After an impressive 30 year career in government service including 21 years of dedication and commitment to serving the residents of Lomita, assistant city manager Gary Sugano will retire. Sugano joined Lomita in 2003 as the community and economic development director, where his visionary leadership and commitment to progress shaped the city’s growth and future. He was appointed assistant city manager in 2010 and has served in that role since that time. His legacy and commitment to Lomita will be cherished for years to come.
Long Beach Playhouse’s annual “A Christmas Carol” never better nor more needed
You might ask why, nine days after my second eye surgery in a month, I dragged myself out to Long Beach Playhouse’s A Christmas Carol despite having seen them do it maybe a dozen times over the years. Am I that much of a Dickens fanboy? Do I live for all things Xmas? Is the money I make as a theatre critic that good?
The actual answer has something to do with my favorite line: “I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow–passengers to the grave and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And […] though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good.”
It’s a reminder that does me good, every year — and one that feels all the more needful just a month after an election that confirmed (as if we didn’t already know) that more than half of my fellow passengers are profoundly, dangerously misguided on their journey.
I’m particularly glad I made it out, because despite the Playhouse’s once again hewing to a traditionalist take (which they’ve done for several years now, after a few highly satisfying departures during the previous decade), this was the best yet.
We are led into the Playhouse’s re-telling by a present-day prelude full of familiar passers-by (Xmas-shopping hustle-bustle, a crypto bro with eyes full of $$$), including a daddy who finds his daughter doesn’t know from whence we get the term ‘Scrooge.’ “You don’t know the story of A Christmas Carol?” he marvels. “I have really failed as a parent.”
And so we are transported into the tale: Scrooge, rich in pocket but poor of heart, is shown the error of his humbug ways via a series of ghostly visitations (Christmases Past/Present/Future, plus his poor old miserly partner Jacob Marley), then turns it all around in time to save Tiny Tim from early death, and “God bless us, everyone!”
While your typical Scrooge is a fairly bombastic curmudgeon (which can work fine), Scott Ruiz seethes more than he expectorates, less a caricature of miserliness at war with the world than a genuine human with a closed heart who simply doesn’t want to be bothered with sentimental claptrap like charity goodwill towards etc. It’s a wonderful choice, understated yet rich (no pun intended).
Director Joy Arzaga has thought through this show’s every beat. I’m not sure where her “production design” ends and the lighting (Melissa Mejia) and sound design (Sean Gray) begin, but never has the Playhouse’s Main Stage multidimensional sound rig and lighting been used to smarter effect, always the perfect complement to action and mood. This includes numerous sound cues meant to sync with actors’ dialog, which they nail every single time.
One of Arzaga’s boldest choices is to score this 19th-century story with a variety of 20th-century Christmas music (rendered by string quartets, a cappella, etc.). She never hits a wrong note, with tunes by Mariah Carey and John Lennon & Yoko Ono helping to generate a couple of especially touching moments.
Arzaga also injects some unexpected humor into the proceedings. Scott Ruiz excels here, too, as does Kaylie Jackel as the Ghost of Christmas Past and Benjamin Rasmussen in an uncredited bit of slapstick (which he takes on in addition to his Fred Hollowell) that gets maybe the biggest laugh of the night.
This year’s installment of Long Beach Playhouse’s A Christmas Carol is getting a particularly short run, which, coupled with my missing opening night, means that this weekend is your only chance to catch it. By all means, do. You may be surprised at the good it’ll do ya.
A Christmas Carol at Long Beach Playhouse
Times: Thurs–Sat 8:00 p.m., Sun 2:00 p.m.
The show runs through Dec. 22.
Cost: $14 to $24
Details: (562) 494-1014; LBplayhouse.org
Venue: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
Ports Briefs: LA and LB Ports Poised to Exceed 20 Million Cargo Containers in 2024
Port of Los Angeles Cargo Volume Up 16% in November
LOS ANGELES — The Port of Los Angeles processed 884,315 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in November, a 16% increase over the previous year. Eleven months into 2024, the Port of Los Angeles has moved 9,375,735 TEUs, 19% ahead of its 2023 pace.
“We are well on pace to exceed 10 million container units for only the second time in our 117-year history,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “It’s a remarkable milestone that we owe to the collective efforts of our partners: The women and men of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, our trucking community, terminal operators, rail partners and many others whose efforts continue to elevate the Port of Los Angeles to new heights.”
Scott Kelly, vice president of Ocean Services, The Americas for Expeditors International joined Seroka at the Dec. 17 media briefing. Kelly discussed tariffs, East and Gulf coast labor issues and the role that logistics companies like Expeditors play in the global supply chain.
November 2024 loaded imports came in at 458,165 TEUs, a 19% increase compared to the previous year. Loaded exports came in at 124,117 TEUs, an 11% increase over 2023. The port processed 302,033 empty containers, a 13% jump compared to 2023.
Port of Long Beach Achieves Busiest November
Buoyed by six straight months of historic volumes, the Port of Long Beach is on course to reach 9.6 million cargo containers by the end of 2024 without congestion or other disruption and exceeding the previous record set during the pandemic in 2021.
The Port of Long Beach also achieved its busiest November, when dockworkers and terminal operators moved 884,154 twenty-foot equivalent units, up 20.9% from the same month last year and surpassing the previous record set in November 2020 by 12.8%.
Imports grew 21.8% to 432,823 TEUs and exports rose 9.5% to 119,083 TEUs. Empty containers moved through the Port increased 24.5% to 332,250 TEUs. November also marked the port’s sixth consecutive monthly year-over-year cargo increase.
“Imports are being driven by strong consumer demand while retailers continue to move cargo here out of concern for labor negotiations at ports on the East and Gulf coasts,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “We will continue to handle this influx of cargo smoothly and with zero disruptions through the end of 2024.”
The port has moved 8,788,718 TEUs through the first 11 months of 2024, up 20.2% from the same period last year.
Community Announcements: VTB Closure Survey, Food Distribution Events, Ollie Winter Courses and Scam Protection Tips
Give your input VTB Closures
The Vincent Thomas Bridge is going to be closed for 16 months starting late next year as Caltrans works to replace the entire bridge deck. Caltrans is planning detour routes right now and is asking for input from people who will be impacted by this closure.
Details: Fill out the survey, https://tinyurl.com/VTB-Traffic-Survey
Holiday Food Distribution
Join on Dec. 23 (while supplies last) for a holiday food distribution event at the Self-Help Federal Credit Union on Avalon Blvd., in Wilmington. Food boxes, toys and resources for the community will be distributed. Plus, a very special guest will join, Santa Claus
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 23
Venue: Self-Help Federal Credit Union, 1000 N Avalon Blvd, Wilmington
Winter OLLI Registration Now Open
Long Beach State’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) hosts non-credit courses for persons 50 years of age or older. The eight-week session will begin January 6th. Registration for the winter 2025 is now open, with over 80 classes offered. Courses start on Jan. 6
Time: Winter 2025 classes run from Jan. 6 to Feb. 28
Cost: $15
Details: Find more information here, Registration Link; 562-985-8237
Venue: Long Beach State, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach
Protect Yourself from Holiday Scams
The joy of the holiday season can quickly be ruined by scams, theft, and fraud. Before making a purchase or donation, it’s important to stay cautious. The Department of Consumer and Business Affairs made a list of common holiday scams and tips to help you recognize and avoid them. From phishing emails to suspicious gift sites, and fake delivery notifications to tampered gift cards, there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Details: Visit DCBAs website to learn how to stay safe and keep your holiday season scam-free.
California Briefs: Governor’s Appointment, 3K Miles of Broadband Milestone, GenAI Tackles Housing & Jobs, $135M for Zero-Emission Vehicles
Gov. Newsom Announces Appointment
David Sadwick, of Los Angeles, Dec. 12 was appointed chief counsel at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Sadwick has been deputy chief counsel at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control since 2024. He was assistant chief counsel for Enforcement at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control from 2021 to 2024. Sadwick was a co-founder and managing partner at Tatro Tekosky Sadwick LLP from 2003 to 2021. He was counsel at Johnson & Tekosky LLP from 2000 to 2003. Sadwick had two roles at Preston Gates & Ellis LLP from 1995 and 2000, including Los Angeles managing partner from 1999 to 2000 and Los Angeles recruiting partner from 1995 to 1999. He was a senior environmental associate attorney at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft from 1992 to 1995. Sadwick was a senior environmental associate attorney at Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe from 1990 to 1992. He was an associate attorney at O’Melveny & Myers from 1987 to 1989. Sadwick was a judicial law clerk at the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals from 1986 to 1987. He was a summer law clerk at the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office in 1984. Sadwick is a member of the California Lawyers Association. He earned his Juris Doctor’s degree from Stanford Law School and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, San Diego. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $211,452. Sadwick is a Democrat.
California on Track to Surpass 3,000 Miles of Broadband Construction by End of Year
SACRAMENTO — By the end of 2024, more than 3,000 miles of the backbone “middle mile” broadband network will be under construction and expansion, paving the way to connect millions of Californians to high-speed internet. This publicly funded, owned and open-access network is set to be the nation’s largest.
The California Department of Technology or CDT recently sealed two more joint-build agreements with the Karuk Tribe in the northern part of the state and the Gateway Cities Council of Governments in the southern part of the state. These joint-build partnerships pave the way for 46 miles across county and tribal lands and a 73-mile stretch of network in southeast Los Angeles County, connecting 26 cities, many of them historically underserved communities.
Expanding the state’s broadband network is a key part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s build more, faster agenda delivering infrastructure upgrades across the state. Find projects building your community at build.ca.gov.
No matter where you live, access to reliable and affordable internet is essential to life in the 21st Century. The partnership with the Karuk Tribe and Gateway Cities Council of Governments combines grassroots planning with state resources to ensure the middle-mile broadband network enables locally planned last-mile broadband infrastructure projects.
The Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative ensures that California has a resilient, open-access broadband network enabling communities to connect to high-speed internet for generations to come. Roughly one in five Californians do not have access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet. Once complete, funding for last mile projects will support internet connections from middle mile lines to homes and businesses, as well as efforts to ensure individuals can afford broadband service where it already exists.
California Advances GenAI Projects to Streamline State Work on Housing, Budget and Jobs
SACRAMENTO — California has announced new progress in efforts to explore using GenAI to address issues for Californians: housing, budget, and jobs. The state is also launching a new website, GenAI.ca.gov, focused on the work happening in California.
This announcement follows September’s first large-scale GenAI innovator showcase event, where more than 30 tech innovators including Esri, Microsoft, OpenAI, Google and My Town AI presented how they can leverage GenAI to help solve critical challenges. Using the research gathered, the state has chosen to move into the next phase, a formal procurement process where innovators will bring solutions to the table and compete to partner with the state.
GenAI solutions for housing
Within the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the Department of Housing and Community Development or HCD is seeking to track the creation and implementation of housing plans, programs, and initiatives across the state more efficiently and quickly. The state posits that using GenAI may increase transparency and accuracy, enabling HCD to provide more equitable housing services across California.
Learn more about this work here.
GenAI solutions for workforce planning
The EDD is also working with the State Labor and Workforce Development Agency or LWDA to find innovative GenAI solutions to strengthen state and local workforce planning and policy development. The solution would refine statistical models to enhance recession forecasting and align economic predictions with emerging employment trends. The solution would help provide real-time data to address workforce challenges during recessions. In utilizing GenAI solutions the stated aim is to possibly produce more accurate recession forecasts to better inform state and local workforce planning and policy development.
Learn more about this work here.
GenAI solutions for finance
The DOF is seeking a solution to synthesize legislative bill analysis, which is a complex and lengthy process throughout the year. DOF staff work across multiple systems to complete this analysis, which is vital to the state budget. This work includes considering fiscal impacts to the state, stakeholder feedback, previous years’ analyses and other intricate information. The goal of the GenAI solution is to find ways to bring all data sets together and provide staff with comprehensive summaries they can consider early in their process.
Learn more about this work here.
Padilla Applauds Over $135 Million Coming to California for Zero-Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicles
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) Dec. 13 applauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s or EPA announcement of $135.2 million to help 12 California recipients purchase a combined 455 zero-emission vehicles. The funding comes from the Inflation Reduction Act as part of EPA’s new Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program.
This program will replace existing internal combustion engine heavy-duty vehicles or HDVs nationwide with zero-emission vehicles, while supporting the build-out of clean vehicle infrastructure and the training of workers to deploy these new technologies. The selected projects across California will reduce harmful emissions from HDVs, support good-paying jobs, and improve air quality in heavily trafficked communities that have been disproportionately harmed by air pollution.
Local California applicants receiving awards Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program include:
South Coast Air Quality Management District — $58.74 million. This investment for two projects will help replace up to 74 fossil fuel-powered school buses with zero-emission electric models and 126 high-mileage HDVs with battery-electric models. The school bus project will install 74 new chargers, while the HDV project will deploy 94 electric chargers. The projects will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, and greenhouse gases, improving air quality and reducing district transportation costs.
Los Angeles Unified School District or LAUSD, Transportation Services Division — $20.37 million. This investment will help replace 50 fossil fuel-powered school buses with zero-emission electric models and install supporting electric charging infrastructure. This project will reduce emissions that contribute to poor air quality and support workforce development activities to train and recruit local community members for zero-emission technology-related jobs.
Details: Find a full list of the California projects selected here.
New Study Released for Pier S Battery Energy Storage System
The Port of Long Beach on Dec. 13 released a draft study examining a 70-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) proposed by Pier S Energy Storage LLC, located on 2.9 acres of land on the Long Beach power plant property at 2665 Pier S Lane.
The proposed BESS facility would provide additional capacity in response to the California Public Utilities Commission’s mandate to strengthen reliability of the electric grid as the state transitions to renewable energy resources.
The study being released by the port is called an initial study or IS, which concluded that there would be less than significant impacts to the environment with the incorporation of mitigation measures; therefore, a Mitigated Negative Declaration or MND has been prepared.
The public can comment on the Draft IS/MND through 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. It is available at polb.com/ceqa.
The proposed project would install up to 200 individual metal containers, each containing lithium-ion battery cells, a direct current collection system, an alternating current for auxiliary power, a communications network, a fire suppression system, a power conversion system to connect the BESS, and a new 66-kilovolt (kV) substation to transform the voltage between the power conversion system and the substation transmission system. The property has been owned since 2021 by Generation Bridge, a subsidiary of ArcLight Energy Partners Fund.
The existing, 66-kV SCE Long Beach Bus Substation adjacent to the proposed project site to the north would also be upgraded. Additionally, the project proposes to demolish three buildings and sections of abandoned concrete saltwater intake pipes.
The port will host two public meetings, each providing the same content. One will be in-person at 6 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2025 at the Port of Long Beach Administration Building’s 1st Floor Multipurpose Room, 415 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, 90802. A second meeting will be held during a live webcast at 6 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2025. Join the meeting here. Meeting number: 2489 083 4283. Meeting password: 1234.
During each meeting, a presentation on the proposed project will be provided and comments will be solicited relative to the content of the Draft IS/MND and Application Summary Report. Meeting details are posted on the Port of Long Beach’s website at polb.com/ceqa.
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners is expected to hold a public hearing at a later date to consider adoption of the Final IS/MND and Application Summary Report and approval of the proposed project.
Comments may be submitted in writing to Renee Moilanen, Director of Environmental Planning, Port of Long Beach, 415 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, California, 90802 or to piersbess@polb.com.
UFCW Local Unions Reject Kroger’s Wall Street Giveaway, Demand CEO Rodney McMullen’s Immediate Replacement
Los Angeles, CA– A day after failing in its bid to merge with Albertsons and dominate the traditional supermarket industry, on Dec. 11 Kroger abruptly announced a massive giveaway to shareholders—a $7.5 billion stock buyback, $5 billion of which is slated to be paid out on an accelerated timetable. The massive shareholder payout towers above the commitments the company had promised to reduce prices for consumers and to invest in wages during the recent merger fight. Flip flopping in less than a day’s time from a strategy of aggressive growth through the Albertson’s acquisition on Tuesday to one of dramatic downsizing through shedding $7.5 billion on Wednesday should be seen for what it seems to be – an attempt to buy shareholders’ mercy through a short-term boost to the stock price in order to save CEO Rodney McMullen’s job.
“At a time when our stores need significant investments in staffing, repairs and remodels and our customers need relief from high prices, it is outrageous that Rodney McMullen would try to distract attention from his multiple failures as CEO by announcing a massive one-time giveaway to shareholders,” said Kim Cordova, President of UFCW Local 7 in Colorado and Wyoming.
During the recent three trials to block the merger, Kroger officials repeatedly expressed concern that rising competition from Amazon, Walmart and other nontraditional retailers represented an “existential” threat to Kroger’s market share. Within hours of that merger’s failure, it appears that Mr. McMullen’s first substantive action — apart from deciding to sue Albertsons — is to fleece $7.5 billion from the company’s treasury instead of making investments that would build market share. This $7.5 billion is on top of the nearly $1 billion the company already wasted on the failed merger. Apparently, in McMullen’s view, the threats to Kroger’s survival are not so great that the company needs these resources.
What could a competent CEO do with $7.5 billion? At the most basic level, these funds could be used to: 1) invest in lower prices for consumers, making Kroger more price competitive; 2) invest in higher wages and more staffing to reduce turnover; 3) remedy chronically empty shelves; and, 4) provide better customer service. The $7.5 billion in share buybacks announced Wednesday are approximately 10 times the value of the promised investments in price reductions the company had said it would make if the merger were approved. The company made a similar billion-dollar commitment to invest in wages. Workers know all too well just how badly needed these additional wages and hours are for the stores’ operations, and how they would allow the company to grow its market share.
What else could a competent executive do to grow market share? They could do what Amazon, Walmart, Costco and Trader Joe’s have done: build new stores. Those other retailers have consistently grown their grocery store count each year over the past decade, but there are fewer Kroger stores today than there were in January of 2016. How many new Kroger stores could $7.5 billion buy? Based on an average pre-tax cost of $35 million per store, Kroger could build 280 new combination stores (such as Ralphs, King Soopers or QFC) each with an average square footage of 71,000 sq ft, for a total of approximately 20 million new square feet—the equivalent of over 1,300 Trader Joe’s stores, about 2.2 times as many Trader Joe’s as currently exist.
What could $7.5 billion buy?
New stores:
280
Store remodels:
3,268*
Discounts per loyal household:
$158.13
New FTEs:
125,691
New FTEs per store:
46
New FTEs per store for 3 yrs:
15.4
- This is actually larger than the total number of stores currently operated by Kroger.
Governor Newsom Announces Judicial Appointments
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom Dec. 13 announced his appointment of 11 Superior Court Judges: three in Los Angeles County, listed below.
Jeffery McFarland, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. McFarland has served as a partner at Eisner LLP since 2023. He was a partner at McKool Smith LLP from 2021 to 2023. McFarland was a partner at McDermott Will & Emery LLP from 2020 to 2021. He was a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP from 2000 to 2020. He served as a principal at Troop Steuber Pasich Reddick & Tobey LLP from 1998 to 2000. He served as an associate at Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP from 1995 to 1998. McFarland was an associate at Brobeck Phleger & Harrison LLP from 1991 to 1995. McFarland earned a Juris Doctor degree from University of Utah. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Donna Groman. McFarland is a Democrat.
Safaan K. Ahmed, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Ahmed has served as a deputy district attorney at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office since 2012. He served as a deputy city prosecutor at the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office from 2009 to 2012. Ahmed was a law clerk at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in 2008. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Boston University School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Natalie P. Stone to the Court of Appeal. Ahmed is a Democrat.
Michael Cavalluzzi, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Cavalluzzi has served as solo practitioner attorney at Cavalluzzi Law since 2001. He served as an attorney at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office from 1997 to 2001. Cavalluzzi served as an attorney at Barry Bartholomew & Associates from 1993 to 1997. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff. Cavalluzzi is a Democrat.
Latest Developments on Western Avenue Improvements
Caltrans continues to work on the Western Avenue project in San Pedro and councilmember Tim McOsker has received an update from state officials that completion of the work is anticipated in January. The final two sections are expected to be striped back to their original configuration within the next couple of days. In January, bike lanes will be added, but the number of car lanes will not be reduced, and electrical work will be finalized.
McOsker acknowledged the community’s frustration regarding the lack of transparency and timely updates from Caltrans on this project. His office has been the primary source of information, striving to keep residents informed despite limited communication from the responsible entities. It will continue to advocate for more consistent and clear updates as the project progresses.
Get Involved: Join the Restoration Project This Weekend
As the holidays approach, join the Restoration Project in its mission to love, serve and give. Any and all hands are welcome.
Link to Restoration Project’s current amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2F73D9XN3DFUR
Time: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Dec. 21
Cost: Free
Details: 310-413-2409
Venue: 507 Broad Ave. and E St., Wilmington