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OPINION
4 SIGNAL TRIBUNE
houghts Tfrom the Publisher by Neena Strichart
Dale Whitney: a local cornerstone for social justice By Julia Kohn Board Member, Harbor Area Farmers Markets
Last week, I wrote about all my recent gallivanting and promised to share a bit more about the dinner I attended the evening of Oct. 14 at Forbidden City Restaurant in Long Beach. What I expected to be a quiet dinner with a few dignitaries, including the Vice-chairman of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Bu Xiaolin, turned out to be a party celebrating a signing deal for a new feature film about Genghis Khan. I didn’t really know much about what I was witnessing when all of the guests first arrived, but I was sure clued in after a couple of hours, dozens of delicious dishes and a few announcements. Once the short speeches were over, the quite sophisticated attendees broke out for Karaoke and a bit of dancing. I even took a turn on the dance floor myself, doing “the twist” with the guest of honor Bu Xiaolin. What a lovely lady. We, my editor Cory Bilicko and I, were initially invited to the soiree by John Goya– local candidate for State Assembly. After discovering that we would be the only newspaper in attendance, we decided to check out the party and maybe get a scoop for the paper. Although Cory and I sat at what some might call the “media table,” the equivalent of the “kiddie table” at Thanksgiving, we had a ball. Joining us for a foursome was Ben Ma and Cathy Chen with China Central Television. What lovely people. Their jobs are to interview, film and report Los Angeles area happenings for viewing in China. We shared business and personal contact information with one another, laughed like crazy people and promised to stay in touch. We are now friends on Facebook! All in all, it was an amazing experience, and I send out a special “thank you” to the owner of Forbidden City, Michael Brausen, for being such a gracious host. Another “thank you” goes out to John Goya for the invitation. [Note: Hey, John. I hope the guest of honor didn’t overload on sweets. Between your gift to her of Rossmoor Pastries goodies and my present of See’s Candies, I bet she had her fill of sugar and chocolate!] If you’d like to read more about the event, see Cory’s story on the front page of last week’s issue titled “Vice-Chairman of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region visits Long Beach.” You’ll find it easily at signaltribune.com under “archives” or just search by keyword. Speaking of Facebook, I found something fun on Wednesday while scrolling through my account. I just had to share it with my readers! The correct ways to say 10 words and phrases that many folks get wrong: Supposedly NOT Supposably For all intents and purposes NOT For all intensive purposes Regardless NOT Irregardless I couldn’t care less NOT I could care less Espresso NOT Expresso Specifically NOT Pacifically Et cetera NOT Ex cetera I saw it NOT I seen it Of utmost importance NOT Of upmost importance I need to lie down NOT I need to lay down
(Question from Neena– is it oriented or orientated?) Anyone out there know?
Out of the mouths of babes
For more than four decades, the Rev. Dale C. Whitney has served as a cornerstone in the foundation of Long Beach’s ecumenical movement for peace and social justice. Born in Nebraska in 1942, he grew up in California, graduating from Santa Barbara High School in 1960. His non-traditional academic preparation as a zoology major at Pomona College in the early ‘60s may have foreshadowed his eventual path to his current role as manager for the Harbor Area Farmers Markets. He later earned a bachelor’s of divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1968, and then his Courtesy Julia Kohn master’s of theology from the same institution. He served for Dale Whitney, at one of the local farmers markets he oversees approximately two years as an After completing his service as pastor of Geneva Presassistant pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Paula, before accepting a call to become the pastor of the byterian Church in 1989, Dale became the manager of the Harbor Area Farmers Markets, providing greater Long Geneva Presbyterian Church in Long Beach in 1971. As pastor of Geneva Presbyterian Church, Dale not Beach with access to fresh, low-cost, nutritional proonly provided spiritual support and guidance to a thriving duce in six market locations. In addition, he serves as congregation and a large extended network of church an active member of the First Congregational Church friends for 18 years, he also became a core leader of of Long Beach, where he sings with the choir, has led Southern California’s nascent ecumenical social-justice Bible studies and provides leadership to committees movement. He made his debut as the “new kid on the focused on opposition to the use of torture and other block” by preaching at the ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve human-rights violations by the United States governservice at the Belmont Heights Methodist Church. Under ment, and peaceful solutions to world problems. The description of Dale’s service to his community his leadership, Geneva Presbyterian became home for Long Beach’s progressive community organizations, is impressive. For over 40 years, he has been a member including among others Long Beach Housing Action, of the Protestant Campus Ministries Advisory Board at Long Beach Area Citizens Involved, the Alliance for Sur- California State University Long Beach. He has been active with the Long Beach Ministerial Association, the vival, and the Seal Beach Nuclear Action Group. In the 1970s, Dale worked with a major social-services Interfaith Clergy Council and the Interreligious Assocenter for the Latino community in east Long Beach and ciation of Greater Long Beach. He was also a volunteer helped start the Long Beach Food Bank. Beginning in chaplain at Long Beach Community Hospital for more 1976, his involvement with hunger issues led him to than five years. Dale is decidedly cosmopolitan in his openness to become a member and then coordinator of the Long Beach Area Church World Service/CROP Hunger Walk. dialogue among faiths and has been one of the most The latter project has not only raised countless thousands important advocates of interfaith action since his arrival of dollars for Long Beach area homeless shelters and food in Long Beach. His engagement in this area extends banks, it has also financially supported the worldwide dis- even to playing on the Geneva Presbyterian Church aster relief, agricultural development, and refugee reset- softball, basketball and volleyball teams throughout the '70s and '80s. He is a well-read scholar on a wide range tlement work of Church World Service. In 1977, Dale’s involvement with the South Coast of topics– a true Renaissance man. Many would say his Ecumenical Council, forerunner of today’s South Coast most outstanding quality is his deep compassion for othInterfaith Council, led him to join Olivia Herrera on the ers, which has led him to offer shelter in his own home to original Centro Shalom program board as the representa- many needy people and to reach out to help those in distive of the local Presbyterian churches. This was the begin- tress wherever he meets them, in whatever way he is able. ning of a nearly 25-year run as president of that board. He continues to serve as a key member who provides institu- Centro Shalom will honor Whitney during a special event on Sattional memory, sage advice and strategic donations to urday, Oct. 26 at the Long Beach Petroleum Club. For more information, visit centroshalom.org/en/in-the-news/74-centroresolve fiscal emergencies.
Melissa Zambrano Long Beach
Neena R. Strichart
Heavy road construction has begun here on Atlantic Ave. Traffic has been reduced to one lane in each direction, and all of the street parking along Atlantic Avenue from 33rd Street to Bixby Road has been removed. Bixby Knolls businesses in the construction zone are being seriously affected by the road work as well as those north of Bixby Road. Although delays are to be expected when traveling down Atlantic Avenue, local businesses need your support during this trying time. Plan to get to local businesses by way of alternate routes. Long Beach Boulevard and residential streets that parallel Atlantic Avenue are always an option. If you find yourself stuck in traffic, take the time to look around, and you may discover a business you never knew existed before. If driving is too much, try walking or biking to local businesses. Our businesses need our support more than ever right now. Road construction is hard on businesses. Questions or concerns about this work? Call All American Asphalt at (951) 757-8056 or Public Works at (562) 570-5716. Blair Cohn Executive director Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
MANAGING EDITOR
Stephen M. Strichart
Cory Bilicko
Daniel Adams Vicki Paris Goodman Gregory Spooner
DESIGN EDITOR/PRODUCTION MANAGER
Leighanna Nierle
ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS
STAFF WRITERS
CJ Dablo Sean Belk CULTURE WRITERS
fundraiser .
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Word on the street
When my 7-year-old Los Cerritos second grader came to me and said, “I want to make a difference– I want to help people,” I jumped on this opportunity with him. I asked how he would like to do that. He replied, “I want to help our homeless.” This made my heart sing because this is a cause near and dear to my heart as well. He then asked if we could use our store for people to drop off small hygiene products and canned food. Absolutely, I said. So Alex’s Wednesdays was born. We will be accepting donations and joining with Dare to Care for the Homeless, a nonprofit organization in Long Beach that we have been working with annually at Christmas. Now we want to do it all year long. They will help guide where the donations land in our Long Beach community. Please join my son in helping our homeless community get what they need. Gently used or new blankets have also been requested. You can drop the items off at: Urban Cottage– A Store for Your Soul, 4121 Long Beach Blvd.
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
COMMENTARY
OCTOBER 25, 2013
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/WEBSITE MANAGER
Tanya Paz
Barbie Ellisen Ashley Goodsell COLUMNISTS
Jennifer E. Beaver Shoshanah Siegel
Carol Berg Sloan, RD
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