Los Angeles Downtown News 02-08-21

February 08, 2021 I VOL. 50 I #6

Sidewalk Singers Duo sing their way through the pandemic

Civil Investigation California looking into LA sheriff’s department Page 5

COVID Count Reported cases in Downtown LA and surrounding areas Page 6

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Change of name?

Editor: Trump Tower is an elegant high-rise building in Las Vegas. But in light of Donald Trump’s resounding defeat in the 2020 presidential election, not to mention his second Senate impeachment trial that will soon occur, the residents of Trump Tower may wish to rename their building.

How about going from Trump Tower to Bernie’s Bougies? Just a thought.

David Tulanian

Black screens may cause long-term trauma Editor: Who thought I’d miss the drive down the 110? I miss seeing the skyline on my drive in. I miss my students walking in as I pull in the parking lot.

In distance learning, some educators see the smiling, although pixelated, faces of bright young learners. I, however, stare into the void and see black screens with names and profile pictures. I don’t know what’s on the other side of that black screen. Maybe there’s a student who just didn’t feel like getting dressed this morning, or perhaps a student worried they are one streaming video away from disconnecting. Another afraid to turn on their camera because their classmates might notice they share a bed with multiple younger siblings. A fourth afraid to unmute as they try to tune out the parental yelling match in the background. I don’t know what’s happening in the homes on the other side of the screen, but I know we need policies that support the students who are learning there.

We are all new to this, and we may miss the traditional indicators of student engagement like raised hands and nodding heads. I know green checkmarks, blue thumbs-up and yellow clapping emojis are no consolation for smiles, laughter and exuberant responses. But I settle for emoticons because forcing students to turn on their cameras during distance learning could be more damaging to them than staring at black screens will be for me. Camera-on mandates unintentionally penalize the most vulnerable students for circumstances which are beyond their control. Schools and districts should adopt camera-optional policies to prevent further marginalizing at need students.

Camera-use policies vary by teacher, school and district. Some encourage students to have their cameras on whenever possible. Others mandate cameras on and penalize students for turning off video during synchronous instruction. My school opted to make camera usage optional.

Our policy originated from practical need. Audio-only conferencing uses less bandwidth (volume of information that can be sent over a connection). In a video conference, the device attempts to process the video output for the student,

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multiple video inputs from other students, and the teacher. Turning off student cameras decreases the amount of information the device has to processs, and the amount of information being transmitted over the internet. In short, a blackscreen classroom uses less bandwidth which helps more students stay connected.

Distance learning created an emergency need for many families to have home internet and connective technology. The district rushed to provide hotspots for families in need. Telecommunication companies and nonprofits scrambled to provide low- and no-cost connectivity, but bandwidth in low-income neighborhoods is limited. The internet is not infinite, and there is currently not enough to go around especially during peak hours. The information superhighway moves faster for those who can afford to pay a toll to travel in lanes with less traffic. An entire neighborhood using residential internet connections during peak hours is like rush hour, leading to slower connections and less bandwidth for everyone, but especially those who can’t afford the top rate plans.

The policy also had unforeseen socioemotional benefits. Prior to the shutdown, I had a young girl break out in hives when asked to present with her group. Asking her to sit camera on is like asking her to stand in front of the class every day.

A 2020 study from the U.S. National Library of Medicine shows the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in high levels of stress and mental health morbidity among high school students, especially girls. For many students, current conditions have amplified social anxiety. Now, we asked them to sit for a close-up in the most intimate part of their home when it would be just as easy to ask them to unmute and share their thoughts without sharing their faces.

Some believe the black screen allows students to indulge in distractions and not pay attention. But why assume the worst of our students? Some students listen to Zoom while working cash registers because they have to help provide for their families. They could easily choose to focus on employment instead of education.

Mandated camera usage makes choosing education that much harder. In these cases, we can leverage the chat to get student participation without mandating constant camera use. Others have become default caretakers and educators. I teach while monitoring and assisting my children’s distance-learning classes; I can only imagine the difficulty of attempting to learn while monitoring and assisting parents, siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Our students have little to no control over their living situations. Some students live in two- or three-bedroom apartments shared by two or three families. Some live in studio apartments and sleep in bunk beds next to their parents; two bedrooms are luxuries for some. They cannot control who comes in and out of frame, or the way people in the background dress and behave. There is rarely privacy, so some students attend class from closets and bathrooms.

At a press conference in Florida, a teacher encouraged the superintendent to admonish parents for their behavior and dress in the background of student learning.

What happened to privacy in one’s home? The educational system and pandemic have forced schools to intrude into homes. We have turned homes into schools and demanded everyone behave accordingly. We should explore the alternatives of optional video perhaps having assigned days where they will be asked to go EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski video on. Distance learning is difficult for us all, but in some municipalities, parents STAFFThere WRITERS: Checchia, De Ocampo, Juliaoffered.

Shapero have no choice: areAndrew no hybrid orAndres in-person models CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Sara Edwards, Kamala Kirk As we enter the second semester, we need empathy and support for our stuART DIRECTORS: Arman Olivares, Stephanie Torres dents. Rather than assume our have the worst intentions, we need to STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: Luis students Chavez support theCONTRIBUTING students with the bestMyriam intentions PHOTOGRAPHERS: Santos in the worst circumstances. The Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb black screenACCOUNT in the EXECUTIVES: void of students off camera may be depressing and disconcertEMERITUS: Sue Laris ing, but theFOUNDER potential for embarrassment and long-term trauma is far greater for students.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski STAFF WRITERS: Sarah Donahue, Olivia Dow, Annika Tomlin CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Holly Jenvey, Doyoon Kim, Frier McCollister, Ellen Snortland STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: Luis Chavez CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Andreas Branch Photography, Jabari Jacobs ART DIRECTORS: Arman Olivares, Stephanie Torres ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb FOUNDER EMERITUS: Sue Laris

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Conspiracies for My Valentine: Anvils over their heads

By Ellen Snortland arning: This column contains a mix of truth, satire and fiction. Do not consume if you are experiencing shortness of breath, are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant, or are irony and absurdity challenged.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Raise a glass to the most overwrought, phony-baloney commercialized “holiday” ever invented. The day is a setup for hearts, all right: broken hearts and heartache. Other than that, it’s peachy.

Speaking of phonies, Drumpf has been delivering valentines to the Kremlin regularly.

Da, it’s true! Investigative journalist and author Craig Unger spills the borscht on the whole sordid scene in his new book, “American Kompromat: How the KGB Cultivated Donald Trump.” This is a follow-up to Unger’s 2018 book “House of Trump, House of Putin.”

Thanks to interviews with many people on the inside, including former KGB Maj. Yuri Shvets — or “Shvetty” as his New York friends like to call him after Alec Baldwin’s infamous sketch on SNL — we learn that Drumpf has been shvetting for 40 years! It would not be hyperbole to call Drumpf Putin’s sweetheart.

Head-scratching, I ponder, “What kind of anvil does Drumpf have hanging over the heads of some of his lackeys? What strings are attached? Why would they sell their souls to this Kremlin Kreep?” There’s ample, highly credible evidence that Putin has a sickle and hammer hanging over Drumpf. But what has Ted Cruz, Susan Collins, Devin Nunez, Kevin McCarthy and too many other sycophants to name in a short column dancing to marionette strings?

Teacher, I’m raising my hand! I know the answer — they’re controlled by Z, of ZAnon!

Z, their leader, uses QAnon as a colossal diversion, manipulating the “base” to believe in Q while those in power are actually following Z. Next time you’re around any Republican die-hard Drumpfers in the House or Senate, ask them to show you their armpits.

They’ll refuse because it will give them away by showing they are part of the ZAnon cult, which itself is an offshoot of NXIVM (pronounced “Nexium”). If you don’t know what NXIVM is, consider yourself lucky.

Convicted sex trafficker and NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere is currently serving 120 years in prison for, among other things, having a harem of sex slaves. These women were highly intelligent, privileged, and easy on the eyes — oh, did I mention they were all white? Raniere required they hold each other down to be branded with his initials, placed dangerously close to their private parts. What people do not know, until this exposé here in my column, is that Drumpf was the NXIVM leader in charge of Keith Raniere! Drumpf’s improvement on the crotch tattoo was to have selected Republicans hold each other down to receive their DLV armpit tattoos, the acronym for Donny Loves Vladimir.

ZAnon also requires that its believers adhere to the practice of projecting whatever they are doing onto the people they attack. When you hear the wretched congressional rep from Georgia, Rep. Loony Tunes Taylor, and she’s talking about Jewish Space Lasers, that means she’s actually aiming laser beams at various (in her words) “weak-minded” Republicans — those still showing a smidgen of being in touch with reality. She targets their prefrontal cortex to fry their reasoning abilities and send their moral compasses a-spinnin’. After her treatment, they won’t know right from wrong, fact from fiction, up from down, or Q from Z! “YowZa” is the Z cult’s secret code word, which stands for You Owe Whiteness to ZAnon. They pit bump, but only if no one is looking.

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QAnon was all a ruse. The conspiracy theory that Bill Gates, Dr. Fauci and the World Health Organization are spearheading COVID-19 vaccinations so they can implant trackers in all of us is way off. Thanks to Z, we’re already being tracked and have been for decades via the barcodes on those teeny-tiny stickers found on all our fruits and veggies. You can always turn down a vaccine, but you have to eat, right? Nice try, Z, but we’re on to you now!

Forget Gates and WHO: The actual cabal is Keith Raniere, Dr. Ben Carson and Oral Roberts University. They teamed up to implant chips in us through the food supply and everyday purchases. You know how Dr. Carson always had that “deer in the headlights” look whenever you saw him on TV during the Drumpf administration? That was due to him working day and night, examining the results of the brain chips to rope people into having sex with him, Drumpf, and the entire Board of Oral Roberts U. How do you think the late Rev. Roberts got his first name, huh? Ever thought about that?

I know these are all shocking revelations and not what you wanted for a valentine.

But, as I said at the outset, Valentine’s Day has never been all it’s cracked up to be. So, pull up your big kid panties and listen to Z — she knows what’s best. YowZa!

Ellen Snortland has written “Consider This…” for a heckuva long time, and she also coaches first-time book authors! Who knew? Contact her at Ellen@beautybitesbeast.com

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California investigating the LA sheriff’s department

By Sarah Donahue os Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the largest sheriff’s department in the nation, with approximately 18,000 employees, is under investigation by the state for allegations of excessive force, retaliation and other misconduct.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced the commencement of this investigation in a virtual press conference on Jan. 22.

“The action we’re taking today is a result of having received credible information reports and evidence from a number of sources over a period of time, which has led us to the point where we now believe it’s important to move forward with the investigation,” Becerra said.

He emphasized that this is a civil investigation, not a criminal investigation, and that his office has not made any determinations about specific allegations at this time.

The wide-scope investigation seeks to identify and address potential “systemic violations of the rights” of the people in LA County by the sheriff’s department, he said.

“The launch of this investigation is a very significant step in our efforts to achieve and continue significant and lasting improvements in law enforcement practices and policing here in California,” Becerra said.

It’s unclear when the findings of the investigation will be announced.

Becerra would not give specifics about the types of allegations that were reported or when the reports started to come to the attention of the Department of Justice.

However, he said, “We will work diligently to consider all the facts, all the circumstances and all relevant information that we receive or that is at the disposal of the sheriff’s department.”

In most cases, investigations are not formally announced because this is a “pattern and practice” investigation, Becerra said. However, the Department of Justice decided to spread the word in an effort to get assistance and support from members of the community, he explained.

“This investigation goes straight to the heart of the sheriff’s department’s relationship with the community,” Becerra said.

It is “critical” for members of the public to come forward with any information that can assist the department in its investigation, he said. Those who have experienced abuse or wrongdoings at the hands of the sheriff’s office are encouraged to send their complaints or relevant information to police-practices@doj.ca.gov.

Becerra called on the sheriff’s department to be transparent, accountable and cooperative with the investigation.

“I believe we all share the same goal,” he said about law enforcement members. “We all share the same call to make the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department the very best law enforcement agency it can be.”

He however mentioned that there are “serious concerns and reports that accountability and adherence to legitimate policing practices have lapsed at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department.”

Community activists have organized protests demanding an independent investigation of the sheriff’s department for its alleged abuse.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California, along with other groups, called for an investigation of the sheriff’s department under Sheriff Alex Villanueva in a letter in October, according to a statement from the ACLU. ACLU’s statement, which was issued in response to the announcement of the investigation, states that the sheriff’s offices had “sought to undermine basic accountability and civilian oversight at every turn and systematically violating state transparency laws.”

Andrés Kwon, policy counsel at the ACLU of Southern California, wrote the official statement.

“We applaud the attorney general for answering the call by grassroots groups and the families of those killed by sheriff’s deputies to launch an investigation into the pattern of unconstitutional policing by Sheriff Villanueva and the LASD,” Kwon wrote.

Villanueva said he looks forward to this “noncriminal pattern and practice” investigation, according to a statement he tweeted shortly after the announcement was made.

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“Our department may finally have an impartial, objective assessment of our operations, and recommendations on any areas we can improve our service to the community,” Villanueva wrote.

He added that the sheriff’s department is “eager” to start the process of this investigation “in the interest of transparency and accountability.”

However, in September, Villanueva received calls to resign from multiple LA County supervisors and members of the LA County Sherriff Civilian Oversight Commission for reports of not taking action on critical reforms, failing to hold deputies accountable, and resisting oversight of the department.

“I remain deeply troubled by (Villanueva’s) conduct and the way he has interfered with advancing reform and enhancing accountability,” LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas wrote on Twitter on Sept. 17. “(Villanueva) has consistently failed to cooperate with the (LA County Civilian Oversight Commission) and the Office of the Inspector General. It. Is. Time.” he added in his tweet, which included an article on Villanueva’s alleged misconduct.

David Ryu, a now-former LA city councilman who was still a member at the time, also called for Villanueva’s resignation in a tweet on Sept. 17.

“Sheriff Villanueva has blocked investigations, violated the law, and refuses accountability in the #LASheriff’s department,” he said, sharing the same article as Ridley-Thomas.

“He is not fairly serving the people of LA County. He must resign.”

This concern was brought up during the press conference when a reporter asked if Villanueva would cooperate after resisting oversight in the past.

Becerra responded, saying, “We hope we receive only cooperation” from the sheriff’s department. He added that he hopes its members will “recognize the importance of this investigation and try to aid in its completion.”

He also stated that the investigation is not placing a scope on any particular time frame or sheriff.

The Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission issued a statement in support of the investigation on Jan. 22.

“We welcome this important inquiry as a step toward realizing our collective goal of a department that is transparent, accountable and one which operates in a manner consistent with our constitution,” according to the statement written by the commission’s executive director, Brian K. Williams, and Chair Lael Ruben.

“We look forward to providing any assistance needed to the California Department of Justice’s investigation to ensure a full and fair investigation,” the statement adds.

Becerra stated that during this investigation, the Department of Justice must follow the “same standards of law and evidence that any other justification in this country has to.”

The department wants to hear the public’s reports, but “we can’t reach a conclusion just because someone has said something or reported something,” he explained. “We have to investigate.”

Depending on the findings of the investigation, the Department of Justice will be ready to produce an agreement, go through the court system to prove its case, or change the practices and policies of the sheriff’s department if deemed necessary, Becerra said.

“If we find nothing at the result at the end of the investigation, then so be it, but we’ll be taken there by the facts and the law,” Becerra said.

He added that it is “crucial” for the Department of Justice to not only engage in the investigation but produce a “thorough, complete, transparent” report of its results.

“I am sure that the people of California will be proud of the work that’s been done by the men and women who serve here at the Department of Justice.”

—Staff writer Sarah Donahue can be reached at sdonahue@timespublications.com

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Midnight Mission’s Michael Arnold spoke to Mishkon Venice about the homeless crisis

By Holly Jenvey he Mishkon Venice hosted Michael Arnold, president and CEO of Midnight Mission, on Jan. 17 to raise awareness of how locals can continue to help the homeless. The event was followed on Jan. 24 by a drive-thru clothing drive for the homeless at Mishkon.

Since 1914, Midnight Mission, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, has been helping the homeless become more self-sufficient. More than 100 years later, it now has to tackle homelessness amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

With locations in Downtown Los Angeles, Inglewood and the South Bay, Midnight Mission is helping the homeless while informing the community about the magnitude of the problem and common misconceptions.

“Just the scope of the problem is a huge, huge issue,” Arnold said of the homeless epidemic in Los Angeles and surrounding areas.

Arnold presented charts from the LA County Homeless Count, which showed how the homeless problem is changing year by year. In 2019, the total homeless count was 58,936. In 2020, it increased by 12.7% to 66,436. Out of the different homeless categories (veteran, family, youth and chronic), chronic increased the most by 54% (from 16,528 to 25,640).

Arnold also addressed the common misperceptions that people become homeless due to drug addiction, not wanting to get help, and how homelessness increases crime in neighborhoods. He said these perceptions are false.

Instead, the main key drivers of homelessness are economic hardship (59% of homeless population), weakened social network (39%), disabling health condition (24%), system discharge including foster care, prison/jail, mental hospitals (11%) and violence (8%).

Arnold also mentioned how the lack of affordable housing escalates the problem.

“We have all of these regulations for developing affordable housing,” he said.

According to Arnold’s presentation, LA needs over 500,000 units of low-income and affordable housing. Lack of affordable housing also contributes to high rent in the city. A minimum wage employee needs to work 79 hours per week to afford a one-bedroom residence.

Another factor is high housing insecurity. More than 50% of LA households spend over 50% of their income on housing.

“We have systemic failures that drive homelessness, and our best bet to fix it is to shut that front door,” Arnold said.

Arnold also said a lot of people don’t come to LA homeless but end up so because of a lack of understanding about the cost of living. The COVID-19 pandemic has also contributed to the situation.

Midnight Mission has had to reduce occupancy at its facilities to prevent the spread of the virus. It requires residents and staff to wear masks at all times and has introduced strict protocols early on.

Midnight Mission contained one outbreak and is testing every week. It is working on making blankets, increasing supplies, providing hand sanitizer, and drawing off more opportunities to learn about distancing and safe practicing. There are also outdoor showers that are open to the public.

Prior to the pandemic, Midnight Mission had been focusing on improving the health of its residents. There is case management assigned to everyone, which determines what paths are needed for the resident to get back on their feet and not become homeless again. The government pays for case management and meals.

Facilities include on-site medical and mental health clinics, a gymnasium and a library. The facilities are gender inclusive and serve families as well. Midnight Mission also has a women’s program and offers education and career development services.

“Get to know a few folks with experiences with homelessness and I guarantee it will change your perspective,” Arnold said.

Midnight Mission accepts donations of towels, blankets, socks and underwear. For more information, visit midnightmission.org.

T Reported cases in Downtown LA and surrounding areas as of Jan. 31 Chinatown: 648; Little Tokyo: 355; Los Feliz: 911; Silverlake: 2,828; South Park: 6,768; Wilshire Center: 4,944 Total confirmed cases in DTLA: 3,476 Total deaths in DTLA: 35 Total confirmed cases in LA County: 1,116,892 Total deaths in LA County: 16,770 Los Angeles County reported on Jan. 31, a total of 1,116,892 cases and 16,700 total deaths. Currently, there are 5,328 people hospitalized, a 26% decrease from two weeks before, with 27% in intensive care. Out of the 5,501,000 individuals tested, 19% of people tested positive for COVID-19. Hospitalizations are decreasing, a sign that the outbreak is leveling off. However, many facilities remain overcrowded and understaffed. Los Angeles public health officials have also confirmed a second case of the B117 variant weeks after identifying the first case in the county. However, new research indicates the current COVID-19 vaccines should protect against the new variant. People eligible for the vaccine include front-line health care workers, long-term care facilities staff, and residents ages 65 and older.

Los Angeles County is easing regulations and taking steps to start reopening businesses that were heavily impacted by the pandemic. Recently, officials lifted regional coronavirus stay-at-home home orders across California. All counties have returned to the color-code system where risk levels are assigned locally based on the number of cases and positive test rates. The majority of areas will be under the “widespread” tier, which allows hair salons to open, but restricts many nonessential indoor businesses. Restaurants can be open for outdoor dining only. Still, officials have cautioned about the high number of cases, encouraging people to continue to wear masks and practice social distancing.

People of color and members in poorer communities have been hit hardest by the coronavirus. Many families live in crowded housing without health insurance and work jobs that have a higher risk of exposure. Communities with a median income of less than $40,000 have 39% higher case rates. Dodger Stadium’s vaccination center was temporarily shut down on Saturday when vaccination protestors gathered at the entrance. The LA Fire Department and LAPD officers closed the entrance of the stadium. The incident at Dodger Stadium is the latest protest from a slew of demonstrations by anti-vaccine groups at grocery stores, shopping malls, etc. Everyone who was scheduled to receive a vaccination still received their doses.

Information compiled by Doyoon Kim

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Covered DINING California will help

Brooklyn Avenue brings it all back home

By Frier McCollister hef Mario Christerna has a ritual.

“I’m at the cemetery right now,” he said. “I’m at Evergreen Cemetery. It’s the oldest cemetery in LA. I come here and clean tombstones.”

Suffice it to say, the Boyle Heights native is engaged with his community. Regarding his most recent venture in the neighborhood — Brooklyn Avenue Pizza Company — he’s effusive.

“It’s all about the community. They’ve been receiving us with open arms. It warms my heart that we’re doing this together. It’s beautiful,” he said.

The Brooklyn Avenue Pizza Company formally opened in November and occupies a historical building on Cesar E. Chavez Avenue (formerly known as Brooklyn Avenue, hence the name of the restaurant).

In May 2019, Christerna acquired access to the building, which also houses the legendary Paramount Ballroom and the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory. The pandemic blunted Christerna’s immediate plan to reactivate the ballroom space as a concert venue and install Poblador, his latest fine dining concept, next door to the pizzeria.

Ultimately, Christerna is cooking up much more than just pizza here. That said, the pizzas and wings on the current menu are uniquely superb. They fully reflect the nuanced invention that Christerna had successfully branded at his acclaimed first restaurant, The Briks, in Downtown’s South Park neighborhood, known for its ingenious mashup of North African and Mexican cuisines.

“After closing Briks (in 2017). I went on a journey. I ended up consulting in Berlin, I was a guest judge on Master Chef Latino,” Christerna said.

“I wanted to come home. I asked the universe to be home and it happened. I came back home and here I am living my dream and being able to be a custodian of this space. I get to be a custodian of my neighborhood, a custodian for all those who came before me.”

Recounting his neighborhood background and local street credentials, Christerna said he was born at USC/County General Hospital on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Emiliano Zapata, the great Mexican revolutionary.

“I was raised in Wyvernwood Gardens.

Wyvernwood, we call it ‘the projects,’” he said. “That’s where I grew up, where I played kickball with all my friends, where we ran

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amok together with all of the homies, (where) I had some of the best summers of my life. This is my neighborhood, my stomping grounds.”

Christerna attended the culinary program at the now-shuttered Cordon Bleu school in Pasadena, where he also began what became a six-year apprenticeship at the Eden Garden Bar & Grill, a Mediterranean bistro a few blocks from campus.

“I was going to school in the daytime and working at the restaurant at night,” Christerna said. “I was eating, breathing, living the restaurant business. I learned everything from busing, serving, bartending, kitchen, prepping. I was so enrapt in this culinary (world). My ultimate goal was to own restaurants and to build an empire and create jobs for people. And so, I wanted to learn everything. I had the chance to do it there and I had a great mentor. He taught me a lot about business. I wanted to own restaurants. I wanted to operate restaurants.

I wanted to be a restaurateur.”

As to his extended tenure there, Christerna said he’s not the type of chef who bounces around.

“I like to create a home and learn,” he added. “I found my home. Once you find your home, you’re able to learn, you’re able to grow, you’re able to develop yourself. I had the opportunity to learn the whole business. I’m a restaurateur. I’m not just a chef. It was a wonderful boot camp. This family has been so good to me. I’ll forever be grateful.”

Brooklyn Avenue Pizza Company is already a local sensation. On a random Saturday evening — prior to the recent reopening of outdoor dining — the sidewalk outside the shop was buzzing with guests waiting on takeout orders and perusing the carry-out cocktail options at the tended pushcart liquor bar outside.

The menu is limited to nine styles of individual pizzas, five takes on jumbo wings and three preps under the heading Papas, featuring dressed fries. The pizzas range from The O.G. ($14), a simple pepperoni and mozzarella combo, to the cherry bomb ($18), sporting sopressata picante, spicy piloncillo and pickled cherry peppers. Notably, there’s also a mole pizza ($18), dressed with Oaxacan cheese and curtido. There’s also a long list of additional toppings to customize the choice.

“We make everything in-house: our dough, our hand-stretched mozzarella,” he said. “We make our own sauces. About 95% CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

Pizzaiolo sous chef Jorge Sandoval works on a Brooklyn Ave Pizza Co. signature pizza.

Photo by Luis Chavez

Brooklyn Ave Pizza Co. is owned by chef Mario Christerna.

Photo by Luis Chavez

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Brooklyn Ave Pizza Co. offers a Cherry Bomb pizza with sopressata picante, spicy, piloncillo.

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1800 E. OLYMPIC BLVD. (AT OLYMPIC & ALAMEDA ST.)

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Se Habla Español • ALWAYS OPEN • 213-627-5008 7 TH S

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PROPANE (REFILL), GAS & DIESEL 24 HOURS / 7 DAYS A WEEK

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H Brooklyn Ave Pizza Co.’s Flamin’ Hot Cheetos wings are notable.

Photo by Luis Chavez

BROOKLYN AVE BRINGS IT ALL BACK HOME, 7

FAMOUS FIRE-GRILLED CHICKEN

of the product, we make it here. We make our own pineapple chutney. We make our own bacon. We strive to make everything in-house.”

The wings come in three -, six- and 12-piece portions, and in addition to traditional Buffalo style ($6/$11/$20), there is a mole take at the same pricing and also notably a Flamin’ Hot Cheetos version with a nacho cheese drizzle ($7/$13/$24).

“I want to talk about the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. I believe that food tells a story,” he said. “It’s not just making food. It’s a story. It’s a connection.

“When I was coming up with this menu, I would go back to Wyvernwood and I would lay out on this grassy area, where we used to play baseball. I laid out there and tapped into my childhood. Nostalgia has the power to trigger that part of the brain that makes you happy. So, I started thinking about these flavors, these memories, this love. I have a very interesting creative process.”

A self-described punk rocker, Christerna

is also the grandson of legendary mariachi gospel diva Vicky Davis. Music provides a primary inspiration to his cooking, as well.

“I play piano. I have a baby grand in my kitchen at home,” he explained. “When I create recipes, I play the piano to feel this emotion. When I tap into that vibration, for some reason it gives (me) the ingredients in some strange creative kind of way.

I match the music to the culinary (idea) and it creates a menu. I look at a menu like I look at a record. These are tracks to my album. This is my album. It’s all tied into my soul, into my love, into my passion.”

As the sun began to set on Evergreen Cemetery, as he ended his chat on the phone, Christerna was reflective.

“Everything comes full circle,” he said. “I kept asking the universe to bring me back home. I wanted to be home, to feel this love again, to feel this togetherness.”

Christerna has big plans for the old neighborhood.

“I am an artist. I’m from Boyle Heights,” he said.

Brooklyn Avenue Pizza Company 2706 E. Cesar E. Chavez Avenue, Los Angeles 323-968-1106, brooklynavepizzaco.com

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FEBRUARY 08, 2021

DOWNTOWN NEWS 9

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Covered California will help ARTS AND CULTURE

‘I Choose You’ makes DTLA proud

By Annika Tomlin TLA Proud and drag artist Miss Shu Mai will host “I Choose You,” a virtual panel and fundraiser that will be streamed on Princess Party’s Twitch Channel at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13. The event will feature performances from prominent queer voices and a panel of the organization’s upcoming documentary “Proud in a Pandemic.”

“The event is a suggested donation of $10, but if people donate $50 or more, they will get a tier gift box to help celebrate,” said Dennis Caasi, development manager at DTLA Proud.

Donations of $50 will feature $100 worth of sponsored items, and a $100 donation yields the donor $200 in swag. The Proud Boxes will be filled with specialty curated, festival-at-home items provided by partners including Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Capital Group, US Bank, Equality California, Papa & Barkley, Product of LA, Gay Pins, Kinda Fit Kinda Fat, DW Home Candles, Sobre La Luna and Scared Society Apothecary. Tito’s Handmade Vodka will match donations up to $15,000.

DTLA Proud has hosted a festival in Pershing Square since its inception five years ago, except for summer due to the pandemic. In lieu of the festival, the nonprofit has been creating a documentary called “Proud in a Pandemic” to celebrate and inspire its community during this time of uncertainty and challenge.

“When the pandemic hit last year, it was evidently clear that large-scale events can’t happen and the board decided to get together and figure out what to do to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community,” Caasi said.

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“We had just felt it was trying, and (Zoom) became very saturated. At DTLA Proud, we are always about breaking rules and going against the grain, so we were like, ‘Why don’t we do a film?’”

In came advisory board member of DTLA Proud and director of the documentary Scottie-Jeanette Madden, who, according to Caasi, “is pretty much the only person that has experience directing a film.”

“DTLA Proud celebration is usually in August. So when we went into lockdown, to me, it felt like minutes before Christopher Street West was announcing the LA Pride was canceled,” Madden said. “But we thought, ‘Well, we’re in August. We should be safe,’ and that reality existed for about another 5 minutes until they went away.”

Madden has been a professional director, writer and producer for more than 35 years, completing several documentaries and reality TV shows. She ended up arriving late to the board meeting that announced who would take on the role of directing the film.

“I said, ‘Wait, guys, whoa, whoa, whoa.

What do you mean we are going to do a documentary?’” Madden said. “I was like, ‘First of all, who is going to direct it?’ figuring they caught some A-list director by the ear, and they said, ‘Well, you are.’”

Madden and the board were then tasked with deciding what the documentary was going to be about.

“I like the organization and I want to make a good pride celebration, but just documenting that we’ve done it in the past didn’t feel good to me at all,” Madden said.

“But in the middle of this conversation, as I was starting, it must have been the sour

President and founder of DTLA Proud Oliver Alpuche will be one of the panelists for the “I Choose You” event Feb. 13.

Special to LA Downtown News

In lieu of its annual festival, DTLA Proud is creating a documentary focused on the queer community during the pandemic.

Special to LA Downtown News

look on my face. One of the board members Andres (Rigal) said, ‘You know, this moment is a moment in time and the queer community is hurting big time. We need to seize this moment and make a time capsule, because generations in the future are going to look to us and say, ‘How the hell did you get through it?’”

And so, the theme of the documentary was set.

The feature-length documentary is slated to be completed and released during the summer.

The panel will also include director of photography Pony Gold, DTLA Proud president and founder Oliver Alpuche, DTLA Proud Creative Director/Board of Directors Rigal and community advocate Chandi Moore.

“We are going to play (a sneak peek of the documentary) and then have Scottie-Jeanette and Pony Gold and some other (people involved in the film) discuss the process of making it, what they would like the film to do and why they participated in it,” Caasi said. “Around that, there will be performanc-

es just to keep the vibe interesting and entertaining, too.”

Viewers will enjoy musical performances DJ Rubella Spreads, drag queen Meatball, drag king Johnny Gentleman, film composer Josh Bartley and singer Drew Arriola.

DTLA Proud is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that strengthens and empowers the local LGBTQ+ and ally community in Downtown Los Angeles through visibility, volunteerism, partnerships and events. Founded by a grassroots group of local residents, business owners, community leaders and nightlife promoters, DTLA Proud was born form the idea that together it could create an all-inclusive community that represents the diverse LGBTQ+ population that lives, works and plays in the thriving heart of the city.

To learn more about DTLA Proud and the upcoming virtual event or to donate, go to dtlaproud.org.

—Staff reporter Annika Tomlin can be reached at atomlin@timespublications.com.

“I Choose You” 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 Princess Party’s Twitch Channel, twitch.tv/princess4evr

10 DOWNTOWN NEWS

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

FEBRUARY 08, 2021

Pentatonix has toured throughout the world, but with the pandemic, the group does not have the ability to perform. A virtual show isn’t in the books, but the singers are always discussing possibilities of how they can connect with the fans.

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Photo by Jabari Jacobs

Covered California will help ARTS AND CULTURE

Pentatonix is ecstatic about its forthcoming album

By Olivia Dow entatonix beatboxer and cellist Kevin Olusola said the collective’s forthcoming album, “The Lucky Ones,” showcases the singers’ musical and personal growth.

“There’s been so much growth that each one of us has gone through personally and in our artistic works,” Olusola said.

“We’ve all done so many different things and experimented with a lot of things. Now, finally coming together to write this original album, it feels elevated. It feels like we have more to say and we’re confident about saying it.”

The multiplatinum a cappella group last released an album of original material five years ago. Olusola said he hopes listeners hear the progress the group has made on the 11-track “The Lucky Ones,” which drops Feb. 12.

“I think for us, this album is very much coming of age with maturity and growth and progress,” he said. “So, that’s what I hope they hear from us in this album. We feel

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more mature sonically to where we’re going. It feels more elevated. I hope we just see growth.”

This growth was achieved with the help of the producers like Ben Bram, Dan Book, Johan Carlsson, Martin Sjølie, Matthew Koma, Ojivolta and Sean Myer.

“I think it’s been so exciting to work with people who have industry experience,” Olusola said. “However, they’re open-minded enough to work with a very left-field pop group who doesn’t use instruments. They helped us push boundaries. I really loved working with people who are different from us but helped us achieve something that we haven’t achieved before.”

Olusola said Pentatonix’s producers and songwriters helped challenge the singers by encouraging them to try new effects on their voices, and to create music that’s a diversion from their “down the middle” a cappella sound. Its team helped Pentatonix gain “a lot of clarity” about elevating its sound, Olusola said.

“For example, if you hear, ‘The Lucky Ones,’ you’ll hear some effects on our voices that makes it more reverberant and in a way that we have never done before,” Olusola said.

“That’s something that we’ve always wanted to try, and it felt like these producers made us feel comfortable in trying those different effects.”

Earlier this year, Pentatonix released its “At Home” EP, which features six tracks and original music videos for its medley “Home,” along with new arrangements of “Blinding Lights” (The Weeknd), “When the Party’s Over” (Billie Eilish), “Break My Heart” (Dua Lipa) and “Dreams” (The Cranberries).

Shortly after releasing its “At Home” EP, the group debuted its arrangement and video for Tears for Fears’ “Mad World.” In addition, Pentatonix released its first original singles in over five years for “Happy Now” and “Be My Eyes,” along with official videos for both tracks.

“The Lucky Ones” features these tracks, along with more original songs. One of Olusola’s favorite tracks is the upbeat “A Little Space,” which features catchy harmonies.

“That one came so naturally,” Olusola said. “I think it really showcases what we do so well as an a cappella group. That one, I feel, represents us extremely well to a main-

stream audience.”

Pentatonix has toured throughout the world, but with the pandemic, the group does not have the ability to perform. A virtual show isn’t in the books, but the singers are “always discussing possibilities of how we can connect with the fans,” he said.

When it’s safe to perform again, though, Pentatonix is looking forward to the challenge of singing with increased production.

“Because we added more vocal production to some of them, I think it may be a challenge figuring out which parts to strip back so that when we perform it, it still feels like the song you know,” Olusola said.

Still, Olusola said, the group is looking forward to finally releasing the new music on Feb. 12. The songs were written before the pandemic, but the album was finished during the lockdown.

“It’s been so long since we’ve written all this material,” Olusola said.

“I can’t tell you how ecstatic I am to finally have it come out. We’ve done all the work and we’ve thought through every single meticulous detail. Finally, we get to birth this beautiful piece of work into the ethos. I think that’s the thing that excites us so much — all the hard work finally culminates into this one big moment.”

Pentatonix ptxofficial.com youtube.com/Ptxofficial facebook.com/Pentatonix twitter.com/PTXofficial instagram.com/ptxofficial

FEBRUARY 08, 2021

Jazz singer Serafia and singer-guitarist Dan Kattan formed Sidewalk Singers to fill the COVID-19 pandemic-caused musical void.

Photo by Andreas Branch Photography

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Covered California will help ARTS AND CULTURE

Duo sing their way through the pandemic

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski t the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, jazz singer Serafia and long-term boyfriend Dan Kattan found their gigs canceled.

They got resourceful and founded Sidewalk Singers, a socially distanced form of singing telegrams.

“We didn’t see a future in sight,” said Serafia, who lives in the Noho Arts District. “It just popped into our mind one day to revive the old art of singing telegrams. It’s socially distanced, naturally. We had to come up with a name that’s socially distanced. It just fell together, honestly.”

Performing all around the Los Angeles area and beyond to Long Beach and Oxnard, Sidewalk Singers kicked off their project by promoting through word of mouth. It spread like wildfire.

“People bought into it really quickly,” she said. “People have told us that it was great because it’s a great way to celebrate a birthday or anniversary.”

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DOWNTOWN NEWS 11

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Some of Sidewalk Singers’ best gigs were in Downtown LA, Pasadena and Beverly Hills, according Serafia.

“We’ve been performing a lot in Downtown LA,” she said. “We did a proposal in Downtown LA. “We were very busy this Christmas. We performed for Jane Fonda and her group. She lives in this cute little community close to Beverly Hills. She was dancing and brought her dogs out. We sang ‘9 to 5.’”

A portion of Sidewalk Singers’ telegrams benefit the revival of the Noho Arts District.

“Our community has more recording studios and theaters than any other place west of the Mississippi. They’re all super historic,” she said.

“We also saw all the lines at the LA Food Bank. We thought there was an immediate need. We’re giving a portion of our money to those two charities. To date, it’s about $6,200.”

Recently, Sidewalk Singers expanded to Austin, where she and Kattan spent a majority of their adult life. She lived in Monterrey for 16 years and Austin for 16 years. Plans are to carry Sidewalk Singers to Arizona as well.

“We want to continue our mission to be community based,” she said. “We want to choose our charities in other states. We just want to pick charities we really believe in and continue this until the wheels fall off. We’d like to get other musicians involved, too, and revive the lost art of singing telegrams.”

The duo is making a big push for Valentine’s Day, and they will be featured on the Hollywood Broadway website for the holiday. They have several love songs on their list, which is extensive.

“If someone wanted to request a specific song that’s not on our list, they can request it 72 hours in advance,” she said. “We’ll learn a specific song.

“The other day we did a 50th wedding anniversary. The husband was a Vietnam War veteran. We did ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’ by John Denver and surprised them with that.

Their daughter purchased the singing telegram. We’ll learn your special song if it’s super important. We have a lot of telegrams like that. It will make you cry. It’s really emotional for us, too. I have to wear sunglasses sometimes.”

An award-winning singer, Serafia has performed around the United States, including the national anthem twice for the Dodgers, and other professional sports teams. Kattan is a singer-guitarist, who has released a handful of albums. The duo had their first tour to Chicago planned in March 2020.

“We’re very driven and very creative,” she said. “We’re thinking of new ways to do music, and this stumbled into our lives. I don’t promote my own music anymore. I’m really, really focused on Sidewalk Singers.”

—Executive Editor Christina Fuoco-Karasinski can be reached at christina@timespublications.com

Sidewalk Singers Website: sidewalksingers.com Instagram: @sidewalksingers

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FEBRUARY 08, 2021