RLn 10-13-22

Corruption at city hall isn’t always about the dishonest and/or illegal behavior of power ful electeds and other influential people. Or even the inducement to do wrong by unethical and/ or unlawful means such as bribery. Corruption at city hall is the departure from the original intent and correct purpose of city hall, which is to serve the citizens of Los Angeles, not the monied elites.

But there are many examples that show that any place where power and influence gather, it is bound to subvert or corrupt decisions made in government at the expense of everyday Angelenos who don’t have money, power and influence to affect their communities.

The history of corruption at LA City Hall goes back more than a century to the Owens Valley wa ter scandal (remember the film Chinatown) and the reforms from the Progressive era that diversified political power in a reformed city charter.

Over the past four decades, Tim McOsker has worked with three of the most prominent and po litically connected law firms in the city, firms that have grown to become some of the most prominent [powerful] firms in the country with clientele that range from industry titans and city governments, to Hollywood moguls and music industry scions.

Because of this experience, he is likely one of the most informed and brightest individuals in the

McOsker vs. Sandoval -The Pressure Mounts

Tim McOsker’s official position on community issues isn’t the problem. His relationship to the monied and the politically connected is. Some consider this to be his strength as a candidate for Los Angeles City Council District 15 representative, but a growing number of people like his opponent Danielle Sandoval, consider this a deficit and a potential source of conflicts of interest or loyalty.

By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor

Congress of Neighborhood Councils recommends changing redistricting process and expanding city council

The story of two gambling measures: Understanding California Props.

and

Review: She-Hulk isn’t great, but at least it’s different

Democracy on the Ballot

Local House Races Could Hold Key to Nation’s Future

By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor

Democracy itself is on the ballot this November: 299 election deniers are on the ballot — more than half of all Republicans running for congressional and state offices, according to an exhaustive investigation by the Washington Post. Some, like Jim Marchant of Nevada, are running to be secretary of state, where they could block the will of the voters in 2024, just as Donald Trump wanted in 2020.

“If [we] get all of our secretaries of state elect ed around the country like this, we take our country back,” Marchant said, standing next to Trump at a rally on Oct. 8.

But the House of Representatives may be even more crucial, for that’s where real solutions can be forged if Democrats can defy historical trends and keep their majority — and it’s where Republicans have already promised to impeach Joe Biden just for beating Donald Trump if they do not. A handful of

Southern California races could be crucial in deter mining who controls Congress — problem-solving Democrats or mischief-making Republicans.

So meet Will Rollins, Christy Smith and Jay Chen, running to unseat Republicans in three of the tightest races. Rollins is running explicitly against extremism and disinformation, Smith is running on reproductive freedom, and Chen, who’s focused on consensus-based policies his opponent has abandoned, was just targeted with a photoshopped red-baiting ad. He pushed back hard, but what comes next is anyone’s guess.

Stopping Extremism

“My campaign is about stopping extremism,” Rol lins told Random Lengths News. “We need a legal framework to end profit-driven lies and division, so Americans can start to agree on basic facts again.”

Rollins is running for Congress in the Inland Em

pire against 15-term election-denier Ken Calvert, but his website’s front page video ad starts with a shot of him in front of the Vincent Thomas Bridge, putting the fight to save American democracy right on our front doorstep.

“I want to tell you a story,” Rollins says, in the video shot last year. “Last March the U.S. Navy sent a ship called the Mercy here to the Port of Los Angeles. The Mercy is a massive floating hospital and it was here to help if our ICUs became overrun with COVID cases.”

Just days after the Mercy docked, a train engineer at tempted to derail his train toward the Mercy because he thought it was part of a government conspiracy.

“As a national security and terrorism prosecutor, I worked on that case,” Rollins explains. 9/11 is what first motivated him, “But today some of our biggest threats are right here at home,” and that train engineer is just one example. “This is a systemic problem …. But we can stop it,” he argues, going on to spell out how. And once we can agree on basic facts again, “there is a lot of work that we need to do together.”

It’s a relatively straightforward argument for a seri ous problem-solving approach that seems well-suited to a swing district electorate.

Danielle Sandoval and Tim McOsker, candidates for District 15 representative on the Los Angeles City Council, pose at a community forum on Oct. 5 at Warren Chapel CME Church in San Pedro. Photo by Arturo Garcia-Ayala

Harbor Area

Port of Long Beach Hosts Photogallery Exhi bition During Arts Month Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach and the Arts Council for Long Beach have announced the winners of the port’s annual photo program competition, fea turing images captured by the program’s amateur and professional photographers.

Photos will remain on display to the public throughout Arts Month in Long Beach. The images capture the colors, action and beauty of the har bor as it bustles with workers, machinery, ships and marine life.

Venue: Port of Long Beach Administration Building Lobby, 415 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach

October Live Webinars for Tenants and Landlords

Join the Los Angeles Housing Department at one of its weekly webinars to discuss the current rent freeze in rental units subject to the city’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance or RSO due to the ongoing Emergency Declaration. The webinar will also pro vide information on rent increases allowed under State law AB-1482, the Tenants Protection Act of 2019, which became effective on Jan. 1, 2020, and applies to properties that are 15 years and older.

The one-hour sessions include a Q & A period. Presented by the LAHD’s rent division staff. Ses sions will be held via Zoom. Register to attend.

Time: Wednesdays at 3 p.m., in English Oct. 26 and in Spanish Oct. 19

Details: To sign up; https://tinyurl.com/y7ebz6ur; or call 213-928-9075

Rep. Nanette Barragán Hosts Annual Jobs Fair

Employers, businesses, and agencies will be present to promote job opportunities, paid intern ships, work-based training and other employment programs within the 44th District.

Participate in professional development work shops on resume writing and interview skills, and meet with careers counselors on the spot.

Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 14

Cost: Free Details: RSVP at 310-831-1799; or email RSVP. Barragan@mail.house.gov.

Venue: Bateman Hall, 11331 Ernestine Ave., Lyn wood

Make Sure You’re Registered to Vote

There are 32 days until Election Day on Tues day, Nov. 8. Your vote gives you a say in who repre sents you and what happens in your community - It is the most important thing you can do to improve communities in California’s 44th District and across the country.

To check to see if you’re registered, click here: www.lavote.gov/vrstatus

Registered to vote: www.registertovote.ca.gov and get registered in a few easy steps.

Help for Truckers Days

Truck drivers and others can sign up for vari ous official programs and certifications they need to work at the San Pedro Bay ports complex at a one-stop event at the Port of Long Beach sched uled for Oct. 18 and 19.

The “four in one” event will allow truckers to enroll with the Transportation Worker Identifica tion Credential, or TWIC, register for the Clean Truck Program, obtain radio frequency ID tags and sign up for the port’s Truck Alert traffic notification system.

Free tacos will be available to participants from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, while supplies last.

TWIC appointments and pre-enrollment are available at universalenroll.dhs.gov/programs/ twic

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Oct. 18, 19

Cost: Free Details: 866-721-5686; cleantrucks@polb.com. Venue: Port of Long Beach Terminal Access Cen ter, 1265 Harbor Ave., Long Beach

Strengthening the Reentry Landscape in Long Beach

The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services is hosting the first Long Beach reentry symposium Oct. 26, with the theme “Strengthening the Reentry Landscape in Long Beach.”

Committed to Independent Journalism in the Greater LA/LB Harbor Area for More Than 40 Years

Neighborhood Council Roundup

Congress of NCs Recommends Expanding City Council

By Hunter Chase, Community News Reporter

Redistricting in the City of LA

On Sept. 19, Chris Carson of the League of Women Voters gave a presentation on the need for a change in redistricting in the City of Los Angeles, and Kelsey Schwartz from Fair Rep LA gave a presentation on why the city council should expand beyond 15 members. These pre sentations were held at the Congress of Neigh borhood Councils, a special Zoom event that brought together different neighborhood councils from all over the city.

“We’ve just been through a whirlwind of re districting at the state, the county, the local level, and LA USD, all happening at the same time be cause of the pandemic and the delay in the census data,” Carson said. “It was not supposed to be that way, but there was a lot of confusion.”

Carson said that the pandemic moved all of the redistricting meetings online, making more people pay attention to them.

Carson said that the people on the City of LA’s redistricting commission are appointed by elected officials, and serve at the pleasure of those officials. There is no requirement for diver sity, or ban on previous or future public office holders, office holders’ staff, or lobbyists.

“The commission is just that, advisory, the maps are not final,” Carson said. “The commis sion advises the [city] council, about … the maps we think are wonderful. The council can accept

it, they can tinker around with it, or they can just tear it up and do a whole new set of maps.”

Carson proposed an independent city-redis tricting commission, selected by an independent body. It would represent the diversity of the city, and ban any officeholders or their key staff. In addition, all maps would be final and could not be changed by the city council.

Carson said that the state has already suc cessfully implemented this system, with the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, as well as the City of Long Beach and the counties of Los Angeles and San Diego.

Congressional District 42 and the Mess of Port Politics

By Anealia Kortkamp, Contributor

Number one is not associated with the dramatic. However, in the case of redistricting, the once-a-decade process of redrawing election lines to more fairly distribute power, the one seat lost by California led to a map that required many districts to be shuffled around to compensate. Generally speaking, when a district is added, there is an obvious area where population growth is pronounced, which has been the case for most of California’s history, right until the state hit its peak population in 2019. So when it came time for the 2020 census, it was found that the state’s population had not grown by more than 1% since 2004. This led to losing a house seat in Congress, because while California’s population growth was flat, the population growth in other states, such as Texas, continues to gallop ahead. San Pedro and the rest of the Dominguez/Los Angeles Harbor Area in the 44th congressional district remained mostly the same. Conversely, in Long Beach, the fallout of this is seen firsthand. What had been the partial constituencies of three congressional district seats 47, 38 and 40, were redrawn to be includedin the newly formed 42nd District seat.

Looking into the history of the seat, before now it was all the way in Riverside County, being the seat of towns like Corona, Murrieta, and Lake

Elsinore. Largely rural, it was the rare safely conservative seat in California, held consistently by conservative Gary Miller, followed by Kevin Calvert, since 2002. Now safely nestled into Long Beach, it seems all but certain that soon-

“In both cases, the commissions did not pro tect incumbents,” Carson said. “They drew maps which more fairly represented their counties.”

Carson said that the best way to implement this would be to use a state bill called the Fair Maps Act as a template, and tweak it to fit the city.

Kelsey Schwartz, in her presentation on ex panding the city council, said the previous time the city council expanded, it was in 1925, when it expanded to 15 members.

“Since 1915, LA city has grown and changed

to-be former mayor Robert Garcia will be taking the spot. He nearly won the primary outright, missing it by 0.4%. His opponent, Republican John Briscoe, a member of the Ocean View

Board of Education, is behind 20 points and has only failed to draw new supporters from the Democrat (and one Green party candidate).

Seat 47 shares the most geographic overlap with new seat 42, the former holder being Rep. Alan Lowenthal. In terms of actual people, come November it will be the constituents of Lowenthal who will largely now be represented by Robert Garcia. Worry not for the Lowenthals, however, as they’re a comfortable little political dynasty in their own right. Alan and ex-wife Bonnie (who ran against a non-incumbent Garcia for Long Beach mayor in 2014) both retired from politics in favor of our current assemblyman, Patrick O’Donnell in assembly seat 70. Instead, the pair are helping to ensure the rise of their son, Josh Lowenthal, who boasts a well-funded campaign, running in nearby assembly seat 69 in Anaheim. Power begets power, name recognition begets name recognition, and so whenever you start to scratch the surface of politics in America, you find for every big-name political dynasty you get tens of smaller ones, your Hahns, Bontas, Webers, etc. These then get backed by wealth dynasties, Gettys, Fischers, Pritzkers, etc.

Plenty of dynasties of course do a little bit of

The San Pedro Regional Branch Library on S. Gaffey Street, where a tree will potentially be removed. Photo courtesy of Google Maps

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, who is soon to leave office and is running for the 42nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives. File photo

Life After Mother: Her Bedroom

By Lyn Jensen, Columnist

“You still call it your mother’s bedroom?” my hairdresser asked, with a tone of surprise. I do, and her bedroom still has the same basic elements it’s always had. By the time my mother died, the room was chaotic but most of the original furniture was still around, along with many, many personal possessions of her lifetime, and even a few others’ lifetimes.

Past and present mingle here. In one corner I literally hang my hats — on a hat rack, and in this corner, too, are two wicker hampers and two fold-up chairs with nowhere else to go. In this museum-like house, this room houses a collection of bedroom art, and there’s even a cute black paper cat mobile hanging from the overhead light.

After sending dozens of bags of clothes and personal items to charity or to relatives, much of the freed-up space now holds personal possessions of my own lifetime, combined with what I keep of my parents’ things. My mother’s collection of jewelry and accessories, along with some pictures, mementos and an unhung mirror, still takes up the top of the eight-drawer double dresser she shared with my father. I use four drawers for accessories, two more for winter sweaters and sweatshirts, and the remaining two hold sewing/crafting supplies.

I once started to show the room to a woman who does estate sales, and she went straight to the dresser and started riffling through it, like an unruly child or nosy neighbor. “I’m looking for the maker’s name!” she exclaimed.

I told her she didn’t need to look because I wasn’t selling the dresser because I didn’t have any place else to put what was in the drawers and she could’ve just asked. I didn’t do an estate sale with her.

Besides using the room for storage, I use it for household projects — sorting laundry and photos and papers. My mother’s bed is the same as ever, and I found, stashed in a closet, the blue-and-green abstract-print bedspread she made at her antique sewing machine in the ’60s. I put the spread on the bed, added two reupholstered backrests, some throws and throw pillows. The cremated remains of three of my mother’s favorite cats still rest in peace atop the mid-century modern headboard, which serves as bookcase and nightstand.

One major difference I’ve made is to squeeze a bookcase in between the bed and a wall, because the family book collection demands all the space it can get. Once I showed the room to a professional organizer and she said, “If we could just get this bookcase out of here.” So I do my own organizing.

Another transformation is about to happen, though. Next month I’ll start renting the room to a friend who’s teetering on the brink of homelessness. There’s enough free closet and drawer space she’ll be able to live comfortably, but I predict she’ll bring a new identity to the room, and traces of it being my mother’s old bedroom will grow fainter and slip further into the past.

The Story of Two Gambling Measures

Understanding California Propositions 26 and 27

Melina Paris, Assistant Editor

The two gambling measures, Propositions 26 and 27, during the first week of October, spent $441 million on each side. That’s nearly double the previous record of $226 million in 2020. It will likely prove to be all for naught, as polls show Californians aren’t favoring either measure. Lost in the fight over the two measures is the fact that both represent an expansion of Native American gaming. The two proposi tions on the November ballot do this by legalizing sports gambling on Native American reservations both in person and online.

As it stands, the California Con stitution and state law limit gambling in the state such as sports betting, rou lette and games with dice. However, it allows some gambling — in the form of the state lottery, cardrooms, horse race betting and tribal casinos.

allow anyone — including tribal casinos — to sue cardrooms they believe are breaking the law if the Attorney General either fails to bring charges within 90 days or chooses to dismiss the charges without prejudice.

Proposition 27 would legal ize online sports betting outside of tribal lands, for anyone over the age of 21. It requires tribes and gambling companies offering online sports betting to ensure payments to the state for specific purposes: first to support state regulatory costs and the remain der to address homelessness and a mental health support account for permanent and interim hous ing (85%) and nonparticipating tribes (15%) for a tribal economic development account, established by the initiative to provide funds

would go into a new California Online Sports Betting Trust Fund or COSBTF.

COSBTF revenues would first be required to go toward state regulatory costs. The rest would be used for addressing homelessness

and gambling addiction programs and for tribes that are not involved in online sports betting.

Those in support of Prop. 27 say this initiative will provide “hundreds of millions” of dollars in permanent solu tions to homelessness, mental health and addiction in California. Yet, its op ponents say that Prop. 27 caps revenues for homeless programs at “pennies on the dollar” of what online gambling

corporations will make. Opponents claim Prop. 27 contains a “promotional bets” loophole. They contend, states that allow this same loophole have seen rev enues fall well below what was prom ised.

Why is this an issue now?

Sports betting is an issue now be cause the U.S. Supreme Court, in a pair

Main Differences

Prop. 26 changes the California Constitution and state law to al low California’s privately operated race tracks and tribal casinos to of fer sports betting. But it bans bets on certain sports, like high school games and games in which college teams participate.

Proponents assert that the initia tive contains provisions to enforce state gambling laws and prevent illegal activity. This is stated in reference to “cardroom casinos” and house-backed card games like those in Nevada. However, oppo nents noted that licensed cardrooms in California can operate legally so long as those operating them didn’t take a percentage of the winnings and the community in which they operated approved of them. The measure, opponents argue, only expands the tribal casinos’ hold on gaming at the expense of munici palities whose budgets rely on card room tax revenue.

Also, the regulatory changes prompted by Prop. 26 would initiate an expansion of California’s Private Attorneys General Act. This would

to Native American tribes for ex panding tribal government, pub lic health, education, infrastruc ture and economic development.

The proposition would create a new unit within the California Department of Justice to regulate online sports-betting and investi gate illegal sports-betting activi ties. The amendment would take effect on Jan. 1, 2023.

The proposition also changes the California Constitution and state law to allow sports-betting over the internet and mobile de vices. The initiative would see California join 30 other states in al lowing bets on athletic events such as football games and non-athletic events like award shows and video game competitions. However, bans will remain on bets on other events such as high school games and municipal elections.

Prop. 27 requires various sports betting payments to go to the state. Tribes and gambling companies with sports-betting licenses must pay 10% of bets made each month to the state, after expenses. These payments

Larry Flynt’s Lucky Lady Casino, formerly the Normandie Casino in Gardena. File photo

Pressure

room when it comes to policy and leveraging re sources to benefit everyday citizens of the 15th District. By that same token, everyday citizens should be concerned about whether their voices will be heard over the clamor of individuals and business entities that have worked with McOsker over the past 35 years vying for his attention and favor if he’s elected.

At the Oct. 5 community forum at San Pe dro’s Warren Chapel CME Church, residents who don’t live in San Pedro got a chance to see this at work. Topics ranged from encouraging better relationships between the community and Los Angeles Police Department’s Harbor Divi sion while holding officers accountable in exces sive force incidents; from ensuring a collabora tive approach to economic development plans to safeguarding communities from oil and gas op erations to housing the unhoused without chasing them from one community to the next.

There’s very little daylight between Danielle Sandoval and McOsker in their policy positions. But what stood out during the Oct. 5 candidates’ forum was the depth and specificity of McOsk er’s thoughts on development in Watts and argu ably the rest of the 15th District.

McOsker spoke of utilizing a tool called the Enhanced Infrastructure District to use tax-in crement financing (echoing the ways the defunct Community Redevelopment Agency financed lo cal developments) for new development projects. When Gov. Jerry Brown dissolved local commu nity redevelopment agencies in 2011-12, the city was forced to act on its remaining 19 redevelop ment projects before time ran out on properties from North Hollywood to San Pedro. The gov

ernor appointed a three-member governor board that included McOsker back when he was still employed by Mayer Brown LLP. It was during the time the Watts Cultural Crescent was made a part of the city’s 50 Parks Initiative — an initia tive with the goal of bringing parks to densely populated neighborhoods and communities lack ing open space and recreational services.

This was supposed to be the fulfillment of a 55-year dream — the development of an artsdriven community gathering place with the po tential to raise property values on par with any budding arts community. The confluence of two factors changed the trajectory of the Watts Cul tural Crescent: the need for more housing to stem

the tide of rising homelessness and the ending of the CRA which would spell the end of a pot of money to address the issue.

In December 2014, city staff determined that the planned Watts Historic Train Station Visitors Center was instead an opportunity for a transitoriented mixed-use housing development — a density housing plan stakeholders and residents didn’t ask for. The crescent-shaped swath of land was zoned for public facilities and open space as late as 2017. By 2018, the crescent was a part of the $2.8 million Thomas Safran and Associates deal for a 213-unit senior housing project.

This is important because the Watts La bor Community Action Committee, a nonprofit

founded just before the Watts Rebellion in 1965, and formed a development corporation and built a 64-unit housing complex for the formerly in carcerated and the unhoused.

“Sixty-four families live in that complex,” Timothy Watkins, the head of the WLCAC, said in an interview with Random Lengths News last year. “We’ve renovated about 300 units of other property that we already owned to refresh and re new those living conditions and we’ve got close to another 400 units that we’re planning to reno vate for ourselves and others,” he said.

The WLCAC wasn’t even in consideration for developing a part of the Watts Crescent. Thomas Safran and Associates, however, is a donor to McOsker’s campaign alongside a few employees of the development firm.

Watkins said they planned to build 2,000 units in Watts on land already owned by the WLCAC. But they’ve been waiting for the right timing. With the development rush that’s occur ring all over the city, Watkins believes now is the time to execute the organization’s development dreams.

In the case of the WLCAC, it wasn’t as if no one knew Watkins and his nonprofit organi zation. It’s just that nonprofit organizations like WLCAC and others aren’t in the pockets of electeds the way developers such as AEG, LINC Housing, or Bold Communities are. Sandoval dinged McOsker for taking oil money, but McO sker denied it and then challenged her to provide evidence that said otherwise.

Maybe McOsker can be forgiven for not real izing Phillips 66 and Vopak are some of the near ly 1,800 donors as of Oct. 10 to his campaign.

If his donor list were organized by city or zip code, the majority would hover around the Port

[continued on following page]

Tim McOsker and Danielle Sandoval, candidates for CD15 representative with moderator and former Inglewood mayor Daniel Tabor, speak at a community forum on Oct. 5. Photo by Arturo Garcia-Ayala

Swift and Forceful Response

of Los Angeles. Clearly, the corporate power structure of the Port of LA is backing McOsker over Sandoval and this has local environmental ists uneasy.

Sandoval, for her part, doesn’t need to be as knowledgeable and come to the table with the same level of expertise as McOsker. What she did need to do was remind voters that as a woman of color with working-class roots, her origin sto ry is more like the majority of the 15th District.

Throughout the two-hour forum, Sandoval referenced her story as a teenage single mother who had to figure things out after her child’s fa ther was murdered.

Indeed, one of the first questions posed to the candidates was in regard to the violent LAPD detention of a Harbor City teen last month after filming another arrest. That it happened at an LAPD-sponsored Summer Night Lights event intended to bring the department and community members closer together shocked community members. At the forum, the question was asked: What would you do to support holding Harbor Division accountable when there are excessive force issues on community members?

McOsker gave a good answer. He noted that Summer Night Lights is designed to create safe spaces for kids and that that incident was the exact opposite of what we try to promote at events like Summer Night Lights. McOsker went on to note that in cases of excessive force, he would call it out and look to make sure that the incidents are fully investigated and that the department and of ficers are held accountable for acts that are illegal.

Najee Ali of the Muslim Democratic Club of Southern California, speaks at a press conference on Oct. 10 at Southside Bethel Baptist Church, after audio surfaced on Oct. 9 of Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez making racist slurs about colleague Mike Bonin’s young son during a discussion on redistricting. Also present at that October 2021 meeting were councilmen Gil Cedillo and Kevin de León and LA County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera. Councilwoman Martinez and Herrera have resigned. Photo courtesy of Najee Ali

Harbor Area

The community is invited to join in for a robust discussion and review of the city’s current reen try landscape after incarceration. The event will include breakfast. Parking during the event will be available at the LBCC Parking structure located at the southwest corner of Carson Avenue and Clark

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Oct. 26 tinyurl.com/reentry-sympo

Billie Jean King Main Library, 200 W.

TechKnows - Drop-in Tech Help

Have a question about how to download ebooks? Can’t get your Kindle to work? Drop in and have the knowledgeable team of TechKnows as sist with all your techy questions.

10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Oct. 29

Do you have questions about tenant rights? Finding the right lawyer? Do you need a free 10 to 20 minute consultation with a lawyer?

Then register for one of the free in-person or Zoom classes as part of LA Law Library’s Pro Bono Week.

From Oct. 24 to 29, you can take free classes from lawyers about eviction protections, navigat ing domestic violence, child support and more.

Details: Register at https://probonoweek.lalawli brary.org

Miraleste Library, 29089 Palos Verdes Dr.

American Tribalism on Full Display

By James Preston Allen, Publisher

I thought that it was just San Pedro that had reverted to a form of cultural Balkanization when I attended the Dalmatian American Club fish lun cheon a few weeks back. The room was divided by followers of either Tim McOsker or Danielle Sandoval, both compet ing to replace Joe Buscaino to rep resent LA City Council District 15. There was a cold serving of veiled hostility in the room that could be tasted along with the mostaccioli and exquisite salmon. Social snub bing and snide remarks reminded me of the “mean girls” from high school. Except these were supposed to be the adults in the room.

This factionalism only became more pro nounced when the Sandoval campaign was ex posed in the Los Angeles Times for an eight- yearold wage dispute claim that came out just two months before the election. It appears someone has been doing their opposition research and leaked it just in time. My skepticism is heightened.

In the following days, I was lobbied by peo ple who normally don’t ever call me, asking me to change my endorsement of Sandoval. Like Elise Swanson, the executive director of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce who wrote, “As the leading voice for small business in San Pe dro, we are asking you to take a hard look at the candidates in this race before you vote.”

As a longtime member of this organization and a former board member, I can’t recall this chamber or any chamber of commerce standing up for worker rights. Ever!

And then came the verbal attacks against this newspaper: “You’re dividing the community.” To

which I replied, “to the contrary.” What we have promoted so far is a competitive race. I’ve witnessed this community become as engaged in this race since Janice Hahn first ran for office more than 20 years ago. When I founded this newspaper, I promised this com munity a democratic horse race rather than a coronation by the power elites of San Pedro who have for decades exercised overarching control of CD15 politics and politicians.

Looking back at more than 50 years of council races, there hasn’t been one council rep that wasn’t from San Pedro. The worst ones have been those who claim they were born and raised here, as if their place of birth was a qualification for office in and of itself.

The bad behavior of this tribalism has

even filtered out from the McOsker campaign by his supporters who have threatened busi nesses that posted Sandoval signs with threats of boycotts of their business or worse. This is such juvenile bad politics that is so anti-free speech that I am left with just anger and disrespect for those who participate in it. Political cam paigns should be the most protect ed form of speech in America and I’ll defend that form of freedom, no matter who you are supporting — except the hate speech coming from Nury Martinez or Steve Ban non who, by the way, showed up in Torrance recently to give a keynote speech to the Globalist Puppet Masters confer ence Oct. 2.

I mean really, the most despised MAGA con spirator shows up in our area and there is hardly a peep out of the people who are screaming the loudest about a Latina running for office because what? An unresolved, eight-year-old wage claim, or is it that she’s not a part of the Pedro power structure?

Not unlike the upheaval in LA City Hall over the leaked racial slurs, the real issue was not the words but the intent of racial gerrymandering of districts. Not that I dismiss the impact of words. But if you live anywhere in LA, you’ve heard them. There’s at least one derogatory word for each of the 140 nationalities who live here. This leak exposed a serious kind of tribalism on the citywide stage that goes beyond prejudice, but is truly racist. And it exposed the most damaging hypocrisy of some of the city hall elites — Nury Martinez is a victim of her own prejudices. And she endorsed McOsker too.

The resulting uprising against her, Kevin de León, Gil Cedillo and Ron Herrera of the LA County Federation of Labor was quick if unex pected, but had they been MAGA Republicans they would have had no shame.

The curious part of all of this is how quickly or deeply this sense of tribalism has become in an era of populist MAGA hostilities and a nation facing autocratic insurrection — the only way that American democracy, even in Los Angeles, will be defeated is by its own failure to live up to and defend its creed of liberty and justice for all. And that includes people on opposing sides not denigrating themselves with the use of hate speech and bullying threats.

LA City Hall Scandal

Democrats, It’s Time to Meet the Moment

By Jasmyne A. Cannick

Los Angeles has seen its fair share of political scandals over the decades, but the leaked audio of Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez, councilmen Gil Cedillo, Kevin de León, and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera making disparaging and racist remarks about Black people, their colleagues and conspiring to commit voter suppression takes the cake.

In one single instance, the worst fears of Blacks in Los Angeles were confirmed in graphic detail — the top Democratic political and labor leaders of the city are anti-Black and are actively conspiring to dismantle what is left of the Black community in Los Angeles.

Famed author and poet Maya Angelou once said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”

From referring to a white councilmember’s Black son as an “accessory” and describing him as a monkey in Spanish to wanting to physically beat that same little boy, colluding to replace one Black council member with another who can be depended on to vote in favor of Latinos, conspiring to commit Black voter suppression, even seemingly writing off Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón because “He’s with the Blacks” — no one should ever be

confused about where Black people stand with Martinez, Cedillo, de León, and Herrera.

Now that their plotting, planning and blatant racism have been exposed, usher in the carefully crafted public apologies.

At the risk of never working at city hall or in politics again, I am going to speak the truth about this situation. There are some instances where apologies just won’t cut it, and this is one of them.

The only acceptable resolution to this scandal is for the immediate resignation from public office of all four people involved. Period. This is not a situation where thoughts-and-prayer-like statements mean a damn thing.

Let’s be clear, had the leaked audio been of a group of Black leaders or Republicans saying racist and derogatory comments towards any other race or group of people it would have been a “Do not pass Go and do not collect $200” type of situation that would have resulted in the immediate calls for resignations of all involved.

The deafening silence from alleged allies of the Black community on this situation, including the Democratic Party, is just as bad as the strongly worded statements that say everything except for Martinez and co. to resign.

SP Chamber Expresses Disappointment with Wage Theft Allegations

We were disappointed to read in the LA Times that Danielle Sandoval, candidate for LA City Council, CD15, committed wage theft and violated state labor law when she closed her restaurant, Caliente Cantina in San Pedro (LA Times, Sept, 23, 2022).

The San Pedro Chamber of Commerce takes wage theft seriously. Wage theft is the illegal practice of not paying workers for all of their work, and it is a persistent issue in California that has serious implications for our workforce and communities.

Even more disappointing is the fact that Danielle Sandoval lent her campaign $37,000 of her own money while continuing to not pay those employees the money owed them for work they performed in her restaurant.

It is unconscionable that an individual who is running to represent the workers in Council District 15 has hurt the very people

Democrats

she states she will fight for if elected.

As the leading voice for small business in San Pedro, we are asking you to take a hard look at the candidates in this race before you vote. We cannot support a candidate who violated state and local law in the operation of her business and has still not taken responsibility for her actions.

Elise Swanson President/CEO San Pedro Chamber of Commerce

Dear Ms. Swanson,

As a member of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, I have never seen this business organization lobby for the protection of worker’s rights, raising the minimum wage or standing against the automation of jobs on our waterfront. I may be wrong, but this chamber seems to have always sided with business owners over workers for as long as I’ve been a member.

James Preston Allen, Publisher

Re-evaluating

I just read your column on the mayoral race. I know Tim, and given his experience in City Hall and local government, and what he has said when I have seen him, I support him. I , like others, have read the LA Times coverage of Danielle Sandoval’s labor complaint. I was, however, disappointed to see Tim pile on and sink to mud-slinging. That, along with the revelation of the outcome of Tim’s lobbying efforts, is causing me to re-evaluate my support of him. The sign comes down for now.

Thanks for your reporting and knowledge of our local government. It has affected at least one voter’s decision.

Raymond Wells San Pedro

McOsker Supporter

I’m voting for Tim McOsker. I’m a lifelong Democrat, a strong believer in choice and believe that a person should have the right to marry and spend their life with the person they so choose. Strong family values are essential to

are actively working against us — sadly, in some ways, with the help of other Blacks.

raising healthy children, and strong families can look many ways — which is a beautiful thing, I’ve known the McOsker family for over 20 years. When we first moved into our house in San Pedro it was Tim’s mom, Pat who first welcomed us to the neighborhood. If you know Pat and Tim’s dad, Mac, you know he was raised well. We are still in the same house and Tim’s brother and his family are now our neighbors. Our kids grew up together. I’ve spent time volunteering with Tim’s wife Connie, a committed citizen and valuable resident to our community. I feel I know Tim McOsker well.

Tim McOsker is a principal. He also knows how to get things done. And in politics that is important. You don’t always get everything you want, and Tim knows when to get what you can and work for more the next day. Tim has long

term relationships with not only key LA City executives he is also well connected to the county. Those relationships will serve our district well. All of our districts.

I admire and respect candidate Sandoval’s campaign and her story. However, Tim McOsker is so much more prepared for the job of city councilperson.

I strongly urge the residents of CD 15 to vote for Tim McOsker.

Mitch Harmatz San Pedro

Re: New Storage Facility Proposed in San Pedro

In the Sept. 29 to Oct.12 issue of RLn, the story about the New Storage Facility was cut short, as the article continued on page 15, although there was more to the story that was not included in the article.

Is Random Lengths planning to continue the story, as I am curious as to the other storage facility on North Gaffey that has storage available? It does not make any sense to have another storage facility when there is already one available, unless that one is filled up.

The other issue is cutting down pine trees to make this storage facility happen seems like a contradiction of going green. We need to keep the trees we have and planting more trees instead of chopping them down. We live in the Miraflores Home Owners Association and since this area is already a busy place during the day, we are concerned that it will get worse with more commercial traffic. There is only one access street into this area where there are over 50 homes in the association, not counting the homes along Miraflores St.

John Winkler San Pedro

Don’t Just Worry About Nuclear War

Either you support racists or you don’t, and from where I am sitting, the Los Angeles County and California Democratic Parties, along with dozens and dozens of political leaders, seem to be siding with the racists, which makes them all hypocrites.

This is not a situation where folks get off the hook by apologizing, followed by meeting with leaders in the Black community, and we’re back to holding hands and singing kumbaya.

Any so-called Black leader that isn’t calling for the resignation of these four people is aiding and abetting in the oppression and suppression of their own people, most likely for personal gain.

Fact: All four of the people involved in the leaked audio get paid from money that comes from all Angelenos — not just Latinos. Nury Martinez, offering to resign as council president, leaves her paycheck and position as a council member in place. And in the case of top labor leader Ron Herrera, he actually conspired to use the dues from the paychecks of hard-working Black folks against them to dilute their power in the 10th council district.

It is because of years of behind-the-scenes anti-Black politicking by people who share the same views as Martinez, Cedillo, de León, and Herrera that Black people have been pushed out of the city to the point that there is no real Black political power in the City of Los Angeles. Because of the high cost of living and years of the very same tactics discussed in that audio, Black people make up less than 9% of the city’s population. Any power that we think we have in Los Angeles almost always requires the buyin and support of allies. We have a 15-member city council with three Black members, of which one’s credibility has been called into question given the comments heard in the audio about why she was appointed to the position.

For those of us who love this city and fight every day just to be able to afford to live here, this hurts deep down. The release of the audio is an in-your-face reminder that many of the powers that be don’t care about us or want us here and

The audio also validates why the only zip code in the city that has seen an increase in its Black population is the one that encompasses Skid Row — an area of Los Angeles that Kevin de León represents. We know how he feels about Black people. It explains why Black people make up a disproportionately large portion of the homeless population and cannot access city services in the ways others can. It explains why so many of the council members don’t have any Black people on their staffs. Why Black consultants aren’t hired by labor unions in the way that other races are. Why there is a lack of Black leadership at the executive level in many of the labor unions in Los Angeles. The audio explains a lot.

When the top leadership of the city council calls a Black boy a monkey, says she wants to beat him, and accuses a colleague of being with “the Blacks,” what more do you need to know? I told you what Maya Angelou said.

Given the revelations exposed, every vote that was ever cast by Martinez, Cedillo, and de León that had anything to do with Black people needs to be re-examined. Department heads, starting with the chief of police, need to be interviewed on the record to see if members of the city council gave them directives to target, ignore, not hire, arrest, deny, not rent to, not contract with, not buy from Black people.

Pandora’s box has been opened.

Add to all of that, the federal government needs to step in and investigate the city’s redistricting process, now.

If known racists are allowed to stay on the city council after being exposed, then we, Black people, deserve everything we get moving forward.

Democrats love to talk about meeting the moment. What are they waiting for?

Note: As of press time, Councilwoman Nury Martinez resigned from city council.

A political strategist, Jasmyne Cannick is a former special assistant to previous Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson, a delegate in the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, and a proud member of The Blacks.

Three Long Beach Men Charged

Million

Prop. 26 and Prop. 27 Consequences

decisions

kissing cousin in

gambling

down a

of four states.

with alcohol

been a target.

court

organized

The other issue complicating sports betting in California is that tribal groups and cardrooms are opposed to one another. Based on their compacts with the state, tribes assert that cardrooms’ opera

CONGRESS

U.S. House California District

PNanette Barragán (Incumbent)

Democratic Party

U.S. Senate California

PAlex Padilla (Incumbent)

Democratic Party

U.S. Senate California (special election)

PAlex Padilla (Incumbent) Democratic Party

STATEWIDE OFFICES

Governor of California

PGavin Newsom (Incumbent) Democratic Party Lieutenant Governor of California

PEleni Kounalakis (Incumbent) Democratic Party

Attorney General of California

PRob Bonta (Incumbent) Democratic Party

California Secretary of State

PShirley Weber (Incumbent) Democratic Party

California Treasurer

PFiona Ma (Incumbent) Democratic Party California Controller

PMalia Cohen Democratic Party

California Superintendent of Public Instruction

PTony Thurmond (Incumbent)

Nonpartisan

CA Insurance Commissioner

PRicardo Lara (Incumbent) X Democratic Party

California State Assembly Dist. 65

PFatima Iqbal-Zubair Democratic Party

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Los Angeles County Sheriff

PRobert Luna

Nonpartisan

West Basin Municipal Water District District

PHarold Williams (Incumbent) Nonpartisan

West Basin Municipal Water District District

PScott Houston (Incumbent) Nonpartisan

tions are in violation of the tribes’ exclusivity over gambling in the state. Indeed, tribes do have exclusivity over house-banked games, and cardrooms have avoided the issue by theoreti cally offering only player-banked games. This has led to ongoing litigation between the two groups.

In a 2019 case, three tribal operators sued the state and Gov. Gavin Newsom for failing to

prevent card rooms’ offering house-banked games. They argued that this was a violation of the gam ing compacts between the state and the tribes, but also the state constitution, which grants exclusivity to the tribes through an amendment approved by voters in 2000.

Further, California is home to some of the most beautiful and historical horse racing tracks in America. Owners of these tracks are powerful stakeholders who do not want to be left behind if an influx of new revenue is going to become avail able.

November 2022 Election Endorsements

Every registered voter gets a ballot by mail for this election. Many of you already have and it’s probably sitting on your kitchen table waiting for you to open it and then consider the choices. In the June primary 24.3% of eligible voters cast ballots and historically three-times that number voted in the gen eral runoff. Oftentimes voters refrain from voting on down ballot candidates like judges or community college boards.

After studying this ballot the editors have offered these endorsements marked by a P below. The majority of our choices lean towards Progressive candidates and those that bring a different awareness to city, state or court perspectives. And considering all of the chaos regarding Nury Martinez’ leaked racially charged comments, we are continuing to support Danielle Sandoval for LA City Council CD15. You may not agree, but we urge you to vote.

For

LOS ANGELES CITY

Mayor

PKaren Bass Nonpartisan

City Attorney

PFaisal M. Gill Nonpartisan

City Controller

PKenneth Mejia

City Council District

Sam Yebri

Katy

City Council District

PErin

City Council District

PHugo

CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT

Gabriel

WATER REPLENISHMENT

CALIFORNIA SECOND DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL

SUPERIOR COURT OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

City

CITY OF CARSON

LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

on state, county and city

She-Hulk Isn’t Great, But at Least It’s Different

By Hunter Chase

she-Hulk: Attorney at Law, so far, has been an exercise in delayed gratification. What do I want? I want to see She-Hulk fight supervillains. Out of the first eight episodes of the season, there’s been very little action. The eighth episode somewhat made up for this, but it was mostly Daredevil beating people up. This was cool, of course, but it’s not his show. This story went to print before the ninth and final one was released, so I can’t comment on it.

I can comment on the rest of the season. The show features lawyer Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany), cousin of Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), also known as the Hulk, irradiated by her cousin’s blood and turned into a Hulk herself. Much like the Marvel comics published about her in the ’80s and ’90s, the show has been aiming for humor. It’s more of a superhero sitcom than an action show.

Though I expected the humorous angle, the lack of action means the show has not been exactly what I expected or wanted. Judging by its 36% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s not what a lot of other fans have wanted either. However, this might not be such a bad thing for the Marvel brand. She-Hulk is different than other Marvel shows — something that is desperately needed in a franchise known for staleness from its uniformity.

Overall, I have enjoyed the Marvel shows released on Disney Plus, but at the same time, there is a lot of similarity to most of them. All of them have been very PG-13, with bloodless violence and a lack of profanity and sexual content. This comes in stark contrast to the shows that Marvel Television released on Netflix from 2015 to 2019, including Daredevil and Jessica Jones.

To be fair, all of those Netflix shows had a uniformity to them as well — graphic violence and sexual content seemed to be a requirement for all of them. But at the same time, Marvel television was releasing teenage dramas like Freeform’s Cloak and Dagger and Hulu’s Runaways, and spy shows like ABC’s Agents of SHIELD and Agent Carter. And while these shows would vary in quality, they would also vary in production design, direction and overall esthetic.

While the Disney Plus Marvel shows vary in genre, they all have the same Marvel cinematic universe, or MCU, feel to them. This is because they were all released after Marvel Studios took over Marvel Television in 2019, and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige had control over the shows as well as the movies.

No longer would we see experiments like the violent, PTSD-fueled The Punisher, or the trippy, supernatural teen drama Cloak and Dagger, which was also willing to deal with real issues, like police violence and human trafficking. Of course, this also means we’re not likely to see a show like Inhumans ever again — a rushed, low-budget show where characters barely used their powers, even though their society was built around people having super powers ruling over those without them.

Don’t get me wrong, Wandavision and Loki are very different from the other Disney Plus Marvel shows, but both Hawkeye and Ms. Marvel are relatively light-hearted, comedic shows. Despite being a bit more violent, Moon Knight and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier are more like action comedies. Much as I loved Moon Knight, I do wonder how much darker it could have been if Netflix had produced it instead.

Ultimately, we would see more variety in our Marvel television if we had more networks or streaming services producing these shows. But seeing as that’s unlikely to happen, She-Hulk is the next best thing. Marvel should have varied interpretations of their many characters, even if it alienates some of the fans, because if they make the same show repeatedly, there’s no reason to watch them all.

While humor has always been important to the MCU, She-Hulk fully embraces being a sitcom. She breaks the fourth wall, she struggles with dating, and she handles wacky legal cases on a regular basis. Half the time when I expect her to get into a fight, the other character just makes jokes instead.

In the sixth episode of the series, She-Hulk finally gave me what I wanted — a fight scene between She-Hulk and Titania (Jameela Jamil), her comic book nemesis. It made me wonder about my own expectations and why I liked this episode so much. Even though I often think I want more variety, ultimately what I want to see is the heroes fighting the villains.

Many fans have also criticized the show’s depiction of Bruce Banner and the Hulk, with some disliking that Jennifer says she controls her anger far more than Bruce does. However, I think it

Tatiana Maslany as Jennifer Walters in SheHulk: Attorney at Law.

ity the misfit tomatillo, aka the Mexican husk tomato. Most cooks don’t know what to do with that swaddled orb that looks like a paper lantern and tastes like some underripe fruit. Green salsa is the most common application, but I usually prefer tomato salsa, in part because tomatillos can be a bit slimy.

So where does that leave the poor tomatillo? Our one good idea, salsa, is second string to everyone’s favorite tomato salsa. Our misunderstood, underappreciated hero is like the last kid picked to play kickball. Luckily, tomatillos can stay fresh for a long time, because they might languish in the fridge.

My go-to use for tomatillos is pork chile verde, where pork is simmered in a tomatillo sauce, with chile peppers and spices. I like to make it with a variety of peppers of various colors and heats, which creates a seamless complexity that’s hard to quit. Once, we dropped a finished batch on the floor. The five second rule was temporarily suspended as we scooped it up and put it back into the pot. It had simmered too long, and developed too much flavor, for us to have any other option.

I recently found myself contemplating another misfit of an ingredient: purslane, a succulent plant that is often considered a weed. I often find myself wanting to crave purslane more than I actually do. This nutrient powerhouse contains antioxidants and minerals, and happens to be the plant with the highest recorded levels of omega-3 fatty acids on earth. Purslane is easy to forage, as the tender stalks give up without a fight, making purslane a most eligible ingredient on paper. But in practice, not so much. The flavor isn’t bad — it’s salty, crunchy and plump with tart juice, none of which are terrible characteristics. The problem is that purslane, like tomatillos, is slimy.

Interpolating, I speculated that chile verde might be a great context to enjoy purslane, as

Sebastian’s Restaurant Reopens In New Temporary Location

SAN PEDRO — Sebastian’s Mediterranean Cuisine, which strives to provide personallycurated dining experiences, has opened temporarily at old the Conrad’s location. Hours: Tuesday to Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sunday 12 to 9 p.m. Details: 424-342-9062; www.sebastiansmc.com

Venue: Sebastian’s, 376 W. 6th St., San Pedro

Chile Verde with Purslane: A Stew Fit for Two Misfits

By Ari LeVaux, Flash in the Pan Columnist

the sliminess would be absorbed, dispersed and covered up by the textures and flavors of this fragrant stew, and its earthy, slightly bitter flavor might offset the sweetness of the stew. Indeed, the purslane improved the verde, which can otherwise border on too sweet if you aren’t careful.

To be clear, you don’t need to go hunting through some vacant lot for purslane just to cook this dish. With or without the world’s

healthiest weed, chile verde is definitely the thing to make with tomatillos. Its tartness penetrates the meat, tendering and imbuing it with flavor. If you aren’t a pork eater you can substitute pinto beans to balance the sour, spicy sweetness of chile verde.

My recipe includes apples, because everyone knows they go with pork, and create a redundant complexity with the tomatillos.

Chile Verde with Purslane

This stew is hands-down the best thing to make with tomatillos. It’s a meaty whirl of aromas and flavors, with enough sour sweetness to balance the pork, and enough heat and bitterness to counter the sweetness. Serves 8

Ingredients

2 lbs pork — (Something tough and marbled like stew meat, shoulder (aka butt), countrystyle ribs or even uncured belly if it’s not too fatty)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, minced

1 tablespoon whole coriander seed

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

2 tablespoons cumin

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon garlic powder

½ pound sliced apple

4 large cloves of garlic, chopped

1 lb tomatillos, cut into quarters

2 cups of chopped chile peppers (the greater the variety the better; I like a mix of red, green, hot, mild, fresh, dried, thin and thick skins.

Anything but bell or sweet peppers.)

Salt and pepper

1 cup lager beer, such as Pacifico

1 cup purslane, if available, cleaned and chopped

Cut the pork into inch-cubes (if using ribs, cut the meat off but include the bones to flavor the stew). Heat the oil in an oven-safe dish with a tight-fitting lid, and then add the pork. Cook on the stovetop, over medium heat, until brown and tender. Add olive oil if the pork isn’t fatty enough.

When the pork is cooked, add the spices and onions, and stir it together. When the onions become transparent, add the tomatillos, apples, garlic, peppers and two cups of water. Add the beer and cook on low with the lid on for one hour. (Alternatively, for a smoother sauce, blend the tomatillos, apple, garlic and peppers until smooth, and add that. You can also blend half of these ingredients and leave the other half chunky.)

Season with salt and pepper, and possibly more cumin. When the flavor is right, spoon it into bowls, accompanied with rice, beans and tortilla chips if you want to be all proper, and garnish with purslane.

Special Screening of California’s Watershed Healing

By Melina Paris, Assistant Editor

San Pedro will soon be host to an important documentary on the problems with California’s watershed areas and how to fix them, California’s Watershed Healing. A special screening will be held at 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Warner Grand Theatre in downtown San Pedro. Audiences will be enlightened about the conditions of Southern California’s forests and watersheds and how to heal them.

The National Integrated Drought Information System or NDIS reports that 99.76% of California is experiencing moderate exceptional drought and 43.2% of California is in extreme to exceptional drought. NIDIS is a multi-agency partnership that coordinates drought monitoring, forecasting, planning and information at national, state, and local levels across the country.

In the midst of this ongoing shortage of water, activist, director and executive pro ducer Jim Thebaut’s latest documentary goes beyond reporting the dark, dangerous state of the world’s environment to, rather, focus on reasonable solutions.

Thebaut is the president and founder of The Chronicles Group. The international nonprofit prides itself on “tak(ing) an aggressive, issueand-solution-based approach to documenting these wide-ranging and urgent challenges humankind is facing.”

This latest work is the sequel to Thebaut’s documentary, Beyond The Brink California’s Watershed, which aired on PBS It explained watersheds, their vital importance and the serious environmental problems they are facing.

Thebault says this about California’s Watershed Healing:

“Water Utilities and the Sanitation District within the LA region have recognized the reality that imported water from Northern California and the Colorado River will soon be unavailable. (The reasons transcend drought, climate crisis, population growth and lack of adequate infrastructure and regional planning).

“[This] screening encompasses the Sanitation District, WRD, Metropolitan Water District, LADWP, West Basin and other Southern California utilities collaborating to implement water reuse with the objective of complete water independence.

“It’s a unique, historical, and a great, inspirational story.”

Water utility companies rarely step up and sponsor events like this screening and discussion that Thebaut and his colleagues have arranged. That is a testament to how important this documentary is to all Southern Californians.

California’s Watershed Healing has garnered praise from a number of sources.

Facing existential environmental threats, California is “the canary in the coal mine”

Chile verde stew with purslane and tomatillos. Photo by Ari LeVaux

BIG NICK’S PIZZA

Tradition, variety and fast delivery or takeout—you get it all at Big Nick’s Pizza. The best selection of Italian specialties include hearty calzones, an array of pas tas and our amazing selec tion of signature pizzas. We are taking all safety pre cautions to protect our din ers and staff. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on new developments. Call for fast delivery or to place a pick up order. Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Big Nicks’ Pizza, 1110 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 310-732-5800, www.bignickspizza.com

BUONO’S AUTHENTIC PIZZERIA

Family owned and operated since 1965, Buo no’s is famous for award-winning brick oven baked pizza. Buono’s also offers classic Italian dishes and sauces based on tried-and-true family recipes and hand-selected fresh ingredients. Now limited dinein and patio service, takeout and delivery. Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Buono’s Pizzeria, corner of 6th and Centre sts., Little Italy San Pedro, 310-547-0655, www.buonospizza.com

HAPPY DINER #1

The Happy Diner #1 in Down town San Pedro isn’t your av erage diner. The selections range from Italian- and Mex ican-influenced entrées to American Continental. Happy Diner chefs are always cre ating something new—take your pick of grilled salmon over pasta or tilapia and veg etables prepared any way you like. Dine in or al fresco or call for takeout. Hours: Mon.-Wed. 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thurs.-Sat. 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Diner #1, 617 S. Centre St., San Pedro, 310-241-0917, www.happydinersp.com

HAPPY DINER #2

Built on the suc cess of Happy Diner #1, Happy Diner #2 offers American favor ites like omelets and burgers, fresh salads, plus pasta and Mexican dishes are served. Order online for delivery or call for pickup. Hours: Mon. - Sat. 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Diner #2, 1931 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 310-9352933, www.happydinersp.com

HAPPY DELI

The Happy Deli is a small place with a big menu. Food is made-to-order using the freshest ingredients. Break fast burritos and breakfast sandwiches include a small coffee. For lunch or dinner select from fresh salads, wraps, buffalo wings, cold and hot sandwiches, burg ers and dogs. Order online or call for takeout or delivery. Hours: Mon. - Sat. 6 am. to 8 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Deli, 530 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 424-364-0319, www.happydel isp.com

PINA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Pina’s Mexican Restaurant serves traditonal Mexican food from Michoacan for breakfast through dinner, and is known for specialty enchiladas, burritos, tacos and mariscos served in a comfortable, casual dining atmosphere. Pina’s now has a full bar and outside dining, so come on by for a real margarita! Party trays for any occasion. Hours: Sun.Wed. 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Thurs. - Sat. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pina’s Mexican Restaurant, 1430 W. 25th St., San Pedro, 310-547-4621, www.pinasmexicanrestaurant.com

SAN PEDRO BREWING COMPANY

A micro brewery and American grill, SPBC features handcrafted award-win ning ales and lagers served with creative pastas, BBQ, sandwiches, salads and burgers. Order your growlers, house drafts and cocktails to go (with food purchase)! Open daily 12 to 8 p.m. for indoor or al fresco dining, takeout and delivery.. San Pedro Brewing Com pany, 331 W. 6th St., San Pedro, 310-831-5663, www.sanpedrobrewing.com

WEST COAST PHILLY’S

Welcome to West Coast Philly’s Chees esteak and Hoagies where authentic Philly cheesesteaks meet the wa terfront in San Pedro. Along with serving the classic cheesesteak, West Coast Philly’s puts its unique twist on its cheesesteaks and hoagies. Also on the menu are subs, burgers, wings and salads. Happy hour from 2 to 6 p.m., Mon.-Thurs. Indoor dining or order online or call for pickup. Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. West Coast Philly’s, 1902 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, 424-264-5322, www.westcoast phillys.com

MUSIC

Oct. 15

Dale Fielder Quartet

Performing two hours of original music and obscure jazz classics, the Dale Fielder Quartet delivers a dynamic and interesting perfor mance of jazz music that can be thoughtful while it is entertaining and enlivening.

Time: 8 p.m., Oct. 15

Cost: $20

Details: https://tinyurl.com/DaleFielder

Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

Oct. 16

Catatonic

Enjoy Catatonic’s original jazz funk songs with improvisation at Alvas Showroom.

Time: 4 p.m., Oct. 16

Cost: $20

Details: https://tinyurl. com/5a62tp3w

Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

Oct. 21

Al Jardine, Family and Friends Tour

Featuring Carnie & Wendy Wil son of Wilson Phillips plus Matt Jardine. This is a night for the ul timate Beach Boys fan. Join the group’s co- founder, Al Jardine, as he and Carnie and Wendy Wil son of Wilson Phillips and his son, Matt Jardine, perform the band’s timeless songs.

Time: 8 p.m., Oct. 21

Cost: $45 to $85

Details: 562-916-8500; www.cerritoscenter.com

Venue: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Pla za Drive, Cerritos

Oct. 22 Red Pillars

Red Pillars live performance brings a stimulating and anach ronistic blend of modern “Prog” structure and saturated, chimeri cal vintage overtones; a focused, power psychedelic rock experi ence of sonic extremities.

Time: 8 p.m., Oct. 22

Cost: $20

Details: https://tinyurl.com/redpillars

Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W.

8th St., San Pedro

Oct. 23

Taimane Gardner

From Johann Bach to rock, flamenco infernos to tribal hymns, Taimane is known for her unique style and reper toire. She will be performing with an ensemble (classical guitarist, percussionist, vio linist, Polynesian dancer and contemporary dancer) in cel ebration of career milestones.

Time: 3 p.m., Oct. 23

Cost: $35 to $45 Details: https://www.kalakoa. com

Venue: Redondo Beach Per forming Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Re dondo Beach

Oct. 28

Jessica Fichot Quartet

Chanteuse, songwriter and accordionist Jessica Fichot takes the listener on a twist ing journey out of the French chanson tradition, into the lands of gypsy jazz, 1940s Chinese swing, international folk, and into the wilderness of her imagination.

Time: 8 p.m., Oct. 28

Cost: $10 to $26 Details: https://tinyurl.com/ Fichot

Venue: El Camino College, Campus Theatre, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance

Oct. 29

Remember When Rock Was Young

Show your pride with the Long Beach Symphony as it presents a full evening of Sir Elton John’s most beloved hits comes to life singing and dancing to the tunes of this Grammy, Tony and Acad emy award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend.

Time: 8 p.m., Oct. 29

Cost: $30 to $135

Details: https://longbeachsym phony.org; 562-436-3203

Venue: Long Beach Arena, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach

ENTERTAINMENT

Oct. 18

Underground Stand-up Comedy

Featuring Ginger Lee Belle and Darling Nikki, every Tuesday night you’ll experience the best comedy around. Come find the stairs lead ing you underground the streets of Long Beach to this classic speak easy and Long Beach’s best-kept secret. This is a 21 and over only event.

Time: 8 p.m., Oct. 18

Cost: $10

Details: https://tinyurl.com/jh 2k64ba

Venue: Harvelle’s Long Beach, 201 E. Broadway, Long Beach

THEATER

Oct. 13

Holmes and Watson

Following Sherlock Holmes’ death at Reichenbach Falls three years before, Dr. John Watson receives a news clipping reporting that a re mote mental asylum has recently admitted three men, each claim ing to be Sherlock Holmes. Dr. Watson travels to the asylum to investigate.

Time: 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13 to Oct. 22

Cost: $14 to $20

Details: 562-494-1014; www.lbplayhouse.org

Venue: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach

Oct. 14

Dear Harvey Dear Harvey is a documentarystyle play about the impact and legacy of Harvey Milk, California’s first openly gay elected official and groundbreaking activist, told through a series of speeches, his torical documents and verbatim interviews with the people who knew him. This play contains adult language and themes.

Time: 8 p.m., Oct. 14, 15, 21, 22 and 3 p.m., Oct. 16 Cost: $10 to $15 Details: https://elcaminotickets. universitytickets.com/

Venue: El Camino College, Cam pus Theatre, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance

Oct. 14

Fred Crawford Performs

A Life in the Head of Fred Craw ford, a 90-minute comedy, mono logue, pantomime, impressions of actors from Hollywood’s “golden age” and tap dance revue. Time: 7 p.m., Oct. 14

Cost: $20

Details: https://tinyurl.com/FredCrawford Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

Oct. 15

Urinetown

A musical satire of drought, capi talism, bureaucracy and politics, Urinetown imagines a 20-yeardrought and the stress it puts on a large city. With water a scarce commodity, private toilets are out lawed. Public restrooms are con trolled by the Urine Good Com

pany. A hero decides he’s had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom.

Time: 8 p.m. Friday, and Satur day and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15 to Nov. 19

Cost: $14 to $18

Details: 562-494-1014; www.lbplayhouse.org

Venue: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach

ART

Oct. 13

Inspired By

The Long Beach Creative Group presents Inspired By, a new ju rored group show of small works at the Roderick Eli Briggs Memo rial Gallery in Long Beach. Local artists Cory Bilicko, Ellen Butler, and Carlos Cordero served as ju rors for this exhibition, reviewing 242 pieces and selecting 83 works by 54 artists.

Time: 1 to 4 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, Oct. 13 to Oct. 22

Cost: Free Details: www.longbeachcre ativegroup.com

Venue: The Roderick Eli Briggs Memorial Gallery, 2221 E. Broad way, Long Beach

Texture: A Redondo Beach Art Group Exhibition

The way something feels to physi cal touch comes immediately to mind when thinking of texture, but while some artists might invite people to touch their works, most use special techniques to show visually how something might feel.

Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday through Oct. 24 Cost: Free Details: https://pvld.org/artinourli brary/calendar

Venue: Malaga Cove Library Gal lery, 2400 Vía Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates

Oct. 22

We Run Things, Things Don’t Run We

Co-curated by Gloria Gem San chez and Jynx Prado, this group exhibition pays homage to the de facto art school and artist-run space, Slanguage Studio, started in 2002 by artists Mario Ybarra Jr. and Karla Diaz in Wilmington. The exhibit includes art by 20 Slan guage alumni and is a visual over view of Slanguage pedagogy. The show runs through Dec. 10.

Time: Opening reception 2 to 4 p.m., Oct. 22

Cost: Free

Details: angelsgateart.org

Venue: Angels Gate Cultural Cen ter, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro

Oct. 29

Character Plots with Rick Carter Meet two-time Oscar winner Rick Carter. Known for his production design of blockbuster films like Avatar, Jurassic Park, Back to the Future II and III, as well as histori cal dramas like Forrest Gump, Lin coln, and War Horse, Carter has been a trailblazer in movie history.

Time: 1 to 3 p.m., Oct. 29

Cost: Free

Details: https://tinyurl.com/rickcarter

Venue: ESMoA, 208 Main St., El Segundo

FILM

Oct. 15

California Watershed: Healing Noted writer and director Jim

Thebaut delivers the follow-up to his acclaimed documentary Beyond the Brink. The film Heal ing presents the current reality of California’s forests and suggests solutions to restore and heal the state’s watershed.

Time: 4 p.m., Oct. 15 Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/CaWatershed-Healing

Venue: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro

Oct. 17

Discovery Film Series The Road to Namibia El Camino College’s Center for the Arts invites you back to campus to enjoy the return of the Discovery World Travel Adventure Film Se ries fall 2022 season, starting with The Road to Namibia — Rick Ray. Journey from Cape Town, South Africa to the famed Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River. Time: 3 and 7 p.m., Oct. 17 Cost: $14 to $16 Details: https://tinyurl.com/discov ery-film-series Venue: El Camino College Cen ter for The Arts, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance

Oct. 22

Free Movie Night at Feed and Be Fed See the award-winning documen tary film Rivers End: California’s Latest Water War. Get an inside look at California’s struggle over who gets fresh water. Time: 7 p.m., Oct. 22 Cost: Free Details: www.feedandbefed.org Venue: Feed and Be Fed, 429 W 6th St., San Pedro.

Oct. 23

Rondalla and Pamana Kali.

Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 22

Cost: Free

Details: 562.570.7500; lbpl.org

Venue: Michelle Obama Public Library, 5870 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach

FOOD

Oct. 15

Sea Fare Chowder Fest

Explore the indoor galleries while sampling hearty chowders, sa vory bites, fresh-baked goods, craft beer and wine from over 20 local businesses. Plus watch art ists create live aquarium-inspired pieces of art, all available for bid ding with proceeds benefiting the aquarium.

Time: 7 to 11 p.m., Oct. 15

Cost: $100

Details: https://tinyurl.com/ bp7a4wfr

Venue: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach

Oct. 16

A Taste To Remember

Joina Taste of Bixby Knolls on Oct.

16. You will have the opportunity to visit multiple restaurants, brew eries, and coffee shops to try de licious food samples. Stroll down Bixby Knolls or hop on the Big Red Bus to get to all the participating locations. Purchase tickets online in advance or at the event, no minimum purchase required.

Time: 12 to 4 p.m., Oct. 16

Cost: $1 to $50

Details: https://bixbyknollsinfo. com/taste/

Venue: Expo Arts Center 4321 At lantic Ave., Long Beach

Spilling the Tea: Tea Leaf Blending and Readings

This class will be held outdoors. Join a South Coast Botanic Gar den educator in this new and de lightful class where you can make various blends of tea, noting each unique flavor and plant, and then try your hand at tasseography — the art of tea leaf readings.

Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 16, 23

Cost: $40/person for members, $50/person for non-members.

Details: https://tinyurl. com/5e745p37

Venue: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula

COMMUNITY Oct. 15

Class of 1982 San Pedro High School 40-Year Reunion

Pirates, class of 1982, time to celebrate your 40-year reunion. Make checks out to LaRae Marde sic Bechmann with memo, “1982 reunion.” Include maiden name and guest name when applicable, telephone and email. Mail to: 1982 SPHS Reunion, P.O. Box 10387, Torrance 90505.

Festa Italiana Festa Italiana is back with more entertainment, more food and more fun for the entire family. If you have ever visited Italy, you will love Festa Italiana. If you love Ital ian food, you will love Festa Itali ana. Everybody is welcome!

Time: 5 to 10 p.m., Oct. 15 and 2 to 7 p.m., Oct. 16

Cost: Free

Details: www.discoversanpedro. org

Venue: Little Italy of Los Angeles, 222 W. 6th St., San Pedro.

Water: Soil, Plants, Climate — Beyond Irrigation

Join this class led by UC master gardener Elizabeth Sala.

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Oct. 15

Cost: Free

Details: southbaygarden7@ gmail.com.

Venue: Feed and Be Fed Garden/ The Garden Church, 429 W. 6th St., San Pedro

Long Beach World Mental Health Resource Fair

Join the first World Mental Health Day Resource Fair on Oct. 15. The event will raise awareness of mental health resources for people in the community and pro vide information tables from local community-based organizations and exhibitors.

Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 15

Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl. com/5n86sddr

Venue: Admiral Kidd Park, 2125 Santa Fe Ave., Long Beach

Circus Vargas Circus Vargas’ New 2022 pro duction Circus Vargas Express, brings acrobats, daredevils and flying trapeze. Run away with the circus for two unforgettable hours of nonstop action and adventure. County mandate regarding maskwearing is followed.

Time: Various times between 12:30 and 7:30 p.m., Oct. 14 to Nov. 7

Cost: $19 to $25, children under 2 free Details: https://circusvargas.com/ tickets

Venue: 3525 W. Carson St., Tor rance

Oct. 22

Small Business Handmade Market

Support your local small business vendors at Christ Lutheran. There will be more than 40 vendors par ticipating. Raffles happen at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 22

Cost: Free

Details: https://tinyurl.com/hand made-market

Coco

The San Pedro Waterfront Arts District, in collaboration with Film LA, is again presenting the Disney film Coco to kick off San Pedro’s Día de los Muertos celebration. Time: 1 p.m., doors open at 12 p.m., Oct. 23

Cost: Free Details: Tickets https://tinyurl. com/Coco-at-Warner-Grand Venue: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro

LITERATURE

Oct. 22

Liwanag Literary Festival

This event that will highlight Filipi no American stories and literature in partnership with local bookstore Bel Canto Books. Activities in clude readings by children’s au thors, panel discussions by teen and adult authors, a roundtable discussion on publishing and cul tural performances by Rocksteady

Time: 5:30 p.m. reception, 6:30 p.m. buffet dinner, Oct. 15 Cost: $75 per person Details: 310-831-0642

Venue: Elks Lodge, 1748 Cumbre Drive, San Pedro

Guided Nature Walk at White Point Nature Preserve Naturalists will guide you along a trail to discover a unique variety of wildlife in its coastal sage scrub habitat with amazing views across to the ocean. Meet in front of the nature center and come inside to explore after the hike.

Time: 10:30 a.m., Oct. 15

Cost: Free

Details: https://tinyurl.com/bdfs seef

Venue: White Point Nature Pre serve, 1600 W. Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro

Venue: Christ Lutheran Church and School, 28850 S. Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes

Oct. 23

San Pedro Day of the Dead Festival

Join the Day of the Dead Festival at 6th and Mesa on Oct. 23. You can bring a picture of a loved one and it will be placed on the com munity altar at the parking lot of 6th and Mesa. Park at 6th and Harbor next to the Maritime Mu seum and ride the free trolley up to the event.

Time: 2 to 8 p.m., Oct. 23

Cost: Free

Details: https://tinyurl.com/dia-delos-muertos

Venue: 7th and Centre streets and 6th and Mesa streets, down town San Pedro

Daniel Keppen, executive director of the Family Farm Alliance, said, “…overall, I think this is excellent, and it’s right in line with what our position has been on the need to restore our forests so they can function the way they once used to, particularly regarding water supply yield … Great content, and awesome imagery.”

Watershed healing is an important national security issue. Former secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano says, “It’s climate security, water security, food security … ensuring that those things are adequately taken into account and planned for is an unmet challenge, I would say, in the United States.”

“My approach to doing documentaries is to take the audience to some place they’ve never been before, and educate and inform them,” said Thebaut, whose public speaking engagements have included the United Nations and the United States Congress.

The Chronicles Group is the result of Thebaut’s understanding the need for world policy for human sustainability. Thebaut is an Army Veteran and has earned two bachelor’s degrees and a masters. He created and produced his first documentary, A Tale of Two Cities, while studying at the University of Washington. The documentary compared and contrasted Southern California to the Puget Sound region. The goal was to keep Seattle from repeating the ecological mistakes made in Orange County and the San Fernando Valley.

As a pioneer during the ’70s, Thebaut created the first programmatic environmental statement in the U.S. His findings regarding proposed nuclear power plants near Seattle resulted in the withdrawal from the

proposal. Through public education projects, documentaries, and commercial films, he has made an impact in helping bring awareness to issues such as illegal toxic waste dumping and toxicity of the human race, among other things.

Thebaut persists in his drive to inform the world and initiate positive movement where his work continues to shape holistic global sustainability policies.

It’s time for Southern Californians to get informed about what their water utilities are doing to protect them from inevitable shortages of water. Attend Oct. 15, for a screening of California’s Watershed Healing and to hear a discussion by local water agencies on droughtproofing California’s water future. Time: 4 p.m., Oct. 15

Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/Ca-WatershedHealing and www.drought.gov Venue: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro

Jim Thebaut, director and executive producer of California’s Watershed Healing. File photo

Neighborhood Council Roundup

substantially in its territory, population and di versity,” Schwartz said.

She pointed out that the city has about 4 mil lion residents, meaning that each council mem ber represents about 260,000 people.

“Residents have to compete with a quarter of a million people for their council member’s at tention,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz argued that the city council needs to expand so that council members can better respond to and more adequately represent their constituents.

“Having smaller districts will also lower the barrier to entry for candidates to run and win city council offices,” Schwartz said. “This will allow for more diversity within the electoral process

She-Hulk

makes sense for the show and the character.

Jennifer is echoing the thoughts of lots of real women when she complains of being catcalled, mansplained, and fearing being killed. In addition, this is She-Hulk’s show, it’s a study of her character. The show doesn’t need to do a deep dive of Banner’s identity, it needs to do that with Jennifer.

In the seventh episode, (mild spoilers to follow) She-Hulk goes to a ranch to see Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth) who can turn into the monstrous Abomination, but it would violate his parole. I was hoping to see She-Hulk and Abomination fight — after all, what’s the point of having him in the series if they never do?

and less entrenchment of incumbent power.”

Los Angeles has the highest ratio of city council members to residents in the nation. New York City has a larger population, but a sig nificantly larger city council, with 51 members.

Each New York city council member represents about 172,000 people.

“Another big issue with having a 15-seat council representing over 100 different and di verse neighborhoods, is that the redistricting pro cess itself is a near impossible job to adequately split up the city,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz pointed out that the 2021 redis tricting commission recommended that the city redistrict to at least 22 districts, and use an in dependent redistricting commission in the future.

She said that redistricting with only 15 districts deprioritizes low-income communities, and com munities of color.

“Ethnic and racial minority communities can gain political power through expansion,” Schwartz said. “Council members have historically been majority white, male, and wealthy, which is not reflective of the average Angeleno, and especially not reflective of specific council districts.”

Save the Tree

CeSPNC is trying to save the trees — or at least one of them.

The council voted 9-2 on Sept. 20 to ask that an Indian laurel fig tree be saved for demolition, or at least replaced with more than the standard two trees. Board members Matthew Garland and James Preston Allen, who is publisher of this paper, voted against the motion. The tree is right next to the San Pedro Regional Branch

Library, and according to a notice from the Urban Forestry Division of the Bureau of Street Services, it has received a request to have it be removed. The reason for the request is listed as part of the Citywide Sidewalk Repair Program.

“It is rather big and overgrown,” said newly elected Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council President Matthew Quiocho. “And it’s kind of overtaking the library. So, I can understand why they would want to trim it, I’m not so convinced of them chopping it down completely.”

Quiocho pointed out that the council’s letter doesn’t simply ask for the tree to not be removed, as he does not think the division will listen if it’s a safety issue. Instead, it says that it opposes the tree being removed unless it is replaced by more than two trees, at the four corners of the intersection. In addition, the council’s letter asks that the bureau provide a report on maintenance done to the tree within the last 10 years, and whether anything will be done about the second Indian laurel fig tree on that street, which is only a few feet away.

Since passing the motion, the council has not heard any more from the bureau, Quiocho said on Oct. 4.

“I don’t think it’s quite been 30 days yet,” Quiocho said. “So I’m not expecting them to have gotten back to us quite this quickly.”

Quiocho is not sure if the two proposed replacement trees will be planted in the same intersection.

“I assume they’ll be in the same area,” Quiocho said. “But no, if I remember correctly from the notice they sent out, it did not specify where the two trees will be planted.”

Board member Gina Lumbruno pointed out that there are other trees like this one.

“You just have to drive around, there are so many trees in our city that are just not taken care of,” Lumbruno said.

Of course, they don’t, and she doesn’t really fight any of the other wacky super-powered characters at the ranch, even a former enemy.

Instead, she sits down for a therapy session with them. It’s both funny and actually touching. They help her instead of harming her. And even though sometimes the CGI used for She-Hulk looks bizarre and treads on the uncanny valley, she is given a monologue at one point in the episode about her identity that is a great showcase of both Maslany’s acting abilities and of the show’s computer wizardry. She has difficulty coming to grips with her identity as she believes that people only love She-Hulk, and not Jennifer, her human alter ego.

Why exactly are men not interested in Jennifer Walters, but only in She-Hulk? I suppose it could be the novelty of dating a super hero, but realistically it’s weird that so many men want to date the cartoon character but not the beautiful Tatiana Maslany. The various love interests are there to show Jennifer coming to grips with herself, and how she doesn’t think she is good enough for all the attention she is receiving. Whether she will be able to accept both sides of her identity is something that should probably take years, but since this is TV, it might happen in the seaon finale.

She-Hulk is by no means a great show, but it’s a decent one. It’s a comedic tale of a woman coming to terms with herself even after a massive change. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea — including mine. But at least it’s different than other Marvel shows, which is something Marvel should strive for.

Board member Matthew Garland, who voted against the letter, voiced his reasons for disapproval.

“I love trees, but that tree is out of control,” Garland said. “And it needs to be replaced with something they can manage. That has nothing to do with the fact that it’s their fault for not maintaining it, that’s true, but the sidewalk’s destroyed, people need the sidewalk.”

Garcia

both, resulting in politics having similar names popping up over and over, despite the idea that we are a meritocratic democracy.

With an easy path to victory, Garcia will almost certainly be headed to Capitol Hill come November. His record is that of the marginal progressive that is becoming ever more common in California politics. Pro-union, pro-queer rights, an advocate for universal healthcare and for halting climate change, but always simply content to work at bettering the margins, never adopting a plan that will rock the boat or require a major shift in behavior by anyone, neither those in the margins or those in power. Garcia and politicians like him, see Pete Buttigieg, and Gavin Newsom, seem to be the mainstream Democrat answer to more hardline young progressives such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cori Bush. The question of the next few election cycles will be if that is enough. As wealth inequality continues to go up, will working in the margins and not fundamentally upsetting those in power be enough to retain the consent of those you represent? If not, there may be a real race in seat 42 in years to come.

Mark Ruffalo and Tatiana Maslany in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

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LONG DISTANCE MOV

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

File No. 2022202657

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as:

VISTA DEL MAR APART MENTS, 535 W. 37TH ST SAN PEDRO CA 90731

County of LOS ANGELES

Mailing Address: 6220 VIA CANADA RANCHO PALOS VERDES CA 90275

Registered owner(s): KATICA BLASKOVICH 6220 VIA CANADA RANCHO PALOS VERDES CA 90275

State of Incorporation: CA

This business is conduct ed by an Individual. The registrant(s) started doing business on N/A.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions code that the registrant knows to be false

is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000)).

S/ KATICA BLASKOVICH OWNER

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 09/15/2022.

NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Sec tion 17920, where it expires 40 days

after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a regis tered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the ex piration. Effective January 1,

2014, the Fictitious Business Name Statement must be ac companied by the Affidavit of Identity form. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name

in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code). 9/29, 10/13, 10/27, 11/10/22

WARNING:

Free newspapers provide a key source of informa tion to the public, in many cases providing an im portant alternative to the news and ideas expressed in other local media sources. The Legislature further finds that the unauthorized taking of multiple copies of free newspapers, whether done to sell them to recycling centers, to injure a business competitor, to deprive others of the opportunity to read them, or for any other reason, injures the rights of readers, writers, publishers, and advertisers, and impover ishes the marketplace of ideas in California.

Ref. Universal Citation: CA Penal Code § 490.7 (2021)

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NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that the City of Long Beach, California, acting by and through the City’s Board of Harbor Commissioners (“City”) will receive, before the Bid Deadline established below, Bids for the following Work: ON-CALL SERVICES FOR UNDERGROUND WET UTILITIES

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA AS DESCRIBED IN SPECIFICATION NO. HD-S3157

LEGAL NOTICES

NIB -2 Pre-Bid Questions

All questions, including re quests for interpretation or correction, or comments re garding the Contract Docu ments, must be submitted no later than November 8, 2022, at 5 p.m. Questions received after the pre-Bid question deadline will not be accepted.

Questions must be submit ted electronically through the PB System. Emails, phone calls, and faxes will not be accepted. Questions sub mitted to City staff will not be addressed and Bidder will be directed to the PB System.

Bid Deadline: Prior to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

Bids shall be submitted electronically via the Port of Long Beach PlanetBids (PB) System prior to 2:00 p.m.

Bid Opening: Electronic Bid (eBid) results shall be viewable online in the PB System immediately after the Bid Deadline.

Contract Documents Available:

Contract Documents from the Port of Long Beach PB System Vendor Portal:

Click on the POL Vendor Portal

Register and Log

“Bid

on Title of

“Download Now”

for each attachment

assistance in downloading these documents please contact Port of Long Beach Plans and Specs Desk at 562-283-7353.

Pre-Bid Meeting: None.

Project Contact Person:

Daud,

refer to the Port of Long Beach PB System

the most current

NIB -1 Contract Docu ments. Contract Docu ments may be down loaded, at no cost, from the Port of Long Beach PB System Vendor Portal website. Bidders must first register as a vendor on the Port of Long Beach PB System website in or der to view and download the Contract Documents, to be added to the pro spective bidders list, and to receive addendum notifications when issued.

For the link to the Port of Long Beach PB System and for information on this Project and other upcom ing Port projects, you may view the Port website at www.polb.com/business/ business-opportunities

Copies of all Port insur ance endorsement forms, SBE/VSBE Program forms, Harbor Develop ment Permit Applications and other Port forms are available at www.polb. com/business/permits.

NIB -3 Pre-Bid Meeting and Site Visit. There will not be a pre-bid meeting or site visit for this project. The City makes no guarantee that existing construction and site conditions matches construc tion depicted on record refer ence documents. It shall be the Bidder’s responsibility to identify existing conditions. Note that downloading all available documents can be used to satisfy a portion of a Bidder’s good faith efforts to meet the SBE/VSBE par ticipation goals listed below.

NIB -4 Summary Descrip tion of the Work. The Work required by this Contract includes, but is not limited to, the following: repairs of existing water, sewer, and storm drain pipelines on an as needed basis. Refer to Section 01 11 00, Summary of Work in the Technical Speci fications.

NIB -5 Contract Time and Liquidated Damages. The Contractor shall achieve Af fidavit of Final Completion

of the Project within two (2) years as provided in Para graph SC - 6.1 of the Special Conditions, from a date speci fied in a written “Notice to Proceed” issued by the City and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8.2 of the General Conditions. FAIL URE OF THE CONTRAC TOR TO COMPLETE THE WORK WITHIN THE CON TRACT TIME AND OTHER MILESTONES SET FORTH IN THE SPECIAL CONDI TIONS, INCLUDING THE ENGINEER’S APPROVAL OF AFFIDAVIT OF FINAL COMPLETION, WILL RE SULT IN ASSESSMENT OF LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IN THE AMOUNTS ESTAB LISHED IN THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS.

NIB -6 Contractor’s Li cense. The Bidder shall hold a current and valid Class “A”, California Contractor’s License to construct this project.

NIB -7 Contractor Per formed Work. The Contrac tor shall perform, with its own employees, Contract Work amounting to at least 30% of the Contract Price, except that any designated “Special ty Items” may be performed by subcontract. The amount of any such “Specialty Items” so performed may be deduct ed from the Contract Price before computing the amount required to be performed by the Contractor with its own employees. “Specialty Items” will be identified by the City on the Schedule of Bid Items. The bid price of any materials or equipment rental costs from vendors who are solely furnishing materials or rental equipment and are not performing Work as a licensed subcontractor on this project shall also be deducted from the Contract Price be fore computing the amount required to be performed by the Contractor with its own employees.

NIB -8 SBE/VSBE. This project is subject to the Port of Long Beach (POLB) Small Business Enterprises (SBE)/ Very Small Business Enter prises (VSBE) Program.

The combined SBE/VSBE participation goal for this Proj ect is twenty-seven percent (27%) of total bid value. The combined SBE/VSBE par ticipation goal shall include a minimum five percent (5%) of total bid value as VSBE.

POLB expects all Bidders to achieve the combined SBE/VSBE participation goal. Award of the Contract will be conditioned on the Bidder submitting an SBE-2C Com mitment Plan demonstrating the Bidder’s intent to meet the combined SBE/VSBE participation goal. If the Bidder’s Commitment Plan does not demonstrate intent to meet the combined goal, the Bidder shall demonstrate that it made an adequate good faith effort to do so, as specified in the Instructions to Bidders. The Port’s SBE Program staff is available to provide information on the program requirements, including SBE certification as

sistance. Please contact the SBE Office at (562) 283-7598 or sbeprogram@polb.com. You may also view the Port’s SBE program requirements at www.polb.com/sbe.

NIB -9 Prevailing Wage Requirements per Depart ment of Industrial Rela tions. This Project is a public work Contract as defined in Labor Code Section 1720. The Contractor receiving award of the Contract and Subcontractors of any tier shall pay not less than the prevailing wage rates to all workers employed in execu tion of the Contract. The Di rector of Industrial Relations of the State of California has determined the general prevailing rates of wages in the locality in which the Work is to be performed. The rate schedules are available on the internet at http://www. dir.ca.gov/dlsr/DPreWage Determination.htm and on file at the City, available upon request. Bidders are directed to Article 15 of the Gen eral Conditions for require ments concerning payment of prevailing wages, payroll records, hours of work and employment of apprentices.

This Project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Depart ment of Industrial Relations. No Contractor or Subcon tractor may be listed on a bid proposal for a public works project unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5 (with limited exceptions from this requirement for bid purposes only under Labor Code Sec tion 1771.1(a)). No Contrac tor or Subcontractor may be awarded a contract for public work on a public works project unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5.

In addition to providing Certi fied Payroll Records (CPRs) and labor compliance doc umentation to the Port of Long Beach, Contractors and Subcontractors must furnish electronic CPRs to the Labor Commissioner’s Office.

NIB -10 Project Labor Agreement. This project is not covered by a PLA.

NIB -11 Trade Names and Substitution of Equals. With the exception of any sole source determination that may be identified in this paragraph, a written request for an Or Equal Substitution using the form included in Appendix A together with data substantiating that the non-specified item is of equal quality to the item specified, may be submitted after Con ditional Award and no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after City’s issuance of Notice to Proceed (NTP). Authorization of a substitution is solely within the discretion of the City.

NIB -12 Prequalification of Contractors. NOT USED

NIB -13 Bid Security, Signed Contract, Insur ance and Bonds. Each Bid

shall be accompanied by a satisfactory Bidder’s Bond or other acceptable Bid Security in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the Base Bid as a guarantee that the Bidder will, if Conditionally Awarded a Contract by the Board, within thirty (30) cal endar days after the Contract is conditionally awarded to the Contractor by the City, execute and deliver such Contract to the Chief Harbor Engineer together with all required documents including insurance forms, a Payment Bond for one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, and a Performance Bond for one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price. All Bonds shall be on forms provided by the City.

NIB -14 Conditional Award of Contract and Reservation of Rights. The Board, acting through the Executive Director, reserves the right at any time before the execution of the Contract by the City, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informality or irregularity. The Conditional Award of the Contract, if any, will be to the responsible Bidder submitting the lowest responsive and responsible Bid. If the low est responsive responsible Bidder fails to submit the required documents includ ing insurance forms, bonds and signed Contract within thirty (30) calendar days after Conditional Award of Contract, the Board reserves the right to rescind the Con ditional Award and Condition ally Award the Contract to the next lowest responsive and responsible Bidder.

NIB -15 Period of Bid Irre vocability. Bids shall remain open and valid and Bidder’s Bonds and other acceptable Bid Security shall be guar anteed and valid for ninety (90) calendar days after the Bid Deadline or until the Executive Director executes a Contract, whichever occurs first.

NIB -16 Substitution of Securities. Substitution of Securities for retainage is permitted in accordance with Section 22300 of the Public Contract Code.

NIB -17 Iran Contracting Act of 2010. In accordance with Public Contract Code sections 2200-2208, every person who submits a bid or

proposal for entering into or renewing contracts with the City for goods or services estimated at $1,000,000 or more are required to com plete, sign, and submit the “Iran Contracting Act of 2010 Compliance Affidavit.”

Issued at Long Beach, California, this 12th day of September 2022.

Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Harbor Department, City of Long Beach, California

Note: For project updates after Bid Opening, please contact plans.specs@polb. com

Pressure

However, Sandoval called out the hypocrisy of politicians who on the one-hand claim they would call for accountability in abuse cases but then raise defund the police fears when actual transparency and reforms are called for.

Sandoval did this by demanding an apology from McOsker for spreading rumors that she wanted to defund the police. She called the ru mors irresponsible and an example of fear-mon gering in our communities.

McOsker for his part didn’t deny the accusa tion, but said in reply that his campaign relies on public information and that each candidate has a record and a history of serving our communities.

“So it is relevant to make sure we rely upon our votes, records or actions by each one of us. So I will stick with the truth and verifiable infor mation for anything I may say during my cam paign,” he said.

Later, the question was posed to the candi

On the Ballot

The Power of Branding

But that’s not how such elections are won according to political analyst Rachel Bitecofer, who was the first to accurately predict the size of the Democrats’ blue wave in 2018, based in part on a theory of “negative partisanship” that warned of a similarly likely red wave this year. As she explained on The Last Word in 2019, after my Salon interview drew attention to her:

Under my model, Democrats win the White House in 2020, and then in 2022, they’re going to have a very tough electoral cycle because turnout for Democrats will go back to normal. And because Democrats

dates; what would they do to ensure African Americans get some of the contracts connected to the port and other economic hubs throughout the district?

McOsker said he would ensure that there’s verifiable local hiring with any project or de velopment in the district and prevent situations where companies agree to local hiring but do another [thing] later in the development process. He also said his administration will not move forward with city projects unless there’s real in clusion of African American and Latino owned companies and women, veterans and disabled persons owned companies “to make sure that we are bringing equity to the goal.”

But Sandoval, with a quick jab, retorted, “Great answer. But I don’t understand how that can happen when you’re beholden to a lot of developers who are gentrifying our communi ties and taking away small businesses,” remind ing the audience, (who by the way were largely African American and Latino), of McOsker’s relationships, connections and monies to which McOsker is likely beholden.

Its purpose was also simple. “It’s flipping that GOP tactic over to our side,” she explained. “It’s attacking the Republicans to make a conversa tion about their anti-democratic power grab.”

Roe Reversal Changes Landscape

Bitecofer has had some success in influenc ing others, but not nearly enough to counter the 2022 red wave she saw coming. But then “The Roe reversal happened,” she told me last week.

“It triggered a negative partisanship emotion on the left side, the in-party’s side of the electorate, because it taps right into fear, threat and hate, and it’s visceral,” she said. “If there had been no policies in America that made abortion illegal, it

have a poor electoral strategy, they’re going to compound that problem, probably by not appealing to Democrats to get them to the polls.

To address that problem, Bitecofer switched from academic polling analysis to forming her own super PAC, StrikePac, to run the sorts of ads that Democrats needed to win. Her premise was simple, she told me in June 2021:

The GOP doesn’t really run anything except a marketing/branding op and it’s pre dominantly a branding offensive against the left. They don’t spend a lot of time on their own brand, but they do spend a lot of time in their messaging on discounting, discrediting, and debasing our brand.

One of the first ads she released, “Fuse,” fo cused directly on Trump’s threat to democracy.

Smith, who lost to Rep. Mike Garcia by just 333 votes in 2020, was already laser-focused on reproductive freedom. In an ad released last De cember, she said, “I will be damned if I nearly died having both of [my daughters], only to have them see the day where they would become sec ond-class citizens, where their rights to their own health care, freedom, and reproductive choice is decided by people who see this as a political nar rative, more about control than freedom.”

“Garcia’s proposal would outlaw abortion in every state even in cases of rape incest or health of the mother, an ad released in mid-September points out. “He even voted against keeping birth control legal.”

be heard the loudest in the next council person’s office; which candidate can be trusted to protect the interests of the entire district.

McOsker still has a campaign war chest that is more than ten times the size of Sandoval’s. Since the LA Times wage theft allegations from Sandoval’s former employees, the San Pedro Chamber has been mounting a fierce campaign to wring from her the endorsements she has. We have also heard reports that the San Pedro Cham ber has been bullying chamber members to re move Sandoval posters from their windows.

Sandoval’s candidacy comes with baggage. Particularly the wage theft allegations as report ed in the Los Angeles Times during her short stint as a restaurateur eight years ago. To be clear, the problem with McOsker candidacy isn’t that he’s not qualified enough or doesn’t have the skill sets and relationships. It’s clear that he does. The problem is that in the 113-year history of this district, the only voices that counted were those connected to money and power, whether con nected to downtown Los Angeles or the Port of Los Angeles.

In Full Swing in Carson

By the end of the candidate forum, it became clear that this race was about whose voices will

Local officials present saxophonist Donald Hayes with a certificate of appreciation on Oct. 1, 2022, at the end-of-summer jazz festival at Anderson Park in Carson. From left, Carson City Councilman Cedric Hicks, Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, Hayes and Mayor Pro Tem Jawane Hilton. Photo by Kelvin Brown Sr.

From left to right: CD15 candidate Tim McOsker; Pamela Thornton, former president of the Harbor Gateway North Neighborhood Council; and candidate Danielle Sandoval. Photo by Arturo Garcia-Ayala

From left to right: Christy Smith, Jay Chen and Will Rollins, all Democratic candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives. Photos courtesy of their respective campaign websites