Week in Review

They’re watching you – all 321 cameras that keep an eye on port security. Read more in the Daily Breeze cover story from last Sunday.

Crime in downtown and coastal San Pedro is making the news. The Daily Breeze did stories before and after a special Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council meeting about community crime Tuesday. And, following two incidents in coastal San Pedro, a community meeting is taking place Sunday. Hosted by Councilwoman Janice Hahn, the Dec. 13 meeting is set for 9:30 a.m. at the Starbucks at 25th Street and Western Avenue. The coffeehouse was robbed late last month and a nearby clothing store in the Vons shopping center was also robbed this week.

The Gaffey Street pool will be renovated with port funds from the China Shipping settlement.

What’s more, they’re going to build a pool at the new Angels Gate High School. As the Daily Breeze reports, the pool will give the San Pedro High School swim team its own place to practice and it will be open to the public. Get the background in this story, written ahead of the LA school board vote Tuesday to approve funding.

The school board also voted to condemn the cell phone towers that recently went up near Taper Avenue Elementary School.

With just a year left on its temporary lease, Eastview Little League again asked the port Thursday to extend its time on Knoll Hill. Commissioners did not take action on the group’s request, according to a Daily Breeze brief.

The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council is not holding a December meeting. Their agenda: to take a little holiday from politics. Do I hear a second?

And how about a break from parking meters? Wish granted. Downtown San Pedro meters will be free from Dec. 15 through Jan. 1.

Holiday Happenings

Tubachristmas today (Dec. 12) at 3 p.m. at the Croatian Cultural Center, 510 W. Seventh St.

It’s a LuLu jewelry sale this weekend (Dec. 12-13) at The Corner Store, 1118 W 37th St. (310) 832-2424.

City Hall tree decorating on Monday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. at 638 S. Beacon St. Details in the flyer.

Miracle on 37th Street on Friday, Dec. 18 at The Corner Store. Pictures with Santa and socializing from 5 to 8 p.m. Caroling and egg nog at 7:30 p.m. The forecast calls for snow, just like last year. Bring flashlights and bells. 1118 W. 37th St. (310) 832-2424.

Give a pet a good home and Save a Stray for the Holidays. The adoption event takes place at the San Pedro animal shelter next Saturday (Dec. 19) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 957 N. Gaffey St. and other shelters citywide. Save a stray and save money with special discounts on adoptions. Find more information at the sponsoring FoundAnimals.org.

Downtown San Pedro Restaurant News

George’s Café Opens in 8th Street Lofts



George’s Café is now serving Mexican and American favorites in its new location at the 8th Street Lofts, 800 S. Pacific Ave. Chef/owner George Haro, pictured above, is cooking a limited menu for breakfast and lunch as he readies for full service in a few weeks. Watch for dinner service and an ice cream counter coming soon. Meanwhile, Haro is eager to welcome his regular customers to his new location in the quaint “plaza” of the Italian-style building. The café is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (310) 521-8307.

7th Street Chophouse is now serving lunch Tuesday through Friday.

Marcello’s has rebranded itself as Michael’s Tuscany Room. Read all about it on page 30 of the current San Pedro Today.

Next: a roundup of Western Avenue restaurant news.

Civic Notes

Week in review

Mother Nature fidgeted and sent chunks of cliff tumbling into the sea. Translation: there was a landslide along Paseo del Mar in coastal San Pedro.

City Attorney Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich was in the hospital this week with abdominal pains, but he’s out now.

Saying “the fate of this department is tied to the fate of this city,” new Police Chief Charlie Beck was sworn in Thursday.

Get your bi-weekly dose of news from global to local in the latest issue of Random Lengths News, circulating in print and online.

Today and the week ahead

The show’s on the water today (Saturday) for the 47th annual Los Angeles Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade at 6 p.m. Details and viewing locations here.

Make merry on Sunday at the 29th annual holiday parade beginning at 1 p.m. on Dec. 6. Assuming he’s feeling well enough, the city attorney will serve as grand marshall, followed by a myriad of other politicos parading along.

The Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council is holding a special meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8 to address recent crime in the area. The meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the Croatian Cultural Center, 510 W. Seventh St. Visit www.sanpedrocity.org or call (310) 918-8650 for more information.

Locally Crafted Holiday Gifts

So, you’ve been voting with your dollars and shopping locally this holiday season. That’s the spirit! In addition to your favorite stores, shop these special sales for locally made arts and crafts:

The Corner Store is hosting a series of art shows and sales this month. Pottery by Delora runs now through Sunday (Dec. 6), featuring ceramics and silky bejeweled handbags. Upcoming: It’s a Lu-Lu jewelry sale Dec. 12-13 and SilverFox jewelry sale Dec. 19-20. 1118 W 37th St., (310) 832-2424.

Shop downtown’s holiday craft festival on Sunday (Dec. 6) in conjunction with the annual holiday parade. Find all sorts of gifts, home décor, clothing and accessories at the fair, plus face painting, music and refreshments. Sponsored by the new Downtown San Pedro Business Assn., the festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Renaissance Lot, 429 Sixth St. For more information, view the flyer or call Our Creations at (310) 519-8231.

The San Pedro Arts Assn. is holding a holiday boutique sale beginning Friday with an opening reception at 7 p.m. The sale and Dec. 11 reception take place at the group’s gallery in Ports O’ Call Village, Berth 77, Bldg. P18. For more information, visit sanpedroarts.org or call (310) 831-2928.

In Holiday Mode: A Light News Week

First the Thanksgiving Day feast, then the Friday after. Did you relax, shop or go to work? The pace of news has slowed for the holiday, so there’s almost nothing to report. The December issue of San Pedro Today is out, featuring a cover story on the Arcade Building in downtown San Pedro, plus other community news and coupons from Harbor Area businesses to nudge you to “shop local.”

New at First Thursday

The monthly First Thursday artwalk is Dec. 3 in downtown San Pedro. Highlights include:

The opening of “Sunshine and Struggle,” a photo exhibit on Italian Americans in L.A. including historical artifacts and never before published photographs. Ribbon cutting and opening reception at 6:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Building, 447 W. Sixth Street. www.italianhall.org.

A free guided tour beginning at Mishi’s Strudel Bakery and Café, 309 W. Seventh Street at 6:30 p.m. The hourlong tour will visit different buildings, shops, restaurants, galleries and artists’ studios each month.

Holiday Events

It’s that time, when the calendar fills up with seasonal events for festive good times. Here are the free community events occurring this week. If you’re in the mood for a holiday show, check the website of your favorite theatre for its seasonal performance.

Friday, Dec. 4

Fountain holiday show on the waterfront along Harbor Blvd. south of the bridge. 7-9 p.m.
www.portofla.org/recreation/fountain.asp

Candy Cane Lane open house and festival at Weymouth Corners, bringing Santa and more to Eighth Street and Weymouth Avenue. 5-9 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 5

47th Annual Los Angeles Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade at 6 p.m. Details and viewing locations here.

Sunday, Dec. 6

29th Annual Spirit of San Pedro Holiday Parade, with City Attorney Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich as Grand Marshall. Pre-parade entertainment at 11:30 a.m. at two locations in downtown San Pedro, followed by the parade along Pacific Avenue from 15th to Sixth Street then down Sixth to Palos Verdes Street. New this year: a fair at “Jurassic lot,” a.k.a Renaissance Park, 429 W. Sxith Street, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.spholidayparade.com.

Week in Review

Neighbors are steamed over the unannounced installation of cell phone towers near Taper Avenue Elementary School. Turns out, the cell phone companies don’t need to ask or tell before adding onto existing poles. Here’s the Daily Breeze story and here’s a Channel 2/9 TV news segment. A few days later, “Hahn asks LA council to reconsider cell tower policy.” More here in Hahn’s press release on the subject.

Extra! Extra! “San Pedro citizens panel gives Port of LA its plan for Knoll Hill,” but the devil is still in the (monetary) details.

The new L.A. police chief, Charlie Beck, held a meet and greet at Peck Park Thursday. Following an introduction by Councilwoman Janice Hahn, Beck spoke briefly then opened the floor to questions, which were few.

“Multicultural Man,” nude figure of peace and life-like anatomy, will be permanently displayed on the waterfront.

Funded by the city of L.A. Community Redevelopment Agency, the San Pedro Arts, Entertainment and Culture District has awarded grants to local artists. The grants are the first disbursements of the $500,000 budget allocated for artistic projects that add economic and cultural value to the neighborhood. So, who got funding? Read the names in the Daily Breeze news brief.

Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz defends the Clean Trucks program in a Daily Breeze commentary.

Lt. Gov. Race: Hahn’s Highly Visible, Lowenthal’s Lying Low

And the Juicy ‘What If’ Should the Council Seat Open Up

Two Harbor Area politicians are running for California Lieutenant Governor, more or less. Councilwoman Janice Hahn is leaning towards more, evidenced by the succession of press releases this week announcing her new campaign website, janicehahn.com, a video interview on her platform and more. For his part, state Sen. Alan Lowenthal is reportedly leaning against a run.

So, who might run for City Council if Hahn vacates the seat? The Daily Breeze names names in a story on Hahn’s lead in early polling.

Glimpse of the Future?

A record-setting number of cruise ship passengers will come and go through the World Cruise Center Sunday. If you have nothing better to do, go down and see three big ships and some of the 17,000 people who will embark or disembark throughout the day. Read more in the Daily Breeze story.

Knoll Hill Update

Port officials will give a presentation on Knoll Hill at Thursday’s Harbor commission meeting. Inclusion of ball fields remains the most controversial part of the “preferred alternative,” generating opposition from community activists and legal objections from state authorities.

Meanwhile, the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council voted Tuesday to endorse a Knoll Hill plan that does not include ball fields. By a 10-2 margin, board members signaled support for “passive” open space and non-specific active recreational activities. The two dissenting votes were cast by councilmembers Sue Castillo and Phill Trigas, who served on the port-sponsored advisory committee that authored the plan with ball fields, which the neighborhood council effectively voted down.

Finally, time is running out for the Eastview Little League to relocate from Knoll Hill but they are “striking out on new fields.”

Workshop Tuesday for Community Groups Holding Special Events in L.A.

There are countless horror stories about community groups having to change or cancel special events at the last minute because of incomplete paperwork. To remedy this, Councilwoman Janice Hahn is hosting a workshop to shed light on the city’s new special events process.

The workshop takes place on Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Harbor Gateway, 19800 S. Vermont Ave. It will cover topics such as the street closure application process, block parties, Building and Safety permits, fire inspections and special event fees.

Call (310) 732-4515 for more information.

Coastal Council Meeting Monday

The Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council meets Monday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cabrillo Marina Community Building, Cabrillo Plaza, Berth 28. For more information, view the agenda or call (310) 290-0049.

Breakfast is Free Sunday Morning

Pancakes and politics top the agenda for Sunday morning, when the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council hosts a free breakfast from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St. Give your elected representatives an earful of your concerns. Get a tote bag and partake in a free raffle. Read the details of the Nov. 8 breakfast and print a flyer for your neighbors at www.cspnc.org.

Week in Review

When the waterfront redevelopment plan was passed, nearly everyone cheered in unison. The planning and talking phase was finally over and the time had come to do something. No so fast. Today’s Daily Breeze looks at the just released timeline. See the details for yourself in the draft 11-year schedule and the draft implementation guidelines.

Here’s a feature story on City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, who tells the Daily Breeze he’s “a watchdog, not a politician.”

The fight to reduce downtown San Pedro parking fees continues with a petition campaign.

Traffic should improve at 71 San Pedro intersections by next September, now that work has begun to synchronize traffic lights under the high-tech Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control System (ATSAC). Here’s a Daily Breeze news brief and here’s the memo from the city Department of Transportation.

This week’s issue of Random Lengths News has a cover story on San Pedro High School plus stories on Knoll Hill, the meeting on light rail and other issues. (It was not posted online at presstime, so you’ll have to seek out the print edition around town.)

The November issue of San Pedro Today is circulating in print and online, featuring a cover story on the San Pedro Bay Historical Society.

The winter issue of the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council newsletter includes updates on Averill Park, environmental cleanup at the former Kinder Morgan tank farm site, Peck Park Canyon trail restoration and much more news on area developments.

Neighborhood Council Meetings Next Week

The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council meets Monday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Peck Park, 560 N. Western Ave. Visit www.nwsanpedro.org or call (310) 732-4522 for more information.

The Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council meets Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the Croatian Cultural Center, 510 W. Seventh St. Refreshments are served at 6 p.m. and the meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Visit www.sanpedrocity.org or call (310) 918-8650 for more information.

Civic Notes

Meeting Tuesday on Possible Light Rail Service for Harbor Area

The county transportation agency will hold a public meeting Tuesday on improving transit routes in the Harbor Area, including possibly bringing light rail service to the region.

The meeting takes place on Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. at the port administration building, 425 S. Palos Verdes St. Officials will report on the “alternatives analysis study” that was prepared following community meetings this spring.

View the flyer for meeting details and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority web page for background information.

Coastal Council Honored for Arts Involvement

The Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council received a citywide award this week for its support of the arts. LA Commons, a nonprofit organization, recognized the Coastal council and five other groups for their “effective efforts to use art and culture as a community building tool.”


Doug Epperhart, who served as founding president of the council, is pictured above accepting the “Uncommon Angels” award from Karen Mack, executive director of LA Commons, against a backdrop of a Day of the Dead display.

“It is rare and impressive for a neighborhood council to dig so deeply into the cultural arena,” said Mack. “We commend the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council for making cultural planning a centerpiece of their activities.”

The awards were given out at a luncheon at Mama’s Hot Tamales restaurant in MacArthur Park, west of downtown Los Angeles, which was vividly decorated for the season.

Coastal and the Downtown L.A. neighborhood council tied for the award in the neighborhood councils category. Coastal has supported Shakespeare by the Sea, Little Fish Theatre Company, Warner Grand Theatre programs, Angels Gate Cultural Center and Harbor Interfaith arts programs, among other initiatives.

Website for Angels Gate HS Development Info

Construction news and other documents can be found on a relatively new website about Angels Gate High School.

Pedro’s Image (Problem?)

City Attorney Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich is making waves at City Hall, prompting the uptown set to theorize about his tough-guy San Pedro ways. It must be an exotic place to the cityfolk because they are busy writing a new mythology about San Pedro.

To wit:

Nuch “bellows in a San Pedro accent” in the LA Downtown News’ Halloween spoof on City Hall.

As for his approach to the city attorney’s job, Trutanich is “playing by San Pedro rules,” according to a Daily News commentary.

So, what does a San Pedro accent sound like?

First Thursday This Week

The monthly artwalk is Nov. 5 in downtown San Pedro. People’s Yoga is having a grand opening at 365 W. Sixth St. (310) 625-0633. Visit www.1stthursday.com for a map and updates on other special events.