The Rudderless Steering Committee of R Neighborhoods Are 1 has not endorsed or created a statement of opposition concerning the following information
http://blog.noisesanpedro.org/ is up and running and it deals with the proposed South Region High School No. 15 (SRHS 15) which members of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) want to build on the Upper reservation of Fort MacArthur on land now more commonly referred to as "Angel's Gate".
The site contains pages of information and should become the major source of information for those opposed to building a new 810-seat high school campus on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
I hope everyone bookmarks the new site and visits it regularly.The site was published to the web shortly before a very important meeting by LAUSD to provide more information, take questions, and receive comment on the proposed school's Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR).Information about the meeting can be found on the post directly below this post.
Whether you support the building of SRHS 15 on its preferred site or not, learning as much as you can and want to about the project, is not a bad thing.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Latest Rudderless Steering Committee Meeting.
At the latest Rudderless Steering Committee of R Neighborhoods Are 1 I can reveal some things.
The desserts were wonderful and all donated.
There were many good laughs had by participants.
The meal was pot luck.
We are all still waiting for something to come out of the Planning Department.
We scheduled our next meeting.
I am not going to post what was discussed, please don't ask.
I will post more when the time is appropriate.
The membership of the RSC is growing and is very deep with some remarkable folks.
I am still a member of the RSC.
Meeting attendees learned that I can create a whistle that sounds like a teacher's whistle and a few of the attendees were amazed.
I was late arriving at the meeting and I only ate dessert.
That is all.
The desserts were wonderful and all donated.
There were many good laughs had by participants.
The meal was pot luck.
We are all still waiting for something to come out of the Planning Department.
We scheduled our next meeting.
I am not going to post what was discussed, please don't ask.
I will post more when the time is appropriate.
The membership of the RSC is growing and is very deep with some remarkable folks.
I am still a member of the RSC.
Meeting attendees learned that I can create a whistle that sounds like a teacher's whistle and a few of the attendees were amazed.
I was late arriving at the meeting and I only ate dessert.
That is all.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council's Upcoming Election
If "R Neighborhoods Are 1" Then all of San Pedro's neighborhoods should be one with creating the three best Neighborhood Councils for OUR community.
Northwest San Pedro and Coastal San Pedro Neighborhoods Councils are great groups! Their Boards work for their neighborhoods very well and both organizations are run by good members of the Boards who can work together, even with differing views, to be at their best for their stakeholders.
Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council has a chance to become more like Northwest and Coastal because of their upcoming election on September 9, 2008.
The balloting for five "at-large" spots on Central's Board begins at the Port of Los Angeles High School on Tuesday September 9, 2008 at 3:30 PM.
The voting will last until 7:30 that evening.
Just about anyone who does business in downtown San Pedro, lives within Central's borders, works in their area, does volunteer work in that area, or has a special interest in the Central San Pedro area is eligible to vote.
This election will probably determine whether Central remains as a viable, trustworthy, ethical, and growing organization, to support the downtown area. Or it will become more mired in the troubles it has had for too long, even with an election last year, of some really good folks.
The current officers other than the treasurer, have not AS YET been placed on the ballot, even as a write-in candidate.
Perhaps Mr. Joe Gatlin, the current President, Ms. Mayra Perez, the current Vice President, or other officers may try to have themselves as write-in candidates.
If these folks try for another term, I suggest we allow then the opportunity to become FORMER officers or FORMER members of the Board at Central.
If the Secretary, Ms. Pamela Foster is on the ballot, then that would be a good thing, I feel.
Of the five seats being contested, I have my opinions on who I will vote for, and why.
First and foremost, of course Mr. Art Almeida needs to be voted onto the Board.
This wonderful gentleman is one of the greatest San Pedrans ever and he compares very favorably to Mr. John Olguin.
As John is to the beach, Art is to the wharf, pier, and dock.
Ms. Jilonda Johnson may be new to San Pedro, but she comes to OUR community with vim, vigor, grace, and the great will to serve.
'Jill' is the current President of the S.P.H.S. Lady Boosters. She is heading the 'Big Give' Campaign to support teachers and programs at S.P.H.S. and she seems to have boundless energy and even more will and inspiration to serve not only the students, staff and parents at S.P.H.S., but also help everyone else.
Mr. Phill Trigas is not on the Board YET, but that doesn't mean he is not interested in working with Central.
Mr. Trigas is on at least several committees, he spoke at the candidates' forum with passion for Central and projects he is concerned with and he demonstrates what is great about San Pedro, I feel.
Mr. Max Pierce (sp?) is someone OUR community needs to keep us in the know about a very important project.
Mr. Max works for the City of L.A. currently, specializing in treatment plants.
Mr. Max is an architect who, when he retires from the city, will open up his offices more in the Brown Bros. Building.
I think we all need Mr. Max as we deal with the Clearwater Program and try our best to make sure it get its access shaft dug on Terminal Island and not in any neighborhood in OUR community.
I feel Central and the rest of OUR community can call on Mr. Max's knowledge to help us in a very important program for years to come, along with his interest in the revitalization of downtown San Pedro.
My last pick is a write-in candidate.
Mr. Ray Buffer is the manager/leader/guru of The Relevant Stage theater company.
Mr. Buffer has an office in downtown San Pedro where he works for his theater company and also is becoming more involved with downtown issues.
I cannot wait until Mr. Buffer lets me help announce the next season of The Relevant Stage.
OUR community will be very impressed and we will have another great venue of arts and entertainment in downtown San Pedro.
Mr. Buffer is also now to the neighborhood, but he strikes me as someone who is not afraid to get involved and work with others to look at issues, become more involved, and work for the betterment of Central's area.
There are two others on the ballot that deserve mention, I feel.
Mr. Frank Anderson is very involved with port issues and youth sports.
Mr. Anderson's involvement with port issues means he deals with issues that are important to Central S.P.N.C. because so much of their area involves the port.
It seems Mr. Anderson wants to see the waterfront redevelopment go forward and he seems willing to roll up his sleeves and work with others to move that monster closer to final completion.
With Mr. Anderson's interest in youth sports, he can be involved with bring more youth activities to Central's area, which doesn't have the park spaces, the other two N.C.s have.
The other individual I need to mention is Central's current treasurer, Mr. Aphram Khalhourji.
I feel we should all offer Mr. Khalhourji a 'hale and hearty' thank you for his service and allow him to become a FORMER treasurer and FORMER Board member at Central.
According to so many folks who know more about Central's issues/problems for the past several years, it has been too many of the officers of the Council who have been involved in those issues/problems.
I feel it is time for an 'almost' clean sweep of all of the officers at Central.
Ms. Pam Foster is the exception and it would be a great loss if she is not re-elected to be the Secretary, IF she has to be voted on this September.
With the election of five new Board members, none of whom are re-elected, it means that Central's Board will be completely changed from what is was for most of 2007 and for years before that.
There are so many issues to ponder, regarding just about everywhere in San Pedro and OUR community.
Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council's area is just what it describes; central to many of those issues.
The old guard, especially with what was witnessed on August 12, 2008, has demonstrated that it cannot remain on board if Central is going to become a real player in the issues and really supportive of the revitalization of downtown San Pedro, I think.
It has been too long for a change at Central. The time is right to help create a unified, strong, and respected group of three Neighborhood Councils in San Pedro.
Northwest San Pedro and Coastal San Pedro Neighborhoods Councils are great groups! Their Boards work for their neighborhoods very well and both organizations are run by good members of the Boards who can work together, even with differing views, to be at their best for their stakeholders.
Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council has a chance to become more like Northwest and Coastal because of their upcoming election on September 9, 2008.
The balloting for five "at-large" spots on Central's Board begins at the Port of Los Angeles High School on Tuesday September 9, 2008 at 3:30 PM.
The voting will last until 7:30 that evening.
Just about anyone who does business in downtown San Pedro, lives within Central's borders, works in their area, does volunteer work in that area, or has a special interest in the Central San Pedro area is eligible to vote.
This election will probably determine whether Central remains as a viable, trustworthy, ethical, and growing organization, to support the downtown area. Or it will become more mired in the troubles it has had for too long, even with an election last year, of some really good folks.
The current officers other than the treasurer, have not AS YET been placed on the ballot, even as a write-in candidate.
Perhaps Mr. Joe Gatlin, the current President, Ms. Mayra Perez, the current Vice President, or other officers may try to have themselves as write-in candidates.
If these folks try for another term, I suggest we allow then the opportunity to become FORMER officers or FORMER members of the Board at Central.
If the Secretary, Ms. Pamela Foster is on the ballot, then that would be a good thing, I feel.
Of the five seats being contested, I have my opinions on who I will vote for, and why.
First and foremost, of course Mr. Art Almeida needs to be voted onto the Board.
This wonderful gentleman is one of the greatest San Pedrans ever and he compares very favorably to Mr. John Olguin.
As John is to the beach, Art is to the wharf, pier, and dock.
Ms. Jilonda Johnson may be new to San Pedro, but she comes to OUR community with vim, vigor, grace, and the great will to serve.
'Jill' is the current President of the S.P.H.S. Lady Boosters. She is heading the 'Big Give' Campaign to support teachers and programs at S.P.H.S. and she seems to have boundless energy and even more will and inspiration to serve not only the students, staff and parents at S.P.H.S., but also help everyone else.
Mr. Phill Trigas is not on the Board YET, but that doesn't mean he is not interested in working with Central.
Mr. Trigas is on at least several committees, he spoke at the candidates' forum with passion for Central and projects he is concerned with and he demonstrates what is great about San Pedro, I feel.
Mr. Max Pierce (sp?) is someone OUR community needs to keep us in the know about a very important project.
Mr. Max works for the City of L.A. currently, specializing in treatment plants.
Mr. Max is an architect who, when he retires from the city, will open up his offices more in the Brown Bros. Building.
I think we all need Mr. Max as we deal with the Clearwater Program and try our best to make sure it get its access shaft dug on Terminal Island and not in any neighborhood in OUR community.
I feel Central and the rest of OUR community can call on Mr. Max's knowledge to help us in a very important program for years to come, along with his interest in the revitalization of downtown San Pedro.
My last pick is a write-in candidate.
Mr. Ray Buffer is the manager/leader/guru of The Relevant Stage theater company.
Mr. Buffer has an office in downtown San Pedro where he works for his theater company and also is becoming more involved with downtown issues.
I cannot wait until Mr. Buffer lets me help announce the next season of The Relevant Stage.
OUR community will be very impressed and we will have another great venue of arts and entertainment in downtown San Pedro.
Mr. Buffer is also now to the neighborhood, but he strikes me as someone who is not afraid to get involved and work with others to look at issues, become more involved, and work for the betterment of Central's area.
There are two others on the ballot that deserve mention, I feel.
Mr. Frank Anderson is very involved with port issues and youth sports.
Mr. Anderson's involvement with port issues means he deals with issues that are important to Central S.P.N.C. because so much of their area involves the port.
It seems Mr. Anderson wants to see the waterfront redevelopment go forward and he seems willing to roll up his sleeves and work with others to move that monster closer to final completion.
With Mr. Anderson's interest in youth sports, he can be involved with bring more youth activities to Central's area, which doesn't have the park spaces, the other two N.C.s have.
The other individual I need to mention is Central's current treasurer, Mr. Aphram Khalhourji.
I feel we should all offer Mr. Khalhourji a 'hale and hearty' thank you for his service and allow him to become a FORMER treasurer and FORMER Board member at Central.
According to so many folks who know more about Central's issues/problems for the past several years, it has been too many of the officers of the Council who have been involved in those issues/problems.
I feel it is time for an 'almost' clean sweep of all of the officers at Central.
Ms. Pam Foster is the exception and it would be a great loss if she is not re-elected to be the Secretary, IF she has to be voted on this September.
With the election of five new Board members, none of whom are re-elected, it means that Central's Board will be completely changed from what is was for most of 2007 and for years before that.
There are so many issues to ponder, regarding just about everywhere in San Pedro and OUR community.
Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council's area is just what it describes; central to many of those issues.
The old guard, especially with what was witnessed on August 12, 2008, has demonstrated that it cannot remain on board if Central is going to become a real player in the issues and really supportive of the revitalization of downtown San Pedro, I think.
It has been too long for a change at Central. The time is right to help create a unified, strong, and respected group of three Neighborhood Councils in San Pedro.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Let's All Support the Tri Art Festival!
The second annual Tri Art Festival, in downtown San Pedro is going to be held on Saturday September 13 and Sunday September 14.
Bob and the Ponte Vista gang offered financial support last year, but it appears they are no longer involved in financially supporting the Festival.
I attended the first annual Festival last year, and it was so much less than what is planned for this year's Festival.
After I attended the first Festival, I wrote a post encouraging folks to attend last year's Sunday day. I also wrote that I would support future Tri Art Festivals.
The Tri Art Festival is run by Mr. Joe Caccavalla. He and I do not see eye to eye on our ideas for Ponte Vista, but this great gentleman is putting together another wonderful event for OUR community and I strongly urge everyone to try out Tri Art, this year.
This year's Festival will offer so much more and be quite a bit bigger than the first Festival.
Artisans from all over California Will be participating in a juried exhibition.
There will be lots of different types of art for viewing and purchasing.
"Cars as Art", a classic and custom car show will be held, with awards presented in different classes.Several car clubs have been invited to participate, including San Pedro's Rascals and the Woodie Cars Club.
To me, this photo represents art in the form of an engine compartment of a car so many ridiculed, yet would very much like to have, right now.
It got decent gas mileage, it carried folks wherever they wanted to go, it was affordable in its day, and it was so simple.
Yes, it is a photo of the engine and engine compartment of a Pinto. Look how clean the lines are and how simple it was to look at, maintain, and enjoy, back in 1971.
There is much more to the Tri Art Festival than the art we enjoy on walls, under hoods, or sitting on tables.
There will be a Mario Lanza movie featured at the Warner Grand Theater and two days of other entertainment at the Warner Grand.
The late tenor's movie will be shown on September 14, at 1:00 PM and if you haven't seen one of Mario Lanza's musical movies, I think you might have a wonderful experience watching the movie in a theater designed to treat the eyes and ears and stir memories of movie watching in bygone days.
But wait, there's more!
7Th Street will be alive with music both days of the festival. There will be two stages set up to provide musical and dancing entertainment from many of L.A.'s finest entertainments groups.
For those of you who love dance, Sunday September 14 will be filled with dances and dancers from throughout the area, including our own San Pedro City Ballet.
As I learn more of the schedules for the Tri Art Festival, I will create more posts.
Bob and the Ponte Vista gang offered financial support last year, but it appears they are no longer involved in financially supporting the Festival.
I attended the first annual Festival last year, and it was so much less than what is planned for this year's Festival.
After I attended the first Festival, I wrote a post encouraging folks to attend last year's Sunday day. I also wrote that I would support future Tri Art Festivals.
The Tri Art Festival is run by Mr. Joe Caccavalla. He and I do not see eye to eye on our ideas for Ponte Vista, but this great gentleman is putting together another wonderful event for OUR community and I strongly urge everyone to try out Tri Art, this year.
This year's Festival will offer so much more and be quite a bit bigger than the first Festival.
Artisans from all over California Will be participating in a juried exhibition.
There will be lots of different types of art for viewing and purchasing.
"Cars as Art", a classic and custom car show will be held, with awards presented in different classes.Several car clubs have been invited to participate, including San Pedro's Rascals and the Woodie Cars Club.
To me, this photo represents art in the form of an engine compartment of a car so many ridiculed, yet would very much like to have, right now.It got decent gas mileage, it carried folks wherever they wanted to go, it was affordable in its day, and it was so simple.
Yes, it is a photo of the engine and engine compartment of a Pinto. Look how clean the lines are and how simple it was to look at, maintain, and enjoy, back in 1971.
There is much more to the Tri Art Festival than the art we enjoy on walls, under hoods, or sitting on tables.
There will be a Mario Lanza movie featured at the Warner Grand Theater and two days of other entertainment at the Warner Grand.
The late tenor's movie will be shown on September 14, at 1:00 PM and if you haven't seen one of Mario Lanza's musical movies, I think you might have a wonderful experience watching the movie in a theater designed to treat the eyes and ears and stir memories of movie watching in bygone days.
But wait, there's more!
7Th Street will be alive with music both days of the festival. There will be two stages set up to provide musical and dancing entertainment from many of L.A.'s finest entertainments groups.
For those of you who love dance, Sunday September 14 will be filled with dances and dancers from throughout the area, including our own San Pedro City Ballet.
As I learn more of the schedules for the Tri Art Festival, I will create more posts.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Big Give Flier and a Fundraiser
The Big Give Project has been formed to help fix issues at San Pedro High School.
Here is one way OUR community can get together and support our largest high school by providing teachers and groups within the school with much needed items that there simply is no budget for through LAUSD channels, at this time.
I think we need to realize that the budget shortfall is a real issue and it is not the students' fault that our government and school system can't provide everything our kids need.
Below, is a flier that begins the spreading of information about Big Give.
Click on images to enlarge.
Big Give was inspired by Oprah Winfrey's show that gives items to individuals who are deemed needy and Ms. Jilonda Johnson, the founder of Big Give found Oprah's show so inspiring that she is heading the Big Give Project, with help from some very wonderful people.
Big Give is one great way we can all help to become a small part of "Fix Pedro High" as many members of OUR community want to do.
Below is another way to help San Pedro High School's programs and activities.
Here is one way OUR community can get together and support our largest high school by providing teachers and groups within the school with much needed items that there simply is no budget for through LAUSD channels, at this time.
I think we need to realize that the budget shortfall is a real issue and it is not the students' fault that our government and school system can't provide everything our kids need.
Below, is a flier that begins the spreading of information about Big Give.
Click on images to enlarge.Big Give was inspired by Oprah Winfrey's show that gives items to individuals who are deemed needy and Ms. Jilonda Johnson, the founder of Big Give found Oprah's show so inspiring that she is heading the Big Give Project, with help from some very wonderful people.
Big Give is one great way we can all help to become a small part of "Fix Pedro High" as many members of OUR community want to do.
Below is another way to help San Pedro High School's programs and activities.
A wine tasting event is another great way to support the many deeds and goods the Pirate Lady Boosters give to the students, faculty, and staff of San Pedro High School.
Periodic events like wine tasting help the Lady Boosters provide for the common good of the student body and faculty at San Pedro High School.
Big Give targets the needs and wishes of classroom teachers, departments, and activities on campus.
I don't think we can rely on the LAUSD School Board to provide enough of the funds to keep improvements going at San Pedro High School and it will take OUR community to back San Pedro High School as it tries to achieve improvements it certainly needs and wants.
I am not willing to throw up my hands and cry that improvements can't be made at San Pedro High School. I am also not willing to 'wash my hands' concerning OUR Pirates.
I hope we can demonstrate, by our willingness to participate in 'fixing Pedro High', that through the improvements the students, faculty, staff, and WE make at San Pedro High School, we will not need to build a new campus because San Pedro High School will become so successful at managing things, that a new campus is simply not needed.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Some Things I Feel We Should Support
I think it is time to offer opinions about what residents living in OUR neighborhoods could do to help OUR community move forward.
Of course, your opinions are important to learn and none of them may agree with me and that is perfectly wonderful.
So, here are some ideas that I feel we can all work together to get moved forward.
We should continue to demand that Bob learns real reason, realism, responsibility towards OUR community, and certainly a whole lot more respect for us.
The Clearwater Program must dig their access shaft on Terminal Island.
We need to come up with great redevelopment plans for downtown San Pedro.
Downtown San Pedro needs another Supermarket, much closer to it than the Von's.
Keep the future really large cruise ships, and all other cruise ships away from Kaiser Point.
We should either acquire the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk after it is decommissioned, for use as a floating museum, destination, historical element, and tourist trap, or find a assault carrier that will do the same things.
It is probably quite fine to use Port of L.A. funds and private funds to redevelop Cabrillo Beach, with a real charge of cleaning up the water in the inner harbor.
Fix San Pedro High School so that a new campus in San Pedro is not necessary, until most of our children are grandparents.
Really get working on and finishing the waterfront redevelopment.
Work with Dick Pawloski on some of his projects, no matter what we think they should be.
Help make the Port of Los Angeles and the greater L.A. area a cruise passenger destination and not just a transfer point.
Successfully finish finding all sports leagues and large sporting groups, permanent homes, without needing to deal with out of town developers.
Work with OUR whole community to find areas for real development of more housing for seniors and folks who need to find homes of their own.
Begin the real tasks of either adding lanes of vehicle traffic or rail traffic on and off of Terminal Island, or filling in a portion of the harbor to provide a land bridge.
Work to deny the China Shipping expansion.
Move the gosh darn Amerigas Tanks to terminal Island, the sooner the better.
Really work on the environmental issues affecting OUR community.
Give more, take less and joyfully help our OUR neighbors.
Help redefine what is a "Real San Pedran" to include folks who love OUR community, but did not have the great fortune to have been born or raised here.
Bring the goats back to Peck Park canyon.
I'm sure I left off of my list things that you may think are important.
You may also disagree with some or even all of my opinions. That is perfectly fine.
If we don't really work harder for what we think should happen in OUR community, then we will surely be run over by others or run down by outsiders who think they know what is best for OUR community.
We have lots to do. We can do much of it without using to much of our own funds.
Working in groups, we can come together as a very strong, concerned, vibrant, and great community that will attract and keep what is best about us.
Just think of what we can do together, as you are reminded how far apart we are on some very important issues, at this time.
R Neighborhoods Are 1 has demonstrated that a group of ordinary residents, banding together for a cause and causes, change help change things for the better in OUR community.
And we're not leaving OUR community!
Of course, your opinions are important to learn and none of them may agree with me and that is perfectly wonderful.
So, here are some ideas that I feel we can all work together to get moved forward.
We should continue to demand that Bob learns real reason, realism, responsibility towards OUR community, and certainly a whole lot more respect for us.
The Clearwater Program must dig their access shaft on Terminal Island.
We need to come up with great redevelopment plans for downtown San Pedro.
Downtown San Pedro needs another Supermarket, much closer to it than the Von's.
Keep the future really large cruise ships, and all other cruise ships away from Kaiser Point.
We should either acquire the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk after it is decommissioned, for use as a floating museum, destination, historical element, and tourist trap, or find a assault carrier that will do the same things.
It is probably quite fine to use Port of L.A. funds and private funds to redevelop Cabrillo Beach, with a real charge of cleaning up the water in the inner harbor.
Fix San Pedro High School so that a new campus in San Pedro is not necessary, until most of our children are grandparents.
Really get working on and finishing the waterfront redevelopment.
Work with Dick Pawloski on some of his projects, no matter what we think they should be.
Help make the Port of Los Angeles and the greater L.A. area a cruise passenger destination and not just a transfer point.
Successfully finish finding all sports leagues and large sporting groups, permanent homes, without needing to deal with out of town developers.
Work with OUR whole community to find areas for real development of more housing for seniors and folks who need to find homes of their own.
Begin the real tasks of either adding lanes of vehicle traffic or rail traffic on and off of Terminal Island, or filling in a portion of the harbor to provide a land bridge.
Work to deny the China Shipping expansion.
Move the gosh darn Amerigas Tanks to terminal Island, the sooner the better.
Really work on the environmental issues affecting OUR community.
Give more, take less and joyfully help our OUR neighbors.
Help redefine what is a "Real San Pedran" to include folks who love OUR community, but did not have the great fortune to have been born or raised here.
Bring the goats back to Peck Park canyon.
I'm sure I left off of my list things that you may think are important.
You may also disagree with some or even all of my opinions. That is perfectly fine.
If we don't really work harder for what we think should happen in OUR community, then we will surely be run over by others or run down by outsiders who think they know what is best for OUR community.
We have lots to do. We can do much of it without using to much of our own funds.
Working in groups, we can come together as a very strong, concerned, vibrant, and great community that will attract and keep what is best about us.
Just think of what we can do together, as you are reminded how far apart we are on some very important issues, at this time.
R Neighborhoods Are 1 has demonstrated that a group of ordinary residents, banding together for a cause and causes, change help change things for the better in OUR community.
And we're not leaving OUR community!
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