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F u e cat dartein ed rt h ia Ryen, theirCooper killed husban ca er te that they Chiang sa se and final rs successfu complicatin ly take pla d in front an 1 d n 0 id am -y an ll ly ce g y d ea d M th ed en u to ar rw ri e cGuire says neighbor C D sure justice o ng the cam re- th rosecutions’ that DNA hristopherld daughter Jessica ifane Doug and Peggy belonging toiana Roper came foprw w p is h ev ai e cl en se g an id ai n. “Not on rved,” he got out imal was her former Hughes. Po d d with bloo ms, a wom- but testing in thence can help law en to chec boyfriend ar lice foundan 11-year-old inal. She turned Animal Cobigger than a house dy clothing is case wou forcemently is it proven w th the bloodie E h n o d cat. e v tr es so w ld en ev o to tr as lv l idence over co oyed it. o th an e a violent cr ffi m cr o ce u an e im d g rs at im h es to the poli - is bold, he is tread Newsom’s decisio no cost to the stat , trauma. al hospital, where rushed the ble African Am ce, but thim e.” n in the C ing carefu issue that it was diagn ericans, His ey ose panics and watching. California voters acllroy on a potentially opoper case sh Dr. Kristi Krause other mino H e , o ss a e is keepin ex la v th ri p et ec zi e er n p rities liv- C ts in g o th li tica g his focus back into th e 11-pound (5-k arian, tells th ontinued on fairnesl sspectrum are ilo on page A e wild after are investigatOR M (AP) anONTARIO, d justice 2 it regainsgstram) cat to cGu–irAuthorities e visited rength. ing a stabbing in th anateastern truck stop as th if he seOregon e bobcaat poses it again, o h sible hate crime. e’ll issue a ti n Friday. cket for ja The Ontario Police Department said Ronnell Hughes, who is a 48-year-old black man, was at an Arby’s Restaurant about 9:40 a.m. Saturday when he was stabbed multiple times in the neck by Nolan Strauss, 26, of Nebraska.

Strauss, who is a white man, is believed to be a truck driver and remains in Malheur County Jail on charges of attempted murder, assault and intimidation. It’s unclear if he’s represented by an attorney.

Police said Hughes recently moved to the area and was inside the Pilot truck stop seeking employment. He was sitting down at the Arby’s near the Idaho border when he was attacked with a knife unprovoked.

Hughes was taken to an Idaho hospital in “stable” condition.

The Arby’s employees who intervened and subdued Strauss were not hurt.

Police said there’s no indication the two men knew each other or interacted before the sudden attack.

“The motive for the attack leans heavily towards a racially motivated crime,” police said in a statement.

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(L-R) Santa Claus, Santa’s Elf, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Rich Constable, EVP Global Head of Government Relations & Public Affairs of The Madison Square Garden Company, and Beverly Davis, President of Black Women’s Forum, at the Holiday Toy Giveaway at the Forum in Inglewood, CA on December 23, 2019.

The Forum Spreads Holiday Cheer

Event organized by Black Women’s Forum attended by scores of Inglewood children and parents, representatives from 20 local nonprofit groups, and Santa Claus INGLEWOOD, CA – Today the Forum made the holiday season even brighter for 100 Inglewood-area families at a festive toy giveaway organized by the Black Women’s Forum and joined by Rep. Maxine Waters.

Crowds of children and their parents gathered on the floor of the historic music arena to receive toys provided by the Forum at the lively celebration, which featured a visit by Santa Claus and holiday refreshments. The Forum also made financial contributions to the 20 local nonprofit groups serving the community that participated in the event.

“Every child deserves to enjoy the magic of the holiday season,” Rep. Waters said. “I am thrilled to join with the Forum, the Black Women’s Forum and these other superb nonprofits to make a positive difference for so many local

families.”

The Forum has been a proud Inglewood institution for more than 50 years. Today’s event is part of its ongoing commitment to give back generously to the community.

“The Forum isn’t simply located in Inglewood. It is part of Inglewood’s fabric, and there’s nothing more meaningful than supporting our neighbors, especially this time of year,” said Richard Constable, Executive Vice President of Government Relations and Social Impact for The Madison Square Garden Company, the Forum’s owner. “We also welcome the chance to support the great work being done by dedicated nonprofit groups serving this community each and every day.”

Toys were given to children ages 2 to 13 at today’s giveaway. The 100 recipient families were selected from

Inglewood and nearby communities by the participating nonprofit groups.

“We are grateful to the Forum and Congresswoman Waters for this strong showing of support for Inglewood and the entire South Bay region,” said Beverly Davis, President of the Black Women’s Forum.

The Black Women’s Forum is a non-profit, social service organization comprised of approximately 1,200 African-American women from the Los Angeles area. It was founded in 1979 by then California State Assemblywoman Maxine Waters, Los Angeles’ First Lady, Mrs. Ethel Bradley, and Mrs. Ruth Washington, owner of the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper.

14 Yr Old Makes Spelman Deans List ’

Atlanta, GA – Sydney Wilson, the youngest student admitted to Spelman College, has recently achieved another milestone as she ended the first semester as a college student with a 3.76 GPA, making it to the Dean’s list.

Wilson started attending the prestigious HBCU this fall, where she majored in Biology. The teen prodigy hopes to one day find a cure to most human illnesses.

She took a full course load filled with classes like Population Biology, Big Questions Colloquia, and African Diaspora & The World, but she managed it all like a pro.

Wilson admitted that it was challenging at first, especially that he had to live on the campus away from her parents at a rather young age. But she is taking control of all of it, even finishing the first semester with flying colors.

“There have definitely been some ups and downs but the ups certainly outweigh the downs,” Wilson told Because of Them We Can. “It was a little hard in the beginning being away from my family but luckily I got to see them often. I am now able to see how the semester has impacted my life, refined my character and gifted me the ability to see things from different perspectives.”

Now, Wilson is definitely looking forward to the next semester hoping to continue and even improve her feat, now that she’s more accustomed to college life.

Clinical Trials Foundation Scientific Innovation

By Dr. Kevin Williams Chief Medical Officer for Rare Disease at Pfizer The “Ask Dr. Kevin” series is brought to you by Pfizer Rare Disease in collaboration with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) to increase understanding of sickle cell disease.

Dr. Kevin Williams is the Chief Medical Officer for Rare Disease at Pfizer where he leads a Medical Affairs organization of approximately 150 medical colleagues around the globe. He pursued medicine after being inspired by his father’s work as a general practitioner in his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Dr. Kevin is passionate about raising awareness and increasing understanding of rare diseases, such as sickle cell disease, in the African American community.

As you may have heard, my team at Pfizer recently experienced a significant disappointment. Our phase 3 trial for rivipansel, a potential treatment for the debilitating vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) endured by virtually every person with sickle cell disease (SCD), did not meet its study endpoints. Both professionally and personally, this news

was hard to hear, especially knowing that people with SCD have such limited treatment options available to them.

However, even though the study didn’t turn out as we had hoped, the good news is that the rivipansel program greatly advanced our understanding of SCD and VOCs, which will be important for future SCD research programs and drug development.

As I’ve written about before, SCD is the most common inherited blood disorder, and it disproportionately affects people of African descent. VOCs, one of the most common complications of SCD, are marked by extreme pain resulting from sickle-shaped red blood cells clumping together in the bloodstream. The standard of care for patients experiencing these pain crises has remained largely unchanged since the first report of SCD in 1910, and is restricted mostly to treating disease symptoms, like the use of opioids for pain management. Just last month, Novartis was granted FDA approval for a treatment to reduce the frequency of VOCs experienced by patients; however, there still stands a greater need for therapies that target the root cause of these painful episodes.

The clinical trial for rivipansel may have come to an end; however, the one thing that working in SCD and collaborating with the NNPA and SCD-focused patient groups over the last several years has taught me is that this community is strong. Their strength inspires me and my team every day and fuels our passion for our work in advancing the scientific research of rare diseases like SCD. In this article, I’d like to share a little more about the importance of innovation in rare diseases and answer some common questions about the role clinical trials play as the foundation for moving medical innovation forward.

Why are clinical trials important?

Cutting-edge research and clinical trials are key to making an impact for patients and are essential to the development of new treatments. These studies also deepen our understanding of diseases, especially rare diseases, such as SCD, where few advances have been made. For rare diseases in particular, only 5% of diseases have an FDA-approved treatment, so there is a lot of work to be done in this area.

Continued on page A2

Mayor, Cemetery at Odds in Search for Tulsa Massacre Victims TULSA, OK (AP) – Officials say a privately owned cemetery is blocking efforts to find the remains of black Tulsa residents killed nearly 100 years ago in a race riot.

But an attorney for the cemetery said his client submitted a proposal in November that would allow the city to search under certain conditions.

Mayor G.T. Bynum has insisted that the city would do everything it could to find possible mass graves with victims of one of the worst race-related massacres in U.S. history. The 1921 violence left as many as 300 dead on Tulsa’s Black Wall Street.

Bynum said the city has been unable to investigate whether Rolling Oaks Cemetery in south Tulsa contains unmarked graves, the Tulsa World reported.

However, Timothy Studebaker, a Tulsa attorney representing Rolling Oaks, said the cemetery is not opposed to scanning its grounds.

“My client is fully willing to meet with the city to discuss a framework for this to proceed when the city is willing to give my client safeguards to protect the interments existing as this location.”

Bynum said the city will look at possible legal action if an agreement can’t be reached.

The Tulsa massacre came two years after what is known as the “Red Summer,” when hundreds of African Americans died at the hands of white mobs in violence around the U.S. At a meeting Monday, the 1921 Race Massacre Graves Investigation Public Oversight Committee learned scientists have found pits holding possible remains at a different cemetery and a homeless camp in north Tulsa.

German Court Backs Lawmaker on Racist Slur Use BERLIN (AP) – A court in northern Germany ruled Thursday that a far-right lawmaker was unjustly chastised for repeatedly using a racist slur during parliamentary debate.

Nikolaus Kramer of the Alternative for Germany party was called to order by the speaker in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state assembly last October for his use of the word.

The state’s Constitutional Court said that judges had upheld Kramer’s appeal against the measure because it had interfered with his parliamentary rights.

The court also said the term shouldn’t be considered derogatory in all cases, as it could “contribute to substantive debate” and could be used in a non-pejorative way, such as to talk about the word itself.

Kramer initially used the racial epithet in an exchange with another lawmaker, later saying he’d chosen the term on purpose “because I won’t be told what’s a slur here and what isn’t.’’

Shortly afterward he used the N-word again, to refer to a fictitious African immigrant several times in a debate on Germany’s migrant policies, repeating it even after other lawmakers called him out.

Earlier this year, a German court ordered another Alternative for Germany lawmaker to pay 15,000 euros ($16,700) in damages to tennis star Boris Becker’s son for referring to him in a tweet that used the racist slur.

A2

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

World & Nation

Clinical Trials are the Foundation of Scientific Innovation

Dr. Kevin Williams is the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Pfizer Rare Disease. In this role, he leads a Medical Affairs organization of approximately 150 medical colleagues around the globe supporting Pfizer’s efforts and portfolio in Rare Disease.

Continued from page A1

At their core, clinical trials are designed to produce high-quality data that will translate into a better understanding of the treatments that work best for certain diseases and people. Given their crucial role in medical science, clinical trials are highly regulated and conducted using high-quality scientific and ethical standards to ensure the safety of participating patients.

Are there potential challenges associated with clinical trials?

The biggest challenge is that a clinical trial may fail, even after decades of research aimed at uncovering a treatment breakthrough. While no one likes to hear a clinical trial didn’t meet its goals, especially people in need of new

Thursday, December 26, 2019

treatment options, researchers are unfortunately unable to anticipate the end results of these studies in advance.

However, even though we can’t be sure of the results, it’s still critical for this research to happen to bring new treatment advances to those in need. Did you know that for every approved medicine, there are countless others that don’t pass through the grueling clinical trial and regulatory processes? A recent report found that the likelihood of drugs moving from clinical phase to approval is only 9.6%.

Moreover, even if an investigational therapy is backed by promising data, it can take around 12 years or longer for it to gain approval.

Another challenge can be enrollment of volunteers to participate in clinical trials. Historically, recruitment obsta-

cles have been a barrier in SCD research. However, a poll conducted, as a part of Pfizer and the NNPA’s collaboration, found that a majority of respondents had positive or neutral attitudes toward SCD clinical trials, and furthermore, they indicated a willingness to participate in them if provided the appropriate information. These results are encouraging and suggest people are becoming more inclined to participate in clinical trials for hard-to-treat diseases like SCD. What have you learned about clinical trials during your time at Pfizer?

Pfizer strives to accelerate the development and delivery of groundbreaking medicines and the dedication, talent and resources that support our clinical trials can’t be captured in a few words. However, as I’ve said earlier, advancing research and conducting clinical trials comes with the unfortunate reality of not always being successful.

The news that our trial for rivipansel didn’t achieve its goals was disappointing, especially for the SCD community who is eagerly awaiting new therapies for VOCs. That said, we are channeling this loss into renewed energy and making it our purpose to learn from it. We are in the process of reviewing the trial data closely to ensure our findings can help inform and shape future SCD programs.

Regardless of the outcomes, I want to stress again that more trials in the rare disease space, particularly for SCD, are desperately needed. I am confident in saying our steadfast commitment to this community will continue, as we work tirelessly to look for new ways to continue advancing care.

About Dr. Kevin Williams Dr. Kevin Williams is the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Pfizer Rare Disease. In this role, he leads a Medical Affairs organization of approximately 150 medical colleagues around the globe supporting Pfizer’s efforts and portfolio in Rare Disease. Dr. Kevin joined Pfizer in January 2004 as a Director of Regional Medical & Research Specialist working in the HIV disease area. After moving into a Team Leader position in July 2005, he served in various leadership roles during his career at Pfizer. Dr. Kevin moved into his current Rare Disease CMO position in May 2016.

Dr. Kevin received his medical degree from the UCLA School of Medicine and is board certified in Internal Medicine. Following a 2-year fellowship in Health Services Research at UCLA and a brief academic career as an Instructor of Medicine at the UCLA School of Medicine, he spent 8 years in private practice caring for HIV-positive patients while maintaining an academic appointment at the UCLA School of Medicine as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine. In addition to his medical degree, Dr. Kevin has a Master’s in Public Health from the UCLA School of Public Health and a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School.

Keep up to date on Pfizer’s Rare Disease efforts by visiting our page here. You can also follow Pfizer on Facebook and Twitter.

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Black Caucus Talk Impeachment

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent Shortly after the House Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to impeach President Donald Trump on Friday, December 13, members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) held a conference call with publishers of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade association of Black Press publications from around the country.

While CBC members addressed the impeachment proceedings, the call was a reminder that Congress continues to work on other pressing issues.

The call included CBC Chair Karen Bass (D-Calif.), and Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Val Demings (D-Fla.), Alma Adams (D-North Carolina), and Bobby Scott (D-Virginia).

The members discussed the passage of the FUTURE Act, legislation that provides needed funding to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other educational institutions.

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges or Universities, and other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) play a significant role in expanding access to higher education for low-income students and students of color,” said Scott, the Chair of the House Committee on Education and Labor.

“Unfortunately, despite their outsized role in serving our nation’s most underserved students, these schools have historically been under-resourced compared to other institutions of higher education,” Scott stated.

“The FUTURE Act won’t only guarantee at least $250 million per year for HBCUs and MSIs; it will simplify the Free Application for Student Aid (FASFA) and makes it easier for students to access student aid and repay their loans,” Scott continued.

The FUTURE Act, which stands for Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education, unanimously passed the Senate.

The bill has been sent to the president for his signature.

Through the FUTURE Act, HBCUs will receive $85 million per year – about $1 million per school. American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities will receive $30 million annually, while Hispanic-serving institutions will get $100 million per year.

Also, predominately Black institutions will continue to reap an annual payment of $15 million, and Alaska

Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions will receive $15 million each year. Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions and Native American-serving nontribal institutions each will continue to receive $5 million annually.

“HBCUs and MSIs provide pathways of opportunities for millions of Americans who come from low-income families. As a two-time graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, and a retired professor of 40 years at Bennett College for Women, I as well as all the pupils that I had the pleasure of teaching, are a testament to the power of these schools which mold their students into the leaders of tomorrow,” said Adams, the Chair of the House Higher Education and Labor subcommittee on Workforce Protections “This agreement will secure $255 million a year for these institutions to serve over eight million students of color, preparing them for careers in our STEM professions,” Adams stated.

The legislation also reduces FAFSA by 22 questions and allows the Internal Revenue Service to directly share applicants’ tax information with the U.S. Department of Education.

“The simplification in the provision was to get information from the IRS to make the applications more accurate,” Scott stated. “If you can get the necessary information from the IRS, there would be more accuracy.”

Meanwhile, Jackson-Lee addressed the impeachment vote against Trump.

“Abuse of power and obstruction of Congress,” she said of the two articles of impeachment that the House Judiciary Committee voted in favor of on Friday, December 13.

“What the president was essentially caught doing was attempting to interfere in the 2020 election. So, in terms of the significance of this for our community, the idea that the president would cheat on the election and attempt to get himself re-elected, I think, would change our lives for generations,” Jackson-Lee stated.

She continued: “If you think about the fact that [re-election] would mean there will be one if not more appointments to the Supreme Court. He has already appointed over 100 judges, and I am sure 99 percent of them would be horrible when it comes to our issues.

“When you think of the dismantling of so much as what we have fought for over these years, the idea that our

The FUTURE Act, which stands for Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education, unanimously passed the Senate. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

people would have to endure another term of this President is almost beyond our comprehension.”

Jackson-Lee conceded that the Senate in all probability would not remove Trump, but impeachment in the House was still necessary.

Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton are the only presidents in American history to have faced

impeachment. Nixon resigned before the House could vote. Johnson and Clinton were impeached in the House, but both were acquitted in the Senate.

“We felt that it was so important that we had to put the brakes on him interfering in the election, that even if impeachment was not going to remove him successfully, it was still critical that we did this,” Jackson-Lee stated.

First Black Professor at Arkansas University Dies FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) _ The first black professor at a university in Arkansas recently died at his home in Fayetteville, his son said.

Gordon Morgan was a sociologist professor at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. His son, Brian Morgan, said Wednesday that he did not have any information regarding the cause of his father's death. Gordon Morgan was 88.

Morgan started working at UA in 1969 as a tenure-track faculty member. He conducted research that delved into topics of race and education, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

“The thing about Gordon was his total commitment to helping students not just learn sociology, but to get an education and to get a perspective on life and to get a leg up on the next chapter in their lives,” said Dan Ferritor, a former UA chancellor and colleague of Morgan's in the university's sociology department.

John L Colbert, who is the first black person to be superintendent of the Fayetteville School District, said Morgan in the mid-1970s served as a role model for him and other black students on the mostly white UA campus.

“It was nice to have someone that you could go and talk to, to open the doors for you in a sense and say, 'It's OK if you have a problem. Feel free to come and talk to me.' That was very important to us,” said Colbert. “We did not have that many African American staff members or

professors on campus, so the few that we did have, we ran to them and asked for advice.”

At a September event celebrating the legacy of Gordon and Margaret Clark, considered the first two black professors at UA, Ferritor praised Gordon's service, scholarship and work ethic. A UA residence hall had been renamed in Morgan's honor.

Morgan even co-wrote “The Edge of Campus” with his wife, Izola Preston, about the experiences of black students at UA. Morgan earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from what's now known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, then enlisted in the Army and served during the Korean War. He later earned a doctorate degree at Washington State University and taught at Lincoln University, a historically black university in Missouri, before going to UA. Morgan received honors for his scholarship and service, including a National Endowment for the Humanities Teaching Fellowship and a Ford Foundation Fellowship, according to UA. In 2006, UA honored Morgan with its J. William Fulbright Distinguished Alumni Award.

A gift from Morgan and his wife established the Gordon Morgan Family Scholarship for minority-group students at UA, and a fellowship in their name for graduate students was established at Washington State University.

Thursday, December 26 2019

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A3

Features Legal Notices I was Just Thinking…

PUBLIC NOTICE

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

PUBLIC NOTICE

Phone: (310) 529-0635

LOS ANGELES BAY

CASE NUMBER

NEWS OBSERVER (E)

19LBCP00439

PUB: Dec 12, 19, 26, 2019, Jan

Superior Court of California, County

2, 2020

of Los Angeles, 275 Magnolia, Los

�������������������������������

Branch Name: Govenor George Deu-

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

PETITION OF:

FILE NO: 2019324932

Angeles, CA 90802

NAME STATEMENT

kmejian Courthouse GIANNA MARTINEZ

FOR CHANGE OF NAME

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as:

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

CAMPOS TAX at 11532 Rosecrans Ave

for a decree changing names as fol-

Mailing Address: Same

Present name

REGISTERED OWNERS(S): BETTY

Filed a petition with this court

heim, Ca. 92805

GANESA GIANNA MARTINEZ

vidual

Petitioner: GIANNA MARTINEZ

Ste C, Norwalk, Ca. 90650

lows:

County: LA

GANESA GIANNA CISNEROS

CAMPOS, 1284 E California Pl., Ana-

Proposed name

The business is conducted by: Indi-

THE COURT ORDERS: that all per-

SIGNED: BETTY CAMPOS, Owner

before this court at the hearing indi-

act business under the fictitious

why the petition for change of name

above: 01/2004

objecting to the name changes de-

Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Dec

objection that includes the reasons

DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles

days before the matter is scheduled

By: HELEN SOTO,

hearing to show cause why the pe-

NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH

written objection is timely filed, the

17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATE-

a hearing.

THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM

Date: Jan 16, 2020

IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY

sons interested in this matter appear

The date registrant started to trans-

cated below to show cause, if any,

business name or names listed

should not be granted. Any person

This statement filed with the County

scribed above must file a written

18, 2019

for the objection at least two court

County Clerk

to be heard and must appear at the

Deputy

tition should not be granted if no

SUBDIVISION

court may grant the petition without

MENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST

NOTICE OF HEARING

THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED

Time: 8:30 a.m.

Dept: S-26

(a)

OF

SECTION

CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION

Room: 5500

17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40

The address of the court is: Same as

DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE

A copy of this Order to Show Cause

MENT PURSUANT TO SECTION

week for four successive weeks pri-

IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF

petition in the following newspaper

FICTITIOUS

county LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS

FORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE

Date: Dec 5, 2019

BUSINESS

JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT

AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM.

noted above.

FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATE-

shall be published at least once a

17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE

or to the date set for hearing on the

A

of general circulation, printed in this

STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BE-

OBSERVER

JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS

Michael P. Vicencia

MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE

Elizabeth Salcido DEPUTY

REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW BUSINESS

NAME

NAME

STATEMENT

This statement expires on Dec 18, 2024

LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E)

PETITIONER: Gianna Martinez (For minor Ganesa Gianna Cisneros) 906 Oakmere Dr Harbor City, Ca. 90710

PUB: Dec 26, 2019, Jan 2, 9, 16, 2020

Mama in the Classroom

By Norma Adams-Wade Founding member of NABJ I wrote my first column in 1988 for a local Dallas newspaper. I wrote about a beloved Dallas guidance counselor and teacher that most students called “Mama.”

Chew on that for a minute. A teacher that students called “Mama.” There is so much meaning in that thought that I can hardly contain it. Many of you, some of you, may remember her – Mable M. Jackson Chandler, better known as Mama Chandler.

She began teaching and counseling during World War II and did so for 39 years before she retired in 1980 and died some years later. She loved it when students called her Mama. She acted the part, but she wasn’t acting. She was real. She cared. She disciplined with a look, a firm reprimand, a take-no-prisoners persona that commanded respect, with no need to demand it.

The funny thing is that with all of her “tough-guy” demeanor, I don’t remember any students who seemed to doubt that beneath that exterior was genuine love. So, I was just thinking... about Tiffani Lankford. She’s the 32-yearold substitute teacher who was arrested earlier this month for fighting back after a 16-year-old student allegedly hit her in the face.

The encounter – that happened at Lehman High School in Kyle, Texas just outside of Austin — was caught on cell phone video recorded by another student. The video shows the teacher repeatedly punching the student, pulling her from the desk and slinging her to the floor where the teacher appears to stomp on the student’s head.

Initial news reports said there was no immediate information as to what prompted the encounter. The substitute teacher was arrested, fired, and charged with aggravated assault. But back to Mama. I was just thinking... How would Mama Chandler have handled that situation? First of all, though, the thought seems inconceivable that any student during Mama’s time would ever have imagined hitting this maternal figurehead.

I remember quoting Mama’s explanation of how she got the endearing title, though she had no children of her own. She had said: “During the war years, fathers were in service, mothers had to work. I told my students, ‘I’m your Mama now, while you’re here. You have a problem, come talk to me.’” So, how did we get here – from Mama Chandler to a fist fight?

Many people who commented on social media sided with the teacher. Commenters also described modern school systems as out-of-control with student violence, blatant disrespect, and disdain for learning. There was once a popular 1950s television series, called ‘I Remember Mama,’ about a Norwegian immigrant family.

One reviewer described Mama, the main character, as “one of the warmest characters ever to grace television.”

You could not describe Mama Chandler as warm. But she was certainly loved and respected. She also helped finance many students’ college education, and they floated her with cards, letters and visits over the years.

When asked the clue to her success, she answered: “Accepting other people’s children as my own.” So, it’s fair to say that those children, her students, could utter with conviction the television show’s familiar tagline: “I remember the big white house... my little sister...big brother...and Papa. But most of all, I remember Mama.”

Mable M. Jackson Chandler, better known as Mama Chandler. (Photo ©The Black Academy of Arts and Letters)

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A4

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Entertainment

Thursday, December 26, 2019

BEST FILMS OF 2019

By Dwight Brown NNPA Newswire Film Critic Look back on the most noteworthy films of 2019 and they all display a diverse array of superb talent—in front of and behind the camera. These movies entertained, educated and often inspired us. They challenged our opinions. They made us contemplate our fate and become more aware of the world around us.

Enjoy.

Best Films Booksmart (***1/2) – Two coeds (Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever), high-school outcasts, find refuge in their close friendship. Animated performances. Funny and thoughtful dialogue. Astute comic direction by first-time filmmaker and noted actress Olivia Wilde. Who knew nerdy teen angst could be hilarious?

Dolemite Is My Name (****) – King of comedy Eddie Murphy rises like a phoenix in this oh-so-hysterical ode to comedian and pioneering indie filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore. Dream team cast includes: Keegan-Michael Key, Craig Robinson, Tituss Burgess, Wesley Snipes, Mike Epps and scene stealer Da’Vine Joy Randolph.

The Farewell (***1/2) – An Asian family handles the last-chapter of life process with charm to spare. Writer/director Lulu Wang digs into her own experiences in a premise and script filled with colorful kin folk. Star turns by Awkwafina, Shuzhen Zhao and Tzi Ma make the characters lifelike.

Harriet (***) – Depicting the legendary life of the courageous abolitionist Harriet Tubman is a task few are worthy of. Director Kasi Lemmons (Eve’s Bayou) is the chosen one. Her epic bio tale catalogs the inhumanity and humanity of the 1800s. Cynthia Erivo (Widows) infuses Tubman’s spirit in every frame. Terence Blanchard’s emotionally charged musical score is haunting.

The Irishman (****) -- Martin Scorsese, Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci and Al Pacino team up for an impressive crime/drama/thriller about a man who purportedly murdered Jimmy Hoffa. Brilliant performances. Strong direction, writing and editing. Ingenious use of CGI. The crowning achievement of Scorsese’s career.

The Lighthouse (****) – Two workers (Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe) and a bunch of seagulls are engaged in a melodramatic relationship at a desolate New England lighthouse, circa 1890s. Brutal allegory. Totally engaging.

Director/writer Robert Eggers and co-writer Max Eggers make riveting cinema on a black and white canvas (cinematographer Jarin Blaschke).

Little Women (****) -- Actress turned director Greta Gerwig gives the classic Louisa May Alcott Civil War novel her own feminist spin with relatable three-dimensional characters. Fiery relationships among sisters, parents and friends. Feels like you’re on a long buggy ride with lots of bumps in the road. Superb performances by Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet and Laura Dern.

Marriage Story (****) -- Writer/director Noah Baumbach captures the angst of thirtysomethings (Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson) going through what should have been a friendly D-I-V-O-R-C-E that turns into a war of threats, betrayals and raw emotions. As primal in ways as Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Full of life at its worst and people struggling to take their next steps.

Queen & Slim (****) – Easily the most talked about black movie of the year. Director Melina Matsoukas (HBO’s Insecure) and screenwriter Lena Waithe (TV’s Master of None) weave a very modern crime tale and a poignant love story together. Hints of social relevance are threaded in.

Lovers on the run are played by Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith. So thoughtful. So cool. So romantic.

Uncut Gems (****) -- A gregarious, Jewish NYC jeweler (Adam Sandler) is deep in debt to thugs. His schemes dig him into a deeper hole. Gritty, sewer-level urban drama written and directed by the very talented brothers Benny and Josh Safdie. Sandler deserves an Oscar nom. Kevin Garnett, Idina Menzel, Julia Fox and LaKeith Stanfield round out a powerhouse cast.

Best Directors • Noah Baumbach = Marriage Story • Robert Eggers =The Lighthouse • Greta Gerwig = Little Women • Melina Matsoukas = Queen & Slim • Martin Scorsese = The Irishman Best First Films • Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre = The Mustang • Mati Diop = Atlantics

• Melina Matsoukas = Queen & Slim • Olivia Wilde = Booksmart • Phillip Youmans = Burning Cane Best Foreign Language Films • Ash Is Purest White • Atlantics • Corpus Christi • Les Misérables • Transit Best Documentaries • After Parkland • Miles Davis: The Birth of the Cool • David Crosby: Remember My Name • Pavarotti • Tony Morrison: The Pieces I Am Best Actors • Robert DeNiro = The Irishman • Daniel Kaluuya = Queen & Slim • Eddie Murphy = Dolemite Is My Name • Robert Pattinson = The Lighthouse • Adam Sandler = Uncut Gems

Best Actresses • Awkwafina = The Farewell • Cynthia Erivo = Harriet • Lupita Nyong’o = Us • Alfre Woodard = Clemency • Renee Zellweger = Judy Best Supporting Actors • Jamie Foxx = Just Mercy • Aldis Hodge = Clemency • Joe Pesci = The Irishman • Brad Pitt = Once Upon a Time in Hollywood • Bokeem Woodbine = Queen & Slim Best Supporting Actresses • Indya Moore = Queen & Slim • Florence Pugh = Little Women • Da’Vine Joy Randolph = Dolemite Is My Name • Jennifer Lopez = Hustlers • Shuzhen Zhao = The Farewell Best Screenplays • Ad Astra = James Gray, Ethan Gross • The Farewell = Lulu Wang

• The Lighthouse = Max Eggers, Robert Eggers • Little Women = Greta Gerwig • Queen & Slim = Lena Waithe Best Cinematography • 1917 = Roger Deakins • Atlantics = Claire Mathon • The Irishman = Rodrigo Prieto • The Lighthouse = Jarin Blaschke • Queen + Slim = Pete Beaudreau Best Animation/CGI • Frozen II • How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World • I Lost My Body • Toy Story 4 Other Great Films 1917, Ad Astra, Avengers: Endgame, The Beach Bum, Giant Little Ones, Good Boys, A Hidden Life, Hotel Mumbai, Hustlers, The Mustang, Never Grow Old, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, The Report, Rocketman, Sauvage, Skin, Us, The Two Popes, Woman at War. HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

Lizzo’s Video at Southern University Made Students Feel ‘Good as Hell’

By ANDREA GALLO The Advocate BATON ROUGE, LA (AP) – As she juggled classes, dance rehearsals, a part-time job and preparations for Southern University's homecoming week, Gaybrielle Dixon squeezed in the time this fall to audition for a music video on campus.

She stood barefoot in a ballroom as the infectious voice of Lizzo echoed around her, singing a now-famous opening line paired with a piano riff: “I do my hair toss, check my nails.” Dixon let her body do what she has trained for since she was 4, improvising a dance and praying that God would give her the right movements and facial expressions to make her stand out.

She tried to remain calm when she found out that she'd be starring as one of the main characters in the new music video for Lizzo's No. 1 single, “Good as Hell.”

“I didn't want to lose it in front of them because I had to be like a professional, but afterward, I got in my car and all I could do is scream,” said Dixon, 23, who goes by “Gabby.”

Dixon and several other Southern students became mini-celebrities overnight thanks to their roles in the music video for Lizzo, who has skyrocketed to fame over the past year with soulful music that crosses pop and hip-hop genres and blends messages of female empowerment with a down-to-Earth persona. When she rereleased her 2016 song “Good as Hell” this year, the single topped radio charts and enticed listeners to let an earworm grow inside of them until they could repeat every refrain of “Baby, how you feeling?”

Lizzo, who grew up mostly in Houston, fell in love with black marching band culture as she played flute in middle and high school, before going on to study classical music and flute at the University of Houston. After years of struggling to find success in the music industry, she's had a breakout year with eight Grammy Award nominations _ the most of any artist.

The 31-year-old wanted her new “Good as Hell” video to be a love letter to both marching band culture and historically black colleges and universities. Angela Guice, the video's executive producer, said in an interview with The Advocate that she and director Alan Ferguson had a topfive list of HBCUs they were considering, but that Southern's famous Human Jukebox band and Fabulous Dancing Dolls were always at the top of their list.

“It just had the best combination of a really great band with amazing uniforms and colors that would really stand out and pop and, of course, the Fabulous Dancing Dolls that had such a unique style,” Guice said.

They reached out to Southern in the fall and university brass agreed, and a week later, Lizzo came to film amid her tour, which included two sold-out shows in New Orleans.

Guice and Ferguson visited the Southern campus beforehand, embedding with the band, scouting locations, coordinating Dancing Dolls choreography with Lizzo's choreographer and giving Lizzo's costume designer only about a week to customize her own version of the blue band uniforms and white Dancing Doll ensembles.

A location contract between Southern University and the production company, which The Advocate obtained

through a public records request, shows that the company agreed to pay Southern $12,500 to film there.

Kedric Taylor, the Southern band director, had previously told the students that someone famous might be coming for a visit, but it was only a few days ahead of time when band members found out it was Lizzo.

“They didn't know whether to scream, whether I was kidding . they didn't know how to react,” Taylor said. “They were just amazed that someone of her caliber would be able to come to our band room and make a music video.”

Once she headed to Baton Rouge, Lizzo's visit wasn't exactly a secret.

“Attention,” Lizzo clapped her red-manicured hands outside of a plane in an Oct. 29 Instagram video. “This is how a bad bitch goes from San Francisco to Baton Rouge.

You bitches can't even spell Baton Rouge,” she laughed, jokingly spelling it in her caption Bat'in Ruch.

Southern posted an invitation the same day for students to join a “major video production featuring a (hash)1 Billboard recording artist.” And a blue school bus with Lizzo's name painted across it was parked outside of Southern's campus during homecoming week, where she would later film scenes eating Flamin' Hot Cheetos and twerking alongside saxophone, tuba and trombone players.

But the details of what Lizzo was making _ and how prominently some of Southern's students would be featured in it _ remained under wraps until the music video dropped Dec. 9. The people making the video hoped to use students, rather than actors, to play the main roles because they wanted it to feel as authentic as possible, Guice said.

During a casting call a few days before Lizzo arrived, the director and producers knew they wanted the video to follow a storyline of women experiencing various hardships - breakups, struggles to keep pace with the rest of the band, being the only female on a drumline _ and to show “how music can transform you and make you feel good as hell,” Guice said.

“We couldn't have cast these kids better if we tried to here in Los Angeles _ they were just fantastic,” she added.

Southern's landscape and students became the heart of the music video rather than background props. Lizzo becomes one of them, playing flute as she marches and winks with the marching band in a custom version of their blue uniform with an “L” sequined across the front.

The video opens with a label indicating it takes place at Southern University in Baton Rouge, and it closes with a thank you to the Human Jukebox and Dancing Dolls.

In the meantime, the featured students go on journeys of self-love and acceptance, themes Lizzo promotes in her live shows.

Dixon's character begins the video by moping over a photo of a guy _ presumably an ex-boyfriend _ on her phone, while the rest of the Dancing Dolls are getting into costume. A friend pulls her up, snaps her uniform into place, swipes a makeup brush over her eyes and starts to dance with her in the locker room.

As the video goes on, Dixon is featured repeatedly, arching her back as she leaps through the air, swinging her

head as she spins alone in the locker room. Those scenes _ just like her audition _ came from her freestyling to Lizzo's music, rather than performing given choreography, Dixon said.

By the end of the video, she and Lizzo exchange nods as they dance alongside each other in formation on the football field. Her ex-boyfriend becomes old news _ as Lizzo puts it, “if he don't love you any more, walk your fine ass out the door.” As the Dancing Dolls perform on the field, the ex shoots back a forlorn stare.

While Dixon and other Southern band members who are featured in the video had to take on personas, Human Jukebox drum major Tre'Von Ceasar said the guidance he got was that he simply had to be himself during filming.

As drum major for the past three years, Ceasar already had his signature move down pat: the “drum major backbend” of bending over backward until his head touches the grass while keeping his hands at his side.

Taylor, the band director, also said his own role in the music video might have come a bit too easily. He's shown shaking his head at a saxophone player who can't get her steps right.

“I guess it's one of my normal faces,” he laughed.

Though it's hard to tell in the music video, the Human Jukebox was playing “Good as Hell” live in the scenes alongside Lizzo in their band room, on the football field and in the stands. Ceasar was a fan of her music _ especially her song “Juice” _ long before she came to shoot the video, which made meeting her even more exciting for him. He and the others described her as warm and fun, hugging people rather than shaking hands.

“She's really down to Earth,” he said. “It was like talking to somebody I would meet in class, but it's Lizzo.”

Nobody at Southern knew when the video would be released or what the final product would look like. Most found out it had finally dropped when their friends and family started messaging them on Dec. 9 to congratulate them. They rushed to find the video and watch it on repeat.

Dixon opened Instagram after receiving a flurry of texts and found the video posted everywhere. She said it was an exciting cap to her time at Southern and her three years as a Dancing Doll; she graduated Dec. 13 with an English degree and plans to pursue a career as an actress.

“I go look at it and I'm very excited, but it was also like, `This is your chance to work even harder to get where you want to be,”' said Dixon, who grew up in Orlando, Florida.

Ceasar recalled the magic of watching the Human Jukebox back when he was a high schooler in Lake Charles, and how the band's performances made him want to go to Southern. He said he hopes the video's exposure _ with over 6 million views on YouTube to date _ and Lizzo's embrace of the Human Jukebox will inspire other students to apply to Southern and to join the band as well.

Taylor also expects the video's release to earn the legendary band an especially warm welcome when they perform at the famous Rose Parade on New Year's Day in California.

“They'll know who we are by that video,” he said.

Thursday, December 26, 2019

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A5

Sports

Rose Bowl Hall Member Fry Passes

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer Recently the state of Iowa and the college football world lost one of it’s best Ambassadors’ in former Head Coach Hayden Fry. He was colorful and full of energy. When he arrived to the school in1979 he made major changes to the program including changing team uniforms so they would look like the Pittsburg Steelers.

Fry who was 90 took his team to three Rose Bowls.

The Hawkeye head coach fell short in 1982, 1986 and 1991 on his trips to Pasadena. He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2011 along with Brad Budde (USC) and the great Leroy Keys (Purdue). A case could be made for game preparation. At the time, the Hawkeye’s had no indoor facility. “We had to practice in the ice and snow,” said Fry to me during his induction. “Then we met three great teams. We played Washington twice, one year when they were National champs and the other year they were ranked 5th in the country.” Fry also ran into a red hot UCLA team coached by Terry Donahue. “We had a great experience coming here.” Despite the losses, there was a lifetime change for one of Fry’s players. Starting QB Gordie Bohannon fell in love with the Rose Bowl Queen and they got married and had a great family.

Before coming to Iowa he recruited Walter Camp AllAmerican Jerry Levias who was the first African American to play in the old Southwest Conference.

Levias once told the story how Fry made a promise to his grand mother, “If you let him come to SMU I will make sure he calls you before each game.” That was fine until one game Jerry had trouble getting through. And he remembers making the call during a kick-off.

Photo L to R- USC’s Brad Budde, Leroy Keyes (Purdue), and Hayden Fry. (Iowa) 2011 Rose Bowl Hall of Fame class. (Earl Heath Photo)

Rams Have Tough Finish vs Niners

Trojans Head to Holiday Bowl

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer USC will take on Iowa in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl Friday December 27. The Trojans enter the game with an 8–4 record (7–2, PAC 12).

The Hawkeyes enter the game with a 9–3 record (6–3 Big Ten). Both teams have a storied football bowl history. The Hawkeyes appearing in 32 Bowls with a 16-15 -1 record.

USC appearing in 54 including 34 Rose Bowls winning 25.

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The L.A. Rams fell into a hole during the regular season and found it tough to get out. Last week it’s post season hopes all ended with a 34-31 loss to the San Francisco.

A Robbie Gould field goal as the clock reached zero made the Rams become watchers of the postseason.

“Its over,” said Rams DB Nickell Robey-Coleman.

“The Dance is done.”

The Rams had made great strides in the past couple of years going from 11-5 in 2017 to 13-3 and a Super Bowl berth last season.

They got off to 3-0 start, lost then fell to 4-4 and did their best to get a play-off spot with wins over the Saints, Bears and Cardinals.

They will try to finish 9-7 at the Coliseum Sunday vs Arizona in the final game before the Rams begin playing in their new stadium next year in Inglewood.

“It’s fresh right now. It’s tough because you care so much about these players,” said Head Coach Sean McVay. “The work that they put in. You want to do your part to try to see those guys have success, and get an opportunity to compete for a world championship.”

There is also Eric Waddle who may be pondering retirement. The 13 year veteran has spent time with the Chargers and Ravens and made the play-offs five times with those teams. He has also missed out eight times.

“They all hurt” he told the L.A. Times. “But this could possibly be my last so it could be more sentimental.”

The Rams did have some bright spots during the season with wins big wins over playoff teams like the Saints and Seahawks.

On offense they averaged over 371 ypg (ranked 10th) and 27.9 ppg which is ranked 5th in the league.

They have two 1,000 yards receivers in Cooper Kupp 1,062 (87 rec. ranked 10th) and Robert Woods 1,067(83 rec. ranked 16th).

Also despite all the noise Jarred Goff has thrown for 4,319 yards with a QB rating of 88.4. He ranked 3rd in the league behind Jameis Winston and Tom Brady.

The future still looks bright for the Rams in 2020 with the move to Inglewood. They still have a lot to build on.

Cooper Kupp (#18) is ranked 19th in the NFL in receiving. (Courtesy Photo)

Jermell Charlo Reclaims His WBC Super Welterweight Title

Jermell Charlo regains his Super Welterweight Championship Belt on Dec 21. (Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp /TGB Promotions)

By Cameron Buford Whatsgoodinsports.com Saturday evening in Ontario, CA., PBC held it’s longawaited rematch between Tony Harrison (28-2, 21 KOs) and Jermell Charlo (33-1, 17 KOs) for the WBC Super Welterweight Title. After months of banter between the two, Saturday night would bring an end to all the taunting,

name-calling and disrespect these guys displayed in the lead up to this fight. These men would get the chance to settle their differences inside the squared circle live on FOX. As each fighter was announced, the crowd was seemingly in favor of the younger Charlo twin who came out in a never seen before, glow in the dark short set.

Harrison entered the ring to a smattering of boos though

confident and dawning an outfit paying tribute to his home town Detroit Lions. The fans in attendance at the Toyota Arena sounded like it was in favor of Charlo about 8 to 2.

Dealing with the fact that he lost his belt to Harrison nearly one year ago to the date, Jermell Charlo came out in Round 1 as the aggressor in this fight early. While Charlo, was throwing wild punches, Tony Harrison stayed calm and worked his jab early on. Harrison outpointed Charlo in the first round though Charlo was the aggressor.

Harrison clinches Charlo in an attempt to avoid the haymakers coming at him early in Round 2. Charlo punched on the clinch and Harrison responded with a nice left-right combination that catches Charlo in the chin. Finally, Charlo connects with an overhand right that catches Harrison. After exchanging combinations Charlo catches Harrison as he was backing up and drops him late in the round.

Charlo opens up Round 3 by throwing some wild haymakers with some bad intentions. Harrison eludes the punches and counters Charlo by backing him into the ropes with a nice left, right combinations. In a surprising turn of events, the crowd began chanting Tony, Tony, Tony in unison as the third rounds ended.

Opening up the 4th round the crowd continued to chant for Harrison. This fight began a very tough fight to score in the middle rounds of this fight. Though Harrison was proving to be the better boxer, Charlo proved to be the heavier handed puncher. Round 5 and 6 was very similar to that of round 4. Both men gave their best in the ring and this remained a very tough fight to score.

I gave those middle rounds to Harrison because he landed more effective combinations while Charlo was headhunting, looking for a knockout. Rounds 7, 8 and 9 was very similar. Harrison was showing that he was the better boxer while Charlo showed he was the harder puncher.

Tony’s bodywork began to pay off in the 10th Round and appeared to be slowing any of Charlo’s momentum.

Though Charlo remained the aggressor however Tony remains calm and continues to outbox Charlo with his jabs and body blows. However, Charlo still had some explosion left in the tank.

The fight changed in the 11th round when Charlo connected with a hard write hand that dropped Harrison for the second time. After Harrison got up, Charlo quickly attacked Harrison and knocked him

down with a barrage of punches that sent him into the ropes for the second time in the round. Referee Jack Reiss gave him a long 8 count, he let the fight continue. Like an animal sensing a wounded victim, Charlo was relentless once the ref let the fight continue. His final flurry of punches without Harrison throwing punches back forced the stoppage at 2:08 in the 11th round.

Post-fight Charlo said this about regaining his belt, “I got the belt back and I didn’t leave it up to the judges,’’ said Charlo. “Tony is a former champion. He had a lot on the line. I dominated and I knocked him out. I’m a gentleman at the end of the day. I showed my respect, but at the end of the day I don’t like the dude. He can get it again, but I’m off to bigger and better things. I’m down for making history. He held the title too long and I had to come back and get it.’’

Whether I or anyone else thought the fight was stopped to quick Harrison had this to say about the stoppage, “Jack is a championship referee. I started getting a little lax and got caught,’’ Harrison said. “He earned it. I hate it, but he earned it. The game plan was to do a little boxing. But taking a year off, my boxing wasn’t used to it. He earned it and no excuses. I got caught slipping. I never trade offense for defense. He caught me in between. I feel like I let us down. I let me down. It’s one on one. Back to the drawing board.’’

Before the main event, a couple of other fights primed fight fans for the main event. Highlights of the 8 Round Lightweight Karlos Balderas vs. Rene Tellez Giron can be seen by clicking HERE. Just as highlights of the Efe Ajagba vs. Iago Kiladze can be found on by clicking HERE. The main event was the conclusion of another wonderful fight card hosted by PBC. They will be hosting their final fight card in Atlanta on December 28th, as Gervonta “Tank” Davis takes on Yuriokis Gamboa in the first World Title Fight in Atlanta since 1998.

Tell us your thoughts on the Harrison vs Charlo rematch as well as the health of boxing as this year comes to a close, 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!

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THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Local Top Five Reasons to Attend “Live on Green” Pasadena • You will want to visit the Eubanks Equestrian Pavilion where the history of equestrians in the Rose Parade® is shared highlighting all the riders and performers, different breeds of horses, tack and wardrobes.

• On the Culinary Cues stage, you’ll enjoy Celebrity Chef and cookbook author Jamie Gwen, GE’s Great American Grandma- Ally Phillips, who’ll be sharing her Bohemian Bold Style, Chef Saul Jaurequi, and Chef/ Restauranteur Zov Karamardian along with a host of others. Editorial note, this portion of the program allows you to pick up wonderful ideas for your upcoming Super bowl Parties and future backyard cookouts. Just remember that you heard it here first.

• This year in the Coaches’ Challenge Family Fun Zone kids of all ages will have the opportunity to experience the first ever WeatherFest event in Southern California hosted by Plan!t Now in partnership with NOAA and the National Weather Services. Our littlest visitors can enjoy a variety of games, crafts and activities. Don’t miss out on the Inflatable Zone, toddler play area, face painting, balloon

By Ricky Richardson Contributing Writer Pasadena, CA – Soon, the population of Southern California will experience a temporary growth. This is due in large part to a large contingent of international tourists visiting beautiful Southern California. Another reason is a throng of family, friends, reuniting former colleagues and former classmates getting together in Los Angeles and surrounding communities.

If you are tasked with finding ways to entertain visiting guest, don’t despair, I have the ultimate event for you that won’t break the bank, it will engage the entire family and it involves a historic, iconic parade.

Live on Green! an amazing three-day event celebrating thousands of inspiring stories of hope will take place December 29-31, 2019, at the Pasadena Convention Center.

The Fifth Annual “Live on Green!” Festival is celebrating the “Power of Hope” with three days of free family-friendly entertainment in the Heart of Pasadena.

• Operation Hope Pavilion visitors will be entertained and engaged by inspiring stories of Hope from

twisting and a new kid’s cooking camp!

The free family festival brings to life the history, artistry and pageantry of the iconic Rose Parade® and Rose Bowl Game® with displays, memorabilia, photo-ops, virtual tours, meet and greets and the opportunity to experience what it is like to drive a Rose Parade® float by climbing into the driver’s seat of one.

Mark your calendars now and be sure to SAVE THE DATES for 3 full days of fun ahead! We are a quick walk from the Metro Gold Line, Del Mar Station. Take a break for a delicious meal at one of the dozens of restaurants that surround the event and come back for more FREE fun until closing each day!

Start the party early with fun-filled days of discovery and entertainment from 10:00AM-6:00PM on December 29 to December 30th and from 100:00AM-4:00PM on December 31st!

For directions and a schedule of events visit LiveOnGreenPasadena.com- Come ready to ring in the New Year with HOPE! Pasadena style! SOURCE: HQ

organizations including the National Women’s History Alliance- celebrating the diverse accomplishments of women and the Pasadena NAACP- celebrating its 100th Anniversary. The Hope Squad organization will be sharing vital information for kids and parents about its incredibly successful peer to peer suicide prevention program. The Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust will be share touching, heart-warming survivor stories produced by student filmmakers while the ANCA-WR- and Armenian artists from throughout Southern California will present a moving, uplifting “Tribute to Thanks to America.” These are just a few of the groups who will be fostering hope through their participation.

• At the “Let Us Entertain You” stage guest will enjoy a jam-packed lineup of non-stop entertainment that includes jazz, pop, rock and country performances along with traditional folk and choral along with dance performances that range from the Native American Hoop Dancers to the precision-like tap dancing of the Sue B. Dance Company.

And you won’t want to miss performances by the Ballet Folklorico Los Angeles Angelitos Youth dance Group or the Mariachi Nuevo Amancer Group!

Amid a Surge in Enrollment Last Week, Covered California Extends Deadline for Jan. 1 Coverage Through Friday

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In response to a strong surge in enrollment, Covered California extended the deadline for consumers to sign up for health insurance that would start on Jan. 1. They will now have through Friday, Dec. 20, to sign up and have their coverage go into effect on New Year’s Day. “Covered California is still open for business and making sure consumers can have a health plan in place on Jan. 1,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “Covered California is putting consumers first, making sure they have time to find the plan that best fits their needs.”

Beginning late last week, Covered California saw tens of thousands of people sign up for coverage on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

“Open enrollment is full-steam ahead, and this year’s enrollment period is more important than before,” Lee said.

“Sign up now and you may be eligible for new financial help that is available for the first time, and you can avoid the possibility of paying a significant penalty for not being covered.”

Governor Gavin Newsom Amplifies Message Governor Newsom took to social media this weekend to help remind all Californians they can get help paying for their health insurance. In this Twitter video, the governor used the holiday season as a way to spread the news about the first in the nation state subsidies that are available and that Californians have until the end of Friday to sign up for coverage that begins Jan. 1.

Restoring the Individual Mandate California lawmakers put two new policies in place for 2020 that were designed to encourage enrollment and lower costs.

First, they restored the individual mandate penalty that was part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act from 2014 to 2018, meaning consumers who do not get covered could face a penalty when they file their 2020 taxes in the spring of 2021.

For those facing a penalty, a family of four would pay at least $2,000, and potentially more, for not having health insurance throughout 2020.

Covered California is working with the Franchise Tax Board, which will administer the penalty, to alert Californians about the new law and reduce the number of uninsured people in our state.

New State Subsidies The second new policy for 2020 is new financial help for eligible Californians that will lower the cost of their coverage. Last week, Covered California announced that nearly 500,000 people who had already signed up for coverage in 2020 will be receiving the new subsidies.

On average, consumers between 200 and 400 percent

of the federal poverty level will receive $21 per household, per month on top of their federal tax credits. Meanwhile, for the first time in the nation, people who earn between 400 and 600 percent of the federal poverty level will be receiving an average of $460 per month, per household.

“California will be making history this year, becoming the first state in the nation to make coverage more affordable for middle-income people like small-businesses owners and entrepreneurs,” Lee said. “If you have checked Covered California out before, check again, because you could be eligible for new financial help that will lower the cost of your coverage by hundreds of dollars a month.”

Getting Help Enrolling Consumers can easily find out if they are eligible for financial help and see which plans are available in their area by entering their ZIP code, household income and the ages of those who need coverage into Covered California’s https:// apply.coveredca.com/lw-shopandcompare/.

Those 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) 300-1506.

California’s open-enrollment period continues through Jan. 31, 2020, but people who enroll after Dec. 20 will have their coverage start Feb. 1.

Residents of Minnesota, Rhode Island, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York and the District of Columbia should visit www.HealthCare.gov to be directed to their state exchange to enroll. Enrollment in Idaho’s health exchange ends today.

About Covered California Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, where Californians can find affordable, highquality insurance from top insurance companies. Covered California is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial assistance on a sliding scale to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for the low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal program.

Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the Legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.

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