helgagendell | The Argonaut Newsweekly

Shelby American Club marks 50th year with car show on Santa Monica Pier

Posted by helgagendell | Sep 13, 2012 | News - Features, Santa Monica |

The Eighth Annual Los Angeles Shelby American Automobile Club Car Show will be held on the historic Santa Monica Pier, a fitting venue noted as the end of Route 66, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15. Spectator admission is free. The show is dedicated for the eighth year to the memory of Tony Sousa, a longtime Mustang and Shelby enthusiast who passed away in 2005. Sousa was an active member of the National Shelby American Automobile Club and secretary of the local Los Angeles Shelby American Automobile Club. He had worked as a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney. Randy Richardson, club president, said the historic Santa Monica Pier is an “exceptional location” for a car show, especially a show featuring the cars developed by the late Carroll Shelby. “In 1962, the birth of the Shelby Cobra was at 1042 Princeton Ave. in Venice. We are celebrating Shelby American’s 50th anniversary this year, and the Santa Monica Pier is the perfect venue to honor some of the most iconic vehicles ever produced,” Richardson said. “We will also be honoring Carroll Shelby, who passed away this year at the age of 89. “Shelby muscle cars were a limited edition series that were specifically modified by former professional race car driver Carroll Shelby. His company, Shelby American, operated out of that small shop in Venice from 1962 to...

Life Beyond 50

Posted by helgagendell | Sep 6, 2012 | Area, News - Features |

A number of seniors suffer from rheumatoid arthritis but may be unaware of their condition. Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, but it more commonly occurs between the ages of 40 and 60. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that not only affects the joints, but may also attack tissue in the skin, lungs, eyes and blood vessels. People with the disease may feel sick, tired and sometimes feverish. It is classified as an autoimmune disease, which occurs when the immune system turns against parts of the body that it is designed to protect. According to the National Institute of Health, research suggests that a person’s genetic makeup is an important part of the picture, but not the whole story. Some evidence shows that infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria, may trigger rheumatoid arthritis in people with an inherited tendency to develop the disease. However, a specific agent or agents are not yet known. Women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men — approximately two to three times as many women than men have the disease — and smoking cigarettes increases a person’s risk, while quitting smoking reduces the risk. Researchers are exploring why so many more women than men develop rheumatoid arthritis, and they are studying complex relationships between the hormonal, nervous and immune systems in rheumatoid arthritis. A person’s family history is important...

LAX plan excluding move of north runway favored by airport neighbors

Posted by helgagendell | Sep 6, 2012 | Westchester/LAX |

The third and final public meeting on the draft environmental impact report of Los Angeles World Airports’ (LAWA) Specific Plan Amendment Study (SPAS) was held Aug. 29 at the Proud Bird Restaurant near Los Angeles International Airport. LAWA officials have yet to announce which of nine alternative proposals they prefer, and say they will not do so until after the end of the public comment period. During public comment, approximately 28 speakers commented on the environmental report. Speakers opposing reconfiguration of the LAX north airfield, which would move the northern runway closer to the communities of Westchester and Playa...

Replica of first America’s Cup winner makes stop in Marina del Rey

Posted by helgagendell | Aug 30, 2012 | Marina Del Rey, News - Features |

Capt. Troy Sears and his tall ship, the America, arrived at the Del Rey Yacht Club in Marina del Rey on Tuesday, Aug. 28, as a guest of the club. The America was part of legendary racing skipper Dennis Conner’s fleet. The 139-foot timber vessel is a replica of the original America, built in the 1800s, a low, black schooner, that won the America’s Cup in the Royal Yacht Squadron’s “100 Guinea Cup” race around the Isle of Wight in 1851. The trophy was donated to the New York Yacht Club to be held as a challenge trophy, and came to be known as the America’s Cup. Sears said he is returning from the America’s Cup that ended in San Francisco on Aug. 26. He was planning to return to San Diego, where the ship is anchored at the San Diego Maritime Museum, and participates in tours, whale watching and sunset cruises. The ship is now owned by Sears and is used as a family vessel as well. The company is named Dennis Conner’s America’s Cup Experience. There are four watertight compartments in the vessel, and in case of emergency such as a strike along the side, the engines would fail to function but the vessel wouldn’t sink, said Sears. “Dennis and I were in partnership on the vessel for six-and-a-half years. I bought him out last year, but...

Regional Planning, Public Works departments update Marina Affairs Committee on county projects

Posted by helgagendell | Aug 23, 2012 | Marina Del Rey, News - Features |

The Marina Affairs Committee heard presentations for county projects in Marina del Rey from the Los Angeles County departments of Regional Planning and Public Works at its Aug. 15 meeting at Burton Chace Park. The Marina Affairs Committee is one of several committees of the LAX Coastal Area Chamber of Commerce. Gina Natoli, supervisor for Community Studies West Section of the Advance Planning Division of Regional Planning, will direct the Marina del Rey visioning process and Regional Planner Kevin Finkel will be working with her on the project. Pamela Manning and Brittany Barker from Public Works discussed various projects in the Marina that include roads, water lines, a watershed, sewers and others. Natoli told the committee that she is gathering public input related to an update to the Local Coastal Program (LCP) for the next 15 to 20 years. She said the primary goal is to receive public input, beginning with the kickoff meeting either in late September or early October. The team and other aspects first need to be put in place before a meeting date is determined. Natoli said this is the opportunity for community members to say what they would like to see in the Marina right now, rather than 15 to 20 years in the future. “We will never refuse to meet with anyone, and if we are invited to a neighborhood council meeting or...