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.

City Budget Forum This Morning

Rise and shine – it’s dollars and cents time!

Known for telling it like it is, City Councilman Bernard Parks is speaking at a city budget forum this morning organized by the Harbor Area neighborhood councils. The forum takes place at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 27 at Rolling Hills Preparatory School, Palos Verdes Drive North west of Gaffey Street.

Hear from Parks, chair of the budget committee, along with union leader Julie Butcher, neighborhood councilmembers and others to learn how the city budget crisis can and will hit home for San Pedro residents and all Angelenos. (Some hints can be found in the Week in Review stories below.)

View the flyer for more information.

Week in Review

Related to the city budget:

“Harbor Area museums could lose curators in city of LA budget cuts”

“LA animal control officials step up dog licensing efforts”

“Some neighborhood council leaders concerned over DONE merger plan”

Find a city budget commentary by Doug Epperhart of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council in the current issue of Random Lengths News.

In other news:

“Port of LA sinks USS Iowa”

“LA board approves reform plans for San Pedro, Gardena high schools”

From the business page, a profile of Ancient Arts, a stained glass company in downtown San Pedro.

The hapless pelicans made the news again: Officials have determined “[p]elican illnesses attributed to weather, food scarcity”

If you hunger for more news, find the March issue of San Pedro Today in print and online, with a cover story on renovation of the Angel’s Gate Lighthouse.

Arts for a Fresh Perspective: First Thursday and More

See a show or visit an art gallery to get your mind off this week’s weighty news. Here are some options:

Little Fish Theatre Company is staging two versions of “Escanaba.” The Daily Breeze has all the details.

Get some fresh air, plus art, music and fine food at First Thursday this week (March 4). See the website for a rundown of highlights and a printable map. Take advantage of the free guided tour to galleries and more, beginning this month at Rafaello’s at 6:30 p.m.

Local Forum on City Budget Crisis

The city – and state, for that matter – are scavenging for coins between the sofa cushions. Thousands of layoffs, service cutbacks and the elimination and consolidation of city departments have been announced or implemented. How does it affect everyday Angelenos? A Harbor Area community forum next Saturday will go beyond the headlines to reveal the nuts and bolts and real-life impact of the financial crisis. L.A. City Councilman Bernard Parks, chair of the Budget Committee, will be joined by union leader Julie Butcher and neighborhood council members at the public forum, taking place on Feb. 27 at 9:30 a.m. at Rolling Hills Preparatory School, Palos Verdes Drive North west of Gaffey Street. View the flyer for more information.

Remembering the L.A. Air Raid

The Ft. MacArthur Museum is hosting its annual re-creation of the Great Los Angeles Air Raid of 1942 today (Feb. 20) from 12 noon to 8 p.m. rain or shine. Tickets are $30, with proceeds benefitting the museum. View the Daily Breeze story or the Ft. Mac webpage for more information.

Coastal Council Meeting Monday

The Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council meets on Feb. 22 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.

Week in Review

Updates this week on the flood damage from the rainstorms: officials are looking for as much as $7 million to fix the storm-drain system while the people flooded out of their homes and businesses are “frustrated” seeking relief from the city.

The distressed pelicans are getting a lot of sympathy – and press. The Los Angeles Times reports on the high costs of feeding the rescued birds, while the Daily Breeze notes, “State Fish and Game joins probe of pelican health problems.”

Political notes: Councilwoman Janice Hahn responds to a Daily Breeze editorial on her withdrawal from the shipyard negotiations. And the LA school board voted this week to place a parcel tax on the June ballot.