2016 03 30 theedge web

MARCH 30 - april 5, 2016 VOL. 1

Issue

No.

10

www.TheEdgeLB.com The Edge Long Beach @EdgeLongBeach

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M A I D E N V O Y A G E

2016 ANNIVERSARY YEAR

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CONTENTS FOUNDER/PRESIDENT Von Raees CEO Jesse Dillon EDITORIAL editor@hlrmedia.com MANAGING EDITOR Gary Metzker SENIOR REPORTER Blake Pinto PHOTOGRAPHER Karen Sawyer CONTRIBUTORS Jesus Ambrosio Madison D’Ornellas Kevin Flores Olivia Otsuki Emily Rasmussen GRAPHICS/PRODUCTION Jorge Arroyo Allison Rojas WEBSITE Jorge Arroyo SALES Jeffrey Vaughn Candace Klewer DISTRIBUTION SUPERVISOR Edward Davis ACCOUNTING Vera Shamon PUBLISHER HLR Media ADVERTISING advertising@hlrmedia.com SUBMISSIONS: Please send all press releases to: editor@hlrmedia.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, Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: (626) 386-3457 Fax: (626) 600-4452

The edge-ucator

Our mayor, Robert Garcia, was ranked among “The Tweet Elite,” a list of 25 mayors who have mastered Twitter. The study was released Tuesday and it looks at the use of Twitter by mayors from the 250 largest U.S. cities. Development Counsellors International (DCI), a leading firm specialized in marketing places, prepared the report. Garcia ranked first among California mayors, and was one of only two California mayors in the top 25. The other was Libby Schaaf of Oakland who finished 15th.

“Twitter is a great way to keep constituents informed and connect with the community,” Garcia said in a news release. “I use Twitter for everything from responding to resident needs to posting my thoughts on good books and the latest movies.”

DCI’s research began by searching the Twitter accounts of mayors for the 250 largest cities in the U.S. The firm evaluated their Twitter activity over a 60-day period from January 1-February 29, 2016. Each mayor’s activity was scored based on five categories of weighted importance: audience, frequency, responsiveness, engagement and influence.

For your copy of “The Tweet Elite” visit: http://aboutdci.com/tweet-elite-25-mayors-mastered-twitter Here are the top 10:

NEWS: 04 Cambodian prime minister’s son decides it not such a good idea to come to Long Beach’s Cambodian New Year’s celebration.

top 20:

06

Options to finish your spring break without having to travel too far.

feature:

08

1. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake – Baltimore, Maryland @MayorSRB

8. Mayor Martin Walsh – Boston, Massachusetts @Marty_Walsh

2.

Mayor Muriel Bowser – Washington, District of Columbia @MayorBowser

9. Mayor Andy Berke – Chattanooga, Tennessee @AndyBerke

3.

Mayor William Peduto – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania @BillPeduto

10. Mayor Robert Garcia – Long Beach, @ RobertGarciaLB

4.

Mayor Jennifer Roberts – Charlotte, North Carolina @CLTMayor 5. Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin – Columbia, South Carolina @SteveBenjaminSC 6. Mayor Kasim Reed – Atlanta, Georgia @KasimReed

As always, if you like us or hate us or have a story idea hit us up on social media with a comment on our Facebook page or our website www.theedgelb.com. Or send me an email at editor@hlrmedia.com

7. Mayor Francis Slay – St. Louis, Missouri @MayorSlay

Gary Metzker Managing editor

The Sandy Awards are a celebration of the city using photographs and videos.

cover: 12 Justin Rudd can do more in one day than most people can do in a week.

business: 14 Elaine Chambers-Guzman is a polished order who has a skill for turning old things into home decor items

calendar: 16

$10 off your $25 purchase.

classifieds: 18 entertainment: 21 Flamenco is alive and well at Cafe Sevilla thanks to Antonio De Jerez.

artist of the week:

22

New York, Chicago, Vegas, Long Beach? Author Tyler Dilts uses the city as a backdrop for his murder mysteries.

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news Long Beach’s Cambodian community ignites a nation-wide movement by telling the Cambodian prime minister’s son he’s not welcome to the New Year’s Parade

#Nevermanet in LB E

ach year, Long Beach hosts the annual Cambodian New Year’s Parade. This year, it is scheduled for April 10. However, many Cambodian Americans have stated that they may not attend due to the news that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s son, Hun Manet, was invited to march in the 2016 parade.

According to different news sources including the Long Beach Post, and Khmer News, around 200 to 500 protestors from Long Beach and surrounding Southern California cities, gathered at City Hall this past Tuesday to ask Mayor Garcia and the Council Members to support them in their request to dis-invite Hun Manet.

Outside, locals held signs with big red X’s through pictures of Manet and the words, “NO CPP Bloody Hands on Our Community” and “We are Khmer community in Long Beach and don’t want to see dictatorship government join our parade.

NO HUN MANET.” Many created posters of photographs they have gathered of loved ones they have lost in the Killing Fields of Cambodia.

The high emotions continued into the Council Meeting. The protesters that could fit in the capacity of City Hall shared their personal stories to explain their detest for Manet’s arrival. The Council Members unanimously decided to show their support and said, “This is actually very sad for all of us. For those of us who were here to build Cambodia town, we made this city very proud, and we made our country proud, and I think we made the world proud. We are the first city to designate a part of our lovely city to celebrate Cambodian culture. As proud a moment as that is, I do think that it doesn’t mean that the fight is over. ... None of us will go to this parade.”

The fight is not over. Many of the protesters discussed the current corruption of the ruling party. In October of 2015, in an interview with Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Manet stated, “Things we need to preserve at any cost is the peace, stability, and security for the nation. That is the fundamental foundation for everything else. The development and prevention of further suffering of the people like we have seen in the past of our history because of 500 years of internal conflicts.”

by Olivia Otsuki

4/

However, Manet does not mention his family’s role in the internal conflicts.

Hun Sen is Cambodia’s Prime Minister, and was also a Commander in the Khmer Rouge. In the interview, Manet describes the multi-party democracy of Cambodia, though his father was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1979, and has ruled continuously as Prime Minister since 1985. This makes Hun Sen one of the longest-serving Heads of State in the world, and he vows to rule until he is 74-years-old. With rumors circulating that Manet will be the next successor, Cambodia could be facing near five decades of Hun family rule.

Vice President of Cambodia America Alliance Veasna Roeun, flew in from Connecticut to attend Tuesday’s council meeting. He is a US Army Veteran and a Human Rights Activist, whose own family has been affected by the Killing Fields.

Roeun counters what Manet says about democracy, he says “This is a regime, this is not a real democracy. ... When they pass

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laws that violate freedom of speech and expression, things we hold dear in America ... that doesn’t support democracy. That just doesn’t exist - you have it as long as you don’t go against the government. ... He has made threats a couple of times saying if he does not win the next election, there would be civil war. Basically, you’re [saying] that if people don’t vote for you, you are going to start a civil war. That’s holding a country under duress.”

Roeun explains some of history of the ruling party’s practices that have occurred in Cambodia for the past 35 years, “They are highly influenced by communist Vietnam, supported by communist ideals and everything they’ve done was to suppress opposition in the worst ways - political assassinations, arbitrary detainments, blackmailing, intimidating, beating in broad daylight of two opposers. There’s a lot more than that.”

Roeun says that the most disrespectful part is that Manet’s intent to visit to America is the hypocritical nature of his visit,

“[Hun Sen] has torn down Cambodian activities. He wouldn’t let Cambodian Buddhists practice. They’ve stopped the annual Water Festival from happening. Things they’ve done in Cambodia haven’t really benefited the homeland. So why would it make sense for him to come to America? ... If you’re going to come here to promote culture, you really have no respect for the people who you have torn down in your country. It is your party that has caused 820,000 people to be homeless, and assaulted the environment. They are destroying Cambodia. Why [is Manet] coming here to promote culture?”

With such an overwhelming majority of the Cambodian American community opposing his visit, why was Manet invited?

Roeun speculates, “There is something else going on underneath, very subversive, very misleading. We receive information, and it’s not fully verified. There are certain people with a certain amount of influence.” It has been rumored that Manet is here to promote his political agenda. Roeun says, “Absolutely. Manet is out here as a strategy to try and win public support [in Cambodia]. He’s coming here with his whole Cambodian news crew because they want a photo-op, to gain the support of those who have been disenchanted [by] the ruling party.”

Roeun acknowledges that even in America, some Cambodians are afraid of Manet and Sen. “People who have lived in America are scared, because of what they can do with money, and what they can do intimidating their families. But they should know they don’t need to be afraid, they should feel comfortable to come and say what they need to say, because this is America. This is our country, and we have those rights that Cambodia doesn’t have, that Cambodians don’t have.”

While things are stirring up in Long Beach, Roeun assures that Cambodian Americans across the nation are putting in their support, “This is a national movement now, not secluded to Long Beach. Tacoma, WA, and Olympia, WA. Lowell, MA is holding a council meeting this Wednesday. Dallas, TX is planning a demonstration.”

If Manet attends, Roeun says, “There are going to be angry people, and there are people who were harassed and intimidated, lost family members, lost land - there are a good amount of people in Long Beach, in America, that have felt the wrath of Manet’s policies.”

feature NEWS

“We have certain things in America that we appreciate, things we hold true to our hearts that many of us take for granted - the right to be free. And then we are allowing someone who suppresses speech, expression, limits freedom and holds a monopoly on it? When we let those people come to celebrate those things that deny those rights from their own people ... it is morally unjust.”

Pg.4: Manet Hun LEFT: Hun Manet’s Facebook post withdrawing from the Cambodian New Year’s Parade. - Courtesy of Facebook BELOW: A protester in CNRP’s rally in Phnom Penh on Dec. 22. More than 100,000 people were on Phnom Penh streets demanding Hun Sen to step down.

(Photo/Caption Credit to Aman Singh on Flickr)

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top 20

spring break Destinations We at The Edge know how you feel. It’s Wednesday and you haven’t motivated to do anything spring break-related. Been there. Done that. Well, after you read this brilliant article, get up off ass and go do something. Now, The Edge is not your damn travel agent, but if you are too lazy to scour the Internet for ideas, as a public service, we have done that for you so you can finish your week off strong. If you don’t like our recommendations, then we’re sorry (not really).

Now, the first nine places listed, you have to schlep to get to. The others? Not so much:

San Diego

Yes, it is a two-hour drive. And yes, the traffic can really suck going south on the 5. But it is San Diego. Great beaches and one of the best party destinations: the Gaslamp Quarter. Also known as the Gaslamp District, it sits in the heart of downtown San Diego and it is home to dozens of bars, often right next to each other, making it easy to hop from spot to spot without having to drive. If you’re looking for loud dance music, it’s there. Jazz? You’ll find that, too. Even pubs that ditch the dance floor and pop hits call the Gaslamp Quarter home. For the best experience, align your visit with a Padres game at Petco Park, which is just a short walk from the Gaslamp Quarter. Hell, they play the White Sox on Friday and Saturday at Petco in a couple of final tune-ups before the regular season starts.

Tijuana and Ensenada

Listen, if you are going to San Diego you might as well keep driving south to experience a change of culture. Tijuana is known for its delicious Mexican food, so grab a few tacos and a beer from a local taco cart. Compared to prices in Vegas, Tijuana offers more affordable options for people on a budget. The nightlife in Tijuana doesn’t stop, with some bars and clubs staying open until the sun comes up. Young adults are known to start off their day in San Diego and continue into different bars and clubs in Tijuana for the night, sometimes traveling further down the coast to Ensenada, known for wineries, and beach parties. And just beyond Ensenada is Puerto Nuevo for some yummy lobster.

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Santa Barbara

Beautiful beaches and a party scene; that’s sunny Santa Barbara. If you want to get your culture on then visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, which includes French and English 19th and early 20th century art. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden offers many scenic trails that tourists can hike through. Grab a tasty bite to eat at Freebirds. Isla Vista is a popular destination; it is also where UC Santa Barbara is located.

Palm Springs and surrounding areas This isn’t your parents’ Palm Spring.

Yes, you can find much older people there as well as people cruising around in golf carts, but this place is a great getaway for spring break. The Coachella Valley has developed a host of bars, clubs and even water parks that invite the younger crowd. During the day, you can do hiking, museum visits or simply lounge by the pool with a few cocktails.

Spend an evening downtown or during the weekend visit the Palm Desert swap meet to check out the unique artisan goods. Desert Hot Springs and Rancho Mirage offer prime relaxation, too. The area is known for its high temperatures, so pack the proper protection from the sun.

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gaslamp district - san diego courtesy sandiego.org

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a great winter spot when it snows, but that beautiful lake is a great camping spot for spring break.

Places like Meeks Bay Campground and Emerald Bay State Park, in South Lake Tahoe, allow visitors to take a dip in that beautiful (cold!) lake while enjoying the stunning scenery. Watching the sunrise over the lake is breath-taking. Of course, there is always the probability of encountering a bear because after all, it is Northern California. And for those in a gambling mode, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino opened at the end of January.

San Francisco

We hope you saved your pennies because San Francisco is a great place to visit for spring break but it can break the bank if you go to the upscale eateries. You don’t need a car because you can get a 7-day pass for $40 that allows unlimited rides on Muni buses, trains and cable cars; not a bad deal considering rides on the cable car are $7 one way. On the first Wednesday of every month, all San Francisco public museums are free, so while that leaves you out for spring break, the majority usually have $10 admissions. There is also Golden Gate Park near the HaightAshbury district and Dolores Park, a cheap party place with plenty of outside bars.

spring break destinations Venice Beach

Come on. You know you like going here. You just don’t want to admit it to your BFFs. This beach is home to the party animals and a very interesting, eclectic set.

Laguna Beach

2nd Street in Belmont Shore courtesy belmontshore.org

Yosemite National Park

Get a group of people together to visit Yosemite. Stay overnight in Fresno so that the first day’s drive isn’t so long.

With its lustrous waterfalls and wide expanse of trails, Yosemite is a great resource of fun for any lover (or nonlover, trust us) of the great outdoors.

Within its 1,200 square miles, you’ll find diverse wildlife, grand valleys, and a vast land ripe for exploration. Visitors can visit for one day or stay longer in the camping area or the hotels near the entrance of the park. To take full advantage of what the park’s offerings, staying more than one day is a must.

You don’t need reservations to visit Yosemite, but they are essential if you plan on spending the night camping or lodging in the park (we recommend the Ahwahnee, now known as the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, but you need reservations well in advance). Parking does come at a cost, but $20 per vehicle for seven days isn’t a high price for entry. Some of the trails may seem interminable but with perseverance and a few friends by your side, you’ll experience some of the greatest visions California has to offer. Come prepared with snacks — these trails are nothing to scoff at.

Las Vegas

Sin City, baby! L.V. says it all to spring breakers looking to cause a little trouble or at least have a lot of fun trying. In fact, nothing about Las Vegas is off limits to the crowd that lives to party just about anywhere, from celebrity-studded nightclubs to bountiful buffets that give you a chance to fuel up for even more revelry. Remember, a whole bunch of attractions that go way beyond gambling abound in this ultra entertaining destination only four hours away.

Pismo Beach and Morro Bay

There’s no place to stop and nothing to see between Santa Barbara and San Francisco, right? You couldn’t be more wrong. Drive another two hours, you’ll find yourself at the southern tip of California’s central coast, a must-visit location for the private-minded spring breaker. Starting at Grover Beach, a string of small beach cities line the shore, each with a unique flavor that makes it stand out as a part of the larger coastal community. Grover Beach is a shopping destination with beautiful beaches and mom-and-pop shops. Just north is Pismo Beach, with its steep cliffs adjacent to sandy beaches. And you have to stop at Morro Bay, even if it is only to see the massive Morro Rock.

Kayaking, surfing, hiking and camping are available and inexpensive for those on a tight budget. A short trip inland takes you to San Luis Obispo, home to Cal Poly SLO and a collection of fun bars and music venues that keep the laid back beach vibe, while providing everything necessary to let loose.

Tres chic, baby. If you’re looking to make your break fashionable, look no further than this part of Orange County.

This area is punctuated by an artists community that features art galleries, museums, restaurants, shops, and a host of events year round. This spring break offers wine tastings, whale watching, reggae concerts and more. Even Michael Jordan has been known to stop by and play a few hoops at the Main Beach.

Newport Beach

You got your hardcore surfers to the ritziest of the ritzy. Mansions dot the coastline and Fashion Island has everything you could ever need. Well, almost. And let’s not forget the beach – after all, Newport is home to . . . The Wedge, where waves can get up to 30 feet high.

Seal Beach

Wonderful places to eat and walk around in Seal. The Edge’s favorite cheesesteak place is the Philly Grille with a large order of fries. Yum. And after eating, like a million calories, take a walk on the Seal Beach Pier, but be warned, bring a jacket or sweater in the evening; it can get chilly. Since Long Beach doesn’t have any waves to speak of, this is the closest place to go surfing, too.

Manhattan Beach

Located south of Dockweiler State Beach and north of Hermosa Beach, you can expect lots of live music (after all, this is where the Beach Boys hung out to croon before becoming famous), some hot and heavy volleyball games (beach volleyball was born here) and a slew of bars to keep you entertained. The downtown part of Manhattan Beach offers a slew of Zagatrated dining experiences as well as small specialty shops for the discerning shopper.

The Metro

No, this isn’t the song made famous by the group Berlin; this is L.A. Metro, a rail system that can really take you around the county inexpensively. If you feel like being on the move without having to worry about actually driving, then public transportation is your deal. As our Edge writer, Jesus Ambrosio wrote for another publication, “You’ll be surprised at what you can discover like premier music venues such as the Regent Theater or El Rey Theatre, or DIY spots like the appropriately titled locale, The Smell. La Cita Bar in downtown Los Angeles has groovy vibes and a sick patio.

Second Street

So we are at the end of the article and The Edge still hasn’t struck a responsive chord, you can always count on good ol’ Second Street. Daytime or night, this 12-block corridor has some great shopping and dining locations. But whatever you do, you have to make time to go to Snow Monster; two cookies on the outsides with your choice of ice cream in the middle. How about a little drizzle of hot fudge on top. Thank goodness The Edge teaches group exercise classes at The Belmont Athletic Club, just down the street.

Huntington Beach

One of Southern California’s best beaches and surfing location. Plenty of places to shop and eat on and off Main Street. Grab a pick-up game at Surf City’s volleyball courts. There are about 20 nets on each side of the pier. And don’t worry about the 3.1-magnitude earthquake that struck there the other day.

Santa Monica

The Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade help give this beach a little something special. Amusement park rides and confections welcome visitors as do the shops and sunsets.

metro blue line courtesy metro.gov

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FEATURE

Uniquely Long Beach

The Sandy Awards honor people who love the city and aren’t afraid to show it

C

andy dispensaries, popcorn and illuminated spheres radiating hues of purple hanging from the ceiling set the tone for this year’s Sandy Awards in the Pacific Room at the Long Beach Arena.

The Sandy Awards are a celebration of those who participated in the “Show Us Your Long Beach” video and photo contest from the Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau (LBCVB).

Steve Goodling, LBCVB president and CEO, was master of ceremonies. Throughout the night, Goodling introduced prominent community figures including Stuart Ashman of MOLAA, Justin Rudd and Mayor Robert Garcia to present awards in several categories.

“This year there were over 200 photo entries and 25 video submissions,” Goodling

by Jesus Ambrosio

8/

said to the crowd that was not only treated to popcorn and candy, but also In-N-Out burgers.

The awards were handed out based on an online people’s choice vote and a vote from the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

With such a broad prompt to follow for this contest, every entry was uniquely Long Beach in its own special way.

Gabrielle Dorr has lived in Long Beach for the past eight years. Her video submission received honorable mention in the “Adrenaline Action” video category. Her entry featured the day in the life of her son Stephan exploring the city of Long Beach on his scooter.

“We made it look like it was one day,” Dorr said. “But with nap times for the little guy in between I’d say it took a couple days.”

Dorr’s husband composed the music for the submission, and both are interested in

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filmmaking.

“We saw that Long Beach was having the contest so we knew we had to get started.

My husband is a musician,” Dorr said. “The inspiration for us to create something together came from the city that we love.”

This year both second place and first place winners of the fan vote had one thing in common; the usage of drones.

Bill Geal entered the competition last year and won honorable mention. This year his video won second place. The entry showed off an aerial view of the sunrise emerging from the ocean with shades of pink, orange and red in the sky.

“I have lived here 20 years,” Geal said holding his surfboard-shaped award after the festivities concluded. “I live on Ocean, and I love being able to walk across the street to see the water. I must have got up at five in the morning to record that footage. I

could tell it was going to be a nice sunrise.”

He unfortunately lost his drone in the ocean soon after recording his award-winning footage, but is happy that he will be able to use his prize money to invest in another drone.

Garcia presented the first place award for the fan vote, which was awarded to Charlie Coquis. Garcia was excited to find out that Coquis was Peruvian like himself.

Coquis has had a drone for over a year, and his video featured a compilation of footage from the Christmas Boat Parade in Belmont Shore.

“The Christmas parade has always been awesome because it’s at night time and you can see the lights,” Coquis said. “The only way to really capture the moment is to record footage from the air.”

Straight from Peru to Long Beach, he im-

FEATURE

You have a little bit of everything here. The beach, you can jog everywhere, so many events, like the Grand Prix. There is always something going on. – CHARLIE COQUIS migrated to the city as a teenager and has lived here for 17 years.

“You have a little bit of everything here,” Coquis said. “The beach, you can jog everywhere, so many events, like the Grand Prix. There is always something going on.”

One thing that was clearly evident at the event was that everyone who entered the contest loved Long Beach for different reasons.

“It truly is a community event and we encourage everyone to enter,” said Loren Simpson, CVB digital communications manager. “Last fall when we [first] did the video contest, and it ran for a few months.

When we saw the content that came out of that and what people were making we wanted to celebrate everyone who entered.”

The origin of The Sandys began when the CVB created a social media campaign called Beach with Benefits, which was intended to boost leisure travel to Long Beach.

The campaign was divided into two phases according to Simpson. Phase One consisted of seven sweepstakes packages, which required basic information like name and email from entrants.

Phase Two of the campaign is when things got interesting. Entrants participated in weekly contests on social media that were able to stir up engagement with locals in Long Beach. When it was time for the

summer campaign to wind down, the CVB decided to continue the campaign all year round.

“We realized on social media our search handles were increasing,” Simpson said.

“When we realized how much content was out there with a love that people have for the city on social media thats we decided to create a video contest.”

Now in its second year, Simpson says it’s never too early to be working on a entry for this contest because The Sandy Awards are here to stay.

Like many of the other participants, Ryan McGinnis has lived in Long Beach for quite some time. In his case since he was born.

He started Long Beach Local News about a year ago because he said he felt the need for more video and broadcasting coverage in Long Beach.

“We incorporated that with all the footage that we capture over the year,” McGinnis said. “Everything from the Long Beach Grand Prix, State of The City, you name it were there. There was tons of events to cover.”

His Long Beach is one of diversity.

“There are all kind of people here, and you can see that from the video I tried to incorporate that,” McGinnis said. “People visit [Long Beach] from all over the world or move here from all over the world. I couldn’t really see myself living anywhere else.”

Page 8: The Sandy Awards celebrate winners of the annual “Show Us Your Long Beach” contest.

TOP LEFT: Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO, Steve Goodling; Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna, Long Beach City Auditor Laura Doud, Long Beach Fire Chief Mike DuRee, Commodore Everette Hoard of the Queen Mary dressed to impress for The Sandy Awards.

ABOVE: Gabrielle Dorr and her son Steffan pose with Long Beach Museum of Art’s Executive - Photos courtesy of LBCVB Director, Ron Nelson.

Jose Rodriquez (Rubel)

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in long beach

O n b r o a d way

eat. drink. play. explore. art. shop. relax

Visit Authentic Long Beach On Broadway!

B

roadway spans Long Beach, west to east. It connects Downtown to Belmont Shore.

Driving, biking or walking along Broadway means experiencing some of Long Beach’s most historic districts: Alamitos Beach, Bluff Park, Bluff Heights, and Belmont Heights, are ‘villages’ along Broadway. Originally called “Railway” for the streetcars it carries, Broadway was dotted with bungalows, shops and services for early residents.

The tradition continues, with a hip, local twist. Join locals at coffee ships in converted produce markets; Choose a Zagat-rated restaurant or casual sidewalk café; Take an art class, have a spa day, select a home treasure to mark your visit to Long Beach. Experience Long Beach with the locals, whether at an Irish bar, a wine bar, or a drag queen show. Food Trucks and Art Walk every 3rd Thursday. Farmers’ Market at Bixby Park every Tuesday. There’s something for everyone. Never boring, Broadway’s story is authentic and well over 100 years old.

Today, locals and visitors alike love the sights, scenes and stories still unfolding On Broadway.

s Alamito Beach

Visit the villages of broadway!

Bixby Park

Falcon

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Farmer's Market

> Belmont

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Food Trucks

Euclid

broadway!

Orizaba

Lindero

Hermosa

Orange

10 /

Alamitos

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t Belmon

Heights

Temple

>

www.transformationscreations.com

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cover

He’s one-of-a-kind You may not have heard of him, but you have probably participated in an event put on by Justin Rudd and his Community Action Team

F

rom organizing local charity events, to leading beach cleanups, and even hosting dog beauty pageants, Justin Rudd truly has a one of a kind job. He is the creator and only employee of the Community Action Team (CAT) in Long Beach, a nonprofit corporation that holds events within the community to benefit children, animals, and the environment.

Mayor Robert Garcia just awarded Rudd the Go Long Beach Award last Friday, which honors community members for outstanding contributions to the city.

Although people might not know exactly who Rudd is or what the nonprofit is called, most people have probably seen or heard of the work he’s done in Long Beach. CAT holds over 60 events, contest, and projects each year such as the Long Beach Turkey Trot 5K/10K, the Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade, and the 30-Minute Beach Cleanup. Some of these events have been recognized nationally, making it to the front page of the Wall Street Journal and putting Rudd on the “Tonight

by Emily Rasmussen

12 /

Show with Jay Leno.”

“Each of these things are just things that I enjoy in my life,” he says. “These things are varied and diverse, and so are the things that I do with my nonprofit. I didn’t want to limit myself to just beach cleanups or just dog projects.”

It all started about 17 years ago, when Rudd had the idea to start doing beach cleanups with a few friends.

“I was running on the beach when I just moved to Long Beach and I was jumping over piles of trash. I noticed that the city was not able to pick it up fast enough, or as efficient as I thought it should be,” Rudd says. So he grabbed some friends and started picking up trash, just for half an hour.

More people began showing up to the beach cleanup, so Rudd created a consistent event for everyone to come to. From little kids to seniors, people now show up for the 30-Minute Beach Cleanup, which is every third Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. on Granada Avenue.

After starting the 30-Minute Beach Cleanup, Rudd started doing more work, but with dogs, becoming inspired when he got a

| MARCH 30 - APRIL 5, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

cover

bulldog named Rosie.

“I wanted her to be able to interact with other dogs, but there was only one dog park at the time in Long Beach. And I wanted to interact with other dog loving people. So on Sunday afternoons, I would hold ‘Yappy Hours’ at Livingston Park,” Rudd says.

About 40 to 50 people would show up to this event, which looked like quite an interesting scene to stander bys. So it inspired Rudd to begin the Haute Dog Easter Parade, where people dressed up their dogs in Easter outfits. This became his second major event.

However, still wanting more for his Rosie to play and run around, Rudd started questioning the possibility of a dog beach in the city. So he began researching a way to make it happen.

“I was looking up all the dog codes and it said that dogs are allowed on the beach during a special event. And I said ‘That’s my ticket!’ So I’m gonna have a special event and allow dogs to come,” he says. “So I pulled the permit from the city, the insurance and all that, sent out press releases and invited dogs on a Sunday afternoon for four or five hours. We had 400 to 500 dogs showed up.”

Rudd did this each month for about two years, before asking the city to start doing a pilot program allowing dogs on the beach all day, every day. Eventually, after an email writing campaign to Long Beach’s decision makers, it was finally allowed. The city decided to name it Rosie’s Dog Beach, after Rudd’s bulldog who had just died.

Rudd says his love of dogs and animals partly comes from growing up in a small town called Ozark, Alabama.

“We had mutts, people would drop off dogs and they happened to walk up to our house.

And we’d just feed them and love on them,” he says.

After graduating with a bachelor’s in marketing, from Samford College in Alabama, Rudd moved to North Hollywood where

he started working as a singer for Disney special events and doing extra parts in movies. Eventually he moved to Long Beach and started working for a public relations agency and also teaching classes at the Belmont Athletic Club. After spending so much time organizing all of theses events, he decided to create the nonprofit so people could make tax deductible donations. Now CAT has been Rudd’s full-time job for about 15 years.

Thousands of dogs from across the country come to Rudd’s dog-related events, as he calls the “Haute Dog” project. CAT holds adoption fairs, dog parades, and the Bulldog Beauty Contest – the world’s largest gathering of English bulldogs. That’s right, and it’s held here in Long Beach every February.

Mark your calendars.

In addition to his work with animal welfare, Rudd has also done a lot to benefit children, focusing on those from disadvantaged communities. Every Easter, he organizes Operation Easter Basket, which gives out about 2,600 Easter baskets that are filled with essentials like art supplies, school supplies, and toiletries.

“There’s candy and toys in there too.

That’s what most of the kids love in their Easter baskets, but these are kids that wouldn’t get an Easter basket at all, poorer people in our community,” Rudd says. “And we work with about 30 agencies who have kids that they work with on a daily basis.

Those organizations pick up the baskets that we’ve prepared at the church, and then go distribute them to the kids.

Rudd says his favorite project is Camp Justin, because he gets to spend more quality time with the kids, instead of just organizing an event for which there is so much going on.

“It’s a one week day camp and we get students from the school district who are incoming seniors that are deserving students,”

he said.

Rudd has taken the students on day trips or overnight trips to the mountains, but sometimes on trips as far as Las Vegas, where they stay in a 5-star hotel. He’s also taken a group on a tour to San Francisco.

However, Rudd’s true passion is going to Kenya each summer, and visiting with orphans whose parents have died from AIDS. He spends about 14 to 18 days with the kids, to spend time with them; but also to get them sponsorships. He works with an outside organization that gets sponsorships from the United States to help pay for things like food, housing and medical attention.

“Then school and uniforms, because they are required to wear uniforms to school.

But they’re so poor they can’t afford the uniforms,” he says. “They’re also required to pay school fees to go to school, but they’re so poor they can’t afford the school fees. So they’re trapped in a cycle of extreme poverty and we try to get them sponsorships so they don’t have to worry about the financial www.theedgelb.com

PG.12: Justin at the 30-Minute Beach Cleanup. TOP Clockwise L-R: Dogs playing at Rosie’s Dog Beach. Contestants gathering at the Bulldog Beauty Contest.

- Photos by Emily rasmussen.

Rudd with orphan kids in Kenya, whose parents have died from AIDS. - courtesy of Justin Rudd

portion of it. So they can focus on making good grades, hopefully going to college, and getting out of that cycle of poverty.”

His dream is to one day start a boys school in Kenya for the AIDS orphans.

“When I’m there each summer, I really feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing,” he says. “I can organize a 5,000 person Turkey Trot, or 5,000 kids to be in a bike parade on the 4th of July, or a National Spelling Bee.That’s fine. But when I’m there. . . I really feel like I’m supposed to be doing this.

You can learn more about CAT, Justin Rudd, and his projects at JustinRudd.com.

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businesS

Wabi-sabi de Luxe

S

he opens the back of her truck to reveal her latest stash of a usual thrift pick-up: never-used blue and white throw pillows, a cotton duffle bag with worn-leather detail, simple children’s moccasins, vintage glassware, bungee cords, brake fluid, tree clippers, and an unopened bottle of Rose.

The wine is for Easter, she insists.

One might say that Elaine Chambers-Guzman is a collector of all things used. Another might say that she is a polished hoarder with a skill for finding old, simple things and turning them into home decor. Somebody else might say that she is obsessed with antiques.

But after visiting her cottage-and-patio store Casa De Luxe at 1930 E. Fourth St., dressed to the nines with refurbished present and vintage knick-knacks and furniture, everyone will leave saying that Chambers-Guzman, who has lived in Long Beach

by Madison D’Ornellas

14 /

50 of her 52 years, is a Stuff Specialist.

Walking through Casa de Luxe with Chambers-Guzman is like going on a tour through her dark, twisted, handcrafted fantasy of bringing old to new. She runs her store with a wabi-sabi attitude of acknowledging and embracing imperfections. “[The antiques] lasted because [people] cared about it. It’s wear. It’s love. It’s been worn,” she says while looking over her counter with pride.

You can’t know unless you go. And when you do, keep you eyes peeled. Some of the best finds in Casa de Luxe are hidden in plain sight.

Long Beach resident Jonathan Downie says he likes the variety of trinkets in Casa and keeps coming back because the “stock changes out so quickly. There’s always something new.”

Casa de Luxe is that: a renovated cottage with rounded archways that lead into two different rooms full of Chambers-Guzman’s loot; a loft setup with paintings, a made

| MARCH 30 - APRIL 5, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

Unique boutique finds and refurbished treasure-troves are at an abundance inside Fourth Street’s Casa de Luxe. As long as owner Elaine Chambers-Guzman’s hands stay sticky.

bed, an ancient airplane propeller and old, sepia-tone photos.

The sun-lit, breezy labyrinth opens up to a large patio filled with pots of different sizes of succulents. The back of the cottage looks to three spruced-up garages that host outside vendors’ goodies. All with their own theme, these studios allow Chambers-Guzman to share the wealth with other local sleuths. There isn’t anything Chambers-Guzman won’t want to fix and find a new meaning for; her check-out counter is an aged white door and section of her old kitchen, a toilet tank that sits underneath a table on the back patio that was once a picket fence is used for a mini succulent garden, and a 5-foot paint-peeled wooden canoe is good for, according to Chambers-Guzman, an ice cooler for your next party.

Casa de Luxe’s birth was a party, a wedding according to Chambers-Guzman. With the help of her husband’s 11 brothers and sisters, every bolt, screw, light fixture and

decorative piece was put into place.

The night before the boutique’s opening, Chambers-Guzman had four friends help her price items. Overwhelmed with getting the prices right, they mosied over to the Pike for some Bloody Mary’s to clear their heads before heading back. But they never went back.

This carefree attitude keeps Casa de Luxe afloat. Chambers-Guzman is not afraid of a lack of sales or little foot traffic.

Of course she wants people to visit the store, but most of her trinkets are found or bargain bought, which explains the crazy reasonable prices on items throughout the store.

“The store kept evolving. It’s been like a party [that] hasn’t stopped,” Chambers-Guzman says.

Chambers-Guzman doesn’t run Casa de Luxe, she embodies it.

After growing up in a household with a mother who made quilts and a father whose customers walked in the door

BUSINESS

I always collected, I knew I was going to have a store. It just kind of happened. It was my time.

The universe giving back for my hard work.

Whatever you ask for you will get it.

– Elaine Chambers-guzman

Pg. 14: Elaine Chambers-Guzman is the owner of Casa de Luxe located on Fourth Street in Long Beach. The antique shop has been open since Dec. 2015. TOP: Antiques are displayed for costumers in one of the many rooms at Casa de Luxe March 24. RIGHT: Elaine Chambers-Guzman pants a board at Casa de Luxe March 24. Chambers-Guzman said she always multi-tasks there, for example, by fixing furniture, talking to costumers - Photos by Karen Sawyer and eating at the same time.

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Sport Rehabilitation & Body Work Massage therapy helps you relax, re-align and rejuvenate the body and mind “You can come here or I can go there. I massage Anywhere.” everyday looking for refurbished finds, Chambers-Guzman had no problem knowing her calling in life.

“I always collected, I knew I was going to have a store,” she says. “It just kind of happened. It was my time. The universe giving back for my hard work. Whatever you ask for you will get it.”

Chambers-Guzman finds her treasures from the streets, flea markets and outside-city thrift stores. She waits until the end of the day to go hunting, enjoying the adventure of finding something that someone overlooked or left behind.

The store is kept by Chambers-Guzman, a handful of employees and her trusted handyman Raymond Jiminez. Jiminez is the joints of Casa de Luxe, able to mend and maintain its skeleton with fine crafts-

manship and loyalty.

“She leads by example and is really genuine and really nice,” says Lindsey Werk, a Dana Point native that has lived in Long Beach for almost a year. “And I feel like [when] she’s nice to you I think, maybe expecting, you to be nice to her. I’ve never had a boss that was nice and trusts you.

[She’s] just down to earth.”

After she closes the truck door, Chambers-Guzman leads me back to the back patio and grabs a Jiminez-made wooden A-frame sign that she carries through Casa de Luxe to the outside in front of the store’s doorway. Peeling off a lid of black chalk paint, she starts to finish a new ‘welcome’ marquee, wabi-sabi style.

“Always get the paint off the lid first,” she says.“Never waste it.”

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// MARCH 30 - APRIL 5, 2016 // Queen Mary

on works created by artists confronting physical, emotional or social challenges, as well as work created directly as part of a rehabilitation process.

// April 8 - April 10 // Fantasea Magic Festival Friday, April 8, $25; Saturday, April 9, starting at $19; Sunday, April 10, $29. Weekend Pass, $159 Come aboard the historic Queen Mary and experience expert sleight of hand and mesmerizing illusions put on by world class, award-winning performers.

Fantasea weekend magic festival is in association with the Academy of Magical Arts, and its world famous clubhouse, the Magic Castle.

// April 15 // Latin Rhythms: Tango Dance Class

// April 25 // The Queen Mary Golf Classic Benefitting the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House

// April 22 // Craft Club: Movement and Murals

7:30 a.m.–2 p.m.

Want to shoot a ‘hull’ in one for charity?

The Queen Mary will host a fun day of Championship golf, prizes and entertainment at the third annual Queen Mary Golf Classic, held at the historic Virginia Country Club. Proceeds will benefit the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House.

Long Beach Museum of Art // March 31 - April 24 // Artist in Residence: Jamie Sweetman Patterns, structures and shapes found in both the human body and plant life are depicted in Jamie Sweetman’s mysterious drawings.

// March 11-May 29 “Beyond the Frame: New Media Arts from Taiwan” This exhibition of “new media” artists from Taiwan showcases their skills to use traditional art techniques with modern technology.

// March 11 - May 29 // “Transformed by Fire” Diverse selection of functional and sculptural contemporary ceramics from the collection of Richard Oelschlaeger. The artists’ creations in clay are local, regional, statewide and national in significance.

16 /

7 p.m. – 9 p.m., General admission; $10, Members free Come prepared for an energizing night and learn the art of tango. Dance instructor Josie Neglia will lead you through a series of dance and fitness moves to the rhythms of this passionate dance.

pease - courtesy youtube

Aquarium of the Pacific // April 2 // Job Shadow Class: Marine Biologist 9 a.m. – noon, $39 per student, $35 for members Aquarist is not a zodiac sign. It is a very important position that our scaly and spineless friends rely on! Find out what it takes to be one in this three-hour class.

// April 9 // International Children’s Day Festival 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., included with admission The Aquarium of the Pacific’s 10th annual International Children’s Day is a special festival for kids.

// April 23 - April 24 // Earth Day Celebration 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., included with admission Learn what you can do to help our ocean planet at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s annual Earth Day Celebration.

Shark Lagoon Nights Join the Aquarium on Free Friday evenings when Shark Lagoon will be open until 9 p.m.

| MARCH 30 - APRIL 5, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

MOLAA // April 1 // All About Art: Balboa Films 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., General admission; $10, Members free Dr. Jean-Jacques Jura presents select clips from historic silent films produced

by Balboa Films, a motion picture company once located on the site of MOLAA. Dr. Jura is co-author of Balboa Films: A History and Filmography of the Silent Film Studio.

// April 8 // Latin American Lifestyles: Buen Provecho 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., General admission; $40, Members $30 Join Chef Luis Navarro, from Lola’s Mexican Cuisine, as he leads a cooking and mixology demonstration. This springthemed Buen Provecho includes specialty dishes and drinks. Workshop includes a small tasting and drink.

// April 10 // Exhibit Opening: Artful Healing Based on the belief of the museum’s founder, Dr. Robert Gumbiner, that art had the ability to “heal the body and elevate the soul,” Artful Healing focuses

7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., General admission; $5, Members free Inspired by the Artful Healing exhibition in the Port to Learning Gallery, Arts & Services for Disabled (ASD) will lead a collaborative art project where participants can practice their gross motor skills through various games and activities by manipulating different materials and practicing lifting, carrying and throwing.

WED 3/30

WEDNESDAY 3/30

Cirque du so Gay 8 p.m., $20 The Laugh Factory 151 S. Pine Ave.

Join us for a night of good gay fun featuring the most talented comedians in Los Angeles. Hosted by ringleader Jordan Pease of VH1’s Walk of Shame Shuttle, you don’t want to miss out when this circus comes into town.

The Used 6 p.m., FREE Amoeba Music 6400 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles Father John Misty 8 p.m., $35 The Observatory 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana

calendar

THU 3/31

THURSDAY 3/31

Ken O’Malley Live Irish Music 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

The Auld Dubliner 71 S. Pine St.

Ken O’Malley playS an early evening set every Thursday.

Live Music in the Tapas Bar at Café Sevilla 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Café Sevilla 140 Pine Ave.

Café Sevilla is proud to feature live music in its tapas bar Thursday through Sunday. Check out the calendar at http:// cafesevilla.com/lb-events/ to see who is playing live at the tapas bar.

The Pesos, The Molochs, Delirium Tremens, Tenement Rats 9 p.m., $5, 21+ Alex’s Bar 2913 E. Anaheim St. Santigold 8 p.m., $32.50 The Hollywood Palladium 6215 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood FRIDAY 4/1

FRI 4/1

The Secret Affair 9 p.m., $7, 21+ Alex’s Bar 2913 E. Anaheim St.

Bleached 5 p.m., FREE Amoeba Music 6400 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles Tyler the Creator 7 p.m., $45 The Observatory 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana

SAT 4/2

SATURDAY 4/2

Formula E Long Beach EPrix Gates open at 7 a.m., with activities running all day. Main race at 4 p.m. Adults; $40, Children and seniors; $20 Downtown Long Beach

The 10-city, 11-race second season began in Beijing in September 2015 and will end in London in June. The championship sees nine teams, each with two drivers, racing on temporary city-center circuits to create a unique and exciting race series designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fans. Long Beach is the series’ only stop in the U.S.

Rocky Horror Picture Show 11:55 p.m., Adults: $11; Senior/children: $8 The Art Theater 2025 E. 4th St., Long Beach The Art Theater presents the Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live shadow cast. Shows are every Saturday night at midnight. Costumes and audience participation is encouraged during the viewing of the cult classic.

The Wailing Souls 5 p.m., $18 The Gaslamp 6251 E. Pacific Coast Highway

international children’s Day - aquarium of the pacific

Fu Manchu 8 p.m., $12, 21+ Alex’s Bar 2913 E. Anaheim St. Dillon Francis 7 p.m., $50 The Observatory 3503 S Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana

SUN 4/3

SUNDAY 4/3

Latino Night 8 p.m., $20 The Laugh Factory 151 S. Pine Ave

Need a little spice in your life? Head on out to a night of Latino themed comedy at the Laugh Factory para divertirte mucho! We’ve got some of the biggest names in comedy offered in L.A., and they all happen to be Latino! Who could ask for anything mas?

Matthew Logan Vasquez (of Delta Spirit) with guests Reverend Baron and Dustin Lovelis 8 p.m., $13 The Federal Underground 102 Pine Ave. Tank 9 p.m., Tickets start at $25 The Gaslamp 6251 E. Pacific Coast Highway

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Chemical X, Crooked Captain, Bundy 8 p.m., FREE, 21+ Alex’s Bar 2913 E. Anaheim St.

Lawn Bowling 10 a.m., Free Recreation Park 4900 E. Seventh St.

Arrange to take a free lawn bowling lesson and learn about the fun outdoor team game. Located on the Recreation Park Lawn Bowling Greens.

MON 4/4

MONDAY 4/4

Street Dance Lessons 6 p.m., FREE Homeland Cultural Center 1321 E. Anaheim St. Graffiti Workshop 6 p.m., FREE Homeland Cultural Center 1321 E. Anaheim St.

TUE 4/5

TUESDAY 4/5

Munchkin Matinee 10 a.m., Adults: $6, kids 8 and under free The Art Theater 2025 E. Fourth St.

Every Tuesday at 10 a.m. for those who would like to see a current film in a setting that is not so dark and not so loud – viewed among those who understand that kids will be kids! Current film title to be announced on Facebook each week.

Open Mike Eagle 8 p.m., FREE Amoeba Music 6400 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles

- courtesy el camino college

www.theedgelb.com

| MARCH 30 - APRIL 5, 2016 |

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Colonial Bakery 335 Pacific Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 436-2172

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| MARCH 30 - APRIL 5, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

Deluxe Parlor 329 Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 432-8259 Razor Backs 3400 E. 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90814 (562) 433-4444 Razorbacksbarbershoplb. com

Phil’s Barbershop 5328 E. 2nd St Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 433-9429 Seng’s Shear Delight Barbershop 218 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 787-4407 Victorious Barbershop 243 E.7th St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 983-8825 Beauty

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Envy Beauty Studio 3370 E. 7th St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 433-9946 EnvyBeautyStudio.Com

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Supercuts 314 Elm Ave. Long Beach, CA 90804 (562) 438-1454

Velo Pacific 5470 E. 2nd St. Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 433-5801

Diana`s Beauty Salon 1220 Gladys Ave. Long Beach, CA (562) 856-7817

Torres Bike Shop 1971 Pacific Ave. Long Beach, CA 90806 (562) 599-8333

Nail Studio 342 E 4th St Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 983-6800

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King Nail 62 ELM Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 983-9100

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Floyd’s Barbershop 4000 E. Ocean St. Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 343-2300

True Touch Nail 5668 N. 2nd St. Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 987-4014

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car wash Crystal Auto Spa 3525 E. Anaheim St. Long Beach, CA 90804 (562) 295-7076 Children’s store children's store Lil Devils 2218 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90814 (562) 439-0555 lildevilsboutique.com Chiropractor chiropractor SOHMA Integrative Health Center (562) 420-2112 www.SOHMA.org Chocolate store chocolate store Anandamide 2040 E.4th St. Long Beach, CA 90814 (562) 248-2711 Blisscompound.com Clothing Store store clothing Junk in the Trunk 3134 E.7th St. Long Beach, CA 90804 (562) 248-2711

commercial insurance Commercial Insurance Sierra Republic 111 W. Ocean Blvd, Ste 400 Long Beach, CA90802 (310) 995-4471 www.sierra-republic.com Commercial Real Estate commercial real estate iCore Global 444 W. Ocean Blvd, Ste 800 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 285-9974 www.iCOREGLOBAL.com CPA

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K.I. Patton, CPA (562) 495-3213 www.kipattoncpa.com Creditcredit - Business - BuSIness LegalShield Business Solutions (310) 936-7265 www.legalshieldassociate. com/biz/jerriharris Donut shop donut shop Gladstone Donuts 3480 E. 7th St. Long Beach, CA 90804 (562) 433-1035 Cleanersdry cleaner Speedies Dry Cleaner 354 E. 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 436-4282 Event Planning event planning Next Level Occasions (562) 305-3352 www.nextleveloccasions.com Eye Care eye care Quality Eye Care 619 Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 366-0777 Financial Planner financial planner Stone Hatcher 333 City Blvd. West, Ste 2050 Orange, CA 92868 (714) 704-6616 www.stonehatcher.com Framing framing Vivid Framing 501 E. Broadway Suite B. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 912-4008 Furniture furniture store Inretrospect 2122 E. 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90814 (562) 433-6600 Gift Shop gift shop Shades of Afrika 1001 E. 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 436-2210

Transformations 3409 E. Broadway Long Beach, CA 90803 government Government Councilmember Al Austin (Main Office) 333 W. Ocean Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 999-6438 District8LongBeach@gmail. com Councilmember Al Austin (Field Office) 5641 Atlantic Avenue.

Long Beach, CA 90805 (562) 570-1326 Hardwarehardware store Anderson Hardware 714 Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 437-2929 andersonpaintandhardware. com Hair salon hair salon Envy Beauty Studio 314 Elm Ave Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 433-9946 www.envybeautystudio.com

LAUNDROMAT Laundromat Fluffy Dry 3620 E. Broadway Long Beach, CA 90803 Library

library

Bel Shore Liquors 5340 E 2nd St. Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 433-2711 Market

Bay Shore Branch Library 195 Bay Shore St. Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 570-1039 Liquor Store liquor store Speedy Liquor 3036 E. 4TH St. Long Beach, CA 90810 (562) 438-0408 Sierra Liquor 1601 E. 4TH St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 495-9797 Ambassador Liquor 1642 E. 4TH St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-8533 Loma Liquor 220 Loma Ave. Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 439-3390 Pacific Liquor 1895 Pacific Ave. Long Beach, CA 90806 (562) 218-5294

market

Kress Market 443 Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 436-8300 Kressmarket.com Top Value Market 421 S. Pacific Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-7866 EL Mercado#2 1168 E 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 432-6949 Eddie’s Market 2444 E. 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90814 (562) 343-5144 Eddiesmarketpizza.com Music Store music store The HUB 2148 E. 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90814 (562) 343-2381

Fingerprints Music 420 E. 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 433-4996 Fingerprintsmusic.com Third Eye Records 2701 E. 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90814 (714) 415-5800 Thirdeyerecordshop.com movers-commercial Movers Commercial & Industrial/industrial Ace Relocation Solution, Inc. 189 W. Victoria St. Long Beach, CA 90805 (310) 735-0417 www.acerelocation.com Notary

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T.L. Brown Document Preparation & Notary Service -Family Law & Criminal Law (951) 339-0489 brow173@yahoo.com Nutrition shop shop nutrition Max Muscle 322 Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 628-9119 maxmuscle.com

Hospital hospital VA Long Beach Healthcare System 5901 7th St., Building 165 Long Beach, CA 90805 (562) 826-8000 Hotel

hotel

Seaport Marina Hotel 6400 Pacific Coast Highway.

Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 434-8451 Seaportmarinahotel.com Insuranceinsurance Monarch Coast Insurance Solutions 10541 Calle Lee, Suite 125 Los Alamitos , CA 90720 (714) 886-3020 www. monarchcoastins.com Jewelryjewelry Design design Something Fine 218 Main St. Seal Beach, CA90740 (562) 596-5105 www.something-Fine.com Juice Bar juice bar Rainbow Juices 246 E. 3rd St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 912-4281 Rainbowjuices.com

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classifieds classifieds online marketing Online Marketing Breakthrough SEO Marketing www.barthattorneys.com (714) 704-4828 Payroll Solutions payroll solutions

Restaurants restaurants Modica’s Deli 455 E. Ocean Blvd.

Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 435-7011 Modicas.com

Long Beach, CA 90814 (562) 438-0788 MamamiaLB.com Linda`s Mexican Delight 951 Redondo Ave. Long Beach, CA 90804 (562) 439-2121

Loyalty Processing (310) 200-6724 Loyaltyprocessing.com

Broadway Pizza & Grill 120 E. Broadway Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 901-9630

Taco Chapala 3205 E. Anaheim St. Long Beach, CA 90804 (562) 498-0570

Paychex 1535 Scenic Avenue. Ste 100 Costa Mesa, CA92626 (714) 434-9100 x51025 Paychex.com

Kabob Curry 108 W. 3rd St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 495-2262

Mi Ranchito 2912 E. Anaheim St. Long Beach, CA 90804 (562) 434-4546

Octopus Japanese Restaurant 200 Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 901-2100 Octopusrestaurant.com

Denny’s 5570 Pacific Coast Hwy Long Beach, CA 90804 (562) 498-1897

Pet Care pet care Pussy & Pooch 4818 E. Second St. Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 434-7700 Pussyandpooch.com Soggy Dog 344 E. 4th St Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 432-6934 Soggydog-lb.com Printing Service printing serviceS Sir Speedy 701 Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 435-2564 Sirspeedy.com Hungry Dog Printing & Design (888) 730-7740 Hungrydogprinting.com Red Eye 2127 Pacific Ave. Long Beach, CA 90806 (562) 591-3433 redeyeprinting@yahoo.com Signs & Banners signs & banners Zepp Sign & Banner 400 E. Broadway Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 491-5800 Zeppsignsandbanners.com Property Restoration Specialproperty restoration ist specialists

Beachwood BBQ 210 E. 3rd St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 436-4020 Beachwoodbbq_lb.com Sweet Dixie Kitchen 401 E. 3rd St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 628-2253 Valentino 5782 E. 2nd St. Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 438-3939 Omega Drive – In 2641 E. Anaheim St Long Beach, CA 90804 (562) 434-5616 Honduras Kitchen 515 Long Beach Blvd.

Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 624-8849 HKHonduras.com Kafe Neo 1909 E. 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90814 (562) 987-1210 kafeneolb.com Yummy Garden 2741 E. 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90814 (562) 433-6185 Theyummygarden.com

Chronic Taco 3870 E Ocean.

Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 438-2714 Eatchronictacos.com Sushi Zenmaru 454 Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 628-9828 American Steak & Fries 700 Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 634-5172 Cinco De Mayo 351 Pacific Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 432-1604 Canadian Pizza &Grill 1241 E.4th St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 980-7605 Jerry’s place 1537 E. 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 436-3323 Utopia Good Food & Fine Arts 445 E. 1st St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 432-6888 The Village Grind 443 E 1St St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 506-1190

Gabriel’s Burger 2001 Pacific Ave. Long Beach, CA 90806 (562) 591-1602

WA WA 406 E 1ST St. Suite A Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 590-3485

Promotional Products promotional products

Cyclo S.E Asian Noddle’s 4754 Pacific Coast Highway Long Beach, CA 90804 (562) 494-1230

Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles 730 E. Broadway Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-8355

Encore Awards 1344 Newport Avenue.

Long Beach, CA90804 (562) 597-8100 AwardsByEncore.com

Whistle Stop 3701 E. 4th xSt. Long Beach, CA 90814 (562) 439-0605 whistlestoplb.com

PuroClean (714) 782-0140 Purocleaner-ca.com

Mamma Mia’s Pizza 4403 E 4th St.

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Steamed Organic Vegetarian Cuisine 801 E. 3rd St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-1122 steamedcusine.com

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The Social List 2105 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90814 (562) 433-5478 Belmont Burger 440 4th St. Long Beach, CA 80814 (562) 439-8565

Title Company title company

Smoke Shop smoke shops

Linear Title Company of CA 301 E. Ocean Blvd. Suite 2020 Long Beach, CA 90802 (435) 252-5245

Cherry Smoke & Skate 418 Cherry Ave. Long Beach, CA 90814 (562) 343-5151

Retail

LB SmokeShop 1162 E. 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 495-4828

retail

Artisan Pasta 2306 E. 4th St. Long Beach, CA 80814 (562) 439-8565

Beach Bargain 700 E. Broadway Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 912-4650

Super Mex 4711 E.2nd St. Long Beach 90802 (562) 439-4489 Supermex.com

Pacific Discount Store 2073 Pacific Ave. Long Beach, CA 90806 (562) 612-0705

The Local Spot 6200 E. Pacific Coast Hwy Ste. B Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 591-3433 Thelocalspotlongbeach.com Z Pizza 4612 E. 2nd St. Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 987-4500 Weiland Brewery Restaurant 4354 Atlantic Avenue Long Beach, CA 90807 Star of Siam 2109 E Broadway Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 439-1564 Realtor

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Coastal Homes Group (562) 253-4860 www.gregernst.com

Shoe Store shoe store Private Sneaker 4640 E. Pacific Coast Hwy Long Beach, CA 90804 (562) 498-1238 Skate store skate store Long Beach Skate 3142 E. 7th St Long Beach, CA 90804 (562) 434-5527 Skin Care skin care Arbonne (562) 851-0384 Karensatmary.myarbonne.com

Marina Tobacco 6244 E. Pacific Coast Hwy. Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 597-0095 Vapor Underground 207 Pine Ave Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 999-6438 Sport Rehabilitation & Massage.massage therapists Jonathan Ware Massage Therapist 295 Redondo Ave. Ste. 103 Long Beach,CA 90803 (562)704-6480 Jonathanmassageme.com Vapor Shop vapor shops E-Cig City Long Beach 106 W. 3rd Street Long Beach, CA 90802

Image Rx 6214 E Pacific Coast Highway Long Beach, CA 9080 (562) 323-3356

Real real Estate - Lender estate - lender CLS Financial Services 4450 Cerritos Ave. Los Alamitos, CA 90720 (562) 234-2542 www.loansmadepossible.com Tax Consulting tax consulting Tax Consulting and More 3520 Long Beach Blvd. #212 Long Beach, CA 90807 (562) 427-4536 www.taxconsultingnow.com Technology technology Titan Technologies 925 Driftwood Ave. Seal Beach, CA 90740 (213) 784-3070 www.titan-ca.com Thrift Store thrift store Thank You Thrift Store 1022 E. Pacific Coast Hwy Long Beach, CA 90806 Ph: (562) 884-5845

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESS PARTNERS Pick up your weekly Edge at any of these locations

entertainment

El Maestro Antonio De Jerez keeps the Spanish art of Flamenco alive at Café Sevilla

H

e’s 63 years old, but you would never know it.

This night, the renowned Flamenco singer Antonio De Jerez sits at the bar enjoying his favorite beer, Shocktop, waiting for his moment to take the stage yet again. His heavy Spanish accent only adds to his suave and charismatic personality. He’s not nervous; he’s been doing this for 40 years.

“I am from where this originated,” Jerez says. “This is in my blood.”

Born in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, he grew up a dancer. After moving to America 40 years ago he began to carve a path as a Flamenco singer that would eventually take him across the nation singing for the Jose Molina Ballet, the Rosa Montoya ballet, and the Boston Flamenco ballet. Those days are over, but his passion for the exotic art form remains.

“I’ll never stop,” Jerez insists as refers to his 84-year old father who still sings in Spain to this day. “ When you stop, you get old.”

Every Saturday evening at Café Sevilla in downtown Long Beach (140 Pine Ave.), Jerez still sings at the longest running Flamenco dinner show in Southern California.

Jerez, a guitarist and two rotating dancers form “Cuadro Flamenco,” bringing a mixture of intensity, improvisation, beauty and raw passion to the stage upstairs.

The two dancers for this evening, Wendy Castellanos and Lauren Santiago, meet Jerez at the bar. They have been dancing on and off together for 15 years since they attended UCLA. To them, Jerez is “El Maestro.”

As anyone in Cuadro Flamenco will tell you, the dance is quite difficult to really describe; it’s something you need to experience rather than simply watch. But, me being a writer and all, I’ll give it my best shot.

Jerez acts almost as a narrator during the evening, setting the tone and rhythms with the one guitarist. There are claps,

by Blake Pinto

slaps and foot stomps. Then, as a song progresses, the dancers steal the show, each taking their own moment. Beyond that, nothing is rehearsed, and each show depends on that specific moment in time and what the group feels together, much as in jazz.

“Flamenco is evolving all the time,” Jerez says. “You will never stop learning, and sometimes it can be frustrating when something doesn’t come out the way you want it to.”

Not lacking confidence, he said his years of experience have taught him to be able to adjust as needed.

“If I was an actor, I think I would have at least five Oscars already,” Jerez jokes.

Jerez will insist that he is only as good as the group he is with. But with his experience, he could and does have his pick.

“Nobody is a real singer. There are no real Flamenco singers anywhere around here,” Castellanos explains, describing a real singer as someone who’s from Spain, comes from a gypsy family and knows the real style. “He’s the man right there.”

The toughest aspect of the job isn’t the actual performance for Jerez; it’s the pay.

He only works three days a week.

“I don’t have a regular paycheck,” Jerez admits. “I might make $2,000 one month and only $900 the next. It’s always up and down.”

But after 40 years, Flamenco is a part of the man, and he says he doesn’t ask for much more than a place to be able to perform.

“If I can pay my bills and go to Rite-Aid and buy my 12-pack of Shocktop,” Jerez says. “I’ll be happy.”

And as for how he will be remembered, once again the art form comes first and he comes second.

“I want to be remembered as an asshole,” Jerez only half jokes. “Flamenco demands too much respect, and I want to be known as someone who respected it and did everything I could for others to understand that respect it deserves.”

Antonio De Jerez

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artist of the week

CSI:Long Beach

The city is an important character in Tyler Dilts’ murder mysteries. Officers tell him he ‘gets it right’

22 /

| MARCH 30 - APRIL 5, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

artist of the week

W

e have read and watched fictional murder cases in New York, Chicago, Vegas, and even Los Angeles, but have you read a detective series about Long Beach?

Tyler Dilts, creative writing professor at California State University, Long Beach is the author of the Long Beach homicide detective series featuring Det. Daniel Beckett.

Dilts’ murder mysteries are so accurate and vivid in description that it feels like literary journalism. “Cold and Broken Hallelujah,” the third book in the series, starts with a body of a burned homeless man in the mouth of the Los Angeles River. A cop car is parked on West Shoreline Drive facing Golden Shore, and the officers’ only clue is a Whole Foods shopping cart filled with various items from a rubber-banded tin can of coins and a pile of t-shirts. All of the books are filled with familiar details; for example, the detectives dine at places such as The Potholder Too, Super Mex, and Simmzy’s.

Dilts moved from Torrance to Long Beach in 1988 and received his bachelor’s degree in Theater Acting and Directing from CSULB. After graduating, he acted in 40 to 50 different plays in small local theaters from Long Beach to Los Angeles. However, after being typecast for the fifth time as Lenny from John Steinbeck’s, “Of Mice and Men,” he realized he could only gain creative freedom if he did the writing himself. He returned to CSULB for a master’s of arts degree in English Literature and a master’s of fine arts in Creative Writing.

Since his first novel, Dilts was drawn to the genre of mystery. His father was a police officer, and Dilts followed his footsteps in a more creative fashion.

“A big part of my interest in the crime and mystery genre came from the fact that my father had been a police officer,” he says.

“He died when I was 5 so I never really got to know him. He was this imaginary person in my head, almost like a mythical character.

When you’re a boy and you lose your father very young, before you have a chance to understand the relationship in any kind of mature way, it leaves a gap.”

To fill the gap, he studied the work and daily life of a police officer. To prepare for each of his books, he researches for months collecting information and keeping up to date with new state and federal laws. His books are so closely related to police life

By Olivia Otsuki

in Long Beach that officers who have read his book give him kudos saying, “You got it right.”

“Sometimes if I’m in the middle of a scene that takes place somewhere in Long Beach, I will just go there to pick up a few details of what’s authentic about it,” Dilts says.

Just like some of his biggest inspirations, such as Lawrence Block, who writes about Manhattan, and James Lee Burke, who writes about Louisiana, Dilts creates a detective series that makes Long Beach as important of a character as the detectives themselves.

His aim for accuracy is not solely for entertainment, he says.

“One of the things that I really like about mystery and crime genre as a whole is that in the realm of contemporary literature, it’s become one of the primary places that deals with social realism. . . social ills and social problems in a way that mainstream litera-

ture doesn’t do as much anymore.”

He raises questions about race relations, the justice system, children and gang violence, and street life of Long Beach, and one of his major recurring themes is on loss and how people come to terms with loss.

“When you read about characters solving a crime or bringing justice, it creates the idea that it is possible to have justice and feel better about living in a world that has a lot of darkness and loss in it. . .” he says.

“Solving a crime or finding a killer can’t repair the damage that has been done no matter how successfully justice has been rendered – it is never actually good enough.

[Justice] can never put the pieces back where they were.

“How do characters move forward from that point? How do you move forward from things you can’t fix? If you catch the murderer, how much does that truly replace the person that was lost?”

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His next book, “Come Twilight” is scheduled to be published in August, and his fifth book of the series, is in the works.

For more information on the author and his upcoming works, check out his author page on Facebook.

Tyler Dilts, author of Long Beach Homicide Detective series, and Creative Writing Professor at Cal State University, Long Beach.

Dilts’s first three books of the series, “A King of Infinite Space,” “The Pain Scale,” and “A Cold and Broken Hallelujah,” leading up to his new book coming out this August, “Come Twilight.”

- By OLIVIA OTSUKI Contact Olivia:

/oliviaotsuki /oliviaotsukii /oliviaotsuki

www.otsukio.wordpress.com

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