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Including Inglewood Airport Area • Baldwin Hills • Crenshaw/LA • Ladera Heights VOL. 25, No. 14

April 7, 2016

Former Undersheriff Tanaka Convicted of Conspiracy and Obstruction

ormer Los Angeles County Undersheriff Paul Tanaka was convicted on Wednesday by a federal jury of deliberately impeding an FBI investigation into inmate abuse and obstruction of justice at jail facilities. Tanaka, who also serves as mayor of Gardena, faces up to 15 years in federal prison, when he is sentenced June 20, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The revered undersheriff rose through the ranks of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. to become former Sheriff Lee Baca’s second-in-command. Some say he was an overbearing leader who led with an iron hand. The scandal that involved toplevel Sheriff’s Department officials and forced the resignation of Sheriff Baca, centered around allegations of abuse, civil rights violations of inmates and various cover-ups. Ten people have now been convicted or pleaded guilty for their roles in the plan. Last month, Baca admitted that he lied to federal investigators. Under a deal with prosecutors, he

Gardena Mayor Paul Tanaka, former Los Angeles County Undersheriff

will avoid more serious charges and can serve no more than six months in prison. Lower-ranking sheriff’s officials convicted in the obstruction case have been sentenced to years in

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probes by the FBI. He claimed he was unaware of what was happening behind the scenes. Despite Tanaka’s apparent willingness to cooperate with authorities, (Continued on page 8)

Meet the New City Administrators

On The Inside: • News

prison. They remain free while appealing their convictions. Tanaka, who stood in his own defense, told jurors that Baca was responsible for coming up with the cover-up scheme in response to

By Thomas Bunn

ow does a city become smarter? How does a city become the largest airport soundinsulation program in the country? After talking with two newly appointed department directors in the City of Inglewood, who are on a path to improve the quality of life for the community, we think we may have just found the answers. Ask anyone who lives or has lived in the community and they’ll tell you about those notorious airplanes. Flying over every 3-5 minutes en route to LAX, rattling win(Continued on page 2)

Bettye Griffith

Matthew Chambers

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April 7, 2016

Community

KaBoom! and Kelso School

he non-profit play park builders, KaBoom!, whose motto is “Play Matters,” is once again building a play park in Inglewood. This time the recipient is Kelso Elementary School. Kelso was built in 1925, making it one of the oldest elementary schools in town. The KaBoom! mission is to bring play parks to under-resourced communities. With IUSD in receivership, and without funds to renovate the playground, this is a perfect match. Kelso School applied for a KaBoom! grant and won. If you have driven down Prairie, you’ve no doubt noticed their playground is all asphalt. Everyone knows that to play, really play, kids need a softer surface than asphalt. The new play park will provide just that with a surface of specially prepared ‘mulch’ under the equipment. The KaBoom! process begins with Design Day, where children who will use the play park draw colorful pictures of their dream playground. Anything goes here; swings, slides, rock walls to climb, spinners, seesaws, forts, you name it. Taking these ideas and color suggestions, it is then Meet the New City Administrators (Continued from page 1) dows and interrupting the best parts of our favorite shows, interrupting

By Anne Cheek La Rose

Anne Cheek La Rose up to parents and in this case, IUSD, the principal, and teachers, to choose the elements that will make the playground a reality. The final part of the process is the day of the actual build – yes, the playground will be built in a day. That day is Saturday, April 30. “It takes a village” really is true. KaBoom! project leaders, parents, teachers, community volunteers, and more than 125 Delta employees come together on build day to assemble the equipment and lay the foundation that will soften a fall and lessen scrapes for Kelso kids.

our thoughts even. Our neighbors in the sky have been the focus of Residential Sound Insulation Director, Bettye Griffith for the last 13 years. An Inglewood resident for over 30

For each KaBoom! Build, a partner company is chosen and Delta Air Lines is the build partner for Kelso School. You may already be familiar with a KaBoom! play park. From 2009 to 2012, a park in each Council District received the KaBoom! magic. District 4’s Center Park was the first, Ash Park in District 3 was next, then came Queen Park in District 1, and finally the only park in District 2, North Park. Partners for these builds were Kool-Aid, Home Depot, Disney, and Marriott International respectively. I took part in the Ash, Queen, and North Park builds and can tell you it is an intensive day but incredibly rewarding to know you have been part of something that will help shape our children’s future. I am hoping to take part in the Kelso build, as well. If you would like to share in this exciting day – Saturday, April 30, 8AM to 3:30PM (breakfast snacks and lunch are provided), please contact Jackie at Kelso School. She is available to take your calls Monday – Friday, 7:30 to 4PM. The phone number is (310) 680-5480 and you may also leave a message during non-office hours. years, Ms. Griffith is a long time employee of the City and has been a key contributor to the success of the RSI Program. Inglewood City Manager Artie Fields shared his thoughts on the promotion of Ms. Griffith, stating, “Due to her leadership, she and her staff were able to achieve the mayor and city council’s goal to sound insulate 2,000 homes in a 12-month period. Ms. Griffith is now in the process of implementing the new RSI guidelines to ensure that more homes are sound insulated in the coming year.” “I’ve been in this department ever since I’ve been in the City of Inglewood working here for 13 years, and I’m an Inglewood resident for 30 years, so I understand those planes going over our heads and the quality of life we’re trying to improve upon, and my goal is to try to do as many homes as possible. I’m really honored to have the opportunity to serve our community,” Griffith says. On the technology side, the new Director of the City of Inglewood’s Information Technology and Communications Department, Matthew Chambers has been in the community since the days of DOS. He has been a key component ushering in the latest innovations in the City’s IT department with the aims of making Inglewood a smarter city. Chambers started his career with the City of Inglewood’s Information (Continued on page 8)

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 7, 2016

Community

Rams Update: When, Where, and How Much You’ll Pay to See Them Play

Page 3

GO METRO TO DODGER STADIUM. SERVICE FROM THE SOUTH BAY AND UNION STATION.

Go Metro to see the Dodgers Want to reach Dodger Stadium faster this season? Go Metro from Union Station or the South Bay and connect with the Dodger Stadium Express. Your Dodger ticket is good for the fare! For more information, visit metro.net/dodgers. Purple Line Extension Construction Update Construction on the Purple Line Extension continues, with work beginning in April at Wilshire Blvd and Fairfax Ave. Pile installation in June will lead to lane reductions in the area. Also in June, decking activities are set to start at Wilshire Blvd and La Brea Ave. Keep up-to-date on the project by visiting metro.net/purplelineext.

Expo Line Phase 2 Opens May 20 Metro recently announced that the Expo Line Phase 2 will o;cially open May 20, 2016. The 6.6-mile extension will stretch from Culver City to Santa Monica. Once complete, the Expo Line will o=er a faster alternative to the congested Santa Monica Freeway, with train passengers being able to travel between Downtown LA and Downtown Santa Monica in approximately 46 minutes. Learn more at metro.net/expo2.

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Where and When Football operations and administrative departments are setting up temporarily in Oxnard and Agoura Hills to prepare for the training. A temporary practice field, weight room, locker room and offices will be set up to accommodate the offseason program. Truckloads of equipment and other items are being unloaded in Oxnard. The players are due to arrive on April 17. The franchise will temporarily set up headquarters in Irvine from late July to late August. Another headquarters will be set up at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, where they will spend the next two years. A permanent headquarters in Thousand Oaks will be built. The Rams will play at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum until the permanent home stadium in Inglewood is completed in 2019.

How Much Rams fans who placed $100 deposits for season tickets will pay at least $360 to see their team play at the Coliseum in 2016. Each deposit allows the purchase of up to eight tickets. The team has an eight-tiered pricing system for season-ticket packages, with premium seats costing more than $2,000. The pricing tiers are: $360, $585, $675, $810, $1,080, $1,350, $1,575, and $2,025. The Rams will play only seven regular-season home games in Los Angeles, as they are the designated home team in an Oct. 23 matchup against the New York Giants at London’s Twickenham Stadium. They will also host two preseason games, which means season-ticket holders will be paying anywhere from $40 to $225 per event. In addition to their game against the Giants in London, the Rams will host the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, and Miami Dolphins. Those who submitted deposits will be able to buy season tickets later in April. A limited number of single-game tickets will also be available this summer, with prices to be announced.

he Rams officially arrived in Southern California on Monday, making football in L.A. a reality once more. With the Rams back in their original home town, fans will want to keep their eyes on the team that made one of the most unforgettable and literal turnarounds in NFL history. Here’s a quick update on the Rams, where they are, when they’ll arrive and what season ticket holders can expect to pay:

Regional Connector Transit Project Update Downtown LA and Little Tokyo businesses are open during construction of the Regional Connector Transit Project. Work was recently completed at the Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, and riders can now enjoy a one-seat ride from East LA to Azusa. Nearby, a full intersection closure at 2nd/Broadway is in place through August. Additionally, the contest to name and decorate the project’s tunnel boring machine is going on now. Visit metro.net/regionalconnector to learn more.

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The Rams will play at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum until the permanent home stadium in Inglewood is completed in 2019.

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April 7, 2016

Eye on the City

Butts Sheds Light on Inglewood Police Policy

t Tuesday’s council meeting, Mayor James Butts and council members approved payment for videography services covering various city events, custom painting services, and emergency water main repairs. The City also approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the MTA for paratransit services in the annual amount of $200,000 between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2021. Vendor agreements were approved to provide acoustical testing services for residential sound insulation. Three public hearings were set to receive public comment on the FY 2016-2017 Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan. The plans will be developed for the City’s Section 8, Housing & Community Development Block Grant Dept. The first will be held on April 26, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss priorities for community development and

By Veronica Mackey

Inglewood City Council members with Inglewood High School students. housing needs to be included in the 13, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. to receive plan. The second meeting will be public comment on the Draft FY held on July 12, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., 2015-2016 Consolidation Annual to receive public comment on the Performance Evaluation Report Draft FY 2016-2021 Consolidated (CAPER). Plan and FY 2016-2017 Annual Last weekend, City Clerk Action Plan; and the final meet- Yvonne Horton partnered with ing will take place on December City Treasurer Wanda Brown and

West Basin President Gloria Gray for a day of free tax preparation. “I saw so many people who were excited about the program, and the fact that it was held in the City of Inglewood,” Horton said. She also announced her upcoming “Connecting Women to Power” conference on June 16 at California State University, Dominguez Hills. The conference is free and over 3,500 women are expected to attend. Men are welcome too. Call (888) 847-9652 to register. City Treasurer Wanda Brown announced that her annual financial literacy program for high school students will begin on April 14. The 6-week program will be held from 3:30 to 6:00pm. Applications are available in her office or at the Inglewood Public Library. The sitting president of Inglewood High School showed up with (Continued on page 10)

State’s Minimum Wage Increased to $15 – Hike Will Benefit Only Five Percent of Black Workers

he Golden State is the first state in the nation to approve a statewide minimum wage as high as $15—but not without sparking rigorous discussion. Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 3 on Monday, four days after the measure passed the State Assembly and State Senate. The new law will gradually raise the state’ minimum wage each year until it reaches $15 in 2022. Brown said raising California’s minimum wage from $10 an hour is not just a calculated economic move, but action that speaks to the responsibility that comes with being a part of a moral community. “Morally and socially and politically, they (minimum wages) make every sense because it binds the community together and makes sure that parents can take care of their kids in a much more satisfactory way,” he said. The hike to a $15 minimum wage puts California on the forefront of a sweeping national movement to raise the income of the country’s lowest paid workers. In California, the legislation has its supporters and detractors. The measure’s co-author, Sen. Mark Leno, said no one with fulltime employment should live in poverty due to a low wage. “SB 3 respects and rewards work, reduces turnover, and increases

By McKenzie Jackson/California Black Media

productivity and consumer spending, thereby stimulating economic growth while helping low-wage workers end their dependence on public assistance,” said the San Francisco Democrat. “The bill takes a thoughtful approach to raising the minimum wage by giving small businesses more time to adjust to higher wages and policy makers the flexibility to respond to economic uncertainties in our future.” Sen. Isadore Hall said the people who will benefit from the $15 minimum wage are families that are struggling. “These are not families that are putting away money for a rainy day fund. These are not families that are planning vacations to Europe,” said the Los Angeles Democrat and chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. “I don’t look at this as a Republican issue. I don’t look at it as a Democratic issue. I look at it as a humanity issue. The folks in our communities, they are trying to buy groceries, they are trying to pay rent and utilities. The California Black Caucus, we support SB 3.” The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council executive director Jim Araby said his organization, one of the bill’s many sponsors, is proud to stand with working families struggling to make ends meet on minimum wage.

“We join many who are fighting to end income inequality and put the working poor on a pathway to livable wages,” he said. Employment Policies Institute research director Michael Saltsman, on the other hand, sees the new minimum wage increase differently. He predicts many businesses will have to cut staff or close because of the minimum wage increase. “California may be the first state to pass a $15 minimum wage, but it will also be the first to find out why that’s a bad idea,” he said. “This pain from a $15 minimum wage will only be exacerbated in more troubled counties in the state.” Although the bill passed the Assembly by a 48-26 vote and the Senate by 26-12, during a hearing in Sacramento some criticized the Governor and the labor leaders for working in secret in recent weeks to craft the agreement and rushing it through the Legislature. The bill, critics say, passed after only one committee hearing and with little to no public comment. California Chamber of Commerce President Allen Zaremberg said SB 3 is too much, too fast. “It is unfortunate the Legislature didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to address the issue in a more balanced manner,” he said. Sen. Susan Eggman voted “yes” for the bill but questioned how

quickly supporters thrust it in front of the two legislative bodies. “How we got here doesn’t feel right,” said the Democrat from Stockton. “What’s the rush to do this?” The Central Valley politician said small business owners that will have to pay the increasing floor wage should have been thought of more when the bill came together. “I’m going to go back to my district…. and talk with my small business owners and hear from them after the fact how this impacts them. What we could have potentially done differently to make this a win, win, win, win for all of California,” she said. California Business Roundtable President Rob Lapsley spoke out against the Governor signing the bill into law. “Since the minimum wage is now indexed to grow each subsequent year, the impact to future state budgets will be even higher,” he said. “This legislation comes on top of increased legislation, regulations and policies that continue to make California one of the most expensive states in the nation to do business.” The new legislation raises the state’s minimum wage to $10.50 per hour in January 2017 and $11 in January 2018. The state’s bottom (Continued on page 12)

Inglewood Today

April 7, 2016

P u b l i s h e r ’ s Me s s a g e

Advice to the College Bound: Keep Your Options Open

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ccording to employment statistics, 2016 promises to be a banner year for the job outlook. Those graduating college this year can expect to see an 11% increase in hiring over last year. Those with degrees in business, engineering, computer science, and accounting will have the most job offers. Getting that degree is the reward for hard work and fulfillment of the promise that 4-year colleges are supposed to bring. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, a college degree accounted for $15,000 in additional income per year versus a high school diploma ($30,000 versus $45,000). Over a 30-year career in the workforce, that adds up to a $450,000 difference. With the cost of 4-year colleges and universities ever increasing, however, the financial picture isn’t always so straight forward. There are other factors to consider which could be just as beneficial

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Willie Brown, Publisher, Inglewood Today Weekly to young people who want a good education. First, a bachelor’s degree typically takes four years of study, which means that people who enter the workforce after receiving their bachelor’s degree aren’t doing so until age 22. This gives the person attending a vocational school or 2-year college a head start in the “real world” vs. more time in the classroom. It matters (Continued on page 11)

Just Saying... Wealth can be restricting, Giving can be liberating. Yvonne Horton

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Inglewood Today

April 7, 2016

Inglewood Today

April 7, 2016

Page 7

Community

Who May Win in California?

ow are California voters likely to vote in the presidential race? Although the 2016 presidential election is still a long way off, 2016 polls for possible match-ups are already being taken. If California voters decided the next president and the election were held today, Hillary Clinton would be the winner according to research by USC and the LA Times released last week. Data shows the Democratic frontrunner would beat GOP hopefuls Sen. Ted Cruz, Gov. John Kasich and Donald Trump by significant margins. In a Clinton vs. Cruz match-up, Clinton would get 59% of votes, compared to 31% for Cruz. Although currently in third place in the national race, Kasich would get the highest number of votes among all GOP candidates in a California election, with 35% against Clinton’s 54%. Trump would get the least amount of California votes—just 28% compared to Clinton’s 59%. The percentage of votes not accounted for indicate undecided voters.

There was no clear data available on what a match-up might look like between Sen. Bernie Sanders and GOP candidates. In an election year, however, anything is possible. According to a new USC Dornsife/LA Times poll, Clinton’s lead against Sanders has narrowed in recent months among registered Democrats and likely Democratic voters in California, with 45 percent now backing Clinton and 37 percent supporting Sanders. Last September, the same poll showed Clinton with a more substantial lead, with 42 percent supporting her and 26 percent backing Sanders. The 16 percentage-point lead was similar in November when a USC Dornsife/LA Times Poll by Survey Monkey with different methodology showed that 48 percent supported Clinton and 32 percent were behind Sanders. In the latest poll, 51 percent of Sanders’ supporters say that they expect Clinton will ultimately prevail in November. Seventy-seven percent of them say they would vote for Clinton in a general election match-

up against Donald Trump, though nearly half—45 percent—would do so reluctantly, and 15 percent would refuse to vote for her at all. “Hillary Clinton’s biggest challenge won’t be persuading Sanders supporters to support her in the general election, but to motivate them to turn out for her,” said Dan Schnur, director of USC’s Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics. “She doesn’t have to get them to fall in love with her, but to make them fear the prospect of a Trump candidacy enough to vote.” Clinton has an advantage among Latino voters in California, with 52 percent of Democratic Latino voters saying they would vote for her, compared with 37 percent for Sanders. However, Sanders maintains a strong following of young voters, with 71 percent of those aged 18-29 stating their support for him in the primary. While Clinton holds the lead among registered Democrats, with 49 percent of their support, Sanders draws much of his support—44 percent—from voters with no party

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preference. Clinton also garnered support from 71 percent of those looking for a candidate with the “right experience” to be president, while Sanders won the support of 66 percent of Democratic voters who prefer a candidate “not beholden to special interests.” Both Clinton and Sanders have generally positive favorability ratings among Californians—52 percent and 57 percent respectively. When broken down by candidate, 67 percent of Clinton supporters have a favorable impression of Sanders, while 58 percent of Sanders supporters have a positive impression of Clinton. The latest USC/Dornsife Los Angeles Times Poll, the largest statewide survey of registered voters, was conducted March 16-23, and includes a significant oversample of Latino voters as well as one of the most robust cell phone samples in the state. The full sample of 1,500 voters has a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points.

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April 7, 2016

Community Meet the New City Administrators (Continued from page 2) Technology and Communications (ITC) Department in 1996. He attended Inglewood High School, and was drawn to the City of Inglewood as a career destination by the people of the community and the passion they possessed. “His vision is to

bring technology to the forefront of the community, and to continue improving the level and quality of service to the community through technology,” Fields added. “I’ve been doing technology forever, and I wanted to bring Inglewood to a spot where we can compete with Corporate America, we can compete with Google, we can

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compete with Hulu, and I’d go to different places and I’d say, why can’t we have it here? There’s no reason why it couldn’t be here. Inglewood has that positive spin now, and I’m proud of it,” says Chambers. We look forward to the day when, in our homes, we no longer realize that we’ve actually made it through an entire episode of “How To Get Away With Murder” without an interruption. And while we’re out in the community enjoying ourselves, we’re able to utilize a free and secure Wi-Fi connection thanks to the forward thinking and dedication of Inglewood’s best and brightest. So, how does a city become smarter? How does a city become the largest airport sound-insulation program in the country? It hires individuals who demonstrate drive and passion for the work they do, and also have a strong love for the community they serve.

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Former Undersheriff Tanaka Convicted of Conspiracy and Obstruction (Continued from page 1) evidence was found that he directed department officials to transfer an inmate informant to another jail facility under a fake name to prevent the FBI from finding him. Prosecutors also alleged that Tanaka ordered sheriff’s sergeants to threaten the lead FBI agent on the investigation for having a cell phone smuggled to the informant as part of a sting operation. The jury did not buy Tanaka’s version of the story. Jurors took less than 2 hours to return with a guilty verdict, saying there was overwhelming evidence that he was directly involved in the scandal. Records of phone calls between Tanaka and Baca show frequent communication between them—not between Baca and lower-ranking sheriff’s officials, as Tanaka claimed.

Social Justice Learning Institute Presents Healthy Cooking for Families

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he Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI) will be teaching a class on nutrition and healthy cooking to families in the Inglewood Main Library Children’s Room, 101 W. Manchester Boulevard, Inglewood, CA 90301, on Saturday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Nicole Steele will teach the keys to good nutrition and developing a healthy lifestyle, which can be very difficult, especially when trying to figure it out on your own. The Farm to Plate (F2P) Culinary Class showcases different recipes with hands-on training on how to prepare them at home. This class provides residents with extra tools to put their newfound nutritional education into action. Join the Social Justice Learning Institute for Earth Day as they present a program for youth about making healthier food choices, understanding where your food comes from and how to grow your own food. Let’s partner to provide free nutrition classes and drive down obesity and diet related diseases! “At the Social Justice Learning Institute, we want to make sure our community is empowered to make healthy choices and healthy changes. We believe that all communities should have access to fresh whole foods, clean and safe open spaces, and a quality environment. Our organization is committed to addressing health disparities through community development that is not only culturally relevant, but also builds (Continued on page 11)

Inglewood Today

April 7, 2016

Community

Re a l E s tat e

Underdogs Win in Wisconsin

Keeping It REAL Estate

nderdog candidates Ted Cruz ( R) and Bernie Sanders (D) emerged as winners in Tuesday’s Wisconsin presidential primaries. Cruz beat Republican front runner Donald Trump 48.2% to 35.1%. John Kasich came in a distant third with 14.1%. Sanders led the Democratic race against Hillary Clinton with double digits—57% to 43%. “Tonight is a turning point,” Cruz declared at a victory rally in Milwaukee. “I am more and more convinced that our campaign is going to win the 1,237 delegates needed to win the Republican nomination.” Sanders appeared before an enthusiastic crowd in Wyoming (where the next contest will be held on April 9). He announced that he’d won in Wisconsin and

Page 9

was confident of his chances of winning in Clinton’s hometown of New York on April 19. “I know a little bit about New York because I spent the first 18 years of my life in Brooklyn, New York. Now please keep this a secret—do not tell Secretary Clinton; she’s getting a little nervous and I don’t want her to get more nervous—but I believe we’ve got an excellent chance to win New York and a lot of delegates in that state,” he said. The wins bring Cruz’s total delegates to 517 of the total 1,237 needed to win the Republican nomination. Trump has 743. Clinton leads in the Democratic column with 1,748, while Sanders has 1,058. The total needed for a Democratic nomination is 2,383.

Second Annual Inglewood Literary Arts Festival Presented by the Inglewood Public Library

n tribute to National Library Week, the Inglewood Public Library will host the second annual Inglewood Literary Arts Festival on Monday, April 11 at 4:00 p.m. in the Main Library, 101 West Manchester Boulevard. Have you ever dreamed of becoming a writer or wanted to ask a writer how they create their storylines? What are the best ways to get a work published? If you are just a bookworm at heart, or trying to succeed in the literary arts, this festival is for you. Speak one-on-one with an author, check out their work, and hear them read. This year, the Inglewood Public Library welcomes the following authors and their books: • Michael J. Bowler – Spinner (Winner Hollywood Book Festival; Literary Classics Seal of Approval; Bronze Medal 2015 Reader’s Favorite; Finalist 2015 Wishing Shelf Awards). Spinner tells the story of a fifteen year-old wheelchair-bound boy with a miraculous power who accidentally unleashes an ancient evil, plunging him and his learning-disabled friends into a nightmare they might not be able to survive. The story unfolds in the cities of Hawthorne and Inglewood. Michael J. Bowler is also the author of A Boy and His Dragon, A Matter of Time (Silver Medalist Reader’s Favorite), Children of the Knight (Gold Award 2013 Wishing Shelf Awards), Running Through A

Dark Place (Bronze Award 2014 Wishing Shelf Awards), There Is No Fear (Finalist 2015 Wishing Shelf Awards), And The Children Shall Lead, Once Upon A Time In America, and Warrior Kids: A Tale of New Camelot (Honorable Mention-London Book Festival; Finalist 2015 Wishing Shelf Awards.) He has made low-budget horror films, taught high school for twenty-five years, been a lifelong volunteer with marginalized and incarcerated youth, and a volunteer Big Brother to eight boys. • Ardrian Newell – Ardrian Newell is a poet, documentary filmmaker, and a photographer, who uses these mediums to tell the best stories she can. Ardrian’s first book of poetry Something Special contains sixteen original poems, broken down into four sections, “Something Special for Everybody” “Something Special for the Lovers,” “Something Special for the Community” and “Something Special for a Few Individuals.” • Dr. Maxine Thompson – Her novel The Ebony Tree won a PEN award in 1997. Dr. Thompson is a novelist, poet, columnist, short story writer, book reviewer, editor, ghostwriter, Internet radio host, and literary agent. She is also the author of No Pockets in a Shroud, Hostage of Lies, LA Blues, LA Blues II, LA Blues III, and A Place Called Home (Kindle bestseller), (Continued on page 10)

What Is the Best Loan for You? (Part 2 of 4)

By Odest T. Riley, Jr., President, WLM Financial Services

he days of zero-down-payment loans and no-incomeverification loans are long gone—people applying for a conventional mortgage now need three basic elements to qualify: cash, good credit and income. Conventional mortgages are “plain vanilla” home loans. They follow fairly conservative guidelines for: • Borrower credit scores • Minimum down payments • Debt-to-income ratios (Percentage of monthly income that is spent on debt payments, including mortgages, student loans, auto loans, minimum credit card payments and child support). Conventional mortgage loans usually require a minimum down payment of 5 percent, with 10 percent required on condominium purchases. Borrowers who need to finance more than the conforming loan amount of $417,000 will need a higher credit score of 700 or above and a larger down payment. While it is possible to get a conventional loan with a credit score as low as 620, the interest rate will be higher because of the added risk of the low credit score, However, with a score of 620 or less you will need to make a down-payment of at least 20 percent because you can’t qualify for mortgage insurance with a credit score of 620. Conventional loan programs usually require the borrower to have at least three months’ of cash reserves after closing. Lenders can require as much as 12 months’ cash reserves depending on the loan size, amount of down payment and your credit score. You will also need to prove your income and assets with current pay stubs, W-2 forms, bank statements and job histories. If you are a 1099 contractor or are self-employed you will need to provide two years of tax returns.

Odest T. Riley, Jr. In English, all of this means a conventional loan is very good for those of us with a 700 or higher credit score, money in the bank for a 10-20 percent down payment, closing cost, and at least 2 years of job history with W2s and tax returns that do not show large losses for the past 2 years. The benefit of having all of these things in order is a lower interest rate over the term of your loan. For those of you in this position, a conventional loan is waiting for you. And for those who do not, there are programs available with down payment assistance such as LIPA (Low Income Purchase Assistance). There are programs to fit every borrower; you just need to work with the right real estate and lending professionals. At WLM Financial, our goal and my dream is to teach people how to get in the position to be financially free, and with a little bit of hard work and endurance you can get there. If you have any question on anything from how to find a lender, or just to get more details, feel free to call me anytime at 310-905-7420, email odest@wlmfinancial.com or visit our Facebook page at wlm financial. We will be giving money saving tips all year long.

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April 7, 2016

LEGAL NOTICES Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2016 069995 The following Person is doing business as:

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2016035411 The following Person is doing business as:

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2016057564 The following Person is doing business as:

Comin 2 Tha Stage Entertainment/Productions 3012 W. 79th Street Inglewood, CA 90305

Dicarlo Freight Services 1657 West 108th Street Los Angeles, CA 90047

A’S Towing 1070 S. La Brea Avenue Inglewood, CA 90301 10500 Dalerose Avenue Inglewood, CA 90304

Inglewood Public Library and South Bay Environmental Services Center Present Energy Efficiency Workshop

This business is conducted by an individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on March 22, 2016

This business is conducted by an individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on February 12, 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

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.) Decarlo Bennett, Owner

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on March 22, 2016.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on February 12, 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 Mar 17, 24, 31; April 7, 2016 IT00422301096 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

s your home cold and drafty in the winter? Is your home hot and stuffy during heat waves? Are you wondering how to better manage your energy usage? And, are you looking for ways to lower your energy and water bills? If any of your answers were yes, please join your neighbors at a free community workshop to learn about home energy upgrades, the statewide Energy Upgrade California program, and rebates. Information on ways to finance energy and water efficiency projects will be available. There will be an opportunity drawing for energy saving devices for those in attendance. The South Bay Cities Council of Governments in collaboration with the City of Inglewood, as a part of Money Smart Week, will present this free workshop on Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., in the Gladys Wad-

Second Annual Inglewood Literary Arts Festival Presented by Inglewood Public Library (Continued from page 9) a contributor to the bestselling anthologies Secret Lovers, All in the Family, Never Knew Love Like This Before (Kindle bestseller), and Proverbs for the People. She has published the e-books How to Write, Market, and Sell Your EBook, The Hush Hush Secrets of Writing Fiction That Sells, The Hush Hush Secrets of Making Money as a Writer, and The Hush Hush Secrets of Creating a Life You Love. • Jasmine B. Walker – The Baddest Kid in Sixth Grade tells the story of Nick Pearson’s first day of middle school. While he’s a nice kid with good intentions, his troublemaker brothers’ reputation precedes him and causes teachers to see him as just another Pearson boy. Nick tries to distance himself from Dan and Rob but throughout the first day of school three mishaps land him in the spotlight. He is now the most popular kid among his peers and feared by the staff—everyone ex-

cept mean old Principal Reese. Reese, who has unfinished business with the older Pearson boys, is determined to show the entire school that he will not tolerate negative behavior from anyone. By the end of the school day, Nick is left to decide whether to tell the truth and lose his newfound popularity or maintain the lie and remain the baddest kid in sixth grade. National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country. Each year during the second full week in the month of April, libraries reach out to their communities and provide enriching, educational programs. The Literary Arts Festival is a way to engage all members of our community in this celebration, as well as exposing local residents to this region’s diversity of multicultural authors. This program is free and open to all. Parking at the Main Library is free after 4:00 p.m. For more information about this program call (310) 412-5380 or visit library.cityofinglewood.org.

Eye on the City (Continued from page 4) several schoolmates to ask for the City’s support with upcoming school events. A newcomer to Inglewood introduced residents to his reading club for homeless kids. He asked for the city’s support with his literacy program, and requested use of the library facilities. A representative from Black Lives Matter came to get answers about the Feb. 21 shooting deaths of Kisha Michael and Marquintan Sandlin by Inglewood police. She said the couple was “murdered by the police” and wanted to know the names of the officers. “We don’t sit in a forum like this and give officers’ names,” Butts said and explained that he did not know the names of the officers involved. “The reason we don’t discuss events like this at a council meeting is because there are 2 investigations going on—the district attorney and the Inglewood Police Department,” he said. The mayor and council members are not briefed on the officers involved to prevent them from making biased assumptions in

advance, should they ever have to make a determination in the case. “The officers—while we don’t know their names— they are not on duty now and they won’t be on duty until (the outcome) is determined. Murder is determined with malice or forethought,” said Mayor Butts. A young father came to the podium, holding his young daughter in his arms. He said he wanted to bring peace to the city, and has been praying for Inglewood. Ray Davis said he saw a “miracle” recently in his neighborhood. “A woman was walking around, holding a plastic bag, wearing surgical gloves, and picking up trash…She’s a transplant from Culver City who’s been here 4 months. I want people like that to the fourth power. I have her name and I’ll give it to you and I want you to call her and welcome her,” he told the council. Councilman George Dotson praised Karate Grand Master James Gough for his many years of service as a karate instructor in Inglewood. The city of Inglewood offers free karate classes for kids. “I never

Registered Owner: Marquis E. Richardson, 3012 W. 79th Street, Inglewood, CA 90305

Registered Owner: Dicarlo Bennett, 1657 West 108th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90047

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.

dingham Lecture Hall, Inglewood Main Library, 101 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90301. To register, visit www. sbesc.com or call (310) 3717222. This workshop is presented by South Bay Environmental Services Center, a program of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments. Funding is provided by California utility customers and administered by Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas®). Additional partner funding is provided by West Basin MWD, City of Torrance, Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts and Metro. For more information about this program call (310) 412-5380 or visit library. cityofinglewood.org. You may also contact the SBCCOG through Marilyn Lyon, Public Affairs, at (310) 3717222 ext. 204, or at marilyn@southbaycities.org. knew there were so many grand masters in Inglewood. You better be careful who you mess with,” Dotson said. Councilman Alex Padilla will host a document shredding event at the District 2 ICOP Center at 943 N. La Brea Ave. on April 9. He also asked the public to save the date for Fire Safety Day on May 7 from 9am to 2pm at Fire Station 172. The day will begin with a pancake breakfast and hotdogs will be served in the afternoon. The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event will take place June 9 from 9am to 9pm at Crozier Middle School. “I want to join Councilman Dotson in acknowledging the Inglewood martial arts training program. Jimmy Gough has been very instrumental, not only in teaching karate but because it also teaches kids mental discipline,” Councilman Ralph Franklin said. He also announced the City of Inglewood will hold its annual Earth Day celebration, next Saturday, April 16 on the South Lawn in front of City Hall. The free event will take place from 10am to 3pm. Rose Royce will be performing.

April 7, 2016

Inglewood Today

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D at e s i n Ap r i l -J u n e April 9, 2016 Ocean Water Desalination Briefing & Tour Learn about ocean water desalination as a way to increase water reliability and protect our marine ecosystem. West Basin will present a talk on its plans to diversify our options for water supply and conduct a tour of the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility, 1935 S. Hughes Way, El Segundo, CA 90245. Learn about water purification technologies that turn seawater into drinking water quality. The briefing and tour will be held from 9am to 10:30am. Free parking is available in the front lot. Please note it is mandatory for all guests to be at least 7 years of age or older, and all tour participants must wear flat, closed-toe shoes for safety purposes. Reservations are required. Email info@westbasin.org or call our hotline at (310) 660-6243. April 9, 2016 First Time Home Buyers Seminar Tired of paying rent? WLM wants to move you into home ownership. This seminar will guide you through the home buying process, Social Justice Learning Institute Presents Healthy Cooking for Families (Continued from page 8) the capacity of individuals to make healthy decisions in their personal lives.” For more information about the Social Justice Learning Institute, please contact (323) 952-7363, or go to www.sjli.org/ . For more information about this Inglewood Public Library program, call (310) 412-5380, e-mail publiclibrary@cityofinglewood.org, check out our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/inglewoodpubliclibrary or visit library. cityofinglewood.org.

show you what the qualifications are and what financing is available. It will be held from 12:00-1:30pm, 111 N. La Brea Ave., 5th Floor, Inglewood, 90301.Take advantage of the current economic rebound! Call (310) 905-7421 or email info@ wlmfinancial to RSVP. 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 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.

run/walk. Participants will run or walk from Hermosa Beach Pier to Manhattan Beach Pier and back. The race begins at 8am. Registration is $35 per person until March 12, and $40 afterward. To register, call (310) 980-9339, visit Mbbootcamp.com, or call (310) 546-1888 and visit Villagerunner. com. 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 nation’s leading cause of disability. For more information, visit www. WalktoCureArthritis.org/LosAngeles or contact Debbie Martin at 323954-5760. To learn more about the Arthritis Foundation’s quest to cure arthritis, visit www.arthritis.org.

April 23, 2016 Spring Pier to Pier Run/Walk June 11-12, 2016 Ready to get into summer shape? Relay for Life Kick off your spring fitness goals Join your Inglewood friends and on the beach with the pier-to-pier neighbors at Crozier Middle School, Publisher’s Message (Continued from page 5) when employers require experience vs. academic learning. SimplyHired.com estimates that a trade school graduate will make about $42,000 per year. Over the course of 30 years, the difference between that trade school graduate and the 4-year college graduate is only $90,000. Another drawback is the cost. The average bachelor’s degree in the United States costs $127,000. The likelihood that you will attend school in another city or state increases with 4-year colleges. This means you’ll encounter added expenses that you would probably be

able to avoid like out-of-state tuition and travel costs. At the same time, the average trade school degree costs $33,000, which, compared to a $127,000 bachelor’s degree, means a savings of $94,000. Factoring in the cost of student loans at 4% over 10 years, a bachelor’s degree will cost around $154,000, while the trade school degree will cost only $40,000. You do the math. Aside from financial considerations, there is the time element. Those who attend vocational schools, for example, are less likely to have to take and pay for classes unrelated to their majors. The appeal of a “well rounded” education,

120 W. Regent St., from 9am to 9am and help stamp out cancer in our lifetime. The annual Relay for Life event is a walk and run that raises 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.

doesn’t always make sense when you are already clear about your career path and want to finish school as soon as possible. Graduating from college, a trade school or even high school is still a big deal; graduates at all levels are to be applauded. And those who go on to finish 4-year colleges definitely have higher earning potential. There are no guarantees, however. With mounting debt from student loans, it pays to think smart about your valuable time and money, and keep your options open.

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:

The “Fabulous” Forum 3900 W. Manchester Blvd. Lunch at 12:00 p.m. Program at 12:30 p.m. TITLE SPONSORS

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For more information visit: InglewoodSOTC.com State’s Minimum Wage Increased to $15 (Continued from page 4) wage would then increase an additional $1 per hour each year until reaching $15 in 2022. The bill allows the Governor to pause scheduled increases as the minimum wage climbs to $15 an hour if the state has an economic downturn or budget crisis. SB 3 establishes annual increases capped at 3.5 percent based on

the U.S. Consumer Price Index once California’s minimum wage reaches $15.The bill also delays wage increases for businesses with 25 or fewer employees. For those small companies, the first increase to $10.50 will begin in 2018. The new income floor of $15 an hour will be reached a year later in 2023 for them. UC Berkeley’s Center for Labor Research and Education projects the ripple effect of the increase

could boost wages for 5.6 million Californians by an average of 24 percent. The research body said Latinos and workers in their 20s would benefit the most because they hold a disproportionate number of lowwage jobs. African Americans make up five percent of the workers that would benefit. The Black Caucus chair Hall said in Black communities such as the Los Angeles area’s Compton and

Watts neighborhoods, the first increase in the minimum wage hike next year is progress but still not enough money to afford renting a one-bedroom apartment. “We have a fundamental responsibility to lift up as we climb,” Hall said. “We have a fundamental responsibility to make sure when we go back to our respective districts, we say we advocated and fought for the most vulnerable population in our community.”