Steve Kuykendall, who represented part of the South Bay in Congress for two years before his 2000 loss to Jane Harman, is leaving the suburban Palos Verdes Peninsula for the urban wilds of Long Beach.

Kuykendall today confirmed that he has sold his home in Rancho Palos Verdes, where he was once on the City Council and where he remains politically active as a consultant.

He and his wife will move in mid-July to a condo in a new development in downtown Long Beach. The move keeps him in the pretty much the same territory for elected officials -- though he'll switch from Rod Wright's to Alan Lowenthal's state Senate district.

Kuykendall said the move was due to "empty-nester syndrome."

"It has nothing to do with politics," Kuykendall said.

A two-term Assemblyman before his election to Congress, Kuykendall plans to continue his consulting work and wants to remain active in local Republican circles.

Readers, let's get to it:

Hawthorne police believe a registered sex offender tried to trade a lost dog for sex. Over at our Crime and Courts blog is some more information on this guy.

Sales tax will increase a half-cent to the dollar countywide tomorrow, when the voter approved Measure R goes into effect for 30 years.

The pieces comprising Manhattan Beach's long-awaited sculpture garden were installed around downtown Monday. Check out pictures of a few of the towering sculptures.

The capital murder trial of a man accused of killing a police captain during an early morning attempted robbery in 2004 began this week.

A last-minute compromise struck Monday between the Port of Los Angeles, a local ship builder and the Los Angeles Conservancy will allow a $96 million dredging project at the port to go forward.

Who knew that Japanese fast food chain Yoshinoya was based in Torrance? And its looking to open 13 new restaurants.

Readers, here's your news:

A Redondo Beach police officer shot and wounded a man in Lawndale after what witnesses called a running gun battle between neighbors Saturday night.

Residents of the unincorporated Los Angeles County neighborhood of Wiseburn are miffed that a water company has apparently renigged on a deal that would have turned one of its vacant lots into a park.

A Carson resident took his third Manhattan Beach Grand Prix championship title Sunday. Miss the event? Check out pictures here and here and it was just like you were there.

The Manhattan Beach Brewing Co.,  likely the South Bay's oldest brewery, is going upscale later this summer.

Los Angeles International Airport passengers and employees will see some changes Tuesday, when the effects of Delta and Northwest airlines' merger leaves vacant space in Terminal 2.

A local restaurateur is opening his second new eatery in a year -- and will bring about 100 new jobs to Manhattan Beach.

New state fish consumption guidelines are stricter and more expansive than the traditional warning against avoiding white croaker caught off the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

The rash of BB-gun shattered windows is still spreading across the South Bay.

Did Maxine Waters shove the chair of the Appropriations Committee over an earmark for the Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center?

That's what Politico says:

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey (D-Wis.) and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) engaged in a late-afternoon shouting match on the House floor after Obey reportedly rebuffed Waters on an earmark request, aides and witnesses said.

Witnesses, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it appeared that Waters pushed or shoved Obey. The pair were seen shouting at each other and had to be separated by members -- who were crowded on the floor casting final votes before heading off to a party at the White House.

Waters' staff claimed that Obey had pushed her. Waters herself later had to explain the incident to the New York Times:

"Chairman Obey was angry, and shouted that he didn't care about my plea," Ms. Waters said. "This is a prime example of how the system often works against the well-being of the poorest and neediest people in our country."

The House just passed the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill by a vote of 219-212.

So far the only reaction I have from South Bay lawmakers comes from Jane Harman, who said she would reluctantly vote yes. UPDATE: Waters statement.

Here's Harman's statement:

Let me be crystal clear:  the bill we are voting on today - and which I will support - falls far short of what could and must be achieved if we are to get our arms around greenhouse gas emissions, promote green jobs and innovation, and demonstrate leadership to the rest of the world.

My Committee colleagues Chairman Henry Waxman and Subcommittee Chair Ed Markey have worked tirelessly to craft legislation that makes progress on climate change goals and creates a system to cap and trade carbon emissions. 

And believe me, as a mother of four, I understand that perfection is not an option.  But in assembling a bill that will garner enough votes to pass, many troubling changes and compromises were made.

I am particularly disappointed that a bipartisan provision on which I labored to boost outdoor lighting efficiency by 25% by 2010 was gutted in the course of trading for votes.  Not only would this provision have cut the country's annual electricity bill by $1 billion, the changes made to it pose serious preemption challenges to bellwether states like California, which are consistently on the cutting-edge of environmental policy.

Trolling for votes also resulted in the dilution of an extremely important provision on green buildings and a weakened renewable fuels standard.

While passing the American Clean Energy & Security Act of 2009 is better than doing nothing, I consider this bill nothing more than a first step.

ADD: Maxine Waters:

"This bill is a crucial part of our economic recovery," said Congresswoman Waters. "It will create millions of new American jobs and entire new industries.  Helping reduce foreign oil imports by more than 5 million barrels a day -- what we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela - improves our national security. We will also reduce the carbon pollution that causes global warming, using the same solution that successfully fought acid rain in the 1990s."

With a combination of price spike protections, energy refunds and cost-saving technology, this bill will protect consumers, keep costs low, and protect current jobs by helping energy-intensive industries transition to a cleaner, more profitable future. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the legislation would cost a typical American household less than a postage stamp per day, or less than $111 a year.

However, Congresswoman Waters emphasized that lower income households will see no new costs; in fact the Congressional Budget Office reports that they will actually save $40 per year with the plan.

More as they come in. No word from Rohrabacher, who voted no. Richardson voted yes.

Readers, let's ease into the weekend with a little local news:

International airline traffic at Los Angeles International Airport dropped more than 20 percent in May from levels at the same time last year, new figures show. A continuing slide could present a devastating blow to the area's economy, experts say.

Rep. Jane Harman is not the target of a criminal investigation following the wiretap blow-up she was involved in a few months ago.

Remember that motorcycle club that caused a big ruckus in San Pedro last year? Well, Rare Breed is back this weekend for its 20th anniversary, but will skip the port town in favor of Gardena.

The bad news: South Bay home prices continued to dropped 12. 3 percent in May over prices last year. The good news: They increased from April 2009's prices.

Hermosa Beach celebrated 10 years of legal skateboarding Thursday.

Michael Jackson fans everywhere mourn the death of the King of Pop.

Spain:

Fallece el cantante Michael Jackson

France:

Le roi de la pop, Michael Jackson, est mort

Germany:

Pop-Legende Michael Jackson ist tot

Russia:

Скончался знаменитый американский певец Майкл Джексон

Readers, here's your morning news:

An expansion to Marymount College will go forward in Rancho Palos Verdes, but without a the most desired component -- dorms.

The Torrance-based TrinityCare Hospice has opened its first live-in hospice beds -- the first of what officials hope will total three facilities in coming years. Check out pictures of the new facility.

The city of Torrance passed its two year-budget, balanced by raising some fees and making some money-saving organizational changes.

Hawthorne residents will have easy access to fresh produce Saturday, when a farmers market opens.

A documentary airing Sunday follows Northrop-Grumman engineers testing a Nazi "flying wing" that could have had the potential to change the course of World War II.

John Bogert remembers Ed McMahon.

Gardena Councilman Steve Bradford talked about his candidacy for the state 51st Assembly District seat recently vacated by Curren Price, who was elected to the state Senate, at Tuesday night's council meeting.

"Even though a lot of folks have commended me for my commitment, they question my judgement -- when you look at what's going on in Sacramento right now," Bradford said.

Shortly before Bradford spoke, the council unanimously approved a nearly $44 million balanced general fund budget. Bradford said the state could use some of Gardena's fiscal restraint in its deliberations on how to close a $24 billion deficit.

Bradford said: "I think the budget challenges that we have in Gardena are minuscule compared to what Sacramento's facing, and I commend my colleagues -- both present and past -- for having the courage to deal with tough economic times. And that's what we're lacking in Sacramento. Not to say that I'm going to be the answer to all those ills. But I think if we bring the common-sense approach we've used here in the city of Gardena, I think we'll be well-served in Sacramento."

Lawndale Councilman Robert Pullen-Miles is contending against Bradford for the seat. But Bradford, who fell only about 100 votes short of the Democratic nomination for the seat in 2006, is considered the front-runner.

A reader passes along this video of mobile home park owner James Goldstein partying in Moscow. Goldstein recently won a lawsuit against the city of Carson, and is seeking more than $100 million in damages from the city, which he will probably use to buy new clothes:

Dana Rohrabacher went on the Ed Schultz Show yesterday and unloaded on President Obama:

If he would have been talking even a little bit tougher a few days ago we might not have been seeing the violence and bloodshed of this repressive regime in Tehran in the last two days.

Readers, let's get to it:

A man was shot dead early this morning in a San Pedro alley.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is staying put.

Check out pictures of a Torrance vigil for two American journalists held prisoner in North Korea for allegedly illegally entering the country.

A former youth sports executive accused of embezzling money from the Redondo Beach Youth Football and Cheer Association will stand trial, a judge decided Monday.

The newest parts of Plaza El Segundo could include more service-oriented businesses.

The Board of Airport Commissioners approved Monday a pared-down $3.32 billion spending budget for the upcoming  fiscal year.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has decided to scrap the controversial Bush administration program that would have shared spy satellite data with local police and sheriffs officials.

The formal announcement is tomorrow, but the anonymice have leaked the news to the AP, the Wall Street Journal and the LA Times. This is of local relevance because South Bay Congresswoman Jane Harman led the charge against the program, arguing it raised serious civil liberties concerns.

Upon being told the news by the AP, Harman said, "It shows real leadership on the part of Janet Napolitano." Just a couple weeks ago, Harman was accusing Napolitano of "kicking the can down the road" on the issue.

The program was introduced in 2007 as part of the effort to improve national security by sharing information between federal, state and local officials. But it was instantly controversial and never got off the ground. Congress "fenced" funding for it in last year's appropriations bill. With the departure of Bush appointees like Michael Chertoff, it seems to have lost its champions.

Just to be sure, however, Harman introduced legislation earlier this month that would have shut the program down.

Readers, let's get to the news:

Two South Bay families are among the hundreds traveling to Washington D.C. today to lobby lawmakers against funding cuts to pediatric cancer research.

The board that oversees Los Angeles International Airport is set today to purchase an adjacent 21-acre parking lot for $125 million, a price much higher than market value.

Some local folks are hunting for treasure in abandoned storage units, the contents of which are auctioned off more frequently now that people are defaulting on the rent in this recession.

It's summertime, and the living isn't so easy for South Bay teens struggling to find part-time jobs in a state where teen unemployment hit nearly 28 percent last month.

A local domestic violence shelter is working to stress the importance of positive father-child relationships, arguing that children who have good relationships with their dads are less likely to become victims of domestic abuse.

South Bay residents could see more potholes on their roads if the state goes through with a plan to take $1.7 billion in gas tax money from cities in attempt to balance its budget.

Hundreds of families came Saturday to the Pacific Reproductive Center in Torrance for an early Father's Day celebration at the very place where their family trees sprung. Check out cute pictures of babies.

Visitors to Terranea, the recently opened luxury resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, were evacuated for about an hour today after an industrial laundry machine malfunctioned and started smoking, officials said.

A piece of linen that got caught in a sheet folding machine started smoldering, filling the laundry room and adjacent floors with smoke just after 11 a.m., said Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Bryan Wells.

Five fire engines, two trucks, a paramedics squad and two battalion chiefs responded to the incident, extinguishing the smoke with the resort's own hoses at 12:19 p.m., he said.

Patrons and employees were allowed back into the resort shortly thereafter.

Dana Rohrabacher is not holding anything back this week. First he called the president a cream puff. Then he said former Speaker Newt Gingrich belongs in the "Hall of Shame" for claiming that the Uighurs who were released from Guantanamo Bay pose a terrorist threat.

Rohrabacher has long been supportive of the Uighurs, who he says are fighting the good fight against Chinese dictatorship. That has put him out of step with his own party. At a Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing this week, he said this:

Much to my dismay, some pundits in the Republican party have fallen for
this bait and are lumping the Uighurs in with Islamic extremists. The
Bush administration did not help matters. It held Uighurs in Guantanamo as terrorists, and they did this, I believe, to appease the Chinese government in a pathetic attempt to gain its support at the beginning of the war against Iraq, and also to assure China's continued purchase of U.S. treasuries. Many, if not all, the negative allegations against the Uighurs, can be traced back to Communist Chinese intelligence, whose purpose is to snuff out a legitimate independence movement that challenges the Communist party bosses in Beijing.

No patriot, especially no Republican who considers themselves a Reagan
Republican, should fall for this manipulation, which has us do the
bidding of a dictatorship in Beijing. In the hall of shame, of course, is our former speaker, Newt Gingrich. His positioning on this should be of no surprise, and is of no surprise, to those of us who, during Newt's leadership, were dismayed by his active support for Clinton-era trade policies with Communist China.

Video here:

Gingrich response here.

Hermosa Beach Councilman Mike DiVirgilio, formerly of MWW Group, a local PR firm, has been hired as Rep. Jane Harman's new district director.

DiVirgilio previously worked in Harman's office as a field representative, and had Harman's endorsement when he ran for council.

Readers, let's end the work week right:

Just when you thought it couldn't get any higher, California's unemployment rate has increased to 11.5 percent.

Torrance planners have approved a $500 millon seven-story tower for Torrance Memorial Medical Center, an endeavor believed to be the single largest construction project in city history.

The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has approved a $144 million plan for Wilmington's waterfront.

A man convicted of killing his pregnant girlfriend in Hawthorne by stabbing her 172 times is headed toward death row.

Upon its first anniversary, San Pedro's animal shelter now has opened a new spay-neuter clinic.

Mmmmmm. A new Torrance sweet shop specializes in rare and high-end chocolate.

Serra High School gets top honors in both the boys and girls' Daily Breeze All-Area Track team. Check out pictures of the whole team.

We have tons of local graduation pictures. Check out our online graduation center.

President Barack Obama took some time out yesterday to call Phil Jackson:

Yesterday afternoon, President Obama called Phil Jackson, head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, to congratulate him on his team winning the NBA Finals and on his record-setting 10th championship as a head coach.  They also discussed the keys to the Lakers' success and the President's interest in the Lakers' innovative triangle offense.  The President told Jackson that he has admired the coach since his days with the Chicago Bulls and is excited to meet him and congratulate the team in person at the White House.

Just got this from Francisco Hernandez, the Lennox student heading off to the Ivy League. We told his story on Sunday.

"Today I read the South Bay Pipeline Blog, and the many things written by not only Larry, but many wonderful people out there. Let me say that all these people that say they are proud of me, I thank you, because all of this is just another big encouragement for me to do better.

I've had a tough life so far, but things are what you make them when it's time for you to take control. I've already taken control of my life, and I don't let the pieces fall where they may, I place them where they are suited best, and where they will create a better and more successful future for me.

Once again, thank you everybody. It has always, ALWAYS, been people like you that have pushed me to do better. I will continue to do so in college, and make many more proud. Thank you.

Thank you, Larry, and thank the Daily Breeze for running the story. I have a tough road ahead of me, but all these comments are giving me so much strength to hold my head up high and keep moving forward. Thank you!"

Lawndale Mayor Harold Hofmann recited the hallmarks of the city's progress over the past year at a Chamber of Commerce-sponsored State of the City address this morning.

To highlight the city's most prominent achievement this year, the event was held at the new Lawndale library next to City Hall, at 147th Street and Burin Avenue.  The $7.3 million library is the result of years of planning between the city and the county and, since it opened in March:

• Over 50,000 people have visited
• More than 1,000 new library cards have been issued
• 35,000 new books, DVDs and CDs have been added

 While progress has been made in the city, the goals expressed by Hofmann at last year's State of the City were the same: a new community center is planned for 2012 across from City Hall, street improvements continue to be made, and a new nearly-one-acre park is set to open June 27 just west of Hawthorne Boulevard between 162nd and 163rd streets.

The budget woes that are hitting every local city this year are not as dire in Lawndale, Hofmann said. Though the city is planning to bring in $900,000 less in the coming fiscal year than it originally expected, it is not slashing any services or projects.  

(See update below) President Barack Obama has been fairly cautious about the situation in Iran, refusing to overtly back the opposition. Dana Rohrabacher says that's a mistake:

I think that Mr. Obama, if he continues to have these type of attitudes, we're going to see things get very bad very quickly. Already the North Koreans have challenged him and realized that he's a cream puff... And now if the mullahs in Iran are permitted to just roll over their opposition somewhat like Tiananmen Square, we will have missed a great opportunity...

Rohrabacher believes there is a golden opportunity here for Iranians to "have some kind of freedom rather than be tyrannized by these cookoo mullahs," and he's worried that we'll blow it if we don't show solidarity with the demonstrators:

We are on the side of the people who want more democratic government and a freer society... If we keep our mouth shut and say we're just watching, almost like you're in a neutral position, that can do nothing but embolden the forces of evil, the forces of repression and these crazy mullahs. If they think we're too cowardly even to express support for the people in the streets, they will mow them down.

Rohrabacher does not seem to be suggesting, however, that the U.S. should back up the demonstrators with force. Instead, he'd rather the Iranians handle it themselves:

I would hope if the mullahs are so arrogant that they start having a mass repression, or if they basically start killing the people by shooting them down, I would hope that the Iranian military would turn their guns on the real culprits there, who are these mullahs who are holding the people of Iran in chains of slavery and repression.

Think Progress, a Web site run by the liberal Center for American Progress, goes after Rohrabacher's remarks here.

UPDATE: None of this criticism, by the way, should be interpreted to suggest that Rohrabacher supports the opposition leader, Mir-Hossein Mousavi. In a follow-up press release today, Rohrabacher says that both Mousavi and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are "mean spirited little men."

It is time for the mullahs to go back to their mosques and let democratic reform take its rightful place in Iran... (T)he election process and its results shed clear light on the fact that both candidates that the regime permitted to run are nothing but mean spirited little men. Both of them, all of us know, have themselves been responsible for formulating and implementing brutal repressive policies upon the Iranian people. Neither one, I repeat, neither one, is a 'reformer' or a person who believes in democracy. 

He calls on Obama to side with the "students and the true reformers" and seek an election in which a broader range of candidates are allowed to run.

Let's hit it, readers:

So you were good and didn't fake sick Wednesday to go to the Lakers parade. Fret not, we have all the details.

Does your car qualify for a program that would trade cash for clunkers? Check out our database.

With federal stimulus money on the line, more local hospitals and medical practices are moving toward use of electronic medical records. But administrators are finding it tough to break older doctors from the habit of using handwritten notes.
 
A financially threatened Redondo Beach drama program has a chance of a reprieve if backers can raise $25,000 in two weeks.

Now that leaders have given a massive luxury resort a temporary tax break, Rancho Palos Verdes will ask November voters to hike the city's hotel tax from 10 to 12 percent.

Check out our boys and girls high school swimmers of the year. Also, see pictures of the entire boys All-Area Team, as well as shots of the girls' team.

I've heard from so many of you about Francisco Hernandez, the Lennox Academy valedictorian whose struggle to achieve success inspired a lot of people.

Some people wanted to send gifts and others wanted to meet him in person. You can still send cards, but Francisco has already moved on.

Francisco e-mailed me last night that he has moved to spend the summer with his sisters in Austin Arlington. As you might recall, his younger sister, Maria, moved to Texas to live with their older sister, Cinthia, when their mother died in October.

Francisco stayed behind to finish his senior year. Teacher Erica Delgado gave him a place to stay.

He'll spend the summer there until he moves on to Harvard.

If you want to talk to him directly, you can e-mail him at slideshow_2009@yahoo.com. If you have any cards you want to send him, please do that through me here and I will forward them to him.

Francisco wrote comments twice on Sunday's story as it was posted on the Web. Most people wrote nice things, but others were upset about his citizenship.

Here's what he said:

"Thanks everyone who has posted such beautiful comments. I have worked hard, and yes, I was brought here at very early an age. Trust me when I say I had no choice in determining my citizenship, and it hurts to read such hateful comments. This is not what my Mom raised me to see, so I forgive everyone who writes these ugly comments. May God bless you, regardless, and may God Bless everyone. If you'd like to contact me, please talk to larry or send me an email here:

slideshow_2009@yahoo.com"

Later, he wrote this:

"Thank you everyone who wrote nicer comments about the story. I just wanted to show people that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. I am no longer in CA, but I will never forget my roots and where I was raised, Lennox, CA. Thank you everybody."

Readers, let's roll:

It's Lakers day, all day! Here's the parade route, but if you go be sure to behave yourself.

Kobe Brown, a Hawthorne-area 19-month old allegedly shaken to death by his mother, is one of the 14 Los Angeles County children who died last year despite being on the child welfare officials' radar.

JetBlue Airways finally launches service from Los Angeles International Airport to New York and Boston airports today.

A Hermosa Beach man who was behind on his rent set his home on fire and then shot himself early Tuesday.

We have high school graduation pics coming out of our ears: South Torrance High, North Torrance High, Torrance High and West Torrance High.

A couple of weeks ago, Dana Rohrabacher said this at a conference for climate change skeptics:

Most of the polar bears are OK. I understand there's actually a huge increase in the population of polar bears... A significant number of the polar bears are basically procreating because they don't have to stay in their hole asleep most of the year.

In a blog post last week, I pointed out that while there is a feisty debate about the effects of climate change on polar bears, they don't hibernate. Rohrabacher has written in to respond:

Your June 11, 2009 blog posting "Rohrabacher Bears Down on Global Warming" criticized comments I made in jest rather than highlight the evidence that supports my stance, and that of thousands of scientists globally, on the fraud that is manmade global warming.

Actually, I did link to the first study that Rohrabacher cites in support of his position. I also linked to a rebuttal of that study. Rohrabacher's full letter is after the jump.

So first, Jan Perry suggested the city may not be able to foot the bill for the Laker parade. Like players diving for a loose ball, the city's elected officials then struggled to get credit for saving the parade while safeguarding the city's finances.

Yesterday, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced that the city would split the cost 50/50 with the Lakers. Now, Council President Eric Garcetti says that Villaraigosa was speaking out of turn, and that the city council has sole jurisdiction over this. And he says that in fact private donors will cover the city's half of the costs -- about $1 million or so.

Not to be upstaged, Villaraigosa will hold a press conference in about 10 minutes announcing that the parade has been saved. He will be joined by Laker hero Derek Fisher.

I received a number of e-mails Sunday about my story on Francisco Hernandez of Lennox and his effort to get to college. I enjoyed meeting Francisco and telling his story. He truly is inspiring. I appreciate the kind words directed at me. I am very proud of this story.

Several people wanted to know how they could send cards or donations to Francisco. Here's what I've told them: Send your envelopes to Francisco Hernandez in c/o Larry Altman, Daily Breeze, 21250 S. Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 170, Torrance, CA 90503. I will get them to him.

Here's the e-mails I received. I hope people don't mind that I'm sharing them. This was a real feel-good story.

Larry-

Your story on Francisco Hernandez was one of your best ever. His story is truly inspirational. This kid is a winner and it's great that you introduced him to your readership. This story resonates with all Americans who believe in hard work and determination when you have a goal despite your background or financial situation.

Best regards,
Vincent E. Pellerito

Dear Larry,

I just finished reading the story about Francisco Hernandez and it brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy that he was able to achieve such wonderful accomplishments despite the various setbacks in recent months with the death of his mother and his difficult and challenging childhood.

His story touched me in so many different ways and left me with an overwhelming feeling of wanting to help him. Like him, I faced many similar obstacles in my life, but with perseverance, I was able to succeed and do very well for myself through higher education.

I would like to assist Francisco with a financial donation before he leaves for Harvard. Please let me know if you are able to assist with coordinating this. Thank you for bringing the life of this wonderful young man into the forefront, as these are the type of stories that merit headlines in the news.

Aly Lopez Duzich
San Pedro

Duzich wrote back:

I highly recommend that this story be forwarded to the Oprah show for consideration. While there is significant attention given to young adults for hitting a #1 song on the music charts or winning an Oscar, not enough recognition is given to achievements such as Francisco's. His acceptance into Harvard against all of the challenges that he faced, is worthy of some of this very same attention, if not more. I believe that many more people, upon hearing his story, will be equally if not more impressed.

Dear Mr. Altman, 

I read your article in this Sunday morning issue of the Daily Breeze on a Lennox Academy student, Francisco Hernandez. I wanted to share with you an article I wrote for Northrop Grumman in Redondo Beach about a group of employees that were also touched by Francisco's story and his sister, Maria.

We also wanted to reach out to them in a special way so myself and a team of 14 others selected them for one of our diversity and inclusion events we promote here at Northrop Grumman in Redondo Beach. At the time we received his application for the "adopt a family" program, his mother Ana, was still alive. She was ill, but not in any danger of losing her life.

You can imagine that we were all in quite a shock when we learned that from the time the application process was completed, to the time we selected that family, Francisco's mother took a turn for the worse and suddenly and unexpectedly passed away.

After the shock, we now were on a mission to give these two teens the best Christmas we could possibly give them in the wake of their tragedy. Our team of employees went from just taking part in "some gift giving program" to "going full steam to making all their dreams come true." Our goal was to fulfill all the items they asked for on the sheet received from the coordinator of this event.

While some of our team made their own purchases, we also collected money from the remaining team members so we could purchase the remaining items. We actually made a personal delivery of these items to Francisco. His eyes filled with tears as he received our gifts for them.

We knew that as we gave Francisco and Maria's spirits a lift, they touched our lives -- and our hearts forever.

Sincerely,
Cindy Shirai

Cindy's story is after the jump.

By the way, the photo shows Cindy Shirai, Desiree Wong and Nancy Sue presenting the new guitar to Francisco, which he gave to his sister, Maria.

Readers, let's get to the news:

Yay Lakers, but boo resulting mayhem.

The Los Angeles Police Department has released video footage of what detectives believe is the car of the man who kidnapped and raped a San Pedro teen last week in Redondo Beach.

You'll need tissue for this story about a Lennox high school grad's triumph. Check out pictures of Fransisco Hernandez.

A Redondo Beach woman crashed her black Corvette into a Torrance police cruiser Saturday morning, causing injuries to herself and an officer, and the closure of Pacific Coast Highway for part of the day.

With the backing of Rancho Palos Verdes' tax break, luxury seaside resort Terranea opened last week after years of effort.

A local solar panel installer has dropped his lawsuit against the city of Torrance, which said it will abide by state law and stop reviews of the devices.

Dog trainer Peter Burmeister's evicted from the DWP-owned property where he trains police dogs in San Pedro has been halted -- for now.

Sad but true: If When the Lakers win the NBA Finals, there may not be enough in the L.A. City coffers to pay for a parade:

"We can't afford to cover the costs," Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry, whose district includes Staples Center, said this afternoon. "How could we make a decision about people's jobs and then sponsor the parade?"

This situation seems tailor-made for somebody to come along and play the hero, and from the looks of things, Bernard Parks is auditioning for the role of Derek Fisher:

"I don't think we have a choice," Parks said. "This is one of those things that happen once a decade. There's going to be a major celebration in the city, and the likelihood is the city is going to absorb the bulk of those costs."

After all, when you're this far in the red, what's another $1 million?

Politico estimates that Rep. Jane Harman and her husband, stereo pioneer Sidney Harman, lost something in the range of $100 million over the past year, due to the market crash. Last year, they reported a minimum net worth of $226 million, but this year it's down to $117 million. Of course these are only estimates and the real figures are probably quite a bit higher.

Perhaps more interesting than that, however, is that in the past year the Harmans have acquired an interest in the Huffington Post. According to their financial statement, they have an investment in the liberal news website worth $1,000 - $15,000, through their stake in Greycroft Partners, a venture capital firm that invests in a variety of digital media companies.

Of course, Harman frequently publishes opinion pieces at the Huffington Post... But if you think the editors there might be swayed to favor an investor, keep in mind that Harman's primary opponent, Marcy Winograd, posts there too.

Readers, let's get it started:

Of the 40 massage parlors Torrance police visited since the city established a moratorium on new massage parlors, cops busted 19 for prostitution and other lewd acts. An extension on the temporary ban will allow police to check in with the remaining 47 businesses.

A Marina del Rey drug rehabilitation counselor honored for his work in the community has been busted for ... wait for it .... that's right ... drug dealing.

The teen who allegedly accidentally shot and killed his Lawndale best friend has turned himself in, and now faces murder charges.

San Pedro's Barton Hill Elementary School is celebrating 100 years of churning out kids.

In this week's At Work feature, we check in with a cell phone worker.

Torrance High's Andrew Pulido is the Breeze's baseball player of the year, and his coach Ollie Turner takes leadership honors. Make sure you check out pictures of the entire All-Area Team.

Here's a friendly reminder from your pals at the California Franchise Tax Board:

A new tax law raises California's personal income tax rates by .25 percent, (AB X3 3 Ch. 18 2009). The law also reduces the dependent exemption credit to the same amount of the personal exemption credit-a $210 difference per dependent using 2008 amounts. Some taxpayers may need to increase their wage withholding now to avoid owing taxes next April.

Maybe it would be easiest to just sign over your $13/week federal tax credit to the state...

Let's get to it, readers:

With its North American headquarters in Torrance, Honda celebrates its 50th anniversary in the United States today.

Two men were involved Wednesday afternoon in a shooting in Torrance.

The search continues for the man who grabbed a San Pedro girl off the street as she walked to school early Wednesday and raped her in an empty Redondo Beach garage.

Early-morning winter days are worst times for pollution in the South Bay and other parts of Los Angeles south of the the 1-10, a new UCLA study showed.

Los Angeles International Airport unveils today a stoplight system that will alert pilot when it's safe to cross a runway. Supporters hope the radar-controlled lights will decrease runway incursions.

Torrance didn't pass its budget Tuesday, but Hermosa Beach did.

Three key seniors helped elevate Torrance High's softball program this season.

Be sure to pick up a copy of today's Breeze print edition, which lists the names of almost 11,000 local high school graduates. And for more information on local graduations, visit our online special section.

Readers, without further ado:

A 16-year-old San Pedro girl walking to school this morning was kidnapped at gunpoint, raped and released in Redondo Beach.

A beloved El Segundo preschool teacher was gunned down in an Inglewood shooting police believe was gang-related. The 24-year-old St. John Lutheran Pre-School teacher was not a gang member, just simply in the wrong place at the wrong time last month, police say..

Some South Bay seniors are distraught over a Torrance hotel's decision to end a long-running program that allowed them to use its pool and gym for an annual fee.

The Beach Cities Health District is closing its breast feeding clinic, opting instead for in-home services that will offer broader training on the rigors of motherhood.

A woman got attacked by Africanized bees while riding a horse last week in Rolling Hills.

El Segundo's Jenna Rich is the Breeze's softball player of the year, and San Pedro coach Tony Dobra takes coaching honors. Check out pictures of the whole All-Area team.

Rep. Jane Harman was at the White House today as President Obama announced his support for "pay-go" budgeting, which is a battle cry for the fiscally conservative Blue Dogs.

But then this afternoon, she announced she is opposed to the Blue Dogs' health care proposal. That proposal includes a "public option" only as a fallback, in case private insurers are unable to deliver competitive, low-cost coverage. Harman made clear that she, like the more liberal House Democrats, still favors a public option:

"I am a strong supporter of universal health coverage, which is why I support the health care reform plan being developed by President Obama, Senator Kennedy, and Congressman Waxman.  Like them, I believe that the bill must include a public health insurance option which guarantees all Americans access to quality, affordable health care.  I will oppose any plan that does not include this option, and am unwavering in my opposition to the so-called "Blue Dog trigger."  I am proud to have signed the HCAN (Health Care for America Now!) pledge to seek universal coverage."

In an interview this afternoon, I asked Harman if she still considers herself a Blue Dog. She said she does, and noted that when she joined the group in the early 1990s it was focused exclusively on budget discipline. She said she also opposes the Blue Dogs on energy legislation.

OK readers, let's get to the news:

Police are investigating the shooting death of a Hawthorne teen who was just talking with friends outside his home Monday night.

Gardena resident Miriam Dwinell just wanted to make a little cash at her recent yard sale. Instead she got a ticket. How does your city govern garage sales?

A two-day search for two inexperienced boaters lost after leaving Catalina ended happily Monday. U.S. Coast Guard search crews found the pair near Pismo Beach.

Manhattan Beach resident Jon Wilhite, the lone survivor in the crash that killed an Angels pitcher and two others, sobbed at the suspect's arraignment Monday.

Coconut juice is nature's sport drink, says a manufacturer that just relocated to Hermosa Beach.

Narbonne High tennis player Ace Matias didn't quit make it in the L.A. City Section finals Monday. Check out pictures of the tournament.

The Special Olympics torch run passed Monday through the South Bay.

Dana Rohrabacher gave a keynote address last week at the International Conference on Climate Change, which is a gathering for global warming skeptics. Rohrabacher has emerged as perhaps the leading climate change skeptic in Congress, and is well known for colorful jokes on the topic.

He did not disappoint his audience at last week's conference, arguing at one point that global warming could be good for polar bears:

Most of the polar bears are OK. I understand there's actually a huge increase in the population of polar bears... A significant number of the polar bears are basically procreating because they don't have to stay in their hole asleep most of the year.

This is actually a version of an argument that scientists have felt the need to debunk. The more rigorous version is that polar bears, which depend on sea ice to hunt for seals, will be able to adapt to life on land as the ice melts away. Bear scientists counter that polar bears cannot subsist on berries, and that their population will in fact decline as sea ice declines. As far as Rohrabacher's particular argument goes: polar bears don't hibernate.

Rohrabacher also commented on his recent appearance on "Hardball," during which Chris Matthews asked him if he was a troglodyte. Rohrabacher's response:

What the hell is a tragulyte, anyway, or whatever. What did he call me? Trogulite? That's not the thing hanging from the wall in a cavern, I don't think.

Audio of Rohrabacher's full speech is available here. It's worth a click for his impression of Jacques Cousteau alone.

Readers, bring on the news:

One Manhattan Beach woman is bringing etiquette back to South Bay youth.

A cost-saving proposal to close the Franklin Community Center -- home to the 20-year-old Redondo Beach Playhouse -- has devastated graduates of the city-sponsored drama program.

Proposed legislation from Sen. Rod Wright would ensure your pomegranate juice was 100 percent just that, while also possibly benefiting major manufacturers who happen to also be major Democratic donors.

A judge is expected this week to finalize a ruling in a $3 million malpractice suit filed by a Rancho Palos Verdes resident against two doctors who misdiagnosed his late wife.

Manhattan Beach police uncovered a large-scale bank fraud operation run by seven people in town.

It took a lot of work, but the Lakers did it again Sunday. Check out pictures.

Did you make it over to the Palos Verdes street fair this weekend?

Rainn Wilson, the actor best known for his role as Dwight Schrute on NBC's The Office, tweeted this afternoon: "I am in Lawndale, CA and believe me when I say there are no lawns here."

Do any of you readers have any guesses about what brought Wilson to the so-called Heart of the South Bay? Yeah, me neither.

Readers, it's time for the news:

Three men are in custody after allegedly attempting to rob a man on the Redondo Beach Pier early this morning with a BB gun.

Get on the bandwagon, friends. The Lakers started the finals with a bang Thursday. Check out pictures of the game.

Meanwhile, South Bay high school athletic programs struggle to make ends meet in the wake of massive cuts to education. Fundraisers and booster clubs are crucial these days, supporters say.

South Bay Cuban-Americans are about to have an easier time making it home, now that nonstop weekly flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Havana starting later this month.

Thursday's science competition sponsored by The Aerospace Corp. aims at piquing minorities' interest in science, engineering and technology. See pictures of the 32nd annual Robert H. Herndon Memorial Science Competition.

Patricia Rios helps local companies lower printing costs with simple tricks at Torrance's Canon Business Solutions.

High school softball teams from North Torrance and El Segundo face off in the finals today.

Make of this what you will:

Readers, let's get it stated:

Ernesto Murillo this morning was sentenced to 110 years in prison for a Harbor Gateway shooting that left a bullet lodged in the head of a 7-year-old boy. More details coming soon.

Police are investigating the shooting of two men in Hawthorne late Wednesday.

A Lawndale family mourning the loss of their teen son implored his best friend to turn himself in after accidentally shooting and killing the boy.

Professional skateborder Jereme Rogers is sorry for disturbing his Redondo Beach neighbors earlier this week when police had to haul him off his roof where he ranted naked and high on mushrooms, he told a reporter Wednesday whilst rolling a marijuana joint.
 
Torrance and Redondo Beach are the latest South Bay cites working to trim gaping budget deficits.

Vought Aircraft is celebrating 70 years in Hawthorne. See pictures of Wednesday's hoopla.

Eight South Bay high school distance runners will compete at a state track championship this weekend.

Got graduations? Check out our online section with all the details of local ceremonies.

Last night's thunderstorm, which passed almost directly over Torrance's ExxonMobil Refinery, tripped the 750-acre plant's emergency warning siren as it briefly dumped torrential rain across parts of the South Bay.

The L.A. Times has a fun project going where they attempt to map all the neighborhoods of Los Angeles. They posted their initial map in February.

As you can see, the first draft did not recognize Harbor City, which would come as a surprise to local organizations like the Harbor City Neighborhood Council, the Harbor City/Harbor Gateway Chamber of Commerce, and the Harbor City Boys, who go so far as to tattoo "HC" on their earlobes. Try telling them there's no such place.

In the first draft, Harbor City was lumped into Wilmington. The new version corrects the error, and makes many other changes citywide. The first draft included 87 neighborhoods, while the new draft expands to 113.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, former speechwriter to President Reagan, was on hand yesterday as President Obama signed of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act. The bill sets up a commission to celebrate Reagan's 100th birthday in 2011. Also pictured: First Lady Nancy Reagan, Sen. Richard Lugar, and Rep. Elton Gallegly, who authored the bill.

Readers, lap it up:

Local food banks are going hungry in the recession, and conditions should get worse as more state budget cuts loom.

Maybe your complaining about Los Angeles drivers is warranted. A new study shows we are are the fourth worst drivers in the nation, right ahead of our counterparts in New York, New Jersey and Hawaii.

Speaking of which -- so, you think you can drive? Take this online quiz to see how good you really are.

A mechanical failure on a China Eastern Airlines plane has left almost 280 passengers stranded at Los Angeles International Airport since Sunday afternoon.

South Bay high school students got some insight into engineering under a program offered by  aerospace giant Northrop Grumman.

Emerging community Playa Vista is getting its own farmers market.

A San Pedro Marine recruiter has been accused of pimping.

Torrance High's baseball team is headed to the finals this weekend at Angel Stadium. See pictures of Tuesday's winning game.

As he walked to Marine One this afternoon, President Obama was asked for an NBA Finals pick.

"Lakers in six," he said.

When he picked UNC to win the NCAA tournament, many noted that North Carolina is a swing state.

Here, the politically savvy pick would be Orlando, which is on Interstate 4, which is the jump-ball of Florida politics:

"We kind of laughingly call it the highway of heaven for the candidates, because if they win I-4, they win Florida," said Susan MacManus, a political science professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa. "The I-4 corridor is the new growth part of the state, and the most politically competitive part of the state."

Chic beach cities mummies had better check their strollers. Or at least have their nannies do it.

Hermosa Beach-based Bugaboo North America has recalled about 22,500 of its swanky Bee strollers because one or both sides of the brakes can fail, causing the pram to roll away on an incline.




































The company, which is based in the Netherlands and distributes its products out of Hermosa Beach (who knew?), has received about 121 reports of the brakes failing, but no notices of injuries to tots.

The affected strollers, which retail for more than $500, haver the item code 580210 on a label on the back of the seat and item code 50100 on a label on the plastic support under the seat. They were sold in blue, dark khaki, pink, red, yellow and black at juvenile product retailers nationwide and on various Web sites from August 2007 through April this year.

Get details by phone at 800-460-2922, or visit the Web sites for Bugaboo or the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Readers, here's your morning scoop o' news:

Just like clockwork, the usual June gloom has rolled in, blanketing the South Bay in a thick cloud of haze and dragging down beach business.

A Manhattan Beach private school wants your old jeans. Students at del Sol School are collecting denim to turn into more effective and eco-friendly home insulation.

A man claiming to be the first black spacecraft manager at Boeing has filed suit against the aerospace giant, alleging he was fired because of his age, race and in retaliation for testifying in another age discrimination lawsuit against the company.

The Los Angeles Harbor Commission and City Councilwoman Janice Hahn reached a last-minute agreement Monday over a controversial dredging project at the Port of Los Angeles.

Ted Lieu's mortgage reform bill cleared the Assembly on Monday.

A Torrance father-and-son car dealer team found a favorable result after trading Saturns for used vehicles.

Three El Segundo High School softball players are working to extend the team beyond the shadow of their star Stanford University-bound player. See pictures of the trio of seniors.

Credit KNBC with the scoop. Over the weekend, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was spotted in a Larchmont bookstore with Lu Parker of KTLA.

Witnesses say they did not hold hands or kiss, but appeared very chummy. Parker was seen touching the mayor's chest and stomach while they spoke. She was also seen looking at a book about Kenya and overheard saying to Villaraigosa, "We should buy it for our trip."

The LA Times goes to KTLA for confirmation, and gets it:

Parker could not be reached for comment. She has told KTLA-TV officials that she and the mayor started dating in March, and that the limited number of interviews she had with Villaraigosa were in October and November.

"There is no concern as to the ethics whatsoever,'' said Don Corsini, general manager of KTLA-TV, which like The Times is owned by Tribune Co. "As far as I'm concerned, it's a personal matter.''

Villaraigosa's last romance with a TV anchor, Mirthala Salinas, ended badly for him, and really badly for her. She was subjected to a Telemundo ethics investigation and quit rather than accept a transfer to Riverside.

She's now doing a morning radio show on AM 690.

South Bay, set your DVRs!

A Manhattan Beach-based production company is set to ensure that the major life milestones of the January-born octuplets, as well as those of their six other siblings, will be recorded for posterity.

3Ball Productions -- creator of television programs like "The Biggest Loser" and "Groomer Has It" -- has apparently signed a reality show deal with Nadya Suleman, the woman who gave birth to six boys and two girls in Bellflower.

Start your week off right, readers:

A Harbor Gateway resident apparently shot and killed one of a trio of men who tried to rob his house Sunday morning.

The 94-year-old Ken Lange is just one of a group of dedicated senior volunteers who help keep the Gardena Police Department running smoothly.

Ah, summertime bliss: Hermosa Beach could make it legal to drink on the sand during its seasonal concert series.

Small businesses everywhere -- even in tony Manhattan Beach -- are feeling the recession. And so are the folks in Carson.

Another victim in the economy? Community theater, like the San Pedro-based Shakespeare by the Sea, which will have a tight season in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Torrance Memorial Medical Center's Women to Women program helps cancer patients adjust to the aftermath of chemotherapy treatment, providing help in choosing wigs, hats and scarves.

Torrance institution Cookin' Stuff is 45-years-old, run by ladies and just got the John Bogert treatment this weekend.

North Torrance High's Lexi Vernon always plays softball with a smile. See for yourself.

Get the details on all the South Bay high school graduations.