May 4 2023

City

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Gloria Gray Ready to Let Good Times Roll District 1 Councilmember saluted at swearing-in

By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

Songstress Hope Diamond serenaded “Let the good times” under a white canopy on the South Lawn at Inglewood City Hall for the public swearing-in for District 1 Councilmember Gloria Gray on April 29 as an intimate gathering of family and friends celebrated the arrival of the newest official at city hall.

The scent of Tasty Tacos permeated the breezy atmosphere that brought out public servants from every level of government to salute and witness the historical ceremony as Los Angeles first female Mayor Karen Bass served as the Administrative Officer for the Oath to the beloved public servant Gray, who became the first woman to be elected to represent District 1.

Inglewood Today Executive Publisher Willie Brown served as the master of ceremonies for the event attended by Inglewood

Anthony Davis sending a message to NBA Rams STEM Fest was a blast

In support of Science of Sport’s second annual Inglewood STEM Fest, The Rams in partnership with the City of Inglewood, was held on April 29 at Edward Vincent Jr. Park Champions Field.

The event showed students (grades K-8) how science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) apply to sports through unique experiences that focus on several familiar sports topics. The event also showed participants real-world applications of STEM that focus on kinesthetic learning, scientific methods, and curriculum that align with California Math, Science, and Physical Education standards.

By Tamara Latta, Contributing Writer

The Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis has been a beautiful

Community partners for this event

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass second from right administers the oath to Gloria Gray, third from right, to become the first woman District 1 Councilmember at the public swearing-in ceremony held on April 29 at South Lawn at Inglewood City Hall. (Haywood Galbreath/Photo)

What’s Up with Anuolu

Rap and Poetry Goes Hand in Hand

By Anuoluwapo Bamiro, Columnist

Welcome Back to “What’s Up with Anuolu.” Fresh from National Poetry Month, my mind is still thinking in rhyme. So, in this column, I think it is interesting to highlight the similarities between poetry and rap. The similarities between these different genres can be seen among people that have the true gift of gab. The first time I remember connecting the two consciously was in college. In one of my writing classes, we had a project where we could pick any piece of writing in our anthology and make it our own. I choose to do my project on Mos Def’s Hip-Hop. After that, I bought Tupac’s The Rose That Grew from Concrete. I realized that my love for rap was far deeper than the music; the artist’s pen and the way they were speaking poetry changed the way I would listen to music. Now, it is impossible for me to listen to songs without focusing on the lyrics and story that the artist is portraying.

I am highlighting Los Angeles Native Milania. I have watched some of her spoken word performances, and enjoyed her amazing songs, she is nothing less than amazing. She has been writing since she was seven years old. She is a phenomenal rapper, writer, poet, and spoken word artist. She’s one of those artists that can not only combine poetry in her rap just like her favorite artists Tupac, Lauryn Hill, and J. Cole, but the combination of all three in her music is also undeniable. Her spoken word performances and her

written poetry are just as incredible. Her favorite poets of all time are Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, and Maya Angelou and when she allows you a glimpse of her pen understand it is a blessing. So we are going to end this column with a poem from one of my favorite people ever Milania. The title is “Come Get Me.”

I can’t meet you where you at no more

N**** come get me

You too busy worried bout what Arie do for moneybag

What did you get me

You done cracked me up so many times and still couldn’t be the Bobby if I was Whitney

Yo mama know damn well you light years away from being a Dwayne

But you Lucky m********** you Gotchu a Whitley

I can’t meet you where you at no more

N**** come get me

Gas $5.00 what you mean pull up

Yo s***** mind needs just that

A pull up

Condoms $5 rt what you mean we don’t need one

Multiply a year and a half worth of pull ups

You not worth an ultrasound

My voice is voluminous

I’m extra Loud

You hit one lick and been wearing the same chains for 3 years talmbout you gotta watch a b**** for clout

Ooh Chile when I say yo head up in the clouds

I can’t meet you where you at no more

N**** come get me

How the fuck we in the same room

Yet I feel empty

You know what I gotta do

I have to be honest and say

You are not doing enough

My mind wonders what’s it’s like to be with a man who loves

That’s why I can ignore your touch

I express my need for a good relationship

Then you turn around and ask well what about us

N**** you doing too much

I can’t meet you where you at no more

N**** come get me

One thing y’all always have is the audacity

To blame a Black woman for your shortcomings

That is Blasphemy

Calling yourself a king as though you are allowed to walk all over me with no regard

Yet I am a Queen so you know the nerve of me

I’m cutting off any n**** that goes against the grain moving sacrilegiously

God only over me

On earth I am your religion see

Then you wanna give me that wack a** d***and wonder why you can’t pull a n** out me

While you were scrolling

You should’ve been studying

I can’t meet you where you at no more

N**** come get me

And oh no

I’m not mad

I’m not angry

It’s just that you can’t truly love me because I’m a black woman

Therefore I can’t trust that you would loosen the noose

Hell you might be the one to hang me

Beat my body like butchered and hanged meat

You ain’t really gang see

A bite into the truth have you gain green

I’ll make yo a** sick

Hate being called a b****

But I’m that b**** so

I can’t meet you where you at no more

N**** do you get me?

City Council Meeting – May 2,

By Francis Taylor, Executive Editor

The City Council recently acknowledged the City Clerk Aisha L. Thompson and Deputy City Clerk Angela Allen for Professional Municipal Clerk’s Week, which is April 30th through May 6th.

When this week’s Council Meeting got underway, the members authorized payment of an invoice, in the amount of $462,014.18, submitted by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/ County Clerk for the General Election held on November 8, 2022.

The council authorized. Payment, in the amount of $18,000, of an invoice submitted by Vital Medical Services for medical services.

The council approved an amendment to the annual purchase orders to AT&T/ FirstNet for the purchase of air cards for the Police Department’s mobile data computers.

The council adopted a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 20222023 Annual Budget, in an amount not to exceed $831,296, to fund the proposed Darby and Dixon Parking Lot Improvements Project.

The council awarded and approved a

three (3)-year agreement, in an annual amount not to exceed $99,840 (total not to exceed $299,520), with John L. Hunter and Associates, Inc. (JLHA), for As-needed Professional Services for NPDES Compliance 2023, per RFP0193. (Measure W Fund and Sewer Fund)

The council adopted a resolution authorizing the grant application, acceptance, and execution of the grant funds from the State of California Budget Act of 2021 (SB 129), in the amount of $2,709,531, for the renovation of the Inglewood Main Library.

The council adopted Ordinance No. 23-11, amending Section 2-196.1, Inglewood Transit Connector Procurements, of Article 5 of Chapter 2 (Purchasing) of the Inglewood Municipal Code.

Before the meeting ended all the council members commented on the recent formal swearing-in ceremony where Gloria Gray District 1 Council Member was sworn-in by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Member Gray thanked everyone who attended the one-of-a-kind ceremony that Mayor Butts characterized as a coronation.

May I Have a Glass of Warm Water?

By Francis Taylor, Executive Editor

I used to think that a tall glass of icecold water was the best way to quench my thirst on a hot day until I was walking on the beach in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, many years ago. I encountered several native men fishing on the beach and after a brief chat offered to buy them a beer. I walked back to my hotel and purchased five cold beers only to learn that they would refuse the cold beer and asked for beer that had not been refrigerated.

I later learned that warm beverages, including warm water provides pain relief and boosts weight loss. By drinking a cup of hot water first thing in the morning, you can jump-start your metabolism. Warm water increases body temperature and increases the rate at which your metabolism burns calories.

Warm water prevents premature aging. Drinking warm water helps to flush compounds from the body that can accelerate aging. It also improves skin elasticity by aiding in cellular repair.

Hot water clears nasal and throat congestion. Hot water is a wonderful natural treatment for colds. It can naturally dissolve phlegm and clear your airways. It not only clears out nasal congestion, but it also soothes sore throat symptoms as well.

Hot water [prevents constipation. Hot water can help you to maintain bowel movement regularity. Dehydration is a frequent cause of recurring constipation problems. Not to mention that the movement of the bowel slows down

as it fills up. The hot water can finish breaking down food remnants and flush them through the intestines.

Warm water aids your digestive process. It is believed that drinking cold water during a meal might promote hardening of oils in the food and lead to a fat deposit in the intestine. As mentioned previously, warm water boosts metabolism and aids the digestive process.

Hot water detoxifies your body. The act of drinking hot water naturally raises the temperature of the body. As the body temperature rises it activates the process of sweating, which flushes toxins out of the body through the pores of the skin. The extra hydration also helps the function of the kidneys to flush waste material out of the body,

along with toxins.

According to Dr. Michael Wald, the director of Nutritional Services at Integrated Medicine and Nutrition in Mount Kisco, New York, consuming hot water activates receptors found in the stomach, esophagus, intestines and mouth. This stimulates pleasure regions of the brain and improves your outlook.

Practitioners of Chinese Medicine believe that drinking warm water that is similar to the temperature of the body maintains balance. They believe that extremes of either hot or cold throw off the body’s yin and yang. Imbalances are believed to be responsible for symptoms like chills, depression, thirst, “foggy” thinking, sleepiness, bloating and more.

Drinking warm water breaks down fat

deposits that are present in the body and blood stream. The warmth increases the flow of blood circulation and promotes the removal of toxins. The increased circulation induces muscle relaxation, which can reduce pain.

A great way to enjoy warm water is by adding a squeeze or two of fresh lemon juice. This is especially beneficial first thing in the morning. Lemons contain citric acid, magnesium, bioflavonoids, vitamin C, pectin, calcium and limonene, which supercharge our immunity so that the body can fight infection. They also help to lower the activity of free radicals and increase the breaking down of body fat, also known as adipose tissue.

On the other hand, here is what is known about cold water. Cold water can interfere with many healthy bodily processes and be detrimental to your well-being in the following ways:

Cold water robs you of nutrients: The body’s natural temperature is 98.6 Fahrenheit. When you drink something that is very cold, your body must spend an exorbitant amount of energy to regulate your core temperature. This takes away energy that is needed to digest food and absorb nutrients.

Cold water may cause a sore throat: Extremely cold water may cause respiratory mucosa to build up, resulting in increased chance of infection causing a sore throat and can increase your risk of headache: According to a 2001 study, women who had experienced a migraine in the last year were twice as likely to trigger a headache by drinking cold water.

Thank you my Jamaican brothers and thank you for the glass of warm water!

(Mayor Butts and Inglewood City Clerk and Deputy, Photo by Inglewood Media Dept)

(Photo by Kenneth Miller)

Sports & Entertainment Roundup: Grades for and reactions to Rams’ 2023 NFL Draft picks

By Stu Jackson, theRams.com

Two days removed from the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft, enough time has passed to round up grades for and reactions to the Rams’ 14 selections.

Here’s what experts had to say about the class as well as some of its individual members.

Grades

NFL.com’s Chad Reuter provided quick-snap grades after each day, giving the Rams an A on Day 1, a B on Day 2, and a A- on Day 3 for an overall grade of A- as a result.

“Super Bowl-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford functioned as the Rams’ first-round pick again this year,” Reuter wrote. “The team added more picks through various Day 2 trades. Adding Avila bolsters the interior of the offensive line, while Young’s closing ability gives him a chance to become an effective edge defender. Turner was a productive player at Richmond and Wake Forest but went a bit earlier than projected.

“Bennett was underrated as a prospect and has enough physical tools and the confidence to be a starter after Stafford retires if he can mature.

Hampton and Mathis fit the team’s need at edge, Tomlinson plays stronger than his diminutive size would portend,

and McClendon, Allen, Nacua and Evans were all solid picks despite the veterans already on the depth chart. The team had no specialists coming into the draft, so they picked Evans instead of fighting for him as a free agent.”

Reuter’s grades and analysis for all 32 teams can be read here.

PFF breaks down each selection here.

USA TODAY’s Nate Davis: B

“Bad as last season was, the 2021 trade for QB Matthew Stafford was worth it – and the Super Bowl 56 champs are now scheduled to make their first Round 1 pick since 2016 ... next year,” Davis writes. “This draft was mostly about replenishing needed depth, though second-round G Steve Avila should be a plug-and-play starter. Should be fun watching fourthround QB Stetson Bennett, a UGA alum like Stafford, proving he can play at this level during the preseason.”

FOX SPORTS’ Eric D. Williams: B

“The Rams had several needs to fill, particularly on the defensive side, where Aaron Donald is one of the few starters sticking around,” Williams wrote as part of his analysis.

“Tennessee edge rusher Byron Young should help replace the production left vacant by the departure of Leonard

Floyd. TCU product Steve Avila helps bolster an offense that started 14 different offensive-line combinations in 2022. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett should be a solid backup for the aging Matthew Stafford.”

CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco: B

Prisco says TCU guard Steve Avila (Round 2, No. 36 overall) was the Rams’ best selection.

“The Rams didn’t have a first-round pick — shocking, right? — but they made the most of the picks they did have,” Prisco writes. “They picked a lot of good players. In addition to Avila, I liked a lot of their picks, including third-round edge Byron Young. Sixth-round corner Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson is a quality player, who could be a good nickel. This team is being overhauled and this is the kind of draft that gives a team some good, young bodies to help make it happen.”

Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer: B-

“The Rams, for a change, loaded up on draft picks after not having a firstrounder again,” Iyer wrote as part of his analysis. “There’s a lot of volume here, with Avila, Young, McLendon, Hodges-Tomlinson and Zach Evans standing out as the most valuable picks for Les Snead and Sean McVay.”

Read the rest of his breakdown here. Reaction

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler says Avila was his favorite Rams pick (subscription required to read).

“Easy pick here,” Brugler wrote. “Avila was arguably the top interior offensive lineman in the draft, and he gives the Rams flexibility up front with his experience across the line. He is a wide-bodied 330-pounder with outstanding play strength and smarts. Despite not having a first-round pick, the Rams did well to find a plug-andplay starter.”

ESPN’s Todd McShay says Tennessee outside linebacker Byron Young was the Rams’ best value pick (subscription required to read full analysis).

“Hitting on the Day 2 and 3 picks is going to be important, and I think a lot of prospects in the Rams’ rookie class will have a chance to start at some point this season,” McVay wrote as part of his breakdown. “So getting an impact edge rusher such as Young in the third round? Massive. He has a really explosive first step and closing burst, and it’s no surprise that Young lit up the combine with a 4.43-second 40 at 250 pounds, along with wild 11foot broad and 38-inch vertical jumps. All three numbers were first or second among edge rushers.”

BUPPIE | BUSINESS

Millennium Day Spa Dawne and Soleil Gordon

By Francis Taylor, Executive Editor

Dawne Gordon moved from the United Kingdom to the United Sates in 1983. Licensed in the State of California in 1997, Dawne launched Millennium Day Spa at 541 West Manchester Boulevard, at the corner of Manchester and Oak, in the City of Inglewood, in September, 2001.

, and now her daughter Soleil, are equipped to provide a broad range of skincare services including facials, peels, microdermabrasion treatments, waxing, nail services, and lash extensions.

“My business has grown steadily in the City of Inglewood, Gordon said, even though we have had many challenges over the last 22 years, with the shutdown during Covid 19 providing the greatest challenge. Another ongoing challenge has been dealing with the growing homelessness,” she concluded.

Millennium Day Spa has not experienced any appreciable change in business since the recent development of the sports facilities in the city of Inglewood. “While that development is great for the City of Inglewood, it really has not had any impact on my business,” Gordon said. “Inflation, however is hurting my business and the beauty industry as a whole.”

Overall, Gordan is pleased with her decision to establish her business in the City of Inglewood and is proud to be among the many beauty-related salons in the city which reportedly has more beauty salons than any other city in the South Bay.

“I would urge entrepreneurs to open their business in Inglewood,” Gordon said. “It is important that they do their

research on the need and viability of the business they propose to establish and select a location that is suitable for growth and development.”

At the present time, Millennium

Day Spa is offering 20% off on facials for new clients. “We are adding new advanced treatments for skincare,” Gordon said, “and as technologies improve so do we,” she concluded.

HEALTH, BEAUTY & WELLNESS

By Francis Taylor, Executive Editor

This is to announce that INGLEWOOD TODAY will launch a new section entitled HEALTH, WELLNESS AND BEAUTY.

The section will feature topical articles related to the section and, as much as possible, feature Inglewood businesses that offer products and services related to the section.

The City of Inglewood has emerged as the jewel of the South Bay and will soon become the premiere sports and entertainment destination in Southern California. It is probably not generally known that the City of Inglewood also has more beauty salons per capita than any other city in the South Bay.

INGLEWOOD TODAY invites local business owners to share their stories with our readers. Tell us how your business got started, what goods or services you provide, where you are located, etc. We invite food service providers, restaurants, beauty salons and barber shops, exercise and dance studios, and other health, wellness, and beauty providers to send their information to fctaylorjr@gmail.com.

I will follow up with you and write a feature story about your business. INGLEWOOD TODAY will emerge as the small business guide for the City of Inglewood.

(Millennium Day Spa offers elegant, worldclass features)

(Making clients feel comfortable in an elegant environment is important

Continued from page 1: Gloria Gray...

Mayor James T. Butts, Jr., City Councilmembers Dionne Faulk, Alex Padilla and Eloy Morales, City Clerk Aisha L. Thompson, District 61 Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, District 35 State Senator Steven Bradford, DNC Chair, California Democratic Party Women’s Caucus Carolyn Flower, Gardena Mayor Pro-Tem Paulette C. Francis, former Congresswoman Laura Richardson and Dale R. Hunter, founder of Hunter Communications Group.

Mayor Butts had the distinct double honor of introducing Bass as the Administrator of the Oath and his distinguished new colleague on the council.

“When I ran for mayor in 2010 it was only one elected official that endorsed me in this whole county and that was Gloria Gray. We are really-really honored to have Gloria on the council, it’s a great council,” Butts stated.

Bass called it an honor to do be the official of the oath, but also an honor to be in Inglewood.

“I told Mayor Butts, the transformation of Inglewood has been nothing short of spectacular. When I was in Congress and I flew in every single week I watched the development change in Inglewood and with the leadership of this mayor and the city council and all you have done here is really amazing,” said Bass.

Now, Bass added; “I am so glad that Gloria is going to joining the City Council. I have known Gloria for a

Continued from page 1: Anthony Davis...

world and competition how dominant Anthony Davis is defensively,” Lebron James said.

Davis averaged 16.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 4.2 blocks for the 20222023 season. He doubled the DPOY numbers in every defensive category. Though, his regular season stats were splendid, his performance in the playoffs has been more appealing.

After dominating the Memphis Grizzlies on defense, Davis has carried over that energy in the second round of the playoffs against Golden State. He

Continued from page 1:STEM Fest...

long time like so many people here and I’ve seen Gloria in so many different roles whether is as a community activist on a number of different issues or on her signature issues which is water, the foundation of life, she has been a leader. In 2010 I had the honor of serving as Speaker of the Assembly and one of my jobs was to come up with a new water policy for the state of California and at the heart of that was to create a new water council to deal with the delta area and when it came time to appoint commissioner’s I appointed Gloria Gray.”

Sen. Bradford hailed the occasion to celebrate a public servant.

“A public servant is what Gloria Gray is and that’s what she’s always been. I’m honored to call her not only a colleague, a friend and a mentor. I met Gloria in the late 80s when I had a head full of hair and though I knew what’s going on and she took me under her wing and gave advice about being involved in the community,” added Bradford.

Assemblymember McKinnor, the 21h Black woman to serve in the State legislator encouraged Gray to find her number in the City of Inglewood.

“Help inspire the next generation of women to find their number here in City Hall, the State Capitol in Sacramento and the halls of Congress in DC. Councilmember Gray, we are part of special sisterhood who change not just the face of public policy, but the mission of public service.

We bring to the table a unique life experience. Our professional accomplishments, the patience and wisdom of sisterhood, the unique compassion and perseverance that we inherit from our mothers and our grandmothers to become the people we are today,” McKinnor expanded.

It was a royal occasion, splashed with the elegant music of Paul McDonald Big Band, the original poetry District 1 Art Commissioner Altha Metcalf, liturgical dance of Tasha Jones, warm embraces and handshakes from all of her friends from the West Basin Municipal Water.

At the heart of it was Gray’s family, namely her daughters Monica Ector and Denise Mitchell, who have sacrificed in allowing for the humble public servant to spread her gift of giving to so many others.

“I send my sincere thanks to my family, friends and loyal supporters who see capabilities in me that feel confident in being able to discharge my duties and responsibly as your city council member. I am committed to working with all of you and from today forward I take up these responsibilities that I stand on the sturdy shoulders of dedicated citizens. I believe that I can represent my city when in need and take charge when necessary. I also feel that I can strengthen the relationships with others and community leaders,” Gray told the audience in closing.

single handedly destroyed the Warriors in a California showdown, helping his team knock off the Warriors 117-112 in San Francisco. Davis finished the game with 30 points, 23 rebounds 5 assists and four blocks. He is a nightmare for defenders when he’s healthy and is still the defensive monster in the NBA and it’s not even up for debate.

“He’s was elite defensively this series,” coach Darvin Ham said mentioning the Lakers matchup against the Grizzlies. As we get to the next opponent, we have to keep

stacking. We have to have the same thing and set standards for ourselves.”

Davis is the first Laker in over two decades since Shaquille Oneal to have at least three 30-point, 15-rebound games in one playoff series. It’s also worth noting that while Anthony Davis is certainly among the leaders in blocks, he is not the NBA’s all-time leader in this category but he’s on the same path as Hakeem Olajuwon - who holds the record with 3,830 blocks over the course of his NBA career.

When in good health, Davis is 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 April 20, 27; May 4, 11, 2023

IT0042230120020374 Inglewood Today

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE

Fictitious Business Name Statement

File No. 2023084600

The following Person is doing business as:

Digital Mixology 7825 West Blvd. Inglewood, CA 90305

Registered Owner(s): Charles Hollins, 7825 West Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90305

This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on April 6, 2023.

I (We) 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) Charles Hollins, Owner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on April 6, 2023.

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

best defender basketball has ever seen in college and on a professional level. He is considered one of the best power forwards in the league due to his versatile skill set, which includes scoring, rebounding, blocking shots, and defending. No player has ever affected the game by just being on the floor, Davis changes everything.

If Davis continues to play at a high level, the Warriors and the rest of the league are in trouble. included Angel City Football Club, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, Los Angeles Lakers, LA84 Foundation, P1440, Los Angeles Clippers, The Marvin Group, Los Angeles Chargers, The Promotions Department, Golden State Water Company, and USTA So Cal. The money raised through the Inglewood STEM Fest will focus on providing students from Inglewood with scholarships to attend summer camps and support the costs associated with summer programming.