.
So, how’s “Nuch” doing? “New LA City Attorney Trutanich already making waves,” according to the Daily Breeze.
The Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council meets on Monday , July 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cabrillo Marina Community Building, Cabrillo Plaza, Berth 28. The agenda includes a vote on the 7-Eleven zoning issue referenced above and an election to fill a vacant board seat. For more information about the council or serving on the board, visit www.cspnc.com or call (310) 290-0049.
This Weekend’s Highlights
Today’s art walk has expanded from six galleries to more than two dozen in downtown and beyond. The event takes place Saturday, July 18 from 3 to 7 p.m. Pick up a map at the Chamber of Commerce, 390 W. Seventh St., or one of the galleries listed last week.
Weymouth Corners will celebrate a handful of new shops with a ribbon-cutting event and special sales today (July 18) from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. A new hair salon and health center will be feted, along with the newly expanded Alva’s Music and other new businesses in the 1400 block of West Eighth Street.
The Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown San Pedro will host a free jazz festival on Sunday, July 19 from 2 to 8 p.m. Food and drink will be for sale, as will artwork by members of the San Pedro Arts Association. Details in the flyer.
Weymouth Corners will celebrate a handful of new shops with a ribbon-cutting event and special sales today (July 18) from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. A new hair salon and health center will be feted, along with the newly expanded Alva’s Music and other new businesses in the 1400 block of West Eighth Street.
The Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown San Pedro will host a free jazz festival on Sunday, July 19 from 2 to 8 p.m. Food and drink will be for sale, as will artwork by members of the San Pedro Arts Association. Details in the flyer.
Press for ’Pedro Pizza
You read it here first, when the deliciously distinctive Pavich’s Pizza opened last spring. Then the Los Angeles Times discovered it and just this week the Daily Breeze published a positive review. If your mouth isn’t watering yet, flip through the little photo gallery with the LA Times piece for some saucy scenes.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Pop Goes the News
There was a little ceremony for a really famous singer this week and nary another word of news. By week’s end, the politicos were squabbling over the costs and benefits of l’affaire MJ.
Meanwhile, here are some bits of local news.
Old Ft. MacArthur Days are this weekend, July 11-12.
Regular monthly neighborhood council meetings are next Monday and Tuesday for Northwest and Central, respectively. Central is taking to the great outdoors and holding its meeting on the Waterfront Promenade. That’s right, down by the waterfront at Harbor Boulevard and First Street. The meeting will include an update from port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz about waterfront development and other port topics. Park in the port lot on the east side of Harbor Boulevard and walk one-half block north to the Santa Cruz Plaza area. View the full meeting agenda on the council’s home page.
How about some news videos with your morning coffee? Councilwoman Hahn and former Honorary Mayor John Mavar are among the locals who post multimedia news to their websites.
Meanwhile, here are some bits of local news.
Old Ft. MacArthur Days are this weekend, July 11-12.
Regular monthly neighborhood council meetings are next Monday and Tuesday for Northwest and Central, respectively. Central is taking to the great outdoors and holding its meeting on the Waterfront Promenade. That’s right, down by the waterfront at Harbor Boulevard and First Street. The meeting will include an update from port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz about waterfront development and other port topics. Park in the port lot on the east side of Harbor Boulevard and walk one-half block north to the Santa Cruz Plaza area. View the full meeting agenda on the council’s home page.
How about some news videos with your morning coffee? Councilwoman Hahn and former Honorary Mayor John Mavar are among the locals who post multimedia news to their websites.
Preview of Next Weekend
Special Saturday downtown art walk on July 18 from 3 to 7 p.m. Six galleries are participating: Warschaw Gallery, Gallery 478, Board Room Gallery at the Chamber of Commerce, Studio 339, 7th Street Studios and Gallery Azul. Maps will be available at participating galleries.
Weymouth Corners will celebrate a handful of new shops with a ribbon-cutting event and special sales on July 18 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. A new hair salon and health center will be feted, along with the newly expanded Alva’s Music and other new businesses in the 1400 block of West Eighth Street.
The Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown San Pedro will host a free jazz festival on July 19 from 2 to 8 p.m. Food and drink will be for sale, as will artwork by members of the San Pedro Arts Association. Details in the flyer.
Weymouth Corners will celebrate a handful of new shops with a ribbon-cutting event and special sales on July 18 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. A new hair salon and health center will be feted, along with the newly expanded Alva’s Music and other new businesses in the 1400 block of West Eighth Street.
The Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown San Pedro will host a free jazz festival on July 19 from 2 to 8 p.m. Food and drink will be for sale, as will artwork by members of the San Pedro Arts Association. Details in the flyer.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Councilwoman’s Third Term
Hollywood-area Councilman Tom LaBonge, right, photographs an exultant Janice Hahn at her Wilmington swearing-in ceremony last Saturday.
The Daily Breeze speculates about Janice Hahn’s next move as the councilwoman is sworn in for her final term.
Grassroots Power Multiplied
The seven Harbor Area neighborhood councils have formed an alliance to boost their collective power over issues of areawide concern, the Daily Breeze reported Sunday.
Seaside Independence Day
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christina L. Bozeman.
The visiting Coast Guard cutter Active, pictured, is open for public tours today (July 4) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Berth 46, along with the locally-stationed cutter George Cobb. To board the ships, you must be a U.S. citizen and show a valid photo I.D. Photography is permitted, but sandals, high heels and bags are not allowed. A Coast Guard helicopter will perform a search and rescue demonstration at 5:30 p.m. It’s all part of the Navy Days LA celebration, a project of the United States Navy League.
San Pedro’s traditional Independence Day festivities include the morning Korean bell ringing and evening Cabrillo Beach concert and fireworks. Details in last week’s edition.
There’s also the annual flag-raising ceremony at 7:45 a.m. at the home of Vince and Dolores Villa, 1153 18th St.
Preview of Next Weekend: Old Ft. MacArthur Days
The 23rd annual event is July 11-12. Read the details here.
Correction
In last week’s story on the North Gaffey Street beautification project, San Pedro News credited the idea to Pat and Diana Nave. The project is more accurately characterized as the end result of several parallel ideas and efforts by both the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council and the San Pedro Peninsula Homeowners United.
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