C e l e b r a t i n g 2 6 Ye a r s o f Service in Inglewood, Airport area Communities
City of Champions Your Community Connection Since 1994
EYE ON THE CITY Rams
Chargers
April 2 - 8, 2020
Forum
& Lakers
VOL. 35, No. 14
Safety Remains Top Priority at SoFi Stadium Site Turner Hunt Statement:
“[Today] we were advised of a trade worker who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. First and most importantly the worker is doing well, receiving care, and recovering. The worker has not been on the jobsite since Friday March 20th. The safety of the people on site and in our community remains our top priority. The worker was located in an isolated, material pre-assembly area outside the building. The individual had not at any time entered the building or used any of its common areas. All equipment that may have been used by the worker is being disinfected. THJV is also contacting all equipment rental companies to disinfect all equipment, as a general precaution. The assembled materials the worker was in contact with are now located on the roof and are in compliance with CDC timeframes, meaning the period of time suggested the virus can maintain on a surface has passed. Due to our protocols and the nature of the worker’s assignment, those who may have been exposed are minimal. Those in “close contact” are in self-quarantine, while those in “casual contact” are self-monitoring. This is all in accordance with LA County Department of Health Services and CDC Guidelines. The quarantine/monitor period will extent until April 3rd. Project protocols strictly enforce social distancing. This includes limiting access to the personnel hoist, no group gatherings over 10 people and those must maintain six foot separation, and certain tasks that require close contact are suspended or re-sequenced. The project has increased the amount toilet facilities and wash stations throughout site and have activated permanent toilets inside the building. Each one has hand washing station and sanitizer. We Continued on page 3
Clippers
Local family still work amid shut down By Francis Taylor, Senior Writer
Proud parents of three children ages one to nine, the local El Salvadorian of Jose and Nora Penate are managing work amid the federal and state laws that require people to stay home during the growing coronavirus pandemic. Sons, Jose, Jr., Kevin and Daniel are being care for by their grandmother who is visiting from El Salvador. “My wife and I are able to work during this stay at home period,” Penate said. “The nature of our jobs is that we are able to work even though my hours have been reduced by about 20 percent for an indefinite period. If conditions return to normal soon, we will not experience any significant delinquency in paying our bills regularly and on time,” he added. Penate provides residential apartment maintenance services for a property owner who owns multiple units in the City of Inglewood. Before everyone was encouraged to stay safe at home,’ he had been preparing a one bedroom apartment for a new tenant. The property owner allowed him to continue working even though he cut his hours by one day each week. “The property owner said that several tenants have already indicated that they may not be able to pay their April rent which may leave him short on funds to pay his workers.” Penate said. “He also said that while tenants have been given a
STAYING STRONG-From left grandmother, Jose Jr., Kevin, Nora and Jose Penate Sr. (holding son Daniel) are managing the crisis while working and following orders to stay at home. (Francis Taylor/ Photo)
reprieve for rent increases and evictions for an indefinite period, property owners have not been given any reprieve on water bills, property taxes, insurance and other expenses associated with rental property ownership.” The Penate children are enjoying their time at home. Jose, Jr., has been studying several hours each day while his younger brothers have been playing in their yard and watching Disney movies on television. Jose, Jr. is a good student
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and his favorite subject is Science. He explained that he recently completed a science experiment at home to determine which soap detergent produced the most suds. He completed the assignment, created a series of charts to reveal his findings and was prepared to present his experiment to his classmates. “I was proud of my project,” he said, “but my school was shut down before Continued on page 3
COVID-19 brings us
closer together By Melanie Mack, IT Contributor
As the third quarter of 2020 comes to a close, the world is experiencing a pandemic, which has upended the world as we know it. While the Coronavirus spreads at break neck speed, oddly, it has given all of us time to slowdown and pause while on quarantine. For many, this pause (quarantine) has quickly evolved into quality time for self-care, presence with family, Continued on page 3
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April 2 - 8, 2020
EYE ON THE CITY GEORGE DOTSON
ALEX PADILLA
JAMES BUTTS
ELOY MORALES
RALPH FRANKLIN
AROUND THE CITY
City of Inglewood Emergency Declaration • 45 Day stay on Evictions both residential and commercial with 6 months to catch up the arrears rents. • Cancellation of over 1,400 Street Sweeping citations issued during the declaration of emergency period. • Forgiveness of the Trash Bills for all residential and commercial customers at an expense to the City of over $1 Million dollars.
• Opening of City owned parking lots during Street Sweeping hours to provide additional parking for residents at the Main Library lot, Parking Structure #2 (Locust & Queen Streets), the Arbor Vitae lots (Arbor Vitae west of Labrea extending to Inglewood Ave) • Forgiveness of all False Alarm response fees generated during the period of emergency.
• City Hall is open for business by appointment only. • Contract nurses are on staff at City Hall throughout the day using infrared non-contact thermometers to take temperatures of staff and visitors. Employees with temperatures of 100.4 and higher will be sent home.
• Employees over 65 have been allowed to stay at home. • Tele-commute analysis in in progress to pare down the number of employees that report to work during the Stay at Home period of State Emergency.
• N95 Masks have been made available for employees that desire them during the work day.
Senior witnessed MLK ‘I Have a Dream Speech’ is now living COVID-19 nightmare By Francis Taylor, Senior. Writer
The Inglewood City Council did not meet this week so I thought I would share a few thoughts from a senior citizen’s perspective related to what we are all experiencing: I remember attending the March on Washington when Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered the “I Have a Dream Speech,’ when I was a thirteen; my first trip to Europe, sailing on the Queen Elizabeth from New York to Le Havre, France, when I was 16; being denied a college graduation ceremony from Hampton Institute, now Hampton University, when the school was abruptly shut-down two weeks before the end of the semester because of student unrest related to Vietnam War protests in 1971; and a lifetime of memorable experiences. However, I do not remember or have ever experienced anything like what my Inglewood neighbors and I are experiencing now with Covid-19. The Inglewood Senior Center is shut down for the second week in a row. Those of us who looked forward to the daily food and fellowship that was available during the 12:00 noon lunch that was offered to a room full of senior citizens, have been forced to enjoy their meals at home, and often alone, with the generous efforts on the part of City of Inglewood staff members who, have been delivering one week’s worth of meals to registered seniors to
their homes every Monday. Many of Inglewood’s seniors visited the Senior Citizen’s Center as regularly as our more youthful friends and family members went to work or school each business day. From bingo
and exchanging pleasant conversation with Inglewood’s senior citizens has been enlightening, inspirational and fun for this writer. One of the most notable experiences was meeting a woman who was a
and dance classes to knitting, table tennis, card playing and billiards, the center provided a daily outlet for seniors to socialize, learn, laugh and converse with old friends and to make new ones. As one can imagine, having a conversation with a senior citizen often provides a curious individual with a glimpse into history and sharing a meal
gold medal track and field winner in the Olympics where John Carlos and Tommy Smith defiantly raised their fist with black gloves when they accepted their gold and silver medals. For me to learn of the discussion the Black Olympic athletes had inside the Olympic Village before and after that historical display of protestation was fascinating, providing information that
would not have been available to me were it not for the Inglewood Senior Citizen Center. Remembering my college graduation from Hampton, the historically Black college that was founded in 1868 to provide education to freedmen, and the fact the my class of 1971 was the only class that had not been permitted to have a graduation ceremony in the schools’ history, makes me note the fact that thousands of 2020 graduates from across the nation and around the world, will also, always remember that that this is the year when they were all denied a formal graduation ceremony. Covid-19 has forever changed life as we know it. Social Distancing has become the new normal for seniors and others throughout the City of Inglewood and indeed the nation. As the death toll continues to rise, it is my sincere hope that everyone, especially my senior colleagues (65 and older) adhere to the warnings our elected officials announce daily to stay safe and alive! And, as Dr. King said, “we may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”
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April 2 - 8, 2020 Continued from page 1: COVID-19...
Getting Creative to Survive: Barbers and Beauticians Share COVID-19 Stories
Chida Rebecca and Tanu Henry | California Black Media
Melanie Mack
focused productivity time if able to work remotely, and catching up with friends. Ironically, self-distancing has brought our global community closer and created more connectivity in this moment. Whether it’s families having meals together with technology, happy hour google hangouts, virtual game night, or DJ D-Nice creating “Club Quarantine” with an epic live display of music that lifted everyone brought some of the biggest names in entertainment, sports, politics, our first responders, and the Instagram community at large, we are
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discovering new ways to get through these uncertain times, together. Let’s remember to be safe and not selfish - potentially impacting others whose immune systems will not survive exposure to this virus. Editor’s Note: Melanie is a Forbes contributor, African American Board Leadership Institute Alumna (AABLI), member of City Club, International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute; founding executive board member for the Black Cooperative Investment Fund (BCIF), public relations chair and executive board member, National Association of Women Business Owners – Los Angeles (NAWBO-LA), Inglewood Ambassador for NAWBOLA, advisory board member for the California Women’s Conference, Angels Gate Park, and Girls, Inc. of Greater Los Angeles. She is also the founder of BrunchNet: A Girl’s Guide to Business, Career, Goals, Life and Family – a membership brunch club for professional and entrepreneurial women.
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I was able to make my presentation to my classmates.” His father said that his Inglewood elementary school informed him that school has been suspended until May 5, 2020, and he is aware that it is possible that the school will not resume for the duration of the school year. Having all of the children at home during the week has been much like having a week filled with Saturdays and Sundays. The children’s grandmother, who has been visiting from El Salvador for the last six months and who was planning to return home at the beginning of the summer, is concerned about Covid-19 but glad that she is not home. “I have been told that El Salvador has been completely shut-down and anyone found on the street, that is not authorized, is taken to jail.” The Penate family is fortunate to live in a single-family home and the children have a private yard where they are able to play in the back yard. In fact they recently helped their father build a children’s play house that is accessible with a four feet ladder. “Between the boys’ playhouse, homework and Disney movies, my oldest son thinks his summer vacation has already begun.”
Across the country, barbers and hairstylists are feeling the effects of COVID-19. In the Black community, the impact is more severe. Black-owned salons and barbershops have always served as a hub for men and women to congregate and catch up on the latest news, gossip and overall happenings within the community. These “meeting places” of sorts have also proven to be extremely profitable for its owners. But per executive orders from Gov. Gavin Newsom, all non-essential businesses in California have been forced into temporary closure; among them, barbershops, beauty salons, nail technician shops and other cosmetology centers. In one fell swoop, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused hairstylists and barbers across the state to go from running lucrative, bustling businesses to owing rent or mortgage on a shuttered commercial space that is now home to an under-performing business with an uncertain future. A few barbershops and beauty salons in California open up occasionally, observing the federal and state governments’ social distancing guidelines, but others remain completely closed. “I’m just waiting for somebody to show up and tell me I’m breaking the law,” laughed one Los Angeles-area barber who asked to remain anonymous. Although he sometimes does private bookings for a few of his clients who are celebrities, he told California Black Media he has never had to accept appointments from clients he did not know just to keep earning money. So, during this crisis, he dons a mask and gloves, goes out and does what he has to do. “This is a crazy time for everybody,” Continued from page 1: Safety...
have full-time monitors in place to ensure they are clean, operational and stocked. Posted throughout the site are proper methods of maintaining hygiene. Field offices are cleaned daily with sanitizers and fully deep sanitized each weekend. All protocols are followed for personnel stationed in those office. We are fully transparent in our communications with everyone; trades and supervision. This includes any potential or confirmed exposures, daily updates on best practices, government guidelines, directives and listening to and addressing any concerns workers have.”
he said. “And its tough, tough time for our businesses. We just have to ride it out and see what happens.” Customers are equally upset. Many of them have taken to #BlackTwitter to express their frustration. “My barbershop is closed indefinitely,” tweeted Anthony Wheeler. “This is the worst result of #covid19.” Justin Henderson, another Twitter user, wrote, “The barbershop i go to is closed indefinitely and the company I work for wants us to use video chat for every virtual meeting. If this goes on for more than 2 more weeks, I may no longer be recognizable.” Bridget Winton, a respected San Diego-based hairstylist and salon owner is among the 33,570 cosmetologists in California trying to rebound from the coronavirus effects. “I’m glad that I have a couple of options to make money,” she said. “I have a direct franchise business offering health, wellness and beauty products that consumers still need even if they don’t come in. For me, it’s a nice little backup. It’s not as much money as I could be making if I’m in the trenches full time, but its steady money.” Winton, who’s been in the industry for over 30 years says she learned early on the importance of creating multiple streams of income within her company. By turning her salon into a “one-stopshop,” she has been able to meet many of her clients’ total body needs. “I’m a full-service salon. I do facials, body treatments, body contouring, skin restoration, along with scalp treatment and hair services,” she said. When coronavirus began its rapid spread, Winton started to visit which of her “streams” she’d focus on to maintain a flow of revenue. The services that required her to touch the skin would have to stop. Continued on page 7
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April 2 - 8, 2020
Area Communities S e r v i n g L a d e r a , H a w t h o r n e , W e s t c h e s t e r, L a w n d a l e , G a r d e n a , C a r s o n
How The Coronavirus Crisis is forcing School Districts to Bridge The Digital Divide
Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media
Two weeks ago, Gov. Newsom announced that Californians should not count on schools reopening before summer break. Most school districts had already announced that their campuses would be closed for two to four weeks to support the containment of the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Prior to most schools “terminating classroom instruction”, Newsom issued an executive order ensuring that teachers would be paid during school closures and that districts would receive their regular funding as long as the school district districts delivered “high quality educational opportunities through distance learning or independent study.” Distance learning as defined by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is “simply when the teacher and the student are in two different locations.” Over 8000 educators statewide participated in a webinar conducted by Thurmond to go over guidance the California Department of Education issued to all school districts detailing how they can provide distance learning opportunities for students including those with disabilities and English learners. As school districts assess the Coronavirus crisis, most have been preparing as if they will not reopen classrooms for the rest of the school year. They are developing distance learning plans, trying to duplicate online the lessons they originally prepared to
deliver in their classrooms. Online distance learning is feasible because, when California adopted the Common Core State Standards, students had to be computer literate and know how to type in order to take state tests. Low tech school districts and charter schools transitioned to using high tech learning tools and bought devices like Chromebooks and iPads, loaded textbooks on them and required students to use them to complete assignments. The “digital divide” between students with access to computers and internet at home and those without access has long been a public-policy debating point, but the disruption to learning caused by the Coronavirus crisis demands that something be done about it now. Districts serving large lowincome and minority student populations must bridge the digital divide if their distance learning efforts are going to succeed. While students have access to a digital device at school, many don’t have one at home. Or if they do, they may not have access to broadband internet. Across California, an estimated 230,888 Black Californians (12 percent of Black households) do not have an internet subscription compared to 7.4 percent for White households. And 217,860 Black Californians (10.2 percent of Black households) do not own a computer compared to 7.2 percent of White households, according to research conducted by California Black Media and included in the organization’s “Counting Black California” report. In 378 of the hardest-to-count census tracts in the state, where large percentages of African Americans live an average of 64 percent of the households don’t have access to the internet. These households include over 67,300 Black residents, according to the same report. In cases where children in the lowestincome homes have a home computer, they might have to share it with a parent who now has to work from home or school age brothers and sisters trying to complete school assignments as well. Complicating the transition to distance learning for school districts is the fact that many teachers can’t just switch to online teaching overnight. They need training. However, unlike school districts in other states that have closed down and are not offering instruction to students, that is not an option considered by California school districts. Instead, school districts across the state are
identifying what they need to do to provide distance learning and are finding ways to deliver it. Natomas Unified is located in northwestern Sacramento. It was named the second most diverse school district in the nation in a New York Times study. They declared that they would transition to a distance learning model just a day after Newsom’s statement about schools not reopening. According to Superintendent Chris Evans, they started preparing weeks before making the decision. “If we were going to do something virtually, I wanted to make sure there is equity in students having access to digital devices, other than a phone,” Evans said. They surveyed who needed computers and internet access and worked out an arrangement with Verizon to provide unlimited Wi-Fi access for three to four months. A key element to their plan was being able to sign a memorandum of understanding with their teachers union on contract modifications to facilitate teachers’ participation in distance
learning. Currently, between 6,000 and 7,000 Chromebooks are being distributed to students and teachers to start pilottesting lessons for two weeks before they move forward on teaching curriculum online for the rest of the year — or until they are able to physically open their classrooms. Just as ready to engage in providing distance learning to its students is Fortune School of Education. It is a group of seven public charter schools in Sacramento and San Bernardino with a student population that is over 90 percent minority and 85 percent low income. Margaret Fortune, Founder and CEO of Fortune School said “I had literally just briefed my team that we need to make a distance learning plan that will be built to last for the rest of the school year,” when Newsom said schools might not open until summer. Fortune has already distributed hundreds of Chromebooks to families Continued on page 7
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April 2 - 8, 2020
Sports & Entertainment The Sports God
Collision mythical MVP’s J Serra’s Ian Martinez & Chaminade’s Alexis Whitfield
MY MEMORIES OF
KOBE BRYANT
COLLISION MVPS: J Serra’s Ian Martinez and Chaminade’s Alexis Whitfield were selected as the mythical MVP’s of the cancelled Collision All Star Basketball Games. By Inglewood Today Sports Wire By Dave Smith, Sports Columnist
While watching the 2/24 tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant, I thought about the first time I met him. It was 1996 and the 17-year-old prodigy had just been drafted by the Charlotte Hornets, traded to the Lakers and about to make his NBA Pro Summer League debut in the Pyramid at Cal St. Long Beach. I was working in local radio at the time (KMAX 107.1 FM), saw Kobe sitting in the stands before the game and decided to approach him, tape recorder and microphone in hand, and ask him if he had a minute for an interview. He smiled and said “Sure. You know this is this first one I’ve done since I joined the Lakers.” As the interview progressed and he expounded on his dreams of becoming the greatest player in NBA history and winning multiple NBA Championships, I was both impressed and embarrassed. Impressed at how a 17-year-old kid could be so mature, polished and intelligent; embarrassed that I was a grown man and not nearly as mature, polished and intelligent. I’d read about off the charts intellect and maturity beyond his years, but sitting next to him and conversing, it was obvious the reports of his upper percentile SAT score and being fluent in three languages were all true. As we wrapped up the interview, a couple of people walked by and said something to him in Italian; and Kobe conversed with them fluently. Then a few fans in Lakers jerseys came by to say hello and get an autograph. Noticing they were Hispanic, Kobe spoke to them in Spanish and the look of surprise and awe on their faces was something I never forgot. And I thought to myself, “Not only did this 17-year-old kid get a higher SAT score than me, he speaks three languages fluently when I can barely speak one.” Over the years I’d see him often in the Lakers locker room and when I briefly traveled with the team and covered them on road trips, he’d give Continued on page 7
The California high school basketball season was just a few days from completion with the coronavirus pandemic began bulldozing through the nation, dooming sports events to suspension and or cancellation. Among the local post-season basketball events that became a casualty because of sweeping federal and state regulations was the 22nd annual Collision All Star Games scheduled for April 18th at Los Angeles Harbor College. The event annually features the top-graduating seniors, pitting the CIF-Southern Section against the Los Angeles City Section in a girls and boys doubleheader. Many of the participants for the event had been chosen and committed, waiting with abated breath to close out their high school careers, but the novel coronavirus muted those aspirations. “It has been a very difficult time for everyone,” Collision All Star Game founder and Director Kenneth Miller said in a statement. “Like many other and more prominent events such as the NBA, MLB, NCAA establishing the unprecedented course of action to suspend or cancel, it essentially took my decision out of my hands. While sports has offered our nation an avenue to heal in many instances, this crisis is so monumental that we all need to do our part and follow the state and federal guidelines for as long as possible to save
lives.” The coaches names for the event were: Southern Section coaches consisted of (girls) Megan Kelso of Chaminade High School and Reggie Howard of Ribet Academy; City coaches selected were (girls) Sherland Chensam of Hamilton High School and Lloyd Webster of King Drew High School. The girl’s game would have featured All CIF Southern Section selections Ashkee Lewis of Long Beach Poly, C h a m i n a d e ’s Alexis Whitfield and Ugonne Onyian, Fairmont Prep’s Kaitlyn. City girls would have included Ariana Grimes of Westchester and many other outstanding City performers. Girls Mythical MVP- Alexis Whitfield, arguably among the most dominant players in the state who dueled Redondo Union’s Anna Johnson in one of the most exciting high schools games I’ve ever seen scoring 41 points. I have no doubt that she would have been outstanding for the Southern Section Girls squad. Among the standout boys performers slated to play, the top selections were All CIF Selections J Serra’s Ian Martinez,
Ribet Academy’s Snookie Wigington, Rolling Hills Prep JT Tan, St Pius X/St. Mathais Rafel Gomez, Fairmont Prep’s Atin Wright, Etwanda’s Jaylen Clark and Cameron Pierce. Key City selections included King Drew’s Fidelis Okereke, Fairfax’s Keith
Dinwiddie, Washington Prep’s Deshawn Johnson, El Camino Real’s Benjamin Todd, Westchester’s Ky-mani Pollard and Marland Harris. Boys Mythical MVP: Ian Martinez, the Utah signee guided J Serra to the brink of a sectional title during an injuryplagued season. He had committed to play in the event since his sophomore season and there is no question that he would have dominated Collision like he did his many other opponents on his way to a stellar campaign.
New TropheCase App Update Transforms Sports Industry Inglewood Today News
TropheCase App has unique card interface for rapid access and most relevant information about next generation athletes. SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – TropheCase has released a more innovative free mobile TropheCase App exclusive to the sports industry and personalized for the next generation of athletes chronicling their journey that is also valuable to all sports affiliates, TropheCase announced today. The TropheCase App provides opportunity for athletes and sports
affiliates in a unique form easily share and store their experiences. This exceptional sports card interface displays social multimedia content on the front, stats, accolades, training and other links that also offers personal bio’s and more on the back. It is the most innovative mobile experience tool anyone has experienced in the sports industry and be can used where social multimedia, stats and all the athletic components collide in one sports exclusive sports network. TropheCase is designed for every athlete, providing a platform for all
ages and levels, representing over 85 sports categories. The TropheCase mission is Created for Athletes, by Athletes. After years of researching and developing, the TropheCase App is the easiest way to build, showcase and capture your sports evolution in the digital age. Empowering athletes as the content creators for their personal brand is the most essential and powerful resource athletes and affiliates can have. Continued on page 6
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BUPPIE | BUSINESS There Could Be More Income Tax Return Cash on the Table for You
JEROME HORTON Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
For people who have not yet filed their tax returns, the United States Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced March 21 that they are moving the 2019 income tax filing due date from April 15 to July 15 this year, a three month extension. After the IRS’s announcement, the state of California postponed its tax deadlines until July 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That update
superseded the California Franchise Tax Board’s (FTB) previous announcement that extended the period for filing and payment of taxes until June 15, 2020. With the approval of the federal government’s $2 trillion stimulus package, designed to ease the financial impact of the global Coronavirus pandemic, taxpayers can take full advantage of several breaks federal and state agencies are offering. Start by paying attention to the California State Controller’s summary of the tax credits. By making sense in the simplest terms, taxpayers could learn that there is more tax-return money on the table for them. “The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting life for people and businesses statewide,” State Controller Betty Yee said in a statement addressing filing federal returns and paying taxes owed. “Hopefully, this small measure of relief will allow people to focus on the health and safety of themselves and their families during these challenging times.” Two tax credits specifically — one federal and the other in California — are aimed at giving families and businesses a lifeline. For starters, eligibility for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) has been expanded. People who earned less than $30,000 in 2019 — including through self-employment — may qualify, and those who also have a child under age six may be eligible to claim the Young Child Tax
Continued from page 5: The Sports...
me a wink and say “It’s the Sports God!” as we bumped fists. He’d always poke fun at my clothes and my hair when I’d walk into the locker room and one time, after I’d just gotten a haircut, he looked at me and said “That’s just a shorter version of a disaster.” When the laughter died down, he said “Hey, I can send you to my girl if you want to get a good haircut, I’ll give you her card.” When I accepted his offer, he said, “There’s one problem, though, she doesn’t cut white hair. But what the hell, what do you have to lose? It can’t be any worse than what you have now. Maybe you should try an Afro.” As his career progressed, I watched him accomplish a Three-Peat of World Championships before he turned 24, score an incredible 81 points in one game, become a perennial All Star, win MVPs, go through some tough times midway through his career after a feud and break-up with Shaquille O’Neal and then remarkably lead the Lakers to
back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. When Kobe, frustrated by the Lakers decline in the mid-2000’s and upset with management, demanded a trade, it seemed like his historic run with the Lakers was over. To then see him change his mind, remain a Laker and win two more championships just a few years later was nothing short of remarkable. And while sitting inside Staples Center on April 13, 2016, watching Kobe score an incredible 60 points in his final NBA game, I thought back to the confident, mature, focused 17-yearold kid I’d interviewed 20 years ago. The kid who said he was going to be the greatest NBA player of all time, win multiple championships, win an MVP and be an ambassador for people all over the world. I believed him on that night in 1996, and I’ll be damned if he didn’t deliver on almost everything he predicted.
Credit (YCTC). California’s YCTC was introduced in 2019. Upon qualifications for CalEITC and having a child under the age of six as of the end of the tax year, taxpayers could qualify for up to $1,000 through this particular tax credit. Between CalEITC and YCTC, FTB anticipates returning $1 billion to taxpayers this year. Taxpayers earning less than $55,952 may also qualify for the federal EITC. Through a combination of CalEITC, YCTC, and the federal EITC, a family can receive up to $8,053. In a simple breakdown, the following are the qualifications for CalEITC and the Young Child Tax Credit: · You must be at least 18 years old or have a qualifying child, and earned less than $30,000 during the previous year. · You must have worked during the tax year with income from W-2 wages, or self-employment, or salaries, or tips, or other employee wages, subject to California withholding (any one of these income sources can qualify), This credit can be up to $240 (state) and $529 (federal) with no children, up to $2,982 (state) and $6,557 (federal) for 3 or more children, and various other amounts for 1-2 children. You must file both a federal and state return if you are interested in receiving money from both sources. This is actual cash (a windfall for those not familiar with this credit) and is intended to equalize the playing field for wage
earners in the under $30,000 category. You can submit retroactive claims for this credit for up to the last four years. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax help for those uncomfortable with submitting tax filings and earn less than $54,000 a year. Responding to the economic challenges of the Coronavirus crisis, the federal government passed legislation that will provide up to a $1,200 payment for single individuals, $2,400 for married couples and various tax credits to businesses. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) introduced the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) March 19 as a third-phase effort to address the economic fallout the COVID-19 pandemic has caused. Jerome E. Horton, a former California state legislator and ex-member of the California Board of Equalization, who is now Chairperson for the Poverty Prevention Alliance, said the piece of legislation is a “good beginning.” “You can actually get $1,200 per individual, and for a family, it doubles,” Horton told California Black Media. “The important thing about the tax credit is that individuals would have had to file their 2018 tax returns. So it’s important to encourage everyone to file.” Continued on page 7
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April 2 - 8, 2020
Real Estate/Classified PUBLIC NOTICES
Fictitious Business Name Statement
LEGAL NOTICES
File No. 2020056265
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Electronically FILED by Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 3/23/2020 3:37 PM Sherri R. Carter, Executive Officer/Clerk,
The following Person is doing business as:
By Nancy Jue, Deputy Clerk
Skyhop Global LLC 1170 Lee Wagener Blvd., Ste 203 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 Registered Owner{s): Skyhop Global LLC, 1170 Lee Wagener Blvd., Ste 203, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant{s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on March 5, 2020. I {We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. {A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) Skyhop Global LLC, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk on March 5, 2020. NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.) Original March 12, 19, 26; April 2, 2020 IT0042230120020116 Inglewood Today Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2020058395 The following Person is doing business as: The Money Studio 437 Elm Ave., Inglewood, CA 90301 Registered Owner(s): Jorge I Gomez Martinez, 437 Elm Ave., Inglewood, CA 90301 This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on March 9, 2020. I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) Jorge I Gomez Martinez, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk on March 9, 2020. NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.) Original March 12, 19, 26; April 2, 2020 IT0042230120020115 Inglewood Today
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2020049128 The following Person is doing business as: Harvey Insurance Group 725 South Hindry Ave., Suite 336 Inglewood, CA 90301 Registered Owner(s): Focus Plan, Inc., 725 South Hindry Ave., Inglewood, CA 90301 This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on February 27, 2020. I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a _crime.) Focus Plan, Inc., Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk on February 27, 2020. NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.) Original March 12, 19, 26; April 2, 2020 IT0042230120020114 Inglewood Today
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Continued from page 3: Getting...
“At first, when all of this happened, I was able to get a few people in and do some hair treatments, but if anybody came to me for skin rejuvenation or body treatments, I wasn’t doing them because I’m opening the pores of their skin and it was just too easy to pass on any germs,” she said. Fortunately, for Winton and other independent businesspeople in the cosmetology industry, they now have a safety net if they need it. Last week, the U.S. Congress passed the CARES act to help individuals and businesses the Coronavirus pandemic has affected. President Trump signed it into law on Friday. The state of California has also extended unemployment benefits to freelancers and “gig workers,” including all barbers and beauticians. That means they can now apply to receive a weekly paycheck that ranges between $40 and $450 dollars, depending on their average weekly income, and an additional $600 a week from the federal government. For now, Winton keeps working on restructuring her businesses to meet her new reality. For starters, she has launched a newsletter to stay connected and keep her clients informed. “I’m going to be taking my business online and set it up where I can interact with people one at a time, and use that time wisely to educate my clients. I’m in the process of updating my website and cleaning that up,” she said.
that needed them and are implementing their distance learning program using Google Classroom as their learning management system and Google Hangouts to host face-to-face meetings with scholars and teachers. Micah Ali, President of the Compton Unified School District Board of Education, said he felt, “Confident, poised, and ready to deliver instruction, virtual learning, no matter how long.” School districts like Compton Unified and Stockton Unified that provide 1:1 access to a digital device and have arrangements with internet providers to provide free or low cost Wi-Fi are able to bridge the digital divide as they plan to deliver distance learning to the low income and minority students they serve. And, school districts like San Lorenzo Unified and Inglewood Unified that don’t have 1:1 student access to a digital device, are figuring out how to provide a computer and internet access to students who need them so that they can implement their distance learning programs. Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified, the state’s two largest school districts, are asking the Legislature to approve an additional $500 for every child in the state to help pay for the transition to full online learning. In that letter, the superintendents, Austin Beutner - Los Angeles Unified and Cindy Marten - San Diego Unified said, “Pick your metaphor: This is the moon shot, the Manhattan Project, the Normandy landing, and the Marshall Plan, and the clock is ticking.”
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The legislation authorizes the IRS to issue to individuals with incomes of up to $75,000 a one-time $1,200 payment, phasing out at a rate of 5 percent for every $100 in income above $75,000. The payment is thus phased out entirely for an individual making $99,000. Married couples with combined incomes of up to $150,000 would receive $2,400, subject to the same phaseout guidelines that apply to individuals. So, for married couples, the payments would be phased out at $198,000. The provision also provides an additional $500 per child, also subject to a similar incremental phaseout. The most important key to this tax credit for families and businesses is that emphasis is put on filing the 2018 tax returns, Horton said. They must be filed and the parties filing do not have to worry about previous hardships that prevented them from doing it. “If you didn’t file because you didn’t think that you owed any taxes or the government didn’t take any taxes out of your check, please go ahead and file,”
Horton said. “The individuals who wanted to stay off the radar, should file anyway,” he said, “so that they can take advantage of this stimulus.” Individuals with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking abilities need help filling out tax returns qualify. All income-eligible Californians who need help filing a Personal Income Tax (PIT) return can find it through the VITA program at sites statewide until July 15. All VITA volunteers are IRS-certified and can be trusted not to charge money for their services. This tax season, the FTB expects to process 20 million PIT returns, and the IRS expects to process more than 150 million PIT returns. Horton stresses that taxpayers should file for the tax break brought on by the stimulus and file with confidence. “My understanding is that Congress is planning to do another $4 trillion stimulus package down the road,” Horton said. “They are considering it depending on how (the first stimulus) works itself out. But then, you must file your tax returns,” he said.
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The Inglewood Planning Commission hereby gives notice that it will hold a public hearing on Monday, April 13, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., in the Community Room, First Floor, Inglewood City Hall, One Manchester Boulevard, to consider the following matters: 1.To approve a Special Use Permit No. 2018008 (SP-2018-008) for a Final Planned Assembly Development (PAD) to allow a 20-unit residential townhome subdivision on a 29,593 square-foot R-3 (Limited-family Residential) zoned property at 113-133 Plymouth Street. An Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (EAMND-2018-001) was previously prepared stating that with the recommended mitigation measures the proposed project will have no significant adverse impact upon the environment, a copy of which is available for public review online at www. cityofinglewood.org/1016/ Environmental-Documents or via email to bmccrumby@ cityofinglewood.org. The MND was adopted by the Planning Commission on October 3, 2018.
April 2 - 8, 2020
PUBLIC NOTICES
2.To adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration EAMND-2019-120andapprove Special Use Permit No. 2019-013 (SP-2019-013) for a Preliminary Planned Assembly Development (PAD) to allow a five-story, 65-unit senior housing mixed–use development on an approximately 26,250 square-foot C-2 (General Commercial) zoned property.
A Mitigated Negative Declaration (EAMND-2019-120) has been prepared stating that with the recommended mitigation measures the proposed project will have no significant adverse impact upon the environment, a copy of which is available for public review online at www. cityofinglewood.org/1016/ Environmental-Documents or via email to bmccrumby@ cityofinglewood.org. 3. A request to consider an appeal of the denial of Sign Adjustment No, 2019009 to legalize a previously installed approximately 35 square-foot internallyilluminated bi-faced LED sign for the display of onsite advertising only on a C-2A (Airport Commercial) zoned property.
the Planning Division office of City Hall and via email at bmccrumby@ cityofinglewood.org. 4.A public hearing to consider General Plan Amendment 2020-01 (GPA 2020-001) to adopt an Environmental Justice Element to the General Plan.
Pandemic and in compliance with Federal, State and Local mandates, the Public Hearing will be held at the date, time and location listed below. It is encouraged that all parties for or against this request, submit their support or opposition in writing to the Case Planner. If you will require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact the Planning Division Office at (310) 412-5230, One Manchester Boulevard, 4th Floor, Inglewood, California 90301. All requests for accommodations must be received 48 hours prior to the day of the hearing.
A Notice of Exemption (EA-CE-2020-036) has been prepared stating that the proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a copy of which is available for public review online at www. cityofinglewood.org/1016/ Environmental-Documents or via email at fljackson@ If you challenge the cityofinglewood.org. aforementioned public hearings in court, you may be 5.A public hearing to limited to raising only those consider General Plan issues you or someone else Amendment 2020-02 raised at the public hearings (GPA 2020-002) to amend described in this notice, or the Land Use Element in written correspondence of the City of Inglewood delivered to the Planning General Plan to clarify Commission at, or prior to, existing population density the public hearing. and building intensity allowances for all land use Si no entiende esta noticia o designations. si necesita mas informacion, favor de llamar onu este A Notice of Exemption numero (310) 412-5280. (EA-CE-2020-037) has been prepared stating that In the event that this Special the proposed project is Planning Commission exempt from the California meeting is not held, or Environmental Quality Act is concluded prior to a (CEQA), a copy of which public hearing item being is available for public considered, the public review online at www. hearing will automatically cityofinglewood.org/1016/ be continued to the next Environmental-Documents regularly scheduled or via email at fljackson@ Planning Commission cityofinglewood.org. meeting.
A Notice of Exemption (EA-CE-2019-122) has been prepared stating that the proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a copy of which is available online at for public review in Due to the COVID-19