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Page 6 July 14, 2016 EL SEGUNDO HERALD TerriAnn in Torrance The Visiting Goats in Torrance PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLISH YOUR PUBLIC NOTICES HERE ABANDONMENTS: $125.00 ABC NOTICES: $125.00 DBA (Fictitious Business Name): $75.00 NAME CHANGE: $125.00 Other type of notice? Contact us and we can give you a price. For DBA’s email us at: dba@heraldpu blications.com All other legal notices email us at: legalnotices@heraldpublications.com Any questions? Call us at 310-322-1830 Order to Show Cause for Change of Name Case No. YSO28625 Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles Petition of: Richard Delgado for Change of Name TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Richard Delgado filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Richard Delgado to Ricardo Delgado The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: Date: 8-19-16 Dept.: M The address of the court is: 825 Maple Avenue Torrance, CA 90503 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Torrance Tribune Date: June 23, 2016 STEVEN R. VAN SICKLEN Judge of the Superior Court Torrance Tribune Pub. 6/30, 7/7, 7/14, 7/21/16 HT-25173 Story and Photos by TerriAnn Ferren Have you ever spent a tedious afternoon under the hot sun, on your hands and knees pulling weeds? Why do weeds make their way up through the soil easier, it seems, than the flowers I so gently attend? Every gardener, I am sure, has asked that questions at least once. I have seen crabgrass infiltrate pristine Dichondra seemingly almost overnight. And flowers aren’t immune to the ‘weed’ flowers, as I call them. You know the ones – the pretty ‘wildflowers’ that pop up in between flower beds. Well, I found out there is an easy way which eradicates those pesky weeds and overgrown brush on larger areas, like hillsides, and undeveloped fields, naturally, and safely. If you are curious about how, one needs only look around and observe how the city of Torrance deals with the problem. Goats. Yes, goats. I spoke with Andy Darlak, Water Operations Supervisor for the city of Torrance, who told me, “We have been using goats for the past ten years and this is my first year organizing this.” I learned that goats are ‘hired’ for the weed abatement of Elm Street, Via Corona, Newton Street, Yukon Street, and Walteria Reservoir, which includes the tennis court area, a fenced area on the side, and a park area. These set sites, make up the usual areas the goats visit, but this year, in addition to the usual sites, they ‘munched away’ on Del Amo Blvd. and Van Ness Avenue. The Fire Department mandates that brush clearing be done by July 3, probably because of the holiday and the fireworks. “I went and met with him [George] on Saturday when he was pulling his last load of goats out. For these sites, we do it once a year. Sometimes, people at city hall or someone else will recommend another site if they need help with clearing the brush,” said Andy. Also, there was a time when the city of Torrance used goats for clearing the fields on Crenshaw Boulevard right near the train tracks. Andy told me, “The new bus depot is going in, so it is already pretty much leveled, so there was nothing there. I think he probably brought in around 200 [goats] this year. It saves us a lot of weed-eating trouble and this guy makes it pretty easy on us. He has got all the access, he knows how to set up, he knows how to get water, he makes it real easy on us.” Andy explained that once the city secures the quote from the goat herder and finalizes all approvals, the goats move in for about two weeks, munching on overgrown vacant land. George Gonzales has been bringing his goats into Torrance for quite a few years. Andy then told me, “He [the goat man] knows which sites to hit, how to set up, knows about how long it will take, and he makes it real easy. I have friends who, once they found out I was organizing it, they came up there and we hung out with the goats in Walteria one day. I texted George before they came out and let him know we had a bit of a coyote problem – he wasn’t worried about it - that is why he’s got the dog. I think depending upon how the weather is, if we go through draughts, we might need them twice a year.” That might be a good idea. If the draught continues, and we get a little bit of rain at the reservoir, the brush grows quickly and keeping the growth down keeps the fire danger low. Then I caught up with the goat herder himself, George Gonzales, owner of Ranchito Tivo Boer Goats, based in Chino. At the time, George was busy removing the fence used to corral the goats during their two-week stay, along with his two helpers, Leonsio Guerrero, 24, and Victor Ochoa. Both men told me they enjoy working with the animals. George said, “I have been with the city of Torrance eight years now. I do about four or five sites for them. First of all, goats work every day, seven days a week, Christmas, New Years, every day, and they never call in sick. They only time they ‘come home’ is during my vacation in January for two weeks and my wife Dr. Liz Gonzales, who is a veterinarian, she gives them medicines, and checks them and that is what we do once a year.” Goats eat nearly everything. And they love to eat. Goats have four stomachs, much like a cow and chew their cud. They eat weeds, brush, and even poisoned ivy and roses! They never complain, are very quiet, never take a day off, or ask for a raise. They eat brush to within nearly five inches of the ground, pulling out grasses by the roots. Also, goats droppings are small, odorless, and biodegradable and do not have to be cleaned up or hauled away. But, “Goats are like the world – they are backstabbers, jealous, bullies, they will go after each other and hit each other for no reason, no compassion, no mercy – but - they herd good and they eat everything. They eat poison oak and palm trees,” stated George. Also, goats are a bargain. Compare clearing a large area for $30,000, as compared to a herd of goats for $5,000. Tax dollars saved. Yes, George and his goats are saving Torrance tax dollars by allowing the goats to eat our brush. George told me he owns a total of 450 of these efficient goats, but soon will top 500, in addition to some sheep. “My wife, Dr. Liz Gonzales, wants to make soap out of them [sheep milk] for a hobby,” added George. Guarding these veracious eaters are four Great Pyrenees dogs (one for each herd). George told me the dogs take care of the coyotes, stray dogs, and anything else that might bother the goats. They don’t let anything get into ‘their herd’. If any animal, including a bear or a lion, which they may encounter in the cities of Monrovia, Glendora, or Duarte, comes near the sheep, the Great Pyrenees Dogs are on guard. The dogs, trained for this job exclusively in Texas, are not domesticated and love goats. They protect their goats. George told me, “The goats are from South Africa and they will withstand 110 degree heat, and weigh 300 pounds, and are very strong. They are good eaters. They eat 24/7. They eat all day long. I breed my own animals, and mostly we have girls. Girls are better workers. I rescue goats.” Chatting with George Gonzales opened my eyes and reminded me how simple things can be. Goats clearing brush in the city of Torrance is economical, efficient, and I would contend, nice to have around. Many people I spoke with said they had seen the goats grazing at various places around town. Gary Johnson told me, “We realized that goats don’t ‘neigh’ – I ‘herd’ that.” The goats have finished their ‘work’ in Torrance for the season, but keep a lookout because you never know when they may be back. Now I just wish I could call on one goat for my garden! • Havana’s Reawakening from page 3 and Charlotte the Northeast; and Houston the Southwest. Atlanta will service the South, and Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando have the Southeast.   Its plan for air service allocates nonstop Havana service to areas of “substantial Cuban-American population, as well as to important aviation hub cities,” the department said.  The deal between the governments works both ways, giving Havana-based airlines 20 nonstop flights per day to the mainland. Another 10 flights per day are allowed between the U.S. and each of Cuba’s nine international airports. The flight caps were announced in June, and the two countries continue to iron out travel details, including places where American visitors may go on the island.  The Castro government has loosened earlier restrictions, so anyone fortunate enough to catch a seat on a Havana-bound jet this fall should ask about last-minute changes in the rules for visitors. The same goes for cruise ship passengers, some of whom sent back reports in May that tour operators weren’t taking advantage of all of the sights open to American visitors. Their advice? Bring comfortable shoes and be prepared for a lot of walking.  A journalist with CruiseCompete.com said passengers to Cuba were confused about how Carnival’s Fathom ship tours are organized. U.S. rules limit Americans visiting Cuba to certain activities, such as cultural exchanges, but that leaves some latitude to explore Havana’s restaurants and music clubs.  “I was under the impression you had to do everything with the cruise line,” editor-at-large Heidi Allison-Shane told the Associated Press.  Carnival randomly assigned passengers to visit museums, historic sites or performance venues without giving them a choice, Hanson said. A Carnival spokeswoman said the cruise line in the early summer was having a hard time adjusting its port visits and programs because U.S. policies are changing daily.  The Transportation Department will issue a final list of carriers and airports by end of July, and airlines contacted by the Herald say they will begin selling airfares once the list is released. Cubans and Americans will soon be rubbing shoulders, in the streets and on the dance floor. Whether by plane or boat, the Yankees are coming. • Victor Ochoa and Leonsio Guerrero, age 24 . George Gonzalez. Goats in their pen.


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