Your Weekly Community Newspaper March 2, 2012Vol. 33 No. 39

Serving BixBy KnollS, California HeigHtS, loS CerritoS, Wrigley and tHe City of Signal Hill

CJ Dablo

Staff Writer

The U.S. Postal Service hasannounced plans to close the LongBeach mail-processing center and otherfacilities nationwide as part of theircost-cutting measures unless Congresschooses to enact legislation that willaddress the agency’s financial prob-lems.

The Long Beach facility located at2300 Redondo Ave. is one of three pro-cessing centers in Los Angeles Countythat are targeted for possible closure.Richard Maher, a spokesperson for theU.S. Postal Service, explained that theagency will review each of the threecenters individually and announce thedates of closure when the Postal Serv-ice feels they can accomplish the con-solidation. If the proposal movesforward and all three processing cen-

ters close, only two facilities– one inLos Angeles and the other in SantaClarita– will handle the processing forthe entire county, according to Maher.

There is a window, however, forCongress to enact legislation to addressthe Postal Service’s business woes.

“Nothing is set in stone at thistime,” Maher said in an interviewMonday. He explained that the U.S.Postal Service agreed in December thatthey would not close post offices ormail-processing facilities until May 15and that agreement gives Congress anopportunity to propose comprehensivelegislation to address what the agencycalls a financial crisis.

He noted the drop in the demandfor first-class mail. The public hasincreasingly turned to the Internet tohandle much of its communication,relying on email and choosing to pay

bills and file taxes online, and thePostal Service’s annual volume forfirst-class mail has dropped about 25percent since 2006, according toMaher. He emphasized that theagency’s operations are not funded bytax dollars.

In addition to the drop in mail vol-ume, Maher also stressed one majorfinancial obligation that affects thePostal Service’s bottom line.

“The Postal Service has asked Con-gress to provide a more flexible busi-ness model for us and to address someof the mandates that were establishedin past laws,” Maher said. “Most[notable] is the requirement to pre-payfuture retiree health benefits to the tuneof $5.5 billion every year, which hasbeen driving our losses in the past cou-ple of years. And this is an obligationthat no government agency or business

in the United States is burdened with.”The possible closure of Long

Beach’s mail-processing facilitydoesn’t mean the end of service to retailcustomers at the facility at Redondo

Avenue. According to Maher, themovement of the processing centerwouldn’t impact any of the other serv-

Stephanie Raygoza

Staff Writer

Standing behind a white bannerthat stretches across the sidewalk cor-ner with its bold red print as it greetspassersby, carpenter Jay Littlejohnsays that sometimes he’ll get peoplewaving back with five fingers andother times he’ll get those that waveback with just one. He smiles eitherway and stands his ground. “We’rehere to stay until this gets settled,” hesays.

Littlejohn and two other menhave been protesting for the pastthree weeks as part of a labor disputebetween the Temple Israel-LongBeach and the United Brotherhood ofCarpenters’ local chapter. The bannerlocated by the entrance of the AlpertJewish Community Center (AJCC)reads “Temple Israel Long BeachRips Off the Community” and hascome to represent an accusation ofthe temple’s contribution to the ero-sion of area wage standards for car-penter craft workers.

As described in detail within eachdistributed flier, the temple has hiredthe Hale Corporation as its generalcontractor for its renovation project.The Hale Corporation has in turnhired CS Drywall to install and finishthe drywall on the project.

The problem primarily lies withthe Hale Corporation’s choice for itssubcontractor. CS Drywall has had ahistory of problems paying workersthe area wage standard, according to

Long Beach to possibly lose mail-processing facilityas Postal Service announces cost-cutting measures

Nick Diamantides

Staff Writer

A recent lawsuit filed by the WaterReplenishment District (WRD)against Signal Hill, Downey and Cer-ritos demonstrates the fact that eachparty in a legal dispute can be con-vinced that it is on the side of truth andjustice.

A Feb. 16 WRD press release con-tains the following statement: “Afteraccruing month after month of unpaidinvoices, 10 consecutive months,WRD today filed suit against [thethree cities] to pay their respectiveoutstanding water bill totaling nearly$5.3 million.” The press release alsoexplains that WRD is asking the courtto either order the cities to pay theirwater bills or order them to stoppumping groundwater and obtain theirwater from other sources.

Patty Quilizapa, attorney repre-senting the three cities, insists thatthey are justified in not paying thebills because WRD has not compliedwith a previous court order and hasviolated the provisions of CaliforniaProposition 218. She notes that thethree cities, as well as Bellflower andPico Rivera, had taken WRD to courtin 2010 over what the cities claimedwas WRD’s illegal method of deter-mining how much cities had to pay theagency for the groundwater theypumped. (Quilizapa works for the

Irvine-based Aleshire and Wynder lawfirm. Dave Aleshire, one of the firm’ssenior partners, is Signal Hill’s cityattorney.)

“Under Proposition 218, (a voter-approved California ConstitutionalAmendment passed in 1996) you canonly charge any taxpayer their propor-tional costs,” Quilizapa said. “Weallege that WRD has never followed218, and that has resulted in the citiesoverpaying on their replenishmentassessment.”

Quilizapa explained that the fivecities that sued WRD in 2010 feel thatthe WRD bills are not justifiedbecause they are located in WRD’sCentral Basin and it does not cost theagency as much to replenish andmaintain the groundwater in its Cen-tral Basin as much as it costs to do thesame things in the agency’s WestCoast Basin. “The uniform replenish-ment assessment applied to the WestCoast Basin and the Central Basinpumpers alike actually resulted in theCentral Basin pumpers subsidizing theWest Coast Basin pumpers,” she said.“But under Proposition 218, WRDmay not do that.”

WRD charges a replenishmentassessment (RA) to all entities thatpump groundwater in the 420-square-mile region that is in the agency’sjurisdiction. The agency uses the

Matt Sun/Signal Tribune

From left, union supporter Jacob Saas, carpenter’s apprentice Bert Mondino and carpenter John Littlejohn protesting lastSaturday as part of a labor dispute between the Temple-Israel and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters union

see POST OFFICE page 15

Local carpenters union protestingagainst Temple Israel over labor wages

WRD suing Signal Hill and two othercities for $5.2 million in water bills

see PROTEST page 14 see WRD page 14

T R I B U N ESignal

March is Women’sHistory Month (see p. 8)

,

CJ Dablo/Signal Tribune

The Postal Service has announced that they may close the processing center atthe post office facilities located at 2300 Redondo Ave.

2 SIgNAL TRIBuNE MARcH 2, 2012NEWS

On Friday, Feb. 24, at approxi-mately 5:50pm, Long Beach PoliceDepartment (LBPD) officersresponded to a local hospital afterbeing notified that a 10-year-oldfemale who was unconscious and notbreathing but showed no visual signsof trauma to her body had beenbrought into the emergency room(ER) by her family. She was treatedby ER staff and taken in for emer-gency surgery. She was placed in ICUin critical condition, and at approxi-mately 8:50pm, in spite of the hospi-tal staff's efforts, was pronounceddeceased.

As Long Beach Police beganinvestigating, it was learned that thedecedent, a student at Willard Ele-mentary, had been involved in a phys-ical altercation with a femaleclassmate. It was determined thatafter school, the two girls, andapproximately seven onlookers,walked to a nearby alley to engage ina pre-planned fight. “We believe thefight lasted less than one minute, didnot involve any weapons, and that noone was knocked to the ground,”according to Lisa Pratt, public infor-mation officer for the LBPD. “Oncethe fight was over, both girls left thelocation and went their separateways.”

Detectives have identified theinvolved classmate and interviewed

her, along with the multiple onlook-ers. Detectives are also attempting toidentify anyone who had knowledgeof the events leading up to the fight orany additional witnesses to the fight.What the girls may have been fight-ing over is still under investigation.

As of press time, the death hasbeen ruled as an undetermined one,and the Los Angeles County Coro-ner’s Office will determine the offi-cial cause of death. On Mondaymorning, the LBPD released thename of the girl as being JoannaRamos, and the Coroner’s Officereleased preliminary findings regard-ing the autopsy.

The LBPD conducted a newsconference regarding the incident onSaturday, Feb. 25 at 9pm at thedepartment’s headquarters. LongBeach Mayor Bob Foster, DeputyChief Robert Luna, and Long BeachUnified School District Superintend-ent Chris Steinhauser spoke duringthe press conference.

“There are times when wordsdon’t work to convey our sense ofsadness, and this is one of them,”Foster said. “Our hearts go out to thefamilies affected by this tragic eventyesterday that resulted in the death ofan 11-year old girl from Long Beach.It is hard to understand how thiscould ever happen. And if you arelike me, you are thinking of your

daughter or your grandchildren, andmindful of how precious life reallyis. All of us are anxious to getanswers from the investigation inhopes that they will help us makesome sense of this heartbreak.”

The LBPD will continue to con-duct interviews and gather facts andwill present its findings to the LosAngeles County District Attorney’sOffice, along with the coroner’s find-ings. The District Attorney’s Officewill review the case and ultimatelydetermine if any charges will befiled.

At this point, no arrests have beenmade in the case. Detectives havespoken with family members andfriends of both girls, and no one hasalleged or provided any informationthat the decedent was being bullied.None of the students interviewedthus far has informed detectives thatschool officials were made aware ofthe impending fight.

The LBPD’s Homicide Detailwill continue investigating the inci-dent to determine if a crimeoccurred. Anyone who may haveinformation regarding this investiga-tion, who hasn’t already spoken withdetectives, should contact the Homi-cide Detail at (562) 570-7244.

Anonymous tips may also be sub-mitted via text or web by visiting tip-soft.com.

LB police investigating case of 11-year-oldgirl who died after fight with classmate

During its next monthly meeting onMonday, March 5, the Wrigley Associa-tion will host a candidate forum for theLong Beach Unified School District 2seat at 7pm at Veterans Park, 101 E. 28thSt. The candidates are Dr. FeltonWillians, the incumbent, and RicardoLinarez. The moderator for the event willbe Gavin McKiernan, a Wrigley Associ-ation board member. For more informa-tion, email wrigleyvillage@gmail.com orcall Chris Graeber, Association secretary, at(562) 424-0790.

Long Beach City Auditor LauraDoud announced Tuesday her endorse-ment of Lillian Kawasaki and her candi-dacy for the 8th district of the LongBeach City Council.

“Now, more than ever, we needelected representatives devoted to beingcaretakers of the public trust and willingto be financial watchdogs,” said Doud.“In Lillian, the 8th district and LongBeach will truly have a civic-mindedcouncilmember with a long history ofpublic service, integrity, and commit-ment to those whom she’s sworn toserve.”

The Los Cerritos Neighborhood Asso-ciation (LCNA) will host a forum for can-didates seeking election to the LongBeach City Council’s 8th district seat.Candidates Al Austin, Lillian Kawasakiand Gustavo Rivera have confirmedattendance at the forum, which will takeplace on Wednesday, March 7 at 6pm inLos Cerritos Elementary School’s Audi-torium, 515 W. San Antonio Dr. Theforum will begin immediately followinga short LCNA presentation and isexpected to last one hour and 15 min-utes, including a “lightning” round.

Jeff Kellogg, former 8th districtcouncilmember and current Long BeachCommunity College trustee, will serveas sole moderator. Interested parties maysubmit questions by email toRick.Ivey@loscerritosna.org. Membersof LCNA will review and prepare allquestions in advance.

Eighth District Long Beach CouncilcandidateAl Austin announced this weekthat the grand opening of his new cam-paign office, located at 3811 Long BeachBlvd., will be Saturday, March 3 at 10am.Call (562) 787-3131 for more information.

The Campaign TrailThe Campaign Trail

On Friday, Feb. 24, at approxi-mately 9:10am, Long Beach PoliceDepartment officers were alerted by

a concerned resident to a suspiciousvehicle in an alley near Pine Avenueand Roosevelt Street that policebelieve may have been occupied byfour residential burglars who wereultimately arrested.

Before the vehicle left the alley,police observed that the trunk con-tained numerous items and believed aburglary may have been in progress.As police attempted to catch up to thevehicle to conduct a traffic stop, thevehicle crashed into an apartmentcomplex at Marshall Place and Vir-ginia Road. All four subjects in thevehicle, two males and two females,fled from the vehicle on foot. Thefemales were observed boarding apublic-transit bus on Long BeachBoulevard. The bus was stopped bypolice at Long Beach Boulevard andBixby Road, and both females weredetained. Both male subjects fledwestbound into the neighborhood.

A perimeter was established, andK-9 and the department’s Air SupportUnit “Fox” responded to assist. TheReverse 9-1-1 notification systemwas also utilized, alerting nearby res-idents that a search for burglary sus-pects was underway. After anapproximately 90-minute search ofthe area, the suspects were notlocated, the perimeter was brokendown, but units remained in the area.Approximately 45 minutes later, aresident observed two male subjectsflee his back yard and contactedpolice. Officers in the area observedthe subjects fleeing and tracked themalong the way over police radios. Onesubject was apprehended in the areaof Elm Avenue and Freeland Street,and the other in the 4300 block ofLong Beach Boulevard. All four sus-pects, whose ages ranged from 18 to20, were booked for burglary. One ofthe male suspects is from LongBeach, and the others resided outsideof the city.

Burglary detectives, who alsoresponded to the scene to begin theirinvestigation, believe that these indi-viduals may be responsible for otherburglaries in the area, and the inves-tigation remains ongoing. The sus-pect vehicle was impounded, and lossfound in the vehicle from one resi-dential burglary was returned to thevictim.

Any resident discovering that theyhave been a burglary victim shouldcontact Long Beach Police Commu-nications at (562) 435-6711 so anofficer can be dispatched and a reporttaken. Anyone who may have anyinformation regarding this investiga-tion should contact Burglary Detec-tive Jose Yarruhs at (562) 570-7351.

Alert residents aid police inarrest of burglary suspects

MARcH 2, 2012 NEWS SIgNAL TRIBuNE 3

On Monday, Feb. 20, at approxi-mately 7:33pm, officers from the LongBeach Police Department (LBPD)were called to a residence on the 800block of Martin Luther King, Jr.Avenue, in response to a call that anabandoned baby had been found at anearby gas station. The call resulted ina child abuse investigation with twowomen facing charges.

Paramedics from the Long BeachFire Department responded to thescene and transported the female infantto a local hospital where she was foundto be in good condition, and where shewill stay until she is released to the cus-tody of the Department of Children andFamily Services.

Upon responding to the scene, offi-cers and a detective from the ChildAbuse Detail immediately began aninvestigation. They were soon able toidentify the mother of the baby andlocated her driving in the area. She wasfound to have given birth to the babyjust hours before police were notifiedof the case and was transported to alocal hospital and treated.

As the investigation progressed, itwas determined that the mother of thechild had given birth to the baby at herresidence in Long Beach, and hadgiven the baby to her mother. She andher mother then told police that theyhad found the baby abandoned at thegas station.

On Friday, Feb. 24, detectivesinvestigating the case presented it to theLong Beach City Prosecutor’s Office,and criminal charges were filed againstthe two women who have been identi-fied as Long Beach residents PalomaEspinoza, 28, the mother of the infant,and Sonia Ines Hernandez, 52, themother of Espinoza.

Espinoza was charged with childendangerment and child abandonmentfor abandoning her child, and Hernan-

dez was charged with filing a falsepolice report and obstructing policeofficers in their investigation. If foundguilty of the charges, each womanfaces up to two years in county jail.

That afternoon, officers arrestedEspinoza for willful cruelty to a child.She was taken into custody withoutincident and is being held on $50,000bail. Her arraignment was Tuesday,Feb. 28. Hernandez was served withpaperwork to appear in court forarraignment on that date also.

The LBPD, in conjunction with theCity Prosecutor’s Office and the firedepartment, issued a press release afterthe incident to again remind the com-munity of California’s “Safe Surren-

der” law, which was implemented toprevent babies from being abandonedin unsafe locations and give them achance to be placed in loving homes.The law also provides immunity to aparent who surrenders the infant at apre-designated location, usually a hos-pital or fire station, within 72 hours ofbirth, with no questions asked. Formore information on the law and loca-tions that participate, visitbabysafe.ca.gov.

Anyone who may have additionalinformation on this case is asked tocontact Long Beach Police ChildAbuse Detective Mark Steenhausen at(562) 570-7321. Anonymous tips maybe sent via text or e-mail by visiting tip-

Mother and grandmother of newbornarrested after abandoning her at gas station

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On Tuesday, Feb. 28, at approxi-mately 3:30am, Long Beach PoliceDepartment officers responded to 2ndStreet and Marina Drive regarding aninjury-traffic collision that resulted inthe death of a male adult.

When officers arrived, they dis-covered that a 1996 Red Isuzu Rodeowith a lone occupant had collided intoa traffic-signal pole. The driver, who

is only being identified at this time asa 54-year-old male resident of LongBeach until family can be notifed,was pronounced deceased at thescene.

It is unknown if he had been driv-ing under the influence, and the offi-cial cause of death will be determinedby the Los Angeles County Coroner’sOffice. However, the driver was not

wearing his seatbelt at the time of thecollision, which may have contributedto his death.

The cause of the collision is underinvestigation and anyone who wit-nessed the collision who hasn’t yetspoken with police is asked to contactLong Beach Police Department Acci-dent Investigation Detective DavidLauro at (562) 570-7355.

Driver dies after colliding with traffic-signal pole

EXPLORING VICTORIA’S TRUNKWhat Lecture seriesWho Presented by the Banning MuseumWhere 401 E. M St., WilmingtonWhen Saturday, March 3 at 10amMore Info The lecture will begin in the Harlyne and Kenneth T. NorrisVisitor Center, where guests will be given the opportunity to examine arti-facts on display. The lecture and discussion session titled “Queen Victoriaand Her Traveling Trunk” will be $5 for general admission. Light refresh-ments will be served with no RSVP required. Call (310) 548-2005.

BACK TO THE PASTWhat Re-enactor workshop: Learn to Portray the PastWho Presented by the Dominguez Rancho Adobe MuseumWhere 18127 S. Alameda St., Rancho DominguezWhen Saturday, March 3 from 10:15am to 3:30pmMore Info The free workshop will teach attendees how to do dances fromthe 1800s and how to act like soldiers and different people from the past.No experience is necessary. A potluck lunch will be part of the event.Guests are encouraged to bring an item to share. Free on-site parking willbe provided. Call (310) 603-0088.

PINCH POTS PLAYWhat Crafting opportunityWho Hosted by Rancho Los CerritosWhere 4600 Virginia Rd., LBWhen Saturday, March 3 from 1pm to 5pmMore Info The theme for this month’s creation station is “Play with Clay.”Families with children ages 6 to 11 will be able to introduce their childrento adobe and create coil or pinch pots and “muddy wigglers.” Call (562)570-1755.

MUSICAL HOURWhat Dinner theater fundraiserWho Presented by The Friends of Music at California Heights UnitedMethodist ChurchWhere 3759 Orange Ave., LBWhen Saturday, March 3 at 6pmMore Info The “Musicals…Yes!” fundraiser will include selections from“Princess and the Frog,” “Into the Woods,” “Showboat,” “Legally Blonde:The Musical,” and several others. The show will commence at 7pm. Thesuggested donation for dinner is $23, and tickets will be available for pur-chase through pre-sale or at the door. All proceeds will benefit the choirFire Within Us. Call (562) 595-1996 or visit calheightsumc.org.

HAVING A MEATBALL OF A TIMEWhat Monthly supper clubWho Presented by the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement AssociationSupper ClubWhere Nino’s Italian Restaurant, 3853 Atlantic Ave., LBWhen Monday, March 5 at 6:30pmMore Info RSVP to info@bixbyknollsinfo.com.

RETELLING THE RANCHOS LEGACYWhat Exploring the California RanchosWho Presented by the Rancho Los Cerritos Historic SiteWhere 4600 Virginia Rd., LBWhen Wednesday, March 7 at 7pmMore Info Attendees will explore the California ranchos under the guid-ance of University of California Davis Associate Professor of ChicanoStudies Miroslava Chavez-Garcia. Cost is $5 for person and $3 for full-time students. “California’s Ranchos: Building the Hispanic Legacy” is thesecond in a four-part lecture series celebrating “The Year of the Ranchos.”RSVP at (562) 570-1755.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?What “How to Purchase a Cell Phone”Who Presented by the Long Beach/Lakewood Chapter of Hearing LossAssociation of America (HLAA)Where Weingart Senior Center, 5220 Oliva Ave., LakewoodWhen Thursday, March 8 at 6:30pmMore Info Member Peg Heglund will present tips she learned at theNational HLAA Convention in Washinton, D.C. Light refreshments willbe served. No reservations are necessary and admission is free for the gen-eral public. Call (562) 438-0597 or visit hlalongbeachlakewood.org.

PASS GO AND COLLECT SPAGHETTIWhat Spaghetti dinner and family game nightWho Hosted by the Rising TIDE at Marguerite Kiefer Education CenterWhere Covenant Presbyterian Church, 607 E. 3rd St., LBWhen Friday, March 9 at 6pmMore Info The family-oriented event will be open to the public and reg-istration donation will be $10 per person. Every registration includes din-ner and two 25-minute segments of scored game play of your choice.Prizes will be awarded for the top players in each game category. Regis-tration deadline for team or single players is March 2. Donations will helpprovide academic support, mentoring, cultural enrichment, arts, sports,recreation and nutrition for over 300 inner city children and youth in down-town Long Beach. Guests will also have the opportunity to take part in asilent auction and prize drawings. Call Jo Sutton at (562) 424-3035.

DEBUNKING MISCONCEPTIONSWhat Discussing gender issuesWho Hosted by the American Association of University WomenWhere The Center at Sycamore Plaza, 5000 N. Clark Ave., LakewoodWhen Saturday, March 10 at 11amMore Info The program will explore skewed attitudes, false ideas and mis-perceptions about women under the direction of guest speaker AndreaRiggs. The event is open to the public and cost of luncheon is $30. RSVPat (562) 596-8902.

The Long Beach Police Depart-ment announced Tuesday that YouthServices Detective Yvonne Robinsonhas been selected as a recipient of the2012 “Homer L. Garrott CommunityService Award” by the Southern Cali-fornia Chapter of the National Organ-ization of Black Law EnforcementExecutives (NOBLE). The annualevent highlights dedicated profession-als who are committed to the commu-nity they serve.

Robinson began her career with theLong Beach Police Department(LBPD) 13 years ago and has workedthe past seven in her current positionwith the Youth Services detail. Accord-ing to a press release issued Tuesdayby the LBPD, she is very active in thecommunity and dedicates her time toimproving the lives of others. Robin-son serves on several boards, isinvolved with volunteer groups, and isa youth mentor for the Police Athleticsand Choices for Kids (PACK) programat Washington Middle School, as wellas for the Long Beach PolytechnicHigh School boys and girls basketballand boys football teams. In addition,she holds a degree in public adminis-tration from California State Univer-sity, Dominguez Hills.

Robinson will be the third LBPDdetective to receive this esteemedaward, preceded by Violent CrimesDetective Jackie Bezart in 2011 and

Homicide Detective Mark McGuire in2010.

Robinson will be recognized at the11th annual Achiever’s Dinner on Sat-urday, March 10 at USC Town and

Gown, 665 Exposition Blvd. in LosAngeles. For additional informationregarding the event, contact Stan Hen-dersen (213) 740-4355 or view theorganization’s website at sccnoble.org.

Youth Services detective to receiveNOBLE community-service award

L E T T E R   T O   T H E   E D I T O R

MARcH 2, 2012OPINON4 SIgNAL TRIBuNE

PuBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-cHIEf

Neena R. Strichart

ADVERTISINg cONSuLTANTS

Barbie Ellisen Jane Fallon

INTERN

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ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/WEBSITE MANAgER

Tanya Paz

cuLTuRE WRITERS

Daniel Adams Vicki Paris Goodman

cOLuMNISTS

Jennifer E. Beaver Carol Berg Sloan, RD

STAff WRITERS

CJ Dablo Nick Diamantides Stephanie Raygoza Rachael Rifkin

ASSOcIATE PuBLISHER

Stephen M. StrichartDESIgN EDITOR

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Cory Bilicko

The Signal Tribune welcomes letters to the editor, which should be signed, dated and include a phone number to verify authenticity. The Signal Tribune reserves the right to edit letters for grammar,language and space requirements. The Signal Tribune does not print letters that refer substantially to articles in other publications and might not print those that have recently been printed in other publications or otherwise presented in a public forum. Letters to the editor and commentaries are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Signal Tribune or its staff.Although the editorial staff will attempt to verify and/or correct information when possible, letters to the editor and commentaries are opinions, and readers should not assume that they arestatements of fact. Letter-writers will be identified by their professional titles or affiliations when, and only when, the editorial staff deems it relevant and/or to provide context to the letter.

The Signal Tribune is published each Friday with a circulation of 25,000. Yearly subscriptions are available for $45. 939 E. 27th St., Signal Hill, CA 90755 (562) 595-7900 www.signaltribune.com newspaper@signaltribune.com

cONTRIBuTINg PHOTOgRAPHER

Matt Sun

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Thoughts from the Publisherby Neena Strichart

When Steve and I married nearly 22 years ago, I realized that being the wife of a police offi-cer would sometimes be quite stressful. The danger these men and women face every day, andthe life-and-death, split-second decisions these folks have to make on every shift can literallybe brought home with them. I felt that Steve was a seasoned professional, and with his 21 yearson the force at the time of our marriage, I was pretty darned secure that he was not going to takeany unnecessary chances with his life.

Years earlier, 1980 to be exact, Steve had been shot while on patrol. Part of his routine at thetime was to make a drive and check out the back side of the Long Beach Arena as time allowed.On the night of Easter Sunday, Steve was driving around the back of the arena, and his patrolcar’s headlights illuminated what appeared to be an individual attempting a break in through arear door. After shining his spotlight on the man, Steve got out of the car, drew his weapon andyelled “freeze!” The suspect quickly bolted from the area, and Steve took chase on foot. Whenthe “bad guy” turned a corner, he found himself up against a fence and, feeling cornered, imme-diately took a stance with his gun pointed toward the area Steve would approach– if in fact Stevewas in foot pursuit…something of which the suspect was unsure.

As Steve rounded the corner, the man shot him in the midsection and fled the scene. Unfor-tunately, Steve was in a one-man car that night– his partner had taken the day off to enjoy Easterwith his family. So, shot, stunned and alone, Steve got on his radio and called for back-up. Otherofficers and paramedics arrived to check out the situation and take him to the hospital. With thehelp of his bullet-proof vest, Steve sustained a painful hematoma to his belly area but was oth-erwise in good shape physically and was later given a Purple Heart for his on-duty injury. Thesuspect was never apprehended.

Fast-forward to this past Wednesday, when, thanks to the generosity of the Long BeachPolice Foundation, retirees who had been awarded the Purple Heart in the past were presentedwith the newly created Purple Heart Medal. The following retirees (see below left) were hon-ored: Anthony Benedetti; the late Ronald P. Burgess, Sr. (award accepted by his wife ReginaBurgess); Jim Dowdell; Jim Fortier; Bill Penhollow; Dennis Robbins; Jack Starbird; and SteveStrichart (pictured left with Chief McDonnell).

The event took place in the Chief’s Conference Room of the police department, where therecipients gathered to be addressed by Police Chief Jim McDonnell. As the honorees and theirguests listened, Chief McDonnell thanked them collectively for their bravery and handed eachof the retirees a Purple Heart Medal. At the conclusion of the event, the chief gave his heartfeltremarks to the men being honored. “My hat’s off to all of you,” said the chief. “[There is] noprice that can ever repay you.”

Although Steve retired in 2000, I know it meant a lot to him to be remembered and honoredby his beloved Long Beach Police Department. He absolutely beamed seeing and chatting withhis former brothers in blue. I have a feeling this little reunion will stir up more frequent gather-ing of retirees. They sure have a lot of stories and memories to share.

His own private Idaho?

The president of the California Fish and Game Commission, DanRichards, whose mandate it is to protect native species, killed a mountainlion in Idaho and posed grinning with the carcass. It has been against thelaw in California to hunt mountain lions since 1990, so Richards isreported to have paid about $7,000 to hunt this cat.

Today, outraged by this behavior, 40 members of the California StateAssembly, led by Assemblymember Ben Hueso, called for Richards’s res-ignation in a letter. In addition to expressing their outrage in his exerciseof judgment and resultant behavior, the lawmakers went on to say: “Youractions have raised serious questions about whether you respect the lawsof the people of California and whether you are fit to adequately enforcethose laws. Without the proper credibility to hold such an important rep-resentative position as the one you hold, you can only succeed at one out-come, eroding the public’s confidence and trust in their government.”

To say the least! The people of California have led and continue to leadthe nation in animal-protection initiatives. I and many other animal-pro-tection advocates have come before the Fish and Game Commission toplead for the lives of bears offered up to hunters, to stop the imports offrogs and turtles that decimate California’s native species, and to increase

humane protections for our captive wildlife. It was us, the people of Cal-ifornia who passed Proposition 117, which actually banned the huntingof mountain lions. Commissioner Richards knew that when he signed upfor his hunt and essentially gave us the “Bronx Cheer" while flaunting histrophy. This is who is supposed to serve as guardian of our native wildlife.

The legislature has the authority and must so exercise it to immedi-ately remove this man from his position. I would also like to see an inves-tigation into whether or not he brought the $7,000 body back with him toCalifornia, which is also illegal.

It is irrelevant whether his acts were legal in Idaho or not. What is rel-evant is the act itself. It speaks volumes about Richards’s attitude towardsprotecting wildlife. It shouts his lack of regard for the opinions of the Cal-ifornia public and it has, in the end, killed a lion.

“I'm glad it’s legal in Idaho,” said Richards.“Shame on you,” said us.

Madeline BernsteinPresident

Society for the Prevention of cruelty to AnimalsLos Angeles

MARcH 2, 2012 SIgNAL TRIBuNE 5

Ninth District CouncilmemberSteven Neal, The Long Beach Hous-ing Development Company(LBHDC) and developer/propertymanager Abode Communities haveannounced $25.8 million in renova-tions to Evergreen Apartments–three affordable-housing develop-ments with a total of 81 unitsthroughout the city of Long Beach.

While the growing disparitybetween household incomes andhousing costs leave a demandingneed for housing that working peo-ple can afford, both Abode Commu-nities and LBHDC continue theirwork in advocating and supporting

the new construction and renovationof quality, affordable homes that pro-mote safe and livable neighbor-hoods.

“Thanks to LBHDC and AbodeCommunities, these properties willnot only receive a much neededfacelift, but will provide secure hous-ing for families while offering resi-dents valuable services,” Neal said.

“Through our public-private part-nerships we do make significantefforts to improve living conditionsfor families and provide affordablehousing units for Long Beach resi-dents,” said 4th District Coun-cilmember Patrick O’ Donnell.

The sites – The Palm, The Sageand The Jasmine– are located at1801 E. 68th St., 1823 E. 68th St.and 1528 N. Freeman Ave., respec-tively.

The properties, originally ownedby The Long Beach Housing Devel-opment Company, were purchasedby Abode Communities in 1999. Themajor renovation effort will includetwo new tot lots, new roofs, newlandscaping, building façadeimprovements, new apartment interi-ors, and high-efficiency mechanicaland plumbing. Most notably, twosites will feature expanded and mod-ernized community rooms, and

Abode Communities will provideessential basic services to residents atlittle or no cost.

“We’re excited to bring AbodeCommunities’ value-added servicesto these residential communities,”said Robin Hughes, president ofAbode Communities. “By reposi-tioning these properties, we are ableto enhance our physical asset, extendthe affordability of the apartmentsand bring onsite services to the resi-dents.”

Resident services will includeafter-school programs; computertraining; resource and referrals tohealthcare, job training and adult-education programs; employmentpreparation and assistance; financialeducation; educational workshops;and community outreach events.

Extending the long-term afford-ability of these properties for a term

of 55 years, Evergreen Apartments’mission is to create safe, healthyand viable neighborhoods. Nearly180 residents are currently living atthe sites, with each household earn-ing between $27,518 and $30,862or 50 percent to 60 percent of thearea median income.

The project was financedthrough a combination of LowIncome Housing Tax Credit equityprovided by U.S. Bancorp Commu-nity Development Corporation, asubsidiary of U.S. Bank; construc-tion and permanent loans fromUnion Bank; tax-exempt bondsissued by California MunicipalFinance Authority; HOME Invest-ment Partnership Program fundsobtained through The Long BeachHousing Development Company;and a private developer loan toAbode Communities.

6 SIgNAL TRIBuNE MARcH 2, 2012cOMMuNITY

Eighth District Councilmember Rae Gabelich will host a “Coffee andConversation” event on Saturday, March 10, from 10am to noon at ElAvila’s El Ranchito restaurant, 5345 Long Beach Blvd.

The public is invited to attend and learn about new projects and eventsthat are taking place in the 8th district and throughout the city. Attendeeswill also have the opportunity to voice their concerns and suggestionsaffecting their neighborhoods. For more information, call (562) 570-6685or email district8@longbeach.gov.

gabelich to host event forpublic input, information

Former Long Beach 7th District Councilmember Tonia Reyes Uranga spoke to a full house at the first-ever “Peo-ple’s State of the City” address hosted by Antioch Church at 1535 Gundry Ave. on Wednesday night. The eventfocused on poverty in Long Beach and what can be done to improve the lives of people who are barely able to paytheir rent and put food on the table. “Some people in this city will never have to work two jobs to make ends meet,or worry about filing for bankruptcy, or going for public subsidy just to get health insurance for their children,” ReyesUranga told the audience. “Yet those of us who do have to worry about such things have never before in the historyof this city been under attack. Working families and immigrants have been portrayed as the culprits and blamed forthe bad economy, yet we are not responsible for the greed of the corporations.” Next week, the Signal Tribune willpublish an article with more information about the event.

Nick Diamantides/Signal Tribune

Three affordable-housing developments receive $25.8 million in renovations

From left, Annette Billingsley, Union Bank; Robin Hughes, president and CEO ofAbode Communities; 9th District Councilmember Steven Neal; and Pat Wong,board member representative for The Long Beach Housing Development Companyand Abode Communities during a groundbreaking ceremony for The EvergreenApartments on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

first-ever ‘People’s State of the city’address draws full house at local church

Courtesy City of LB

MARcH 2, 2012 SIgNAL TRIBuNE 7cOMMuNITY

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Junior League of Long Beach(JLLB) is inviting local families to joinin the fun of learning about healthyeating and exercise at the seventhannual Kids in the Kitchen Fair. Co-sponsored by The City of Long BeachDepartment of Health and HumanServices Healthy Active Long BeachProject, the free event will take placeSaturday, March 10, from 10am to2pm at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park,1950 Lemon Ave.

The fun-filled day will provide par-ents with resources for healthy choicesthrough entertaining food and exer-cise-related activities such as fitnesschallenges, veggie bowling, cereallimbo, a bicycle rodeo, kid-friendly

snack recipes, games, music, and raffleprizes.

There will be free dental screeningsfrom Mobile Kids Smile, free bike hel-mets and bike safety tips from MillerChildren’s Hospital and Kohl’s, gamesand activities from Radio Disney,healthy food demonstrations fromRenaissance Hotel Executive ChefMichael Poompan, seed-planting les-sons from MLK Jr. Park’s onsite PeaceGarden, and group fitness exercises ledby Long Beach Jr. Runners. Kid Tribewill perform Hoop-A-PaLoo-Za, aninteractive hula-hoop concert.

Additional activities and serviceswill be provided by Dole, CSULBDietetic Interns, Walk Long Beach,

Long Beach Fire Safety House, andCalFresh: Food Stamp EnrollmentUnit.

“In response to the rising childhoodobesity epidemic, this free healthy eat-ing and exercise fair offers families anarray of resources,” said JLLB Presi-dent Samantha Fabrigas. “Last year,more than 600 children and their par-ents came for the fun and increasedtheir options for healthy lifestyles. TheJunior League of Long Beach ispleased to offer this to our commu-nity.”

For more details about the 7thAnnual JLLB Kids in the Kitchen:Healthy Eating and Exercise Fair, visitjllb.org.

Kids in the Kitchen fair to teach childrenabout healthy living through fun activities

The Long Beach Playhouse isseeking the funniest people in townfor its Comedy Battle Royale Eventon April 13 and 14. Those interestedmay apply by sending the Play-house a video submission showcas-ing their act, either as a single,stand-up comedian or an improvensemble.

Submissions should be less than

two minutes in length. The Play-house will be accepting submissionsthrough March 15. Submit video tofacebook.com/ pages/Long-Beach-Playhouse. Those selected to partic-ipate in the Comedy Battle Royalewill be contacted by April 2.

The semi-finalists will engage in“comedy combat,” a face-off on Fri-day, April 13 in front of a live audi-

ence. The audience will vote for theirfavorites, who will then move on tothe finals on Saturday, April 14.

There will be winners in both thestand-up and the improv categories.Stand-up winners will receive $100,and the improv champions will win$200. In addition to the cash prize,winners will be offered future book-ings at the Long Beach Playhouse.

LB Playhouse looking for funny folks

The Long Beach Fire Depart-ment has issued a press releasereminding the public of the 2001California “Safely SurrenderedBaby Law,” which allows parentsto safely surrender unwanted new-borns without fear of prosecution,as long as the babies are healthy.The purpose of the law is to pro-tect babies from being hurt orkilled because they were aban-doned.

Newborns who are 72 hours old

or younger can be surrendered toany hospital emergency room inLong Beach and throughout LosAngeles County, any Long Beachfire station, any Los AngelesCounty fire stations, and other firestations that participate in the pro-gram.

Since the program began, 90babies have been safely surren-dered in Los Angeles County,including eight in Long Beach.

At the time of surrender, a

bracelet is placed on the baby witha matching bracelet provided to theparent (or lawful guardian), whichcan be used within 14 days toreclaim the baby. All identifyinginformation that pertains to parentsis confidential.

For more information, includingthe location of the nearest SafeSurrender site, visit babysafela.orgor call the multilingual Safe Sur-render hotline at 877-BABY-SAFE(877-222-9723), 24 hours a day.

LBfD reminding public of ‘Safely Surrendered Baby Law’

Nick Diamantides/Signal Tribune

The Long Beach Red Cross’s annual Hometown Heroes Awards Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Hotel indowntown Long Beach Thursday morning drew about 300 people to honor “ordinary people who, in amoment of crisis, stepped forward bravely to help someone else” who was in danger of great harm or death.This year’s award recipients, pictured above are (from left): Sascha Bryan-Zwick, Priscilla Hoskinds, KellyArmstrong, Tyler Marlowe, Brianna Aguet, Tim Evans, Marc Hawkins, Toby Benskin, Sondra Benskin andAdrianna Jaurigui. Next week’s Signal Tribune will include a more detailed article on the event.

Local Red cross chapter honors ‘ordinarypeople’ who bravely helped others in danger

Photos courtesy JLLB

Local chefs provide healthy-cooking demonstrations during the Junior League ofLong Beach’s Kids in the Kitchen event.

Games involving healthy food choices are an important part of the Kids in the Kitchen event.

8 SIgNAL TRIBuNE MARcH 2, 2012cuLTuRE

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The following is a press release from the NationalWomen’s History Project, which was founded in 1980in Santa Rosa, California, by Molly Murphy MacGre-gor, Mary Ruthsdotter, Maria Cuevas, Paula Hammettand Bette Morgan to broadcast women’s historicalachievements.

Although women now outnumber men in Americancolleges nationwide, this reversal of the gender gap is avery recent phenomenon. The fight to learn was a valiantstruggle waged by many tenacious women– across yearsand across cultures. After the American Revolution, thenotion of education as a safeguard for democracy createdopportunities for girls to gain a basic education. However,that education was based largely on the premise that, asmothers, they would nurture the minds and bodies of the(male) citizens and leaders. This idea that educatingwomen meant educating mothers endured in America formany years at all levels of education.

The equal opportunity to learn, which today is takenfor granted, owes much to Title IX of the EducationCodes of the Higher Education Act Amendments. Passedin 1972 and enacted in 1977, this legislation prohibitedgender discrimination by federally funded institutions. Itsenactment has served as the primary tool for women’s

fuller participation in all aspects of education from schol-arships, to facilities, to classes formerly closed to women.It has also transformed the educational landscape of theUnited States within the span of a generation.

Each year National Women’s History Month employsa unifying theme and recognizes national honorees whosework and lives testify to that theme. The stories ofwomen's achievements are integral to the fabric of ourhistory. Learning about women’s tenacity, courage, andcreativity throughout the centuries is a tremendous sourceof strength. Knowing women’s stories provides essentialrole models for everyone. And role models are genuinelyneeded to face the extraordinary changes and unrelentingchallenges of the 21st century. National Women’s HistoryMonth, designated by Joint Resolutions of the House andSenate and Proclamations by six American presidents, isan opportunity to learn about and honor women’s achieve-ments today and throughout history.

What is your school, community or organization doingto celebrate National Women’s History Month thisMarch?

For more information and resources to commemoratemulticultural women’s history and to celebrate Women’sEducation –Women’s Empowerment, visit nwhp.org.

Women’s education– women’s empowerment isthe theme for National Women’s History Month

Historical female figuresthrough one artist’s eyes

In honor of March as Women’s History Month, the Signal Tribunehas asked local artist Alejandra Vernon to share some of her portraitsof prominent female figures and to provide her thoughts on the signif-icance of each woman. “Women have influenced history in so manyways,” Vernon said. “These are my impressions of the women I havedepicted in art, and the ways they have influenced me.”

“La Gioconda”“Mona Lisa. The essence

of the mystery that isWoman. Men have beentrying to figure her out

for centuries!”

“Good Queen Bess”“Queen Elizabeth I, forbetter or worse, had a

huge impact on theworld. History can'tignore her, and sheshows the side of

womanhood that can beso powerful.”

“Frida”“Frida Kahlo is an

inspiration for every artist.When showing my own

work, I often feel as if I amstanding naked in the townsquare. Frida did this withevery painting, baring hersoul to the world. She did itboldly, heroically, and with

conviction. Every artistmust strive to do the same,and it’s not always easy.”

“Marilyn”“Marilyn Monroe.

Such beauty,fragility,

vulnerability, andgentleness. Thereis a bit of Marilynin every woman’sheart that must be

nourished andfortified.”

“Angela Davis”“Angela Davis is one of the

most cultured, eloquent womenalive. Her personal history isextraordinary, and she has anaura of self-confidence, humor,and sophistication in the finestsense of the word. That is whyI use the word ‘freedom’ in herportrait. She has overcome theconstraints of the world andrisen above all the negativity

that was thrust upon her in thepast. I love Angela Davis. She

is truly inspiring.”

To find out more about the artist and her work, visit avernon.com.

The First Fridays Art Walk in Bixby Knolls on March 2will feature a celebration of Dr. Seuss’s 108th birthday. Lit-tle Owl Pre-School, 3426 Linden Ave., will host a studentart exhibit at the Expo Arts Center, 4321 Atlantic Ave.;attendees can buy a Dr. Seuss book from A Castle ofBooks, 4302 Atlantic Ave. in Bixby Knolls for a donationto Miller Children’s Hospital; and anyonewho dresses as a Dr. Seuss character willwin a prize.

Other ingredients of the night willinclude: live art and interactive art activi-ties, ukuleles, jazz, pop, dance, swing, LongBeach Day Nursery exhibit, a deejay play-ing classical music, roaming Irish song-sters, green drinks, the blessing andactivation of an Altar to the FeminineDevine, the Knolls Ranger mascot, classiccars, improv comedy, dramatic scenes,Timstrument, free books, gift items,antiques, spoken word, funky hair, the Big

Red Bus, and plenty of the unexpected. Seventh District Councilmember James Johnson’s “First

Books at First Fridays” at the Dana Branch Library will feature9th District Councilmember Steve Neal and entertainmentfrom “Zorro” beginning at 5:30pm.

The Big Red Bus will transport First Fridays attendees toall the participating locations. Bella Cosa,

3803 Atlantic Ave., will provide informa-tion about First Fridays, maps, and restau-rant recommendations from from 6:30pmto 8pm.

When the businesses start to close, FirstFridays After Hours begins across the dis-trict. Nino’s Italian Restaurant will featurean after-party with a mix of music, dancing,and late-night dining and beverages. TheFactory and EJ Malloy’s will also go lateinto the night with dinner, drinks, music, andcommunity mingling. For more information,

visit firstfridayslongbeach.com.

first fridays Art Walk to get musical and‘Seussical’ in honor of author’s birthday

MARcH 2, 2012 SIgNAL TRIBuNE 9cuLTuRE

Michele Roberge, the executivedirector of the Carpenter PerformingArts Center at Cal State Long Beach(CSULB), and award-winning actorand director David Birney will per-form in A.R. Gurney’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated play Love Letters as afundraiser for the center’s ClassroomConnections program, a three-partprogram that introduces Long BeachUnified School District (LBUSD) ele-mentary students to the performingarts.

The performance will be Sunday,March 4 at 2pm at the Carpenter Cen-ter. Each $50 tax-deductible donationto Classroom Connections willreceive one ticket.

“David Birney is a friend of mine

and last summer was asked to do aperformance for his reunion at Dart-mouth College,” said Roberge, nowin her ninth year at CSULB and fifthas the executive director of the Car-penter Center. “He and I had doneLove Letters a couple of years earlier,and he asked me if I would go toDartmouth and do it with him as partof the activities of reunion weekend.Frankly, I thought it was a good ideaso all the wives would have some-thing to do while the husbands wereoff playing golf. It was pouring rainthe day of the performance, so all themen came to the show too. It went sowell that I asked him if he would do itat the Carpenter Center and he gra-ciously agreed.”

The play, first performed onstagein 1988, tells the story of two charac-ters, who sit side-by-side and readnotes, letters and cards in which theyreveal the hopes and ambitions,dreams and disappointments, victo-ries and defeats of their separate lives.

“It’s a lovely piece and beautifullywritten,” Roberge said. “The playspans a lifetime through letters, and Ithink it’s unavoidable that audiencemembers think of their own lives andthe people who come and go out of it.It’s a very sweet, funny play. I thinkeverybody can relate to missed oppor-tunities and bad decisions and the dif-ferent paths your life can take. That’swhat Love Letters is all about.”

In the first part of the ClassroomConnections program, CarpenterCenter teachers go into classrooms tointroduce students to an art form andtalk about the artist they will soonmeet. As many of these students havenever been to a live theatre, they arealso taught theatre etiquette.

In the following week, the profes-sional artists visit each classroom sostudents can meet and interact, per-haps learning a dance, song, or othercreative activities. For the final partof the program, students come to theCarpenter Center and witness a fully-produced performance.

“We fill the theatre with 1,060kids, and they are completelyengaged,” Roberge explained,“because now they get to see a per-

formance with the person they metwho is on stage with costumes, lights,sounds and all the other productionvalues.”

Each year more than 3,000 stu-dents participate in the ClassroomConnections program, which isfunded through the support of theArts Council for Long Beach, BessHodges Foundation, Dwight StuartYouth Foundation, L.A. CountySupervisor Don Knabe, Long BeachRotary Foundation and many gener-ous individual donors.

“We offer this program to theLong Beach Unified schools forfree,” said Roberge, noting the centerdoes three such events annually.“They do not pay anything to partic-ipate. It’s quite a unique program andis consistently full to capacity, with awaiting list of classrooms that wantto participate.

“The Carpenter Center relies onthe support of foundations and pri-vate donors to provide ClassroomConnections to LBUSD schools.This performance of Love Letterswill be of great help in ensuring itscontinuation. I’m so grateful thatDavid is supportive of the arts and ofthe work we do here,” she contin-ued. “He is so generous in volun-teering his time for thisperformance and he is really goodin this part…really good.”

For tickets, contact the Carpen-ter Performing Arts Center at (562)985-7000.

carpenter center executive director goesfrom backstage to onstage with fundraisingperformance of Pulitzer-nominated play

Eileen Holt Helwig, flute player for the ensemble Calico Winds, addresses

an audience of more than 1,000 local children for the Carpenter Center’s

Classroom Connections program, which exposes young students to the per-

forming arts and teaches them about theatre etiquette.

Michele Roberge, executive director ofthe Carpenter Performing Arts Centerat Cal State Long Beach

Award-winning actor and directorDavid Birney

Vicki Paris Goodman

Culture Writer

The thought of there being afinal adventure for the standardbearer of private eyes is unthink-able. Retirement for SherlockHolmes? Somehow such a humanendeavor as planning the end toone’s career seems too conven-tional for an immortal likeHolmes. Does a legend retire?

Yet in 1899 Sir Arthur ConanDoyle, creator of the SherlockHolmes character and author ofthe immensely popular mysterynovels featuring the brilliantdetective, teamed up with co-author William Gillette to writethe stage play that would bring thesuspense series to a fitting close.Steven Dietz has adapted the workfor the modern stage. James Ricedirects the Long Beach Playhouseproduction.

So with hands figurativelyplanted over my eyes and ears(yes, I was in denial), I took myseat in the Playhouse’s Mainstagetheater and prepared for the end.

But what transpired was morespoof than true Holmes. It seemeda parody of what a final episodemight look like– sort of a “whatif” with a bold sense of humor.Good. I could relax and enjoy thiswithout suffering a loss.

In Sherlock Holmes: The FinalAdventure, an aging, cocaine-addicted, but sharp-as-everHolmes (Noah Wagner) summonshis famous cohort Dr. Watson(Stephen Alan Carver) to help himseek out and finally destroyHolmes’s age-old nemesis, Profes-sor Moriarty (Don Schlossman). (Isuppose Holmes couldn’t justifysitting home working crosswordswith Moriarty still on the loose.)

But before the two men can put

Holmes’s plan in motion, theyreceive an unwelcome visit from arather high-strung and supremelyagitated King of Bohemia (SkipBlas). His royal highness has hisknickers in a twist worrying overhis upcoming nuptials to a Euro-pean princess whom he fears willsee a photo depicting him with thefamous and beautiful opera singer,Irene Adler (Tiffany Toner).

Throwing a bone to Holmesfans who’d held on to the notion ofa love interest for the committedlyuninvolved detective, the writershave here designated Adler theapple of Holmes’s “private” eye.Where Wagner and Toner don’texactly ignite, they produce a fewsparks of mild admiration. Oh,well.

Wagner is an attractive enoughHolmes. If only he hadn’t rushedso many of his lines that somewere unintelligible. Carver’s Wat-son does a better job with vocalpace and clarity, and thus producesa more believable character.

By the time Holmes and Wat-son catch up with Moriarty, playedwith demonic conviction bySchlossman, Adler is married toMoriarty’s accomplice JamesLarrabee, but is she really?

In a spoof, even genius can beexaggerated. And Holmes’s antic-ipation of every impossibly unpre-dictable eventuality is showcasedhere to the point of absurdity. Butthe absurd can be fun, so why not?

Moriarty’s team includes arather colorful cast of characters,including James’s sister Madge(Judy Gish), whose deliciouscackle brings to mind Oz’s wickedwitch of the west, and Sid Prince(James Velasquez), ace safe-cracker and an apparent refugee ofthe streets of some New Jerseysuburb.

Blas’s Bohemian king isarguably the hit of the show. Play-house regular Blas always sum-mons maximal entertainmentvalue out of the characters he por-

trays.In the end, Holmes and Mori-

arty stage their final showdownunwitnessed at the top of a mightywaterfall. Does either survive? I’dbe remiss if I gave that away.

Sherlock Holmes: The FinalAdventure continues on the LongBeach Playhouse Mainstagethrough March 24. General-admis-sion tickets are $24; $21 for sen-iors. Student tickets are $14 withvalid student ID. Performances areFridays and Saturdays at 8pm, withSunday matinees at 2pm. The LongBeach Playhouse is located at 5021E. Anaheim St. Call (562) 494-1014 for reservations and informa-tion. Tickets are also availableonline at lbplayhouse.org.

Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventuremore spoof than thriller at LB Playhouse

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10 SIgNAL TRIBuNE MARcH 2, 2012cOMMuNITY

Marnise Holmes of Signal Hill was recently selected to participate in the2012 Miss Teen Los Angeles/Anaheim pageant competition that will takeplace Saturday, March 17. Holmes learned of her acceptance into this year’scompetition when the pageant announced its selections following interviewingin the Los Angeles/Anaheim area. Marnise submitted an application andtook part in an interview session that was conducted by this year’s pageantcoordinator.

Holmes will be competing for her share of thousands of dollars in prizesand specialty gifts that will be distributed to contestants. She will be competingin the Miss Teen division, one of four divisions that will have young ladiesbetween the ages of 7 and 19 competing in modeling routines, which includecasual wear and formal wear. Most important, Holmes will display her person-ality and interviewing skills while interviewing with this year’s LosAngeles/Anaheim judging panel. Personality is the number-one aspect that eachcontestant is judged on during all phases of competition.

If Holmes were to win the title of Miss Teen Los Angeles/Anaheim, shewould represent Los Angeles/Anaheim and the surrounding communities atthe national competition that will take place in Orlando, Florida. Over $30,000in prizes and awards will be presented at the national competition while eachwinner enjoys this expense-paid trip of five nights and six days in Orlando.

Community businesses, organizations, and private individuals will assistHolmes in participating in this year’s competition by becoming an official spon-sor for her. Through sponsorship, each contestant receives all the necessarytraining, rehearsals, and financial support which will allow Holmes to becomea confident and well-prepared contestant in this year’s Los Angeles/AnaheimPageant.

Any business, organization, or private individual who may be interested inbecoming a sponsor to Holmes may contact the Miss Teen Los Angeles/Ana-heim pageant coordinator at 1-800-279-0976.

Signal Hill resident to compete inMiss Teen L.A./Anaheim pageant

Photo by David Glinton

Marnise Holmes of Signal Hill has been selected to participate inthe 2012 Miss Teen Los Angeles/Anaheim pageant competition.

Nick Diamantides

Staff Writer

Spending a few years in the militarycan make a person accustomed to ahighly structured lifestyle in which oth-ers make decisions, while food, clothingand shelter are provided by the organi-zation. Stepping out of that situation andback into the far less disciplined life of acivilian is a stressful undertaking formany veterans, and it can sometimescause them to make foolish choices.

A program called Outside the Wire isaimed at helping veterans strugglingwith the transition to civilian life. Theprogram is offered by the U.S VeteransInitiative (U.S. Vets).

“It is an outreach and early-interven-tion program that offers free and confi-dential mental-health services toveterans, their family members and theirsignificant others in the community,”said Dr. Todd Adamson, coordinator forthe Outside the Wire program. “It wasinitially geared at veterans of the Iraqand Afghanistan wars, but we will notturn down any other veterans.”

Adamson, who is a clinical psychol-ogist, explained that U.S. Vets has part-nered with four local communitycolleges (Santa Monica CommunityCollege, Long Beach City College, LosAngeles City College, and West LosAngeles City College) to provide thecounseling at the respective campus vet-erans resource centers. The organizationwill soon offer the program to PasadenaCity College as well. “The counseling ismostly one-on-one, but group therapysessions are also available,” Adamsonsaid. He added that Outside the Wirealso offers training to college staff andfaculty on military life and transitionalissues specific to veterans.

“One of the reasons we are at the citycolleges is that we discovered that manyof the Iraq and Afghanistan war veteransare using the post 9-11 G.I. Bill to go toschool while they are transitioning backinto civilian life,” Adamson said. “Themoney they receive through the billhelps pay their rent and other expenseswhile they are working toward theirgoals, and we are there to help themachieve their goals.”

Adamson said that most of the vetsthat come to Outside the Wire are seek-ing emotional health. “Many peoplehave a misconception that all vets are thesame and they all have post-traumaticstress disorder (PTSD) or similar prob-lems, but that is not the case,” he said.“Every vet is different, and most of themdo not have PTSD.”

Adamson explained that stress is acommon problem among veterans, andit can be related to painful experiencesin the military or it can be due to the dif-ficulty of readjusting to civilian life.“But many of the veterans we see hadpreexisting issues, sometimes with fam-ily, or with drugs and alcohol evenbefore enlisting,” Adamson said. “Inthose cases, the military experience mayhave exacerbated their problems.”

He added that the inability to controlanger and problems communicatingwith the people closest to them are alsocommon among veterans. “Often a fam-ily member or significant other will tellthem to get counseling, and then theycome to us,” Adamson said.

After a veteran signs up for the Out-side the Wire program, the first thingAdamson or the other counselors try todo is develop rapport and trust. “A vetwill not open up and be honest unless hetrusts us,” Adamson said. “Once I haveestablished trust with the individual, I tryto identify their goals. I ask them, ‘Whatwould you like to get from these ses-sions?’”

He said some vets only need psycho-logical education. “I tell them, this iswhat PTSD is. This is what traumaticbrain injury is,” he explained. “Idescribe some of the symptoms theymay experience, and I tell them whatthey can do to help themselves.”

He noted that some vets only needtwo or three counseling sessions whileothers need a year of meeting with acounselor. Adamson also meets withcouples having relational issues.

Outside the Wire is available tomales and females, but because mostvets are males, most in the program arealso males. The local program has twopsychologists: Adamson and Dr. DanChenoweth. It also has four psychologydoctoral students– practicum students–

from the Chicago School of ProfessionalPsychology.

“I probably see four to nine vets aweek,” Adamson said. “The practicumstudents each see about four per week.”Chenoweth does most of the administra-tive work and compiles data so he is notcounseling vets at this time.

According to Adamson, the programworks very well. “After the counseling,most of the vets are able to function at alevel they were not able to function atbefore,” he said. “ We also coordinatewith other organizations to find the besthelp for the vets. If we can’t help them,we will find the appropriate program forthem offered by another organization oragency.”

Adamson noted that, as more andmore men and women who served in theIraq and Afghanistan wars are dis-charged, the number of veterans havingproblems transitioning back into civilianlife is going to increase. “We want tooffer these services to the vets early, assoon as possible after their military dutyis over,” he said. “We believe that earlyintervention will help them avoid futureproblems like substance abuse, violence,divorce and financial crises.”

MORE INFORMATION

(323) 246-0413

Outside the Wire program helps stressed-out vets readjust to civilian life

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Courtesy US Vets

Dr. Todd Adamson oversees the U.S.Vets Outside the Wire program which,among other things, provides help toveterans to avoid future problems suchas substance abuse, violence, divorce,and financial crises.

MARcH 2, 2012 SIgNAL TRIBuNE 11cOMMuNITY

HoW To AVoID PRoBATE

ELIZABETH ARNETT VOZZELLAAttorney at Law • (562) 426-9876

Probate is a very costly and long process that can last from 9 to 18months in most cases. Fortunately, there are several alternatives availablethat remove the asset from one’s probatable estate while that person is stillalive. Naming a beneficiary on life insurance policies, IRA’s, 401(k)’s, andannuities before your death assures the asset is transferred straight to thechosen beneficiary. Joint Tenancy is where the owner of the asset names aco-owner of an account or real property. Caution: Joint tenancies have risksas the co-owner has the same rights to the asset as the original owner and aloss of Stepped-up valuation.

Pay-on-death Accounts are similar to naming a beneficiary in that thebank account owner completes banking paperwork which names the person(s)

who will receive the bank account upon the bankowner’s death.

Lifetime Gifts given during your life avoids probatebecause probate only applies to those assets owned attime of death. A Living Trust is very beneficial whendealing with titled real property and other assets. A com-plete estate plan included in the Living Trust includesmany ancillary documents that protect you financially, phys-ically and allows for peace of mind.

The followingnutrition articlewas submitted byKelly Sloan, afood and nutri-tion undergradu-ate student at theUniversity ofHawaii at Manoa

and daughter of Signal Tribune nutri-tion columnist Carol Berg Sloan.

According to the Juice andSmoothie Association, smoothies arethe most popular drink on the market.Many smoothie bars such as JambaJuice® or Juice it Up!® are aware ofconsumers’ needs and wants forhealthy meal alternatives, so whatbetter than a real-fruit smoothie?Smoothies were created to be healthyand beneficial for diets at anydemand: at home, at work or on thego. All you need is fruit, ice andwater; however, smoothies can bemade with just about any ingredientyou desire.

What makes a smoothie good foryou? As mentioned, if smoothies aremade from real fresh fruit, ice andwater, consumers are getting thenutrition benefits of whole fruits.Unfortunately many smoothies haveadded ingredients that can boost calo-ries but not nutritional value. Forexample, a popular smoothie atJamba Juice called Peanut ButterMooed contains frozen yogurt,chocolate base, peanut butter andbanana. And, while delicious, thisdrink contains 480 calories for a 16-ounce drink and 770 calories for a20-ounce original!

Smoothies can be a healthy treatthat ups your fruit and vegetableintake, or a calorie-laden beveragethat contributes extra sugar to yourdiet. I suggest that you ask for thenutrition information and the ingre-dient list so you can make aninformed decision at the smoothiebar. I also share that smoothiesshould not be a drink for a meal;this is just too many calories.

Better yet, make your ownsmoothie at home. Smoothies canbe a great snack or even a mealreplacement.

Try these recipes to get you inthe mood for the islands, mon(Tropical Walnut Smoothie) or forSt. Patty’s Day (Green Smoothie).

Tropical Walnut Smoothie Walnuts.org

This creamy non-dairy smoothie isa super-foods smoothie. It containsthree top super foods: oranges (asjuice), soybeans (as tofu) and wal-nuts. Using frozen mango gives it athicker, ice cream-like consistency.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:1 cup orange juice1 cup frozen chunks of mango1/2 cup chopped California walnuts1/3 cup tofu (about 2-inch cube)

Directions:Place orange juice, mango, walnuts,and tofu in a blender. Blend on low speed until ingredientsstart to mix together. Then increase tohigh speed and blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and sprinkle withwalnuts. Can make up to 1 hourahead. Serve with straw or spoon.

Nutrition per serving: Calories 158 Total Fat 10 g Saturated Fat 1 g Monounsaturated Fat 1 g Polyunsaturated Fat 7 g Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg Sodium 14 mg Total Carbohydrate 16 g Dietary Fiber 2 g Protein 4 g

green Smoothieeatingwell.com/recipes/green_smoothie.html

Get your daily dose of dark leafygreens any time of day with this deli-cious green smoothie. Groundflaxseed adds omega-3s. Pour anyextra into a freezer-pop mold andhave it later as a frozen greensmoothie pop.

Servings: 2

Ingredients2 ripe medium bananas 1 ripe pear or apple, peeled if desired,

chopped 2 cups chopped kale leaves, tough

stems removed1/2 cup cold orange juice 1/2 cup cold water 12 ice cubes 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed PreparationPlace bananas, pear (or apple), kale,orange juice, water, ice cubes andflaxseed in a blender. Pulse a fewtimes, then purée until smooth,scraping down the sides as necessary.

Nutrition per serving: Calories 240 Fat 3 g Saturated Fat 0 g Monounsaturated Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg Carbohydrates 55 g Protein 5 g Fiber 8 g Sodium 38 mg Potassium 987 mg

Smoothies– healthy drinkor just extra calories?

The Internal Revenue Service(IRS) has issued its annual “DirtyDozen” ranking of tax scams,reminding taxpayers to use cautionduring tax season to protect them-selves against a wide range ofschemes, from identity theft toreturn-preparer fraud.

The Dirty Dozen listing, compiledby the IRS each year, lists a variety ofcommon scams taxpayers canencounter at any point during theyear. But many of these schemespeak during filing season as peopleprepare their tax returns.

Last week, the Signal Tribunepublished the first six scams in theDirty Dozen. The following com-prise the second set of six:

false form 1099 refund claimsIn this ongoing scam, the perpe-

trator files a fake information return,such as a Form 1099 Original IssueDiscount (OID), to justify a falserefund claim on a corresponding taxreturn. In some cases, individualshave made refund claims based onthe bogus theory that the federal gov-ernment maintains secret accountsfor U.S. citizens and that taxpayerscan gain access to the accounts byissuing 1099-OID forms to the IRS.

Don’t fall prey to people whoencourage you to claim deductionsor credits to which you are not enti-tled or willingly allow others to useyour information to file false returns.If you are a party to such schemes,you could be liable for financialpenalties or even face criminal pros-ecution.

frivolous argumentsPromoters of frivolous schemes

encourage taxpayers to make unrea-sonable and outlandish claims toavoid paying the taxes they owe. The

IRS has a list of frivolous tax argu-ments that taxpayers should avoid.These arguments are false and havebeen thrown out of court. While tax-payers have the right to contest theirtax liabilities in court, no one has theright to disobey the law.

falsely claiming zero wagesFiling a phony information return

is an illegal way to lower the amountof taxes an individual owes. Typi-cally, a Form 4852 (Substitute FormW-2) or a “corrected” Form 1099 isused as a way to improperly reducetaxable income to zero. The taxpayermay also submit a statement rebut-ting wages and taxes reported by apayer to the IRS.

Sometimes, fraudsters eveninclude an explanation on their Form4852 that cites statutory language onthe definition of wages or mayinclude some reference to a payingcompany that refuses to issue a cor-rected Form W-2 for fear of IRSretaliation. Taxpayers should resistany temptation to participate in anyvariations of this scheme. Filing thistype of return may result in a $5,000penalty.

Abuse of charitable organizationsand deductions

IRS examiners continue touncover the intentional abuse of501(c)(3) organizations, includingarrangements that improperly shieldincome or assets from taxation andattempts by donors to maintain con-trol over donated assets or theincome from donated property. TheIRS is investigating schemes thatinvolve the donation of non-cashassets– including situations in whichseveral organizations claim the fullvalue of the same non-cash contribu-tion. Often these donations are highly

overvalued or the organizationreceiving the donation promises thatthe donor can repurchase the itemslater at a price set by the donor. ThePension Protection Act of 2006imposed increased penalties for inac-curate appraisals and set new stan-dards for qualified appraisals.

Disguised corporate ownershipThird parties are improperly used

to request employer identificationnumbers and form corporations thatobscure the true ownership of thebusiness.

These entities can be used tounderreport income, claim fictitiousdeductions, avoid filing tax returns,participate in listed transactions andfacilitate money laundering, andfinancial crimes. The IRS is workingwith state authorities to identify theseentities and bring the owners intocompliance with the law.

Misuse of trustsFor years, unscrupulous promot-

ers have urged taxpayers to transferassets into trusts. While there arelegitimate uses of trusts in tax andestate planning, some highly ques-tionable transactions promise reduc-tion of income subject to tax,deductions for personal expenses andreduced estate or gift taxes. Suchtrusts rarely deliver the tax benefitspromised and are used primarily as ameans of avoiding income tax liabil-ity and hiding assets from creditors,including the IRS.

IRS personnel have seen anincrease in the improper use of pri-vate annuity trusts and foreign truststo shift income and deduct personalexpenses. As with other arrange-ments, taxpayers should seek theadvice of a trusted professional beforeentering a trust arrangement.

IRS warns filers of ‘Dirty Dozen’ tax-season scams, part two

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PuBLIc NOTIcESTST3983 / 2012 020872

FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENTThe following person is doing business as: AFK EVENTS,1535 Termino Ave. #P1, Long Beach, CA 90804. Regis-trant: ALAN KATZ, 1535 Termino Ave. #P1, Long Beach,CA 90804. This business is conducted by: an Individual. Ideclare that all information in this statement is true and cor-rect. Signed: Alan Katz. The registrant has begun to trans-act business under the fictitious business name or nameslisted herein. This statement was filed with the county clerkof Los Angeles County on February 6, 2012. NOTICE: Thisfictitious business name statement expires five years fromthe date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A newfictitious business name statement must be filed prior to thatdate. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorizethe use in this state of a fictitious business name in violationof the rights of another under federal, state, or common law(see section 14411 et seq., Business and ProfessionsCode). Pub. The Signal Tribune: February 10, 17, 24, &March 2, 2012.

TST9384 / 2012 020928FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

The following person is doing business as: HARMONYDEVELOPMENT, 4224 Ocana Ave., Lakewood, CA 90713.Registrant: PHILIP ALAN RUPPRECHT, 4224 Ocana Ave.,Lakewood, CA 90713. This business is conducted by: anIndividual. I declare that all information in this statement istrue and correct. Signed: Philip Rupprecht. The registranthas begun to transact business under the fictitious businessname or names listed herein. This statement was filed withthe county clerk of Los Angeles County on February 6,2012. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statementexpires five years from the date it was filed in the office ofthe county clerk. A new fictitious business name statementmust be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statementdoes not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitiousbusiness name in violation of the rights of another underfederal, state, or common law (see section 14411 et seq.,Business and Professions Code). Pub. The Signal Tribune:February 10, 17, 24, & March 2, 2012.

TST3989 / 2012 017087FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

The following person is doing business as: PCH BEAUTYSUPPLY, 1014 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, CA90806. Registrant: PS BEAUTY SUPPLY, INC., 1014 E.Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, CA 90806. This businessis conducted by: a Corporation. I declare that all informationin this statement is true and correct. Signed: Philip Shin,CEO. The registrant has not begun to transact businessunder the fictitious business name or names listed herein.This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Ange-les County on January 31, 2012. NOTICE: This fictitiousbusiness name statement expires five years from the dateit was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitiousbusiness name statement must be filed prior to that date.The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize theuse in this state of a fictitious business name in violation ofthe rights of another under federal, state, or common law(see section 14411 et seq., Business and ProfessionsCode). Pub. The Signal Tribune: February 10, 17, 24, &March 2, 2012.

TST3990 / 2012 022806FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

The following persons are doing business as: THINKTOOLS, 1512 Armando Dr., Long Beach, CA 90807. Reg-istrant: 1. ANTON STRIEGL, 2. KATHLEEN STRIEGL,1512 Armando Dr., Long Beach, CA 90807. This businessis conducted by: a Husband and Wife. I declare that allinformation in this statement is true and correct. Signed:Anton Striegl. The registrants have not begun to transactbusiness under the fictitious business name or names listedherein. This statement was filed with the county clerk of LosAngeles County on February 8, 2012. NOTICE: This ficti-tious business name statement expires five years from thedate it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new ficti-tious business name statement must be filed prior to thatdate. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorizethe use in this state of a fictitious business name in violationof the rights of another under federal, state, or common law(see section 14411 et seq., Business and ProfessionsCode). Pub. The Signal Tribune: February 10, 17, 24, &March 2, 2012.

TST3994 / 2012 019544FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

The following persons are doing business as: FOXWEST INDUSTRIES, 550 Orange Ave., Suite 316, LongBeach, CA 90802. Registrant: 1. EBEN CLAPSADDLE,2. BRADLEY FOX, 550 Orange Ave., Suite 316, LongBeach, CA 90802. This business is conducted by: aGeneral Partnership. I declare that all information in thisstatement is true and correct. Signed: Eben Clapsad-dele. The registrant has begun to transact businessunder the fictitious business name or names listedherein. The registrant started doing business under thisFictitious Business Name on February 3, 2012. Thisstatement was filed with the county clerk of Los AngelesCounty on February 3, 2012. NOTICE: This fictitiousbusiness name statement expires five years from thedate it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A newfictitious business name statement must be filed prior tothat date. The filing of this statement does not of itselfauthorize the use in this state of a fictitious businessname in violation of the rights of another under federal,state, or common law (see section 14411 et seq., Busi-ness and Professions Code). Pub. The Signal Tribune:February 17, 24, & March 2, 9, 2012.

TST3992 / 2012 023225FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

The following person is doing business as: 1. EIGHTSIX EIGHT (868) NEW MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS,2. 868 NEW MEDIA & PR, 3. 868 MEDIA AND PR,15000 Halldale Ave., Gardena, CA 90247. Registrant:ASHLEY JONES, 15000 Halldale Ave., Gardena, CA90247. This business is conducted by: an Individual. Ideclare that all information in this statement is true andcorrect. Signed: Ashley Jones. The registrant has notbegun to transact business under the fictitious businessname or names listed herein. This statement was filedwith the county clerk of Los Angeles County on February9, 2012. NOTICE: This fictitious business name state-ment expires five years from the date it was filed in theoffice of the county clerk. A new fictitious business namestatement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of

this statement does not of itself authorize the use in thisstate of a fictitious business name in violation of therights of another under federal, state, or common law(see section 14411 et seq., Business and ProfessionsCode). Pub. The Signal Tribune: February 17, 24, &March 2, 9, 2012.

TST3993 / 2012 024460FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

The following person is doing business as: 1. THEPUBLIC THEATRE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA,2. THE PUBLISC THEATRE, 525 E. Seaside Way#902, Long Beach, CA 90802. Registrant: DENISMCCOUTR STRYJEWSKI, 525 E. Seaside Way#902, Long Beach, CA 90802. This business is con-ducted by: an Individual. I declare that all informa-tion in this statement is true and correct. Signed:Denis McCourt Stryjewski. The registrant has notbegun to transact business under the fictitious busi-ness name or names listed herein. This statementwas filed with the county clerk of Los AngelesCounty on February 10, 2012. NOTICE: This ficti-tious business name statement expires five yearsfrom the date it was filed in the office of the countyclerk. A new fictitious business name statementmust be fi led prior to that date. The fil ing of thisstatement does not of itself authorize the use in thisstate of a fictitious business name in violation of therights of another under federal, state, or commonlaw (see section 14411 et seq., Business and Pro-fessions Code). Pub. The Signal Tribune: February 17,24, & March 2, 9, 2012.

TST4001 / 2012 028897FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

The following person is doing business as: WHOLE-SOME WHOLESALE CLUB, 315 W. 3rd St. Unit206, Long Beach, CA 90802. Registrant: LOUIE DOIT ALL INDUSTRIES, INC., 315 W. 3rd St. Unit 206,Long Beach, CA 90802. This business is conductedby: a Corporation. I declare that all information inthis statement is true and correct. Signed: SusanMunoz Arete, Vice President. The registrant has notbegun to transact business under the fictitious busi-ness name or names listed herein. This statementwas filed with the county clerk of Los AngelesCounty on February 21, 2012. NOTICE: This ficti-tious business name statement expires five yearsfrom the date it was filed in the office of the countyclerk. A new fictitious business name statementmust be fi led prior to that date. The fil ing of thisstatement does not of itself authorize the use in thisstate of a fictitious business name in violation of therights of another under federal, state, or commonlaw (see section 14411 et seq., Business and Pro-fessions Code). Pub. The Signal Tribune: February24, & March 2, 9, 16, 2012.

TST4006 / 2012 031952FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

The following person is doing business as: 1. EMERALDSMALL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, 2. EMERALD SBS,500 Ximeno Ave. #322, Long Beach, CA 90814. Regis-trant: MICHAEL STOKESBERRY, 500 Ximeno Ave. #322,Long Beach, CA 90814. This business is conducted by:an Individual. I declare that all information in this state-ment is true and correct. Signed: Michael Stokesberry.The registrant has not begun to transact business underthe fictitious business name or names listed herein. Thisstatement was filed with the county clerk of Los AngelesCounty on February 27, 2012. NOTICE: This fictitiousbusiness name statement expires five years from thedate it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fic-titious business name statement must be filed prior to thatdate. The filing of this statement does not of itself author-

ize the use in this state of a fictitious business name inviolation of the rights of another under federal, state, orcommon law (see section 14411 et seq., Business andProfessions Code). Pub. The Signal Tribune: March 2, 9,16, 23, 2012.

TST4003 / 2012 031451FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

The following person is doing business as: 1. REMCO, 2.A REAL ESTATE & MANAGEMENT COMPANY, 3. AREAL ESTATE AND MANAGEMENT COMPANY, 4.REMCO A REAL ESTATE AND MANAGEMENT COM-PANY, 2020 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755. Regis-trant: A REAL ESTATE & MANAGEMENT COMPANY,INC., 2020 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755. This busi-ness is conducted by: a Corporation. I declare that allinformation in this statement is true and correct. Signed:Drew C. Baker, President. The registrant has not begunto transact business under the fictitious business nameor names listed herein. This statement was filed with thecounty clerk of Los Angeles County on February 24,2012. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statementexpires five years from the date it was filed in the office ofthe county clerk. A new fictitious business name state-ment must be filed prior to that date. The filing of thisstatement does not of itself authorize the use in this stateof a fictitious business name in violation of the rights ofanother under federal, state, or common law (see section14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code). Pub.The Signal Tribune: March 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012.

TST4002 / 2012 024506FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

The following person is doing business as: E.R. CLEAN-ING SERVICES, 2109 Ohio Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755.Registrant: BLANCA JAUREGUI, 2109 Ohio Ave., SignalHill, CA 90755. This business is conducted by: an Individ-ual. I declare that all information in this statement is trueand correct. Signed: Blanca Jauregui. The registrant hasnot begun to transact business under the fictitious busi-ness name or names listed herein. This statement wasfiled with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on Feb-ruary 10, 2012. NOTICE: This fictitious business namestatement expires five years from the date it was filed inthe office of the county clerk. A new fictitious businessname statement must be filed prior to that date. The filingof this statement does not of itself authorize the use inthis state of a fictitious business name in violation of therights of another under federal, state, or common law(see section 14411 et seq., Business and ProfessionsCode). Pub. The Signal Tribune: March 2, 9, 16, 23,2012.

TST4007 / 2012 033450FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

The following person is doing business as: HOT JOBS,646 W. Pacific Coast Hwy. #10, Long Beach, CA 90806.Registrant: BOB S. TURNER, 646 W. Pacific Coast Hwy.#10, Long Beach, CA 90806. This business is conductedby: an Individual. I declare that all information in thisstatement is true and correct. Signed: Bob S. Turner. Theregistrant has not begun to transact business under thefictitious business name or names listed herein. Thisstatement was filed with the county clerk of Los AngelesCounty on February 29, 2012. NOTICE: This fictitiousbusiness name statement expires five years from thedate it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fic-titious business name statement must be filed prior to thatdate. The filing of this statement does not of itself author-ize the use in this state of a fictitious business name inviolation of the rights of another under federal, state, orcommon law (see section 14411 et seq., Business andProfessions Code). Pub. The Signal Tribune: March 2, 9,16, 23, 2012.

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12 SIgNAL TRIBuNE MARcH 2, 2012BuSINESSES & SERVIcES

cITY Of SIgNAL HILLTST4004

NoTICE oF A PUBlIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission

of the City of Signal Hill will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March

13, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber located at City Hall,

2175 Cherry Avenue, Signal Hill, California, to consider:

AMENDMENT TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 05-01: A REQUEST

TO MODIFY AN EXISTING WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FACILITY BY REPLACING EXISTING ANTENNAS, SHIFTING THEIR

LOCATIONS AND ADDING ADDITIONAL ANTENNAS, EQUIPMENT

AND SCREENS AT A TWO-STORY OFFICE BUILDING LOCATED AT

1850 REDONDO AVENUE IN AREA 3 OF THE SP-10, PACIFIC

COAST HIGHWAY SPECIFIC PLAN, ZONING DISTRICT

Applicant: FHMC Corporation for AT&T Wireless

ALL INTERESTED PARTIES are hereby invited to attend this

Public Hearing to present written information, express their opinions or

otherwise present evidence on the above matter. If you wish to legally

challenge any action taken by the City on the above matter, you may be

limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the

Public Hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence

delivered to the City prior to or at the Public Hearing.

PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT

Guidelines Section 15162, the revisions under the proposed Condi-

tional Use Permit do not result in conditions that require the preparation

of a subsequent or supplemental negative declaration.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to submit written comments to the Commu-

nity Development Department prior to the public hearing. A negative

declaration for the proposal was previously approved in 2005 and is on

file at the Community Development Department. Written comments

may also be submitted at the public hearing.

FURTHER INFORMATION on this item may be obtained at the City of

Signal Hill Community Development Department located at 2175

Cherry Avenue, Signal Hill, California, or by calling Reina Schaetzl,

Assistant Planner at 562-989-7341.

Published in the Signal / Tribune newspaper on: March 2, 2012

Posted at City Hall, the Library and Reservoir Park on: March 2, 2012

Mailed to affected property owners within 300’ on: March 2, 2012

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TST4005PUBlIC HEARING NoTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday March 13, 2012, the Plan-ning Commission of the City of Signal Hill, California, will conduct a publichearing at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber located at City Hall, 2175Cherry Avenue, Signal Hill, California, to review the items described below.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday March 20, 2012, the CityCouncil of the City of Signal Hill, California, will conduct a public hearing at

7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber located at City Hall, 2175 CherryAvenue, Signal Hill, California, to review the items described below.

ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 12-02

A REQUEST TO AMEND THE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS CON-TAINED IN AREAS 3 AND 4 IN THE SP-19, GENERAL INDUSTRIAL SPE-

CIFIC PLAN BY REDUCING THE SETBACK STANDARDS FORCALIFORNIA AVENUE FROM 20 TO 15 FEET. THE CHANGES WILLONLY AFFECT THE EDCO RECYCLING AND TRANSFER STATION

PROJECT CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT 2755 CALIFOR-NIA AVENUE AND EDCO ADMINISTRATIVE TERMNAL PROJECT CUR-

RENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT 950 E. 27TH STREET.SETBACKS ON OTHER STREETS, INCLUDING 28TH STEET, PATTER-

SON AVENUE, 27TH STREET AND MRYTLE AVENUE, WILL NOTCHANGE.

Applicant:EDCO Transport Services

AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT was previouslyapproved for the project. The Initial Study and material relevant to the

Environmental Impact Report may be inspected between the hours of 7:30a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursdays, and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,

Fridays, in the Community Development Department at City Hall.

PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITYACT Guidelines Section 15162 and 15163, the revisions under the pro-

posed General Plan Amendment and proposed Zoning Ordinance Amend-ment do not result in conditions that require the preparation of a

subsequent or supplemental environmental impact report.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS are hereby invited to attend the public hear-ing to present written information, express their opinions or otherwise pres-

ent evidence on the above matter. If you wish to legally challenge anyaction taken by the City on the above matter, you may be limited to raising

only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing asdescribed in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the Cityprior to or at the public hearings. Written comments may be submitted to

the Community Development Department prior to or at the public hearings.You may also email us with your comments and/or concerns at schar-

ney@cityofsignalhill.org

FURTHER INFORMATION on the project may be obtained atthe City of Signal Hill Community Development Department located at

2175 Cherry Avenue, Signal Hill, California, or by calling Planning ManagerScott Charney at (562) 989-7343.

Published in the Signal Tribune newspaper on: March 2, 2012Posted in accordance with S.H.M.C. 1.08.010 on or before: March 2, 2012

Mailed to affected property owners on or before: March 2, 2012

cITY Of SIgNAL HILL

money collected from the RAs toreplenish underground aquifersbecause the amount of water percolat-ing underground from annual rainfallis not enough to keep pace with theamount of water being pumped.

According to Quilizapa, severalstudies presented to WRD revealedthat the agency was overcharging theCentral Basin cities, but WRD stillrefused to lower the RA for the Cen-tral Basin.

Albert Robles, president of theWRD’s board of directors, stronglydisagreed with Quilizapa’s insistencethat the agency must comply withProposition 218. “The proposition hasa number of requirements, and it is ourposition that none of the requirementsapply to WRD and the water rights,”he said. “The travesty here is that ifProposition 218 is found to apply toWRD, that will mean higher waterrates for all our constituents.” Heexplained that the complex financialanalysis and notice requirements ofProposition 218 would likely add tensof millions of dollars to WRD's annualexpenditures and those costs wouldeventually show up in the water billspaid by residents and businesses in theregion.

Quilizapa denounced WRD’s law-suit as a “delaying tactic” that theagency was using to avoid complyingwith a court order resulting from the

lawsuit filed in 2010 that the citieswon. “We did get a court order inApril 2011,” she said, explaining thatthe court invalidated the RAs goingback to 2006 and ordered WRD tocomply with Proposition 218 fromthat point forward. “That meant thatany new RA would have to complywith the proportionality requirementsof 218 specifically,” she said, explain-ing that WRD could no longer chargeCentral Basin Water pumpers morethan what it cost the agency to replen-ish groundwater in the Central Basin.

“We told WRD that we could notpay the RA because it was in violationof the court order and, therefore, theydid not have the authority to collectit,” she said. “Paying it would consti-tute a gift of public funds.”

Elsa Lopez, WRD’s manager ofexternal affairs, disagreed with Quil-izapa’s rationale.

“This interpretation misrepresentsthe effect of the court ruling by sug-gesting that the decision is final. Thefact is the judicial process remainsopen,” she said. “Case law recognizesthat a final court decision requires thatthe judicial process run its completecourse. This case may go on for up totwo more years”

Quilizapa noted that the RA hasconsistently increased since 2006,when it was from $138 per acre-footto the current $245 per acre-foot. (Anacre-foot is slightly more than 325,000gallons.)

Robles noted that 43 cities are inWRD’s jurisdiction and the over-whelming majority of them have notprotested the RAs because they under-stand the importance of what WRDdoes for the region and the fact thatthe cost of doing anything is rising. “Ifanyone living in Downey, Cerritos orSignal Hill stopped paying their waterbill to the city for even three months,these cities would turn off the resi-dent’s water,” he added. “Ironically,these cities are continuing to chargeand collect from their residents for thevery same groundwater for which theyare refusing to pay.”

Lopez added that the cities of Bell-flower and Pico Rivera have also notpaid the RAs to WRD for the past sev-eral months, but those cities are cur-rently negotiating with the agency inregard to the bills, thus a lawsuitagainst them is not necessary.

According to Lopez, the break-down of accrued unpaid bills to date isas follows: Downey owes WRD$4,134,853; Cerritos owes$2,496,601; Pico Rivera owes$1,281,324; Signal Hill owes$392,837; and Bellflower owes$39,183. The total is $8,344,798

The next court hearing on this mat-ter is scheduled for March 15 at LosAngeles County Superior Court indowntown Los Angeles. Quilizapasaid the hearing pertains to a refundrequested by the five cities for RAspaid from 2006 to 2010.

WRDcontinued from page 1

the protesters’ flier. The standard isdefined as the wage negotiated in thecollective bargaining agreement,which includes health care and pen-sion benefits to the contractor’semployees.

The Signal Tribune contacted theHale Corporation on Feb. 28 forcomments regarding the dispute butonly received “no comment.” CSDrywall had not responded to callsby press time.

“I want the temple to acceptresponsibility for hiring these con-tractors that aren’t paying theiremployees their health care andtaking advantage of them,” Little-john said. “By not paying theiremployees and not taking care oftheir health care, that puts the obli-gation and burden on the local com-munity. That’s why we’re here.”

The Carpenters Local 2361 hasstated that the reason for their labordispute has to do with the fact thatTemple Israel-Long Beach shouldnot be able to insulate themselvesbehind “independent” contractors.The union previously spoke withRabbi Steven Moskowitz and theTemple Israel-Long Beach Execu-tive Committee in regard to itsobligation to the community and isasking them to see that the areawage standards are met for theconstruction work on their new

project.In a statement released in

response to the labor dispute, Tem-ple Israel said they are not engagedin a labor dispute with any union.The temple stated that with theassistance of an independent proj-ect manager, the Board of Trusteesof Temple Israel selected the low-est responsible bid, which was thatfrom the Hale Corporation. Thetemple specified that it does nothave any contractual relationshipswith any subcontractors.

CS Drywall’s most recent accu-sation of violations occurred inAugust of 2011. The Los AngelesCommunity Development Com-mission (LACDC) found CS Dry-wall in violation for not payingtheir employees correctly. LastDecember, the LACDC orderedrestitution in the amount of$50,000 in response to the viola-tion.

Jacob Saas, 23, whose father isa carpenter, is protesting in supportof union workers. “I’m herebecause Temple Israel is hiringnon-union workers, and they arenot getting paid the standard,” hesaid. “We’re hoping that theyswitch their subcontractor to aunion contractor so they are gettingpaid the right wages.”

The union is now hoping thatthe public will respond to the dis-pute and help correct the situationat hand.

Protestcontinued from page 1

Crimes reported by theLBPD Feb. 21 to 23Council Districts 6

(North of PCH)7 & 8 (East of the L.A.

River & North toDel Amo Blvd.)

Wednesday, feb. 22Felony arrest 9:30am– 1700 block of E.Pacific Coast Hwy.Officers detained andarrested an adult malefelony suspect, who was inpossession of an illegalfirearm.

Burglary suspects arrestedNoon– 2100 block ofPacific AvenueOfficers responded to areport of two adult malesuspects breaking into thegarage of a local resi-dence. Officers responded,located the suspects andtook them into custodywithout incident.

Next week inthe Signal Tribune:

Spruce Up YourHome for Spring!

ices at this time. Maher confirmed that,for now, the Redondo Avenue facilitywill still offer retail service, access topost office box services, and businessmail entry service. Carrier deliveryunits will still report there to preparemail for delivery.

The threat of the plant’s closure,however, affects the future of hundredsof local employees. According toMaher, about 686 employees at theRedondo Avenue facilities are workingat that processing unit.

“The Postal Service will makeevery effort to reassign employees toother positions,” Maher said. He alsoacknowledged that the agency is alsodiscussing retirement incentives withthe unions since about 54 percent of theemployees are eligible to retire.

A spokesperson for thelocal chapter of the NationalPostal Mailhandlers Union(NPMHU) said he and oth-ers believed that the PostalService is just waiting forthe May 15 moratoriumdeadline to pass before theymove forward with theplans to close the facility.

“It’s not a wise decision.If the Postal Service wastrying to do the best thingfor the American public,they would not be closingthe plant,” said EddieCowan in an interview lastFriday. Cowan serves as thepresident of the local chap-ter of the union that solelyrepresents the mailhandlers.

He estimated that about130 of the mailhandlers he representshave tenures of around 20 to 25 years,and some may have up to 30 years withthe Postal Service.

He added that it’s not the first timethat some of the workers have facedclosure. Some of the employees hadbeen transferred from the Inglewood

Marina facility that closed about sevenyears ago.

The Redondo Avenue mail facilityis within the Long Beach city limits, butthe loss of so many employees troublesSignal Hill Mayor Larry Forester. TheCity wrote a letter to Laura Richardson,who represents the 37th U.S. Congres-sional District on the matter. Foresteralso expressed concern for the future ofthe main postal office for Signal Hill.

“From the standpoint of the city, it’svery critical that we have a local postoffice for our citizens to go to,” Forestersaid in a telephone interview Tuesday.He added that, if in the future the PostalService chooses to close the post officeentirely, he would like for the City tohelp find a new location for the postoffice in Signal Hill.

Signal Hill doesn’t have its own postoffice, but it has a special tie to the facil-ity on Redondo Avenue. Forester saidthe city does have its own ZIP code,

thanks “100 percent” to the efforts offormer Rep. Steve Horn. That postoffice is named after the former con-gressman who passed away last year.

According to Congressional record,the new ZIP code was sanctioned by thePostal Service in January 2002 and tookeffect that June.

Richardson released a statementWednesday indicating that the con-gresswoman supports proposed legisla-tion that seeks to prevent closure of postoffices in high-poverty and high-unem-ployment areas and addresses otherpostal service issues, including theretiree health benefits issue raised by thePostal Service.

Since the final disposition of thefacility is yet to be determined, it’s toosoon to talk about the real estate,according to Maher. The question ofwhether to sell all or part of theRedondo Avenue facilities wouldrequire further analysis, Maher said. Heconfirmed that the Postal Service plansto continue to use the facility for itsretail services for now.

In addition to the proposal to closeprocessing centers throughout the coun-try, Maher confirmed that there is also aseparate proposal that would changehow quickly a first-class letter can be

delivered. “The movement of mail-pro-

cessing units operations in and ofitself will not slow down themail,” Maher said, “but thePostal Service has proposed tochange first-class mail deliverystandards nationwide. Now, ifthat is approved and imple-mented, the time it takes todeliver mail would changeregardless whether the mail isprocessed in Long Beach or LosAngeles. And it would changewhether we close that plant orwhether it would open.”

He said that the proposedchange eliminates the overnightdelivery of local mail nationwideand that all first-class mail wouldbe delivered in two or three days.

“So what that would mean is, ifyou’re in Signal Hill and you mail a[first-class] letter to Long Beach, itwould not be delivered overnight,”Maher said. “But if you’re in Signal Hilland you mail a letter to New York, itwould be delivered in the same amountof time as it is today, three days.”

Whether or not Long Beach keepsits processing unit, there still might bechange to how mail gets delivered,according to Maher.

“Even if the decision was made tokeep Long Beach open, but they didchange the service standards, therewould still be no local overnight deliv-ery of first-class letters,” Maher said. Heemphasized that the closure of the mail-processing facilities is a separate issuefrom the proposed service standards fordelivery.

“That said,” Maher added, “the clo-sure of about 250 facilities nationwidecould not be done unless we changeservice standards.”

The agency is waiting for advise-ment from the Postal Regulatory Com-

mission on this particular proposal, hesaid, adding that those proposedchanges would not affect other serviceslike Priority Mail and Express Mail ifcustomers need overnight delivery.

The Postal Service spokespersonacknowledged that the Postal Service ofthe future must change.

“But we believe that, with theproper changes through comprehen-sive legislation, that the Postal Serv-ice can remain a strong cornerstone ofthe American economy and continueto provide service to every commu-nity in the U.S.” Maher said. “But wedo have to change. We have to besmaller and leaner and more efficientand more competitive as we moveinto this century.”

Happy HourMonday - Friday

from 4-7pmWine Bar open nightly

• Fish Tacos(3) Fried fish tacos with cabbage slaw,

cilantro aioli and spicy salsa $6• Build-your-own Bruschetta

Herbed toast points with goat cheese spread,

roasted red bell pepper hummus and diced

tomato and basil mix $7

• asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps $8

• sliders – Beef or BBQ pork (2) $6

• Homemade potato Chips $4

• onion Frieswith horseradish cream and chipotle

dipping sauces $5

Drinks

• Draft Beer $2 off• Well Drinks $4

• Well Martinis $6

Happy Hour Menu

For more information, visit our website

2951 Cherry Avenue, SignAl hillFor reservations, call 562-426-0694.

w w w . d e l i u s r e s t a u r a n t . c o m

Want some snacks to go with that wine?

MARcH 2, 2012 SIgNAL TRIBuNE 15NEWSPost Officecontinued from page 1

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File photo

The post office located at 2300 Redondo Ave. in Long Beachwas named in honor of Steve Horn, who was responsible forSignal Hill acquiring its own ZIP code.

MARcH 2, 2012 SIgNAL TRIBuNE 16