Week in Review

Photo courtesy of L.A. City Bureau of Sanitation

Leaders of the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council joined with community activists, politicians and city functionaries to break ground Monday on the long-awaited Peck Park Canyon restoration project.

Plus,

“All LA city libraries to close on Sundays due to budget crunch”

“Cleanup extension sought for Cabrillo Beach’s ‘F’-rated water”

“Officials seek to stem 25th Street flooding problem”

“San Pedro steps up efforts to keep Warner Grand Theatre open”

“San Pedro intersection returns to pushbutton crosswalk lights”

Councilwoman Janice Hahn announced the addition of a graffiti officer to the LAPD Harbor Division station.

The Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council has published the premier issue of its “Grand Central” newsletter. It’s not yet online, but look for it at spots in downtown San Pedro.

The April issue of San Pedro Today is out with a cover story on the L.A. Maritime Museum. Pick up a hard copy while the magazine’s website is down.

Greater Harbor Area News

Over in Long Beach, a new outfit called Urban Ocean Boat Cruise is showing passengers “the grittier side of L.A.’s coast.”

The curator at the Drum Barracks museum in Wilmington may be laid off. Moving from this fact of the city budget deficit, the Los Angeles Times goes on to profile the facility’s unique role in L.A. history.

Missing the latest issue of the District Weekly? Alas, the Long Beach-based newspaper has shut down. A determined reporter immediately moved the “paper” to a blog. Read Dave Wielenga’s “REDISTRICTED” at LBreport.com.

Be Part of the Solution: Run for Neighborhood Council

All San Pedro and Harbor Area neighborhood councils are holding elections in June. Candidates must file papers to run by April 9. An informational meeting is taking place next Saturday, April 3 at Peck Park. Here’s a news brief with more information.

Arts Section: First Thursday and ‘Little Mermaid’

This week is First Thursday (on April Fools Day!) Daily Breeze columnist John Bogert will sign his new book of columns at Williams’ Book Store, 443 W. Sixth St., from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Beforehand, consider taking the free monthly guided tour beginning at 6:30 p.m. at 7th Street Chophouse, 465 W. Seventh St. Tour guests are invited to meet at the restaurant and socialize early over complementary appetizers. Tour stops include Flazh!Alley art studio and Gallery Azul, concluding at Williams’ Book Store for the book signing.

The monthly First Thursday artwalk takes place on April 1 in downtown San Pedro from 6 to 9ish p.m.

In other arts news, the Daily Breeze previews “The Little Mermaid,” on stage this weekend at the Warner Grand Theatre.

Week in Review

Happily, the Pt. Fermin Lighthouse curator isn’t getting laid off after all.

Beacon House, a downtown San Pedro recovery home, got a $360,000 grant from L.A. County, which it will use to remodel and construct additional housing. (Published in Wednesday’s paper, March 17, but not posted online for some reason).

This week’s issue of Random Lengths News has a cover story on the “war on public education,” with an inside piece on the San Pedro High School reform plans and other community news.

Politics News

Who’s running for the Harbor Area LA City Council seat? – San Pedro columnist Diana Chapman has posted a story on definite and probable candidates for the 15th district council seat. Doug Epperhart, David Greene and Rudy Svorinich, Jr. tell Chapman they are in for sure. The maybe list includes John Delgado, John Mavar, Anthony Pirozzi, Anthony Santich and James Weston. Read all about it at theunderdogforkids.blogspot.com.

Youthful public service – Students and civic-minded folk will be cleaning and painting at San Pedro High School this morning (March 20) as part of the Day of Service, a joint project of the LA mayor’s office and the LA school district. Kite flying is also on the agenda. It all begins at 8 a.m. at the school, 1001 W. 15th St.

Attention John Bogert Fans

The inimitable Daily Breeze columnist just released a collection of columns in book form. Bogert will sign his “Grounded” at the San Pedro Library today (March 20) at 1 p.m. and at Williams Book Store on April 1 (First Thursday). Details here.

Week in Review

Oh so tidy when the headlines speak for themselves.

“Community leaders scramble to keep San Pedro’s Warner Grand open,” but some are optimistic that a private operator will bring change for the better

Case study in LA city layoffs: “Point Fermin lighthouse curator gets pink slip”

“LA council okays plan for school air filters near Port of LA”

“Hahn announces city funding for Harbor Area projects”

About that Lt. Gov. Race …

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom throws his hat into the ring and LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa throws his support behind Councilwoman Janice Hahn.

Civic Datebook

Waterfront meeting – A workshop is taking place Thursday on the downtown-area waterfront improvements. See what they have in mind and give your input at the March 18 meeting, set for 6 p.m. at the Port of LA High School, 250 W Fifth St. Call (310) 732-3567 for more information.

Coastal council meeting Monday – The Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council meets at its regular time and place (6:30 p.m. at the Cabrillo Marina Community Building) on Monday, March 15. Visit www.cspnc.org or call (310) 290-0049 for more information.

Spring Time

Remember to move your clocks ahead an hour at 2 a.m. Sunday. Save the daylight already!

Happy March

Just a few nibbles of news to begin the month.

News briefs

Embarking Princess Cruise passengers can now bring friends and family aboard for a nostalgic “Bon Voyage Experience.”

On a related note, downtown merchants are launching a pilot program to draw cruise passengers to their businesses.

In other news, “[m]ore than 400 trees to be trimmed in downtown San Pedro.”

The new issue of Random Lengths News is out with a cover story on the neighborhood councils’ political power. (Not yet online; look for the print edition at the newsstand).

Arts notes

The Daily Breeze theatre critic gave a thumbs-up to the two “Escanaba” shows now on stage at Little Fish Theatre.

The food critic gave a thumbs-up to Beach City Grill in downtown San Pedro.

Neighborhood Council Meetings Next Week

The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council meets on Monday, March 8 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.

The Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council meets on Tuesday, March 9 at the Port of LA High School, 250 W. Fifth St. Refreshments are served at 6 p.m. and the meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. The agenda can be viewed on the council’s home page. Call (310) 918-8650 for more information.