Los Angeles Downtown News 09-14-20

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September 14, 2020 I VOL. 49 I #37

Hall of Fame Downtown’s Dante Chambers set to be honored

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Covered California will help ARTS & CULTURE

Downtown’s Dante Chambers set to be honored

By Kamala Kirk azz singer Dante Chambers has used his improvisation skills many times throughout his life, whether he’s performing music, digging out of the trenches of homelessness or helping his peers.

He chalks his skills up to jazz vocalist Barbara Morrison.

“Barbara always compared it to jazz,” he recalled. “You have to learn to improvise.

Once you know what needs to be done, you have to learn how to take the information you have, improvise it and play it through— and still get the job done.”

Chambers and Morrison will perform as part of the third annual California Jazz & Blues Museum’s hall of fame induction ceremony at 8 p.m. Sunday, September 20. The show is a fundraiser for the 21,000-squarefoot facility, the California Jazz & Blues Museum and Performing Arts Complex, which will be located at 4299 Leimert Boulevard at 43rd Street in Leimert Park.

During the virtual celebration, the two will be backed by guitarist Charles Small, bassist Michael Saucier, drummer Peter Buck and guitarist Bernie Pearl.

Morrison also will introduce a new song written by herself and Saucier called “Put Your Mask On.” The LA Swing Dance Posse will also perform. The show is directed and choreographed by Chester Whitmore.

Chambers will be inducted into the hall of fame with the likes of Howard Banchik of the Harmony Project; Motown trombonist George Bohanon; Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.; Marla Gibbs; actress Gloria Hendry; Freda Payne (“Band of Gold”); Motown A&R director William “Mickey” Stevenson; Blinky Williams (“Tain’t Nobody’s Biz-ness If I Do”);

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and pianist Phil Wright.

“I like the company that I’m in,” Chambers said.

“It’s just a real honor, but the honor is to be standing on the shoulders of those who have come before us and representing the music.”

Chambers has performed on the LA jazz circuit for about 20 years. Recently, he starred as Billy Eckstine in the jazz musical “1940s at Club Sweet Lorraine’s.”

When Chambers moved to LA from the Milwaukee area, he wanted to dance, but fate had other plans.

“I went to talent shows all over the city.

At one event, I went out to dance, but there were so many people out there, my legs just froze and I couldn’t move, so I just started to sing instead,” Chambers said.

“The audience cheered, and I’ve been singing ever since.”

He provided his smooth sounds to the “Reignite the Dream” series hosted by Denny’s; performed at the 2000 Democratic National Convention; and lent his vocals to the Duke Ellington Centennial Concert and the KLON Jazz Caravan.

Chambers worked with and been inspired by some of the great names in jazz. They include Billy Higgins, Horace Tapscott, Rose Gales and Barry Harris. In 2001 he was recognized for his efforts with a special award from Morrison and the Young Educated Singers.

But the Downtown LA resident fell homeless. Chambers has since worked with the LA Poverty Department and its Skid Row Artists, and for Project 180, the Los Angeles County provider of intensive treatment for federal probationers with mental health or

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Jazz singer Dante Chambers will perform as part of the third annual California Jazz & Blues Museum’s hall of fame induction ceremony at 8 p.m. Sunday, September 20.

Photo by Luis Chavez

co-occurring disorders.

“I’ve been there for about 10 years, working with the homeless,” said Chambers, who met Morrison through her YES (Young Educated Singers) program. “When I started, I was one of the homeless people.”

He also works with Project 180, which turns lives around through innovative, wraparound services to keep people out of jails and prisons.

“They were the first ones that gave me an opportunity to learn something other than singing and music,” he said. “They started teaching me how to deal with people, how to deal with myself. They created an envi-

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski STAFF WRITERS: Nick Barker, William Bergholz, Sarah Donahue, Elsa Hortareas, Annika Tomlin CONTRIBUTING WRITER: Kamala Kirk ART DIRECTORS: Arman Olivares, Stephanie Torres STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: Luis Chavez ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb FOUNDER EMERITUS: Sue Laris

ronment where, if you made a mistake, they figured out how to keep it from happening again. It’s a family environment, a loving environment, to help the less fortunate.”

Chambers’ mother was a Black Muslim who had a third-grade education, he said.

However, she found success with her six to seven businesses that included two restaurants, a thrift store and two homes.

“She had a third-grade education, and she learned how to do all that,” he said. “She was an entrepreneur, a free spirit.

“But when she passed away, I couldn’t go home to the funeral, because I didn’t want to go. When I was able to go back, I went to

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the gravesite and I apologized to my mother for not being there. I wasn’t right. I know she wanted me right.”

He’s continuing the fight for himself and others. A Kenosha, Wisconsin, native, he recalled the conflict with the police that continues.

“We’d have regular house parties, and the cops would come in with the dogs and sic dogs on us,” Chambers said. “We were kids.

When I look at the unrest in Kenosha, it’s all overdue. At a certain point, you just get tired. We have to keep the fight going.”

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Morrison has watched Chambers through all of it.

“I know all the people who have paid their dues,” she said. “Dante’s one of them.

He’s tenacious, a hard worker and he helps other people. That’s the one thing I adore about him. When he gets out there, he works hard. He has a very big heart. He has a wonderful heart. I’m a double amputee.

Sometimes he comes by around noon with something really healthy. He’ll bring me a lunch out of the clear blue sky. He’s very caring.”

The California Jazz & Blues Museum Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Concert Fundraiser 8 p.m. Sunday, September 20 $20 suggested donation facebook.com/barbaramorrisonpac paypal.com/paypalme/BarbaraMorrison

Dante Chambers has performed on the LA jazz circuit for about 20 years.

Photo by Luis Chavez

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New condo development slated for Koreatown

By Kamala Kirk diverse cultural hub that encompasses roughly 3 square miles in the heart of Los Angeles, Koreatown is home to a dense assortment of historic and contemporary buildings. Over the years, it has continued to rapidly evolve as a result of development activity that brings more housing and parking to the neighborhood.

In early 2019, construction began on Simon Place, Koreatown’s newest condo development by Inland Builders.

After interviewing dozens of builders in town, South Korea-based parent company Sirius Corporation awarded the $32 million construction contract to Inland Builders. Located on the corner of Oxford Avenue and West Fifth Street, the 10-story, 89-unit condominium building will replace a long vacant lot.

It will feature eight stories of above-ground living space and two levels of underground parking, offering a total of 216 parking spots, which includes 14 electric vehicle-charging stations.

“If you have ever been to Koreatown, then you are well aware of the major lack of parking,” said Ivano Stamegna, CEO of Inland Builders and general contractor for the project.

“This new community seeks to relieve some of that pressure by providing two levels of subterranean parking for its residents. We are actively welcoming opportunities to help other landowners in LA with similar projects.”

All residential units will have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and the top-floor pent-

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house units will include loft areas as well. Each condo will also feature wood flooring, gas ranges, tile bathrooms and high-end fixtures throughout.

“As far as COVID-friendly features go, we are still in the process of incorporating that into the design,” Stamegna said. “Of course, the common areas will feature hand sanitizing stations. There will be a number of modern design features, both structurally and aesthetically. The lobby will have high ceilings with glossy finished concrete walls. The rest of the common areas will follow suit with a modern look and feel.”

The property will offer a wide range of luxurious amenities that will be exclusively available to Simon Place residents. In addition to a fitness center, pool and spa, there will also be a golf practice zone, dog run and dog washing station, and recreation room with a theater. The building will have a secure entry and key fob system, in addition to a leasing office and package concierge. It is located a short walking distance from California Market and a plethora of restaurants along Western Avenue.

“While Koreatown is a well-established neighborhood of LA, it is arguably still very up and coming,” Stamegna said. “It is one of the few places in LA where you can see height density and high walkability, yet there is still a surmounting need for revitalization. Most structures in this area are coming to the end of their life cycle and have yet to be updated to meet the needs of the current population. We are currently creating jobs in all of

In early 2019, construction began on Simon Place, Koreatown’s newest condo development by Inland Builders.

Photo courtesy of Inland Builders

Located on the corner of Oxford Avenue and West Fifth Street, the 10-story, 89-unit condominium building will feature eight stories of above-ground living space and two levels of underground parking, offering a total of 216 parking spots, which includes 14 electric vehicle-charging stations.

Image ccourtesy of Architect, John Freidman

the construction trades. With the new norm of working from home, we hope that future residents will enjoying calling their homes ‘the office’ as well.”

Simon Place is scheduled to open July 4, 2021. Units are available for purchase, and for more information, contact Arnold Bang at 213-480-7000 or visit inlandbuild.com.

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Ramirez named LAUSD interim police chief

By Sarah Donahue eslie Ramirez was appointed Los Angeles Unified School District’s interim police chief. Despite the impact of the budget cuts and public scrutiny, Ramirez said she feels optimistic that she can create a positive outcome.

“It felt great that they had the confidence in me at this time, but you know, it is a challenging time,” Ramirez said in an interview with LA Downtown News. “There are mixed feelings, but I am still very honored to have been selected.”

In late June, LA’s Board of Education bowed to pressure from protesters and voted to cut $25 million from the school’s police department budget and invest in counselors, safety aides and psychiatric social workers, prioritizing underprivileged schools with the highest population of Black students.

School police will be taken off campus and out of uniform until the superintendent task force comes back with its recommendations, the adopted measure states.

What exactly this will look like is uncertain, Ramirez said.

“The work is ahead,” she said. “Obviously there were some changes to our budget, which, you know, are no secret to anyone, and also some calls for how we operate overall as a department.”

Protesters’ demands for police divestment have spread to more specific areas of public safety, like LAUSD’s police department, where many say they contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline and criminalize students for minor offenses.

Black students have been targeted by school police at disproportionate rates, Black Lives Matter LA claimed during protests. Despite Black students only making up less than 9% of LAUSD’s population, they account for 25% of arrests, diversions and citations, according to a 2018 analysis from UCLA’s Million Dollar Hoods project.

Ramirez acknowledges this is an issue that needs to be confronted and said the school’s police are looking at ways to address that. She said there are increased restorative justice practices and the department is looking at other ways to offer better levels of prevention before arresting students.

Ramirez replaced now-former Chief Todd Chamberlain, who resigned almost immediately after the new changes were adopted by the school board. He warned in the school board Zoom meeting that if the

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changes were adopted, only “bare minimum service” could be offered.

Two days after the changes were adopted, LAUSD announced that Ramirez would be the school’s police interim chief, without acknowledging Chamberlain’s resignation.

Ramirez said she worked with Chamberlain for only a brief period of time but respects his decisions on why he resigned.

“I know that (Chamberlain) came with the best intentions to move this department forward into a 21st century policing agency, and unfortunately, due to the circumstances, that did not happen,” she said. “Unfortunately, we’re just in a different time right now and we’re moving in a different direc-

tion.”

Their “operational posture” is different, Ramirez said, and she feels she will be able to lead the police despite the changes and public scrutiny. Her understanding of the schools as an alumnus and graduate as well as her 22 years of experience of policing LAUSD schools is her greatest strength, she said, and that experience will help her lead the school’s police through the changes effectively.

“Without a doubt, a cut of this magnitude will affect our operation, and some of it may be unfortunate, but I am optimistic that we are going to look at the circumstances and try to bring out the best possible outcome,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez grew up in Westside LA, starting her education at Shenandoah Elementary School and graduating from Hamilton High School. After college and a few travel years, Ramirez said she learned about school police and their mission and decided it would be the career path for her.

“I can’t say during my formative years that I said I wanted to be a police officer, but that definitely sparked once I was introduced to school police and learned more about what

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

they do,” Ramirez said.

School policing is a team effort, Ramirez said, explaining how creating good relationships with students, staff, parent groups and the extended community is key to preventing a lot of things from happening before they occur. Knowing the climate of what’s going on in and out of school allows police to have more preventative measures in place, she said.

“We need to look at how we can help families and help students through traumatic events and through incidents that occur,” Ramirez said. “That’s where our focus is.”

Despite students not being on campus, Ramirez said the school’s police department will continue being part of a “grab-andgo” food distribution service as well as patrolling their schools 24/7 to prevent crimes like vandalism and breaking and entering.

Ramirez said she is confident that schools will go back to a normal posture soon and they want to be in a good position for when that point comes.

“We’re still here,” Ramirez said. “We’re still going to be focused on student safety. We just have to find a new way to make that happen now.”

Leslie Ramirez brings 22 years of experience policing LAUSD schools as she becomes the new interim police chief.

Submitted photo

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

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Covered California will help BUSINESS

Cobra Lily brings peace and joy to customers

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski ake Kale was working in music and TV production when he stepped back to reassess his life. He thought about what brings him the most happiness.

The answer was easy: flowers.

In 2018, Kale founded Cobra Lily, which merges his background in fine arts, music video production and his love of flowers. The name is inspired by the carnivorous pitcher plant Darlingtonia californica, as well as his love for the alluring and feared snake.

His work has garnered the attention of Vogue and Essence magazines, and Kale has served influential clients across Southern California. Based in Koreatown, Kale doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar store but spends plenty of time at the flower market Downtown.

“What sets me apart is my ability to communicate with the florals, the arrangements that I’m making,” said Kale, who recently relaunched his website. “I put a lot of intention into everything I do to create really unique,

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really breathtaking pieces that speak for themselves.

“Everything I make has a different mood, and I like to present things in the form of flowers that most people aren’t used to seeing.”

Kale has found success blending florals with editorial work. He enjoys the look of flowers applied to a model’s body.

“Creating a story with flowers doesn’t necessarily mean they’re in a vase,” he said.

Flowers started as a hobby for Kale. A few years ago, he made “big changes” in his life and stopped the careers he had been in before, which were music and TV production and publicity.

Three and a half years ago, he became sober.

“That was a huge moment for me to reevaluate everything that had been going on in my life,” Kale said. “By changing one big thing about myself, all these other things fell in line. I could embrace being my best self that also involved embracing what things

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Jake Kale at Cobra Lily said it’s amazing how flowers can change somebody’s disposition so much.

Photo courtesy Jake Kale

make me the happiest.”

Lately, he has been collaborating with other area businesses. The pandemic gave him the opportunity to sit down and formalize what he wanted to do with his business.

Among his collaborators are the T-shirt company Lockwood 51 and Candle Delirium, with whom he’ll create candles.

“Primarily, I’m trying to build my business and get my name out there,” he said. “Cobra Lily is a brand name synonymous in LA with very far-out, adventurous, colorful florals.

People can expect to see something really beautiful and wild when they order.

“I have to push myself. Like any artist, a lot of the times I create something and I say to myself, ‘Man, this wasn’t it,’ I may not find it striking, but the next person likes it.”

His relatively new career brings him joy.

He enjoys delivering flowers and putting them in the hands of smiling recipients.

“These natural beauties from the earth can change somebody’s disposition so much,” he said. “It’s a really special feeling.”

Cobra Lily 818-730-1308 jake@cobralilyflowers.com cobralilyflowers.com

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Covered help LETTERSCalifornia TO THE will EDITOR

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

KIRK’S OPINION

Advocate for immigrants Editor: What comes to mind when you see a street vendor on the corner of the street? Do you ignore them? Just act like they don’t exist when they approach you? Do you ever take a moment just to realize how far most of these street vendors have come and what they have been through just to survive? Most street vendors are immigrants from Central America who come to the states because it is their only option, but who cares?

In the United States, immigrants have been blamed for being a significant threat to American citizens’ safety. Immigrants have been the backbone of this country, but that has been seen through the lens of immigrants limited to being field workers, street vendors, janitors or any low-income job that deals with harsh labor. They are not seen in higher positions such as CEOs or being a part of the 1%. They are viewed down upon within this country. Still, as a society, we never bring enough awareness to the harsh reality of why immigrants, specifically from Central America, come to the United States.

Many would say the “American dream,” better opportunities or even a better life, but the reality is this they come because most

don’t have any other option.

Immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras come to escape extreme global poverty, gang violence or natural disasters. There is an influx of immigrants making the life-threatening journey to the United States and Mexico border in seeking something unknown to them. Now, it needs to be brought to our attention the safety of immigrants making this journey and security to the United States border. Currently, bill H.R. 2615, United States-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, has been presented to the Senate. I’m urging California Sen. Dianne Feinstein to be a co-sponsor of this bill. It will bring representation to immigrants and American citizens to establish opportunities to give aid to Central Americas to improve living situations for Salvadorians, Guatemalans and Hondurans to thrive in their countries. It will decrease problems that deal with the United States’ border security but also lower the number of immigrants making life-threatening journeys to America. Please advocate for immigrants by calling and emailing Congress to mobilize action for progression!

Sebastian Chavez

Hey you! Speak up!

Downtown News wants to hear from people in the community. If you like or dislike a story, let us know, or weigh in on something you feel is important to the community.

Participation is easy. Go to downtownnews.com, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the “Letter to the Editor” link. For guest opinion proposals, please email christina@timespublications.com.

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Covered California will help OPINION

The Summer of 1970

By Councilman Gilbert Cedillo ne Saturday morning 50 years ago, I finished my household chores early and slipped out of the house to meet some friends. We were going to the Chicano Moratorium Against the Vietnam War. I was 16 years old, and this would be my first protest march. As it turned out, those were my first steps in a long march toward a more just world.

I played quarterback on Roosevelt High’s Rough Riders, which, at the time, was my main goal in life. That day I marched with Mario Chacon and some other friends my parents called greñudos—longhairs. An estimated 30,000 marchers made the Moratorium the largest political protest in Los Angeles history.

The Moratorium was a turning point for legions of young community activists.

Marchers included political leaders Esteban

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Torres and Gloria Molina, attorneys Antonia Hernandez and Samuel Paz, photographer Luis Garza and educator Maria Elena Yepes.

My greñudo friend, Mario, and I were roommates later at UCLA. He became an academic leader and recognized muralist in San Diego. I fought on in the labor movement and political arena.

The Moratorium, however, ended in mayhem. Sheriff Peter Pitchess’ deputies declared the speakers and music in Laguna Park an unlawful assembly and attacked families with tear gas and 3-foot riot clubs. I remember the mood turning from pride and festivity to hysteria in an instant, and thousands of unarmed demonstrators trying to get out of harm’s way.

I was an athlete, and it wasn’t hard for me to hop fences. I found shelter in a house nearby packed with frantic participants from the Crusade for Justice, the leading Chicano

rights organization in Denver. When things settled down, I began working my way home. I was walking up Whittier Boulevard when my father’s booming voice rang out: “Get in the car!” We argued all the way home.

He grounded me.

Three people died in the Moratorium’s violent aftermath, but Ruben Salazar’s death has become almost synonymous with August 29. Salazar was news director for KMEX Channel 34, the country’s preeminent Spanish-language TV station, and was leading a

camera crew covering the march.

Salazar also wrote a weekly column on Mexican American life for the LA Times, where he had been a reporter and foreign correspondent. My sociology teacher used his best-known column—“What Is a Chicano?”—to spark class discussion.

That fall I began my junior year at Roosevelt. I still made the football team, but politics was now personal. I moved from individualism and assimilation to being part of a community. This new Chicano identity was bigger than me. It was a movement, and I made a commitment to fight for social justice that I have kept ever since.

Those sharp and vivid memories have inspired me every day for 50 years. I can see the progress Latinos have made in every walk of life, but I also see inequality by so many yardsticks. Our communities suffer the highest COVID infection rate and the highest incarceration rate. And 7,000 immigrant children who were torn from their parents’ arms are still in detention.

A new generation is marching against many of the injustices we protested. This will be a defining moment for countless 16-yearolds. Today’s dreamers and protesters are tomorrow’s political, civic and cultural leaders.

They are the seeds we planted and helped to blossom. This is Chicano Power.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

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LA County DA candidates share views on Zoom meeting

By Sarah Donahue A County district attorney candidates, incumbent Jackie Lacey and former San Francisco DA George Gascón, were asked what they admired about each other during a Zoom meeting hosted by All Saints Church in Pasadena.

The compliments didn’t last long.

Lacey challenged Gascón, who campaigns as a more progressive candidate, on the authenticity of his stances during the hour-long meeting. Both offered their views on overincarceration, the death penalty, police brutality and accountability, and defunding the police.

Lacey took the DA’s office in 2012, becoming the first Black person to hold the position. She just missed the majority of votes needed to avoid a runoff in the March 3 primary earlier this year.

Gascón was the first Latino to hold the district attorney’s office in San Francisco and the nation’s first police chief to become a district attorney.

This discussion took place during a time of high tensions in Los Angeles, where Lacey has been under fire by Black Lives Matter and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) for not holding the police accountable for deaths against Black Angelenos as well as disproportionately enforcing the death penalty on people of color.

“From 2012 to the present, there have been 28 people sentenced to death row in LA County, the second highest in our nation, and all of them have been people of color,” said Deputy Public Defender Elizabeth Lashley-Haynes in a question to the candidates. She asked if they would continue to pursue the death penalty despite the racial disparities and “obvious historic path from slavery, to lynching, to the modern-day death penalty.”

In March 2019, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order imposing a moratorium on the death penalty in California, saying that capital punishment is unjust. The ACLU states that Lacey has continued to seek the death penalty despite this, calling Los Angeles “the nation’s leader in generating death sentences.”

The death penalty is an important and passionate issue in the state, Lacey said, adding that it should be something that voters decide.

“These numbers and the way the death

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penalty is imposed throughout the country are troubling to me personally as an African American,” Lacey said.

In her response, she said she only seeks the death penalty in the “worst of the worst” cases. Lacey then mentioned the 2013 case of Gabriel Fernandez, where the 8-year-old’s mother and mother’s boyfriend severely abused and tortured the child until he died.

“Those are the types of cases that we seek it, and only those types of cases,” she said.

Gascón answered, “I believe that the death penalty is immoral. The death penalty does not work; it doesn’t take care of crime.”

Gascón said he has made it publicly known that he will not seek the death penalty and will make sure that those facing pending death penalty cases will be removed from that track.

“We know that the death penalty is irreversible,” he said. “If there’s a mistake, if there’s a wrongful conviction, if someone was executed, we cannot bring them back to life.”

Lacey was quick to respond, claiming that his answer is different now than it was in the past. “When he first got appointed as DA, he was in favor of the death penalty,” she said, mentioning his stance from nearly a decade ago. Gascón responded by saying he is committed to not use the death penalty.

Newsom appointed Gascón to be San Francisco’s police chief in 2009 and district attorney in 2011. Gascón, while formally a Republican, has recently been endorsed

by Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren and, most recently, Newsom.

In a statement from Newsom in late August announcing his support for Gascón, he said, “(Gascón) famously reduced crime while reducing incarceration, and he burnished a national reputation as a leader in the fight to reform our dated system of justice.”

Lacey holds support from the Los Angeles Police Protective League as well as the Association for Los Angeles County Sheriffs, two labor unions that represent Los Angeles law enforcement members, a topic that ushered a hot discussion among the two candidates.

Some have questioned whether it’s eth-

Jackie Lacey took the DA’s office in 2012, becoming the first Black person to hold the position.

Submitted photo

ical for district attorneys to accept contributions from police unions, as they make the decisions on whether police officers are held accountable in misconduct incidents.

Civil rights activist Patricia Coulter grilled the candidates on this topic. She prefaced her question by stating that while Lacey has accepted contributions from police unions over the last eight years, hundreds of people have been killed by law enforcement and only one officer has been charged.

Coulter didn’t let Gascón off the hook either, stating that no police were charged for shooting Black and brown people while he accepted money from police unions as district attorney in San Francisco.

Gascón said he accepted a few checks from police unions in the past but added that when he ran in 2014, he didn’t accept any money and pledged not to ever again after he saw the conflict in interest.

After the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, three California district attorneys and Gascón wrote a letter to the State Bar, lobbying to prohibit district attorneys from accepting contributions from police unions, Gascón mentioned in his response.

Lacey defended her acceptance of these contributions from police unions, saying it’s a “fallacy” to believe that the money influences her decisions on whether or not she prosecutes law enforcement officers in misconduct cases.

“It’s about the facts of the case; it is not about accepting money,” she said. “I accept contributions from a lot of unions.”

Lacey said it’s difficult to prosecute police officers because oftentimes their actions are in-policy.

“We have, in fact, held officers accountable, but it’s the law,” she said. “If you look at the law, it says you can use deadly force if you feel your life or the life of someone else is in danger if you’re a law enforcement officer.”

Both were also asked how they feel about defunding the police.

A July poll from UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies found two-thirds of California voters support the Black Lives Matter movement, which advocates for defunding the police as well as holding police accountable for wrongful deaths.

Lacey stated that significant budget cuts to police could be harmful to public safety and that their department is already redistributing funds. She thinks rather than voting on the matter, it should be studied to find the best solution.

Gascón said, “I believe that we need to reimagine the criminal justice system. I believe that we need to move away from the theories of overincarceration. We need to move away from overpolicing communities.”

The election is November 3.

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SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

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California zip codes turn up silver for residents Sealed Vault Bags full of state silver bars are actually being handed over to the first California residents who find their zip code listed in today’s publication and call before the 48 hour order deadline ends to claim the bags full of pure silver NATIONWIDE – Operators at the National Silver Hotline are struggling to keep up with all the calls.

T h at’s b e cau s e Si lver Vau lt Ba gs loaded w ith pure .999 State Silver Bars are now being handed over to everyone who beats the 2-day order deadline.

“That’s why California residents will be hoarding all the silver bars they can get their hands on for the next 2 days. This comes as no surprise after the standard State Minimum set by the Federated Mint dropped to the lowest ever for everyone who gets the Silver Vault Bags making them a real steal,” said Mary Ellen Withrow, the emeritus 40th Treasurer of the United States of America.

“As executive advisor to the private Federated Mint, I get paid to deliver breaking news. And here’s the best par t. This is great news for California residents because it’s the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint,” said Withrow.

The only thing residents need to do is find the first three dig its of their zip code on the Distribution List printed in today’s publication. If their zip code is on the list, they just need to call the National Silver Hotline before the 2-day order deadline ends.

And here’s the good news.

Residents who do are get- ■ CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS CASH IN: Calls are pouring in from state residents who are trying to get their hands on the Jumbo ting the lowest ever State Silver Ballistic Bags pictured above before the deadline ends. That’s because residents who find their zip code printed in today’s Minimum set by the Feder- publication are cashing in on the lowest ever State Minimum price set for the next 2 days by the Federated Mint. ated Mint of just $290 for each California Silver Vault Who gets the Silver Vault Bags: Listed below are the U.S. zip codes that get the Silver Vault Bags.

Bag which is just $29 per bar as long as they call the If you find the first three digits of your zip code call: 1-800-280-2754 EXT. FMM4357 National Silver Hotline at; 1-800-280-2754 EXT. FMM4357 before the deadline ends.

900 907 915 922 930 937 944 951 958 Phone lines open at pre901 908 916 923 931 938 945 952 959 cisely 8:30 A.M. this morn902 910 917 924 932 939 946 953 960 ing and are expected to be f looded by California resi903 911 918 925 933 940 947 954 961 dents looking to cash in on 904 912 919 926 934 941 948 955 the lowest ever State Min905 913 920 927 935 942 949 956 imum set by the Federat906 914 921 928 936 943 950 957 ed Mint to date. That’s why (Continued on next page)

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

(Continued from previous page)

a rea residents who f ind their zip code on the distribution list today are being urged to call.

Since this special advertising announcement can’t stop anyone from buying up all the new 2020 Edition California State Silver Bars they can get their hands on, the Federated Mint has not set a limit of how many Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags residents can get – these are the bags pictured above that contain 10 individual Silver Vault Bags each. Everyone who gets these will be glad they did.

“Residents who want to cash in on the lowest ever State Minimum set by the pr ivat e Federat ed M i nt better hurr y. That’s be cause after the deadline ends, the State Minimum for these pristine half ounce California State Silver Bars set by the Federated Mint will go up to $50 per bar no matter how many bars people get,” Withrow said.

“We’re bracing for all the calls and we’re doing the best we can, but with just hours left before the deadline ends, residents who find the first three digits of their zip code listed in today’s publication need to call the National Silver Hotline,” Withrow said. ■

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If you find your zip code on the distribution list printed in

today’s publication read below then call: 1-800-280-2754 EXT. FMM4357

I keep calling and can’t get through: Keep trying. Right now everyone’s looking to cash in on the lowest State Minimum ever set by the Federated Mint. In fact, we won’t be surprised if thousands of residents order up as many Silver Vault Bags as they can get their hands on before the deadline ends. That’s because the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint has been slashed to the lowest ever at just $29 for each silver half ounce bar for the next 2 days for everyone who gets the vault bags. And since each Silver Vault Bag contains 10 pristine State Silver Bars for just $290 we’re guessing state residents will be claiming two or more bags while they’re up for grabs. But all those who really want to cash in are taking the Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags containing 100 State Silver Bars before the deadline ends and the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint goes up to $500 per Vault Bag. In fact the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint is reduced even further for those getting the Jumbo Bags so just be sure to ask the National Silver Hotline operator for your discount. So if lines are busy keep trying.

How much are the Silver Vault Bags worth: It’s hard to tell how much these Silver Vault Bags could be worth since they are in pristine condition, but those who get in on this now will be glad they did. That’s because the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint goes up to $500 per bag after the deadline ends. So you better believe that at just $290 the Silver Vault bags are a real steal for everyone who beats the deadline.

Can I buy one State Silver Bar: Yes. But, the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint of just $29 per bar applies only to residents who purchase a Silver Vault Bag(s). That means only those residents who order a Silver Vault Bag(s) or a Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bag get the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint. All single bar purchases, orders placed after the 2-day deadline and all non-state residents must pay the $50 per silver half ounce bar.

Why is the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint so low now: Thousands of U.S. residents stand to miss the deadline to get the silver at the lowest ever State Minimum set by the private Federated Mint. Now all residents who find the first three digits of their zip code on the Distribution List above are getting the Silver Vault Bags for themselves and all the solid .999 pure State Silver Bars found inside. The price for each Silver Vault Bag after the deadline ends is set at $500 which is $50 per bar, but residents who beat the 2-day deadline only cover the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint of just $290 for each State Silver Vault Bag which is just $29 per bar as long as they call the National Silver Hotline before the deadline ends at: 1-800-280-2754 EXT. FMM4357. Hotlines open at 8:30 A.M. FRONT VIEW

BACK VIEW INDEPENDENCE: 1776 signifies the year America declared independence proclaiming inalienable rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

SIGNIFICANT: Numbered in the order of which the state ratified the Constitution and was admitted into the Union.

HISTORIC 13 STARS: Each star represents one of the original 13 Colonies arranged in a circle to symbolize the perpetuity of the union as depicted in the “Betsy Ross” flag.

■ SILVER HITS ROCK BOTTOM: It’s good news for state residents who get the Silver Vault Bags each loaded with 10 solid .999 pure Silver State Bars. That’s because residents are getting the lowest ever State Minimum set by the private Federated Mint as long as they call before the deadline ends.

LOWEST EVER: State Minimum set by the Federated Mint drops to the lowest ever for State Residents.

ONLY EXISTING: Silver bars struck with the double forged state proclamation.

VALUABLE: Solid .999 pure fine silver.

PHOTO ENLARGEMENT SHOWS ENGRAVING DETAIL OF SOLID HALF OUNCE STATE SILVER BARS

FEDERATED MINT, LLC IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, A BANK OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. IF FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM SHIPMENT YOU ARE DISSATISFIED, RETURN THE PRODUCT FOR A REFUND LESS SHIPPING AND RETURN POSTAGE. THIS SAME OFFER MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE AT A LATER DATE OR IN A DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES TAX. FEDERATED MINT P.O. BOX 1200, MASSILLON, OH 44648 ©2020 FEDERATED MINT P7260A-OF21722R-1

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SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

Covered DINING California will help

Avenue 26 Taco stand becomes brick and mortar

By Annika Tomlin fter 25 years as a food truck and stand, Avenue 26 Tacos has moved into a brick-and-mortar location in DTLA at 816 W. Eighth Street near Figueroa Street.

Owner Cesar Reyes is excited about the new location, but he’s focused on making it through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are just trying to survive here,” Reyes said. “It is really scary because I went to the food court over there in Target and there is like 10 businesses there and only two are open. The rest went bankrupt, so it’s like we are just trying to survive right now.”

The new location offers the same tacos that are served at its other stands and trucks—asada, buche, brisket, pork, chicken and tripe at $1.50 per taco.

“We added burritos and quesadillas,” Reyes said.

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Burritos come in tripa ($10.50-$11.50) or all meat ($13). Quesadillas are plain with rice and beans for $7, or with a choice of meat with rice and beans for $9.

Drinks—including Mexican Coke, apple juice, water and horchata—are $1.50 to $3.50.

Reyes is happy with the location’s “good area” but acknowledged it was a “bad time to open it.”

“We had no choice but to open,” Reyes said. “We had a lease and we needed to open. We really thank the people who have come. It’s few of them, but we are really thankful. They have been really supportive.”

Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, the restaurant has a small indoor seating area and a large kitchen filled with staff wearing gloves and masks. Outdoor seating is available.

Avenue 26 Tacos opened its first brick-and-mortar location after being in business for 25 years.

Photo courtesy Avenue 26 Tacos

The two other outdoor locations for Avenue 26 Tacos include 3141 Artesian Street, Lincoln Heights, open 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 5 p.m.

to 2:30 a.m. Friday to Saturday. The Eagle Rock location at 1033 Neola Street is open from 5 to 11 p.m. Monday to Sunday.

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Covered California will help ARTS & CULTURE

Former journalist pens his first novel, ‘City of Angles’

By Elsa Hortareas hen William Loving wrote his first novel, “City of Angles,” he wanted to focus on something meaningful to him: the importance of community and recovering from tragedy.

Due out September 15, “City of Angles” follows character Homer Virgil Innes after he loses his job as a journalist after the 2008 recession. The story parallels Loving’s life, as the recession claimed his job at the LA Times.

“I based his situation kind of on mine, but everything after (the beginning) is made up,” said Loving, a Pasadena resident.

In the book, Innes faces multiple tragedies, including a fire and the disappearance of his son, Caleb. His trek to find him takes him around Southern California, most notably to Los Angeles.

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Jobless and without hope, Innes finds himself homeless for a good portion of the book.

His search stalls when a mysterious art collector takes him in.

“The original idea for the novel actually came from seeing homeless people on the streets of Pasadena,” Loving said.

Loving was not expecting his book to hit the public during a pandemic. He spent a year writing it and three years trying to get it published. Heliotrope Books bought the book last December.

Loving has wanted to be a novelist since he was 18, following “an unusual path to a first novel.” He entered Kenyon College to study English but found his “true calling” in journalism.

After the LA Times, Loving landed a corporate gig. However, his original dream of being an author haunted him.

William Loving’s first novel, “City of Angles,” is due out September 15.

Submitted photo

Loving did not just write the book to fulfill his dream.

“I think the book really exists in several different levels,” Loving says. “For me the importance (of the book) is finding meaning in your

life by serving others.”

In the book, Innes does find a new focus after suffering loss, by helping others who are in a similar situation as him.

“He has to learn the lesson of other people helping him,” Loving said. “Community and friendship and mutual support with other people is the most important thing. There are plenty of examples in my life where, maybe, I was stubborn and egocentric and had to reach out to other people and consider the effect of my actions on other people.”

His love of novels and classic works shines through in the book. “City of Angles” is inspired

by Roman poet Virgil’s famous piece “The Aeneid,” with the main character searching for new meaning in life after tragic loss.

On page 81, he wrote, “He thought again of Orwell, who had said poverty ‘annihilates the future,’ focusing the mind on the present moment, the next meal, eliminating the ability to plan rationally for the future. He understood that now.”

“City of Angles” Heliotrope Books heliotropebooks.com

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Covered SPORTS California will help

Barlow Hospital Rebuild nearing completion

By Nicholas Barker ver a century ago, Barlow Sanatorium was built in Los Angeles. Fast forward to 2020, and Barlow Respiratory Hospital is nearing its goal of completing the next phase of its historic rebuild.

Located on Stadium Way, Barlow Respiratory Hospital has been supporting the community for years, and now it must rebuild to ensure that it is capable enough to support incoming patients.

Dodgers legend Ron Cey, who helped the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series, has been involved in the process of the rebuild for a couple of years now. Just last year, he won the Barlow Respiratory Hospital legacy award.

“I was always impressed with the building,” Cey said. “And then I realized it was a respiratory hospital. The involvement came much later, and it was really kind of neat. The personnel who work there have a really good thing going.”

When COVID-19 hit the United States, the country was faced with a lack of respirators and hospitals that are equipped with them.

Barlow Respiratory Hospital was one of the few in the country that was already accustomed to using them, so it quickly became a site to treat

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COVID-19 patients.

“It takes a lot of teamwork to run a hospital, and that is what is happening at Barlow,” Cey said. “You need individuals who are pulling on the same end of the rope, and these people are good at that, and patients that go in there to be treated will have excellent care.”

Cey was a member of one of the most successful infields in Major League. An infield loaded with talent needs teamwork to make a successful team, and Cey wishes the country would work more as a team to deal with this deadly pandemic.

“I wish the country was paying a little bit more attention to teamwork,” Cey said. “We can’t keep peeling this scab off and pretend that things are going to get better if people don’t do their fair share. Barlow is doing that, and hopefully they will have continued success and support for years to come.”

A virtual fundraiser is slated for 6:30 p.m.

Monday, September 21, to honor the hospital and people who have been involved in its rebuild. Featured members of the virtual evening include Cey, Dodgers legend Steve Garvey, Dodgers superfan Larry King and Dodgers legend play-by-play announced Vin Scully.

Barlow Respiratory Hospital sits just out-

Ron Cey, left, and Steve Garvey, right, are among the former Dodgers making appearances at Barlow 2020 Together Apart on Monday, September 21. (Also pictured are Bill Russell and Davey Lopes, who will not be at the event.)

Photo courtesy Dodger Blue

side Dodger Stadium, and when the rebuild is complete, Cey believes the hospital will receive even more recognition.

“Anytime a pandemic breaks out and you have a place like Barlow that is front and center doing the work that they do, then you’re going to be well respected,” Cey said. “I’m proud to be associated with it.”

There are many hurdles that need to be cleared before a hospital is renovated. The hospital needs to have the funds to go ahead with a big rebuild, and it needs to have support from the community. Barlow Respiratory Hospital checks both of those boxes, and Cey

believes the hospital will be well respected for time to come.

Aside from Barlow Respiratory Hospital, there is one hurdle that Cey is unsure will be completed, and that is his hometown Dodgers winning the World Series this year. With COVID-19, a shortened season and many rule changes in place this year, he thinks there are many teams that could spoil it for the Dodgers.

“They’ve been there before, and they’ve done exactly what is expected of them when it comes to regular season,” Cey said. “But it doesn’t necessarily end up the way they wanted to be in the postseason.”

Barlow 2020 Together Apart: A Virtual Evening to Support Barlow Respiratory Hospital 6:30 p.m. Monday, September 21 https://bit.ly/33icmKs

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