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Check FAQAbout Andrew
I live in Kentish Town, north London and am a former BBC World Service radio reporter and producer, 1978 - 1984. I then went freelance and remained independent ever since but developed long term working relationships with a range of news organisations across news, sport and culture. This experience includes senior roles in what is now APTN, Reuters and Capital Radio in London. I am fluent in German and French and often broadcast or perform on stage as a press conference MC in German and English. I have presented and commentated live on track and field athletics for the past 30 years including Olympics and World Championships. Clients in the sporting sphere include Eurosport, the marketing company IEC in Sports for international satellite feeds as well as reporting for VOA and the BBC. I have always worked with and enjoy an international element to my reporting, rather than being a "Little Englander." As a reporter/producer for news and culture, I had a senior role for seven years in the UK Foreign Office funded TV news agency, British Satellite News (BSN) until the service was closed down in 2009 because of government cuts. My remit ranged from multiculturalism to art and historical exhibitions to London Fashion Week. I currently report for VOA and also work on site for various sports events such as the Berlin Marathon, filing text, podcasts and video interview in English and German. As a parallel activity, I have long experience as a translator from German into English, covering any area of general reporting as well as legal documents.
German
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Portfolio
Long Beach City College announces Innovation Fund recipients
Long Beach City College officials announced the first three recipients of the Innovation Funds SoCal program, aimed at fostering Southern California startups. The recipients are Pick My Solar, Revoterial, and Engine Fitness, receiving a $100,000 loan and two $25,000 grants respectively. The fund, in collaboration with Innovation Fund America and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, supports startups in clean technology, biomedical products, and advanced manufacturing. The program seeks to create a meritocratic funding environment for high-growth startups, with the potential to create jobs and attract further investment.
Long Beach Bike Fest to take place in East Village on May 3
The sixth Long Beach Bike Fest is scheduled for May 3 in the East Village area, featuring the Shortline Crit road race, City Cross Race obstacle course, and Gold Sprints activity. Organized by Downtown Long Beach Association and Wolfpack Hustle, the event promotes cycling and pedestrian use of streets, drawing inspiration from Los Angeles' CicLAvia and Bogota's CicLAVia. The event is free for general admission, with race registrations costing $20 for the Shoreline Crit and $5 for the City Cross Race.
Grand Prix of Long Beach: Food trucks offer unique dining on race weekend
During the Long Beach Grand Prix, eight food trucks are serving a variety of dishes to attendees, with Creative Eats and Belly Bombz being among them. Creative Eats is known for its scratch-made original dishes, with the salmon and broccolini plate being the most popular. Belly Bombz offers Korean-influenced sliders and wings and has a brick-and-mortar store in Artesia. The food trucks are located between Shoreline Drive and Shoreline Marina.
Long Beach restaurant scene to welcome BO-Beau Kitchen + Rooftap in time for Grand Prix
BO-Beau Kitchen + Rooftap, part of the Cohn Restaurant Group, is set to open on Pine Avenue in Long Beach to coincide with the Grand Prix. Operations manager James Stephenson and Executive Chef Katherine Humphus are preparing for an initial opening serving drinks and appetizers, followed by a full opening in May. The restaurant will offer a mix of casual and French-inspired dishes, with a separate rooftop menu featuring beer-infused items. The establishment's design features reclaimed Indonesian teak wood and a semi-industrial look, with renovations costing approximately $4.5 million.
Long Beach to lose Boeing C-17 Globemaster production earlier than expected
Boeing will cease production of the C-17 Globemaster III in mid-2015, three months earlier than expected, affecting 2,200 employees in California. The decision is due to market trends and lack of orders. Negotiations are underway to potentially relocate workers to other Boeing projects, such as the 777X in Washington state. The future of the Long Beach plant is uncertain, with parts of the land already sold for commercial development. Local leaders are urged to plan for high-paying jobs at the site post-Boeing.
Long Beach vocational assistance program helps veterans with spinal injuries find jobs
The PAVE program, operated by Paralyzed Veterans of America, has been assisting veterans with severe disabilities in finding employment since 2007. Mike Metal, a Navy veteran, has benefited from the program and is now pursuing a career to help other veterans transition to civilian life. PAVE offers counseling at seven locations, including the VA Long Beach Healthcare System, and plans to expand to all 24 Spinal Cord Injury & Disorder Centers. The program also helps veterans access health benefits and cope with stress, while educating employers on the tax benefits of hiring veterans. Metal credits the program with changing his perception of civilians and aiding his transition.
Downtown Long Beach restaurants promote Pepper Week
Downtown Long Beach restaurants are celebrating Pepper Week, which started Monday and will end Sunday, coinciding with California Restaurant Month. The event, backed by Downtown Long Beach Associates, features themed menus from local chefs, including a variety of entrees and drinks with peppers. Participating venues include Berlin Bistro, L’Opera, Kress Market, Beachwood BBQ and Brewing, Sweet Dixie Kitchen, and District Wine, each offering unique dishes and drinks. Menus and additional information are available on the Downtown Long Beach website.
Long Beach City College announces fund to aid technology startups
Long Beach City College has introduced 'Innovate Fund SoCal,' a new funding initiative to support technology-focused startups. The fund aims to provide grants and no-interest loans to entrepreneurs in clean technology, biomedical devices, and advanced manufacturing. With a goal to raise $1 million, the fund will start accepting applications in late February or early March. It is part of Innovation Fund America and is modeled after a similar fund by Lorain County Community College in Ohio.
Fracking protested at Cal State Long Beach
Environmental activists protested at Cal State Long Beach against hydraulic fracturing (fracking), coinciding with a public hearing by the state's Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources on proposed fracking regulations. The protesters criticized Governor Brown for not imposing a moratorium on fracking despite his environmental rhetoric. The hearing allowed public comments but had no officials responding. While some cited economic benefits of fracking, others raised concerns about environmental and seismic risks. BreitBurn Energy Partners denied engaging in fracking at Recreation Park. Another public comment meeting is scheduled at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Long Beach mission team provided aid to Philippines
A pediatric cardiology team from Miller Children’s Hospital, led by Gary Chmel and including surgeon Shaun Setty, traveled to Quezon City, Philippines, to perform life-saving surgeries on 10 children with congenital heart defects. The mission, supported by Duke University and Gift of Life International, involved training local personnel and was described as stressful but rewarding. The team carried $20,000 worth of medical equipment and treated conditions such as Tetralogy of Fallot, which requires surgery and lifelong medical care.
Long Beach landmark Breakers Hotel building up for sale
The Breakers Hotel building in Long Beach, listed by InvestorsAlly for $65 million, is up for sale. Potential buyers include those in the assisted-living, luxury hotel, or luxury apartment industries, as well as overseas investors. The historic building, constructed in 1925, was once owned by Conrad Hilton. Current tenants include The Sky Room restaurant, The Breakers Long Beach assisted-living facility, and Great Officiants. Presiding officiant Alan Katz has not been informed about how the sale might affect the businesses.
New North Long Beach business district to begin work after new year begins
The Uptown Property and Business Improvement District in North Long Beach is set to begin operations after the new year, with the goal of improving the business climate. The district will cover parts of Artesia Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue and will provide services such as security patrols and graffiti and litter removal. Funded by property owner assessments, the district is supported by local council members and business owners who are optimistic about its potential to transform the area, similar to the improvements seen in Bixby Knolls.
Community Hospital Long Beach nurses call for increased staffing, wages
Nurses at Community Hospital Long Beach, represented by the California Nurses Association, are demanding increased staffing and better wages, citing unsafe conditions for patients and staff. They argue that low pay fails to attract or retain experienced nurses, leading to staffing levels sometimes below legal requirements. MemorialCare Health System, which owns the hospital, expressed disappointment over the union's public appeal and highlighted their investments in the hospital. Nurse Ellen Mockridge shared a personal incident to illustrate the risks of understaffing. The city of Long Beach, which owns the land, leased it to MemorialCare in 2011. Councilwoman and registered nurse Gerrie Schipske supported the nurses, while ICU nurse Jackie McKay highlighted the wage gap between Community Hospital and Long Beach Memorial, which affects retention of experienced staff.
Cal State Long Beach part of city’s identity
Cal State Long Beach, with its various names such as Long Beach State, CSULB, or 'The Beach', plays a significant role in the city's identity, comparable to the Los Angeles Dodgers' 'LA' logo in Los Angeles. Andy Hoang, head of marketing at CSULB, emphasizes the university's unique brand and its cultural integration into Long Beach. The university, which opened in 1949, has undergone several name changes and is planning a major fundraising campaign in 2014 to help keep students debt-free. The campus's Walter Pyramid is a notable city landmark, and the school's black and gold 'LB' logo is widely recognized.
Cal State Long Beach robotics researchers working to help amputees
Researchers at the RISE Lab at Cal State Long Beach, led by Professor Panadda Marayong, are developing technologies to assist amputees and improve the performance of crane operators and pilots. The lab focuses on human-machine collaborative systems, including a vibro-tactile feedback device for prosthetic limbs to prevent falls. This research is in collaboration with the VA Long Beach Healthcare System. Force feedback technology is also being adapted for gantry crane operators and cockpit displays to provide additional sensory stimuli for better task performance.
Long Beach-based Molina Healthcare announces increased revenue
Molina Healthcare reported increased profits and revenues for the third quarter, with a $7.57-million profit and nearly $1.7 billion in revenue. The company, which offers health plans through Medicare, Medicaid, and ACA exchanges, did not disclose enrollment figures due to technical issues with marketplace websites. CEO Mario Molina expressed satisfaction with the results and maintained projections of revenue growth. Covered California's enrollment figures will be released in mid-November, and Kaiser Permanente also withheld enrollment data.
Software part of major Port of Long Beach expansion
The Port of Long Beach has implemented a new software system from Navis LLC to manage shipping operations at a pier, as part of the Middle Harbor Project. This project aims to combine multiple terminals into one and is expected to support 14,000 jobs. The N4 operating system went live in late May and is designed to manage complex operations such as cargo unloading and container management. The first phase of the Middle Harbor expansion is set to complete in spring 2015, with full completion in 2019.
Cargo activity at Port of Los Angeles tops 700K units in September, but falls below 2012 levels
Cargo shipments at the Port of Los Angeles exceeded 700,000 units in September for the third month in a row, yet there was a 4.57 percent decrease compared to September 2012. Imports dropped by 3.75 percent and exports by 12.79 percent year-over-year. The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach together form the busiest shipping complex in the U.S. Cargo volumes have been trending upward at Long Beach compared to the previous year, partly due to Mediterranean Shipping Co.'s move from Los Angeles to Long Beach in 2012. Port spokesman Phillip Sanfield commented that hitting over 700,000 units indicates strong demand and is positive for the port.
Farmers & Merchants Bank expanding to Downey, Corona del Mar
Farmers & Merchants Bank is set to open new branches in Downey and Corona del Mar by the end of October, signaling confidence in the Southern California economy. CEO Daniel Walker cites ongoing recovery, with the bank's expansion within its service area. Economist Christopher Thornberg supports the timing for increased lending, citing reduced loan delinquencies and write-offs. The bank reported a profit of nearly $14.9 million for the quarter ending June 30 and has assets over $5.1 billion, having surpassed the $5 billion mark earlier in the year.
Avalon: Catalina’s only city has a century of history
Avalon, the only city on Catalina Island, celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 26. The city, known for its historical connection to Hollywood, has a rich history including its time as a 'party town' and the home of the Chicago Cubs' spring training from 1921 through 1951. Local institutions like Lolo's Plaza Barber Shop, the Wrigley Mansion, and Avalon Schools contribute to the city's unique character. The Wrigley Mansion, built by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., is now a bed and breakfast, and Avalon Schools serves the small population with a single public school. The city is part of the Long Beach Unified School District and has seen changes over the years, with a mix of positive and negative opinions from residents.
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