Random Lengths News is an asset to the entire South Bay community. Excellent writers, foremost among them Paul Rosenberg whose astute political coverage is most welcome. This is a newspaper with a conscience and true concern for the community it serves so well. I highly recommend it. Ron Linden read more

Great Local paper written by a bunch of Liberals spewing kakamami stories unfounded in historical fact. Recent story Oligarchs published oct 1st - 14th fails take historical fact that the foundation of our system of government is both Roman=Democratic & Greek=Spartan. read more

Displayed an unprofessional, greedy operation of low class. The original person I spoke to just abruptly hung-up the phone when I tried to insist to do it my way, and she wanted her way and control of my advertisement. The Publisher James Allen stepped-in and it started great. Except I wanted to cancel my four-week advertisement after the first appearance and was denied a credit on my charge account I originally paid for it on. Kept insisting they do not do that. No where did I see or hear "NO REFUNDS". Interesting that they are in a 89 % predominately Spanish area and yet do not publish in Spanish also. NOT VERY PROFESSIONAL! read more

Random Length News has a point of view and it's a liberal, pro human one, but as a newspaper don't expect it to be Just The Facts or Well Rounded reportage. It's a lot of opinion really. The articles themselves as well as the choice of what to write about further than point of view. We know very left wing people who say they agree with the editor all the time. Obviously if you want to read around the subject you have to read other local publications as well, such as the Daily Breeze. The same people say they won't let The Daily Breeze into their house! Do we read RLN? At first we did, every week. That it is free and so available made that easy. Our reading has diminished. We know there's an on line edition and that the editor proudly passes out copies himself at times. Do we read The Daily Breeze? Actually we don't. In it's way it is very pro- San Pedro, Wilmington, and Harbor City. Progressive, which means taking care of humanity is first and foremost. Isn't that what Christianity is all about? read more

James Allen and Suzanne Matsumiya, the editorial and advertising leadership at Random Lengths, have been pulling off this small miracle every two weeks for decades. RL is a go to every two weeks to understand what is going on with the Port of LA, downtown San Pedro business and commerce, as well as the best of culture and food from Carson to Pedro to Wilmington to Long Beach. Who else tells you about the treasure that is Alva's place for music at Weymouth Corners? James and his reporting crew also provide insights into California and Los Angeles politics and your Neighborhood Councils. No one covers the Port as well as RL. We subscribe and get it in the mail. But it is available free all around San Pedro and in other Harbor Area venues. read more

I provide copies of the Random Lengths News at my business, the Mailroom, and have many customers who tell me they love the paper and are happy to be able to grab their free copy here. I'm a fan of the paper too. I get to read about local news and also enjoy the Editorials and Letters to the Editor. Keep up the great work and we'll keep reading and enjoying. read more

I would like to publicly thank and recommend Random Lengths News. James Allen has been great with helping me put together my marketing campaign for my upcoming San Pedro Music Festival. He and his staff were extremely patient with me even with all the changes I wanted. I am pleased with my Posters and Flyers. They do amazing work! Thanks RLN. read more

Local journalism at its best, still independent and quality despite the immense political and economic forces here in LA's harbor community. The editors are strong advocates for working-class values. Worth a read. read more

Thought this place was the real deal they watered down now. Two thumbs down for not reporting the real..

This is all that is left of the local news media in San Pedro, and it is pure Pedro -- meaning pro-labor in general and ILWU in particular, liberal Democrat/Green in political orientation, and a fun read regardless of your views on the above. I look for it every week. While some of the opinions it presents border on the outrageous, the rest are right on track in the port city. The editor, James Allen, is a San Pedro icon. Even though he comes across as a pretentious jerk when you meet him in person socially, he does have an intellect and a mission, and keeps folk around here honest. This is the only local paper in the South Bay area not controlled by special (i.e., conservative business) interests, which by itself is a statement of the success that James Allen as made of his not so conservative business. I have learned more about San Pedro, my adoptive hometown, from reading Random Lengths than from any other source. At the strategic level, Random Lengths is a predictable read, and I must admit I enjoy having my prejudices catered to. But at the tactical level it is just unpredictable enough to make you look forward to next week's edition. This is local journalism at its best. Right on! read more

I really like this paper. It's very independent (unaffiliated with that chain that puts out virtually all alternative weeklies). I've found out about fun activities, particularly in San Pedro. read more

A supportive community paper that brings focus as well as perspective into local and national news.

Random Lengths is local and global news that has the guts to speak truth to power. A voice for the people by the people.

The fisherman down on the waterfront actually use it to wrap fish! How's that for classic? I've heard of papers being called "fish wrap," but up until now I've never actually seen them used for that! read more

Pretty good local paper. Gives a point of view you will not find in the MSP.

I am getting a little sick and tired of James Allen's contant whining on how the Port is not dealing with issues of connecting the waterfront to the community. LA Waterfront alliance has offered to build a pedestrian bridge. There are shuttle busses between the Ports o Call and downtown San Pedro. What more does he want? moving sidewalks? helicopter service? A big crane that will move the downtown area 2 blockes east, which is part of the main problem. It is up to the merchants to revitalize downtown, not the port. They need to provide services people want. They need to fix up their storefronts and to stay open later hours. They need to be more friendly. The ones that do these things are succesful Comments that the port will do more damage than the economic revival have no merit. Downtown Long Beach is thriving well and they dealt with the parking issue. What will cause damage is these naive and baseless views presented in this paperand not following the examples of those who had been successful. Am not saying to copy the Long Beach waterfront but their revitalization has not seemed to damage the community and they do have a successful downtown. Sometime the problem lie from within and looking to blame the port is not an answer. read more