December 2009 Archives

Warren's Damien Gomez wrestles Los Alamitos' Anthony Leonard during the Tournament of Champions wrestling meet at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on December 30, 2009. See more pictures>>

Travis Pastrana, standing by his takeoff ramp, describes how he thinks he'll react as his car is flying through the air towards his landing ramp, in background, during a Red Bull media event on December 30, 2009. On New Year's eve Pastrana will jump his rally car off the Pine Ave. Pier onto a floating barge anchored in Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, Calif. HIs goal is to break the existing mark of 171 feet and establish a new world distance record. See more pictures>>

Recyclables piled up at Waste Managment in Carson, Calif. on December 29, 2009. According to Darrell Kato, director of operations, their intake goes up 25 percent during the holidays.See more pictures>>

In October I visited Todd Jackson at Santa Fe Nursing Home. Jackson, the 41-year-old mentally ill homeless man who was found beaten in Belmont Shore, had been transfered from St. Mary Medical Center to the facility to recover. On Saturday he went missing from the home. According to a nurse on duty, Jackson was in his room at the 1:30 a.m. bed check, but after a door alarm went off 15 minutes later, Jackson was missing from his room and not in the facility. See pictures>>

Mike Dittamo, Director of the School of Infantry at Camp Pendelton, during a USO show at the Laugh Factory in Long Beach, Calif. on December 22, 2009.
The show, hosted by K-EARTH 101's Gary Bryan, featured comedians Paul Rodriguez and Bob Sagget. Prior to the show, five members of the United States Armed Forces competed for the title of funniest service member. Two of those service men, Reggie Junior and Mike Dittamo, Director of the School of Infantry at Camp Pendelton. See more picutres>>

Gahr's Charles Nebo Jr. (23) grabs a rebound over the head of Valley Christian's David Russell (32) during their game at Cerritos (Calif.) High College on December 23, 2009. See more pictures>>

According to his website Wheely Willy, the tiny paraplegic dog, passed away in his sleep yesterday, December 22, 2009.

"This year had been a very difficult one for Willy and his mother and best friend, Deborah Turner. In early January on a rainy day, Deborah took a fall down a flight of stairs while holding Willy, injuring both herself and her tiny friend. After multiple surgeries and ongoing veterinary care, Willy succumbed to his injuries. While the aging dog was recuperating, Deborah and the attending doctors cared most about his comfort and well being. Willy passed peacefully in his sleep, as always, next to Deborah. He was in life and death, her constant companion." - www.wheelywilly.com

The Lakewood boys soccer team hoists the Milk Bottle trophy in the air after defeating Mayfair 1-0 in Bellflower, Calif. on December 18, 2009. See more pictures>>

Lakewood's Nick Dalton takes on Poly's Alex Oul in the 103 pound division during a Moore League meet in Lakewood, Calif. on December 17, 2009. See more pictures>>

George Loizides, of George's Greek Restaurant, greets Seyed Jalali in front of their Pine Ave. location on December 16, 2009. The Loizides, who are celebrating their 10th. anniversary tomorrow, have grown their eatery to three location since starting in Downtown Long Beach. Jalali has been a customer of George's since the restaurant opened. See more pictures>>

Sixth graders at Tincher Prepatory School in Long Beach, Calif . strut their stuff at their first dance. See more pictures>>

The rain didn't stop members of the Long Beach Junior Concert Band from marching in the Christmas Tree Lane Parade on Daisy Ave., in fact, they were the only band that showed up. About 2/3 of the participants in the annual parade decided not to attend because of the rain. Members of the band wore black arm bands to remember founder Marvin Marker who died last week. See more pictures>>

Assistant Fan Yu, right, hurries out of the rain with Aimee, a Bijan Frise, as fellow assistant, Remy Smith-Lewis, left, and Santiago Pinto, center, try to stay dry under a umbrella during the 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship at the Long Beach (Calif.) Convention Center on December 12, 2009. See more pictures>>

Lakewood's Crystal Torres (2) tries to control the ball against St. Joesph's Melanie Vaughn (20) during their game in Lakewood, Calif. on December 10, 2009. See more pictures>>

Millikan's Lexi Braner (2) and Fountain Valley's Taylor Merickel (22) during their game in Long Beach, Calif on December 9, 2009. See more pictures>>

Armando Padilla (21) and Mayfair's Derrick Gonzalez (9) battle for control of the ball during their game in Lakewood, Calif. on December 8, 2009. See more pictures>>

Parade goers are showered in fake snow as the Long Beach Pride float passes by during the annual Belmont Shore Christmas Parade on Second Street in Long Beach, Calif. on Saturday, December 5, 2009. See more pictures>>

Long Beach State's Brittney Herzog (23) screams towards fellow senior Naomi Washington (8) during their 3-0 loss to UCLA at the NCAA Women's Volleyball first round game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, Calif. on December 4, 2009. See more pictures>>

Long Beach State's Ashley Bookman (12) goes up for a shot against USC during their non-conference game at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif. on December 3, 2009. See more pictures>>

SIGNAL HILL, CALIF. -- Lights strung from a communications tower atop the hill in Signal HIll, Calif. serve as the city's holiday tree on December 2, 2009.

About 30 members of the media came to Pat Alviso in Long Beach, Calif. to watch 20 war protesters during U.S. President Barack Obama speech to commit 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. See more pictures>>