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Including Inglewood Airport Area • Baldwin Hills • Crenshaw/LA • Ladera Heights VOL. 23, No. 8

February 20, 2014

Black Winter Olympians Make Slow, Sure History

n the Disney movie, “Cool Runnings” (based on true events), people laughed at the idea of a Jamaican team making a serious run for Olympic gold in bobsledding. They’re not laughing now. The U.S. bobsled team Five of the six athletes competing on Team USA in women’s bobsledding are African-American. On Feb. 19, track star Lauryn Williams became the fifth Olympian to ever medal in both the Winter and Summer Games, Yahoo! Sports reports. Williams took the silver medal, with partner Elana Meyers, in the two-woman bobsled event in Sochi, Russia—missing gold to

Williams won a gold medal in 2012.

On The Inside: • News • Community • Entertainment • Health • Real Estate • Business

Dalai Lama to Speak at Forum

ext week, on February 25, His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama will appear in person at the newly renovated Fabulous Forum in Inglewood. Honoring his commitment to promoting peace and nonviolence, the Dalai Lama will deliver an uplifting speech on topics such as the effects of compassion in the 21st Century. The talk will begin at 12:15 pm. The Forum is located at Lauryn Williams is the fifth Olympian to medal in both Winter and Summer Games. 3900 W. Manchester Blvd., the Canadian team by just Beijing Summer Olympics their bobsled run in 11th Inglewood. .1 seconds. She won a gold in 2008 and London in 2012, place. just two years before in the did the same. According to Yahoo! 2012 London Games, with The day before her win, Sports, if Williams and Meythe U.S. relay team. Williams became the ninth ers had won the gold, WilTeam USA also took American ever to represent liams would have been the home the bronze, with Ja- Team USA in both the Sum- first woman in Olympic hismie Greubel and Aja Evans mer and Winter Olympics, tory to do so for both games. coming in just behind their when she climbed into her Jones is as well known for teammates. bobsled in the first heat of her beauty and triumph over Aja Evans, who was named her two-woman competition. poverty, as her Olympic perUSA Bobsled’s Rookie of Jones became the 10th formances. In 2008, she had the Year, and sprinter gold when she teamed with the heartbreaking experience Dalai Lama medalist Williams served Jazmine Fenlator in the of clipping a hurdle in the The line of Dalai Lamas as brakemen. Lolo Jones, a United States’ third sled. final stretch. She came in (Continued on page 6) began as a lineage of spiritual hurdler who competed at the Jones and Fenlator ended teachers; the 5th Dalai Lama assumed political authority over Tibet. Uniting different worlds under one language, the 14th Dalai Lama has conBy Thomas Bunn sistently advocated policies s we move closer of non-violence, even in the to the end of the face of extreme aggression. In shortened month 1989, he was awarded the Noof February, concluding bel Peace Prize for his nonvioBlack History Month, I’d lent struggle for the liberation like to take a look at indiof Tibet. He has also received viduals whose names we the Congressional Gold Medal may not know. Nonethein 2007 and the 2012 Templeless, they are pushing our ton Prize. culture and communities “Through his message of forward with their drive, universal compassion and passion and fearless comnonviolence, His Holiness (Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 2) Brittney Exline

Young, Black and Gifted

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Page 2

Statement on Black History

n Honor of Black History Month let us never forget that our Faith, united with our Willingness to Persevere in the face of difficult challenges, will always allow us to extinguish the Fiery Darts of Division and Inequality! Councilman Ralph L. Franklin

Dalai Lama to Speak at Forum (Continued from page 1) shares a path to making yourself happy,” says Lama Tenzin Dhonden, the personal peace emissary to His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama and organizer of the event. “He shares a message about honoring and exercising the human values of patience, compassion, and loving kindness as a way to live a meaningful life and to achieve true happiness.” Dhonden urges the audience to come with “an open mind and an open heart” to better absorb the Dalai Lama’s message and turn his words into actions in their individual lives. “If you truly live by these values and ethics and put them into play in your daily life, they will lead you to become a happier human being,” he says. The Forum appearance is being underwritten by the Lourdes Foundation, whose mission is to transform the world by providing educational programs and resources to disadvantaged

youth. It is part of a 4 -day California tour which includes San Francisco, Berkeley and Santa Clara. Chairman Sean Lourdes said his life was dramatically changed by a personal encounter with the Dali Lama. The Foundation has set aside a limited number of complimentary tickets for schools, churches and community organizations. Inglewood Mayor James Butts said he is honored to have the Dalai Lama come to his city. “The appearance of the 14th Dalai Lama at the Forum in Inglewood is further reinforcement that our city is now viewed on par with the finest in the country. Over 1,000 Inglewood youth will be in attendance at this internationally covered event. The growth of our community economically and growth of community pride continues,” Butts said. Visit fabulousforum.com or ticketmaster.com to purchase tickets, or call the Forum box office at 310-3307300.

Prosecutors Drop Abuse Charges Against Teacher

os Angeles County prosecutors have dropped their case against an LAUSD teacher accused of child molestation after his 12 year-old accuser decided not to testify, officials said. Miramonte Elementary School teacher Martin Springer, who was set to begin trial this month, was the subject of a shocking child-abuse scandal which became the costliest settlements in the school district’s history. The case was settled for nearly $3 million. Springer, 51, was accused of multiple counts of lewd acts with a minor, along with third-grade teacher Mark Berndt, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Arrested four days after Berndt in 2012, Springer is fighting to get his job back. LAUSD officials said, despite dropping the case, they will not reverse their decision to fire Springer, and stand by the charges. Investigators had interviewed 102 children about Springer but could not find evidence to support additional charges, authorities said. When the girl backed out, prosecu-

Martin Springer tors had little choice but to drop their case. “This is the danger of going with just one witness,” said Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola Law School. “Especially a young witness. It’s a lot of pressure on one person.” Since his arrest, 13 people filed civil claims against L.A. Unified, alleging that Springer abused them too. He taught at Miramonte for more than two decades.

Young, Black and Gifted (Continued from page 1) mitment to being the best they can be. This week’s Positive Side features Brittney Exline of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Exline made TheRoot.com Young Futurists list last year Excerpt from The Root - http:// tinyurl.com/km3choa: Brittney likes to say that she is a product of nature and nurture. She taught herself how to read at age 2. She did complicated jigsaw puzzles. She used to solve problems out of workbooks for fun. Her mom noticed her early accomplishments and tried to find the best educational fit, which is how she ended up skipping three grades. At 15, she became the youngest African American to attend an Ivy League school when she enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania. When she graduated at 19, she became the youngest African-American engineer. She is a software engineer for Chikita, an online advertising network in Westborough, Mass. “My mom had to fight to get me to a place that was challenging,” she said. “I just happened to rise to that challenge.” Brittney tries to encourage more African-American youths to consider STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers. “We have an outdated way of teaching math and science,” she said. “We need it be more interactive and more project-oriented.” You don’t have to be a child genius to be motivated, disciplined, and hard working. There are thousands of Inglewood students who can look at someone like Brittney, and see themselves in her. They can get inspired to take similar actions, and begin walking down their own path of success. I encourage parents, teachers, and readers of Inglewood On The Positive Side, to share this article with as many students as you know, and sow a seed of encouragement into their lives. Assure them that opportunities do exist in this world, and there are others like them exploring those opportunities.

February 20, 2014

President/Publisher/ Editor Willie Brown Vice President Gloria Kennedy Assistant Editor Veronica Mackey Contributing Writers Veronica Mackey Thomas Bunn Brooke Stanley Staff Photographer Thomas Bunn PRODUCTION Manager Dené Glamuzina Quality Control Manager Gloria Kennedy Inglewood Today Weekly is a legally

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February 20, 2014

Inglewood Today

Page 3

Lacey Rolls Out Diversion Program for Minor Sex Offenders

.A. County District Attorney Jackie Lacey has announced a new diversion program to assist minors arrested for sex-related offenses. The program, which Lacey described as “a way out,” will provide juveniles with social services and clear their records after one year. “We believe that minors who engage in sex for pay are victims, not criminals. We believe that we should help these children, not detain them,” Lacey said. The program, called First Step, will provide help in the form of referrals to sexual assault and mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, crisis intervention, education and other social services. Program participants will have to complete one year to have their arrest records cleared. The District Attorney’s Office filed nearly 2,200 Juvenile Court petitions between 2000 and 2010 against minors caught soliciting or loitering for solicitation. Teenage runaways, drug addicts and victims of sexual trafficking will be helped through the program. Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said: “It is inhumane, it is sickening, it is disgusting for a grown person— typically a man—to subject a child

victims, authorities said. Pimps target vulnerable youths, including runaways, homeless children who may have experienced trouble at home, Lacey said. “We understand the enormous challenges these children face in trying to break away from their pimps and abusers,” she noted. “When we hear the stories of survivors, we are so compelled to action, that today, I think, is a giant step forward,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “Suddenly if we Jackie Lacey imagine how this force has been to these indecent and inhumane multiplied, imagine that times 10 acts…Let’s get the record straight, [the victims] are not prostitutes and they are subject to what I consider statutory rape.” In a case that mirrors that of The program will be rolled out in the Sylmar and Compton Juvenile Trayvon Martin, the black, unDivision branch offices. The Los armed teen shot to death in SanAngeles Police Department, Sher- ford, Florida two years ago, Miiff’s Department, county Probation chael Dunn of Jacksonville stood Department and the Department of trial for killing another black teen, Children and Family Services will Jordan Davis. Both were 17 yearwork with the D.A. to help identify old and unarmed, but results of the children under 18 who have been trials ended very differently. George Zimmerman, Martin’s arrested for sex-related offenses. Additionally, the YWCA of killer, walked away free on all Greater Los Angeles, Saving Inno- charges, pleading self-defense. cence, Valley Trauma Center in Van Dunn, who also said he feared for Nuys and the Coalition to Abolish his life, was convicted on three Slavery and Trafficking will offer counts of attempted second-degree programs targeted to sex trafficking

million people in this county. If they know, and if they see and if they can be the folks who say ‘something looks a little suspicious,’ or if somebody trafficked ... can actually see a way out and know there is a better future.” He joined Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Don Knabe, Councilwoman Nury Martinez, City Attorney Mike Feuer and other city and county officials to support the campaign at a news conference at the National Council for Jewish Women’s Los Angeles office.

Dunn Case Heightens Call to Change Law murder and one count of firing into a vehicle in the Nov. 23, 2012, shooting. The jury couldn’t reach a decision on the first-degree murder charge, which ended Davis’ life. This is the charge that has stirred a nationwide uproar. Dunn, who is white, fired 10 shots into an SUV, killing Jordan Davis. The shooting in a convenience store parking lot occurred after an argument over loud music. Dunn began shooting when Davis refused to keep the volume down (Continued on page 5)

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Inglewood Today

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CVS to Phase Out Tobacco Sales This Year

VS Caremark announced last week that it will phase out cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco by Oct. 1. Company executives say the move will enhance its commitment to customers’ health, and working with doctors, hospitals and other care providers. The decision will cost the drug store about $2 billion in annual revenue but will have no impact on its 2014 earnings forecast. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the landmark 1964 surgeon general’s report that launched the antismoking movement. A new 980-page report issued last month by acting Surgeon General Boris Lushniak also urged new resolve to make the next generation a smoke-free generation. CVS, a national chain, will join the majority of independent pharmacies that do not sell tobacco, according to the National Community Pharmacists Association. The drug retailer, which ranks 13th on the 2013 Fortune 500 list of biggest U.S. companies, sells about $1.5 billion annually in tobacco products.

The impact of the revenue loss is expected to be absorbed by the fact that smokers usually purchase other products while in the store. Over the years, CVS Caremark Corp. has been preparing to increase service to baby boomers, offering flu shots and immunizations. Their pharmacies offer clinics to help manage such chronic conditions as high blood pressure and diabetes— conditions made worse by smoking. “We’ve come to the conclusion that cigarettes have no place in a setting where health care is being delivered,” said CEO Larry Merlo. U.S. retail sales of tobacco, which is comprised largely of cigarettes, were about $107.7 billion in 2012, according to market researcher Euromonitor International. The number of smokers in the US has declined since 1970, from nearly 40 percent to about 18 percent. However, the number of people who quit smoking has stalled since 2004. The reasons are unclear. Meanwhile, tobacco companies (Continued on page 5)

February 20, 2014

Watch Out for These 6 Common Tax Myths

e can all agree that filing taxes can be confusing. Asking questions or web searching for answers only leads to more confusion and misconceptions because when it comes to taxes, one standard answer does not always fit all. The National Association of Enrolled Agents—a group of federally licensed tax practitioners who specialize in taxes—sheds some light on six common tax misconceptions. Myth: I had a really big loss in the stock market this year, so I won’t owe any income taxes. Fact: Deduction of capital losses against ordinary income is limited to $3,000 per year. Also, whether you reinvest or receive dividends, they are technically still income and are taxed as such. Myth: I’m filing an extension this year, so I don’t need to pay anything yet. Fact: Tax extensions only extend the time you have left to file, not the time you have to pay any taxes owed. If you owe money and file an extension, you have until April 15 to pay, regardless of

the extended deadline date. Otherwise, interest and penalties begin to stack up. Myth: Income earned in a foreign country is not taxable. Fact: The operative word is “income,” which means it’s taxable. The IRS requires taxpayers to report all earned income, even if it’s earned abroad. Myth: They paid me in cash, so I don’t have to report it. Fact: If it’s income, you must report it. You always report income, regardless of whether it’s cash, tips, bonuses or dividends. Myth: I’m too young to have to pay taxes. Fact: Even dependents working part-time while in high school must file a tax return if they earned more than $6,100 in 2013 or if they want to receive their refund. Myth: Tax preparers only fill out forms that you can do yourself. Fact: Paid preparers know the intricate (and constantly changing) tax laws, regulations and codes, and how they can be applied for your (Continued on page 5)

Pick up your copy of Inglewood Today at one of these locations: 1 Stop Mini-Mart, 420 E. Florence Ave. A-Man Inc., 101 La Brea Ave. Airport Gas, 501 Hillcrest St. Allstate, 2300 W. Manchester Bl. Bayou Grill, 1400 N. La Brea Ave. Boston Cream Donuts, 2576 La Brea Ave. Bourbon Street Fish & Grill, 601 S. Prairie Ave. Briarwood, 3500 Manchester Bl. Broadway Federal Bank, 170 N. Market St. Brolly Hut Barber Shop on 109th & Crenshaw Bruno’s Pizza, 450 E. Manchester Bl. Budda Market, 3753 Slauson (Rimpau) C&J Beauty Supply, 11252 Crenshaw Bl. Carlton Square, 8700 Carlton Centinela Hospital, 555 E. Hardy St. Chili’s, 3490 W. Century Bl. Chile Verde on Crenshaw Choice Berry, 599 1/2 S. La Brea Ave. City One Stop, 110 Queen St. Cranford Scott, M.D., 211 N. Prairie Ave. CVS Pharmacy, 222 N. Market St. Darby Park, 3400 W. Arbor Vitae Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen #1, 202 E. Manchester Bl. Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen #2, 3249 W. Century Bl. Edward Vincent Park Senior Ctr., 700 Warren Lane Fabulous Burger, 1315 Centinela Ave., Family Fish Market, 1300 Centinela Ave. Fiesta Martin Mexican Grill, 1330 N. La Brea Ave. Gin’s Liquor, 11001 Crenshaw Bl. Gonzales Northgate Market, 10801 Prairie Ave. Heart & Soul Grill, 128 N. Market St. Hollywood Park Casino, 1050 S. Prairie Ave. Inglewood Airport Area, 330 E. Queen St. Inglewood Park Cemetery, 720 E. Florence Ave. Inglewood Community Police Ctr., Manchester/7th Ave. Inglewood City Hall, 1 West Manchester Bl. Inglewood Library, 101 W. Manchester Bl. Inglewood Meadows, 1 Locust St. Inglewood Park Mortuary, 3801 W. Manchester Bl. Inglewood Police Station, 1 West Manchester Bl. Inglewood Today, 949 S. La Brea Ave. Inglewood Unified School District, 401 S. Inglewood Ave. In the Kut Barber Shop on 109th & Crenshaw Jamba Juice, 5305 W. Centinela Ave. King Fish Market, 10901 Crenshaw Bl. KJLH Radio, 161 N. La Brea Ave. Ladera Physiotherapy, 409 S. La Brea Ave.

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February 20, 2014

Inglewood Today

Publisher’s Message Becoming Barrier Breakers

esterday, Olympic bobsledder Lauryn Williams took home the silver. While all the attention was on winning the prize, she said a medal was not her goal, as much as helping Team USA. History is made every day, sometimes by accident, on the way to doing something else. And whether you get all the glory or just a little, there is usually someone in the background who cheered you on. When I think of the next great rocket scientist or billionaire philanthropist, I believe history will be made by young people in Inglewood. We certainly have the will to do it. When Inglewood school administrator Dr. Don Brann was named “Superintendent of the Year,” last month, it proved that the right amount of skill and determination can surmount any obstacle. The district’s financial struggles, although daunting, has little to do with his excellence. Honors like that break mental barriers and restore confidence. Children need to know there are capable adults committed to their success; that they have a fair shot in life, and their dreams can come true. What barriers will you break? It may not be your desire to climb to the mountain top, run a marathon or make the world’s best widget, but there is something inside that should be stirring your soul. I encourage everyone to expose their family and friends to black history this month. Our stories are not hard to find. It is in films, theatre, books and the Internet. It is told orally by senior members of black families. And don’t just stop with the most famous black history makers. Look for the lesser known treasures. Find those whom your children aspire to be like—those

Page 5

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Just Saying... Willie Brown, Publisher, Inglewood Today Weekly with similar interests and career paths. Broaden the scope. We do a lot more than entertain and play sports. Why not start in Inglewood? Have you ever heard of Tyra Banks or Lisa Leslie? They all grew up here. Teach them about history makers under the age of 21. If your youngster doesn’t seem motivated, maybe it’s because he or she cannot relate to what is be- Dunn Case Heightens Call ing taught. Look for examples of to Change Law achievers who look and think like (Continued from page 3) them. Once they find a few men- on the “rap crap” playing inside his tors (even if only in a book), they red Durango truck. Dunn told police he saw what he will be inspired to change. Selfbelieved to be a gun protruding from acceptance is the beginning. Michelle Obama said she liked the window of the truck. His fiancee, being smart and thought get- Rhonda Rouer, however, testified ting good grades was really cool. that Dunn had never mentioned any Some young people today who weapon to her. As in the Zimmerman case, Davis want to do right feel pressured to rebel. Find someone they look up supporters showed up to protest the to, who thinks it’s cool to be smart, verdict. A small group gathered outside and that can pull them back in the the Gate station, where Davis attended Wolfson High School, with a sign that right direction. Today’s generation is poised read, “Justice For Jordan Davis! The for greatness, but they must be in- Whole Damn System Is Guilty!” What convinced some jurors Zimspired to go beyond the barriers. We cannot allow race, gender, in- merman was an innocent man and come, neighborhood, or anything other jurors that Dunn was guilty? else stop them from reaching far- Perhaps it was the number of shots ther. We must train them early to fired, or that there were eye witnesses be barrier breakers—from getting to the shooting, or the fact that Dunn up after a fall to running for Olym- left the scene and drove 40 miles before police arrested him. pic gold. Regardless, Davis’ mother, Lucia It’s in our DNA. It’s what we do.

McBath said the verdict will bring a little closure, and that she is praying for her son’s killer. Both Dunn’s case and that of Zimmerman have accentuated the weakness of the Stand Your Ground law, which allows citizens to shoot anyone they feel threatened by. The murky law allows too much room for loose interpretation, and can be justified in just about any situation, critics say. Sabrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, parents of Trayvon Martin, have campaigned for a change in the law, saying it encourages racial profiling, and perpetuates fear. Fulton and Martin showed their support to the Davis family during the 30-hour jury deliberation, saying the case is “yet another reminder that in Florida, racial profiling and stereotypes” may serve as the basis for illegitimate fear “and the shooting and killing of young teenagers.” Another similar case is on its way in Florida. It involves a man killed in a movie theater for texting.

CVS to Phase Out Tobacco (Continued from page 4) have revamped their packaging and retailer displays to make smoking more appealing to younger generations. Advertising bans in magazines, billboards and TV have made it more difficult to promote tobacco brands. Tobacco is responsible for about 480,000 deaths a year in the U.S., according to the Food and Drug Administration, which gained the authority to regulate tobacco products in 2009.

6 Common Tax Myths (Continued from page 4) benefit and save you money. Enrolled agents, America’s tax experts, receive annual continuing education so they are knowledgeable of tax laws and how they can apply to you. Enrolled agents not only specialize in tax preparation and tax planning, they can also represent you before the IRS. Find an enrolled agent in your area on the “Find an EA” directory at www.naea.org. Source: NewsUSA

Drama doesn’t just walk into your life out of nowhere. You either create it, invite it or associate with people who bring it.

Yvonne Horton

Inglewood Today

Page 6

February 20, 2014

Celebrating Black History Month Black Winter Olympians Make Slow, Sure History (Continued from page 1) fourth in 2012, missing the bronze. Ice Skating Shani Davis, who struggled during his speedskating completion, won the 1,000 meter race at the last two Winter Olympics. He was hoping to become the first male Olympian to win gold in the same individual event in three consecutive Winter Games. Sadly, 2014 will not be the year of Davis’ “three-peat.” So far, competition in speedskating has been disappointing for Team USA as a whole. Winter Olympic History In 2010, only 20 African American athletes competed in the Winter Olympics. The higher cost of training, equipment and travel of winter sports is thought to be one factor. However, according to some athletes, racism is also more prevalent among Winter Olympics officials. Surya Bonaly, a black French American figure skater, set out to do the impossible after being consistently scored lower than her white competitors. The three-time World silver medalist and a five-

Surya Bonaly...Wow!

time European champion is also the 1991 World Junior Champion and a nine-time French national champion. Watching Bonaly’s amazing performance is like watching goldmedal winning gymnast Gabby Douglas do her backflips, except on ice! A former gymnast herself, Bonaly was the first woman to ever attempt the quadruple toe loop. She is likely best known for her free skate at the 1998 Winter Olympics, when she completed a one-bladed back flip. To this day she holds the record as the only skater—male or female—to ever do this. The presence of blacks in Winter Olympic sports has been slow, but there are a few shining stars in history: Debi Thomas was the first black athlete to capture a Winter Olympics medal in the 1988 Calgary Games; Vonetta Flowers was the first black athlete to win Winter Olympic gold in the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City. In addition to the achievements of Davis and Williams, the roster is growing…ever so slowly. Winter sports just don’t capture the attention of African Americans as basketball or track and field. But those athletes willing to brave the ice are certainly worthy of mention.

Inglewood Today

February 20, 2014

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Health&Fitness T•O•D•A•Y

Asthma and Allergies

3 Ways to Get Relief from Chronic Respiratory Conditions By Debbie Davis

sthma and allergies are common respiratory conditions that continue to affect millions each year. And even with all of the latest technologies and advances in science and medicine, there is still no definitive cure for either. However, here are three very effective steps you can take to minimize the disruption that these conditions can cause. Life Style—Any change that you can make in a natural way should always be one of the first avenues to explore. And since reducing contact with offending triggers is often the best solution, there are many changes you can make in your life. Here are suggestions for things that you can control. If you’re already in love with a warm-blooded pet, never mind this. But consider having fish, or cold-blooded pets

rather than warm-blooded pets (dogs, cats, birds, ferrets) that shed dander. Let friends and family who are smokers know that your home is a smoke-free environment and ask that they respect your wishes when they are in your presence. Use household and personal products that are fragrance-free. The changes needed in your habits and choices you make might be slightly more challenging. But here they are anyway. Get a good night’s sleep every night. A wellrested body yields an immune system that is stronger and better able to help your body remain healthy. Eat well, meaning fruits, vegetables, fish, and lean meats. Stay hydrated with water. Avoid large amounts of sweets, caffeine, fatty foods, and salty snacks. And finally, exercise in a way

that encourages you to be active. If going to the gym feels you with dread, then get creative and find a physical activity that you look forward to—dancing, biking, gardening, hiking, walking are just a few to explore Medication—Even though there are no definitive cures, there are lots of different types of medicines that can keep these conditions from dictating your life and the things you do. For both allergies and asthma, there are 2 types of medicines. One type is designed to handle acute reactions. The inhaler for asthma and Epi-pen for allergies are both fast acting and are designed to prevent flare-ups from becoming life-threatening. There are allergy shots that can be administered over the course of months or sometimes years. These are designed to desensitize

the body to known allergens, and make the body more able to tolerate contact with these substances. Filtration—Since flare-ups of both conditions are literally triggered by contact with allergens that the body views as a threat, the best defense is still a good offense. Avoiding particles and gases that cause the body to go into overdrive is still the best solution. But exposure to them can be difficult to control. Dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, seasonal pollen, pet dander, smoke, fragrances and airborne chemicals are all around. But with 24-hour filtration with a HEPA air cleaner, you can drastically reduce the number of allergens to which you are exposed. This can allow you to really relax at home giving your body time to (Continued on page 11)

Slow to the Sign-up? In a critical period of Obamacare outreach, will more black consumers take advantage of benefits available through the California healthcare exchange?

By McKenzie Jackson, California Black Media

hen Andre Andrews signed on to the Covered California website on Feb. 7, he was in the midst of coping with a medical emergency. A week before, Andrews had been the victim of a hit-and-run. The Burbank resident was walking his bike up the side of a street late one night, when he was suddenly struck by a passing motorist who never bothered to stop. The impact left him with missing teeth, lacerations to his face and an ambulance bill alone of over $1,000. Uninsured since leaving a job in early January, Andrews has already paid $500 of the bill. But he now feels more secure because of his coverage eligibility under the Affordable Care Act. Also known as Obamacare, it is made available in this state through Covered California, which Andrews is confident will help him better manage medical expenses and aid with any future health problems he might experience. “I never really go to the doctor, but I still need health insurance, especially since this happened,” said Andrews. “All these other healthcare

insurance providers online are expensive.” For the 30-year-old, what he found through Covered California “is less expensive. I’m one of those guys that thought nothing would ever happen. But clearly it can. You don’t know what is going to happen.” More than 11,000 black Californians—and potentially millions more across the United States—can identify with the peace of mind Andrews enjoys today as a result of Obamacare. Following a difficult rollout, there has been a surge of enrollments over the last two months; on January 25, the Obama administration announced that three million Americans had signed up for private health plans under the law, including 800,000 in the month of January alone. California accounts for 625,000 of those enrollees, but thus far only 3.1 percent, or 11,153, are AfricanAmericans, despite blacks being nearly seven percent of California’s population. That is compared with whites, who have accounted for 54.7 percent, or 199,186, of Obama care enrollees, tops in the state. (Continued on page 10)

at the A National Traveling Interactive Exhibition

Inglewood Public Library The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County presents the with the

Saturday, February 22, 2014 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Explore marine life in five distinct habitats of the Pacific Ocean just off our coast in this submarine simulator! Discover Earth: A Century of Change is an interactive museum exhibit focusing on how we observe the Earth’s climate. The Inglewood Public Library is hosting nine free programs for the public in connection with this exhibit. Discover Earth will be on display at the Main Library from January 22 to March 20, 2014.

Inglewood Main Library

101 West Manchester Boulevard, Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 412 5380 ▪ library.cityofinglewood.org

Inglewood Today

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February 20, 2014

Today The Way You Do Anything Is the Way You Do Everything (and Nine More “Tough Love” Truths for Business Owners) – Part 1

When many entrepreneurs hit a snag, they point the finger at outside factors. But Suzanne Evans says that you, and you alone, are the source of your success or failure. Here, excerpted from her book are 10 inconvenient but ironclad truths that all business owners should take to heart.

o you decided to seize your dream and start your own business. Unfortunately, your fledgling company is losing altitude fast. Despite putting in the work, you’re not seeing the profits. No matter how much you scour profitand-loss statements, analyze your data, tweak your advertising, encourage your employees, or suck up to potential clients, you can’t move the needle. It feels hopeless, like the universe is conspiring against you. Before you throw in the towel, though, hear some “tough love” advice from Suzanne Evans: Your problem isn’t bad luck, bad breaks, bad people, or even a bad economy. It’s you. “Before you can hope to change

your company’s fortunes, you have to first change yourself,” says Evans, author of The Way You Do Anything Is the Way You Do Every thing: The Why of Why Your Business Isn’t Making More Money (Wiley, February 2014, ISBN: 978-1-11871426-3, $22.00, www.Suzanne Evans.org). “Business acumen doesn’t matter as much as who you are and how you play the game.” Evans speaks from experience. In the space of just five years, she transformed herself from a dissatisfied secretary in a dead-end job to the owner of a business-coaching firm that has surpassed the sevenfigure mark and is on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies. Incredibly, Evans did all of that

without earning any new degrees or certifications. She didn’t come into any money, or team up with any partners, or discover a hot new business strategy. In fact, only three things separate yesterday’s burntout secretary from today’s on-fire entrepreneur: a willingness to recognize and own her mistakes, a desire to improve, and unrelenting attention to Every. Single. Detail. “I realized if I changed the way I did things, those things would inevitably change,” Evans recounts. “It’s true for you, too. Your profits mirror your choices. Your success mirrors your commitment. Your cash flow is a reflection of the consistency in everything in your life.” In her book, Evans uses her sig-

nature blend of honesty, sarcasm, and humor to help readers develop a brand-new mindset that will help them change their own lives, businesses, and finances forever. Here, she shares 10 truths to help you get started: The way you do anything is the way you do everything. Most of us approach life with the belief that as long as we get the major stuff right, it’s okay to let the little stuff slide every once in awhile. As long as you get the shipment out in time, it’s okay to leave a few voicemails unanswered. As long as your team signs the client, it’s okay to skip out of a few meetings. As long as you don’t actually lose anything, it’s (Continued on page 11)

Top 5 Attraction Tips for Business Networking

ne of the keys behind a successful business is the networking connections it has with other businesses. Business networking is simply a method which people use in order to interact for business purposes on both a formal and informal basis. Having the ability to connect to the right people and market your services effectively as one of the best in the industry, is a skill that many lack to master. Lacking the ability to network with other enterprises effectively and efficiently can mean the difference between business survival and prosperity. Below I have mentioned five networking tips that are proven to increase your business prospects regardless of financial conditions: Get into a Goal-Oriented Mindset One of the most important aspects of business networking that individuals are known to lack is: having a firm goal set in their mind. Many fall under the trap of either setting no goal whatsoever, or to set unrealistic goals which are unachievable. Unless you know

By Brendan Yong

where you are headed you are more that often going to wonder off where you actually want to be. In a business networking situation, an example of a goal could be getting to know 5 to 10 people sufficiently enough to raise some interest in following up with an informal meeting with you sometime in the next two weeks. Or at least have them agree to be kept on your information mailing list. You are more likely to achieve something from networking situations, if you start off having some goals in mind. Delivering the Punch-line Another networking tip one should always keep in mind is honing your “elevator pitch”. You want to be able to provide concise and professional answers that don’t seem too textbook-like and at the same time not too casual. When asked: “What do you do?” you should have a memorable elevator pitch that puts up owner benefit statements and your unique selling proposition well. Can you imagine tripping over words and missing out on opportunities to present yourself well?

Dress for the Occasion The third networking tip is making sure that you are dressed suitably in order to create the best impression possible. According to studies of human interaction, it takes only 8 seconds to formulate a first impression. A significant amount of that come from the visual impact. You must ask yourself questions like are your business cards up to date? Are you in fashion? Does your wardrobe need an update? Follow Up is Everything Another important networking tip that I feel is essential, is the follow through process after the initial contact. It is great to have won over your audience, but you must keep in mind that after first impression, you have to continue to build mind-share. A simple rule of thumb is to follow-up with an email or text message not more than 24 hours after the contact. You can set separate campaigns to send different groups of contacts updates or information that they might find useful, so as to keep in contact. A good guide is once every 2 weeks, and providing a permission-based list for unsubscrib-

ing to your mails, which brings me to the next point. Building Mind-Share & Expertise The final business networking tip that tends to be over looked is educating your audience. It is important for you to be able to relate well to the type of client you are looking for. Your value-added benefit, as a longterm partner or service provider, must be made apparent. You can achieve this goal by practicing methods of expressing your expertise via online (e-newsletter, emails etc.) and off-line (brochures, letters etc.) methods. Allow for two-way communications, so you can sieve out interested buyers and maintain at least a presence with those non-responsive ones. After all, the buying cycle must meet the selling cycle before a sale can happen. This part of communications require some thought into building that personal brand, unique selling points and marketing your valueadded benefit. Brendan Yong is passionate about business networking, and was involved in leadership roles developing business networking skill into a fine art.

February 20, 2014

Inglewood Today

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Do You Know the Top 10 Small and Minority Business Grants?

ontrary to popular belief, Coors. Designed to economireal business grants do excally empower minority busiist. In fact, hundreds of nesses, the program continues black and minority-owned busito invest in entrepreneurial nesses each year receive such grant dreams to empower urban funding from various government communities. agencies and non-profit organizations. Such funds do not have to be 5. The Small Business Adminrepaid, but must be used to either istration (SBA) administers start a new business or enhance an several competitive business existing one. Others can be used grant programs, ensuring that for innovation research. the nationâ€™s small, high-tech, Here are the top small and minorinnovative businesses are a ity business grant programs availsignificant part of the federal able: governmentâ€™s research and development efforts. 1. The FedEx Small Business 6. The Minority Business DeGrant Contest is a nationwide velopment Agency (MBDA) competition that will award organizes various angel inves$50,000 in total to six deserving tors with the primary objective U.S-based entrepreneurs and of supporting minority busibusiness owners. nesses with mezzanine and second round financing. 2. The National Association for the Self Employed (NASE) 7. The Rural Business Enterprise Growth Grants Program alGrants (RBEG) Program prolows business owners to apply vides grants to finance the develfor a grant useful for financopment of small and emerging ing a particular small busibusinesses in rural areas. The ness need. Past recipients used funds can be used for land actheir grant for computers, farm quisition, construction, renovaequipment, to hire part-time tion, technical assistance, project help, marketing materials and planning, and more. more. 8. The Huggies Mom Inspired 3. The Dare to Dream Grant Grant Program awards grants Program encourages students and business resources to moms to move through the busito further the development of ness creation process by oforiginal product ideas and startfering business development up businesses. seminars and up to $10,000 in funding. 9. The DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) 4. The Miller Lite Tap the FuProgram is intended to enture Business Plan Competisure nondiscrimination in the tion (formally known as the award and administration of MillerCoors Urban EntrepreDOT-assisted contracts in the neur Series) is an annual comDepartmentâ€™s highway, transit, petition for minority business airport, and highway safety fiowners sponsored by Millernancial assistance programs.

10. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program provides grant funding to small businesses to engage in biomedical or behavioral research/ development that leads to a potential for commercialization. To learn about more 2014 business grant programs, visit www. BusinessGrants.org.

Advertise! Call 310-670-9600

Inglewood Today

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February 20, 2014

LEG A L NOT I CES CITY OF INGLEWOOD INVITATION TO SUBMIT BID

CITY OF INGLEWOOD INVITATION TO SUBMIT BID

(Specifications and Conditions Governing Award)

Project Subject to Bid: “SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT PROJECT, FY 2013-14”

Project Subject to Bid: “TRANSIT STOP IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, FY 2013-14”

The City of Inglewood invites and will receive bids duly filed as provided herein for the furnishing of labor and materials and/or the completion of the above-designated project.

A mandatory informational meeting for interested bidders will be conducted on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the Public Works Department, on the Third Floor of the Inglewood City Hall, One Manchester Boulevard, CA, 90301.

A mandatory informational meeting for interested bidders will be conducted on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at the Public Works Department, on the Third Floor of the Inglewood City Hall, One Manchester Boulevard, CA, 90301.

Please call the Project Manager, Hunter Nguyen, at (310) 412-5333, or email at (hhunter@cityofinglewood.org), should you require further information.

Each bid, to be considered, must be delivered to and received by the City Clerk no later than 11:00 a.m. on March 26, 2014, at the Office of the City Clerk, First Floor of Inglewood City Hall, One Manchester Boulevard, Inglewood, CA, 90301.

Each bid, to be considered, must be delivered to and received by the City Clerk no later than 11:30 a.m. on March 19, 2014, at the Office of the City Clerk, First Floor of Inglewood City Hall, One Manchester Boulevard, Inglewood, CA, 90301.

Each bid shall be submitted and completed in all particulars using the form entitled, “Bidder’s Proposal and Statement” attached hereto and must be enclosed, together with the requisite bid security, in a sealed envelope addressed to the City Clerk with the designation of the project “SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT PROJECT, FY2013-14” appearing thereon.

Each bid shall be submitted and completed in all particulars using the form entitled, “Bidder’s Proposal and Statement” attached hereto and must be enclosed, together with the requisite bid security, in a sealed envelope addressed to the City Clerk with the designation of the project “TRANSIT STOP IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, FY2013-14” appearing thereon.

Each bid shall state the unit price of each item if called for on the Bidder’s Proposal and Statement form. In the event alternative bids are called for in said form, each alternative bid shall be completed.

Bids will be opened in public in the City Clerk’s Office and will then and there be announced to all persons present.

Specifications and other Bid Documents for the above items are on file in the Public Works Department and may be obtained upon request.

Each bid must be accompanied by a deposit in the form of cash, a cashier’s or certified check made payable to the City of Inglewood, or a bid bond, for an amount of not less than ten percent (10%) of the aggregate of the bid, as a guarantee that the successful bidder will, within the time specified, enter into an agreement as provided in the Bid Document and furnish bonds when required in the Special Provisions: one for Faithful Performance in the amount of the Contract Sum, and one for Contractor’s Labor and Materials in the amount of the Contract Sum.

The City Council reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any irregularities in any bid.

Attention is directed to the provisions of Sections 1777.5 and 1777.6 of the Labor Code concerning the employment of apprentices by the Contractor or any subcontractor under them. The Contractor or any subcontractor shall comply with the requirements of said sections in the employment of apprentices. Information relative to apprenticeship standards and administration of the apprenticeship program may be obtained from the Director of Industrial Relations, San Francisco, CA, or the Division of Apprenticeship Standards and its branch offices. Notice is hereby given that the City Council has ascertained the prevailing rates of per diem wages in the locality in which the work is to be done for each craft or type of workman or mechanic needed to execute the Contract in accordance with the provisions of Section 1770, et. seq. of the Labor Code; said prevailing rates are on file in the Office of the City Clerk and are incorporated herein by reference. Copies shall be made available to any interested party on request. Attention is directed to the provisions of Public Contract Code Section 10164 concerning Contractor’s licensing laws. This Contract requires a Class A, or C-8 Contractor’s License. The successful bidder must obtain, and maintain current until completion of the Project, an Inglewood City Business License. This Notice is given by order of the City Manager of the City of Inglewood, California, and is dated this 20th day of February, 2014. Artie Fields, City Manager City of Inglewood, California

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2014 003112 The following Person is doing business as:

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2014 014567 The following Person is doing business as:

Cris Jr.’s Mini Mart & 99 Cent Store 1134 E. Imperial Hwy, Los Angeles, CA 90059

Los Angeles Vascular Center 323 N. Prairie Ave., Suite 114 Inglewood, CA 90301

Registered owner: Mayra C Lopez, 255 E. 118th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90061

Registered owner: Los Angeles Vascular Access Center Medical Group 323 N. Prairie Ave., Suite 114, Inglewood, CA 90301

This business is conducted by an individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on January 6, 2014. I 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.) Mayra C Lopez, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk on January 6, 2014 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 Feb 6,13,20, 27, 2014 ITO0422301021 Inglewood Today

This business is conducted by an individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on January 17, 2014. I 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.) Los Angeles Vascular Access Center Medical Group, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk on January 17, 2014 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 Feb 6, 13, 20, 27, 2014 ITO0422301020 Inglewood Today

Slow to the Sign-up? (Continued from page 7) Obamacare ensures that all Americans have access to affordable health insurance, by offering discounts or tax credits on health insurance plans and enlarging the Medicaid assistance program to include more individuals that can’t afford healthcare in their budgets. A household with an income between one and four times the Federal Poverty Level is ideal for receiving the health insurance discounts. Despite common misperceptions—that only single mothers can qualify for healthcare assistance, for example, or that a family must be in a deep poverty to get help—even individuals who earn too much to qualify for discounts and tax credits are entitled to buy plans through Covered California. In California and across the nation, individuals with Obamacare have benefits in 10 categories including ambulatory patient ser-

vices, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment and prescription drugs. The health plan also helps cover rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices, laboratory services, preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management, and pediatric services such as dental and vision care. Among those who have yet to enroll in a healthcare plan, despite the fact that he would almost certainly be eligible for coverage and/ or subsidies, is 30-year-old Clint Thompson of Santa Monica. Thompson, who recently returned to California from New York City, is debating whether to enroll in a plan through Covered California, or try the insurance offered through his employer, a clothing retailer. “I’m weighing the options of each,” said Thompson,

“but I really haven’t looked as in-depth as I should.” Thompson and others like him, those who remain on the fence about obtaining healthcare coverage, have until the March 31 open enrollment deadline to either enroll in a plan of some kind or be subject to a penalty. Covered California this month launched an outreach campaign covering 21 counties across the state—Kern, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, Santa Clara and Ventura among them—that includes opportunities for free enrollment assistance at libraries, community centers and other locations. Opportunities to enroll and information about outreach locations can be found on the website www.coveredca.com. Although online enrollment remains a viable and popular option, Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said many people are more comfort(Continued on page 11)

February 20, 2014

Inglewood Today

Page 11

Dates in February Thru February 23, 2014

To Kill A Mockingbird Revisit this American classic or see it for the very first time! Atticus Finch, a depression-era Southern attorney, fearlessly defends a black man accused of raping a white woman. The stage play production of the original hitm, which won Gregory Peck an Oscar in1963, comes to life with a talented cast of Millennial students at California State University, Northridge. Show times are 7:30 PM except for Sundays (Sundays have a matinee at 2 PM), Post-show Q&A on Wednesday, February 19 and interpreted (ASL) performance Friday, February 21. Located at Cal State Northridge University, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91311, in the Nordhoff Little Theatre. Prices: General $20, Seniors $17, Faculty/Staff $16, Students $15, Early bird students $9 (tickets purchased two weeks before opening), General admission is $10 for groups of 10 or more. For more information, text 323944-1975 or visit Maya Renee on Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/events/196115023910330/?.

to have a better relationship with the children in your life. Workshops are court certified, open to everyone, and will focus on all age groups from infants to teens. Each participant who completes the course will receive a certificate of completion. Workshops will be held from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the Kingdom Community Center, 319 East Kelso Street, Inglewood, CA 90301. To register, contact Chandra Hudson, 310-330-8300, chudson @bamcm. org.

February 20 - March 27, 2014

Grant Money Orientation Need grant money to achieve your dream of buying a home, starting a business or going to school? RISE Financial Pathways is seeking qualified applicants to participate in the $2,500 matching grant program, funded in part by the government and RISE. Attend an orientation on the following dates: Presented in English: Thursday, February 20, 27; March 13, 20, 27, 2014, 6:30-7:30pm. Also, Saturday, March 8 and 15, 10:3011:30am. Presented in Spanish: February 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25, 2014, 6:30-7:30pm. Located at Thru June 19, 2014 4060 South Figueroa Street, Los Making Parenting a Pleasure Angeles, CA. For more informaAttention all parents, caregiv- tion call (323) 846-1483 or apply ers, grandparents, and teachers! online at www.risela.org. ACT The Enrichment Counseling Cen- NOW AND REGISTER TODAY. ter is offering a series of 13 free Only 150 randomly selected qualparenting workshops. Resolve ified participants will be chosen. The Way You Do Anything Is the Way You Do Everything (Continued from page 8) okay if your files are disorganized. But you’re deluding yourself: Your attitude about the little stuff says a lot about your overall approach. “This lesson really hit home for me when my mother was hospitalized after a stroke,” says Evans. “For 36 hours, she lay uncomfortably without decent sheets or a warm enough blanket. I remember thinking, If the people at this hospital aren’t competent enough to get my mother a blanket, I certainly don’t want them providing critical care to her. I figured the way they achieved (or failed to achieve) this one simple task was the way they’d handle all others. “Stop telling yourself that ‘good enough’ is acceptable or that the little things don’t matter,” she adds. “It’s not and they do. It’s all those little details that add up to who you are.” Emotions are worthless. Yes, you read that right. Emotions really don’t do you any favors when you’re trying to launch and grow a business. If your motivation and enthusiasm are tied to feeling the warm-and-fuzzies,

you’re dead in the water, because (newsflash!) there are a lot of disappointments and challenges ahead— even if your business is on the path to ultimate success. “You don’t have time to mope all afternoon when you receive an email from an unhappy customer,” points out Evans. “You can’t afford to sit at your desk and stew after an employee quits with no notice. You have to keep moving forward and making smart decisions—and to do that, you need to stop giving your energy to unhelpful emotions. And make no mistake: That’s a choice. You can choose to plug into negativity or into enthusiasm. “My strategy is to ask myself, On my deathbed, how much will this matter?” she adds. “Ninety percent of things will not matter at all, and I let them go, but 10 percent of the time I think, Hmm, that would matter. That 10 percent is where I let my attention—and thus my enthusiasm—go.” You only think you’re a special snowflake (and that belief is why you’re failing). When you were a kid, your parents and teachers told you that you were different from

February 22, 2014

First District Document Shredding First District Inglewood Councilman George Dotson invites residents to safely discard old documents at his Shredding Day event. Bring your documents to the ICOP Center, 2901 W. Manchester Blvd., from 9am to 1pm. For more information, call (310) 412-8602.

February 22, 2014

THE Healthcare Enrollment and Wellness Fair Have you been putting off seeing a doctor? Are you still uninsured? To Help Everyone Health and Wellness Centers will host a healthcare insurance enrollment and wellness fair from 9am to 2pm. Get free health screenings. Find out if you are eligible for Obamacare and enroll the same day. There’ll also be raffles and prizes,Medicare/Medicaid information, giveaways, and children’s activities. Located at 3834 S. Western Ave., on the corner of 38th Street and Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062. THE provides high quality healthcare services for low or no cost. For more information, call 323-730-1920, ext. 3072 or visit www.ToHelpEveryone.org.

skin, bodies, and overall health! Don’t miss the opportunity to get your YOU together in 2014! Starts at 7:00pm, Ladera Community Center, 4750 W. 62nd Street, Los Angeles, 90056. To RSVP, contact Dawn Wiley at 323-290-2233 or info@dawnprobatewiley.com.

Ongoing

Counseling for Anxiety, Depression Get free help for anxiety, depression, stress and anger. Recovery International provides tools and practice in changing thinking habits so individuals can gain personal control over distressing emotions and improve life-coping skills. This worldwide nonprofit organization, founded in 1937, holds weekly meetings every Monday at 6:00 p.m. at SHARE! 6666 Green Valley Circle, north of Centinela Ave., (2nd building on the right). Call 310322-6411 for more information, or visit www.lowselfhelpsystems.org. A donation is requested but not required.

Bingo Games Operation 3801 hosts Bingo every Sunday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. We are a drug and alcohol free environment. We are a non-profit looking for your support. Cost is $1 per game. Anyone mentioning BlackNLA will get 5 free games. Located at the February 25, 2014 Bingo Hall, 3801 S. Western Ave., Los Health, Beauty and Fun Angeles, CA. For more information, Come one, come all for an eve- contact Jimmy Jam, 323-777-2422, ning of beauty and fun. We will jimmyjam@vel.net. discuss how you can have better everybody else on planet Earth. At that point, your specialness motivated you and built up your selfesteem. But over the years, Evans is betting that your specialness has morphed into something toxic. You’ve decided that you are different, and not in a good way. Because of certain circumstances that set you apart (health problems, debt, family issues, a lack of education, you name it!), you just don’t have what it takes to make more money or get more clients. “Here’s a newsflash,” says Evans. “Problems don’t make you different; they make you the same as everyone else who has problems—and that’s all of us! So stop using your ‘differences’ to justify your lack of success. Trust me, my ‘differences’ didn’t magically disappear, allowing me to finally launch my business. I simply stopped fixating on what was holding me back and started paying attention to beliefs and habits that helped me achieve my goals.” For more information about the book or Suzanne Evans’ coaching business, visit www.SuzanneEvans. org.

Asthma and Allergies (Continued from page 7) rejuvenate. Knowing that your air is as clean as it can be also gives you and those who love you emotional security about your health and continued well-being. Minimize allergy and asthma triggers by filtering your air 24 hours a day. Get the best air purifier for allergies now from PurerAir. com at http://purerair.com/allergy_ machine.html. Slow to the Sign-up? (Continued from page 10) able with face-to-face discussion. “Many people want to speak with an expert in person in their own language,” he said recently, “rather than over the phone or on the Internet when making such a personal decision about health insurance.” Next week: As a Covered California deadline approaches, AfricanAmerican consumers, healthcare experts and advocates assess the effectiveness of healthcare outreach to the black community.

ATTENTION ESTIMATING INVITATION TO BID

HOLLYWOOD PARK

PROJECT: Hollywood Park Phase 1 Infrastructure Project BID DUE DATE: February 28, 2014 by 2:00PM You are invited to submit a Bid Proposal for the Hollywood Park Phase 1 Infrastructure Project, Inglewood, CA. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project consists of providing infrastructure for the development of a new community on the 238 acre site. Important Dates: 1. Issuance of Formal Bid Package: February 7, 2014 2. RFI’s Due by: February 24, 2014 (emailed to HollywoodPark@tcco.com) 3. Private Bids Due: February 28, 2014 (emailed to HollywoodPark@tcco.com) These are the Bid Packages for pricing: 1. Demolition & Abatement 2. Earthwork and Soils Remediation JOBWALK: Two (2) Pre-bid Meeting & mandatory job walks will be provided. Contractor is required to attend at least one (1) meeting. The person that attends the event must be the person responsible for the bid submission. Please provide proper PPE for the walk (Hard hat, boots, eye protection, gloves, etc.). The dates for the job walks are: 1. February 13, 2014 at 8 AM 2. February 19, 2014 at 8 AM PROJECT LOCATION: Hollywood Park, 1050 S. Prairie, Inglewood, CA 90301; meet at the main fountain outside the Grandstand. For security purposes, please contact the Management Team and provide the names of the attendees so that we may place the names on the visitors list. HollywoodPark@tcco.com BID RESPONSES: Bids using the appropriate Bid Form are due to Hollywood Park Land Company (via HollywoodPark@tcco.com) no later than 2:00 pm on February 28, 2014. A company proposal must be included with the Bid Form to address the additional bid response requirements listed below. Hollywood Park Land Company will participate in the bid openings; therefore, all late submissions will NOT be accepted. Although the basis of award is Price, the following items MUST be included in your bid response (found on the bid form): 1. Completed bid form and attachments 2. Acceptance of the Project Schedule 3. Confirmation and Acceptance of all items in the Additional Provisions scope of work. 4. List any DBE / MBE participation, including sub-tier participation as a total percentage of your Price. Participation is 30% at all tiers or a “good faith effort”. 5. Completion of “Information Required of Bidders”. 6. Project proposal on company letterhead. REQUIREMENTS: 1. Provide a Lump Sum Bid Proposal in accordance with the Bid Documents on the provided bid form. 2. Union labor is to be provided 3. Schedule: Phased Project. Start date March, 2014; end date November, 2016. Provide long lead items and fabrication data with proposal as applicable. 4. Payment & Performance bonds are required. 5. Bid Proposal packets should be submitted to: HollywoodPark@tcco.com BID DOCUMENTS: Bid Documents will be provided electronically on February 7, 2014

ATTENTION ESTIMATING INVITATION TO BID

HOLLYWOOD PARK

PROJECT: Hollywood Park Phase 1 Infrastructure Project BID DUE DATE: February 28, 2014 by 2:00PM You are invited to submit a Bid Proposal for the Hollywood Park Phase 1 Infrastructure Project, Inglewood, CA. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project consists of providing infrastructure for the development of a new community on the 238 acre site. Important Dates: 1. Issuance of Formal Bid Package: February 7, 2014 2. RFI’s Due before: February 24, 2014 (emailed to HollywoodPark@tcco.com) 3. Public Bids Due: February 28, 2014 by 2:00PM (hand delivered: Turf Club at Hollywood Park) 4. Public Bid Opening: March 3, 2014 @ 9:00AM (Casino Pavilion 1st floor) These are the Bid Packages for pricing: 1. Street Improvements 2. Dry Utilities (Electrical) 3. Wet Utilities (Gas, Domestic and Reclaimed Water) 4. Sewer & Storm Drain JOBWALK: Two (2) Pre-bid Meetings & mandatory job walks will be provided. Contractor is required to attend at least one (1) meeting. The person that attends the event must be the person responsible for the bid submission. Please provide proper PPE for the walk (Hard hat, boots, eye protection, gloves, etc.). The dates for the job walks are: 1. February 13, 2014 at 8 AM 2. February 19, 2014 at 8 AM PROJECT LOCATION: Hollywood Park, 1050 S. Prairie, Inglewood, CA 90301; meet at the main fountain outside the Grandstand. For security purposes, please contact the Management Team and provide the names of the attendees so that we may place the names on the visitor list. HollywoodPark@tcco.com BID RESPONSES: Sealed bids in a Company Envelope using the attached Bid Form are due to Owner, Hollywood Park Land Company and the Owner’s representative, Turner Construction by 2:00 pm at the “Turf Club” inside the Hollywood Park property on February 28, 2014. (Map: http://betfairhollywoodpark.com/images/44.jpg). Late submissions will NOT be accepted. The bids will be opened publicly on March 3, 2014 at 9 AM inside the Casino Pavilion (first floor) by the Hollywood Park Construction Management Team. A company proposal must be included with the Bid Form to address the additional bid response requirements listed below. Although the basis of award is Price, the following items MUST be included in your bid response (found on the bid form): 1. Completed bid form and attachments. 2. Acceptance of the Project Schedule. 3. Confirmation and Acceptance of all items in the Additional Provisions scope of work. 4. List any DBE / MBE participation, including sub-tier participation as a total percentage of your Price. Participation is 30% at all tiers or a “good faith effort”. 5. Completion of “Information Required of Bidders”. 6. Project proposal on company letterhead. 7. Payment & Performance bonds are required.