Los Angeles Downtown News 10-11-21

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Supporters in LA push back on anti-abortion rulings

By Andres de Ocampo LA Downtown News Staff Writer housands of reproductive rights supporters marched through the streets of Downtown LA Oct. 2 as part of nationwide protests against a Texas bill that bans abortions after six weeks.

Women’s March Foundation ( WMF), a women-led nonprofit, organized the march in LA alongside 90 other women’s and abortion rights group.

WMF is one of the 600 organizations that marched across the nation, from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The national day of action for women’s rights organizations and activists comes a month after a Texas senate bill, known as SB 8 or “The Heartbeat Act,” went into effect, effectively banning abortions after six weeks with no exception for rape or incest.

The day of action began in Pershing Square and ended in front of City Hall, where local elected officials, celebrities and activists of various organizations spoke out to condemn the bill, showing their anger and readiness to confront and battle anti-abortion legislation.

Most of the protesters were women of all ages, with some men, and together the crowd chanted and held homemade signs with pictures and phrases that said, “Vasectomies. Problem Solved,” “My body, my choice” and “My body is not the government’s business.”

LA City Attorney Mike Feuer attended the march and stood among the droves of protesters in support of the cause.

Feuer, who said attending the event in person was more important than releasing a statement, said, “This is one of the most important times ever for standing up for women’s rights. If laws like (SB 8) are allowed to stand and spread across the country, a woman’s right to choose an abortion will forever be denied to

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Women’s March Foundation was one of 600 organizations across the nation that protested the Texas bill that bans abortions after six weeks by walking from Pershing Square to City Hall on Oct. 2.

Photo by Chris Mortenson

thousands and thousands of women.

“Roe v. Wade is the law of the land.

It needs to stand. … It’s important for us to make a statement of who we are and what our values are by our physical presence. Today is a moment to express our values at a time that has never been more essential,” he said.

The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the constitutionality of SB 8 and if it interferes with federal law concerning Roe v. Wade, a 1973 federal court case ruling

that a woman’s right to an abortion is how to name the proper defendants in federally protected. lawsuits that would potentially block the SB 8 grants authority to private in- Texas law.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski dividuals toSTAFF sueWRITERS: anyone performing On Oct. 6, a federal judge, Robert PitAndrew Checchia, Andres De Ocampo, Julia Shapero an abortion CONTRIBUTING or aiding or abetting in an man, blocked SB 8’s enforcement, but WRITERS: Sara Edwards, Kamala Kirk ART DIRECTORS: Olivares, Stephanie Torres abortion in any way and Arman will award indiit is temporary, as it has already been PHOTOGRAPHER: Chavez viduals who STAFF are successful in Luis their law- challenged by the state of Texas after CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Myriam Santos suit with at least $10,000.

This aspect of an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb SB 8 makes FOUNDER the lawEMERITUS: hard to Sue block. for the fifth circuit. The legal battle over Laris With Texas granting authority to any individ- SB 8 is likely to move through the federual to enforce SB 8 who are not govern- al court system, effectively determining ment officials or employees, it’s unclear the constitutional legality of the law. Pit-

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

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man’s anticipated decision is the result of a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department against the state of Texas. The Justice Department declared the law “unconstitutional under long-standing Supreme Court precedent,” according to a statement released by the Justice Department.

Though SB 8 has been an enforceable law for a little over a month, it has had a major impact on many women in Texas, as documented from multiple news outlets. Speakers at City Hall, like Gloria Allred, an accomplished women’s rights attorney, called attention to the urgent issue of safe and legal abortions being accessible to all women.

“Abortion has to be safe and legal and affordable and available,” Allred said.

“That’s why we’re here today. There are going to be, and there already are, other states copying the Texas law. … This fight continues after today.”

Calling on women of all ages and men, Allred said, “You must make your voices heard on the internet. You must support candidates who are running for office who support the right to choose abortion. We are no longer going to let young women, rural women, poor women, women of color be victimized as they are now in Texas.”

Allred was joined by Paxton Smith, a Texas high school valedictorian whose graduation speech went viral after she

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swapped her approved speech for another about the Texas bill.

“When my state’s six-week abortion (ban) went into effect, the governor of Texas said that this legislation would save lives, but he clearly doesn’t know, or has chosen to ignore, the reality of getting an abortion while it is illegal,” Paxton said about the reality of the Texas law.

“The truth is that before Roe v. Wade, thousands of women died from having to get an abortion done illegally. … We cannot and will not go back to the days when the only way to end an unwanted pregnancy was to risk our lives. We will not go back to the days when we used coat hangers to access our basic human rights.”

The looming worry of illegal and unsafe abortions for women in Texas, as a result of SB 8, was not the only topic of concern for protesters and City Hall speakers on the WMF program.

How the Texas law will affect women of low-income status and women of color was also forwardly addressed in many speeches.

Christine Lahti, an Academy Award nominated actress, said that SB 8 “is not about abortions; this is about who gets to have abortions. … This draconian law will not stop abortions; it will just stop safe abortions, and many women will suffer and die because of it.”

Lahti, referencing wealth gaps and privileges of wealthier individuals, said, “ Wealthy politicians in Texas won’t have any problem getting abortions for (women in their lives), as well as any other (financially) well-off person who can afford to leave the state (for an abortion). This will just affect poor women and keep them trapped in poverty.”

Kara James, a health care provider with Planned Parenthood, joined Sue Dunlap, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood LA, and Ken Lambrecht, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, and spoke on her experience helping women seeking abortions.

“Every single day health care providers like me are taking phone calls from desperate patients. Patients who already have a hard time paying for food, transportation, child care and housing. Patients who know they can’t take care of a child but are being forced to travel out of state to get an abortion,” James said.

“The devastating effects of this atrocious abortion ban has dire implications for access to health care and the rights of women and other people assigned female at birth.

“But the biggest impact will be overwhelmingly felt by Black and Latinx people. It will be felt by people with low incomes and people in marginalized communities. The abortion ban will ex-

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acerbate already existing health care disparities caused by centuries of systematic racism, poverty and discrimination.”

LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, District 2, and Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda Solis, District 1, showed solidarity with women’s and reproductive rights protesters during their speeches at City Hall.

The supervisors made a point to tell gatherers that the fight for reproductive justice will continue and the LA Women’s March is not a one-day solution for reproductive rights.

“I’m so proud of you,” Mitchell said, adding, “We don’t get to come here and gather with buttons and amazing signs and think that we’ve done something.”

Mitchell encouraged protesters to practice elevator speeches to educate people in their lives about SB 8 and what’s at stake while emphasizing elections and the need to support legislators “who fundamentally understand what’s important to us.”

Solis, who spoke directly to LA County residents passionately, said, “This is our home. We cannot allow (states pursuing anti-abortion laws) to drive our agenda nationally, in LA and California.

Solis, in response to what to do now that the Texas bill is operational, said, “We fight, we unite and we work together. … We have to set the standard here in Los Angeles County. … Viva la mujer.”

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Women’s March

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski LA Downtown News Staff Writer housands of women and men passionate about their opposition to Texas’ abortion law marched through DTLA. Among those in attendance were Gloria Allred, Maria Shriver, Debbie Allen and LA City Attorney Mike Feuer. Women’s March Foundation (WMF), a women-led nonprofit, organized the march with 90 other women’s and abortion rights groups.

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Dorothee and Nancy, who refused to give their last names, marched in honor of their fellow women.

Women’s rights attorney Gloria Allred, along with Paxton Smith, speaks to the crowd.

Photos by Chris Mortenson

One marcher blamed the conservative right for the Texas abortion law.

Gretchen Reynolds, Sydney Martz and Margaret Kessler show off their signs.

Bikers commit to the cause.

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PRESENTS Marchers were passionate about their message.

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Maria Shriver was one of the guest speakers.

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Health systems unite to bare public service campaign

By LA Downtown News Staff ive of Los Angeles County’s largest nonprofit health systems with hospitals, clinics and facilities regionwide announced the newest campaign for their BetterTogether.Health coalition.

With a mission to persuade Angelenos to put health first and access care when needed, the public service educational campaign features everyday patient heroes with the theme: “Get Back to Your Doctor. Your Health. Your Joy. Because We Love a Healthy L.A.” UCLA Health, Providence, Keck Medicine of USC, Dignity Health and Cedars-Sinai pivoted from last year’s campaign of empty beaches, freeways and landmarks to painting an authentic, intimate mosaic of Angelenos who overcame health challenges as a result of timely access to preventive care.

From athletes, entertainers and entrepreneurs to a mom of newborn triplets, an artist and priest, their moving stories are everyday symbols of strength, inspiration and hope. The campaign takes you inside

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the lives of these courageous heroes who overcame challenges of serious disease and returned to what they love most.

Among those are Kareen Abdul Jabbar, who beat two cancers, and Padre Abdias, who suffered from lung cancer and is “back inspiring many thousands of parishioners.” MMA fighter Kevin Casey accessed early stroke treatment and is back sparring and training athletes and at-risk kids.

Among issues driving the new campaign are ongoing concerns among health care professionals who see people not seeking timely, preventive and life-saving services, health screenings and medical assistance when critical to do so. Often the results are late-stage cancers, advanced heart disease, debilitating strokes and other serious medical conditions.

The five health systems — with hundreds of health care locations throughout Los Angeles County — remain committed and available to serving the community’s health care needs, including emergency, primary, specialty and urgent care.

Rather than each health system individually addressing what medical professionals call a “silent sub-pandemic” of those requiring but instead avoiding timely medical services, they remain committed to tackle head-on what has increasingly become a new public health crisis resulting in serious and avoidable health consequences.

These health systems united for this purpose since March 2020 knowing it is their duty to reach out and let people know they are committed to saving lives and maintaining optimal health of the communities they serve.

“We are confident these efforts make a positive difference in community health.

This collaboration of health systems is not only extraordinary, it provides critical information in meeting a challenge beyond anything any of us ever experienced,” said Kevin Manemann, chief executive, Providence Southern California.

BetterTogether.Health public service effort includes messages on multilanguage TV and radio, billboards, buses, malls,

newspapers, magazines, digital and social media.

“The health of our Los Angeles community is our top priority. We are here to ensure everyone has access to the preventive health care and medical treatment they need to live to their full potential,” says Johnese Spisso, president, UCLA Health and chief executive officer, UCLA Health System.

Patient health and safety are top priorities for every health care provider.

“As people return to work, school and family gatherings, we are still concerned that they have not returned to their annual screenings or health interventions.

We must continue to engage our communities to put their health and well-being first,” said Julie Sprengel, president, Southern California Division, Dignity Health Hospitals.

Emergencies don’t stop, and neither do the hospitals providing emergency care 24/7. Getting to a hospital quickly for heart attacks and strokes is critical and saves lives. Those exhibiting serious symp-

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toms like chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness in one side of the body or severe headache should seek medical care immediately.

“There’s concern that patients with serious conditions are putting off critical treatment. We know that seeking immediate care for heart attacks and strokes can be lifesaving and may minimize long-term effects. Our hospitals and health providers are ready and open to serve your needs,” said Rodney Hanners, chief executive officer, Keck Medicine of USC. It is also critically important for children to stay on schedule for vaccinations for protection of their health and others as well, including measles and whooping cough vaccines. These highly contagious diseases could become a public health issue if not addressed. Immunizations protect children and those around them from diseases caused by bacteria or viruses.

“Receiving timely treatment by skilled medical professionals is essential to helping achieve for our patients and communities the best possible outcomes. Please do not delay getting your health care. We encourage you to call a trusted health care provider, your doctor’s office, hospital or urgent care center,” said Tom Priselac, president and chief executive officer, Cedars-Sinai.

To learn more and see the stories, visit bettertogether.health.

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UCLA Health, Providence, Keck Medicine of USC, Dignity Health and Cedars Sinai pivoted from last year’s campaign of empty beaches, freeways and landmarks to painting an authenic, intimate mosaic of Angelenos who overcame health challenges as a result of timely access to preventive care.

Photo courtesy of Dignity Health

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Craig Greiwe, a co-founder of the nonprofit Rise Together, speaks to promote the grassroots organization’s plan to build a better Los Angeles.

Photo courtesy of Rise Together

Grassroots nonprofit building a coalition of Angelenos

By Andres de Ocampo LA Downtown News Staff Writer raig Greiwe, the co-founder of the grassroots nonprofit Rise Together, spoke at a small promotional concert with WithOthers, a group focused on promoting social causes through entertainment events, in the Arts District on Sept. 30.

The event was meant to bring attention to Rise Together’s mission of ending homelessness.

But ending homelessness through its “Functional Zero Homelessness Plan by 2024” is not the only concern the nonprofit seeks to address to its existing and potential members.

Greiwe, commenting on the key takeaway for the night, said, “91% of Ange-

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lenos agree that homelessness, housing affordability and crime are top three priorities that everyday Angelenos need addressed.”

The issue of seemingly perpetual homelessness remains on the minds of Angelenos, both housed and unhoused, and a solution that will ultimately end the crisis has yet to be initiated.

According to the Rise Together website, the first step in bettering Los Angeles is to address the issue that “the vast majority of Angelenos don’t believe that change is even possible” and that what’s missing is “real democracy,” which consists of an organized public body who engage in transparent discourse on facts and come to a collective solution.

Rise Together’s founders consist of

a group of friends around Los Angeles who were “incredibly frustrated with what they saw (in the city) and wanted to find a way to empower everyday Angelenos to bring real change,” Greiwe said.

Addressing the most concerning problems in Los Angeles, homelessness remains the most urgent for Rise Together.

“Everyone agrees that the homeless humanitarian crisis on our streets is the No. 1 thing affecting our city,” Greiwe said. “(Rise Together’s) roadmap to functional zero homelessness is a real solution. We keep talking about homelessness as a crisis, every mayoral candidate keeps declaring homelessness a crisis, but they have no plan.

“For the last 10 years, we keep seeing

the problem spiral out of control no matter how much money the city and its failing leadership have spent. The reality is that they are not following a plan; they are just putting a Band-Aid on the problem, and they’re not interested in solving it,” he said.

Rise Together’s proposal is, if presented objectively, quite fast in its goal. Its “functional zero homelessness” plan, which is a product of several months of research and talks with homeless individuals and the people who serve them, anticipates zero homelessness by 2024, if all goes according to plan.

So, what does Rise Together plan on doing about the homelessness crisis?

Essentially, after a settlement is resolved between LA Alliance for Human

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Rights and the city of Los Angeles, which ensued on March 2020 and summarily claims that the city and county of LA have been negligent in their efforts to end the homelessness crisis, Rise Together hopes to “use Alliance settlement for the mayor to declare a citywide crisis and state of emergency, with a joint cour t-appointed and city-endorsed homelessness czar empowered to cut through red tape, with hiring and firing authority,” according to Rise Together’s roadmap for functional zero homelessness.

After leadership is established, Rise Together hopes to “Know the Problem” by accumulating data through a four-week program that will document all homeless individuals, their identity, their whereabouts and an evaluation that will classify their needs, ranging from “low risk” to “highest risk.”

From there, accountability and cooperation from nonprofit organizations and permanent supportive housing programs will be expected, and disincentives for homeless people to stay on the streets should go in to effect, meaning public spaces and behavioral aspects, such as drug use, will be regulated.

Within an eight-week period, support through immediate housing and services will be provided to homeless Angelenos. Within the section it’s mentioned that 20,000 shelter-based beds

in semi-private rooms should become available, along with “come-and-go privileges with conditional benefits,” among other points.

Rise Together’s target consists of five points, two of them being “50% of the homeless housed in nine months, 90% in 18 months,” and a 50% reduction of city expenditures on homelessness “over three years, from $8.35 billion to $3.964 billion,” according to Rise Together’s roadmap document.

About the dramatic decrease in cost projected by Rise Together, Greiwe said, “The reality is not how much money LA spends on homelessness, but how we spend it. What’s unique about our functional zero homelessness program is that we spend money in the most cost-effective way.

“For example, the city of LA has spent wild amounts of money on permanent supportive housing. What most people need is transitional supportive housing to get back on their feet and back to a normal life and get help with mental health and addiction. What we’re doing is shifting the focus to meet the problem where it is, to meet the challenges and the needs of the people where they are and not what we envision them to be.”

In a previous LA Downtown News article, “Echo Park Lake reopening proves to be bittersweet,” Leonard “Phoenix” Averhart, an unhoused resident who re-

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sided in Echo Park lake, was displaced due to a city sweep of the park in March and commented on his experience with city housing programs. Averhart reported that during his time with the Project Roomkey program, a federally funded program in California meant to help house homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, he had “no rights” and “no privacy.”

In response to unhoused Angelenos being wary of city housing programs, and potentially the Rise Together “functioning zero homelessness” plan, Greiwe said that in the process of putting its plan together, Rise Together conducted interviews with unhoused individuals and people who work with them to inform their agenda.

“We learned a lot in that process, like why unhoused people are ‘service resistant.’ It’s not that they’re ‘service resistant’; it’s that they don’t trust what is being offered to them by the city of LA,” Greiwe said.

“No one in their right mind would trust the city at this point, or anyone trying to help them. The reality is that you have to build that trust over time by being the proof in the pudding. You’ve got to show people what you’re providing to them, like quality housing and services, and you have to build trust step by step.”

Greiwe said nonprofits that work with homeless Angelenos are critical for

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building trust and should be relied on as a part of the solution to end homelessness, instead of being “sidelined” by the city.

As a part of Rise Together’s “prime mission and focus,” according to its website, the coalition wants Angelenos to believe that Los Angeles can be better and change for better, because with numbers and votes, change is possible. “(Homeless) people aren’t resistant to services; they’re just hesitant to believe,” Greiwe said. “We all want to believe that a solution to homelessness is possible, including the unhoused. … Once you start showing up and delivering what you promise, building trust comes a lot faster than anticipated.”

Goals for Rise Together begin with continuing to grow its membership. According to Greiwe, Rise Together’s members are more than 40,000 and the coalition’s hopes are for 200,000 members by the year’s end.

Greiwe, as well as Rise Together as a whole, hopes to build strength in numbers to vote in candidates, who will enact their solutions in the 2022 municipal elections expected to take place on November 2022.

“The idea is that you build a coalition that represents Los Angeles, people from every part of the city. For the first time, we’re bringing those voices together,” Greiwe said.

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OCTOBER 11, 2021

PETERS’ OPINION

Regulate them now, or we’re all Zucked

By Ellen Snortland LA Downtown News Columnist don’t know how to quit you,” the famous line from “Brokeback Mountain,” reverberates in my mind as I stare at my pandemonium-strewn desk. I have an intense lavender-scented candle going to soothe my nerves. My Pomodoro task timer uses a babbling brook sound, which is probably why I often have to pee. Finches land on the outdoor bird feeder like yellow-breasted commercial airliners to scarf up their food. And I can’t get onto Facebook because it’s down. What?! This must be a mistake. I try to log on, over and over.

Like a smoker who automatically lights up whenever there’s a break in the action, I reach for Facebook. I scroll and post daily, although I don’t consider my usage excessive compared to other people I know. However, not being able to log on feels like I have a cigarette but no lighter.

I wonder if the outage is due to the “60 Minutes” segment with Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen or merely a coincidence? (It was the latter.) Ms. Haugen confirmed what most of us already suspected, backed up with over 10,000 pages of Facebook’s own documentation. The bottom line: Facebook’s algorithms consistently fuel hatred, violence, racism, sexism, misinformation, disease, even genocide. As much as I despise Facebook, I also love it like a nic-

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otine user loves her cigarettes… and I can’t quit.

I have been a hardcore feminist for decades, professionally, personally, and culturally. A purist I am not. How do I know that for sure? I have stayed on Facebook despite its deplorable genesis as a virtual catalog for horny college boys’ hotness ratings of unwitting college gals. Zuckerberg and his cronies had no moral compass. None of them ever said, “Wait. We are objectifying other human beings at Harvard with ratings akin to a livestock show.” I continue to be surprised at how many people, including other feminists, have conveniently forgotten or ignored that the social platform so many of us use for socializing and business was built on the backs of objectified women.

When I initially decided to write a column about Facebook this week, it would primarily focus on the deleterious impact that Facebook-owned Instagram has on young women. How young female users exacerbate their already fragile self-esteem when looking at influencers. These Instagram stars make their living via their (often-photoshopped) bodies, complying with socalled Western ideals of cis-feminine beauty. When I first joined the women’s liberation movement, I was determined to not live my life based on impossible beauty standards. I have been somewhat successful; not entirely. That was decades ago, and we’re still deal-

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ing with this crap? Girls are still killing themselves, either spiritually or actual suicide, because of beauty while advertisers make billions based on the insecurities of women of all ages.

We now know the problems with Facebook go far beyond Instagram. And yet… Facebook enabled me to connect with other feminists, ending the loneliness and isolation that has often kept women apart and downtrodden for centuries. This community has been dramatically transformed and galvanized because of Facebook, and that keeps me hooked, guilt pangs be damned. We coordinate actions, protests, make ideas contagious and foment rebellion — all on a platform that is rooted in sexism.

On a personal level, the service also transcends geography. I communicate with people worldwide, including my third grade teacher, plus friends from grade school, high school and college. I talk with my sweet cousins’ families. I’d hate to let go of all that. I am weighing the idea of leaving for good, yet I probably won’t.

We can and should regulate Facebook. We know that promises of “we’ll regulate ourselves” rarely pan out.

Whether it’s insider trading, pollution, cancer, heart disease, lead in water, the oil industry, expecting Facebook to police itself is akin to politely asking the fox to stop raiding the chicken coop.

And I’m a mostly happy chicken watching her dreams of democracy swept

away by Facebook’s profit motives.

Product liability is generally used as a tort theory regarding hidden defects in cars or physical items. What about Facebook liability? What if we were to sue them for intentionally amplifying dangerous and deadly ideas and helping to foment the Capitol Riot? Can they be held liable for killings or suicides? What about inciting damage to young women, seen and unseen?

I can draw a direct line from ancient misogynistic customs to current trends on Instagram. Customs like foot-binding, deadly Elizabethan white leadbased makeup, rib-breaking corsets to achieve ridiculously skinny bodies, genital cutting, child brides, etc. These are practices designed to enslave girls and women to deadly fashion dictates promoted by social media. Do I really equate genocide with behavior/beauty standards for females? In a way, yes.

I consider the loss of female talent tantamount to a form of extermination. But that’s for another column.

I do an occasional “geezer” check to see if I’m sometimes rejecting social media because I’m a cranky older person over a certain age; I don’t. At any rate, I will stick with Facebook for now while I contemplate not knowing how to leave it.

Ellen Snortland has written commentary for decades. She also teaches creative writing and can be reached at ellen@ authorbitebybite.com.

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FIGat7th spotlights family of restaurants

By FIGat7th FIGat7th’s Food Faves series gives a behind-the-eats look at the creative flavors that make up the family of restaurants at FIGat7th and their stories. Check back each month for an inside look into the food offerings and learn what makes each restaurant a food fave!

Watch the story of George’s Greek Grill, New Moon Café, and Salata on Instagram @figat7th or scan the QR codes on each photo.

Salad paradise at Salata Salata serves salads that customers can customize and offers plenty of options, including more than 50 salad toppings, 11 homegrown salad dressings, freshly grilled meats and seafood, vegetarian options like falafel, and housemade soups. Customers love putting their own spin on the salad of their dreams.

“When they see it, this is like their paradise,” said Ara Simonian, owner of Salata at FIGat7th.

“This is like their Magic Mountain, Disneyland. They love it. Once they (the customer) build it, they have a big smile on their face. Each one is totally different. At Salata, they are their own chefs.”

Three generations of New Moon New Moon Café dishes up classic Chinese dishes reimagined for contemporary tastes. The dishes at this quick-service version of their popular sit-down restaurants incorporate light sauces and fresh produce — healthier ingredients for everyone to enjoy. Signature dishes include the Chloe shrimp and the Shelby sweet and sour chicken, named after owner Colin Tom’s daughters.

“What makes New Moon Café special is three generations of restaurateurs here in Los Angeles — my grandfather, my father and myself,” Tom said. “What I love about Chinese food is the creativity and the subtle balance of flavors. The evolution of our recipes is that the focus has become more on light, healthier ingredients to mirror what’s happening in society and people’s drive for healthier living.”

Pesto chicken pasta salad at Salata.

(Photo courtesy of Salata)

New Moon Café owner Colin Tom shares kung pao chicken.

(Photo courtesy of New Moon Café)

Inspired flavors of George’s Greek George’s Greek Grill is a quick-service Mediterranean restaurant, specializing in local, farm fresh ingredients and high-quality proteins. Everything is made from scratch for a delicious and satisfying experience.

“There is nothing like Mediterranean food. The spices that are offered in Mediterranean dishes, you cannot find anywhere else,” said Kamyar “Kam” Ajzachi, owner of George’s Greek Grill.

Ajzachi got into the kitchen at the age of 13 to help his father after his mother passed.

“Growing up, we always had good food in the family.

That motivation really got me excited to show the world what I’m all about.”

Mediterranean nachos at George’s Greek Grill.

(Photo courtesy of George’s Greek Grill) ADVERTORIAL

12 DOWNTOWN NEWS

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

OCTOBER 11, 2021

Six reasons to keep a mammogram appointment

By PIH Are you overdue for a mammogram?

Getting this breast cancer screening every year helps your doctor spot signs of cancer long before you may notice any changes in your breasts.

Like many people in the United States, you may have put off your usual checkups and screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, you may be one of the 382,000 women who missed breast cancer screenings between March 2020 and March 2021. But even though the virus hasn’t quite gone away, it is safe to get a mammogram once again — and it’s important to keep your appointment.

If it’s been a while since you had a mammogram, these six reasons just may persuade you to pick up the phone and make an appointment today: You may have breast cancer even if you haven’t felt a lump. You may not be able to feel a lump if it’s small or deep inside your breast. Mammograms can show lumps and other changes in the breasts that can be caused by cancer before they’re otherwise felt. The screenings use low-dose X-rays that give doctors a look at the inside of your breasts.

The sooner cancer is caught, the better. Your chance of surviving breast cancer is much better if the cancer is found early. The five-year survival rate is 99% if the cancer is found before it spreads outside the breast, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. If found early, your doctor may only need to remove the lump instead of the entire breast.

You may be more likely to get breast cancer if family members had it. Your chance of getting breast cancer could be higher if someone else in your family had the cancer. If your mother, daughter or sister had breast cancer, your risk could be nearly double. Keep in mind, however, that

you can also get breast cancer even if no one in your family has ever had it.

The older you are, the higher your risk of breast cancer. You can get breast cancer at any age, but it’s more likely to happen as you get older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that most breast cancers happen in women over 50. The American College of Radiology recommends starting yearly breast cancer screenings at age 40.

Besides age and family history, there are other things that may increase your risk. According to the CDC, factors that may raise your risk of breast cancer are dense breasts, having breast cancer in the past, radiation treatment of the chest or breasts, starting your period before age 12 or starting menopause after age 55. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors.

Mammograms are quick and easy. Getting a mammogram usually takes only 30 minutes or less. Most places that provide screenings offer a choice of appointment times so you can select a time that’s most convenient for you. You might be able to get a screening during your lunch hour, before or after work, or on the weekend.

Copyright 2021 © Baldwin Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Health eCooking is a registered trademark of Baldwin Publishing Inc. Cook eKitchen is a designated trademark of Baldwin Publishing Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein without the express approval of Baldwin Publishing Inc. is strictly prohibited.

Schedule a mammogram Call 562-906-5692 or visit PIHHealth.org/Mammogram.

(Photos courtesy of PIH) ADVERTORIAL

OCTOBER 11, 2021

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BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

PIH Health Downey Hospital

DOWNTOWN NEWS 13

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We’re Here for You. Let us safely care for all your medical needs.

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14 DOWNTOWN NEWS

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

OCTOBER 11, 2021

SHIN offers the most advanced imaging

By SHIN Imaging Center SHIN Imaging Center was established in LA in 2002 and has provided the most advanced imaging service to Southern California for the past 20 years.

While providing the latest diagnostic imaging technology, SHIN Imaging has always focused on providing compassionate and affordable diagnostic care to the community.

As a leader of 3T MRI in California, SHIN Imaging proudly serves Fullerton, Buena Park and the Los Angeles community with its state-of-the-art 3T MRIs, which detect any subtle abnormalities with the highest spatial resolution scan.

In March, SHIN Imaging also added a 3D mammography service at the Fullerton location to better serve the needs of the community.

A 3D mammogram is an imaging test that combines multiple low-dose breast X-rays to form a 3D image of the breast. Unlike a 2D mammogram, which takes only four images, a 3D mammogram acquires approximately 200 images. This enables the radiologist to scan through the breast tissue to find tumors that may not be visible on a 2D mammogram. The result is a 40% increase in the ability to detect invasive breast cancer when it is most treatable.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is a worldwide annual campaign to increase awareness and to promote regular screening and early detection of breast cancer. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, SHIN Imaging would like to share a summary of an April article from RSNA News, which encourages women to return to

A 3D mammogram is an imaging test that combines multiple low-dose breast X-rays to form a 3D image of the breast.

Photo courtesy of SHIN Imaging

regular screening exams that have been delayed due to COVID-19.

Health care professionals expect the delays in screening and treatment to lead to a rise in diagnosis of advanced cancer and an increase in the number of deaths due to cancer exams (delay of more than 22 million screening tests for cancer and 20% reduction in oncology visits).

Since COVID-19, new breast cancer diagnoses decreased by 65% (potential for undiagnosed breast cancer).

The women should be aware of the increased possibility of patients returning later with complex or late-diagnosed cases due to delays in preven-

As a leader of 3T MRI in California, SHIN Imaging proudly serves Fullerton, Buena Park and the Los Angeles community with its state-of-the-art 3T MRIs, which detect any subtle abnormalities with the highest spatial resolution scan.

Photo courtesy of SHIN Imaging

tive screening.

Finding breast cancer at a later stage increases morbidity and mortality, although the true impact of such delay will not be immediately apparent.

Patient should return to regular screening exams as soon as possible to detect cancer in the early stage for timely treatment (reduce risk of cancer spreading and increase survival rate).

SHIN Imaging will play the loyalty of the people it serves by continuing to focus on advanced radiology technology and working closely with doctors, patients and communities. Experience the difference of SHIN Imaging’s most advanced imaging, rapid result and comfortable care today.

ADVERTORIAL

An Eisner Health Promise: Quality health care families deserve

By Eisner Health Known for its bilingual, super dedicated staff, Eisner Health wants to ensure each patient is screened to qualify for the best health care plan.

Additionally, patients can access transportation services, baby showers, trainings for new parents, and virtual appointments with specialty doctors for medical, vision, dental, dermatology and pharmacy services.

Eisner Health provides pediatric and adult medical care, prenatal care and specialty care at 13 locations in the Los Angeles area.

“At Eisner Health, our first priority is to provide the best quality of services to everyone regardless of their ability to pay,” said Dr. Deborah Lerner, medical director.

If you or anyone you know do not have health care coverage, contact Eisner Health at 213-7475542 and its experienced staff will help you find the best plan. That is an Eisner Health promise!

Cuidado de salud de la calidad que usted y su familia merecen: Una promesa de Eisner Health Conocido por su personal bilingüe y amistoso,

Eisner Health’s friendly staff is dedicated to quality care of every patient.

Photo courtesy of Eisner Health

Eisner Health se asegura de que cada paciente tenga la oportunidad de acceder al mejor plan de salud disponible. Además, los pacientes pueden obtener ayuda con transporte, baby showers y clases para padres nuevos, así como citas virtuales con especialistas, oculistas, dentistas, dermatólogos y servicios de farmacia.

Eisner Health provee cuidado médico para adultos y niños, cuidado prenatal y especialistas en 13 clínicas en el área de Los Ángeles. “En EisADVERTORIAL

Eisner Health provides medical and dental care for all ages, women’s health, prenatal care and optometry services.

Photo courtesy of Eisner Health

ner Health, nuestra primera prioridad es proveer la mejor calidad de cuidado médico, independientemente de su capacidad para pagar”, dice la doctora Deborah Lerner, directora de servicios médicos.

Si usted o alguien conocido no tiene cobertura médica, por favor contáctese con Eisner Health al 213-747-5542 y nuestro personal especializado le ayudará a encontrar el mejor plan de salud.¡Es una promesa de Eisner Health.

OCTOBER 11, 2021

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

See us today, for a healthier tomorrow.

Eisner Health can help you find the right health plan.

Low cost, quality health care for the whole family, regardless of your ability to pay.

• Family care • Pediatrics • Prenatal

• Dental • Optometry • Mental health

To make an appointment, please call (213) 401-0672

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OCTOBER 11, 2021

Covered ARTS & California CULTUREwill help

“The Last, Best Small Town” features actors Miguel Perez and Richard Azurdia.

Photo by Ian Flanders

DTLA actor performs in world premiere of a modern-day ‘Our Town’

By Bridgette M. Redman LA Downtown News Contributing Writer iguel Perez knew Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum had a great play on its hands when two outraged audience members walked out mid-performance.

Perez — a DTLA resident who has a long list of film and TV credits, from “Oceans 11” and “Million Dollar Baby” to “Seinfeld,” “ER” and “Fear the Walking Dead” — plays the drunken patriarch of a Latino family in “The Last, Best Small Town” by John Guerra, a play that has been called a modern-day “Our Town.”

The show opened at the Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum’s outdoor stage in Topanga and will run through Nov. 6 . It follows the story of two neighboring families — one Latino and one white — who live in Fillmore.

Perez said he was charmed by the script from the moment he read it. One of his first professional jobs many years ago was playing the constable in “Our Town.”

“I was just charmed by the idea of referring back to Thornton Wilder and that 1930s view of what small-town America is, and then fast forward to the next century,” Perez said.

“Small-town America is so different and yet, in some ways, still the same. I found that fascinating.”

It explores issues of class and race and how families start from different places. In the play, Hank Miller is the editor of the local newspaper and Benny Gonzalez is a mechanic at the local car dealership.

“The audience reactions have been along an interesting spectrum,” Perez said. “Generally, the audiences are really excited and eager to engage. They laugh at the jokes, but a lot of it is laughter of recognition. They really hear and understand the story being told. Probably the most memorable audience reaction, and the one that I think really cements the story as being an effective story, was during our fourth or fifth performance during a particularly tough scene between the young boy, Elliot Gonzalez, and the father of his girlfriend, Frank Miller.”

Elliot asks the father, “What do you see when you look at me?”

Miller responds, “I see an honorable young man who carries himself well and who is ed-

M

ucated.”

And the young man says, “I am brown.”

Miller says, “Yes, but it doesn’t mean anything.”

Elliot responds with, “To you it doesn’t, but it means a lot to me.”

Perez said that was the moment that sparked a protest. A man and woman stood up and began shouting, “White people are not all evil — what you’re saying is wrong.” They then began leaving in a huff while shouting at the actors on the stage.

“The young actor, Kelvin (Morales), was a little taken aback,” Perez said. “He looked down and said, ‘Thank you for coming.’ And off they went. I told him later, ‘Fantastic! Congratulations! That’s a sign we’re doing great.’ We thought it was wonderful that someone had walked out in a huff.”

He also points out that if the couple had stayed another 10 minutes, their point of contention might have been a bit leavened because the other side of the question gets answered as the play continues.

“That was a wonderful reaction and one that cemented in our minds that we’re telling a righteous and effective story,” Perez said.

Like “Our Town,” this play has meta-theatrical aspects. “Our Town” features the stage manager, while “The Last, Best Small Town” has a playwright who introduces everyone. There is a Greek-like chorus. Because the show is performed outdoors, they stretch out the set and use actual trees and outdoor elements as part of the town.

Perez plays Chuy, the hard-drinking grandfather of the Mexican American family. He is the one who emigrated to the United States from Mexico, coming here because he knew it was the only way to build a future. While his personal future ends up rather limited because of his drinking and other things that happened in his life, he witnesses the future that his son and grandson are building.

“The future is coming to fruition, just not for Chuy,” Perez said. “In terms of the story, Chuy serves as a reminder of how life could have been if he had not crossed the border. It’s not necessarily a bad thing what that life could have been, but it is a better thing the way life turned out. Chuy is a bridge between cultures.”

OCTOBER 11, 2021

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Perez said the timing of giving this play its world premiere couldn’t be more perfect because it addresses the question of racial disparity in the United States.

“It’s not a new idea, it’s not a new question,” Perez said. “It’s been happening for a long time. It’s also been something we’ve sort of put a Band-Aid over as a society and just tried to move on because addressing it and the questions that it raises is hard. It can be destructive. It can lead to hard feelings and harsh reactions, however, we’ve put it off too long.”

He cites such things as the murder of George Floyd, the El Paso shootings, mass shootings all over the country and the victimization of peoples of color as reasons why plays like “The Last, Best Small Town” need to get produced.

“It gets people talking and thinking and getting angry and walking out or getting angry and staying and seeing something they agree with and the other side of the question,” Perez said. “If we can incite a lot of discussion among members of our whole American community, we’re doing some good.”

He recognizes that these stories can be threatening to people because no one likes to break their patterns — it is hard work to do so, but it is necessary work.

“In Southern California, we’re in the process of breaking some patterns,” Perez said. “I’ll be dust and the process will still be continuing.”

One of the things he says that contributes to that sort of work in “The Last, Best Small Town” is the way that the story unfolds.

“It is clear and apparent without anyone having to say so explicitly that these two families are really just two sides of the same coin,” Perez said. “They have the same dreams, the same aspirations, the same loves, the same desires, the same disappointments. The differences between them are miniscule compared to what they have in common. I think that is true not only on stage, but in our greater society.”

“The Last, Best Small Town” by John Guerra WHEN: Through Saturday, Nov. 6 WHERE: Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Topanga COST: Tickets start at $26, with discounts for seniors, students, teachers, children and veterans INFO: theatricum.com

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a Advertising is Keep Great Way to rs Your Custome Informed The Los Angeles Downtown News publishes a wide array of special sections and quarterlies throughout the year on topics like Health, Education, Nightlife and Residential Living.

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OCTOBER 11, 2021

Covered ARTS & California CULTUREwill help

With more than four decades of studying Latino, Chicano and American Indigenous communities, Vallejo’s art explores how color and culture can define one’s status.

Submitted photo

Vallejo awarded national lifetime achievement award for her brown art

By Allison Brown LA Downtown News Staff Writer ational nonprofit Women’s Caucus for Art awarded LA local Linda Vallejo as one of five women chosen for the 2022 lifetime achievement award.

“I’m really grateful to be in such great company, and it’s wonderful to be remembered for a lifetime of creativity,” said Vallejo, who previously worked at Self Help Graphics.

“It’s a beautiful thing to be remembered and to be accoladed for years of hard work.”

She is a lifelong artist who has taken on many different forms of art throughout the years. Vallejo teaches at her company A to Z Grant Writing when she is not in the studio. She has permanent works at the Museum of Sonoma County, East Los Angeles College Vincent Price Museum, National Museum of Mexican Art, Carnegie Art Museum and Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Print Department, as well as online works at UC Santa Barbara, California Multicultural and Ethnic Archives, and UCLA Chicano Study Research Center.

“I started painting as a child, and I’ve been painting all my life,” Vallejo said. “In high school and college, I was an actor, musician and a painter. Then I went to graduate school to be a professional artist and graduated in 1978.

Ever since then, I’ve been involved with art on all kinds of levels all over the nation and, in some cases, even the world. It’s been very meaningful to me my whole life, and I’ve made a major dedication to it. It defines who I am.”

Founded in 1972, the Women’s Caucus for Art fosters social activism and education through art and is dedicated to making sure women are recognized for their contribution to the arts. Through this recognition, the organization helps provide leadership, networking and exhibit opportunities for women in the art world. The lifetime achievement awards are given out annually to women who have made a significant impact.

Vallejo is a Mexican American and said that while she never sought out to make a sociopolitical statement, the nature of her work and perspective makes it so. While she is an artist, Vallejo has spent decades studying Latino, Chicano and American Indigenous communities, and that is evident in her art. The project that caught the attention of the Women’s Caucus for Art was Brown Belongings, which is inspired by her personal experience as a woman of color.

N

“I’ve spent the last 40 years making art, showing nationally and in all different kinds of spaces, but also going back and studying my roots, studying a lot about what it means to be Mexican American or Latino in the United States today,” Vallejo said. “My most recent portfolio (Brown Belongings) is about that. I had 125 of all different types of works that talked about the politics of color and class.”

She described having an epiphany when looking at salt and pepper shakers of pilgrims, thinking about who really helped who for the first Thanksgiving. So, she decided to paint them brown. This was the beginning of her collection.

“I went crazy, and I bought $3,000 worth of pricing antiques and made all the presidents brown, made a whole bunch of movie stars brown, made Marie Antoinette brown. Everybody, everything, even Elvis Presley. Everybody got made brown,” Vallejo said. “It was to begin a conversation of what would happen. Can you imagine what the music industry would be like if Elvis Presley had been a Mexican? So, once you change the color, it just changes the entire implication of culture, class power and access on its head.”

Some of her most popular works include a nearly lifesize bust of Superman made brown, which Vallejo said made a Latin American man nearly cry when he saw it, and told her, “It makes me feel like I could be a hero, too.” Vallejo’s collection also has a brown Lady Justice, brown mermaid and a brown Mona Lisa. She admits some of the images are a little funny, which she thinks is an important part of the project. Her goal is that the exhibit will be a conversation starter for difficult topics like race, power and status. “(The goal) is to begin a conversation, to begin a dialogue about what it means to be a person of color in the United States today,” Vallejo said. “To share our thoughts and insights with each other, and to begin a dialogue about this on multiple levels and have a friendly dialogue where people with difficult questions are respectful to each other and are kind to each other as Americans.”

Linda Vallejo lindavallejo.com

OCTOBER 11, 2021

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DOWNTOWN NEWS 19

Covered DINING California will help

Erica Jenkins-Chavez was chosen to arrange the tea program for the Wayfarer.

Seasonal petit fours are among the treats available during the Spooky Tea at the Wayfarer’s Lilly Rose.

Photos by Chris Mortenson

Spooky Tea makes its Wayfarer debut

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski LA Downtown News Executive Editor illy Rose is turning creepy for Halloween with its first Spooky Tea throughout October.

The Wayfarer Downtown LA will serve witches tea, deathly morsels, devilish delights and ghoulish cocktails. Costumes are welcome.

Erica Jenkins-Chavez was chosen to arrange the tea program for the Wayfarer.

“I had some familiarity with what we had been doing with tea,” said Jenkins-Chavez, the corporate food and beverage director for Pacifica Hotels, the parent company of The Wayfarer.

“Lilly Rose is so crazy, quirky and unique. You can’t just do a regular tea. I felt I had to do something different.”

Previously, the hotel hosted an “Alice in Wonderland”-themed tea and received a great response, she said.

“I thought we had to do something for Halloween,” Jenkins-Chavez said. “We want to do things again, hang out with our friends, talk and engage. We’ve all been on Zoom meetings. We need that real person sitting across from you. I thought, we have to do something crazy.”

The Spooky Tea menu includes poached quince and cream; seasonal petit fours; macarons; mini desserts; curried chicken salad; blue cheese, pear and walnut on charcoal bread; lobster roll; roasted mushroom and thyme; and pumpkin bread and prosciutto and fig. The teas are salted butter caramel oolong tea or citrus rooibos tea (herbal) for $60.

For tea cocktails, it’s an additional $17, with a choice of caramel oolong tea infused with Maker’s Mark old fashioned, or goût Russe tea infused with Courvoisier Russian sidecar.

Treats are an extra $6 — warm apple cider with Mexican cinnamon and whipped cream.

“We have a really good tea partner, Dammann,” she said. “They have so many different teas I’ve never heard of. They did a class for me so I could learn about the different teas.

“I used to be a pastry chef, too. I’m up for doing anything so I can learn. I deep dive and want to learn everything about it. Once I learn about it, my thing is to surprise and delight.”

L

First Spooky Tea WHEN: 2 to 5 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays during October WHERE: The Wayfarer Downtown LA, Lilly Rose, 813 Flower Street, Los Angeles COST: Starts at $60 INFO: Reservations are required 24 hours in advance at https://bit.ly/SpookyTeaWayfarer

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Covered DINING California will help

OCTOBER 11, 2021

Pinakbet, chicken adobo, pork lumpia with chili sauce.

Photo by Chris Mortenson

Petite Peso offers big Filipino flavor

By Frier McCollister LA Downtown News Contributing Writer etite Peso occupies a tiny storefront on Seventh Street in the jewelry district. Open for breakfast and lunch, the nouvelle Filipino café launched in April last year, just as everyone was adjusting to the “new normal” of the pandemic lockdown. It also represented the first independent venture for one of the city’s most talented young chefs, Ria Dolly Barbosa.

Barbosa is a classically trained chef with deep experience in haute cuisine. She has also actively engaged with a variety of influential new restaurant concepts during the last 10 years in Southern California.

Barbosa arrived in Los Angeles from the Philippines with her family when she was 6 years old. Growing up in Atwater Village, Barbosa graduated from John Marshall High School and immediately enrolled in culinary school in 2002. She studied at the California School of Culinary Arts just before it became the Le Cordon Bleu school in Pasadena, which closed in 2016.

“It was a 15-month program. I did my externship at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and I liked it so much I stayed in Las Vegas for five years,” Barbosa said.

“I worked in a few restaurants there. They were all pretty much that classic French style: The Mansion at MGM, Lutece at the Venetian, and in my last two years I opened Daniel Boulud’s Brasserie at the Wynn.”

After that impressive run, Barbosa moved to Salt Lake City for three years. She helmed the kitchen at Liberty Heights Fresh there before returning to Los Angeles and her old neighborhood in Atwater Village to take over the stoves at the once-vaunted and now-shuttered Canele.

When the jam maker Jessica Koslow opened her popular Sqirl as a breakfast and lunch spot in 2012, Barbosa ran the kitchen and was instrumental in fashioning the menu, a fact that has gone largely unacknowledged publicly.

“It is what it is at this point,” Barbosa said. “It’s been many years since I left in 2014. It was still a very big part of finding out that I wanted to cook Filipino food. I really started to play around there. I would say it is an important part of my career. Everything prior to (Sqirl), I had been cooking other people’s food essentially. Sqirl was really the first place where I got to really play, try my own creations and put them up as specials. Controversy aside, it is an important part of my story.”

While working at Sqirl, Barbosa met and befriended Kyle Glanville and Charles Babinski, who popped up with their coffee service at Sqirl, while they plotted the launch of their now popular chain of coffee shops, Go Get Em Tiger.

“I worked with Kyle and Charles at Sqirl,” Barbosa said. “That’s where I actually met them, because they popped up at Sqirl as well. I helped them set up and open the Los Feliz location

P

Ria Dolly Barbosa is executive chef of Petite Peso.

Photo by Chris Mortenson

(of Go Get Em Tiger). I was with them for about a year, just to get that project up and going.”

In 2018, she was approached by her current partners — Robert Villanueva and Tiffany Tanaka — who were looking to open a Filipino restaurant.

“They had always wanted to create this Filipino restaurant,” Barbosa said. “They were just looking for a chef. We saw eye to eye, in the sense that we wanted to make Filipino food that was — I don’t want to use the word ‘elevated.’ I can’t really think of another word. It’s not really elevated. But I personally like to look at it as my Filipino upbringing but with an LA perspective. That’s pretty much where I’m coming from.”

The group found their current location in the jewelry district on Seventh and Hill streets after the deal for their original spot fell through. “(We said,) ‘Maybe it will be better to start small,’ which, in hindsight, actually proved to be a better idea for us,” Barbosa noted.

“Our original plan was actually to open on Valentine’s Day 2020, but that’s when all the pandemic (news) started coming around. We had put off opening a few times, seeing where the whole pandemic situation was going, also watching our peers and other chef friends, to see how they were adjusting and pivoting. We weren’t sure if we were going to open at all.

We had a meeting, and I voted that we should at least try. So we decided to open April 17.”

The tiny dining room was converted into a prep area for the improvised order and takeout window at the front door. There are two two-top tables outside the restaurant, and Barbosa has no immediate plan to open for indoor dining.

“Over the winter, when (the COVID-19 case rate) was getting serious — those numbers were terrifying — we had a few close scares,” Barbosa said. “We knew people that had contracted COVID. It was my boyfriend’s co-worker at the time. It was too scary. It was getting too close to our very small circle. We just wanted to be cautious, so we closed for about three months.”

Fortunately, her staff remained healthy and intact and Petite Peso reopened in March this year.

Barbosa is a creative and inventive chef and routinely adjusts the menu to the season and her own whim. She’s still considering the next round of moves for the winter. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for breakfast and lunch, there are breakfast items available until noon. These include Bistek Tsilog ($13), which serves a marinated picanha steak with tomato salad, garlic rice and two fried eggs; the Tsilog rice bowl ($12) offers a choice of the Filipino bacon tocino or a longanisa sausage patty served with tomato salad over garlic rice; and a choice of the same proteins in either a breakfast sandwich served on house-made pan de sal ($8) or in a burrito ($10). There are three salads offered ($12-$14), including sisig salad with Mary’s chicken and livers, Thai chilis and a soy poached egg tossed with a yuzu vinaigrette.

Four rice bowls on the menu include adobo ($13) with marinated chicken and mustard greens; pork munggo ($15) with Duroc pork belly, munggo beans, cherry tomatoes, spinach,

OCTOBER 11, 2021

DOWNTOWN NEWS 21

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shiitake mushrooms and chicharron; Salmon sinigang ($15) with grilled salmon, eggplant, tomatoes, bok choy and daikon; and the vegan Pinakbet ($12) with Kabocha squash puree, vegan bagoong fish sauce, roasted eggplant, long beans and pickled okra.

Under the seasonal heading, Barbosa’s “LA perspective” asserts itself with the Adobo French dip sandwich ($13) featuring Mary’s chicken and crisped skin with gouda cheese and an adobo jus.

There’s also the Sisig taco ($2.50) with pork belly and chicken livers and a calamansi pico de gallo salsa. Requisite lumpia egg rolls ($5) can be had as well as vegan Impossible Lumpia ($7). There is also a selection of house-made pastries and desserts, including a vegan Halo Halo ($8) employing a passionfruit and cacao nib vegan ice cream and house-made condensed oat milk. The dessert was created in collaboration with Wonderlust Creamery to celebrate Filipino American History month through October.

“We are planning on a couple of new dishes for the winter,” she said. “We were actually starting to talk about switching out a couple of the salads. I haven’t had time to really R&D anything yet. We might change a couple of dishes over the fall. I think the plan is to R&D over the fall and flip a couple of dishes for winter, making some heartier dishes for the cold weather.”

Barbosa appreciates the distinct atmosphere of her Downtown location.

“It’s a fraction of what it used to be, but there’s still quite a bit of hustle down here,” Barbosa said. “It’s great. It’s really interesting. I’ve worked in a few different neighborhoods around the city. Downtown is a little fast and furious. It’s such a unique crowd. You have a little bit of everything down here.”

Driven by Barbosa’s vision and reputation, Petite Peso has managed to establish itself as a worthy Downtown destination for discriminating foodies.

That said, the neighborhood is still getting acquainted with Petite Peso.

“There are people walking around, either who work here or who live in the area, who are still finding out about us. We have gotten a few people commenting that they didn’t know we were here. We don’t have a lot of signage. We’re here.”

DT

CLASSIFIEDS

LEGALS

Petite Peso 419 W. Seventh Street, Los Angeles 209-438-7376, petitepeso.com

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NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property pursuant to Sections 21700-21716 of the Business & Professions Code, Section 2328 of the UCC, Section 535 of the Penal Code and provisions of the Civil Code.

The undersigned will sell on the 12th day of October 2021 at 11: 00 A.M. on the premises where said property has been stored and which are located at Thriftee Storage Company LLC, 1717 N. Glendale Blvd. in the city of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, State of California, the following: Name of owner: Space number Description of goods Amount

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Roxanne Putma H1 Personal effects $596.00 Orson Newstat U6 Personal effects $278.00 Marella Duree H7 Personal effects $260.00 Nathan David Ross L16 Personal effects $619.67 Timothy Middlebrook E26,E27 Personal effects $1314.00 Zane O’brien B20 Personal effects $285.25 Aaron Ray U47,C20 Personal effects $913.00 Jeremy Hollis U25 Personal effects $556.00 Ashley Adams H15 Personal effects $316.00 Adam Tamberg A29 Personal effects $454.00 Stephanie Hunter D27 Personal effects $1216.15 Derek Callahan T7 Personal effects $1437.00 Purchases must be paid for at the time of purchase in cash only. All purchased storage units with the items contained herein are sold on an “as-is” basis and must be removed at the time of sale. Sale subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between Thriftee Storage Co. and obligated party.

Thriftee Storage Company LLC Dated at Los Angeles, CA by Felipe F. Islas / Manager September 29, 2021.

PUBLISHED: Los Angeles Downtown News 10/4/21, 10/11/21

www.Downtownnews.com

22 DOWNTOWN NEWS

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OCTOBER 11, 2021

Covered California will help FEATURE

Oddities Flea Market has eyes on Globe Theatre

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski LA Downtown News Executive Editor he Oddities Flea Market will bring an assortment of curiosities to eccentric customers as it returns to DTLA Saturday, Oct. 23, to Sunday, Oct. 24, at the Globe Theatre.

Curated by famed collector and oddities aficionado Ryan Matthew Cohn (star of Discovery’s “Oddities”) and his wife/executive producer Regina Marie Cohn, Oddities Flea Market showcases the likes of medical history ephemera, osteological specimens and taxidermy, as well as morbid- and gothic-inspired art and home décor, jewelry, fashion and makeup.

“We hand-pick every vendor who’s in there,” he said. “We get submissions from people from around the globe. We just picked the best of the best. We really curate this thing. We have people on top of their game.”

The couple founded the Oddities Flea Market in New York in 2017 because “there was nothing else like it at the time,” he said. They pictured it as a one-time event, but it was “insane,” with people lining up for eight blocks trying to get in.

“How this whole thing started really was I’ve been collecting since I was a kid,” he said. “I went really crazy into it in my 20s. I was on that show ‘Oddities’ on Discovery, and that catapulted the whole genre into a whole new direction.

“It opened the doors to a lot of people who were interested in antiques but didn’t know it existed. The word ‘oddities’ became a household name because of that show.”

The event is sponsored by local oddities boutique shops and artists including Memento Mori LA, The Olde World Emporium, Bearded Lady Vintage & Oddities, The Mystic Museum, Century Guild, Veneration of Light and Alligator Jesus.

“We’ve had a lot of wild things, like jewelry made with glass eyes, taxidermy, people who deal in antique medical instruments, things of that nature. It’s hard to pick a ‘weirdest item,’ because I think everything falls into that category.”

The event will have strict COVID-19 safety protocols for attendees, who will arrive with timed tickets. Guests must provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result to gain entrance. Multiple sanitation stations will also be set up throughout venue to further aid in cleanliness and safety.

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Oddities Flea Market WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon (VIP); noon to 6 p.m. general admission, timed entry, Saturday, Oct. 23, and Sunday, Oct. 24 WHERE: The Globe Theatre, 740 S. Broadway, Los Angeles COST: Tickets start at $15; proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test result required for entry INFO: theodditiesfleamarket.com

Ryan Matthew and Regina Marie Cohn are the founders of the Oddities Flea Market.

Photo by Emily Bird

Vendors Entire weekend, Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 (EYEBA) Oddball Oddity • Alex Streeter • Miss Havisham’s Curiosities • L’esquelet • Ampersand Curiosities • Brooklyn Taxidermy • Deadly Darling Nightshades • Seance Perfume • Stephanie Inagaki • Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab • Arcanexus Designs • Beans of John • Catacomb Culture • Scientific Woman • The Pretty Cult • Acid Queen • BlckBts • Papermoon Gallery • Builtfromsketch • Mickey Alice Kwapis • Opened Jesus • Crypt Relics • Jennafer Grace • Veras’s Eyecandy • MM Fabrications • Dutch Hollow General • Dirty Lola • Blue Bayer • Sorceress and the Stone • Zoa Chimerum Jewelry • Caitlin McCarthy • Psychic Circle Oddities • Loschy Designs • White Witch • Uneven Jewelry • Rebels & Outlaws • Diaphonized Specimens • Little Ghouls • Deadskull Curio • In Rooms Gallery • Silentcheesecake Designs • Feral Femme Art • Seven Jones Jewels • War Machine Custom Merchandising • Swoonful Cotton Candy • United Society of Sin Saturday only, Oct. 23 Lively Ghosts • Marina Gibbons Conservation Services • Lizz Lopez • Emily Binard • Tarantula Garden • Our Darling • Conjurer’s Kitchen Sunday only, Oct. 24 Brooke Weston • Kate Hart • Petals & Poison • Memento Mori Goods • Lauryn Barnes • Tomb of Achlys • Ave Rose • Miss G Designs • Easton Wicks/ Dark Entries

OCTOBER 11, 2021

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DOWNTOWN NEWS 23

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OCTOBER 11, 2021