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Dark Alliance

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By Lionel Rolfe

I surprised myself by how much the movie “Kill the Messenger” affected me. I hadn’t gone to it expecting that it would upset me. I wasn’t a close friend of Gary Webb, the journalist whose story the movie was based on. But I had made a couple of calls at his request, trying to get him a job. He was desperate after theSan Jose Mercury-Newsdropped him when he published his powerful series, “Dark Alliance.”

At the end of the ‘60s, I did a stint as a police reporter at theSan Francisco Chronicle—and then in 1981 Chronicle Books published my bookLiterary L.A.and in the mid-‘90s I wrote a few op-ed columns for the paper.

RLn THEATER: Oct. 23, 2014

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Oct. 25
Hocus Pocus
Watch a free movie at Peck Park in San Pedro. Round up the family; bring you’re your blanket, beach chair, pack a picnic and join the fun.
Details: http://nwsanpedro.org
Venue: Peck Park
Location: 560 N. Western Ave., San Pedro

Nov. 1
Pink Milk
The Garage Theatre presents Pink Milk, through Nov. 1, in Long Beach
Pink Milk is about a strange, mathematical man named Alan M. Turing. He dreamed of robots, a boy named Christopher and poisoned apples. It is a magic tragedy, full of beauty, images exploding onstage, and a belief in love and truth above all else.
Details: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/553
Venue: Garage Theatre
Location: 251 E. 7th St., Long Beach

Nov. 1
Kidnapped for Christ
Art Theatre Long Beach presents Kidnapped for Christ, showing at 9 p.m. Nov. 1, in Long Beach.
The film follows a young evangelical filmmaker who is granted unprecedented access into a controversial Christian behavior modification camp for teens.
Pre-screening public awareness/press conference at 8 p.m. at The Center Long Beach.
Venue: Art Theatre
Location: 2025 E. 4th St., Long Beach

Nov. 8
Arms and the Man
Enjoy Arms and the Man, Nov. 8 through Dec. 6 at the Long Beach Playhouse.
It is 1885, the height of the Serbo-Bulgarian war. An armed soldier breaks into a young woman’s bedroom and demands refuge. These events set in motion a witty look at governmental posturing, infidelity, social structures, and the passionate pursuit of chocolate creams. Watch as national and moral borders blur in this brilliant comedy of manners.
Details: (562) 494-1014
Venue: Long Beach Playhouse
Location: 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach

Nov. 16
Big Fish
Musical Theatre West is reeling in the West Coast premiere of the critically acclaimed Broadway musical Big Fish, a new musical, through Nov. 16, at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.
Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed Columbia Pictures film directed by Tim Burton, the musical adaptation of Big Fish made a splash on Broadway when five-time Tony Award winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman (The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys) teamed with music and lyrics by Tony nominee Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, The Wild Party) to develop the new book by esteemed screenwriter John August (Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).
Tickets start at $20.
Details: (562) 856-1999, ext. 4; www.musical.org
Venue: Carpenter Performing Arts Center
Location: 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach

Harbor Division Gang Unit Raid Marijuana Collective in Connection with Oct. 19 Shooting

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[portfolio_slideshow id=8172]

On Oct. 23, the Los Angeles Harbor Division gang unit raided Star Buds marijuana collective in San Pedro at 128 S Pacific Avenue in connection with a shooting that took place Oct. 19. Click the link to listen to Random Lengths News photographer and field reporter Philip Cook’s interview officer Lt. McKeckney at the scene of the raid.

Ceasar: The Culmination of 15 years at Casa 0101

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By John Farrell

It is a dream come true, but it took 15 years to be realized.

Playwright Josefina López (Real Women have Curves) started the Casa 0101 theater in her Boyle Heights neighborhood 15 years ago with some of her college scholarship.

The theater has grown with the neighborhood. When it was first opened in a little store-front its success was problematic. More than a decade later the neighborhood on First Street in Boyle Heights has changed: the Metro Gold Line goes to a station two blocks away, the Boyle Heights City Hall is at the other end of the block and a very modern police station is across the street from the new theater premises. (The old Casa 0101 is still used for smaller productions, but the new theater, with an art gallery in the lobby, is state of the art.)

But that success was only part of the dream. López, Mexican immigrant, grew up with the classics. She always wanted to bring Shakespeare to her community. The opening night of Shakepeare’sJulius Caesarfulfilled that dream. Directed by Robert Beltrán, it features a mostly Latino cast in the tragedy, but with more than few differences. Brutus, Lucius and Antony are played by young women actors and the play is set ambiguously in a world that can be seen as Roman or thought of as contemporary.

RLn Community Events: Oct. 22, 2014

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Oct. 25
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
The Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum will host an annual pumpkin decorating contest from 1-3 p.m. Participants will be provided with tools to participate as well as the ability to create their own Halloween mask and candy carrying bag. Admission is free. Open to all ages.
Details:www.dominguezrancho.org.
Venue:Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum
Location:18127 S. Alameda St., Rancho Dominguez

Oct. 26
5thAnnual Long Beach Farm Dinner
The Growing Experience Urban Farm will offer a multi-course meal showcasing seasonal autumn harvest foods. The event highlights foods grown using sustainable methods and features meals form chefs around Los Angeles.
Details:http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/879349
Venue:The Growing Experience Urban Farm
Location:750 Via Carmelitos, Long Beach, CA

Oct. 30
CSU Dominguez Hills Talk on Upton Sinclair 1934
In conjunction with the November 2014 elections and an ongoing exhibition on campus, “Citizen Sinclair: Upton Sinclair–American Provocateur,” the University Library at California State University, Dominguez Hills presents author and journalist Greg Mitchell discussing muckraker Upton Sinclair’s 1934 run for Governor of California and the evolution of the modern political campaign.
Details:(310) 243-3895
Venue:CSUDUniversity Library, fifth floor
Location:1000 E. Victoria St., Carson

Oct.31
Halloween at the East Village
The East Village will host events including trick or treating, face painting, bag decorating, ghost stories and more. There will be costume contests starting at 5 p.m. for children, adults and dogs.
Venue: East Village Arts District
Location: Near First Street at Linden Avenue, Long Beach

Nov. 1
Día De Los Muertos
Join in the celebration of San Pedro’s Día de Los Muertos Festival from 5 to 11 p.m. Nov. 1, in downtown San Pedro. The streets come alive with art, culture, delicious cuisine and live entertainment.
Venue: Downtown San Pedro
Location: Between 6th and Mesa streets, San Pedro,

Nov. 1
Annual Horror Ball
The Rho Chapter of Delta Lambda Phi presents the first Horror Ball. A runway fundraising event for the Trevor Project will take place. Participants are invited to walk the runway for prizes if the come in costume. Event begins at 8 p.m.
Venue: California State University, Long Beach
Location: 1250 N Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach

Free Motion Quilting Techniques
Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles is hosting a free Motion Quilting techniques class from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Nov. 1.
This quilting technique is drawing on fabric with a sewing machine needle.
The fee to attend the class will be $55. It is required you bring your own sewing machine, but all materials will be provided.
Details:(310) 732-1270; www.craftedportla.com
Venue: Crafted, Port of Los Angeles
Location: 112 E. 22nd St., San Pedro

Día De Los Muertos Crafts
Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles is hosting Día De Los Muertos crafts from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 1.
Participants will paint a decorative Dia De Los Muertos skull onto a mason jar.
Details: (310) 732-1270; www.craftedportla.Com
Venue: Crafted, Port of Los Angeles
Location: 112 E. 22nd St., San Pedro

Nov. 4
Teen Game Day
The San Pedro Library is holding a teen game day at 4 p.m., Nov. 4.
Teens can come to the library to play Xbox and other board games.
The library is hosting this every Tuesday of this month and subsequently.
Details: (310) 548-7779; www.lapl.org
Venue: San Pedro Library
Location: 931 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro

Nov. 4
Baby You are My Religion
Marie Cartier will be signing her book Baby You are My Religion: Women, Gay Bars, and Theology before Stonewall behind St. Matthew’s Parish Hall. Women interviewed for the book will present and signing as well. This event is free and open to all.
Details: (562) 439-0931
Venue: St. Matthew’s Church
Location: 672 Temple Ave., Long Beach

Bottle Cap Crafts
Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles will conduct a class on making bottle cap crafts from 1 to 6 p.m., Nov. 7.
Learn how to create custom earrings, magnets and more with bottle caps.
Details: (310) 732-1270; www.craftedport.com
Venue: Crafted, Port of Los Angeles
Location: 112 E. 22nd St., San Pedro

Nov. 8
The Festival 2014
Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles is hosting The Festival 2014, by the Shelton Brothers and Brouwerij West from 12 to 9 p.m., Nov. 8 and 9.
The festival is a celebration of craft beer, cider and mead makers.
Admission is $5 for five tickets, or $20 for 24. A ticket will get you a 2 oz. pour.
A portion of the ticket sales will go to the non-profit Sharefest, which is an organization that works on developing youths.
Details:(310) 732-1270; www.craftedportla.Com
Venue: Crafted, Port of Los Angeles
Location: 112 E. 22nd St., San Pedro

Nov. 8
18thAnnual Long Beach Veterans Day Parade and Festival
The parade starts at 10am from the corner of Harding & Atlantic, adjacent to Houghton Park. The Festival follows immediately after featuring live music, food and a number of booths showcasing City services and organizations.
Location: Corner of Harding and Atlantic, Long Beach

Nov. 9
Lynda Arnold at Long Beach Time Exchange
Sound Healer and Musician Lynda Arnold will play at the Long Beach Time Exchange. The first part of the session will be a group toning or singing experience with guided imagery that will rejuvenate and balance the body’s energy centers. In the second part of the session, Lynda will play her set of 14 Healing Tibetan Singing Bowls, chimes, tuning forks, flutes, voice and shruti box to help guide everyone in a relaxing music meditation.
Venue: Building Healthy Communities
Location: 920 Atlantic Ave., Suite 102, Long Beach

Nov. 16
Salt Marsh Open House
Join Cabrillo Marine Aquarium educators and Coastal Park Naturalist as they help uncover the world of mud and water that is our local wetland. The salt marsh help educate people about the local native plants and animals.
Details:www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org.
Venue:Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Location:3720 Stephen M. White Dr., San Pedro

RLn ANNOUNCEMENT: Oct. 21, 2014

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Oct. 22
NWSPNC Issues Committee Meeting
The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council Issues Committee will meet, at 6 p.m. Oct. 22, at San Pedro City Hall.
Issues to be discussed include reinstituting a speed hump, city elections reforms and the mayor’s minimum wage proposal.
Details: (310) 259-2928
Venue:San Pedro City Hall
Location: 638 S. Beacon St., Room 452

Oct. 23
Free Flu Shot Clinic
Come out, from 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 23, for a free flu clinic at the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services.
No appointments are necessary.
Venue: Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services
Location: 2525 Grand Ave., Long Beach

Oct. 25
Gaffey Street Conceptual Plan
The Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative is inviting community members to participate in the second of three information and input workshops about improvements along Gaffey Street in San Pedro. The workshop will take place, starting at 10 a.m. Oct. 25, at the San Pedro Regional Library.
The workshop will be an open format, where participant will be presented with an updated conceptual plans and project information, as well as information for business along the Gaffey corridor.
Details: (213) 627-1822 ext. 18, (310) 732-4515
Venue: San Pedro Regional Library
Location: 931 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro

Oct. 26
Stand Up! Speak Up!
Stand Up! Speak Up!, a free family workshop exploring aspects of bullying, will take place, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 26, at Cal State Long Beach.
Fifth through 8th graders and their parents will learn strategies for dealing with bullying.
Details: antonella.schaub@longbeach.gov
Venue: CSULB (CBA building, Room 140)
Location: 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach

Oct. 27
Trans*Scend: A Trans* Support Group
Join Trans*Scend, a weekly on-going trans* support and processing group for people 18 to 35, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 27 and every Monday, at The Center Long Beach.
Weekly themes include:

  • Coming Out
  • Transition
  • Mourning old self
  • Identity
  • Relationships

Details: (562) 434-4455 ext. 251
Venue The Center Long Beach
Location: 2017 E. 4th St., Long Beach

Oct. 27
Board of Harbor Commissioners Agenda

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners are scheduled to meet, at 6 p.m. Oct. 27, at the Harbor Department Administration Building.
An ordinance to amend the POLB Tariff No. 4, a contract for the Pier D Water System Interconnect, a contract for the Pier A Way Rehabilitation Project and an ordinance establishing rates for water and sewer services are among the items the board will consider.
Details: http://tinyurl.com/kjfyqkl
Venue: Harbor Department Administration Building
Location: 925 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach

Oct. 28
Business Leaders Roundtable
The Business Leaders Roundtable will take place, at 11 a.m. Oct. 28, at the Long Beach Renaissance Hotel.
The event will feature Rep. Janice Hahn.
Details: (562) 570-5555
Venue: Long Beach Renaissance Hotel
Location: 111 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach

Nov. 6
LADWP’s Power Integrated Resources Plan Workshop
Join the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s workshop on power, from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Wilmington Senior Citizen Center.
The LADWP is transforming its energy supply by eliminating the use of coal and increasing renewable energy.
Details: www.ladwpnews.com/go/survey/1475/21978
Venue: Wilmington Senior Citizen Center
Location: 1371 E. Eubank Ave., Wilmington

Nov. 8
Free Electronic Waste Drop-off
Properly dispose of electronic waste, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 8, at Grace First Presbyterian Church in Long Beach.
Drive through and drop off at no cost charge. Scouts will remove the unwanted electronics from your vehicle for your convenience.
Venue: Grace First Presbyterian Church – parking lot
Location: 3955 Studebaker Road, Long Beach

Nov. 8
Document Shredding and Recycling
District 6 Councilman Dee Andrews will host aDocumentShredding and Recycling Event, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Nov. 8 , at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Long Beach.
Stop by to get rid of your important documents and old electronics. “With the help of Future Shredding ande-Recycling of California we are making it convenient for the community to do away with unwanted items.
Items that can be recycled are televisions, computer monitors, computers (CPU’s), laptops, keyboards, printers, computer mice, hard drives, fax machines, microwave ovens, DVD players, VCR’s, cables and cords, telephones, cell phones, radios, shredders, stereo components, power supplies, tape and zip drives, and electronic devices. X-rays and CD’s are not acceptable.
The first 5 boxes of shredding documents per car are free, anything beyond will cost a fee of $5 per box.
The companies cannot accept: large appliances, toner cartridges, fluorescent bulbs or batteries of any kind.
Details: (562) 570-6816
Venue: Martin Luther King Jr. Park
Location: 1950 Lemon Ave., Long Beach

Nov. 8
Festival Volunteers Needed
About 200 volunteers are needed for The Festival 2014, a craft beer-tasting festival. The event will take place Nov. 8 and 9 at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles.
The Festival will feature craft brewers from around the world, food and music.
In exchange for volunteering one session, volunteers will receive a free beer tasting session of their choice ($45 value), an event t-shirt and an invitation to the after party on the evening of Nov. 9, when craft brew will be served with a special-edition sample glass.
Details: volunteer@sharefestinc.org, facebook.com/sheltonbrothers
Venue: Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles
Location: 112 E. 22nd St., #10, San Pedro

Nov. 15
Long Beach AIDS Ride Adds Family Fun

Participate in the second annual Long Beach AIDS Ride on Nov. 15.
Funds from the ride will benefit The Center Long Beach and the Comprehensive AIDS Resource and Education, C.A.R.E. Program, at Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center.
The ride will begin at 7 a.m. along the shore at Alfredo’s Beach Club. Riders will choose among a 40-mile, 70-mile or a new 8-mile family fun ride.
The event is designed to support local Long Beach efforts in the areas of education, prevention and treatment of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and related illnesses.
Participants may pre-register for the event by going online atwww.longbeachaidsride.org. Same-day registration is also an option. Registration for the 40- and 75-mile rides requires a $250 minimum fundraising commitment. The 8-mile ride costs $40, with a $5 additional charge for each additional family member. Top fundraisers will receive special recognition for their efforts from the Long Beach AIDS Ride committee.
Alfredo’s Beach Club is at 5101 E. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach
Details:www.longbeachaidsride.org, http://bit.ly/LBAR2014,
Venue: Alfredo’s Beach Club
Location: 5101 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach

RLn Entertainment Update: Oct. 20, 2014

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Oct. 24
The GrandMothers of Invention
The GrandMothers of Invention will perform, at 8 p.m. Oct. 24, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.
Details: (310) 833-3281, www.alvasshowroom.com
Venue: Alvas Showroom
Location: 1417 W. 8th St. San Pedro

Oct. 25
Expansions – Dave Liebman Group
Expansions – Dave Liebman Group will perform, at 8 p.m. Oct. 25, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.
Details: (310) 833-3281, www.alvasshowroom.com
Venue: Alvas Showroom
Location: 1417 W. 8th St. San Pedro

Oct. 25
Etienne Gara
Violinist Etienne Gara will perform, at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 25, at First Lutheran Church and School in Torrance.
She is a laureate of the Fondation Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet in France and is continuing his graduate studies with Midori at the USC Thornton School of Music.
Details: (310) 316-5574; www.palosverdes.com/classicalcrossroads
Venue: First Lutheran Church and School
Location: 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance

Oct. 26
A Band With No Name – America & Fortunate Son C.C.R Tribute
A Band With No Name – America & Fortunate Son C.C.R Tribute will perform, at 3 p.m. Oct. 26, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.
Details: (310) 833-3281, www.alvasshowroom.com
Venue: Alvas Showroom
Location: 1417 W. 8th St. San Pedro

Nov. 1
Karizma
Karizma will perform, at 8 p.m. Nov. 1, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.
Details: (310) 833-3281, www.alvasshowroom.com
Venue: Alvas Showroom
Location: 1417 W. 8th St. San Pedro

Nov. 2
SEA Pulse Films
SEA Pulse Films will perform, at 12 p.m. Nov. 2, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.
Details: (310) 833-3281, www.alvasshowroom.com
Venue: Alvas Showroom
Location: 1417 W. 8th St. San Pedro

Nov. 7
One World
One World will perform, at 8 p.m. Nov. 7, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.
Details: (310) 833-3281, www.alvasshowroom.com
Venue: Alvas Showroom
Location: 1417 W. 8th St. San Pedro

Nov. 8
Mitch Forman Trio
The Mitch Forman Trio will perform, at 8 p.m. Nov. 8, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.
Details: (310) 833-3281, www.alvasshowroom.com
Venue: Alvas Showroom
Location: 1417 W. 8th St. San Pedro

Nov. 9
Bruce Baker & The Altered Presence Jazz Band
Bruce Baker & The Altered Presence Jazz Band will perform, at 4 p.m. Nov. 9, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.
Details: (310) 833-3281, www.alvasshowroom.com
Venue: Alvas Showroom
Location: 1417 W. 8th St. San Pedro

Nov. 14
Kristin Korb
Kristin Korb will perform, at 8 p.m. Nov. 14, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.
Details: (310) 833-3281, www.alvasshowroom.com
Venue: Alvas Showroom
Location: 1417 W. 8th St. San Pedro

RL NEWS of the Week: Oct. 17, 2014

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POLA September Container Volumes Increase 9 Percent
SAN PEDRO — The Port of Los Angeles reported its busiest month in 8 years.
Overall volumes increased by 9 percent compared the equivalent month this past year for a total of 775,133 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units. Overall volume at the port has increased by 7.8 percent from this past year with exports being raised only .2 percent.
Current and past data container counts for the Port of Los Angeles may be found at:
www.portoflosangeles.org/maritime/stats.asp

Kaiser Permanente South Bay Celebrates San Pedro Woman
HARBOR CITY — Oct.16 Kaiser Permanente South Bay awarded Wanda Wills a “South Bay Service Award” for 45 years on the job.
Wills, a San Pedro native started at the hospital as a chart room employee in 1969, spent 20 years as and appointment scheduler for the internal medicine department and works in physician scheduling. She plans to retire in 2015 to spend time with her family.

City of Carson 4th Annual Veterans Job Fair a Success

By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor

Commissioner Charlotte Brimmer of the City of Carson’s planning commission beamed with pride at the turn out of the Oct. 3 veteran job fair.

“Twenty people immediately got job that day,” she said. “That’s what it was about.”

Among the employers present at the fair included: Tesoro, Bank of America, DHL, Caste and Sons Protective Group, Mattel, Olive Garden, CEDA Logistics, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department and more.

Bringing the Dead Back to Life, — Musically

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By John Farrell, Curtain Call Writer

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is the story of a man brought back to life through a miracle of science, a body revived from the grave.

Frankenstein, the Musical tells the same story, with music. So does Young Frankenstein, the movie and musical by Mel Brooks. The success of Brooks’ musical has overshadowed Frankenstein, the Musical, an off-Broadway show from 2007 that briefly toured the East Coast.

Maybe it was time for Frankenstein, the Musical to be discovered on the West Coast. And who better to do that than a man who has been, for several years now, dead at least as a producer and director? Art often imitates life. If there isn’t the smell of ozone about Ray Buffer, once the director the Relevant Stage in San Pedro (he is best known, perhaps, for Kiss Me, Kate at the Warner Grand several years ago), there is a smell of greasepaint and of sweat as he and his partner and co-producer Jonas Sills get their production of Frankenstein, the Musical off the ground in a theater in Long Beach. The theater hasn’t been used much but seems perfect to bring Buffer and a musical back to life.

That theater is on the second floor of the five-story Scottish Rite Cathedral at 8th and Elm in downtown Long Beach. The building, a large concrete structure built in the 1920s, is used by the Masons for fraternal events, and is also used for wedding receptions and other private gatherings. And, it has a theater.