Your Community Connection since 1994
Including Inglewood Airport Area • Baldwin Hills • Crenshaw/LA • Ladera Heights VOL. 25, No. 15
April 14, 2016
New Inglewood Car Rental Company Holds Ribbon-Cutting By Amanda Anderson
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dvantage Rent-A-Car in Inglewood celebrated its LAX location’s grand opening with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony that included Mayor James Butts and Inglewood Councilman Alex Padilla on Wednesday. The car rental company consists of three brands under one roof: Advantage Rent-A-Car, E-Z Rent-A-Car and Europcar. The enterprise is set to serve the LAX Airport area, offering customers rental cars without credit checks.
Butts helped cut the ribbon and welcomed the company’s executives to Inglewood. “We are very proud to see Advantage Rent-A-Car has become such a productive member of Inglewood’s economic portfolio. Should they make their projections of 40 million dollars in revenues annually, they would contribute 400 thousand dollars to Inglewood’s general fund,” Butts said. (Continued on page 5)
The Father Factor
On The Inside: • News • Community • Entertainment • Health • Real Estate • Business
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By Thomas Bunn
rowing up in a household with a father and strong male figures around me, and becoming a father to two beautiful girls of my own, has made it difficult to imagine the reality that there are children that aren’t awarded that same experience. In fact, 24 million children in America—one out of every three—live in biologically father-absent homes, according to the US Census Bureau. Personally, the statistics don’t add up when I look at the men that I know with children. Maybe that’s (Continued on page 10)
(Left) Donald P. Williams III, (Right) Daniel Polanco
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Inglewood Today
Page 2
April 14, 2016
Introducing #Inglewood Rising: Who’s Who By Amanda Anderson
This is the first article in a brand new weekly column called #Inglewood Rising: Who’s Who. It is penned by Amanda Anderson, a local contributing writer and former PBS So Cal blogger.
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nglewood is presently on the move and for this shift to have taken place, there are stakeholders who have and are pouring great visions, ideas and plans into the city. This new column exists to help spotlight some of Inglewood’s high impact people, be it in politics, entertainment, sports or business. Inglewood has a long and rich history of “Who’s Who” and we want our community of readers and residents to celebrate them with us, weekly. Twenty years ago, Rapper Tupac Shakur promoted the stereotype that Inglewood was always up to no good. Fast forward to the 21st Century, and we discover things and perceptions have changed, all to the glory of Inglewood. Not too long ago, the City of Champions seemed out for the count when bankruptcy loomed and the city faced the red with an eighteen million dollar deficit. The question for the newly elected Mayor James Butts in 2011 was: How to make Inglewood rise? Brainstorming began, unity forged and plans were put into action. Inglewood started to become a city serious about its financial goals, bottom line and image. Partnerships sprung to life, bringing renowned Madison Square Garden interests to town, injecting over
Amanda Anderson one hundred million dollars into the once lifeless “Fabulous Forum.” This union was a blessing and true milestone for Inglewood, as much needed tax dollars poured into the city’s General Fund. These new tax dollars generated by the Forum and its success as the number one concert venue in the region allowed city officials to focus more on renewing the City’s infrastructure and new city branding. The new Inglewood branding includes strong fiscal management, decisive and responsible leadership, public safety and being a destination city. Inglewood is now a place to drive to…not just to drive through. The influx of people and cars bring with them major dollars, new
faces and different cultures. This bold newness provided a welcomed make-over for Inglewood. Changes to the face and look of Inglewood from what we were all accustomed to in the past is apparent. Inglewood has now positioned itself as a relevant municipality— claiming money, power and respect. It is now a town where billionaires invest and developers scramble to build. People are launching new and exciting businesses in Inglewood at every turn. There are now atypical enterprises opening their doors, like new vegan restaurants and high end breweries to frequent. Folks are indeed running to Inglewood in fear of missing “the next big thing…” In this transformation, Inglewood bounced from the brink of bankruptcy to a balanced budget and proving itself worthy of its upgraded bond credit rating from Moody’s, a city credit rating system. The announcement of the NFL and Rams return to the Los Angeles area via a newly planned multi-billion dollar stadium has certainly been a factor for the increase in interest of the Inglewood real estate market. However, prior to the NFL deciding to allow Stan Kroenke to move the Rams to Inglewood, property values had skyrocketed from 2012 to 2015 by over 85%! The management of the City by the mayor and council have paid dividends for home owners. The Inglewood real estate market has become very desirable and investors are buying at record rates. Properties that would normally take months or years to sell are being sold almost in record time now. Inglewood has grown so much so that its critics debate if Inglewood will evolve demographically. A recent newspaper headline read, “Could Inglewood be the next city to gentrify?” While city officials admit Inglewood is growing exponentially, and more people with cash are coming in, worries about wholesale gentrification are really a stretch. So friends, get ready to become a regular reader of our new column, #Inglewood Rising: Who’s Who and meet some of the most extraordinary people on earth, people who have, people who are and people who will…make a difference in the lives of Inglewood residents. Who knows? Our next column could feature you. Do you have a question or comment? Or do you want to recommend an Inglewood person for the column, just give me a shout at amanda@inglewoodtoday.
President/Publisher/ Editor Willie Brown Vice President Gloria Kennedy Assistant Editor Veronica Mackey Contributing Writers Veronica Mackey Thomas Bunn Anne Cheek La Rose Staff Photographer Thomas Bunn PRODUCTION Manager Dené Glamuzina Quality Control Manager Gloria Kennedy Inglewood Today Weekly is a legally
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Inglewood Today
April 14, 2016
Page 3
Yesenia Quintanilla, Owner Olive Market Walnut Park, CA
Sixty-five percent of my sales are beverages. Yes, it is a big number. When I was 13 years old I started helping out my mom who opened up our first store, Junior Market down the street. Right now, I am currently the owner of Olive Market. It’s great to be the owner. Soda, juice drinks, and sports drinks are a big part of my business. The people in the community are important to me because as much as we are part of their families, they are also a part of my family. We’re here for them whenever they need anything.
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Inglewood Today
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April 14, 2016
Eye on the City
It Pays to Clean Up
Hosted by the City of Inglewood and the Social Justice Learning Institute
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uesday’s light agenda kept the Inglewood council meeting moving right along. The City denied property damage compensation for claims filed between July 14, 2015 and March 9, 2016. Amendment of the fiscal year 2015-2016 budget was approved to add a full-time position for a Project Development Coordinator in the Affordable Housing Division. Invoices were approved for project management and inspection services in support of the La Cienega Boulevard Improvements Project. Separate agreements were approved between the City and CSDA Design Group, and the City and Veneklasen Associates, Inc. for architectural and engineering design services, for the Residential Sound Insulation Program. After taking care of city business, the meeting opened to public and council comments: Broken elevators in City Hall are on Stuart Bailey’s mind, and he wants them fixed pronto. “Our elevators are in disrepair. Last week,
the fire department came Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There were people trapped in the elevator. Please do something where we can expedite the repairs…Please help us out,” he told the council. The Fabulous Forum was the site of the WE Day celebration last week. The educational event drew 16,000 local students for a day of inspirational speeches and celebrity appearances. Students earned admission by participating in yearlong community service projects with their schools. “I was privileged to go the event. A lot of school children were rewarded for being such good volunteers, and I am so glad my grandson was there as one of the volunteers,” Councilman George Dotson said. Councilman Alex Padilla thanked everyone who came out to his document shredding event last weekend. Councilman Ralph Franklin shared a motivating story that might get a few folks to do their spring cleaning: “Over the years, I had accumu(Continued on page 7)
Inglewood Today
April 14, 2016
Publisher’s Message
Be a Good Trustee of the Earth
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pril 22 will mark the 46th anniversary of Earth Day. It is a wake-up call for people to pay closer attention to changes in the environment that will affect everyone. Drought, global warming, air and water pollution are issues that require educating ourselves about conservation. There was a time in the not so distant past that Earth Day and African Americans were barely mentioned in the same sentence. Now things have changed. The black millennial generation has people like Quentin James and Karl Fulton to thank for raising awareness of environmentalism. James is the former National Director of the Sierra Club Student Coalition, the nation’s largest youth environmental group. He became passionate about the green movement after reading a remark by a tobacco executive who said smoking is for “the poor, the black and the stupid.” Fulton is an activist who has fought for the inclusion of more students of color in the Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative. It is no secret that minority and low-income communities are dumping grounds for toxic waste. As a result, the air and water quality has higher levels of pollution. Because we don’t pay enough attention to environmental issues, corporations get away with far too much. Chemical wastes from manufacturing plants contribute to cancer. Getting educated and putting pressure on Congress to enforce stricter protection laws are important steps in making everyone healthier. Regardless of our background, we are all Earth citizens, and we need to pay attention to how we
Willie Brown, Publisher, Inglewood Today Weekly treat our environment. You can begin by becoming more aware about what you can do to consume less energy in your home. Globally, buildings—not cars—consume 70% of energy resources. Making your home more energy efficient can save you up to 30% in electric bills. Think about what kind of earth you are leaving behind. Be more mindful of how you dispose of oil and other types of hazardous waste. Buy reusable bags for your groceries, and don’t litter. These small steps add up to cleaner air, land and water, which equals a healthier environment. Our kids deserve no less than that. This Saturday, the City of Inglewood and Social Justice Learning Institute will host (and West Basin Municipal Water District will sponsor) its 6th Annual Earth Day celebration. Everyone is welcome to come out and get educated about water conservation, energy efficiency and more. The event takes place between 11am and 3pm. There will be food and information vendors, and Rose Royce will be performing.
New Inglewood Car Rental Company Holds RibbonCutting (Continued from page 1) Advantage Rent-A-Car saw a huge opportunity to serve LAX’s enormous traveler base. More than 70 million travelers per year go through LAX. It is the fifth busiest airport in the world and the second busiest in the United States. The company wanted to address the needs of such a high volume of business and leisure travelers. Company executives say that delivering a positive customer experience was paramount in the conception of this project. Advantage, E-Z and Europcar set out to deliver a facility unlike any other seen at LAX; one that was
both beautiful in form and exceptionally functional for serving its customers. “We are thrilled about opening this new LAX location,” said CEO Mehrdad Memarpouri. “A great customer experience isn’t just about the car. It’s about the entire rental process—from the moment you leave the gate to the moment you press the ignition button. We’ve considered every detail in the planning and execution of this facility and we think our customers will see and feel the difference.” The expanding company expects growth through a superior customer experience and a premiumquality fleet. The opening of the company’s state-of-the-art rental (Continued on page 6)
Page 5
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Inglewood Today
April 14, 2016
C o mm u n i t y
T
It’s the Little Things That Count By Anne Cheek La Rose
hose who have been reading my column know that I am passionate about being prepared for a disaster. We live in earthquake country and need to be prepared. I’ve been at this for a while and just realized the other day that it’s the little things I, and others who are well prepared, take for granted. We’ll discuss the big stuff in the nottoo-distant future (supplies for your quake kit, etc.), but here are the little things for you to do now. First and foremost, we all need an Out-of-State Contact. This can be another family member or a family friend. Every family member in California, not just SoCal, needs to have this phone number with them at all times. Don’t forget to let your outof-state contact know they have been chosen and what they are to do when something happens here. Telephone and computer lines may be non-working or clogged in a disaster and reaching someone in your area
Anne Cheek La Rose may not be possible. It will be easier to call out of state. Be sure to give home and cell phone numbers for the out-of-state contact. If you have cell phone text capability it is even better. Texting requires less bandwidth and will come back first when communication is lost. This is essentially a phone-tree; everyone calls to say they are okay and where they are. As each
person calls, the contact can tell them about others who have called in. Create a Home Evacuation Plan. Identify all exists, including windows that may be used and make a drawing. Keep the drawing in a visible place (on the refrigerator is good) and drill the entire family, including pets, once a month or so. This may seem silly, but in an emergency – earthquake or fire – it can save your life. Designate an outside location for the entire family to meet. On your sketch, list normal exits, emergency exits, fire extinguisher, utility shut-offs, and the location of a collapsible ladder, if you have a second floor. Also test your smoke alarms monthly and change the battery annually – Labor Day is a good choice for such things. Have a basic “go bag” that can be grabbed at a moment’s notice. Use a tote bag or a backpack for extra eye glasses, hearing aids, a five-day supply of any daily medications (don’t forget to rotate these medications
every six months or so), copies of prescriptions and dosages, insurance policies – health (including Medicare and Medi-Cal cards), home, and auto, wills, a bank statement so you will have your account number, etc. In this bag, there should also be a local map, flashlight with extra batteries (never store batteries in unused or seldom used items as they will corrode and render the item inoperable), a whistle to signal for help, moist towelettes, a first aid kit, a bottle of peroxide (great for cleaning wounds and doesn’t sting like alcohol), a few energy bars, and a couple of bottles of water. This “go bag” is meant to be enough to get you to a safer place, not to sustain you for days. All of this is easy to do; it is just a matter of knuckling down and doing it. Most supplies not already in the house can be purchased inexpensively at 99 Cent and Dollar Tree stores. Start now to get yourself and your family ready for a disaster.
New Inglewood Car Rental Company Holds RibbonCutting (Continued from page 5) car facility at LAX is another step in their growth strategy. “This was a great project to be a part of and I couldn’t be happier with the result,” said developer, Michael Koper. “I think Advantage, E-Z and Europcar have taken a big step forward in improving the customer journey through the car rental process.” Koper was excited about the new jobs Advantage Rent-A-Car will offer to the community. “About 100 jobs will be given solely to Inglewood residents. It is very exciting for us to truly become a part of the great community, in a meaningful way. We are here at the right time,” Koper said. Lunch and refreshments were pro-
vided to those in attendance. There public was encouraged to attend. was also a $500 rental car voucher The company was founded in 1964 given away to one lucky attendee. by Kenneth and Helen Walker. It was Local officials spoke and the general originally called $3.99 Car Rent-
als. In 1984, the company changed its name to Advantage Rent-A-Car and continued to expand across the United States.
Inglewood Today
April 14, 2016
Page 7
R E AL E s tat e
Keeping It REAL Estate
Reasons Short Sales Fail
What Is the Best Loan for You? You Earned It (Part 3 of 4)
(Part 1 of 2)
E
By Glenda Brass, MBA, CEO, Brass & Brass Enterprises, LLC
ven though short sales have been around for a while and appear to be lessening, a large majority of properties are still listed under this type of transaction AND they are still not a piece of cake to successfully close.
then compares these values to the offer price they’ve received. If the bank believes the offer is too low and that they can make more money by taking the property through foreclosure proceedings, they will reject the offer. On occasion, the bank will counter with a higher price (and on rare occasion, the price even goes down). Some agents believe pricing alone will sell a short sale, and they persuade sellers to place a ridiculously low price tag on the home. And, of course, like I mentioned above, since the bank has its own opinion of value and, more importantly, has the final word, this strategy rarely works because the bank simply rejects the ‘low ball’ offer.
The Short Sale Package Is Incomplete Ask any short sale specialist and you’ll hear horror stories of how banks lose documentation. In some cases, it doesn’t matter how many times the package is, uploaded, expressed overnight, or faxed, the bank might misplace it. Worse, an important document might not be in the file, and without every single required document, the sale will not be granted. It’s, therefore, important that your short sale specialist provide an accurate, complete list of documents the first time out and does a thorough job of follow up with each transmisThe Short Sale Offer Price sion. This type of diligence goes a Is Too Low long way towards avoiding delays When the listing agent sub- and possible rejection. mits the short sale offer, the agent should also include a compara- The Seller Does Not Qualify tive market analysis that justifies If the seller is asking for debt forthe price in the short sale offer. giveness, the bank will want to see The bank will request an apprais- a hardship letter from the seller that al, sometimes several appraisals, explains why the seller cannot afford and may also order a BPO (Bro- to pay back the shortfall difference. ker Price Opinion, which is an Sellers need to submit required docindependent assessment of value umentation to the bank in a timely (Continued on page 10) from a local broker). The bank Glenda Brass There are valid reasons why some of these transactions aren’t successful. Banks demand a plethora of documentation before approving a short sale, which is why it can be very discouraging to sellers and buyers when a bank rejects a short sale offer. This is especially true if the transaction has been in process for a while and the parties have ‘complied’ as best they could. Despite best efforts of all parties to the transaction, here are some reasons banks turn down short sale requests:
Eye on the City (Continued from page 4) lated utility bills and old bank statements. I went through them and I found $100 in cash and a $100 gift card. My wife said, ‘Before you take those envelopes (to be shredded) I want you to go through it again. To my surprise, I found another $150 in cash!” He praised Padilla for his dedication in helping residents unload their old papers in the rain last weekend. “He had the charisma of going to every single vehicle and thanking the people,” Franklin said. “I heard it was a great event. Re-
public is our waste contractor. They do an amazing job in providing those (shredding) services. That’s a costly job, and we get to do it for free,” Councilman Eloy Morales said. He reminded the audience of the City’s 6th annual Earth Day event, April 16 from 11am to 3pm, on the South Lawn of Inglewood City Hall. Angela Williams, Environmental Services Manager, for the City of Inglewood, and Dawn Harris of Republic Services waste management company, recognized the winner of the Recycle for Life contest. “We (Continued on page 11)
U
By Odest T. Riley, Jr., President, WLM Financial Services
nlike many of the other loans I have written about, this week I wanted to talk about a loan that is earned by our nation’s heroes. However, it is under used by many men and women who have risked life and limb to qualify for it. VA loans are home loans for the purchase of a primary residence available to those who have served or are presently serving in the U.S. military. The Department of Veterans Affairs backs the loan made by mortgage companies by insuring a percentage of the loan to reduce the risk to the lender if the loan payments were defaulted on. This generally allows for the VA interest rates to be lower than that of conventional loans. The VA does not lend the money. The mortgage company lends it after underwriting based on VA guidelines. If you’re an honorably discharged veteran, are currently serving on active duty or have completed a total of six years of service in the National Guard or selected reserves, you are eligible for a loan. Certain surviving spouses of veterans are also eligible. Loan limits are $417,000 in most areas of the country, but are higher in certain regions. California has certain counties that qualify for loans up to $625,500. We are seeing a lot more veterans using VA loans because there just aren’t the alternatives for no-money-down loans that there used to be. VA guaranteed loans waive the requirement of PMI (private mortgage insurance) that most lenders require for loans with down payments of less than 20 percent. Sellers may also assume the 3 percent to 4 percent closing and administrative costs required as part of the loan and build it into the home’s purchase price, making these
loans even more attractive. The loans are only available for owneroccupied homes. So you won’t be able to use it to buy an investment property or a home for a family member.
Odest T. Riley, Jr. A VA loan can take longer than a conventional loan, which is a big reason for their decline in popularity over the years. Especially in the early 2000s when there were a lot more mortgage program options. Many realtors would steer borrowers away from government loans, including VA and FHA loans, because of all the documentation required as part of the appraisal and inspection process. There was a perception that these governmentbacked loans got more scrutiny and that they take longer to close. While the process may take longer than a conventional loan, the lower interest rates can really be worth it, and there are steps you can take to speed it along, such as obtaining your certificate of eligibility (COE) before you sign an agreement to purchase a home. To make a long story short, the VA loan is something every veteran should at least take a look into using, your bravery and courage to serve earned you the right to own a (Continued on page 11)
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Inglewood Today
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April 14, 2016
C o mm u n i t y
Zika Virus ‘Scarier’ than Ebola
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n May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil and on Feb 1, 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika virus a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Local transmission has been reported in many other countries and territories. The Zika virus likely will continue to spread to new areas. The Zika virus is scarier than Ebola for a couple of reasons. Ebola was determined to originate primarily from West Africa. Therefore, its origins were easier to trace. Passengers coming into the U.S. from West Africa and surrounding areas were screened at airports before being allowed to board planes. Specific areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission
is often difficult to determine and likely to change over time. Symptoms of Ebola include high fever, severe headache, abdominal pain, and unexplained hemorrhaging, If untreated, it can lead to death. Most people infected with Zika virus don’t have symptoms. However, fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis (red eyes), muscle pain and headache have been linked to the virus. The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) for Zika virus disease is not known, but is likely to be a few days to a week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines to educate the public about Zika, how it is spread, who is at the greatest risk and how to prevent infection. Zika is spread when a human is bitten by an infected mosquito. Once a
person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections. Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for about a week but it can be found longer in some people. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected. Symptoms may not seem to be cause for alarm, but its effects on pregnant women and newborns can be devastating. Zika can spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus, and has been linked to a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly. Other problems have been detected among fetuses and infants infected with Zika virus before birth, such as absent or poorly developed brain structures, defects of the eye, hearing deficits, and
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impaired growth. CDC recommends that pregnant women take special precautions and try to avoid traveling to areas with Zika. If you must travel to one of these areas, talk to your healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika virus, although mosquito repellent could help. Zika victims are advised to get plenty of rest, drink fluids, and take fever and pain relieving medication such as Tylenol®. Do not take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). So far, there are no known cases of Zika virus in the U.S. Travel alerts have been issued in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, Pacific Islands and South America.
Hope for a Cure: Anti-Cancer Compound Looks Promising
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or the 14 million people who are diagnosed every year with cancer, there are few words more frightening. However, there may be new hope. According to Propanc Health Group (OTCBB: PPCH), results from a recent study for its lead product, PRP, confirm that its anti-cancer compound has the potential to fight a wide range of cancer types, such as kidney, brain, prostate, liver and lung cancers. The findings are important because up until recently the trend with cancer treatment has been towards ever-costlier drugs aimed at ever-narrower niches on the cancer spectrum, according to an article in The UK Times last month. But recent advancements in immunotherapy and cancer genome sequencing have opened up the possibility that fewer drugs can be used to help the body fight numerous types of cancers. PRP is a naturally derived proenzyme formulation that seeks to halt cancer progression and spreading by eradicating cancer stem cells while leaving normal stem cells unaffected. “I have no doubt PRP represents a new therapeutic drug class with significant potential,” said Dr. Julian Kenyon, Propane’s chief scientific officer. Dr. Kenyon said there is reason to be cautiously optimistic since (Continued on page 12)
Inglewood Today
April 14, 2016
C o mm u n i t y
Weekly ‘Q & A’ with Gloria Gray
Rents and Home Prices Expected to ‘Soar’ Experts Say
L
ow housing inventory and higher demand within Los Angeles County are signs that the economy is on the upswing. The tradeoff is those looking to purchase a home or rent an apartment will have to pay more. According to the latest data, despite an 18 percent jump in home construction permits last year, vacancies in L.A. County continue to lag behind the national average. The climb in rental prices is expected to continue for at least the next 2 years. The state’s population has grown faster than the national average, housing 13 percent of all American residents. Yet, in the past two decades, California has only been responsible for 8 percent of all new residential building permits, according to a report by the 2016 USC Casden Multifamily Forecast Even though apartment construction is back to “pre-recession” levels, the forecast says, the state’s growing economy and population
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are jacking up demand quicker than apartments can be built; besides which, most of what’s being built is expensive luxury housing. The report predicts the average rent will “soar” from its 2015 average of $1,307 up to a countywide average of $1,416. The vacancy rate will stay about the same, at 4.1 percent—just under its 2015 rate of 4.2 percent. Inglewood, Gardena and Hawthorne had the lowest average vacancy rate at 1.5 percent. There is no rent control in Inglewood or Hawthorne. According to Trulia. com, the median price for rentals in Inglewood for March 2016 was $2,400, an increase of 54% compared to the same period last year. In home sales, Los Angeles market trends indicate an increase of $47,500 (8%) on average over the past year. The average price per square foot for this same period rose to $526, up from $479. The median sales price for homes (Continued on page 11)
By Amanda Anderson
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urrently, Ms. Gloria Gray is on the West Basin Water District Board of Directors. She is the first African American woman elected to that position in 68 years. This week, I spoke with her about the basics of the West Basin Water District, which happens to provide water to over one million residents in the area. Q: How are you currently involved with Gloria D. Gray the City of Inglewood? Gray: Well, I’ve lived here for a number of years and have served in a lot of organizations. I’m really involved in water; I was elected to the water board in 2014. The board has 5 elected members and I was elected to represent the City of Inglewood. Q: What does West Basin mainly do? Gray: We are a wholesaler of water. West Basin is a direct supplier of water to the City of Inglewood. The City buys its water from West Basin Municipal Water District. Q: Why do we need the water board? Gray: Water is liquid gold and we need a board to ensure accountability of water usage within our communities and businesses. Q: What can you do to make sure Inglewood does not run out of water? Gray: We teach people how to conserve water and provide resources to help residents and companies save water. We often give away water efficiency equipment. (Continued on page 11)
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You’re invited to share your thoughts on LA County’s future transportation plan to ease tra;c. Please join us at a public meeting.
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For complete information, and to stay up to date with Metro’s plan to ease tra;c, please visit metro.net/theplan. All Metro meetings are held in ADA accessible facilities. ADA accommodations and translations available by calling at least 72 hours in advance. 323.466.3876 x2 Español 323.466.3876 x3
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Inglewood Today
Page 10
April 14, 2016
LEGAL NOTICES Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2016 069995 The following Person is doing business as:
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2016057564 The following Person is doing business as:
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2016087392 The following Person is doing business as:
Comin 2 Tha Stage Entertainment/Productions 3012 W. 79th Street Inglewood, CA 90305
A’S Towing 1070 S. La Brea Avenue Inglewood, CA 90301 10500 Dalerose Avenue Inglewood, CA 90304
Finding Your Glow 10736 Jefferson Blvd., #228 Culver City, CA 90230
Registered Owner: Marquis E. Richardson, 3012 W. 79th Street, Inglewood, CA 90305 This business is conducted by an individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on March 22, 2016 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.) Marquis E. Richardson, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk on March 22, 2016. 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.
Registered Owner: Maria L. Bedolla 1070 S. La Brea Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90301 This business is conducted by an individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on March 9, 2016 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.) Maria L. Bedolla, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk on March 9, 2016. 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.
Registered Owner: Shannon Rollins 10736 Jefferson Blvd., #228, Culver City, CA 90230 This business is conducted by an individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on April 11, 2016 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.) Shannon Rollins, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk on April 11, 2016. 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 Mar 31; April 7, 14, 21, 2016 IT00422301097 Inglewood Today
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 April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2016 IT00422301098 Inglewood Today
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 April 14, 21, 28; May 5, 2016 IT00422301099 Inglewood Today
The Father Factor (Continued from page 1) because the CDC also reports that 5 in 6 children have a father present, and out of those fathers who are present, over 90% of them are active in their child’s lives day in day out. What does that mean when two sets of data seem to contradict themselves? Are dads just getting a bad rap? No matter the reasoning behind what many consider an American crisis, two young men have made it their life’s mission to redefine what it means to be a father. In doing so, they’ve created the DAD Project. Founded by two young fathers, Daniel Polanco and Donald P. Williams III, the DAD Project is a non-profit organization designed to create value for young men through engaging fatherhood workshops, Man Cave events, gender and masculinity workshops, and other
social events. DAD is a blossoming organization that is captivating communities from Inglewood to Watts to Glendale. “We began in early childhood development centers just as a way to bring families together. We wanted to be directly involved in the community,” Williams said. A 2006 study exploring father’s impact with their children during the first 10 years of life indicated that children with more involved fathers experienced fewer behavioral problems and scored higher on reading achievement. This study showed the significance of the role fathers have in the lives of at-risk children, even in case of nonresident fathers. The DAD Project promotes active fatherhood participation through their array of partnerships with organizations, and even police departments who support their
mission of revising the image of American fatherhood. “We found that dads actually enjoyed sharing stories about experiences with their kids once they realized that they all shared similar stories,” Polanco added. The National Fatherhood Initiative admits that most social programs despite how good they are, focus solely on mothers and children, leaving fathers without resources. Having an organization that addresses those concerns provides a direct benefit not only to fathers, but to the children—the true beneficiaries of having active and engaged fathers in their lives. Having an organization like the DAD Project and others like it offers the tools for sharpening one’s skills at being a better parent. These young men are improving the quality of life for many families, and they’re doing it one DAD at a time.
Reasons Short Sales Fail (Continued from page 7) manner. If the package is incomplete, the bank won’t process the file, and that will delay approval. If a seller refuses to submit personal financial information the seller may not qualify. A short sale
can be an excellent solution for homeowners who must sell and owe more on their homes than they are worth. Unfortunately, a number of myths about short sales have developed, and it is important to understand the reality of this process should you find it meets your current needs.
Your specialist can help you to prepare this documentation. Next week, we’ll look at other reasons short sales fail. Stay tuned. Glenda Brass is a certified short sale and foreclosure specialist and has been in the real estate industry for
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS Petitioner: Hakim Ali Cherif Benouis, Case No. YS028328, 13026 Florwood Ave., Apt. 28, Hawthorne, CA 90250, has filed a petition with the Superior Court Of California, County Of Los Angeles, 825 Maple Ave, Torrance, CA 90503-5058, Southwest District, to change his name. FROM: Hakim Ali Cherif Benouis TO: Hakim Benouis THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing on June 3, 2016, 8:30 am, Dept B, Room 340, 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. Pub: Apr 14, 21, 28; May 5, 2016
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS Petitioner: Yacine AliCherif Benouis, Case No. YS028329, 13026 Florwood Ave., Apt. 28, Hawthorne, CA 90250, has filed a petition with the Superior Court Of California, County Of Los Angeles, 825 Maple Ave, Torrance, CA 90503-5058, Southwest District, to change his name. FROM: Yacine AliCherif Benouis TO: Yacine Benouis THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing on June 3, 2016, 8:30 am, Dept B, Room 340, 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. Pub: Apr 14, 21, 28; May 5, 2016
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS Petitioner: Djamila Ali Cherif Benouis, Case No. YS028327, 13026 Florwood Ave., Apt. 28, Hawthorne, CA 90250, has filed a petition with the Superior Court Of California, County Of Los Angeles, 825 Maple Ave, Torrance, CA 90503-5058, Southwest District, to change his name. FROM: Djamila Ali Cherif Benouis TO: Djamila Benouis THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing on June 3, 2016, 8:30 am, Dept B, Room 340, 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. Pub: Apr 14, 21, 28; May 5, 2016
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS Petitioner: Younes AliCherif Benouis, Case No. YS028329, 13026 Florwood Ave., Apt. 28, Hawthorne, CA 90250, has filed a petition with the Superior Court Of California, County Of Los Angeles, 825 Maple Ave, Torrance, CA 90503-5058, Southwest District, to change his name. FROM: Younes AliCherif Benouis TO: Younes Benouis THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing on June 3, 2016, 8:30 am, Dept B, Room 340, 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. Pub: Apr 14, 21, 28; May 5, 2016
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS Petitioner: Jill Franklyn, Case No. BS158708, 111 ½ S. Orangegrove Ave., L A, CA 90019, has filed a petition with the Superior Court Of California, County Of Los Angeles, 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, Los Angeles Courthouse, to change her name. FROM: Jill Franklyn TO: Jillian Franklyn THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing on September 1, 2016, 10:00 am, Dept 47, Room 507, 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. Pub: Apr 14, 21, 28; May 5, 2016
www.inglewoodtoday.com and Subscribe to Inglewood Today 16 years. Glenda is CEO of Brass & Brass Enterprises, LLC, located at 2639 W. Manchester Blvd, Inglewood and her husband Ted is the broker of record. For more information on short sales and buying or selling real estate call 323-9051111 and ask for Glenda.
Place your DBAs, Probates, Trustee Notices, Legal Notices, Summons and more in Inglewood Today Print & Online Call: 310.670.9600
April 14, 2016
Inglewood Today
Page 11
D at e s i n Ap r i l -J u n e April 16, 2016 Annual Earth Day Festival The City of Inglewood and the Social Justice Learning Institute will host the 6th Annual Earth Day Festival from 11am to 3pm. Bring your friends, family, neighbors and loved ones to enjoy another day out with the community. The free event will celebrate water; information vendors will have materials on how to conserve this precious resource. There will also be food vendors and musical performances by Rose Royce. April 23, 2016 Free Seminar on Home Improvement Loans WLM will host another free, informative seminar on home ownership. “Don’t Move, Improve Your Home!” will take place 12:001:30pm, 111 N. La Brea Ave., 5th Floor, Inglewood, 90301. Topics will include the benefits of staying
Weekly ‘Q & A’ with Gloria Gray (Continued from page 9) Also, we do audits of restaurants to make sure water conservation activities are in operation. Q: Are there other functions of West Basin Water District? Gray: We do outreach with other organizations to reach the community with services. Currently, we are sponsoring the City of Inglewood’s Earth Day Celebration. Every month, we sponsor a new event. But we also work on other issues, like climate change. Q: Why are you so passionate about your job? Gray: I want to inform the community. We are always the last to know something. I want Inglewood to become engaged and get involved. I plan to encourage more African American students to go for green
and improving your home, home renovation and rehab loans, turning your home into an investment and much more. Get pre-approved for a loan on the spot! Call (310) 905-7421or email info@wlmfinancial to find out what documents to bring and to RSVP.
May 14, 2016 Walk to Cure Arthritis Over 3,500 runners and walkers will be on hand at the 2016 Walk to Cure Arthritis at Exposition Park – South Lawn in Los Angeles. The Walk to Cure Arthritis brings together communities to fight arthritis, raise money and offer support for the April 23, 2016 nation’s leading cause of disability. Spring Pier to Pier Run/Walk For more information, visit www. Ready to get into summer shape? WalktoCureArthritis.org/LosAngeKick off your spring fitness goals les or contact Debbie Martin at 323on the beach with the pier-to-pier 954-5760. To learn more about the run/walk. Participants will run or Arthritis Foundation’s quest to cure walk from Hermosa Beach Pier to arthritis, visit www.arthritis.org. Manhattan Beach Pier and back. The race begins at 8am. Registra- June 11-12, 2016 tion is $35 per person until March Relay for Life 12, and $40 afterward. To register, Join your Inglewood friends and call (310) 980-9339, visit Mbboot- neighbors at Crozier Middle School, camp.com, or call (310) 546-1888 120 W. Regent St., from 9am to 9am and visit Villagerunner.com. and help stamp out cancer in our lifetime. The annual Relay for Life event is a walk and run that raises
jobs, like those available in the wa- Eye on the City ter industry. We need more of us in (Continued from page 7) held the contest in connection with those jobs. Earth Day,” Williams said about the contest, which was open to students 8-12 years of age. What Is the Best Loan for “We asked them to present ideas You? You Earned It of what ‘recycle for life’ means to (Continued from page 7) piece of the country you risked your them. We picked a winner—Valarie life to protect. Mathias—and we want to present At WLM Financial, our goal and her submission (artwork).” Valamy dream is to teach people how rie’s work will appear on Republic to get in the position to be finan- Services waste trucks throughout cially free, and with a little bit of the city. hard work and endurance, you can Mayor James Butts closed the get there. If you have any question on anything from how to get your Cer- Rents and Home Prices tificate of Eligibility or how to find Expected to ‘Soar’ other military programs you may Experts Say qualify for, feel free to call me any- (Continued from page 9) time at 310-905-7420, email od- in Inglewood for January 7 to April 6, est@wlmfinancial.com, or visit our 2016 was $382,500 based on 62 home Facebook page at wlmfinancial, We sales, Trulia found. The average price will be giving money saving tips all per square foot for Inglewood was $308, an increase of 22% compared year long.
money to support cancer patients. Organized by the American Cancer Society. To participate, sign up online at http://relay.acsevents.org and join the team for your district. Ongoing Talk to a Lawyer Online In cooperation with the City of Inglewood, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) now offers a teleconferencing center at the Main Library, where you can speak to a lawyer live, and send them documents. They offer legal advice and guidance on a variety of civil matters, including evictions, divorces, and child custody. They can provide referrals to private attorneys, other legal services, or other resources as needed. Hours for teleconferencing are every Wednesday from 11am to 2pm. Ask the Audio/Visual Desk assistant for help or call ahead for an appointment at (310) 412-5380.
meeting with a reminder of how far the City of Inglewood has come. He said a brand new, “Vegas-style” casino will open in June on Century Blvd. and that the City has “quadrupled our reserves.” “City staff and the city council have done an amazing job! I want to thank all of you who came in the good times and the bad, and the ones who tried to make it bad, but don’t come anymore. I guess there’s not much to say. I see brighter and brighter days,” Butts said.
to the same period last year. It’s a seller’s market for sure. If you plan to sell your home, you should be able to get a good price. If you’re a renter or looking to buy (especially as a first time buyer), the best strategy now might be to stay put.
INGLEWOOD
STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
Mark Williams
HKS Principal Architects, Inc.
Chris Meany
SR. V.P. Hollywood Land Co.
Fred Roggin Guest Host
Jim Hill
Kevin Demoff
Master of Ceremonies
James T. Butts
E.V.P. LA Rams
Mia Lehrer
Lehrer & Associates
Mayor of Inglewood
The Inglewood Airport Area Chamber of Commerce
Thursday April 21, 2016 Hosted by:
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Hope for a Cure: Anti-Cancer Compound Looks Promising (Continued from page 8) his previous experience using a proenzyme treatment in the clinic on terminally ill patients suffering from a broad range of cancers helped them survive longer than anticipated, free from any severe, or serious side effects. Propanc said it will submit a clinical trial application in the
UK later this year, initially targeting patients with advanced solid tumors in Phase I, followed by pancreatic and ovarian cancers in Phase II trials. The trials will allow Propanc to qualify for orphan drug designation, which the company intends to prepare and apply for after its meeting with the Medicines and Healthcare products and Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
“Together with the enhancement of our intellectual property and plans to seek orphan drug designation, we’re at the right time to initiate discussions with potential licensing partners looking to add a new therapeutic drug class to their portfolio,” said James Nathanielsz, Propanc’s chief executive officer. Nathanielsz added that currently the company is sufficiently
capitalized to fund the early stage development of PRP. According to Global Analyst Reports, the combined world market for pancreatic, ovarian and colorectal cancers is expected to reach more than $12 billion by 2020. To learn more, please visit www.propanc.com.