Skip to main content

July 30, 2015

Page 1

Your Community Connection since 1994

Including Inglewood Airport Area • Baldwin Hills • Crenshaw/LA • Ladera Heights VOL. 24, No. 31

D

July 30, 2015

Police ‘Purposefully Killed’ Black Motorist, DA Says

isturbing footage of University of Cincinnati Police Officer Ray Tensing shooting black, unarmed motorist Samuel DuBose to death after a traffic stop has led to a murder charge on Wednesday. The incident happened on July 19. If convicted, Tensing could go to prison for life, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said in a news conference. Calling the shooting “unwarranted,” Deters played body camera

P

Samuel DuBose footage of the traf- “I’ve been doing this for fic stop shooting over 30 years. This is the that appeared to most asinine act I’ve ever contradict Tens- seen a police officer make. ing’s version of . It’s an absolute tragedy in what happened. the year 2015 that anyone After first watch- would behave in this maning the video, De- ner. It was senseless.” ters said he was Deters added, “He purshocked and con- posefully killed him. He vinced that Du- should have never been a Bose had not acted police officer. He wasn’t violently in any dealing with someone way against Tens- wanted for murder. He was ing, who is white. dealing with someone who

DuBose’s car

• Community • Entertainment • Health • Real Estate • Business

resident Barack Obama packed a crowded gym in Nairobi, Kenya on Sunday to deliver a speech in his father’s home country. With nearly 5,000 Kenyans cheering him on, the president offered his own personal history as evidence that all Africans have the potential to rise from even the most difficult circumstances. “When it comes to the people of Kenya, especially the youth, I believe there Ray Tensing is no limit to what you can did not have a front license achieve,” Obama said. “You can build your future right plate.” After DuBose failed to here, right now.” produce a driver’s license, the situation quickly escalated. The video showed the officer trying to open the car door and Dubose stopped him. Seconds later Tensing pulled out his gun and shot DuBose in his head. President Obama Tensing said he shot Duin Kenya Bose because he feared Referring to himself as for his life. The officer (Continued on page 10) “the first Kenyan-American to be president of the United States,” Obama delivered an impassioned speech that was steeped in pride in his own African heritage. At the same time, he said some traditions need to be abandoned. He likened removing the Confederate flag as a symbol of white supremacy in America to Africa’s oppression of women. He called for equal rights for women in Africa. “Treating women as a second-class citizen is a bad tradition. It’s holding you back,” he added, condemn(Continued on page 10)

Welcome Home, Paul Pierce

On The Inside: • News

Obama Connects With Kenyan Ancestry

R

By Thomas Bunn

aised in Oakland and certified as a hooper on the hardwood floor of Inglewood High School, Paul Pierce, a newly signed member of the Los Angeles Clippers, has found his way back home. Making an impromptu appearance at the 2015 Special Olympics Welcoming Ceremony, The Truth accepted an (Continued on page 8)

COMING SOON THE BEST OF INGLEWOOD

Visit www.inglewoodtoday.com & see back cover ➤


Inglewood Today

Page 2

July 30, 2015

Community

Bobbi Kristina to Be Laid Next to Mother

F

uneral services for Bobbi Kristina Brown, the only daughter of Bobby Brown and late R&B superstar Whitney Houston, will be held Saturday in Alpharetta, GA. Friends and family will gather at St. James United Methodist Church to say their final goodbyes. According to a source, there will be two ceremonies—one in Atlanta, where her friends and much of her family live, and one when she’s buried. After the service, Bobbi Kristina’s body will reportedly be flown to New Jersey, where she will be buried next to her mom at Fairview Cemetery. Some of Whitney’s bodyguards have flown to Atlanta to help transport the body. One insider told Hollywood Life, “Absolutely no plans on broadcasting the

Bobbi and Bobby

Vice President Gloria Kennedy Assistant Editor Veronica Mackey Contributing Writers Veronica Mackey Thomas Bunn Brooke Stanley Staff Photographer Thomas Bunn PRODUCTION Manager Dené Glamuzina

Whitney, Dionne and Bobbi funeral. Just like the deathbed photo caine, alcohol, and prescription narthat has been shopped around, they cotics in Houston’s system after she don’t want to have anyone finan- apparently drowned, face down in a cially gain from her loss. The fam- bathtub, triggered by a heart attack ily doesn’t want on February 11, 2012. anyone to make During the 6 months that Bobbi money from this was in a coma (after also being tragedy and make found face down in a bathtub) ruthis more of a spec- mors, accusations, conflicting infortacle than it already mation about her condition and rehas become.” ports of family infighting surfaced. Bobbi, like her Now that she has passed, family famous mother, and friends say the 22 year-old is also battled drug finally at peace. “Bobbi is now sitaddiction. She ting in the lap of our Heavenly Fastayed a short while ther and is now reunited with her at a rehab facility beloved mother. She will be missed after Houston died. and I send many thanks for all of An autopsy found a the prayers that were being said for (Continued on page 10) combination of co-

More than 47,000 Hispanics Killed with Guns Over 15 Years in U.S., Study Finds

M

More than 3,000 Hispanics per year are killed with guns; two-thirds of Hispanic gun deaths are homicides

ore than 47,000 Hispanics were killed with guns in the United States from 1999 through 2013, with an average of more than 3,000 gun deaths per year, according to a new study by the Violence Policy Center (VPC). Hispanic Victims of Lethal Firearms Violence in the United States is the second edition of the VPC’s annual comprehensive study on lethal gun violence against Hispanics in America. It is based on data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as unpublished information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Supplementary Homicide Report. The study is available in both English and Spanish. The study found that of the 47,446 Hispanics killed with guns from 1999 through 2013, approximately two thirds of the gun deaths were homicides (31,800, or 67 percent), while 13,317 were suicides (28 percent). An additional 896 gun

President/Publisher/ Editor Willie Brown

deaths were unintentional (two percent), and 1,433 died in other circumstances, including legal intervention and undetermined intent. The study finds that the overall homicide victimization rate for Hispanics is nearly double the homicide victimization rate for whites. More than two thirds of Hispanic homicide victims die by gunfire. The study also recommends that government agencies improve the way they collect and report data on Hispanic victims of gun violence and other lethal violence. Because of major limitations in the way public agencies collect information on Hispanic ethnicity, the total number of Hispanic victims of lethal violence is almost certainly even higher than what the study reports. “While the lethal impact of gun violence on the Hispanic community, especially young Hispanics, is clear, we need improved data collection in order to better understand the problem and address it,” states VPC

Executive Director Josh Sugarmann. “At the same time, community leaders and policymakers deserve our strong and continued support as they work to address this crisis.” Key findings of the study include: • The homicide rate for Hispanics in the United States is nearly twice as high as the homicide rate for whites. The Hispanic homicide victimization rate in 2013 was 4.75 per 100,000. In comparison, the homicide victimization rate for whites was 2.50 per 100,000. • Homicide is the second leading cause of death for Hispanics ages 15 to 24. For whites in that age group, homicide is the fourth-leading cause of death, and for blacks it is the leading cause of death. • In 2013, the most recent year for which data is available, 2,951 Hispanics were killed with guns. That year, 1,750 Hispanics died in gun homicides, 1,034 died in gun suicides, 49 died in uninten(Continued on page 8)

Quality Control Manager Gloria Kennedy Inglewood Today Weekly is a legally

adjudicated newspaper of public cir­ culation, published weekly by Ads Up Advertising, Inc. News and press releases may be submitted for consideration by mail to 9111 La Cienega Boulevard, Suite 100, Inglewood, CA 90301 or by email to itnetworks@msn.com.

You can reach us at 310-670-9600 or by fax 310-338-9130 www.inglewoodtoday.com The artistic contents of Inglewood Today Weekly are copyrighted by Ads Up Advertising, Inc. and permission to reprint any article herein must be obtained in writing from the Publisher. Display Advertising 310-670-9600 X107 Classified Advertising 310-670-9600 X104 Subscription Information Subscriptions are available by mail for $100.00 per year. Home Delivery may not be available in all areas, or gated communities.

We want to hear from you! Tell us what you think about local issues. Letters should be addressed “To the Editor” and include your name, address and phone number. (Only your name and city will be published.) Email: itnetworks@msn.com Online: www.inglewoodtoday.com Mail: 9111 La Cienega Blvd., Suite 100, Inglewood, CA 90301 Fax: 310.338.9130 Letters may be edited for clarity or length. Not all letters will be published. Submission of a letter to the editor constitutes permission to publish the letter in the printed version of Inglewood Today Weekly and on www.inglewoodtoday.com.


Inglewood Today

July 30, 2015

Page 3

Community

High-Capacity Guns Are Now Illegal

I

t is now illegal to possess largeRuett told reporters “We can’t years ago by Los Angeles City capacity gun magazines con- keep our heads in the sand.” Councilman Paul Krekorian, foltaining more than 10 rounds in The new law was proposed 2 lowing mass shootings of children Los Angeles. L.A. City Council members voted to pass the new law on Tuesday. While California bans the sale and manufacturing of such magazines, it’s not against the law to possess them within most cities. Dozens of gun control advocates joined politicians at a rally outside of Los Angeles City Hall Tuesday morning in support of the legislation and to call for stricter national gun laws. Among them were Ruett and Rhonda Foster. Their son was killed and another injured after a gunman with an assault weapon opened fire on their car in IngleRuett and Rhonda Foster wood in 1997.

in Newtown, CT. The final ordinance was held up, however, as the council sorted through legal questions about the law. Gun advocacy groups in other cities like San Francisco and Sunnyvale, Ca. have challenged similar laws, saying bans are unconstitutional. Chad Cheung, a member of the gun advocacy group Calguns, opposed L.A.’s law. He argued that magazines aren’t the issue, “but it’s more of a people problem.” Krekorian said the law will be enforced by the Los Angeles Police Department. Gun owners will have 60 days to surrender the magazines.

Electric Carsharing Program Begins in Low-Income Communities

P

ilot Program Offers Clean Transportation to Low-Income Communities to Help Cut Smog, Fight Climate Change, and Fulfill Mandate of SB 1275, the Charge Ahead California Initiative Following a competitive proposal process, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) has offered $1.6 million to the City of Los Angeles to set up a pilot carsharing program for electric vehicles in disadvantaged communities. The grant will fulfill a key mandate of SB 1275, the Charge Ahead California Initiative, enacted last year to make clean transportation more widely available, particularly in low and moderate-income neighborhoods. Advocates applauded the pilot as a significant step toward ensuring that Californians of all income levels benefit from the state’s effort to clean the air, reduce our dependence on petroleum, and combat global warming. The funding was announced on July 24 at an event held at an afford-

able housing complex in MacArthur Park, one of the neighborhoods that will be served by the pilot program, which aims to serve 7,000 residents in disadvantaged communities. Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León, who authored SB 1275, California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols, City of Los Angeles Chief Sustainability Officer Matt Petersen and the Charge Ahead California campaign’s Michelle Kinman were among the speakers at today’s event. Funding for the project comes from polluter fees collected under the state’s climate change law, AB 32. A second law, SB 535, mandates that one quarter of these funds go to projects that benefit disadvantaged communities in highly polluted areas. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Brown, Senate President Pro Tem De León, ARB Chair Mary Nichols and Mayor Garcetti, low-income Angelenos will soon

have more options for getting from point A to B, all while cleaning up our air, improving public health and protecting our climate,” said Michelle Kinman, clean energy advocate with Environment California. “This pioneering car sharing pilot project has the potential to jumpstart the clean vehicle revolution in diverse communities throughout California and beyond.” The Charge Ahead California campaign, which worked with Sen. de León to pass SB 1275, is led jointly by five environmental and environmental justice organizations. Joel Espino, Greenlining Institute Environmental Equity Fellow and author of the report, “Electric Carsharing in Underserved Communities,” noted that Los Angeles followed one of the report’s key recommendations by involving local community-based organizations in developing its proposal. He added, “It’s also important to remember that this award is a piece of Cali-

fornia’s larger effort to make sure our fight against climate change brings real benefits to underserved communities. The money for these programs comes from the state’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and thanks to SB 535, at least one quarter of those funds must benefit disadvantaged communities.” Some of the Charge Ahead California groups also play leadership roles in the SB 535 Coalition, which pursues implementation of the 2012 law, also authored by the Pro Tem, which channels climate funds to the communities suffering the worst effects of pollution and disinvestment. “Electric carsharing reduces both the need to own cars and the pollution that results from burning fossil fuels,” said Natural Resources Defense Council Clean Vehicles and Fuels Attorney Max Baumhefner. “Combining the shared-used economy and zero-emission vehicles could yield significant cost, air quality, and (Continued on page 11)


Inglewood Today

Page 4

July 30, 2015

Eye on the City

Jamaican Delegation, City Finances Dominate Agenda

A

t Tuesday’s council meeting, a public hearing was held to consider adopting a resolution to approve Inglewood’s annual Local Department Report for 2015. The report is required by the state to monitor the impact of local growth in cities and the impact on transportation. There were no public comments. A second public hearing related to delinquent refuse and sewer accounts, scheduled for direct property tax assessment, was rescheduled to August 18, 2015 at 2pm. A public hearing was set for August 25, 2015 to approve an amendment to the Inglewood Municipal Code. Council members approved an agreement to develop an updated plan for bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists and public transportation. The plan will take into account the future Metro Rail project. All bids submitted to purchase and install flooring at the City of Inglewood Veterans Center, approved by the City council on December 16,

By Veronica Mackey

2014, were rejected. The 9th Floor Executive Conference Room will be renovated. The City agreed to hire Worxtime LLC for the administration, eligibility, and employer mandate requirements of the Affordable Care Act. The council voted to replace an I-Line Trolley with one Villager Hometown Trolley vehicle; approve expenditures for a police grant; and award a public works contract to repair two motors and replace a pump at the City’s water treatment plant. The City will receive a transportation grant from the MTA for reimbursement of various costs. More contracts were approved to soundinsulate homes in Inglewood. An ordinance was adopted to secure property tax rates for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2015. Mayor James Butts noted that the council’s action would not affect current property tax rates. “It would only change if there was a reassessment by the county assessor based on property taxes rising,” he said.

Mayor Butts was given the green light to execute an amendment to a lease agreement with Thrifty Oil Co. City Manager Artie Fields reported that planning permits have increased over 60 percent since the 3rd quarter of 2014. Home values have increased from an average of $252,164 during the first quarter of 2012, to the most recent average price of $415,227. City Treasurer Wanda Brown reported good financial news for the City. As of June 30, 2015, the Fabulous Forum has produced $979,380 in admissions, parking and business tax. The Forum reopened in January 2014. The City has also collected $16,334,831 in sales taxes; $21,421,489 in property taxes; $5,099,547 in business license fees; $1,382,984 in permits; $3,175,858 in hotel occupancy fees; and $12,628,782 in utility fees. Thursday, August 6 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. City Clerk

Yvonne Horton presented a brief history. “In 1965 President (Lyndon) Johnson signed into law voting rights. In 2006, President George W. Bush reauthorized the Act and extended protection for another 25 years.” Horton’s office is offering the public commemorative packets which chronicle the history of voting rights, which include a literacy test which African Americans had to pass in order to vote. Packets are available in the Clerk’s office. A woman wants rent control in Inglewood. She is concerned about what will happen to renters when new business developments are complete. “That’s a big concern. I wish someone could speak to me. Santa Monica has rent control. Our utilities are high,” she said. She also complained about streets and alleys. “The alleys are dirty now. But you have the stadium coming, and when you get Inglewood the way you want it, all of that will go away.” (Continued on page 5)

Pick up your copy of Inglewood Today at one of these locations: 1 Stop Mini-Mart, 420 E. Florence Ave. AAA, 1234 N. Centinela Ave. A-Man Inc., 101 La Brea Ave. Airport Gas, 501 Hillcrest St. Allstate, 2300 W. Manchester Bl. Anthony’s Autobody and Painting, 259 N. LaBrea Ave. Bayou Grill, 1400 N. La Brea Ave. Big 5 Sporting Goods (1), 301 S. Market St. Big 5 Sporting Goods (2), 11310 Crenshaw Bl. 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 Cleaners, 1413 Centinela Ave. 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. D’Menace Copies, 254 North Market St. Darby Park, 3400 W. Arbor Vitae Diamond Beauty Supply, 1300 N. Centinela Ave. Dr. Daniel’s Weight Loss Program, 105 S. Locust St. 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 El Super, 3321 West Century Blvd. Fabulous Burger, 1315 Centinela Ave., Fabulous Forum, 1 West Manchester Bl. Faithful Central Bible Church, 333 W. Florence Ave. Family Fish Market, 1300 Centinela Ave. Fatburger, 3020 W. Manchester Ave. Fiesta Martin Mexican Grill, 1330 N. La Brea Ave. Foreign Car Repairs & Sales, 1110 Centinela Ave. Fabulous Forum, 1 West Manchester Bl.

Gin’s Liquor, 11001 Crenshaw Bl. Gonzales Northgate Market, 10801 Prairie Ave. Happy Time Liquor, 730 E. La Brea Ave. Heart & Soul Grill, 128 N. Market St. Hollywood Park Casino, 1050 S. Prairie Ave. House of Tacos and Pupuseria, 254 North Market St. 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. Instant Print, Inc., 425 E. Manchester Bl. 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. Kwin Service Gasoline, 1235 W. Centinela Ave. L&L Paralegal Services, 171 N. LaBrea Ave. Ladera Physiotherapy, 409 S. La Brea Ave. Lan’s Nails, 10901 S. Crenshaw Bl. Lawrence Carey Barber Shop, 10901 S. Crenshaw Bl. Liquorette Liquor Store, 1400 Centinela Ave. Louisiana Fried Chicken, 170 La Brea Lucy Laundromat across from Sizzler’s on Manchester M&M’s Soul Food on Manchester M&M’s Soul Food (new) on Crenshaw Martino’s Liquor, 706 E. Manchester Bl. Mike’s Deli, 4859 W. Slauson Ave. Moby’s Breakfast & Lunch, 3008 W. Manchester Bl. Morningside Adult Day Care, 3216 W. Manchester Bl. Nix Check Cashing, 140 E. Manchester Nix Check Cashing on Crenshaw & 110th Orleans & York (1), 400 E. Florence Ave. Orleans & York (2), 4454 W. Slauson Ave., LA Osage Senior Villas, 924 S. Osage Pann’s, 6710 La Tijera Bl. Pay Day Loans on Crenshaw & 110

Pep Boys, 200 E. Spruce Ave. Red Lobster, 3400 W. Century Bl. Regal Cleaners, 700 E. Manchester Bl. Regency Towers, 123 Locust St. Regent Plaza, 201 Regent St. Roger’s Park, 400 W. Beach Ave. Scottie’s Gumbo & Grill, 945 S. Prairie Ave. Sizzler’s, Manchester/Prairie Smoke 4 Less, 925 N. La Brea Spa 313 Salon, 313 La Brea St. Mary’s Academy, 701 Grace Ave. Starbucks, 5301 Centinela Ave. Starbucks, 941 N. La Brea Ave. Starbucks on Century Stuff I Eat, 114 N. Market St. Sunrise Groceries, 1400 N. Centinela Ave. Super Fish Market, 11007 S Crenshaw Bl. Superior Groceries, 11202 S Crenshaw Bl. TenderCare Child Development Center, 335 E. Spruce Ave. The Serving Spoon, 1403 Centinela Ave. TGIFriday’s, 6721 La Tijera Bl. True Vine Baptist Church, 1437 Centinela Ave. Union Bank, 6719 La Tijera Bl. Vons, 500 E. Manchester Bl. Walgreens on Century Water 4 U, 254 W. Market St. Westchester Villa Senior Living, 220 W. Manchester Bl. Whitehorse Fish Market, 3119 W. Imperial Hwy. Whole Foods, 4508 Overhill (Slauson) Wilder’s Preparatory Academy Charter School, 830 N. La Brea Ave. Winchell’s Donuts, 2601 W. Manchester Bl. Winchell’s Donut Shop on Crenshaw near 108th St. Wings Stop on Century Wise Tires & Brakes, 949 S. La Brea Ave. Woody’s Barbeque, 4751 S. Market St. Yvonne B. Burke Senior Center, 4750 62nd St. (La Brea) Zahra’s Books “N” Things, 900 N. La Brea Ave.


Inglewood Today

July 30, 2015

P u b l i s h e r ’ s Me s s a g e

Looks Can Be Deceiving

C

an you look at someone and tell if they are suicidal? That question, asked by TheRoot. com writer Kirsten West Savali, caused me to pause. The answer is obviously no, but how often do we judge a person’s mental state or motive based on nothing more than physical appearance. Savali’s article focuses on the tragic death of young black woman, Sandra Bland, who mysteriously died in her jail cell after being arrested during a traffic stop. According to police, no one left or entered Bland’s room. Authorities say she hanged herself. But those who knew Bland say she would never do such a thing. A cell mate described her as “distraught.” Yet, she had a lot to live for. On the day she was arrested, Bland had interviewed for—and got—a new job that she really wanted. Her career was improving. Investigators are still piecing together this puzzle, and there are arguments on both sides. Savali writes: “In the wake of Sandra Bland’s death, the most vocal reason given for why she didn’t hang herself in a Waller County, Texas, jail cell after being brutalized and arrested by state Trooper Brian Encinia is this: Sandra, who was passionate about the sanctity of black lives; Sandra, beautiful, intelligent and accomplished, who had everything to live for, did not look like a woman who would kill herself, and therefore it’s ridiculous to even entertain the notion. “The implication there is that something would have had to be visibly wrong with Sandra for suicide to be a possibility, and that’s a dangerous way to think. It perpetuates the stigma that black women who kill themselves are weak, and in too many of our communities, weakness in black women is not acceptable.” Today, there is a plethora of strong black women that we can point to—Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, your own mothers and grandmothers. That does not mean, however that none of them have ever felt like they wanted to give up. And those who are not that strong deserve help. There is a stigma within the African American community about mental illness that keeps too many of us from getting the help we need. While a person may not be suicidal, the day-to-day challenges of being a person of color can chip away at your self-esteem over time. Even the best of us can fall prey to periods of depression and disillusionment. And with no safe place to go, and not having the op-

Page 5

Word for the Wise Summer Special! Tires Repaired At No Charge Now Until August 31, 2015 With This Ad

949 So. LaBrea Ave. Inglewood, 90301

(800) Wise4Tires Call (800) 947-3484

Willie Brown, Publisher, Inglewood Today Weekly tion to admit there is a problem, getting help is extra hard. Bland’s death is shrouded in mystery and, given the volatile history of police and people of color in this country, foul play is entirely possible. But we cannot dismiss the possibility—however slight—that life became too much for Sandra. When we make assumptions about people based on outer appearance, we unfairly judge them. The string of murders at the hands of police, which we see played out now almost daily, bears witness to that fact. Whether it’s a matter of a traffic stop or a person committing a petty crime, the image many white cops see of black people is negative and threatening. One look at a person with darker skin or kinky hair and the assumptions multiply. The cop decides the person is dangerous, mistrustful, law-breaking, etc. even before a word is exchanged. Looking at a person and making generalizations based on looks, skin color, clothing, or any other superficial traits creates so much trouble, and as we have seen, gets people killed too. Justice and fairness can only exist when these stereotypes are challenged. How do we really know if someone is dangerous, suicidal or just having a bad day? We won’t unless we have some history on them. And that is the problem with these police-civilian confrontations. There is no information available. It’s much easier to look at a person’s appearance and place them into a category that says they are either good, bad, or okay. It makes the cop’s job easier. It helps us to gauge how we will respond to others. Unfortunately, it also sends innocent people to an early grave and masks potential problems that hide behind a three-piece suit. Sandra Bland is gone, and no amount of speculation will bring her back. I hope she did not take her own life. But we need to deal with the possibilities of suicide more honestly in the black community; we must get out of denial.

Just Saying... Your knowledge has little value without commitment and compassion. Yvonne Horton Eye on the City (Continued from page 4) The woman provided her contact information for follow up. Councilman George Dotson addressed her concerns in his closing comments: “To the lady who mentioned the alley, we are going to be working on the alleys. But, like anything else, it is budget-driven.” He also mentioned last week’s Special Olympics ceremony. The City of Inglewood hosted the Jamaican Olympian team. “The Jamaican team was wonderful. Right now, to show you how good they are doing, right now they have two gold and two silver medals, because we treated them so good here in Inglewood.” Councilman Ralph Franklin praised Mayor James Butts for his “vision and reaching out to the Special Olympics last summer.” He added, “I want to make sure Melanie McDade is recognized for her efforts. This was a joint effort. All the staff and their family volunteered as well as the community,” Franklin said. The Jamaican delegation of 91 people were treated to sightseeing and dining, including free access to all rides at the Santa Monica Pier. “I want to thank Chili’s and Red Lobster. They had a surplus of food and because of that, I was able to reach out to the Midnight Mission here in the city.” “The midnight mission has an amazing program here in the City of Inglewood,” Councilman Eloy Morales said. “When there are families in need, they let them live there for a year until they get back on track. Mel

(McDade) did a great job, my staff, the entire staff did such a great job. We got to meet some of the Olympians. It gives us an opportunity for us to showcase who we are as a city.” Mayor Butts also thanked those who had volunteered for the Special Olympics ceremony at the Fabulous Forum. There were over 500 people there in support of the 90-plus Jamaican Special Olympians. So many brought their children and families. This is their (Jamaicans) first time in California. We had the third largest contingent although we are not the third largest city involved. “ Food Truck Friday is back! Butts had this to say about last weekend’s event on Market Street: “It was just a wonderful time. The (police) officers were engaged with the public, eating with the public, and it was beautiful.” The mayor ended the meeting by commenting on a topic of interest to nearly everyone in Inglewood—street construction and repairs: “We have been engaged in a very aggressive street program. In District 1, we were there last year, we did sidewalks on the west side. This year, $5.1 million is being spent on streets west of Crenshaw. We start with the worst streets first. I just want you to understand it’s not hit or miss. They are graded and we do the worst streets first.” He reiterated that the council had not voted at the meeting to raise taxes. “The item we voted on related to property taxes has no effect on property tax rates.”


Inglewood Today

Page 6

July 30, 2015

He a lt h & F i t n e s s

4 Reasons You Should Be Tested for Hepatitis C By Candace Y.A. Montague

Y

ou may be seeing more commercials and hearing more buzz about hepatitis C. What’s the big deal? The epidemic is five times the size of the HIV epidemic. And recent scientific breakthroughs mean that there is now a cure for this often silent virus. Contracted through blood or bodily fluids from a person who is infected, the hepatitis C virus(HCV) causes an infection in the liver that may not cause symptoms for years. People at greatest risk include current and past injection drug users; people who received blood products before 1992; those injured by needle sticks, such as health-care workers; and PLWHA. Veterans and the incarcerated are among those disproportionately affected. HCV is occasionally transmitted via sexual contact, particularly among MSM who engage in high-risk sex, such as not using condoms, whether or not those men are living with HIV or AIDS. African Americans are also disproportionately affected by HCV. Indeed, 22 percent of those with hepatitis C in the United States are Black. Baby boomers—which the Centers for Disease Control and

Man gets tested Prevention identifies as people born between 1945 and 1965 —are also at risk for HCV infection because HCV rates were highest during the ‘70s and ‘80s, when the blood supply was not screened for hep C. They could have acquired the virus and not known it. If you fall into one of these categories or are either curious or anxious about whether you have HCV, here are four reasons to take charge of your health: 1. Most people who have hepa-

4 Ways to Add Some Muscle to Your Exercise Routine

IT’S TIME TO

CELEBRATE!

“It’s a NEW Day at MLK”

Dr. Elaine Batchlor

CEO, MLK Community Hospital

W Manny Abascal

Chairman, MLK Community Hospital, MLK Community Health Foundation

Dr. Mitchell Katz

Director, LA County Department of Health Services

http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/index.php/mlk-rsvp/ http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/index.php/mlk-rsvp/ Join Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas for the http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/index.php/mlk-rsvp/ Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/index.php/mlk-rsvp/ Dedication Ceremony http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/index.php/mlk-rsvp/ FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015 | 9:30 A.M. http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/index.php/mlk-rsvp/ http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/index.php/mlk-rsvp/ 1680 E. 120th Street | Los Angeles, CA 90059 http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/index.php/mlk-rsvp/ To RSVP, please visit: http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/index.php/mlk-rsvp/ http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/index.php/mlk-rsvp/ http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/index.php/mlk-rsvp/ RSVP by July 31st. Space is limited. http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/index.php/mlk-rsvp/ For questions, please contact

105 Freeway

ree wa y

110 F

Compton Ave

Avalon Blvd

E El Segundo Blvd

N Wilmington Ave

E 120th St

The Baker Group at (310) 216 - 4722

for hepatitis C. titis don’t know they have it. Typically, HCV doesn’t cause symptoms for years, so a person infected years ago may not even be aware of it. Meanwhile, the virus has been causing liver damage that could lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. 2. Under the Affordable Care Act, testing and treatments for some demographic groups are free. For example, people born between 1945 and 1965 with health insurance can get the HCV test as one of the preventive health screenings

covered under the act. Those who qualify for Medicare Part D may get assistance with coverage for medications through a stand-alone prescription plan or a Medicare Advantage prescription-drug plan. Also, some pharmaceutical companies will help with costs for those who qualify. 3. New drugs such as Harvoni, Sovaldi and Viekira Pak not only cure HCV; in clinical trials they have proved equally effective for Blacks and non-Blacks. 4. You can get screened once for HCV and then you’re done. Unlike HIV testing, which is suggested every six months, public health experts suggest a one-time screening for baby boomers. The bottom line is, hepatitis C screening doesn’t have to be a chore on your health-care checklist that you dread. Instead it can be a task that you can confidently check off once you get tested and know where you stand. Candace Y.A. Montague is an award-winning freelance health writer and health reporter for Capital Community News in Washington, D.C.

hen it comes to getting fit, strength training, consider lighter many consider cardio exerweights and fewer repetitions to cise the best solution. But get started. You can challenge strength training is also an essential yourself with larger increments part of any comprehensive exercise and higher repetitions as you progroutine. Strength training can boost ress. “Success in strength training cardio health, burn calories and fat is all about overloading the muscle and put you on the fast track for fitwith precise weight and progressness success. ing appropriately,” Holland says. It’s no surprise that strength train- • Use equipment, or keep it simple. ing was listed as a top fitness trend Equipment such as kettle bells, for both men and women by the dumbbells and medicine balls are American College of Sports Mediall great options. For example, the cine (ACSM). It’s also a key step Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells towards improving quality of daily (www.bowflexselecttech.com) life—whether that’s countering replace 15 sets of weights with a long hours spent at a desk job or space-saving design -- adjustable staying active with the family. from 5 to 52.5 pounds at the turn “Everyone can benefit enormousof a dial. If you don’t have easy acly from strength training,” says cecess to weights, or want to start off lebrity trainer and Bowflex Fitness simple, everyday objects, such as a Advisor Tom Holland. “Muscle frozen water bottle or cans of soup, helps our bodies work optimalcan be used as substitutes. ly, providing us with functional • Get back to the basics with funcstrength and the ability to perform tional fitness. Functional fitness fodaily activities with ease.” cuses on strength and bodyweight Here are some easy ways to add training exercises to improve balsome strength training into your exance, develop muscle and condiercise routine: tion our bodies. Basic exercises, • Commit to a regular routine, and such as squats or sit-ups, mimic (Continued on page 10) build from there. If you are new to


July 30, 2015

Inglewood Today

Page 7

Community

For What It’s Worth By Anne Cheek La Rose

F

or a while now, there have been accusations that people are preying on seniors to sell their homes via letters and postcards sent to the home. This is not new and it happens in all communities that are desirable. In the past few years, sadly, there have been way too many homes lost to foreclosure. Just recently, one of my neighbors who owned her home for almost 30 years lost it to foreclosure. Now comes gentrification and historic preservation - the newest buzz words for ‘flipping houses’. These are not new either. However, what I’m hearing with regard to the LA Times article about View Park, is very disturbing. This is 2015, not 1965. View Park is in a tug-o-war among neighbors. Part of the neighborhood wants to have the neighborhood named to the National Register of Historic Places,

are incorrect about what National Register inclusion can do for their community. National Register designation is only honorary and while it does allow for reduced taxes (the Mills Act) for some homeowners, it does not have any mechanism to stop the sale of a home. Further, unless a home is very significant according to specific criteria, a neighborhood National Register designation only protects the façade. Any structure can be altered; it just requires more study and more time and cost to get the necessary permits. What is happening here is reAnne Cheek La Rose verse discrimination. View Park is and the other part sees this as giv- running scared and in fear of what ing license to non-African Ameri- could happen to their comfortable can buyers who want to buy homes and lovely neighborhood if more solely for profit. whites move in. And what about I applaud those that are working those whites who already live in on the National Register nomina- View Park? Will they be expected tion – historic preservation is not to move? Will mixed couples or a bad thing. But I think both sides families have to go elsewhere?

Inglewood Public Library Closes National ‘Lincoln’ Exhibition Exhibition will end with an Academy Award-winning film and a discussion of reconstruction.

T

he Inglewood Public Library will close “Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War,” a national traveling exhibition, on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., with a free screening of an Academy Award-winning film on President Lincoln and the end of slavery, followed by a discussion with Dan Alba of “Facing History and Ourselves.” In the wake of the Civil War, Americans were faced with the challenge of rebuilding a society that had been divided by slavery and the political upheaval of war. Facing History and Ourselves has produced a series of videos and lessons, “The Reconstruction Era and the Fragility of Democracy,” for American history classrooms to explore the essential questions of freedom, justice, equality, and citizenship that are at the heart of Reconstruction. The screening and discussion will be held at the Gladys Waddingham Lecture Hall of Inglewood Main Library, 101 West Manchester Boulevard, Inglewood, CA, 90301. “Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War” at a glance: • Inglewood is the last stop for the exhibition in California, and the only stop in Los Angeles County

I understand the need to protect and foster cultural identity, but I think there are other ways to go about it. First, look at people as individuals, not as a group. Just because someone isn’t of your ethnicity, doesn’t mean they don’t embrace it. Recognize there are many reasons for buying a specific home. Inglewood is a marvelously diverse city. The majority of our population is Latin and African American with a whole host of other ethnicities and cultural identities thrown in. I hope that we can avoid the tug-o-war going on in View Park as we move forward and embrace our future. I came to Inglewood because of the great diversity in the city and on my street. I don’t want either to change so much that I would no longer want to live here.

South Bay Workforce Investment Board Assists Job Seekers, Employers and Youth Through Government-Funded Programs

F

or more than 30 years, the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB) has administered employment and training programs for LA County’s South Bay Area. Within the 11 cities serviced (Carson, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Lomita and Torrance), the SBWIB accomplishes its goals through partnerships with local committees handling business and economic development, One-Stop locations, performance and evaluation, as well as a Youth Development Council. Through workforce investment funds, the SBWIB offers dislocated workers with free training programs and jobsearching resources. Job-searching equipment, as well as seminars, workshops and job placement assistance are available at the four One-Stop Business & Career Centers (Gardena, Inglewood, Carson and Torrance). The SBWIB assists businesses through an innovative Rapid Response Program geared towards layoff aversion. Parker Hannifin Corporation’s Carson facility is a recent success story. An initial meeting revealed that nearly 60 employees lacked sufficient English skills and were facing potential layoff. A layoff aversion plan was formulated that resulted in the SBWIB approaching a local adult school partner to assess the employees’ English skill levels and set up on-site train-

ing. Since September, the affected employees have been attending Business English classes three days a week with several of those individuals now being considered for promotions. Recruitment assistance, pre-screening of applicants, On-The-Job training and Transitional Subsidized Employment (TSE) are other programs available to local companies and small businesses. The SBWIB also prepares youth for entry into the workforce by emphasizing education and services that promote relevant workplace skills and experiences leading to industry-recognized credentials and career pathway employment, including apprenticeships. Special emphasis is aimed at the reengagement of disconnected youth through intervention and prevention services. The SBWIB is one of the highest performing Workforce Investment Boards (WIB) in the state and is often recognized by the California Workforce Investment Board (CWIB) for its achievements. Continuous collaborations with business, economic development, education, government, labor and community organizations, helps the SBWIB provide a dynamic, efficient and effective workforce development system, ensuring a skilled workforce and vibrant economy in the South Bay Area.

• The exhibition will be open until August 21, 2015 • 5 informative displays, featuring photographic reproductions of original documents, including a draft of Lincoln’s first inaugural speech, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Thirteenth Amendment The National Constitution Center and the American Library Association Public Programs Office organized the traveling exhibition, which was made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): great ideas brought to life. The traveling exhibition is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the National Constitution Center. These programs are free and open to all. Parking at the Main Library is free after 4:00 p.m. during the 310-970-7700 | www.sbwib.org | www.southbay1stop.org week, and all day on Saturdays. For more information about this exhibition call (310) 412-5380, wood.org, check our Facebook inglewoodpubliclibrary or visit e-mail publiclibrary@cityofingle- page at http://www.facebook.com/ http://library.cityofinglewood.org/.


Inglewood Today

Page 8

July 30, 2015

Community

Special Moments from the Special Olympics

F

ACT: The Special Olympics was founded by the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, mother of former California First Lady Maria Shriver, in 1968. “She believed people with intellectual disabilities could change the world if given the proper stage,” wrote Scott Gleason in USAToday. It’s not often that world class sports competition comes to your home town…for nine days, and for free! But if you happen to be in the L.A. area from July 25-August 2, you’re in luck. Here’s a taste of

More Than 47,000 Hispanics Killed with Guns Over 15 Years (Continued from page 2) tional shootings, and 118 died in other circumstances, including legal intervention and undetermined intent. • Guns are used in more than two thirds of the homicides where the victims are Hispanic. Seventytwo percent of Hispanic gun homicide victims were killed with a handgun. • Hispanic victims are more likely to be killed by a stranger than the national average. The latest FBI Supplementary Homicide Report data from 2012 shows that when the victim-to-offender relationship could be identified, 36 percent of Hispanic homicide victims were killed by a stranger. Nationwide, 26 percent of all homicide victims were killed by strangers. • A large percentage of Hispanic homicide victims are young. The most recent available data shows 37 percent of Hispanic victims in 2012 were age 24 and younger. In comparison, 38 percent of black homicide victims and 21 percent of white homicide victims were age 24 and younger that year. • Because of limitations in the way data is collected, the total number of Hispanic victims is almost certainly higher than the reported numbers suggest. Government

what has happened this week during 2015 Special Olympics World Games. Opening Ceremony First Lady Michelle Obama opened the three-hour ceremony, held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and broadcasted on ESPN, by welcoming thousands of athletes. There were fireworks and musical performances by Stevie Wonder, Avril Lavigne and Nicole Scherzinger among others.

agencies often report data on race but not on ethnic origin. Fully documenting the victimization of Hispanics in the United States is the crucial first step toward preventing it. The study recommends government agencies that collect data on death and injury should obtain complete information on the ethnic origin of individuals in addition to their race, in order to ensure complete and accurate data collection on Hispanic victims of lethal violence. The homicide victimization rate for Hispanics is calculated by dividing the total number of homicides with Hispanic victims by the total Hispanic population and multiplying the result by 100,000. The study does not include Puerto Rico or other U.S. territories. The complete report, along with a list of additional recommendations on improving the reporting of violence against Hispanics, can be found at http://www.vpc.org/studies/ hispanic15.pdf. The complete report in Spanish can be found at http://www.vpc.org/studies/hispanicesp15.pdf. The Violence Policy Center (www.vpc.org) is a national educational organization working to stop gun death and injury. Follow the Violence Policy Center on Facebook and follow @VPCinfo on Twitter.

Stevie Wonder Performs Musical legend Stevie Wonder performed “Fear Can’t Put My Dreams to Sleep.” Before the song, he offered athletes words of encouragement and love, stating that they are “the ones who will make a difference every single day (with) your courage, your desire to make the world better.”

World Games Triathlon Sunday, July 26, 2015, in Long Beach, CA.

Dellas Wins Triathlon Team USA’s Noah Dellas lets out a rare smile as he poses with the American flag after winning the gold medal in the Special Olympics

Jamaica Gold Jamaica claimed two gold medals in track and field when Monique Johnson and Dillion Robinson were first-place finishers in 400 meter run and 400 metre walk, respectively, at the University of Southern California campus track on July 29. In this July 25, 2015 file photo, the Special Olympics Jamaican delegation enters the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Continued on page 12)

Welcome Home, Paul Pierce (Continued from page 1) award for his outstanding achievements and humbly gave that honor and respect back to the Jamaican National team telling them, “You all are the real heroes, in my book.” Former High School coaches and mentors, Patrick Roy of Inglewood High School and Lieutenant Scott Collins of the Inglewood Police Department, accompanied Pierce as he thanked them for the tremendous support and guidance over the years. “When I was in high school, these two guys were very inspirational to me. The first time I met Scott Collins I was in the 6th grade and just a little kid running around Inglewood. Scott and Pat Roy have been like father figures to me, really helping me evolve into the person that I am today, so I want to give them a special thanks for all they’ve done.” Today, the City of Inglewood will hold a press conference at the Fabulous Forum to officially welcome home the prodigal son of Inglewood, Paul Pierce. Media and

celebrities guests are expected to be in attendance. The event will solidify the return of Pierce to his roots and add another notch in the ever stretching belt of notches the City of Inglewood has been tallying up over the last 4 years. On Pierce’s return, Mayor Butts said, “For Paul Pierce to come back, here, to this region, and be involved with the City of Inglewood is huge. Paul Pierce is more than a multimillion dollar basketball player, he’s more than a world-class athlete, he’s a person that embodies the values and virtues of hard work leading to success. And at the same time, he’s kept a sense of his roots, he’s humble, and he’s a gentleman. He’s everything we want our young people to aspire to, not just in terms of financial and athletics success, but success as a man and a human being.” On Pierce playing back in his hometown Scott Collins shared, “To see how he’s grown and what he’s experienced and accomplished, it’s amazing and he’s still got more to go. Welcome back, Paul!”


Inglewood Today

July 30, 2015

Page 9

BUSIN E SS

Analyst Says Cuba Holds Investment Opportunity

N

ow that the U.S. and Cuba are resuming relations, new doors of opportunity will be open for investment. But just how good are these opportunities? Analyst Jeff Siegel says there are a “handful of great opportunities,” but one in particular stands out. In this excerpt from Wealth Daily titled “The #1 Reason to Invest in Cuba (July 26, 2015),” Siegel writes: “As I’ve written in the past, investing in Cuba is an exercise in profitable, ethical investing. Smart investments made in this stunningly beautiful Caribbean island offer two important opportunities: 1. The opportunity to get in on the ground floor of new deals that will facilitate wealth creation for both U.S. investors and the good people of Cuba. 2. The opportunity to be a part of a peaceful solution to a 62-year-old dispute that has separated families, sparked violent confrontations, and wasted a lot of taxpayer dollars. Now, when it comes to investing in Cuba, I see a handful of great opportunities: tourism, infrastructure, telecom, agriculture, and energy. But the latter is where I see some of the best long-term plays.

Blessed with superior solar resources and steady winds, most Caribbean islands can generate nearly all of their power needs with renewables. Throw in some energy efficiency and conservation measures along with some battery storage, and it’s really not out of the question to end the incredibly inconvenient and highly inefficient reliance on oil— which has long monopolized the energy economies of the Caribbean. Today, about 96% of Cuba’s power generation comes from imported fossil fuels. President Raúl Castro has been very vocal about moving away from this reliance that leaves the nation vulnerable to massive price swings and, of course, foreign energy supplies. With free and inexhaustible supplies of solar and wind, it’s understandable that Castro called to get 24% of the island’s power from renewable resources by 2030. He did this last year and has continued to be a strong supporter of transitioning Cuba’s energy mix to one that is more sustainable, both from an economic and environmental point of view. Of course, with the opportunity for U.S. companies to invest in renewable energy development in Fortune Favors the Daring Cuba, 24% renewables is not really There are few greater locations a lofty goal, and it’s one that would for renewable energy than the Ca- likely be surpassed within 10 years. ribbean. Due to massive cost declines in

solar and wind technologies, coupled with the fact that much less needs to be invested in infrastructure if solar and wind resources are utilized in a decentralized manner, renewable energy is pretty much a no-brainer. That’s not to say Cuba will be totally run on renewables. Truth is, Cuba is also looking to convert some of its older oil-burning plants to natural gas. And it’s no coincidence that one of only eight recently approved LNG export permits in the U.S. was for a facility in Martin County, FL, which is about 100 miles north of Miami. Yet again, from a long-term perspective, investment dollars would be better spent on energy efficiency, renewables, and battery backup. But I don’t dictate these solutions—I merely report on them and, of course, profit from them. And regardless of how much progress is made on the natural gas front, there’s no denying that there’s huge opportunity for renewable energy development with Cuba. As relations improve, I suspect we’re going to see more companies like SolarCity (NASDAQ: SCTY) and SunEdison (NYSE: SUNE) setting up shop in Cuba, utilizing creative financing mechanisms that will allow the people of Cuba to use solar at a cost that will be within reach. And this will enable these companies to generate additional

revenue. I also wouldn’t be surprised to find GE (NYSE: GE) looking to take advantage of Cuba’s vibrant offshore wind resources in an effort to help power the island nation. These, of course, are also just the major players. There will be smaller bit players that could present opportunities to take part in private deals as well—some of which I’m sniffing around for right now. Bottom line: While there remains significant risk this early in the game, it’s a risk I’m willing to take. Fortune favors the daring, and I’m sure as hell not sitting on the sidelines while the daring get first-mover advantage. To a new way of life and a new generation of wealth...” Jeff is the managing editor of Energy and Capital and contributing analyst for the Energy Investor, an independent investment research service focusing primarily on stocks in the oil & gas, modern energy and infrastructure markets. He has been a featured guest on Fox, CNBC, and Bloomberg Asia, and is the author of the best-selling book, Investing in Renewable Energy: Making Money on Green Chip Stocks. For more on Jeff, follow him @ JeffSiegel on Twitter. The full article can be found on Wealth Daily at https://www.angelpub.com.

How to Qualify for Business Credit Lines

A

s a small business owner having access to cash continues to be a growing concern during these tough economic times. The majority of business owners prefer a line of credit because it allows a business to establish a significant amount of cash on demand to make purchases that are too large for a credit card and too small for a loan. However, when it comes to qualifying for a line of credit many small business owners are left in the dark. First of all, the ideal time to apply for a business line of credit is during times of growth and cash flow. Banks are more likely to approve a credit line to a business when it doesn’t need the funds compared to one that is financially strapped. I would strongly encourage you to adopt a ‘dig your well before you get thirsty’ philosophy for your business. If you think your business is making it fine despite the current economic times and you don’t need the credit line, think again! The real-

by Marco Carbajo

ity is that your business will at one point require an influx of cash in order to cover unforeseen operating expenses, development, expansion, legal fees, inventory or a range of other items that a business may require in order to grow. So when you apply for a line of credit and your business is coming from a position of financial strength such as having a strong bank rating, business credit scores, good cash flow and so on, the risk is greatly reduced and your chances for getting approved are much greater compared to applying from a position of weakness. Secondly, it’s much easier to get approved for a $50k line of credit compared to a $100k line of credit simply because of the documentation and amount of financials required on larger credit lines. Most banks only require a low 5 bank rating, a favorable business credit rating, and personal credit scores of 680 or greater to approve a $50k line of credit.

If you are applying for a credit line greater than $50k than you end up having to also provide 2 years of personal and business tax returns, profit & loss statements and financial statements. So you can see the difference in documentation is sub-

stantial when it comes to the amount of credit that you are applying for. Here are my ‘Four Factors to Qualify for a Business Line of Credit’ 1. The first factor is your bank balance rating. You will want to aim

Allstate Agency Owner Billy Campbell Honored Named Premier Agency for 2014

As a business leader and involved citizen in the Inglewood area, Allstate exclusive agency owner Billy Campbell has been designated an Allstate Premier Agency for 2014. This designation is being presented to Billy Campbell for outstanding business performance and commitment to putting customers at the center of his agency’s work. Billy Campbell’s agency is located at 2300 W Manchester Blvd. in Inglewood and can be reached at (323) 750-1777 or http://agents.allstate.com/billy-campbell-inglewood-ca.html.


Inglewood Today

Page 10

July 30, 2015

LEGAL NOTICES ORDINANCE NO. 15-13

ORDINANCE NO. 15-14

An Ordinance of the city council of the city of Inglewood, California, to adopt a negative declaration (EA-ND_2015-20) and approve zoning code enforcement 2015-01 (ZCA-2015-01) to amend articles 1 and 7 of Chapter 12 (Planning and Zoning) of the Inglewood municipal code to modify off-site distilled spirit sales regulations.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA REGARDING STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE CONTROL AND AMENDING ARTICLE 16 OF CHAPTER 10 OF THE INGLEWOOD MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCLUDE LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL REVISIONS PURSUANT TO THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM.

A FULL TEXT OF THIS ORDINANCE IS AVAILABLE IN THE INGLEWOOD CITY CLERK’S OFFICE LOCATED IN CITY HALL ON THE FIRST FLOOR AS WELL AS ON THE CITY’S WEBSITE (WWW.CITYOFINGLEWOOD. ORG) LISTED UNDER THE CITY CLERK’S DEPARTMENT.

ORDINANCE NO. 15-15 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING PAY RANGE ASSIGNMENT AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR THE VARIOUS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND POSITIONS IN THE SERVICE OF THE CITY; AND REPEALING ALL PREVIOUS ORDINANCES OF THE CITY IN CONFLICT OR AT VARIANCE HEREWITH; THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: A FULL TEXT OF THIS ORDINANCE IS AVAILABLE IN THE INGLEWOOD CITY CLERK’S OFFICE LOCATED IN CITY HALL ON THE FIRST FLOOR AS WELL AS ON THE CITY’S WEBSITE (WWW.CITYOFINGLEWOOD. ORG) LISTED UNDER THE CITY CLERK’S DEPARTMENT.

Police ‘Purposefully Killed’ Black Motorist (Continued from page 1) claimed DuBose almost ran over him when we pulled away and was dragged by DuBose’s car. Tensing’s attorney Stew Matthews told CNN, “The guy jams the keys in the ignition…Turns the car on, jams it in the drive and mashes the accelerator. He wasn’t slowly pulling away…(Tensing) thought he was going to be sucked under the car that was pulling away from him. He thought he was going to get sucked under and killed.” Deters said the story was not true, that Tensing was not dragged. “He was simply slowly rolling away. That’s all he did.” Tensing surrendered to authorities shortly after news of the indictment broke, and he is expected to be arraigned on Thursday. He has been fired from his job. Family members of the victim expressed gratitude that there was ample evidence to charge Tensing with murder. The body camera shows what really happened, they said. Mark O’Mara, an attorney for the family, said he does not believe there would have been an indictment if there hadn’t been video of the shooting. “We’ve now made a huge first step because—in a situation where sometimes people believe that officers are not held accountable for their actions—in this case, one is being held accountable. So Cincinnati is showing the rest of us how to do this right,” O’Mara said.

Obama Connects With Kenyan Ancestry (Continued from page 1) ing domestic violence, sexual assault and genital mutilation. The president also spoke out against ethnic divisions and government corruption. The president was introduced to the crowd by his half-sister, Auma Obama, who said her brother “continues to be very attached to us.” “He gets us,” Auma Obama said. “He’s one of us.” Also in the audience, along with members of Congress and U.S. business leaders, was the president’s half-brother, Malik Obama, who said he was grateful his powerful sibling “finally came to Kenya” as commander-in-chief. “This is an important step in uniting everybody and showing the whole world a true sense of brotherhood,” Malik Obama said. Noting the growing threat of the terrorist group, al Shabaab, Obama told the crowd that the U.S. will intensify its cooperation with

F

A FULL TEXT OF THIS ORDINANCE IS AVAILABLE IN THE INGLEWOOD CITY CLERK’S OFFICE LOCATED IN CITY HALL ON THE FIRST FLOOR AS WELL AS ON THE CITY’S WEBSITE (WWW.CITYOFINGLEWOOD. ORG) LISTED UNDER THE CITY CLERK’S DEPARTMENT.

CITY OF INGLEWOOD OFFICIAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Inglewood will hold a public hearing in the Council Chambers, 9th Floor, City Hall, One West Manchester Boulevard on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, at 2:00 PM, to consider approval of ordering delinquent Sewer and Refuse charges to be placed on the tax rolls for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. All persons interested in this matter may appear to be heard.

Photo courtesy: The White House the Kenyan government in “I suspect that some of its ongoing battle. Terror- my critics back home are ism was a major area of dis- suspecting that I’m back cussion with Kenyan presi- here to look for my birth dent Uhuru Kenyatta. certificate. That’s not the “We will stand shoul- case,” Obama joked, before der to shoulder with you dancing and singing with in this fight against ter- the dinner’s attendees. rorism—for as long as it In his speech to the takes,” Obama said during Kenyan people Sunday, Sunday’s speech. Obama made a concerted The president spent por- effort to weave his own tions of each night in Kenya family story into a larger with relatives, although he narrative of hope for the did not visit his father’s vil- African people. lage of Kogelo. At a state “You are poised to play a dinner hosted by Kenya’s bigger role in this world,” president Saturday night, the president said. “In the Obama described the eve- end, we are all a part of one ning as a “somewhat unusu- tribe, the human tribe.” al Obama reunion.”

Leimert Park Village Book Fair Returns to Baldwin Hills Crenshaw

or a second year running, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw will host the annual Leimert Park Village Book Fair this Saturday, featuring an exclusive panel discussion with writers from Fox’s hit television show Empire, as well as special exhibitions, book readings and signings, musical performances and other activities for the whole family.

Recently honored as one of “LA’s Five Best Annual Book Festivals,” the 9th Annual Leimert Park Village Book Fair (LPVBF) will honor the literary legacy of African-Americans with more than 100 authors in attendance. The theme of this year’s fair is “The 1980s: The Decade That Made Us.” The event will take place this Saturday, August 1st,

from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw, and will be free and open to the public. For more information about the Leimert Park Village Book Fair, visit www.leimertparkbookfair.com. For more information about events at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, visit www. baldwinhillscrenshaw plaza.com/events.

4 Ways to Add Some Muscle to Your Exercise Routine (Continued from page 6) movements used in daily life. Another option to keep your body tuned to daily activities is walking. You might not be ready for a 5k walk, but a machine like the Bowflex TreadClimber (www.treadclimber.com) can help you get started by combining the motions of a treadmill, a stair climber and an elliptical. • Fuel your strength training with protein. “Protein is essential to building lean muscle,” says Holland. One easy solution is a protein shake or smoothie. For example, the new Bowflex Body (www.bowflexbody.com) nutrition line includes fitness shakes that provide a 15-gram punch of protein and essential vitamins for only 125 calories. Bobbi Kristina to Be Laid Next to Mother (Continued from page 2) her,” said cousin and iconic singer Dionne Warwick. Meanwhile, other battles are just beginning. Family members, including father Bobby, who banned boyfriend Nick Gordon from Bobbi’s hospital room, believes foul play may have been involved in his daughter’s death. There is suspicion that Gordon beat Bobbi. However, an autopsy failed to produce evidence that this was the case. The fact that Bobbi was in a coma the last 6 months of her life has made it difficult to reach conclusive findings about what really what happened on Jan 31, 2015. Gordon learned about Bobbi’s passing “just like everyone else did, from the Internet.” Family members describe him as “distraught.” He will not be allowed to attend the funeral. Bobby said in a statement released by his lawyer, “Krissy was and is an angel. I am completely numb at this time. My family must find a way to live with her in spirit and honor her memory. Our loss is unimaginable.” Long time friend and filmmaker Tyler Perry, who urged the public to pray for Bobbi and her family in a Facebook post two weeks ago, said: “This morning I woke up with Whitney on my mind. I couldn’t help but think about all that she must have dreamed for her child. I know this was not her dream.”


July 30, 2015

I

Inglewood Police Investigating Apparent Murder-Suicide

nglewood police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide, which occurred on July 24. According to reports, a man fatally shot a woman at a residence in the 500 block of Hargrave Street at 9:25 p.m. He later went to a hospital and took his own life. According to police, the man left the residence, where the woman was found shot dead, and arrived at nearby Centinela Hospital Medical Center, where he committed suicide, police said. “It was kind of scary because there was some concern that he was going to pull a Lafayette,” said Lt. Neal Cochran, referring to the Thursday night shooting of 11 moviegoers at a theater in Louisiana. “It caused some commotion. They had to lock down the whole (hospital) floor.” There was no other immediate information. The names of the shooting victims were withheld pending notification of next of kin, said coroner’s Investigator Mario Sainz. How to Qualify for Business Credit Lines (Continued from page 9) for a $10,000 balance which rates your business as a “Low 5.” 2. The second factor has to do with how you manage your business bank account. It’s important to avoid bouncing checks at all costs! 3. The third factor is your business credit reports—D&B report, Small Business Equifax, and Corporate Experian should reflect a solid business credit history and scores. 5. The fourth and final factor is having a personal credit score of 680 or greater. These four factors can improve your chances for getting approved for a business line of credit. The

Inglewood Today

Page 11

D at e s i n J U ly – Sep t e m b e r July 25-August 2, 2015 Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 The 2015 Special Olympics World Games will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world. The Opening Ceremony, to be held July 25, 2015 in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, is expected to attract 80,000 spectators. Sports competitions taking place throughout the Games are open to the public and free to attend. For more information about the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, visit http://www.LA2015.org.

400 West Beach Avenue; and Darby Park, 3400 West Arbor Vitae. Programs include Kiddie Camp designed for kids 3 to 5. Camp Discovery and Fun and Fitness are for youth ages 6-14. For details and registration information, visit www.cityofinglewood.org.

Ongoing Phonetic Reading Center Johnny Can Read Phonics Center in Inglewood invites families with 5 and 6 year-olds to practice their reading skills and go well beyond their grade levels in 30 to 60 days. The center is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 6pm. There is a 30-minute free session to introduce Through September 7, 2015 parents to the program. Interested Swimming at Edward Vincent parents can call and schedule their Park The Edward Vincent Jr. Park free session at (310) 412-8750 or pool will open on Wednesday, email funphonics48@yahoo.com. June 24 and close on Monday, September 7, 2015. The park is Get Fit at the Mall BFit offers you ways to get fit, located at Centinela Avenue, just north of Florence Avenue. The have fun and live your life to the fullThrough August 21, 2015 swim program includes lessons est. Join us for amazing free fitness Inglewood Summer Day Camp for youth and adults, lap swim- classes at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Are you ready for summer? The ming, parent and me swimming, Plaza every week. Classes held on City of Inglewood is offering great adult water aerobics and family the Macy’s Bridge include: Zumba summer day camp experiences for swim nights. Costs range from $1 every Tuesday from 7:30-8:30pm; youth ages 3-14. There are two to $15 for Inglewood residents. Cardio Kickboxing every Thursday sessions: June 29-July 24, 2015 Non-residents pay $20. For more from 7:00-8:00pm and Yoga every and July 27-August 21, 2015. information, and specific times, Saturday from 10:00-11:00am. Camps will be held at Lockhaven call (310) 412-8750. Community Center, 11125 Doty Avenue; Siminski Park, 9717 Inglewood Avenue; Rogers Park,

important thing to remember is that banks are in the business to lend money and they make money from the interest they charge. So when they do lend or extend a line of credit to a business there is an amount of risk involved which they want to limit as much as possible. Prior to applying for a line of credit you can minimize this risk by complying with the four factors I’ve outlined for you and have full confidence in knowing that qualifying for a business line of credit is just an application away. Marco Carbajo is founder of the Business Credit Insider’s Circle. Want to learn more about business credit without a personal guarantee? Claim Marco’s popular FREE

business credit seminar ($597 Value), available at: http://www.startbusinesscredit.com. Follow Marco on Twitter @MarcoCarbajo and read more of his insights on http:// www.BusinessCreditBlogger.com. Electric Carsharing Program (Continued from page 3) climate benefits.” “Disadvantaged and low-income communities are disproportionately burdened by air pollution and a myriad of health impacts,” said Fabiola Lao, Deputy Policy Director at the Coalition for Clean Air. “The electric carsharing pilot project in Los Angeles will increase access for these communities to zero-emission

vehicles, which will not only help clean the air and improve public health, but will also help create local jobs as the projects are implemented.” SB 1275 directs the Air Resources Board to establish a suite of equity programs aimed at making clean cars and trucks accessible to lowand moderate-income Californians. These include electric vehicle carsharing programs in disadvantaged communities, financing options that would lower combined monthly car payments and fuel costs, and incentives for the replacement of gas-guzzling “clunkers” with new or used electric cars or vouchers for transit and car-sharing. For more information, visit www.chargeahead.org.


Special Moments from the Special Olympics (Continued from page 8) during the parade of teams at the opening ceremony. Inglewood was the host town for the 91-member delegation in the week prior to the Games.

pics is indeed one of the most inclusive organizations around, 72-yearold Mary Davis of Midlothian, VA, won gold in the team bocce ball event. She has lost several fingers in an accident and is the oldest Team USA competitor at this year’s Special Olympic Games.

No Limits for Davis Proving that the Special Olym-

Not Just for the Guys… Russia’s Tatiana Savchenko walked away with four gold medals around her neck for powerlifting. Competing July 27 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Savchenko took first in the bench press (50 kilograms), the squat left (70 kg), the dead lift (92.5 kg) and the triple combination (212.5 kg), which was 82.5 more kilograms than her closest competitor. Have you gone yet? The 9-day sports marathon features competi-

te o V r u o Y Counts!

tion in 25 different categories at venues throughout the Los Angeles area, including UCLA, USA, Griffith Park, Los Angeles Convention Center, and the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

Games are free to the public. The closing ceremony will take place on Sunday, August 2 from at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. For more information, visit www. la2015.org.

COMING SOON

First-Ever Readers’ Choice Ballot in Inglewood

O VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BUSINESSES

To Be in the Running for Our

Food & Dining

Services

READERS’ CHOICE

Entertainment

BEST OF INGLEWOOD AWARD Nominate your favorite local businesses!

STAY TUNED!

Travel


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
July 30, 2015 by Inglewood Today News - Issuu