Students Connect with Global Executives
SAN PEDRO — On March 27, the International Trade Education Programs will honor 23 student scholars from six Southern California high schools at its 14th Annual Scholarship Dinner, themed “Crafting Future Careers,” on March 27, 2014 at Crafted at the Port Los Angeles in San Pedro.
More than 400 global and civic leaders representing some 100 major companies and organizations join 270 students to showcase the yearly achievements from 2,200+ students in International Trade Education Programs academies from Barstow, Carson, Gardena, Long Beach, and San Pedro High Schools, plus four at Wilmington’s Phineas Banning High School.
The annual, sold-out event will also recognize special student achievements. Phineas Banning High School student Jasmine Valdez will receive the year’s memorable Carol Rowen 180 Degree Award for her dramatic turn-around from a 1.5 GPA to a college-bound student and academy council member. In addition, the newly established Martin D. Chavez Scholarship Fund will present its second annual awards to six International Trade Education Programs students.
Other scholarships include awards from the Los Angeles Air Cargo Association, the Foreign Trade Association and the Harbor Association of Industry and Commerce.
The 2014 “Keeper of the Flame” Award will be presented to Matson Navigation for its commitment to developing the next generation of trade and transportation professionals. The shipping line will also present five scholarships as part of a continuing gift.
a future in our industry,” said Tom Good, Director of Sales and Marketing, Matson.
LAUSD District 7 Board President, Richard Vladovic will be recognized as the International Trade Education Programs’ 2014 “Educator of the Year.” A presentation of the “Bill Stein Memorial Leadership” Award will be awarded to Marilyn Roth for her role as one of International Trade Education Programs’ “founding mothers,” long-time board member and passionate volunteer.
Charges Filed Against Mother of Dead Baby
LONG BEACH — On March 26, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against the mother of a 10-month old infant in a 2013 investigation.
The investigation began on April 24, 2013, when Long Beach police officers and Homicide detectives responded to a motel in the 600 block of west Pacific Coast Highway regarding a 10-month-old baby in full cardiac arrest. The baby was later pronounced deceased.
After almost a yearlong investigation, with the assistance of Long Beach Homicide detectives, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office ruled out Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome. The coroner’s office determined the cause of death to be the result of methadone ingestion, ruling it a homicide.
On March 21, 2014, 28-year-old Charissa Ranee Bailey of Long Beach, and mother of the child, was arrested for murder and is now being held at the Los Angeles County Jail on $1 million bail. On March 25, 2014, Homicide detectives presented the case to the Los Angeles County District
Attorney’s Office who filed a murder charge against Bailey. She is expected to appear in Long Beach Superior Court for her arraignment scheduled on April 9, 2014.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation should call (562) 570-7244 or visitwww.lacrimestoppers.org.
One Man Dead, Three Injured in Shooting
LONG BEACH — On March 23, Long Beach Police Department officers found 33-year-old Charles Bell of Compton, lying dead in the parking lot of Denny’s restaurant near 6th Street and Long Beach Boulevard in Long Beach.
Bell sustained a gunshot wound to the torso. Three other people, not identified by the police, were injured and were taken to local hospitals.
The motive for the shooting is unknown. However, the preliminary investigation showed that a man attempted to instigate a fight with people who were leaving the restaurant and it escalated into a shooting.
The suspect(s) fled in a vehicle and remain(s) outstanding. No suspect information is available. The incident is being investigated as possibly gang-related.
Anyone with information is urged to call (562) 570-7244 or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Center Long Beach Names Executive Director
LONG BEACH — On March 21, The Center Long Beach board of directors announced the promotion of Porter Gilberg to serve as the organization’s new executive director.
Additionally, Justin Boettcher and Sylvia Rodemeyer have been elected to serve on the
board of directors.
Gilberg has an extensive history serving the Long Beach LGBTQ community and The Center. He began volunteering with the organization in 2007 and most recently served as The Center’s administrative director, a position he assumed in 2011. Throughout his tenure as administrative director, The Center’s staff has doubled in size and the agency’s annual budget has more than doubled. Gilberg oversees a staff of 10 with an annual operating budget of more than $1 million.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies from the University of California at Los Angeles and a master’s degree in Applied Women’s Studies from Claremont Graduate University.
In addition to Gilberg’s appointment, the board of directors also elected Justin Boettcher and Sylvia Rodemeyer to serve on the board.
Boettcher is a digital marketing expert who works as the digital project manager for Hyundai Motor America. He has previously worked for Urban Decay Cosmetics, Hot Topic and magnify360 and resides in the Wrigley area.
Rodemeyer is a web content editor for Urban Decay Cosmetics and is also co-founder and program director of The AMP Organization, a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting queer creativity, culture, and community. She is also a writer and editor for a variety of Southern California publications. She lives in the Wrigley area along with her wife Annie.
POLA Unveils New Wilmington Marina Parkway
WILMINGTON — Wilmington marina occupants and local boat owners at the Port of Los Angeles are now enjoying the new Wilmington Marina Parkway, 3 acres of landscaped promenade located near several marinas, near Anchorage and Shore roads — across from Cerritos Yacht Anchorage Marina — in Wilmington.
Amenities include landscaping and irrigation, with more than 200 trees and 2,500 shrubs planted, along 2,000 feet of a new meandering sidewalk path. Picnic tables, park benches, trash and recycle receptacles with built-in solar-powered trash compactors, and pet stations add to the visitor-friendly environment.
Garcetti Halts Fire Department Recruiting
LOS ANGELES — On March 20, Mayor Eric Garcetti today halted the fire department’s recruiting process and announced that he has asked the RAND Corporation to assist in reforming it.
Garcetti made his determination after discovering that Los Angeles Fire Department staff organized special recruiting workshops for LAFD insiders. As a result, the next scheduled fire academy class of approximately 70 cadets will not take place, and no more hiring will be made from the current civil service list. In addition, an LAFD Professional Standards Division investigation has been launched.
A new recruiting process will begin after an initial three month review by RAND, with hiring to take place within the coming fiscal year.
Garcetti’s office has been reviewing the recruiting process as part of its ongoing fire department reform agenda. The process resulted in the academy class containing a disproportionate amount of recruits related to LAFD staff, some related to senior managers with oversight over the recruitment and training process. In addition, it considered only applications received within a one-minute time period.
Lowenthal Bill to Allow Marriages at City Hall Advances
SACRAMENTO – On March 25, the Assembly Judiciary Committee passed Assembly Bill 1525 by Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, with a unanimous vote.
Sponsored by the City of Long Beach, the measure adds city clerks to the list of officials allowed to solemnize marriage ceremonies that already includes county clerks, judges, justices, mayors, county supervisors, legislators, and members of Congress. Long Beach City Clerk, Larry Herrera, testified in support of the bill.
The next stop for the bill will be the Assembly floor. If signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, the law would go into effect on Jan.1, 2015.