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Gaza from the Perspective of a Proud Diaspora Jew

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Gaza from the Perspective of a Proud Diaspora Jew

Photo courtesy of Mohammad S Arafat, who lives in Gaza

By Lionel Rolfe

I have been doing my best not to think too much about Gaza, not only publicly but for myself.

I can no longer avoid pondering all the uncomfortable thoughts Israel’s bombing of Gaza is bringing home to me. Of one thing I’m sure of is that I want to tell Netanyahu, “I told you so.”

Netanyahu’s purpose was always designed to prevent any chance of rapprochement. What’s unfolding was foretold by him.

Netanyahu has forced me to question my relationship to Israel in a fundamental way. I have some strong credentials as a Jew. I come from the centuries-old Schneersohn dynasty of the Chabad movement of Hasidic Judaism. When the last rebbe — who was the closest thing to a pope Judaism ever had — died, his followers expected he would be the messiah. It turned out he just died and was not the messiah. During that period, when they were looking for his replacement, some powerful Lubavitchers approached me. I was more of the bloodline than the last rebbe, so my bloodline made me attractive to them. Even when I pointed out I was not a good candidate — that I was an atheist and a socialist — they wanted to keep talking.

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RLn ENTERTAINMENT: Aug. 13, 2014

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RLn ENTERTAINMENT: Aug. 13, 2014

Aug. 14
Summer Concert at the Nature Center
Enjoy Sligo Rags and Celtic rock music by the lake on Aug. 14 at the El Dorado Nature Center. Bring your own food or enjoy food from Rajin Cajun food truck. The $3 suggested donation supports Friends of El Dorado Nature Center habitat restoration and education programs.
Details: (562) 570-1745
Venue: El Dorado Nature Center
Location: 7550 E. Spring St., Long Beach

Aug. 15
Victor Orlando and Fun Ja-La
Victor Orlando will be performing at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro at 8 p.m., Aug. 15. The Grammy nominated percussionist will be performing alongside Latin Jazz band, Fun Ja-La. Tickets are $20.
Details: (800) 403-3447
Venue: Alvas Showroom
Location:1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

Aug. 16
Doug MacLeod and Denny Croy
Doug MacLeod and Denny Croy will be performing at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro at 8 p.m., Aug. 16. MacLeod won the Blues Music Awards for Acoustic Artist of the Year and Acoustic Album of the year. Denny Croy has performed on popular TV shows including The Tonight Show, Mad TV, and The Midnight Special. Tickets are $20.
Details: (800) 403-3447
Venue: Alvas Showroom
Location:1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

Aug. 28
Summer Concert at the Nature Center
Enjoy Steele Parade and calypso music by the lake on Aug. 28 at the El Dorado Nature Center. Bring your own food or enjoy food from the Kona Ice food truck. The $3 suggested donation supports Friends of El Dorado Nature Center habitat restoration and education programs.
Details: (562) 570-1745
Venue: El Dorado Nature Center
Location: 7550 E. Spring St., Long Beach

RLn ANNOUNCEMENT: Aug. 13, 2014

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RLn ANNOUNCEMENT: Aug. 13, 2014

Aug. 15
6th District Free Food Distribution
District 6 Councilman Dee Andrews recently announced free food distribution, starting at 9 a.m. Aug. 15, at Ernest S. McBride Sr. Park in Long Beach.
Community members must bring their own bag.
Details:(562) 570-6816.
Venue: Ernest S. McBride Sr. Park
Location: 1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Long Beach

Aug. 16
White Point Neighborhood Volunteer Day
Help remove unused irrigation lines to clear trails and beautify the site, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Aug. 16, at the White Point Nature Preserve.
Wear closed toed shoes and bring sun protection. Preserve workers will provide training, tolls, camaraderie and scenery.
Details:(310) 541-7613; amyfriend@pvplc.org
Venue: White Point Nature Preserve
Location:1600 West Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro

Aug. 17
Annual C.A.R.E. to Dine Kickoff Event
Foodies and restaurateurs will convene at the Long Beach Art Museum, from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 17 for the C.A.R.E. to Dine Kickoff party.
hereception-by-the-seaprovides local restaurateurs with an introduction to the community of diners who will soon make serious lunch and dinner plans for the upcoming annual C.A.R.E. to Dine fundraiser on Sept. 25.
Participating restaurants throughout Long Beach have agreed to donate 20 percent or more of each patron’s bill on Sept. 25 to the C.A.R.E. Program, the regional comprehensive HIV health service. Tickets are $25 per person.
Details: (562) 491-9225
Venue: Long Beach Museum of Art
Location: 2300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach

Aug. 18
Coastal SPNC Meeting
The Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council board and stakeholder meeting is scheduled, at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 18, at the Cabrillo Marina Community Building
Details: www.cspnc.org
Venue: Cabrillo Marina Community Building
Location: Cabrillo Plaza, Berth 28, Via Cabrillo Marina Way, San Pedro

Aug. 20
LB Board of Harbor Commissioners Meeting
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners is scheduled to meet, at 6 p.m. Aug. 20, at the Harbor Department Interim Administrative Offices.
The board of Harbor commissioners will consider approving a no cost first amendment to contract with the Long Beach Public Transportation Co. under the Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Grant Program, extending the expiration date of the contract by about three years.
Details: Legislation Text, LB_Transit_GHG_Mitigation_Grant_Contract.pdf
Venue: Harbor Department Interim Administrative Offices
Location: 4801 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach

Aug. 20
Carson Park Neighborhood Association Meeting
The Carson Park Neighborhood Association is scheduled to meet, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 20, at The El Dorado Bar and Grill in Long Beach.
Venue: The El Dorado Bar and Grill
Location: 3014 N. Studebaker Road

Aug. 22
Volunteer with Banning Museum
Learn about Banning Museum at a “Get to Know Us” reception from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Aug. 22 and 23. The reception will take place in the conference room at the Banning Museum.
Details: (310) 548-7777
Venue: Banning Museum
Location: 401 E. M St., Wilmington
Re-elect Al Muratsuchi Fundraiser
A fundraiser to support Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi in his bid for re-election will take place, at 3 p.m., Aug. 23, at a private home in Hermosa Beach. Tickets are $100.
Details: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/fangary

Aug. 23
Pink Turn-A-Thon
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware in Torrancewill be hosting a Pink Turn-A-Thon to benefit breast cancer, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 23.
There is no cost to participate and the turned pens will be donated to the local chapter of the Susan B. Komen Foundation for use in future fundraising activities. Beginners and complete novices are welcome – participants will be guided and instructed by local woodworkers and store staff. Anyone interested in supporting Breast Cancer awareness and those who’d like to learn more about woodturning are invited to attend.
Details: (310) 542-1466; store23@rockler.com
Venue: Rockler Woodworking and Hardware
Location: 20725 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance

Aug. 25
Community Budge Meeting
A community budge meeting is scheduled, at 6 p.m. Aug. 25, at Tracy’s Grill in Long Beach.
The meeting will include a a presentation from City Manager Pat West and Financial Management Director John Gross as well as an opportunity to ask questions and give input.
Details: Click here
Venue: Tracy’s Grill
Location: 5511 Spring St., Long Beach

Aug. 26
District 6 Budget Summit
District 6 Councilman Dee Andrews will host the 6thDistrict Budget Summit, at 6 p.m. Aug. 26, at Ernest S. McBride Sr. Park in Long Beach.
Representatives from the Long Beach Departments of Fire, Police, Parks and Public Works will discuss the 2015 City of Long Beach Budget.
The budget for next year allocates money for street improvements, funds for the third consecutive police and fire academies, the purchase of four fire engines, sets aside five percent of one-time revenues to pay for unfunded liabilities, provides funding for water efficiency improvements in parks and boosts funding for police.
The budget has no significant reductions and applies a $3.1 million surplus.
Details: (562) 570-6816; dee.andrews@longbeach.gov
Venue: Ernest S. McBride Sr. Park
Location: 1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Long Beach


 

Two Men Found Guilty of Forcing Women into Prostitution

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Two Men Found Guilty of Forcing Women into Prostitution

LONG BEACH — On Aug. 8, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that a Long Beach Superior Court jury found Lebrette Stacey Winn and Eric James Avery were found guilty of pimping, pandering, sodomy by use of force, mayhem, human trafficking, kidnapping and forcible rape, among other charges.
Nine accounts were related to the forced prostitution and kidnapping of three females, ages 16, 18, and 20.
Winn, 23, convinced both women into prostitution. When the 20-year-old woman asked to quit he threatened and then raped her.
The 18-year-old victim quit prostituting for Winn months after she began in November 2012. Winn tricked her into meeting him in May 2013 then forced her into his car and picked up the 20-year-old-victim.
The two victims escaped when Winn left his parked car and went into a mall in Culver City.
Avery was convicted of two felony counts: pimping a minor 16 years of age and human trafficking. Avery was a member of the Long Beach Baby Insane Crip gang.
Police arrested Winn and Avery, 25, on May 16, 2013. Officers found a hotel card in Avery’s pocket and later located the 16-year-old victim when they used the card to open a hotel room in Inglewood.
Winn is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 22. Avery will be sentenced will be Sept. 12.
Winn faces 37 years to life in state prison. Avery faces up to 34 years in state prison.

RLn NEWS Update: Aug. 8, 2014

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RLn NEWS Update: Aug. 8, 2014

First Human Case of WNV in Long Beach Announced

LONG BEACH — The first human case of West Nile Virus this year in Long Beach recently was confirmed. As of August 6, 2014, 35 human cases have been reported in 10 California counties, including Los Angeles (1) and Orange (6). There have been two West Nile Virus-related deaths this year in northern California.

The 61-year-old east Long Beach resident with diagnosed with the West Nile Virus has no known underlying health issues and is recovering well.

West Nile Virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Signs and symptoms of WNV may include fever, body aches, rash, nausea, vomiting and headache. Most people infected have no symptoms; approximately one in 150 may develop more serious disease, such as brain inflammation or paralysis. Persons with these symptoms should seek immediate care.
Summer weather and drought conditions create an ideal environment for mosquito breeding. Residents should take the following precautions:

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Beck in the Crossfire

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Beck in the Crossfire

Accessing Police Reforms, Leadership and the Contract

By James Preston Allen, Publisher

It’s never been easy for the average citizen of Los Angeles to know for sure what’s happening behind the badge at the Los Angeles Police Department.

For decades, the LAPD’s public image of Sgt. Joe Friday and all the hundreds of other cop shows hid the reality behind the badge. Rarely does the general public ever get to see the inner workings of the police department until something happens like the Rampart scandal, the Christopher Dorner manhunt or the release of the Rodney King video. We’ve been told repeatedly that all of those things are in the past since the advent of the federal consent decree and the mandated reforms of the past decade.

There are two issues before the City of Los Angeles, both of which come with significant consequences. One is the reappointment of Chief Charlie Beck for a second five-year term and the other is the contract with the Police Officer’s Union, which recently was voted down by the rank-and-file.

It would seem that these two were separate but equally important decisions—violent crime continues its trend down while the city’s finances are tending to be getting better—but they may not be. The curious part about the recent revelations regarding Beck’s command of LAPD is that in years gone by the “thin blue line” of silence would have protected Beck or any other officer from outside criticism.

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RL NEWS Updates: Aug. 7, 2014

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RL NEWS Updates: Aug. 7, 2014

Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography
LONG BEACH — Thirty-three-year-old Paul Michael Barbour, of Long Beach, plead guilty, Aug. 6, to child pornography.
Barbour taped girls undressing and had under his possession thousands of photos and videos of child pornography. Earlier this year, while he was working for Kids Artistic Review at Cypress College, a young female dancer discovered a video camera in the dressing room. The camera was eventually traced back to Barbour.
A search of his home found thousands of photos and 10 videos of child pornography, along with a stash of LSD and hallucinogenic mushrooms, court documents show. It did not appear he produced any of the pornography they found on his computers, officials said.
Federal prosecutors charged him for the child pornography, which carries a statutory minimum of five years in prison and up to 20 years maximum.
His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 20 in federal court. As part of a plea agreement, Barbour will likely be sentenced to between five and 10 years in prison, and 15 years of probation.

LB City College Gets New VP of Academic Affairs
LONG BEACH — On Aug. 4, Terri Long started her new job as Long Beach City College’s new vice president of Academic Affairs.
Long will now oversee the college’s academic programs and deans.
Coming from Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut after 25 years

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RLn THEATER: Aug. 5, 2014

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RLn THEATER: Aug. 5, 2014

Aug. 15
Flyin’ West
Flyin’ West lands for three weekends in August in celebration of CSU Dominguez Hills’ Black Theatre Program’s 15th anniversary.
Set in 1898 in the era of reconstruction following the Civil War, “Flyin’ West” is the story of four African American female pioneers who settle in the all-black town of Nicodemus, Kan. Seeking the freedoms promised them, the women instead are challenged by a harsh and unforgiving terrain as well as a society not yet ready for equality among races or strong independent women.
Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. Aug. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30, and at 2 p.m. Aug. 17, 24 and 31, at the Edison Theatre in CSUDH.
Details: (310) 243-3589; www4.csudh.edu/theatre-arts/2014-15-season
Venue: Edison Theatre
Location: 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson

Aug. 16
Fiddler on the Roof
The Long Beach Playhouse Mainstage Season Closes with Fiddler on the Roof, through Aug. 16.
Set in 1905 Czarist Russia, it tells the story of Tevye, a humble dairy farmer and his quest to find suitable mates for his five daughters. Despite his efforts, the daughters are feeling the influences of a world beyond the village.

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RLn COMMUNITY: Aug. 4, 2014

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RLn COMMUNITY: Aug. 4, 2014

Aug. 5
Shark Week
Participate in special shark crafts and activities, Aug. 5 through 10 at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.
Details: (310) 548-7562;www.CarbrilloMariqueAquarium.org
Venue: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Location: 3720 Stephen M White Drive, San Pedro

Aug. 5
Seashore Mornings
Follow that Slime from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Aug. 5 through 9, at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro.
First and second graders delight in discovering the wonders of slime and much more in Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s week-long Science at the Seashore program “Galloping Snails and Other Fishy Tales”.

Participants will get close-up views of sea snails “galloping” and other fascinating seashore animals in the laboratory, aquarium and along the surrounding shoreline. Children will create their own storybooks, go crab fishing, find out what lives in oozing mud and make records of their daily discoveries. Hands-on activities will include handling live marine animals, using a variety of tools (microscopes, plankton nets, binoculars, etc.), learning about animals in the Aquarium exhibits, exploring nearby coastal habitats, and participating in ecological games. Register now as classes are limited in size to ensure individual attention.
Details: (310) 548-7562;www.CarbrilloMariqueAquarium.org
Venue: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Location: 3720 Stephen M White Drive, San Pedro

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Allegations Taint Beck’s Bid for Second Term

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Allegations Taint Beck’s Bid for Second Term

Sex Scandal Involving Chief’s Daughter Revealed

By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck has been lobbying for a second term since the police commission began taking it under consideration this past May.

But Beck’s road to a second term has gotten increasingly rockier, despite record lows in violent crimes in the city and having weathered some serious crises that would have tanked most other police chiefs (i.e. Christopher Dorner episode that terrorized the police department or the more recent one, in which a detective recounted how he killed fellow officer and allegedly blackmailed former police Chief Bernard Parks into dropping the discipline hearings against him).

On July 20, the commanding officer of the LAPD’s Criminal Gang-Homicide Division, Peter Whittingham, submitted a letter to the Los Angeles Police Commission that was perhaps could completely derail Beck’s chances.

Per the city charter, the LAPD chief is required to apply to the commission for reappointment at least 180 days prior to the expiration of their first term. The commission must respond to that application, voting either to let him stay for another term or not, no later than 90 days before his first term expires. In this case, that would be Aug. 20.

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