JoJo is a mother and active Wilmington resident. We had seen her at multiple community meetings, and I was very touched by her passion when I met her in person. She is a beautiful strong woman who wants to ensure a better quality of life for children growing up in Wilmington. Jojo doesn't just accept what she is told, but thinks critically about the environment around her. She believes that living in Wilmington has caused her family's health problems. Jojo has done extensive research on the link between air quality and her sons' conditions of Asthma, ADHD, and ODD. Unfortunately, Jojo doesn't have the option of moving out of Wilmington. Instead, she focuses her energy on looking for natural remedies to best help her sons, and wishes to help other parents understand how they can best deal with these conditions.

Sleep More, Stay Awake, Stay Healthy

Just a reminder!

Enough hours of good sleep can be beneficial for your health. The cold and flu season is right around the corner, and this is a great way to kick start your sickness prevention regimen. It's time to fluff up your pillows, and dive into dreamland. Below is a brief article from www.blog.luckyvitamin.com with more insight on this topic.

Television commercials for energy drinks have been constantly reminding people they need more energy to get by a regular work day. Sure, television has a major influence on people but lack of energy is certainly a common issue these days.

A recent study by the National Sleep Foundation shows that we are not getting enough sleep, an average of six and a half hours per night, which is short of the seven to eight hours recommended.

In addition, snoozing on the job may lead to low productivity as tired workers generally perform poorly and may lead to accidents. The study also shows that the majority of people sleeping less than eight hours on a week night normally catch up with their sleep on the weekends. It may not be the best strategy for the human body as your system is expecting you to rest for more hours. The solution for this problem is quite simple: sleep more every night.

One of the easiest ways to get more sleep is organizing a “sleep schedule”. Wake up early and try to time the number of hours you sleep per night. Midnight to 7:30. 11pm to 7am, 10pm to 6am or whichever option fits better with your lifestyle and work schedule. Additionally, it’s quite normal to feel a little drowsy every once in a while, especially after eating. However, if you are sleepy and acting slow every day, you need to take action as you may have a sleep disorder.

Lack of vitamins is normally another reason people feel tired. Make sure you get enough vitamins and minerals from your diet or supplements. Energy drinks and energy boosters may help you to “wake up” or “stay awake” when needed, but enough sleep is still the best way to stay awake at work and enjoy a healthier life.

(By: Mauricio Matusiak, Senior Editor. Source: http://blog.luckyvitamin.com/supplements/stay-awake-stay-healthy/)

LAHC Seahawk Football season begins this weekend!

Fundraiser Luau

Date: Friday, Sept. 3rd, 2010

Time: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Place:

Wilmington Senior Center

1371 Eubank Street

Wilmington, CA 90744

Donation: $30 per person

Package includes:

Buffet-style Island food & LIVE entertainment

Contact info: Head Coach Brett Peabody

Cell: (310) 809-5486

Office: (310) 233-4216

***DON'T FORGET!***

LAHC Seahawks play their very FIRST home game of the season against Southwest College

Saturday, 9/11/2010 @ 6:00 P.M.

Go Seahawks! Go Reggie!

The Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival

Our neighboring Ports O' Call Village is hosting their World Famous Port of L.A. Lobster Festival and Music Weekend this month. Click on the link for more information and schedule of events!

(click on image to zoom in)

El Grito de Mexico

The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce is inviting the community to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Independence of Mexico 1810-2010, Saturday September 11th at 7pm. The event will take place on Avalon Blvd between L St. and Pacific Coast Hwy. There will be games, foods and drinks.

The Club Loreto of Zacatecas will present a flag ceremony and the reading of the Act of Independence of Mexico. The Wilmington YMCA will feature its Folkloric dancers, and the children and youth will demonstrate their abilities in karate and kick boxing. The highlight of the evening will be "El Grito" by Abelardo de la Peña Gonzalez.

Special invitation is extended to the youth of Wilmington to enjoy this once in a lifetime, patriotic ceremony to learn more about the culture and history of Mexico .

The History of The Union Mutualista de San Jose

This Catholic organization was founded in 1919 at La Placita in down town Los Angeles, by the Priest Andres de Reza. The reason was to help out with the funeral expenses the families of poor immigrants.

Once organized, it was was named La Matriz or mother of many branches. San Gabriel was known at branch number one, Wilmington was number two and now there are thirty-four (the thirty-fourth is in Fresno).

The objectives have not changed and it was never associated with any Mexican government agency or and political affiliation. Since its foundation, until 1962, La Mutualista had no permanent offices or a place to have meetings. They met at member's houses, parks or churches.

In 1960 Abelardo de la Peña Gonzalez of the Wilmington Branch was nominated as the Supreme President of the organization and thanks to his initiative, the building on 1023 Henry Ford Ave. was bought from the "Ford Workers Union".

Before leaving La Mutualista, Abelardo de la Peña organized the administration committee, remodeled inside and bought parcels on both sides of the building. In present time, La Mutualista, keeps the property and regular meetings are held for the Wilmington branch and the Supreme council.

I suggest reading "Mi Barco el sueño Americano" by Abelardo de la Peña Gonzalez about the History of the Union Mutualista de San Jose. His books are available on Amazon.com

Community Participation in the Wilmington Waterfront Development Project

Image from Sasaki Design Firm as seen in the Notice of Preparation: Wilmington Waterfront Development Project

The Wilmington Waterfront Development Project seeks to improve the quality of life of residents living near the Port of Los Angeles by eliminating urban blight and bringing in economic opportunities to the community. The proposed Waterfront Development project includes land that is directly adjacent to the Wilmington community. The major elements of the proposed project include open spaces, such as a waterfront park and promenade, and a buffer area to provide a physical space between the Wilmington Community and the LA Port. Additionally, the project seeks commercial/industrial and retail development along the Avalon Boulevard Corridor, and transportation linkages and improvements. There is also a regulation to use 20% of the funds towards affordable housing.

The project is being carried out through The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA), which serves as catalyst for community growth. Community members are given a voice by participating in the monthly Wilmington CRA/LA meetings, where they discuss plans for development including design aesthetics, functional uses of spaces, and zoning regulations. It is unfortunate that not many community members attend the meetings. Besides the members on the Steering committee, there were only about 10 people at the last meeting.

I believe this project is a great opportunity to use urban planning to improve health outcomes in our low-income polluted city by reducing environmental hazards, if it is carried out with the interests of Wilmington community members. It can also turn into a gentrification project, if the project attracts big investors and more affluent homeowners who may drive out low-income residents.

While at the last meeting, I began to question the motives of some of the members of the steering committee. It seems to me as if some members on the steering committee are concerned with attracting tourists and an affluent middle class, and not looking critically at businesses they want to bring in. Some members even want to restrict bright colored affordable housing, in order discourage our Latin flare. The reality of our low-income community is that we are mostly people of color living with terrible health problems caused by our surrounding industry pollution. I think that members of the steering committee and community members should push for a project that seeks to improve the quality of life for those that are already here. We can strive to create green jobs by bringing in businesses and industries that are socially conscious. In addition to improve aesthetics, we can promote active lifestyles with soccer fields and much needed park/plaza space. We can decrease our dependence on cars by making public transportation more efficient and safe. We can have affordable housing that is LEED certified by being energy efficient. It is vital that community members start becoming active in the planning process of this project so that their best interests are not disregarded.

We will be posting the date of the next meeting on facebook in the next few weeks.

Incoming Freshman Debut Reception at LAHC

(Click on image to zoom in)

Tell Us Your Story

Health in Wilmington, CA from The Wilmington Wire on Vimeo.

I met with Alberto Ramirez earlier this week and asked for his thoughts on how living in Wilmington has effected his health. Alberto graduated from Loyola Marymount University, and is a passionate activist and community organizer. To learn more about how to support the Clean Truck Program follow their facebook page. If you would like to tell us your story about how feel living in Wilmington has effected your personal or family's health, shoot us an email info@wilmingtonwire.org.

Celebrate Phineas Banning’s Birthday

The Banning Museum will host a celebration honoring Phineas Banning’s birthday next week, Thursday, August 19th.

Phineas Banning, also known as “The Father of the Port of Los Angeles & Harbor,” was the founder of our town, Wilmington, California, which he named after his hometown Wilmington, Delaware.

He was given the tag name of “The Father of the Port of Los Angeles” for being the first to introduce & invest in the concept of the ports to Southern California during the 19th century. His dream was to bring growth and prosperity to the Harbor.

It’s interesting to witness what Wilmington has become. I wonder if it’s what Banning imagined it to be?

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Wilmington while having some fun celebrating Banning’s birthday, join the celebration on Thursday, August 19, 2010.

Here are the details:

Event Prices

VIP ADMISSION: $75.00 per person
includes: Concert Celebration, VIP Parking on the Museum Grounds, Boxed Supper and Table Seating (Reservations and meal selection are required for VIP admission), Complimentary soft drink or wine, Complimentary Dessert

General Admission: $25.00 per person
includes: Concert Celebration, Bring your own Picnic and Picnic seating (Blankets and low chairs are permitted, spaces are first come, first served), Complimentary Dessert

For further information or to make a reservation please call (310) 548-2005.

Truck Flipped on I-710 & Construction Plans

This morning during my regular drive to work I came across a flipped cargo truck on the I-710 off of the Anaheim exit. This is not the first time this occurs specifically on the 710, which is the freeway thousands of trucks drive through daily to get to the Los Angeles and Lon Beach Port primarily.

I tried to check if there was any coverage on this accident but so far I haven’t seen anything, therefore, I’m not sure if the driver is in good condition. As I was driving I did see him getting pulled into an ambulance, but he looked conscious.

If you noticed there has been reconstruction worked on I-710 for the past couple of years. The freeway's pavement has been badly damaged as a result, since it was not designed to carry nearly as large of a load of truck traffic. It has also become a major source of air pollution, emanating from diesel-fueled trucks idling in rush hour traffic congestion and giving cities along its route some of the worst air quality in already smoggy Southern California.

There has been a lot of controversy about constructing the proposed extension of Interstate 710 into South Pasadena and Pasadena and corridor 46. This controversial freeway extension north of Interstate 10 still is planned for construction, but it may be built as a tunnel rather than a freeway.

Corridor 46 would follow Interstate 710 from Long Beach north to California 60, the Pomona Freeway. The purpose would be provide an upgrade of Interstate 710 and ancillary routes to serve the industrial ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and improve traffic flow for trucks and cars along the freeway between California 60 and the port areas.

Many local residents have opposed these construction efforts because some argue that it would increase the flow of truck traffic, more big rig trucks would park overnight on residential streets, this major truck route would intersect residential neighborhoods from El Sereno to Sunland, increasing noise and emissions next to no less than 13 public and private schools adjacent to the route and many more issues.

To learn more about this issue & get updates check out these sites

http://www.metro.net/projects/i710_corridor/
http://www.710freeway.org/
http://www.aaroads.com/high-priority/corr46.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_710

Community Support for Union Members Laid-Off from Tesoro’s subcontractor Savage

31 union laborers who run the Coker Unit at the Tesoro Refinery in Wilmington, CA were laid off when Tesoro subcontracted the unit to Savage, a non-union contractor based in Utah. With the previous subcontractor, Marsulex, the union members of the Coker Unit had negotiated a good contract including 100% employer-paid-health insurance, pay raises, and extra vacation time. Marsulex had received mutiple prestigious Contractor Merit Safety Awards from the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA). In May 2010, days after workers winning a great contract with Marsulex, Tesoro decided to replace Marsulex with Savage.

We spoke to a few of the men who had been let go, most of them from Carson and Wilmington. They believed that they would all be interviewed and re-hired by Savage but this was not the case, many of them were not even given interviews. Only 7 men were re-hired to train the new employees. Joe Juarez from Carson, who had been working for the Coker unit 6 years, spoke to us about his brother who had been working there 22 years and was laid-off without even being given an interview. These men were all highly skilled laborers, whose unit had held the Safety Record for the past 3 years. The men spoke to us about the complexity of their work, and how past fires and explosions have been caused by inexperienced employees. As residents of Wilmington, we should all be concerned about a whole unit being replaced by all new laborers, and what this means for our safety and health.

The new hires are all non-union and being bused in from Kern County. This goes directly against what the Tesoro Corporation states on their website, “we value the relationships we develop with our customers, the performance we deliver for our shareholders and the responsibility we hold for our communities.” In addition to laying off local employees, contracting Savage directly demonstrates that Tesoro is putting profits above safety and not upholding its commitment to the surrounding community.

Tesoro is also one of the main financial backers of Prop 23, which they are deceitfully calling, “The California Job Initiative”. Prop 23 will be on the November ballot, which seeks to kill AB-32, California’s Global Warming Solution Act. Implementing AB-32 will require refineries like Tesoro to invest in upgrading their facilitates to be more energy efficient, and be accountable to California’s progressive environmental laws. Oil refineries have one of the lowest rates in job creation, and after laying off award winning employees, how can we believe that passing Prop 23 will actually create more jobs.

The men who lost their jobs were given a small severance package, which only included two months of pay. We urge you to show your support for the union members by calling or writing Tesoro’s Marketing Representative Elias Reyna and ask that Tesoro support the safety and best interests of the community, by breaking their contract with Savage. You can also donate dry non-perishable foods to the families who are suffering their job loss at the ILWU Local 13 office at 630 S. Centre Street., San Pedro, CA 90731

Sample Letter Below

Elias Reyna

Human Resources Tesoro Refining & Marketing

Tesoro Wilmington Refinery

2101 “E” PCH HWY

Wilmington, CA 90744

Re: Community Concern Over Subcontractor “Savage”

Dear Tesoro Representative:

I am writing to you as a concerned member of the community. I was dismayed to learn that you recently changed subcontractors in your “Coker Unit” to a subcontractor who refused to employ most of the workers who had been working safely and efficiently in the “Coker Unit” for years. I understand that your new subcontractor, “Savage” has given away the jobs that used to belong to these members of our community to outside workers.

You state on your website: “We Value the Communities We Serve.” I believe that Tesoro’s consent to the lay-off of experienced workers who are from our community shows Tesoro actually lacks respect for the surrounding community.

I want Tesoro to reconsider its decision to hire the subcontractor “Savage” and/or I want Tesoro to require any subcontractor, including the existing one, to place value on employing an experienced workforce and rehire all the laid-off workers from my community.

Sincerely,

______________

Sources/More Information

PR News Wire

Prop 23 Info

ILWU Local 13

Contact D.C. Chavez

630 Centre Street

San Pedro, California 90731

(310) 830-1130 Business Office