Belmont Beacon
MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2014 - JUNE 29, 2014
belmontbeacon.com
VOLUME 1, NO. 8
Shocking truths about the food Evening serving industry: “Where’s My Food?” Spectacle documentary premieres in Long Beach to include By JENNIFER schlueter performance $500 cash in one 3-hour shift or $2.13 hourly on minimum by Rock wage plus tips – waiters’ and waitresses’ pay can range widely. In for Vets, his documentary “Where’s My Food?,” director Lee Godden not only explores wage differences and tribute among servers, but also tipping behaviors, substance abuse, racto service ism and sexism at the workplace, the restaurant industry lobby, and members and other subjects restaurant customers usually do not get to see. “One in ten Americans their families works in food service,” said the explained. “I would see their they keep working as waiters de-Facebook Photo
director. “For many waiters and waitresses, this is their career and they love what they do. This film reveals how servers actually earn their living.” The director’s inspiration for his film sparked from his daughters’ accounts about the serving industry: “They’d often come home in tears, recounting stories of male shift managers touching them inappropriately or making lewd suggestions,” Godden
minimum wage paychecks that were reduced to nearly zero dollars after tax deductions that (often over-) estimated their tipped income. I’d see small cuts and burn marks on their hands from kitchen knives and hot plates.” “Where’s My Food?” gives us insight into the lives of 9 waiters with different backgrounds, ages and incomes. Some struggle with very low income or drugs, while others earn so much that
spite other professions or simply because they love what they do. Lolita raised her four children waiting tables whereas Julie is barely able to support herself. Godden includes Professor Michael Lynn, a psychologist and expert on tipping, Michael Shafer, restaurant owner and executive chef, and Saru Jayaraman, lawyer, author, and activist in the
such as land use, parking, and environmental impacts to create a stable mobility system of complete streets and corridors for Long Beach residents and workers, students, shoppers and visitors alike. This is the second consecutive year that Long Beach Development Services has been recognized by the APA. The Downtown Plan received an award for the 2013 Comprehensive Plan, Large Jurisdiction; and an Award of Merit for the Comprehensive Planning Award Large Jurisdiction at the 2013 State APA Conference. To win an award at the State level is a significant ac-
The perfect Fourth of July event involves spectacular fireworks and patriotic music. It has been a tradition all across our country for decades. This year, Long Beach residents will be able to bring their families or to enjoy a special evening with the Long Beach Municipal Band performing with the dramatic backdrop of fireworks at Veterans Stadium at Clark and Conant, announced Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske today. “It will be a great evening with our treasured Long Beach Municipal Band,” commented Schipske. “I’m thrilled that we are able to restore a long-cherished tradition of having fireworks at Vets Stadium.” The program includes a tribute to the 16 Long Beach Hometown Heroes who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, a concert by Rock for Vets, and the national anthem sung by former American Idol contest, Clint Gamboa. The Long Beach Municipal Band will perform a concert of patriotic songs with fireworks by Pyro Spectacular, Inc. For more than three decades
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City’s Mobility Element wins award of excellence The City’s Mobility Element has earned an Award of Excellence by the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). The awards, which were presented last week, recognize exceptional planning achievements by individuals, cities, and businesses in the Los Angeles region. “More than just improving mobility, the plan is about enhancing our quality of life and stimulating our economy as well,” said Mayor Bob Foster. “Strategically guiding our City’s transportation networks allows for more choices and convenience, reduced traffic congestion and more efficient commuting options.”
The Long Beach City Council adopted the Mobility Element in October 2013, after more than six years of community outreach and preparation. The Mobility Element provides a 20-year guide for future decision making by establishing a vision with goals, strategies, and implementation measures that support and encourage all roadway users. Replacing the 1991 Transportation Element, the Mobility Element takes a balanced approach to improving the way people, goods, and resources should move throughout the City. The Mobility Element addresses all modes of travel, including walking, bicycling, riding transit, driving; and discusses other topics
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Rep. Chu reacts to visiting temporary shelter for unaccompanied minors Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27) visited the Naval Base Ventura County in Oxnard, California over the weekend, a temporary shelter where unaccompanied children are being transferred and housed. President Obama recently announced a multi-agency directive to respond to the surge of unaccompanied children crossing the border without a parent or legal guardian. The Naval Base is expected to house up to 600 children, ranging from ages 13 to 17. “Seeing the children today hit home for me that this is a humanitarian crisis that requires a humanitarian solution,” said Rep. Chu. “These children made the life or death decision to leave their home and cross the border alone -- to flee the extreme violence and
crime that has taken a foothold in Central America. Their safety and addressing the underlying international factors causing this crisis is of upmost concern. I look forward to exploring humanitarian solutions during the House Judiciary hearing on this issue next week.” The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has taken steps to address this issue with the goal to safely and quickly transport the unaccompanied children to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as the law requires. On June 1, at the direction of President Obama, a Unified Coordination Group, with the Federal Management Agency (FEMA) at its head, was established to leverage resources to provide humanitarian relief to the ongoing situation.
Long Beach Office 3780 Kilroy Airport Way Suite 360 Long Beach, CA 90806 Ph. (562) 472-0071 Fx. (562) 689-0071 Los Angeles Office 5701 South Eastern Avenue Suite 100 Los Angeles, CA 90040 Ph. (323) 727-1144 Fx. (323) 727-9198 www.heger-industrial.com Lic. #00814086
Fumigation Burglaries The Long Beach Police Department would like to alert the community to an increase in a specific type of burglary that is occurring, both locally and regionally, to houses and apartment complexes that are in the process of being fumigated for pest control. During these burglaries, suspects enter the tented structures that are vacated, and take valuables such as electronics and jewelry. The L.B.P.D. would like to offer the community a few tips which could prevent you from becoming a victim: If your residence is being fumigated, be sure to notify your immediate neighbors to be alert and to report suspicious activity immediately by calling 9-1-1. Remove valuables from your
home prior to the fumigation process beginning. Consider hiring private security to watch over your home. Contact L.B.P.D. and request extra patrol in your area (District Car Check) by calling (562) 570-7260 It should also be noted that while a building is being fumigated, it is infused with toxic chemicals, which could be fatal if inhaled. Anyone with information regarding fumigation burglaries is asked to contact the Long Beach Police Department's Burglary Detail at (562) 570-7351. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.
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fireworks shows were held at Veterans Stadium adjacent to Long Beach City College, but when the fireworks show moved two years ago, it left the eastside dark on the Fourth of July. Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske sought to change that, obtained funding from several businesses and others to restore the beloved tradition and to offer a holiday venue for the Long Beach Municipal Band. “Patriotic music performed live by our Municipal Band along with spectacular fireworks are the perfect combination for the 4th of July. This year you can experience both at Veterans Stadium. What better way to honor the birth of our country and those who gave of themselves for the freedoms we enjoy,” commented Long Beach Municipal Band conductor Larry Curtis. The event is hosted by Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske whose district includes Vets Stadium, Jet Blue, Lamar Advertising, Partners of Parks, Long Beach Parks, Recreation, and Marine, and the Long Beach Firefighters Association. Gates will open at 4:30. The program will begin at 5:00 pm. Parking is $10 per vehicle. Absolutely no coolers, alcohol, personal
fireworks (including sparklers), food, beverages, or weapons will be allowed in the stadium. No RVs or tailgating parties will be allowed in the parking lot. Security will be on hand to search bags before entering the stadium. Veterans Stadium, at 4901 E. Conant in Long Beach, is adjacent to Rosie the Riveter Park, which contains a military memorial and banners displaying the names of 16 Long Beach men who died in service in Afghanistan or Iraq. Donations are welcome and being accepted to cover costs of the costs for the Municipal Band and the Fireworks Spectacular. You can help out by donating through <a href=”http://www. partnersofparks.org/,”>http://www. partnersofparks.org/,</a> or call Partners of Parks at 562-570-3209. If you would like to volunteer to help with this event, or for more information, please contact the Office of Councilwoman Schipske 562 570-6932 or district5@longbeach.gov. Schipske who will end her two terms on the City Council on July 8th, expressed her hope that the return of the fireworks show will continue to be a local tradition for many years to come.
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Republican candidate for Lt. Governor praises decision in Vergara v. California, makes the case for reform In an op-ed appearing recently, Republican Lt. Governor candidate Ron Nehring praised last week's landmark court ruling concerning California's stringent teacher tenure laws while calling for a rollback of state laws that put the interests of adults ahead of students. "It's the job of teacher’s union officials to ask for things. And, often, it is the job of school board members and government officials to say 'no.' This concept is too often lost on those we elect to, among other things, ensure that California's children receive a strong education. The result is too many laws and rules that put the interests of adults ahead of those our schools are supposed to serve: children," writes Nehring, a former school board trustee, in today's Los Angeles Daily News. In a decision that received nationwide attention, on Monday Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Rolf Treu found California's teach-
er tenure laws unconstitutional because they contribute to denying an equal quality education to children in struggling communities. Specifically, Judge Treu found that the least effective teachers tend to be assigned to schools with large minority populations, and once there, they are shielded from being replaced with better teachers by California's tenure laws, which are among the strictest in the nation. "As a former school board member in my own county of San Diego, I have seen firsthand the negative impact of these laws on a school district's ability to get good teachers into the classroom, and bad ones out. In effect, bad teachers can't be fired, so they get moved around in a 'dance of the lemons,'" said Nehring. "The members of the current ruling party in Sacramento owe their political futures to the California Teach-
ers Association and other unions that keep them on a tight leash, blocking efforts to reform the system. Unfortunately, the situation in too many classrooms had to reach crisis levels before the judiciary has now finally stepped in." In addition to reform of California's tenure laws, Nehring called for changes to the collective bargaining process and the repeal of laws passed by the state legislature at the behest of specific public employee unions, such as SB 1419, that restrict or eliminate the ability of school boards spend money more efficiently. "It is now up to our state elected officials to fix the laws Judge Treu has found unconstitutional. That effort should be led by leaders who will embrace, not stymie, reform of teacher tenure and other laws that put the adults ahead of students," concluded Nehring.
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INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
complishment for any plan; entries are submitted from all 14 chapters in California. The APA is a professional organization representing the field of city and regional planning in the United States. The APA provides leadership in the development of vital communities by advocating excellence in planning, providing the tools and support necessary to meet the challenges of growth and change, and serving as a networking channel for planners nationwide. Each year the organization keeps track of planning projects around the country and recognizes outstanding efforts through local award ceremonies. For more information on the City’s Mobility Element or to view an electronic copy of the document, please visit http://www.lbds.info/mobility_element/
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Governor Brown appoints eight to Los Angeles County Superior Court Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the appointment of Richard J. Burdge Jr.,Rupert A. Byrdsong, David J. Cowan, Brian S. Currey, Sherilyn P. Garnett, Christopher K. Lui, Enrique Monguia and Gustavo N. Sztraicher to judgeships in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Burdge, 64, of Pasadena, has been the owner of the Burdge Law Firm PC since 2011. Burdge was a partner at Howrey LLP from 2000 to 2011, at Dewey Ballantine LLP from 1986 to 2000 and at Lillick and McHose LLP in 1986. He was an associate at Lillick McHose and Charles from 1979 to 1985. Burdge was president of the Los Angeles County Bar Association from 2012 to 2013. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree from Yale University. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Shari K. Silver. Burdge is a Democrat. Byrdsong, 44, of Los Angeles, has been an attorney at Ivie McNeill and Wyatt since 1995. Byrdsong earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Vanderbilt University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College. He fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position on August 12, 2013. Byrdsong is a Democrat. Cowan, 51, of Los Angeles, has served as a commissioner at
the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2005. He was an attorney in private practice from 1994 to 2005, including as of counsel to Hong and Chang from 2001 to 2002. Cowan was an associate at Leland Parachini Flinn Steinberg Matzger and Melnick from 1992 to 1994 and at Rogers and Wells from 1988 to 1992. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Diana M. Wheatley. Cowan is a Democrat. Currey, 57, of Manhattan Beach, has been of counsel at O’Melveny and Myers LLP since 2013. He was deputy mayor for economic and business policy at the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in 2013 and counsel to the mayor from 2010 to 2013. Currey was a partner at O’Melveny and Myers LLP from 1989 to 2010 and an associate from 1981 to 1989. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Davis. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Lawrence J. Mira. Currey is a Democrat. Garnett, 45, of Altadena, has been Chief of the General Crimes Section at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California since 2014, where she has served as an assistant U.S. Attorney since
2001. Garnett was a litigation associate at Arnold and Porter LLP from 1999 to 2000, a law clerk for the Honorable Barry T. Moskowitz at the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California from 1998 to 1999 and a litigation associate at Altheimer and Gray from 1995 to 1998. Garnett earned a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Riverside. She fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position on August 12, 2013. Garnett is a Democrat. Lui, 45, of Glendale, has been of counsel at Browne George Ross LLP since 2014. He was a partner at Crowell and Moring LLP from 2011 to 2014 and served as an assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California from 2005 to 2011. Lui was counsel at O’Melveny and Myers LLP from 2002 to 2005, where he was an associate from 1998 to 2002. He served as a law clerk for the Honorable Dickran Tevrizian at the U.S. District Court, Central District of California from 1997 to 1998. Lui earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley. He fills the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Beverly R. O’Connell to the U.S. District Court, Central District of California. Lui is registered without party
preference. Monguia, 57, of Whittier, has served as a public defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office since 1986. He was an attorney at Mission Community Legal Defense Inc. from 1984 to 1986. Monguia earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Spanish from Stanford University. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Dewey L. Falcone. Monguia is a Democrat. Sztraicher, 54, of Los Angeles, has been a senior trial lawyer at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office since 2001, where he has served in several positions since 1990, including felony trainer and misdemeanor trainer in the Central Trials Division, team leader in the Public Integrity Assurance Section and misdemeanor trial counsel at the East Los Angeles Branch Offices. He was an associate attorney at the Kaplan Law Corporation from 1988 to 1990 and at the Pfiester Law Corporation from 1987 to 1988. Sztraicher earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge John H. Reid. Sztraicher is a Democrat. The compensation for each of these positions is $181, 292.
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food industry in his documentary to discuss issues such as tipping behaviors, restaurant management, wage theft, racism, sexism, and illness at work. Jayaraman stated: “When you live on your tips, you never stay home. Even when you’re sick.” A waitress confirms that she goes to work “unless [she] can’t walk.” For anyone who wants to
take a look at waiters’ lives behind the scenes, “Where’s My Food?” will have its California premiere at the theater adjacent to the Main Branch of the Long Beach Public Library, located at 101 Pacific Avenue, Long Beach, California. $10 donations are suggested; however, you can also attend for free. For tickets, go to http://www.wheresmyfood.eventbrite.com.