FEATURE
Easy Access
Ever asked yourself how safe the Port of Long Beach really is? Rachel Powers did. Then she went down to the port—on Sept. 11 and several times after that—and just drove around. All around: past giant cranes and bridge supports and mammoth silos that seemed to hold up the sky. And she learned just how easy it would be for a terrorist or terrorists to do something totally heinous at America’s second-largest port. How easy? Really easy.

NEWS
Who’s the Man?
Dave Wielenga writes that, while Long Beach Chamber of Commerce president Randy Gordon isn’t elected, he’s a one-man Mayor and City Council of his own—stumping against the city’s Big Box Ordinance and Labor Peace Agreement with much success. Paul Brennan explains how your 11th Annual Long Beach Veteran’s Day Parade wound up being all about politics. And of course, Vector Control, Criminy! and I, Fink.

MUSIC
Crystal Antlers
Alex Roman reviews the excellent new Citay full-length, and Chris Ziegler has steak breakfast with Crystal Antlers.

ART
“X-Artica” at Studio Circa
Rebecca Schoenkopf inspects the impressionistic photo giclees at DaVinci Ristorante. Miles Clements reviews The Trial of Colonel Sweeto and Other Stories, Nicholas Gurewitch’s new book of comics out on Dark Horse.

FOOD+DRINK
Springbok Bar and Grill
Theo Douglas doesn’t eat monkey gland sauce, but still loves his meal. Also: the Shady Grady in Drink of the Week, Blottery and Help!

DEPT. OF COMMERCE
District K
Melissa Balmer plunders the Broadway Design District’s treasure box of a boutique. Jim Hall explains how Sirius Satellite Radio is more than just Howard Stern.

FINE PRINT
Reincarnation
Miles Clements listens to Bill Barnes, the supposed reincarnation of Titanic engineer Thomas Andrews, and finds out the Queen Mary is doomed.

FILM
Reviews of Love in the Time of Cholera, Southland Tales and Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium.