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The Valley’s

Volume 36 Number 9

Serving the San Fernando Valley for Over 36 Years

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

The Big Dodger Tommy Lasorda Passes at Age of 93

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer Long time Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda was full of life, a comedian, ball of fire, and the life that stood out for the L.A. Dodgers.

He recently passes away at the age of 93 due to heart failure.

He was the kind of person to light up the room, a restaurant, and a stadium. He had a jolly baritone voice that drew your attention as soon as he entered the room.

“In a franchise that has celebrated such great legends of the game, no one has worn the uniform embodied the Dodger spirit as much as Tommy Lasorda,” said Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasen. “A tireless spokesman for baseball his dedication to the sport and team he loved was unmatched. He was a champion who at critical moments seemed to will his team to victory. The Dodgers and his fans will miss him terribly. Tommy is quite simply irreplaceable and unforgettable.”

Born and raised in Norristown, Pa. Thomas Charles Lasorda grew up with the blue-collar work ethic and spirit. He took that and carried it right through life on to the baseball diamond.

As a lefthanded pitcher in the minors he showed promise.

He was drafted by the Phillies in 1945. He was also drafted into the U.S. Army and missed the 1946 and 1947 seasons while serving.

In 1948 he was selected by the Brooklyn Dodgers in the minor league draft. He was released by the Dodgers in 1960 and became a scout.

In 1965 his first managing job was with the Dodger Rookie League Pocatello Chiefs. He later went on to manage Triple-A Spokane where he won titles in 1970 and 1972.

In 1973 he became third base coach of the Dodgers under Walter Austin. In 1976 he became the Dodger manager. He could motivate with the best of them.

“He’d have you believing you could do anything,” said

former Dodger Ron Cey. “He could motivate you in ways you wouldn’t believe and bring the best out of you.”

He took the team to the World series in 1977and 1978 falling to “Cheating Reggie Jackson” and the Yankees.

In 1981 he got the Dodgers the first World Series win since 1965.He appeared to be the happiest man on earth racing out of the dugout after game clinching out.

From 1979 to 1982 he Managed four Rookies of The Year that included Rick Sutcliff, Steve Howe, Fernando Valenzuela and Steve Sax. He helped create “Fernando Mania” as the then rookie soared so did Tommy’s voicing of him. “He’ll be one of the greatest pitchers ever” Lasorda said after a Fernando win. “This young man is on his way to big things, just watch.”

In 1988 he guided the team to another World Series win over the Oakland A’s. That series featured the game winning home run in the ninth by Kurt Gibson. It was one of the highlights of his career.

After health concerns he officially stepped down from manager in 1996 but became Senior Vice President.

He retired with 1,599 wins 22nd all-time in MLB history, 31 post season wins, and two World Series titles.

The Dodgers officially retire his jersey #2 in August of 1997. He wore the number because former Dodger manager Leo Durocher was who he looked up to.

You would see Tommy at many home games on the field for batting practice or walking throughout the stadium talking with fans.

In 2000 he managed the US Olympic team to a Gold Medal win over Cuba who had won the previous two Olympics.

He once said “Winning the Olympics is better than winning the World Series. When you beat the Giants and the Padres those fans are upset but when you beat other countries all the Giant

Tommy Lasorda (1927–2021), legendary Dodgers manager (Photo: Kirk Fox/legacy.com)

Continued on page A3

California Officials Respond to

President Trump Supporters’ Attack on the U.S. Capitol

Tanu Henry California Black Media Last week, after a violent mob of President Trump’s supporters attacked and invaded the United States Capitol while protesting President-elect Joe Biden’s win of the 2020 election, Capitol Police officers evacuated members of Congress to an undisclosed area nearby.

“I am safe in a secure location,” Rep. Karen Bass (DCA-37) posted on Facebook shortly after. “The President of the United States is inciting a coup. We will not be intimidated. We will not be deterred.”

That night, after the breach of the Capitol – and hours after rioters broke windows, defaced art, stole items, broke furniture, set small fires in the building, among other crimes -- the United States Senate reconvened to certify President-elect Biden’s win. Leaders from both parties said they hoped the move to complete the work they began that morning would project resilience and inspire confidence, reassuring Americans and the world that the country’s system of democracy, regarded by many as the standard throughout the world, was strong and unshaken.

The next day, Bass, who represents a Southern California district that covers parts of Los Angeles, Inglewood and Culver City, called for the immediate removal of the president.

“Donald Trump should be removed from office today,” Bass posted on Facebook. “That can happen one of two ways. First, Vice President Pence can step up and get the President’s Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment.

Unfortunately, I believe members of the Cabinet are as corrupt and unpatriotic as the president and, though the president is clearly unfit for office, they lack both the courage and the commitment to our Constitution.”

Under the 25th Amendment, if the President of the United States dies, resigns or is unable to carry out the duties of his job, the Vice President will assume the presidency.

If the Cabinet does not invoke the 25th Amendment, Bass urged her congressional colleagues to impeach the President “for the second time.”

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who represents California’s 12th congressional district, an area that spans parts of southwestern San Francisco down to – and across – parts of San Mateo County to the south, has called on President Trump to resign. Last week, Pelosi also reached out to Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff to walk through precautions that would

Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, January 6th, 2021. (Julio Cortez/Associated Press)

prevent President Trump from launching nuclear weapons or taking unilateral and unapproved military action abroad.

This weekend, Pelosi followed up with a letter to members of the House of Representatives. She told them to be prepared to return to Washington this week to possibly begin impeachment proceedings.

“When we take our oath of office, we promise to the American people our seriousness in protecting our

democracy,” she wrote. “For that reason, it is absolutely essential that those who perpetrated the assault on our democracy be held accountable. There must be a recognition that this desecration was instigated by the President.”

Then on Monday morning, the House of Representatives introduced an article of impeachment against President Trump for inciting the violence that Continued on page A3

Historic Win in Georgia Senate Race On top of Warnock’s historic win, another Democrat, Jon Ossoff has won against incumbent Republican Senator David Perdue.

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Contributor Rev. Raphael Warnock, who is the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Atlanta church where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was pastor during the civil rights movement, is now the first Black Democrat to be elected to the U.S. Senate in the Deep South in the modern political era. Warnock is the first African American to win a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia’s history.

The runoff election featured historic turnout. A voter registration strategy implemented by former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, along with a push by grassroots

groups like Black Votes Matter, led by LaTosha Brown, was a deciding factor in Warnock’s decisive win. Black voters in Georgia over-performed in the early vote and on Election Day. The balance of power in Washington and on Capitol Hill will now shift dramatically to Democrats who will now control Congress and The White House. The dual victories on the same night by Rev. Warnock and Jon Ossoff marks a repudiation of the GOP under Donald Trump.

Rev. Warnock won his heavily contested U.S. Senate race over billionaire Kelly Loeffler who was appointed to the Senate by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in December Continued on page A3

Photo: Raphael Warnock for Senate / Flickr.com

Free!

Thursday, January 14, 2021

LA Clippers and Cedars-Sinai Unveil Fan-Focused Film Series, Write the Story

Los Angeles – Today, the LA Clippers and Cedars-Sinai, the Official Health Partner of the LA Clippers, unveiled “Write the Story,” a film series featuring real stories from the Clippers’ diverse fan base. The series kicks off a season-long campaign encouraging fans to share their stories embodying “L.A. Our Way” with fans’ personal journeys of embracing the grind and relentlessly pursuing their goals.

The full-length digital feature, debuting today, highlights the unique and inspirational stories of five members of Clippers Nation in pursuit of their dreams and their passions.

This includes Jorge Urtez of South Central L.A., Community Educator with the Cedars-Sinai Healthy Habits program, who makes a difference in his community by teaching the importance of quality nutrition and physical activity and providing food for those in need. Also highlighted are Natalie Gutierrez, a youth basketball coach from Sun Valley; Colby Brooks, a studentathlete from Altadena; Jon Kim, a chef and business owner from Koreatown; and Sydni Chustz from South Central L.A., a producer, activist, and the founder of Bid Black. Fans can view the video feature in its entirety on the Clippers’ official YouTube here.

The Clippers encourage fans to share their own story and personal journey at www.clippers.com/writethestory.

Throughout the 2020-21 NBA season, additional stories will be selected and highlighted to continue to inspire Clipper Nation and will also have the opportunity of being chosen for unique moments of appreciation, including the resources and support to help achieve their goals.

Additionally, the Clippers will utilize the Write the Story platform to support small businesses across the city, including local restaurants, retailers, and creators, through gameday discounts, promotions, and leveraging the team’s social platforms.

Cedars-Sinai and the LA Clippers are longstanding partners committed to the health and wellbeing of the people of our Los Angeles community. Volunteers from both organizations recently delivered thousands of toys and masks to local youth organizations as part of the LA Clippers Holiday Toy Caravan presented by Cedars-Sinai.

Fans can get more information about the platform or submit their stories at www.clippers.com/writethestory.

Kim Janey Poised to Become Boston’s First Black Mayor Boston, MA — Kim Janey, the current city council president of Boston, is set to become the first Black person and the first woman to serve as the city’s mayor. The news comes after Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh has been chosen by Presidentelect Joe Biden as his labor secretary.

Janey has been serving in the city council since 2017 and was chosen as the city council president in January 2019. She has proven to have been confident in facing the city’s challenges head-on since then.

Under the rules of the city of Boston, the council president would serve as the acting mayor should the role become vacant until a new election.

If Walsh resigns before March 5, a special election would be necessary within 120 to 140 days from his resignation. If he leaves after March 5, Janey would serve as the acting mayor until the new election in November.

However, Councilor Ricardo Arroyo said he is seeking to eliminate the need for a special election regardless of when Walsh resigns to avoid more costs and risk, especially during the pandemic. The petition has yet been approved by the state legislature.

Meanwhile, Janey, who is 56-years old, is expected to bring remarkable developments in Boston, which is still struggling from racial injustice as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am ready to take the reins and lead our city through these difficult times,” Janey said in a statement.

Washington State to Swear in First Black Senator in 10 Years TACOMA, Wash. (AP) – Washington state will welcome several first-time lawmakers this year for the legislative session expected to begin Monday, including the state’s first Black senator in 10 years.

T’wina Nobles is scheduled to be sworn in as a state senator on Friday, and is expected to start her new role on Monday, KING-TV reported.

“Being the only current Black member of the state Senate and the first in 10 years, means I have a great responsibility,’’ Nobles said, noting the Legislature will have to balance the budget with decreased revenue because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nobles unseated Republican incumbent Steve O’Ban. The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission said the competitors combined spent more than $1.7 million on the race, not including independent expenditures.

“To challenge an incumbent, it’s a very expensive thing and especially someone that is well known. What I love is the community was very vocal, very loud,” Nobles said. “This is a way to be civically engaged and they showed with their votes, their dollars, with their time, participation that change is what we wanted to see in this district.’’

Nobles was previously the CEO and president of the Tacoma Urban League for more than three years where she helped the community with housing, health care, education and employment.

“I anticipate over the course of my term, I will see lots of protests and demonstrations,’’ she said, citing a desire for unity. “My ask is that we are all safe and civil and respectful of each other, so we can get to the real work.

So we can hear the issues and take action on the issues for our constituents.’’

The Tacoma Urban League has already launched the search for a new president.

A2

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, January 14, 2021

World & Nation

Louisville (Finally) Terminates Cops Involved in the Death of Breonna Taylor Breonna Taylor, a Black woman, was in bed sleeping next to her boyfriend when the officers attempted to serve a no-knock search warrant. Officers falsely associated Taylor with a former boyfriend’s alleged drug activities because they claimed that the man used Taylor’s address, making the house fair game for a police raid.

Taylor, a 26-year-old former EMT worker, was shot at least a half-dozen times when officers breached her apartment to serve the erroneous warrant.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The City of Louisville, Kentucky, on Wednesday, fired Det. Myles Cosgrove, the police officer who shot and killed Breonna Taylor, and Det. Joshua Jaynes, the cop who sought the warrant that led to the fatal and flawed March 13, 2020 raid of Taylor’s home.

Officer Brett Hankison was fired in June and a grand jury indicted him in September on charges of endangering Taylor’s neighbors by shooting through a nearby apartment’s windows.

The terminations were announced as the city named former Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields to head Louisville’s department. However, it was the Interim Police Chief, Yvette Gentry, who made the decision to terminate the officers.

Each of the officers is white. The officers have the right to appeal the decisions within ten days.

Taylor, a Black woman, was in bed sleeping next to

her boyfriend when the officers attempted to serve a noknock search warrant.

Officers falsely associated Taylor with a former boyfriend’s alleged drug activities because they claimed that the man used Taylor’s address, making the house fair game for a police raid.

After a grand jury failed to indict the officers, a defiant Kentucky Attorney General, Daniel Cameron, maintained his desire to keep secret the recording of the grand jury proceedings in Taylor’s case despite a judge’s order to release them.

Judge Ann Bailey Smith ruled that the recording and all discovery documents cannot be shared merely between the parties.

Smith set Wednesday, September 30, 2020 as the day the recordings were to be released. The Kentucky Attorney General complied with her order.

Taylor, a 26-year-old former EMT worker, was shot at least a half-dozen times when officers breached her

apartment to serve the erroneous warrant.

One member of the grand jury argued that Cameron “attempted to make very clear that the grand jury alone made the decision on who and what to charge.”

The anonymous juror added that “the only exception to the responsibility he foisted upon the grand jurors was in his statement that they ‘agreed’ with his team’s investigation that Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and officer Myles Cosgrove were justified in their actions.”

“It’s a compelling public interest for these proceedings to be released,” the juror continued in court filings.

“The citizens of this Commonwealth have demonstrated their lack of faith in the process and proceedings in this matter and the justice system itself.

Using the grand jurors as a shield to deflect accountability and responsibility for these decisions only sow more seeds of doubt in the process while leaving a cold chill down the spines of future grand jurors.”

Marathon Announces Property Purchase Program Southwest Detroit Residents to Benefit

Marathon Building – Marathon Office Building 1001 Oakwood St in Detroit. (Courtesy Photo)

By Renee Summers Telegram Reporter On December 17, Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) announced its offer to purchase residential properties in southwest Detroit. MPC plans to spend $5 million on the purchase program focusing on homes closest to I-75 on Edsel and South Patricia Streets, in the Boynton Neighborhood. In addition, MPC is negotiating with the City of Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA)

to purchase 38 abandoned homes and 140 vacant lotsin the neighborhood owned by the DLBA, which are in the area east of I-75 and north of Schaefer. The area is heavily surrounded by industry and lies within Detroit’s 48217 zip code, which has been deemed by both researchers and elected officials as the state’s most polluted zip code.

“I think it’s a great proposal and it’s more than purchasing homes,” said State House Representative, Tyrone Carter (6th Dist.). “Phase one is really for the safety

and beautification of the community.”

MPC’s goal is to create a green space to serve as a buffer between residents and their industrial neighbors.

Abandoned and blighted homes will be demolished. “We take great pride in being part of southwest Detroit, and we are committed to continuing our partnership with the community to improve the quality of life here,” said Dave Leaver, general manager of MPC’s Detroit refinery. “We are happy to make this property purchase option available; our intent is to work with residents in the target area to secure property and create green space at the north end of the neighborhood.” MPC’s contributions to the neighborhood include a $2 million contribution to the renovation of the Kemeny Recreation Center and ongoing support to organizations in the area including La Sed, Starfish Family Services and the Fort Street Bridge Park Project.

Carter applauds MPC’s initiative. “Where the city can’t knock down houses, they’re going to eliminate blight…they’re going to maintain the grass, they’re going to create a buffer, so for the people that want to stay, it’ll be a nicer, cleaner neighborhood, and the ones that want to leave, this gives them options,” he said.

The Property Purchase Program is strictly voluntary and will enable those eligible residents who wish to relocate to do so while residents who choose to stay will enjoy more open space. MPC has contracted with the real estate consulting firm Community Interaction Consulting (CIC) to guide residents and handle purchases. CIC will establish an information office in the neighborhood in January.

Those interested in participating in the program may begin the process on February 1, 2021.

“Residents have experienced respiratory illness, cancer, and foul odors as they suffer from the pollution in the area,” said U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib

Outrage and More Despair as Prosecutors Fail to Charge Officers in Jacob Blake Case

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The Kenosha, Wisconsin, police officer who shot Jacob Blake last August will not face criminal charges, and neither will the other cops involved.

In what’s become an all-too familiar story surrounding America’s systemic disregard for Black lives, Kenosha District Attorney Michael Graveley said the evidence didn’t support charges against the officers.

“It is my decision that no Kenosha law enforcement officer, in this case, will be charged with any criminal offense based on the facts and the laws,” Graveley proclaimed.

Blake, an unarmed African American, was shot seven times in the back by Police Officer Rusten Sheskey as his two children sat in the backseat of his car and watched in horror.

Police said they were responding to a domestic disturbance report, one that Blake reportedly had attempted to quell.

As has become custom, significantly when prosecutors decline to pursue charges, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers had stated his intention to deploy 500 National Guard troops in preparation for protests and civil unrest.

Wisconsin’s African American community reportedly are outraged.

“We are immensely disappointed in Kenosha District Attorney Michael Gravely’s decision not to charge the officers involved in this horrific shooting,” nationally

renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump and his cocounsels Patrick A. Salvi II and B’Ivory LaMarr, declared in a statement on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.

“We feel this decision failed not only Jacob and his family but the community that protested and demanded justice.”

Officer Sheskey’s actions sparked outrage and advocacy throughout the country, but the District Attorney’s decision not to charge the officer who shot Jacob in the back multiple times, leaving him paralyzed, further destroys trust in America’s justice system, Crump and his team proclaimed.

“This sends the wrong message to police officers throughout the country. It says it is OK for police to abuse their power and recklessly shoot their weapon, destroying the life of someone who was trying to protect his children,” the attorneys continued.

“This is not the news we were hoping for, but our work is not done, and hope is not lost. It is now our duty to broaden the fight for justice on behalf of Jacob and the countless other Black men and women who are victims of racial injustice and police brutality in this country.

“We will continue to press forward with a civil lawsuit and fight for systemic change in policing and transparency at all levels. We urge Americans to continue to raise their voices and demand change in peaceful and positive ways during this emotional time.”

(Dist. 13), who urges residents to seek out legal guidance before fully participating in the program. “Residents have a right to be skeptical of Marathon and I am meeting soon with Marathon to learn more about their plans. I am encouraging all residents considering the program to seek legal assistance, and my office can provide information about free legal consultation.”

Carter says MPC’s program is an example of the company’s efforts to work with the community surrounding it and creates a model for other large corporations along with their host communities to follow when pursuing outreach and consensus within that community. Carter adds that it is important for large corporations to remain compliant with local regulations. “It’s about holding our neighbors accountable, but also being good neighbors with our neighbors.”

Contact Congresswoman Tlaib at www.tlaib.house. gov. To contact State Rep. Tyrone Carter, go to www. tyronecarter@house.mi.gov.

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THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER Bakersfield News Observer Los Angeles News Observer

Jacob Blake was shot seven times in the back by a white cop.

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Thursday, January 14, 2021

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A3

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020202441 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: LOLA TAROT at 11856 Balboa Boulevard #496, Granada Hills, Ca. 91344 Mailing Address: Same County: LA County REGISTERED OWNERS(S): BIBI VENTURES LLC, CA, 11856 Balboa Boulevard #496, Granada Hills, Ca. 91344 The business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company SIGNED: MINDY ILLUMINATE, Member The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 08/2020 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Dec 1, 2020 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: (No Name), Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Dec 1, 2025 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Dec 24, 31, 2020, Jan 7, 14, 2021

creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of GEMJA TEFERA A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by SIRAK MOGES in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, Ca. 90012 Branch Name: Stanley Mosk Courthouse THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that SIRAK MOGES be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval.

Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: Feb 1, 2021 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept: 11 Room: 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, Ca. 90012 IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided on Probate Code section 9100. The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice

(for DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate code section 1250.

A request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Petitioner: Sirak Moges 19227 Broadacres Ave. Carson, Ca. 90746 Telephone: (424) 312-2370 E-Mail Address: srmoges@yahoo. com

JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Dec 28, 2025 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, 2021

FORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Dec 9, 2025 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, 2021

LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 2021

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NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF GEMJA TEFERA CASE NUMBER: 20STPB06309 To all heirs, beneficiaries,

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Dec 31, 2020, Jan 7, 14, 2021

������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020 225699 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: AIIT SYSTEMS / AI IMPEX at 3546 Canehill Ave., Long Beach, Ca. 90808 Mailing Address: Same County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): TRUSEVYCH, LLC., CA, 14345 Pioneer Blvd, Norwalk, Ca. 90650 The business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company SIGNED: LUELLA VIEGAS, CEO The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 10/2020 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Dec 28, 2020 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: T. IBARRA, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020 211491 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: AWCWORD LLC / AWCWORD / AWCWORD APPAREL / AWCWORD CLOTHING / AWCWORD EVENTS / AWCWORD MAGAZINE / AWCWORD MEDIA / AWCWORD.COM / AWCWORD.ORG at 11301 Wilshire Blvd Bldg 209 Unit 011, Los Angeles, Ca. 90073 Mailing Address: 5407 Colfax Avenue Unit 307, North Hollywood, Ca. 91601 County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): AWCWORD, LLC., CA, 11301 Wilshire Blvd Bldg 209 Unit 011, Los Angeles, Ca. 90073 The business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company SIGNED: WALTER CHOLMONDELEY, Managing Member The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 04/2020 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Dec 9, 2020 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: TODD TRAN, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BE-

������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020 215233 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: EPIQ LENDING at 123 N. Lake Ave. Suite 102, Pasadena, Ca. 91101 Mailing Address: 3160 Crow Canyon Rd. Suite 400, San Ramon, Ca. 94583 County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): EVO HOME LOANS, LLC, CA, 123 N. Lake Ave. Suite 102, Pasadena, Ca. 91101 The business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company SIGNED: KIM CALLAS, Manager The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 11/2020 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Dec 9, 2020 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: A. TORRES, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Dec 14, 2025

������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020 215705 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: HOYLE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, LLC. / HGS at 3362 Puma Avenue, Rosamond, Ca. 93560 Mailing Address: Same County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): HOYLE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, LLC, CA, 3362 Puma Avenue, Rosamond, Ca. 93560 The business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company SIGNED: SHENITA HOYLE, CEO The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 09/2020 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Dec 14, 2020 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: L. MCCOY, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Dec 14, 2025 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 2021 �������������������������������

In First Act of New Congress

Introduce Reparations Bill

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent With the start of the 117th Congress this week, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Budget, and Homeland Security, has reaffirmed her quest for legislation that could eventually provide reparations for slavery victims.

On Monday, January 4, 2021, Jackson Lee reintroduced H.R. 40, a bill that would fund a committee to explore whether Black Americans should receive reparations for slavery.

While it does not directly introduce payments, the Commission would study racial inequities and policy solutions.

“In short, the Commission aims to study the impact of slavery and continuing discrimination against AfricanAmericans, resulting directly and indirectly from slavery to segregation to the desegregation process and the present day,” stated Jackson Lee. The Congresswoman also serves as the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

“The commission would also make recommendations concerning any form of apology and compensation to begin the long-delayed process of atonement for slavery.”

Under H.R. 40, the Commission would comprise members appointed by the White House and both Congress chambers.

The bill has had increased support with 147 cosponsors in the House, all Democrats.

Because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

(R-Kentucky) and Republicans in the Senate have indicated strong opposition to taking the measure up in that Chamber, the Georgia runoff elections count as a huge step toward getting the bill passed.

Two Senate seats are at stake in Georgia, with Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock squaring off against Republicans Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue.

“The impact of slavery and its vestiges continues to affect African Americans and indeed all Americans in communities throughout our nation,” Jackson Lee remarked.

“This legislation is intended to examine the institution of slavery in the colonies and the United States from 1619 to the present, and further recommend appropriate remedies. Since the initial introduction of this legislation, its proponents have made substantial progress in elevating the discussion of reparations and reparatory justice at the national level and joining the mainstream international debate on the issues.”

Jackson Lee noted that some have “tried to deflect” the importance of these conversations by focusing on individual monetary compensation.

“The real issue is whether and how this nation can come to grips with the legacy of slavery that still infects current society. Through legislation, resolutions, news, and litigation, we are moving closer to making more strides in the movement toward reparations,” Jackson Lee said.

The Texas Congresswoman noted that she expects more co-sponsors during the new Congress.

“Today, there are more people at the table — more activists, more scholars, more CEO’s, more state and local officials, and more Members of Congress,” she declared.

“However, despite this progress and the election of the first American President of African descent, the legacy of slavery lingers heavily in this nation. While we have focused on the social effects of slavery and segregation, its continuing economic implications remain largely ignored by mainstream analysis.”

Jackson Lee continued: “These economic issues are the root cause of many critical issues in the African American community today, such as education, healthcare, and criminal justice policy, including policing practices. The call for reparations represents a commitment to entering a constructive dialogue on the role of slavery and racism in shaping present-day conditions in our community and American society.

“I believe that H.R. 40 is a crucial piece of legislation because it goes beyond exploring the economic implications of slavery and segregation.

“It is a holistic bill in the sense that it seeks to establish a commission to also examine the moral and social implications of slavery.

“In short, the Commission aims to study the impact of slavery and to address continuing disparities in the African American community and discrimination against the African American community, resulting directly and indirectly from slavery to segregation.

“After its study, the Commission would offer proposals concerning the long-term impact of slavery and bring about solutions to these ongoing disparities in the African American Community.”

Dennis Eckersley takes time out with Tommy Lasorda at Fenway Park. Tommy was promoting prostate cancer awareness in MLB cities. (Photo: Earl Heath)

The Big Dodger Tommy Lasorda Passes at Age of 93 Continued from page A1

fans and Padre fans and Dodger fans are happy, that’s a great thing for the country” There are so many stories at eateries of “Uncle Tommy.”

He once said- “When we win I’m so happy we eat a lot.

When we lose I’m depressed, I eat a lot. When we’re rained out I’m so disappointed I eat a lot.”

At one Dodger game in Denver Tommy walked into the media room grabbed his meal and as he got to the cashier he said “Ten dollars please.” Lasorda replied “Send the bill to Dodger Stadium and he never broke stride heading to his table. One seated he stated, “They have a multi-milliondollar stadium here and their worried about ten dollars.

What the f%$ k is that all about.”

He entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.He is also in the Pacific Coast League Hall, The Italian American Sports, Pennsylvania, International league to name a few.

He has a few honorary Degrees from Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine, Cal State and Concordia University.

He traveled around the country to Major league cities creating prostate cancer awareness.

Tommy also had several quotes he once told Bill Plaschke that stood out like: “My wife tells me one day I think you love baseball more than me. I say well I guess that’s true but I love you more the football and hockey” -On Mike Scioscia: “If he raced his pregnant wife he’d finish third.”

- “Listen if you start worrying about people in the stands you’ll be up there with them.”

“Uncle Tommy” touched so many people, players and families over the years he will be truly missed.

A final Tommy quote: “I bleed Dodger Blue and when I die, I’m going to that big Dodger in the Sky”

Trump Supporters’ Attack on the U.S. Capitol Continued from page A1

erupted at the Capitol last week. But Republican members blocked Speaker Pelosi’s push to prompt Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment.

The mayhem at the Capitol began the afternoon of Jan. 6, when hundreds of President Trump’s supporters overpowered officers, broke through barriers and stormed the Capitol building. Five Americans died during the riots, including a police officer. So far, there has not been an official estimate of the damage but, according to several news reports, taxpayers will have to pick up the tab for repairs because the building that houses the United States Legislature is not insured.

This past weekend, U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-13), whose district covers Oakland and other parts of Alameda County, announced that she joined another member of California’s congressional delegation, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA-14), and 45 other colleagues to pen a letter to the Speaker. Speier represents an area covering

parts of San Francisco and San Mateo counties.

The members of the House of Representatives called on Speaker Pelosi to conduct an in-depth investigation of the security breach.

“Despite promises made to Members of Congress that every precaution was being taken and that there was adequate manpower and coordination, hundreds of people were able to easily enter restricted parts of the Capitol grounds, including the steps, and break into the building itself,” the lawmakers wrote. “Even before yesterday’s events, it was clear that security at the Capitol was inadequate to address current security threats.”

From the same secret location that Rep. Bass posted Wednesday during the attack, Rep. Maxine Waters (DCA-43) also spoke by phone to her constituents.

“I know that I could be a target. It was only a few days ago that another threat came in to kill me,” Waters, who represents parts of southern Los Angeles County, said to

L.A. Magazine.

“I know that I should be careful as much as I possibly can,” Waters continued. “I’m a target. As a Black controversial woman, I have the White supremacists and others who are constantly after me, threatening me, saying terrible things about me, and lying about my stance on issues. I live with this and so I’m not surprised that we have protesters. But I am surprised that they have the support of the President of the United States of America.”

Republican California U.S. Congressmen Devin Nunes (D-CA-22) and Kevin McCarthy (D-CA-23), who supported the pro-Trump public protests and legislative objections to President-elect Biden’s certification – were among the lawmakers in Washington that day that were ushered away from the Capitol into hiding. Both men represent inland congressional districts in the San Joaquin Valley. Nunes’ district includes parts of Tulare and Fresno counties and McCarthy’s district covers parts of the

foothills and elevations of the Tehachapi Mountains and the Sierra Nevada.

Gov. Newsom ordered the flags at the California State Capitol to fly at half-staff on Sunday. He said it was a salute to the U.S. Capitol Police officer who died as a result of wounds he suffered when a mob attacked him during the riots.

“Our democracy rests on our common civility. As we work to heal from the aggressions that occurred against our seat of democracy this past week, we honor U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who lost his life in defense of our democratic institutions,” the governor said. “Our hearts are with his family and all of our fellow public servants, our Congressional delegation and the brave men and women in uniform who protect us.”

Rev. Raphael Warnock’s Historic Win in Georgia Senate Race Continued from page A1

2019. The U.S. Senate race cost over $200 million with soon-to-be Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell donating over $60 million from his PAC. By late Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning after Election Day in Georgia, Warnock had 2,227,296 votes to Loeffler’s 2,173,866.

On top of Warnock’s historic win, another Democrat, Jon Ossoff has won against incumbent Republican Senator David Perdue. As election results continued to come in showing how close the Warnock/Loeffler race would be, some Republicans began assigning blame for the coming

The balance of power in Washington and on Capitol Hill will now shift dramatically to Democrats who will now control Congress and The White House. The dual victories on the same night by Rev. Warnock and Jon Ossoff marks a repudiation of the GOP under Donald Trump

loss to President Trump.

The stunning double victory on a single night for Democrats will change the trajectory of the presidency of Joseph Biden, which begins on January 20. The U.S. Senate will be tied 50-50 and Vice President-elect Kamara Harris will now become a pivotal figure required to often preside over the U.S. Senate from the presiding officers Chair and break ties on key policy and nominees.

In the race for The White House in 2020, Trump lost Georgia to Joe Biden by over 11,000 votes on November 3, 2020. In the days before the runoff elections in Georgia,

Trump spent most of his time criticizing other Republicans in Georgia. Trump had earlier called into question the validity of the voting process in Georgia. The President also pressured Georgia officials to flip the state in his favor as Congress is set to officially certify the presidential election.

Trump’s words signaled an internal war in the Republican Party as the out-going President caused problems within the GOP. Trump attacked Republican Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and the Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger. That, along with out-going U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell single handedly

blocked $2,000 checks to assist Americans in a pandemic that has killed over 350,000 people, likely impacting the results in Georgia.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is also a political strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

A4

Entertainment THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Perceptive Amber Ruffin Earns TV Spotlight

By LYNN ELBER AP Television Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) – If you’re someday in need of a plus-one to liven an unpromising party, consider Amber Ruffin. In fact, skip the party and just hang with Ruffin, whose weekly comedy show is proving her to be excellent company.

Ruffin’s exuberant charm can and should lure you in to Peacock’s weekly “The Amber Ruffin Show,’’ but expect humor that’s incisive and impressively deft, including on race, politics and the sunny side of life, such as it is.

A memorable moment from Ruffin’s show last fall was a lullaby she sang oh-so-sweetly: “The sun has set, it’s time to go to bed. Brush your teeth and rest your sleepy head.

When you wake in the morning, you’ll rise and do your best. Then in November, your vote will be suppressed.’’

Trained in improv and a writer on NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers’’ since 2014, Ruffin was ready for her star turn on Peacock: The streaming service ordered 10 additional episodes of the weekly show that debuted last fall, with new half-hours released on Fridays.

Ruffin easily shifts from “wildly silly to incredibly insightful and moving,’’ Meyers said. “There are very few people that can swing back and forth as ably as Amber can, and that’s been on full display on our show and even more so on hers.’’

Tarik Davis, her longtime comedy partner and an actor and singer, is Ruffin’s game sidekick through jokes, skits and duets.

The Omaha, Nebraska, native spoke with The Associated Press about her start in entertainment, how she and other Black women are making their mark, and the book Ruffin wrote with her sister, Lacey Lamar, about routine brushes with racism _ and yes, “You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey’’ is funny as well as eye-opening.

The interview has been edited for clarity and length.

AP: What pulled you out of your hometown and to Chicago to

pursue a career in comedy?

Ruffin: I used to improvise in Omaha and it was very fun, and we would go to Chicago to do the Chicago Improv Festival, which was a big deal. You set to see real improvisers you only ever heard stories about. So one year I’m there and Charna Halpern, who runs the iO Theater in Chicago, said, `If you move here, you’ll have a full-time job within a year.’ And she was right, I did.

AP: Did you know what your ultimate goal was?

Ruffin: Everything that happens to me is a surprise.

I did not see myself ever going to New York. And when I got this job writing for Seth, I knew people wrote for latenight shows, but you just don’t hear a lot about that and certainly don’t hear about Black people doing it, so it just didn’t occur to me that it was a thing. Then when I got this job, I thought, `Oh, I’m just never going to know what is the next thing.’ I don’t try to guess and I don’t try to plan anything. But I have to be trying to do a very good job, because it seems like that what’s driving everything is my working hard and hopefully doing a good job.

AP: Amid demands for diversity, a number of Black women are coming into their own as successful writers, producers and performers, including you, Robin Thede and Issa Rae. Why do you think that’s the case?

Ruffin: Most of the Black women I know take care of what is wrong, and no matter what their job is, they’re doing four people’s jobs. They’re always making sure that everything’s taken care of, and when no one else will do it, it falls to us. I think once people started hiring Black women to write on shows, they realized we won’t just take care of the things you asked us to hand in. We’ll produce the (expletive) out of stuff. I think people are slowly realizing that is Black women behavior, and then once you put some money behind it, whoa, baby, we’ll do all the work.

AP: Your sister has made a habit of keeping notes on her encounters with racism, at work and elsewhere. How did you decide that would make for a book?

Ruffin: When something racist happens to her, she calls me on the phone, and she’ll be telling the story and I’ll be doubled over laughing and crying because it’s hilarious.

That’s everybody who gets discriminated against, like when you were talking to your boss and he couldn’t stop looking at your boobs. I was on my way for a meeting about doing a book and Lacey called and said, `You will never believe this.

We got T-shirts at work because we met our goal, and all

the supervisors except for me are white and almost everyone else is Black, and the shirts say “(hash)Wewinnin.”

AP: What would you like readers to take away from her experiences?

Ruffin: I hope they look back at what society is and what workplaces are and go, ‘I’ve helped create a place where stories like these aren’t welcome.’

James on This Week’s Unrest: “We Live in Two Americas”

Amber Ruffin’s exuberant charm can and should lure you in to Peacock’s weekly “The Amber Ruffin Show,’’

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) – LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers teammates were already upset after a Wisconsin prosecutor on Tuesday decided not to charge a police officer who shot a Black man last year.

Then came Wednesday when a violent mob loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol to delay Congress from certifying the results of November’s election.

What James watched on television along with his family continued to reinforce his view of the wide divide in the country.

“We live in two Americas and a prime example of that was yesterday. If you don’t understand or see that then you need to take a step back. Not just one step but four or five or even 10 steps backward,’’ James said Thursday night after the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the San Antonio Spurs 118-109. “How do you want your kids or grandkids to live in this beautiful country? Yesterday was not it. I couldn’t help but to wonder if those were my kind storming the Capitol what would have been the outcome. We all know what would have happened if anyone even got close let alone storm or get in the offices.’’

James wore a shirt walking into Staples Center before the game that said “Do you understand now.’’ He also had it written on his sneakers during the game. Players and coaches from both teams locked arms in a circle at midcourt during the national anthem.

When asked what we meant by his shirt, James said he wants people to understand what athletes and Black people are saying.

“You will never understand the feeling of being a black man and woman in America,’’ James said. “Do you understand how hard it is to continue to inspire and give everything we got? Everyone jumps on the bandwagon of what we provide, what we bring. How we dress, our music, our culture, our food. Everyone steals from what we do and then they want to act like we did it or brought it to this

world. We don’t get our due diligence or anything back to his country except a slap in the face.’’

Tuesday’s decision by a prosecutor in Kenosha, Wisconsin, not to bring charges against the officer who shot Jacob Blake, drew ire throughout the NBA. Blake’s shooting was one of many social issues players focused on last summer when play resumed in the Orlando, Florida, bubble.

James has remained a critic of Trump during his four years in office and said that what happened at the U.S. Capitol was a direct correlation of what Trump represents.

“He doesn’t care about this country or his family. We saw the tweets along the whole path to this destruction.

Over the last four years we all knew,’’ he said. “One thing you can never get back is time. We’ve literally just (thrown) away four years.’’

“Yesterday was shameful. We are supposed to be setting an example for all other countries on how to run things and change the world and yesterday we looked like a third-, fourth-, fifth-world country. It was embarrassing.’’

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who also hasn’t held back in expressing his views about President Trump, said he believed Trump enjoyed Wednesday’s insurrection.

“I believe with all my heart that Trump enjoyed it,’’ Popovich said 90 minutes before tipoff. “They talked about the police and how easy it was and the barriers were pulled and they just walked right in. That doesn’t happen unless there’s a wink and a nod somewhere. That just doesn’t happen. It’s never happened at any protest anybody’s ever been to.

“That’s why I don’t think it’s so far fetched for people to start talking about the 25th amendment. We know it probably won’t happen.’’

Popovich also took time to laud James, calling him an “iconic figure.’’

“As a human being and citizen and someone who looks at the social issues of our time, he doesn’t do it with hate. He just tells the truth,’’ Popovich said of James.

Harris Team Says They Were Blindsided by Vogue Cover

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) _ Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has landed on the cover of the February issue of Vogue magazine, but her team says there’s a problem: the shot of the country’s soon-to-be No. 2 leader isn’t what both sides had agreed upon, her team says.

Instead of the powder blue power suit Harris wore for her cover shoot, the first African American woman elected vice president is instead seen in more casual attire and wearing Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers, which she sometimes wore on the campaign trail.

Harris’ team was unaware that the cover photo had been switched until images leaked late Saturday, according to a person involved in the negotiations over how Harris would be featured on the cover. Harris’ office declined comment and the person spoke Sunday on condition of anonymity.

Representatives for Vogue did not respond Sunday to emailed requests for comment.

Harris, who is of Jamaican and Indian descent, posed in the light blue suit in front of a gold backdrop for the magazine’s cover. She also posed, more casually dressed in slacks, a blazer and sneakers in front of a pink and green background, for photos that were planned for inside the magazine, the person said. Pink and green are the colors of Harris’ college sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Vogue has released both images online, but the photo of a sneaker-clad Harris is the one that will grace the cover of the fashion bible’s print edition.

The person with knowledge of the negotiations said Harris’ team has expressed to Vogue its disappointment over the magazine’s decision.

The cover also generated outrage on social media as posters expressed disappointment in how the magazine decided to present the nation’s first female vice president on its cover.

Harris is set to be sworn in as vice president on Jan. 20.

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Sports

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A5

Courtside with Clippers – Week 2

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com The Los Angeles Clippers started this past week off as first seed in the competitive Western Conference. This week would consist of games on back-to-back nights, including their 2021 home opener. They would also have a home and away match up with a Pacific Division rival.

Going into this second week of the season, would be favored in each of these games, whether it played on the road or not. On the schedule this week is the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls at home and a couple away games against the Golden State Warriors. To begin the week the Clippers are 3-1 on the road, coupled with a 2-1 record at Staples center.

As you can expect each week, this periodical will provide some exclusive insight into the Los Angeles Clippers season each week. You can look forward to a summarization of their games each week, along with some quotes from the players and coaching from their various matchups. Additionally, I will also provide my commentary on how I see the team progressing and if they are playing up to our expectations of bringing the initial championship to this organization.

1/5/21 (0-0) San Antonio Spurs vs (5-2) Los Angeles Clippers The Los Angeles Clippers welcomed in the San Antonio for their season opener of 2021. Though the Spurs come into this matchup with a 2-4 record, they will be looking to get some momentum by taking on these newly arranged teams. However, the Clippers would sorely miss their high scorer Paul George, who tweaked his ankle in their last game. Thus far in the season, Paul George is averaging 5.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.

The Spurs jumped out to an early in the first quarter.

Spurred on by Patty Mills shooting 4-5 from deep and finishing the quarter with 13 points. Dejounte Murray picked up the slack in the second quarter by scoring 10 points on 10 shots and pulling down 5 rebounds. 2nd forward Keldon Johnson, helped the Spurs gain an advantage on the boards in the first half 30 to the Clippers 24 rebounds.

When asked about what ignited their spirit for their game Patty Mills said, “It was a mentality we came out with on the defensive end. It has nothing to do with shooting the ball.” He went on to say, “playing team defense like that fuels the fire and confidence for everyone to be able to play with the same sort of energy.”

Kawhi Leonard’s 17 points at the half coupled with Nic Batum 8 point and 8 rebounds kept the Clippers within striking distance. They would continue their run in the 3rd quarter behind Kawhi’s 11 points and Patrick Beverley’s 3 three-pointers and 3 assists in the quarter. Overall the Clippers finished the third quarter shooting over 77% from the 3 point range, to narrow the gap to within one.

Patrick Beverley finished the game with 20 points, on an impressive night by shooting a career high 6 3-pointers to add to Nicolas Batum 21 points and 9 rebounds. Leonard’s game-high 30 points and 10 assists led the Clippers.

The Spurs withstood an onslaught by Kawhi Leonard in the third before nearly blowing their lead in the fourth behind them shooting 60% from 3 point range. In this game, the Spurs tied a franchise record with 20 3-pointers. Led by Patty Mills who hit a career-high eight 3-pointers and scored 27 points off the bench, paired Dejounte Murray 21 points and 5 assists. This Spurs snapped a four-game losing streak when they defeated the

Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George surveys the floor this past Sunday vs the Chicago Bulls.

(Photo Credit: Los Angeles Clippers)

Los Angeles Clippers 116-113 in this matchup.

When Kawhi was asked about Patrick Beverley’s career night, he responded by saying, “He was pushing the pace in transition, getting to the paint and throwing it out to shooters.”

He continued to say. “He was very active on defense.”

1/6/21 (4-3) Golden State Warriors vs (5-3) Los Angeles Clippers On a gloomy day for the nation, some thought the NBA should postpone the games scheduled for that night, considering the insurgence that took place on our nation capital this afternoon.

However, the Clippers were set to travel to San Francisco to take on the Golden State Warriors the second night of a back to back games. As the schedule makers would have it the Clippers would play for the back-to-back games said Warriors, as the NBA is looking to minimize travel and opportunities for players and coaches to attract this hideous virus that’s lingering in America.

This back-to-back game would signify the first time Kawhi Leonard’s played in a back to back game since April of 2017.

Though Kawhi would show no signs of wear in this matchup as he rang up 21 points on the Warriors with 4 rebounds and four assists in this game. Kawhi and his teammates would also welcome back Paul George to the lineup, who sat out Tuesday night’s game vs the Spurs with a sore ankle.

The Clipper also welcomed back Marcus Morris for the first time this season. As he has been sidelined by a right knee injury.

With the events that happened earlier that day in Washington,

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) makes his move to the basket vs San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) last Thursday night at Staples Center. (Photo Credit: Adam Pantozzi/Sean M. Haffey/NBA E)

Lakers Pull Together After Return to Staples

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The Lakers now have the best record 8-3 (at press time), they have won eight of their last ten games. After a road trip the team returned to Staples Center took on a red-hot San Antonio team. The visitors hit 16 of 35 (46%) from the three-point line and played a team game dishing out 28 assists. That lead to a 118-109 win. The veteran LaMarcus Aldridge led the team with 28 points and Demar DeRozan added 19.

The Lakers were led by LeBron James 27 points and 12 assists Anthony Davis had 23 and 10 rebounds in the loss. Davis later expressed his disappointment in the defense the team played.

The following night facing the Chicago the Lakers put on a full team effort with five players in double figures. Led by newcomer Wesley Mathews starting in the place of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, poured in 14 points while hitting 4 of 8 from the behind arc. Montrezl Harrell had 17 to go with 14 boards as the bench energized the team in the second half. Lebron led

team in scoring with 28 and Dennis Schroder chipped in 17 in a 117-115 win.

Next up James Harden and the Rockets came to Staples.

Anthony Davis return after nursing an injury. The team played at a high tempo as they put the clamps on the Rockets with 13 steals and 8 blocked shots in a 120 -102 win.

“We want to be the best defensive team in the league and tonight was a good start,” said Lebron James.

Talen Horton-Tucker missed just one of eight field goal attempts and had a career high 20 points. In 21 minutes.

“I always say I want to learn,” said the twenty-year-old. “I try to be a sponge is the most important thing you have to do when you’re learning especially around guys of this caliber. So just being a sponge is probably been the key to me doing good things.”

They will host New Orleans Friday and Golden State Monday at Staples on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

DC, Morris wasn’t’ shy about his thoughts that he didn’t think the teams should have played. The New Jersey native said, “It’s hard to really put it into words just the direction this country is going in; ... Just being an African American In know that, quite frankly, if it was people of color things would’ve played out a lot differently… just out of respect I thought we shouldn’t have played.”

The Clippers did pull this game out after Kawhi Leonard put his team ahead with key buckets down the stretch en route to 21 his points and their win over the Golden State Warriors. In the loss, Warriors’ minds still on the events from earlier in the day, as evidence in their post-game comments made by Head Coach Steve Kerr and Draymond Green.

“I started the day thinking about how we were going to guard Lou Williams without fouling him, suddenly that didn’t seem quite as important when I turned the TV on as shootaround was beginning,” Kerr said. “... It’s just a clear reminder that the truth matters in our country.”

When asked about his thoughts on what happened in Washington DC, the outspoken Green wasn’t shy about sharing his thoughts when he stated, “I think it was ridiculous. It’s baffling to see the reaction that the law enforcement had… to see the national guard standing on those same steps for a peaceful protest and now to see a terrorist attack and no National Guard; it just goes to show you where this country is, where always has been and probably where it’s going to stay!”

1/8/21 (5-4) Golden State Warriors vs (6-3) Los Angeles Clippers After defeating the Warriors on Wednesday the Clippers would stay in the Bay Area only to play them again on Friday in the second half of the back-to-back. By holding Steph to 13 points in the previous game, they should’ve been prepare for Steph to rebound from that uninspiring performance. This would require the Clippers to come into this matchup with a defensive mindset intent on duplicating their efforts from earlier in the week.

Paul George led the Clippers in scoring during the first half with 17, while Nic Batum and Kawhi Leonard each finished the half with double-digit points as well. In the first half of this game, Steph registered 17 outdoing his scoring output from Wednesday night. By going 4-5 from deep and handing out 7 assists, he was clearly in a rhythm NBA fan have come to expect from him.

Although Kawhi Leonard tallied 11 points after halftime of this game, which helped the Clippers jump out to a 21 point lead. Fully ablaze Stef shot 60% from the field and adding 4 more three-pointers, totaling 19 points and two more assists to narrow the game 6 points closing out the 3rd quarter. Led by Curry, the Warriors carried all the momentum into the 4th quarter.

When asked how Curry’s game inspired the rest of the team, Clippers Guard Paul George said in his post-game comments, “I mean you got a guy that’s hot like that, it takes a lot of pressure off for everybody at that point. Guys play harder. They got a guy who at any point can get hot and is an obvious offensive threat from anywhere on the court. It just fuels the whole team. They want to make extra plays, they want to keep their guy hot, keep the ball in his hands. And then it just gets to a point where they get comfortable, they get confident, the basket is just big for them. So I think that is what happened tonight.”

Curry finished the game with nine three pointers for 38 points, as the Warriors outscored the Clippers 34-18 in the final quarter of the game. Those nine three-pointers were the most any Warriors scored by anyone on the team. Warriors Head Coach

Steve Kerr said this in his post-game press conference, “He’s been doing this for many, many years and it’s one of the reasons he’s a two-time MVP.” 1/10/21 (4-6) Chicago Bulls vs (6-4) Los Angeles Clippers It’s well documented the Clippers don’t do well in early Sunday games and this game vs the Chicago Bulls tipped off at 1:00 pm. To no surprise the Clippers allowed the Bulls to jump out to an early 12-7. Zach Lavine hit 2 early three sandwiched by Wendell Carter Jr., buckets in the paint. To give Bulls finished the 1st quarter with a 9-point lead after the first quarter.

Paul George and Kawhi Leonard shot 75% and 66% from the three-point line respectively in that first half. Zach LaVine would do all he could to keep the Bulls in the game as he led them with 16 points in the half. Patrick Williams pitched in 11 points to help the Bulls gain a lead 59-52 as they head into the locker room at the half.

Clippers came out in the 3rd quarter playing solid defense, the maskless Kawhi got a steal and took it in for a dunk, and they also hit a couple of three-pointers to narrow the lead. Before the Bulls answered with a couple of three-pointers of their own.

In this game, Kawhi hit five three-pointers in the third quarter and also eclipsed the 10K point mark in his career. It is the most points scored and most three-pointers he’s scored in a single quarter in his career finishing with 21 in that explosive 3rd quarter. Kawhi finished the night with seven made three-pointers which is also a career-high. Leonard was asked post-game if he thinks about his accomplishments and accolades, his response was just as you might have suspected. “It’s a stepping stone, but to be honest I really don’t care about it! I’m here, in the league, to just play basketball, to play hard, and to try to win games!”

Not to be outdone, Zach LaVine put up 15 points in that big 3rd quarter, where he matched Kawhi and the Clippers shot for shot. LaVine also chipped 14 points in the 4th quarter, as he finished the game 10-16 from the arc and total 45 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists keeping the Bulls in the game.

This is Paul George’s sixth game this season with at least five three-pointers made which is the most such games in the NBA. This is the fifth game in franchise history that the Clippers have made at least 20 three-pointers. Batum’s three-pointer he made while being fouled, vaulted them to a 3-point lead once he hit his free throw, giving them a 3-point lead with 2:24 left in the game.

Lou Williams then gets a steal from Bulls Guard Colby White to increase their lead to 5 points with 1:30 remaining, which essentially gave the Clippers their 7th win of this young season.

I would think Coach Ty Lue isn’t pleased with them going 2-2 this past week. Even though we’ve seen Kawhi play consecutive games for the first time in years, losing to an undermanned Spurs team wasn’t a good look, though their loss to the Warriors was a bit more understandable especially since the leagues only unanimous MVP reminded us why he was deserving of this stature. Kindly, share your thoughts on what you’ve noticed about the Clippers team thus far, by reaching out to me on Twitter @ whatsgoodnsport or forward any suggestions on what topics or angles you’d like to see discussed to info@whatsgoodinsports. com.

Lastly, be sure to 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 to name a few. On our Podcast, we have passionate banter about various NFL storylines, while addressing the multitude of NBA topics.

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer There was a show of grit and intenseness by the Los Angeles defense as they came up big on the road against the Seattle Seahawks.

All the talk leading up to the wildcard playoff game was who would start at quarterback for the Rams, but that didn’t matter to the defense. They knew their role all year has been big plays and they did that on the way to a 30-20 win over their division rival.

Jon Wolford got the start and appeared to be moving the team in for a score when he went down with a neck injury. Before exiting he had completing 3 of 6 passes for 29 yards midway through the first quarter.

After two Matt Gay field goals, Darious Williams gave the team a big spark when picked off a Russell Wilson pass and raced 42 yards to paydirt giving the Rams a 13-3 second quarter lead.

The interception was the longest returned for a score in franchise playoff history. The defense sacked Wilson 5 times, that is second most in the playoffs since 1973. They also held Seattle to 278 yards total offense. That’s third lowest since the veteran QB joined the team in 2012.

“We are just are like glue,” said Williams. “We (the defense) stick together, we believe in each other and we just go out and play for each other.”

Jarrod Goff stepped in for Wolford and led the Rams on a 5 play, 75-yard drive the included a third down 44-yard catch and run by Cam Ackers.

Akers would later finish the drive with a five-yard touchdown run which was the first touchdown scored by the offense in the last three games.

On the day Ackers rushed for 131 yards on 28 carries. At the half he had 158 yards of offense on his way to becoming the first Ram rookie to rush for 100 yards in a playoff game. It’s also the most yards in a playoff game under McVay.

“He’s tough, I thought he was really getting into the rhythm early on in the game and it was big,” said McVay. “We were able to control the time of possession and eat up yards a little bit at a time and he’s a special player.”

Right around the seven-minute mark the Rams had a 10-point lead, that’s when linebacker Samson Ebukam put a hit on Seahawks punt returner D.J. Reed causing a fumble.

Micah Kiser recovered and that led to a score. In just 2:16 Goff connected with Robert Woods on a 15 yarder to help put the game out of reach.

Goff finished the day completing 9 of 19 passes for 155 yards and a TD giving him a 93.1 QBR. The four-year veteran seemed prepared for his moment his passes wee crisp- a couple of the appeared to float a bit due to his recent thumb troubles.

“My whole mindset throughout the week was to stay ready, you never know what could happen,” said Goff who saw his first action since surgery December 28th ago.

RAM NOTES: Aaron Donald had 2 sacks and now has 15 sacks in 15 games against Wilson. Donald was names unanimous All-Pro last week. L.A. is 11-8 vs. Wilson it’s the only team he has a losing record against. The RAMS snapped the Seahawks 10 game home play-off win streak.

Leonard Floyd had 2 of LA’s 5 sacks and has had 2 in three straight has had one sack in 19 consecutive games. The RAMS only committed one penalty-They have the 2nd fewest in the NFL (71). It’s also the 37th consecutive time Sean McVay’s team won a game after leading at the half.

NEXT UP: They travel to Green Bay to take on the 13-3 Packers. It will feature the RAMS #1 ranked Defense giving up a league low 18.8 point a game going against Aaron Rodgers and the top-rated offense averaging 31.8 point a game. McVay will be facing former offensive co-ordinator Matt Lafleur whom he hired in 2017. The game can be seen at 1:35 on Fox channel 11.

Rams Defense Moves Them to Next Round

Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (54) sacks Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson. (Photo Credit: Brevin Townsell/LA Rams)

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THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, January 14, 2021

In Dr. King’s Honor, California

Black Doctors Call for Urgent Action During COVID-19 Crisis “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhuman.” — Martin Luther King Jr. Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc. Covered California News Three African American health leaders — advocates for expanded health care who are on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19 raging across California — took a moment to reflect on the state of health care as the holiday honoring civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. approaches on Jan. 18.

Doctors David Carlisle, Elaine Batchlor and Adrian James are admirers of King and find his words of injustice in health care even more profound as hospitals and clinics are overflowing with COVID-19 patients — many of them African Americans and other people of color.

“On the day that we celebrate the great civil rights icon’s birthday, Dr. King’s sentiment has never been more relevant than today, as the pandemic has laid bare the great health inequities that remain in this country,” said Dr. Carlisle, president and CEO of Charles R. Drew University

of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles. “COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on communities of color makes it more important than ever that African Americans, Latinos and other people of color seek out affordable health care coverage, such as through Covered California, and also get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.”

Carlisle, Batchlor and James recently teamed up with Covered California to address vaccine confidence and encourage Black Californians to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available, and to sign up for quality health insurance coverage through Covered California or MediCal. “Every day at MLK Community Hospital in South Los Angeles, we see high rates of unmanaged chronic disease that lead to poorer health outcomes,” said Dr. Batchlor, the hospital’s CEO. “This is illuminated by the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the African American community. We must change our country’s separate and unequal system of care, which is perpetuated by a payment system that disincentivizes doctors to serve in low-income communities like ours.

“I believe access to high-quality health care is a basic human right, and providing universal quality care to everyone, regardless of income level, race or political beliefs is a fundamental act of social justice,” Dr. Batchlor said.

Dr. Adrian James of the West Oakland Health Council in the San Francisco Bay Area said he and his colleagues are fighting misinformation circulating in the African American community about the vaccines to fight COVID-19.

Underlying medical conditions caused by inequality make people of color more susceptible to illness caused by COVID-19, Dr. James said. Other challenges Black people face include the inability to work from home and social distance.

“The quote from Dr. King that ‘Of all forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhuman’ is true because it may lead to death, which is the worst possible outcome. In California, the pandemic has had a devastating impact on the African American community,” Dr. James said.

The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of quality health care coverage. Right now, an estimated 1.2 million Californians are uninsured — including an estimated 67,000 African Americans — even though they are eligible for financial help through Covered California, or they qualify for low-cost or no-cost coverage through Medi-Cal. “Roughly nine out of every 10 consumers who enroll through Covered California receive financial assistance — in the form of federal tax credits, state subsidies, or both — which helps make health care more affordable,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said.

Covered California’s current open-enrollment period lasts until Jan. 31. Consumers interested in learning more about their coverage options can: • Visit www.CoveredCA.com.

• Get free and confidential in-person assistance, in a variety of languages, from a certified enroller.

• Have a certified enroller call them and help them for free. Call Covered California at (800) 3001506.