 | | Tuesday, JUL 08, 2008 | | | |
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Backyard bonanza or environmental time bomb?
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By Gregg Reese
OW Contributor
Oil companies are revisiting formerly abandoned drill sites forsaken years ago as being unprofitable. This is not surprising considering the recent skyrocketing gasoline prices and oil costs per barrel. Anyone familiar with the large open spaces between those bastions of African American affluence, Baldwin Hills, View Park and Ladera Heights, --especially at the junction of Stocker street and La Cienega boulevard, is aware of the presence of apparatus that go by such curious monikers as “pump jacks,” “nodding donkeys,” “horse head,” pumps, or more commonly oil derricks, that have been a staple of our local landscape for the past 80 years. As fuel expenses begin to affect every function of modern life, activity in this area, never completely idle, has seen a new surge of vitality within recent months.
Bubblin’ crude, Roaring ‘20s style
Drilling for oil had been well established in California with the dawn of the 20th century as railroads converted from coal (which needed to be exported from the east), to the more plentiful and locally obtainable oil as a method of propulsion. The industry got an additional boost with the introduction of the automobile in the 1920s, when oil production in the area we now know as Baldwin Hills began, establishing Southern California as the Saudi Arabia of its time.
These initial forays into oil exploration were often punctuated by “oil gushers,” the sudden eruption of oil from the ground to distances as high as 200 feet into the air. This dramatic phenomenon occurred as “wildcatters” (as exploratory oil prospectors were known) penetrated large underground crude reservoirs under high pressure from millions of years of evolution. As time went on, sustained mining of these sites naturally decreased the pressure and made it progressively harder to extract the crude as time went on, thereby reaching the point where further harvesting became unprofitable.
A new lease on life
The process of extracting fossil fuel from the ground is a complicated one, with several different methods available including recent innovations involving harvesting shale deposits. The largest deposits can be found in the continental United States, particularly in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. A common method of oil extraction is to heat the shale – in the absence of oxygen, until the oil is removed as a liquid. The liquid is then cooled back into a condensable oil. Tar sands, another source of oil (large quantities of which have been found and recently refined lucaratively in Canada and Venezuela), also includes the application of heat and/or solvents to separate the oil from the sand.
These new alternate sources require extreme amounts of effort to successfully process the oil within, which is why they have not been popular for production until recently, when skyrocketing gasoline prices made it profitable to do so. Locally, shale and tar sand mining have not made a significant impact on oil production, but reexamination of existing sites, like the Baldwin Hills Oil Field, have yielded new economic potential. In due course, when the oil industry took a second look at abandoned wells, simultaneous advancements in industrial and scientific applications enabled smaller companies to operate efficiently in the shadow of the majors by uncovering deposits over looked by previous generations.
This was facilitated by the introduction of the desk top computer that has transformed so much of society. In the field of oil exploration, the implementation of 3D geological mapping and 3D reservoir simulation software programs have enabled petroleum engineers to better understand the structural composition of potential sites, improve the accuracy of drilling locations, and minimize exploration costs. [More...] |
Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke announces ‘No Drilling’ period extension
Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke Tuesday issued the following statement expressing excitement about the recently released Baldwin Hills Community Standards District and Environmental Impact Report welcoming community input during the 60-day comment period.
“Two years ago we began the Community Standards District (CSD) and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process through an Urgency Interim Ordinance that included a moratorium on new oil well drilling. We undertook this process in direct response to community concerns from the neighborhoods and communities surrounding the Baldwin Hills oil fields.
I am extremely pleased to announce that I have received a letter today from PXP giving us the assurances that PXP will not make any applications for new drilling for an extended period through October 21, 2008.
Our purpose is to insure that a transparent public process takes place that really analyzes the environmental impacts associated with future oil drilling, based on scientific data. [More...] |
Activists rally to free Romaine ‘Chip’ Fitzgerald
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Declare Black Panther’s 39-year incarceration is ‘long enough’
By Shirley Hawkins
OW Staff Writer
Dozens of activists, supporters, and former members of the Black Panthers Party showed their solidarity Saturday for Romaine ‘Chip’ Fitzgerald, a former member of the Southern California Chapter of the Black Panther Party who has been imprisoned for 39 years.
A national groundswell of support is growing for the incarcerated political prisoner and nearly 3,000 signatures have been compiled on a “Petition for the Release to Free Romaine ‘Chip’ Fitzgerald.” The activist is currently incarcerated at Centinela State Prison in the Imperial Valley.
The rally, which was held at the KAOS Network in Leimert Park and organized by The Committee to Free Chip Fitzgerald, was held to show support for the former Black Panther whose parole date was July 2.
Fitzgerald, who has been in prison for 39 years, is the longest incarcerated Black Panther in history. At the age of 18, he was convicted of murder and attempted murder. In 1972, the state of California renounced the death penalty and commuted all death sentences to life imprisonment.
Showing their support for the long-time political prisoner were community activists and former members of the Black Panther Party Elaine Brown, David Hilliard, Roland Freeman, George Robinson, and Sherwin Forte.
“Some people have said, ‘What crime needs 39 years in prison to make amends?’” said Dominique DiPrima, host of KGFJ Radio’s The Front Page, who hosted the event. “We need to continue to show ‘Chip’ Fitzgerald that he has a network of support so that he can come home. We need to spread the word of his case by writing to the governor.”
David Hilliard, a founding member and chief of staff of the Black Panther Party, flew in from Oakland to attend the event.
Hilliard, a college professor who is also director of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation, recalled that from the beginning, the party was a target of governmental opposition. “The Los Angeles and Chicago branches of the party were the chapters that suffered most of the heat,” he recalled.
Like other Black Panthers who became targets of COINTELPRO and the FBI, Hilliard observed, “Fitzgerald was a victim of the FBI’s war against the Party. He became involved in a shootout with the California Highway Patrol in Sept. 1969 and got shot in the head. A week later, police arrested Chip for allegedly shooting a security guard, but a witness testified that he was at home at the time recuperating from his head wound.” [More...] |
Compton residents irate over shooting by sheriff’s deputy
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Tensions run high at candlelight vigil
By Shirley Hawkins
OW Staff Writer
Tensions ran high during a candlelight vigil for 26-year-old Bryan David Moore at Campanella Park in Compton Sunday as community activists, family members, and concerned citizens gathered to protest his fatal shooting.
Moore, a Compton resident, was shot multiple times Thursday around 6 p.m. in the 1000 block of East 150th Street. Witnesses said that Moore was allegedly gunned down by sheriff’s deputies after he jumped from his girlfriend’s jeep and began running.
“They shot him in the back like an animal,” said Lorraine Smith, Moore’s aunt. “He got shot twice in the buttocks and several times in the back. They won’t even let us see his body,” said Smith.
Alice Smith, the mother, expressed her anger over her son’s death. “I want justice,” said the distraught mother as she faced news cameras.
During the candlelight vigil, a fight broke out in the park’s parking lot, prompting sheriff’s deputies to arrive and question residents.
Chanta Deeminter, 26, Moore’s girlfriend, said she was stunned that sheriffs allegedly shot Moore, who was unarmed. “If a man is running away from you and you shoot him in the back, how is he a threat?” she said.
The Sheriffs Headquarters Bureau released a statement saying that Moore jumped a fence and was seen holding his waistband. Sheriffs stated that when Moore failed to show his hands after being ordered, the deputy fired his duty weapon at the suspect, striking him.
Dozens of friends and relatives of Moore milled around in the park, many shedding tears as they recalled the young man with the bright smile.
“Justice needs to be done. The police need to stop shooting our babies in the street,” said Moore’s aunt. [More...] |
All dolled up
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Mother’s passion for sewing inspires doll line
By Cynthia E. Griffin
OW Staff Writer
Claudette and Vonnie Benjamin come from a rich heritage that was the inspiration for the business they launched four year business ago.
“When my mother had to move, we found boxes and boxes of fabric, and we had to do something with them,” explained Claudette about her Panamanian-born mother, who was a teacher by training but a seamstress by passion.
What Claudette and daughter Vonnie did was tap into their inherited love of sewing, fabric and creative expression to create a line of Afro-centric rag dolls that have a number of distinctive characteristics—the chief one being that the earliest dolls created were 40 inches long, and could be set on a chair or sofa, and the legs could be elegantly draped as the dolls sat.
The duo calls them chair dolls.
“We started the business about four years ago,” explained Vonnie of their fledgling company—Pearlie’s Dolls, which was named after Claudette’s mom.
“But we had been talking about it for a few years,” threw in Claudette, speaking with a hint of Panamanian accent. “We play up the black features we consider beautiful; the features that have been maligned about us.”
Consequently, although eyes can be added to a doll if a customer prefers, the basic Pearlie’s Doll has no eyes and big luscious lips.
The skin tones range from cafe au lait to rich black, and the hair can be made of products ranging from fuzzy, fur-like yarn to thick hand-dyed ropes symbolizing locks. [More...] |
Beef skewers and potatoes
Red Wine and Garlic Marinated Beef Skewers
3/4 cup Rosemount Pinot Noir
1/3 cup top quality balsamic or olive oil vinaigrette
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon crushed rosemary, basil or herb blend
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
1 pound boneless beef, cut into very thin bite-size strips
Combine all ingredients except beef in a large resealable plastic bag. Remove 1/4 cup mixture and set aside. Add beef to marinade; seal bag and chill for several hours or overnight. Thread beef onto skewers and grill over medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side. Place in shallow dish and pour reserved marinade over the top.
Make ahead tip: Prepare marinade at home and store in a large resealable bag in the cooler. Beef may also be sliced and frozen and stored in another resealable bag in the cooler. It will be ready to add to the marinade once it’s thawed, making this dish a snap to prepare on site. Makes 4 servings.
[More...] |
Fireworks shows in L.A. County
Compiled by Patricia Woody
OW Contributor
July 4
Carson
Home Depot Ctr., 18400 Avalon Blvd.,
(following LA Galaxy game). Tickets: lagalaxy.com
Cerritos
Cerritos H. Sch., 12500 E. 183rd St., 9 p.m.
Gardena
Rowley Park
13220 S. Van Ness Ave. 9 p.m.
Inglewood
Vincent Park. 700 Warren Lane. 9 p.m.
Los Angeles
Hollywood Bowl. 2301 N. Highland Ave. Celebration honors the Los Angeles Dodgers. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: (323) 850-2000
L.A. Coliseum. 3939 S. Figueroa St. No seating inside Coliseum, but in Christmas Tree Lane or south lawn. 9 p.m.
Lynwood
Lynwood City Park, 11301 Bullis Rd. 9 p.m.
Malibu
Barge off coast. 80 Malibu Colony Rd. 9 p.m.
Barge off coast. 30100 Pacific Coast Hgwy. 9 p.m.
Marina Del Rey
Barges off beaches and harbor, near Admiralty and Fiji Ways. 9:15 p.m.
[More...]Locke’d in
Green Dot takes helm of South Los Angeles school
By Cynthia E. Griffin
OW Staff Writer
It’s official. As of July 1, Alaine Locke Leroy High School is no longer under the day-to-day jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Instead the academically struggling institution has become a charter school under the control of Green Dot Public Schools, and life as students have previously known it will change drastically.
The transition from district school to charter school has been a long, bumpy road with the turmoil beginning with how the campus became a charter school.
The process involved a contested vote by teachers to go charter; the removal of a popular and seemingly effective principal who facilitated the vote; student walk-outs to protest the removal of the principal; as well as a year of planning, meetings and development between community residents, school district officials, students and Green Dot that still have not resolved all the issues. But the future is here.
Under Green Dot, Locke has been broken up into a series of small schools that consists of three new ninth grade academies; two previously operating ninth grade academies that have now grown to include a 10th grade; one Launch to College school for students in grades 10 to 12; and a school called Multiple Pathways, which offers intensive catch-up instruction to students who are behind in credits.
One of the new ninth grade academies is located off campus as are the two pre-existing schools while the remaining schools will be on the main Locke grounds. [More...]Playboy Jazz Cruise
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Marcus Miller to host a whirlwind of activity
By Kathy Williamson
OW Editor in Chief
As the Playboy Jazz Festival celebrated their 30th anniversary, the inaugural Playboy Jazz Cruise (PJC) was announced to be held January 21 to February 1, 2009 aboard the Holland America’s Westerdam.
For the jazz aficionados, this is the place to be with music planned for just about every corner of the ship.
“We program the cruise. We change the radio stations and television stations throughout the ship. We bring on our own comedian, DJ and musicians. We also create our own itinerary,” said Dane Butcher, director of Cruise Operations and Programming for Jazz Cruises, LLC, a company that has produced successful jazz cruises for nearly 10 years.
“There will be DVDs playing of the artists’ recorded performances along with live feed from various shows on the ship. So, even in the cabins, passengers can get a good feel of what’s going on outside on the ship.”
Butcher said that there is no segregation of the passengers from the artists. “The passengers are amazed at the unbelievable access. The artists enjoy the energy of the passengers and vice versa,” he said.
During the day at sea, there will be simultaneous activities and events - jam sessions and pool parties and Q&A seminars - up close with the artists. In the evening, the ship is split into two groups. While one group is at dinner; the other is at the show. By about 10:30 p.m., the ship opens up festival style. “And that’s were there are different things going on all at the same time. We call it ‘Cruising After Dark.’ There is a comedian in one venue, the passengers get to ‘jam’ as well, the casino is open, and there are intimate settings for quiet conversation,” said Butcher. [More...] |
26.JUN.08 A fascinating history of black hair
26.JUN.08 A plea for black and brown unity
26.JUN.08 Captain of his ship
26.JUN.08 ‘Wanted’
26.JUN.08 The 2008 BET Awards
26.JUN.08 Summer parties with flair
19.JUN.08 AIDS and children
19.JUN.08 AIDS testing sites
19.JUN.08 Pioneer succumbs
19.JUN.08 Black stars in summer blockbusters
19.JUN.08 Animal attraction
19.JUN.08 Free gas draws frustrated homeowners
19.JUN.08 Healthy eating, healthy kids
19.JUN.08 Same sex marriage? The community weighs in
12.JUN.08 Summer travel
12.JUN.08 Legendary publicist Pat Tobin passes
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