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Long Beach Highlights: $1M Secured for LBCC Student Housing, City Honors Transgender Day of Remembrance

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Long Beach Highlights: $1M Secured for LBCC Student Housing, City Honors Transgender Day of Remembrance

 

Rep. Barragán Celebrates $1,000,000 in Federal Funding for Long Beach City College Student Housing

LONG BEACH — Rep. Nanette Barragán Dec. 2 (CA-44) celebrated $1,000,000 in federal funding she secured for Long Beach City College or LBCC to build the North Long Beach student housing and higher education complex.

The funding will support the development of a mixed-use complex with affordable student housing, a large multipurpose community room, study rooms, shared kitchens, and support services on site. Housing will be available to low-income LBCC students at an affordable rent and open to students with dependents.

“Low-income college students often worry about balancing the cost of tuition, housing, and other essential needs,” said Rep. Barragán. “I was proud to secure this funding so Long Beach City College students, including those with children, can access affordable housing while they pursue their higher education. By building this complex in North Long Beach, educational resources and other services will be more accessible to students who do not live near campus.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Barragán for securing this vital $1 million Department of Housing and Urban Development funding,” said Dr. Mike Muñoz, LBCC Superintendent-President. “In a Spring 2024 survey, nearly 750 LBCC students self-identified that they were at-risk or experiencing homelessness, with 169 students without a home. This funding is more than just money—it’s about changing lives. Our vision of creating a North Long Beach housing complex is now one step closer to becoming a reality, moving us toward reducing housing instability and creating a safe, supportive environment where our students can thrive both in and out of the classroom.”

 

Long Beach City Council Recognizes Nov. 20 as Transgender Day of Remembrance

LONG BEACH — Long Beach Vice Mayor Cindy Allen in November introduced item 37, which the city council approved, asking that the city attorney draft a resolution recognizing Nov. 20 as Transgender Day of Remembrance. In addition, item 37 asked the city manager to raise the Transgender Flag at Long Beach Civic Plaza during Transgender Awareness Month.

Allen thanked councilwoman Zendejas and councilwoman Kerr, for signing and supporting this item.

“November is an opportunity to celebrate and support transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals while working to raise awareness of the unique challenges they face. Transgender Day of Remembrance, founded in 1999, honors the lives lost to anti-trans violence, with a particular focus on the disproportionate impact on transgender women of color. By recognizing this day and raising the Transgender Flag, we reaffirm our city’s commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. These actions not only honor the transgender community but also serve as a call to action to combat systemic discrimination and build a more inclusive society,” Allen said

Los Angeles Briefs: Motion Enhances Access to Justice for Justice-Involved Residents; Hahn Addresses County Homelessness Proposal

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Los Angeles Briefs: Motion Enhances Access to Justice for Justice-Involved Residents; Hahn Addresses County Homelessness Proposal

Supervisors Motion Expands Access to Justice-Involved Residents By Empowering Community Groups

LOS ANGELES —The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Nov. 26 approved a motion authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and Chair Lindsay P. Horvath to expand access to justice-involved residents by empowering community-based organizations to draw down Medi-Cal dollars. It further reinforces the Justice, Care, and Opportunities Department’s or JCOD ability to provide essential case management and diversion programming.

JCOD’s reentry intensive care management services or RICMS, employs community health workers through contracted community-based organization providers across the county, to provide wraparound care coordination and support to vulnerable justice-impacted individuals. Currently, these providers are smaller organizations that are unable to meet the administrative requirements to become a managed care plan-contracted or MCP Medi-Cal provider without further assistance. This motion will allow JCOD to act as the administrative intermediatory between these smaller service provider organizations and MCPs and will allow the county to draw down Medi-Cal dollars to support justice-involved residents.

In 2021, the California Department of Health Care Services obtained approval from federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or CMS to add enhanced care management to its California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal or CalAIM proposal. ECM, which promotes care coordination with an interdisciplinary, holistic approach, allows for recipients to receive intensive care management to ensure that both their traditional health needs as well as their social determinants of health needs are addressed. These benefits are administered by the Medi-Cal managed care plans or MCPs in LA County.

The approved motion directs JCOD, in coordination with other offices, to develop the infrastructure to provide Medi-Cal post release ECM services, for smaller organizations contracted through the county to deliver ECM services to justice-impacted individuals.

Details: Read the full motion here.

 

Hahn issues Statement on Proposal to Establish County Homelessness Department

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn Nov. 26 issued the following statement on a proposal by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and Supervisor Kathryn Barger to shift some responsibilities away from LAHSA and establish a County Department dedicated to homeless service delivery:

“Voters have not given up on solving our homelessness crisis. By supporting Measure A, they proved they not only believe solutions exist, but they are also willing to spend their own money investing in those solutions. We owe these voters and every person suffering on the streets results.

I am open to the idea of creating a new county department if it will actually mean bringing people inside faster and more effectively addressing this humanitarian crisis. What I am not interested in is replacing one bureaucracy with another or rolling back the progress we have made linking arms with the City of Los Angeles.

I will continue to dig into the practical realities of what this proposal would mean for homeless service providers and the tens of thousands of people who depend on them and I look forward to seeing the report back we requested today.”

Los Angeles Briefs: New DA Sworn In, Latino Report Planned, Support for Phillips 66 Workers

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Los Angeles Briefs: New DA Sworn In, Latino Report Planned, Support for Phillips 66 Workers

Nathan Hochman Sworn In As New LA County District Attorney

LOS ANGELES – Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor and Assistant U.S. Attorney General, was sworn in today as the 44th District Attorney of Los Angeles County. Elected leaders, law enforcement officials, prosecutors, first responders and supporters watched outside the Hall of Justice as Mr. Hochman was sworn in by former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

DA Hochman vowed to improve public safety in Los Angeles County by pursuing appropriate sentences for violent and serious offenders, while also offering counseling and rehabilitation to those whose crimes were motivated by addiction or mental illness.

DA Hochman announced a series of immediate policy changes that he said would promote public safety by holding the most dangerous offenders accountable. He said he would inform prosecutors that he is eliminating former DA Gascón’s special directives that prohibited or strictly limited the filing of certain charges and sentencing enhancements.

The changes that DA Hochman is implementing on Day 1 of his administration include:

Restoring the ability of prosecutors to pursue sentencing enhancements for defendants who used firearms in the commission of their crimes, or whose crimes were committed for the benefit of criminal street gangs.

Eliminating prohibition on prosecutors attending parole hearings to advocate on behalf of rape victims and relatives of homicide victims when their assailants are seeking an early release from prison.

Rescinding a prohibition against charging juveniles with misdemeanors for stealing merchandise valued at less than $950.

DA Hochman said he intends to lead task forces dealing with homelessness, fentanyl poisoning, human trafficking, hate crimes, organized retail crime and residential burglaries.

He also vowed to create advisory committees that will create a bridge to the District Attorney’s Office and give the community a contact person for their views to be heard.

A lifelong Angeleno, DA Hochman served as Assistant U.S. Attorney General for the Tax Division of the Department of Justice in 2008. Prior to that, he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California from 1990 to 1997, serving in the Criminal Division. He also had an extensive career in the private sector, as a partner of several nationwide law firms and as a leading expert in tax law, criminal defense and environmental law. DA Hochman previously served as President of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission. He graduated magna cum laude from Brown University and earned his law degree from Stanford Law School.

Board of Supervisors Approve Motion on the State of Latinos in County

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Dec. 3 approved a motion authored by Chair Pro Tem Hilda L. Solis and co-authored by Supervisor Horvath to move forward with a series of directives to create “A State of Latinidad Los Angeles County” report, to better address the disparities around education, health, economic opportunity, and housing, impacting Latinos in Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles County is home to over 4.7 million Latinos, who constitute the largest ethnic group in the region and, for generations, have played a crucial role in shaping the county’s cultural, economic, and social landscape. However, despite being a key driver of LA County’s economic growth and essential source of economic strength, Latinos still face significant disparities in outcomes including education, health, economic, well-being, housing, literacy, and access to green spaces. This is an opportunity for the county to increase equity, promote the wellbeing of Latino residents, and ensure a vibrant Los Angeles County where Latinos fully participate in, contribute to and benefit from everything this region has to offer.

The approved motion is the first put forth in Solis’ new role as Chair Pro Tem for the Board of Supervisors. In this new role, Solis will work to ensure the county supports policies aimed at building out safety net services that safeguard system involved individuals, immigrant communities, people experiencing homelessness, and continue to support Los Angeles County communities and families in need.

Details: Read the motion here.

 

County Will Help Connect Phillips 66 Workers with New Jobs, Including at the County

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Dec. 3 approved a motion authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Holly Mitchell to mobilize a rapid response to support workers impacted by the upcoming closure of the Phillips 66 refinery complex in Wilmington and Carson and connect them with new job opportunities. The closure is expected to impact 900 workers with initial layoffs anticipated to begin in February of 2025.

“Many of these workers are highly skilled and have years of experience in jobs that demanded extensive training,” said Supervisor Hahn, who represents Wilmington. “We are going to mobilize teams from across our county departments to make sure these workers have the support they need as the refinery winds down operations and work with our labor partners to connect them with any additional training they need to get great new jobs. Employers would be lucky to hire these workers, and I am hopeful that many of them will end up with new jobs with the County.”

The motion directs the Department of Economic Opportunity or DEO to report back in 60 days in writing with an action plan to assist workers impacted by the planned refinery closure with enhanced job training and job placement resources. This action plan will include opportunities for the county to hire workers to vacant positions in the Internal Services Department, Public Works, the LA County Fire Department, and other hard-to-fill positions.

Hahn’s proposal was inspired by her experience responding to the closure of Farmer John in the City of Vernon in 2023. Hahn spearheaded the county’s effort to support the more than 2,000 impacted workers with services, free job training, and job connections through a series of “Good Jobs Fairs” in partnership with UFCW Local 770, the Hospitality Training Academy, and other labor partners. Upcoming “Good Job Fairs” are already in the works for Phillips 66 workers.

Letters to the Editor

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Letters to the Editor

Gratitude to RLN Intern from Harbor Animal Shelter

I’m one of the activists for Harbor Shelter, and I’m writing to thank you so much for your great work! The articles were stunning and the pictures too.

I know you said you used to volunteer so you really have a heart for animals, and we thank you. We appreciate you so much and we’re praying for your recognition from Random Lengths and from San Pedro and LA.

You have made a big difference by exposing this and the animals and all of us thank you.

In gratitude,

Jill Jaxx

Homeless Services

L A County Supervisor Hahn issued the following statement on a proposal by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Kathryn Barger to shift some responsibilities away from LAHSA and establish a new County Department dedicated to homeless service delivery:

Voters have not given up on solving our homelessness crisis. By supporting Measure A, they proved they not only believe solutions exist, but they are also willing to spend their own money investing in those solutions. We owe these voters and every person suffering on the streets results.

I am open to the idea of creating a new county department if it will actually mean bringing people inside faster and more effectively addressing this humanitarian crisis. What I am not interested in is replacing one bureaucracy with another or rolling back the progress we have made linking arms with the City of Los Angeles.

I will continue to dig into the practical realities of what this proposal would mean for homeless service providers and the tens of thousands of people who depend on them and I look forward to seeing the report back we requested today.

Janice Hahn, Los Angeles County Supervisor

 

Barragán’s Statement on Phillips 66’s Indictment

Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) released the following statement after an oil refinery in Carson owned by Phillips 66 was charged by the Department of Justice with illegally dumping wastewater on two separate occasions into the LA County sewer system.

“Phillips 66’s alleged illegal dumping of hundreds of thousands of gallons of hazardous wastewater into the LA County sewer system from its Carson oil refinery is a stark reminder of the harm the fossil fuel industry inflicts on air and water in our communities,” said Rep. Barragán. “This facility operates in my Congressional district and the actions alleged in this indictment are unacceptable, they lead to harmful consequences for my constituents.

Companies that engage in the blatant criminal actions alleged in this case must be held accountable for putting profits over the health and safety of the public and our environment. I applaud the Department of Justice for securing an indictment of Phillips66. Congress must continue to strengthen protections and penalties under the Clean Water Act to ensure polluters face serious consequences for endangering our planet and our people.”

 

JVP Action Condemns House Bill Granting Trump More Authoritarian Power

On Nov. 21 the House of Representatives passed H.R. 9495, the so-called “Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act.” This is a far-Right bill that would grant the incoming Trump administration unprecedented and unchecked power to revoke the tax exempt status of any nonprofit organization — including social justice groups, media organizations, universities, and civil liberties organizations — based on a unilateral accusation of wrongdoing and without due process. Jewish Voice for Peace Action fought against this legislation and calls on the Senate to join the majority of their House colleagues in opposing Trump’s agenda and working to stop this authoritarian bill from moving forward.

“This bill is a five-alarm fire for anyone who seeks to protect free speech, civil society and democracy. This bill is part of a broader MAGA assault on the fundamental right to public protest that begins with attacks on Palestinian rights groups and is aimed at outlawing all social justice movements fighting for progressive change. It is shameful that the House of Representatives passed a bill that is straight out of the well-worn authoritarian playbook. The Senate must ensure that this bill to dismantle fundamental freedoms does not move forward or become law.” — Beth Miller, Political Director, Jewish Voice for Peace Action

Winter Wonderlands Through the One-Five

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Winter Wonderlands Through the One-Five

Each town square throughout the 15th District will host a winter wonderland featuring tree-lighting ceremonies, sledding on tons of imported snow, arts and crafts, and entertainment.

Time: Dec. 6, 4-7 p.m.

Venue: Wilmington Towne Square Park,

105 W I St., Wilmington, CA 90744

 

Time: Dec. 7, 4-7 p.m.

Venue: Berth 84,

The foot of 6th St., San Pedro, CA 90731

 

Time: Dec. 13, 4-7 p.m.

Venue: Watts Civic Center,

(Between Success and Century),Los Angeles, CA 90002

 

Time: Dec. 18, 4-7 p.m.

Venue: Ken Malloy Regional Park

25820 Vermont Ave., Harbor City, CA 90710

 

Time: Dec. 18, 4-7 p.m.

Venue: Normandale Recreation Center

22400 Halldale Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90501

Pie Times

RL Intern
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Pie Times

By Ari LeVaux, Flash in the Pan Columnist

I love pumpkin pie but don’t want to make the crust. So I’ll be seeking some kind of normalcy by celebrating #399 the way I always do, by looking for ways to make pumpkin pie, but not make an official pastry crust.

In other years, I’ve made pumpkin pudding and pots de creme. I’ve baked pumpkin pie filling inside squash on the half-shell. This year, I’ll be making Oreo Crusted Pumpkin Pie.

Chocolate and pumpkin pie make a great combination, and Oreo is a special kind of chocolate. It has an almost burnt, sugary charcoal flavor that adds lovely bass notes for the pie spices to dance upon.

And just as importantly, after it’s been atomized in the blender, the Stuf or Oreo creme in between the cookies is really good at holding the crust together as you form it into place. And when heated, the Stuf melts, oiling the pan below and permeating the crust, and eventually gluing it all together when it cools. I prefer the dark chocolate Oreo product, which has chocolate Stuf. Because chocolate is the whole point of Oreos.

And if you want to absolutely maximize the chocolate in your pumpkin pie — or more accurately, around your pumpkin pie — then you can sprinkle more Oreo powder on top, either as an artistic flourish, or as a solid fudge cap. You can also use unbroken Oreos, simply pulled in half, as both crust and topping. The bottom line is none of these Oreo techniques requires a rolling pin, or leave your kitchen dusted with flour.

When the virus is finally in the rearview mirror, you can go on appreciating a crust that you can make with ingredients from the gas station convenience store. And when it’s safe to gather, you and this pie will be ruling the potluck. But this year, you may have to eat that pie alone. Or on Zoom. So that next year we can go back to arguing about politics around the table in person, like normal.

Black Belt Pie

When you make a pumpkin pie with an Oreo crust, you probably shouldn’t sweeten the filling, because the Oreos have so much sugar. Ounce for ounce, winter squash has more sugar than canned “pumpkin” (which is actually canned winter squash). So it needs less sweetener. Makes 1 pie

1 package Oreos (preferably dark chocolate), about 36 cookies

1 15-ounce can of pumpkin (or 2 cups of baked winter squash flesh)

2 eggs

1 tablespoon oil

1 cup heavy cream

½ teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon pie spices

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

 

Pre-heat oven to 425.

Reserve six Oreos for garnish or emergencies, and blend the rest in a blender until smooth. Pour half of the resulting Oreo dust into a pie pan, and put it in the hot oven for five minutes. Remove the pan and carefully push the crumbled Oreo into the bottom and up the edges, as evenly as you can. Use the back of the spoon to press and burnish it.

Crack two eggs in a bowl without breaking the yolks. Carefully spoon out a tablespoon of white and dump it into the Oreo pie crust. Use your fingers or a brush to gently spread the egg white all over the crust, and put it back in the oven for seven minutes.

Meanwhile, put the pumpkin — either from a can or your baked and cooled winter squash — in a blender. Add the eggs, vanilla, oil, cream, salt, and pie spices, and blend until smooth. (If using fresh squash it may be a bit thicker, so be prepared to add ½ cup of milk or water.)

Pour the filling into your Oreo crust, and sprinkle the remaining Oreo dust on top. You can go with a token amount for color, or layer it on as thick on top as it is on the bottom. A thick top crust results in a pie that looks like a hockey puck on the outside, while inside hides a bright creamy pumpkin filling.

If you choose not to go with a thick chocolate top, go around the edge and push down on any crust that is sticking above the surface of the filling.

Cover the pie with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Lower the oven to 350 and remove the foil. Bake for another 45 minutes. Remove the pie and allow it to cool for two hours.

Waiting for it to cool might just be the hardest part of making this pie. But the crust, at least, was easy.

Post-Election Blue Thanksgiving

James Preston Allen
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Post-Election Blue Thanksgiving

What it means when families gather and some don’t

There is some truth to the myth of the Pilgrims holding a day of prayer with a feast in 1621 where a group of Wampanoag natives showed up unexpectedly and shared a meal of freshly killed fowl, venison, fish, eel, and shellfish, along with some beer.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “This was a rather disorderly affair, but it sealed a treaty between the two groups that lasted until King Philip’s War (1675–76).” Yet, it never gained national acceptance because a national Thanksgiving Day seemed more like a religious lightning rod for controversy than a unifying force.

It never held the prominence that it has today until President Abe Lincoln on Oct. 3, 1863, during the Civil War, proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday, November 26. It was done to unify the country after the bloody battle of Gettysburg near the war’s end. It didn’t become a national holiday until 1941 when President Franklin Roosevelt officially declared the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving. So it is a relatively recent national holiday based on an older tradition.

This year though after a divisive political campaign and a lingering malaise from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is both a need and some doubts about joining together to hold the national feast.

The need for many of us is to find some common healing and solace to prepare for what many suspect is going to be a challenging four years of political chaos and then the doubts are about whether this nation or any nation can survive being as divided as we are along the battle lines of the culture wars. Some are pretending that the convicted and impeached former president won’t do this time what he has been boasting he’ll do since the last time he held office.

Others are complaining that the courts, the justice department and Jack Smith should just go ahead and sentence Trump or hold over the indictments until he leaves office, but no rule of actual law stops anyone from prosecuting him right now! That Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden aren’t calling for there to be a trial right now is rather cowardly!

If no man is above the law, how can Attorney General Merrick Garland not follow that law and prove that justice still prevails even against one who has so flagrantly broken so many? I’m sure that discussion could start many an argument at the family table this year. Here’s a question to be asked, as we no longer go out and kill our own fowl for this meal, nor harvest our own produce or brew our own liquor– just how is all of this going to be done without immigrant farm labor that harvests the crops, processes the turkeys and picks the grapes for your wines? Remember when we were talking about “essential workers” during the pandemic?

Next year’s Thanksgiving could be far different or far more expensive depending on what Trump gets away with. It may slowly dawn on the rural red counties across America that the immigration laws actually provide a benefit as more and more people no longer work cheaply toiling the fields. The Republican farmers will be the first to protest and scream the loudest but even their rich Republican mason owners in the cities will complain about not getting their lawns mowed and hedges trimmed. This doesn’t even take into consideration the amount of human suffering with families being separated and then deported because some are legal and others are not. This may be their last Thanksgiving dinner together.

That so many Latino men and others of immigrant backgrounds voted for the Trumpster may mean that some of their relatives get arrested and deported. I said in my last column that the real impact of the Republican 2025 agenda won’t be realized until it hits those voters’ families, friends, and neighbors next door. The seeds for economic and social chaos are now being sown even before he takes office and the bitter harvest won’t be reaped until next year and the years thereafter.

“Come on man,” you say, “you are being far too alarmist!” The fascists are at the gate and just about to burn down the government (like the Reichtstag fire) and you are pretending it doesn’t matter? This feels like pre-World War II Germany where many people were confused, scared and just didn’t believe that Hitler could be as bad as he said he would be, and then after a devastating war that destroyed their country the German people had to be shown the death camps just to prove to them the truth.

The time for resistance is now and IF the Democrats want to have any chance of defeating the Republicans in two or four years, they have to start now while they still have a chance to change the outcome. Kamala Harris, Gov. Gavin Newsom, and even Joe Biden can’t wait to start the next campaign and show that there is some leadership! Resistance needs to start now. After all, Trump won this election on the slimmest of majorities, it is in no way a “mandate”.

Honorary Mayor Garcia to be Wilmington Parade Grand Marshal

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Honorary Mayor Garcia to be Wilmington Parade Grand Marshal

 

By Alejandro Barlow

Wilmington’s newest honorary mayor is a marine who prizes community and teamwork. He had to raise money for his preferred charities to get elevated to the ceremonial office. More importantly, he had to out-fundraise his rivals to become Wilmington’s Honorary Mayor.

On Sept. 26, Erick R Ojeda Garcia was elevated to honorary mayor of Wilmington and will serve as the Grand Marshal of the Wilmington Christmas Parade and float number 22 in the San Pedro Christmas Parade.

He was a recruiter for the Marine Corps, a role he volunteered for, and helped to recruit 49 people in two years ― a feat he was awarded for. He said one recruit was changing his mind every week and never committed until one day the recruit decided to join. Ojeda Garcia helped the recruit lose weight before joining and later became a recruit himself who often mentions Ojeda Garcia to recruits as his reason for joining.

He regularly talks with the recruiter he mentored into the position as well as other people he has helped both in and out of the Marine Corps. He said with his photobooth company, OMGee Pix LLC, he connects with the people who use his services on a deeper level than just the photo booth person at the event. Diez mentioned she first met Ojeda Garcia at one of the events that used his company and said he learned what people did and actually cared during the conversations and did want to learn.

Ojeda Garcia chose the Wilmington Rotary Club as his charity organization of choice to support during his run for honorary mayor. During his campaign, he raised nearly $30,000, the second-highest candidate was Alejandra Rodriguez who raised $14,100 for her charity of choice.

Wilmington’s Chamber of Commerce CEO, Monica Diez said of the record, “He is the highest grossing,” in the 70-year history of the Wilmington Honorary Mayor title.

Diez explained that achieving the Honorary Mayor is more of a status symbol for some people and is not utilized. Being Honorary Mayor they have the option to sit in board meetings and meet with business owners in the community at any meetings during the two-year term. The term is a volunteer term and is what each honorary mayor makes it to be.

“You can get involved to the degree of what you’re willing to do, so if you want to do a toy drive, you can do that,” Diez said. “ You can do a million things, sometimes people win and just take it as a title and that’s about it. At the end of the day, it’s not something to undermine. They did raise money for a worthy cause and that’s really the point of it all.”

Ojeda Garcia said he chose the Wilmington Rotary Club as his charity of choice because he was already a member and was pushed to run for honorary mayor by the other Rotary members. He said he always wants to give back and help his community and has done so with every organization he has been with. The Wilmington Rotary Club helps the most people and organizations rather than just one specific cause. He says he always pushes to help in education, youth, military, and local businesses and says the Rotary Club aligns with his goals.

The event that held the tickets for the fundraiser to choose the honorary mayor had so many tickets that there was a need for a second drum. Ojeda Garcia said that between the four candidates, they raised a little over 60,000 tickets and each ticket was roughly a dollar each. He said when it was said he raised close to $30,000 he was amazed and said that it felt even greater that as a team they raised over $60,000 for Wilmington.

Rotary Club helps every organization or person who asks for help or connects them with resources that can better help. He said the organizations did get the money that was fundraised for them but 30 percent went to the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

“Some of my fondest memories first coming to this country was me and my mom walking home from school and throwing me into trash cans and I would throw cans and bottles back, it was the funnest game ever,” Ojeda Garcia Said. “To me, it was a game, and all this so that at the end of the week we could afford an ice cream or a sweet treat outside of the rent that we had to pay. I remember that and those hardships and being there as some of the things I remember that keep me grounded because I come from nothing. No matter how low or hard I fall I can always get back up because I come from nothing.”

Ojeda Garcia Says this drives him to help others and serves as a reminder of where he came from. He teaches his nieces gratitude for what they have, and never be afraid to give to others. He regularly takes them to volunteer opportunities and distributes food to the homeless.

In Memoriam: Art Show Celebrates the Lives and Work of Mic and Marka Burns

Melina Paris
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In Memoriam: Art Show Celebrates the Lives and Work of Mic and Marka Burns

 

The Long Beach Creative Group presents Full Creative Vision: An In Memoriam to Marka and Mic Burns. A tribute to their artistic legacies, Mic and Marka Burns creative contributions have left an indelible mark on the Long Beach community. The exhibition can be seen Friday through Sunday until Dec. 15.

Marka Burns, a dedicated artist and educator, inspired countless students and educators throughout her career, instilling in them the importance of developing their full creative potential. A graduate of Chouinard Art Institute and California State University, Long Beach, Marka taught art and art education at CSULB for more than 30 years. Her pioneering spirit led her to open the first Color Xerox studio for artists in California. Her passion extended beyond the classroom, as she lectured on art and architecture across Europe, coordinated exhibits in prestigious venues, and created artwork that has been featured in private and corporate collections.

In 2015, Marka and husband Mic co-founded the Long Beach Creative Group. With a small group of artists and arts enthusiasts, their mission was to create opportunities for Long Beach artists to showcase their work. Thanks to her vision, the Long Beach Creative Group & Rod Briggs Gallery became a vital hub for creative expression, connecting an impressively diverse group of artists and patrons.

Mic Burns, a talented pipe designer and digital painter, began his career after graduating from the Cornish School of Arts in Seattle. Known worldwide for his handcrafted Freehand Pipes under the name “Micoli,” Mic channeled his artistic vision into digital paintings later in life. Inspired by the smallest details — from his wife’s paint palettes to the textures of nature — Mic’s work transforms everyday elements into profound artistic expressions.

New board president Travis Stock-Tucker said, “we are so proud of the work that Marka and Mic did in support of the arts in Long Beach. The Rod Briggs Gallery would not exist without their leadership and vision, and the group remains committed to honoring their legacy.”

“I’d seen some of their work before, but I must admit that seeing the gallery full of their art is really glorious,” said Sander Roscoe Wolff, a newly appointed board member that worked closely with Marka for the last five years. “I really hope that friends, students and fellow artists take the time to see this exhibition before it ends.”

The opening is on Dec. 1, with a time for speeches honoring Marka and Mic from 2 to 3 p.m. Those wishing to speak are encouraged to keep remarks to about five minutes. A portion of all sales will go toward the creation of a new scholarship endowment for CSULB students in the arts education program. Long Beach Creative Group and the Burns family agree that this is a perfect way to honor their legacy.

The Long Beach Creative Group is supported, in part, by the Arts Council for Long Beach, the Port of Long Beach, the City of Long Beach and the Briggs Family Trust.

During exhibits, the gallery is open to the public Fridays through Sundays, from 1 to 4 p.m. No appointment is required.

Time: 1 to 4 p.m., opening reception, Dec. 1

Cost: Free

Details: LongBeachCreativeGroup.com

Venue: Rod Briggs Gallery, 2221 East Broadway, Long Beach

Good Works That Actually Work

Melina Paris
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Good Works That Actually Work
Can Many Nonprofits Survive the New Regime?

In the wake of the election, the end of 2024 has left many residents in the Harbor Area wondering just how strange 2025 and the following three years will get. One example: Many nonprofits may be in for big problems, or cease to exist.

On Nov. 21, the House of Representatives passed the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act (H.R. 9495) after it was defeated in an initial vote the week prior. Nonprofits throughout the nation (the American Civil Liberties Union or ACLU, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People or NAACP, Greenpeace USA, Jewish Voice for Peace, CalNonprofits, Interfaith Alliance, Oxfam, and Planned Parenthood are among the groups that oppose the measure) are decrying a new bill aimed at 501(c)(3) organizations. The bill would give the executive branch authority to strip nonprofits of tax-exempt status if they are found to “fund disruptive and illegal activity nationally and terrorism abroad.” HR 9495 still must pass in the Democrat-majority Senate to be signed into law.

Kia Hamadanchy, senior federal policy counsel at ACLU, stated on the organization’s website “While the ACLU would oppose this legislation no matter who the president is, and there is no question it could be weaponized against groups on both ends of the ideological spectrum, the rhetoric we saw on the campaign trail from the president-elect is even more reason for Congress to reject this bill.”

CalNonprofits said the bill has been introduced and failed twice already, noting; “52 Democrats supported it, including Congressman Adam Schiff, California’s newly elected U.S. Senator.”

In summary, the Harbor Area is home to many nonprofits that are doing good works that actually work for the community. If you are able, now is a good time to donate. Just in time for Giving Tuesday, RLN has compiled a list of just some of the nonprofits in the Harbor Area which are doing good works.

Bread Head California: Healthy Eating on a Budget!

Bread Head was founded in 2016 by Celeste Baker. She is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Paris. Based in Carson, California, Bread Head seeks to partner in the empowerment of people by providing access to food literacy in the form of cooking classes that encourage self-efficacy. The name Bread Head is a play on Dead Head, to which director Celeste Baker self-described herself. She said the Grateful Dead was a huge source of community and love at a time that was extremely tumultuous for her as a teen.

Bread Head is a 501c3 dedicated to alleviating food insecurity, promoting food literacy, and fostering community among young people, individuals, and families, through culinary life skills classes, delivered in a supportive, nurturing environment.

Bread Head has adopted the same sustainable development goals also known as the Global Goals, that were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Beacon House

Founded in 1970 by Father Art Bartlett, pastor of the Episcopal Seaman’s Church Institute, and Michael Dowling, a merchant seaman and recovering alcoholic, Beacon House, which was once a shelter for recovering alcoholics, has grown into a comprehensive state-licensed-and-certified substance abuse recovery program for men. Beacon House encompasses five residential facilities, totaling 103 beds, two outpatient clinics, and a dining hall — all on one city block in San Pedro. It also operates two retail locations, Beacon House Thrift Shops, and a meeting hall.

RLN spoke to Beacon House’s donor relations coordinator Avalon Silver about how 2024 has gone for the nonprofit.

“The challenges for Beacon House remain the same,” said Silver. “Addiction continues to decimate our communities so we continue to have a job to do. We focus on that primarily; helping men overcome addiction and get to recovery.”

Silver highlighted important news that happened this year for the nonprofit, thanks in part to Assemblymember Mike Gipson of Carson and to the state. Bartlett Center, which is Beacon House’s cafeteria, has undergone remodeling and will open soon.

“That kitchen was built a very long time ago, I’m not sure what year but it needed some severe upgrades,” Silver said. “We did a fundraising campaign, and that along with $1.25 million that was donated from the state of California through Assemblymember Mike Gipson, was wonderful and allowed us to be in a position where we could complete this remodel.”

Beacon House currently serves about eight local homeless shelters now, cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner for residents every day, along with its own approximately 100 residents, which comes to about 1,000 meals a day served.

“We are really excited to have that back up and running because we had been outsourcing for that while the kitchen has been under construction,” Silver said. “We’re very proud of the work we’ve done there and are really thankful to our community and to the state of California for allowing us to do that.”

 

Angels Gate Cultural Center

Angels Gate Cultural Center or AGCC prides itself on being there for the community. The nonprofit promotes the arts and supports the development of emerging and established artists. Its mission is to provide space for artists to work and to engage the community through arts education, thought-provoking exhibitions of contemporary art, and cultural events.

Sarah Al-Mulla, associate director of Angeles Gate, said in an email, “In 2024, Angels Gate Cultural Center was proud to bring over 37 arts events to the San Pedro area, including free monthly all ages workshops, over 16 different weekly community classes, and hosted 8 exhibitions in our galleries. The Center served over 3,100 LA County youth with our Artists-in-Classrooms program, and guided an additional 917 local elementary school students through our exhibitions followed by an art workshop inspired by the artwork they experienced. We were thrilled to welcome the community on campus for soundpedro, OPaf, Many Winters Gathering of Elders and Scary Stories again this year. Next year, we are looking forward to participating in a large arts event, in partnership with other local San Pedro organizations, aimed at opening as many local art spaces as possible over the span of one weekend.”

The cultural center’s goal is to provide community members of all ages opportunities to explore the arts with instruction by professional artist-teachers. This is done through offering moderately priced community classes to the local community on-site at AGCC and through its “Artist-in-Classrooms” or AIC program. AICs 12-week residency programs promote creativity, cross-disciplinary knowledge, and critical thinking skills in accordance with California visual and performing arts standards and familiarize students with contemporary arts practices.

Model Arts School: Founded in partnership with the Grand Vision Foundation, the school stabilizes and expands arts education and arts integration in each of AGCCs soundpedro schools, for all students.

Arts + Exploration Field Trips: This impactful program introduces elementary students to gallery exploration, intercultural heritage and active comprehension through artmaking.

In addition, the cultural center offers monthly community classes, workshops, family art workshops and ArtLab, where AGCC and the Marine Mammal Care Center collaborate on science lessons and hands-on art activities for all ages.

 

LAMI

The Los Angeles Maritime Institute or LAMI serves to empower youth to discover their greater potential through extraordinary at-sea experiences aboard educational sailing vessels built to train and equip young people with modern-day leadership skills, and inspire maritime and STEM career paths.

During the late 1980s, Captain Jim Gladson, Los Angeles Unified School District science teacher and sailor witnessed the positive effect that sailing at sea had upon his alternative school students, including those with dyslexia. Subsequently, the TopSail Youth Program was conceived. In 1992, Gladson along with advocates founded LAMI as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and formalized the educational experience as the TopSail Youth Program, to deliver the program to youth from under-resourced communities in Southern California and beyond. Its mission is to use sail training to provide youth with the real-life challenges that would help them develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to stay in school and become healthy, productive adults.

LAMI programs include: Virtual Voyage; TopSail Youth Program; TopSail STEM Program

Sea Scouts/Youth Crew; Explore the Coast; Maritime Youth Leadership Ambassadors and Summer Camp.

 

San Pedro: Caulder Lamm Alliance For Children Inc.

aka CLA, San Pedro, www.CLAforChildren.org

The mission of Caulder Lamm Alliance for Children is to provide assistance to children and teens from impoverished families in the United States and worldwide. Assistance may include clothing, nourishing meals, school supplies, sports-related activities, higher learning scholarships for the arts and other emergency needs.

Caulder Lamm Alliance for Children was created in memory of Mary Gimenez-Caulder’s son Manuel Lamm, who died in a hiking accident. Manuel was a student who planned to teach literature and art until his passing. He was also a poet and an artist.

Programs

Manuel Jackson Lamm Scholarship for the Arts Award

Annually, CLA provides this award to one or more graduating high school students pursuing higher learning in the arts.

Beyond Bounds

This program provides funds to children in grades K–12 who are interested in or who already participate in an extra-curricular activity and whose families have financial difficulty paying the fees or costs associated with the activity.

Mission Fund

Helping children and youth locally and worldwide, CLA assists children in need with books, school supplies and other emergency needs. Locally, it also conducts food drives and provides grocery gift cards to assist parents that are unable to afford the basics such as a nutritious meal to feed their children.

Caulder Lamm Alliance also provides free lessons in the arts, dance, photography, singing, theater and recently, karate, at the children’s request, to youth who reside in local homeless and domestic violence shelters, as well as children in need in the community. CLA also had yoga lessons with a licensed yoga instructor and a fire safety lesson with an LA Fire department inspector.

Extra-curricular activities include, but are not limited to:

Art; dance; theater, poetry; literature; cheerleading; gymnastics; martial arts; academic tutoring; sports related activities and after school clubs.

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