January 2009 Archives

Here's Dana Rohrabacher today:

The president is a naive man. He is naive about what to expect from enemies of the United States overseas and about what to expect from the left wing of his party.

Here's your morning scoop o' news, South Bay:

Goats are munching on brush and weeds in Rancho Palos Verdes as part of a multi-year native plant restoration project. Mmmmm. Fawn over pictures of the hungry cuties.

Jet Blue is coming to LAX. Bring on the persona in-flight television sets!

Manhattan Beach just opened a new park for kids with special needs. Check out pictures of the sweet equipment here.

Redondo Beach eye surgeon Aarchan Joshi performs hundreds of laser procedures surgeries a year on South Bay eyeballs.

We are heading into a big weekend for the Daily Breeze: Today is our last day in the iconic, blue-tiled Torrance Boulevard office as we move this weekend. Also, a "48 Hours Mystery" show investigating the saga behind the Lomita "Black Widow" Sonia Risken airs Saturday, featuring an interview with Breeze All-Star Larry Altman.

The U.S. Coast Guard is warning boat operators to watch out for that whale.

Officers aboard a helicopter spotted a Blue Whale today about noon today four miles southwest of the entrance to the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro.

The helicopter air crew watched the whale swim underneath a tug and barge operating in the area. The crew then confirmed with the vessel that it had not made any contact with the whale.

The vessel spotted a blue whale a few minutes later about one quarter of a mile away.
Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service and the Marine Exchange of Southern California are broadcasting a marine information broadcast to alert vessel traffic in the area as a precaution to protect both shipping and the whale.
 
Collisions with whales or sightings of injured whales should be reported to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at (562) 980-4017. Boaters can contact the U.S. Coast Guard on Channel 16.

For more information visit U.S. Coast Guard living marine resource protection. For more on Blue Whales, go to cetaceans.

Today a judge ordered the state controller to start furloughing workers. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had ordered the furloughs a couple weeks ago, but the state's biggest public employee union sued, arguing that the Legislature had to approve it. Controller John Chiang (a Torrance resident) backed the union.

Chiang will be complying with the judge's order, but that won't improve the state's cash position nearly enough to back off issuing IOUs in place of tax refunds:

Today, the court has directed me to implement the Governor's order affecting state employee pay, and I will immediately move to do so.  However painful, this pay cut for state employees alone will not solve the State's budget deficit, nor will it allow me to avoid delaying more than $3 billion in tax refunds, college assistance and payments to programs that protect our most vulnerable and needy citizens.

Here's what's up today:

Ervin Lupoe, the Wilmington man who killed his wife, five kids and then himself earlier this week, was deeply in debt and fired for lying about his income to get discounted child care.

Check out pictures of the scene outside the family's home Wednesday.

Work will begin Saturday on a buffer zone in Wilmington, essentially 30 acres of open park space with trails and paths, fountains, picnic areas and public art displays.

While Carson is considering layoffs and slashing city programs in attempt to meet a $3 million revenue gap, Gardena is fixing to build two new skate parks.

Narbonne High's boys soccer team overtook San Pedro on Wednesday.See for yourself here
.
Jeff Herdman runs a 60,000-square-foot gym with six basketball courts just adjacent to Hawthorne airport.

I just got word that the State Historical Resources Commission has added a Manhattan Beach home to California's registry of historic landmarks. The Strand-front house now joins the Manhattan Beach pier as the only  two structures to grace this list.

If you've ever cruised the Strand in Manhattan Beach, you have almost certainly noticed this house, which is flanked by handmade copper and glass sculptural panels. And your mouth almost certainly gaped open because the home is truly striking.

If not, see for yourself:

Here's what's happening today:

A Wilmington man fired last week from his job killed his wife and five young children before committing suicide in their home Tuesday morning.

"So after a horrendous ordeal my wife felt it better to end our lives and why leave our children in someone else's hands," Ervin Lupoe wrote in a letter he faxed to a local news station that morning.

Check out pictures of the scene yesterday outside the home, which inside was apparently "grisly," police said.

In these economic times, there's a lot of desperate people out there, but health care providers want people to know about resources available.

A Torrance couple celebrates 75 years of marriage today. Their secret? Lots of laughter and no grudges.

Harbor College sends its first softball team ever to the field today.

No surprise here, local home prices declined by 22.4 percent in December.

Today President Barack Obama directed the EPA to reconsider allowing states to set their own emissions standards.

This news was welcomed here in California.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger:

With this announcement from President Obama less than a week into his administration, it is clear that California and the environment now have a strong ally in the White House. Allowing California and other states to aggressively reduce their own harmful vehicle tailpipe emissions would be a historic win for clean air and for millions of Americans who want more fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly cars. My administration has been fighting for this waiver since 2005 and we will not give up until it is granted because we owe it to our children and to our grandchildren to do more than just protect our natural resources, we must also work to improve them so that we leave behind an environment for future generations that is better than it is today.

Speaker Karen Bass:

By allowing the EPA to reconsider states' ability to set tougher tailpipe emission standards, the Obama Administration is making a big step in the right direction when it comes to air quality, fuel efficiency and combating global warming. The Bush Administration decision denying California a waiver on this issue was wrong in its policy and wrong in its process and this move by President Obama is a breath of fresh air on both counts.

Once the EPA grants this waiver, as it should, California can move forward with our efforts to encourage environmental entrepreneurship and develop new technologies that will help stimulate the economy with badly-needed good-paying green jobs. Add that to the clean, breathable air every Californian wants and needs and this has the potential to be a win-win situation all the way around.

UPDATE: Rep. Jane Harman:

California has long set the bar on energy efficiency and air emissions.  President Obama's action recognizes this.  Hopefully Federal climate change legislation expected later this year will follow California's lead.  Our nation's health and security depend on it

Here's what's happening out there today:

A Torrance police officer shot at least one of two suspects involved in a weekend robbery, this after she hit him with their speeding getaway car. Police are still looking for the third suspect.

Miss Cabrillo Marine Aquarium's annual Whale Fiesta on Sunday? Check out our pictures, and it was like you were there!

Looks Los Angeles Unified School District teachers will be spared mid-year layoffs, despite the board authorizing more than 2,200 job cuts.

South Bay cities are already drafting their wish lists of projects ready to go, but in need of funding should a federal stimulus package come through.

The Mather family of Redondo Beach is now more than half finished with their five-year cruise around the world with their 45-foot sailboat. And so is the world voyage of teenager who set sail from Marina del Rey in June.

Have you checked out the Breeze's pet page? South Bay Pet Talk is chock-a-block of information and resources for South Bay animal lovers.

Jane Harman, D-El Segundo, was on "The Early Show" this morning, debating the closure of the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay with Republican Pete Hoekstra:

Watch CBS Videos Online
For more on Harman's views on this, here's today's Daily Breeze story.

Here's your morning scoop, South Bay:

An elderly general contractor died yesterday after two gunmen burst into his Torrance office and opened fire, fatally striking him and wounding his son. Police have no motive yet. Don't worry -- you're not morbid if you want to check out pictures  the scene.

Rep. Jane Harman says Congres will still play a role in determining detainee policy after Guantanamo Bay prison camp closes.

It's a bad week for South Bay drugstores: The dismal economy has halted plans for a Walgreens on a vacant parcel of Carson land, and some Rancho Palos Verdes property owners saw their dreams for a CVS dashed, though they may have other development opportunities.

Our biz reporter Muhammed El-Hasan is getting sleepy. Very sleepy.

West Torrance wrestlers totally pinned Mira Costa in a 38-32 victory Thursday. See for yourself here.

On ABC News' Nightline last night, Maxine Waters was shown making calls to mortgage lenders on behalf of constituents who are at risk of foreclosure.

The highly entertaining video is here.

The point was to demonstrate how difficult it is -- even for a high-powered congresswoman -- to get through to a live person who can help with a loan modification. On the video, Waters tries to get through to IndyMac, Bank of America, and Countrywide. Over and over again, she is forced to listen to hold music, gets transferred from one department to another, and is ultimately disconnected.

Waters' protégé, Laura Richardson, experienced this same difficulty back in May -- only in that case she was trying to modify her own distressed mortgage, not her constituents'.

Here's what is happening out there today:

Disagreements over Los Angeles County fees might keep this summer's Manhattan Beach Open volleyball tournament more low-key than in year's past.

Anna Barraza, the embattled Carson elementary school principal, has been removed from her post. The Delores Street Elementary principal was the subject last year of emotional teacher and staff protests.

The South Bay's four local hospitals fell below state averages in some mortality categories, according to annual rankings released by the state this morning.

Former Carson Planning Commissioner Rick Pulido has been charged with extortion.

Oscar nominations came out this morning. "Love Guru" was totally robbed!

South Bay-based Toyota has officially surpassed GM as the No. 1 car manufacturer.

Get your hands on a piece of history! Check out our online store where you can buy commemorative copies of the Daily Breeze's coverage of Barack Obama's election win and inauguration.

Yes, that was South Bay Rep. Jane Harman who got a peck on the cheek from departing President George W. Bush just before the inauguration yesterday.

Here's what's happening today, gentle readers:

We here at the Daily Breeze were all over yesterday's presidential inauguration, so make sure you check out our extensive coverage.

Where were you when President Obama took the oath? A few South Bay folks battled crowds and cold in Washington D.C. to see the inauguration firsthand.

As for us, news columnist John Bogert watched the festivities with a group of immigrants at a nearby Mediterranean restaurant. I watched with senior citizens at the Joslyn Center in Manhattan Beach. Denise Nix hung with Gardena elementary school students, and Sandy Mazza staked out the Hustler Casino.

We also have pictures galore here and here.

But the meat of our inauguration coverage is retro, only available in an old-fashioned newspaper format.

We did a 20-page special section on the day's events, as well as an Extra section yesterday afternoon.To get your commemorative copy that you will surely treasure always, stop by newsstands or our offices at 5215 Torrance Blvd. in Torrance.

Here's some old business from yesterday, when we reported on the commutations of border guards Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos.

Johnny Sutton, the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted Ramos and Compean, issued this reaction:

Today, the president exercised his power under the Constitution to grant executive clemency to former Border Patrol Agents Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos. Like the trial judge and the court that reviewed the cases on appeal, President Bush found that Compean and Ramos were justly convicted of serious crimes and that their status as convicted felons should remain in place.

After careful thought and deliberation, President Bush has concluded that Compean and Ramos have been sufficiently punished, and that the remainder of their terms should be spent on supervised release. I have only the highest respect for the president's decision to allow their convictions to stand, but to reduce the time they must spend in prison.

Thanks to mandatory minimums for gun crimes, Ramos and Compean were sentenced to 11 and 12 years in prison, respectively.

Two professors at Cal State Dominguez Hills watched the inauguration this morning with an international perspective in mind.

Hamoud Salhi, a professor of political science from Algeria, said he had just returned from a three-week trip to his home country. There was great concern there, he said, that Obama had not spoken out about the crisis in the Gaza Strip.

"I think the speech made up for that," Salhi said. "He talked about Muslims. He said that, 'We are not your enemy.'" Salhi also noted that Obama's remarks to Middle Eastern leaders that their citizens would judge them "on what you can build, not on what you destroy" were on the money.

Munashe Furusa, a professor of Africana Studies, said that African nations would be encouraged by Obama's interest in "developing fair, just, reciprocal relations with other nations."

"The African world is expecting him to lead," said Furusa, who hails from Zimbabwe. "His concept of inclusiveness is very, very powerful. The world is not requiring much from America. All they require is that America treat them with respect."

Furusa said that his friends in Zimbabwe are "really excited" by Obama's rise to the presidency.

Here's some more from Donna Littlejohn over at the Pacific View Guest Home:

I had a chance to talk with Shelle Barnes, center, after the inaugural speech. She said she'd never paid much attention to politics until someone suggested last September that she check out Barack Obama, maybe volunteer for one of his phone banks. 

Before long, she was selling Obama T-shirts, buttons, bumper stickers and window signs, riding her bicycle around San Pedro in her own one-woman, grassroots campaign for the up-and-coming Democrat.

So today was special, the culmination of what she'd been working and hoping for. Enlisting the help of other residents at the Pacific View Guest Home, a facility for the mentally challenged, Shelle, 46, hung balloons and streamers throughout the lobby to be ready for this morning's big festivities on television. 

The enthusiasm was infectious as the events unfolded on the screen, with residents cheering and blowing air horns, standing up and applauding Obama's best speech lines. After praying along with Rick Warren, one of the residents exclaimed "That was beautiful!" And when Aretha took the stage, several of them leaped to their feet. "Woo-hoo, it's Aretha! She's gonna sing, baby!" 

And it's not over yet. Tonight, they're all dressing up to watch the evening festivities on TV. 

Many of these residents barely eek out a living on SSI. There was no way they'd be able to attend fancier events or the inaugural in Washington, D.C. itself. 

But it didn't seem to matter. They made their own celebration, and a celebration it was. They weren't about to be left out of America's special day, a day that shows the world how incredible democracy really is.

The Daily Breeze's Max Zimbert was among the millions today at the Inauguration in Washington.

He just dispatched this on his Blackberry:

It took about 45 minutes to exit the mall. Military police were mostly friends but there to be in charge. While waiting around, trying to exit the mall, a group of 30 began a song group. "Lean on me" kicked off the set and it ended with Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."

Also, there was SO much litter on the mall. That's not change we can believe in.

Daily Breeze and Press-Telegram staffers have furiously put together an "Extra! Extra!" Inaugural edition that will be available shortly for purchase from guys hawking it at several South Bay and Long Beach-area locations.

Really. While the future moves forward, we've gone back in time with guys selling the newspaper on street corners.

The edition should be available about 1 p.m. at these locations:

• Inglewood City Hall
• Crenshaw Boulevard at Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance
• Crenshaw Boulevard at Rosecrans Avenue in Hawthorne
• Off ramp of 710 at Rosecrans in Paramount
• Wardlow at Pacific (metro station)in Long Beach
• Swap meet Torrance at Figueroa in Harbor Gateway
• Hawthorne and Torrance Boulevards in Torrance

The edition also will be available about 12:30 p.m. right here at the Daily Breeze office at 5215 Torrance Blvd. in Torrance.

Melissa Evans watched Obama's speech with the patrons at M&M Soul Food in Carson. Here's what she reports:

They erupted in applause when Barack Obama finished taking his oath of office. Many of them said they took the day off work, awoke early and came to be with others to watch the historic event.

Barbara Stephenson, who arrived at the restaurant before it opened at 8 a.m., with her niece, Noranece Clemons.

"It's really happening," she said as Obama spoke the words of his oath. "I can't believe it's really happening. God is real."

The small restaurant on Albertoni Avenue was filled to capacity, most of the people African Americans with stories to tell about the nation's history of slavery and segregation.

"Glory to God," said Freddi McElwee, whose 91-year-old mother wasn't allowed to vote as a young woman in her hometown in Arkansas. "Glory to God."

Kristin Agostoni watched the Inauguration with a few people at the Bridge theaters in Westchester.

Here's what she says: "A light crowd turned out this morning to watch the Inauguration broadcast live on three screens, but inside theater 14, where just a handful of people were gathered, Erlyne Toney-Alvarez's cheers filled the whole room.

"He covered everyone and everything -- all the countries," said Toney-Alvarez, 68, of Baldwin Hills. "He spoke to everyone friend and foe and he made it so clear so simple."

Donna Littlejohn took in the Inauguration with residents at Pacific View, a board and care facility in San Pedro.

Here's her report:

"Yay! We did it!" shouted Shelle Barnes.

In a lively if modest celebration, Barnes and the other residents of Pacific View, a board and care facility in San Pedro, blew air horns and cheered as they watched Barack Obama become the nation's 44th president.

Barnes, left, wearing her Obama '08 T-shirt, acted as hostess and cheerleader, making sure residents and guests stood at the appropriate times and bowed their heads during the inaugural prayer, exclaiming an "amen" throughout.

"It's terrific," said resident Peter Bassett. "I'm really excited we have a new president."

The rest of the day at Pacific View is featuring celebratory meals with the public invited.

President Obama just made history, but life goes on....

Sandy Mazza reports that at the Hustler Casino in Gardena, few gamblers had much interest in the Inauguration.

The ceremony was broadcast throughout the casino on 15 flat-screen televisions -- with the sound turned down.

Sandy says that about 10 tables of blackjack and poker players were playing games when Obama took the oath. Many glanced up, but focused on their games.

Sandy says "People say they were excited, but the atmosphere in the room was focusing on the games. Nobody stopped. They just played their games."

One of the gamblers, Lamar Kirk, 26, of Los Angeles was wearing a black T-shirt with Obama's face on it in rhinstones and sequins.

"It's history," Kirk said. "Who would have ever thought a black man would be president from slavery to Jim Crow to affirmative action."

Kirk was at a 3-card poker table.

Gene Maddaus reports from California State University Dominguez Hills that as President Obama is giving his Inaugural Address, many in the mostly black audience are in tears.

Above: Ashay Matheiu sings the Star-Spangled Banner.

Denise Nix reports that more than 800 students at 186th Street School in Gardena cheered as President-elect Barack Obama appeared on a jumbo TV parked on the playground.

Here's what's happening here in the newsroom right now.....

Photo editor Chuck Bennett is at his desk waiting for the photos to come flowing in.

Managing Editor Toni Sciacqua and copy editor Jennifer Berta are working on a special "Extra" edition that will come out a little later.

I'm waiting for stuff to develop to post on here. We have about half a dozen reporters fanned out across the South Bay covering the local scene. We even have Sandy Mazza and Scott Varley at the Hustler Casino.

We have coffee and fruit.

Oh, and the Obamas just walked in.....(at the Capitol, not here)

While the rest of my Daily Breeze colleagues will be running around to different locations Tuesday morning to cover how the South Bay watches and reacts to President-Elect Obama's Inauguration, I finagled the plum assignment of sitting here in the office with the TV on. That's what happens when you get old.

I'll be taking info from my fellow reporters as they talk with residents at some of the parties and viewing sites around the area, and then posting it here on the South Bay Pipeline blog.

But I'd also like to hear from you as you take in this historic day. I'll be here at 8 a.m., ready to blog. Send me an e-mail to let me know where you are, what you are doing and what's on the menu. Then send me your observations as you watch the events of the morning and day.

Make sure you add your name and city of residence to your comment.

My address is larry.altman@dailybreeze.com

Perhaps no member of Congress has been more involved in the effort to free Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos than Rep. Dana Rohrabacher.

Today, on the eve of the inauguration, he got his wish:

WASHINGTON -- In his final acts of clemency, President George W. Bush on Monday commuted the prison sentences of two former U.S. Border Patrol agents whose convictions for shooting a Mexican drug dealer ignited fierce debate about illegal immigration.

President Bush has few friends in the hard-line anti-illegal immigration crowd, thanks to his support for amnesty comprehensive immigration reform. Perhaps this will rehabilitate him somewhat in their eyes.

UPDATE, 12:07 p.m.:

Rohrabacher has a statement out:

"Our prayers have been answered!  This is not just a day of celebration for the families but it is a victory for all Americans, while acknowledging our system is flawed, to see that if they are involved, if they speak up and utilize their freedom, injustices can be corrected. The hearts of all patriotic Americans are filled with joy at the announcement that our brave border defenders, Ramos and Compean, will be freed from unjust captivity.

"We are grateful at long last that President Bush has done the right thing by these men and their families and the president should be included be in our prayers of gratitude. I am humbled by the sincerity of support I saw over the last two and half years for Ramos and Compean from both sides of the political aisle and everyday Americans throughout our country."

Here's what's happening today:

On the eve of the inauguration of America's first black president, South Bay residents today celebrate what would be civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.'s 80th year with parades and quiet reflection alike. Check out some pics of Gardena's weekend MLK Day parade.

The loss of public access television shows because of a new state law has some citizens and elected officials outraged and fearful that the legislation will limit the ability for citizens to connect with their communities.

And some weekend leftovers not yet moldy:

A Redondo Beach resident is slowly regaining his ability to walk after a devastating accident where a motorist struck him as he rode his bicycle and sped away. The police are still looking for the suspect, and Danny Knutson wants him caught.

Redondo Beach's new gateway dolphin misting fountain is missing its mist for several reasons, most notably the high-voltage power lines directly above it.

New state laws require HMOs to provide health information in other languages, and provide interpreters through a video conference system.

In case you've been under a rock, tomorrow is Inauguration Day.

We have a whole page of inauguration stories, resources and schedules.

The Tuskegee Airmen, the first black military pilots, who will play a role in tomorrow's ceremony.

Read about other South Bay resident's Inauguration Day plans: Who's going, who's staying, who's celebrating, and who couldn't care less. What are your plans for tomorrow?

Here's what's doing today, friends:

Woodside Natural Gas has dropped plans to build a liquefied natural gas terminal off the coast of Los Angeles International Airport, citing Thursday changed market conditions for its about-face.

A Manhattan Beach doctor is apparently on the short list for Barack Obama's pick for surgeon general.

The city of Torrance has settled a lawsuit for $700,000 that left a boy with brain damaged and a permanent physical disability after he was hit by a heavy iron gate at a city park.

And don't worry, Carsonites: City Councilman (and mayoral hopeful) Elito Santarina "did not accept a campaign contribution from an avowed white supremacist this week," says a strange campaign mailer sent to voters by Mayor Jim Dear.

A Torrance-area woman runs from her home a photography business with a unique niche: capturing images of Christian symbolism, as well as portraits of special-needs children.

With this weekend's Lions Club All-Star Game, Torrance High's Sterling Carter -- now, that's a great name -- is juggling basketball and football this week.

A sewage spill near Portuguese Bend in Rancho Palos Verdes prompted health officials to close a section of beach today.

A 200-yard portion of the beach below Palos Verdes Drive South at Peppertree Drive has been closed, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced.

The beach had an "A" grade -- indicating very low levels of bacteria -- from the county for the most recent 30-day period. More info on beach closures is available at the Department of Public Health's beach advisories page.

A couple of years ago the Daily Breeze wrote a story about Sarah White, a Torrance counselor and wife of a former Marine who authored a children's book called Sammy's Soldier, intended to help kids understand what military deployment is all about. The original story is reprinted below.
Now the Torrance resident is also an author, the writer of a children's book called Sammy's Soldier, which tells the story of a boy whose father must leave his home and his son when he is deployed. 

"I saw the need for it in my practice," said White, 27, a 1998 graduate of West High School. "I didn't see any books out there that help normalize what's going on (for children). I think a lot of kids are curious about the military." 

The 24-page book is illustrated by Kathryn Pedroza - the daughter of a cousin of White's mother-in-law - and used White's real-life husband, Daniel, and the couple's 3-year-old son, Jacob, as models. 

"It's not too often you get a book written about you and your son," said Daniel White. "I felt honored. There's very few resources for families that can help with deployment. ... It's harsh on families." 

Erika Bryant, a White Point Elementary School kindergarten teacher who has known White since the pair attended El Camino College, said she found the book to be an effective classroom tool. 

Many of the children at the school have parents serving in the Air Force. 

"Most of the children at our school have parents who quite frequently have to pack their bags and leave, so this book speaks directly to them," she said. "The fact they have literature that represents them is very unique; it's hard to come by." 

The book was deliberately kept nonservice specific, and Sammy's dad returns home safely. 

"I wanted something out there without talking about the politics or the not-so-kid-friendly parts of (war)," White said. 

However, she has another book in mind - one that explains the imagery of death to children, such as crosses in a cemetery. 

Here's what's happening today:

After a successful run, Redondo Beach's Seaside Ice is gone, but organizers hope to bring back the outdoor, beach-side ice skating rink next holiday season. Miss it already? Watch our video and feel like it never left.

This is definitely the sweetest story I've read all week: A Los Angeles County Fire captain stationed adopted a stray dog he and his unit in Palos Verdes Estates saved after it jumped off a third-story balcony. Watch some sweet video, but beware of sugar shock.

Hermosa Beach is busy this week: City leaders approved a contract for this summer's AVP tournament, a police officer was cleared in a federal civil rights lawsuit, and a public works inspector accused of taking bribes pleaded not guilty. 

Palos Verdes High School's Matt Willis will bring his linebacker skills to Saturday's Lions Club Senior All-Star game.

South Bay retailers were no exception to holiday profit drop reported by big chains nationwide.

Have you checked out our South Bay Family Talk site? It's chock full of resources for parents and families.

Forget the freezing weather, long bathroom lines and spotty cell phone service expected in Washington D.C. next week on Inauguration Day.

Celebrate a new presidency, democracy and carbohydrates Tuesday with a free doughnut from Krispy Kreme!

The pastry purveyors will give every customer a free doughnut of their liking to celebrate America's "freedom of choice," the company announced today.

The South Bay's Krispy Kreme is at 1199 W. Artesia Blvd. in Gardena.

You, or your waist line, might remember that Krispy Kreme also gave away free star-shaped, sprinkled doughnuts on Election Day. (You might not know that cookies, cakes, candy and doughnuts are my other beats here.)

Come to think of it, Ben and Jerry's also gave free ice cream scoops that day. No word from those dudes on what their inaugural treat will be.

Here's what's happening out there today:

The man facing the most significant charges in Saturday's near-riot at the Del Amo Fashion Center says he acted in self-defense against attackers he didn't know were cops, who also used racist slurs.

The Port of Los Angeles officially ended two decades of growth in 2008, reporting a 6 percent drop in shipments.

Almost 2,300 Los Angeles Unified School District teachers are facing layoffs now in the district's latest effort to cut costs. Join the club, profs.

Some South Bay city officials think the American Lung Association can put its grades of local community's anti-puffing practices into its pipe and smoke it.

Today we profile Issac Foster, Leuzinger High's senior linebacker, who will play in this weekend's Lions Club Senior All-Star game. Peruse our photos, too.

A Torrance-based plastics manufacturer has acquired a competitor for $200 million.

I drove over to the Torrance Farmers' Market at Wilson Park today to check up on guitarman Hisao Shinagawa, the so-called "Japanese Bob Dylan."

Last week, I wrote about how Shinagawa's prized guitar given to him 28 years ago by songwriter Townes Van Zandt was crushed when a vendor at the Hollywood Farmers' Market accidentally drove over it.

The story ran in the Daily Breeze, the Long Beach Press-Telegram and was followed by Channel 7, which sent its Eyewitness News reporter out to tell his story.

Well, Shinagawa told me today some people have tossed a few extra bucks into his guitar case since the articles and TV spot, but he is far from having enough cash to buy a new one. He continues to use a guitar he's borrowed from a friend.

The money he received, he said, will help pay the rent, which is the title of one of his signature songs.

In the meantime, he's heard nothing from the vendor who drove over the instrument or his car insurance company.

"Why do I have to ask twice?" he said.

Still, he's questioning his own principles about whether he should even buy a new guitar because it's his philosophy to not own anything. But, as I told him, if he doesn't get himself a new guitar, he won't be able to make music, which is his passion in life and way to earn a living.

Anyway, he'll be playing the Cerritos Farmers Market on Saturday and will be back in Hollywood on Sunday. You can see him again in Torrance next Tuesday.

Here's what's doing on this unseasonably warm day:

Another person got popped for trying to bring a gun into Los Angeles International Airport, making that incident this morning the third arrest for a similar reasons in four days at the airport.

Our dismal economic picture has prompted California State University, Dominguez Hills to stop construction on a $46 million library expansion project and freezes salaries for top administrators at the Carson campus.

Torrance city prosecutors filed battery and other charges Monday against most of the people arrested in the near-riot at Del Amo Fashion Center on Saturday.

A Village People cast-off robbed a bank in Rancho Palos Verdes yesterday.

Now, this is speaking my language: Elleni, a new Manhattan Beach store, specializes in shoes and chocolate truffles. Mmmm shoes. Mmmm chocolate.

Check out a nice profile on Hawthorne High School running back Lawrence Tuihalamaka, who gets a chance to redeem a tumultuous season at the Lions All-Star Game on Saturday. While you're at it, peruse some pictures.

Looks like the Los Angeles DWP has agreed to take a second look at a 22-year-old agreement that has allowed San Pedro police dog trainer Pete Burmeister to use less than an acre of DWP transmission line property in Carson.

Here's what's happening today:

It took 30 police officers and Taster stun guns to subdue a melee at Torrance's Del Amo Fashion Center on Saturday night, when two women started fighting outside the AMC Theater.

A San Pedro resident has used an empty Department of Water and Power field for about 20 years to train dogs, including law enforcement canines. Now DWP wants the property back, and Peter Burmeister has to find a new place to work by April.

See Burmeister in action here.

Did you watch the Golden Globes last night? Me neither. Prepare yourself for water cooler chat with our coverage of last night's ceremony.

And some leftovers from the weekend:

We had an interesting profile on Tony Ashai, a South Bay-based architect who has designed and built many luxurious, Tuscan-themed homes here and abroad.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies and agents from the state agency that enforces alcohol laws raided a Carson bar where gals would allegedly strip illegally and use schemes to get men to buy drinks. Note to self: Find new place for happy hour.

While you're at it, check out some pictures of the raid's aftermath.

Scientists still don't know what is behind the sudden increase in sick pelicans in the Harbor Area, though early tests indicate domoic acid poisoning could play a role.

Rep. Maxine Waters was on "Meet the Press" this morning, and gave perhaps her fullest explanation so far on why she didn't support Barack Obama during the primary. Obama spoke at a recent Congressional Black Caucus retreat, and addressed topics of interest to the caucus, such as parenting in the black community:

We examine the language that Barack Obama used in our retreat, and we discovered that many of us are saying the same thing. Except he found ways to say it that make people feel comfortable, that make them feel safe.  He has a--has developed a style and a language and a way of presenting himself that causes people to stop and listen.  I've been in presidential campaigns, I was with Jesse Jackson, and I thought to myself in the beginning of this campaign, here we go again.

But what Barack Obama understood was that you have to be very, very thoughtful about how you talk about issues.  He talks about morality and empathy, and people buy into that.

There are other reasons why Waters backed Hillary Clinton -- her long friendship with the Clintons would have given her greater access to another Clinton administration -- but it is interesting to hear her say that she initially thought of Obama's campaign as a repeat of Jesse Jackson's.

South Bay Rep. Jane Harman has been appointed to the Health Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, where she expects to play a role on universal health care:

"Ensuring access to quality and affordable healthcare for every American is absolutely paramount, and I am honored to work toward this goal through the subcommittee," said Harman. "As a daughter and sister of medical doctors, and former board member of the Venice Family Clinic, universal access to healthcare has always been a personal priority."

As usual with Harman, she finds a terrorism angle:

"I also want to make certain LA County hospitals have adequate level 1 trauma center capacity in the event of a terrorist attack or natural disaster."

Still no comment on the selection of Leon Panetta for CIA director.

Yesterday, Congress certified the Electoral College tally, officially making Barack Obama the winner of the presidential election.

The vice president oversees this certification, which made for some drama eight years ago when Al Gore had to certify his own defeat.

Rep. Maxine Waters, D.-L.A., who protested that certification, took some pleasure in seeing Dick Cheney certify Obama this time around:

"It is kind of, 'In between your eyes, Mr. Cheney, after all you did, after all you said to Democrats and to Mr. Obama,' " Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles), leader of the 2000 protest, said in an NPR interview.

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Rep. Dana Rohrabacher is calling for the formation of a House select committee on Afghanistan. Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach, has a special interest in the country going back to the mujahideen days, and traveled there in 1988 shortly before joining Congress. Today he says:

"President-elect Obama has made it clear that his administration plans to focus its energies and time on Afghanistan rather than Iraq and we should do our best to play a part in this new effort," said Rohrabacher. " If we are serious about it, we can reinforce President-elect Obama's commitment by forming a Select Committee bringing together  Members of Congress who have a special interest in Afghanistan and various areas of expertise."

Happy Friday, dear readers. Here's what's happening today:

Hawthorne police are looking for a gentleman who attacked and tried to assault a 62-year-old woman who was walking home from church on Christmas day. Wow.

Meanwhile, a trio of Hermosa Beach residents were arrested for allegedly robbing and beating a disabled homeless man on The Strand this week. Again, wow.

A former Redondo Beach employee is suing the city, claiming she was placed on leave after calling out city officials on allegedly misspending $1 million in transit money.

The state Supreme Court ruled Thursday that emergency room doctors can't bill patients for balances not covered by HMOs.

South beat West yesterday when the two Torrance high school's girls soccer teams faced off. Check out pictures of the sweet goal that saved South.

Aymen Ghabriel ensures your surf and turf is sizzling at two Sizzler restaurants in the South Bay.

Here's what's doing out there today:


Aerospace giant and huge South Bay employer Northrop Grumman will combine its two area sectors will combine in an effort to save money, the company announced Wednesday.

The California Coastal Commission has approved plans for the controversial new high school in San Pedro.

Turns out the guy who was arrested at the end of a police chase yesterday after allegedly robbing a Torrance woman he followed home from a Gardena casino was on the lam for a previous alleged role in a Lawndale counterfeiting operation busted last year.

And, our own Denise Nix was the one who made the connection yesterday and reported it to the feds.

Los Angeles residents want more ball fields, skate parks and dog parks, a new recreation need study shows. Here is the full list of top wants.

Serra High School's Robert Woods is the Daily Breeze's football player of the year. He stands out among our All-Area team. Narbonne High's Manuel Douglas and San Pedro's Mike Walsh share the title of coach of the year. Check out the duo's pictures here.

Columnist John Bogert is frightened by how illiterate most people are in American civics knowledge. Take the quiz yourself and see how much you know about the basics of our esteemed government. Tell me your score and I'll tell you mine.

Word comes from Maxine Waters' office that the Congressional Black Caucus just voted unanimously to support the seating of Roland Burris as the next senator from Illinois. 

Though Senate Democrats had vowed to reject any appointment made by disgraced and soon-to-be-dethroned Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Burris now appears likely to get the seat anyway.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said yesterday that she supports seating Burris, and the Senate leadership seems to be backing off its vow to bar him from the chamber.

According to the AP, Sen. Dianne Feinstein spoke with Leon Panetta last night, and is now comfortable supporting him for CIA Director:

"I had a good discussion with him. I'm confident that he understands. I am supportive," Feinstein said. "I've known him for 20 years. I know him to be a man of credibility and a man of conscience and a man of talent, and I believe he will surround himself with top-notch staff from the intelligence community."

Feinstein had said she wanted an intelligence professional in the top job, possibly Steve Kappes, who is now a deputy to CIA Director Michael V. Hayden. Kappes is credited with restoring morale at the CIA in the wake of the morale-crushing tenure of Porter Goss. The New York Times reports that Panetta plans to keep Kappes as his Number Two.

Still no comment from Jane Harman.

Here's what's up today:

Buzz kill: An argument at a Westchester party turned violent last night, leaving one reveler shot.

Don't know when to fold 'em: A man suspected of following a Torrance woman home from a Gardena casino and robbing her was arrested when he crashed at the end of a freeway chase.

Hisao Shinagawa, a regular performer at the Torrance Farmers Market, lost his beloved guitar recently in an unfortunate accident when a vendor at another bazaar drove over the prized instrument, gifted years ago by a famous folk singer. Shinagawa, who makes his living off tips, is apprently pretty well-known, the subject of a documentary, and known as the Japanese Bob Dylan.

Check out pictures of Shinagawa at the market here, and also watch video of his musical stylings.

The city of Torrance prevailed Tuesday in a lawsuit filed by a Gardena woman who believed police officers targeted her for "driving while black."

About one million California school children are without health insurance, an advocacy group finds.

Torrance High junior Jenny Shin is the girls golf player of the year, and her mentor John Wurzer is coach of the year. Be sure to check out pictures of the entire all-area girls golf team here.

Major South Bay employer Alcoa will eliminate 13,500 jobs.

Here's some videos of Hisao Shinagawa performing his music. He performs at the Torrance Farmers' Market and other markets throughout Southern Calfornia. His prized Martin 00-18 acoustic guitar, given to him by widely acclaimed singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt 28 years ago was recently run over by a car. Read my story.

Here's what's doing today:

Two years after trading baking for adjudicating, Los Angeles County Superior Court judge Lynn Olson sits down to talk about her new career and the tumultuous aftermath of her successful 2006 election bid, in which the Hermosa Beach resident unseated a popular veteran judge.

While you're feeling judge-y, why don't you check out our online database that tracks South Bay court cases? And mosey over to our Crime and Courts blog, too.

The state Supreme Court ruled Monday that conservative Christians who broke away from the U.S. Episcopal Churches over theological differences can't keep their church properties.

The Manhattan Beach City Council tonight will decide whether to pursue a renovation to its cramped and aging library. Early estimates price the project at $15 million, more than a fifth of which the city has already socked away.

Former Manhattan Beach police Sgt. Shawn Shelton just can't quit: He was caught last month with marijuana inside the Louisiana prison where he's awaiting trial for killing a man. Already, he is serving 35 years to life for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy in Las Vegas.

A Torrance widow pulled herself out of a deep depression to build a business that offers after-school reading and math tutoring for youngsters in Redondo Beach and Los Angeles' Little Tokyo neighborhood.

Rep. Maxine Waters dropped by the school library at Lawndale High School today. She was invited to speak to Mr. Robert Allen's government class and to students from Mr. Robert Bartz's economics class.

The students asked about the bailout and voting rights, per Waters' office:

"I love looking into the eyes of young people who are interested in learning about public service and discussing with them how government affects their lives.  The students asked very intriguing questions, and I was more than happy to share my thoughts with them."

Who knows if this has anything to do with Sen. Dianne Feinstein's chilly reaction to the choice of Leon Panetta for CIA Director, but back during the Clinton administration the two were on opposite sides of a base closure dispute.

In 1995, Feinstein and other California politicians strenuously objected to plans to close numerous bases in California, including the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. They lobbied their fellow Californian, Clinton chief of staff Leon Panetta, to encourage the president to reject the closure list and force the base closure commission to start over.

Clinton ended up approving the list, but (in somewhat typical fashion) he also denounced the commission and said he was particularly outraged by the economic effect the closures would have on California. Panetta was put in the position of assuring California lawmakers, including Feinstein, that -- contrary to all available evidence -- the cuts would not be as bad as they appeared. Feinstein was not pleased.

Two years later, both Panetta and Feinstein were interested in running for California governor. Panetta didn't want to run against Feinstein, who then as now was the Democrats' strongest statewide candidate. So he waited for Feinstein to make up her mind.

And waited.

And waited.

By the time Feinstein decided to stay out of the race, in January 1998, the primary was only four months away. Panetta reasoned that he would not have enough time to raise the money needed for a statewide campaign. So he dropped out as well.

Interestingly, the person who filled the centrist void once Feinstein withdrew was... South Bay Rep. Jane Harman. Feinstein's supporters encouraged Harman to get into the race against Lt. Gov. Gray Davis, who was viewed as a weak general election candidate. Harman was able to self-finance, but due to her late entry she never caught fire and ended up in third, behind Davis and airline mogul Al Checchi.

Wouldn't it be odd if Feinstein again tried to block Panetta, again in favor of Harman?

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-CA, will soon be the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. As such, she'll have a lot to say about who gets confirmed to be the new CIA Director. Here's what she has to say about Leon Panetta:

"I was not informed about the selection of Leon Panetta to be the CIA Director. I know nothing about this, other than what I've read," said Senator Feinstein, who will chair the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in the 111th Congress. "My position has consistently been that I believe the Agency is best-served by having an intelligence professional in charge at this time."

Chilly.

But it's not Jane Harman.

According to the New York Times, Obama has chosen Leon Panetta, a former California congressman and chief of staff to President Clinton, as his CIA director.

Thus ends speculation that Harman, D-El Segundo, would take the helm of the intelligence agency. The NYT reports that transition officials considered Harman, but...

... she was ruled out as a candidate in part because of her early support for some Bush administration programs like the domestic eavesdropping program.

Such considerations also doomed Obama's first choice, John Brennan, a deputy under Director George Tenet and the former head of the National Counterterrorism Center.

Harman recently received the Jefferson-Lincoln Award from the Panetta Institute, so presumably she will have some access to the new regime.

Here's what's doing out there today:

A Hermosa Beach resident has come forward with details behind the city's most mysterious landmark, an old anchor near Noble Park that used to be in someone's front yard. Believe her or not, Katee Kirk says family lore depicts the anchor as a tribute to her uncle who died in a Navy training exercise.

Guys like Mario Cornejo, a teacher at Lawndale's William Anderson Elementary School, are falling into an ever-widdening gender gap. Turns out, the number of male teachers is dwindling in the United States, with their ranks reaching a 40-year low.

And some weekend hanger-ons:

Among the new state laws that went into effect last week is legislation designed to curb elder abuse, a problem expected to increase as baby boomers age. Karen Liebig must be cheering the new laws as the leader of a coalition that works with law enforcement to fight and prevent atrocities against senior citizens.

The number of young adults joining the military has increased as a the economy tanks and jobs disappear. Brothers Sergio and Salvador Lopez are an example of South Bay folks joining up.

An increasing number of starving and sick pelicans are filling up outdoor aviaries at the International Bird Rescue Center's facility in San Pedro this month. Check out pics of the birds.

State Controller John Chiang, a Torrance resident, had a "mild" heart attack last week while visiting family in Fort Worth, Texas, his spokesman said.

Chiang, 46, was released from the hospital yesterday and is flying back to California today. He has been ordered to get some rest. He plans to be back at work next week.

Chiang made news from his hospital bed this week when he ordered state agencies to prepare to issue IOUs, due to the severity of the state's cash crisis.

Here's what's going on this foggy morning:

The manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California's Manhattan Beach office was robbed at gunpoint this morning. The suspects forced the manager to open the safe inside, handcuffed him to a chair and then made off with an unknown amount of cash.

South Bay police say New Year's Eve antics were pretty tame this year. How rowdy was your celebration?

If you missed yesterday's Tournament of Roses Parade, we have all the details here and all the pictures over here. And if you didn't watch the game but want to sound in-the-know today, read this and look at this.

And some stragglers from Thursday:

A new year means new laws: Among others in effect as of Jan. 1, there's no more texting while driving, battling to take your new wife's last name and no more nasty chemical phthalates in children's toys.

Long live Sponge Bob, Speidi and Steven Colbert: Viacom and Time Warner Cable, which provides boob tube service to many South Bay residents, finally reached an agreement on carriage fees that will keep 19 cable channels, like Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central, on the air.