Friday, August 28, 2009

Slow-Cooked News

The hills are burning and not much else is making news in these hot, lazy, end-of-summer days. Here’s a little something to quench your thirst.

The Los Angeles Times picked up the story of St. Peter’s Church and its delayed move to Green Hills.

KABC Talkradio 790 AM picked up the “half-off” campaign to cut L.A. politicians’ pay, interviewing Doug Epperhart of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council during the McIntyre in the Morning program.

The monthly First Thursday artwalk is Sept. 3 in downtown San Pedro. A few highlights are listed on the official website.

New issues of Random Lengths News and San Pedro Today are on the streets. The Random Lengths website hasn’t been updated yet, so you’ll have to find a hard copy to read the cover story on the Harbor Labor Coalition and the rest of the content. San Pedro Today has been posted to the web and features a rock band that caters to Catholic youth.

If you’re starting to think about your Labor Day plans, remember that the Vincent Thomas Bridge will be closed in the morning for the Conquer the Bridge run/walk.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Week in Review

7-Eleven approved – A local governing panel has approved plans for a 24-hour 7-Eleven at 19th Street and South Pacific Avenue, the subject of two long letters to the editor earlier in the week, including one by Councilwoman Janice Hahn.

Rest in peace? (Not.) – The historic San Pedro church that was going to be repaired and relocated to Green Hills Memorial Park is in bureaucratic limbo and “hasn’t found salvation yet,” according to Monday’s Daily Breeze.

Citywide press for political campaign rooted in SP – As previously reported, community activists Doug Epperhart and Bob Gelfand are waging a citywide campaign to cut L.A. politicians’ pay. The L.A. Weekly has picked up the story, asking, “can pissed off Angelenos cut the nation’s richest City Council salaries in half?”

Classic Cars will Cruise (and Close) Pacific Ave. Tonight

The fourth annual Hot Pedro Nites fundraiser is tonight, Aug. 22. The classic car event is organized by Clean San Pedro to benefit the group’s community beautification efforts.

The 300-car cruise will close South Pacific Avenue between Sixth and 17th Streets from 6 to 9 p.m. The festivities continue in downtown San Pedro, where street music will entertain restaurant and shop patrons.

Read all about it in the Random Lengths News cover story and today’s Daily Breeze.

Friday, August 14, 2009

7-Eleven on Agenda Tuesday

The Harbor Area Planning Commission on Tuesday will revisit 7-Eleven’s proposal to build a store in coastal San Pedro. The sticky issue remains the company’s desire to keep the store open 24 hours, as outlined in this week’s Daily Breeze story.

The meeting takes place on Aug. 18 at 4:30 p.m. at the port administration building, 425 S. Palos Verdes St. The meeting agenda is here.

A new commissioner will be seated at this meeting. Phill Trigas, a Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council board member, has been nominated and confirmed to serve on the commission and will take office Tuesday.

Bits of News about Ponte Vista

The developer of the Western Avenue property will hold public meetings this fall and release a schedule of events next month, according to this news brief.

And this brief tells about the routine, “low-key” report that planning staff made before this week’s Planning Commission meeting. Bottom line: still researching, dialoging and planning.

Politician-turned-Port-Exec to Speak at Coastal Council Meeting Monday

The Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council meets on Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cabrillo Marina Community Building, Cabrillo Plaza, Berth 28. The agenda includes a waterfront redevelopment update by former state assemblyman Wally Knox, who is temporarily serving as a Port of Los Angeles executive. Knox was named to the newly-created post of deputy executive director for external affairs this spring, but, citing financial concerns, the City Council voted not to confirm the permanent position.

Nuch and the People from the Neighborhood

City Attorney Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich hosted hundreds of neighborhood council members and other civic activists at downtown L.A. City Hall Thursday.

The unprecedented meet-and-greet began with a reception, followed by a report and question-and-answer session led by the self-declared “people’s lawyer” from San Pedro.



Nuch speaks, above, and takes questions from the audience.

At least one elected official credited the neighborhood councils for Trutanich’s upset victory in the May election. “If not for neighborhood councils getting involved, he wouldn’t be here,” said Councilman Dennis Zine. “You made the right choice.”

Trutanich took every opportunity to emphasize his populist, public-service mission. Here are some soundbites from the meeting:

“You hired me to be your lawyer. Do you want your lawyer to be politically correct or good?”

“During my first management meeting, I told my managers that if you mention politics in here, you won’t be here next week.”

“I don’t think I’ve been home before 10:30 since I took office. It’s just the way you have to lead. We have a department that’s so, so very dedicated to the people of this city. I consider myself a leader among equals.”

Message to billboard companies, who are objecting to the city’s new ban on the outdoor ads: “The days of civil suits against you are over. If you violate criminal law, I’m going to have you arrested and you will go to jail and post bail like anyone else who breaks the law. At the end of the day, we’re going to take control of our city, one billboard at a time.”

For more along these lines, click over to last Sunday’s Los Angeles Times story, “Trutanich stirs city attorney’s office.”

Run across the V.T. Bridge

A race across the Vincent Thomas Bridge will take place on Labor Day. Conquer the Bridge is sponsored by a Redondo Beach-based company. Read more in the Daily Breeze.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Nuthin’ to Say

This week’s recap is more pictures than words.

Politicians and Other Characters Roam the ‘Taste’




City Attorney Nuch Trutanich, top photo, parked himself near the Redmen’s Lodge booth at last weekend’s Taste in San Pedro. Trutanich was among the political figures who made appearances Sunday, as did City Controller Wendy Greuel, Councilwoman Janice Hahn, State Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal and Assemblyman Ted Lieu. Another character present was the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium harbor seal, posing for pictures and humbly collecting donations from the tasters.

Good Clean Fun



The aforementioned city attorney was photographed taking the plunge at the recent picnic for city attorney employees. Into the dunk tank went the leading lawyer and, sure enough, someone had spot-on aim. Case closed. See the whole photo gallery here.

Bye, Bye, Bratton

L.A.’s police chief is resigning and everyone has something to say about it, including Councilwoman Janice Hahn. If her soundbite in the Los Angeles Times wasn’t enough for you, you can find her entire (short) statement on the press releases page of her website, which is now updated frequently.

Hear Hahn at Neighborhood Council Meeting Next Week

The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council meets Monday, Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Peck Park, 560 N. Western Ave. View the agenda, visit www.nwsanpedro.org or call (310) 732-4522 for more information.

Councilwoman Janice Hahn is scheduled to speak at Tuesday’s meeting of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council. The Aug. 11 meeting takes place at the Croatian Cultural Center, 510 W. Seventh St., beginning with refreshments at 6 p.m. followed by the meeting at 6:30 p.m. The agenda is posted at www.sanpedrocity.org.