Officers Find Drunk Driver Asleep Behind Wheel

Approximately 12 firefighters remove young man found asleep behind wheel of car at Las Lomas Avenue and Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades with alcohol present.

Los Angeles police, fire and Palisades Patrol apprehended an extremely intoxicated driver passed out behind the wheel in the middle of the road during in the early Thursday morning hours, and it took a dozen firefighters to pull the driver out of the vehicle.

In her report filed at 5:32 a.m. Thursday, Palisades Patrol Officer Ryan Krusi reported a citizen flagged him down on westbound Sunset Boulevard to report a young man at the Las Lomas Avenue intersection passed out behind the wheel of a grey Infinity in the middle of the road.

Krusi reported she found the man's foot on the gas pedal and his other foot on the brake. A can of Budweiser beer sat in the center console cup holder while there was reportedly a shot glass with alcohol in the backseat. Krusi called for LAPD assistance.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel secured the vehicle with blocks at the wheels, in case the driver woke up, Krusi added. Two engines and a ladder truck from Station 19 also showed up.

It took approximately 12 firefighters to remove the driver from the vehicle, Krusi reported.

Observation Deck Being Built Along PCH

Palisadian's photo inquiry leads to discovery of observation deck construction along the Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades.

A new seawall is being built along the coastline in Pacific Palisades to make way for the Will Rogers Coastline Capital Project, which will essentially be an observation deck with beach access.
Linda Kaye, president of the Sunset Mesa Property Owners Association, tells Patch city and county officials presented the project at a recent meeting. It's anticipated to be complete by Oct. 2014.

A local photographer first noticed wooden pilings along the PCH near Gladstones earlier in July and sent photos into Patch.
The steel sheet piling is reportedly temporary, but required to build a new seawall to protect the area from high surf.
Kaye said the project was well received by most residents, but there were a few concerns. She noted the SMPOA first heard of the project in 2003, but the California Coastal Commission gave two revisions on the project, which dates back even further.
Safety concerns for parking while turning into the entrance with oncoming southbound PCH traffic, as well as parking meter times, were addressed with SMPOA.
"It was explained that this is an observation deck with beach access, however many of those in attendance believe this may be how it is intended to be used but actual use may be different," Kaye noted.

Will Smith's Calabasas Private School Closes

The New Village Leadership Academy, a private elementary school started by actor Will Smith and his wife, actress Jada Pinket Smith in 2008, has shut down, according to contactmusic.com.
The Smiths reportedly founded the Calabasas school to educate young children using the Study Tech curriculum method of teaching, which was devised by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, the report said.
Click here to read the full story.

City Council Approves Rescinding Broken Parking Meter Policy

The Los Angeles City Council will revisit the decision in six months to ensure there is no increase in vandalism of meters by people hoping to avoid paying.

The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to rescind the city's policy of ticketing vehicles parked next to broken meters.
The council voted 13-0 to rescind the policy and to revisit the decision in six months -- to ensure there is no increase in vandalism of meters by people hoping to avoid paying.

The policy will be lifted immediately.
The council also voted to urge the governor to veto a bill that would restrict cities from adopting a policy of ticketing people at inoperable meters in the future. Some council members said they want to maintain "local control" if people begin breaking parking meters again in order to park for free.

The motion's author, Councilman Mike Bonin, said rescinding the 3-year- old policy will "let people know that the city is on their side."
In 2010, the Department of Transportation began citing and imposing fines on people who park their cars at inoperable meters. The City Council reaffirmed the policy in 2012.
Since the policy was put in place, the city's parking meters have been replaced with ones that do not break as easily. The new meters, which take both coins and credit cards, also automatically alert the city whenever it detects a malfunction.
Bonin said technology has made the policy "moot." People would have to "stand in broad daylight with a sledge hammer" if they want to break the new meters, he said.
The Transportation Committee, which Bonin chairs, approved the motion last week while leaving open the possibility of reviving the policy later if needed.
Committee members also said they opposed the state bill, which was authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto. If signed by the governor, Gatto's bill would bar cities from ticketing vehicles at broken meters starting in January.
The Transportation Committee rushed a letter to Gov. Jerry Brown in advance of today's City Council vote to urge a veto on Gatto's bill.
The city's parking meter technicians defended the citation policy last week, saying that before it was adopted, people intentionally jammed parking meters by slipping paper clips into coin slots, or they wrapped meters in plastic bags to make them appear broken.

Northbound 405 Freeway to Close at Midnight

Sepulveda Boulevard will be used as a detour.

Metro officials have just announced that the northbound San Diego (405) Freeway will be CLOSED between Sunset Boulevard and Skirball Center Drive beginning at midnight, reopening at 5 a.m. Wednesday, as part of the ongoing Sepulveda Pass construction project.

The closure will allow crews to re-stripe the roadway and reconfigure K-rail near the Getty Center Drive ramps.
  
Sepulveda Boulevard will remain open during the closure and will be used as a detour. Southbound freeway lanes will remain open.

Fire Department Rescues 2 Nighttime Pier Jumpers

Two young men who jumped off the Manhattan Beach Pier Tuesday around 9:30 p.m. were rescued by the quick efforts of the Manhattan Beach Fire Department, said Battalion Chief Ken Shuck.

Shuck, who was the first firefighter on scene after the call came in at 9:34 p.m., drove his fire department Suburban to the end of the pier when he realized the two men were still in the water.

With additional help not on scene yet, he looked over the side of the pier to see two men holding onto pier pilings. One of the two men said he was tired and couldn't hold on much longer, said Shuck, who then dropped a rescue can [a flexible long tube with a metal clip on the end for fastening someone to it] he connected to a rope over the side to the struggling men.

During this initial phase, Shuck also called a Hermosa Beach Fire Department ambulance, a second MBFD fire engine since his other engine was just clearing a call at 43rd Street and Highland Avenue and lifeguards to the scene.

When other firefighters arrived at the end of the pier, Shuck made the decision for fire engineer/paramedic John Dulmage, who had stripped to his shorts, to go into the ocean to assist the men.

"One guy was pretty panicky," said Shuck. "He [Dulmage] calmed him down."

As Los Angeles County Lifeguards approached on the sand from Hermosa Beach, where they staff 24/7, firefighters on the pier pulled Dulmage and the two victims toward the shore. They were met around surf break by lifeguards with a paddleboard and rescue can and brought to shore where MBFD paramedics were available to treat them, said Shuck, who had shifted full-time to his role as incident commander once other rescue personnel arrived.

The men, believed to be 19 or 20, were treated, with one who was throwing up transported to the hospital, said Shuck.

The men were fortunate he said in that the water was relatively warm, the lighting good and the surf not too big. Under different conditions, he said the rescue could have been more problematic.

Battalion chiefs typically assume the incident commander role, however, in this instance, Shuck was first on scene for some 90 to 120 seconds and had to take action. He credited Dulmage, who appeared at Shuck's side already stripped to his shorts saying he could go in the water, for his quick actions.

Waterfront Revitalization Moves Forward

CenterCal Properties is spearheading the revitalization of the Redondo Beach Pier and other waterfront areas.

The Redondo Beach City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday night to perform an environmental review of El Segundo-based developer CenterCal Properties' plans for the Redondo Beach Pier and surrounding areas.
Councilman Bill Brand, whose District 2 includes the waterfront, and District 4 Councilman Steve Sammarco dissented.

With the vote, the council also decided to continue an exclusive negotiating agreement with CenterCal to revitalize the Redondo Beach Waterfront.
The environmental impact report—estimated to take more than a year—will examine noise, pollution and air quality, among other issues raised about the developer's proposed plans.
 “We’re moving at a snail’s pace,” said District 3 Councilman Pat Aust. “We’re moving at the speed of government. It’s just a concept. It’s going to take a year, two years before we even get done with the EIR. There’s no rush that bulldozers are coming in tomorrow.”
Plans for the project, which is estimated to cost upwards of $350 million, received mixed reviews from residents and council members. Proposed renovations along the 15-acre project spanning the Redondo Beach Pier, International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach Marina and Pier Plaza include a high-end movie theater, several chain restaurants and a two-lane road connecting Torrance Boulevard to Harbor Drive.
Along with economic viability, the concept offers open space with wider sidewalks, a new boardwalk and would replace Seaside Lagoon with a free, accessible beach, said CenterCal CEO Fred Bruning.
“It’s obviously the opportune moment to do something incredible,” said District 1 Councilman Jeff Ginsburg.

Chief among residents’ concerns about CenterCal’s plans are the parking lots and other buildings that may obstruct their waterfront views, as well as a new connecting road. More than 40 residents spoke during public comment to the council. Among the many residents who packed the council chamber and spilled out into the lobby and outside of the building, was Deborah Shapiro.
“It needs to stay a beach community,” Shapiro said. “I come to the beach to decompress. I want to be outside and watch the water. There is no reason to have a movie theater in a beach community.”
Other residents welcome the much-needed renovations to the neglected pier, said Rebecca Elder. As a Portofino Hotel employee, she said guests staying in the hotel rarely stay at Redondo Beach Pier and visit other nearby beaches.
Noting the decrepit state of the current parking lots, Ginsburg, who represents District 1, said he saw more chunks of concrete on the ground that had fallen off of the building last weekend while at the pier with his family.
“There’s no question that those parking structures are going to have to be rebuilt,” Ginsburg said.
After more than five hours of meeting in the council chambers, Mayor Steve Aspel reassured residents that the project is nowhere near finalized. If concerns over the noise, pollution and congestion resulting from the new two-lane road continue, he proposed restricting times when the road could be used.
Because it is a public-private partnership, the city and CenterCal need to determine who will pay for what. Nevertheless, not much progress can be made until after the EIR is complete.

Coastline Brewing Co. Gets Green Light in Redondo Beach

Coastline Brewing Company will become the first-ever commercial craft brewery in Redondo Beach.

Redondo Beach will soon have its very own craft brewery and tap room after the Redondo Beach Planning Commission officially approved plans for Coastline Brewing last Thursday night.
Created by business partners and Hermosa Beach residents Tom Dunbabin and Will Daines, Coastline Brewing will be the first-ever commercial craft brewery in Redondo Beach and will also feature a public tap room at its facility near the intersection of 182nd Street and Kingsdale Avenue in North Redondo.

Dunbabin and Daines told Patch that they expect to ship their first kegs of beer out the door before Christmas with the tap room opening in February or March of next year. Once open, the duo said they hope to grab piece of the already booming South Bay craft beer market with their sessionable but flavorful beers.
“The cool thing about the South Bay is people love to support local,” Dunbabin said. “The tasting room culture is already alive and well in the South Bay and people are psyched on local because of that.”

Dunbabin said that Coastline Brewing will mainly focus on beers with lower alcohol content between 4.5 and 5.5 percent that do not compromise on flavor. At the moment, the brewery is working on creating a new test beer batch each weekend.
“You can have three or four (Coastline beers) and still bike home without crashing into The Strand wall,” Dunbabin joked. “At this point, we know our concept... We are just tweaking recipes.”
Currently, the majority of Redondo Beach’s craft beer establishments operate in South Redondo Beach. Once operational, Coastline brewing will not only add to Redondo Beach’s share of the South Bay beer scene, but will also offer a new craft beer venue that is easily accessible to residents in North Redondo Beach.
“We are excited to create something that is going to be a destination for North Redondo... It is a destination for people coming into that area and something that locals can ride their bikes to,” Dunbabin said. “For a lot of people, it is on their way home from work in Orange County or the Westside or downtown... We are keeping an eye out for that on-the-way-home-growler-fill traffic.”
In terms of size, the brewery will start fairly modestly with a predicted output of 900 barrels in the first year. Many local South Bay breweries, including Strand Brewing and Monkish Brewing started out with similar production levels and have grown since then.
In addition, the brewery has plans to eventually bottle or can their beers for distribution in local stores.
According to Dunbabin and Daines, they first want to focus on local consumers and get their beers into local South Bay bars and restaurants before expanding their distribution.

“We want to make sure people in the South Bay love Coastline Brewing before we go and try to attack L.A., San Diego and Orange County,” Dunbabin said.
With local craft beer becoming less of a novelty and more of a mainstay, Daines said that many bars are now looking to put local beers on tap.
“The nice thing is you are seeing places that typically wouldn’t be considered a craft beer bar expanding their draft system,” Daines said. “You will see little dive bars now with 14 or 15 tap handles... More and more, bars that wouldn’t typically have craft beer are now going to have the capacity.”
In the grander scheme of things, the duo said they hope to keep South Bay beer culture alive and well and create a local brand that residents can be proud to drink.
“We want to bring in the local community and make them really feel like this is us, this is our spot, our beers, our brand, our tap room,” Daines said. “To be able to do that with a city that seems to be welcoming us, we are really appreciative of that.”
While no brewer has been officially announced yet, Dunbabin said they have narrowed down the field to a couple of brewers. The main thing, Dunbabin said, is making sure the brewer can both brew well and also get along with him and Daines.
For now though, Daines and Dunbabin are breathing a short sigh of relief before plunging head on into the construction of the brewery.
The brewery will also begin regularly updating its social media sites including its Facebook page and official blog for those interested in following their progress.

Here is a look at what else is happening on the craft beer scene in the South Bay for the week of July 25 - Aug 2.

Beer Bars, Restaurants and Stores

Hot's Kitchen | Hermosa Beach
Two Weeks of Hoppiness | July 14-28 | Normal Business Hours
Hot's Kitchen is getting things “hop-pening” down in Hermosa Beach. For two weeks, Hot’s will be overhauling their beer taps and bringing in a specially curated assortment of limited-edition and big hoppy beers from a number of craft breweries. The featured IPA’s will rotate throughout the two weeks, so there’s always the chance to try something new. The brews will be:

With their wild success over the past two years, El Segundo Brewing has expanded their brewery

Blackball Belgian IPA - Karl Strauss Brewing

Homework Series #1 India Red Ale - Ballast Point Brewing 

Even Keel - Ballast Point Brewing 

Buster 4 IPA - Coronado Brewing 

Fresh Squeezed IPA - Deschutes Brewing 

Essence - Hangar 24 Brewery 

RuinTen IPA - Stone Brewing 

Hop Logic - High Water Brewing 

Dorado - Ballast Point Brewing 

Habanero Sculpin - Ballast Point Brewing 

Heal the Bay IPA - Golden Road Brewing 

Double Jack - Firestone Walker Brewing 

Wookey Jack - Firestone Walker Brewing 

Hop Odyssey: Citra Session IPA - Green Flash Brewing 

Imperial Red Rye IPA - Green Flash Brewing 

Double Trunk - The Dudes' Brewing 

Big Whig IPA - Noble Ale Works 

90 Minute IPA - Dogfish Head Brewing 

Atticus - Strand Brewing 

Tandem DIPA - Tenaya Creek Brewing 

Galactica - Clown Shoes Brewing 

Hoptimum - Sierra Nevada Brewing 

Denogginizer - Drake's Brewing 

Deviant Dale's - Oskar Blues Brewing 

Imperialist - Eagle Rock Brewing 

Sublimely Self Rigtheous - Stone Brewing 

Cacophony - Abigale Brewing 

Sculpin - Ballast Point Brewing

Naja's Place | Redondo Beach

Naja's IPA Festival | August 8-15
Naja's Place on Redondo's International Boardwalk announced this week that it will hold an IPA festival at the beginning of August. The event promises some rare IPAs and free glassware. More details to follow in the coming weeks.

===
Adam's Fine Wine & Liquor | Redondo Beach
New beers this week at Adam's include:

• Beachwood Brewing Thrillseeker IPA
• Beachwood Brewing Melrose IPA
• Epic Brewing Big Bad Baptist
• Epic Brewing Hopulent IPA
• Epic Brewing Sour Apple Saison
• Epic Brewing Imperial Pumpkin Porter

1321 Downtown Taproom | Torrance

Monday Night Local Happy Hour | Mondays | 5 p.m. - Close

On Monday nights, 1321 features a $3 local beer night. Every Monday, anything from the South Bay on tap will be $3 after Happy Hour to close. 

 

Breweries

El Segundo Brewing | El Segundo
Saison Beer Release | Saturday, July 27

With their wild success over the past two years, El Segundo Brewing has expanded their brewery space to add additional brewing capacity. The brewery is no on track to brew about 2,000 barrels of beer by the end of 2013.


To celebrate the new expansion, the brewery recently teamed up with the restaurant Tender Greens to brew a French Saison, which has been named "Schot en Het Donker," Dutch for "Shot in the Dark." The beer is so named because it is El Segundo's first beer brewed with Belgian yest.

The beer will be available in the El Segundo tasting room as well as Tender Greens locations in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.
Tap room hours for beer tasting and growler fills are:
Wednesday: 5-9 p.m.
Thursday: 5-9 p.m.
Friday: 5-9 p.m.
Saturday: 2-9 p.m.
Sunday: 2-7 p.m.
===

Smog City Brewing Co. | Torrance
This week's taproom hours for tasting and growler fills are:

Thursday: 4-9 p.m.
Friday: 4-9 p.m.
Saturday: 12-8 p.m.

Strand Brewing Co. | Torrance
Tasting and Pint Night | Thursday, July 25 | 5-7 p.m.
Whole Foods El Segundo will hold Strand Brewing for a tasting and pint night. Rich from the brewery will be on hand to talk all things Strand Brewing with attendees. Featured will be Black Sand double IPA and Musashi Black IPA in bottles and on draft.
Rock and Brews Pint Night | Tuesday, July 30 | 5 p.m.
Rock and Brews in El Segundo will also host Rich and Strand Brewing for a pint and keep the glass night. Beers will include the Cherry Blossom Berliner Weisse, Black Sand and Musashi Black IPA.
Current beers on tap at the Torrance taproom include:

• Black Sand Imperial IPA
• White Sand Doulbe IPA
• Musashi Black IPA
• Beach House Amber
• 24th Street Pale Ale
• Atticus IPA
• Ito Weisse (Berliner Weisse)
• Cherry Blossom Berliner Weisse

Tap room hours this week for beer tasting and growler fills are:
Thursday: 4-9 p.m.
Friday: 4-9 p.m.
Saturday: Noon-8 p.m.
Sunday: Noon-6 p.m.

Monkish Brewing Co. | Torrance
Tap room hours this week for beer tasting and growler fills are:
Thursday: 4-9 p.m.
Friday: 4-9 p.m.
Saturday: 3-8 p.m.
Sunday: 1-6 p.m.

Other Craft Beer Events

Total Wine & More | Redondo Beach
"Go Beyond Pilsners & Pales" Beer Class | Thursday, July 25 | 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Guests will go beyond the “grocery store selection” of Pilsners and Pales, and instead experience new flavors of Lagers and Ales that are only delivered by the biggest, boldest, and most bodacious of beers.
The class costs $15 per person and reservations can be made in store.
===
Editor's Note: Only establishments that have submitted updates are included in this column. If you own a beer bar, brewery, beer store or beer-centric restaurant in the South Bay of Los Angeles and would like to include your establishment's updates in this column, please send editor John Schreiber an email at John.Schreiber@Patch.com. This column relies on the updates from local business owners to keep it running—please contribute!
Full Disclosure: John loves working around craft beer and as such, is an employee of Select Beer Store one day per week. However, he is not involved in the store's submission process for this article.

Despite 'Bar Rescue,' Breakwall Closes

Breakwall Bar & Grill, the former Irish pub on the that was transformed into a surfing-themed bar on an episode of Spike TV's Bar Rescue, has closed its doors for the last time.

Records from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control indicate that the establishment surrendered its liquor license on Jan. 25. An application for another liquor license for the business was withdrawn Dec. 13.
"Breakwall, like many businesses, closed its doors in early January because it was impossible to keep it open," Allie Speed, who owned the bar with her sister Alexis, said in a statement. "Sadly, we had no choice. We truly thank our patrons, employees and the Redondo Beach community for their support over the past six years."
Both the surrendered liquor license and the withdrawn application were under the name of Killkenny's—the Irish pub that closed to make way for Breakwall. A search of the ABC license database did not return any results for businesses operating under the name Breakwall.

Arcadia Unified Won't Reinstate Fired Cross-Country Coach

Jim O'Brien will not be given his job back as the cross-country coach at Arcadia High.

The Arcadia Unified School District Board of Education held a special meeting Wednesday to consider the reinstatement of fired Arcadia High School cross-country coach Jim O'Brien but decided not to take any action, the Pasadena Star-News reports.

O'Brien, who led the boys team to two national championships in the last three years, was terminated from his coaching position last month, causing an uproar amongst students and parents. But the board ultimately opted not to reinstate him and did not provide an explanation why, the paper reports.

O'Brien said that he was devastated by the school board's decision.

""It makes me feel terrible," O'Brien told the Star-News. "It makes me feel like they just cut my guts out. I'm so saddened by it. I thought that maybe they would show a little courage, but they showed they don't have the gravitas to do that."

Read the full story here.

College Advising: Small Schools for the Best Learning

College Advising:  Small Schools for the Best Learning
  
In a recent blog, I advocated for the benefits of a large research institution.  There are many. This week, let’s look at the beauty and brilliance of the small liberal arts college. Here is where intimate learning can take place.

         Early this summer, I attended the reunion of students from a small, liberal arts college. The feelings there were warm and fuzzy. People came back to this school from as far away as Singapore and Switzerland because they wanted to see each other again.  People who couldn't attend wished they had.  I was in awe of this group of alums, because their connection to the school went on for a lifetime. They came back to see their campus and friends again because they were still connected even through the years. And among this group of alums, no one was left out.  Everyone knew someone.  That’s just the way it works at a small school.

I’ve been all over the country looking at colleges. While I’m a big fan of “the campus feel,” the most important thing I do on campuses is talk to students. On a recent visit to a smaller college, I had lunch with Austin, a current student and Alan, a prospective student and his parents. Alan was considering a bigger school because of the big name. Austin pointed out that his sport was very active at this school and that he would probably be a star player. That comment made a difference to Alan.
         Another prospective student, Kristin, said her career goals were undecided, but she hoped to study business and that this small, liberal arts school didn’t offer a “business” major. Alan pointed out that while there is no business major at this college (universities have business schools, colleges don’t), he loved being an economics major. Through his connections with professors and the career center, he had worked in finance every summer since freshman year. He spoke intelligently about the game theory, financial analysis, financial decision-making and the Chinese economy. In addition, he had already spent a term abroad in China, was now fluent in the language, and was planning to start working for an investment firm in the fall after graduation. He didn’t think he would have had these opportunities on a university campus.

 Kinsha, another current student, is a politics major.  He talked about the strong writing program and chances for internships in Washington D.C. and New York. He talked of the small class sizes and that after being active in class discussions, he found it easy to research and write papers. He was well directed by his professors and found that what he wanted to write was a variation of something that he had already said or heard in class. This supports the small, liberal arts philosophy: If you can think, you can talk and if you can talk you can write.
         The decision to apply to college is a very personal one. The most important thing you can do is consider your learning style. Are you an aggressive student who would thrive on a large campus or an inspired student who would love a small school? Do you go after “all knowledge” or do you respond to the enthusiasm of others? While large universities offer a whole range of classes, there is a “do it yourself” aspect. At a small school, inspiration and opportunity are everywhere. Like finding low hanging fruit, your chances of being intellectually satisfied every day of your college life is at a small liberal arts college.
All the best from www.PerfectFitCollege.Net

12 Arrested at Jay Z, Justin Timberlake Rose Bowl Concert

The sold-out show attracted 60,000 people to the Rose Bowl Sunday.

An 11-hour event at the Rose Bowl that featured the "Legends of Summer" stadium tour of pop superstar Justin Timberlake and rap sensation Jay-Z and an afternoon pre-concert, attracting a sellout crowd of 60,000, produced only 12 arrests, police said today.

"We had three arrests for public intoxication, five for illegal vending
and ticket scalping, two for battery, one vehicle violation and one boyfriend-
girlfriend domestic violence arrest," Lt. Tracey Ibarra, a Pasadena police
spokeswoman, said of Sunday's event.

"People came here to enjoy the good music. They were just easygoing and
relaxing. A lot of them were dressed to the nines," she said.
  
The "Legends of Summer" tour began July 17 in Toronto and has included
stops at New York's Yankee Stadium and San Francisco's Candlestick Park.

Villa Sorriso and Bar Celona Restaurants Merge

Villa Sorriso's former home on Colorado Boulevard was recently transformed into a Japanese restaurant.

On the heels of Colorado Boulevard staple Villa Sorriso being transformed into Japanese restaurant 168 under the same owner, the Italian eatery is living on in the space formerly known as Bar Celona restaurant (46 E. Colorado).

On Sunday, diners were seen at an establishment now called Sorriso Restorante & Bar, which had a poster proclaiming it was the "best of both cuisines" from Bar Celona and Villa Sorriso. The space looks the same, including the Bar Celona lounge and bar with big screen TVs located to the right.

Sorriso, Bar Celona, Ix-tapa and new restaurant 168, all located on the main Colorado Boulevard drag, are owned by Jack Huang.

Bar Celona's website says the menu is currently under revision but when Patch walked by Sunday we noticed a mostly Italian menu displayed out front.

Check back on the Sorriso/Bar Celona website for menu updates: http://www.sorrisopasadena.com/

Levitt Pavilions Announce Free 2013 Summer Entertainment Lineup

Pasadena’s Levitt Pavilion at Memorial Park will have free concerts and performances throughout summer. Who are you excited to see on the lineup?

Levitt Pavilions are back this summer with more free live entertainment and the Pasadena venue at Memorial Park has a lot in store from June through August.  

This year’s free summer lineup includes, as usual, a variety of musical acts that cover genres like jazz, world, Americana, Latin and children’s music as well.

Food vendors will also return this summer but no word on exactly who yet.  

The Levitt Pavilion Pasadena concerts can get packed and people often like to arrive early to set up chairs and blankets and have a picnic.  

If the group playing onstage is upbeat, expect an impromptu dance floor to form near the front.  

See the full lineup of Levitt Pavilion Pasadena concerts for summer 2013 here on LA Weekly.      

See more information on Levitt Pavilion Pasadena here:   http://www.levittpavilionpasadena.org/

Community Block Party and Resource Fair Happening Saturday

Food, classic cars, live music, kids entertainment, a giant slide and more will be at the 14th annual Pasadena event on Aug. 3.

The Pasadena community, including local institutions and non-profits, will gather for the 14th Annual Community Block Party and Resource Fair Saturday.
Hosted by the City of Pasadena, Jacobs Engineering Group and Assemblyman Chris Holden, the event will have exhibitors like the Altadena Farmers’ Market, JPL Mars Rover, Humane Society and more.

Today: 21 Gun Salute, Suspected DUI, and a Blood Drive

Here are five things Claremont and La Verne residents need to know today.

1. The La Verne Police Department posted the following advisory on its Facebook page about a planned 21 gun salute today in honor of a veteran. The message is as follows: On Thursday, August 1, 2013, there will be a funeral for a United States Military Veteran at 10 AM at Holy Name of Mary Church in San Dimas (Bonita and San Dimas Canyon). To honor him, at approximately 1100 AM, there will be a 21 gun salute at the location. This is an advisal only in case you are in the area around that time and hear gun shots.

2. A Pomona man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after he ran into a fire engine on its way to an emergency call. Get more of the story here.

3. A Red Cross Blood Pressure Check event is planned from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the La Verne Community Center, 3660 D St. No appointment is needed.

4. Claremont Police Lt. Mike Ciszek has co-organized a blood drive today inspired by his father's fight against cancer. Read more of the story to get the details on how you can donate and make a difference.

5. Looking for work? Amazon is hiring. The Internet retailer plans to hire 5,000, including jobs for its facilities in San Bernardino and Irvine. Check out the story here.

Pomona Man Who Crashed into Fire Engine Arrested for Alleged DUI

The fire truck was on the way to a call and had its siren and lights on when it was struck.

A Pomona man was arrested for alleged drunken driving Wednesday after the car he was driving collided with a county fire engine rushing to an emergency.
The collision occurred at 10:50 a.m. at White Avenue and Orange Grove Avenue, said Sgt. Christian Hsu of the Pomona Police Department.
The fire truck was going north on White with siren and lights, while the Altima driven by William Sandoval  was westbound on Orange Grove approaching White Avenue.
Sandoval allegedly did not yield in the intersection. According to Hsu, the collision caused moderate damage to the fire truck and major damage to the Altima.
--City News Service

Former State Assemblyman Robert Pacheco Picked For Walnut City Council

The pick marks a return to the Walnut City Council for Pacheco, who served two years in the 1990s before running for state office.

A familiar face has returned to the Walnut City Council.

The council voted 3-0-1 Wednesday night to approve appointing Robert "Bob" Pacheco to the vacant seat. Councilman Eric Ching abstained.

During the nearly three-hour meeting, 10 candidates vying for the seat left vacant when former Mayor Tom King resigned July 1, spoke about their qualifications and goals should they be picked. They also fielded questions from the council members on a variety of topics from the red light camera to Lighting and Open Space Maintenance District fees to development.

Council members pointed to Pacheco's political experience, community involvement, and connections to state and federal legislators as key reasons for selecting him.

Pacheco, 79, said after he was sworn in that he would like to get together with the other applicants for the post and form an advisory committee.

"We can't afford to lose this talent," he said. "They love the city. Their heart is in it. They want to do what's right for it."

For Pacheco, his appointment to the city council marks a return of sorts to earlier political roots.  The former state lawmaker served around two years on the Walnut City Council in the mid 1990s before running for higher office.

His appointment to the council expires in April 2014. He said he plans to run for the seat once his appointed term is over.

Pacheco said the city of Walnut's budget has shrunk around 10 percent in the past year.  He said he feels he can help the city get some money the state owes Walnut in the form of intergovernmental transfers.

"I didn't do it because I want recognition or anything else," he said of applying for the seat. "I did it because i believe in this community."

Prior to making a selection, the council members debated how to pick the applicant.  Councilman Eric Ching made a motion that each council member select his or her top five, narrow it down to three, and then vote for the first choice.  That motion died for lack of support. He then made a motion that each council member pick his or her top 3 and then a first choice, but that suggestion also failed to get support.

City Attorney Michael Montgomery suggested that they go through the list and vote using their automated green light buttons, but the council members decided against that.

Mayor Antonio "Tony" Cartagena then suggested they keep with the tradition of someone nominating a pick and then seeing it the pick could get to a vote. Ching nominated Dr. Howard Wang, who ran for council in 2010. When that motion failed, he nominated James Swartz, who serves on the Parks and Recreation Commission, which also did not get the needed support.

Councilwoman Mary Su nominated Pacheco and both she and Cartagena spoke in support of him before taking the vote. Both touted his involvement in the community, including the founding of the Walnut Educational Foundation, and his political expertise.

"I believe he will bring a lot of state and federal resources for us," Su said. "He has been serving the community for many many many years.

Cartagena, spoke passionately in favor of Pacheco. He mentioned several instances when the city enlisted Pacheco's assistance as a state lawmaker, including his help get a proposed material recovery facility moved away from the area of Grand Avenue and Valley Boulevard in the City of Industry.

"This is an individual that is tested and proven," he said, "somebody who has already contributed in the city of Walnut."

Another Crash in Diamond Bar Snarls 60 Freeway

A crash on the eastbound 60 Freeway occurred July 31, 2013, even as crews worked to clear debris and open lanes affected by an earlier crash on the opposite side of the freeway

As crews worked to clear debris from an earlier wreck on the Pomona (60) Freeway in Diamond Bar Wednesday, shutting down two westbound lanes, another crash on the eastbound side also affected late afternoon traffic.

The 4:10 p.m. crash was reported on the eastbound side, north of Diamond Bar Boulevard, when a white service truck hit a center divider wall and ended up facing the wrong way, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The truck blocked the carpool and far left -- commonly known as the "Number 1" or "fast lane" for a time, so that crews could clear the road of debris.

No injuries were reported and the road was cleared just before 5 p.m. according to the CHP.

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