Calling all Artistes!

It's time again for Angels Gate Cultural Center's annual all-California juried show. Every year, the Center accepts entries from artists from all over the state, from which exhibiting artists are selected by a guest juror. This year our juror is MOCA's Rebecca Morse, who co-organised Street Credibility with Mike Kelley and is currently putting together the upcoming Lorna Simpson show.

If you are an artist, or know an artist who would like an opportunity to be in a show at the Cultural Center, all the prospectus with all of the information you need to know about entering this show is available for download at the Center's website right now! This year it's even easier to enter, we are accepting entries of digital images on CD in addition to pesky old slides. For $15 you can enter up to three works, entry is affordable to anyone.

Deadline for entries is March 13, contact me at AGCC with any questions

We now return you to your regular community programming.

Our first tower crane

Last week, an even bigger crane came and assembled this tower crane on top of the Center Street Lofts project. Suppoedly the taller structure that sits on the base that has been constructed will go up pretty fast at this point.

Morning DP World East Coast Port buyout update

Rather than stack updates onto the earlier post, here is the new news.

The Daily Breeze has joined in the media coverage, carrying commentary from Congresswoman Jane Harman, Harbor Commissioner President David Freeman and Port of Los Angeles spokeswoman Theresa Adams-Lopez. None of them mention the potential impact on American labor should this company take over the six East Coast & Gulf Coast ports.

According to the AP, Bush is now claiming unawareness of the deal prior to the controversy . Given his penchant for delegating, I'd say it's plausible that he had no knowledge of the deal prior. If he had no knowledge, why is he so agressively defending it now?

So far I haven't heard any official statement from either the ILWU or Local 13. Anyone got some scuttlebutt on the local labor position(s) on this deal?

AFTERNOON UPDATE
The ILA, the East Coast longshore union, has weighed in asking that hearings be held regarding the sale.

Development related meeting tomorrow night

If you love or hate the Vue, or the Ocean View Lofts (the five story 144 condo complex at 111 & 203-233 Harbor Blvd), tomorrow the Planning Committee of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council will be meeting with representatives of the developers. The committee position will then be forwarded on to the genreal council. This is a great opportunity to make your voice heard regarding any aspect of these projects, and I know there are a lot of opinions out there that should be heard, so I hope that some of us can make it.

Note: From what I can tell, the proposed Ocean View Lofts are the first proposed development that would actually displace what is now two city blocks of low income public housing in favour of condos. In my opinion, this represents a serious turn in events in San Pedro's development cycle. Until I got the E-mail(s) regarding this meeting I was unaware of this project, and have no information regarding the status of either the low income housing or the current residents of that housing. If anyone knows more about this proposed project, please comment about it.

What? - Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council Planning Committee meeting on proposed development
Where? - The Bartlett Center. 103 W. 11th Street (corner of Beacon & 11th)
When? - Wednesday, February 22nd (tomorrow) @ 6:30 PM

Meeting Agenda Here

Not our Port, but...

I try to keep my posts pretty local, but as residents directly adjacent to and surrounding America's largest port complex, I imagine we all have some perspectives and interest in the outcome of the current battle regarding the proposed operation of six East Coast ports by Dubai Ports World, a state owned company from the United Arab Emirates (CIA World Factbook here).

Now, I find the idea that a company from any Islamic nation would be prohibited outright from engaging in business in the United States on principle, or out of some vague racial or religious fear reprehensible. I don't see this situation in that light, however. Our ports are one of organised labor's last stronghold and the United Arab Emirates is a black hole for labor rights. How can this company, which is owned by a country which essentially consists of an ultra-powerful, feudalistic elite & the exploited workers that serve them, some in a state which could be effectively described as indentured servitude, be considered as an appropriate manager for six ports that rely on organised labor for their daily operations? In the UAE, strikes and unions are illegal, does this company even have the relevant experience to respect the institutions of labor that move goods through our ports, or to adapt to the local situation?

On top of all of this, following a bi-partisan Congressional backlash, Bush is now threatening to veto any and all bills that come across his desk until the Dubai Ports World deal goes through. I can't underscore how significant that threat is, as Bush hasn't vetoed a single bill since taking office, and now he's apparently willing to use his veto power arbitrarily to force this deal through. That moves the conflict over the deal into another sphere - is this deal really a proxy attack on organised labor by the Bush administration? Or is it more of the "looking out for his friends" politics that have been making messes globally over the past 5 years?

I've rambled enough. What do you guys think?

Update! - New York Times and Los Angeles Times coverage of the Bush veto threat & Los Angeles Times coverage of the battle between Congress & Bush.

Bonus! - Here's a fun link for any kids who happen to be reading this blog!

Sandwich Saloon is Back!!!!!

I found this out Saturday, and I've been feeling the joy ever since. Sandwich Saloon had a fire a while back, and I guess it took a while for the insurance issues to settle out. I had resigned myself to losing my favourite San Pedro sandwich delivery joint, but no, they are back and still delivering. I had my staple sandwich a Southwest chicken with no cheese (damn you lactose intolerance!), avocado and extra tomato. It was the same damn sandwich I'm used to eating, no wierd post-fire changes, exactly the same damn sandwich! Praise St. Sandwich!

They're in the same location, on Gaffey between 8th & 9th, and their delivery number is the same as it always was, 310-548-5322 - All is right in the world again!

Repent with us!

Tomorrow night is the opening reception for John Michael Gill's newest solo show at Walled City. He's spent the past year refining his techniques and focusing on the religious symbolism and the dualities of good and evil. He's done a huge amount of site specific painting for this show, which will serve as a backdrop to his work. As usual we'll have a couple kegs of homebrew on tap and an assortment of treats to keep your jaws and livers busy while you hob nob & enjoy John's new work. Or you can just come by and laugh at my crippled foot!

Where - Walled City, 309 West 7th
When - Feb 18th a.k.a. Saturday night, 7-10 PM

Toberman House gym goes up

Toberman House's expansion and renovation has been going on since I moved to 1st & Grand, but it looks like they're making some serious progress now. The big prefab struts of the new gym went up this week. It was awesome watching them get raised into position.

Low profile cranes revisited

Apparently the Harbor comission is going to take a pass on approving the further testing or use of low profile cranes in the harbor, according to this Breeze article from yesterday. Apparently according to the ILWU and the Port, they just don't measure up in the important areas of safety and productivity.

All of this is fine to me. Back when Councilwoman Hahn made her trip to China, returning with a model (which was on display in her office last time I was there) of a proposed low profile crane affectionately called "The Janice", I was exceptionally dismayed. We don't need to hide the cranes that make our "working harbor" such an awe insipring place to live. I'm not ashamed that we've remade the landscape in to serve our needs and desires.

I love the industrial landscape of cranes and other equipment that makes our area such an interesting place to live. I love everything from the squealing of train wheels to the yellow glow of the forest of light poles in the harbor. I love the post-apocaplyse hellfire that vents from the refinery poles, even. The only thing I don't like is the diesel exhaust, which I'd like to see get addressed in a storm of sci-fi technological fury.

The photo above is the view from my front yard. If I couldn't see the tall cranes every day, it wouldn't be Pedro.

Something serious going down on 9th St

Arrived home at around 10:30 tonight and found at least 20 squad cars and a helicopter circling overhead, all focused on the intersection of 9th and Grand and the alley to the west. I tried to approach officers standing in the alley, but got a "please stand down mam, we've got police dogs in action." I could see the dogs sniffing out the alley, once he mentioned it. I have no idea what is going on, but if anyone does, please post a reply....

Who's the best doctor in town?

Yup. Ole squiddy managed to mangle one of his tentacles on a wandering cuisinart blade (the serrated one that looks like the thing from Krull), and I ended up at the Little Company of Mary emergency room Friday night. After a long wait followed by some excellent tailoring by Michael Green (great stitching, great bedside manner) and some follow up by a really great nurse, I was told to see my GP on Monday (yesteday) for some light follow up. As I'm too manly to go to the doctor, I don't have a GP, and I got assigned one (who, knowing the litigiousness of physicians, will remain nameless) , and finally got in to see her this morning.

Anyways, although the docs in the emergency room were great, the one I got assigned to was not. She was late to work, so I ended up waiting over an hour before getting into an examination room for another wait. An examination room sparsely populated by instruments that looked more at home in an antique shop than in a doctor's office. Every padded surface was frayed and worn, the posters were outdated and haphazard. An oxygen tank and setup leaned casually against the wall. Everything screamed "Hippocrates doesn't live here anymore."

I got my dressing changed (during which numerous cross-contamination no-no's were committed), and then eagerly avoided making a follow-up appointment to get my stitches out, knowing that I've got a couple days to find a new sawbones, I've been polling the locals, trying to find the best doctor in San Pedro. So who is the Hawkeye Pierce of the San Pedro medical scene?

Design review of the Vue tomorrow night

Those of you who are strongly opinioned on the Vue, may enjoy tomorrow night's meeting of the Pacific Corridor Downtown Waterfront Steering Committee, where a report on the new design (newer than the one we've been looking at, or is that the new design?) will be presented by Eric Eisenberg.

February 15 @ 6:00 PM
in the 4th floor conference room of the municipal building

-enjoy

An "epidemic" of sinkings

That's what Assistant U.S. Attorney William Carter said about the current "fad" of scuttling in L.A. harbor. According to today's Breeze, there were 36 scuttlings in the harbor alone during the last 18 months, and that doesn't even count land scuttlings, like the one we've got up at Angels Gate right now.

Anyways, if you guys remember the big scuttling incident a few months back, where a 37 foot boat was sank in the harbor, amateur artificial reef builder David Bachtel is now facing a maximum sentence of 26 years. According to the article, he's also facing unrelated state methamphetamine distribution charges. No suprise there, damn near every shady seaman I've ever known has had a taste for crystal meth, it seems to go with the territory.

Music update

There are two good gigs this weekend, Just found out about both of them. Sorry 'bout the short notice, but I get it out as fast as it gets to me. Now with updated and possibly correct info!


Tonight, brace yourself for another show at Harold's Place, which is apparently a show for someone's birthday, but the notice didn't say who's birthday it is. So feel free to bring a non-specific gift, or buy whomever is having a birthday a stiff drink. I got two competing E-mails, with two competing lineups. The confirmed bands are up top and the possibles are on the bottom. I also got two start times 7 & 9 PM.

The lineup is

Toys That Kill
Japanther (from New York)
Female Chauvanist Pigs

possible bands

Lipstick Pickups
Seat Belt
San Pedro Slim

Starts at 7PM or 9PM - free, 21 and over


Saturday night, you can enjoy something other than the T.V. at Sacred Grounds. Los Punkinheads, featuring Mike Watt, Money Mark and John Wicks will provide the entertianment that the caffine addled so dearly need. @ 8 PM.

Have fun!

Noah's Ark at AGCC

Somehow this reminds me of the rash of scuttling we had a while back. As if the Cultural Center didn't have enough abandoned boats to deal with already, someone took the liberty of tying their stripped boat (everything mechanical or identification-wise was stripped out, only beer cans and some old life vests remain inside) to a palm tree up behind the Angels Gate Hi-Railer's building and driving it right off the trailer.

To make matters even more Pedro, when AGCC Studio Artist Andrea Lien showed me the boat, there were two tweakers there that jawed at me enthusiastically about their dream of rescuing the boat and starting their own lobstering operation. They went on to tell me all about the secret caves and tunnels all over town, and also about the secret underground railroad that goes from Pedro to San Francisco.

Electronic newsprint for thought

I'm really tied up getting ready for this Sunday's Patssi Valdez show up at Angels Gate, but I wanted to throw this Daily Breeze story from a few days back into the hopper here:

Las Vegas-style lights will greet San Pedro visitors

There's also a quickie on a what sounds like a pretty vague report on Port pollution, that includes some commentary & critisism by LOTE commentor Noel Park:

Port's pollution report is positive

And maybe, if we're lucky, we'll get to play with the goats in Peck Park soon:

Will goats grazing be good for gazing in San Pedro?

Union Army camel in San Pedro photo

Apparently there's been a long debate regarding the 19th century use of camels by the U.S. Army. Well a photo of what appears to be an Union Army camel recently sold on Ebay for $4,569.63, which isn't a bad price for an old camel photo, in my book. But here's the cool part - the camel was apparently stationed at the Quartermaster's Depot in little ole' San Pedro (I'm not sure if this is actually in what is now Wilmington or not - feel free to educate me), in either 1863 or 65, depending on which of the multiple prints of this photo is correct. The full story is over at L.A. Observed and the debate/story about the photo's origins is over at L.A. Cowboy.

UPDATE!

The Breeze has a much more detailed story, filling in the details on who bought the photo. Looks like it was bought by Drum Barracks Civil War Museum Director Susan Ogle, and will be part of the collection here in the harbor area. Also, the location of the photo was at the Drum Barracks in Wilmington, not the Quartermaster's Depot. Not quite Pedro, but definitely harbor area. Way to go Susan!

we interrupt this program...

May I just make a few observations? I never post on this blog anymore and I feel like an outsider nowadays. I started Life on the Edge back in April of last year and it has since been graciously taken over by Calamari. Without him, it would not be the ever-expanding source of eccentric oddities and quirky Our-town news that it is today, so thank you, Marshall for your passionate efforts.

I also have to thank i might be giant for his committed and brilliant sarcastic comments. In the beginning I suspected you were my partner-in-crime, mjp. He's damn funny too.

Anywho, I wanted to complain a bit about the palm trees along Harbor Blvd. I know it's not a very well-thought-out, political, or socially intelligent thing to voice an opinion about, but it bugs me enough to come back into the fold and say something about it.

I have no qualms about the trees themselves. Thar perty. It's the little blue lights that were changed (from plain whites ones) to match the unmatching lights that uglify the bridge. Why???

I was so very satisfied with all the white lights that were strung around the trees. In fact, it was one of the few things I came to love about the waterfront. The white lights were so nice and it made me proud of Pedro, and even had a calming effect on me as I drove along Harbor Blvd to and from my house and the freeway. Now they are blue and I think it sucks! It's embarrassing really.

The bridge is embarrassing too. The two different blues are so tacky and everyone who comes (dares) to visit me from outside of Pedro has made negative observations about it. Each time I have to explain the story behind it, somewhat defending San Pedro, and somewhat disclosing my agreement about how tacky it is. It's much easier to point out the refinery or the cranes in hopes to steer their attention away from the "Big Bra" over the harbor (as Linda Bukowski once mentioned).

And what does everyone think about having to dial 11 numbers when calling your next door neighbors, or anyone else in the 310? Garrison Frost from The Aesthetic wrote me recently and mentioned how asinine this is. This link to an article in Palos Verdes Peninsula News comes via his site (entry 1306).

Okay I'm done venting. Back to your regularly scheduled program, and have a nice weekend.

Neo-Nazi vandalism at Angels Gate

We get a decent amount of low-rent graffiti up here at the Gate, but I've never seen this kind of crap outside San Pedro Stoner graffiti in storm drains and other pieces of San Pedro's hidden infrastructure. Seeing it out in the open like this is really depressing.

According to Wikipedia and the Anti-Defamation Leauge, the SWP stands for "Supreme White Power". I'm reporting this to one of the LAPD Harbor Division's Senior Lead Officers today, and I hope that they can do something about it. Has anyone out there seen anything else like this in town lately?

UPDATE: On Friday, a Recreation and Parks guy came by and promptly buffed out the graffiti. Kudos to them for the fast reaction. He did a good job, too, painting the entire concrete block grey, rather than just patching it out.

The News from Pedro

There's been a couple of minor news items in the local papers of late, here we go:

Yesterday, there was a walkout by security staff at Yusen Terminals at the Port of Los Angeles, which was honoured by the ILWU. Press Telegram coverage here.

Has your mail been late, screwy, lost? Is your mail arriving at night (I know mine does sometimes)? Blame it on the closure of the USPS Marina Del Rey sorting facility. With the constant rises in the cost of mail and shipping, what are they spending that 2 cents x a gazillion letters on anyways? Story in the Daily Breeze here.

Western Avenue is apparently no longer a slot car track, but a sewer project apparently is on the horizon. The sewer was originally going to be done at night, so as not to block traffic during the day, but some RPV homeowners next to the plant are apparently not happy about the night noise, so it's back to the drawing board. Hey guys - just do it like the film industry - pay off the five burdened homeowners for the inconvenience, and stop blocking daytime traffic on one of San Pedro's main traffic arteries - problem solved. Breeze coverage of the end of the first project here, and coverage of the new sewer project here.

The Habor Comission has apparently, in a pope-like manner, "blessed" the Port's new leasing policy. Let's see how it gets implemented - that's gonna be new Port boss Knatz's job, and the first real test of her management style over on this side of the water. Daily Breeze coverage here.

Tucked away in the Breeze's Pedro News Briefs section, Port of Los Angeles Director of Operations and Emergency Management Noel Cunningham has retired. In other words, America's largest port is now looking for a new security honcho - no critisism of Noel intended here (I'm not familiar with the man), but I think some turnover at the Port might go a long way in changing it's corporate culture.

And that's the news!

Hey, I'm trying to get some sleep here...

Did anyone else hear a substantial explosion last night (2/1/06) a few minutes after 11pm? It was loud enough to wake me up, and the whole house rattled. Don't see anything in the news. I suppose it could have been a sonic boom...I dunno.