Jan. 19
Taking Care of Your Financial Health
Attend a free interactive workshop to learn more about and prepare for your 2013 individual income taxes, from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 19, at Torrance Memorial Medical Center.
Topics addressed will include what we know, what we do not know, and what we think about our individual taxes.
Torrance Memorial’s Professional Advisory Council, a volunteer group of attorneys, financial and estate planners and CPAs, is presenting the workshop.
Harbor Currents: ANNOUNCEMENTS Jan. 15, 2013
Harbor Currents: NEWS Jan. 15, 2013
Truckers’ Collective Enter Bargaining Agreement with Toll Group
SAN PEDRO — Truckers and their employer, Australian logistics company Toll Group, entered an agreement Jan. 10, at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Under the terms of the deal, reached by about 65 drivers and Toll Group, most drivers will receive an hourly increase from $12.72 to $19, a pension plan and the company will pay 95 percent of each driver’s health care costs.
Hilda Solis Resigns
WASHINGTON D.C. — Labor Secretary Hilda Solis announced her resignation Jan. 9 citing an opportunity to look at her life’s past and future over the holidays.
Solis had been widely expected to resign to run for a seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
God Particle
By John Farrell, Contributing Writer
There can be half a dozen shows on a Saturday night on Theater Row, when the theater scene is booming on Santa Monica Boulevard.
It is a little seamy when there is little going on, with Abraham Lincoln being the only sign of theater. He is seen leaving a theater where he was performing, taking off his stovepipe and climbing into his car to go home. No, it wasn’t a Lincoln, but a Toyota.
Down the street, at The Complex, a very hip crowd made almost the only action — except for the stray prostitutes. The God Particle Complex was given a brief and very funny performance.
Family Wagon: A SoCal Band Ready to Ignite
Melina Paris, Contributing Music Writer
In December, after numerous invitations to check out Blue Cafe, I heard Family Wagon. Their music was intense, alive, and powerful. It was rock ‘n’ roll in its youngest and purest form. In four words: I was blown away.
The San Diego-based band consists of Calen Lucas on vocals, Gareth Moore on bass, Bryan Bangerter on guitar, Jarel Paguio on piano and Steve Serrano on drums. Together just four years now, they bring together blues and funk with some psychedelic sounds and 60s and 70s rock. Quite often they sound reminiscent of Led Zeppelin, injecting soulful lyrics with eclectic sounds.
Les Miserables: A Film Review
By B. Noel Barr, Contributing Writer
Les Miserables, the new musical film about the Victor Hugo’s classic, is a story of Hollywood, theater and the common man.
This has to be the greatest musical to date put to film. The acting, particularly that of Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway is stellar in so many ways. The mental and physical investment of these two actors is beyond reproach. Russell Crowe as the nemesis Javert, in this tale is stoic reserved and very subtly filled with rage. The supporting actors Sasha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham-Carter played to the film, not to the musical.
The Belgian Trappist: World Class Classics you Never Tried
By Bobby Trusela of Trusela’s Restaurant
The Indian Pale Ales has been dominating the market in popularity, appearing in pubs, breweries, and and restaurants almost to the exclusion of everything else. But that’s beginning to change as enthusiasts have begun experimenting with Belgian Trappists ales, driving an underground popularity of these beers. We’re now beginning to find these beers in places that used to have only IPAs on tap. And the interesting thing about this fact, is that they’re being brewed in Napa Valley, the heart of California’s wine industry.
A Year of Passings
Discovering who is the oldest person at the table and still trying to find the meaning of X
James Preston Allen, Publisher
It has been a year of “sad passings,” we like to say. It’s a euphemism we use because of our difficulty in talking about death. And 2012 seems to have had a significant amount of that. From the great and famous to the innocent or humble and close to home, I know of many friends and even my own family have lost dear loved ones this past year. I just wish we had some other form of social greeting other than “happy New Year” when I feel this sense of loss. Happy isn’t quite what I’m feeling. Perhaps “glad it’s over” could be used instead.
Art Listings: Jan. 9, 2013
Jan. 12
Donald Tiscareno
The community is invited to join The Center and artist Don Tiscareno for an evening reception celebrating his new oil painting exhibit, “Gardens,” from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 18, in Long Beach.
The exhibit featuring more than 15 works now hanging in The Center’s main lobby and Darryl Fine room.
Tiscareno’s exhibit will run from Jan. 12 to Feb. 28. A portion of all sales will benefit The Center’s programs and services.
Details: (562) 434-4455
Venue: The Center Long Beach
Location: 2017 E. 4th St., Long Beach
Jan. 18
Fiber Art and Printmaking
The Palos Verdes Art Center/Beverly G. Alpay Center for Arts Education proudly presents two extraordinary exhibitions featuring fiber art and printmaking:Fiber Forward: Contemporary Practices In Textile ArtandPrint: Democracy In Art And Life.
These free exhibitions will open, from 6 to 8 p.m., Jan. 18 and will run through March 17, 2013, at the Palos Verdes Art Center in Rolling Hills Estates.
Fiber Forward: Contemporary Practices in Textile Artincludes three distinct shows. Gallery one:Fierce Winds, organized by guest curator Deborah Weir – an exhibition focusing on fierce winds, a natural phenomenon tearing through the lives of people and leaving a trail of destruction. Weir’s mixed media art quilts and art cloth allow a space large enough to “blow up a storm” of activity and destruction. Gallery two:Confluence, with guest co-curators Inga-Gorsvans-Buell and Deborah Weir. This exhibition is in response to two issues of great importance: water and art. The exhibit utilizes a distinct range of media, and couples it with unique perspectives, resulting in an intellectually-compelling and visually-beautiful show. Gallery three:24 x 80featuring guest co-curators Art Cloth Network and Deborah Weir. This exhibit is a traveling exhibition showcasing art cloth artwork 24” wide by 80” long. Art cloth is fabric that has been transformed by adding color, line, texture, value, or additional fiber to create a compelling surface.
Also exhibiting in the Multipurpose and Hallway Galleries is thePrint: Democracy In Art and Life –organized by guest curator Cathy Weiss. Artists have used prints to spread their ideas – political, personal and social, to broader audiences. This exhibition includes fourteen artists who demonstrate a commitment to social activism through their art, teaching, community organizing, and collaborations. Some of the artists featured in this show include Alison Saar and Ruth Weisberg.
Details: (310) 541-2479 or visit: www.pvartcenter.org
Venue: Palos Verdes Art Center
Location: 550 Deep Valley Drive, Suite 261, Rolling Hills Estates
Feb. 14
Times Square Kiss
Life-Size Sculpture of “Times Square Kiss” is on display, through Valentine’s Day, in front of historic Battleship IOWA at the Los Angeles Waterfront in San Pedro.
“Times Square Kiss” is a 6-foot sculpturedepicting one of the most iconic images of World War II is on display to celebrate National Spirit of ’45 Day.
In 2010, the United States Congress unanimously voted for a new
national day of remembrance to honor the men and women of America’s
greatest generation. National Spirit of ’45 Day is being observed
each year on the second Sunday in August, coinciding with the
anniversary of August 14, 1945 — the day President Harry S. Truman
announced that Japan had surrendered and World War II was over.
The “Kiss” is the symbol for “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive!” the
nationwide campaign to build public awareness and participation in the
observance of National Spirit of ’45 Day on the second Sunday of
August to honor the men and women of the World War II era. The Kiss represents the spirit of unity between our armed forces and those who support
them and reminds us of the importance of honoring all those who
sacrifice in service to our country.
Details: www.Spiritof45.org
Venue: Battleship IOWA
Location: 250 S. Harbor Blvd, San Pedro
Harbor Currents: Announcements Jan. 5, 2013
Stateof District 5
Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske invites community members to the State of the Fifth Council District, from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 10, at the Long Beach Water Treatment Plant.
Police and fire department representatives, public works and city management will join Schipske to discuss her accomplishment of the past year and her goals for her district moving forward.
Details: (562) 570-6932
Venue: Long Beach Water Treatment Plant
Location: 2950 Redondo Ave., Long Beach
Pine Avenue Development Project Moves Forward
After years of planning and community meetings, the City of Long Beach is ready to move forward with construction of the Pine Avenue Development Project.
The Pine Avenue Development Project is a street improvement plan for Pine that begins south of Ocean and extends to Anaheim Street. Downtown Long Beach Associates, the MTA, and the Departments of Public Works and Development Services have fully funded the project.
The Pine Avenue Development Project will include resurfacing of the street, new landscaping, new lights, new street furniture and new hardscape improvements, among other plans. Construction is expected within 2013.
Community members can download the full plan at:http://tinyurl.com/PineAvenueDevelopmentProject