February 27, 2014

Your Community Connection

Including Inglewood Airport Area • Baldwin Hills • Crenshaw/LA • Ladera Heights VOL. 23, No. 9

February 27, 2014

Dalai Lama Comes to Inglewood International Spiritual Teacher Brings Message of Peace

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By Veronica Mackey

he typical image of an Eastern Holy Man is a quiet, serious individual who says very little and spends months in solitude.

His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama did not get that memo.

The gregarious spiritual teacher from Tibet was full of laughter, joking with Inglewood Mayor James Butts, “You have a heavy body, sit in this big chair.”

His laughter—spontaneous and infectious—was evidence of a man who practices his own message of living a happy life.

Of course, he had plenty words of wisdom to heap

The Dalai Lama and Mayor James T. Butts at the Fabulous Forum. Photo by Paul A. Hebert. upon his thousands of fol- school children were given lowers who packed the Fab- free tickets to the event. ulous Forum in Inglewood on Mayor Butts and former Tuesday.

California First Lady Maria His appearance, under- Shriver welcomed the Dalai written by the Lourdes Lama. Singer Eric Benet Foundation, was a non-re- performed “What the World ligious program designed Needs Now is Love.” to promote peace, love and Mayor Butts said Inglesocial justice. About 300 In- wood is now on the inter(Continued on page 7) glewood residents and 1,000

The Dalai Lama and Maria Shriver.

On The Inside: • News • Community • Entertainment • Health • Real Estate • Business

Home Grown

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By Thomas Bunn

raised fist and a soulful voice permeate the spirit of a young lady I have no problem calling a sister of my own. How did that combination of art and social advocacy come about? She was born into it. Her poetic, multifaceted approach to social justice, entertainment, and infant health coexist like a clash (Continued on page 9)

Sunset Brown

VOTE TODAY • Visit www.inglewoodtoday.com

Would you like to see NFL Football in Inglewood?

Drum Majors for Justice

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eating the drum for justice day in and day out can make one weary. Some wonder if the slow wheels of justice will ever turn toward the poor, the outcast or the forgotten.

It takes a special soul to stand up for the plight of the afflicted, often with little

Rita Hall

L.A. Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to show but long hours and scant resources. But anyone who has ever benefitted knows the effort is well worth the sacrifice.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said he wanted to be remembered as a “drum major for justice.” This quote from his speech puts into context what was most important for him to accomplish: “Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a (Continued on page 6)

Inglewood Today

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Eye on the City Football and the Dalai Lama

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fter a commendation was given to the American Red Cross by the Inglewood Council, resident Curtis Rogers announced Inglewood is getting ready for the annual “Relay for Life.” The American Cancer Society-sponsored event raises money and awareness for cancer. The 24-hour event is held in cities and small towns worldwide.

Teams of participants camp overnight at local athletic tracks, taking turns running or walking laps.

The purpose of the 24-hour, nonstop event is to recognize that when someone has cancer, it does not stop.

The Inglewood Relay event will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 7 to June 8, at Crozier Middle School.

The City will host a Relay kickoff event on March 24 in the Community Room of City Hall, from 6-9pm.

The public is welcome.

“I chair the planning committee (of) volunteers. It’s a group of dedicated citizens of Inglewood, dedicat-

By Veronica Mackey

ed to attacking and eradicating cancer. We want to double participants this year. Stay tuned,” Rogers said.

The council voted in favor of a number of items, including: • Sponsorship of the 2014 Inglewood Relay for Life • Purchase of various items for the Inglewood Police Canine Unit • Emergency services, sewer repairs, a cooling system, water contracts and 2013-14 budget amendments for Public Works • Contracts for Residential Sound Insulation The council also adopted an ordinance approving a zoning code amendment to establish density provisions for affordable housing; and grant support for a joint transportation project with MTA. The Economic and Community Development Dept. will submit a grant application to develop a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. A provisional card club license and provision pointholder

Public Hearing on Proposed Fare Changes

Public Hearing on Proposed Fare Changes To continue reliable service of LA County’s expanding transportation network, Metro must consider gradually increasing fares. Metro’s approach to changing fares would also increase transit access by including free transfers on a single fare paid with a TAP card. A public hearing to gather comments will be held on Saturday, March 29 at 9:30am at Metro Headquarters; sign up in person by 11:30am to speak at the hearing. More information at metro.net/newfares.

Upcoming Sepulveda Boulevard Lane Closures Individual lane closures on Sepulveda Boulevard are expected soon in the Sepulveda Pass as part of the freeway improvements project. For the latest information on closures and construction schedules, check metro.net/405.

Track Installation For Expo Phase 2 The Expo Construction Authority is in the process of laying more than 30 miles of track in West LA and Santa Monica for the second phase of the Expo Line. Phase 2 will extend west from the Culver City Station to Santa Monica. For more information and construction schedules, visit buildexpo.org.

Wilshire BRT Breaks Ground Work recently began on the remainder of the Wilshire Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes. The $31.5-million project is adding 7.7 miles of peak hour bus lanes to sections of Wilshire Boulevard between downtown LA and Santa Monica. More information at metro.net/wilshire.

Regional Connector Gets $670 Million in Federal Funding

metro.net @metrolosangeles facebook.com/losangelesmetro

14-1453ps_wsc-ie-14-009 ©2014 lacmta

Top federal o;cials have awarded a $670 million grant and an additional $160 million in low-interest loans to the downtown Los Angeles Regional Connector Transit Project. The two-mile underground route will connect the Metro Blue, Gold and Expo Lines. Learn more at metro.net/regionalconnector.

and key management employee permits were extended.

The Inglewood Junior All American Football League asked the council for help in securing a field. A representative told the council the nonprofit cannot afford the current $25,000-a-year price tag to use their current field for 11 games. Another man said he would “love to have a football field. Our kids need a safe haven to grow up to be outstanding men and women.”

Their remarks were supported by young players.

One young player who could barely reach the microphone said he has played for the Inglewood Jets “for six years, for all my life.

All we are asking you for is a field for 12 kids.”

“My name is Isaiah Williams,” another boy said. “We have the best coaches and the best staff.

And all we are asking for is a football field.”

“I can tell you, everybody up here heard you, and we’re going to find a solution,” Mayor James Butts said, adding that it was “prohibitively expensive to pay $25,000 for 11 weeks.”

Not much has happened since Rams owner Stan Kroenke bought 60 acres of land owned

by Walmart near Hollywood Park last month. Rumors have been swirling of the NFL team moving to Inglewood. Michael Benbow suspects Kroenke is just trying to get the Edward Jones Stadium in St. Louis to meet his demands for renovation. “I think it was a chess game played by rich people, for them to get what they wanted out of St. Louis. I think that (land purchase) was something of a mild threat. I think they need more than 60 acres to put up a football stadium (in Inglewood). Or, they can start developing properties such as the restaurants we need in this city.

Or they can give some money to the little league football team.”

Mr. Davis, a long time Inglewood resident was not happy about what he referred to as recent “indictments” related to Inglewood officials. He named Roderick Wright and former Inglewood City Manager Timothy Wannamaker. There was a friendly exchange between Davis and Mayor about officials connected to Inglewood who were (Continued on page 3)

February 27, 2014

President/Publisher/ Editor Willie Brown Vice President Gloria Kennedy Assistant Editor Veronica Mackey Contributing Writers Veronica Mackey Thomas Bunn Brooke Stanley Staff Photographer Thomas Bunn PRODUCTION Manager Dené Glamuzina Quality Control Manager Gloria Kennedy Inglewood Today Weekly is a legally

adjudicated newspaper of public cir­ culation, published weekly by Ads Up Advertising, Inc. News and press releases may be submitted for consideration by mail to 9111 La Cienega Boulevard, Suite 100, Inglewood, CA 90301 or by email to itnetworks@msn.com.

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Inglewood Today

February 27, 2014

Heavy Rain Forecast for Southern California Areas SCE Reminds Customers to Stay Away From Downed Power Lines

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The Office Of

SuperviSOr

Mark ridley-ThOMaS SecOnd diSTricT

From the new MLK hospital to the Crenshaw/LAX light rail Empowering the Second District MarkRidley-Thomas@bos.lacounty.gov http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov

Joins

Inglewood Today

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in Celebrating

ith heavy rains forecast through the weekend in most of the Southland, Southern California Edison (SCE) reminds its customers that outages may occur and to never approach or touch downed power lines.

SCE will take steps to position additional personnel, which includes restoration and repair crews.

Additional call center representatives will handle customer inquiries through the weekend during the predicted rainstorm conditions.

The National Weather Service predicts two separate storm fronts moving through Southern California in the next few days. The first storm is expected to remain north of Southern California, but scattered showers are still expected to reach the Los Angeles basin as soon as late Wednesday night.

The second storm system is anticipated to be much stronger and is expected to move directly over Southern California late Friday afternoon, with showers lasting through Saturday and possibly

Sunday.

If you see a downed power line or dangling wire—even if it appears not to be live—don’t touch or approach it or anything that is in contact with it and call 911 immediately.

Customers may report outages at 1-800- 611-1911, online or through the SCE Outages app.

February 2014 SCE will provide the latest information about outages at its website and on Facebook and Twitter. can emit carbon monoxide and • Check on your neighbors to make Customer safety is a top priority other toxic gases. sure everyone is safe. for SCE. Here are important tips to • If you use a generator, place it A video and fact sheet about powkeep in mind: outdoors and plug individual ap- er-line safety is available at: www.

• Watch for traffic signals that may pliances directly into it, using a SCE.com/staysafe. The information be out. Approach those intersecheavy-duty extension cord. Con- is also available in Spanish. tions as four-way stops. necting generators directly to An Edison International (NYSE: • Make sure you have a batteryhousehold circuits creates “back- EIX) company, Southern Califoroperated radio and flashlights. feed,” which is dangerous to re- nia Edison is one of the nation’s Check the batteries to make sure pair crews. largest electric utilities, serving a they are fresh. Use flashlights for lighting during a power outage; • Leave the doors of your refrig- population of nearly 14 million via erator and freezer closed to keep 4.9 million customer accounts in do not use candles because they food as fresh as possible. Place a 50,000-square-mile service area may pose a significant fire hazard. blocks of ice inside to help keep within Central, Coastal and South• Do not use any equipment inside food cold. Check food carefully ern California. that is designed for outdoor heatfor signs of spoilage. ing or cooking. Such equipment

Eye on the City (Continued from page 2) caught doing wrong.

Davis asked the mayor for another 30 seconds to complete his remarks.

Butts: “You have another minute because you only named two… To my knowledge, there has been just one sitting councilmember indicted.

A lot of people are being indicted around the country and around the state. I don’t want to throw out things about people being indicted.”

The unnamed person was former Inglewood Mayor Roosevelt Dorn.

Davis: “OK. They all passed through Inglewood…”

Butts: “And they were all probably born in California too…”

Davis: “A good man doesn’t go bad all of a sudden. It’s a pattern.

What happens is we get people who

have these patterns. That’s all I’m sayin’.”

Willie Agee told a story about a once homeless Inglewood man who was recently reunited with his family, thanks to Inglewood police.

The man was a fixture on Century and Prairie for years. Police Chief Mark Fronterotta had his people to investigate, Agee said. “The young man was in the military for 5 years, in the Air Force, an educated man.

We don’t know what happened to him. People used to harass him. I did myself, but I didn’t know what was going on with this man. This officer sent this young man to the Veteran’s Hospital. He’a been away from his family for 10 years. Now, he’s back.”

Councilman George Dotson thanked all who attended the recent shredding event in District 1. He

added that feedback from the public to the council “makes us think and do our jobs better.”

Councilman Alex Padilla recapped the success of his recent meet and greet event, and thanked the public. He said District 2 will have its own team participating in the Relay for Life cancer event. He did not mention her by name, but said Diane Sombrano could add positive dialogue to council meetings by sharing her work at Centinela Adobe, an historic Inglewood landmark.

“There’s a person who … is on the executive board of the Centinela Adobe. If you can find it in your words, let us know what events are coming up so we can participate.

That would be good for all of us.”

Sombrano is a harsh critic of the Inglewood City Council.

Franklin used his closing remarks to update the public on street improvements. “The council has been approached concerning Century Heights. Part of the asphalt was repaved and the other part was not.

Our Public Works Director Louis Atwell said at our town hall meeting that he would find the funding. I am proud to announce that the RFP (Request for Proposal) has gone out. March 5 is the deadline for bids.”

Mayor Butts addressed comments made about the Master Plan for the bicycle lane: “The reason you have to do studies is because there are a lot of issues concerning bicycle safety and connectivity. You have to make sure it goes someplace.”

The 14th Dalai Lama’s appear(Continued on page 11)

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Inglewood Today

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February 27, 2014

Do Your Own Taxes with Confidence

re you afraid to do your own taxes? Maybe all you need is a little help from the experts. According to the TurboTax website: “Like many things in life, once you’ve filed your own taxes once, a lot of the drama vanishes.”

The tax software experts offer this advice for do-it-yourselfers: If you’ve never filed your own taxes, you might be scared off by all the mystery and complexity that seemingly surrounds the process. However, like many things in life, once you’ve filed your own taxes once, a lot of the drama vanishes. While a professional tax adviser may help in certain situations, in many cases taxes can be relatively simple. Hiring a professional may not have the effect you think in terms of audit protection or liability.

Taxes are too complex The popular press makes taxes seem complicated by quoting politicians demanding reform and referencing just how many volumes the tax code fills. In reality, the vast majority of taxpayers don’t have to worry about most of the tax code, which applies to

very specific situations.

Although times are changing, most American taxpayers still hold a “traditional” job, work for an employer, and receive a W-2 filled with tax information at the end of the year.

Patrick Summar, a Redondo Beach, California-based business and life coach for business owners, says that for the typical employee, taxes need not be overly complicated.

“There will always be situations in which hiring outside help makes sense, particularly if you run a business or have extensive investment assets,” says Summar. “But if you are the employee of someone else’s business with no outside investments, then keep it simple, because it is simple!”

While you shouldn’t avoid itemizing if you have the requisite expenses, for most taxpayers this isn’t an issue—more than half of all taxpayers don’t even itemize deductions, using the standard deduction instead. This makes doing your own taxes a much simpler process.

For the self-employed, you can follow instructions which the Internal Revenue Service provides

annually for free. You can list your income, subtract your deductions and credits, and arrive at the correct amount of tax you owe all on your own. If you feel better getting a second opinion, an online or software-based tax preparation service like TurboTax can provide all the help you need. TurboTax even lets you speak with tax professionals like CPAs, EAs and tax attorneys for free by phone or live chat, in the event you run into any questions.

I’ll get audited Doing your own taxes in and of itself doesn’t make you more likely to be audited. Similarly, having someone else do your taxes doesn’t necessarily make it less likely that you’ll be audited. Since the IRS can’t possibly review in detail every single tax return it receives, it has a series of triggers that flag suspected returns for further review. If your return carries any of these red flags, it might not matter whether you did your taxes yourself or used the highestpriced accountants you could find.

According to Summar, “Professional tax preparers may be less

likely to make certain errors, since they are more familiar with the tax filing process in general, but hiring one is no guarantee you will be shielded from an audit.”

When you use TurboTax to prepare your taxes, you automatically gain access to our Audit Support Center, and can talk to our tax professionals year-round, in the unlikely event you are audited.

I don’t have to file Some taxpayers believe that if they don’t make enough money they don’t have to file a tax return.

While in some cases this may be true, they are considerably rarer than you might imagine.

From a straight income perspective, you have to file a tax return for 2013 if your gross income is above $10,000 for single filers, or $20,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly.

However, many other factors come into play when it comes to filing. For example, Summar points out that “if you earn any self-employment income, you’re responsible for filing a return as soon as you (Continued on page 5)

Pick up your copy of Inglewood Today at one of these locations: 1 Stop Mini-Mart, 420 E. Florence Ave. A-Man Inc., 101 La Brea Ave. Airport Gas, 501 Hillcrest St. Allstate, 2300 W. Manchester Bl. Bayou Grill, 1400 N. La Brea Ave. Boston Cream Donuts, 2576 La Brea Ave. Bourbon Street Fish & Grill, 601 S. Prairie Ave. Briarwood, 3500 Manchester Bl. Broadway Federal Bank, 170 N. Market St. Brolly Hut Barber Shop on 109th & Crenshaw Bruno’s Pizza, 450 E. Manchester Bl. Budda Market, 3753 Slauson (Rimpau) C&J Beauty Supply, 11252 Crenshaw Bl. Carlton Square, 8700 Carlton Centinela Hospital, 555 E. Hardy St. Chili’s, 3490 W. Century Bl. Chile Verde on Crenshaw Choice Berry, 599 1/2 S. La Brea Ave. City One Stop, 110 Queen St. Cranford Scott, M.D., 211 N. Prairie Ave. CVS Pharmacy, 222 N. Market St. Darby Park, 3400 W. Arbor Vitae Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen #1, 202 E. Manchester Bl. Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen #2, 3249 W. Century Bl. Edward Vincent Park Senior Ctr., 700 Warren Lane Fabulous Burger, 1315 Centinela Ave., Family Fish Market, 1300 Centinela Ave. Fiesta Martin Mexican Grill, 1330 N. La Brea Ave. Gin’s Liquor, 11001 Crenshaw Bl. Gonzales Northgate Market, 10801 Prairie Ave. Heart & Soul Grill, 128 N. Market St. Hollywood Park Casino, 1050 S. Prairie Ave. Inglewood Airport Area, 330 E. Queen St. Inglewood Park Cemetery, 720 E. Florence Ave. Inglewood Community Police Ctr., Manchester/7th Ave. Inglewood City Hall, 1 West Manchester Bl. Inglewood Library, 101 W. Manchester Bl. Inglewood Meadows, 1 Locust St. Inglewood Park Mortuary, 3801 W. Manchester Bl. Inglewood Police Station, 1 West Manchester Bl. Inglewood Today, 949 S. La Brea Ave. Inglewood Unified School District, 401 S. Inglewood Ave. In the Kut Barber Shop on 109th & Crenshaw Jamba Juice, 5305 W. Centinela Ave. King Fish Market, 10901 Crenshaw Bl. KJLH Radio, 161 N. La Brea Ave. Ladera Physiotherapy, 409 S. La Brea Ave.

Lan’s Nails, 10901 S. Crenshaw Bl. Lawrence Carey Barber Shop, 10901 S. Crenshaw Bl. Liquorette Liquor Store, 1400 Centinela Ave. Louisiana Fried Chicken, 170 La Brea Lucy Laundromat across from Sizzler’s on Manchester M&M’s Soul Food on Manchester M&M’s Soul Food (new) on Crenshaw Martino’s Liquor, 706 E. Manchester Bl. Mike’s Deli, 4859 W. Slauson Ave. Moby’s Breakfast & Lunch, 3008 W. Manchester Bl. Morningside Adult Day Care, 3216 W. Manchester Bl. Nix Check Cashing, 140 E. Manchester Nix Check Cashing on Crenshaw & 110th Osage Senior Villas, 924 S. Osage Pann’s, 6710 La Tijera Bl. Pay Day Loans on Crenshaw & 110 Pep Boys, 200 E. Spruce Ave. Red Lobster, 3400 W. Century Bl. Regal Cleaners, 700 E. Manchester Bl. Regency Towers, 123 Locust St. Regent Plaza, 201 Regent St. Roger’s Park, 400 W. Beach Ave. Scottie’s Gumbo & Grill, 945 S. Prairie Ave. Sizzler’s, Manchester/Prairie Smoke 4 Less, 925 N. La Brea Spa 313 Salon, 313 La Brea Starbucks, 5301 Centinela Ave. Starbucks, 941 N. La Brea Ave. Starbucks on Century Stuff I Eat, 114 N. Market St. Super Fish Market, 11007 S Crenshaw Bl. Superior Groceries, 11202 S Crenshaw Bl. The Serving Spoon, 1403 Centinela Ave. TGIFriday’s, 6721 La Tijera Bl. True Vine Baptist Church, 1437 Centinela Ave. Union Bank, 6719 La Tijera Bl. Vons, 500 E. Manchester Bl. Walgreens on Century Westchester Villa Senior Living, 220 W. Manchester Bl. Whole Foods, 4508 Overhill (Slauson) Winchell’s Donuts, 2601 W. Manchester Bl. Winchell’s Donut Shop on Crenshaw near 108th St. Wings Stop on Century Wise Tires & Brakes, 949 S. La Brea Ave. Woody’s Barbeque, 4751 S. Market St. Yvonne B. Burke Senior Center, 4750 62nd St. (La Brea)

Inglewood Today

February 27, 2014

Publisher’s Message

F

Word for the Wise Spring Special!

Tires Repaired At No Charge Now Until April 1, 2014 With This Ad

Restaurants Need to Step Up

or months, there has been news of the Fabulous Forum reopening. Now that it has, it seems some restaurants still haven’t got the message. Never has there been a greater need for quality restaurants in the area.

If you own a restaurant, store or bar, you should have already been anticipating an influx of new customers. You should have planned to increase your inventory of food and beverages, scheduled more staff on concert dates and upgraded your equipment. The Forum has been open a little over a month now.

The customers are clearly here, and with new acts being added all the time, there will be many more bodies looking for food before and after each event.

This is no time to get ready. It’s time to be ready.

Tuesday, I had an opportunity to see first hand how one restaurant is seen through a customer’s eyes.

Like the thousands of those who came to the Forum on Tuesday to see His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, I decided to grab a bite to eat after the program.

I went to a familiar restaurant. The food is always good there, but the service was slow. It’s not that there was a line extending outside. There was only one waitress working. At one point, a friend almost left. He had an appointment within an hour, and had been waiting almost 15 minutes to get his order taken.

While we waited, a man came to my table and asked me if I knew how leave a tip. There was nothing on the bill to allow a person to write in the tip amount if they use a debit or credit card. I thought it was interesting that he had to ask me instead of the waitress because she was nowhere to be found. This should never happen!

Aside from the slow service, no one took initiative to drum up business. Sure, there were people who happened to find the restaurant by accident, but there could have been so many more. No one thought to stand on the corner or pass out fliers when the event ended. Someone could have been standing outside the restaurant with a table offering samples.

Small and minority-owned businesses don’t have the big budgets of franchises, but that does not mean they have to operate out of scarcity.

Sometimes opportunity requires

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Just Saying...

Willie Brown, Publisher, Inglewood Today Weekly investing. And if that means taking out a loan to hire additional help, upgrading signage or extending your hours, so be it.

Entrepreneurs must assume some risk, or else they never would have started their businesses. It is time to step up. We cannot afford to do business the same old way.

The Forum is just a sign of more business to come. If Inglewood restaurants don’t get it right now, others are going to step up and get the business. Now is the time to make changes. Take a hard look at your business. How clean is the exterior and interior? How long, on average, does it take for a customer to be served? Do your menus need to be updated? How is the parking? What can you do to make your business more inviting and customer friendly?

Dining is an essential part of a concert experience, but everyone from hotels to neighborhood bars and stores need to step up, too. If you own a restaurant, or any business, in Inglewood, think long term.

It’s not just traffic from the Forum that you need to consider, but future customers from Hollywood Park Tomorrow and Metro rail line passengers. How well you take care of your customers is not just a reflection on you, it’s a reflection on our city.

Do Your Own Taxes with Confidence (Continued from page 4) earn just $400.” If you qualify for various taxpayer credits, such as the earned income tax credit, or if you had excess money withheld from your paycheck, you should file a return no matter what your income. As Summar notes, “You can’t get money back from the IRS if you don’t file a return.”

Harmful words can be, forgiven, and even forgotten but the impact can be everlasting. So if you want a positive outcome use positive word.

Yvonne Horton

Rod Wright Sentencing Delayed

S

en. Rod Wright (D-Inglewood) has taken an indefinite leave of absence after being convicted on eight felony voter fraud charges. The two-term lawmaker requested the leave during a meeting Tuesday with Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg.

According to Steinberg spokesman, Mark Hedlund, “There are motions pending by Senator Wright’s legal team to set aside the jury verdict and/or ask for a new trial.”

Wright’s attorney, Winston Kevin McKesson said the defense team needs more time to review the entire trial record, which won’t be available until March 12. He called the verdict “unjust.” Wright was supposed to be sentenced on March 12, however, the new sentencing date has been moved until May 16.

He will continue to receive his $95,291 Senate salary during his leave of absence.

Wright, who represents the 35th Senate District, faces up to eight years in prison, and was convicted by a jury on all eight counts of fraud last month. He was originally indicted in 2010, but was granted multiple delays.

He is charged with lying about his residence, filing false candidacy papers and voting in elections in which he was ineligible. The sena-

Sen. Roderick Wright tor faces up to eight years and four months in prison, but could avoid any jail time because there is no minimum sentence for his crimes.

Charges against Wright stem from 2008, when he ran for and won the then-25th District seat. According to the prosecution, Wright actually lived in Baldwin Hills during that time, but claimed to have lived in Inglewood. State law requires elected officials to live in the districts they serve.

Wright won re-election despite the charges.

Democratic Sen. Ron Calderon pleaded not guilty Monday to multiple federal corruption charges.

The California Legislature is looking at ways to reform ethics laws.

Inglewood Today

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February 27, 2014

Celebrating Black History Month Drum Majors for Justice (Continued from page 1) drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.”

Here, in our last salute to Black History Month, Inglewood Today spotlights individuals working to make the world a better place.

Rita Hall On March 22, 2014, Holy Helping Hands will host the 3rd Annual Muzet H. Hall Foster Youth Scholarship Luncheon. The luncheon is a tribute to Rita Hall’s late mother who worked as an advocate for foster youth and juvenile justice for over 60 years.

“When she died, I wanted to do something in her honor. I am the only child and her death was devastating. Since I had co-founded Holy Helping Hands in 1998, and youth was a part of our mission, this was the perfect vehicle to feed two birds with one crumb,” Hall said.

Hall is a longtime Inglewood resident and law enforcement officer who saw daily what happens to youth who enter the penal system.

“It’s a revolving door,” she said.

Holy Helping Hands was founded

vating young people, organizing youth events, art and cultural programs, and classes on personal development and hygiene.

“Mom was phenomenal.Because she had a passion for youth and veterans, I have followed in her footsteps. I am passionate about helping those two populations. My organization and I do the annual scholarship luncheon in March as close to the 24th as possible, because that was my mom’s birthday.”

Holy Helping Hands also raises donations and volunteers at the VA Hospital in West Los Angeles sevMuzet H. Hall eral times per year. The organizaby Hall, Carrie Cox, Cowana Emile, tion has partnered with NCNW and Tessa McClendon, Joan Raber and a Girl Scout troop from Torrance.

Vicki Stuckey. The women have For more information about the backgrounds in law enforcement upcoming foster youth luncheon, and education. on Saturday, March 22, featuring “Did you know that there are over author Rosie Mulligan, contact Rita 19,500 foster children in Los Ange- Hall at (800) 550-9137, (323) 863les County? They need a voice,” 3747 or email Holyhelpinghands@ Hall said. aol.com.

Hall’s mother, Muzet advocated for foster youth and children in Mark Ridley-Thomas juvenile hall through her organiLos Angeles County Supervisor zation, the Los Angeles Chapter Mark Ridley-Thomas has been the of the National Council of Negro driving force to restore to Greater Women (NCNW). Hall got her South Los Angeles the critical lifeearly training watching and work- sustaining healthcare resource that ing alongside her mother, moti- was lost due to mismanagement and

high profile medical failures.

When King-Harbor Medical Center was forced to close in August 2007 for repeatedly failing to pass medical accreditation reviews, then-Sen. Ridley-Thomas vowed that if elected in November 2008, he would work tirelessly to create a new Martin Luther King Hospital to replace the long troubled facility.

He forged a public-private partnership that will enable Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital to be revitalized, rebuilt and reopened by L.A. County under the management stewardship of a nonprofit Hospital Board of Directors, a unique oversight arrangement for a county hospital. University of California Health Services will provide staff physicians at Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital.

The new Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital spearheaded by Supervisor Ridley-Thomas has created hundreds of new jobs in construction and revitalization of the healthcare facility and will restore hundreds of allied health jobs missing in South Los Angeles since Fall 2007.

The Ridley-Thomas formula of empowerment and community engagement has been on full display (Continued on page 11)

Inglewood Today

February 27, 2014

Page 7

Health&Fitness T•O•D•A•Y

Y

Quitting Smoking Is Hard – But Help Is Available

ou’ve decided to give up cigarettes. Good for you!

You already know about all the things that smoking does to your body, like lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and heart disease.

No need to re-invent the wheel.

But if you stop smoking, will your lungs recover from the damage already done?

The answer is yes, maybe no, or it depends. On average, when you stop inhaling the tar and toxic poisons the little hairs on your airway begin to function again. You’ll probably cough a lot more because the lungs are cleaning house. But through all the coughing spasms, you’ll notice you are breathing a lot easier, and exercising does not leave you gasping for air.

But, for the ones who developed emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the lungs will not recover. The airways have become permanently inflamed, and although they can improve somewhat, most of the damage cannot be reversed. With emphysema, the little balloons in

the lungs that exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide have been ruined. They cannot be repaired and they do not replace themselves.

Stopping the smoking habit is as hard to break as getting off heroine or crack. Cigarettes have become a part of your entire life. No matter that you had to stand out in the

rain or freezing cold to grab a few puffs, it’s a love affair and one you enjoy. Every part of smoking has something you love, from flicking the lighter, the feel of a new pack, to the captivating smoke that billows from your mouth. You love how a cigarette looks in your hand, why it’s almost a status symbol.

So, packing your best friend’s bags and telling them to hit the road is not easy, no matter how bad the relationship. Once the cigarettes are deemed off-limits, your work really begins. Taking it one day at a time is crap! It’s going to be more like taking it one minute at a time, even a few seconds!

You can do it, but be prepared to be sabotaged by your own brain.

You’re going to remember how you loved to smoke, how it was so comforting and enjoyable. Don’t be surprised if you dream about cigarettes, the mind can work in devious ways! You’ll remember only the good things about cigarettes and completely forget why you stopped smoking.

Everywhere you go you’ll be reminded that you want to smoke.

Paying for a tank of gas, you’ll notice only the rows and rows of delicious cigarettes above the cashier’s head. You’ll notice every person who is enjoying a cigarette.

You might even slow down when passing someone who is smoking (Continued on page 11)

Councilman George Dotson’s Statement on Black History Month

B The Dalai Lama is honored by Mayor Butts.

Dalai Lama Comes to Inglewood (Continued from page 1) national stage and having the 14th Dalai Lama come to his city is proof of that. He added that it is especially fitting that a man who promotes peace and justice would come “here in Inglewood at the end of Black History Month.”

“How lucky are we to be here to listen to one of the wisest teachers on Planet Earth!” Shriver said.

When she first met the Dalai Lama, Shriver said his sense of peace radi-

ated the room. “It was palpable.”

The Dalai Lama gave Butts and Shriver each white prayer shawls, which he wrapped around their necks.

The message, though global in scope, was unifying. We are all dependent on one another, Dalai Lama said. “We are social animals. Just one person, a single person cannot survive.

Even insects have a sense of community. It can’t be just me, me, me.”

He spoke about the world that he envisions—one in which injustice, poverty, and violence are (Continued on page 10)

lack History Month is a time to reflect on those who have paved the way for all of us, thus creating history. Heroes such as Freddrick Douglass, Thurgood Marshall and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., come to mind for their impact on our society. However, I would like to focus on a hero who is more personal to me, George Dotson, Sr. My father was an activist and pioneer in Monroe, Louisiana, my hometown. He taught several young men the trade of floor covering and cabinetry.

The lessons he passed down have instilled the work ethic, steadfastness and characteristics I live by today. This Black History Month let us take a moment to honor all those men and women whose names never made the pages of our history books, but whose contribution, however small or large, helped shape this country.

As a person born in the south, I have personally seen where we have come from, to where we are today. It is a tribute to our fore-

Councilman George Dotson fathers and mothers for the progress we have made to this date.

We must not forget the suffering and sacrifices that they had to endure to bring us to this point. We must encourage our children and grandchildren to persevere, become educated or learn a trade and continue to work toward progress.

Education is the key to the American dream.

Inglewood Today

Page 8

February 27, 2014

Today The Way You Do Anything Is the Way You Do Everything (and Nine More “Tough Love” Truths for Business Owners) – Part 2

P

When many entrepreneurs hit a snag, they point the finger at outside factors. But Suzanne Evans says that you, and you alone, are the source of your success or failure. Here, excerpted from her book are 10 inconvenient but ironclad truths that all business owners should take to heart.

laying it safe is for wimps.

A lot of entrepreneurs have a “better safe than sorry” mindset. They follow the rules, avoid the risks, and accept mediocrity as the price of stability. Did you catch that last part? A lot of entrepreneurs accept mediocrity in order to preserve the status quo. They aren’t willing to gamble the way things are for the way they’d like them to be.

“Hello! That’s why you aren’t getting ahead!” Evans points out. “There is no such thing as wild success without going out on some shaky-looking limbs. Yes, taking a chance at failing might feel scary—but often, that’s the only way to succeed.

“This way of thinking recently jolted one of my clients into action,” she adds. “An anti-diet expert, she turned her stop-and-go business around when one day she finally decided that the status quo was no longer an acceptable price to pay for not achieving her dream.

For better or worse, she was ready to put it all on the line. That’s how you’ve got to see it, too. In order to get what you really want, what are you willing to fail at in life, in business, in your career?”

You don’t have what it takes to do it all. In some ways, entrepre-

neurs are the ultimate narcissists.

They tend to tell themselves that no one is as smart, capable, or caring as they are: No one can pitch to clients as effectively as I can. No one is as meticulous with accounts as I am.

As a result, these entrepreneurs suffer from “founder syndrome”: They can’t do all the work of running a business alone, but they don’t have enough faith in others to do it, so they get stuck.

“Sound familiar?” asks Evans.

“If so, allow me to inform you that you don’t have what it takes to run a business singlehandedly. You cannot do it all. Ultimately, you’re going to have to take a leap of faith.

Hire the smartest, most capable people you can (even if you’re convinced they aren’t as smart as you!) and trust them to support you. I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

There is no such thing as “right” and “wrong.” Too bad, because life would be a lot easier if there were! But thinking about your business in terms of right/wrong, good/ bad, pass/fail isn’t helpful. There is no failsafe way forward; everything is a lesson waiting to be learned. As the great Ben Zander wrote in his book, The Art of Possibility, “Just look at it and say: FASCINATING.

Then take your next step from that place.”

“Because we’ve been raised to believe tests are pass or fail, we usually become overwhelmed and scared when faced with them,” Evans points out. “But in the real world, outside of the classroom, tests exist to help us to grow—not to determine whether or not we know the right answer. And anyway, what’s right for someone else may not be right for you and vice versa.

“For instance: I almost had a heart attack when I read Suze Orman’s new book, The Money Class.

It contained a list of items that signal that it’s time to shut down your company. Over the last three years, I experienced everything on the checklist more than once! If I followed that advice, I would have been out of business. Stop worrying about getting it right or doing it wrong. Throw the rules out the window and do what you think is best for your business.”

Yes, you can spend your way to success. If you’ve been nodding along up to this point, here’s where Evans admits she might lose you: Sometimes, money—more money than you’re comfortable spending—is what it takes to jolt your

business out of the mediocrity rut.

(Nope, you’re not going to hear this advice from your financial planner.)

“I’ve overinvested and overspent on my business many times over the years,” she admits. “When I saw opportunities from sponsorship to hiring, I grabbed them, regardless of whether the expense was ‘prudent’ or success was guaranteed.

And I’ve rarely had any regrets.”

Evans identifies some investments that, while pricey, consistently deliver benefits: • Marketing programs and consulting where you get a specific plan.

• Opportunities where you will be in front of your ideal clients.

• The right team members to grow the business in the right areas.

• Programs where you receive mentoring from people who are where you want to be.

• Workshops and events that keep you connected and motivated.

• Software and programs that allow you to systematize and streamline.

The world needs to know your ugly stepsister story. A lot of people believe their personal lives— especially their mistakes—don’t have a place in their businesses.

(Continued on page 10)

California Banks Buy Little from Minority-Owned Businesses, New Study Finds

C

alifornia’s largest banks buy few goods and services from minority-owned businesses, reports a new study from The Greenlining Institute, released in San Francisco. In a state where people of color make up 60 percent of the population, banks obtained less than eight percent of the goods and services they procured in 2012 from businesses owned by African Americans, Latinos, Asians or Native Americans.

Escaping the Old Boy Network The Banking Industry and Supplier Diversity is the first study to ever examine in detail the degree to which banks with the largest California market share contract with diverse-owned businesses.

“Banks are a key engine of our

economy, purchasing over $51 bil- • Banks are major purchasers of lion in goods and services in 2012,” goods and services, and thus a said Greenlining Institute Economhuge potential engine of economic Equity Director Sasha Werblin. ic activity. In 2012, the partici“It should not be considered acpating banks in this report spent ceptable that their supplier netover $51.05 billion on goods and works so completely fail to reflect services. the diversity of California.”

Key findings of the report in- • Nationwide, contracting with miclude: nority business enterprises was • Entrepreneurship is essential to nominal, with median spending the health of communities of colat just 5.96 percent of total conor. Minority business enterprises tract dollars and ranging from (MBEs) outpaced the growth of 3.46 percent to 8.37 percent. their counterparts between 2002 Bank of America was responand 2007. When MBEs do busisible for nearly half of all total ness with major institutions like dollars spent with MBEs. banks, they generate wealth and create jobs in their communities, • California MBE contracting was but these firms still face chalonly slightly better, and pales in lenges breaking through “old comparison to the state’s diverse boy networks” and obtaining population. The banks’ 7.72 contracts. percent median spending with

diverse businesses fails to represent a state that is 60 percent people of color. Only five banks currently track state-specific spending in substantial detail, and many with substantial California market share do not.

Currently, no uniform standard exists for how to measure banks’ investment in supplier diversity, making “apples to apples” comparisons impossible. The federal Offices of Minority and Women Inclusion should create standard reporting regulations to create transparency and assist the financial sector, advocates and small businesses as they work together to improve opportunities for minority business enterprises.

Inglewood Today

February 27, 2014

Inglewood is on the up and up for the most part. We’ve yet to truly galvanize the attention and action of a significant percentage of the community to get involved in the local changes that are taking place and become part of the Inglewood of tomorrow, but we’re on our way. I asked SB where her sights are set in this regard and she told me, “Other than being a street soldier, my main objective is to be a connector. Inglewood needs coalition building with different organizations and residents moving together on issues of justice and positive economic development.

There is great work already happening in Inglewood, but for some reason the outreach is not reaching the whole. Everyone isn’t being invited to the table and it may not be deliberate, but I look to be the voice for those uninvited or unable and the vessel that gets them to the table.”

Will Byrne, Founder of Groundswell, said in a Fast Company ar-

not just for our community, but for communities experiencing similar issues as Inglewood.

I encourage every organization, business owner, community leader, and resident to reach out to her and get to know her. In addition to her layered persona, she also is the lead songstress of a Hip Hop/Soul Fusion band. whose music is rooted in community activism and empowerment. They’ve performed at some of the most popular venues in Los Angeles Homegrowne as well as schools and for rallies ticle, “By pooling their purchasing against Wal-Mart. power, people and communities can Catch them on March 1st and evdo more than gain access to services ery 1st Saturday at 12705 S. Main they want at a lower cost, they can Street at the Family Room in Los unlock the ability of business—and I Angeles, CA 90061. The name of the believe, whole market sectors—to be ensemble is Homegrowne! For more drivers of social good.”

Inglewood on The Positive Side, visit With individuals like Sunset Brown us at www.inglewoodtoday.com. To in our community, who understand submit a candidate for Inglewood the importance of connecting the dots On The Positive Side, email me at: and bringing us all to the table, she Thomas@inglewoodtodaynews.com. stands to be a serious change agent

metro.net/crenshaw

Next Stop: Crenshaw/LAX You’re invited to an open house Metro, in partnership with the Walsh-Shea Corridor Constructors, is pleased to invite you to our integrated Project Management O;ce (IPMO). Come and see where the Contractor and Metro Project Team collaborate, design and prepare to build the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project. This 8.5 mile, $2.058 billion project, will extend from Crenshaw/Exposition to the Metro Green Line at Aviation. Come learn about the 8 new stations the project will build and let us welcome you to our o;ces.

Join us for an open house, meet the project and contractor teams and see where the magic happens!

Enjoy light refreshments, a ra=le and local entertainment.

Saturday, March 15, 2014 1pm–4pm Airport IPMO 9323 Bellanca Av Los Angeles, CA 90045 RSVP no later than March 7, 2014 by email at crenshawcorridor@metro.net or via phone 213.922.2736.

Go Metro! Plan your trip to the open house at metro.net.

Free parking in adjacent lots, just follow the balloons!

855.477.7100 crenshawcorridor@metro.net metro.net/crenshawcorridor twitter@crenshawcorridor facebook.com/crenshawcorridor 14-1534bg ©2014 lacmta

Home Grown (Continued from page 1) of bold, yet complimentary flavors creating a unique dish.

She is Raena Granberry, also known as, Sunset Brown. A graduate of Inglewood High, and avid community supporter, Brown has focused her energy on being a torch carrier for her family who has a rich history in activism. Her grandfather was a bootlegger in Chicago who fled to Tennessee and later became a preacher. He then moved back to Los Angeles and founded his own nondenominational church that placed its emphasis on community. Sitting on several NPO boards and working with children that have been in Juvenile Corrections, Brown’s mother is a community servant as well.

“My father was very involved in homeless support and advocacy. It’s my family culture.”

I asked why community was so ingrained in everything she does. She replied, “I remember growing up, attending all the rallies and protests and being so small that my Uncle Peabo would put me on his shoulders.

This has always been my life.”

After attending Spelman College, Brown made her way back to Inglewood where she continued to work in the community, on former Inglewood Mayor Danny Tabor’s campaign as well as, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Rep. Maxine Waters, President Barack Obama, and a measure to amend the 3 Strikes Law. In times where gentrification is running rampant in communities of color throughout the nation, government bodies are increasingly becoming employees of multinational corporations, and people increasingly lose hope in change and policy reform, I asked Brown why she sticks in there and keeps fighting instead of just getting a regular job. She said, “I think of Ericka Huggins and Assata, and they were getting it in as teenagers! Or even my mother. I’m too connected to them, my son, and my folks to just be a bystander while we get systematically screwed. I can’t imagine doing nothing.

Although I get discouraged at the state of our people, and the community, going to work and coming home blocking out the community issues doesn’t work for me. It doesn’t work like that. The issues will knock on your front door!

Plus, I made a commitment that my 9-5 work will always be community work, although I take constant pay cuts to honor that commitment.”

Page 9

Inglewood Today

Page 10

LEG A L NOT I CES CITY OF INGLEWOOD REQUEST FOR BIDS Facilities Repainting and Refinishing Services (Pre-Qualification) RFB-0070 BIDS DUE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 AT 11:15 A.M.

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2014 014567 The following Person is doing business as:

Cris Jr.’s Mini Mart & 99 Cent Store 1134 E. Imperial Hwy, Los Angeles, CA 90059

Los Angeles Vascular Center 323 N. Prairie Ave., Suite 114 Inglewood, CA 90301

Registered owner: Mayra C Lopez, 255 E. 118th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90061

AT THE OFFICE OF CITY CLERK LOCATED ON THE 1ST FLOOR OF INGLEWOOD CITY HALL

This business is conducted by an individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on January 6, 2014.

One Manchester Blvd.

Inglewood, CA 90301 Contact Person During Bid Period: Jorge Ochoa, Purchasing Division (310) 412-5266 CITY OF INGLEWOOD INVITATION TO SUBMIT BID (Specifications and Conditions Governing Award) The City of Inglewood invites and will receive bids duly filed as provided herein for the furnishing of qualified “FACILITIES REPAINTING AND REFINISHING SERVICES (PRE-QUALIFICATION)” as specified in this document.

Each bid shall be submitted and completed in all particulars and must be enclosed in a sealed envelope addressed to the City of Inglewood, Purchasing and Contract Services Division, Inglewood City Hall 8th Floor, with the designation of the project “FACILITIES REPAINTING AND REFINISHING SERVICES (PRE-QUALIFICATION)” appearing thereon.

The City Council reserves the right to waive any irregularities in any bids, and to take bids under advisement for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from and after the date bids are opened and announced.

The following conditions and terms apply: 1) The City Council reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

2) Attached are detailed specifications and conditions for bid submission.

3) You must execute your contract within ten (10) days after the City mails it. If the contract is not executed within ten (10) days, the City reserves the unilateral right to cancel it.

4) If any provisions of the contract are violated, the City, after suitable notice, may cancel the contract and make arrangements to have the products and or services supplied by others. Any extra cost to the City will be paid by the vendor.

5) Bids may be obtained from the Purchasing Division located on the 8th floor of City Hall, or call (310) 412-5266.

6) All bids must be for specific amounts. Any attempt to qualify prices with an ‘escalation clause’ or any other method of making a price variable, is unacceptable. Bid shall be valid for ninety (90) calendar days from receipt of bid.

7) The City reserves the right to add or subtract quantities and/or services based on the unit prices/unit lump sums so indicated as its budgetary needs may require.

Artie Fields, City Manager City of Inglewood, California Dated at Inglewood, California this 27th day of February, 2014.

Dalai Lama Comes to Inglewood (Continued from page 7) eradicated. He did note that with 7 billion people on the planet, “everyone can’t be a

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2014 003112 The following Person is doing business as:

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

(A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

Mayra C Lopez, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk on January 6, 2014 NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.)

Original Feb 6,13,20, 27, 2014 ITO0422301021 Inglewood Today

Registered owner: Los Angeles Vascular Access Center Medical Group 323 N. Prairie Ave., Suite 114, Inglewood, CA 90301 This business is conducted by an individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on January 17, 2014.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

(A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

Los Angeles Vascular Access Center Medical Group, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk on January 17, 2014 NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.)

Original Feb 6, 13, 20, 27, 2014 ITO0422301020 Inglewood Today

Requesting Sub Bids from Qualified OBE/DBE/UDBE/M/W/S/DVBE Subcontractors and Suppliers for the Following Project: Hollywood Park Location: Inglewood, California Bid Date/Time: March 7, 2014 Seeking: Trucking, Fencing, SWPPP, Fuel Supplier, Asbestos Removal, Erosion Control, Site Security, Demolition and Temporary Facilities.

National Demolition Contractors 1536 W. 25th Street #248, San Pedro, CA 90732 Phone (310) 732-1991 Fax (310) 832-4989 Contact: Priscilla Solache Payments and performance Bonds may be required. We will assist with Bonds/Insurance/Credit. Plans are available in our office.

We are an E.O.E. & seriously intend to negotiate with qualified OBE/DBE/UDBE/M/W/S/DVBE firms.

millionaire. That’s not possible. Middle class people should increase. That, we can do.”

Much of his talk dealt with human potential, how mak-

ing a poor person feel confident could change his perception, and therefore change his world.

He told younger people in the audience: “My gen-

February 27, 2014

The Way You Do Anything Is the Way You Do Everything (Continued from page 8) They paste a canned bio on their websites; the stories they tell clients are scrubbed and sanitized. But according to Evans, the fascinating stuff—the stuff that enables you to connect with someone, really care about someone, and develop a sense of empathy—comes when you know their story —their real story.

“Don’t tell the Cinderella version of your story,” she urges. “Tell the ugly stepsister, warped version.

It’s the best thing you can use to encourage your clients to find their own success. Let’s say you’re a health coach. Why are you coming to this area?

What advice and experience do you have to bring to others? Did you struggle with weight for years, then make a real turnaround? Have the many crash diets you’ve been on taught you what not to do nutrition-wise? People will connect to your mess and your pain, and they’ll want to do business with you.”

You don’t know as much as you think you do. When you believe that you know it all (or most of it) and that you’re ahead of the pack, you don’t leave much room for learning more. And in an age

where competency is no longer enough, that’s the kiss of death.

“You can’t be merely good at what you do; you need to be excellent and maintain your excellence by continuously studying your craft,” says Evans. “If you don’t actively seek to develop and deepen your skill set—and many entrepreneurs don’t—you are severely limiting yourself.

Remember, your skill or talent is simply that: a skill or talent. Reaching excellence is a choice.

It’s what makes you better equipped than anyone else to serve your clients.”

Goofing off will help you succeed. When you’re bootstrapping a business, it can feel like you’re constantly under the tyranny of the todo list. Taking a break, taking your eye off the prize, or even (brace yourself) taking a vacation seems like outright blasphemy. Do it anyway.

“On a daily basis, I recommend closing your email and doing something fun—playing Candy Crush or tossing a football in the hall— every few hours,” says Evans. “And every three to four months, you should take entire days off to do something you love, whether that’s traveling or just sitting on (Continued on page 11)

eration belongs to the 20th Century.

The 20th Century is already gone. The future is in your hands. It is your responsibility to solve

these problems. Don’t just copy the materialistic society. You need internal values.”

Inglewood Today

February 27, 2014

Page 11

Dates in March March 1 & 8, 2014

Celebrate Women’s History Month Two Women’s History Month events will take place in March at A.C. Bilbrew County Public Library’s Black Resource Center.

On Saturday, March 1 at 2:30pm, Dawnna “Ashay” Mathieu uses various art forms, including storytelling, poetry, jazz singing, and multimedia to tell the stories of Black Holocaust survivors of the Nazi era. “The Unveiling of the Obscured: Black Victims of the Holocaust.” Mathieu joins African Diaspora music educators, Kevin Toney and Harvey Estrada as they bring this important period of history to life.

On Saturday, March 8 at 2:30pm, Sharon L. Graine and her production company will present the story of Mary Ellen Pleasant, who was born a slave and came to be known as the “Mother of Civil Rights” in California. Her home in San Francisco was the Western end of the Underground Railroad.

Both events will be held at 150 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90061. Call (310) 5380059 or visit colapublib.org.

March 22, 2014

Muzet H. Hall Scholarship Luncheon Holy Helping Hands, a nonprofit, presents its 3rd Annual Scholarship Luncheon for Foster Youth.

Dr. Rosie Mulligan will speak.

parenting workshops. Resolve to have a better relationship with the children in your life. Workshops are court certified, open to everyone, and will focus on all age groups from infants to teens.

Each participant who completes the course will receive a certificate of completion.

Workshops will be held from Thru March 27, 2014 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the Kingdom Grant Money Orientation Community Center, 319 East Kelso Need grant money to achieve Street, Inglewood, CA 90301. To your dream of buying a home, start- register, contact Chandra Hudson, ing a business or going to school? 310-330-8300, chudson @bamcm.

RISE Financial Pathways is seek- org. ing qualified applicants to participate in the $2,500 matching grant Ongoing program, funded in part by the Counseling for Anxiety, government and RISE. Attend an Depression Get free help for anxiety, depresorientation on the following dates: Presented in English: Thurs- sion, stress and anger. Recovery day, February 20, 27; March 13, International provides tools and 20, 27, 2014, 6:30-7:30pm. Also, practice in changing thinking habSaturday, March 8 and 15, 10:30- its so individuals can gain personal 11:30am. Presented in Spanish: control over distressing emotions February 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25, and improve life-coping skills. This 2014, 6:30-7:30pm. Located at worldwide non-profit organization, 4060 South Figueroa Street, Los founded in 1937, holds weekly meetAngeles, CA. For more informa- ings every Monday at 6:00 p.m. at tion call (323) 846-1483 or apply SHARE! 6666 Green Valley Circle, online at www.risela.org. ACT north of Centinela Ave., (2nd buildNOW AND REGISTER TODAY. ing on the right). Call 310-322-6411 Only 150 randomly selected qual- for more information, or visit www. lowselfhelpsystems.org. A donation ified participants will be chosen. is requested but not required.

The reception is at 11am, followed by the luncheon at 12pm.

Donation is $60. No tickets will be sold at the door. Mail checks to 6709 La Tijera Blvd., #167, Los Angeles, 90045. For more information, contact Rita Hall at (800) 550-9137, (323) 863-3747 or email Holyhelpinghands@aol.com.

Thru June 19, 2014

Making Parenting a Pleasure Attention all parents, caregivers, grandparents, and teachers!

The Enrichment Counseling Center is offering a series of 13 free

Bingo Games Operation 3801 hosts Bingo every Sunday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. We are a drug and alcohol free environment. We are a non-profit

The Way You Do Anything Is the Way You Do Everything (Continued from page 10) the couch with a book. Here’s why: You will get more from the play than from the practical. You will get more ideas and answers from shutting down your to-dos than you will from driving yourself relentlessly.

“You’ll always do your best work when you’re relaxed, happy, and experiencing new things, not when you’re exhausted and stressed,” she adds.

“As entrepreneurs, we have an amazing opportunity to shape the world, but we can do it only through

expanding our thought processes,” concludes Evans. “Every success I have had, and every success you will have, is a reflection of your ability to expand your knowledge, to change your approach, and to adapt. It is not a reflection of your MBA, your invention, or even your past success, but of what you bring to the table. In other words, your business is you. So it’s time to face the truth and get on track.”

For more information about the book or Suzanne Evans’ coaching business, visit www.SuzanneEvans.org.

Quitting Smoking (Continued from page 7) just to sniff the aroma.

You are in for the fight of your life! Then one day you’ll notice how bad someone smells when they come back from a smoke break. You’ll begin to dislike the odor and think you’ve succeeded. Wrong! A bout with anger or stress can cause you to reach in your pocket and buy a pack of

your friends. In a flash, everything you tried to do is lost, and you’re back to square one.

Finding a tool to help the quit smoking process that is easy to use, effective, and has a positive impact on health and the family budget, has, until now, been a frustrating experience. Get the help you need at: http://greensmokereview.net. This time you’ll win!

Drum Majors for Justice (Continued from page 6) in the areas of health, mental health, and programs serving the needs of our children.

But Ridley-Thomas’ unwavering commitment to equity, fairness and inclusion can be viewed at its brightest in his efforts to transport an entire community along an 8.5mile, $1.75 billion light rail transit line. The Metro Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project, when completed, will represent one of the largest public works projects ever undertaken to serve residents of Greater South Los Angeles, Southwest Los Angeles, Westchester and the City of Inglewood.

Supervisor Ridley-Thomas won approval of a significant Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for the Crenshaw/LAX Transit line as a member of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro). The PLA will commit contractors hired to build the transit system to employ a portion of their workforce from communities in which the transit line will be built. Ridley-Thomas also sought construction mitigations for small business owners whose busi-

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Eye on the City (Continued from page 3) ance at the Fabulous Forum was referenced throughout the meeting.

About 300 adult residents and 1,000 school children had free tickets to hear words of wisdom from His Holiness.

Traffic around the Forum was discussed. Councilman Ralph Franklin encouraged residents to use public transportation when possible.

“Immediately after Dalai Lama, I used my bus pass, and with public transit I was here in eight minutes.”

Franklin said.

In response to one woman’s complaints about Forum traffic, the mayor offered a short cut: Take Florence instead of Manchester and use 5th Avenue instead of Crenshaw.

“The people that came stayed around afterward and they talked how diverse the city is. The Dalai Lama is actually an exile. He is the equivalent of what the pope is. It was a real honor to choose our city to come to. It isn’t always all about money, sometimes it’s about culture and respect. He gave me a prayer shawl, which I said I would wear tonight,” Mayor Butts said. nesses will be impacted by rail construction.

He has also been a vocal opponent of racial profiling, and called for the U.S. Dept. of Justice to uphold the rights of black Florida teen Trayvon Martin, who was unarmed and shot to death while walking in a gated community. The shooter, George Zimmerman was acquitted on all charges.

On his blog (http://www.markridley-thomas.com/, Feb. 12, 2014), the supervisor remembered Trayvon: “Last week, on February 5th, marked what would have been Trayvon Martin’s 19th Birthday. If he was still with us, he may have been getting ready to start classes at the University of Miami (where he hoped to attend) or completing his application for a pilot’s license (aviation was his main passion).

But, he is not with us and we, as a community, are left to mourn a life that might have been, while making sure young men like Trayvon Martin are not taken from us before their time.”

ATTENTION ESTIMATING INVITATION TO BID

HOLLYWOOD PARK

PROJECT: Hollywood Park Phase 1 Infrastructure Project BID DUE DATE: March 2, 2014 by 2:00PM You are invited to submit a Bid Proposal for the Hollywood Park Phase 1 Infrastructure Project, Inglewood, CA. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project consists of providing infrastructure for the development of a new community on the 238 acre site.

Important Dates: 1. Private Bids Due: March 2, 2014 (emailed to HollywoodPark@tcco.com) These are the Bid Packages for pricing: 1. Demolition & Abatement 2. Earthwork and Soils Remediation JOBWALK: Two (2) Pre-bid Meeting & mandatory job walks will be provided. Contractor is required to attend at least one (1) meeting. The person that attends the event must be the person responsible for the bid submission. Please provide proper PPE for the walk (Hard hat, boots, eye protection, gloves, etc.).

PROJECT LOCATION: Hollywood Park, 1050 S. Prairie, Inglewood, CA 90301; meet at the main fountain outside the Grandstand. For security purposes, please contact the Management Team and provide the names of the attendees so that we may place the names on the visitors list. HollywoodPark@tcco.com BID RESPONSES: Bids using the appropriate Bid Form are due to Hollywood Park Land Company (via HollywoodPark@tcco.com) no later than 2:00 pm on March 2, 2014. A company proposal must be included with the Bid Form to address the additional bid response requirements listed below. Hollywood Park Land Company will participate in the bid openings; therefore, all late submissions will NOT be accepted. Although the basis of award is Price, the following items MUST be included in your bid response (found on the bid form): 1. Completed bid form and attachments 2. Acceptance of the Project Schedule 3. Confirmation and Acceptance of all items in the Additional Provisions scope of work.

4. List any DBE / MBE participation, including sub-tier participation as a total percentage of your Price. Participation is 30% at all tiers or a “good faith effort”.

5. Completion of “Information Required of Bidders”.

6. Project proposal on company letterhead.

REQUIREMENTS: 1. Provide a Lump Sum Bid Proposal in accordance with the Bid Documents on the provided bid form.

2. Union labor is to be provided 3. Schedule: Phased Project. Start date March, 2014; end date November, 2016. Provide long lead items and fabrication data with proposal as applicable.

4. Payment & Performance bonds are required.

5. Bid Proposal packets should be submitted to: HollywoodPark@tcco.com

ATTENTION ESTIMATING INVITATION TO BID

HOLLYWOOD PARK

PROJECT: Hollywood Park Phase 1 Infrastructure Project BID DUE DATE: March 2, 2014 by 2:00PM You are invited to submit a Bid Proposal for the Hollywood Park Phase 1 Infrastructure Project, Inglewood, CA. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project consists of providing infrastructure for the development of a new community on the 238 acre site.

Important Dates: 1. Public Bids Due: March 2, 2014 by 2:00PM (hand delivered: Turf Club at Hollywood Park) 2. Public Bid Opening: March 3, 2014 @ 9:00AM (Casino Pavilion 1st floor) These are the Bid Packages for pricing: 1. Street Improvements 2. Dry Utilities (Electrical) 3. Wet Utilities (Gas, Domestic and Reclaimed Water) 4. Sewer & Storm Drain JOBWALK: Two (2) Pre-bid Meetings & mandatory job walks will be provided. Contractor is required to attend at least one (1) meeting. The person that attends the event must be the person responsible for the bid submission. Please provide proper PPE for the walk (Hard hat, boots, eye protection, gloves, etc.).

PROJECT LOCATION: Hollywood Park, 1050 S. Prairie, Inglewood, CA 90301; meet at the main fountain outside the Grandstand. For security purposes, please contact the Management Team and provide the names of the attendees so that we may place the names on the visitor list. HollywoodPark@tcco.com BID RESPONSES: Sealed bids in a Company Envelope using the attached Bid Form are due to Owner, Hollywood Park Land Company and the Owner’s representative, Turner Construction by 2:00 pm at the “Turf Club” inside the Hollywood Park property on March 2, 2014. (Map: http://betfairhollywoodpark. com/images/44.jpg). Late submissions will NOT be accepted. The bids will be opened publicly on March 3, 2014 at 9 AM inside the Casino Pavilion (first floor) by the Hollywood Park Construction Management Team. A company proposal must be included with the Bid Form to address the additional bid response requirements listed below. Although the basis of award is Price, the following items MUST be included in your bid response (found on the bid form): 1. Completed bid form and attachments.

2. Acceptance of the Project Schedule.

3. Confirmation and Acceptance of all items in the Additional Provisions scope of work.

4. List any DBE / MBE participation, including sub-tier participation as a total percentage of your Price. Participation is 30% at all tiers or a “good faith effort”.

5. Completion of “Information Required of Bidders”.

6. Project proposal on company letterhead.

7. Payment & Performance bonds are required.