Whether its the fresh produce, beautiful flowers, or mouth-watering smells coming from the sizzling grills that pique your interest, you're bound to fall in love with something at the Wilmington Farmer's Market. The market is open every Thursday from 9am-1pm, and is located on the corner of L st and Avalon Blvd. Come out and enjoy a relaxing lunch (or breakfast!) under the shade. Be sure to stock up on the fresh produce offered there every Thursday. Vendors provide an arrangement of all kinds of fruits and vegetables, including oranges, apples, pears, grapes, strawberries, lettuce, onions, peppers, Enjoy the live music while you pick out your favorite fruit fresh from its stand. The 'rockin duo is "Average Tom White Band", and they're sure to play your favorite hit from the 60s, 70s or 80s. (visit them at averagetomwhiteband.com
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Pupusas Delmy offer a wide variety of toppings for their pupusas, tostadas and huaraches.The pupusas were delicious, neatly loaded with your choice of meat. Mine came with carne de res, curtido (vegetables), beans, rice, sour cream and salsa. Each dish is stacked atop a delicious, cheesy pupusa.For two dollars a plate, this deal is hard to beat! Be sure to quench your thirst with one of their delicious Aguas Frescas. The fruit beverages are loaded with sliced strawberries and pineapple!
Don't forget to swing by the Red Oak BBQ stand!
They grill their tri-tip, pork and beef ribs, sausages and chicken to perfection.
The tri-tip is smoked dark on the outside, but tender and juicy inside. The BBQ sauce is spicy and delicious. They serve good portions of meats, with sides of beans and potato salad to compliment. If you've got the extra buck, order a plate at the Red Oak BBQ stand, conveniently located at the corner of Avalon.
The Wilmington Farmer's Market is here every Thursday to provide our community with fresh produce, a variety of mixed nuts and dried fruits, and different delicious food selections. Get out of the house and take a walk down to the corner of L st and Avalon. The market is positively filled with tasty foods, fresh produce, and a fun time. You won't regret stopping by the market, which will hopefully expand as more and more people venture to it.
Over two-hundred Wilmington residents assemble at Holy Family Parish to discuss the spate of murders in the past month. Photo by Branimir Kvartuc.
Wilmington residents showed up in crowds to the Los Angeles Police Department homicide update meeting Wednesday night to get information on the recent spike in killings.
The meeting was held at Holy Family Parish just feet away from where the body of Cristian Zugey Alvarez was found January 2. It was the first of five homicides that have occurred in Wilmington since the new year.
In response to the violence LAPD said they would have lights on along L Street from 6 p.m. to midnight and asked all residents who live on L Street to turn their porch lights on as well. Officials are inviting the public to walk with them this Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to demonstrate the unity amongst the community.
Councilman Joe Buscaino's office produced a video of LAPD Captain William Hayes providing information on next week's Lights on L Street campaign. The images and video were provided by Branimir Kvartuc, communications director from Councilman Joe Buscaino's office, and interpreting is Wilmington Field Deputy, Gabriela Medina.
"I want to ensure that now, with these five homicides in this new year, that we get additional police resources here for the long term, not just for two weeks," said Buscaino about Wilmington situation.
Councilman Joe Buscaino of CD15 addresses Wilmington residents at Holy Family Parish about the spate of murders in the past month. Photo by Branimir Kvartuc.
Liz Dominguez Phillips of Wilmington holds up a photo of her nephew, James Dominguez, 26, who was killed in May, 2011. Photo by Branimir Kvartuc.
Wilmington residents who have lost their loved ones to murders. Photo by Branimir Kvartuc.
LAPD Captain William Hayes talks to residents during the meeting. Photo by Branimir Kvartuc.
Family members and friends stopped cars passing by L Street and Hyatt Avenue Thursday night to collect donations for the funeral services of Cristian Zugey Alvarez, who was murdered and died Monday under the bushes near train tracks in Wilmington.
Community members gathered around a makeshift alter created with candles, flowers and a crucifix that was hung above a photograph of the woman. A large crowd of people congregated at a candlelight vigil where family and friends mourned for Alvarez.
“I went to school with her…it’s a sad situation, it’s so close to home,” said Lorena Ortega, 28, Wilmington resident.
Everyone remains in shock and are frighten of their safety. Many people fear walking alone near the location of where her body was found, which is feet away from Holy Family Catholic Church.
“I’m use to walking from church to my house, but I’m not anymore,” said Maria Vega, 45, Wilmington resident who lives a few houses away from the crime scene.
In a statement given to the Daily Breeze by her brother, Jonathan Alvarez, he stated that the family knows little about what happened to his sister, but believe she was raped in what might have been a robbery.
Residents said that this type of violence is something unheard of in Wilmington and demand that the police patrol daily to ensure the safety of the community.
“All day there’s been people coming,” said Vega. “It makes me happy to see the support of the community."
My name is Omar Shamout, and I'm a graduate journalism student at USC. I became interested in narcocorridos after reading about the escalating drug war amongst the cartels in Mexico. I wanted to examine why music that contains such violent and tragic subject matter is so popular amongst the Mexican and Mexican-American community in Los Angeles. Through the help of Anabell Romero, I was able to profile a band from Wilmington that plays narcorridos, and they proved to be a fascinating entry point into the Mexican music scene in LA.
Narcocorridos: The Drug War in Song
From a back alley in Wilmington, Calif., illuminated by the twinkling lights of the nearby oil refinery, the sounds of the Mexican-drug war come alive on a windy Wednesday evening. Not through gun shots, police sirens or the wailing of widowed mothers – but through song.
“Loyalty to the bosses, or you’re an enemy,” croons 27-year-old lead-singer Jesse Castañeda in Spanish into a microphone in his home garage, rehearsing for an upcoming show.The song is called “Scarface Reborn,” and it tells the violent tale of a Mexican drug lord executing his foes.
The Music
Like most played by four-piece Wilmington band Komando de la Klika, the song is known as a narcocorrido.Corridos, which are popular Mexican-folk ballads, have been around since the creation of the US - Mexico border in the 19th century, but the current form of narcocorridos took shape in the 1970s when lyrics evolved into sensationalistic descriptions of drug traffickers and drug violence.
“We sing a lot about killings and some of the violence that goes on in Mexico … about new drug lords or cartels,” says Castañeda, who is joined in the band by his brothers Henry, 30; Juan, 32; and friend Gerardo Moya, 29.All of them are first-generation Americans born and bred in Wilmington.The group, whose name Jesse translates as “soldiers for the people,” also plays other styles of northern-Mexican music such as rancheras and cumbias, which have nothing to do with drug violence.
The band’s set list is mostly made up of cover songs of well-known Mexican artists, but it is the violence-soaked songs of the drug war that they say pay their bills.
Though corridos are still popular south of the border, many Mexican officials are taking steps to stop this glorification of cartel culture.In May, the northwestern Mexican state of Sinaloa, which is home to the most powerful cartel in the country, banned public performances of narcocorridos.The nearby states of Chihuahua and Baja California have also banned radio and television stations from playing the songs.The crackdown has helped turn Los Angeles into the commercial hub of the genre.
“Really where they have taken off, and where the real growth industry is in narcocorridos … is right here in Los Angeles,” said Kun.“The vast majority of the biggest names in narcocorrido … are, if not from Los Angeles and southern California – now based here,” Kun said.
Pasadena-born Gerardo Ortiz is a prominent example of local success in the genre.Ortiz took home six Billboard Mexican Music Awards in October, which are based on album sales and radio play.Ortiz still lives in the US, but he spent part of his youth in Sinaloa.
Even at the top of the charts, Ortiz, like other Mexican artists, is not immune to the violence in Mexico.In March, Ortiz escaped unharmed when armed gunmen attacked his vehicle after one of his concerts in Mazatlan, but his cousin and driver were killed, allegedly at the hands of drug lords unhappy with Ortiz’s songs glorifying their rivals.Several other popular narcocorrido singers have been gunned down in recent years such as Diego Rivas, who was murdered in Sinaloa on Nov. 14, and Sergio Vegas, who was killed there last year.As a result, southern California has become a safe haven for narcocorrido singers who may find themselves targets for violence down south.
In LA, narcocorridos can be heard daily on mainstream, Spanish-language radio stations such as KBUE-FM, which is one of the top-10 Spanish-language radio stations in the nation and averages more than 30,000 listeners every 15 minutes according to recent Arbitron ratings.Both Kun and Jesse Castañeda point out that the music has a broad fanbase in the Mexican and Mexican-American community that crosses boundaries of gender and age.Live shows can be heard throughout the city at venues such as El Rodeo night club in Pico Rivera, El Parral dance club in South Gate and Normandie Casino in Gardena.
The Escalation in Violence
Since Mexican President Felipe Calderon announced his crackdown on the cartels five-years ago, the drug war has only grown more violent. The Mexican government announced this year that it estimates 34,000 drug-related deaths occurred in the country between 2006-2010, though some advocacy groups, such as the peace movement led by poet Javier Sicilia, put the number around 40,000, which doesn’t include the thousands of Mexicans who have simply disappeared without a trace.
Narcocorridos have mirrored their homeland in recent years, with songs growing ever more graphic in response to the pandemic violence spreading its way across Mexico.
Kun describes the violent evolution of narcocorrido lyrics.
“In the 1970s, a narcocorrido singing about decapitation would have been unheard of – now it’s commonplace,” Kun said.“In the 70s, songs about humongous shipments, songs about battles between military police, federal police and local police would never have happened.Now, all of those things … you must have in your songs,” he continued.
Jesse agrees and says many artists try to one up each other to see who can sing the most violent song.
“Over the past couple years I think they’ve gotten worse, as have the times in Mexico,” he says.
The Gigs
On a Friday night in Gardena, Calif., Henry Castañeda pounds out a furious accordion solo as he moves across the stage with sweat pouring down his face.His brother Juan keeps the up-tempo rhythm going on the drums throughout their hour-long set. Jesse belts out the lyrics of “Scarface Reborn” in the lounge at the Normandie Casino, regaling the crowd with the tale of a vengeful drug lord and his 5.7-caliber pistol.
Groups of dolled-up women in their 20s and 30s, some with boyfriends and some without, gather around long tables sipping brightly-colored alcoholic drinks.Enticed by the music’s danceable beat, two women make their way to the dance floor, joined later by a couple eager to show off their moves.
Despite the graphic lyrics of most of their songs, Jesse says fans at their shows tend to skew young and female.
“There’s a lot of girls – a lot of the youth of today – youngsters 18 through 25, 27 [years-old],” he says.
One such fan is 23-year-old Santa Ana-resident Erandi Merino, who, like many others in attendance, showed up to the band’s latest show wearing a short black dress and heels.
Merino says that while she likes the music more for its sound than the gruesome stories, she’s not particularly bothered by the words.
“If the music is happy, and you’re drinking and you’re with friends … you’re just with it,” Merino says.
She also dismisses the notion that narcocorridos are a corruptive influence on children.
“It’s part of life.I grew up with it, so why can’t they?I didn’t grow up to be a violent person, so I don’t think they would either,” Merino says.
Jesse says that while his group doesn’t advocate violence, he and its members have an obligation as performers to play what’s popular amongst their audience.
“We’re not for all the violence.We’re peaceful people, but it’s mostly what the people want to hear,” he says.Henry chimes in.“We just have to go out there and make the money,” he says.
Merino says narcocorrido fans listen to the music for the same emotional reasons as fans of gangster rap.
“They feel powerful.They want to be like the people they talk about in the corridos,” she says.
However, Juan points out that they have played gigs where the more modern corridos are frowned upon.
“There’s been gigs we’ve gone to where people tell us ‘no corridos.’They want more cumbias, more of the old-school corridos,” he says.
The Future
Kun said he believes that narcocorrido singers should stop paying lip service to the condemnation of violence and start actively critiquing it.
“Every narcocorrido singer I’ve ever interviewed … all say, immediately, that they are opposed to violence … yet none of them have written songs critiquing it,” Kun said.
Perhaps that process will start with Jesse, who says he has ambitions to write songs depicting tamer subject matter.
“I have given thought of making songs … drifting away from the cartel stories – that kind of tell stories about stuff we’ve been through … maybe not anti-violence – but just drifting another way,” Jesse says.
Until then, idealism will continue to give way to the stark realities of Mexican life, and the alley behind the Castañeda house, along with night clubs across Los Angeles, will reverberate with tales of war and death.
This weekend, it snowed in Wilmington! Well, not really, but the Port of LA did host the Wilmington Winter Wonderland which included snow, arts and crafts, face painting and games for children in Wilmington.
On the other side of town, the Banning Residence Museum hosted their Victorian Christmas event. The rooms of the famous mansion were all fully decorated in a Christmas theme. As part of the fun activities, the Museum offered rides on a mule drawn carriage to the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum. It was a perfect way to get in the mood for the Holidays.
It was a pleasure to see the families of Wilmington out enjoying these events. The Holiday festivities continue with the Wilmington Holiday Parade this Sunday December 11th! Click here for more details.
Below, the line for the snow stretched clear across the park!
Below, the Mule drawn carriage and people doing traditional victorian era dances.
Many Wilmington residents grew up going to the Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park that many refer to as "Parque de los Patos." Despite it being shadowed by the nearby refinery and a fire that scorched about 3 acres of brush earlier this year it continues to be one of the central green spaces for the community.
For several years Machado Lake, which was the home of Reggie the alligator, has suffered from pollution due to trash dumping, the rise of non-native plants and an increase of sediment and harmful nutrients that have seriously damaged the lake’s ecosystem.
Because of this the Los Angeles Department of Public Works are working on a $99 million project to improve the South Bay attraction.
Click here to read my post on OurXperience, KQED, NPR station which explains when it will be done and what it will include.
Since last week, many tea lovers have been upset by the closure of Wilmington's only tea house, Hojas. The Los Angeles County Health Department has temporarily closed Hojas due to lack of proper permits.
This closure is temporary and the owners are committed to re-opening Hojas as soon as possible.
Here is a statement provided by their management:
"Hojas Premium Tea House has been temporarily closed for business. We have been asked to make changes to our facility to meet current codes and regulations with the Health and City Department. We will not only take this time to resolve these issues but will use this time as an opportunity to improve our establishment. We will be closed until further notice. We appreciate all our customers for their support and thank them for their patience and understanding during this time of improvement. Hojas Premium Tea House & Staff Ecc. 3:1-11"
They will be working with the City of Los Angeles, Department of Building and Safety on building modifications so that they can get approval from the LA County Health Department. The Council Office has been working the owners to try and help ensure that Hojas Tea House reopens as soon as possible.
This weekend I attended two events in Wilmington that focused on honoring the dead and taking a stand against violence in our community. On Friday, the Cemanahuac Youth Group hosted a Dia de los Muertos event at The Mahar House. They organized the event as an example of positive community gatherings that embrace the culture of the community. It featured live art, altars, crafts for kids and much more. There were also many community groups present informing community member about free services and programs available to them. Below are some pictures from the event.
On Saturday, We Can held the Wilmington Dia de los Muertos Peace Walk. It was a powerful display of the community advocating for peace, grieving and healing together. It was such an honor to be a part of this event alongside with our brothers and sisters in the Brown Berets and the family of James Dominguez. We walked together not only to honor the dead, but to take back the night and stand against senseless death and violence in Wilmington. Thank you We Can!
below, the family and friend of James Dominguez, walking in his honor.
Below, a Brown Beret member speaking on behalf of her departed daughter.
The 11 candidates running for the Los Angeles City Council District 15 presented their plans if elected as the next South Bay Councilmember at Los Angeles Harbor College this Saturday.
An informal "meet-and-greet" was held at noon, where community members had the opportunity to personally ask candidates of issues that are most important to them.
At the end of the forum a poll was taken where attendees voted for their top candidate. The top five candidates were:
1) Justin Brimmer (54 votes) 2) Jayme Wilson (43 votes) 3) Warren Furutani (30 votes) 4) Gordon Teuber (25 votes) 5) Joe Buscaino (19 votes)
The Wilmington Wire asked candidates Justin Brimmer, Jayme Wilson, Warren Furutani, Joe Buscaino and Gordon Teuber how well they know the community of Wilmington and what specific projects they would implement if elected to represent the Harbor Area.
A 42-year-old man was shot and killed in Wilmington Monday night, police said.
The name of the victim was not released. Officials said he was walking on Opp Street towards Anaheim Boulevard at approximately 8:45 p.m. when two men shot at him and killed him with a shot gun and a hand gun.
Police said it seems like the victim was targeted, but the case is still under investigation. Based on the information given to police the victim is not believed to be in a gang.
The suspects were seen in a white car when they fled the scene.
If anyone witnessed this crime and has any clues leading to the suspects or the cause of the murder please contact the Harbor Police Department at 310-726-7700
On October 3rd, I met up with Olivia Cueva-Fernandez to ask her a few questions about her leadership experience in Wilmington. Olivia Cueva-Fernandez was born and raised in Wilmington. She is a retired educator and is currently the Treasurer of the Wilmington Dollars for Scholars, a community group that gives scholarships to graduating seniors from Banning High School. She is also the author of Mexican Americans in Wilmington. Cueva-Fernandez wrote the book because she thought it was important to document the contributions of our community's early Mexican-Americans.
1. How long have you lived in Wilmington? How would you describe the community?
I am a Wilmington native. I was born at the Lighthouse Yacht Landing 72 years ago. Although Wilmington is no longer the beautiful little town I remember, it still has great people who have supported and inspired me.
2. How did you start getting involved in Wilmington?
My parents and grandparents were involved in the building of the Holy Family Church and in such clubs as La Honorifica and Los Mutualistas, so they made me aware of the need to help make Wilmington a better place to live in. In the 70s, John Mendez asked me to get involved with building a new libraryin Wilmington. It took 10 years for it to happen. From there I went on to be one of the founders of the Wilmington Home Owners (WHO), the Wilmington Historical Society, and the Wilmington Dollars for Scholars.
3. What does the Wilmington Dollars for Scholars do?
The Wilmington Dollars for Scholars is a chapter of the national scholarship program. We do a month-long campaign called “A Dollar A Day In May.” Anyone who donates a dollar becomes a member of our organization. The money that we fund raise provides a few scholarships for Banning High School students. Many of us on the Board are college graduates and this is our way of giving back.
4. Which community project of yours are you most proud of or feel has been the most successful?
Although the new library has had such a great impact, I believe that working to create a community planning guide for apartments was most successful. Although it is still often ignored, it got many community members involved in fighting for a better quality of life. My most recent project, the Mexican Americans in Wilmington book, has also been successful.
5. Did you enjoy writing Mexican Americans in Wilmington? What was your experience?
I thoroughly enjoyed writing the book. Although I had less than a year to do it, I believe that my organizational skills and helpful hints from fellow authors gave me confidence and a great beginning. I believe I succeeded in showing that there's more Mexican American history in Wilmington than that of East Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Most of all, the greatest enjoyment and rewarding experience came from the response I received from individuals and families who opened their hearts and albums.Many did not know me but they knew that our story had to be told.Without them I could not have done it! Their support has been so encouraging.
Unfortunately, I left out many early families, had limited access to information and photos of events and stories, and did not cover the successes of second and third generations or of more recent newcomers, so there is still much to be documented. Somehow I hope to find a way to continue highlighting Wilmington's Mexican American community.
6. How has your experience in Wilmington influenced your world view?
I believe that traveling throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Europe has influenced my on-going experiences in Wilmington. This community has been through so much and it’s a miracle that we have survived as well as we have. I believe we have to continuously build positive change. We can learn from others to provide a clean, healthy and resourceful community.
7. How do you feel Wilmington has changed throughout the years?
People that can afford to move have done so. Local business has declined, housing is stagnant and the ethnic make-up has changed. But I know that the new generation of residents can make a difference. Decisions are being made without the approval of local residents and we need to vote to be heard.
8. What is one of the biggest challenges with organizing in Wilmington?
I think the biggest challenge is that we do not have a community newspaper. You do a lot of outreach for an event but most people still do not find out about it. It would be nice if we had a paper bulletin so that people can know what is going on. I think it would also build pride in the community.
9. What is your advice to future leaders of Wilmington?
Vote, Travel and Be Involved. I believe traveling helps give a leader a broader perspective. Use that to give kids an exposure to opportunities, geography and culture.Get involved with the Drum Barracks, the Library, our schools, etc.
10. Are there any projects you want to see in Wilmington?
I would like to see a beautification projects addressing the needs of the community overall: greenery, street sweeping, tree trimming, etc.
I would also like to see a women’s group. I used to be in a club in East LA called Las Senoritas. We would do community projects or support other group’s community projects. It was also nice to gather with other women and talk.
When Janice Hahn was elected into the U.S. Congress this past July, the L.A. City Council seat for District 15 was left vacant. With the special elections approaching on November 8th, Wilmington along with four other cities has 11 candidates to choose from for its new representative.
Wilmington residents have been increasingly committed to making sustainable, positive changes and have learned to spot candidates that understand the community’s collective needs versus those that do not. Examining statistical data is not enough to fully understand any city, and it certainly isn’t a complete representation of Wilmington.
With our involvement in community events, the Wilmington Wire team has noticed that, for residents, it is really the small things that matter. “I would like to see the sidewalks of not only the Cruces Community, but of all of Wilmington continually repaired,” says Salvador Lara, resident of Wilmington. “I also hope we can still have the “Clean Wilmington” program that Janice Hahn supported.”
We want a representative that understands the every day problems families’ face like the need of more public transportation as kids are getting out of school or for those that travel far for groceries. We want someone that can easily identify areas that need more crosswalks to decrease accidents. Wilmington needs a candidate that sincerely wants to work to form a better community by helping create spaces for youth and students to study and use the Internet.
To understand these community’s needs, one must walk the city, be part of the neighborhood and experience it as residents do. We believe a truly committed candidate will take the time to do this.
The recentviolence in the community has had people wondering where our community representatives are and what they are doing to resolve this reoccurring problem.“I believe the drug raid in 2007 made the Cruces Community safer. I no longer see the open sale of drugs. I thank Janice Hahn and the agencies involved for that,” said Lara.
Many residents have conceded that police presence has increased, but wonder what preventative measures will take place. What are the things that will keep youth off the streets?
The Wilmington Wire has created a virtual space for residents to inform one another of what’s happening in Wilmington. It is a placewhere people can talk about what they would like to see differently in their community. Through comments posted on the Wilmington Wire Blog and Facebook, it is clear that residents are fed up with waiting for politicians that promise change and never follow through.
“I think (residents) feel their vote won't really make a difference and don't bother with becoming educated about the issues being voted on,” said Carmen Chavez, Wilmington resident.
This type of skepticism is one of the main reasons for low turnout rates on election days. Residents have expressed discontent with politicians that come to Wilmington only to campaign, but do little to maintain a presence throughout their term. It is an attitude that has lead to voter apathy and distrust in government.
There is a way to change this. Instead of politicians trying to keep industry happy, decisions should be addressing the needs of the community; government should work for the people. We understand that a four-year term is not long enough to solve the historical problems of our community (i.e. pollution, violence, education and jobs), but we hope the next four years will bring some visible changes.
We hope that the next candidate will be willing to reach out to the community and create programs that give residents opportunities that have not been available to them previously.
Involvement by residents is key for any successful change in this community. Many residents are willing to help, but it is tough when most feel that there hasn't been a candidate truly invested in improving Wilmington.
The Wilmington Wire team encourages residents to stay informed, research candidates and go out to vote. We believe that where there is hope, there is a possibility of change.
We continue to stay optimistic that the next city council member elected will help bring progress to Wilmington and not only say will they. Let’s make people want to vote and regain faith in the election process and of course, make Wilmington a better place for its residents.
Whether its the fresh produce, beautiful flowers, or mouth-watering smells coming from the sizzling grills that pique your interest, you're bound to fall in love with something at the Wilmington Farmer's Market. The market is open every Thursday from 9am-1pm, and is located on the corner of L st and Avalon Blvd. Come out and enjoy a relaxing lunch (or breakfast!) under the shade. Be sure to stock up on the fresh produce offered there every Thursday. Vendors provide an arrangement of all kinds of fruits and vegetables, including oranges, apples, pears, grapes, strawberries, lettuce, onions, peppers, Enjoy the live music while you pick out your favorite fruit fresh from its stand. The 'rockin duo is "Average Tom White Band", and they're sure to play your favorite hit from the 60s, 70s or 80s. (visit them at averagetomwhiteband.com
Mine came with carne de res, curtido (vegetables), beans, rice, sour cream and salsa. Each dish is stacked atop a delicious, cheesy pupusa. For two dollars a plate, this deal is hard to beat! Be sure to quench your thirst with one of their delicious Aguas Frescas. The fruit beverages are loaded with sliced strawberries and pineapple!
