Belmont Beacon
MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 2014 - AUGUST 10, 2014
belmontbeacon.com
VOLUME 1, NO. 14
Rare lightning strikes all over Southern California Governor kill 20-year old and injure several others Brown signs by jennifer schlueter agreement On the weekend of July 25with Mexico 27, Southern California experienced a rare weather phenomenon for its region: Hundreds to reduce of lightning strikes jolted LA and its surrounding counties. dangerous In Venice Beach, one strike proved to be fatal for 20-year old Nick Fagnano, who was in greenhouse gases the ocean when it hit him, and injured 13 additional beachgoers. On Santa Catalina Island, a 57-year-old golfer was struck, hospitalized, and according to Steve Denning, a law enforcement technician with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, in a stable condition. A National Weather Service map shows 858 lightning bolts in San Bernardino, 228 in Western and Central Riverside County, 248 in inland San Diego County, 75 in San Diego County along the coast, and 28 in LA County. According to the Los Angeles Times, more than a total of 1,400 lightning strikes were reported in Southern California (see National Weather Service map) throughout the weekend and the following Monday of July 25-28. James Thomas, a meteorologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told the LA Times:
and sizes.” Stephens continues to coach and has involved his older daughter as well as other people in the community with whom he shares his experience. He plans to form special needs leagues in other sports
On the first full day of California’s Trade and Investment Mission to Mexico, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Mexican environment officials signed an agreement to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. “California can’t do it alone and with this new partnership with Mexico we can make real progress on reducing dangerous greenhouse gases,” said Governor Brown. July 28th’s agreement was signed by Governor Brown, Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Rodolfo Lacy and Mexican National Forestry Commission Director General Jorge Rescala Pérez. “Mexico and California have a long and rich history of environmental cooperation, and recognize each other as strategic partners in coping with climate change challenges and protecting and preserving our natural resources. The agreement signed today will take our joint work to a whole new level of cooperation, which will reflect in tangible and concrete results that will inure to our mutual benefit,” said Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Rodolfo Lacy. The pact seeks to enhance cooperation through a range of
Please see page 2
Please see page 4
National Weather Service map
“It’s an unusual amount of lightning strikes... for any time of year for that matter.” The lightning resulted from an unusual high-pressure system pulling hot, moist air up from the Gulf of California and Mexico towards the Southern California coastlines, explained climatologist Bill Patzert of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Labora-
tory in the LA Times. “Coastal Southern California is virtually lightning proof,” he added. “Because it’s so unusual, people are not sensitized to the dangers.” Because thunderstorms are very rare in Southern California, and even less in July, lifePlease see page 3
Student Success Scholarship for special needs children baseball team coach Seven years ago, David Stephens’ daughter Gwenith was born with a birth defect that caused her to be blind. It has been a learning experience for the father, and he continues to find ways to help his daughter, including becoming the coach of a youth baseball team for special needs children.
“Coaching this team (has) changed my life forever,” said Stephens, a junior communication studies major at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). “Coaching kids (who) are blind, paralyzed, have Down Syndrome, deaf and more showed me that perfection comes in many shapes
2 | AUGUST 4, 2014 - AUGUST 10, 2014
Aquarium Of The Pacific and Molina Healthcare host third annual Molina 5k Run/Walk On Saturday, September 6, 2014, the Aquarium of the Pacific will host its third annual Molina 5K Run/Walk along the panoramic shoreline waterfront. The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will continue until 9:00 a.m. Special winner medals will be given to the top three finishers in each age division, and the top male and female overall finishers will be awarded $500 cash prizes. “We are pleased to partner with the Aquarium of the Pacific for its annual run/walk,” said Tony Cruz, employee wellness program manager for Molina Healthcare. “As a health care company, we strongly believe in the importance of running, walking, and staying physically active for the benefit of one’s health and wellbeing. This is not only something we encourage our members and patients to do, but also our employees as well as the local communities we serve. Furthermore, we are proud to support the Aquarium of the Pacific and its continued work,” said Cruz. Runners will be greeted on the course by Aquarium mascots and live animals. Each participant will receive a bib, goody bag, medal, T-shirt, and a ticket to the Aquarium valid during the weekend of the event only. “Human health and ocean health are connected in various ways. The partnership with Molina Healthcare
on the 5K and through Aquarium exhibits and programs allows us to further our vision of building the relationships between and among people to help protect nature and its resources,” said Dr. Jerry R. Schubel, Aquarium of the Pacific president and CEO. When participants explore the Aquarium on the race weekend, they can touch and see animals in new exhibits at the Molina Animal Care Center, where they will learn how the ocean and its resources aid in human medicine. The general registration cost for runners is $44 for youth (17 and under) and $52 for adults. The age divisions are: 12 and under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70+. Pacific Coast Race Timing-Aztlan Athletics will oversee the course timing. Finisher bib tags will be scanned and recorded at the finish line. The 5K Run/Walk is made possible with the help and support of Molina Healthcare, Inc., the event’s title sponsor. Additional sponsors include Pepsi and Shoreline Village. The Aquarium’s partner is Aztlan Athletics. Aztlan Athletics’ mission is to help empower people to find ways of improving their role in conservation and their respective communities, while participating in an activity that is healthy. To register for the 5K, go
to www.aquariumofpacific.org/ a5krace. The nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and where important topics facing our planet are explored by scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders in search of sustainable solutions. The Aquarium is dedicated to conserving and building nature and nature's services by building the interactions between and among peoples. Home to more than 11,000
animals, Aquarium exhibits include the June Keyes Penguin Habitat, Ocean Science Center, Molina Animal Care Center, the interactive Shark Lagoon, and the new Summer of Wonder exhibits. Beyond its exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, from hands-on activities to lectures by leading scientists. The Aquarium is located at 100 Aquarium Way in Long Beach, CA. For information, call (562) 590-3100 or visitwww.aquariumofpacific.org.
Scholarship for special needs baseball team coach Continued from page 1
such as bowling and soccer. His efforts outside the classroom were recognized recently when he was selected as one of four inaugural recipients of the Douglas W. Robinson Student Success Scholarship at CSULB along with three other underclassmen, including Roozbeh Ghasemian, Lauren Golem, Taylor Ortega. Named for the recently retired vice president for student services at CSULB, the Robinson Student Success Scholarship focuses on students’ experiences and efforts outside of the classroom. The 2014 winners were selected from a pool of more than 75 applicants, and each of them received a $500 award for the 2014-15 academic year. To be eligible for the scholarship, recipients must be full-time undergraduate students at the university, maintaining a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or better. Candidates were asked to write a personal statement that describes a learning experience outside the classroom that had a positive impact on their lives. Ghasemian, a senior mechanical engineering major, wrote of his immigrating to the
United States with his family at the age of 13 and putting aside college after graduating from high school to work full time to help support the family. Golem, a sophomore majoring in criminal justice, discussed her involvement with sports throughout her life and the major life lessons learned from it. She works at Peninsula Bay Cities as a swim instructor and enjoys being able to influence her students’ lives by teaching them determination, self-confidence and safety. And Taylor, a senior communications studies major who is also minoring in film and electronic arts, was recognized for her involvement with her sorority at CSULB, Gamma Phi Beta, for which she is serving as president. Robinson retired as vice president for student services at CSULB in August 2013. He began his tenure at the university in 1989 and started his duties as vice president in 1991. For more than 20 years, Robinson provided leadership to more than 35 university departments and programs that focus on the needs of students outside the classroom.
AUGUST 4, 2014 - AUGUST 10, 2014 | 3
hlr media EDITORIAL editor@belmontbeacon.com Editor Jennifer Schlueter Publisher HLR Media Advertising advertising@hlrmedia.com Submissions:
Please send all press releases to: editor@belmontbeacon.com HLR Media, LLC .All contents herein are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily that of the management and staff at HLR Media, LLC 525 E Seaside Way, Suite 101B Long Beach 90802
Phone: (626) 386-3457 Fax: (626) 600-4452
Alhambra PRESS
Baldwin Park
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
Playhouse extends Fiddler on the Roof Two added performances August 22 & 23 Long Beach, CA, Due to sellout crowds, the Long Beach Playhouse is extending its production of Fiddler on the Roof for one additional weekend: August 22 and 23. "The production has received outstanding reviews and audience response has been overwhelming," said Andrew Vonderschmitt.
Rare lightning strikes in SoCal Continued from page 1
guards and officials were not as well prepared and did not ask people to clear the beaches, as they would have done in Florida or the Midwest, where these weather conditions are more common, states Patzert. Scott Miller, an inspector with the Los Angeles County Fire Department agrees and told National Geographic that lightning strikes are “hard to predict.” Miller added that in the rare event of thunderstorms, LA lifeguards are trained to get people out of the water within 30 seconds. According to the rule “If you hear thunder, head for cover,” looking for shelter should be the next step; however, LA beaches have no approved rules for this, says Miller. John Jensenius, a lightning safety specialist with the National Weather Service in Silver Spring, Maryland, told National Geographic that lightning currents can travel across the ground and items which can channel electricity, and that most people are struck by ground current. Therefore, he advises not to lie on the ground and to avoid metallic objects such as wires, doors, windows, plumbing, etc. Sturdy buildings and hardtop vehicles provide the best protection. Fagnano was the 16th victim nationwide to have died from a lightning strike in 2014, and the first one in California.
"The shows have sold out and this give people who want to see it but couldn't get tickets another chance." Each year, Long Beach Playhouse closes its Mainstage Season with a musical. This year, it's the popular classic, Fiddler on the Roof. Set in 1905 Czarist Russia, it tells the story of Tevye, a humble dairy farmer and his quest to find suitable mates for his five daughters. Despite his efforts, the daughters are feeling the influences of a world beyond the village. Fiddler on the Roof first opened in 1964. The music is by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein. It was nominated for ten Tony Awards and won nine. In 1971, it was made into a movie.
Ticket Information: Adults are $24.00, seniors $21.00, and Students $14.00. Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling 562-494-1014, option 1. Long Beach Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA, 90804, right across from the Long Beach Recreation golf course. The Playhouse is community-supported theatre with programs and events that cut across age, gender, ethnic, and cultural boundaries. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday from 3:00-8:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00-2:00 pm on scheduled matinees.
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
4 | AUGUST 4, 2014 - AUGUST 10, 2014
Art Deco festival turns 10 Labor Day Weekend at the Queen Mary The Queen Mary, in association with the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles (ADSLA), celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Art Deco Festival with a robust program of activities extended to five days. Largely influenced by the architecture and design of its time, the Queen Mary is the world’s largest floating collection of Art Deco. The illustrious salons are replete with elegant woodcarvings, elaborate murals, priceless sculptures and lavish interiors, offering a matchless backdrop for a festival like no other. The festivities begin Thursday evening with the Captain’s Strolling Art Deco Walk and continue through the weekend with an expertly curated program of lectures, parties, tours and tastings. Festivalgo-
ers can don their best period loungewear at the Deco Derby and Pajama Jam, or sport their black-tie finest for the Grand Deco Ball. An eclectic bazaar showcases vintage fashion, jewelry, collectibles and art as well as a vintage pop-up hair salon. A Gatsby Soiree will offer classic libations, entertainment and lawn games. New events include a tasting of prohibition era cocktails and the Bootlegger’s Bash featuring big band music, dancing girls and the best moonshine in the city. The 10th celebration also honors the yearly tradition of the Queen Mary’s prestigious Starlight Club, a one-night revival of the notorious club dubbed “the most sought after reservation from South Hampton to New York.”
The Daily Lecture Series will cover topics spanning fashion, music, dancing, cultural practices and more. Prohibition’s impact on the soda fountain is explored in Farnsworth’s Art Deco & The Soda Fountain talk while Art Deco Shoes Lecture & Display delves into the birth of shoe design in the 20’s and 30’s. Society’s fascination and commitment to dance is presented in Dancing In The Jazz Age and two rival world fairs are studied in the lecture Last Art Deco World’s Fair. “ADSLA is honored to co-present the 10th Annual Queen Mary Art Deco Festival. The event has grown in both attendance and popularity and we are pleased that our members and the public, many
from all over the world, attend with great interest. New events presented this year are sure to enhance the festival,” says John Thomas, President of ADSLA and Queen Mary Preservation Specialist. The ship is a fitting venue for the 10th Anniversary of the festival, representing the best of Art Deco’s elegance and splendor. Day Passes start at just $25 and an all-inclusive weekend Grand Passport is $399. Art Deco aficionados can stay onboard for the weekend’s duration with a variety of spectacular packages. For more information, schedule of events and full program details visit http:// www.queenmary.com/events/ art-deco-festival/ or call (877) 342-0738.
Agreement with Mexico to reduce dangerous greenhouse gases Continued from page 1
activities, including: Aligning greenhouse gas reduction programs and strategies; Collaborating on fire emergency response along the border and other climate change adaption strategies; Improving air quality, including reducing pollution and expanding markets for clean energy technologies; and strengthening fuel and truck ef-
ficiency standards and supporting green freight initiatives. “In line with the priorities of the Mexican Government for the forestry sector, the Memorandum of Understanding signed today with the State of California lays down the conditions and excellent opportunities for mutual cooperation to strengthen our capacity to prevent and respond to for-
est fires, a key issue in our common border,” said Mexican National Forestry Commission Director General Jorge Rescala Pérez. The agreement with Mexico comes on the heels of similar agreements signed in 2013 with the governments of British Columbia and the states of Oregon and Washington and China’s National Development and Reform Commission – the first agreement of its kind on climate change between the commission and a subnational entity. For the past several years, the California Air Resources Board and Quebec have worked together to fully harmonize their cap-and-trade programs. The Governor first announced the Trade and Investment Mission to Mexico in his 2014 State of the State address and met with Mexican Consuls General from cities across California in March. Last week, ahead of the trip, Governor
Brown met with Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs José Antonio Meade Kuribreña in Sacramento and invited Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to meet later this year in California. The Governor is joined on the Trade and Investment Mission to Mexico by a delegation of state legislators and senior administration officials. A delegation organized by the California Chamber of Commerce with the help of the California Foundation for Commerce and Education that includes approximately 90 business, economic development, investment and policy leaders from throughout California is also participating in the trade mission. For social media updates and other announcements throughout the trade mission, please follow these twitter handles: @CAMexicoTrade; @JerryBrownGov; @GovPressOffice; @CAGoBiz; @CalChamber and @VisitCA