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By Stacy M. Brown NA test g s. olitical Left Sen.soKamala meone’sHarris egister he in to could have been Hoiswere White. He lautea Ryen said he sawe solve “D gued that nCg his murder trial, pet whtold should imm itiall the Ryen in enthe NNPA Newswire Senior panic. r testified th ooper killed prosecutors F eb th F Tuesday that she was ending her bid for Democratic u . e ed rt 1 ca 9 h ia Ryen,Correspondent t ca . er te d se and final arted in fryoth complicatin ly take pla at they Chiang said h successfully thfrom usbhistorically ei an an r Students and alumni Maryland’s four 1 d n 0 am -y an nt ly ce presidential nomination in 2020. g d ea d M th ed en u to ar rw ri e cGuire says neighbor C Diana Rop sure old daughte ng re- th rosecutions’ that DNA black colleges rallied near thehri state aifane Doug and Peggy- belonging to er came foprw whfrom r Jessin is serv evidence cathe campaign. “Not justice “I’ve stopCapitol taken stock eand looked at this anclaims, a w en heevery an ic im her Hugbuilding a ed al g ,” b o h d w u t er ar t o as an n omonly isand ut to chec testing in th d with bloo fo help law big 1 es. Police call for a resolution to a 13-year-old federal hlawsuit over ger thtoanone it pover the last few come the Andays roven dy clothin forcemengle, imalhave found the1-year-old dinesal. She turned thermer boyfriend who w a hof ouse Cwrote ontrolinoffi Even thou is case would comen t solve cr g ca disparities in academic programs. evidence ov bloodied to troyed it. as an hardest decisions of my life,” she a note to supa v ce an io e im g rs at le im h es nt crim- is bold, he rushed tht.e no cost to th Newsom’s , trau al hospital, er to the p Individuals from Bowie State, Coppin, Morgan State, African Am d is o porters.

“My campaign for president simply doesn’t have w ec e m li tr h st is ce a. ea er at io , but they issue that d e it was dia ble e.” n ericans, His e Cofinancial and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore arrived early gnose Californiaing carefully on a poin ththe oper caseresources we need to continue.”

D panics and r.

K w ri v te at st o n i ch te Krauinsefront tially pHarris rs across th ing. He is other mino and filled the streets chanting and demanding that lawmakshe ex , o launched her campaign of 20,000 a la v ri p et ec zi e k er n p ri ts ee in g o ti p th li es liv- Con arian, tells ing his focu ti spectruat a chilly,bac e 11-po nd ers and Gov. Larry Hogan settle the longstanding dispute. k into thcampaign outdoor tinued on s on fairncaeslpeople m are (5-kiniloJanue wild afteulaunch gram) catth page A2 s anThe Inside the complex of government buildings, memd justfirst r ary. woman and first black attorney general M it cG re ic g u ai e ir n e s strength. to v is ited thshe bers of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland were urgand U.S. senator th inatCalifornia’s was widely if he sees ithistory, e b o b ca t on F againthe ing lawmakers to stand behind a nearly $600 million set, he’same viewed as a candidate poised to excite ll issusegment e a ticketrifoday. tlement previously reached by the state and the Coalition of voters that sent Barack Obama to the White House. r ja for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education.

She raised an impressive $12 million in the first Hogan has offered to pay the HBCUs about $200 milthree months of her campaign and quickly locked down lion over ten years to settle the dispute in which coalition major endorsements meant to show her dominance in members have argued that Maryland has underfunded its her home state, which offers the biggest delegate haul in four HBCUs, while allowing other state schools to duplithe Democratic primary contest. cate their programs, placing pressure on enrollment.

But as the field grew, Harris’s fundraising remained Courts have urged the two sides to settle. flat; she was unable to attract the type of attention being “We call upon Governor Hogan and the legislature to showered on Pete Buttigieg by traditional donors or the stop the foot-dragging and delay, and act quickly to find grassroots firepower that drove tens of millions of dollars the funds to rectify this long-festering injustice,” said Del. to Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.

Charles E. Sydnor III (D-Baltimore County), who led the Harris suffered from what allies and critics viewed rally along Bladen Street. as an inconsistent message. Her slogan “for the people,” The Coalition filed a lawsuit in 2006, claiming that the referenced her career as a prosecutor, a record the camstate had failed to “dismantle vestiges of segregated higher paign struggled to pitch to the party’s most progressive education,” including by underfunding the four HBCUs. voters.

The suit notes that the state has allowed traditionally Through the summer, she focused on pocketbook white universities to continue creating new degree proissues and her “3 a.m. agenda,” a message that never grams that were duplicative of programs at the historically seemed to resonate with voters. By the fall, she had reblack schools. turned to her courtroom roots with the refrain that “jus“The students from all four universities are communicating with each other for one purpose, and that is to tice is on the ballot,” both a cry for economic and social have Gov. Hogan withdraw the appeal — he and only he has the power and authority to do so.”

Continued on page A3 justice as well as her call that she could “prosecute the case” against a “criminal” president.

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Students Rally to Resolve Longstanding HBCU Lawsuit

Black Women’s Roundtable Launches ‘BWR Justice Project’

The BWR Justice Project is supported by The Moriah Fund, Sephora, Family Values @Work Labor Project for Working Families, Oxfam America and Groundswell Fund. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

Washington, DC – In early November, the Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) launched its “BWR Racial, Economic, Health, Gender and Reproductive Justice Project” (BWR Justice Project) to address the racial, gender, economic and health bias impacting Black women and their families in Atlanta, GA with a BWR Reproductive Justice Forum at the Georgia State Capitol. Over the next 12 months, The BWR Justice Project civic engagement and organizing activities will also take place in AL, FL, MI, MS, NC, OH, PA, SC, VA and the DC/MD/VA metro area. The Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) serves as the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s (NCBCP) leadership development, mentoring, intergenerational and power building arm for Black women and girls.

NCBCP President & CEO and National BWR convener, Melanie Campbell shared, “The BWR Justice Project was developed to address key race, pocketbook and safety issues identified in the 5th Annual BWR/ESSENCE Magazine ‘Power of the Sister Vote’ Poll (BWR/Essence ’19 Poll) released in September 2019 and other past research conducted by NCBCP and BWR. The BWR/ESSENCE ’19 Poll indicated the top issues Black women are most concerned about are racism/hate crimes, affordable health care, equal rights/equal pay, criminal justice/policing reform; affordable healthcare; gun violence and gun safety, affordable housing/gentrification, college affordability/student loan debt, high cost of prescription drugs and more.”

Additionally, economic justice research conducted by the Black Women’s Roundtable (including the 2019 BWR Report on the “State of Black Women in the U. S.”), shows that “Black women are still the foundation of Black family financial power. And for most Black women, work Is not an option, it’s a necessary precondition for survival for themselves and their families. As a result, some 70% of Black women are primary breadwinners for their family unit. This compares to only 24% of white women who

are the critical lynchpin in their family’s economic well-being. Over half (55%) of all Black families with children are headed by a single mother. And among single mother-headed families, fully 46% live in poverty.”

With regard to gender and health justice, BWR-sponsored studies have also revealed that the top issues that Black women want their national elected officials to address are to protect Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and affordable healthcare. Further, reproductive justice issues of concern to black women include -- the escalation of attacks on women’s rights to control their own bodies is on the rise by right wing extremists on the federal and state level.

Over the past year, several state legislatures have also passed laws to limit women’s reproductive rights. These states include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and Georgia. Planned Parenthood has reported that “Anti-women’s health politicians are attacking access to reproductive health care and sex education at the state level through dangerous bills, regulations and executive actions. These attacks include attempting to ‘defund’ Planned Parenthood health centers, limit health care coverage for birth control, and promote abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.”

The BWR Justice Project goals and outcomes include:

• Promoting the adoption of work/family policies for women and working families to achieve security and prosperity now and for future generations, including paid leave, paid sick days, equal rights, equal pay, entrepreneurship, raising minimum wage and workers’ rights on a federal, state and local level.

• Promoting quality of life policies to secure economic, health & reproductive justice, including affordable healthcare, protect Medicaid, Medicare & Social Security and other safety net federal and state-based policies.

Continued on page A3

Health Plans Help Prevent Disease Covered California News Sheila Head has been an entrepreneur in Oakland, California for 36 years.

“I love what I do,” said the hairstylist and owner of Head Designs.

But while her business was relatively healthy, Head’s body was not.

“I only would go (to the doctor) when I absolutely had to go,” Head said. “Then Covered California came around, and I jumped on it. My life seemed to blossom.”

Open enrollment is underway for consumers to sign up for health insurance through Covered California. A key deadline is Dec. 15 for consumers who want their coverage to begin on Jan. 1. Open enrollment runs through Jan. 31.

A free health screening revealed that Head was prediabetic. “Oh, no. I don’t want to have anything to do with diabetes,” said Head. Diabetes is one of the diseases that disproportionately affects African Americans. The U.S. Office of Minority Health estimates that African Americans are 80 percent more likely than other races to get diabetes and are twice as likely to die from the disease. Sheila Head This year’s open-enrollment period features some of the biggest changes since Covered California first began offering health coverage in 2014. First, two new Sheila Head (Courtesy Photo)

state initiatives — the state subsidy program and the restoration of the individual mandate — were key elements in Covered California’s record-low 0.8 percent rate increase for the upcoming year.

While preliminary, early data shows that 85 percent of el- igible low-income Californians are qualifying for a state subsidy on top of their federal tax credits.

About 50 percent of middle-class Californians across the state with household incomes between 400 and 600 percent of the federal poverty level are finding out they are eligible to receive a state subsidy starting in January.

“We have heard from people across the state who will be saving hundreds of dollars a month because California is putting its people first,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said. “Whether you never thought you could get financial help, or if you have checked before, you need to check again because there is new money available that may dramatically reduce the cost of your coverage.”

The new state subsi-

dies are already helping consumers who have selected a plan for 2020. Eligible low-income consumers who qualify for a subsidy are receiving an average of $19 per month, per household, while eligible middle-income Californians who receive a subsidy are getting an average of more than $500 per month, per household.

Enrolling for coverage now is critical because California restored the penalty that was part of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act from 2014 to 2018.

That means most consumers who do not get covered could face a fine when they file their 2020 taxes in the spring of 2021. A family of four would pay a penalty of at least $2,000, and potentially more, for not having health insurance throughout 2020.

The penalty aside, Lee and Head focused on the positive aspects of being insured, including free health screenings, an annual checkup and peace of mind knowing that if a health crisis occurs, you won’t go bankrupt when bills pile up.

Free preventative health care services offered by all Covered California health plans helped Head make wise choices to stay healthy, and she is now an active participant in an innovative diabetes-prevention program offered through her health provider, Blue Shield.

“Covered California gave me, like, my own heath care team,” Head said. “I hope everyone will have the opportunity to feel like I’ve been feeling.”Open enrollment runs through Jan. 31, 2020. Enroll by Dec.15 to have coverage start on Jan. 1.

Bobcat Re Kamala Harris After Beincove Ends Democratic Police Car g Hi Presidential Campaign

General Lee Statue Vandalized Again

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) – A Confederate statue in Charlottesville, Virginia, that became a rallying point for white nationalists has been vandalized again, this time with graffiti saying, “Impeach Trump.”

News outlets report that the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee was also spray-painted Thursday night with “This is Racist.”

Tarps were put over the graffiti and city officials expect a clean-up effort to start Monday. The statue was vandalized earlier this year with an expletive directed at President Donald Trump.

White nationalists seized on a city plan to remove the statue and flocked there in 2017 for a rally that turned violent and deadly. The city’s effort to remove the statue have been prevented by a judge amid ongoing litigation.

The statue has been vandalized several times previously.

Study Finds Racial Gap Narrows in Prison, Jail, Parole

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – A new report by the nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice says racial gaps have narrowed across the American criminal justice system between 2000 and 2016, the most recent data available.

Among the findings: • The imprisonment rate for black people and Hispanic people dropped about 30% between 2000 and 2016, while white imprisonment rates increased about 12%.

• The rate at which black people were imprisoned for drug crimes fell by nearly two-thirds, while it increased for white people by about 7%.

• The racial disparity ratio between Hispanic people and white people for drug offenses dropped from fiveto-one to 1.5-to-one.

• Both the black and white imprisonment rates for property crimes declined, but the decrease for black people was more than 10 times that for white people.

• The disparity ratio between black people and white people in county jails nationwide dropped by 42%.

• The decline in the black jail incarceration rate was largely driven by a 41% decrease in the black drug arrest rate.

Domingo’s Claims He Never Acted Badly to Women

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Two opera singers who have accused Placido Domingo of sexual misconduct reacted angrily to his claims in recent interviews that he never behaved improperly and always acted like a gentleman with women.

Angela Turner Wilson and Patricia Wulf said in a statement Tuesday that the opera legend’s comments and “continued failure to take responsibility for wrongdoing” is disappointing and deeply disturbing.

Turner and Wulf are among more than 20 women who have accused Domingo of sexual misconduct in two Associated Press reports this summer.

In two interviews with European publications in the last several days, Domingo disputed the allegations and said “gallant gestures are viewed differently nowadays.”

The women said in the statement through their attorney that “there is nothing chivalrous or gallant about groping a woman in the workplace.”

A2

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, December 5, 2019

World & Nation Congressman Introduces 100 Percent Clean Legislation

Democratic Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA04)

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent Democratic Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA04) has introduced the 100 percent Clean Economy Act of 2019.

The legislation sets a nationwide goal of achieving a 100 percent clean energy economy by 2050, defined as net-zero climate pollution across all sectors of the United States’ economy.

The bill contains more than 150 original co-sponsors, according to a news release.

The National Medical Association and Green the Church were among the many national public health, environmental, conservation, and clean energy advocacy groups to release statements supporting the bill.

“The need to act on climate has never been clearer: 2019 is on pace to be one of the hottest years ever recorded and every week brings another community damaged by extreme weather events fueled by climate change,” McEachin

stated in the news release.

“That is why we must boldly transition to a 100 percent clean economy. The 100 percent Clean Economy Act of 2019 will protect public health and our environment; create high-quality green jobs that will strengthen our economy; and mitigate the impacts of climate change for all communities and all generations,” he stated.

“Our climate crisis demands immediate action, and this bill will ensure that our children and our children’s children will have healthier lives and a stronger, more sustainable economy.”

Statistics provided by McEachin’s office show that more than 1 million African Americans live within a halfmile of oil and natural gas facilities, and processing and storage spaces.

Research also shows that 7 in 10 African Americans live in counties with refineries, and communities of color disproportionately are exposed to toxic air pollution from the fossil fuel industry.

African American children, who already suffer significantly more from asthma and deaths from asthma than their white peers, are particularly vulnerable from increased risks due to exposure to emissions from oil and gas facilities.

The National Medical Association (NMA), the largest and oldest national organization representing the interests of more than 50,000 African American physicians and their patients in the United States, also released a statement in support of McEachin’s measure.

As the leading force for parity and justice in medicine and the elimination of disparities in health, NMA officials said actions are needed to sustain attention and address the problems associated with climate change.

“Climate change is a public health issue that needs sustained attention and actions to address increasing respiratory diseases and other illnesses due to pollution and severe weather. A transition to a 100-percent clean energy economy by 2050 across all sectors will help mitigate the impacts of climate change,” NMA officials said in the statement.

“We ask all members to step up now and support such bold actions, which will spur clean energy develop-

ment, cut the carbon pollution that contributes to climate change, protect our health, and create more clean energy jobs.”

To ensure the United States gets started soon, the 100 percent Clean Economy Act of 2019 directs federal agencies to use all existing authorities to put America on a path toward meeting the achievable 100 percent clean economy goal while remaining technology-neutral.

The legislation directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to evaluate agency plans, make recommendations to strengthen them as needed and report each year on progress toward a 100 percent clean economy.

The bill also creates an advisory committee composed of a broad range of stakeholders to provide recommendations on one or more interim goals.

The 100 percent Clean Economy Act of 2019 lays out principles for federal agency action, including, but not limited to:

• improving public health, resilience, and environmental outcomes, especially for low-income and rural communities, communities of color, tribal and indigenous communities, deindustrialized communities, and other populations disproportionately impacted by climate change; • enhancing quality job creation and ensuring fairness and equity for workers and communities affected by the transition to a 100 percent clean economy;

• providing benefits for consumers, small businesses, and rural communities; and • preparing communities for the impacts and risks of climate change.

“Green the Church faith communities are turning our collective efforts toward protecting the health and well-being of all Americans, especially those who are disproportionately hurt hardest by climate change, “stated the Rev. Ambrose Carroll, founder of the national organization working with Black faith communities.

Green the Church works to empower church leadership and laypeople to develop practical solutions to economic and environmental issues in the Black community.

“We call on Congress and the Administration to turn their united attention toward setting a nationwide goal of

Harris Resolution Affirms 150 Yr Old Civil Rights Law

U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) introduced a Senate resolution affirming the importance of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, Section 1981, one of the country’s fundamental anti-discrimination laws. Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, introduced a companion resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Harris’ resolution follows oral argument in the United States Supreme Court case, Comcast Corporation v. National Association of African American-Owned Media and Entertainment Studios Networks, Inc. The issue before the Court is whether victims of race discrimination must meet the burdensome “but-for” causation standard in order to proceed with claims under the oldest federal civil rights law.

If successful, Comcast’s arguments would narrow a key civil rights law that protects against race discrimination.

“Just one year after the end of the Civil War, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866 to remove barriers to contracting and Black economic advancement,” said Senator Harris. “It ensured that newly freed slaves enjoyed the same rights as other citizens. This case threatens to limit the effectiveness of our oldest civil rights law and could prevent countless victims– particularly Black people and people of color– from pursuing claims of race discrimination in our courts. That is why I am proud to lead my Senate colleagues in a resolution to affirm the importance of upholding longstanding protections against discrimination. I thank Congresswoman Waters for her tireless leadership in the fight for justice.”

“More than a century after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, it is absolutely outrageous that one of the largest media companies in the world would have the audacity to petition the U.S. Supreme Court to hear arguments in a case that undermines this vital law,”said Congresswoman Waters. “Nearly ten years ago when Comcast sought to merge with NBC Universal, both companies were forced, under pressure from my efforts in Congress and the FCC, to commit to credible diversity and inclusion initiatives as a condition for the merger. Today, they are seeking to effectively destroy one of our nation’s oldest civil rights statutes dating back to Reconstruction. In doing so, Comcast is opening the flood gates to discrimination in business contracts with no legal remedy or recourse. Those

8 kids a day are accidentally killed or injured by FAMILY FIRE. FAMILY FIRE is a shooting involving an improperly stored gun, often found in the home.

ENDFAMILYFIRE.org

of us who know our history, understand all too well the harmful impact this could have on future generations of entrepreneurs and creators of color. I am proud to lead my colleagues in a resolution that makes clear that any and all assaults on civil rights protections for Americans – particularly people of color and other marginalized groups – will not be tolerated by the U.S. Congress.”

The statute at issue in the case—42 U.S.C. Section 1981—was passed immediately after the Civil War as part of a broader effort to ensure that newly freed slaves enjoyed the same rights as other citizens. The Ninth Circuit interpreted Section 1981 to allow victims to allege that race was a motivating factor for a defendant’s refusal to contract, rather than the “but for” cause of harm. Comcast appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, where it argues for a burdensome pleading standard that would greatly limit access to the courts for victims of discrimination. On September 30, Harris led an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court in support of the Ninth Circuit’s ruling, arguing that, under the statute, plaintiffs can proceed with claims where race discrimination is a motivating factor, but not the sole cause of harm.

Harris’ resolution is joined by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), and is supported by the NAACP. For the full text of the resolution, scan the picture to this story using your “Observer Interactive” App.

achieving a 100 percent clean energy economy by 2050,” Carroll stated.

“Failure to act now is a failure to protect our health, our environment, and our communities against the climate crisis.”

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Thursday, December 5, 2019

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER A3

Features California City Sued for Alleged Housing Discrimination

The suit alleges the city of 90,000 enacted the law –called the “Crime Free Rental Housing Program”– to drive minorities out of the city and violated the federal Fair Housing Act. Received by Newsfinder from AP HESPERIA, Calif. (AP) – The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the California city of Hesperia, alleging it discriminated against black and Latino renters.

The lawsuit announced Monday takes aim at a city ordinance that required landlords to evict tenants who had allegedly committed crimes on or near their property.

The suit, which also names the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, alleged that enforcement targeted minorities and areas of the Mojave Desert city that had a majority population of blacks and Latinos. According to the suit, entire families, including children, were evicted for alleged criminal conduct involving one tenant or even non-tenants, and even included family members who had reported domestic violence to police.

The law involved allegations from authorities of criminal activity even if the person wasn't arrested, charged or convicted.

The suit alleges the city of 90,000 enacted the law – called the “Crime Free Rental Housing Program”– to drive minorities out of the city and violated the federal Fair Housing Act. In a statement, the city called the DOJ allegations “factually inaccurate” and said Hesperia “loves and embraces diversity.”

“The crime-free ordinance in no way targeted anyone

based on a protected class. The City intends to vigorously defend against the lawsuit,” it added.

The Sheriff's Department said in a statement that it disagreed with the lawsuit's allegations.

“We intend to vigorously defend this in court,” the statement said.

The lawsuit is based on allegations made by the Department of Housing and Urban Development against the city last month. HUD alleged that at some 140 households lost housing because of the ordinance in 2016.

HUD found that African American renters were nearly four times as likely and Latino renters 29% more likely than white renters to be evicted under the ordinance.

“The Fair Housing Act prohibits local governments from enacting ordinances intended to push out African American and Latino renters because of their race and national origin, or from enforcing their ordinances in a discriminatory manner,” Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband said in a statement.

The city and Sheriff's Department already were sued over the ordinance in 2016 by the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Southern California. The ACLU alleged that the law illegally tried to restrict housing and services for people who had criminal records.

Hesperia revised the law to make the program voluntary for landlords and last year agreed to settle the ACLU lawsuit for nearly a half-million dollars.

tween takes. Lil' Wayne used a sample of “Day-O” in his “6 Foot 7 Foot.”

According to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Burgie's songs have sold over 100 million records throughout the world. Many were recorded by Belafonte, including eight of the 11 songs on Belafonte's 1956 album, “Calypso,” the first album to sell over 1 million copies in the U.S. Burgess also penned songs for the Kingston Trio (“The Seine,” “El Matador,” and “The Wanderer”) and for other groups.

His “Jamaica Farewell” has been recorded by Belafonte, Jimmy Buffett, Carly Simon and others. Others who have sung his songs include Mantovani, Miriam Makeba and Julio Iglesias. Burgie's classic Caribbean standards include such familiar hits as “Island in The Sun,” “Angelina,” and he was co-writer of “Mary's Boy Child.” He also wrote the 1963 off-Broadway musical “Ballad for Bimshire” that starred Ossie Davis.

He served in an all-black U.S. Army battalion in World War II and used GI Bill funds to pay for music studies. Burgie studied at the Juilliard School of Music, University of Arizona and University of Southern California. He became a folk singer using the stage name “Lord Burgess” and performed the circuit between New York and Chicago, making his New York nightclub debut at the Village Vanguard in 1954.

After announcing his death, Mottley asked for a moment of silence for the Brooklyn-born Burgie, who wrote the lyrics to the national anthem of Barbados _ his mother's homeland.

“We write our names on history's page/With expectations great/Strict guardians of our heritage/Firm craftsmen of our fate,” go some of the lines of the anthem.

Irving Burgie, Songwriter of Calypso Hit ‘ ’ Day-O, Dies at 95 Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): DANIEL RAMIREZ, AN INDIVIDUAL; MARIA DEL CARMEN RAMIREZ, AN INDIVIDUAL; FIRST AMERICAN FUNDING, LLC; and ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN, CLAIMING ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RIGHT, TITLE, ESTATE, LIEN, OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT ADVERSE TO PLAINTIFF’S TITLE, OR ANY CLOUD ON PLAINTIFF’S TITLE THERETO, as DOES 1-20, inclusive The real property that is the subject of this action is located in Los Angeles County and is commonly known as 36520 Nickel Street, Palmdale, CA 93550, bears Parcel ID Number: 3052-066-026 and is more particularly described as: LOT 48, OF TRACT NO. 46788, IN THE CITY OF PALMDALE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AS PER MAP RECORDED IN BOOK 1134 PAGE(S) 16 TO 21 INCLUSIVE OF MAPS AND AS AMENDED IN BOOK 1171 PAGE(S) 78 TO 83 INCLUSIVE OF MAPS, IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY RECORDER OF SAID COUNTY. YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): The Bank of New York Mellon f/k/a (Additional Parties Attachment form is Attached) CASE NUMBER (Numero del caso) 19AVCV00454 NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this Summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfor.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements.

You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association.

NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.

AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su version. Lea la informacion

PUBLIC NOTICE

a continuacion.

Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIOS despues de que le entreguen esta citacion y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte. ca.gov/), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que le de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia.

Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remision a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte. ca.gov/) o poniendose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de obogados locales.

AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperacion de $10,000 o mas de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesion de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

The name and address of the court is (El nombre y direccion de la corte es): LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT Michael D. Antonovich-Antelope Valley Courthouse 42011 4th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93534 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es: VICTORIA J. TSOONG, CHUCK & TSOONG, LLP, 700 N. Brand Blvd., #440, Glendale, CA 91203, (626) 689-4000 Date: (Fecha) June 19, 2019 Sherri R. Carter Executive Officer/ Clerk of Court, Clerk, By (Secretario) Jade Ziegler, Deputy (Adjunto) NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: you are served as an individual defendant.

LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Nov 21, 28, Dec 5, 11, 2019

By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer NEW YORK (AP) – Composer Irving Burgie, who helped popularize Caribbean music and co-wrote the enduring Harry Belafonte hit “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song),” has died at the age of 95.

At the Barbados Independence Day Parade on Saturday, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley announced Burgie died Friday.

“Day-O,” written in 1952, has been ubiquitous, appearing in everything from the film and Broadway musical “Beetlejuice” to an E-Trade commercial. “Day-O” was also the wake-up call for the astronauts on two Space Shuttle missions in the 1990s. When a superstar list of music royalty gathered to film the “We Are the World” video in 1985, most burst into a playful version of “Day-O” in be-

Students Rally to Maryland’s Capitol Resolve Longstanding HBCU Lawsuit

Continued from page A1

In 2013, a federal judge found that the state violated the Constitution because it had maintained a dual and segregated education system.

The two sides have since held several mediation sessions that were ordered by the court. However, the Coalition has objected to what it said were unfair terms, including the amount offered by the state.

Currently, there are no future court dates on the docket.

“The students are very actively advocating on behalf of all four of the HBCUs in Maryland,” Zattura Sims-El, one of many advocates for HBCUs in the state, told NNPA Newswire before the rally.

“The students from all four universities are communicating with each other for one purpose, and that is to have Gov. Hogan withdraw the appeal — he and only he has the power and authority to do so.”

Lawsuits like the one in Maryland “remind all of us

how an uneven playing field yields underfunded colleges, declining federal funding, and endowments that lag behind those of predominantly white institutions,” Pete Buttigieg, a Democratic presidential candidate, wrote in an op-ed for the Baltimore Sun. The op-ed appeared on the morning of the rally.

“Left without remedy, injustice does not heal,” Buttigieg wrote while pledging to increase funding for HBCUs and other minority-centered institutions by $50 billion.

Maryland House Speaker, Democrat Adrienne A. Jones, also urged Hogan to agree to the $577 million settlement. “I know what can and can’t be done,” Jones told the crowd.

“I’m on the House Appropriations Committee, I should know what we can afford, and I’m in support, and I’m just as anxious as you are,” she stated.

Maryland Democrat, Del. Darry Barnes, the chair of the black caucus, told reporters that plans are in the works

for legislation that would compel Hogan to settle the lawsuit.

“This is not just good for our HBCUs, but this is good for the state of Maryland,” Barnes said.

Michael Jones, an attorney who has been representing a coalition in support of the schools, said Maryland continues to ignore a court order to provide its HBCUs with funding for programs, marketing, and scholarships.

“That’s exactly what this is about,” stated Jones, who has asked that the state pay $577 million to its HBCUs to finally settle the case. “They can do so over a reasonable period,” Jones stated.

In a statement, Hogan said he’s merely acting on his responsibility to protect the state budget because Maryland is bracing for an economic slowdown.

“My desire is to resolve it,” Hogan, a Republican, stated earlier this year. “We do have offers on the table. We’re hoping that both parties can reach an agreement.”

Black Women’s Roundtable Launches ‘BWR Justice Project’ Continued from page A1

• Focus on engaging the powerful intergenerational voices of Black women to educate local, state and national leaders and policy-makers on the importance of enacting public policies to improve health care, economic opportunity, quality of employment and public education for Black women, families and communities.

To date, BWR Justice civic engagement and organizing activities have included: • GEORGIA - BWR Reproductive Justice Forum in Atlanta, GA on November 8, 2019 at the Georgia State Capitol, focused on reproductive health care, reproductive rights, gender justice, LGBTQ rights, maternal mortality and other social justice issues impacting Black women, hosted by Clayton County BWR/ HBCU Green Fund & GA BWR/GCPA; • FLORIDA - BWR Sisters Can We Talk? Women’s Listening Session, focused on women’s health, reproductive rights and diabetes awareness, at Orleans Bistro in Titusville, FL on November 16, hosted by FL BWR/ FCBCP & Worldwide Solutions; • MICHIGAN - BWR Sistahs Can We Talk? Black Women Reproductive Justice and We Count” Forum in Kalamazoo, MI on November 17 hosted by Kalamazoo BWR and Mothers of Hope; and

• ALABAMA--BWR “Sisters Can We Talk?” Listening Session, Aunt Katie’s Community Garden in Dothan, AL, focused on racial equity and gender justice issues, on November 22, hosted by Southern AL BWR. Upcoming BWR Justice Project activities include: • ALABAMA - BWR “Racial Equality: A Community Discussion” hosted by Southern Alabama BWR at Aunt Katie’s Community Garden, 602 Linden Street, in Dothan, AL on December 6th.

• MICHIGAN – BWR “Black Women Matter Summit” hosted by BWR Metro Detroit, at Your Emerging Space – Y.E.S., 7 North Saginaw Street – 3A, Pontiac, MI, focused on racial and reproductive justice and other pocketbook policies impacting families, on December 7th.

• FLORIDA - BWR “Healthy, Wealthy, Wise Women’s Health & Wellness Retreat,” Oak Plantation Resort, 4090 Enchanted Oaks Circle, Kissimmee, FL, hosted

by Osceola FL BWR & Hugs Therapy, on December 14th.

In 2020, The BWR Justice Project will include organizing BWR ”Power of the Sister Vote” townhall meetings during the 2020 presidential election primaries; release of

its 2020 Presidential Election Non-Partisan Voter Guide; hosting its Annual BWR Women of Power National Summit on March 4 – 8, 2020 in Arlington, VA; as well as forums, listening sessions and summits organized by BWR state-based networks in MS, NC, OH, PA and SC. The BWR Justice Project is supported by The Moriah Fund, Sephora, Family Values @Work Labor Project for Working Families, Oxfam America and Groundswell Fund.

The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) is one of the most active civil rights and social justice organizations in the nation “dedicated to increasing civic engagement, economic and voter empowerment in Black America.” The Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) is the women and girls empowerment arm of the NCBCP. The BWR is at the forefront of championing just and equitable public policies that centers racial, economic and gender justice to promote health and wellness, economic security and prosperity, quality public education and global empowerment for and with Black women and girls in the South and key states including: AL, FL, GA, MI, MS, NC, OH, PA, SC, VA and DC/MD/VA Metro areas.

A4

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Sports

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Walter Camp Players of Week have Big Games

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The Walter Camp Foundation in New Haven, Connecticut recently announced it’s National Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week.

On the offensive side it’s Jaret Patterson of Buffalo who rushed for a school-record 298 yards (on 26 carries) and scored a Mid-American Conference record six touchdowns as Buffalo defeated Bowling Green, 49-7.

The sophomore from Glendale, Maryland (St. Vincent

Pallotti High) scored on runs of 81, 35, 30, 9, 1 and 1 yards as the Bulls improved to 7-5. Patterson is the first Buffalo player to earn Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since the award began in 2004.

On the Defensive side Isaiah Simmons posted 10 tackles, including two tackles-for-loss and one quarterback sack as third-ranked Clemson defeated South Carolina, 383. The Jr. linebacker from Olathe, Kansas led a Clemson (12-0) defense that allowed just 172 yards of total offense in the contest.

Isaiah Simmons has won the Walter Camp award for the second time this season. (Courtesy Photo)

It’s the second time this season (Sept. 15) Simmons earns Defensive Player of the Week and the third Clemson honoree this season. Simmons is also the 10th Clemson player to earn the recognition since 2004.

Walter Camp, “The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football

Foundation (www.waltercamp.org, @WalterCampFF) – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team. The Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards.

Jaret Patterson (26) Was the first U of Buffalo player to win Walter Camp Player of the Week. (Courtesy Photo)

Andy Ruiz Jr. Defends His Title Belts Against Anthony Joshua in Their Rematch

New IBF, WBA, and WBO Andy Ruiz Jr defends his Belts against Anthony Joshua this weekend in Saudi Arabia (photo credit to DAZN)

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com A couple of weeks ago at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, site of the WBC Heavyweight Championship, the most recent Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis share his thoughts, with a select few boxing writers, on the upcoming Championship rematch between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Johnson. This long-awaited rematch has posed many questions for boxing fans around the globe, can Ruiz duplicate his surprising knockdown of previously undefeated Anthony Joshua. Or has Anthony Joshua learned something in that June upset which would allow him to avenge his previous loss?

Since becoming the WBA, WBO and IBF Champion Andy Ruiz Jr. has no doubt enjoyed the fruits of his labor.

As the first Mexican American Heavyweight Champion Ruiz Jr. has been the toast of the town everywhere, he’s gone. From local southern California restaurants to jewelry stores and car dealerships Ruiz Jr. has been celebrated and applauded for being the first Mexican American to win the Heavyweight Championship title.

In an interview conducted months, he and I discussed what winning the heavyweight title would mean to him and his family. https://youtu.be/I9uYpJcB5xA In this training camp Ruiz has appeared to slim down some and his former trainer Freddie Roach has been on record saying, “when he loses the weight he’s not as good.”

Though this is what fans would be looking to see in this coming fight. Former Champion Lennox Lewis says, “He (Ruiz) hits like a mother ******!”

In our sit down with Lennox Lewis, the two-time lineal champion gave the analogy of boxers learning how to beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. said, “they realize ‘I need to cut off the ring because he moves so well.’ Then they go back and they practice for three months how to cut off the ring; it doesn’t help them; they need to be practicing that for years.” “Unless you are a great fighter, then you can do that. But great fighters are difficult, because they’re caught in their same thing (routine).” “Back to the saying old dog new tricks,” Lewis expounds.

I then followed up to ask Lewis about the possible changes that Anthony Joshua could make in this rematch and what would make the biggest difference, “he can get better at his craft. He can look at the tape and say when I

get hurt, I need to hold him properly.” According to the 3 Time Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis. When asked if he thought Joshua is a skilled enough fighter to make the proper adjustments in this rematch Lewis responded by saying, “I think he’s young enough to be able to learn.”

“He’s got a heavy task ahead of him,” Lewis continues to say. “I don’t think he should’ve done an immediate rematch; especially how he lost! I think his promoter should’ve brought that fight to England, where his family, where his crowd is.” Lewis also stated, “as a World Champion you need to box around the world!”

Whether Joshua is trying to fill the shoes of fellow World Champion British fighter Lennox Lewis, Lewis emphatically states that “he shouldn’t be trying to fill my shoes. He should be trying to fill his shoes. I think that part of the problem as well; listen I’ve done my thing. I set my goals for others to try to surpass.” https://youtu.be/tQe0F1FX1Oc If this fight weren’t in Saudi Arabia, I’d certainly be at this fight! Both men are coming into this fight with something to prove. Joshua wants to prove that losing his belts was a fluke and that he is, in fact, the real Heavyweight Champion. Andy Ruiz Jr. wants to prove that their last fight was not a fluke and that he deserves to be recognized as the true WBA, WBO and IBF Champion.

These are legitimate questions that boxing fans and I will be looking to have answered on December 7th. What is your prediction for this title fight?

In this fight, I would expect Ruiz Jr. to overwhelm Joshua with his series of combinations as he did in their previous fight. Like the ole saying, ‘styles make fights.’

This fight is an excellent example of that as I do not think Joshua will be able to compete with the array of punches Andy Ruiz would be coming with throughout the night.

Please let us know your thoughts on this Heavyweight Championship rematch by commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com or by following me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport for immediate engagement. Additionally, subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast” which is available for you on most podcasting platforms, Apple and Google Podcasts including Spotify, TuneIn, and iHeart Radio. As always, we certainly appreciate you for making our voice your choice!

What’s Good NFL Top 10 Supremacy Rankings Week 14

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com In the last month of the season, this a great time to update our What’s Good Supremacy Rankings from a few weeks ago. As you know, this is a fluid situation where some teams have dropped out of our rankings, other teams have emerged as many leaders on our list. Our list takes in to account big wins, strong performances, and divisional rankings. The proverbial “eye test” play’s a large part in how a team would make our list. With all that being said, let’s take a look at our last What’s Good Supremacy Rankings of the Top 10 teams in the NFL. In reverse order we have listed which teams we believe to be the top-performing teams in the NFL through this point in the season; #10 Green Bay Packers- The Packers, led by veteran Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, has some assistance from defense and running game. Now that Adams is back, this remains the most complete team that they’ve in a while.

Leading their division helped them squeeze into our rankings. #9 Houston Texans- Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins have this team competing for more than their division title. Despite the loss of the former Defensive Players of the Year this team is playing consistent football which we haven’t seen from them too often #8 Buffalo Bills- The Bills defense has been complemented by the emergence of Josh Allen. Allen has shown tremendous improvement year over year; by improving his yards per game by over 40 yards a game and he has improved his QB Rating by over 20 points year over year which also led them to a 75% winning percentage. #7 Minnesota Vikings- Kirk Cousins has all the tools needed to make this team competitive in the NFC. By dropping that tough came only Monday night, Cousins has yet to win the prime-time games. Though this is a wellbuilt team that remains formidable within the NFC. #6 Kansas City Chiefs- The health of league’s MVP Patrick Mahomes keeps this team in contention for an AFC Championship. These Chiefs are easily the most

explosive team in the NFL, they are still hindered by their porous defense. Though it will be hard for teams to win in Arrowhead, they will have that opportunity to slow down teams long enough to allow Mahomes to lead them in the playoffs. #5 New England Patriots- Even with the regression Tom Brady has shown, the Patriots are still tied for the best record in the AFC. The defensive genius of Bill Belichick complimented the offense led by Brady, regardless of which receivers are in the game, is a combination that will keep this team in contention for the AFC title. #4 San Francisco 49ers- Having lost another nail biter, this team still has a solid football team. They play solid defense and have to prove to have a consistent running game. This mix of youth and experience put together by, Hall of Famer, John Lynch remains a very formidable squad that continues to impress the NFL. #3 Seattle Seahawks- MVP candidate Russell Wilson continues to show he’s a gamer and this has been an infectious trait that the team has picked up on as they continue to wins games week in and week out. By showing that this team can beat just about any team in the league.

This team a serious contender for an NFC Championship. #2 New Orleans Saints- Missing Drew Brees for multiple weeks due to injury, has allowed this team to come together knowing they can win without their leader. Now that he’s back, this team is playing well on the strength of their youthful defense. This is why I see this team as the favorite in the NFC. #1 Baltimore Ravens- As I mentioned previously, the Ravens are the epitome of what great drafting combined with great coaching can do for an organization. Building the team around league-leading MVP candidate Lamar Jackson and pairing him with their historically hard nose defensive has vaulted the Ravens into the league’s best team in the NFL. Though I had the Saints as a favorite to reach the Super Bowl I did not have the Baltimore Ravens or the Seattle Seahawks ranked so high at the beginning of the season. Our rankings are a glimpse of how we’ve seen the NFL progress throughout the season. I’d be interested to

hear or see how differently your NFL ranking would be from our rankings?

Please let us know your thoughts on our Supremacy Rankings by commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com or by following me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport for immediate engagement.

Additionally, subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast” which is available for you on most podcasting platforms, Apple and Google Podcasts including Spotify, TuneIn, and iHeart Radio. As always, we certainly appreciate you for making our voice your choice!

Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Lamar Jackson is has been the NFL’s most exciting pla

Thursday, December 5, 2019

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER A5

Film Review:

Credit Writer/director Peter Strickland for succeeding where others have not. His direction exhibits a quirky, artistic style.

Scenes melt into each other effortlessly.

There’s a dazzling visual flare that keeps your eyeballs glued to the screen for 118 minutes. You’re hooked until he’s through weaving a very sordid tale about a dress with a mind of its own and a curse that is deadly.

By Dwight Brown NNPA Newswire Film Critic She thought she was simply buying a sexy red dress, off the rack. But when that frock came home with her, so did the supernatural.

Writer/director Peter Strickland had a wicked vision in mind when he created this campy horror film, which has a style that is reminiscent of the 1977 cult classic Suspiria, by famed 1970s/80s Italian horror director Dario Argento. Argento gained notoriety for his arty mixture of thriller, mystery, psychological and erotic elements versus unbridled gore. Director Luca Guadagnino (Oscar-nominee Call Me by Your Name) attempted to mimic Argento’s style with his misguided 2018 remake of Suspiria. His failure proves that stepping into this horror subgenre successfully is not that easy.

Credit Strickland for succeeding where others have not. His direction exhibits a quirky, artistic style. Scenes melt into each other effortlessly. There’s a dazzling visual flare that keeps your eyeballs glued to the screen for 118 minutes. You’re hooked until he’s through weaving a very sordid tale about a dress with a mind of its own and a curse that is deadly.

Sheila (Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Secrets & Lies) ) is very conscientious. She’s a chatty and polite bank teller. As a recently divorced single mom, she lives with her young adult son Vince (Jaygann Ayeh, The Souvenir). Her offspring, judging by the moans and groans that emanate from his bedroom at night when he’s hosting his ladyfriend (Gwendoline Christie), should have been living on his own years ago.

Sheila, tired of being alone, puts her profile on a dating page and is about to meet a new man for dinner. Wanting to make the right impression, she heads to a bizarre London department store and is tempted to buy something

Entertainment

In Fabric Marianne Jean Baptiste as Sheila. (Courtesy Photo)

wild, for a woman of a certain age. A creepy-looking store clerk (Fatma Mohamed), who slithers down the aisles like Morticia Adams (of The Adams Family), champions a lowcut red dress. Sheila: “Isn’t it a little risqué? I don’t normally wear this kind of thing.” Clerk: “Be bold. Your date will compliment you. Touch it. Feel it. Here.”

Sheila’s restaurant rendezvous doesn’t go well. He’s a bore. Self-absorbed. No feel for small talk. No sense of humor. Pity. But at least she has the dress she adores. Unfortunately, the feeling is not mutual. The frock gives her a rash. It moves around on its own, causes a series of accidents, mishaps and oddities that leave puddles of blood in

its wake.

There is something so matter-of-fact about Sheila that when unnatural things vex her you feel extra sorry about her misfortune. Her life turns to tatters. So do the lives of anyone who dons the scarlet garment.

Strickland sets the scare meter at moderate. The horror is consistent but not explosive. Ghastly in the right places.

A little mangling here. Oral sex there. A washing machine run amuck. Untimely deaths. The director brushes on the macabre like an artist choosing the right colors, shapes and textures for a Salvador Dali painting. Tasteful. Sick. Weird.

More like an art film gone askew. Not at all like a tacky B-movie.

The costume designer (Jo Thompson) threads together a catchy wardrobe for the cast, who look prepared to go to work or a freak show, depending. Sets (Adrian Greenwood) and production design (Paki Smith), from Shelia’s cramped two-story flat to a department store with a secret dumbwaiter that leads to a coven, pull you into a working-class life that clashes with an underworld.

The score (Cavern of Anti-Matter) has both whimsical and sinister tones. Ditto the sound design (Rob Entwistle).

Editing (Matyas Fekete) the footage down to a fairly lengthy movie that doesn’t feel long is not an easy feat. The rainbow of colors (Bobbie Cousins art director) is well captured by cinematography (Ari Wegner) with lighting that is particularly sensual during a very intimate peeping tom scene. The camerawork evokes an odd feeling as you become the watcher observing a voyeur.

Baptiste leaves her everywoman imprint all over the footage. Sheila’s inflection, nonchalant delivery and stoic facial expressions rarely waver, even in the presence of two overbearing bosses, played snidely by Steve Oram and Julian Barratt. Mohamed’s accent, as the temptress clerk, is so thick you could trip over it, and the clandestine life the character leads gets spookier every minute. Jaygann Ayeh’s chemistry with Baptiste is so natural it’s as if Sheila was his real helicopter mom and he was her actual ungrateful millennial son.

Even with the dry humor and intelligent writing, make no mistakes about it, In Fabric is designed to scare the s--- out of you. It does. Small eerie moments pile up, fraying your nerves, building and building. Like someone first sticking needles in your back, then switching to shivs.

Gabrielle Union Speaks Out Amid Reports She’s Off NBC Show LOS ANGELES (AP) – Gabrielle Union thanked supporters for defending her amid reports she was fired from “America's Got Talent” after complaining about racism and other alleged on-set issues.

“Just when you feel lost, adrift, alone... you got me up off the ground. Humbled and thankful, forever,” the actress tweeted Wednesday night. She didn't directly address her status with NBC's talent show, and her representatives did not respond to requests for comment Friday or previously.

According to reports, Union and Julianne Hough have been dropped as “America's Got Talent” judges after a single season.

Union, who is African American, reportedly sought network action to address a workplace environment that allegedly allowed racist jokes and comments and other troubling behavior, including judge-producer Simon Cowell's smoking indoors in violation of state law.

Union's husband, former NBA player Dwyane Wade, also weighed in Wednesday on Twitter, saying he'd yet to hear a good reason why his wife was being fired.

In a statement, NBC and series producer Fremantle defended what they called the show's “long history of inclusivity and diversity.”

Gabrielle Union thanked supporters for defending her amid reports she was fired from “America’s Got Talent” after complaining about racism and other alleged on-set issues.

Howard Stern Blames Simon Cowell for Gabrielle Union’s ‘AGT’ Exit

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Howard Stern is pointing fingers in the ongoing "America's Got Talent" drama over Gabrielle Union's controversial exit.

The former "AGT" judge and radio shock jock says Simon Cowell is to blame for Union not returning to the NBC competition show.

Stern took to his SiriusXM show Monday to call out Cowell after hearing of Union's exit, despite claiming not to have known of the actress prior to the news.

Stern served as a judge on America's Got Talent for four seasons, from 2012 though 2015.

As Stern talked about seeing the news over the weekend, he suggested Union wasn't returning because of Cowell. "How is it that Simon Cowell has orchestrated this? He has set it up that the men stay, no matter how ugly they are, no matter how old they are, no matter how fat they are, no matter how talentless they are," Stern said.

"What he manages to do on all his shows is he constantly replace the hot chicks with hotter chicks and younger chicks, which is so obvious," Stern said. "Simon (and) Howie get to stay, but the three women had to go: Tyra Banks, Mel B., Heidi Klum, and they find two younger, hotter women."

Stern also questioned why judge Howie Mandel is still on the show despite other judge lineup changes over the years.

"It's one thing if you fire everyone, but why is it always the women on that show that constantly go into rotation?"

Stern asked. "I like Howie, he's doing a fine, serviceable job, but why don't they change him? And why don't they change Simon?"

Stern continued: "This is the ultimate example of a boys club – two seasons in a row the female judges being fired while Simon and Howie soldier on."

Howard Stern, left, Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel at "America's Got Talent" Season 8 New York auditions.

"America's Got Talent" had no additional statement on Stern's comments, pointing back to a joint statement to USA TODAY from NBC, production company Fremantle and Cowell's entertainment company, Syco, in which "AGT" announced it remains "committed to ensuring a respectful workplace for all employees and take very seriously any questions about workplace culture."

"We are working with Ms. Union through her representatives to hear more about her concerns, following which we will take whatever next steps may be appropriate," the statement added.

Stern's comments come after SAG-AFTRA said it is investigating Union's exit, following a report last week from Variety, which described a “toxic culture” on the set of "America's Got Talent" after news that Union and fellow judge Julianne Hough would not be returning to the reality singing competition for a second year has a lot of work to do to change its culture so that discrimination, harassment, and retaliation are no longer tolerated at the company. Period."

Variety also reported that a culture of toxic, racist jokes and "excessive notes" about physical appearance were pervasive before the two freshman judges' contracts were not renewed.

'We're with you':Ariana Grande, Ellen Pompeo show support for Gabrielle Union amid 'AGT' exit Union hasn't addressed the controversy directly, but in her first tweet since the controversy unfolded, she thanked fans for support.

"So many tears, so much gratitude," she tweeted Wednesday night. "THANK YOU! Just when you feel lost, adrift, alone ... you got me up off the ground. Humbled and thankful, forever."

Several other celebrities, including Ariana Grande, Ellen Pompeo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Debra Messing and Olivia Munn have since voiced their support for Union.

A6

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Local

Get Ready to Groove at the Grand Park and The Music Center New Year’s Eve Celebration

Pan African People’s Arkestra (Photo by Grand Park/The Music Center)

By Ricky Richardson Contributing Writer Los Angeles- Yes, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s that of year to start the countdown to the countdown. I’m not talking about the days until Santa arrives in town, even though this is also very important.

I’m referring to the proverbial question that one must sit down and have with their spouse, significant other, family members, friends and or co-workers… What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? No need to worry, I got plans for you! Grand Park and The Music Center will host the 7th Annual, FREE, N.Y.E. L. A. Music and Dance Party, Tuesday, December 31st, from 8:00pm-1:00am. More than 50,000 revelers are expected to vibe at Grand Park and The Music Center N.Y.E.L.A. to ring in 2020.

No need to hire a babysitter, you can even invite the babysitter to this awesome, alcohol free, family friendly event that will take over several city blocks, North, East, South and West.

Emmy Award Winning TV host Producer, Social Media Influencer, Actress and Writer, Pili Montilla will be your host for this festive evening. DJ Pauli The PSM will be at the control board of the ones and twos serving up an eclectic soundtrack in between acts.

The music line-up consists of Compton’s very own Banda Las Angelinas, kick up your heels as this talented all female band provide some contagious rhythms. Thee Sinseers will serenade the crowd with a soulful soundtrack couple with some R&B. Fasten your seatbelts, as you get ready to party hearty with the Leimert Park’s legendary Pan African Peoples Arkestra (Afro-Beat Jazz Band) as they share some explosive musical pyrotechnics.

If that isn’t enough, the evening will cap off with a 3D video projection countdown on the West facing wall of City Hall, leading up to midnight.

Cherry Poppin featuring DJ Rell and DJ Bonds, hosted by KG Superstar and DJ Krucial and Gasolina featuring DJ Chava and Krucial will be laying down the tracks on the Get Down Stage located near Hill Street.

There will be a smorgasbord of food trucks offering culinary delights, more than 40, on site.

Stay connected for updates: https://grandparkla. org/nyela or https://musiccenter.org/nyela (click on the various links for important information-Safety, Schedule, Artists, Fun, Map, Transportation) Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as the event draws near.

Inglewood Unified School District:

The Canary in the Coal Mine Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media According to the California Education Code, all California school districts will have to submit a first interim budget report by December 15.

This report compares the school district’s ongoing fiscal condition to what was projected in the budget they submitted in July. The report includes the latest student enrollment and attendance figures, data on staffing, yearto-date accounting, and projections of expenditures and cash flow.

Through this review, districts assess whether they will be able to meet their obligations and are required to selfcertify whether their fiscal condition is positive, qualified, or negative (i.e., will meet, may not meet, or will not be solvent over the next three years).

Most schools districts will certify that they will meet their financial obligations for the current and two subsequent fiscal years, but there are a growing number of districts that will assign themselves qualified or negative certifications.

Large school districts, based on their July budgets, that may be on the list of qualified and negative include Los Angeles Unified, Sacramento City Unified, Sweetwater

Union, and Oakland Unified.

Districts with negative and qualified certifications must come to terms with the fact that unless they find new revenue sources or better control their expenditures they will have to request a state loan to avoid fiscal insolvency.

According to Assembly Bill 1200, called the Eastin Act, the state of California is required to maintain the financial soundness of public school districts. Since 1991, when the bill passed, nine districts have been given emergency loans.

Four are still repaying loans they accepted.

Under AB 1200, a district secures a state loan through Legislative action. A state-appointed administrator takes over, the superintendent is fired, and the board of education becomes an advisory body. All decisions about the district’s operational priorities are taken away from the local level until the state loan is paid in full.

State intervention has not been a guarantee that the school district in receivership will be better managed. This has to concern school districts facing this prospect.

Inglewood Unified is currently the only school district in state receivership. Its experience is “the canary in the coal mine” that districts on the verge of accepting a state loan need to look at closely.

In September 2012, the governor approved Senate

Bill (SB) 533 authorizing an up-to $55 million loan to Inglewood Unified to allow it to avoid fiscal insolvency.

The State Superintendent and California Department of Education (CDE) took over Inglewood’s schools and drew down $29 million from the loan, obligating the school district to pay $1.8 Million a year for 30 years to retire the loan.

Between 2012 and 2017, the state superintendent appointed three administrators, two interim administrators and one trustee. During this period of unstable leadership, the district’s finances and operations did not significantly improve and little progress was made toward being able to return to local control.

In 2015, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee approved an audit concerning the State Superintendent of Public Instruction’s oversight of the Inglewood Unified School District.

A key recommendation the State Auditor made to the Legislature was “any future state emergency funding for a school district appropriated by the Legislature should specifically require the state superintendent to document the selection and appointment process of a state administrator, including the rationales for progressing certain candidates once screened or reasons that particular individuals were ultimately selected to serve as state administrator.”

So far, the Legislature has failed to implement the recommendation put forth by the audit. It’s clear that Inglewood’s progress has suffered because of a lack of stable leadership provided by the State.

A similar experience happening to any other school district in the future is unacceptable.

In 2018, Assembly Bill (AB) 1840 provided financial relief to Inglewood Unified and Oakland Unified as both school districts struggled to balance their budgets and pay off state loans. In that legislation, responsibility for

managing a school district under state receivership was removed from CDE and given the responsible County Office of Education.

The last State Administrator appointed by CDE to lead Inglewood Unified, Dr. Thelma Melendez, recently retired. Under the guidelines of AB 1840, a new County Administrator, Dr. Erika Torres, was announced by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE).

All that is known about how this appointment was made is that the Fiscal Crisis Management and Assistance Team (FCMAT pronounced Fick-mat) identified 26 candidates to be interviewed, a LACOE interview panel made a recommendation and it was approved by County Superintendent Debra Durado, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and President of the Board of Education Linda Darling-Hammond.

Before her appointment, Torres was acting interim County Administrator and, for about a year, she was the LACOE Deputy Superintendent charged with working with Melendez. So she takes the job already knowing what needs to be prioritized and what resources she will need to succeed in turning around the school district.

This may be the model that should be adopted for future state takeovers. Instead of firing the superintendent of the school district, a reasonable transition period should be observed. Prior to the appointment of Torres, each state administrator had to figure out on their own how they would lead. That process failed to produce satisfactory progress.

It is time for the Legislature – hopefully, during the upcoming session - to craft legislation that will provide better direction on how school districts under state receivership are managed. The future of the students in those districts will be the beneficiaries of the legislation they approve.

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