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Belmont Beacon

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2014 - SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

belmontbeacon.com

VOLUME 1, NO. 21

Safer roads for bicyclists in California West Nile thanks to mandatory 3-feet buffer zone Virus by Jennifer schlueter continues to affect residents

life and overall influence on maritime commerce. “Celebrating 80 years of global prominence is reason enough to invite the community to share in this special moment, but there is more news,” said Queen Mary General Manager, John Jenkins. “I will make an important announcement during the ceremony; an announcement that goes to the very heart of why

The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services reminds residents that West Nile Virus continues to be a problem in Southern California. As of Monday, September 15, 2014, there have been 17 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in Long Beach, including one death. This is a significant increase from 2013, in which there were seven cases reported the entire year. These numbers are consistent with the rest of California, as so far this year 238 human cases have been reported in 26 different counties across the state. The California Department of Public Health is calling this the highest level of infected mosquitoes ever detected. More cases are expected, as this is the time of year when the risk of infection is at its highest. The Health Department’s Vector Control Program takes measures to protect the public from illnesses that are transmitted to humans. Eliminating mosquito breeding sources plays an important role in reducing the risk of mosquitoborne disease. Vector Control staff are monitoring potential breeding sites such as ditches, canals, ponds, and neighborhood gutters for mosquito activity and treating those sources. The City works closely with the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District and the Compton Creek Mosquito Abatement District to limit mosquito breeding in and around the Long Beach area.

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-Photo by Terry Miller

Until last week, drivers were required to keep a “safe,” but unspecified, distance to bicyclists. However, this law didn’t protect bicyclists enough, because, for example, in 2012, data from the Califor-

nia Highway Patrol found that “more than 150 cyclists were killed in car collisions in California”, according to the Los Angeles Times. Additionally, “in Los Angeles County, nearly 5,000 cyclists were killed or

hurt in traffic that year” and the number of bicycle collisions has increased 25% since 2011. Becky Garrow from the Sacramento Bicycle Advocates Group told Please see page 4

Celebrate the Queen Mary’s 80th anniversary Everyone is Invited to join the Sept. 26 celebration The world’s most beloved ocean liner turns 80 on September 26 and the public is invited to join a ship-wide celebration. The Queen Mary will open her gangways and ballrooms, decks and salons, attractions and eateries to a daylong celebration highlighted by a very special event. There will be no charge for admission to the ship (10:00 AM - 7:00 PM), discounted parking and discounted ship tours and attractions. The general public — especially Long

Beach residents and families — are encouraged to join the festivities. Commemorations will include the reading of letters by King George V at the ship’s launch on Sept. 26, 1934, and a recent congratulatory message from Queen Elizabeth II on the ship’s 80th anniversary. The Queen Mary will use the anniversary event to announce a groundbreaking initiative, a forward-looking plan inspired by the ship’s eight-decades of public

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Patrick Barlow, John Buchan’s The 39 Steps opens LBP’s 86th mainstage season The 39 Steps, a suspensefulromantic-comedy, based on the 1935 movie by Alfred Hitchcock, opens the Mainstage Season on Saturday, Sept. 27. Four actors play over 100 characters in this Tony-winner that kept Broadway rollicking for the past three years. It is part juicy spy novel, part Monty Python, and it preserves the brilliance originally created by the master of suspense. Jeremy Bear plays our suave hero Richard Hannay who learns from a beautiful spy about a plot of international espionage. The woman is killed in Hannay’s flat and he suddenly finds himself caught

up in a race from London to Scotland in hopes of stopping military secrets from being smuggled out of the country. As he searches for the secret of “The 39 Steps” he is doggedly pursued by the police who believe he is a murderer. Three of the female roles will be played by Madeleine Heil while the remaining multitude of characters (spies, policemen, inn keepers, traveling salesmen, etc.) are played by just two actors credited as clown #1 (Mark Davidson) and clown #2 (Michael Chiboucas). Leading the artistic team is Director Dale Jones who returns to the Mainstage after paying Mr.

Emergency landing at Long Beach Airport At approximately 09:15 am on Thursday, Sept. 18, an outbound JetBlue flight from Long Beach Airport reported an engine problem and was rerouted back to Long Beach Airport for an emergency landing at 9:29 am. Evacuation slides were deployed and all 142 passengers deplaned safely along with five crew members. Airport Operations followed all safety procedures, including closing the runway and associated taxiways. At approximately 11:15 am, two hours after the incident, the aircraft was

cleared from the runway and commercial flights resumed at the airport, with some delays expected throughout the day. General aviation activity was not affected. The Long Beach Fire Department treated three passengers at the scene, and transported one passenger to a local hospital. The Jet Blue Airbus 320, Flight No. 1416, departed at 9:05 am and was heading to Austin, TX. JetBlue re-booked the passengers on a different flight so they could reach their destination.

Mushnik in 2013s production on Little Shop of Horrors. Scenic Designer is Sean Gray, technical director, Costume Designer is Donna Fritsche, Lighting Designer is Daniel Driskoll, Sound Designer is Larry Mura, playing double duty as he is also the show’s Prop Master. The play remains very close to the film, particularly in terms of its frenetic timing. But putting the movie - a farce-like whirlwind adventure - on stage requires ingenious theatrical devises to instantly go from a chase scene on a train, to a plane crash, transform into a luxurious Scottish manor, then to a London flat, or suddenly become The London Palladium. Also occurring at breakneck speed are nearly one-hundred costume changes, which often happen right before the audience in the blink of an eye. Special events for this play: •Pay what you can Thursday Sept. 25 - community can see this

production for whatever they can afford •Two for One Preview Friday Sept. 26 - Tickets are $12.00 •Opening Night Champagne Reception with cast on Sept. 27- Tickets are $27.00 Adults are $24.00, seniors $21.00, and Students $14.00. Tickets are available at www. lbplayhouse.org, or by calling 562494-1014, 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 3:008:00 pm and Sundays from 1:002:00 pm on scheduled matinees.

West Nile Virus still affecting residents Continued from page 1

Additionally, staff are providing residents with information on steps they can take to help reduce the risk of contracting West Nile Virus. Residents can partner with the Department by: -Eliminating stagnant and standing water on their properties - remember that piles of debris, drip plates under potted plants, buckets, barrels, fountains, ponds, toys, and tires are some common sources of standing water. -Reporting green pools (swimming pools or spas that are not properly maintained and appear green due to algae growth or poor maintenance) to the Health Department at562.570.4132. Residents can take precautions to protect themselves and their family members by following the 5 Ds: -DEET-use a mosquito repellant containing DEET,

Picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Follow instructions on label. -Dress-where long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. -Drain-drain stagnant water from around the house, bird baths, pet food, fountains, children’s pools, old tires, etc.. Swimming pools should be maintained to avoid mosquito breeding. -Doors-screen all doors and windows to exclude mosquitoes. -Dead Birds-report dead birds to the State’s dead-bird hotline at 1-877-WNV-BIRD For more information on West Nile Virus, visit the Health Department’s website at www.longbeach.gov/health and go to the West Nile Virus Information Page, or call our Vector Control Program at 562.570.4132.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2014 - SEPTEMBER 28, 2014 | 3

hlr media EDITORIAL editor@belmontbeacon.com Editor Jennifer Schlueter Publisher HLR Media Advertising advertising@hlrmedia.com Submissions:

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State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson announces competition for National Civics Program Principals can nominate their high school students State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that high school principals have until October 1, 2014 to nominate students for the prestigious United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), which sends students to Washington, D.C. to learn about the federal government. “Civics education helps students become engaged citizens and critical thinkers who can solve difficult problems,” Torlakson said. “These are important skills that will help students in college and throughout their lives.” The California Department of Education (CDE) coordinates the competition in California. Students must be nominated by their high school principal to participate and they have to be juniors or seniors currently enrolled in any California public or private secondary school. In addition, they have to be serving in an elected or appointed capacity in student government or a civic or educational organization. Torlakson will select four finalists, including two delegates, a first alternate, and a second alternate. The two delegates will participate in an intensive study of the federal government as guests of the U.S. Senate from March 7–14, 2015, in Washington, D.C. The Hearst Foundation, which sponsors the program, will pay all expenses for the delegates, including transportation, hotel, and meals. In addition, each of the delegates will receive a $5,000 college scholarship from the Foundation. Alternates attend the events only if the delegates are unable to participate. The two delegates and two alternates will be introduced at the State Board of Education meeting in Sacramento next January. Torlakson, as part of his Civic Education Initiative, teamed up with California Chief

Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye last year to convene a California Task Force on K-12 Civic Learning. Last month the task force produced a report, Revitalizing K–12 Civic Learning in California: A Blueprint for Action (PDF; 2MB), which highlights the importance of teaching students civics skills so they can become informed and engaged community members who help keep our democracy vital. For more information on the nomination process, go to CDE’s United States Senate Youth Program Web page or contact David Carriker in the Of-

fice of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction at 916-3190173 or dcarriker@cde.ca.gov. Hard copies of the application are available upon request. The completed application packet must contain an original and one copy of the California Student Application, California Qualifying Examination, and an unofficial student transcript. The packet must be mailed to the California Department of Education, 1430 N Street, Suite 5602, Sacramento, CA 958145901, and must be postmarked before Wednesday, October 1, 2014.

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 | SEPTEMBER 22, 2014 - SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

Celebrate the Queen Mary's 80th anniversary Continued from page 1

this great ship continues to attract so much attention all across the globe. In the meantime, we invite every Queen Mary visitor past, present and those yet to voyage with us - to come to Long Beach, Friday - September 26 to salute the ocean liner that set new maritime standards and won hearts when launched, and does so still.” A birthday cake like no other: To celebrate the ship’s 80th ‘birthday’, the Queen Mary has commissioned TV celebrity baker, Jose Barajas to create a grand cake that’s worthy of a grand ship. Weighing almost a quarter ton and measuring over 15 feet long the anniversary cake will be as exact a replica of the Queen Mary as flour and frosting allows. Following remarks by attending dignitaries, Commodore Everette Hoard will read the Royal Letters. He then will then officiate the ceremonial cutting of the Queen Mary’s 80th Anniversary Cake. Background: Ship History The Queen Mary was christened Sept. 26, 1934 at the John Brown Shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland, with King George V

and Queen Mary launching the magnificent ship before a crowd of more than 200,000 spectators. The Queen Mary departed on her maiden voyage over a year later and soon became the transatlantic crossing vessel of choice for dignitaries, celebrities and those embarking on a new life in America. She was born during the Great Depression as Hull 534, and grew into the biggest, fastest and most popular ocean liner in the world. Shipbuilder John Brown & Co. used more than 10 million rivets to construct the innovative ship whose waterline length of 1,004 feet made her longer than the Eiffel Tower. During World War II, she halted passenger service to serve as the Allies’ largest and fastest troop carrier. Later, she reclaimed her place as a world-class ocean liner completing more than 1,100 transatlantic voyages before retiring to Long Beach in 1967. Details: http://www.queenmary.com Background: Pastry Chef Jose Barajas, recently gained national attention competing on TLC’s reality show, “Next Great

-Courtesy Photo

Baker.” He began making cakes - what he calls “edible artwork” - professionally in 2005 after attending the San Diego Culinary School. Cake, he likes to say, is the best canvas he could ask for. Royal icing, butter cream and fondant are his best mediums. He and the Queen Mary’s resident historian, Cmdr. Everette Hoard have made every effort to duplicate in cake the dimensions and details of the world’s most beloved ocean liner. His creation will allow for over 1000 individual portions to be served Sept. 26 as the culmination of the anniversary event presentation. Event schedule: • 4:00 PM - Grand Ballroom Opens to Public

• 4:15 PM - Welcome Remarks by Commodore Everette Hoard • Remarks by Mayor of Long Beach, Robert Garcia • Presentation of Queen Mary Video by Chris Wilmoth, Director of Marketing • Remarks by John Jenkins, Queen Mary General Manager • Commemoration of 80th Anniversary / Announcement of Queen Mary Initiative • Presentation of Queen Mary Cake by Baker, Jose Barajas • Cutting of First Slice by Mayor Garcia, Jenkins and Hoard • Concluding Remarks by John Jenkins • Invitation to attending public to share a slice of history.

Safer roads for bicyclists in California thanks to mandatory 3-feet buffer zone Continued from page 1

CBS: “According to the League of American Bicyclists, approximately 40 percent of cyclist fatalities were rear-end collisions.” To make roads a safer

place for bicyclists, California legislation last Tuesday passed a law stating that drivers now must keep a 3-feet buffer zone between them and bicyclists. If

a driver does not obey this law, s/he could be confronted with a warning or a $35 fine. An accident injuring a cyclist because the buffer zone was disregarded would result in a $220 fine. Should drivers not be able to stay out of the buffer zone due to traffic conditions, they are required to drive at a “reasonable and prudent” speed, have patience, and pass the cyclists only when it is safe. The California Highway Patrol’s Southern Division reminded drivers in a news release: “Be aware that when a lane is too narrow for vehicles and bikes to be safely side by side, bicyclist should ride in or near the center of that lane to discourage motorists from unsafe passing.” Rather than the law being

“a way of penalizing drivers,” as Assemblyman and avid cyclist Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) explained, it should be viewed as an education measure for “drivers and cyclists alike about sharing the road,” the LA Times suggested. Garrow agrees: “We’re excited about this law because it gives drivers better information on how to safely pass cyclists.” A USC student interviewed by the Annenberg TV News has his doubts about how the law will be enforced: “I’ll be curious to see how that really works in practice,” said Jake Porter. “Because some of the bike lanes are in such close proximity to the car lanes that I don’t really know if they have much room to move away.”