Weekly News Roundup – March 17, 2014

VT Bridge – 110 Freeway Connector Closed Overnight for Two Weeks
Last night, the Vincent Thomas Bridge – 110 Harbor Freeway connector was closed between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for construction on a lane addition project. It was the first of two weeks of nightly closures until March 28. Drivers are advised to take the Harbor Boulevard exit to John S. Gibson Boulevard to get on the 110 North.
USS Iowa Gets $250K Grant for Overnight Program
The Pacific Battleship Center announced last week that it received a $250,000 grant to launch an overnight stay program on the USS Iowa for youth groups and families. The Crail-Johnson Foundation grant will help prepare the museum ship for group trips recreating a historical day in the life of Navy seamen.
Noted Graphic Artist Opening Gallery in Williams Bookstore Space
More than six months after Williams Bookstore closed its doors, its longtime Sixth Street storefront is getting new, noteworthy residents. The former bookstore is being transformed into an art gallery and studio owned by John Van Hamersveld, the graphic artist behind the Endless Summer movie poster and hundreds of album covers. The space, owned with his wife Alida Post, will be called Post-Future.
Fred Kaz Passes Away in San Pedro
Fred Kaz, the longtime former music director of Chicago’s Second City comedy theater, died on his boat in San Pedro’s Cabrillo Marina last week. The 80-year-old jazz pianist had been battling lung cancer.
Councilman Buscaino Visits D.C.
Councilman Joe Buscaino and other members of the Los Angeles City Council visited Washington D.C. last week to lobby for federal support for several district- and city-wide projects. Buscaino attended the National League of Cities Conference and the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce’s Access DC trip, where he lobbied for federal support for his street repair initiative, the revitalization of the Jordan Downs Housing Development in Watts, and for the Port of Los Angeles.