Member-at-Large Elections for the Wilmington Neighborhood Council this Saturday

This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. community members, residents, property owners, stakeholders, workers, worshipers, people who have any connection to Wilmington will have the opportunity to vote for the Member-at-Large of their choice to fill the three open seats for a two-year term on the Wilmington Neighborhood Council (WNC).

Elections will be held at the Wilmington Senior Citizen Center, 1371 Eubank Ave. Voters must be at least 16 years of age and might have to provide identification. If you are undocumented or a permanent resident you still qualify to vote.

The council is also looking for volunteers to help at the polls. Community service hours for school can also be granted for volunteering. If you're interested in engaging in local politics and lend a hand this Saturday contact WNC Chair, Cecilia Moreno, at cmoreno@portla.org or call her at (310) 732-7659.  

Here's information on each candidate.

Sylvia Arredondo

Anthony Quezada

No photo by Anthony Quezada was provided.

I am eager to become a member of the Wilmington Neighborhood Council governing board, so that I can use my affiliation with Amvet Post 33, as well as my relationships with Congresswoman Janice Hahn and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to support and assist the people of Wilmington. My intention is to focus on the needs of veterans, senior veterans and their families with all the resources at my disposal.

(This is a statement Quezada provided to the WNC in his candidate filing form.)







Gladys Padilla

Gladys Padilla is a young Latina passionate about engaging youth, empowering women and building stronger communities in Wilmington. She was born to parents who immigrated from Mexico to the U.S. They taught her the values of resilience, perseverance, and honesty. She is a first generation university graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science and was nominated as 2009 New Progressive Leader in Washington, DC.


Her work experience ranges from being a volunteer at a Rape Crisis Center, answering 24hr-hotline calls and advocating for survivors during SART exams, to living in Washington, DC and working for Center for American Progress in their Ethnic Media department, developing press releases on topics of healthcare and immigration. Currently she works at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center providing social case management services to patients who are living with HIV.
In 2009, she co-founded an unofficial organization Wilmington Enrichment Community Artist Network (W.E.C.A.N.), which celebrates local artists at local venues. This year, she and a small group of residents in Wilmington, organized the 2012 First Annual Wilmington Women’s Month. She was recently asked by Congresswoman Hahn to be in her Women’s Advisory Board. She is moved by her values of equality and social justice. She is determined to make change and help create opportunities for future generations.

Anabell Romero

Anabell Romero is an aspiring journalist who grew up in Wilmington and returned home after graduating from UC Santa Cruz. She is currently a graduate student at USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism. She is very committed to her community and hopes to bring positive change. Since 2009 she has been Member at Large of the Wilmington Neighborhood Council and hopes to continue to serve as an active member. She also helped create The Wilmington Wire, a cooperative blog for the community. In addition to graduate school, she works for The California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowships as Program Coordinator. She has a fondness for informing people about issues that directly impact their community’s infrastructure. 

She also served as a Wilmington community correspondent blogger for the San Francisco National Public Radio Station, KQED, where she covered public health issues in the neighborhood. Recently she began an internship with Univision-KMEX34 where she will cover stories on Latinos in Los Angeles for their website. Her passion is driven by the fact that she grew up in a largely Latino neighborhood that continues to be faced with many issues that deplete the quality of life for its residents. Her goal is to trigger dialogue about community issues to help empower residents to bring positive change to Wilmington. 

(Disclosure: Anabell Romero is the author of this post, but as a commitment to remain objective the Wilmington Wire's goal is to provide the community with information and allow readers to make their own choices.)

New research reveals health effects caused by diesel particulates

Dr. John Froines giving his presentation on the
health effects caused by diesel.
(Photo by Anabell Romero)

A doctor and professor at UCLA revealed new research on the health effects caused by diesel particulates Wednesday night. Community members, environmentalist, health experts and government agencies all gathered at the Banning Senior Citizen’s Center to listen to Dr. John Froines speak about his shocking findings.

He started off by stating that 50-60 years ago America’s views on pollution were completely different and very limited.

“It was thought that air pollution was the result of backyard barbecues,” said Froines.  

As more research on air pollution has been conducted studies show that, “the underlying basis for health effects are from airborne particulate matter (PM) and vapor co-pollutants,” said Froines.

There has been speculation that Southern California’s air quality is gradually improving, but according to Froines, that is false.

“There have been no improvements,” he said, “It’s worse!” Some of the health illnesses he listed as a result of PM, which is found in diesel fuel are:

• Asthma
• Problems of lung growth in children
• Atherosclerosis, which is hardening of the arteries. It occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries and form hard structures called plaques.
• Lung and possibly bladder cancer
• Uptake and chronic inflammatory effects in the Central Nervous System (CNS)

Other illnesses he mentioned were Alzheimer, as well as the increased chances of premature births.

He said these particulates are as tiny as the size of a virus. People exposed to PM are not only inhaling it but the invisible poison also travels through human pores he said.

“Particulates can travel to the brain, not only the lungs and heart,” he added. He continued to emphasize on pollution being a, “very complex issue.”

He said, “for diseases and illnesses to occur there needs to be chemistry at the outset and downstream with proteins and DNA.”

The Solution to pollution

The solution is finding something other than diesel said Froines.

Now that the research is there to prove how harmful it is to be exposed to high levels of diesel the federal government needs to regulate the amount of emissions that are released in the air, he said.

After Froines’ talk a panel of health experts and government agencies discussed some of the work they’re doing to develop a solution for this fatal problem.

A representative from the air division at the US Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Kim Hoang, said that, “everything at the federal level takes years to develop…five to 10 years from now we will see all those studies being considered.”

The public was not very happy to hear that.

A Long Beach community resident demanded that government agencies do something about holding the ports, railroad companies, trucking companies and other polluters accountable for the damage they’re doing to the health of residents in nearby neighborhoods.

Carmen Rivera from Long Beach sharing her experience of
living in neighborhood highly impacted by air-pollution.
(Photo by Anabell Romero)

“The ports want to do all these new projects, like the railyard, behind our homes,” said Long Beach resident Carmen Rivera. “You the agencies have the power to help us and say no to their absurd projects.”

There was also discussion about zero-emission technology available to replace current diesel fueled machines and trucks.

“Zero-emission freight technology is the solution and we need to pursue them,” said Dr. Joseph Lyou from South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The meeting ended with public comments and community members demanding that the government do something about this now and not five or 10 years from now.

It is not fair for residents to continue fighting with industry about these issues, if there’s probable risk then it needs to be banned, said an attendee at the meeting.

Street Art Event in Wilmington

This Saturday at Streetcraft in Wilmington independent artist collaborated at the event that had an open graffiti yard, tattooing, various art galleries, independent clothing vendors, live music and more. The event started at 11 a.m. and ended at 5 p.m. To attend the cost was 50 cents.

Artist from Wilmington and other neighborhoods all over Los Angeles came together to showcase their  original street inspired art.

Slanguage Celebrates their 10-year Anniversary

Photo: Slanguage Facebook 

The Wilmington art hub Slanguage celebrates their 10-year anniversary since they launched the art group in 2002. Located on 640 North Avalon Boulevard the group was founded by couple Karla Diaz and Mario Ybarra, Jr. who together have created an art scene much needed in Wilmington, a neighborhood that lacks many art resources. Their members craft artwork, curate exhibitions, coordinate events throughout Los Angeles, and lead art-educational workshops for youth in the community.

Their Wilmington inspired art work portrays the influences in living in an industrial dominated neighborhood while also highlighting the hidden historical treasures like the famous “THE DON” hotel that once welcomed visitors entering Wilmington.

Slanguage bases their practice on a three-pronged approach to art-making to include education, community-building, and interactive exhibitions, according to their website.

This summer Slanguage continues to host a popular exhibition and various workshops at Made in L.A. 2012, organized by the Hammer Museum in collaboration with LAXART. The art group features a public billboard project, a new mural on LAXART’s facade, and an interactive installation documenting 10 years of the collective’s projects. Slanguage is also hosting public programs, events, and performances that give audiences access to its educational process of artistic creation.

The art group has received a lot of support from community members including District 15 Councilman Buscaino. In mid-July a group of Wilmington residents coordinated a trip to L.A. to vote and help Slanguage win the MOHN prize of $100,000 for their "Made in L.A. 2012" exhibition. The last day to vote was Sunday August 12, 2012.

For upcoming events see below for more details. (Information was taken from the Made in L.A./ LAXART website)

Congratulations Slanguage!

SLANGFEST 2

SAT | AUG 25 | 11AM–6PM

12PM | BASS ELEGY/DEVIL’S NIGHT (FOR M.K.)

The second annual Slangfest is a daylong festival of art workshops, music, and performances. Art activity booths will host family workshops while a lineup of performances including break-dancing and live bands takes the stage. Food trucks will be present during the event. At noon, Scott Benzel and Mark Hagen will fit a wrecked car with a custom pyramidal bass cabinet and play a mix of Ghettotech, Booty bass, and early Detroit Techno as well as a live original composition through it. Incorporating both a dense mix of sound to create extreme vibrations and slow compositions using live musicians, Bass Elegy/Devil’s Night (for M.K.) is an elegy to one of our city’s most influential and pioneering artists, Mike Kelley.

(Supported by honorary mayor candidate, Gladys Padilla) 

WHEN: Saturday, July 21
TIME: 9:30 AM (Will return by 3 PM)

WHERE: Slanguage, 640 N. Avalon (Across from Santa Fe Seconds) 

Wilmington Residents Host Meetings to Discuss Community’s High Rate of Sex Offenders

Mary Gant speaking during community meeting. (Photo: Oralia Rubio)

Harbor Inn Hotel (Photo Source: Google Maps)

Tension was high as residents and city officials gathered Tuesday evening to discuss the high number of registered sex offenders living in Wilmington.

Organized by the Wilmington Community Organization, this meeting held at the Harbor Christian Center was a chance for residents to ask questions about the high number of sex offenders released in Wilmington, and to see if anything could be done to regulate it. The discussion cleared up a lot of misinformation that residents had about sex offenders and their parole conditions.

Parole Administrator Joe Martinez explained that, in general, offenders are on parole from one to five years with the average time being about three years. High-risk offenders can be on parole up to seven years or longer and have to be registered as sex offenders for life, Martinez added.

Offenders on parole are also tracked with a GPS ankle monitor and have frequent visits to their residence by parole officers.

The LAPD is responsible for registering offenders yearly in the Department of Justice Megan’s Law registry as well as enforcing any offenders who fail to register when needed, officials explained.

Although the laws became more clear to residents, it still did not seem fair to attendees that our community has to deal with LA’s problem of sex offenders. Wilmington has the highest concentration of registered sex offenders totaling to about 177. Flint Street in East Wilmington has a high concentration of offenders living in what officials called residential facilities or hotels. Residents believe this type of housing is a threat to our community’s safety.

Sex Offender Hot Spots
Places like the Harbor Inn were mentioned as locations where many sex offenders live. Last summer the motel was raided and eight people were taken into custody for alleged parole violations, including possession of child pornography or narcotics. Stuffed animals, teen magazines and children's underwear were found in the motel, reported the Los Angeles Times.

Martinez explained that sex offenders under parole supervision are allowed to live anywhere they would like as long as its 2,000 ft. away from a school or park. He said they also take into consideration the offenses and if it is near other places where youth conjugate.

However, once the offender is off parole or probation, he or she can live anywhere they please. This information displeased and angered many of the attendees. A main factor as to why there are so many sex offenders in Wilmington is the low cost of housing, officials said.

Next Steps
The community has definitely united in this effort in hopes of making our community safer. But with the sensitive nature of this topic and with a system that doesn’t seem to empower resident, many feel powerless and by the end of the meeting, had some suggesting extreme measures as solutions.

It was also important to residents that they be informed when an offender moves into their neighborhood. As of now, officials said they can only monitor the whereabouts of the offenders as well as enforce violations.

Community members advised anyone who is committed to this issue to speak to local legislators, council members, supervisors and anybody who can help Wilmington be a safer place for residents via legislation changes.

“We need to continue pushing for change, attending meetings and voice our concerns,” said Mary Gant, organizer of the meeting and member of the Wilmington Community Organization.”It will not happen overnight and not with just one meeting.”

Although residents were unhappy about the current situation, it was a motivating meeting to continue to voice their concerns and spread awareness about the issue. Police officials also assured residents that they will continue to monitor offenders and address any concerns.

The next meeting is scheduled for August 14, 2012 at the Harbor Christian Center, 1551 Wilmington Blvd. Wilmington, CA. For updates, please email the Wilmington Community Organization at wilmcomorg@gmail.com


Story was written by Oralia Rubio

Gunshots Fired During a Police Raid at a Wilmington Home

This morning at about 5 a.m. the Los Angeles Special Enforcement Bureau raided a home in Wilmington where shots were fired and two deputies suffered minor injuries, according to officials.

This occurred on the 1200 block of Ronan Avenue between L Street and M Street feet away from Gulf Avenue Elementary. 

Nearby residents said they were woken up by the sudden bomb-like sounds and gunshots.

“I woke up to a loud bang that was followed by four gunshots,” said Esperanza Romero who lives a few houses down. “I immediately thought that someone had crashed and perhaps had been shot.”

 Investigators were serving a search warrant and were given the call to go in to the house, said officials.

“The deputy had information that they had illegal weapons and narcotics and the individual’s apparently belong to a motorcycle gang, so that was the reason for the search warrant,” said Lt. John Corina of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

The police knocked on the door and announced themselves as deputy sheriffs when suddenly shots were fired at them and deputies fired back, said Corina. There were two men inside the home who eventually gave up and were taken into custody. No names were released.

“We haven’t searched the home yet, but just in plain view we saw AK 47, rifles, pistols and hand guns,” said Corina.

As of now the police said they can't confirm if there are any drug related crimes linked, but they said they plan to continue the investigation to find out about the type of activity occurring in the home.

Reflecting on Wilmington's First Womyn's Month

Wilmington’s First Womyn’s Month in March is a collaborative effort between local organizations and community residents to bring awareness to the issue of violence in the community. By creating a series of workshops for women, this group was able to create safe spaces to become empowered and knowledgeable.

(Left: Local Artist, Gloria painting at the Viva La Mujer Community Celebration)

Although the March Workshop Series is nearing its end, this group is already planning on how to continue to share knowledge and resource to

create a safer community for all residents.

I find myself reflecting on what I have learned this month as both an organizer and participant of this event. The recent violence in Wilmington has weighed heavily on me, and I know that I’m not alone; we are all affected by the loss of life in our community. The makeshift altars have mapped out the violence in Wilmington, mixing pain and death, with love and remembrance.

As helicopters circle above my head and I hear stories in the news about my brothers and sisters in Wilmington being killed, I often feel hopeless and continue to ask myself, "What can I do to help inspire change in Wilmington?"

I know that I can't just sit around and expect things to get better. Many of us in Wilmington are stepping up and starting to get involved (attending community meetings and marching together for peace), I want to be a part of the solution. Fortunately, I was given the opportunity to work with a group of like-minded people who were ready to take action. Together we planned various workshops for Wilmington’s First Womyn’s Month.

With each death we answered back: empowering ourselves with self defense classes, and educating and expressing ourselves through workshops and discussions. Together, we connected with women and men in Wilmington who supported us by being part of our workshops and events. I believe that we will continue the legacy of love for our city. We can continue to build a strong, vibrant, educated, supportive and loving community, not only for ourselves, but for our children and our children’s children. So lets continue to take action! With heart, compassion and education, the possibilities are endless.

If you would like to learn more about the Wilmington's First Womyn's Month, please visit our Facebook Page: facebook.com/vivalamujer310.

(Right: Self Defense Class instructed by Officer Garcinella. Photo by ELLAS collective member, Monique Arellanes.)

Residents Join Against Violence at the First Wilmington United Meeting

Community members joined Councilman Joe Buscaino and LAPD Harbor Division Captain, William Hays, at the first Wilmington United meeting Tuesday evening at the Wilmington Senior Citizen Center.

Wilmington United is a new group created in response to the escalating violence in Wilmington. The group consist of representatives from schools, community-based organizations, gang prevention programs, local businesses and churches.

The purpose of the meeting was to bring together and empower residents to take back their neighborhoods from violence, to best determine the needs of the community, bring forth ideas for community projects and identify needed resources for Wilmington.

Here is a video of last night's meeting.

(This video was produces by Branimir Kvartuc, Communications Director for Councilman Joe Buscaino's office)

Councilman Buscaino Announces Formation of Community Empowerment Task Force

In response to the latest violence in Wilmington, Councilman Joe Buscaino and LAPD Harbor Division Captain William Hayes have formed "Wilmington United," a community organization created to empower residents to take back their neighborhoods from violence.

The group will consist of representatives from schools, community-based organizations, gang prevention programs, local businesses and churches.

The first meeting took place Tuesday at LAPD Harbor Division and was attended by Captain Hayes, the principal of Banning High School, the principal of Wilmington Middle School, representatives from Councilman Buscaino's office, Congresswoman Janice Hahn's office, the Toberman Neighborhood Center, the Gang Alternatives Program, the City of LA Crisis Response Team, and other community members.

"No neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles should experience the horror of having anyone, especially teenagers, gunned down in its streets. I want this task force organized to share valuable information with LAPD and to help deliver desperately need resources to Wilmington," said Councilman Buscaino.

"This group that met here today will empower others to take ownership of their community. The success will be with the citizens of Wilmington. Once the citizens of Wilmington decide that they will do good things in their community, it will all happen, we're going to be the empowerment of it," said Robert Lopez, Principal of Banning High School in Wilmington.

"What we want to do is empower people to get things done using the existing resources, whether its the Council office or the Police Department. The community has gotten a label because of a couple crimes of violence. They are very tragic, but it's not typical of what is going on in the community and with the people that live there. So what we want to do is to get the good people in the community to focus on making the things that are good even better," said LAPD's Captain William Hayes.

Gloria Lockhart, retired president and CEO of the Toberman Neighborhood Center in San Pedro, joins the Councilman's 15th District staff as a Senior Adviser whose first duties will include helping to organize the Wilmington United group.

"Unfortunately lives have been lost in Wilmington, but we're going to take that as a way to create an opportunity for the community to take back their neighborhoods," said Lockhart.

(Article and photo was provided by Branimir Kvartuc, Communications Director of Councilman Joe Buscaino's office)

Local Eats - Farmer's Market Thursdays

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

)

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.

Wilmington Unites To Get Homicide Updates

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.

Wilmington unites in memory of woman murdered

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."