Los Angeles Downtown News 08-02-21

Top Honors

‘No Crumb Left Behind’

2 LA students take home

Black Restaurant Week launches

BAFTA awards

pandemic recovery campaign

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August 2, 2021 I VOL. 50 I #31

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“Be at Peace Before You Lease” offers a one-night stay in one of 606 community units, with complimentary parking and access to amenities to ease the stress of applicants and potential residents.

Photos by Kelsie Roche

Be DTLA offers trial period before renting

By LA Downtown News Staff he Souferian Group has unveiled the “Be at Peace Before You Lease” program at its 606-unit community.

Be DTLA will offer prospective new residents the chance to experience what it is like living at the community through a one night stay in a furnished unit, property tour, complimentary parking, access to all amenities and classes and exclusive offerings from local businesses. The program is valid for renters with submitted applications and approved credit for a limited time beginning Aug. 1.

“Our commitment to ‘be well’ at our Be communities includes having peace of mind,” said Behzad Souferian, founder and CEO of The Souferian Group. “Our hope is that by providing an opportunity to experience the community at Be DTLA before

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signing your lease will reduce the anxiety people can feel and make the entire process more enjoyable.”

To address the needs of current renters, Be DTLA will showcase its collection of updated social, wellness and lifestyle offerings and its highly cohesive design ethos for new residents.

Recently transformed through a multimillion-dollar renovation, the common spaces include a pool with private cabanas, two rooftop gardens, yoga studio and fitness center. The community also offers state of the art work-from-home, TikTok and podcast studios to create the ideal environment for creative professionals and home-based businesses.

As the first apartment building in Southern California to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating, showcasing evi-

Los Angeles Downtown News PO Box 1349 South Pasadena, CA 91031 213-481-1448

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dence-based best practices toward pro- food and beverage establishments and an moting wellness, Be DTLA demonstrates in-building full-service Starbucks Coffee. commitment. Be DTLA also offers a fresh Offering a variety of studios, one-, twoapproach to holistic health, with touchless and three-bedroom units ranging in size products and features in the common ar- from 489 to 1,385 square feet, Be DTLA eas and wellness programs that promote residential leasing prices start from $1,680 vitality in body, mind and spirit. per month.

Be DTLA residents and prospective new The community offers a dedicated conrenters can enjoy two expansive roof tops cierge staff with convenient no-contact with 360-degree views of Los Angeles, communication. Be DTLA is on the west apartments with functional floorplans, end of Downtown at 1120 W. Sixth Street, EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski multiple outdoor courtyards, a gym, yoga close to Los Angeles’s entertainment hub, STAFF WRITERS: Andrew Checchia, Andres De Ocampo, Julia Shapero studio and complimentary classes. comprised of L.A. Live, Staples Center, The CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Sara Edwards, Kamala Kirk DIRECTORS: Armanaccess Olivares,and Stephanie TorresTheater and a plethora of dining, ResidentsART receive insider Nokia STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: Chavez elite perks from a variety of Luis local busi- shopping and cultural institutions. With a CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Myriam Santos nesses. Be DTLA’s digital community offers Walk Score of 95 and a transit score of 100, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb a range of online the centralized location provides easy acFOUNDERresident EMERITUS:events.

Sue LarisOther unique touchpoints include a speakeasy, cess to explore Downtown as well as the a health care facility, one of Downtown Greater Los Angeles Area.

Los Angeles’ few grocery stores, numerous Info: BeDTLA.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski STAFF WRITERS: Jordan Houston, Annika Tomlin CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Bliss Bowen, Olivia Dow, Sara Edwards, Frier McCollister, Bridgette M. Redman, Ellen Snortland ART DIRECTORS: Arman Olivares, Stephanie Torres STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: Luis Chavez CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Baz, Bethanie Hines, Jakob Layman, Kelsie Roche ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway (213) 308-2261 Michael Lamb (213) 453-3548 FOUNDER EMERITUS: Sue Laris

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Secret mission

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enny Scharf, legendary street artist and featured designer of the Dior 2021 men’s collection, painted a public-facing mural on the LA Mission’s building in Skid Row. It was kept a secret from the public until he began painting. The staff at LA Mission hopes it will become a public art landmark in Skid Row, as the city needs to draw people to visit and help the homeless population. Photos by Luis Chavez

Maya Oroszlan holds with a thank-you sign for Kenny Scharf with her older brother Ben Oroszlan.

Photo by Luis Chavez

Kenny Scharf is a legendary street artist and featured designer of the Dior 2021 men’s collection.

Photo by Luis Chavez

Kenny Scharf working on his newest mural at the Ann Douglas Center for Women in DTLA. Photo by Luis Chavez

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PETERS’ OPINION

Osaka and Biles: The ‘No’s’ heard around the world

By Ellen Snortland LA Downtown News Columnist

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he only people who get upset when you set boundaries are the ones who benefitted from you not having any.” — Anonymous. To that quote I add: “For most of history, ‘Anonymous’ was a woman.” — Virginia Woolf. Women setting boundaries is a vital conversation we all must have regardless of national or gender identity. And not anonymously either.

The recent events surrounding Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles reminded me of a self-defense class I once taught for teen girls, sponsored by 50-50 Leadership and the late Jaylene Mosley. It was held in late summer, inside a carpeted classroom, and had 30 participants. I began with an individual exercise of having each student yell “No!” However, when I got to the third young woman, she said, “I don’t want to.”

As the teacher, I froze momentarily while thinking, “How dare she? This is not how the class is supposed to go!” But then, because of my decades of experience being an instructor with IMPACT Personal Safety, it became a teachable moment.

I addressed the room, asking, “Is ‘I don’t want to’ an acceptable reason to decline to do something? Anyone, just shout out your answer.” Almost everyone chimed in with various forms of “no.” I continued. “Would forcing her to yell ‘no’ be a good idea?” Crickets.

I could feel the students thinking. I finished with, “Just think of the hell that would break loose if a critical mass of women and girls had the freedom to say, ‘No, I don’t want to’ when they really didn’t want to.”

If you have people in your life that argue with you when you set a boundary or only respect boundaries they agree with, look again.

Are they really on your team? Maybe not.

The young woman who declined got more engaged and left the class having been validated. What my basic boundaries student did was radical and provided a vivid lesson in boundary-setting within a boundary-setting class. Had I shamed, cajoled or sweet-talked her into yelling “No!” anyway, I would have been the worst kind of hypocrite.

We’ve seen stellar boundaries set in the past weeks. Tennis titleholder Naomi Osaka and genius gymnast Simone Biles are Olympic-level boundary setters who have repeatedly put everything they have on the

line, while also making themselves ultra-visible. They are women of excellence who also happen to be women of color. Osaka and Biles are revolutionary and the answer to my dreams of women being their own advocates.

The taboo against women of any color setting boundaries runs deep. One does not say “no” within the entrenched white patriarchal codes we’ve all grown up with unless the no-sayer has clanging ovaries of brass and profound convictions. Oh, wait, what’s that sound? It’s the jangle of baby brass ovaries growing all over the world.

If you know me or have read me for any length of time, you know my mission and passion in life is to revive the boundary-setting capacities of females of every type. I believe with all my heart that women and girls are a crucial component in having the world work for everyone with no one and nothing left out. Meanwhile, my siblings in Empowerment Self-Defense — ESD Global and IMPACT Personal Safety — are busy around the world doing the same thing.

Have you considered why a primary “female” social virtue is being compliant and nice? Do you think that women are born to be exploited? Do you believe that women are inherently weak or that acquiescence is in the X chromosome? To take a stand is to risk being thought of as “uppity” and unattractive.

Unattractive to whom?

As in any problems that seem intractable, the maxim “follow the money” is spot-on.

Professional sports involve big money at all levels. In the case of Biles, withdrawing from competition caused a significant financial hit to NBC, Visa and other sponsors who were exploiting Simone without her participation.

This “limits” problem is also thorny for whichever group of people is non-dominant.

For example, the overwhelming numbers of Black participants in football and boxing who risk brain damage and other life-threatening injuries at rates much higher than whites.

This happens because, generally speaking, white players do not see such violent sports as tickets out of poverty.

At this stage in their careers, Ms. Osaka and Ms. Biles do not owe anyone an explanation.

My fervent hope is that parents use them as object lessons for their children in standing up for themselves. Mommy says, “See, honey?

Naomi and Simone can’t be emotionally or fi-

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.

nancially bought, isn’t that inspiring?” Daddy says, “If anyone tries to bribe you or shame you into taking actions you don’t want to take, think of Simone and Naomi.” That is the feminism I have longed for.

I’ll close with one of my favorite Rebecca West quotes: “I myself have never been able

to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat or a prostitute.”

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

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Ready, Set, Go! School is back in person and here’s what you can do to be ready

By Los Angeles Unified School District

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all is around the corner, and this means that soon parents will start shopping for back-to-school items and preparing their children for the first day of school. While the last year has been fraught with challenges for many because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles Unified families will be happy to know that the district has high safety standards in place at every campus, and schools are gearing up for full-day in-person instruction and enrichment activities five days a week starting Monday, August 16.

It’s time. The last year of online schooling has been hard for students and families Being in school with friends, teachers, coaches, counselors — and all the familiar faces that make up individual school communities — will be exciting for students.

Although for some students entering kindergarten, setting foot on campus will be a new encounter. It’ll be a long-awaited experience for everyone. Students and parents will be thrilled to know that athletics will be in full swing, and that the afterschool programs will offer fun, high-quality, enrichment until 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Here’s what the new school year will look like:

Here’s what you need to do to be ready for school: Los Angeles Unified wants families and staff to have a safe, successful and super fun return to school. However, we can’t do this alone and we need your support. You can help by making sure that your child wears a clean face mask to school, practices safety routines and fulfills COVID-19 testing requirements before returning to campus. Vaccines are a critical component of a safe return to school, so we encourage all eligible family members and staff to get their COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible.

Additionally, over the course of the past year, Los Angeles Unified has developed a series of helpful resources for families and staff who are aligned with guidance from health officials. We encourage you to utilize these to ensure a safe and successful return to school for everyone.

These include: • Los Angeles Unified Back to School website that includes a health and safety plan that ensures families are following COVID-19 safety protocols through testing and use of a Daily Pass.

• A COVID-19 hotline for families listing Los Angeles Unified testing sites; a student and family wellness hotline (213) 443-1300 offering mental health support and other vital assistance.

• More than 20 school-based vaccination centers in collaboration with community health care partners.

• A Welcome Back to School Family Guide offering critical information for a safe return to campus.

For more information, visit the Los Angeles Unified website at: https:// achieve.lausd.net/backtoschool

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There’s no substitute for in-person learning. Simply put, in-person learning is better as it supports children’s mental and physical health, as well as their socioemotional development. At Los Angeles Unified, students will return to new and improved in-person programs and services. The district has hired additional teachers to support elementary school students with math and reading, and to provide more individualized instruction and one-on-one tutoring to middle and high school students. The district will provide students with updated technology and increased enrichment and credit recovery course offerings for high school students. In addition to student support, Los Angeles Unified staff is ready to assist the whole family through new Student and Family Wellness Centers aimed at providing mental health counseling and accessibility to much-needed resources.

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TRAX

By Bliss Bowen LA Downtown News Contributing Writer

LEDISI, Ledisi Sings Nina (BMG): HHH½ Tackling Nina Simone’s oeuvre is a formidable prospect, and Ledisi brings a respectful balance of humility and passion to this seven-track tribute to the outspoken jazz icon. The Grammy-winning vocalist doesn’t radically reinterpret classics such as “Feeling Good,” “My Baby Just Cares for Me” and the swinging “Work Song,” but Jochen Neufer’s punchy arrangements for Metropole Orkest magnify the impact of her dynamic readings.

Highlights include a live, guitar-centered version of “Wild Is the Wind” (from Ledisi’s Simone tribute for PBS last December) and a magnetic performance of “Four Women” with Lisa Fisher, Alice Smith and Lizz Wright. ledisi.com JON BYRD, Me & Paul (self-released):HHH½ Listening to how this veteran Nashville songwriter and guitarist unspools melodic tales such as the bruised beauty “I’ll Be Her Only One” (co-written with Kevin Gordon) and “Why Must You Think of Leaving?” (co-written with Shannon Wright) is akin to the savory pleasures offered by a novel or a favorite neighborhood bard when the hour’s late and whiskey’s flowing. A natural storyteller, Byrd has a homing instinct for emotional truth, even when inhabiting the lines of J.J. Cale (a haunting “Don’t Go to Strangers”) and the Louvin Brothers (an effectively understated “Cash on the Barrelhead”). Paul Niehaus supplies graceful accompaniment, his pedal steel complementing Byrd’s plainspoken delivery without glossing over its essential grit. jonbyrd.com JUNACO, Blue Room (Side Hustle): HH½ “Is paradise a place or a state of mind?” That’s the question posed by this promising L.A.-based duo’s balmy single “Paradise,” which seems tailor-made for some future soundtrack. The chill dreaminess conjured with electric guitars, keyboard and percussion by frontwoman Shahana Jaffer and guitarist/drummer Joey LaRosa throughout this eight-track album soothes more than stimulates.

There’s tension between Jaffer’s angelic tones and the pensive concerns of “Blue Room,” “Living Out of Mind” and “Weight of the World,” but any drama, like their hooks, is subtle. junacomusic.com LES FILLES DE ILLIGHADAD, At Pioneer Works (Sahel Sounds):HHHH Uniting the female-centric tende tradition of chants and call-andresponse with the droning electric guitars that have defined Tuareg music in recent decades, the Niger quartet expands the form by restoring women to their central place. At the heart of this concert set, recorded in 2019 in New York, is the 11-minute “Telilit,” resurrected from a desert recording lead vocalist/guitarist Fatou Seidi Ghali and vocalist/percussionist Alamnou Akrouni made after forming the band in 2016. Since joined by Agadez guitarist Amaria Hamadalher and Ghali’s cousin Abdoulaye Madassane (the lone male, who also plays rhythm guitar with Mdou Moctar), their celebratory guitars, handclaps, tende drum and voices exalting community are hard to resist. Highlights: “Chakalan,” a spirited take on Etran Finatawa’s “Surbajo.” lesfillesdeillighadad.bandcamp.com

WILBURT LEE RELIFORD, Seems Like a Dream (Big Legal Mess): HHHH Mississippi hill country blues is known for raw guitars and droning grooves, but in these 12 rarely heard tracks, there’s also joy, thanks to Reliford, a blind harmonica player who grew up near Junior Kimbrough’s Chulahoma juke joint and died in 1993. Reliford was recorded in 1989 by a Dutch folklorist during a field trip (which eventually yielded a “Rural Blues” documentary), but half of his rediscovered solo performances feature newly added support from guitarist Will Sexton and a crack band that manages to sound organic as Reliford’s expressive “wah” tones and hopeful, earthy vocals nod to Sonny Boy Williamson. Rewarding as it is to hear them frolic and strut through “Tappin’ That Thing” and “I Won’t Be Back No More” behind the wailing harp, it’s Reliford’s solo turns that haunt. Highlights: “Sugar Mama,” “I’m Gonna Leave.” biglegalmessrecords.com LAURA MVULA, Pink Noise (Flamingo/Atlantic UK):HHH The British R&B artist unexpectedly swerves into the ’80s with her third album, a sleek vehicle driven by synthesizers, metallic drumbeats and pop hooks. In retrospect, “Phenomenal Woman” and the Nile Rodgers-supported “Overcome” from her Ivor Novello Award-winning 2016 album “The Dreaming Room” can be heard as precursors to the choral swells of “Magical,” the addictive jam “Got Me,” “Church Girl” and the funky “Remedy,” composed during the 2020 lockdown amid Black Lives Matter protests (“How many more must die before the remedy?/ Can you hear all my people cry for the remedy?”). It’s far removed from the jazzy sophistication of 2013’s “Sing to the Moon,” confirming Mvula’s eclectic taste and range. planetmvula.com MIKE ZITO, Resurrection (Gulf Coast): HHH The Texas guitarist won Blues Rock Artist and Blues Rock Album (for “Rock ‘n’ Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry”) honors at last month’s Blues Music Awards, but leans into rock with his newest release. Reteamed with producer David Z, he slams social media’s negative energy with “Don’t Bring Me Down;” transforms Willie Dixon’s “Evil” into an ominous groover bound to elicit cheers at shows; and lightheartedly skewers politicians with “Running Man.” But Zito, who exchanges J.J. Cale’s sly wit for sincerity and beefy solos during “I’ll Make Love to You,” is less concerned with topicality than betting everything on the title track’s inspiration: love and second chances. mikezito.com WELCOME CENTER, Talk Talk Talk (self-released): HH½ “Talk, talk, talk, and I listen/ Nation lost in your vision now/ …

Southern curse I cannot handle/ Sunday service, light a candle, watch it burn out.” Inspired by 2020’s turmoil, the slow-building “Burn” gives this modest electronic-pop EP its title and focus.

The melodic vista expands, War on Drugs-style, as Jesse Smith’s electric guitar fills evoke memories and roadtrips (perhaps explaining its 6:24 run time). “Parasite City” and “Losers,” meanwhile, thrum with Aaron Sternick’s incongruously upbeat synthesizers. The EP’s more nuanced than 2020’s “This House Will Be Filled With ____”; “Burn” represents a still more interesting step forward. welcomecenterband.com

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‘The Pink Floyd Exhibition’ delayed until September

By LA Downtown News Staff he Pink Floyd Exhibition: Their Mortal Remains,” which was scheduled to start on Aug. 3 at Vogue Multicultural Museum, has been postponed until Friday, Sept.

3, due to global freight delays.

The many containers filled with Pink Floyd’s artifacts, stage sets and private collections were shipped from the United Kingdom with an extensive lead time. Coming out of the pandemic, there are many delays in global freight. These containers are now in Los Angeles.

Existing ticket holders for August will be notified via email about how to reschedule their dates at no additional cost. Ticket holders may contact the Vogue Multicultural Museum at info@vmmla.com with questions about the ticket exchange process.

Tickets, $30 to $46, for the exhibition are on sale via vmmla.com. The Pink Floyd Exhibition is promoted by Michael Cohl of S2BN Entertainment, in association with LA event promoter Diego Gonzalez.

Running through Jan. 9, “The Pink Floyd Exhibition: Their Mortal Remains” comes with an audio guide.

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“The Pink Floyd Exhibition: Their Mortal Remains” was scheduled to open Aug. 3 but has been pushed back to Friday, Sept. 3, due to shipping delays of many of the band’s artifacts, stage sets and private collections coming from the United Kingdom.

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2 LA students take home BAFTA awards

By Bridgette M. Redman LA Downtown News Contributing Writer hen the prestigious BAFTA student awards were bestowed on July 23, two LA-based filmmakers were thrilled to learn they’d taken home top honors.

USC student Yucong Rae Chen won the BAFTA Student Film Award for Documentary and the Special Jury Prize for her film, “Unfinished Lives.” American Film Institute student Olivia Hang Zhou won the BAFTA Student Film Award for Live Action for her film, “Apart, Together.”

BAFTA — the British Academy of Film and Television Arts — hosts an annual film award ceremony to recognize student talent. The 2020 and 2021 ceremonies have been virtual. The 15 student finalists from 34 countries in 2021 were selected from

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more than 680 submissions. Finalists were from China, South Africa, Norway, Denmark, France, the United States and United Kingdom.

Three of the five winning projects, including those by the LA-based filmmakers, focused on Chinese subjects.

“It is heartwarming to see the breadth of talent and ingenuity among the world’s student population, and the high standard of work being produced despite the many adversities placed in front of them,” said Kathryn Busby, BAFTA Los Angeles board chair.

“These remarkable finalists have delivered poignant, important and timely pieces of work and it is our honor to be shining a spotlight on their creativity and achievements. We are proud to be supporting their professional journeys and welcome

them all to the BAFTA community.”

Relating to LA tragedy Chen won two prizes for her documentary “Unfinished Lives,” which focuses on the investigation into and the aftermath of the beating death of Chinese USC student, Xinran Ji, in Los Angeles in 2014.

It was a story she heard about in China before moving to LA. She said there were misconceptions about Ji, who was escorting a female classmate home from a study session. Many felt he must be the child of rich parents or that he was playing around because he was there during the summer.

Others questioned why he was walking in the street so late at night.

“We started to do the research and found all of those misunderstandings

were wrong,” Chen said.

“Actually, he is doing the summer session and it is right after a study session.

He’s not from a rich family, just ordinary people. He is sharing his bedroom with another roommate. He cannot be the second rich generation.”

She and her crew of international students related to the story and wanted people to know what really happened that night. They were also shocked at how long it took for justice to be delivered; it was almost five years.

“We feel like people need to know that fighting for justice in this country is very heartbreaking,” Chen said.

“You need to pay a lot. You need to trust a lot of people and people need to care.”

She began the film in 2019, just before the final court hearing. Therefore, she missed filming the dramatic meeting between the U.S.-based lawyer representing the family and the parents who came to the country for the trial.

She turned to the use of sand art, with an artist’s hand creating and erasing pictures to help tell the story in a way that did not rely just on talking heads.

“It is a moving art, not like a picture and then another picture,” Chen said.

“It is a very motion picture thing. You are saying something that is moving but it still tells a story. I feel like sand art is poetic in a way. It is not telling you something in detail. We figure that is a very good art form to picture someone’s memory.”

The editing took place during the pandemic. She moved into the apartment of her co-editor Mozhu Yan until the editing was done.

In addition to the documentary prize, Chen took home the Special Jury Prize.

The jury reviews all 15 finalists and chooses one it feels is best. This year’s jury included actor Kingsley Ben-Adir (“One Night in Miami…”), actor and director Colman Domingo (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”), actor Aasif Mandvi (“This Way Up”) and costume designer Trish Summerville (“Mank”).

She didn’t think it was possible to win twice, so she only prepared one speech.

When she did, she ceded her time to the other members of her crew.

Painful and poignant emotions Olivia Hang Zhou, American Film Institute student, won the BAFTA Student Film Award for Live Action for her film “Apart, Together,” which explores the complications and heartbreak of China’s one-child policy.

Submitted photo

For Zhou, the emotional story took precedence.

Zhou’s film, “Apart, Together,” is a fictional tale that is personal to the direc-

AUGUST 2, 2021

tor. The film focuses on the effect China’s one-child policy has on both parents and children. It tells the intergenerational story of a mother and daughter who go searching for the older daughter who was abandoned so that the parents could try again for a boy.

Zhou is a second child, only because her older sister died before her birth. It is a guilt she carries over into this story, which started out as a fantasy before she narrowed it down to fit into the 20-minute time structure of her thesis project.

“I felt so sad for (my sister), but it was a very complicated emotion,” Zhou said.

“I know how much I want to be a good daughter, but I can never compete with the views my parents had for her. It feels like a black hole in the family. Everything is fine, but there was also a missing piece.

It is what I wanted to convey in ‘Apart, Together.’”

Zhou was also inspired by a news story about twin girls born to a rural Chinese family who were separated.

While twins are allowed under the one-child family policy, the local government told them they would have to pay money they couldn’t afford. They offered one child for adoption and the baby was raised in a loving, comfortable family in the United States. The other girl, stayed in the rural province without access to adequate education.

In “Apart, Together,” the girl’s parents

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are spiteful because she reminds them of the child they gave up for adoption and that she was not born a boy.

“She is questioning her existence and herself,” Zhou said.

Zhou is most proud of the emotions that she captures in this film, which traces the sisters’ first meeting. It is in a church where the older daughter is assisting with communion. They meet when the older sister brings the cup of wine to the lips of the younger.

“I had been struggling to see how I could present the moment in a very, very special way, because they were very intimate strangers and I wanted to show that,” Zhou said, explaining that she visited a church in West Hollywood to learn about the sacrament and how it is delivered.

“It feels very holy. You are so close and so intimate.”

Zhou was in China when the BAFTA ceremony started, and it was 1 a.m. there.

She said she was super sleepy, but she and her crew were really hoping they would win and hearing their name called jolted them awake.

“We were just very happy and very honored,” Zhou said.

“I think this is an encouragement for me.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has her and her family stationed in China, but she hopes to return to Los Angeles soon.

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Yucong Chen, a USC student, won the BAFTA Student Film Award for Documentary and the Special Jury Prize for “Unfinished Lives,” a documentary about the death of a Chinese USC student.

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Covered California will help ARTS & CULTURE

Academy, ASU partner for online music program

By Annika Tomlin

LA Downtown News Staff Writer

L

os Angeles-based 1500 Sound Academy and Arizona State University recently merged their music education expertise for the online program Professional Certificate in Music Production.”

The program offers courses in music production, engineering, songwriting, mixing, music business and artist branding.

1500 Sound Academy began four years ago as a state-of-the-art music academy for aspiring musicians, producers, writers and music executives. For more information about the academy, visit 1500sound. academy.

A subsidiary of Volume Ventures, 1500 Sound Academy has featured music’s biggest stars as guest lecturers, including Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars, Master P and Snoop Dogg.

ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts School of Music, Dance and Theatre partnered with 1500 Sound Academy to provide courses that focus on skill development as well as exposure to leading experts in the music industry with interviews led by Dr. Daniel Bernard Roumain, ASU professor of practice.

“It was literally the cliché music business,” said James Fauntleroy, 1500 Sound Academy co-founder, about why he created the program with ASU. He’s also a Grammy Award-winning songwriter/producer.

“The music business is rough in all of the movies and then, when I got into it in real life, I realized it’s much worse. I had the desire to make it easier for the next person.”

Larrance “Rance” Dopson, 1500 Sound Academy co-founder, added, “Our goal has always been to lead by example and share our knowledge and insights of the business with people. We’re honored ASU acknowledges and celebrates this idea.”

Fauntleroy said it was 1500 Sound Academy’s third co-founder, entrepreneur Twila True, who orchestrated the collaboration.

“ASU has a really strong online offering, and the plan was always to go online but for us to find people that already had energy in that realm,” Fauntleroy said.

The self-paced online music program will include six specialized music courses: Music Production Techniques with Ableton Live: This course offers music creators with a foundation on the necessary concepts, terminology and tech-

niques of modern studio track composition.

Recording & Engineering Fundamentals: The digital audio workstation (DAW) is the centerpiece of the recording studio.

Students learn the fundamentals of getting sound into the DAW and shaping the sound using EQ, compression and other techniques.

The Contemporary Songwriter: Songwriters create timeless emotion from nothing but melody and lyrics. This course demystifies the songwriting process and arms the modern songwriter with melodic and lyrical concepts to deepen their craft.

Mixing Essentials: The mix can make or break a song and when it is done right, it goes unnoticeable. This course teaches how to listen and knowing how to make songs sound like you want them.

The Business of Music 101: Music creators are copyright owners, brand owners and publishing companies, whether they know it or not. This course outlines the pillars of a music creator’s corporate structure.

Branding for Contemporary Need: This course digs deeply into the psyche of the artist, as well as the practical side of being an artist and setting up an authentic brand and performance.

Each course can be taken on its own for $499 or all six courses can be purchased for $2,499. More information about the courses can be found at bit.ly/3zIrUpy. “It is unprecedented how the learning process at ASU Herberger Institute and 1500 Sound Academy have all come together in a highly collaborative, imaginative mammoth toward creating this singular course, which has different points of entry,” Roumain said.

“My role is to expand those ideas into music industry and scholarship interviewing artists from both the field on a national and international sphere, but also interviewing ASU’s highly renowned faculty.

These interviews unpack for the students their role and responsibility in terms of their creative work, the limitless potential for a song, how to work with one another and the responsibility of commercial artists in this broad encompassing culture.”

Outside of being the co-founder for the academy, Fauntleroy teaches courses, specifically focusing on songwriting.

“The curriculum is designed the way it is because I spent so much time learning about as many relevant things as possible and I saw what a difference it made versus being an expert in this one area,” Fauntle-

James Fauntleroy, co-founder of 1500 Sound Academy, is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer who has worked with Kendrick Lamar, Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé.

Photo by Baz

AUGUST 2, 2021

roy said. “I could teach all of the courses, but because I am primarily a songwriter, I think that’s what the students want me to come talk about.”

Roumain said the ideal student is “anyone who is interested in being in and out of the studio, but also anyone who is interested in new ways of approaching the broad music industry.”

Fauntleroy added, “I think the ideal student — literally because we have the six categories — I think the ideal student is honestly anyone who wants to take that journey.

“A big part of the premise is that speaking all the different languages will give you such a better chance at achieving any one of them. Someone who is interested in that and they’re also either an artist, an engineer or even if you want to be a manager or executive. The more you know about each discipline the more comfortable you will be talking about them to anyone.”

Roumain added, “I think this program is focused on raising and projecting our voices, and focuses on the mastery of hardware and software and what that means to collaborate and create in a popular and commercial music (industry). It also is a model for how production houses and commercial production academies can work within the academic academy, and it allows for a broader perspective

DOWNTOWN NEWS 13

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and kind of a cross-academy and crossgenre and cross-institutional learning that broadens the potential of how music is made and understood and disseminated out to the public sphere.”

Fauntleroy’s goal for the program is to ultimately help the future generation of artists “achieve their dreams but also pass on practical observation that we have observed.”

“In the typical music business, lifespan is three to five years and I’ve been doing it for 15 years, so I have seen a lot of people come and go and saw a lot of practical things that they had in common that they didn’t know or did wrong,” Fauntleroy said. “The big goal for us is to not only helping people chase their dreams but sending ‘better people’ into the field so that we can hopefully get everybody to realize the value of trying to be a good person in addition to being talented.”

While the past year evoked a wide range of changes from climate change to social justice and judicial changes, Roumain reiterated how the collaboration between the two institutions came together in a “really unique way during unprecedented times.”

“Beyond the studio and beyond the music, I think the lesson, the example clearly set is that conflict is easy, but collaboration speaks to the eternal,” Roumain said.

Dr. Daniel Roumain is a professor of practice at Arizona State University.

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AUGUST 2, 2021

Covered California will help ARTS & CULTURE

HBO Max acquires rights to Andrews’ ‘Charlotte Sophia’

By Annika Tomlin LA Downtown News Staff Writer enowned author and producer Tina Andrews was introduced to Queen Charlotte of England in 1987, after acquiring a book from her late father’s collection.

It stated, “Charlotte Sophia, (was) England’s first (expletive) queen” referring to claims of her African heritage.

“How is it that we don’t know about there being a (expletive) queen and yet we know all about King George III’s madness and all of that?” Andrews questioned.

This curiosity led her on a near decade-long journey to complete her book “Charlotte Sophia,” which shares stories of lust, betrayal, politics, rape, murder and madness.

Writer of the miniseries “Sally Hemmings: An American Scandal,” Andrews spent eight years researching the queen for her book.

“I worked very closely with a historian named Mario de Valdes y Concom,” Andrews said. “He really helped me with a lot of the work that I did on Charlotte. He had

R

“Charlotte Sophia” was compiled from eight years of extensive research into the life of the Black queen of England.

Submitted photo

been very instrumental with helping with a lot of the research on Sally Hemmings, so I am sort of indebted to him.”

Andrews returned to England one to two times a year — minus last year due to COVID-19 — to do research.

“There is something about being in the place where my story was taking place, but first I had to know what the story was,” Andrews said.

“I needed to know as many of the facts as possible. Once I had enough extrapolated from this book at The British Library and this information that the curator would send me from the British Museum and from the Windsor and Buckingham archives, and once I had what started to shape into a series of events, then I had an outline. I filled in that outline as I learned more things — but an outline is not a novel.”

Andrews found it interesting to learn Queen Charlotte’s lineage goes back to the “Knights Templar on her father’s side.”

“When they say that kings and queens really have royal blood or are ordained by gods to be kings, some of them could actually say, ‘Well yeah,’” Andrews said.

When she was writing her 2013 book, Andrews sent the first draft to one of her friends, who suggested that Andrews cut down the 619-page novel. It was then that Andrews realized her research and book could potentially be turned into a series.

“Charlotte Sophia” illustrates several stages throughout the queen’s life from her marriage to King George III to his ultimate madness near the end of their lives — all while hiding her African ethnicity.

“She and George were married and reigned for 60 years before he went completely crazy with his last bout of madness and then she of course died two years before him,” Andrews said.

“That is a long amount of time for people to be on the planet and it would be very difficult to try and turn that into a play or in fact a movie without so many pieces missing. It automatically suggested a novel to me — it always did in terms of its first incarnation, was always a novel.”

After the release of her novel, Andrews

Renowned writer and producer Tina Andrews wrote “Charlotte Sophia,” which depicts the life of Queen Charlotte.

Submitted photo

created a one-act play of the first part of her book for a fundraiser in Santa Monica in 2013. Recently, the streaming service HBO Max acquired the movie and TV rights to Andrews’ book.

“This is how much I can talk about…Obviously I am adapting from my own novel, and I am writing every episode,” Andrews said about the TV adaptation.

“It’s kind of exciting because (HBO Max) has been very wonderful to work with and they are allowing me pretty much what I want to do with the story. They are very easy to work with. I am finding it as such a delight.”

A production date has not been set as Andrews is still writing for the show. The obvious comparison is to the “Bridgerton” Queen Charlotte, played by Golda Rosheuvel. Andrews said, with her series, “there is room for there to be stories on any characters out of the African diaspora.”

“We don’t really get a chance to tell those stories where we are not slaves, where we are not carrying the tray, where we are not cleaning up someone’s house— that’s number one,” Andrews said about the TV portrayal of Queen Charlotte.

“No. 2, ‘Bridgerton’ — which is a project that I absolutely love — takes place in the regency era of Charlotte’s life, which means that King George III has already gone mad and his son is now running the country as regent.

“Charlotte is in her 60s in that series, so she is much older. My piece starts off with her when she is 17. The piece is going to go through her entire life from her being 17 years old and being interviewed to become the queen of England. Then, we will see in some flashbacks her life when her father was alive when she was 8.”

Andrews said the first season will show Charlotte aged 20 and younger and if renewed for more seasons would follow Charlotte as she aged.

“Charlotte Sophia” is available in book format as well as an audiobook.

“I would really like for people to know the aspects of the story before anything else happens,” Andrews said. “I really want people to get the audiobook that just came out. If they are not audiobook fans, they can pick up the book and have a look because it is quite an exciting roller coaster ride.”

Tina Andrews @tinaandrews “Charlotte Sophia” is available on Amazon for $16.99 or audiobook through Audible

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Covered California will help ARTS & CULTURE Staples Center, Microsoft Theater gear up to resume concerts

By Jordan Houston LA Downtown News Staff Writer taples Center and Microsoft Theater welcomed fans for the first concerts in over 500 days on July 30, with Staples Center hosting Grupo Firme for a run of seven shows.

Strictly following the safety protocols and procedures introduced by the state of California, county of Los Angeles, Staples Center and Microsoft Theater’s management teams have additionally invested in numerous facility upgrades while adopting new policies to ensure every precaution has been taken to provide the safest environment so that guests will feel safe and confident returning to L.A. Live to see their favorite event.

It has been exactly 513 days since the last concert at Staples Center on March 4, 2020.

The center is gearing up for more shows from Aug. 1 through Aug. 8. Grupo Firme will hold the record for the most shows in a single calendar year performed at Staples Center by a Latin artist, band or group. Similarly, it has been 511 days since the last con-

cert at Microsoft Theater on March 7, 2020.

The theater hosted its first concert with Marca MP on July 31.

Ticketed guests are encouraged to visit staplescenter.com/safe and microsofttheater.com/safe to familiarize themselves with Staples Center and Microsoft Theater’s “Know Before You Go” tips and protocols prior to attending their first event.

All attendees must follow the current California Department of Public Health Guidelines for indoor mega events, including the vaccination or testing requirements. Per the California Department of Public Health Beyond the Blueprint, updated guidance for indoor mega events and the CDPH Guidance for Face Coverings, the state requires that attendees be fully vaccinated or obtain a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to attending the event. All guests must also wear face coverings when attending crowded indoor events.

All ticketed guests will be required to have their tickets to the event on their mobile device. Prepaid, digital parking passes

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Guests over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask that always covers the nose and mouth. Gaiters, bandanas and coverings with exhalation vents are prohibited; a face shield still requires a face covering.

For the safety of everyone, guests unable to wear proper face coverings will not be admitted into the venues.

Bags, backpacks, purses, totes, clear bags, fanny packs and camera bags are not allowed. Small clutches and wallets no larger than 5 inches by 9 inches by 1 inch are permitted and are subject to security inspection. Medical and parental bags smaller than 14 inches by 14 inches by 6 inches are required to go through an X-ray machine security screening. See a guest services team member on site for direction to the nearest screening entry.

Staples Center and Microsoft Theater are cash-free venues that only accept debit and credit cards, including major contactless and mobile payment methods, for a safe and speedy check out. Cash is no longer accepted. However, free “cash to card” conversion kiosks are located throughout the venue.

At the Staples Center, all guests will be asked to order any food and beverage throughout the arena using the QR code located at the concession stand or the QR located at each seat. The center will notify customers via SMS text when the order is ready for pickup.

DOWNTOWN NEWS 15

At the Microsoft Theater, on the other hand, guests can order food and drinks throughout the theater at any concession stands or kiosks located throughout the lobbies. Attendees can pick up their food and drinks at the designated pick-up locations.

Both venues are smoke free.

The Staples Center and Microsoft Theater have increased the frequency of cleaning with disinfectants in high traffic areas as an additional measure to help protect the venues and occupants. The venues use products approved by the Environmental Protection Agency with enhanced cleaning equipment to disinfect all surfaces beyond just all-purpose cleaners as part of the enhanced cleaning service. Switching from all-purpose or general cleaners to EPA-registered disinfectants further prevents the spread of pathogens while following strict disinfection procedures.

Upcoming events at both the Staples Center and Microsoft Theater include: • Franco Escamilla, Aug. 6, Microsoft Theater.

• Teo González & Jorge Falcón, Aug. 7, Microsoft Theater.

• Il Divo, Aug. 13, Microsoft Theater.

• Pancho Barraza, Aug. 21, Microsoft Theater.

• Eslabon Armado, Aug. 28, Microsoft Theater.

• Lindsey Stirling, Aug. 30, Microsoft Theater.

• Lil Baby, Sept. 24, Staples Center.

• Gold Over America, Sept. 25, Staples Center.

• Roberto Tapia, Sept. 26, Microsoft Theater.

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AUGUST 2, 2021

Covered California will help FEATURE

Mokuyobi adds color to functional backpacks

By Olivia Dow LA Downtown News Contributing Writer ulie Pinzur saw a “hole in the market” for fun and functional backpacks, so she created them herself.

In 2006, she founded South Pasadena-based Mokuyobi and splashed color all over the industry with her design of backpacks and other accessories. Soon she is opening a store in Downtown LA. “My whole goal is to bring the ultimate mashing of fun and function together,” Pinzur said. “It actually works. It’s functional. It’s quality made.”

With Mokuyobi, Pinzur designs bags, accessories and apparel, led by bold colors, magic and “awesome sauce”— and they’re all produced locally in LA. That’s been a priority for Pinzur.

“We make everything with local Los Angeles contractors,” she said. “We support our local community. That’s always been super important to me. I’m working with people who make the products. It feels very personal, which I like. I feel that creating a product with a soul means something, which is special.”

Pinzur has been sewing and constructing bags for 20 years, and created all of the bag samples. This connection, she said she believes, makes Mokuyobi special.

“This way you can score bags, apparel, hats and patches that are not only seriously cool products but also make sense for your day to day,” she said.

“We definitely don’t aim to blend in. Color and usability are frontiers that we are always exploring. We enjoy taking a different approach to bag shapes, styles and palettes that haven’t been done before.”

The bright colors immediately have an effect on people, Pinzur explained. The products, whether it’s the citrus fanny packs or the colorful T-shirts, bring smiles to people’s faces.

“When it comes down to it, everyone just wants to have a good time,” she said.

Mokuyobi, or 木曜日 (もくようび), means Thursday in Japanese. To Pinzur, Thursday is the best day of the week because there is “always something to look forward to.”

“Whether it’s Thursday, your buddy’s party, vacation time or a hot date, there are always good things coming that spark excitement,” Pinzur said. “We strive to create that same spark in you when your Mokuyobi package arrives.”

Mokuyobi’s bags hold everything one needs in an easy-to-access and functional sacks. The choices are creative. Square

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Julie Pinzur, owner of Mokuyobi, shows off her colorful craftmanship.

Photo by Luis Chavez

AUGUST 2, 2021

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DOWNTOWN NEWS 17

Mokuyobi’s products aren’t made to blend in with the crowd. Owner Julie Pinzur said she purposefully chooses bright colors because it makes people smile.

Photo by Luis Chavez

mesh backpacks ($65 to $70) are creative, as are the new citrus fruit collection ($75), which puts a cool spin on fanny packs.

“I love the idea of your backpack being your on-the-go house,” she said. “It’s everything you need all of your necessities for what you need when you’re not at home. You bring your style from your home décor and have it be fun and functional.”

All Mokuyobi bags and backpacks have lifetime warranty, and a guarantee from manufacturer’s defects.

“We always are here to fix it for free,” Pinzur said.

She loves to design her accessories, clothing and bags. The clothing is just as fun with color blocked T-shirts (starting at $46), and others that appear to have a splash of paint ($46). She said when she sketches the plans, she loves to see the drawing come to life.

“I don’t overly focus on trends, I try to follow my heart in terms of construction and design and what I think would be helpful to offer someone,” Pinzur said.

Pinzur is looking forward to opening a storefront in DTLA after working from her Pasadena office for years.

“We are opening our first store in Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles,” she said.

“That has been my goal since I started the brand. I’ve always wanted to have a real brickand-mortar store. It’s been really fun to interact with customers and even people coming from out of town will visit. It’s so exciting to have an actual store people can come and they’re not walking into our office. It’s more of a professional store setting which is really exciting for me.”

Mokuyobi 101 Japanese Village Plaza, Los Angeles mokuyobi.com

On top of backpacks, handbags and fanny packs, Mokuyobi also offers unique, colorful clothing.

Photo by Luis Chavez

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AUGUST 2, 2021

Covered DINING California will help

Brothers Chad and Chase Valencia opened the Filipino-style rotisserie takeout window Lasita in February, after having to pivot their business model due to COVID-19.

Photo by Jakob Layman

Lasita: Pinoy pleasures return to Far East Plaza

By Frier McCollister LA Downtown News Contributing Writer hen Chad and Chase Valencia popped up around town with their Filipino cuisine eatery, Lasa, in 2015, the response was enthusiastic.

Landing in Chinatown’s Far East Plaza, as a part of Chef Alvin Cailan’s incubator kitchen, the brothers staged the final pop-up that propelled them into an ongoing residency.

Named for the Tagalog word for “taste” or “flavor,” Lasa was an elevated tribute to Filipino cuisine. With the ensuing recognition and attention, the restaurant quickly became an enduring star in Downtown’s fine dining scene.

A veteran of Canele and Jessica Koslow’s Sqrl, Chad ran the kitchen and Chase minded the dining room and served as general manager.

Lasa exemplified the vanguard of a new wave of Filipino cooking locally that included Ma’am Sir, Park’s Finest and Sari Sari Store at Grand Central Market. In 2018, Lasa pulled out from the pack when it was named as one of 10 restaurants of the year by Food & Wine Magazine.

However, sadly, due to the pandemic, Lasa held its last service in December.

“The restaurant kept pivoting and pivoting and pivoting and removing itself from what it was, which was more of a chef-driven, seasonal restaurant with a sit-down experience,” Chase explained.

“We took a hiatus at the end of the year. During that time, there was a lot of soul searching as to what would be the next direction. In a nutshell, we just pivoted to a whole new concept.”

Valencia had been conferring and collaborating with his chef de cuisine, Nico de Leon, on a more manageable and accessible concept, focusing on Filipino-style rotisserie.

“This rotisserie idea was something I had been working on with Nico, in the background, for a few years already,” Chase said.

“I thought ‘Hey let’s just give it a shot’ and we went for it.”

Lasita opened in the Lasa space at Far East Plaza as a takeout window in February. At the launch, Chad said he was withdrawing to devote more time to his growing family.

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“It was best for his direction. It’s all good,” Chase said.

“We were excited by the response at the takeout window and said, ‘Let’s move forward as Lasita.’”

The operation then shuttered again in early June for an extensive rehab of its interior space. It recently reopened on July 22, with de Leon in charge of the kitchen and Chase hosting and managing the operation.

With a new, bright and sparkling dining room designed by Preen and a vibrant abstract, painted panels by local artist Teebs, Lasita is seeking to reposition itself in the new post-pandemic landscape as the elegantly casual and vibrant offspring of its slightly more formal, now quiet parent Lasa.

The hours at Lasita are limited to 5 to 10 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.

The menu at Lasita is intentionally simple with a direct focus on the rotisserie: chicken inasal (half $14/whole $28) and the pork belly lechon (half pound $9.50/full pound $19).

Both dishes are served with toyomansi dipping sauce, a combination of soy and calamansi (lime), as well as a vinegar-based garlic mojo sauce.

The chicken is marinated overnight in coconut vinegar and calamansi juice spiked with lemongrass, ginger and Thai chilis. Once rolling on the rotisserie, the chicken is basted with a spiced mixture of butter and annatto seed oil. The lechon is like a Roman porchetta using a seasoned skin-on pork belly slab rolled tightly, trussed and stuffed with a blend of lemongrass, ginger, garlic cloves and red onion.

There are also plate specials: Quarter or half chicken plates with pickled vegetable atchara and chicken fat rice ($12/$18); a half-pound lechon plate with garlic rice ($14.50); and a vegetarian pancit kang kong ($14) with yakisoba noodles, water spinach, oyster mushrooms, garlic calamansi and chili crunch.

There are three sandwiches all served on fresh ciabatta from local Bub and Grandma’s Bread: chicken ina’sando” ($13) with chilled chicken inasal, shaved cucumbers, lettuce shred, chicken skin chicharron and garlic aioli; lechonsita sando ($14) with pork belly lechon, red onions, a charred scallion and cilantro salsa verde; and a vegansita sando ($12) with the same prep as the lechonsita, but with sautéed mushrooms swapped in

AUGUST 2, 2021

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DOWNTOWN NEWS 19

same elements at Lasa, with Lasita there’s an implicit, accessible informality that encourages languishing in the placid dining room with a glass of wine, basking in a haze of summer lassitude, tinged with the aroma of roast pork.

“As an operator I really enjoy seeing guests more often,” Chase said. “With Lasita, from the takeout window, it really solidified that feeling I had. I was seeing guests every other week now and that kind of frequency was exciting for me. It was really inspiring and motivating for me, to say the least.”

Suffice it to say, there’s a mastery here that has been well tested.

“I didn’t want to sacrifice my ability to showcase and to share my culture and my cuisine. I was just trying to figure how I do that and felt with Lasita we really hit that mark,” Chase said.

Lasita Far East Plaza/Chinatown 727 N. Broadway, Suite 110, Los Angeles lasita-la.com, @LASITA.LA

The chicken inasal is marinated overnight in coconut vinegar and calamansi juice spiked with lemongrass, ginger and Thai chilis before rolling on the rotisserie.

Photo by Jakob Layman

for the pork belly. There are more sides as well, including long beans ($4.50); eggplant ($4.50); cauliflower inasal ($5); smashed cucumbers ($4.50); and a wedge salad ($5.50) with a coconut green goddess dressing.

There are four tempting snacks on the menu, all priced at $6: adobo marinated olives, smoked eggplant crostinis, spicy cashews and housemade shrimp chips. These might be best considered when perusing the drink menu and the accompanying wine list for the Lasita bottle shop.

Chase serves as beverage director and his list for Lasita’s bottle shop is far more extensive than the food menu. It features a diverse and creative international selection of natural wines, each bottle priced for on-site consumption or takeout.

It includes a section of 21 macerated white skin-contact, natural orange wines as well as seven chilled reds. “These wines really find a nice harmony with the food that we’re serving and (they’re) still fun,” Chase noted.

By the glass, the wine selection is limited to single labels for red, white and rosé and two for the macerated white variety, all priced between $13 to $15 a glass.

There are also five craft ciders, including one from LA-based 101 Cider House ($20).

Four bottled beers are offered, including the Pinoy standards San Miguel lager ($6) and Red Horse malt ($7) and two from Mexico: Tiniebla wheat beer from Ensenada; and Piedra Lisa, session IPA from Colima ($7).

The tight, mindful curation behind the wine and beverage lists reflects the care and attention that goes into the food. While Chase and de Leon successfully leveraged the

Pancit kang kong is a vegetarian dish with yakisoba noodles, water spinach, oyster mushrooms, garlic calamansi and chili crunch for $14.

Photo by Jakob Layman

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AUGUST 2, 2021

SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

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That’s because they make amazing gifts for children, grandchildren and loved ones. Just imagine the look on their face when you hand them one of the State Restricted Rolls — they’ll tell everyone they know what you did for them.

■ GOT ‘EM: Residents all across California who get their hands on these State Restricted Silver Walking Liberty Bank Rolls are definitely showing them off. That’s because they are the only ones known to exist. And here’s the best part, these Bank Rolls are loaded with U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberty coins some dating back to the early 1900’s and worth up to 100 times their face value so everyone wants them.

Last State Restricted Silver Walking Liberty Bank Rolls go to California residents

California residents get first dibs on last remaining Bank Rolls loaded with U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value for the next 2 days STATE DISTRIBUTION: A strict limit of 4 State Restricted Bank Rolls per CA resident has been imposed CALIFORNIA - “It’s a miracle these State Restricted Bank Rolls even exist.

That’s why Hotline Operators are bracing for the flood of calls,” said Laura Lynne, U.S. Coin and Currency Director for the National Mint and Treasury.

For the next 2 days the last remaining State of California Restricted Bank Rolls loaded with rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties are actually being handed over to California residents who call the State Toll-Free Hotlines listed in today’s newspaper publication.

“I recently spoke with a numismatic expert in United States of America coins and currency who said ‘In all my years as a numismatist I’ve only ever seen a handful of these rarely seen Silver Walking Liberties issued by the U.S. Gov’t back in the early 1900’s. But to actually find them sealed away in State Restricted Bank Rolls still in pristine condition is like finding buried treasure. So anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these Bank Rolls had better hold on to them,’” Lynne said.

“Now that the State of California Restricted Bank Rolls are being offered up we won’t be surprised if thousands of California residents claim the maximum limit allowed of 4 Bank Rolls per resident before they’re all gone,” said Lynne.

“That’s because after the Bank Rolls

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SILVER: one of the last silver coins minted for circulation

VALUABLE: minted in philadelphia, denver & san francisco

ENLARGED TO SHOW DETAIL: year varies 1916-1947

RARELY SEEN: minted by the u.s. mint in the early 1900’s R1043R-2

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AUGUST 2, 2021

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were loaded with 15 rarely seen Silver Walking Liberties, each verified to meet a minimum collector grade of very good or above, the dates and mint marks of the U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars sealed away inside the State of California Restricted Bank Rolls have never been searched. But, we do know that some of these coins date clear back to the early 1900’s and are worth up to 100 times their face value, so there is no telling what California residents will find until they sort through all the coins,” Lynne went on to say.

And here’s the best part. If you are a resident of the state of California you cover only the $39 per coin state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury, that’s fifteen rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties worth up to 100 times their face value for just $585 which is a real steal because non state residents must pay $118 per coin which totals $1,770 if any coins remain after the 2-day deadline.

The only thing California residents need to do is call the State Toll-Free Hotlines printed in today’s newspaper publication before the 2-day order deadline ends.

“Rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued silver coins like these are highly sought after, but we’ve never seen anything like this before. According to The Official Red Book, a Guide Book of United States Coins many Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars are now worth $40 - $825 each in collector value,” Lynne said.

“We’re guessing thousands of California residents will be taking the maximum limit of 4 Bank Rolls because they make such amazing gifts for any occasion for children, parents, grandparents, friends and loved ones,” Lynne continued.

“We know the phones will be ringing off the hook. That’s why hundreds of Hotline Operators are standing by to answer the phones beginning at 8:30 am this morning.

We’re going to do our best, but with just 2 days to answer all the calls it won’t be easy.

So make sure to tell everyone to keep calling if all lines are busy. We’ll do our best to answer them all.” Lynne said.

The only thing readers of today’s newspaper publication need to do is make sure they are a resident of the state of California and call the National Toll-Free Hotlines before the 2-day deadline ends midnight tomorrow. ■

HOW TO CLAIM THE LAST STATE RESTRICTED BANK ROLLS FACTS:

If you are a California State Resident read the important information below about claiming the State Silver Bank Rolls, then call the State Toll-Free Hotline at 8:30 am: 1-800-979-3771 EXT: RWB1524

Are these Silver Walking Liberties worth more than other half dollars:

Yes. These U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties were minted in the early 1900’s and will never be minted again. That makes them extremely collectible. The vast majority of half dollars minted after 1970 have no silver content at all and these Walking Liberties were one of the last silver coins minted for circulation. That’s why many of them now command hundreds in collector value so there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday.

How much are State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls worth:

It’s impossible to say, but some of these U.S Gov’t issued Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s are worth up to 100 times the face value and there are 15 in each Bank Roll so you better hurry if you want to get your hands on them. Collector values always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees. But we do know they are the only California State Silver Bank Rolls known to exist and Walking Liberties are highly collectible so anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these Silver Bank Rolls should hold onto them because there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday.

Why are so many California residents claiming them:

Because they are the only State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls known to exist and everyone wants their share. Each Bank Roll contains a whopping 15 Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value. Best of all California residents are guaranteed to get them for the state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury of just $39 per Silver Walking Liberty for the next two days.

How do I get the State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls:

California residents are authorized to claim up to the limit of 4 State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls by calling the State Toll Free Hotline at 1-800-979-3771 Ext. RWB1524 starting at precisely 8:30 am this morning. Everyone who does is getting the only State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls known to exist. That’s a full Bank Roll containing 15 Silver Walking Liberties from the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value for just the state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury of just $39 per Silver Walking Liberty, which is just $585 for the full Bank Rolls and that’s a real steal because non state residents are not permitted to call before 5 pm tomorrow and must pay $1,770 for each California State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Roll if any remain.

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NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY, LLC IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. MINT, 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 GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES TAX. NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY, PO BOX 35609, CANTON, OH 44735 ©2021 NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY.

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AUGUST 2, 2021

Covered DINING California will help

Black Restaurant Week was founded by Falayn Ferrell, Warren Luckett and Derek Robinson.

Photo courtesy of Black Restaurant Week

Black Restaurant Week launches No Crumb Left Behind

By Sara Edwards LA Downtown News Contributing Writer lack Restaurant Week has launched No Crumb Left Behind to help Black-owned small businesses across the country recover from the pandemic and connect them with resources.

BRW was founded in Houston in 2016

by Warren Luckett, Falayn Ferrell and Derek Robinson and has since expanded its reach to the Southwest, Southeast and Northwest regions to increase Blackowned culinary participants.

“With small businesses still recovering from the pandemic, it is important to provide as much support as possible,” Ferrell said. “The No Crumb Left Behind campaign speaks to our goal of supporting 1,000 Black-owned culinary businesses in this year’s Black Restaurant Week campaign.”

Black Restaurant Week LLC stresses the importance of systemic barriers faced by Black-owned restaurants, like the disproportionate access to business loans, for example.

B

The University of California, Santa Cruz, found that 41% of Black-owned businesses have shuttered since February, compared to 17% of white-owned businesses.

“Black-owned small businesses already face difficulty accessing capital to start their business and many owners are forced to use their personal savings, personal credit cards, personal assets or apply for loans with high-interest rates to open their businesses,” Robinson said.

“During times of economic downturn, it becomes increasingly difficult to operate a business that already has a slim profit margin.”

So, in partnership with SoCal Gas, Black Restaurant Week LLC- Los Angeles and multiple Black-owned restaurants will participate in an August showcase to build community awareness and help with the pandemic recovery process.

“Black-owned businesses play an important role in the livelihood of our communities. Food, especially from family-owned restaurants, serves as the social

fabric that brings us together,” said Cedric Williams, vice president of customer service at SoCalGas. “That’s why we have supported Black Restaurant Week, an important cultural initiative that celebrates the flavors of African American, African and Caribbean cuisine, since its launch in Los Angeles.”

Mark Walker is the owner of Downtown late night pop-up Comfort LA, which aims to serve soul food with a clean approach by using local produce that is fresh and organic.

Because the business relied heavily on takeout with its Downtown storefront location, it created a smoother transition when the pandemic hit.

But weekly, the storefront Downtown favorite had its challenges from inflating product costs to advertising and working with third-party food-delivery services like UberEats and DoorDash.

“Everyone’s in the same boat and just sort of struggling to stay afloat,” Walker said. “I found myself driving all over LA for

cooking oil and chicken wings.”

Walker was introduced to Black Restaurant Week and the campaign by Alycia Hightower, the national food and beverage manager for BWR, when she came to the restaurant. He said it was her infectious attitude that persuaded him and his business partner Jeremy McBryde to take part in the campaign. They were introduced to resources they didn’t know were available.

Walker’s gas company offers a resource center for minority-owned business owners with classes and grants on different business aspects.

“They’ve been a huge help for us over the last year and have connected us with programs that we weren’t aware of that are in our own backyard,” Walker said.

“There is definitely this collective benefit over so the best thing I can say is it’s just like family.”

Black Restaurant Week is Friday, Aug. 6, to Sunday, Aug. 15. For more information, visit blackrestaurantweeks.com.

AUGUST 2, 2021

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