You know you're not supposed to eat white croaker caught in the South Bay and Harbor Area, right? Well, now the EPA-backed Fish Contamination Education Collaborative has a new video to help you identify the species, one of five that should be avoided because of toxic pesticides in the ocean.
The silvery-sided fish has a blunt mouth and a dark spot under the pectoral fin.
Warnings have been issued about white croaker for decades, but a state agency last year expanded its advice against consuming other fish caught in the area around the Palos Verdes Shelf, where millions of tons of the pesticide DDT and other chemicals were dumped from the 1940s to the early 1970s.
Anglers should also avoid barred sand bass, topsmelt, barracuda and black croaker, according to complicated guidelines from the state Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. The fish collaborative distilled that warning into a tip card that came out earlier this year, and it's been working on multimedia outreach -- such as the video above -- as well.
November 2010 Archives
These days, hauling surfboards across the globe is big business for the airlines. And in the wake of rising bag fees, passengers have been left with empty wallets and stories of lost or damaged boards.
So this year, as you prepare to ditch the wetsuit and hood for board shorts and a tan, get ready to fork over some serious cash.
Surfline.com has a nice chart detailing this season's airline bag fees and embargo restrictions.
It's a helpful reminder that when you travel in search of empty lineups this season, bring along some extra cash and patience. Because you're probably going to need both. It's also important to keep in mind that there is no substitute for a good attitude and friendly smile. Even when your quiver ends up in China.
Of note:
Aero Mexico: $60 per board each way. Maximun length: Nine feet.
American Airlines: $150 per bag under 50 pounds each way. One board allowed per person
Continental Airlines: Around $100 per board with a maximum of four boards. Example: One board = $100, Three boards = $400, Four boards = $700(!).
Hawaiian Airlines: $100 per bag each way, one board max.
The 1:50 a.m. outage, which occurred outside the refinery, resulted in some unit shutdowns and slowdowns, refinery officials said.
Refinery officials started the flaring to burn off hydrocarbons as a safety measure. The power supply was restored and the refinery was returning to normal operations.
Southern California Edison spokeswoman Vanessa McGrady said a raccoon slipped past some protective barriers at a power substation at 190th Street and Prairie Avenue and sparked the outage.
Only the refinery was affected. Power was fully restored by 4:30 a.m.
At last word, the raccoon survived.
His obituary has arrived at the paper.Here's some of what his family said about him:
Kelly grew up in Glen Ellyn, Ill., where he attended St. Petronille grade school and Glenbard West High School, where he was a star of the 1983 State championship Glenbard West football team.
He graduated form the University of Illinois in 1988 and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Sean moved to Southern California and became an avid surfer, skier and snow boarder.
Kelly met his wife Laura Mani in Hermosa Beach. They were together for 15 years. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, and could be found every weekend with his wife at El Porto.
"Sean touched the hearts of everyone he met and he will be greatly missed," the obituary says. "Sean will be remembered for his charismatic personality, sense of life and adventure, ability to live life to the fullest and his tremendous love for his friends and family."
Gipson went on a "mission trip" to provide medical assistance to people living in a village outside Port-au-Prince, he said. Thousands of families remain homeless and are living in crowded, unsanitary tent cities after losing their homes during an 8.0-magnitude earthquake there in January.
"The country is being ravaged by a number of things," Gipson said. "We ask the people of Carson to keep them in your prayers."
Hurricane Tomas flooded some areas of the country when it passed through while Gipson was visiting on November 5, though a major disaster was avoided. Gipson said he watched a mudslide wash away a home with a family inside during the storm.
A current outbreak of cholera has compounded the country's struggles.
"I came here to help but I'm frustrated that I can't do more to help those thousands of devastated families," he said.
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"Essentially it's a theme park that the NBA sets up," said spokesman Luis Salguero. "We need people, more hands to help us out."
The Jam Session will take place Feb. 17 to 21 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The game is Feb. 20 at Staples Center.
Volunteers will get the chance to work at a series of Jam Session events that will feature current and former players. Fans can join in activities that allow them to shoot and dribble in skills challenges, and obtain tips from their favorite players, Salguero said.
There are also numerous events for children.
Volunteers must be available from Feb. 17 to 21, work at least two consecutive days for one 4-hour shift, be at least 18 years old, and "energetic, responsible and have a positive attitude."
The NBA is looking for about 2,000 people. To volunteer, go to NBA.com/jamsession.
The 2011 game is being hosted by the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.
Alhambra got the nod during Wednesday night's 15th annual Eddy Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.
The county Economic Development Corp.'s awards program was attended by about 600 business, government and education leaders.
Alhambra received the award for cities with more than 60,000 residents. The city "offers a favorable combination of housing, business, employment and recreational opportunities," according to a statement from the award committee.
Besides Torrance and Carson, the other nominees in the category were Downey, West Covina and Whittier.
Cerritos topped Azusa, Commerce, Duarte, La Mirada and Monrovia in the category for cities under 60,000 residents.
The EDC created the "business-friendly" award in 2006 to recognize cities that are proactively promoting business-friendly programs and services.
Also recognized during the awards was Do Won Chang, chief executive officer and founder of the clothing stores, Forever 21, and Kaiser Permanente, which is the largest private employer in the county with 36,000 workers.
Just days earlier, Andy Irons, the legendary surfer who had a much-publicized rivalry with Slater, died in a Dallas hotel room while awaiting a connecting flight to Kauai. He had reportedly been battling a severe case of dengue fever, forcing him to drop out of an Association of Surfing Professionals tour stop in Puerto Rico.
Irons, who had three world titles, was 32.
Slater, in a touching and emotional tribute, dedicated the remarkable win to Irons. And his latest title will no doubt secure his legacy as one the world's most dominant athletes.
From the Sydney Morning Herald:
The 38-year-old American has set a championship mark that may never be bettered, and in doing so joins the likes of Tiger Woods, Michael Schumacher, Michael Phelps, Lance Armstrong and Roger Federer as part of sporting royalty.
But an emotional Slater's thoughts remained with three-time world champion Irons who died in a Dallas-Forth Worth airport hotel room while reportedly battling illness and trying get home to Hawaii from the Puerto Rico event.
"I just want to send my condolences to Andy's family, I'm a little overwhelmed right now but I want to dedicate this to Andy," said Slater. "It's like exact opposites. This doesn't really offset that, I'd give this title away in a second if Andy could come back."
Routine and structure, they say, are essential to the grieving process. To that end, Slater is expected back in the water soon.
The Floridian, along with the world's top surfing talent, will converge on Oahu's North Shore next weekend for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, a competition Irons won four times. Slater has also been invited to compete in the The Jay at Mavericks Big Wave Invitational and the prestigious Quicksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau event this winter.
Meanwhile, a memorial service for Irons will be held Sunday in Hanalei Bay on Kauai.
And here is a local connection:
Christian Surfers South Bay organized a paddle-out in honor of Irons Saturday at El Porto and local artist Alison Wright has paid tribute to Slater at Metlox Plaza in Manhattan Beach. Her work, a 10-foot tall red surfboard shaped like a gigantic bowling pin, is titled "If Slater Bowled" and will be on display through November.
(Photo courtesy of the Association of Surfing Professionals) A memorial paddle-out to honor the legendary surfer will be held 8 a.m. Saturday at El Porto in Manhattan Beach. Those interested in attending are asked to bring flowers and meet by the group's tent at 42nd street. The event is organized by Christian Surfers South Bay.
For questions, contact Mark at mark@christiansurferssouthbay.org or Donald at donald@christiansurferssouthbay.org
Irons, a three-time surfing champion responsible for influencing a generation of young surfers, had reportedly been battling a severe case of dengue fever, forcing him to drop out of an ASP tour stop in Puerto Rico.
He died Tuesday in room 324 of the Dallas/Forth Worth Airport's Grand Hyatt Hotel while awaiting a connecting flight to his native Kauai, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The paper has posted the police report and a statement from the medical examiner on its website.
Irons won three consecutive world titles from 2002 to 2004 and was the only professional surfer to win at every location on the world tour. He leaves behind a pregnant wife, Lyndie, who is due to give birth within a month.
On Thursday,the Irons family released a statement:
"The Irons family would like to sincerely thank everyone on our home island of Kauai, and throughout the Hawaiian Islands, who has showered us with condolences and prayers during this tragic and difficult time. We ask for respect of our family's need to grieve privately and in our own time as we begin this journey. A trust will soon be established in Andy's name to support his son, due to be born in December."
We all know how much real San Pedrans hate it when outsiders say "San Paydro."
This week, a new outsider faux pas was committed.
A consultant making a presentation to the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners on Thursday said part of the problem in reviving Ports O' Call Village is that San Pedro is geographically remote. It's a virtual cul-de-sac, she said.
"I'm a little bit miffed that San Pedro is being called a cul-de-sac," said a testy John Stinson of San Pedro in public comments later during the port meeting. "You call us remote? Palmdale is remote."
"I'm the president and CEO of the San Pedro Cul-De-Sac Chamber of Commerce," joked Camilla Townsend when she got up to speak.
And there was this from longtime San Pedro resident Louis Dominguez: "We're a peninsula, not a cul-de-sac."
Make a note of it.
The "Mummies of the World" exhibit will have extended hours -- 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. -- until it closes its five-month run at the California Science Center at Exposition Park later this month, it was announced Wednesday.
And on its final weekend, Nov. 26-28, the exhibit will be open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
"This exhibition traveled nearly 6,000 miles to become part of the rich and diverse culture of Los Angeles," said Marc Corwin, president of American Exhibitions Inc.
"We anticipate a lot of traffic to 'Mummies of the World' in its remaining weeks in Los Angeles, and we encourage people to plan ahead so they won't miss their chance to see it."
The exhibit, which includes a wide variety of mummies from around the world, opened July 1 in Los Angeles and logged 100,000 visitors in the first seven weeks.
To avoid lines at the box office, visitors are urged to buy tickets in advance at www.californiasciencecenter.org.
"It is unfortunate for Marymount College and for the community of Rancho Palos Verdes that a campaign to obscure truth and hide the facts was successful. Despite the outcome, we are proud and honored to have earned the support of 6345 voters. We continue to believe that the Marymount Plan is the right choice for Rancho Palos Verdes. Moving forward we will do what we do everyday, put our best foot forward to serve our students and this community."I'll bring you more reactions with a story later today.
*Update: Irons' death is being investigated as a possible methadone overdose, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser is reporting.
Irons, a three-time surfing world champion, had been battling dengue fever and dropped out of the Puerto Rico stop on the ASP Men's World Tour. The Hawaiian was found dead in a hotel room in Dallas, according to news reports.
Irons won three consecutive world titles from 2002 to 2004. He leaves behind a pregnant wife, Lyndie, who is due to give birth within a month.
From The Garden Island:
Irons was sick in Puerto Rico with what was determined to be Dengue Fever, according to Jodi Wilmott, a spokesperson for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. He opted to travel back to Kauai, but was deemed too ill to fly while on a layover in Dallas, Texas.
A representative from the Irons family said that "he was very ill on the plane, booked himself into a hotel and didn't wake up."
Irons was en route to his home in Hawaii following the onset of a bout of dengue fever in Puerto Rico, where he was competing in the Rip Curl Search event, according to Billabong's Andrew Flitton.
He flew first to Miami, where he spent two days on an IV drip, but insisted on heading home to see his regular doctor. Andy then became sicker and was unable to make a connecting flight to Hawaii out of Dallas. He checked into a hotel to rest, but was found dead by hotel staff in the morning.
Here's more from ABC News:
He is the only professional surfer to win at every location on the world tour, racking up 20 elite tour victories in a terrific 12-year career.
Irons's last event win came in Tahiti in early September.
ASP international media manager Dave Prodan says Irons's death is a massive blow to the world sporting community.
"This is in my opinion one of the most devastating losses, not just to the surfing world, but to the international sporting community in general," he said from Puerto Rico.
"Obviously Andy was more than just a three-time ASP world champion. He was a hero to literally millions of kids who surfed and who didn't surf around the world, and to grown-ups as well.
"I can't imagine the impact this is going to have but it's certainly something that we will feel the world over for many years to come."
Mr Prodan says ASP extends its thoughts and sympathies to Irons's family.
"It's a massive blow here to everyone in Puerto Rico just finding out in the last hour, so we're all sorting through the feelings at the moment ... it's an incredible shock," he said.
"Andy has been a staple in the professional sporting world for over a decade and this year marked a rebuilding year for him and he's been winning events and surfing incredibly well.
"I think throughout his career people would say that he is one of the healthiest, strongest individuals you've ever met."
Mr Prodan said the world surfing community is like a brotherhood, and that Australians will be hit hard by the news.
"I can only imagine the impact that they're feeling in Australia - especially close friends such as Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning," he said.
"I mean Andy was celebrated the world over and celebrated as one of the best surfers in the world and Australia is a country that reveres surfing so I can only imagine the entire country is feeling this at the moment."
Irons was one of the few surfers to consistently match nine-time world champion and fellow American Kelly Slater.
"He was probably the first surfer to challenge him (Slater) and really set the surfing world alight," Mr Prodan said.
"I think people will remember Andy for his unparalleled ability and overall comprehensive approach to surfing.
"He never compromised anything, whether it be his approach, or his competitive tactics or anything."
