Friday, September 25, 2009

Moment of Reckoning on the Waterfront?

The local media have spilled considerable ink ahead of Tuesday’s big meeting on waterfront redevelopment.

That meeting takes place on Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club, 100 W. Fifth St. All eyes will be on the Board of Harbor Commissioners as they review and possibly vote on a plan to redevelop the waterfront.

Here are the recent news stories:

A three-story package was published in the Daily Breeze last weekend. The main story, “Decision nears on $1.2B San Pedro waterfront plan,” includes a TV news segment as an added bonus. Companion pieces explore the potential benefits to downtown San Pedro and Ports O’ Call. Two letters to the editor were published Thursday.

The port has released another newsletter and the waterfront is the cover story in the current Random Lengths News.

Elsewhere in the News

The October issue of San Pedro Today is available in print and online, featuring a cover story on the Golden State Pops Orchestra.

Going back to port-related issues, the Los Angeles Times examined the impact of diesel pollution on communities along the 710 Freeway. Headlined “A new crop of eco-warriors take to their own streets,” the story and video look at air pollution from the perspectives of grassroots activists in Commerce, Huntington Park and neighboring communities.

Arts & Culture

The first downtown San Pedro Fall Craft Fair is today (Sept. 26) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Renaissance lot at 429 W. Sixth St. is the place to go for ceramics, woodwork, jewelry, clothing, accessories, Christmas ornaments, soaps, oils, candles and more. The event, which includes children’s face painting, food and music, is part of the downtown business owners’ grassroots efforts to revive the local commercial district. For more information, call (310) 519-8231.

A new month begins on Thursday, which means First Thursday is this week, Oct. 1. Highlights appear on the First Thursday website, where you can print the monthly map.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Saturday Happenings: Clean the Seashore, Eat Some Seafood, Mind the Pt. Fermin Traffic

Be good to Mother Earth and join in the 25th annual Coastal Cleanup Day at Cabrillo Beach this morning (Saturday) from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Meet at the aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Dr. Call (310) 548-7562 for more information.

Savor succulent seafood at the 11th annual Port of L.A. Lobster Festival this weekend. Bring your appetite today and help with their world-record attempt for most seafood prepared at an outdoor event. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.lobsterfest.com for details and print an admission discount from the tickets page.

Also, the Light at the Lighthouse religious festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at Pt. Fermin Park.

Key Document Released Envisioning Waterfront of the Future

The port has posted a long-awaited environmental impact report (EIR) on waterfront redevelopment, presenting six possible scenarios for redevelopment. The Board of Harbor Commissioners will consider the options and potentially vote on a course of action on Sept. 29. Find the executive summary, full EIR and details of the Sept. 29 meeting on the port’s website.

The Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council is holding a special meeting Tuesday to consider its position on the newly released EIR. The community is encouraged to testify both at this meeting – taking place at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the Croatian Cultural Center, 510 W. Seventh St. – and at the port’s Sept. 29 meeting.

Angels Gate High School Meeting Thursday

The L.A. school district is holding a public meeting this week to give an update on construction of the new public high school at Angels Gate. The meeting takes place on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. at White Point Elementary School, 1410 Silvius Ave. For more information, call (213) 893-6802 or listen to recorded information on the hotline, (213) 893-6810.

City Attorney to Address Coastal Council Monday

City Atty. Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich will speak at Monday’s meeting of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council. The meeting takes place on Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cabrillo Marina Community Building, Cabrillo Plaza, Berth 28. View the agenda here.

Solar Power Workshop Wednesday

Learn about the Department of Water and Power’s plans to expand use of solar power at a Sept. 23 workshop, taking place at 6 p.m. at the port administration building. Register at www.ladwpsolarnews.com.

Media Roundup

The headlines tell the story. Click and read.

“Janice Hahn testing waters for lieutenant governor run”

“Port of LA sprucing up its cruise terminal”

“High bacteria levels still being detected at inner Cabrillo Beach”

Downtown Coffee Shops Come and Go

Michel’s Unique Café is now serving coffee and crepes in the 8th Street Lofts building. Now in “soft opening” mode, the café is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at 800 S. Pacific Ave., (310) 221-8145. Watch for news of a grand opening and more food offerings in the near future.

Starbucks closed in the Centre Street Lofts on Sept. 4. Word on the street is that Sacred Grounds will open a second location in that space. Stay tuned for a follow-up report.

On a related note, a Subway is “opening soon” in the Centre Street Lofts along Centre Street adjacent to the once and future coffee house spot.

Downtown Craft Festival Next Saturday

Downtown business owners are presenting a craft fair on Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Renaissance Lot, 429 W. Sixth St. Watch for more information in next week’s San Pedro News.

Sweet!

The Daily Breeze profiled local cupcake outfit Italian Cuppacakes, sold at Nosh Café downtown. And a new Amalfitano Bakery is “coming soon” to Western Avenue. Double sweet!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Happening Today

Saturday (Sept. 12) brings the TriArt Festival and “rebirth of Seventh Street” in downtown San Pedro, plus a sidewalk sale at Weymouth Corners.

And the L.A. Conservancy is organizing a scavenger hunt for pieces of San Pedro history from 2 to 5 p.m. today. Tickets are $30. Details here. (On a related note, the port has released a self-guided version of its historical walking tour. You download the audio or pick up a CD to listen as you tour the sites.)

Laboring Ahead

Here’s how Labor Day was celebrated in word and deed:

Some marched in Wilmington.

Some ran and walked across the Vincent Thomas Bridge.

Daily Breeze columnist John Bogert urged readers to “remember the laborers.”

“This Labor Day not as happy for public sector unions,” the Daily Breeze reported.

The Los Angeles Times chronicled a rise in statewide union membership.

The Times published first-person stories by workers in changing industries (newspapers, music, farming and the financial sector), a commentary about warehouse workers and an interview with L.A.’s top labor leader.

Hot off the Presses

The port has published an informative newsletter all about waterfront redevelopment ahead of a pivotal meeting at the end of the month.

New issues of Random Lengths News and the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council newsletter are circulating.

Tank Farm to Park

The aforementioned Coastal newsletter, plus today’s Daily Breeze, contain stories on the construction of a park at the former 22nd Street tank farm, expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Prescription Drug Savings

With health care reform in the news this week, it’s worth noting that the city of L.A. has recently announced “L.A. Rx,” a prescription discount program open to one and all without fees or restrictions. Just print a card and bring it to a participating pharmacy to save 5-40% on brand-name and generic drugs.

New Principal at SPHS

Jeanette Stevens is riding the back-to-school wave as the new captain of an educational ship. She tells the Daily Breeze she’s “ready for challenges” at the helm of San Pedro High School.

Northwest Council Meeting Monday

The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council meets Monday, Sept. 14 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.

Lobster Festival Next Weekend

The 11th annual crustacean extravaganza is Friday-Sunday, Sept. 18-20. They’re aiming to set a Guinness world record Saturday for the most seafood prepared at an outdoor event. Visit www.lobsterfest.com for all the juicy details.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Week in Review

“Final touches being put on San Pedro’s waterfront makeover plan,” today’s Daily Breeze reports. The story previews some of the elements that will be detailed when the much-anticipated, 7000-page tome is released on Sept. 29.

San Pedro community activists held a streetside rally Wednesday supporting federal health care reform. View a short story and picture here, but disregard the mixed-up caption.

The Daily Breeze revisits the Knoll Hill situation, complete with an illustration of a plan some parties are supporting, even though it violates state regulations.

Labor Day Events

Conquer the bridge by running or walking the five-mile span at 8 a.m. on Sept. 7. Visit the website for registration information. Street closures are as follows: the Vincent Thomas Bridge and Harbor Boulevard between Fifth Street and the bridge will be closed from midnight to 11 a.m. Monday.

The 30th annual Harbor Labor Coalition march and rally takes place in Wilmington on Sept. 7. Marchers will assemble at Broad and E streets at 9 a.m. and the march begins at 10 a.m., followed by a rally and picnic in Banning Park at noon.

City Attorney to Speak at Central Council Meeting Tuesday

City Attorney Nuch Trutanich will be the featured speaker at Tuesday’s meeting of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council. Separately, Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz will make a presentation on waterfront development. The meeting takes place on Sept. 8 at the Croatian Cultural Center, 510 W. Seventh St. A light dinner is served at 6 p.m. and the meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. The agenda was not posted at presstime.

If You Were Hiring the Next Police Chief …

The city Personnel Department is conducting a survey asking Los Angeles residents what qualities the next police chief should possess. Voice your opinions here by Sept. 17.

Preview of Next Saturday

The third annual TriArt Festival is Sept. 12-13 in downtown San Pedro. The free event is a celebration of visual and performing arts and classic cars.

Concurrently, you can witness the “rebirth of 7th Street” on Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. A handful of new shops will join with the existing businesses to showcase the newly rebranded “7th Street Village.” The celebration will include food, music, a raffle, children’s activities and more.