New Coach for Banning H.S. football

Timothy Thomas McTyer was hired as the new head football coach in February 2010. Having playing with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cleveland Browns as a defensive back, he uses his knowledge to coach college and high school football. He will be replacing the Banning Coach of more than 40 years, Chris Ferragamo, who has decided to retire.

The Banning High Booster Club will be having a Retirement Celebration and Dinner in Ferragamo's honor.

The Dinner:
Place: The Wilmington Christian School Banquet Hall
24910 South Avalon
Date: July 17th 2012
Time: 5:00 p.m
Price: $20.00
(More info on their website)

There will also be a parade down Avalon Boulevard, from PCH to Lomita Boulevard.

Friends of the Wilmington Library

When I was younger, I would spend hours reading at the Wilmington Library. My mom knew that literacy was the key to getting ahead in life, so it didn't matter that we had to walk or take the bus to get there. The Wilmington Library is where my love of reading started.

Friends of the Wilmington Library is a group that has used book sales every three or four months. The sales feature books, magazines, music, etc. All proceeds go toward additional books as well as activities, such as the summer reading programs. The group accepts donations of books for the sales.

Thanks to the sales, Friends has been able to fund the Teen Game Night on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. Check out the Wilmington Library website for upcoming events.

Friends of the Wilmington Library
When: The third Thursday of the month
Where: Wilmington Library
Time: 2 p.m.
Cost: Dues are $5 a year, $10 for a family.

Wilmington Library

1300 North Avalon Boulevard
Wilmington, CA 90744-2639
(310) 834-1082

Monday 10 am-6pm
Tuesday 12pm-8pm
Wednesday 10 am-6pm
Thursday 12pm-8pm
Friday 1:30pm-5:30pm
Saturday 10 am-6pm
Sunday Closed

Coalition For Clean & Safe Ports

The Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports is an alliance between several organizations fighting against pollution and poverty in port cities all over the United States. Congress is holding a hearing about the impact of port trucking on May 5th. The Coalition wants Wilmington citizens to tell congress to support the LA Clean Truck Program by writing to our representatives.

They also have a facebook and a youtube page.

The description of the video, available on youtube, is as follows:

Violeta, a mother in the port community of Wilmington, CA has a message for Congress: In order for the clean truck program to work the responsibility should fall on the companies, not the workers! Make sure that trucks stay clean so that our kids can have cleaner and safer places to play and live.

Where do you recycle old TVs, Computers and other E-waste?

If a TV, computer, etc. is too old to donate to our local Goodwill or Salvation Army, then I would recommend taking it to the S.A.F.E. Collection Center in San Pedro. S.A.F.E. stands for Solvents, Automotive, Flammables, Electronics.

Here is a short list of examples.
Solvents: paint thinners, nail polish removers, perfumes, etc.
Automotive: tires, antifreeze, lead-acid batteries, motor oil, etc.
Flammables: household cleaners, aerosol, etc.
Electronics: anything that uses electrical power

S.A.F.E. Center
Location: 1400 N. Gaffey St. San Pedro, CA 90021
Open on: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Phone: 1-800-98-TOXIC
Closed on Holidays.

Flyer in English and in Spanish.


The Department of Public Works' also has periodic Household Hazardous Waste Collection events. The events are FREE and open to all residents of L.A. County for Ewaste.

There is an upcoming event in Palos Verdes:

Palos Verdes Peninsula HHW/E-Waste Collection Event

Date: 5/8/2010

Location: Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall

Address: 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes, 90275

1 (888) CLEAN LA

These are not the most convenient locations for people that do not have cars. But hopefully we can work towards getting an E-Waste Event here in Wilmington.

Wilmington Cinco de Mayo

The 11^th Annual Cinco de Mayo Event is happening in Wilmington this weekend. As many of you know, Cinco de Mayo is not really celebrated in Mexico. It is, however, celebrated in the United States. Mostly because the US really hates the French, almost as much as the state of Puebla.

Enjoy the day with family and friends.

What: Rides, Games, Food

When: May 1st and 2nd

Where: Downtown Wilmington

Cross streets: Avalon and Anaheim St

Time: 12 pm -10 pm

For other events like this in the future, check out this site.

Wilmington Honorary Mayor Campaign 2010

Organizations in Wilmington are encouraged to sponsor a Candidate to become Honorary Mayor for two years. As Honorary Mayor, one would attend community events such as the Wilmington parades.

A Candidate must be:

• 18 years or older
• Willing to represent Wilmington for two years -September 2010 to September 2012,
• Nominated by a non-profit in Wilmington
• Willing to raise needed funds for community service organizations

More Rules and Regulations can be found here.
The application can be found here.
The original posting was on the Wilmington Neighborhood Councils Website.

Harry Bridges Span School- 2012?

The construction of a new school in Wilmington has been underway for five years now. What is taking so long? Some people aren't happy with the project because it means the loss of homes, businesses, jobs, and a local market.The school district used the eminent domain process to buy the full-block site.

In 2007, the Los Angeles School Board put the project on hold when opponents of the plan, including Janice Hahn, mobilized to request a renewed search for an alternate site. Hahn's concern was having resources available at a walking distance for our minority community.

After the buildings were knocked down in early 2009, 179 tons of contaminated soil were removed from the site. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control reportedly found seven abandoned oil wells. The Department said the cleanup process was completed in May 2009.

The campus, which will house 1,278 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, would take three overcrowded elementary schools off a year-round schedule and return them to a traditional September-through-June calendar.The construction has started up again, and the campus is set to be completed by the 2012 school year. We will see if that actually happens.


For more information on this project and many other projects, attend a Wilmington City Council Meeting, happening every Wednesday.








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Free Sundays at MOLAA & 5 de Mayo Celebration!

MOLAA, The Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach is FREE every sunday! Take the opportunity to see the works of Rufino Tamayo, the famous Mexican Painter, or the recently added sculpture garden. Right now there is a special exhibit called Changing the Focus: Latin American Photography 1990-2005. Sunday, May 2nd, will be the last day to see it.


Also happening this Sunday, May 2nd, is MOLAA's Cinco de Mayo Festival!
There will be face painting, art workshops, and performances:

Art Workshops: Codices, Baleros, Paper Flowers
Performances:
12 p.m. Maria Ballet Folklorico
1 p.m. Son sin Fronteras
2 p.m. Alina Mendez Dance Academy
3 p.m. Mariachi Sol Azteca


Hope to see you there!

628 Alamitos Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone 562.437.1689
Fax 562.437.7043

Email: info@molaa.org

Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Facebook Page

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Immigration Reform Is Smart Tax Reform

Here's a really great video I found on YouTube.

Resistance Through Art

Progressive art can assist people to learn not only about the objective forces at work in the society in which they live, but also about the intensely social character of their interior lives. Ultimately, it can propel people toward social emancipation. --Angela Davis

As many of you know, our brothers and sisters in Arizona are fighting a police state. SB 1070 has created a real challenge for Latinos, but it has also inspired us, and a whole lot of other people, to stand up and fight this oppression. Artists, Poets, and Activists are getting together for what some may call the 21st Century Civil Rights Movement.

It is vital to challenge all the misinformation that is directed at us on a daily basis. So if anyone is interest, I recommend submitting art to the Alto Arizona Art Campaign.

Art on My Mind

I've never been to Banning's Landing but I'm starting to think I should go! Banning's Landing Community Center, in partnership with CAL ARTS, has created various art programs. Established in 2001, Banning's Landing consists of a dance studio, multi-purpose auditorium, classrooms, and exhibition space. It is located where the Wilmington Pier used to be, for the older folks that know what I'm referring to. The CAL ARTS website states that it is a place where there is a wealth of activities "designed to meet the needs of the community of Wilmington." I found this great film by students in Wilmington who participated in a workshop at Banning's Landing. Enjoy! 

Banning’s Landing Community Center
Lee Sweet, Director
Lisette Garibay, Administrative Assistant
100 E. Water Street Wilmington CA 90744
tel 310.522.2015 fax 310.522.2003
cadharborarts@earthlink.net
www.wilmington-chamber.com/banlndct.htm

 

WECAN

The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is-it’s to imagine what is possible. — bell hooks

The Wilmington Enrichment Community Artist Network, WECAN, is having an art show this Friday. WECAN is a community group that organizes art shows for local artists. They are trying to bring awareness to the great art community here in Wilmington. It is also a great way to promote local businesses. Here is some information:

Date: Friday, April 3oth, 2010
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00 pm
Location: Smokin Coffin
Street: 1606 N Wilmington Blvd.
City: Wilmington






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Wilmington Neighborhood Council

The Wilmington council meetings are on Wednesdays every Month. The things that are discussed and the decisions that are made affect the whole community. I encourage each resident to go at least for the first 15 minutes when future events and resident comments are discussed.

Date: April 28, 2010
Time: 6:00pm
Place: Wilmington Senior Center
1371 Eubank Avenue
Wilmington, CA

The agenda for tonight's meeting can be found on their website, along with lots of other information.

ShareFest Community Development

On May 1st, an event called ShareFest will be taking place all over the South Bay.

It is an opportunity to give back to the community. Several projects will be taking place in Wilmington, so be sure to sign up and volunteer. There is more information on their website. Hope to see you there!

Hot Dog!

Wienerschnitzel is a fast food chain founded in 1961 by John Galardi. The first Wienerschnitzel, in our very own Wilmington, is still open and operating. The LA times mentioned Wienerschnitzel, Pinks, Cupids, and others as examples of L.A.'s love for hot dogs. But they failed to mention my favorite hot dog: The Costco Hot Dog! Don't get me wrong, having this historic hot dog stand in the neighborhood is great. And it has a pretty awesome review on Yelp. But one can't really beat the price of a Costco hot dog. I mean $1.50 for a hot dog and soda! There's even a facebook group.

Hojas Premium Tea House

Hojas Premium Tea House is a new business in Wilmington. The Tea House has become a very popular place for locals to meet and chat. I am really glad to see that people are encouraged to start new businesses, here, in our community.

The owners, Nacho and Alma, are the first people to open a tea house in Wilmington. Growing up, my family always had te de yerba buena(spearmint tea), te de jamaica(hibiscus tea), and te de manzanilla (chamomile tea) available in our house. So, I see this new business as a way of keeping that tradition alive.

The LA times recently had a story about Hojas, along with other projects happening in the neighborhood. Personally, I found the imagery problematic. I felt that the idea of moving forward was starting to sound like gentrification, but I am hoping that will not be the case.

Either way I hope that the future Wilmington can be a place where we see progress while maintaining a respect for tradition. Spending a lot of time in the Mission of San Francisco only gives me more hope that this can be realized.

Island Elementary School will be renamed after George De La Torre Jr.

I recently read a story in the LA times and the Daily Breeze about one of the local elementary schools paying tribute to the owner of Juanita's Foods by renaming their school. Island Elementary School has been renamed after George De La Torre Jr., who died in February 2009. De La Torre has had a big impact on the community and will always be part of Wilmington's history.

The Juanita's Food Website contains the following information:

George De La Torre Jr., owner of Juanita’s Foods, was born in Wilmington, California in 1935. Under his leadership and guidance, Juanita’s Foods became the world’s largest producer of Menudo. His vision, passion and business acumen led him to recognize the increasing popularity of Mexican food in the US, while becoming the leader in the Mexican Food category.

George was passionate about supporting the Wilmington community and youth, and over his lifetime established and nurtured friendships that will succeed him. His family and friends will miss his wise counsel and unspoken leadership dearly.

Keeping the of legacy of his philanthropy alive, the family also asks for donations to be made to the Wilmington Boys and Girls Club.

Wilmington Farmers' Market

The Wilmington Farmer's Market is a great place to get good food and produce. Last time I went I had some delicious pupusas and bought some nice flowers. I plan on going tomorrow, hopefully the pupusas are as good as I remember them.

Day: Thurdays
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Avalon Blvd and L Street.
Manager: Lee Ostendorf
Office Address: 544 Avalon Blvd., Wilm., CA 90744
Phone: (310) 834-8586

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Know Your Congress Representative

Okay, so how many people know who represents their community? On the local level and on the federal level? To be honest I didn't know who it was until I had to do some research for my mom. She is planning on taking the citizenship test.

Congress Representative:

Jane Harman, California, 36th.
Wilmington office: 544 N. Avalon Blvd.,
Suite 307, Wilmington, CA 90744
(310) 549-8282, fax (310) 549-8250
Open 8 am-6 pm.
http://harman.house.gov/

Why would you contact this office? Representatives decide how to vote on federal bills by knowing the opinions of their constituents.The office is also informed of local events happening in Wilmington.

Here is your local representative:

Councilwoman Janice Hahn (Council District 15)
Wilmington Field Office:
544 N. Avalon Blvd.,
Wilmington, CA 90744,
(310)233 7201
http://janicehahn.com/

Why would you call this office?
If you have any concerns over things where the city of LA has jurisdiction, such as:

• The library
• Safety issues concerning lighting in the parks, etc.
• A need for stop signs, speed bumps, etc.

So let your voice be heard.