South Bay Pipeline

Kudos to the San Pedro Convention & Visitors Bureau which announced today that the USS Iowa Veterans Association will be staying in San Pedro this summer after all. Final details were nailed down just last night.

We ran a story late last year about how the group wasn't able to find enough centralized space in any of the San Pedro hotels. So they were likely going to take an offer from one of the Long Beach hotels and plan to shuttle across the harbor to San Pedro where the historic ship is expected to be open for some tours.

Enter Scott and Katherine Gray who founded the convention and visitors bureau in 2009. They worked through the holidays pulling together hotel and other packages to rival Long Beach, eventually winning the group over. 

From Scott Gray of the bureau:

"The reunion coming here is the result of a great deal of hard work -- especially after we were told that it would be going to a neighboring town. We did all we could to ensure that the veterans were presented with a package of services and accommodations that met their needs."

From U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Jerry Gneckow, president of the association:

"We wanted to be as close to the ship as possible. This is a great opportunity to express our appreciation to the people of San Pedro and the people that made it possible for the ship to come to San Pedro as a memorial and museum."

Councilman Joe Buscaino was called in to meet with one of the veterans' group members as part of the winter-long campaign to woo the sailors to San Pedro instead of Long Beach.

The week-long July 2012 reunion will be headquartered at the Doubletree Hotel at the Cabrillo Marina (and using rooms in other San Pedro hotels as well) with the bureau providing "all ground arrangements and destination management services."

But that's not all.

This is planned as a key piece of an overall Independence Week celebration being put together by the bureau, designed to draw other visitors from around the country.

"We're talking about destination travel," said Dave Behar, chairman of the bureau's advisory board. With the veterans deal sealed last night, "all of the other pieces of the puzzle" will now become the focus, he said.

"This will be a full Independence Week celebration," Behar said. "The veterans are centric to that, but this is meant to involve people from all over. We're talking about a national holiday and a destination tourism-driven event. This is really an awesome thing for the town."

The USS Iowa is expected to arrive in San Pedro sometime around March or April, according to the nonprofit Pacific Battleship Center. The ship, which is planned to be at Berth 87 near the fireboat station in the Main Channel along Harbor Boulevard near First Street, is still undergoing restoration but a tentative grand opening is planned for July 4.

We often need their help. Now they want ours.

The firefighters at Fire Station 1 in Redondo Beach have entered a nationwide contest to win a new kitchen.

The Rescue Remodel contest pits firehouses from around the country against each other, and the station with the most votes will receive a kitchen renovation valued at $25,000. The contest is sponsored by Ikea, the Swedish home furnishing giant, and The Family Handyman, a home improvement magazine.

Votes can be cast by visiting rescueremodel.com and be made until Feb. 28. There are five firehouses competing and by Tuesday afternoon the Redondo Beach station was in third place with 20,310 votes. Palos Fire Protection District Station #1 in Palos Park, Illinois ,was in the lead with more than 53,800 votes.

But support for the Redondo Beach station has been building thanks, in part, to social media. Links to a video the firefighters put together - a rendition of Rihanna's "We Found Love" called "We cook our food in a hopeless place" - have been posted on Facebook and Twitter.

In a letter posted on the Rescue Remodel website, Steve Hyink, Fire Division Chief of Operations, said the kitchen was there when he was assigned to the station 28 years ago. It has survived leaky roofs and floods. Each time firefighters save up enough money for a remodel, something more important needs to be fixed, or more life-saving equipment needs to be bought. Redondo Beach Fire Station Number 1 was built in the early 1950s and designed to last 40 years, Hyink wrote.

"We don't like to ask for help, but it would really be appreciated if we could just get some cabinets and a new counter," Hyink added.

The
Redondo Beach Fire Department has three stations, including the
harbor patrol facility in King Harbor.

Update: Here's the councilman's response:

Councilman Buscaino's motion to decrease the parking meter rates in San Pedro and Wilmington by 50 percent is meant to provide immediate relief to businesses who are suffering from tough economic times and are concerned that the current rates will deter customers form patronizing their businesses.

Former Councilwoman Janice Hahn's motion to remove the meters is still in committee. Buscaino is working on identifying additional funding that can replace the more than $500,000 in revenue when the meters are removed.

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Wow. That didn't take long.

Two days after Councilman Joe Buscaino was sworn into office as the Harbor Area's representative on the Los Angeles City Council, the San Pedro Politics site -- a closed Facebook group page -- is giving him heat on what they're saying is a "flip flop" on a promise to remove downtown's parking meters.

The proposal to take out the unpopular meters actually was introduced by Buscaino's predecessor, Janice Hahn. Last we heard, it was still languishing somewhere inside city hall where transportation officials were studying it.

Buscaino supported the measure but since being sworn in has said one of his early goals is to lower the meter rates.

Not good enough, say some downtown merchants and boosters. Wrote one person:

Sorry, but the merchants I talked to today do not find Joe Buscaino's proposal to lower parking to 50 cents acceptable. They want the meters out and the two-hour limit strictly enforced. Best December in years under those conditions. Might just work for the long term.

By the way, it might be good to let Joe Buscaino know how you feel about his flip flop on the parking issue. Most effective means is by telephone. The numbers are: Downtown City Hall (213)473-7015
Harbor District Office (310) 732-4515

So is Buscaino's honeymoon over? Already?

We're awaiting the response from the council office and will post it when we have it.

Our questions: Will city officials really allow the meters to be completely removed? Won't other smaller communities in the sprawling metropolis then only demand the same? What are the chances of a parking structure being built anytime soon to relieve some of the pressure anticipated with the coming waterfront developments and the arrival of the USS Iowa?   

Meter rates in downtown San Pedro spiked in 2009 as part of a citywide budget measure, increasing the hourly rates from 25 cents to $1. It's been a thorn in the side of merchants and customers alike ever since.

Democat Janice Hahn, (D-San Pedro), released this statement today:

"I was pleased the President addressed the end of the Iraq war and how we should use that money to invest here at home. The President did an excellent job of describing an American economy that provides equal opportunity while asking for shared responsibility. As he explained, an economy in which a few reap vast wealth while everyone else struggles isn't a country built to last.

"The President also reminded Congress that we have to work together to get things done. I had the pleasure of sitting with my Republican friend Ted Poe last night. Together we have started the bipartisan PORTS caucus which will advocate for safer and more economically vibrant ports which are crucial to creating jobs here in San Pedro and across the country."

Republican Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) had this perspective:

"The American people should be disappointed that instead of conducting a serious discussion with the nation, President Obama instead demonstrated his political agility by taking a stand on both sides of every major issue.

"He profusely praised the military yet he is the strongest advocate for cutting the military. He pledged himself to an 'all of the above' policy to make America energy independent but just a few days ago nixed the Keystone Pipeline, one of the country's most important energy projects. He bragged about bailouts early in the speech and by the end of the speech proclaimed there should be no more bailouts. He puffed out his chest on Iran yet was demonstrably absent when not too long ago the Iranian people marched for democracy in the streets of Tehran.

"The fact the president's speech was filled with new agenda items is certainly reason for skepticism. Although he'd like us to, we should not forget, in his first two years as President, the Democrat party controlled both houses of Congress when he could have enacted any of the agenda items he advocated this evening. Yet he chooses to skirt responsibility and place blame everywhere else but on himself for his policy failures.

"Perhaps most disturbing was the President's attempt to pit Americans against each other along economic lines. President Obama has put the American people $5 trillion more in debt even while there's been a shameless enrichment of political cronies under this administration. It's enough to make Ulysses S. Grant blush.

"This speech was a missed opportunity. The country needs leadership and statesmanship and tonight we got political posturing."

Rancho Palos Verdes officials are warning motorists that road work is expected to cause "significant" traffic delays on Palos Verdes Drive South near Schooner and Conqueror drives from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.

Motorists are encouraged to use alternate travel routes.

Nice story in the Des Moines Register about some kids at Cornell Elementary School in Saylor Township, Iowa, pitching in to help with the plans to restore the USS Iowa as it prepares for a permanent move to the Port of Los Angeles.

It all started when the principal, Deb Chiodo, heard about the efforts on one of her regular morning commute radio programs, Van & Bonnie in the Morning on WHO radio in Des Moines.

From the Jan. 24 story by Lisa Lavia Ryan:

"I thought, 'history is happening right before our eyes, and I need to let our kids know about it,'" Chiodo said. "I thought that we could find a way to perhaps donate some money -- do a good deed for a great cause as a way of 'paying it forward.'"

Teachers and the PTO got involved from that point on, helping the students organize doughnut-and-juice sales with all proceeds going to the battleship fund.

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Abby Rusher, 5, of Des Moines drops coins into a bucket at the USS Iowa battleship display at Cornell Elementary. WHO radio's Van and Bonnie will broadcast from the school Wednesday to help the students raise money for the ship's restoration. / Holly McQueen/The Register

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There's also a coin drive, an anchor-themed reading contest and a "star" of honor wall to hang names of student family members who are or were in the military.

"I don't want to put a dollar amount on how much we'd like to raise, as these are little kids we're dealing with and I don't want them to feel bad if we set an amount and don't reach it," (the principal) said. "But I can see us raising $1,000. This is a great school community and a great community overall, and very generous."

On Wednesday -- Jan. 25 -- the radio show will broadcast from from the school from 5-9 a.m. to further raise awareness of the campaign to save and refurbish the USS Iowa. (Looks like you can listen online here -- remember, Iowa would be two hours ahead of us here on the West Coast, though.)

For now, the ship remains in the Port of Richmond in Northern California where it is undergoing external repairs. It is opened for limited tours on weekends.

Robert Kent, president of the Pacific Battleship Center -- the nonprofit that received the ship donation from the U.S. Navy and is overseeing its transformation into a tourist landmark -- said it looks like the ship will be in L.A. perhaps in April.

They are still hoping for a July 4 grand opening.

In other news, the Port of L.A. this week released its draft EIR on the project.

We've been getting calls and e-mails from readers who have seen the media coverage on the death of Jennifer Jensen and want to help her two sons, Shaun and Alex.

Jensen was on her way back from the market on Dec. 23 when her motorcycle collided with a driver making a U-Turn on Sepulveda Boulevard in Manhattan Beach. She was taken to Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance, where she died a short time later.

Jensen was a single mother and lived with her two sons in North Redondo Beach. Shaun, 23, is a full-time student and cares for his older brother Alex, 25, who is mentally disabled. They have no other family members to rely on.

Jensen worked as a nurse for many years, but went on disability after a bad motorcycle accident several years ago. She had no life insurance, and the brothers are now struggling to pay bills and the rent.

But good Samaritans from across the South Bay have come to their aid. A story in today's Daily Breeze spotlighted the relationship Shaun and a local business owner who lost his son two years ago have forged since Jensen's death.

And for those who may have read about the Jensen brothers and are interested in helping, you can send an e-mail to Pam Drake at HelpJensGuys@gmail.com. Drake is a close friend of the Jensen family and is working to organize a benefit BBQ and motorcycle run.

A fundraiser dinner at the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach is also being planned. We'll have more information when it becomes available.

I covered the memorial service last night in San Pedro for Eva Tice, the victim of one of the more disturbing local crimes in recent months.

They're all disturbing, of course. Sitting to my left in the newsroom is Daily Breeze crime & courts reporter Larry Altman. Sitting behind me, Stephanie Walton sometimes shares man's inhumanity to man as she compiles the area's police logs each week. I hear and overhear plenty of horror stories from the streets.

But Eva's stabbing death -- in the 1100 block of Pacific Avenue as she walked home from Christmas Eve services -- was somehow uniquely unsettling even to those of us who had never met her.

The 60-year-old mentally disabled woman was carrying her Bible as she walked home at around 7 p.m. Dec. 24. The apartment she shared with a roommate was just blocks away and it was a walk she regularly made to and from her church, Hope Chapel San Pedro.

She had been baptized at Hope Chapel in 2009 -- just months after her beloved husband, Bill, died -- and was well known among church members as she helped out with the Angel Tree program and weekly garage sales. She was one of the church's greeters and ushers, a role that she especially loved.

"She was always here at Hope," the church's associate pastor said.

She was described as child-like, perhaps still a little "naive."

As I sat through Sunday night's service, I couldn't help but think that Eva was truly among "the least of these" that Jesus spoke so tenderly about in the Scriptures.

She lost her parents early in life, had no brothers or sisters, and spent many years living in rehabilitation homes. She loved coloring books and needlepoint. She was thrilled to collect the autograph of an Elvis impersonator on a group excursion she took recently to Las Vegas. It was on display at the church Sunday night.

So was her favorite new Christmas ornament, a yellow glass duck purchased by her roommate's sister at the Grand Emporium in downtown San Pedro.

A couple who through the Harbor Area YWCA "adopted" Eva and her roommate, Tammy, for Christmas -- Bill and Janet -- delighted the women only a week before Christmas by delivering their first Christmas tree.

At the time of her death, Eva had been working on memorizing John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

She'd made it as far as "whosoever."

As the pastor said last night, Eva's home now. And there's something intensely sweet about that thought for those of us who are believers.

Meanwhile, the police continue to investigate the case. My colleague Larry Altman will be following the  story.

May those who knew, helped and loved Eva in this life be comforted and blessed for the kindness they showed.

Crowd members at today's 15th District candidates' forum had some of their questions answered -- but they also got a bit of entertainment at the Doubletree lunch sponsored by the Harbor Association of Industry and Commerce.

Who knew politicians could be funny?

Our story is on the Daily Breeze home page.

I received several emails in the wake of a recent story about parking woes in Old Torrance.

Here's a sample of the comments:

As a business owner in the downtown Torrance area I read your article with great interest. Over a year ago I spoke to Mayor Scotto regarding the parking problem and I was told that there was no parking problem. I invited him to come sit at my shop and see for himself what the businesses were dealing with regarding the lack of parking. He never showed up. Every time they add another restaurant with no parking lots they refer to the abundant parking in the underground parking structure. If the Mayor had to drive around for 10 minutes before he could find a place to park, why didn't he park in the underground structure that he wants all of us to park in? I know I speak for other business owners that parking meters are not wanted and would kill whatever business we have now. I have asked customers if they would continue to come to Torrance if parking meters were installed and they all said no. If they would enforce the existing parking laws that would help.

Incidentally, it should be noted the mayor deliberately drove around to see just how long it would take him find a spot.

Here's another:

I read with interest your article in the Daily Breeze today regarding the parking dilemma in Old Torrance. Instead of going through the effort and expense of parking meters, why not ticket the parties parking beyond two hours? This would also eliminate the smokescreen if revenue was really at issue.

By the way, I received another email from a property and business owner in San Pedro who said merchants and their employees park in prime street spots there - but only in December when metered parking is free.

So what's the solution?

Have your say in our poll here (scroll down to see it).

And feel free to leave a comment.