Tom Hennessy: Amelia's career had Long Beach roots

Vote NO on Measure T. It's the teacher's greedy union's turn to take on cutbacks for outrageous terms they rustled out of the taxpayer for their pay and pensions.
They'd rather tax you, than cut back.

To property owners, your taxes will go up, and stay there. To renters, the increase will be passed onto YOU!

Don't pay for the incompetence of the teacher's union. They painted themselves into the corner via sheer greed, and stupidity. Don't bail them out!

This economy is going to get worse. Now is not the time to add new taxes.

NO NEW TAXES!

What a fascinating column about Amelia Earhart. I have seen the movie and was a bit disappointed in the wooden performances of both Swank and Gere, but the story and the background of a woman pilot makes the movie well worth the time. I would see it again. Besides the actor who had the role of Gene Vidal (Gore Vidal's father) was incredibly good in his role. Mr. Hennessy's column gives more information about the mystery that surrounds the search for Earhart's remains. Reading this column and having seen the movie, makes me want to learn more about this woman. My comment for the person who said not to vote for Measure T, I plan to vote for Measure T to help save our school teachers, and provide the best possible education for our children.

A not-very-good movie that fails to do justice to a fascinating woman

I liked your article on Amelia Earhart however I well vote No on Measure T Simply because I don't like more taxes. Once the gov't put's in a Tax it never ends. 25 cents a day is ok but for how long?

Someone should do a piece on Long Beach aviatrix Diana Bixby who, in the 1950s, attempted to follow Amelia Earhart's flight around the world in a British Mosquito.

Canalis should make up his mind what the subject of the piece is, and stick with it so you don't appear to be a mental patient, at best, or a weasel at worst. The editors shouldn't allow it. Being old isn't an excuse.

"..and so ends the dynamic history of the Roman Empire. By the way, vote "YES" on "Proposition 187! Where's my Raisin Bran? Mommy? Can I have an apple? Duck, boys! Another Zero! 12 O'clock! Mommy! Time for lunch again?!"

Some of the comments about Hennessy's column appear to be against Measure T. Personally I support Measure T, I am not a school teacher. But we all should care about the future of Long Beach, and its children are its great resource. Our teachers need your support. And furthermore, to those persons who wrote in against Measure T, did they read the other 99.99% of his column about Amelia Earhart. What a remarkable person who stuck to her dreams. Thank you , Tom Hennessy, for telling a good story. You always do.

Great column today about Amelia Earhart. What a fascinating woman. What the heck is Measure T? I guess it must be about Long Beach only, I live in Carson, so Measure T is your problem, Long Beach voters.

Joan wrote:

Great column today about Amelia Earhart. What a fascinating woman. What the heck is Measure T? I guess it must be about Long Beach only, I live in Carson, so Measure T is your problem, Long Beach voters.

It's another scheme to drill the middle-class to pay for poor union decisions made years ago. If they want the extra money, roll back teacher and administrator salaries, which are sky-high during a major recession.
I wish these freaks would stop referring to Long Beach kids as "our children."
They are nothing of the kind, there are other choices besides the unionized hell holes we call the "public schools." If they have to take pay cuts, you'll see how many stick around to take care of "their children."
The next economic slide in this country will be small commercial businesses. Many more people are going to lose their jobs, their businesses, their livelihoods. Demanding more from the already crippled middle-class is unconscionable! If they want more resources, start with enforcing our immigration laws so the money isn't being funneled to the children of illegal aliens. That is wrong, plain and simple.
NO NEW TAXES!!!

While the movie was good and she was a great woman, I wouldn't pay that kind of money. Some mysteries r better kept to themselves. Whatever happened she is at piece and even if the plane and she were found, it would only serve as another way to make money for the already rich.

I meant "peace". Please don't use public pieces like these to further your agenda. It's distasteful and shows that you r no better then politicans who attach a pay increase for themselves on a perfectly good bill that helps everyone.

we saw the "Amelia" movie, really interesting story; Hennessy's column about the mystery surrounding her disappearance is one of those stories that never gets old. we liked the movie, but thought Hilary Swank's performance was sort of weak for her. what a firestorm Mr. Hennessy's postscript created. why aren't people willing to pay a little more to help the school district keep all its teachers. in fact, the district needs even more teachers. how could anyone vote no on Measure T, and jeopardize our public education system. get a grip, people!

Swank is lame, Drew Barrymore would have been a better choice, down with manly women up with feminine ladies !

Earhart and her father came to Long Beach in 192o to watch Earl Daugherty's "air circus." She asked to be taken up in a plane and was given a ride over Rogers Airfield by Poly High School graduate, Frank Hawks. She was given about 7 flying lessons by Neta Snook at Kinner Airfield (owned by W.B. Bert Kinner, a Long Beach resident) but they soon parted ways and Long Beach pilot and future Aviation Commissioner, John Montijo taught her (and her best friend Alosia McClintock) how to solo and perform aerobatics.

Earhart later flew in the Long Beach and Glendale air rodeos with Daugherty and Hawks. She lost her air race to Gladys O'Donnell (LB's first woman pilot) in 1929 and visited Long Beach many times to see O'Donnell who together had started the 99 club for women pilots.

If you want to know more about "Early Aviation in Long Beach" -- my book is at all local bookstores.

I did not see the movie about Amelia Earhart. I did see the movie "The Aviator".(2004 version starring Leonardo DiCaprio) It was about the life of Howard Hughes. Hughes also had aviation roots in Long Beach and surrounding Southern California environs. I found it to be very exciting.

In that movie, it relates to when Howard Hughes was producing his movie "Hells Angels".(1930) Both of those movies are very exciting. Both are still available through DVD sellers. I would recommend both films to anyone who enjoys watching exciting adventure films.

Ronald

Gerrie Schipske wrote:

Earhart and her father came to Long Beach in 192o to watch Earl Daugherty's "air circus." She asked to be taken up in a plane and was given a ride over Rogers Airfield by Poly High School graduate, Frank Hawks. She was given about 7 flying lessons by Neta Snook at Kinner Airfield (owned by W.B. Bert Kinner, a Long Beach resident) but they soon parted ways and Long Beach pilot and future Aviation Commissioner, John Montijo taught her (and her best friend Alosia McClintock) how to solo and perform aerobatics.
Earhart later flew in the Long Beach and Glendale air rodeos with Daugherty and Hawks. She lost her air race to Gladys O'Donnell (LB's first woman pilot) in 1929 and visited Long Beach many times to see O'Donnell who together had started the 99 club for women pilots.
If you want to know more about "Early Aviation in Long Beach" -- my book is at all local bookstores.

I'll get your book as soon as I get to the bookstore! I hope I find that it includes a few words about the company I called "home" for 23 years -- the famous Flying Tigers who started out in a garage in Long Beach in 1945 as National Skyway Freight Corp.

Dode Penrod wrote:

<quoted text>
I'll get your book as soon as I get to the bookstore! I hope I find that it includes a few words about the company I called "home" for 23 years -- the famous Flying Tigers who started out in a garage in Long Beach in 1945 as National Skyway Freight Corp.

Unfortunately, that will have to wait for volume two. I found so much information and photos on the early 1900s that we needed to cut the book down. I did find a bit on Flying Tigers.