Weekly News Roundup – Oct. 7, 2013
Knatz to Retire as Port Director
After rumors swirled last week that Dr. Geraldine Knatz would be losing her post as executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, she announced her retirement on Thursday. Knatz will retire at the end of the year after seven years that saw strides in pollution reduction and waterfront redevelopment as well as criticism for budgetary overruns. Mayor Eric Garcetti will put City Engineer Gary Lee Moore in charge as interim director until a replacement is found. Garcetti conducted reviews of the city’s top managers when he took office earlier this year, asking them to re-apply for their positions.
Cirque du Soliel Arrives in San Pedro
Cirque du Soleil rolled into town last week and hired 150 laborers to raise its blue and yellow big top in the outer harbor, where it will put on 39 performances of its critically acclaimed show Totem. More than 100 additional staff will be hired to run concessions and the box office for the world class acrobatic production, which opens this Friday and will run through Nov. 10.
Ponte Vista Scaled Back Again
The developer of Ponte Vista, the proposed housing development for 61.5 acres of abandoned Navy housing along Western Avenue, has announced yet another scaled back plan. The latest version reduces the number of units from 830 to between 676 and 700 single-family homes, townhomes and condos that will be for-sale only. Plans for apartments have been scrapped for a 2.4-acre public park, and a road to Mary Star of the Sea High School has been added. The project has long-been criticized by residents who fear it will lead to traffic congestion. The latest plans will go before the City Planing Commission on Nov. 14.
San Pedro Film Festival Marks Second Year
The San Pedro International Film Festival returned to downtown for its second year over the weekend, screening feature films, shorts, student films and documentaries, including the California premiere of Sitting Bull’s Voice, which was attended by the Lakota spiritual leader’s great grandson and film narrator Ernie LaPointe. Screenings and panel discussions took place at the Warner Grand Theatre, the new San Pedro Theatre Club, the Little Fish Theatre, the Grand Annex, the Croatian Cultural Center, and a pop-up theater on Sixth Street. The festival was directed by founder Ziggy Mrkich and actress Renee O’Connor.
YWCA Hosts First Annual Breast Cancer 5K
Nine breast cancer survivors were among 275 runners and walkers who braved the fierce Santa Ana winds on Saturday for the first-ever YWCares Breast Cancer 5K along Harbor Boulevard. The event raised more than $4,000 for the YWCA Harbor and South Bay’s ENCOREplus program, which provides mammograms to uninsured area women. The day’s proceeds will support at least 133 mammograms.
Philie B’s Opens its Doors on First Thursday
A highly anticipated downtown eatery opened on Sixth Street on First Thursday. Philie B’s saw a line out the door waiting for its pizza-by-the-slice after the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon cutting ceremony with Councilman Joe Buscaino. In addition to pizza, the late-night friendly restaurant serves up sandwiches, salads and more.
