The Argonaut Newspaper — April 25, 2021

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UNIQUE Venice woodworker Tom Adams embraces the contemporary style in his artistic work

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PAGE 2 THE ARGONAUT APRIL 29, 2021

APRIL 29, 2021 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 3

N E W S

ON THE COVER: Venice woodworker Tom Adams embraces the contemporary style in his artistic work. Photo

by Luis Chavez. Design by Arman Olivares.

Local News & Culture

The Westside’s News Source Since 1971 CONTACT US (310) 822-1629 Letters, News, Tips & Event Listings: kkirk@timespublications.com EDITORIAL

Corona by the numbers & local updates Compiled by Kamala Kirk Cases and deaths by neighborhood as of April 25: Culver City: 2,202 (deaths 106); Del Rey: 2,010 (deaths 33); El Segundo: 715 (deaths 6); Marina del Rey: 382 (deaths three); Mar Vista: 2,052 (deaths 37); Palms: 2,586 (deaths 62); Playa del Rey: 110 (deaths one); Playa Vista: 599 (deaths eight); Santa Monica: 4,757 (deaths 182); Venice: 1,684 (deaths 14); Westchester: 2,495 (deaths 48) Total Westside cases: 19,592 Total Westside deaths: 500

Total confirmed cases in LA County: 1,231,532 Total deaths in LA County: 23,773 Total new cases as of April 18: 408 Total new deaths: Five Hospitalizations: 444 Positivity rate (seven-day daily average): .90% Total number of people tested: 6,397,882 (Source: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health)

Executive Editor: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski christina@timespublications.com Editor: Kamala Kirk (310) 574-7654 kkirk@timespublications.com Contributing Writers: Bridgette Redman, Elizabeth Johnson, Sara Edwards, Srianthi Perera Editorial Interns: Holly Jenvey, Katie Lulla, Alex Hutton, Sofia Santana, Haley Beyer ART Graphic Designers: Arman Olivares (310) 574-7656 Kate Doll (310) 574-7653 Staff Photographer: Luis Chavez

ADVERTISING Display Advertising: Rebecca Bermudez (310) 463-0633 Denine Gentilella (310) 574-7651 Classified Advertising: Ann Turrieta (626) 584-8747 aturrietta@timespublications.com BUSINESS Associate Publisher: Rebecca Bermudez (310) 574-7655 rbermudez@timespublications.com NEWS & SALES OFFICE PO Box 1349 South Pasadena, CA 91031 The Argonaut is distributed every Thursday in Del Rey, Marina del Rey, Mar Vista, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Santa Monica, Venice, and Westchester. The Argonaut is available free of charge, limited to one per reader. The Argonaut may be distributed only by authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of The Argonaut, take more than one copy of any issue. The Argonaut is copyrighted 2021 by Times Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without prior express written permission by the publisher. An adjudicated Newspaper of General Circulation with a distribution of 30,000.

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L E T T E R S doses because prescriptions are too expensive; or turning to bankruptcy and GoFundMe to deal with outrageous medical bills. People are dying unnecessarily.

My own family is experiencing this firsthand, witnessing the cruelty of so-called “insurance coverage” after the loss of our newborn son. A system that seeks to extract as much money as possible from a grieving family under the guise of deductibles and copays is not something that can be reformed.

We all deserve full and unfettered access to health care every moment we need it - moments that are often already the toughest of our lives.

To realize Guaranteed Healthcare for All, health care activists like myself are organizing our communities to build our grassroots movement and persuade legislators to pass this lifesaving reform.

Join us! Call your state Assembly Member and demand they cosponsor A.B.1400 Guaranteed Healthcare for All. Connect to your local Health Care for All chapter (healthcareforall.org) or the California

Nurses Association (nationalnursesunited.org/Californianurses-association) Now is the time to act. Do it for the health of yourself, your family, and for all Californians.

Kayla Dobson Inglewood

CREDIT: KRIS DAHLIN

Stand up to insurance companies and support CalCare now Editor: People are waking to the possibility of Medicare For All, a transformative health care reform that would provide quality care to all people, regardless of wealth, age or employment. We in California are closer to this reality than ever before.

Assembly Members Ash Kalra, Alex Lee and Miguel Santiago have introduced A.B. 1400 Guaranteed Healthcare for All, legislation that has come at a time when upward of 70% of Californians support health coverage for all who live in our state.

The movement for Medicare for All is snowballing – A.B. 1400 is just the latest proof of that thousands, if not millions of Californians are not receiving health care simply because they can’t afford it. The health insurance system is not set up to care for us – it is set up to drain more money from us with as little return as possible.

We’ve heard enough stories: delaying a test because of high copays and deductibles; skipping

Climate change Editor: Growing up in a low-income, farm laboring town of Terra Bella, I would have never imagined myself being part of a climate organization and eventually lobbying for a bipartisan climate bill in Washington, D.C. However, after seeing the effects of climate change in California and my community, I decided to take action.

In California, where climate change is causing more frequent and extreme heat waves, under-resourced, low-income, immigrant and undereducated communities are the worst impacted. For example, farmworkers experience disproportionate rates of occupational injuries and illness due to the (Continued on page 7)

Police helicopter and surfer on Venice Beach.

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Do you have a primary care physician?

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APRIL 29, 2021 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 5

O P I N I O N

Healing Our Broken Food System California can lead the nation in moving toward a diversified, plant-based food system COURTESY OF FARM SANCTUARY

By Gene Baur California is famous for Hollywood and the Silicon Valley, but it also deserves recognition as the nation’s largest agricultural state. It produces over 400 commodities and generates nearly twice as much revenue as Iowa, America’s second largest farm state. California grows more than one third of our country’s vegetables, two thirds of its fruits and nuts, and 40% of the organic production. It is uniquely positioned to set a positive example and help reform our unhealthy and destructive food system.

Agriculture is a principal contributor to our planet’s most significant ecological threats, including the loss of biodiversity and the climate crisis, and it undermines human health as diet-related illnesses cost billions of dollars in preventable health care costs every year. Scientists, including those at the Lancet Commission, are warning that “a global transformation of the food system is urgently needed,” and that central to this is “increasing consumption of plant-based foods and substantially reducing consumption of animalsourced foods.”

Producing meat, dairy and eggs demands inordinate resources, taking up 10 times more land in the United States than plant-based agriculture.

Farms have preferential access to scarce resources as well as exemptions from labor, animal welfare, environmental and other laws that permit them to act irresponsibly.

Agribusiness has drained rivers and aquifers so that the Colorado River no longer reaches the ocean, and Tulare Lake, once the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, is dry.

Conscientious citizens and businesses are installing low-flow devices and taking other steps to conserve water, and agriculture, which uses 80% of California’s developed water supply, must do better.

Instead of irrigating crops like alfalfa to feed farm animals, for example, the state’s limited water supply should be used to feed people.

With growing awareness and concerns about industrial

Activist and author Gene Baur co-founded Farm Sanctuary, America’s first farm animal sanctuary and advocacy organization. animal agriculture, it is encouraging to see innovative California businesses developing plant-based alternatives to meat, dairy and eggs, but there are also misguided efforts underway to greenwash unsustainable practices.

Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent in California on biodigesters to convert factory farm excrement into energy, but these ill-advised expenditures promote and perpetuate an inherently inefficient system.

We can eliminate the need to remediate methane and other greenhouse gasses from excessive animal waste in the first place by shifting to plant-based agriculture, which can also help to sequester carbon in the soil.

Farming communities across the United States have suffered as family farms have closed and agricultural production has been

PAGE 6 THE ARGONAUT APRIL 29, 2021

concentrated into fewer larger corporations, infamous for polluting the environment and mistreating workers and animals.

While consolidation has also occurred in California, the average farm size is smaller than the national average, which along with the state’s prominence in plant-based farming, places California in a prime position to catalyze a vital shift away from factory farming and toward a more diversified, community-centered, plantbased food system.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed failures of industrial agriculture, including a lack of resilience and the disproportionate threats suffered by disenfranchised citizens whether they are sickened working in slaughterhouses or from lacking access to wholesome food. Citizens are responding to these concerns and

to food system disruptions by supporting local farms, community gardens, farmers markets and by growing their own food.

These approaches should be encouraged and incentivized by government policies. The victory gardens provided 40% or our nation’s produce during WWII, and a grassroots network of community-based farms can provide healthy food today, as well as security and meaningful economic opportunities, especially in areas where it’s needed most.

We have opportunities to create a healthier and more equitable food system, but this requires that we shift institutional and public support away from industrial animal agriculture and toward a more diversified plant-based system instead.

Last year, the U.S. government allocated $40 billion in subsidies to agriculture, and tragically, most of it went to support

factory farming, with the largest businesses receiving the most money. When you consider the real costs, our cheap food is actually very expensive. A 2018 report found an astounding 73% of dairy industry income came from government programs.

Instead of supporting a dysfunctional marketplace and businesses that abuse people, animals, and the environment, public resources should serve the common good.

We all benefit from access to nourishing food and sustainable agricultural practices that help preserve our precious earth and our humanity. We are all better off in a sanctuary instead of in a slaughterhouse.

Gene Baur is president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, America’s first farm animal sanctuary and advocacy organization.

C O M M U N I T Y

Helping Veterans Westchester resident dedicates his life to fighting for U.S. vets COURTESY OF SHAD MESHAD

By Alex Hutton When Shad Meshad returned home from Vietnam in the early 1970s, he knew his work wasn’t done. He wanted to dedicate his life to making change.

So, in 1985, Meshad founded the National Veterans Foundation (NVF), which helps veterans reintegrate into civilian life. The Westchester resident still serves as the organization’s director and has worked in the field of veteran assistance for even longer. It’s the only way he knows.

“I’m a rare bird,” Meshad said.

“I’ve been doing this forever. I married it.”

Meshad is originally from Alabama and grew up in a Lebanese Catholic family. He entered college at a crucial time for the Vietnam War, right when the United States was dramatically increasing the number of troops stationed in South Vietnam. Meshad didn’t go to Vietnam until a few years later but earned the rank of captain while there, working mainly in medical service. He witnessed the horrors of war, but faced an entirely different battle upon coming back.

“I’ve always said we fought two wars, Vietnam vets — the war in Vietnam and the war coming home,” Meshad said.

“So that’s what made it very difficult.”

Meshad accepted a job with the Veterans Administration, now known as the Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA. He noticed that veterans were not

Westchester resident Shad Meshad is the founder of the National Veterans Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to outreach assisting homeless military veterans. using the VA as much as they could have been, so he decided to take matters into his own hands.

He started a program that focused on meeting former soldiers directly. He went to areas where many veterans lived, in order to utilize community support, creating spaces where they could tell other veterans about the challenges they faced.

The signature aspect of the project was Meshad’s use of “rap groups,” a term he coined to describe these meetings where veterans discussed their struggles. Although this program is now national, it was completely unique when Meshad started it in 1974.

He traveled around the country, running the initiative almost single handedly and acquiring the nickname “The

in their preferred language, since many farmworkers in the Central Valley do not speak English.

Through grassroots outreaching and collaboration with other high school students, I led a districtwide endorsement campaign which was later mentioned in the lobby meeting with our congressional representative.

In my second quarter at UCLA, I applied and received the California regional fellowship with CCL. This position has allowed me to work with devoted and passionate young people that care deeply about climate change. This spring, I organized

and moderated a panel on environmental justice at the California Citizens’ Climate Conference, a topic that is very important me and my community. This panel opened the door to many important conversations, some of which are difficult and controversial, many of which I’ve had with members of my community.

For decades we have known about the possible effects of greenhouse gases yet we have decided to ignore them. It has come to a point to which the effects are no longer possible to ignore. I hope that in the near

Madman.”

“I was pretty loud- and a revolutionary-type guy because I didn’t really give a darn,” Meshad recalled. “I just told the truth.”

Meshad worked with the VA for over a decade, but as he went further along with his work, he started facing restrictions on what he was allowed to say and do. The Madman was being constrained, and he wouldn’t stand for it.

“I was everywhere, but now it became a bureaucratic thing,” Meshad said. “And so I said, ‘I’m going to step out and I’m going to start the National Veterans Foundation.’”

When Meshad started the organization, it was called the Vietnam Veterans Aid Foundation, but when the Gulf War of the early 1990s created a new crop of veterans, he had to expand its reach. Since then, U.S. involvement in the Middle East has produced a steady stream of former soldiers dealing with trauma, meaning that Meshad’s work is becoming increasingly important.

It wasn’t just the importance of the NVF that increased during the 21st century. The help that the organization offers has gone up as well. It doubled the number of employees around 2004, near the beginning of the Iraq War, in order to do more in-person outreach and to have more phone lines for veterans and their family members to call. In keeping with advances in technology, the NVF now

provides services over the internet as well.

“We’ve had to stay up with the youth and what they do and how they reach us,” Meshad explained.

Although the foundation’s in-person work has declined during the pandemic, Meshad and his team are still able to offer some limited help in that capacity and have maintained their distanced work, such as phone and internet communication. The impact of being in a war never goes away, and Meshad can’t afford to pause his work.

“Humans are not like predators,” Meshad said. “And we train to be predators. We kill other humans. It’s just not normal.”

Meshad is 76 years old and still going strong, but he has begun to think about the future of the organization and what it will look like after he isn’t able to work anymore.

“I’m always cognizant of trying to find another madman like myself,” he said. “You’ve got to have a lot of energy and a lot of knowledge, and you’ve got to understand the population we deal with and be innovative and be a visionary.”

Meshad’s focus on finding his successor is a microcosm of his entire adult life: constantly focused on others and doing the most possible to help veterans.

“Maybe it’s my upbringing — Christian upbringing, Catholic,” he mused. “I have to give back.”

future we can come together and address climate change through legislation like the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. We must act now and change our trajectory.

Paulina Torres Los Angeles

and construct a city of tents. We could add a movie theater, educational facilities, etc. Even a bus service could be provided.

Cheap land is the solution to the homeless problem.

Frank McGinity Los Angeles

LETTERS (Continued from page 5)

high-intensity labor in high heat.

They are exposed to harmful pesticides and often have a record of respiratory health problems. Additionally, most farmworkers live in low-income rural communities that are surrounded by waste, power and oil plants. This pollutes the air and harms their health and quality of life.

I joined Citizens Climate Lobby in 2017 to try to do something about climate change. My main goal initially was to inform my community about climate change

Homeless problem Editor: The biggest issue regarding housing for the homeless is the cost of land and structures. It isn’t cheap living in Venice and the homeless should contribute in some way. My idea is to acquire 1,000 acres of cheap land

We Want to Hear from You! Being in print is a lot more meaningful than grouching on Facebook.

Send compliments, complaints and insights about local issues to kkirk@timespublications.com

APRIL 29, 2021 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 7

C O M M U N I T Y

Taking a Stand Westside Activists have continued showing advocacy for causes amid the pandemic CREDIT: HAAN-FAWN CHAU

CREDIT: STEPHEN DE LA ROSA

Members of Westside Activists made home-baked goods for the community, which were donated and delivered to Grass Roots Neighbors in Playa del Rey. CREDIT: DENIZ CAKIR

By Holly Jenvey From Martin Luther King Jr. Day to supporting the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, the Westside Activists are showing their support while staying safe.

Westside Activists are organizers of peaceful demonstrations and protests for justice and equality in Los Angeles.

Through socially distanced activities, Westside Activists have supported communities of color with issues regarding the verdict on the Derek Chauvin trial, taking a stance for the Asian community following incidents of hate, promoting climate justice, along with celebrations for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Westside Activist Carey Begbie Westerfield released a statement on behalf of the activists regarding the verdict on Chauvin, the police officer who murdered George Floyd.

Even as the activists agree with the verdict of the murder that caused nationwide outrage on racial injustice, there is still more to be done.

“While we were relieved to hear that George Floyd’s murderer was convicted on all three counts, we realize that this verdict has been an exception to the rule,” Westerfield said.

“Unfortunately, guilty verdicts are few and far between for police officers on trial for murdering Black and brown people. But this ruling is the beginning of accountability of a system that was built to subjugate them. The fact that 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant was killed by another police officer around the same time as Chauvin’s verdict was being read proves how much further we have to go to dismantle white supremacy within the criminal justice system.”

This verdict followed the shootings that took place on March 16 at Atlanta spas. The acts of violence were predominantly targeted against Asians, so the Westside Activists held marches condemning these actions and to show support for the AAPI community.

The marches have taken place on most Sundays since the shootings and brought out people of all ages. Local

Delivering care packages to unhoused neighbors in the Westchester Park. politicians including U.S. Representative Maxine Waters and Los Angeles City Council Member Mike Bonin also participated in the events.

Messages were written across sidewalks and held up by signs that read, “Racism is the real virus,” “Stop anti-Asian hate”, and “Reject hate, embrace humanity”, among others. Others showed signs of minority races representing power.

On their Instagram post from their first march on March 21, Westside Activists said, “We will continue to stand up for justice, equality, equity, and the dismantling of white supremacy! We will never accept excuses made for white violence, and the continued atrocious crimes against marginalized communities. We are humbled and grateful for all those who take part in this uphill battle.”

Westside Activists are also looking to help with climate justice. Recently, they joined more than 60 organizations in signing a letter to LA Mayor Eric Garcetti and members of the LA City Council to move toward a future of renewable energy.

PAGE 8 THE ARGONAUT APRIL 29, 2021

They are also pushing for recovery from the pandemic and ensuring equitable energy for all.

“We know that our planet is precious with limited resources, and climate change is a threat to all of us, particularly our most vulnerable,” said Ahmanise Sanati, cofounder of Westside Activists. “We want to see LA take the lead, not only by switching from fossil fuels to clean energy, but to ensure our communities are equipped with the resources, protections and agency to move forward into a real, clean energy future.”

In January, the Westside Activists hosted their “2021 Safer at Home Kids March for Equality.” This was the third year of the event, where students, educators and other activists marched on the streets for equality, fighting for causes they care about. However, this year’s march was entirely virtual, with a series of activities.

“We had to get creative because we still wanted to engage the kids, we still wanted to engage our community, and it was something that we really look forward to. So that’s why

Beach clean-up at Playa del Rey beach. we did [it] the way we did it,” Sanati said.

The Kids March for Equality was started in 2019 by HaanFawn Chau. Chau wanted to incorporate children into the activism of the Westside Activists. The march, which was primarily based in LA, grew traction with the virtual events this year.

Sanati explained that around 300 people were affected or engaged in the activities from the virtual march. Children learned the meaning behind Martin Luther King Jr. Day through arts and crafts, writing signs, reading and writing about King.

The killing of Floyd and other actions of racial injustice were also factored into the march.

When Floyd was murdered,

Sanati’s daughter asked her why a sign said, “I can’t breathe.”

Sanati said this was upsetting because children shouldn’t have to ask these types of questions.

“When I see little children of color putting posts [of] ‘Does my life matter too?’ ‘Does my life matter as much?’ that hurts,” Sanati said.

Yet, what was empowering was the fact that children were compelled to create their own messages in response to racial injustice.

Many of the messages they are sending are about spreading love. Sanati said that they will also learn how to amplify their voices for advocacy for the future by discussing topics that are often not talked about, as well as taking action. facebook.com/westsideactivists

E N V I R O N M E N T

In the Weeds of Controversy The Ballona Wetlands Land Trust held a webinar on fixing current restoration plans

By Holly Jenvey Disagreement over restoring the Ballona Wetlands still remains high. Walter Lamb, president of the Ballona Wetlands Land Trust, recently held a webinar to discuss why the current restoration plans are inadequate.

The Land Trust disagrees with the assertions of organizations such as Friends of Ballona Wetlands, as they aren’t supported by available facts.

Lamb based his talking points around Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order made on October 7, 2020, of protecting biodiversity and an announcement phasing out fossil fuels from September 23, 2020.

Topics included protecting coastal resources against sea level rise, biodiversity, equitable access to natural resources, the impact of greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Lamb explained how the Land Trust can put forward the changes against the deficiencies of the restoration plans.

Aside from addressing these issues, Lamb discussed how these problems can be solved.

He showed parts of the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Report in making his claims. Note that project plans aren’t final until the Environmental Impact statement is finalized along with receiving necessary permits and resolved litigation.

“We are absolutely going to need help from as many people in the community as possible,” Lamb said about drafting a final Environmental Impact Report.

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Rising sea levels

Lamb presented diagrams of rising sea levels and how they will affect the Ballona Wetlands from now to the year 2100. The figures on page 271 to 275 of the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Report show how sea level rises will affect species’ habitats within given time periods. He explained how the marsh habitats will be decreasing over the years because of the sea level rising.

Lamb also presented page 850 of the report, which explains how California should be advised with how much waters will surge.

“The resolution advises California state agencies to consider 10 to 17 inches of sea level rise by 2050 and 31 to 69 inches by 2100,” the report read.

Lamb said that the current

projections are at the highest ends of the ranges. He also explained that thin-layer sediment augmentation is a way to raise the elevation of marsh habitat to keep in pace with sea level rising. It’s a potential mitigation against of losing species and habitats.

The augmentation is also a potential alternative to knocking down the levees, which would reduce the released greenhouse gases and the cost of removal.

Protecting biodiversity

Lamb explained the process behind bringing back species to the Wetlands. One of the proposed species that restoration organizations are looking to bring back as a breeding species is the Ridgway’s rail even as the plans behind it aren’t concrete. Lamb ex-

(4/22/21)

By ROLAND HUGET

“EXTRA BEDROOMS”

plained that the habitat the Ridgway’s rail resides in is cordgrass, which was never found at the Wetlands.

“There’s nothing in the EIR that says anything other than we might reintroduce cordgrass and so we might get Ridgway’s rail, that’s about the extent of the analysis,” Lamb said.

Lamb also explained the issues around the construction of the West Area B Levee, which page 193 of the Draft Environmental Impact Report explains is to replace the existing south Ballona Creek Channel Levee and give flood risk protection for Culver Boulevard and the areas south and west.

“The West Area B Levee is slated to be constructed on top of an existing tidal slough, which provides one of the most

iconic views of the wetlands, and would permanently destroy existing habitat for Belding’s Savannah sparrow and other marsh species,” Lamb said.

Equitable access to natural resources

Lamb tied this element with social and environmental justice as there needs to be more diverse representation working with the environment. It also means giving people more access to the Wetlands.

However, he said that the organizations that are in favor of restoring the Wetlands are opposing access with factually unsupported justifications by claiming reasonable access areas to the north of Ballona Creek would pose safety risks, even though a Little League has been permitted to operate within the ecological reserve.

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APRIL 29, 2021 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 9

H E A L T H

&

W E L L N E S S

Healthier Skin for Better Health Purigenex uses biologically activated collagen to turn back aging COURTESY OF PURIGENEX

Purigenex products offer powerful ingredients with therapeutic properties to nourish skin, release impurities and combat aging.

Dr. Susanne Bennett is the founder and CEO of Purigenex, an innovative body care brand founded on the principle that health skin leads to better health.

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DE RM AT O L O G Y

Beach Cities Dermatology Medical Center www.beachcitiesderm.com During this critical and difficult time for our community, Beach Cities Dermatology will still be available to serve our patients as you navigate new challenges that COVID-19 presents. Our concern is for your well-being, as well as that of our staff and our medical providers.

WE CONTINUE TO BE OPEN FOR YOUR DERMATOLOGICAL NEEDS Culver City (310) 204-3376 3831 Hughes Ave., Suite 504-B

Redondo Beach (310) 798-1515 520 N. Prospect Ave., Suite 302

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Seal Beach (562) 431-8554 500 Pacific Coast Hwy., Suite 512

PAGE 10 THE ARGONAUT APRIL 29, 2021

Neal M. Ammar, M.D.

By Katie Lulla Fourteen years ago, Dr. Susanne Bennett looked at her candid photos from Hawaii and saw fine lines and discoloration.

This inspired her to create Purigenex Cosmeceuticals, which uses biologically activated collagen that not only creates immediate results, but also revitalizes cells to slow aging.

“I’m all about utilizing all the natural ways to heal the body,” Bennett said. “I went to all the expensive stores out there in Beverly Hills trying to get the right stuff. It didn’t work. It made me feel good but it didn’t really create true biological change. As a doctor that’s what I want.”

Bennett is a fifth-generation natural medicine doctor whose expertise is in natural medicine, detoxification, environmental medicine and anti-aging. For the past 32 years, she has worked in Santa Monica as a licensed chiropractor.

While searching for ingredients that would create lasting results, a medical acquaintance offered Bennett a sample of biologically activated collagen from tissueengineering doctors in Seoul.

Although the collagen was first created for burn regeneration, Bennett found that it has vastly improved her skin damage. She received the distribution rights and created the Intensive Collagen Serum & Mask Kit. “I go to an anti-aging show every year called A4M,” Bennett said. “It’s only doctors, and all the doctors are in natural health medicine. I decided to open and launch the product there. The entire shipment was all sold out at that show. [...] I knew right away, ‘I have a

business now.’”

Since then, Purigenex has expanded to seven products that all target damaged and aging skin. Purigenex now offers a moisturizer, two additional serums for lightening and age reversal, a body butter and an element protection stick. While Purigenex targets already damaged skin, those looking for prevention will also benefit.

Before the pandemic, Purigenex sold their products directly to medi spas and plastic surgeons such as Jason Diamond, who brought the brand directly to musicians, models and internet stars. In the middle of 2020, Purigenex decided to join the retail market.

“COVID made me think and pivot a bit of my distribution because a lot of the doctors and plastic surgeons didn’t go to work,” Bennett said. “I decided I was going to open it up to the general public.”

The products can be bought directly from Purigenex and shipped globally — the exceptions being countries that do not take porcine products and those whose shipping is more than two days from the United States.

The products must be refrigerated and must also be made fresh several times a year.

“Because it’s a biological active product, I don’t order a huge amount of it, because I don’t want it to sit,” Bennett said. “We order as many as five to seven times a year. It’s always brand new.”

Bennett said that aging and damaged skin has positive ionization. Purigenex’s researchers developed a method to derive collagen with negative ionization to better penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. This

immediately begins healing skin and activates fibroblast cells in the skin to increase collagen production.

“We know that it will absorb and be utilized by our cells,” Bennett said. “It’s a very powerful medicine, but at the same time, if you want to have plumped, glowing and more youthful skin, [you’ll get that too.]”

Bennett handpicked each product’s ingredients, outside of the activated collagen, which she made sure had no parabens.

She incorporated cosmeceuticals such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and glutathione in the formulation, alongside edelweiss plant stem cells. The moisturizer also has peptides and ceramides to keep skin nourished. “[I had] to do a lot of research [to see which] ingredients you can actually put in a formula,” Bennett said. “You’ve got to look at [which] ingredients are able to mix together and then the percentages, which are super important.”

Bennett takes pride in Purigenex’s high ingredient percentages and concentrations. During the formulation process, she made sure to limit chemicals and unnecessary ingredients so that consumers get high-quality products.

“I’m all about healthy skin, I just want everyone to reach their potential and continue to feel good as they’re aging,” Bennett said. “Gracefully aging, aging well, that’s all I’m about. We can use products that have natural ingredients that are the key to aging well and feeling good about your skin and your body, inside and out.” purigenex.com

H E A L T H

&

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The vaccination events were held at local churches in Santa Monica and follow-up events will take place to provide second doses.

Vaccinating the Homeless The People Concern helps those in need

By Sofia Santana The People Concern, a Los Angeles-based social service agency helping those experiencing domestic violence and homelessness, teamed up with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services to host a COVID-19 vaccination event for people experiencing homelessness.

With the mission to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be housed, healthy and safe, The People Concern’s priority during the pandemic is to make sure that its clients are still able to receive much-needed services.

“Our priorities have really evolved as the pandemic evolved, but it continues to align with our mission of housed, healthy, safe, and making sure we are meeting our clients where they are at and seeing what their needs are and trying our best to meet them,” said Elisabeth

McConnell, program manager for the Homeless Multidisciplinary Street Team for The People Concern.

Among the new needs is providing vaccinations to people experiencing homelessness.

“A really important thing to note is that a lot of people experiencing homelessness are actually living with very serious and often untreated chronic health conditions, which makes them high risk for COVID, so providing them with access to the vaccine is a really important intervention,” McConnell explained.

The vaccination events were held at local churches in Santa Monica on March 17 and 31.

The People Concern also helped support the event by spreading the word and making sure those who were interested were able to find transportation to the sites, if needed.

Thirty-one people were vaccinated at the March 17 event, while 16 people were vaccinated at the March 31 event. Follow-up events will also take place at the original event sites to provide second doses.

The People Concern hopes to continue to make vaccinations accessible to those who need it the most. Plans are underway to expand vaccination events for people experiencing homelessness, like the coordination of mobile COVID-19 vaccination sites, and have begun rolling out as recently as April 7.

“The inspiration for these events was to create a low-barrier environment for people experiencing homelessness to get the vaccine,” McConnell said.

“There is an urgency to vaccinate as many people as possible, so I think these events are a way to do what we can to get ahead of that spread.”

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APRIL 29, 2021 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 11

C O V E R

S T O R Y PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ

Tom Adams is a master woodworker who creates intricate pieces of custom contemporary furniture in his Venice studio.

PURSUING THE UNIQUE Venice woodworker embraces the contemporary style in his artistic work

By Bridgette M. Redman From shadowing a friend in the garage to the siren call of the ocean, Tom Adams found himself inexorably led to the art form that now dominates his days.

A master woodworker, Adams owns a studio in Venice where he creates intricate pieces of contemporary furniture custom made for his clients. And while many artists had their work decrease during the pandemic, Adams says he is busy. He creates a lot of custom work

for STAHL + BAND, a Venice-based furniture showroom that features the work of fine artists. Adams said the owner, creative director and designer Jeffery Molter tripled his business in one year and Adams has been working six days a week to try to keep up with demand.

“I think since people are in and not out and about, they are redecorating, remodeling and just spending money on the house,” Adams said. “There seems to be a lot of interest in

PAGE 12 THE ARGONAUT APRIL 29, 2021

furniture and I know that there is construction going on everywhere. I feel so sorry for the restaurants, they’ve gotten hammered, but all the people I know who do construction or my friend who delivers boats, he’s made more money in the past year than ever.”

The beginning

From an early age, Adams was interested in art. He took whatever art and photography classes he could while he was in school and developed an

artistic eye that continues to serve him well with the work he creates.

When he was living in San Diego, Adams stayed with a family whose father was retired from the Navy. He was building cabinets out of his garage and taught Adams how to use the tools. From there, Adams taught himself woodworking and discovered how much he enjoyed it.

When Adams first moved to Del Rey and Venice, he was heavily involved in the marina.

He was sailing and racing in California and Mexico, and sailed almost all the way around the world. It was during his time at sea that Adam’s love for woodworking began to blossom into something he did for others.

“A natural progression was to do woodworking on boats, which led to doing work on the boats,” Adams said.

He continued to do woodworking for boats until 27 years ago when he set up his current woodshop, a

ArgonautNews.com

2,500-square-foot work area where he can do a variety of work. The boat work began to melt away.

“I do occasional boat work, but only anything someone could bring in,” Adams said, “I don’t like going down there anymore — dragging the tools to work on the dock.

I have this huge shop and I like it here.”

People still bring him boat work and one friend used his shop to work on his rowing dinghy, but Adams said he can’t fit an entire boat in his small driveway.

Creating in Venice

After living and working so long in Venice, Adams said that all his work is via wordof-mouth; he doesn’t actively sell, advertise or seek out orders.

“I’m well-known in the marina and Venice area,” Adams said. “A lot of people know me and they always come back. I have a lot of returning customers.”

Adams’ favorite work is anything custom. He shuns work that is repetitive or that requires making the same thing with little creative input.

“People bring in interesting projects and that’s a challenge I like to tackle,” Adams said.

Carving the contemporary

A lot of thought goes into all Adams’ work. He sometimes creates from the drawings that designers give him and he goes with their blueprint. However, he points out that anyone can make a drawing, but it doesn’t always match up with how things work in the real world.

Adams marries his solid understanding of physics with his artistic eye so that he can now easily look at something and figure out what is achievable and what will look good.

Other times, he will come up with his own ideas, visualizing them and trying to figure out how to solve the challenges of making them.

“I love the process of trying to figure out how I am going to build something,” Adams said.

“I can see things three-dimensionally in my mind. It evolves — a lot of the work is done when I’m sleeping. I come up with solutions to problems. So, if I’m designing a chair and I’m stuck on a spot, that night

I’m thinking about it while half asleep. The more time you have to think about it, you can come up with a good solution.

A lot of times, I’ve dreamt about solutions to problems.”

Adams will work with any wood, but his favorite is teak.

“It’s the most beautiful, forgiving wood there is,” Adams said. “It’s just fantastic to work with — not just the look, but the machining it, routing it — it’s a pleasure to work with.”

However, he also points out that it’s one of the most expensive woods and his customers often ask him to work with walnut, ash, white oak or other types of wood.

Some of Adams’ recent projects have been tables. He’s been making spool tables that have tapered cylinders of various lengths. He turns them on a lathe so that segments are cut at 15-degree angles, tapered and glued together.

Another is a five-legged table with legs that are 30 inches long and 5 1/2 inches round.

It’s a commission from STAHL + BAND. He turns the five legs so that they go into the bottom of a marble top.

Adams cites the fact that Molter gives him a variety of jobs as one of the reasons he likes working for him so often — that and they have similar artistic styles.

“He does change it up,” Adams said. “I’ll make a prototype and that kind of stuff — something that challenges me. That’s what I enjoy the most. I have my own style. It’s more contemporary. I don’t care for older, traditional European with a lot of gloopy lines. I’m just more contemporary. It’s a good fit with Jeffery and myself.”

Prototyping is high on Adams’ list of favorite things because of the creative and artistic demands they entail.

“Sometimes, I get really creative and things just start flying through my head — this design and then constantly tweaking it and changing the design, looking at it from a different point of view,” Adams said. “How will I make the legs? It’s enjoyable. It’s the creative process.”

Adams loves it all — unless it’s repetitive. Don’t ask him to make cabinets. He doesn’t like cabinets. tomadamswoodworking.com

Adams also creates a lot of custom work for STAHL + BAND, a Venice-based furniture showroom that features the work of fine artists.

APRIL 29, 2021 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 13

SUMMER CAMPS Fun in the Sun These camps and programs on the Westside offer plenty of activities for kids and teens

By Kamala Kirk From coding to cheerleading, we’ve rounded up local camps and programs that cover a wide range of interests to keep kids and teens entertained in the spring and summer.

Cheer Mania Taught by professional cheerleaders, Cheer Mania participants will learn jumps, cheers, dance and intro to stunting. Cheer Mania was founded by Michelle Boehle, a former Los Angeles Lakers Girl and UCLA cheerleader. Each day will begin with fun arts and crafts, followed by stretching, cheer and dance instruction, teamwork activities, outdoor lunch at the park, and afternoon freeze dance. On the last day, campers will perform a cheer/ dance routine, learn how to make pom poms, create banners, work on teamwork – and maybe even take home the spirit stick! Designed for ages 4 to 12. cheermania.com

Coastal Kids LA This roaming adventure camp offers drop off and pick up at various locations in Santa Monica. For their field trips, they meet at Memorial Park. All other meet-up locations are local to Santa Monica. At Coastal Kids, children are guided as they explore all the wonders of nature. The child-inspired emergent curriculum is based upon the children’s interests and what the environment provides. Their popular summer camp is spent mainly on the beach in Santa Monica and the average age of participants is 4 to 8 years old, although they will consider younger/older children for camp. coastalkidsla.com CodeREV Kids Both in-person and online camps are available for budding programmers, video game developers, virtual reality designers, (Continued on page 16)

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app developers, robotics engineers, 3D animators, and all technology fans.

CodeREV Kids Tech Camps are the ultimate camp experience in education and fun. Whether learning to write code, 3D model and animate, develop the next great app or game, mod in Minecraft or publish the next great Roblox game, kids and their friends will love sharing in the confidenceboosting experience of creating with technology as they explore and develop their multimedia STEM skills in the virtual camp format. The live, online camps are highly engaging and include live video, audio, chat, screen share, white board, remote screen control and other integrations that combine to create a seamless experience for campers to learn and socialize with others in a positive, guided environment. coderevkids.com Culver-Palms Family YMCA The YMCA’s free Summer Enrichment Day Camps are being offered free-ofcharge to families who are income-eligible residents of the City of Los Angeles. The camps are provided to the community in partnership between the YMCA and the City of LA. They provide children with the academic support and learning recovery that they need to position them for success in the upcoming school year, and are a combination of learning and fun. Children will spend the first half of the day taking part in academic enrichment and the second half of the day engaged in traditional day camp activities. Arts and crafts, sports and games, recreation, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, service-learning, 21st century skills, academic prep and more await! ymclala.org/locations/culver-palmsfamily-ymca

customize each day from a vide variety of activities. Campers receive personalize attention, collaborate and interact with peers, and make new friends! gotgamecamp.com PlanetBravo Techno-tainment Camp Their award-winning summer camp has always been about giving kids a fun, confidence-boosting experience where they can explore and develop new multimedia skills with their friends. Whether it’s learning to code, making movies, modding Minecraft or building robots, kids are using their summers to do incredible things with technology at camp. Both in-person and virtual camp options are available. planetbravo.com Rolling Robots Give kids the opportunity to discover their inner scientist and get super excited about creating something of their own at Rolling Robots, which ignites the imagination of kids everywhere and opens the door to the world of technology through the universal language of fun. Fun workshops and activities are taught via live online instruction including Junior Robot Builders, Rolling Robots’ signature workshop that teaches participants how to build a motorized robot from scratch. rollingrobots.com

Steve & Kate’s Camp Summer 2021 will still feature fan-favorite activities from classic camp, now experienced through pod-like “squads” that meet currently required mandates and guidelines for safe gathering amid the pandemic. At camp (various locations including Turning Point School in Culver City), they’ll gather with their fellow enthusiasts in indoor or outdoor spaces to immerse themselves in activities or pursue projects with an emphasis that speaks to Culver City Volleyball Club their tastes. Campers will also have the Since 2002, Culver City Volleyball Club opportunity to enjoy outdoor classes, has provided the finest possible volleyball socially distanced indoor and outdoor experiences to every athlete that is involved recreation, performances, and cruise a in their program – as a player, person and circuit of rotating activities featuring RC student/athlete. They stress development of cars, Lego blocks, and more. Online fundamental skills as a player, learning to workshops are also available. work together as a team, and personal steveandkatescamp.com habits that lead to success in any walk of life. All of the Culver coaches have had Westchester Family YMCA years of volleyball experience by playing The YMCA’s free Summer Enrichment either at the college level and/or sand or Day Camps are being offered free-ofgrass. charge to families who are income-eligible culvercityvbclub.com residents of the city of Los Angeles. The camps are provided to the community in Got Game Sports partnership between the YMCA and the This premier Los Angeles summer camp city of LA. They provide children with the destination for kids ages 4 to 14 provides a academic support and learning recovery day camp experience unlike any other by that they need to position them for success allowing each camper to personally in the upcoming school year, and are a customize their day based on their interests. combination of learning and fun. Children Whether your camper is a first-timer or will spend the first half of the day taking been with them for years, each day brings part in academic enrichment and the second something new and exciting, and each half of the day engaged in traditional day relationship is built with care. Summer camp activities. Arts and crafts, sports and camp is their most popular camp season games, recreation, leadership development, with non-stop fun at multiple locations. diversity and inclusion, service-learning, They are also offering a virtual summer 21st century skills, academic prep and more camp that is similar to a traditional day await! camp program, but through the wonders of ymcla.org/locations/westchester-familytechnology, campers have the ability to ymca PAGE 16 SUMMER CAMPS SECTION - APRIL 29, 2021

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APRIL 29, 2021 - SUMMER CAMPS SECTION PAGE 17

A R T S

&

E V E N T S

Celebrating the Literary Community Beyond Baroque to host virtual gala on May 6, including Amanda Gorman COURTESY OF ARTIST

COURTESY OF SUN LITERARY ARTS

Punk-power group The Linda Lindas will also perform songs by The Muffs.

By Haley Beyer After being closed to the public for more than a year, Beyond Baroque is looking forward to celebrating its reopening later this year and supporting the arts, poetry and literature.

On May 6, the Venice-based literary arts center will host “Beyond This Moment”, a virtual gala that will include artists and performers showcasing their passion and talent.

The event will take place at 7 p.m. on LiveStream via Crowdcast.

“I’m most excited to see everyone’s unique perspective in the world of art,” said Quentin Ring, executive director of Beyond Baroque. “It is moving to have such influential individuals who bring diversity in their talents.”

Founded in 1968 as an experimental literary magazine, Beyond Baroque is one of the leading independent literary arts centers and public spaces in the United States that is dedicated to expanding the public’s knowledge of poetry, literature and art though cultural events and community interaction.

Among this year’s featured guests and performers is Amanda Gorman, the country’s youngest inaugural poet, who is returning in support of Beyond Baroque in the space where she took her first poetry workshop.

Other guests will include Pulitzer Prize-winner Tyehimba Jess; Los Lobos founding member Louie Pérez; as well as present and past poet laureates such as Lynne Thompson, Luis J. Rodriguez, Jaki Shelton

PAGE 18 THE ARGONAUT APRIL 29, 2021

Poet and author Lynne Thompson.

Green, and Carolyn Foronda.

MC5 guitar legend Wayne Kramer (and co-founder of Jail Guitar Doors) will also be in attendance, in addition to poet/ activist (and former MC5 manager) John Sinclair. “West Wing” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” actor Bradley Whitford will read favorite poems with his wife, actress Amy Landecker.

A founder of the seminal proto-hip hop group the Last Poets, Abiodun Oyewole will be joined by poets E. Ethelbert Miller, Ryka Aoki, Amy Gerstler and Peter J. Harris (with his poem “Song Again” from For the Love of LA series at the Music Center).

Punk-power pop group The Linda Lindas (currently in Amy Poehler’s Netflix film “Moxie,” will perform songs by The

COURTESY OF ARTIST

COURTESY OF ARTIST

Amanda Gorman is among the artists and performers participating in Beyond Baroque’s “Beyond This Moment” gala on May 6.

Pulitzer Prize-winner and poet Tyehimba Jess.

Muffs. Renowned British actor, author and director Simon Callow will also make a special appearance on behalf of the Christopher Isherwood Foundation.

Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite. There are different tiers of tickets depending on the package.

Tickets start at $25 for general admission and go up to $100.

The Venice Beach Ticket costs $50 and includes a special gift box. For $75, guests can purchase a Poet Ticket, which includes a custom wood-engraved Beyond Baroque notebook. The Beat Goes On Ticket, which costs $100, includes 50% off any singleday Beyond Baroque intensive workshop in 2021.

Proceeds from the tickets go directly to Beyond Baroque’s

programs, but there will also be a separate place for donations and sponsorships that will go towards repairing renovations the 115-year-old building.

Beyond Baroque wants to update the theater, exterior facade and common areas, with a goal of $20,000 to help them get on their way.

The building, which is the location of the Old Venice City Hall, was built in 1906. It includes a bookstore with the largest collection of new poetry books for sale and an archive that houses more than 40,000 books chronicling the history of poetry movements in LA and beyond.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming back our community,” Ring said.

To purchase tickets, visit beyondbaroque.org

W E S T S I D E

H A P P E N I N G S

Compiled by Kamala Kirk Art + Activism, 1 p.m.

Venice Family Clinic is hosting its annual Venice Art Walk online from April 28 to May 11. They are hosting a series of virtual art talks featuring notable Los Angeles art critics and some of their auction artists on April 29 to 30, May 5 and 11. Join arts manager, writer and founder of Dominique Gallery, Dominique Clayton, for a conversation with first-time Venice Art Walk participating artists Hasef, Alicia Pillar and Trotter.

Together, they’ll discuss the evolution of art and activism.

They’ll also share the power and allyship community organizations, local artists and patrons can create as they strive to address social and racial justice.

For more information, visit venicefamilyclinic.org “A Bintel Brief,” 7 p.m.

Pacific Resident Theatre will offer post-show Zoom talk backs on April 30, May 1 and May 2 for its production of “A Bintel Brief.” Yiddish for “a bundle of letters,” “A Bintel Brief” was an advice column in the Jewish Daily Forward wherein European Jewish immigrants, living on the lower East Side of New York, unburdened their hearts and revealed their deepest truths.

PRT’s production of “A Bintel Brief” is an online dramatized documentary-style performance of these letters, enacted by the PRT Company. Beautifully translated into English by

Diana Shalet Levy and edited

by Isaac Metzger, “A Bintel Brief” is a remarkable record of Jewish immigrant life in America. The only show will begin on April 30 and will run indefinitely on PRT’s website.

For more information and to register, visit pacificresidenttheatre.com

Saturday, May 1 Teleflora Mother’s Day Activation, 10 a.m.

In advance of Mother’s Day, Teleflora, the world’s leading floral delivery service, is celebrating mom with a sidewalk chalk installation created by children, acknowledging how much mom has selflessly put others’ needs before hers. Everyone will have the opportunity to stop by Santa Monica Place, grab a piece of chalk and join in on the action.

After contributing to the mural, participants will receive a free bouquet for mom courtesy of Teleflora.

Virtual Dockwalker Training, 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Offered by The Bay Foundation, this virtual workshop trains partners or collaborators to become Dockwalkers.

Dockwalkers conduct boated education about environmentally-sound boating practices.

Receive free educational materials to safely distribute items to boaters at marinas, boat launch ramps and more.

Dockwalkers’ efforts increase boater awareness about clean and safe boating, thus improving the recreation experience in COURTESY OF SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

Santa Monica College’s John Drescher Planetarium will kick off the month of May with a free special Sunday afternoon matinee on May 2 at 2 p.m.

COURTESY OF KIM DEJESUS

Friday, April 30

combines an abbreviated version of “The Night Sky Show” and the week’s featured evening show, “Binocular and Small Scope Highlights of the Spring Sky.” The planetarium is using Zoom.

For more information, visit smc.edu/planetarium

Tuesday, May 4 Screening of “I am Greta,” 6 p.m.

“I am Greta,” the story of teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, is told through compelling, never-before-seen footage in this intimate documentary from Swedish director From May 1 to 14, abstract painter, Kim DeJesus will Nathan Grossman. Starting present her solo show “Erasures, Washes, and Memory” at with her one-person school the Whale & Star Studio in Culver City. strike for climate action outside California while helping to inspiring, collaborative and the Swedish Parliament, preserve its precious wildlife successful – and three of them Grossman follows Greta – a shy habitat and water quality. and their successful kids will be schoolgirl with Asperger’s – in To learn more and sign up, featured in a new Sunday her rise to prominence, and her visit santamonicabay.org/events Morning with The Braid event galvanizing global impact as Arts & Literacy Festival, (formerly Jewish Women’s she sparks school strikes 10 a.m. to noon Theatre) on May 2, a week around the world. The film Let’s go on a wild animal before Mother’s Day. One pair culminates with her astonishing adventure. Join the City of of guests are an acclaimed wind-powered voyage across Santa Monica for a morning of comedian and her 90-year-old the Atlantic Ocean to speak at virtual family-friendly activities mom, who recently joined her the UN Climate Action Summit hosted by community organiza- daughter’s monthly shows. The in NYC. Free event. tions, including a story time, second duo are a nonprofit Register at cityofsantamonica_ animal show and much more! manager-mom and her son, who iamgreta/eventbrite.com Sessions will also be available just started a new job in the for participants to learn about Security Council at the Biden Thursday, May 6 virtual exhibitors showcasing White House. And the last Beyond This Moment Virtual their child services and commu- guests, live from Toronto, are a Benefit, 7 p.m. nity resources available to mom and daughter who Celebrate poetry, literature and support families. The event will co-operate a successful Israeli- renewed literary community be presented using the Hopin food business. All six will take with Beyond This Moment, a platform. part in this special Mother’s virtual benefit in support of To learn more, visit smgov.net Day tribute to Jewish moms.

Beyond Baroque’s reopening “Erasures, Washes, and The event will be live on Zoom later this year. Beyond This Memory,” by appointment and is free. The Braid hopes Moment gathers an array of Los Angeles-based abstract viewers will consider making a notable writers and performers painter, Kim DeJesus, is ready virtual donation to support their in celebration of these prowith her solo show “Erasures, theatrical, educational and grams and in support of the Washes, and Memory” taking outreach events during this reopening of their landmark place from May 1 to May 12 in unprecedented time.

1906 building. The country’s the Whale & Star Studio in CulFor more information and youngest-ever inaugural poet ver City. Due to COVID-19, tickets, visit the-braid.org Amanda Gorman returns in restrictions have been made for SMC’s John Drescher Plansupport of Beyond Baroque, safety precautions, and viewing etarium Sunday Afternoon and of the space in which she time is in 30-minute increMatinee, 2 p.m. took her first poetry workshops. ments. Masks are required.

Santa Monica College’s John Tickets start at $25.

Please schedule when you Drescher Planetarium continues For tickets, visit would like to view the show its Friday evening events in beyondbaroque.org and list how many guests are in May with free, live virtual your party. shows presented online. The To schedule a viewing, visit presentations will cover spring kimdejesus.com sky highlights and how to enjoy them through binoculars and Sunday, May 2 small telescopes, and offer a Jewish Mothers: Inspirational, view of the universe in microwaves through the Atacama Collaborative & Always Large Millimeter/submillimeter Loving, 11 a.m.

Array (ALMA). The planetariToday’s Jewish mother is um will start the month with a nothing like the one-dimenfree special Sunday afternoon sional stereotype that plagued matinee at 2 p.m. on May 2. It her predecessors. She’s

Send event information at least 10 days in advance to kkirk@ timespublications.com

APRIL 29, 2021 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 19

A R T S

&

E V E N T S

May Day Celebration Cold War museum reopens on International Workers’ Day COURTESY OF THE WENDE MUSEUM

The Wende Museum in Culver City, which captures and displays Cold War history from the former Soviet Bloc, is reopening on May 1.

By Bridgette M. Redman May Day is a red letter day for the Wende Museum, an institution that captures and displays Cold War history from the former Soviet Bloc.

Not only is May Day the day socialists and communists from the Second International designated as International Workers’ Day, but it marks the day that the Wende is reopening after a year of pandemic shutdown.

After its initial Saturday reopening, the museum will be open by reservation only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free, but walk-ins can’t be accommodated at this time — and chief curator and director of programming Joes Segal said they have already filled many of the reservation slots.

The museum had hoped to reopen last November when they installed new exhibitions, but the surge in COVID-19 cases made that impossible.

“We have been planning for it for quite a long time,” Segal said. “We are in a good place.

It’s so exciting to get to a point where we can actually receive people.”

The Wende welcomes patrons back with a total of four new exhibits: two in the main building, one in the East German guard house and one in the garden.

Pivoting during the pandemic

Back when the Wende first had to shut down more than a year ago, they immediately turned to online programming. They started a weekly interview series that continues to this day and other programming that took off very quickly.

“That kept us busy and our constituents active,” Segal said.

“And we discovered that by doing so we reached a new public. Our weekly series has people Zooming in from 59 different countries. That was unthinkable before.”

As much as possible, the museum staff worked from home, having weekly staff and other meetings over Zoom. It forced them into new structures and organization, and Segal feels they will be coming out of the pandemic even more professional than before because of all that they learned during this time.

PAGE 20 THE ARGONAUT APRIL 29, 2021

The weekly Zoom program was a series on spaces — from Cold War to pandemic and domestic spaces. When they first started, Segal thought they’d do 10 or 15 and have a nice series. Now they have finished 38 of them and confirmed up to 42.

“There were so many interesting topics and interesting researchers that came up, that I just continued,” Segal said. “I could go on forever, but I won’t. I’m thinking maybe to go up to 50 interviews and then it might be time to try something new.”

Upcoming topics include “Under-The-Table Space: Artistic Expression in a Kommunalka” on May 5 and “Spaces of Global Socialism: Worldmaking Architecture” on May 12. The May 5 program features an interview with Eugene Yelchin, an awardwinning Russian-American children’s book author, painter and illustrator. The name comes from how Yelchin, who grew up in a communal apartment in Leningrad, became an artist.

“He had to sleep under his grandmother’s table because there was no space in the

apartment,” Segal said. “He started with a pencil to scratch drawings on the bottom of the table and that’s how he became an artist.”

In the May 12 program, Segal interviews Lukasz Stanek, an architectural historian who wrote about architecture and urbanist collections between the Soviet Bloc countries on the one hand and the Middle East and Africa on the other.

“We have a few other fun ones coming up,” Segal said. “One I’m very much looking forward to is a German historian about the importance of the perfume Chanel No. 5 in the Soviet Union.”

Exhibits focus on transformation

While there have been online 3D tours of the latest four exhibitions, Segal said it is different seeing it in person, which people will be able to do starting May 1.

The main exhibition is called “Transformations” and it examines the meaning of objects when they are in different times and contexts.

“In a sense, it is an exhibition about the history of the Wende

Museum itself,” Segal said.

“We have all these objects from Soviet Bloc countries during the Cold War that started as objects of everyday life.”

After the Berlin Wall fell, many people threw out these objects, which ended up in flea markets and landfills. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, historians started to collect them and many ended up at the Wende Museum where they became historical or aesthetic artifacts.

The exhibition captures that journey with the first room being an East German living room and garden. As people walk through, they end up in a flea market followed by a museum and then an art studio where artists are asked to reflect on the exhibition and use the same items that appear in the different rooms – but in a different context and meaning.

One example is a painting in the “museum” room from the 1960s where a group of women are putting together a huge flower portrait of Vladimir Lenin for a May 1 parade. The contemporary artist, Farrah Karapetian, examined what motivated these women and

ArgonautNews.com

their ideologies.

She sent out a survey to universities and colleges asking students what the motivating idea was in their lives. She put together all their answers and created a video of a woman picking flowers in different colors while a choir sings the answers given in the survey.

“We displayed it in a way where you have the painting on one side, a theater curtain and Farrah’s video on the other side to make the connection,” Segal said.

The questions raised and discussions sparked by the objects in the exhibition are things Segal said are quite universal, referencing such things as how objects used by Native Americans or during the African diaspora change contexts when they are put in a museum.

“I think this exhibition can fuel those discussions and reflect on what it means when an object travels through space and time,” Segal said.

Looking through different lenses

The museum’s main exhibition is called “Transformations” and it examines the meaning of objects when they are in different times and contexts.

A parallel exhibition is called “See Thy Neighbor: Stern Photographers Thomas Hoepker and Harald Schmitt in the GDR.” In the 1970s, two West German photographers, Thomas Hoepker and Harald Schmitt, worked for Stern Magazine and were the first to be stationed in East Germany. Hoepker documented East German life but didn’t like it very much.

After two years, he got an offer to work in New York and immediately accepted.

His successor, Schmitt, loved East Germany and even married an East German woman. He stayed until he was expelled under accusations of being a spy. Both Hoepker and Schmitt took pictures of the same things, but from different attitudes. The exhibition pairs photos of the same things so that the differences can be seen.

The garden installation is “Common Fantasy” and “Relics of the Cold War.” “We want to be a very experimental institution that reflects not only Cold War history, but the connections between us and the present (as in ‘Transformations’) and the history and functioning of the museum as an institution,” Segal said. wendemuseum.org

APRIL 29, 2021 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 21

MEDITERRANEAN WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS

“Sophisticated Spanish architectural elements dominate the exterior of this 3-level, 4BR/3BA, 2,700 sqft abode with a traditional Spanish tile roof, wrought iron detailing, and rich Tuscan hues,” says agent James Suarez. “Built in 2010, this magnificent home stuns with high ceilings throughout, tons of shimmering natural light, an organically flowing layout and amazing views of the bay and mountains from all floors. Envision sipping wine around the living room’s fireplace or walk out to the backyard for play or meditation. Explore further to find an open concept kitchen featuring a stainless-steel gas range, tile backsplash, unique black Marinace granite countertops, and an adjoining family room. Relax in the master bedroom which includes balcony access, walk-in closet, and a spa-inspired en suite with dual vanities, a walk-in shower, and custom tilework. Ascend up through the atrium via a spiral staircase and burn the midnight oil in the top-level loft or view the stars from the adjoining outside space.”

PAGE 22 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION APRIL 29, 2021

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FIND YOUR PLACE The Stephanie Younger Group 310.499.2020 | DRE 01365696 stephanieyounger.com | @stephanieyoungergroup Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified.

Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. If your property is currently listed for sale this is not a solicitation.

APRIL 29, 2021 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION PAGE 23

Enjoy the Real Estate Experience You Deserve!

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THE ARGONAUT REAL ESTATE BUSINESS NEWS

Agency plan would postpone foreclosures until 2022 The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed that mortgage servicers delay action on borrowers’ principle residence until after December.

By Jeff Lazerson | jlazerson@mortgagegrader.com | MortgageGrader.com | April 11, 2021 How many homeowners are circling the drain, facing the risk of losing their homes from COVID-19 triggered job losses?

How many jumped at the chance to sign-up for mortgage forbearances not knowing what might be around their income corner?

And how many wrongfully took advantage of the CARES Act forbearance safety net, using their mortgage payment to buy stocks, real estate or Bitcoin?

The question of how many need a lifeline is the great COVID-19 mortgage mystery.

Government officials are assuming the worst.

On Monday, April 5, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed a new rule requiring mortgage servicers to delay foreclosure proceedings on principal residences until after Dec. 31.

The proposed rule would affect all servicing lenders, not just Fannie, Freddie, FHA and VA servicers that fell under the original CARES Act forbearance mandates.

The CFPB press release said nearly 3 million homeowners are behind on their mortgages, with industry estimates of 1.7 million expected to exit forbearance programs this September.

The number in forbearance peaked at 4.3 million, or 8.53%, in June, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data.

This week, the MBA finds an estimated 2.5 million homeowners, or 4.9%, are in forbearance, about a 42% decline.

Black Knight data indicates 3.35 million

borrowers were past due or facing foreclosure at the end of February.

Foreclosure proceedings have begun against 168,000.

The mortgage industry seems to support the CFPB proposal.

“We share the same goal: avoiding foreclosure whenever possible,” said Bob Broeksmit, MBA President and CEO. “Servicers have successfully helped more than 1.4 million borrowers obtain payment relief and sustainable long-term solutions.”

Based on online chatter, some other industry stakeholders are opposed.

Claims run the gamut from bureaucrats are just kicking this foreclosure can down the road, to arguments that it’s government overreach and a violation of the contractual obligation between investors and mortgage servicers.

Consider the mortgage meltdown.

Nationwide, 6.3 million families lost their homes to foreclosure (1.13 million in California) from 2007 through 2013, according to Black Knight.

There are three key differences between that meltdown and today’s pandemicinduced calamity. The economy now is recovering quickly. Homeowners have substantial equity giving them more hope.

And the foreclosure process is faster today than a decade ago.

“The economy is booming,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. Twenty-two million jobs were lost since March 2020, but about 14 million since have been restored,

according to Zandi. He projected the economy will add 6-8 million more jobs in the next 12 months.

“By this time next year, the job market will be fully recovered,” he said.

This CFPB foreclosure plan may ultimately save a plethora of homeowners from foreclosure.

If the CFPB proposal eventually gets approved and foreclosure proceedings can’t start until next year, many more at-risk borrowers will likely find financially meaningful jobs, thereby getting back on mortgage track.

Preserving as much home equity (property value minus mortgage liens) as possible is a powerful motivator to keep one’s home or at least avoid foreclosure.

If the homeowner has to eventually sell, he or she will face high rents will struggle getting back into the homeownership race.

“The servicer benefits when the property is sold,” said Guy Cecala, CEO and publisher of Inside Mortgage Finance.

“This is not a consumer benefit.”

Today mortgage servicers have a better, faster and less costly pathway compared with the meltdown days should they need to eventually foreclose.

“Lenders are more prepared to deal with foreclosures now,” said Raymond Snytsheuvel, Chief Operations Officer at FirstLine Compliance.

Snytsheuvel estimates it took about two years to foreclose in California and at least five years in New York back then.

“It takes less than six months in California today,” he said.

Freddie Mac rate news: The 30-year fixed-rate averaged 3.13%, 5 basis points lower than last week. The 15-year fixed-rate averaged 2.42%, 3 basis points lower than last week.

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a big 5.1% decrease in mortgage application volume from the previous week.

Bottom line: Assuming a borrower gets the average 30-year fixed rate on a conforming $548,250 loan, last year’s payment was $60 more than this week’s payment of $2,350.

What I see: Locally, well-qualified borrowers can get the following fixed-rate mortgages with 1-point cost: A 15-year FHA at 1.75%, a 30-year FHA at 2.25%, a 15-year conventional at 2.125%, a 30-year conventional at 2.75%, a 15-year conventional high-balance ($548,251 to $822,375) at 2.25%, a 30-year conventional high-balance at 2.75% and a 30-year jumbo at 3%.

Eye catcher loan of the week: A 30-year high-balance fixed-rate at 2.99% without points.

THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTION CAME FROM:

Jeff Lazerson is a mortgage broker.

He can be reached at 949-334-2424 or jlazerson@mortgagegrader.com.

His website is www.mortgagegrader.com.

Buying or selling beach-front real estate? The Argonaut has you covered.

Call Rebecca Bermudez at 310-463-0633 or rebecca@argonautnews.com PAGE 24 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION APRIL 29, 2021

Buying or selling beach-front real estate?

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Westside Farmers Markets T U E S D AY S

S AT U R D AY S

Culver City 2 to 7 p.m.

Santa Monica Downtown 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Main Street, between Venice and Culver boulevards

culvercity.org

Arizona Avenue, between 2nd and 4th streets, Santa Monica

W E D N E S D AY S

smgov.net/portals/ farmersmarket

Santa Monica Downtown 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Arizona Avenue, between 4th St. and Ocean Ave.

smgov.net/portals/ farmersmarket

Santa Monica Pico 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Virginia Avenue Park, 2200 Virginia Ave., Santa Monica

smgov.net/portals/ farmersmarket

F R I D AY S

S U N D AY S

Venice 7 to 11 a.m.

Mar Vista F 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

500 Venice Blvd. (at Venice Way), Venice

Venice and Grand View boulevards

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marvistafarmersmarket.org

S AT U R D AY S

Santa Monica Main Street 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Marina del Rey 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Heritage Square, 2640 Main St., Santa Monica

Via Marina at Panay Way

smgov.net/portals/ farmersmarket/

beaches.lacounty.gov/ mdrfarmersmarket Playa Vista 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

12775 W. Millennium Drive, Runway at Playa Vista

www.farmermark.com/ playavista

Westchester Farmers Market 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Triangle, 6200 W. 87th St.

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Where healthy food is always in season

THE ARGONAUT PRESS RELEASES WESTPORT HEIGHTS HOME

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VENICE BEACH HOME

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TOWNHOME IN MARINA DEL REY

“Extensively renovated 3BR/2.5BA home is located in the heart of Silicon Beach, ” says agent Jesse Weinberg. “This unit offers a great open floor plan with wood floors throughout, recessed lighting, spacious living room with high ceilings, custom fireplace, and an expansive private patio perfect. An updated chefs kitchen with quartz countertops, breakfast bar, and SS appliances. Upstairs, the primary suite features a private balcony, walk-in closet, and en-suite spa-like bath with dual vanity. Two more generous sized bedrooms offer ample closet space. Unit includes an attached two-car garage.”

Offered at $1,139,000 Jesse Weinberg Jesse Weinberg & Associates 800-804-9132 APRIL 29, 2021 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION PAGE 25

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Classifieds / Legals

DEADLINE: Monday at 11am for Thursdays CALL ANN: 626-584-8747 or EMAIL: ann@argonautnews.com

Probate

decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

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 (form 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: Natalie J. Dona 11558 Ostrom Ave., Granada Hills, California 91344 (909) 845-7551 The Argonaut Newspaper 04/29/21, 05/06/21, 05/13/21

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF PATRICIA DOLORES DOMINGUEZ CASE NO. 21STPB03466 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of PATRICIA DOLORES DOMINGUEZ. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Natalie J. Dona in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that: Natalie J. Dona be appointed as perName Change sonal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE THE PETITION requests auFOR CHANGE OF NAME thority to administer the esCase No. 21STCP01121 tate under the Independent SUPERIOR COURT OF Administration of Estates Act. CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF (This authority will allow the LOS ANGELES. Petition of personal representative to MARCO ANGEL VELASCOtake many actions without BARRAGAN, for Change of obtaining court approval. BeName. TO ALL INTERfore taking certain very imESTED PERSONS: 1.) Petiportant actions, however, the tioner: MARCO ANGEL personal representative will VELASCO-BARRAGAN filed be required to give notice to a petition with this court for a interested persons unless decree changing names as they have waived notice or follows: a.) Marco Angel consented to the proposed Velasco-Barragan to Angel action.) The independent adAri Velasco 2.) THE COURT ministration authority will be ORDERS that all persons ingranted unless an interested terested in this matter apperson files an objection to pear before this court at the the petition and shows good hearing indicated below to cause why the court should show cause, if any, why the not grant the authority. petition for change of name A HEARING on the petition should not be granted. Any will be held in this court as person objecting to the name follows: Date: May 14, 2021, changes described above Time: 8:30 AM, Dept.: 29, must file a written objection Location: 111 North Hill that includes the reasons for Street Los Angeles, CA the objection at least two 90012. court days before the matter IF YOU OBJECT to the is scheduled to be heard and granting of the petition, you must appear at the hearing to should appear at the hearing show cause why the petition and state your objections or should not be granted. If no file written objections with the written objection is timely court before the hearing. filed, the court may grant the Your appearance may be in petition without a hearing. person or by your attorney.

NOTICE OF HEARING: IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR Date: June 7, 2021. Time: or a contingent creditor of the 10:00 AM. Dept.: 74. The addecedent, you must file your dress of the court is 111 N. claim with the court and mail Hill St. Los Angeles, CA a copy to the personal rep90012. A copy of this Order resentative appointed by the to Show Cause shall be pubcourt within the later of either lished at least once each (1) four months from the date week for four successive of first issuance of letters to a weeks prior to the date set general personal representatfor hearing on the petition in ive, as defined in section the following newspaper of 58(b) of the California Progeneral circulation, printed in bate Code, or (2) 60 days this county: Los Angeles. Orifrom the date of mailing or ginal filed: March 14, 2021. personal delivery to you of a Michelle Williams Court, notice under section 9052 of Judge of the Superior Court. the California Probate Code.

PUBLISH: The Argonaut Other California statutes and Newspaper 04/22/21, legal authority may affect 04/29/21, 05/06/21, 05/13/21 your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE attorney knowledgeable in FOR CHANGE OF NAME California law.

Case No. 21SMCP00153 YOU MAY EXAMINE the file SUPERIOR COURT OF kept by the court. If you are a CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF person interested in the esLOS ANGELES. Petition of tate, you may file with the HEIDI ELIZABETH SMELKcourt a Request for Special ER, for Change of Name. TO Notice (form DE-154) of the ALL INTERESTED PERfiling of an inventory and apSONS: 1.) Petitioner: Heidi praisal of estate assets or of Elizabeth Smelker filed a peany petition or account as tition with this court for a deprovided in Probate Code cree changing names as folSection 1250. A Request for lows: a.) Heidi Elizabeth Special Notice form is availSmelker to Heidi Smelker able from the court clerk.

2.) 2021 THE COURT PAGE 26 THE ARGONAUTJohnson APRIL 29, Petitioner: ORDERS that all persons inNatalie J. Dona terested in this matter ap11558 Ostrom Ave., pear before this court at the

Your newspaper.

Your community.

Your planet.

Please recycle me.

Elizabeth Smelker filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a.) Heidi Elizabeth Smelker to Heidi Smelker Johnson 2.) THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: June 18, 2021. Time: 8:30 AM. Dept.: K. The address of the court is 1725 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90401. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Los Angeles. Original filed: April 08, 2021.

Hon. Lawrence Cho, Judge of the Superior Court. PUBLISH: The Argonaut Newspaper 04/22/21, 04/29/21, 05/06/21, 05/13/21

Bulk Sales Notice of Self Storage Sale Please take notice US Storage Centers - Marina Del Rey located at 12700 Braddock Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90066 intends to hold an auction to sell the goods stored by the following tenants at the storage facility.

The sale will occur as an online auction via www.storagetreasures.com on 5/20/2021 at 10:00AM. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents are household goods and furnishings. Emmanuel Nathaniel Reanos; Soliman Mohemmed. All property is being stored at the above selfstorage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for details.

PUBLISHED: The Argonaut Newspaper 04/29/21, 05/06/21

Fic. Business Name FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2021080540 Type of Filing: Original. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: HANDS IN CLAY L.A., HICLA. 3795 Boise Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90066, 1027 ½ Euclid St., Santa Monica, CA 90403.

COUNTY: Los Angeles. REGISTERED OWNER(S) Hands In Clay L.A. LLC, 1027 ½ Euclid St., Santa Monica, CA 90403. State of Incorporation or LLC: California. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY a Limited Liability Company. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. /s/ Donna Hasselberger.

TITLE: CEO, Corp or LLC Name: Hands In Clay L.A. LLC. This statement was filed with the LA County Clerk on: April 6, 2021. NOTICE – in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it ex-

accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. a new Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions code). Publish: The Argonaut Newspaper. Dates: 04/29/21, 05/06/21, 05/13/21, 05/20/21 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2021089971 Type of Filing: Original The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: GREY LIGHT CHARTERS; 3838 Overland Ave., #5 Culver City, CA 90232, 10886 Washington Blvd., #1002 Culver City, CA 90232.

COUNTY: Los Angeles. REGISTERED OWNER(S) Justin Leeds, 3838 Overland Ave., #5 Culver City, CA 90232. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY an Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the Fictitious Business Name or names listed above on: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. /s/: Justin Leeds. TITLE: Owner. This statement was filed with the LA County Clerk on: April 15, 2021. NOTICE – in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. a new Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., business and professions code). Publish: The Argonaut Newspaper. Dates: 04/29/21, 05/06/21, 05/13/21, 05/20/21 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2021079683 Type of Filing: Original The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: HOUSE OF ZEN PILATES & WELLNESS; 4136 Del Rey Avenue Suite 635 Marina del Rey, CA 90292. COUNTY: Los Angeles. REGISTERED OWNER(S) Donna J. Slatton, 4136 Del Rey Avenue Suite 635 Marina del Rey, CA 90292. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY an Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the Fictitious Business Name or names listed above on: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. /s/: Donna J. Slatton. TITLE: Owner.

This statement was filed with the LA County Clerk on: April 5, 2021. NOTICE – in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as

the LA County Clerk on: April 5, 2021. NOTICE – in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. a new Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., business and professions code). Publish: The Argonaut Newspaper. Dates: 04/15/21, 04/22/21, 04/29/21, 05/06/21

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LOS ANGELES TIMES SUNDAY CROSSWORD PUZZLE “FOOD FOR THOUGHT” By GARY LARSON ACROSS 1 Sitcom character originally called Kessler in the pilot episode 7 Impounds, maybe 15 Very silly 20 Charge 21 Asthma sufferers’ aids 22 Not a sparkling finish 23 Easy-to-hit pitch in Stockholm?

25 Apple tablets 26 Home and nickname of The University of the South 27 Pet __ 28 Touch 29 Anna __, 18th-/19thcentury poet called the Swan of Lichfield 32 1973 Judy Blume novel 34 Swell 37 Johannesburg’s land: Abbr.

40 Precisely 42 Classical and Romantic 44 Grass bristle 45 Minor matter in Manchester?

52 Steamed state 53 “Just kidding!”

54 Shakespearean title city 55 Caulking materials 57 More than dislike 59 London classic, with “The” 61 Gung-ho 62 “Big Little Lies” co-star with Nicole, Shailene, Laura and Zoë 63 How dividends might be paid 66 Dustin’s “Midnight Cowboy” role

68 Toledo’s lake 69 __ facto 72 PC storage stats 73 Colombian cat 74 Agile deer 75 Fuzzy fruit 76 Online memo 78 Flips, in a way 80 __ Isle: Ireland nickname 82 Lindsay’s Broadway writing partner 84 Brothers of old Hollywood 88 Stitch temporarily 89 Being a nuisance to 92 Research 93 @@@@ 94 Fish often fried 96 Argument in Ulaanbaatar?

98 IBM competitor 99 Chicago daily, familiarly 101 Nair rival, once 102 Radical ’60s org.

103 Tennis immortal 105 Times to remember 109 Pioneer 35mm cameras 113 Outback birds 115 Realizes 117 121-Across maker 121 Sandwich cookies 123 Rent money in Mumbai?

126 Tomato __ 127 Devotions 128 Honduras hundred 129 Rough suit fabric 130 In a bind?

131 Dave of “Storage Wars” DOWN 1 Contact between two billiard balls 2 Investment firm T. __ Price

3 From square one 4 King with a gilt complex?

5 Web mag 6 Alter, in a way 7 “Mystic River” Oscar winner Robbins 8 Indivisible 9 Sound of a hit 10 Totally full 11 “Tiny Alice” playwright 12 Emulate Silas Marner 13 Garfield’s gal pal 14 Fashion initials 15 Gallic girlfriend 16 Staples supply 17 Medal recipient in Milan?

18 Typical: Abbr.

19 Fellows 24 “The Return of the Native” setting 28 Sweat 30 Goes bad 31 Challenge 33 Worried state in Dublin?

35 Two-time Tony winner Kurtz 36 Menu heading 37 Guns 38 Old-time knife 39 Uttar Pradesh tourist city 41 Princess topper 43 Scorch 46 Starting place for a comeback 47 “Are we going __ not?”

48 Strauss opera 49 Where St. Pete is 50 First actor who sang “If I Were King of the Forest” 51 Tick off 56 Byes 58 Brewpub bragger, often 60 Dance move in

Dijon?

64 Greek marketplace 65 Weather forecast shorthand 67 “Fan-cee!”

69 Japanese floral art 70 Hook and Silver 71 Inferior items in Zurich?

77 German capital 78 Have the throne 79 Scientology founder Hubbard 81 Religious offshoot 83 Prefix with fuel 85 Squeezes (out) 86 Wished undone 87 Sunscreen nos.

90 Caroling standard 91 __ club 95 Metal-yielding minerals 97 Book that spawned the film “What’s Love Got to Do With It” 100 Island administered by three countries 104 Play too broadly 106 Moth-repellent wood 107 Flags down 108 Sudden outpouring 110 Trick 111 Yippie Hoffman 112 Stud farm residents 114 Likely to be discounted 116 Foul mood 118 Posted 119 Blanchett of “Elizabeth” 120 You may get a whiff of one 121 Select 122 __ bar 123 “Portlandia” network 124 Tax prep charge 125 Trippy ’60s drug

LIFE IN THE FASTENED LANE I’ve been with my boyfriend for a year, and I love him, but I also love my independence. I need alone time, meaning space from him and everybody. He wants to spend every minute together and seems to need constant closeness to feel okay. Is this a bad sign -- on his part or mine? Should I want to spend every second with him?

— Confused The sort of relationship where the partners are never apart tends to be a good thing for only one of them: the tapeworm.

Chances are your boyfriend’s preference for a more, uh, conjoined style of romantic partnership is shaped by his “attachment style.” “Attachment” is British psychiatrist John Bowlby’s term for a person’s habitual way of relating in close relationships: for example, securely (feeling they can generally count on others to be there for them) or insecurely (suspecting others will bolt on them at any moment).

Our expectations for how we’ll be treated by romantic partners appear to be driven by how we, as infants and tots, were treated by our closest caregivers. For example, if infant us shrieked out of fear or hunger or because of a soggy diaper, did our primary caregiver

(usually Mommy, but maybe Daddy) reliably come running to soothe us and fix the problem? If so, we’d be likely to develop the psychological orientation that psychologist Mary Ainsworth, building on Bowlby’s work, called a “secure base from which to explore.”

If, however, our shrieks were ignored or only sometimes met with comforting, we’d likely end up “insecurely attached,” and this would become a template for how we act in our adult relationships. (Hello, fear of abandonment and boyfriend whose romantic role model seems to be “court-ordered electronic ankle monitor!”)

Decide what independence means to you in practical terms, like how much alone time you need and anything else that’s important for you, and tell him. Research suggests a person can change their attachment style – become more secure – but it takes a good bit of work on their part and their partner’s (through frequent reassuring attention and cuddly touch to challenge their expectation of abandonment). Are you and he willing to invest the effort? If not, you probably have to swap him out for a partner who’s more emotionally together: “I need you because I love you” (not “because I feel like a gaping human void without you.”)

WAIT PROBLEM This guy texts and FaceTimes me daily, and he finally asked me out. I was expecting a date, but it was a group dinner in his friend’s backyard, and he didn’t make a move all evening. I was sure he was into me and we’re both fully vaccinated.

What’s his deal?

— Confused Sexually, if your date is a total animal, you’d prefer it not be the sort that gets bungeed to the hood of a hunter’s station wagon.

The underlying problem here is “information asymmetry,” which Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz explains as, “Different people know different things.” (Asymmetry is simply a lack of symmetry, sameness: disproportion between parts of something, including unequally available information.) Information asymmetry is an element of “signaling theory,” an area of economics that looks at the ways people behave – flowing from the decisions they make – because of the information they have (or lack).

In this situation, you know you want the guy to end the evening all mwahmwah-make out, but his mind might be filled with a bunch of bouncing question marks about whether you’re

into him. It’s also possible he realized he’s just not that into you, he wants to take things slowly, or he’s generally timid about making moves on women (or especially so in hopes of avoiding #himtoo).

What ends the asymmetric information stalemate? Information! Send signals revealing the information you have that he does not: “I’M INTO YOU AND WANT YOU TO MAKE A MOVE!” Flirting is the ideal way to communicate this, as it gives each of you an ego cushion – the ability to pretend it doesn’t mean what it seems to mean – that putting it out there in plain words does not. Powerful forms of flirting include: looking into his eyes while you talk, touching him, playing with your hair, and playing with your clothes or his. Err on the side of flirting heavily – way more than seems reasonable – because men can be a bit hint-blind.

His getting this information is likely to push him into action – or tell you he’s gotta bow out. But maybe consider being a little bit patient. It was one date! My guess? Life mirrored art: those rom coms where the “nice guy” wants to kiss the girl at the door, but – whoa! There go his testicles, leaping out of his pants and going off to hide in the bushes, and he gives her a handshake goodnight.

GOT A PROBLEM? Write to Amy Alkon at 171 Pier Ave, Ste. 280, Santa Monica, CA 90405, or email her at AdviceAmy@aol.com. ©2021, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. Alkon’s latest book is “Unf*ckology: A Field Guide to Living with Guts and Confidence.” Follow @amyalkon on Twitter or visit blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon.

APRIL 29, 2021 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 27

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

YOUR SUCCESS STARTS HERE Classes start Jun 21 smc.edu/summer

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SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Rob Rader, Chair; Dr. Louise Jaffe, Vice Chair; Dr. Susan Aminoff; Dr. Nancy Greenstein; Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez; Dr. Sion Roy; Barry A. Snell; Joshua Elizondo, Student Trustee; Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent/President Santa Monica College | 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 | smc.edu