Lawt 06-27-2013

W E E K E N D E R

Vol. XXX, No. 1342

www.lawattstimes.com

Thursday, June 27, 2013

L.A. Watts Times

SEE PAGES 8-9

2

Thursday, June 27, 2013 this week in the L.A. Watts Times Weekender

horoscopes

8

L.A. Watts Times

LIBRA

13

VIRGO

LEO

10

CANCER

4

GEMINI

TAURUS

ARIES

contents

JUNE 27 – JULY 3, 2013

WWW.LAWATTSTIMES.COM Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. ....................................Executive Publisher & Executive Editor Brenda Marsh Mitchell ........................................................Executive Vice President Tracey Mitchell ..........................................................................................Controller Brandon I. Brooks ............................................................................Managing Editor Kenneth Miller..................................................................Assistant Managing Editor Jennifer Bihm ..................................................................................................Editor Dennis Hunn ..........................................................................Director of Advertising Benjamin Samuels ..........................................................................Graphic Designer Kim McGill..................................................................................Production Designer EMAIL: wattsweekender@yahoo.com Circulation ......................................................................................................30,000

SAGITTARIUS

Beverly Cook – Publisher, Managing Editor 1976 – 1993 Charles Cook – Publisher 1976 – 1998 Melanie Polk – Publisher 1998 – 2010

CAPRICORN

3800 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008 Administration – Sales – Graphics – Editorial 323.299.3800 - office 323.291.6804 - fax

AQUARIUS

Published Weekly – Updates

SCORPIO

WEEKENDER

The L.A. Watts Times is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, CDs or tapes.

CIRCULATION AUDITED BY CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL

PISCES

The opinions expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those of the L.A. Watts Times.

BEFORE you spend your money check the quality of the goods. This rule applies to intangible goods as well.

Make the first move with your honey this week. Be sweetly aggressive. Soul Affirmation: The enjoyment of good food is high on my agenda this week.

Lucky Numbers: 11, 45, 51 LET your creative juices flow. Advice from a child has a reward in it. On the job, coworkers will help you expand your sense of accomplishment. Only you can stand in your way. Soul Affirmation: I enjoy learning new things about myself this week. Lucky Numbers: 40, 53, 54 OPPORTUNITY knocks this week, be ready and waiting. An old love resurfaces. This week is good for you financially. Look for a special opportunity at work. Families matters, spend time with yours. Soul Affirmation: I let myself experience my true ambitions this week.

Lucky Numbers: 23, 28, 43 CREATIVITY comes from a deep source. Take the chance to pursue creative goals. Others will understand later. You and a child can come to an unmatched understanding. Soul Affirmation: I do not allow demands to be placed on me this week.

Lucky Numbers: 27, 31,52 THIS week is a week to let your diplomatic side work for you. Forcing will get you nowhere. No man or woman is an island, focus on togetherness even if you are annoyed with people. Soul Affirmation: Charm is my middle name this week.

Lucky Numbers: 1, 2, 8 TAKE advantage of a burst of energy.

Body and mind are in sync. Don’t take things too personally this week, you might get your feelings hurt. If you do, tonight is a great time to make-up.

Make the call. Soul Affirmation: My hunches are right often this week.

Lucky Numbers: 6, 16, 36 YOU have wonderful ideas about interior decorating. Be ready to accept a great opportunity at work. Money doesn’t matter tonight, don’t make finances more important than they need to be. Soul Affirmation: I appear to others what I know myself to be.

Lucky Numbers: 20, 29, 30 THE influence of someone close can make all the difference in the world.

Don’t go alone. Your achievements are closely tied to someone who might not have agreed with you in the past. Soul Affirmation: The grandeur of my presence reflects the sunshine of my soul.

Lucky Numbers: 22, 45, 51 YOU and your honey have so much to talk about, listen! He or she is trying to come out of a whole new bag. Accept!

Change is a good thing this week.

Expect to travel soon. Savor the thought. Soul Affirmation: What I’ve been waiting for has been here all along. Lucky Numbers: 16, 24, 35 IF nothing much is happening on the job, remember that chilling is good sometimes. Use this week to return phone calls and answer letters. Be low key. Wonderful things flow from what you don’t do. Soul Affirmation: All things work together for good.

Lucky Numbers: 3, 6, 27 YOU can turn that obstacle into an opportunity at work. Check out the players carefully. Watch your back and hold your tongue around workplace rivals. Aggressively seek agreement.

Soul Affirmation: The slowness of my week gives me time to refresh my energy. Lucky Numbers: 9, 17, 38 DON’T let your outer space infringe on your inner peace. Control situations that might affect your ability to get that important job done. Remember people are only human. Soul Affirmation: I find many things about myself that I really love. Lucky Numbers: 5, 9, 16

Supreme Court dodges affirmative action decision LAWT STAFF REPORT Monday, by a 7-1 vote the Supreme Court decided to send the University of Texas’ race-conscious admissions plan back to the lower courts (that had sided with the university) stating that the court had not properly applied the standard of strict scrutiny, the toughest judicial assessment of whether a government’s action is constitutional. Although the court had previously supported race as a consideration in university admissions in an effort to promote diversity, today the court raised the bar stating that schools must prove that there are “no workable race-neutral alternatives” to achieve said diversity.

“The University must prove that the means chosen by the University to attain diversity are narrowly tailored to that goal. On this point, the University receives no deference,” Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote.

“Strict scrutiny must not be strict in theory but feeble in fact.”

The decision is a small victory for Abigail Fisher, a white woman who claimed the University of Texas at Austin discriminated against her after her application was rejected in 2008 under the school’s race-conscious admission program.

“I am grateful to the justices for moving the nation closer to the day when a student’s race isn’t used at all in college admissions,” Fisher said in a statement.

The conservative-leaning decision could encourage more cases against race-conscious admissions elsewhere, but it has not yet ruled out the use of race in admissions decisions all together. Good thing for some, who still do not see the United States as being a post racial society.

“The majority of people under the age of five are now what we call ‘minority,’” wrote an anonymous Huffington Post user after the decision.

“What are the consequences if we don’t educate and train the adults of color amongst us now?

They aren’t going away… They are going to be the people who have to care for YOU when you get old and need doctors and roads built. Be careful about the great disdain with which you are treating these young people. You better hope that your intentional under-investment and denigration of this population actually doesn’t come true. Too many whites are acting like petulant children about having to share the benefits of access they themselves take for granted.”

The thread continued with classic arguments for and against the decades old practice.

“Affirmative Action is racism,”

AP PHOTO

declared a user named Steve.

“All collages use racism to select the balance of the students they want to for there school...[sic],” he said, garnering derisive comments about his spelling and his own need to apply to college.

The last time the court ruled on affirmative action in college admissions was in 2003, when the court ruled in Gutter v. Bollinger that a limited use of race by the University of Michigan Law School was acceptable in order to achieve diversity that benefits all students.

Meanwhile, some of the country’s elected officials have also weighed in on the debate.

“It’s shocking to think that we are still having to fight these same old fights to make sure that people of color and the disadvantaged are able to maintain a seat at the table and compete on equal footing like everyone else,” said Congresswoman Karen Bass.

Just like the ruling regarding the Voting Rights Act, we are seeing a disturbing trend from the high court where they are either ducking the opportunity to stand on the side of justice or punting the tough decisions for others to decide whether it be Congress or a lower court. The high court should be a place where the best ideals of our nation are reaffirmed but it’s becoming increasingly clear that today’s Supreme Court is more interested in pursuing or protecting a conservative right wing agenda working to undermine the rights and equal access for people of color in a broad range of areas. As this case moves back to the lower courts, it is critical that we keep working to make sure that young people of all backgrounds, races and ethnicities receive a fair shot at getting a good education. Affirmative action helps to ensure that this is the case and we must remain vigilant in working against any actions that might undermine the progress that has been made.”

Congresswoman Janice Hahn agrees.

“We must recommit to fostering equal opportunity for all young Americans trying to achieve academic excellence regardless of race or ethnic background.” {See AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, Pg. 5}

Thursday, June 27, 2013

3

The last roll: History comes to an end at World on Wheels

BY TROY TIEUEL LAWT CONTRIBUTING WRITER On June 23, up beat tunes blast over the loud speakers as lights flicker here and there from strobes and camera flashes, but all the smiles and laughter fail to cover the somber mood of the lifelong skaters some of who, donned their first pair of skates here. Now, they are skating around the brown, linoleum rink for the last time spinning and jumping in simul-

taneous celebration for and protest against the closing of the skating rink known as World on Wheels.

It was shortly after midnight when the house lights begin to illuminate the 32 year old skating rink and the wear from those many years became as clear as the tears on the general manager’s face as she approached the DJ booth just after the DJ‘s last song winded to an end.

Even though they listened to the words, most seem to be in denial as

LIFE-LONG SKATERS take their last roll around the World on Wheels skating rink on the last night of business after AMF filed for bankruptcy and began proceedings to close the rink, the Midtown Lanes and Maria’s Café, both located above the rink.

they refused to stop their skates from spinning and rebuffed any acknowledgement of the closing of another land mark in the black community.

Some people, who skated joyously throughout the evening, now stood, huddled, visibly weeping, as if they mourned the passing of a longtime friend.

Statements like, “I grew up in this place,” and “I learned to skate here,” became more commonplace as the oval rink emptied and the skate-return area filled with people.

It was as if the wooden racks that held the skates represented the final mass acceptance of the ultimate fate of AMF Lanes and World on Wheels, one skate at a time. Even as the reporting staff of the Sentinel exited the building there were skaters who stood outside the entire night, skates in hand, unable to get it, just watching the building filled with nostalgia.

This was a stark difference from the night before, when the rink stayed busy well past 2am and hopes still reigned high that some miraculous entity would swoop in and save the only local skating rink left in Los Angeles. But all the would-be heroes either were no shows or they still circled clad in colorful skate crew tees, their specialized wheels scraping those classic sounds in long arcing strokes, unaware, unable or just inef-

THE LAST RETURNS: Skate lovers and employees both are saddened by the eventual closing of World on Wheels. Eight year employee Gina, and selfproclaimed “Non-employee of the Month” Brandy both express disappointment and confusion over the closing. “It’s terrible to tear it down and take it out of our community,” said Brandy, “There’s no other skating rink that’s like this.” Now they have to travel to the Valley, Cerritos or Northridge to skate. fective. Only able to do what they knew, one last time, skate.

At the rental counter, a white sheet of paper upon which was written plainly, “We are out of skates sizes 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11,” only barely touched the surface of describing the love and respect shown on this last day of skating.

Understanding the more than 300 people, of all ages that stood outside the rink, frustrated, because they

were prevented from entering only begins to describe the generations of people’s admiration for this classic establishment.

This is an end of a legacy, but some looked back to the beginning, like skater Robin Royal, who had been skating at World on Wheels since the day it opened back in 1981.

“I remember skating here and all this was new,” he said as he released his {See WORLD ON WHEELS, Pg. 5}

4

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Black writer named to second term Trayvon Martin’s friend as the nation’s Poet Laureate describes final phone call

BY ZENITHA PRINCE SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE AFRO-AMERICAN

African-American poet Natasha Trethewey has been reappointed to another term as Poet Laureate of the United States, “the nation’s official lightning rod for the poetic impulse

of Americans,” according to the Library of Congress.

Trethewey, the Robert W. Woodruff Professor of English and Creative Writing at Emory University in Atlanta, is also serving a four-year term as the poet laureate of the state of Mississippi.

“The Library and the country are

ASSOCIATED PRESS

metro.net

Natasha Trethewey

It’s your system...help us improve.

Become part of Metro’s decision-making process. Attend a Metro Service Council meeting in your area.

The councils conduct monthly meetings about Metro bus service in five geographic regions: > Gateway Cities (Southeast LA County) > San Fernando Valley > San Gabriel Valley > South Bay Cities > Westside/Central LA These community-based councils advise on planning and implementation of bus service within their area. They review proposed service changes, conduct public hearings, make recommendations to the Metro Board and participate in quarterly meetings with Metro executive management.

12-0404th_gen-ce ©2011 lacmta

For times, dates and locations, check metro.net/about/service-councils.

fortunate Natasha Trethewey will continue her work as Poet Laureate,” Librarian of the U.S. Congress James H. Billington said in a statement. “Natasha’s first term was a resounding success, and we could not be more thrilled with her plans for the coming year.”

The poet laureate is appointed annually by the Librarian of Congress and serves from October to May. In making the appointment, the Librarian consults with former appointees, the current Laureate and distinguished poetry critics.

When Billington announced Trethewey as the 19th poet laureate in June 2012, he praised her as “an outstanding poet/historian” whose poems “dig beneath the surface of history—personal or communal, from childhood or from a century ago—to explore the human struggles that we all face.”

Born in Gulfport, Miss. in 1966, Trethewey graduated from the University of Georgia followed by earning master’s degrees in poetry from Hollins University and from the University of Massachusetts, according to Poets.org.

The English and creative writing professor is the author of four collections of poetry. Her first, Domestic Work (2000), was selected by former poet laureate Rita Dove as the winner of the inaugural Cave Canem Poetry Prize for the best first book by an AfricanAmerican poet and won both the 2001 Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters Book Prize and the 2001 Lillian Smith Award for Poetry.

Dove wrote in Domestic Work’s introduction: “Trethewey eschews the Polaroid instant, choosing to render the unsuspecting yearnings and tremulous hopes that accompany our most private thoughts— reclaiming for us that interior life where the true self flourishes and to which we return, in solitary reverie, for strength.”

Her later works included: Thrall (2012); Native Guard (2006), which received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry; and Bellocq’s Ophelia (2002). She is also the author of {See POET LAUREATE, Pg. 5}

SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — A friend who was on the phone with 17-year-old Trayvon Martin moments before he was fatally shot

by George Zimmerman testified that she heard the Miami teen shout, “Get off! Get off!” before his telephone went dead.

Rachel Jeantel, 19, recounted to jurors in Zimmerman’s seconddegree murder trial how Martin told her he was being followed by a man as he walked through the Retreat at Twin Lakes townhome complex on his way back from a convenience store to the home of his father's fiancee.

Jeantel is considered one of the prosecution's most important witnesses because she was the last person to talk to Martin before his encounter with Zimmerman on Feb. 26, 2012.

She testified that Martin described the man following him as “a creepy-ass cracker” and he thought he had evaded him. But she said a short time later Martin let out a profanity.

Martin said Zimmerman was behind him and she heard Martin ask: “What are you following me for?”

She then heard what sounded like Martin’s phone earpiece drop into the grass and she heard him say, “Get off! Get off!” The phone then went dead, she said.

Zimmerman, 29, could get life in prison if convicted of seconddegree murder for killing Martin.

Zimmerman followed him in his truck and called a police dispatch number before he and the teen got into a fight.

Zimmerman has claimed selfdefense, saying he opened fire after the teenager jumped him and began slamming his head against the concrete sidewalk. Zimmerman identifies himself as Hispanic and has denied that his confrontation with the black teenager had anything to do with race, as Martin’s family and its supporters have claimed.

Jeantel’s testimony came after two former neighbors of Zimmerman testified Wednesday about hearing howls and shouts for help in the moments before the shooting.

Jayne Surdyka told the court that immediately before the shooting, she heard an aggressive voice and a softer voice exchanging words for several minutes in an area behind her townhome at the Retreat at Twin Lakes.

“It was someone being very aggressive and angry at someone,” she said.

During the struggle, she said, she saw a person in dark clothes on top of the other person. Martin was wearing a dark sweatshirt and Zimmerman wore red clothing.

Surdyka said she saw the person who was on top get off the body

after the shot was fired.

Surdyka said she heard cries for help and then multiple gunshots: "pop, pop, pop." Only one shot was fired in the fatal encounter.

"I truly believe the second yell for help was a yelp," said Surdyka, who later dabbed away tears as

AP PHOTO/ORLANDO SENTINEL, JACOB LANGSTON, POOL

Rachel Jeantel, the witness that was on the phone with Trayvon Martin just before he died, gives her testimony to the prosecution during George Zimmerman's trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla. Wednesday, June 26, 2013.

Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder for the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin. prosecutors played her 911 call. “It was excruciating. I really felt it was a boy’s voice.”

During cross-examination, defense attorney Don West tried to show there was a lapse in what Surdyka saw. Defense attorneys contend Martin was on top of Zimmerman during the struggle, but after the neighborhood watch volunteer fired a shot, Zimmerman got on top of Martin.

West also challenged Surdyka about her belief that the cry for help was a boy’s voice, saying she was making an assumption.

The other neighbor, Jeannee Manalo, testified that she believed Zimmerman was on top of Martin, saying he was the bigger of the two based on pictures she saw of Martin on television after the fight.

Manalo also described hearing howling, but she couldn’t tell who it was coming from, and then a “help sound” a short time later.

Under cross-examination, defense attorney Mark O’Mara asked why Manalo had never mentioned her belief that Zimmerman was on top in previous police interviews.

He also got her to concede that her perception of Martin’s size was based on five-year-old photos on television that showed a younger and smaller Martin.

{See TRAYVON MARTIN, Pg. 7}

Thursday, June 27, 2013

World on Wheels {Continued from page 3} wife’s hand and rolled into the swirling crowd.

“He’s a real good skater,” his wife said smiling, her green eyes reflecting the sparkle of the discoball, “he skates here every week.”

Royal admitted that he traveled from near San Diego to skate here and Skate Depot, another competing rink in Cerritos. “I come here [World on Wheels] during week and Skate Depot on the weekends.” He added.

Reviewing the Yelp.com reviews of the rink is like dipping into a refreshing time capsule as each entry was a step backwards in time and became happier and happier with mentions of the tragic and looming closure becoming eventually nonexistent.

The posts described the timeless rink with its colorful skaters, some wild and outlandish, its carpeted walls, two outer corner resting alcoves and its center island commonly used for beginners and dancers. “I LOVE the fact that the beginning skater's section is in the middle - dance party in the center!!!!!!” posted Krista Y. of Los Angeles on July 23, 2012.

“The ramps down to the rink are scary fun,” stated Lisa B. back in March of this year, which describe the ‘on-ramps’ on either side of the rink, one of many unique aspects.

Another was the fact that the snack and video game area over-looked the skating area with a balcony where parents and friends could watch the skaters go around and around. This aspect also meant the DJ booth with its tented, reflective, glass surface gave the management a clear, elevated view similar to the guard towers in the old jail movies and the loud speaker’s PA system was quick to call out rule breakers.

Lisa B.’s post goes on to describe one of the most important aspects of World on Wheels, one present since its opening, the culture and atmosphere that existed on the skating rink floor. “No one will laugh at you if you fall,” writes Lisa B. “You can watch the incredible skaters and hope one day you can skate like them, or you can try right there. No one judges. The Venice Beach skaters have nothing on World on Wheels skaters. When you see 14 year-olds with wheels on Nikes going backwards, faster than an Olympic skater, a 65-year old couple slow dancing on skates or a 40 year-old lady from the Valley spinning like an ice skater, you know you're in a place that thinks skating is fun.”

A skater known as ‘Sideways-

Poet Laureate {Continued from page 4} Beyond Katrina: A Meditation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast (2010).

In her first term as Poet Laureate, Trethewey made her mark with her “Office Hours” during which she met with the general public in the Library of Congress’

5

Mack’ looked somberly over the rail at the many skaters circling the center section where people grooved in stark opposition to his sad eyes.

“This is the first place I came and skated at when I was seven years old,” stated Mack, “I first stood right here, just watching the crowd, because I was too nervous to skate.

Now I’m here taking over the floor.

Now they want to take it away from me. What am I to do?”

That is a question asked by many as, one by one, establishments once dominated, enjoyed and supported by the African American community slowly disappear from the landscape of Los Angeles like some endangered species.

Inglewood Lanes and the Key Club are just a few establishments that have closed its doors, never to open again, to the chagrin of the inner city community.

Some question the events that surround the closing of these types of establishments, especially in light of the fact that the police and other entities hovered over the closing like vultures waiting for the last dying breath to escape from the lips of the dreams of Mid-City skaters everywhere. Armed police forces swarmed over the facility on the final day armed with shot guns, brandishing automatic rifles and armored combat suits. They watched as the crowed swelled into a line that stretched like a snake up the front stairwell and around the back and side of the adjacent CVS. Despite the overwhelming and arguably unnecessary police presence, unsavory elements still made their way into the rink lighting cannabis cigarettes and exhaling like it was nothing. Those persons were soon escorted out, or shunned by other skaters, as the management cared more for savoring the positive love for the last day of skating and struggled hard to keep up the traditional rules set that have, for years, kept the rink as a safe place for the youth to hang out, despite the rink sitting in the crossroads of the late 80s and 90s gang wars.

During those same times, classic artists like NWA, LL Cool J,MC Lyte, YoYo, Ice Cube and many others graced the rink with concerts and loads of other special events, as well as enjoying many nights of just skating. It is unknown why those same artists couldn’t rally back together to help save the rink as a cultural and Hip Hop Music landmark, as it helped boost many of them to stardom early in their careers.

Los Angeles has lost a true historical landmark.

For more information on AMF Lanes or World on Wheels, go to www.amfworldonwheels.com.

Poetry Room—harkening back to a tradition established by her predecessors in the post from 1937 to 1986.

For her second term, she plans to travel to U.S. cities to examine how Americans are exploring and expressing societal issues through poetry, and report on her discoveries in a regular feature on the PBS “NewsHour Poetry Series.”

Chris Morris joins Union Bank’s Consumer Lending Group as regional sales manager LAWT NEWS SERVICE Union Bank, N.A. today announced that Chris Morris has joined its Retail Consumer Lending team as regional sales manager for the bank’s Residential Lending group based in Los Angeles. In a newly created position, she will manage community loan officers who serve branch clients in the region, and is responsible for the growth of residential lending within multicultural communities in Los Angeles County. Morris reports to Senior Vice President and Division Sales Manager Jennifer Livingston.

“Chris brings more than 35 years of experience in banking and real estate to the position, which is instrumental in further meeting the needs of our clients who are looking to purchase a home in the diverse communities that we serve throughout Los Angeles County,” said Livingston. “We are confident that

her leadership and depth of lending expertise will further enhance our existing client relationships as well as establish new ones.”

Before joining Union Bank, Morris served as a senior vice president and senior home loan manager with Bank of America. She served as an affiliate in action for the South Bay Board of REALTORS®.

Morris is the past president of The National Association of Professional Mortgage Women, South Bay Chapter.

She is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS),

Affirmative Action {Continued from page 2} “Affirmative action always has to exist as long as a black child is not given the same opportunity as a rich child in Malibu,” said Los Angeles NAACP President Leon Jenkins.

TOO

TOXIC TO TRASH

Ve

For more information or an event schedule, contact: 1(888) CLEAN-LA, www.CleanLA.com or 1(800) 238-0172 www.lacsd.org

d.

Blv

e nic

erl

an

nd a

d uar al Gory tion rm Na A

St.

om

bs

C

pu

ieg

oF

rw

lve

Av

e.

Blv

er ulv

Sa nD

Av

Co

d.

Se

d

e.

Ele

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Culver City

“If you look at it, a lot of us come from the worst schools, in many cases with some of the worst teachers and the most poorly funded districts. It’s not fair for them to ask us to do what they would not consider doing, that is to give us the worst of everything and then ask us to compete with the best of everything.”

Ov

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Front Parking Lot 10808 Culver Blvd.

Platinum Sponsor.

Active in the community, Morris serves as the fundraiser and community chairperson of the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of CaliforniaThe K.I.S. Foundation. She also volunteers with the House of Hope Foundation and the United Way campaign.

Old paint. Solvents. Batteries. Computer monitors. These are some of the household hazardous waste and electronic waste items you can bring to a Roundup for recycling. It’s a great opportunity to clean out your garage and clean up the environment. Our free drive-thru, drop-off events are a quick, convenient, and common-sense way to dispose of materials too toxic to trash, pour down a sink, or dump in a storm drain.

Household Hazardous Waste & Electronic Waste Roundup

National Guard Armory

Chris Morris

ENTER THIS ROUNDUP FROM CULVER BLVD. AT ELENDA ST.

da

y.

40 5

Blv

d.

No Business Waste Accepted.

Brought to you by the County of Los Angeles and presented by the Department of Public Works and the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County in cooperation with the cities of Beverly Hills, Culver City, El Segundo, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Los Angeles, and West Hollywood.

Home-generated sharps waste such as hypodermic needles, pen needles, syringes, lancets, and intravenous needles SHOULD NOT be placed in your trash. Bring them to the Roundups or visit www.CLEANLA.com for alternate disposal options.

You can also take your used motor oil to more than 600 oil recycling centers in Los Angeles County.

Call 1(888) CLEAN-LA for a complete listing.

6

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Wesson kicks-off Ralphs grand re-opening Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson elected president of National Conference of Black Mayors

ment and investment in my Council District,” said Wesson. “Not only will this expanded market create more jobs, it will also encourage healthy living by providing a more fresh and organic food options.

Everyone will reap the benefits.”

Based upon shopper’s requests and input, the remodeled and expanded store offers a full range of products and services, including a bakery with freshly baked breads and desserts, a full-service delicatessen and a floral department with blooming fresh flowers and plants.

The store will be served by a free shuttle that will run throughout the neighCouncil President Herb Wesson helps launch the Grand Re-Opening of the Ralphs borhood, to and from the store on a regular basis.

Baldwin Hills Supermarket on Rodeo Road in Baldwin Hills.

The remodeled Baldwin Hills store employs approxLAWT NEWS SERVICE included a 21,000 square-foot expansion, bringing the total size of imately 150 full-time and part-time Following a major remodeling, the market to 60,000 square feet. associates, including more than 40 Council President Herb Wesson was The major remodeling will accom- newly hired associates from the suron hand to launch the celebration of modate a wider range of fresh, rounding community.

The celebration also included the re-opening of the Ralphs organic and natural meats, produce Ralphs’ presentation of a special Baldwin Hills Supermarket. Also and seafood. attending the celebration was “Having quality grocery options donation of $7,500 to be shared by Congresswoman Maxine Waters and in our community is important and I Dorsey High School, Audubon over 200 community residents. want to express my appreciation to Middle School, and Baldwin Hills The $18 million in renovations Ralphs for this important commit- Elementary School.

Will serve as national spokesman for mayors and lead effort to restore, rebuild, renew America’s cities

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson LAWT NEWS SERVICE Kevin Johnson, Mayor of Sacramento, is pleased to announce that he was elected President of the National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM) for the coming year. Mayor Johnson and eleven fellow mayors were unanimously elected at the 39th Annual NCBM conference in Atlanta, Georgia from May 29 to June 2, 2013 under the theme "Restore, Rebuild, Renew: Leaving No City Behind."

As President, Mayor Johnson will set the organization's agenda, appoint committee and task force chairs, and serve as national spokesman for the nation's 650 Black mayors representing some 48 million U.S. citizens.

"I am honored to assume this new position with the National Conference of Black Mayors," said Johnson. "NCBM has a rich 40 year history that is important to preserve and build on. The organization has faced some challenges, but we are going to address each one head on with the appropriate corrective and rehabilitative action required. I have no doubt that the new officers of the organization will restore it to preeminence and serve as an important voice on the national stage."

The election of new leadership led by Mayor Kevin Johnson marks the beginning of a new chapter for the organization as a leading voice for African Americans across the country.

Elected in November 2008, Kevin Johnson is the 55th mayor

of Sacramento and the first African American to serve in this office.

He was reelected in 2012 to a second term. He previously served as NCBM's First Vice President and Executive Board Member (April 9, 2011 to Present); and NCBM's Chair, Task Force of the Education Committee. Johnson also serves as 2nd Vice President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and is slated to become President in June 2014. Mayor Johnson succeeds The Honorable Robert L. Bowser, the 12th Mayor of East Orange, New Jersey.

ABOUT NCBM: The National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM) represents more than 650 African American Mayors across the United States; collectively its membership represents over 48 million citizens.

NCBM is a leader in the redevelopment of our most vulnerable communities and works towards the empowerment of leadership on the local level. Founded in 1974 with the mission to enhance the executive management capacity of its member mayors, NCBM articulates public policy positions and serves as a clearinghouse of information pertinent to municipal development and financing.

NCBM provides technical and management assistance through cutting-edge research, best practices and partnerships that enable its mayors to challenge and overcome grappling issues that erode the vitality and sustainability of our nation's cities.

You can follow the Mayor on twitter @kj_Mayorjohnson

Thursday, June 27, 2013

7

Obama in Senegal for first leg of Africa trip

{Continued from page 4} Martin’s parents have said they believe the cries for help heard by neighbors came from their son, while Zimmerman’s father believes the cries belong to his son. Both prosecutors and defense attorneys believe they could show whether Zimmerman or Martin was the aggressor in the encounter. Defense attorneys successfully argued against allowing prosecution experts who claimed the cries belonged to Martin.

Jeantel on Wednesday testified that she believed the cries were Martin's because “Trayvon has kind of a baby voice.” The defense attorney challenged that, claiming she was less certain in a previous

deposition.

Jeantel, 19, also explained that she had initially lied about her age — she claimed to be 16 — to protect her privacy when she was initially contacted by an attorney for Martin’s family to give a recorded statement over the telephone about what she knew about the few moments before Martin’s encounter with Zimmerman. She was expected to finish her testimony on Thursday.

While being cross-examined, Jeantel had several testy exchange with West, including one moment when she prompted the defense attorney to ask his next question: “You can go. You can go.”

Before the February 2012 shooting, Zimmerman had made about a half dozen calls to a nonemergency police number to report

suspicious characters in his neighborhood. Judge Debra Nelson on Wednesday ruled that they could be played for jurors.

Prosecutors had argued that the police dispatch calls were central to their case that Zimmerman committed second-degree murder since they showed his state of mind. He was increasingly frustrated with repeated burglaries and had reached a breaking point the night he shot the unarmed teenager, prosecutors say.

Defense attorneys argued that the calls were irrelevant and that nothing matters but the seven or eight minutes before Zimmerman fired the deadly shot into Martin’s chest.

Seven of the nine jurors and alternates scribbled attentively on their notepads as the calls were played.

with civil society leaders at Goree Island.

Top White House economic advisers and U.S. business leaders were traveling with Obama, underscoring the trip’s focus on boosting American economic ties with Africa. Six of the world’s 10 fastestgrowing economies last year were in Africa, according to the World Bank.

While the U.S. has been slow to ramp up its trade with Africa, China, along with India, Malaysia and Brazil, have been building robust economic relationships on the continent. Chinese officials say Beijing’s trade with China totaled $200 billion last year. The U.S. Trade Representative said American trade with Africa reached $95 billion in 2011.

m metro.net etro.net

at tention attention M etro Rail Riders Metro T urnstiles will b d Turnstiles bee latche latched star ting mid-June. m une. mid-J starting Starting JJune Starting St une 19, 2013 2013,, M Metro etro t will ill be b begin gin i latchin llatching t hi g Metro Rail latched, the turnstiles turnstiles at M etro oR ail stations. When latche ed, turn stiles will open on nly with a valid T AP A ca rd. turnstiles only TAP card.

Whatever type you’re single Wh atever ty pe of ffare aare you’ re using – si ngle ride, passs or tra pas transfer nsfer ffrom rom r aanother nother system – it m must ust bee TAP card Metro Rail loaded on a T AP A ca rd to rride ide aany ny M etro R ail line.

F or com plete d etails aand nd a sche dule showing showing when wheen For complete details schedule each station will be latched, laatched, visit m metro.net. etro.net.

Smart. Simple. Secure.

13-0658bg ©2013 llacmta acmta a

Trayvon Martin

Obama’s father was born in Kenya and several of his relatives still live there. But despite his family ties to the continent, Obama spent just one day in Africa during his first four years in office and has focused instead on strengthening U.S. ties with Asia and Latin America.

regular

purpose of the trip despite its low policy expectations.

“Presidential trips to regions of DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — the world like Africa bring enorPresident Barack Obama opened a mous benefits in terms of our relaweeklong trip to Africa on tionship with the countries visited Wednesday, a three-country visit and the countries in the region,” aimed at overcoming disappointspokesman Jay Carney told reporters traveling with Obama on Air Force One. “The trip itself will not be the end point of our engagement, but will enhance it, deepen it and further it.”

The president will make two stops at sights that highlight the continent’s harsh racial history: Senegal’s Goree Island, which was the center of Atlantic slave trade and Robben Island, the apartheid-era prison in South Africa where Mandela spent 18 years of his 27 years in prison.

The White House is closely monitoring ManAP PHOTO/REBECCA BLACKWELL U.S. President Barack Obama waves as he boards a car after arriving at the airport in dela’s health, which has Dakar, Senegal, Wednesday, June 26, 2013. Seen right is Senegalese President Macky Sall. added a degree of uncertainty to Obama’s travel itinerary. The 94-year-old ment on the continent over the first “Africans were very excited anti-apartheid leader has been hosblack U.S. president’s lack of per- when President Obama was elected pitalized for about three weeks with sonal engagement during his first and they expected deeper engage- a reoccurring lung infection and term. ment than in the past, both in regard South African officials have now However, the highly anticipated to policy and also in terms of actual deemed his condition critical. trip threatens to be overshadowed visits to the continent, given the Obama advisers have been by the deteriorating health of president’s African heritage,” said reluctant to publicly discuss what beloved former South African Mwangi Kimenyi, an Africa analyst impact his condition might have on President Nelson Mandela. at the Washington-based Brookings Obama’s trip. There had been no Air Force One touched down in Institution. “Africans have been formal plans for the two men to the Senegalese capital of Dakar on gradually disappointed, especially meet, though Obama aides did leave Wednesday evening. The president, when they look at the focus on open the possibility of the U.S. preswho is traveling with first lady Africa by previous presidents, in ident meeting with Mandela’s famiMichelle Obama and daughters particular President Clinton and ly.

Malia and Sasha, is also scheduled President George W. Bush, who did “Ultimately, we want whatever to visit South Africa and Tanzania. is in the best interest of his health quite a bit there.”

The president is expected to be Few major policy announce- and the peace of mind of the greeted warmly during his trip, ments are expected during Obama’s Mandela family,” said Ben Rhodes, despite the underlying sense of dis- trip. Instead, the president will focus Obama’s deputy national security appointment. American flags dotted on promoting democratic institu- adviser. the roadways as Obama’s motorcade tions, boosting opportunities for The president had no public sped through this coastal city, and Africa’s vast youth population and events planned Wednesday after his signs welcoming Obama and bear- promoting the continent as a grow- arrival. He was scheduled to spend ing his picture hung on homes and ing market for U.S. businesses.

Thursday meeting with Senagalese businesses.

The White House defended the President Macky Sall, then meet

BY JULIE PACE ASSOCIATED PRESS

8

Thursday, June 27, 2013

feature

L.A. Watts Times WEEKENDER

High Court Deals Voting Rights Act Severe Blow

By Kenneth Miller | Assistant Managing Editor The landmark legislation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has been dealt a severe blow by the nation’s highest court forty-eight years after it was enacted, sparking outrage from the president, Black elected officials on Capitol Hill to Blacks leading the nation’s oldest civil rights organizations.

“I am deeply troubled by the Supreme Court decision striking critical protections within the Voting Rights Act. In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court struck Section 4, a provision which outlines the formula federal officials have used to determine which states must clear new voting laws with the Department of Justice.

This decision ignores the persistence of discrimination in voting and weakens a vital tool that has protected the right to vote for all Americans for nearly 50 years,” voiced Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43).

President Obama, whose historical victory in 2008 was cited in the ruling, was equally disappointed.

“I am deeply disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision today. For nearly 50 years, the Voting Rights Act - enacted and repeatedly renewed by wide bipartisan majorities in Congress - has helped secure the right to vote for millions of Americans. Today’s decision invalidating one of its core provisions upsets decades of well-established practices that help make sure voting is fair, especially in places where voting discrimination has been historically prevalent,” he said in a recently released statement.

“As a nation, we’ve made a great deal of progress towards guaranteeing every American the right to vote. But, as the Supreme Court recognized, voting discrimination still exists. And while this decision is a setback, it doesn’t represent the end of our efforts to end voting discrimination. I am calling on Congress to pass legislation to ensure every American has equal access to the polls. My administration will continue to do everything in its power to ensure a fair and equal voting process.”

Said Congresswoman Karen Bass, one of the president’s most avid supporters throughout his term, “The Supreme Court’s decision is an outrage that will only give legal cover to those who have been vigorously committed to undermining the rights of people of color to vote. It is simply incomprehensible and a slap in the face to people of color to think that the court would open the door to even more discriminatory behavior by gutting a key provision of the Civil Rights Act which has traditionally served as a critical check on these types of antics.

“It’s hard to find the legal rationale for such a decision so we are left to conclude that the court isn’t interested in justice for all Americans and would rather force a conservative ideological agenda at the expense of protecting the voting rights of people of color. Congress must now act and pass legislation to ensure the right to vote is protected for every American and it is up to the people of this country to rise up and make sure that Washington does its job and protects their rights as American citizens...”

“I strongly disagree with the Supreme Court’s ruling to limit the Voting Rights Act,” said Senator Diane Feinstein.

“The law successfully countered a century of aggressive limitations on minority voting. I believe Congress should move quickly to introduce new legislation to preserver voting rights for all Americans.” Senator Barbara Boxer also weighed in stating, “The Supreme Court’s decision flies in the face of the clear evidence we continue to see of efforts to suppress the vote in minority communities across the country. It is devastating that the Court’s conservative majority would strike down a central provision of the law that has protected the voting rights of all Americans for nearly a half century, and was reauthorized by Congress almost unanimously just seven years ago. I’ll be working with my Senate colleagues to restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act to ensure that every American can participate fully in our democracy.”

“The Supreme Court’s decision this morning is deeply disappointing and a devastating blow to the preservation of voter rights and protections,” added Congresswoman Janice Hahn.

“The Voting Rights Act has proven to be critical time and time again in protecting the right to vote, free from discrimination. I wish that the Voting Rights Act was no longer necessary, but the fact is, this persistent discrimination is not a thing of the past. We have seen far too many cases, in just the last election, of efforts to block fellow Americans from casting a ballot.”

Speared by defiant conservative and Reagan appointee Associate Justice Antonin Gregory Scalia, the new ruling will free nine states, mostly in the South, to change their election laws without advance federal approval.

www.lawattstimes.com

The court divided along ideological lines, and the two sides drew sharply different lessons from the history of the civil rights movement and the nation’s progress in rooting out racial discrimination in voting. At the core of the disagreement was whether racial minorities continued to face barriers to voting in states with a history of discrimination.

Los Angeles NAACP President Leon Jenkins blasted the court.

“Just because the court rules something doesn’t make it right. For the Supreme Court to say that the Act is outdated and unnecessary, it’s just not true. A good example would be... let’s take last year’s election when Barack Obama ran. An African American was poised to win the election for the mayor’s race, I believe it was in Alabama and they cancelled the election,” said Jenkins.

“Let’s take Florida. The only reason they moved Sunday voting is because that’s when black people went to the polls. These are blatant attempts to control the Black vote.”

States that are covered by Section 4 include: Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, South Carolina and Virginia. Certain counties in California, Michigan, New York, North Carolina and South Dakota are also covered.

The Voting Rights Act was created to protect disenfranchised Blacks, mostly in the South who endured unfair voter tests given to them by the state.

“Look at the redistricting in Texas,” Jenkins continued.

“They got five new seats. Those new seats were a result of the rise in population of Hispanics and African Americans. When they redid those seats, they ended up giving African Americans and Hispanics just two out of five of those seats and they kept the others for themselves (white conservatives). They went through surgical maneuvering in order to put minorities in one or two districts.”

In 2006, the Voting Rights Act was renewed with amendments and after similar concerns arose in 2009, but Congress did nothing.

The Voting Rights Act was instrumental in the federal court blocking voter ID laws in both Texas and South Carolina because of the effect it would have on minority voters. South Carolina’s voter ID laws were later approved after an agreement was made to lessen its effect on minority voters.

The court also blocked early-voting laws in Florida that tried to limit early-voting days to almost half as many days. Because of the statistic that African Americans were more likely to vote early than Whites, the limitation was struck down.

According to statistics provided by the

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Ryan P. Haygood, director of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, talks outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, about the Shelby County v. Holder, a voting rights case in Alabama. Charles White, the national field director for the NAACP is second from right and Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund is at right.

The Supreme Court says a key provision of the landmark Voting Rights Act cannot be enforced until Congress comes up with a new way of determining which states and localities require close federal monitoring of elections.

NAACP, 362 restrictive bills that were introduced in 2011 and 180 restrictive bills in 2012 would restrict the number of people that were able to vote nationwide. These statistics were important to show the need of Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act and to paint a picture of how it will be without that formula.

Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act does still exist, but according to Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote for the majority, “In practice, the other section of the law - Section 5 - is dormant.” Chief Justice also wrote that striking down Section 4 “in no way affects the permanent, nationwide ban on racial discrimination in voting found in [Section] 2. We issue no holding on [Section] 5 itself, only on the coverage formula. Congress may draft another formula based on current conditions.”

Twenty-four year old Sentinel intern Shonassee Shaver remembers that historical election of 2008 and how it impacted her life. “It was the first time I participated in the voting process, Barack Obama versus John McCain. The lines were long and people where in a frenzy about the opportunity to elect the first Black president,” Shaver said.

“I know now that I participated in history, but my immediate concern is for those who may not have the same opportunity after the Supreme Court ruling.”

“According to a recent Census Bureau report in 2012, African-Americans voted at a higher rate (66.2 percent) than non-Hispanic Whites (64.1 percent) for the first time since the Census Bureau started publishing voting rates by eligible citizenship population in 1996. These gains can be attributed to the many activists and public officials who mobilized their communities to push back against stringent voter suppression laws that were being adopted in Republican-led state legislatures across the country. These policies and measures included voting restrictions effecting college voters, the elderly, and ex-felons,” added Rep. Waters.

Rep. Waters pointed to 2006, “I was proud to join "The Supreme Court’s decision is an overwhelming majority an outrage that will only give legal of both Democrats and Recover to those who have been vigor- publicans who recognized that protecting the fundaously committed to undermining the mental right to vote remains an urgent priority. Counting rights of people of color to vote." the votes in both the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, Congress voted by a margin of 488-33 to reauthorize the provisions of the Voting Rights Act that the court struck down. The conservative majority of the Supreme Court decided that its five votes outweighed the voice and the will of the American people.

“This decision requires that Congress act swiftly and with urgency to protect voters and address the persistent threat of voter discrimination. Despite partisan gridlock in Congress, we proved in 2006 that protecting the right to vote is a bipartisan goal. I am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure that the right to vote remains a reality for everyone.”

S Nicole Williams contributed to this report.

9

10

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Doc Rivers welcomes fresh At last! Shaw hired as start with LA Clippers head coach with Denver

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Even Doc Rivers got weary of the twoweek saga of his move to the Los Angeles Clippers. He thought the unusual deal was dead several times, and he insists he really didn’t mind the prospect of returning to the Boston Celtics.

business card bulletin board

AP PHOTO/NICK UT

Former Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers holds his new Los Angeles Clippers jersey during a press conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 26, 2013. Rivers was introduced as the Clippers’ new coach and senior vice president of basketball operations.

“I felt like I was the only guy in all this that was in a win-win,” Rivers said.

The Clippers think they’ve got plenty of winning in store after landing one of the NBA’s most respected veteran coaches.

The Clippers formally introduced Rivers at their training complex Wednesday after dealing a firstround pick to the Celtics. Rivers was simply grateful to end his selfdescribed “strange ordeal” ever since the Celtics floated the possibility of moving the NBA’s highestpaid coach to a talented team determined to replace Vinny Del Negro with a topflight leader.

“The reason I wanted this when it was made available was because of what we have,” said Rivers, who also will be the Clippers’ senior vice president of basketball operations. “I clearly think this is an extremely talented basketball team. There were times last year they were the best team. I like the talent we have here.”

Rivers believes the Clippers have the ingredients to be a title contender, although unrestricted free agent Chris Paul is a major part of that recipe. Rivers’ arrival is widely expected to cinch a new deal for CP3 — and Rivers believes their partnership will lead to chances for championships.

“We’re going for it, let there be no mistake,” Clippers President Andy Roeser said. “We’re going for it. We want to win, and we think Doc will help us get there.”

Rivers largely sat out the negotiations about his fate over the last two weeks, staying at his offseason home in Orlando while Celtics President Danny Ainge and the Clippers' top brass hammered out details of the move. Rivers gave up on the deal multiple times, even discussing the Celtics’ roster for next season with Ainge on Sunday, convinced he would return for a 10th season in

Boston.

Rivers turned off his phone and watched his youngest son, Spencer, in an AAU game. When he turned it back on, he found out he might be on the move after all — and a few hours later, the deal was done.

With all of his formal clothes in Boston, Rivers couldn’t even wear a suit when he headed out to the West Coast to accept his next coaching challenge.

“Things always find their path,” Rivers said. “This took a long and winding path, but it found a way. ... I didn’t intend it to be this way. I didn’t want it to be this way. Danny and I thought it was something we would explore, and it would be quick.”

But it’s finally over, and Rivers has started to consider what he’ll do with his new team, which won a franchise-record 56 games and its first Pacific Division title last season, only to lose to Memphis in the first round of the postseason. Rivers is eager to improve the Clippers’ defense while maximizing the potential of Blake Griffin and Paul, whose return is the franchise's top offseason priority.

Paul and Griffin didn’t attend the news conference, but backup big men Ronny Turiaf and Ryan Hollins showed up for a look at their new coach. Rivers said he had already spoken to most of his new players and most of the Celtics.

“Very excited about the future with Coach Rivers and his staff,” Griffin tweeted. “Can’t wait to get to work. Thanks for all the support clipnation!”

Rivers was understandably cagey about any conversations with Paul, who was widely thought to desire an established, veteran coach in Los Angeles. Roeser has been steadfastly confident the Clippers will hang on to CP3, and Rivers’ arrival only made him more opti{See DOC RIVERS, Pg. 15}

HAVE YOU BEEN DENIED YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS? LET ME ASSIST YOU IN APPEALING.

THERE IS NO FEE UNTIL WE WIN.

Jacquelyn Brown Social Security Disability Appeals Representative

WILSON MILL LEGAL OVERLOAD, LLC

(323) 756-3755

ASSOCIATE PRESS At long last, Brian Shaw is getting his first chance to coach an NBA team.

The former guard for the Los Angeles Lakers and Phil Jackson pupil has agreed to succeed George Karl as coach of the Denver Nuggets, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday night because the deal hadn't been officially announced.

Still, it was the buzz of the basketball world.

“I think the Nuggets are going to benefit from his tenure,” Jackson tweeted.

“So great to see Brian Shaw rewarded with this long overdue opportunity,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel told The AP in a text.

“Congrats to Brian and the Nuggets.

Denver just got one of the best head coaches this league will see for years to come.”

The Denver Post first announced the agreement with Shaw, the Indiana Pacers assistant who told the newspaper he’s been “prepared by the best of the best” for his first NBA head coaching job, adding “I feel like I’ve waited and paid my dues.”

Shaw is a longtime assistant who has interviewed about a dozen times for head coaching positions but kept coming up short until Monday.

He beat out Lionel Hollins, the former Memphis Grizzlies coach.

The Nuggets called a news conference for Tuesday afternoon, where team president Josh Kroenke and newly hired general manager Tim Connelly will introduce their new coach.

Shaw replaces Karl, who was ousted June 6 just weeks after winning the league's Coach of the Year award.

Shaw inherits a young team loaded with talent that won a franchise-record 57 games but lost Danilo Gallinari to a knee injury

down the stretch and bowed out in the first round of the playoffs for the ninth time in 10 years.

Gallinari recently underwent surgery and is expected back in December.

The Nuggets have been a state of flux all summer after they were knocked off by the Golden State Warriors in six games in the first round of the playoffs.

First, Masai Ujiri, who engineered the win-win trade of Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks, left the Nuggets’ front office for the GM job in Toronto.

Ujiri was the league's Executive of the Year.

Less than a week later, Kroenke fired Karl.

Ujiri’s right-hand man, Pete D’Allesandro, then took the Sacramento Kings’ GM job and took Denver executive Mike Bratz with him.

Also, the Nuggets’ top perimeter defender, Andre Iguodala, decided to opt out of the final year of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent, although he could return to Denver on a five-year deal while the most he could get elsewhere is a four-year contract.

Shaw, 47, owns five NBA championship rings as a player and assistant coach. A first-round draft pick by the Boston Celtics in 1988, Shaw played for eight teams in his 14 NBA seasons.

As Vogel’s top assistant, Shaw drew praise for his work with rising star Paul George last season. The Pacers forward was an All-Star and helped lead Indiana to the Eastern Conference finals, where they took the eventual champion Miami Heat to seven games.

Although he has deep roots with the triangle offense that Jackson featured with the Chicago Bulls and the Lakers, Shaw told the Denver Post he won’t use that system with the Nuggets, who thrived in a fastpaced, free-flowing system under Karl.

Shaw played at St. Mary’s and UC Santa Barbara before an NBA

{See BRIAN SHAW, Pg. 15}

Thursday, June 27, 2013

11

6/2013

e v e n t CALENDAR L.A. Watts Times Calendar This Week 6/28 – 6/30 BET EXPERIENCE FAN FEST: BET will be hosting their first ever BET Experience Fan Fest to precede the annual BET Awards show on June 30. BET FanFest is a festival full of free daytime activities for the entire family to enjoy. WHEN: Friday, June 28 from 12 noon– 7:00 p.m., registration begins at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, June 30 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., registration begins at 9:30 a.m. WHERE: L.A. Live (Downtown Los Angeles).

Here is what the BET Experience at L.A. Live is: IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FANS Movies, gourmet food, beauty and grooming lounges, health and wellness, celebrity basketball games and a lounge to refresh and relax. Plus meet your favorite BET hosts and get free swag.

CENTRIC PAVILION Check out the live performances by some of soul music’s hottest artists, relax and

■

Compiled by Brandon I. Brooks, Managing Editor

recharge while learning how to stay fit at the health & wellness booth, snag some fun giveaways & swag and even meet some of your favorite Centric talent.

SATURDAY – MUSIC MATTERS STAGE Discover the hottest up-and-coming acts on the Music Matters Stage, Saturday 12-6 p.m. Past Music Matters alums include J.Cole, Miguel and Elle Varner. Come see who's got next.

SPIKE’S BELLATOR MMA Bellator MMA, the largest tournament-based mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion in the world, comes to BET Experience's Fan Fest.

Meet fighters like King Mo and J. COLE Brian Rogers, plus step inside a real life Bellator MMA cage and circle around like a champion!

HEALTH & WELLNESS Come work out your mind, MIGUEL body and soul. Hit up our

TO MAKE A CALENDAR SUBMISSION: Include event name, date(s), time, location, contact/RSVP information and admission price, if any. Use BRIEF paragraph format (no lists, line breaks, or all caps).

All calendar submissions are space-permitting and may be edited for brevity. Send submissions, along with any images, to brandon@lasentinel.net with the subject heading “LAWT Community Events.”

Please include text in the body of your email, not in an attachment.

celebrity sport court. Try yoga, Pilates or a nice massage. It's all about living better.

A “TASTE” OF TASTE OF SOUL Bring your appetites and get ready to experience soul food from renowned chefs, serving up main dishes, sides and hearthealthy desserts. This is just a warm-up for the big Taste of Soul Family Festival on October 19 on Crenshaw Blvd.

BET & TASTE OF SOUL COMMUNITY STAGE Come see performances by rising teen superstar Jadagrace and local legends and up and coming artists, plus daily raffles for tickets to see the headline acts each night of the BET Experience! This stage will feature the inaugural StarQuest winners Adrian Battle and Beau Williams and much much more.

PARTY PEOPLE IN THE PLACE TO BE JADAGRACE Picture this: You’re danc-

ing underneath the stars while A-list DJs keep the beats bumping. It’s all part of the BET Experience Fan Fest. How could you miss this?

CELEBRITY GAME PRESENTED BY SPRITE Ready to see your favorite celebs battle it out on the basketball court? You can at the BET Experience Celebrity Basketball game presented by Sprite!

DANCE-A-THON Are you ready to get down to the hottest music, learn the latest dance steps and possibly get to see your favorite celebs doing a two-step with you at the same damn time? Don't miss the BET Experience Dance-A-Thon hosted by Chris Brown.

For more information on times and events visit: www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/betexperience/events/fan-fest.

On Going ADVISING FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS: Business plans, applying for loans, marketing strategies, licensing and permits. WHEN: Free orientation every Monday 9 a.m. WHERE: St. Lawrence of Brindisi Church 10122 Compton Av. Los Angeles, CA. For more information contact Martha Castro (562) 212-0312 or email wattsadvising@gmail.com.

12

JADAGRACE Discovered my LMFAO’s Redfoo, another Gordy Protégé to Rock TOS Community Stage also recently sang the National Anthem in front of 50,000 cheering fans at Teenage pop dynamo Dodger Stadium.

Jadagrace, who was discovered The 13-year-old singer,

by LMFAO’s Redfoo, will perdancer, and actress is already a form her debut hit single, “Run triple-threat who got her start Dat Back,” on Saturday at the from the legendary Debbie Allen Taste of Soul Community Stage. at the Debbie Allen Dance The track, which earned Academy at the age of three. In Jadagrace major buzz on Radio addition to being a gifted singer and Disney, is the first single from dancer, Jadagrace is an accomJadagrace’s upcoming debut plished actress, landing the role of album for Epic Records. She is cur“Star” in the 2009 action movie rently working with veteran record Terminator: Salvation, alongside executive Kerry Gordy and Epic’s Christian Bale and Sam Worthington.

Tricky Stewart, who has produced Jadagrace also has her own teletracks for Beyoncé and Justin vision series, The Jadagrace Show (a Bieber, among many others. R&B series about a 12-year-old girl who legend Smokey Robinson has been gets her own television show after a mentoring Jadagrace in the studio and video she uploaded on the Internet has lent his vocal and production talgoes viral). Her song, “Run Dat ents to the project as well.

Back”, was included as a “new artist” Jadagrace shows off her performtrack on volume 42 of Now That’s ing chops in the dance-driven video What I Call Music in 2012 and released for “Run Dat Back,” which features her first single entitled “Express Jadagrace her own choreography and an appearYourself” when she was nine years old. ance by LMFAO’s Redfoo. The video premiered recentThis super talented and gifted teen is so dynamic her ly on VEVO. many gifts couldn’t be wrapped before opening.

Last year, Jadagrace embarked on a 50-show tour To say that she came into the world, singing, dancthat included performing at schools across Southern ing, acting and bringing bountiful joy to all would be California, which she will continue to do in 2013. She short circuiting it.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Jackie Jackson exclusive: The Jacksons still have it!

BY KENNETH MILLER ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR AND SHOWTIMES STARTS WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 THEATERS

BY BRANDON I. BROOKS MANAGING EDITOR The Jacksons are to music what the Beatles are — Royalty!

Although the group has lost its iconic brother their brand still resonates with millions of fans that have followed them for more than a quarter of a century.

Therefore it is no surprise that The Jacksons will be among the big hits this weekend June 29-30 at the inaugural BET Experience.

The group’s elder statesman Jackie Jackson provided an exclusive interview with Sentinel Managing Editor Brandon Brooks.

The Jacksons have been traveling and performing on their Unity Tour for more than a year. They’ve “just came back from Russia” according to Jackie and it is no surprise these international superstars still have staying power.

As many new artists come and go, it’s amazing to see The Jacksons still standing tall after all these years, with voices that are just as golden when Motown introduced them to the world.

“Our fans want to hear our great songs. We sing all of our great hits when we are on tour” Jackie said.

There can be so many highs and lows while on tour, and The Jacksons have experienced it all.

Before there was Bieber Fever, there was The Jackson 5 Fever.

I’m sure these former teen idols have many stories to tell.

Jackie said that touring “can be tedious and grueling.”

But he is not overtaken by the grind. “Once you get on that stage its nothing like it. You can hear from backstage the audience roaring. They can’t wait to see us.”

“It’s the biggest high you can ever have. My brothers and I enjoy it. It’s a great feeling. It gives you that energy that you feel great on stage.”

And he says he and his brothers can never get enough of it.

“No not all. Because sometimes they come out and fly out and see certain shows they want to see.

Whether it’s in Europe or here in the

states, the brothers and I love it.”

Balancing the job of performing and maintaining a family life is tough, but The Jacksons have always been about their business when it comes to performing.

“We want to give our best performance. It is a tour to us; the audience gives us that tour. Want to give our fans a great performance,” Jackie told the Sentinel.

“It is about bringing people together around the world. I mean there still is a lot of hatred going on around the world, but we will see it’s getting better. If we can change one person and that person changes the other that is good. We love doing music.”

With so many hits under their belts like “Show You the Way to Go” it’s easy to see how Jackie could forget their songs. “My mind may go blank (he laughs) I’ll stick the mike out to the audience and have them sing it for me.”

The Jacksons will be joining R. Kelly and New Edition in concert following the BET Awards Sunday June 30.

“That is going to be real exciting doing that with BET. R. Kelly and New Edition are going to be on the show. We’re very excited to play with those guys. They have been friends of ours for a very long time. Just to be on the same stage with them it’s going to be wonderful. Right here at the Staples Center. We are looking forward to the show, all the brothers are too.

We marked it down on our calendar; we already did (he laughs).”

Hailing from Gary, Indiana where they began their humble careers, their big hit came with their song “I Want You Back” which introduced them to the world.

Los Angeles has been their home since those early years, but they also call Indiana home.

“Home is Indiana. Home is Los Angeles. We have been out here for such a longtime in LA. We have two homes.”

The Jacksons will also be performing at the LA County fair this summer. “You know we got the

{See THE JACKSONS, Pg. 15}

Thursday, June 27, 2013

13

MC Lyte: A hard working emcee and community leader the Dumbo Art Gallery in New York. I was happy for CEO of Black Girls Rock Beverly Bond to have started with a dream, vision and get hooked up with the right people,” MC Lyte said.

MC Lyte is a close friend to rapper Lil’Mama. “I mentor many MCs’ as well as Lil’ Mama. I was told by a music executive that she had a mind like me. She is from Brooklyn, NY. She raps about drugs

and gun violence. In my mind, I already knew who she was. The community needs to support Lil’Mama,” said MC Lyte.

MC Lyte is also a humanitarian.

She respects the capacity of giving back. “From the corporation to the community, I want to be used,” she said on her stance of being a philanthropist.

The humble rapper continues to give back. She recently visited

Johannesburg in South Africa to help launch iLEAD youth program.

“Thurgood Marshall College Fund is an innovative creation in South Africa to uplift the youth. Young people from ages 18 to 20 have a devastating employment percentage. They need to be empowered.

They need to know what it means to be successful,” said MC Lyte. She enjoyed herself along with artists {See MC LYTE, Pg. 15}

MC Lyte

BY SHONASSEE SHAVER SENTINEL INTERN MC Lyte is a hip-hop legend.

Nicki Minaj, take note! Not only is MC Lyte a successful artist, rapper, and entrepreneur, but also she is also highly respected in the music game.

From the golden age of hip-hop, she was the first solo female rapper to release a full album, Lyte as a Rock (1988).

It is astonishing.

Interestingly, MC Lyte does not see it that way. “There are so many that came before me. I came at a time where independent labels and major music labels were in transition. I came at the beginning when major record labels were making deals happen,” said MC Lyte. Although MC Lyte does not classify herself as one of hip-hop’s pioneer feminists, she certainly has met all the prerequisites for being one.

This fresh-to-death MC is back on the scene for the BET Experience Concert June 29th at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

She will be performing among the likes of fellow rapper Eve and hip hop/neo soul band the Roots.

Sounds like a good time.

“Absolutely, I love working with the Roots. I would travel back and forth with them over the years. I am excited for the Roots, to hear them play. It’ll be a good time for good music.”

Don’t get it twisted! MC Lyte has her own agenda that is just not about the music. She is making her presence well known behind the music scene. The hip-hop legend has an entertainment management and production firm called Sunni Gyrl Global. “The SGG Company has many facets. I signed with BET’s production company to establish the Hip Hop Sister Foundation. With this foundation, I am developing new artists and am able to support creative singers and artists. Continuing to do work for Hip Hop Sisters Foundation, “I have

given out two $200,000 dollar scholarships sponsored by the Soul Train Awards. I want to be able to send a nice young person to school,” said MC Lyte. The MC Lyte/UWMadison $100,000 First Wave Scholarship helps children in the community to further their education. “I want to help kids advance their creative awareness. There are many students who want to do poetry, theatre and acting. Then there are the kids who want to do law and medicine,” said MC Lyte.

MC Lyte believes that education is the key to succeeding. She helps young people to be creative and successful. From the beginning, this rap star has always been about the community. Her lyrics exemplify this and more.

“I started my foundations to understand and to give knowledge to the artistic side of the music industry. People can succeed on the industry side of hip hop, but not have the business aspect of it together,” she said. MC Lyte is concerned with the ‘whole artist.’ “Having the knowledge of the business counterparts the talent. The business aspect needs to go together,” said MC Lyte.

She has lent her name to many foundations that have influenced her to establish her own organizations so that she can be creative and flourish with her own plans for the community.

MC Lyte is all about redefining sisterhood. “We need sisterhood. We need to consistently support one another. Our goals should become each others’ goals,” she said.

Being an advocate for sisterhood, it is no surprise to us. She was a part of Black Girls Rock, a nonprofit youth empowerment and mentoring organization. She was presented in the iRock Testimony.

MC Lyte exemplifies the reason that Black girls rock because she empowers black girls. “I was the first artist many years ago (2005) to be honored. It was in Brooklyn at

COLUMBIA PICTURES PRESENTS A MYTHOLOGY ENTERTAINMENT/CENTROPOLIS ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION A ROLAND EMMERICH FILM MUSIC “WHITE HOUSECO-DOWN” MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL JASONEXECUTIVECLARKE RICHARD JENKINS AND JAMES WOODS BY THOMAS WANDER & HARALD KLOSER WRITTEN

BY JAMES VANDERBILT PRODUCERS VOLKER ENGEL MARC WEIGERT PRODUCERS UTE EMMERICH CHANNING TATUM REID CAROLIN DIRECTED PRODUCED

BY ROLAND EMMERICH

BY BRADLEY J. FISCHER HARALD KLOSER JAMES VANDERBILT LARRY FRANCO LAETA KALOGRIDIS SHERMAN OAKS UNIVERSAL CITY WEST LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN L.A. HOLLYWOOD CENTURY CITY L.A./BEVERLY HILLS WESTWOOD SANTA MONICA At The AMC Rave 18 AMC Pacific’s The Grove Regency Bruin Regal Cinemas CityWalk Stadium 19 At Sunset & Vine Century City 15 310-568-3394 Stadium 14 with IMAX® 310/208-8998 Santa Monica 7 Sherman Oaks Galleria L.A. Live Stadium 14 323/464-4226 888/AMC-4FUN 323/692-0829 #209 818/501-0753 888/AMC-4FUN 800/FANDANGO #4046 888/AMC-4FUN

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

AND AT A THEATER NEAR YOU

14

Thursday, June 27, 2013

NOTICE INVITING BIDS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Long Beach, California, acting by and through the City’s Board of Harbor Commissioners (“City”) will receive, before the Bid Deadline established below, sealed Bids for the following Work: PIER G METRO TRACK IMPROVEMENTS AND WHARF REPAIR PROJECT AT LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA AS DESCRIBED IN SPECIFICATION NO. HD-S2468 Bid Deadline: Place for Submission of Bids:

Bid Opening:

Contract Documents Available:

Prior to 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 13, 2013.

Bid packages will be time/date stamped on the 4th floor or in the Lobby and shall be submitted prior to 10 a.m.

1. By Delivery Any Calendar Day Before the Bid Deadline Harbor Department Administration Building 4th Floor, Plans and Specifications/Program Management Office 925 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach, CA 90802 2. By Delivery on the Same Calendar Day as the Bid Deadline Harbor Department Administration Building Ground Floor Lobby 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802 As soon as practical after the Bid Deadline: Harbor Department Administration Building 6th Floor Board Room 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802 Date/Time: Beginning Thursday June 27, 2013 Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location: Harbor Department Administration Building 4th Floor, Plans and Specifications 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802

Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting:

Date/Time: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 Location: 6th Floor Board Room EACH BIDDER MUST ATTEND THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING. FAILURE TO ATTEND THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING SHALL DISQUALIFY YOUR BID. Project Contact Person: Charlie Tsai Fax: (562) 283-7276 E-mail: tsai@polb.com NIB -1 Contract Documents. Copies of Contract Documents in DVD format may be obtained, at no cost, at the Plans and Specifications Office, 4th floor, Harbor De-partment Administration Building, 925 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach, CA 90802 dur-ing the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To arrange to re-ceive a DVD of the Contract Documents by courier at the expense of the Bidder, call (562) 283-7353.

For information on this Project and other upcoming Port projects, you may view the Port website at http://www.polb.com/economics/contractors/out_for_bid.asp.

Copies of all Port insurance endorsement forms, Harbor Development Permit Applications and other Port forms are available at http://www.polb.com/economics/contractors/forms_permits/default.asp.

NIB -2 Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting. The engineering staff of the City’s Harbor De-partment will conduct a pre-bid meeting at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, in the Board Room, 6th floor, of the Harbor Department Administration Building. Attendance is mandatory. EACH BIDDER MUST ATTEND THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING. FAILURE TO ATTEND THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING SHALL DISQUALIFY YOUR BID. NIB -3 Summary Description of the Work. The Work required by this Contract in-cludes, but is not limited to, the following: 1. Mobilize to initiate the Project and mobilize for each of the project phases and stages. Supervision, coordination and implementation of the project phasing and staging.

2. Provide Site Specific Hazards Analysis and Safety Plans and appoint a Safety Officer. Establish safe work conditions and practices.

3. Comply with the City’s Waste Management Ordinance, soil handling re-quirements and disposal of waste materials.

4. Submit SWPPP Plans and documents for approval; comply with approved SWPPP Plans and documents and perform periodic inspections, mainte-nance of SWPPP facilities and required documentation.

5. Demolition and removal for construction of project improvements, including but not limited to: asphalt concrete, abandoned utilities, fencing and base materials, and miscellaneous obstructions.

6. Removal of railroad facilities including, but not limited to: ties, rails, turnouts, crossovers, ballast and sub-ballast.

The work includes salvaging selected rails, turnouts, crossovers, and other railroad materials. The salvaged materials will be either reused as noted or transported and stored at the desig-nated POLB storage yard. Materials removed as directed and not identified to be salvaged will become the property of the Contractor for legal disposal.

7. Grading and earthwork including, but not limited to: excavation, constructing fill, compacting, segregating ballast, sub-ballast, CMB, and various catego-ries of soil materials, subgrade preparation, finish grading, and excavation and backfill of utility trenches.

8. Hire an independent laboratory to analyze soil materials for contamination and perform compaction testing.

9. Removing, segregating, stockpiling, handling, testing, and transportation of soil materials.

10. Segregating chemically contaminated materials and disposal in accordance with POLB requirements.

11. Hire a licensed surveyor to layout the work, provide lines and grades for construction, perform quantity measurements for payments and establish as-built elevations and coordinates.

12. Removing treated wood waste, handling, transportation, and disposal at a properly-licensed facility.

13. Removal, handling, transporting and unloading of concrete and asphalt con-crete at the Port’s crusher site.

14. Removal, stockpiling, testing for compliance with specifications and reuse of ballast materials, and furnishing and installing ballast materials.

15. Excavation and salvage of CMB and subballast materials, stockpiling, test-ing for compliance with specifications and reuse.

16. Obtaining CMB materials from the Port’s crusher site, hauling and placing CMB and subballast materials, and compacting them to the specified lines and grades.

17. Furnish and install geogrid and geotextile fabrics.

18. Removal of abandoned utility lines, ducts and conduits. Coordinating with others for additional pipe removals.

19. Furnish and install shoring for trench safety protection, and subsequent re-moval.

20. Construction of AC base pavements and finish pavements.

21. Furnishing materials and installation of storm drains and catch basins.

22. For work on the contract, POLB will furnish all new railroad track materials consisting of rails, concrete ties, wood ties, turnouts, crossovers, bumping posts and OTM as summarized in Appendix EE. All the railroad track mate-rials provided by POLB will be available prior to February 1st, 2014. Contrac-tor shall furnish

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

AC pavement guards and rod box covers for turnouts and crossovers in paved areas for new trackwork and special existing turnouts.

Installation of railroad tracks, turnouts, crossovers and bumping post. Install pavement guards and rod box covers on new and existing turnouts shown on the Contract Drawings.

Furnishing additional tie plates, rail fastener and anchor bolt for constructing track on existing wharf concrete struts.

Construction of wharf deck repairs and drain holes.

Furnishing materials and installation of water systems, valves, fittings and thrust blocks. Removal, handling and disposal of AC water pipe in accord-ance with the specifications. The work includes construction of steel casing.

Furnishing materials and installation of fencing, gates, and bollards. Provide temporary fencing as needed and removal upon completion of the work.

Furnishing materials and construction of steel stairway, handrails with coat-ing, concrete steps and concrete landing.

Provide temporary traffic control, safety measures, train watchman, K-rails, trench plating and warning signage.

Modify existing stainless steel drainage pipe at coke loader facility.

Demobilization and cleanup of the job sites as the work progresses.

NIB -4 Contract Time and Liquidated Damages. The Work shall be completed within 365 Calendar Days as provided in Paragraph SC - 6.1 of the Special Conditions, from the date specified in a written “Notice to Proceed” issued by the City and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3.1 of the General Conditions. FAILURE OF THE CONTRACTOR TO COMPLETE THE WORK WITHIN THE CONTRACT TIME AND OTHER MILESTONES WILL RESULT IN ASSESS-MENT OF LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IN THE AMOUNTS ESTABLISHED IN THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS SECTION 6.3 – LIQUIDATED DAMAGES. NIB -5 Contractor’s License. Each Bidder shall hold a current and valid Class ”A” California Contractor’s License to bid this Project.

NIB -6 Contractor Performed Work. The Contractor shall perform, with its own em-ployees, Contract Work amounting to at least 50% of the Contract Price.

NIB -7 SBE. This project is subject to the Port of Long Beach (POLB) Small Business Enterprises (SBE) / Very Small Business Enterprises (VSBE) Program. The combined SBE/VSBE participation goal for this project is twenty percent (20%), of which a minimum of three percent (3%) must be allocated to VSBEs. POLB expects all Bidders to achieve the combined SBE/VSBE participation goal. Award of the Contract will be conditioned on the Bidder submitting an SBE-2C Commitment Plan demonstrating the Bidder’s intent to meet the combined SBE/VSBE participation goal. If the Bidder’s Commitment Plan does not demon-strate intent to meet the combined goal, the Bidder shall demonstrate that it made an adequate good faith effort to do so, as specified in the Instructions to Bidders (ITB18). The Port’s SBE Program staff is available to provide infor-mation on the program requirements, including SBE certification assistance. Please contact the SBE Office at (562) 283-7598 or sbeprogram@polb.com. You may also view the Port’s SBE program requirements at www.polb.com/sbe.

NIB -8 Prevailing Wage Rates and Employment of Apprentices. This Project is a public work as defined in Labor Code Section 1720. The Contractor receiving award of the Contract and Subcontractors of any tier shall pay not less than the prevailing wage rates to all workers employed in execution of the Contract. The Director of Industrial Relations of the State of California has determined the gen-eral prevailing rates of wages in the locality in which the Work is to be performed. The rate schedules are available on the internet at http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlsr/ DPreWageDetermination.htm. Bidders are directed to Article 15 of the General Conditions for requirements concerning payment of prevailing wages, payroll records, hours of work and employment of apprentices.

NIB -9 Trade Names and Substitution of Equals. With the exception of any sole source determination that may be identified in this paragraph, Bidders wishing to obtain City’s authorization for substitution of equivalent material, product, or equipment, are required to submit a written request for an Or Equal Substitution using the form included in Appendix A together with data substantiating Bidder’s representation that the non-specified item is of equal quality to the item specified, thirty five (35) calendar days after Bid Opening. Authorization of a substitution is solely within the discretion of the City.

NIB -10

NOT USED.

NIB -11 Bid Security, Signed Contract, Insurance and Bonds. Each Bid shall be ac-companied by a satisfactory Bidder’s Bond or other acceptable Bid Security in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the Base Bid as a guarantee that the Bidder will, if Conditionally Awarded a Contract by the Board, within thirty (30) calendar days after the Contract is conditionally awarded to the Contractor by the City, execute and deliver such Contract to the Chief Harbor Engineer togeth-er with all required documents including insurance forms, a Payment Bond for one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, and a Performance Bond for one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price. All Bonds shall be on forms provided by the City.

NIB -12 Conditional Award of Contract and Reservation of Rights. The Board, acting through the Executive Director, reserves the right at any time before the execu-tion of the Contract by the City, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any infor-mality or irregularity. The Conditional Award of the Contract, if any, will be to the responsible Bidder submitting the lowest responsive and responsible Bid. If the lowest responsive responsible Bidder fails to submit the required documents in-cluding insurance forms, bonds and signed Contract within thirty (30) calendar days after Conditional Award of Contract, the Board reserves the right to rescind the Conditional Award and Conditionally Award the Contract to the next lowest responsive and responsible Bidder.

NIB -13 Period of Bid Irrevocability. Bids shall remain open and valid and Bidder’s Bonds shall be guaranteed for ninety (90) calendar days after the Bid Deadline or until the Executive Director executes a Contract, whichever occurs first.

NIB -14 Substitution of Securities. Substitution of Securities for retainage is permitted in accordance with Section 22300 of the Public Contract Code.

NIB -15 Bid Schedules. The Project will be financed from several funding accounts, therefore the Project Work is on separate Bid Schedules (A and B) as shown in the Proposal and Bid. NIB -16 Contractor / Subcontractor Qualification Forms. Contractor / Subcontractor Qualification Questionnaire is in Appendix AA. Bidders are required to submit copies of the Contractor / Subcontractor Qualification Form AA-1 with required in-formation. Failure to submit the required qualification information will be grounds for disqualification and rejection of the Bidder’s proposal.

NIB -17 State Grant Funding. This contract will be financed in part by State Grant Fund-ing Programs. The Contractor and subcontractors shall conform to the specific requirements of the funding programs.

NIB -18 Nondiscrimination. The Contractor and subcontractors shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex in subcontracting and in con-ducting the work.

NIB -19 Questions. Questions regarding this Notice Inviting Bids and other aspects of the Project shall be made in written inquiry via fax or e-mail. Address inquiries to the Project Contact Person listed on Page N-2.

Issued at Long Beach, California, this 19 day of April, 2012.

A.J. Moro, P.E. Acting Executive Director of the Harbor Department, City of Long Beach, California

Thursday, June 27, 2013

CIVIL SUMMONS (Family Law) CITACIÓN (Derecho familiar) CASE NUMBER (NÚMERO DE CASO): KD086215 NOTICE TO RESPONDENT (Name) AVISO AL DEMANDADO (Nombre): HAYWARD LAMONT WILLIAMS You are being sued. Lo están demandando.

Petitioner’s name is Nombre del demandante: Deborah Johnson You have 30 calendar days after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-120 or FL-123) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter or phone call will not protect you.

If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your marriage or domestic partnership, your property, and custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay support and attorney fees and costs. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form.

If you want legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. You can get information about finding lawyers at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelp california.org), or by contacting your local county bar association.

Tiene 30 días corridos después de haber recibido la entrega legal de esta Citación y Petición para presentar una Respuesta (formulario FL-120 ó FL-123) ante la corte y efectuar la entrega legal de una copia al demandante. Una carta o llamada telefónica no basta para protegerlo.

Si no presenta su Respuesta a tiempo, la corte puede dar órdenes que afecten su matrimonio o pareja de hecho, sus bienes y la custodia de sus hijos. La corte también le puede ordenar que pague manutención, y honorarios y costos legales. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario un formulario de exención de cuotas.

Si desea obtener asesoramiento legal, póngase en contacto de inmediato con un abogado. Puede obtener información para encontrar a un abogado en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en el sitio Web de los Servicios Legales de California (www.lawhelpcalifor nia.org) o poniéndose en contacto con el colegio de abogados de su condado.

NOTICE: The restraining orders on page 2 are effective against both spouses or domestic partners until the petition is dismissed, a judgment is entered, or the court makes further orders. These orders are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of them.

AVISO: Las órdenes de restricción que figuran en la página 2 valen para ambos cónyuges o pareja de hecho hasta que se despida la petición, se emita un fallo o la corte dé otras órdenes. Cualquier autoridad de la ley que haya recibido o visto una copia de estas órdenes puede hacerlas acatar en cualquier lugar de California.

NOTE: If a judgment or support order is entered, the court may order you to pay all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for yourself or for the other party. If this happens, the party ordered to pay fees shall be given notice and an opportunity to request a hearing to set aside the order to pay waived court fees.

AVISO: Si se emite un fallo u orden de manutención, la corte puede ordenar que usted pague parte de, o todas las cuotas y costos de la corte previamente exentas a petición de usted o de la

MC Lyte {Continued from page 13} Kenny Lattimore and Lil’Mama.

Rapper MC Lyte wears many hats in the music industry. She is an emcee, a songwriter, a speaker, a narrator, a voice-over, a DJ, an actress and an entrepreneur. She has a diverse career where she can balance all of these gigs. “I am not afraid. I educate myself therefore I am able to get it done. I rest then pick up the next thing. This is who I am,” she said.

Speaking of being a “jade of all trades,” she is an author of the book, Unstoppable. It’s about having courage and faith. Never giving up and achieving one’s greatest potential. “I have longevity. It has allowed me to go outside of being a rapper. I believed it has helped me stay motivated and creative.”

When asked about her opinion on rap music today she responded, “it lacks balance and means. The majority of it is promoted mainstream. Good hip hop with a positive perspective is not on top.”

She did not deny that she loves house music. In South Africa, she listened to house music. “Beat House African music has evolved.”

As a lyrist, she feels that rap lyrics about men and women are dis-

15 otra parte. Si esto ocurre, la parte ordenada a pagar estas cuotas debe recibir aviso y la oportunidad de solicitar una audiencia para anular la orden de pagar las cuotas exentas.

1. The name and address of the court are (El nombre y dirección de la corte son): SUPERIOR COURT, EAST DISTRICT 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91765.

2. The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner’s attorney, or the petitioner without an attorney, are (El nombre, dirección y número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante si no tiene abogado, son): Deborah Johnson, 954 Grand Ave. #3, Pomona, CA 91766.

(909) 622-1621 Date (Fecha): Jan 10, 2013 JOHN A. CLARKE, Clerk, by (Secretario, por) V. JASPER, Deputy (Asistente) (SEAL) WARNING—IMPORTANT INFORMATION WARNING: California law provides that, for purposes of division of property upon dissolution of a marriage or domestic partnership or upon legal separation, property acquired by the parties during marriage or domestic partnership in joint form is presumed to be community property. If either party to this action should die before the jointly held community property is divided, the language in the deed that characterizes how title is held (i.e., joint tenancy, tenants in common, or community property) will be controlling, and not the community property presumption. You should consult your attorney if you want the community property presumption to be written into the recorded title to the property.

STANDARD FAMILY LAW RESTRAINING ORDERS Starting immediately, you and your spouse or domestic partner are restrained from 1. Removing the minor child or children of the parties, if any, from the state without the prior written consent of the other party or an order of the court; 2. Cashing, borrowing against, canceling, transferring, disposing of, or changing the beneficiaries of any insurance or other coverage, including life, health, automobile, and disability, held for the benefit of the parties and their minor child or children; 3. Transferring, encumbering, hypothecating, concealing, or in any way disposing of any property, real or personal, whether community, quasi-community, or separate, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court, except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life; and 4. Creating a nonprobate transfer or modifying a nonprobate transfer in a manner that affects the disposition of property subject to the transfer, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court. Before revocation of a nonprobate transfer can take effect or a right of survivorship to property can be eliminated, notice of the change must be filed and served on the other party.

You must notify each other of any proposed extraordinary expenditures at least five business days prior to incurring these extraordinary expenditures and account to the court for all extraordinary expenditures made after these restraining orders are effective. However, you may use community property, quasi-community property, or your own separate property to pay an attorney to help you or to pay court costs.

ADVERTENCIA – INFORMACIÓN IMPORTANTE ADVERTENCIA: De acuerdo a la ley de California, las propiedades adquiridas por las partes durante su matrimonio o pareja de hecho en forma conjunta se consideran propiedad comunitaria para los fines de la división de bienes que ocurre cuando se produce una disolución o separación legal del matrimonio o pareja de hecho. Si cualquiera de las partes de este caso llega a fallecer antes de que se divida la propiedad comunitaria de tenencia conjunta, el destino de la misma quedará determinado por las cláusulas de la escritura correspondiente que describen su tenencia (por ej., tenencia conjunta,

tenencia en común o propiedad comunitaria) y no por la presunción de propiedad comunitaria. Si quiere que la presunción comunitaria quede registrada en la escritura de la propiedad, debería consultar con un abogado. ÓRDENES DE RESTRICCIÓN NORMALES DE DERECHO FAMILIAR En forma inmediata, usted y su cónyuge o pareja de hecho tienen prohibido: 1. Llevarse del estado de California a los hijos menores de las partes, si los hubiera, sin el consentimiento previo por escrito de la otra parte o una orden de la corte; 2. Cobrar, pedir prestado, cancelar, transferir, deshacerse o cambiar el nombre de los beneficiarios de cualquier seguro u otro tipo de cobertura, tal como de vida, salud, vehículo y discapacidad, que tenga como beneficiario(s) a las partes y su(s) hijo(s) menor(es); 3. Transferir, gravar, hipotecar, ocultar o deshacerse de cualquier manera de cualquier propiedad, inmueble o personal, ya sea comunitaria, cuasicomunitaria o separada, sin el consentimiento escrito de la otra parte o una orden de la corte, con excepción las operaciones realizadas en el curso normal de actividades o para satisfacer las necesidades de la vida; y 4. Crear o modificar una transferencia no testamentaria de manera que afecte el destino de una propiedad sujeta a transferencia, sin el consentimiento por escrito de la otra parte o una orden de la corte.

Antes de que se pueda eliminar la revocación de una transferencia no testamentaria, se debe presentar ante la corte un aviso del cambio y hacer una entrega legal de dicho aviso a la otra parte.

Cada parte tiene que notificar a la otra sobre cualquier gasto extraordinario propuesto, por lo menos cinco días laborales antes de realizarlo, y rendir cuenta a la corte de todos los gastos extraordinarios realizados después de que estas órdenes de restricción hayan entrado en vigencia.

No obstante, puede usar propiedad comunitaria, cuasicomunitaria o suya separada para pagar a un abogado o para ayudarle a pagar los costos de la corte.

6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27/13 CNS-2493716# WATTS TIMES

heartening. “If we stop buying this kind of music, they’ll stop producing. It is bullying on record. Women are being objectified.”

As far as female rappers Nicki Minaj, Azealia Banks and Iggy Azalea, they fit into the scope of rap music today. “Visually and music wise, they fit in for what is called for, what is prevalent.” Music artist resemble that hard edge lifestyle. Is it even the real thing? That gangster life is often fabricated. Many female rap artists see themselves as “Bad.” “Rock stars have defined that hard life of drugs, sex and rock and roll. I followed that image. The lines of cocaine and not sleeping are a part of the music lifestyle. I don’t consider this a hard life,” she adds.

“Being financially strapped, struggling to make it, is a hard life.”

Don’t count this MC out. With a career that has spanned 20 years; she stays current with the music industry and its style. “I’m a DJ. I’m constantly getting new music. I am able to understand hip-hop and how it affects the masses. I am able to keep up.”

There is no doubt that MC Lyte can keep up with today’s music and culture. “I’m not into high fashion. I don’t enjoy being cold and I love layers. I need to be comfortable.”

Well this can explain why she remains a fresh-faced beauty to date.

Doc Rivers

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAMES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 2013100951 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. The Festival of Elements, 2. The Green Festival, 3. The Green Project, 3039 W Vernon Ave Suite 3, Los Angeles, CA 90008, County of Los Angeles, 9461 Charleville Blvd., Suite 545, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 Registered owner(s): Person Cathy A, 3039 W Vernon Ave Suite 3, Los Angeles, CA 90008 Sao Silman, 3039 W Vernon Ave Suite 3, Los Angeles, CA 90008 This business is conducted by Copartners The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 08/19/2008 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.)

S/ Person Cathy A

{Continued from page 10} mistic.

“I think we’re just going to have to wait until he makes his decision and signs his contract, but all the indications are that he likes Doc and respects him,” Roeser said of Paul.

Rivers was greeted in Playa Vista by a huge Hollywood media contingent, baffling a few longtime Clippers employees used to toiling in the glitzy Lakers’ shadow. With each passing month, the Clippers are stealing the spotlight from the 16time champions who share their hallway at Staples Center.

“I don’t understand what the fuss

The Jacksons {Continued from page 12} call. We were like of course we will do it. You know its home.”

The Jacksons have a new album on the way.

“We’ve been recording at the same time and touring at the same time. So when we are not touring we are in the studio recording.

Trying to schedule everything and figure out the album. Going to be a great record, we do not have a title

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on May 15, 2013.

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).

Refile 6/13, 6/20, 6/27, 7/4/13 CNS-2497240# WATTS TIMES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 2013101091 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. CAPS Consulting and Production Services, 2. The African Tour, 3. Africa’s Talent, 3039 W Vernon Ave Suite 3, Los Angeles, CA 90008, County of Los Angeles, 9461 Charleville Blvd Suite 545, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 Registered owner(s): Cathy A Person, 3039 W Vernon Ave Suite 3, Los Angeles, CA 90008 Silman Sao, 3039 W Vernon Ave Suite 3, Los Angeles, CA 90008 This business is conducted by Copartners The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 01/01/2007 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.)

S/ Cathy A Person, Copartner This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on May 15, 2013.

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 6/13, 6/20, 6/27, 7/4/13 CNS-2497212# WATTS TIMES

GOVERNMENT LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (Metro)

is,” Roeser said with a laugh. “It’s not even the first time we gave up a first-round pick for Doc.” Roeser referred to the 1991 trade that brought the veteran point guard to the Clippers for one season in 1991-92. Rivers wore Los Angeles’ No. 25 jersey that year — the same number on the ceremonial jersey he held Wednesday to herald his return.

Rivers’ front-office title means he’ll have a say in the Clippers’ personnel moves, but Rivers clearly indicated he’s only one part of a decision-making team including Roeser and Gary Sacks, their vice president of basketball operations.

“I think titles don’t mean that much,” Roeser said. “What matters is we’re going to sit down together right now. Recording some songs working with some top producers, but I cannot name any right now.

But it’s going to be wonderful and great record. We’re very excited about it,” said Jackson.

“The man upstairs has blessed us; we have something to do here.

We travel around the world and make people happy. That is what we try to do through our music and performances on stage. That is what we love doing.”

Shonassee Shaver contributed to this story.

INVITATION FOR BIDS Metro will receive bids for IFB No. C0981R Regional Connector Advanced Utility Relocations per specifications on file at the Office of Procurement & Material Mgmt, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (9th Floor).

The Work generally involves the relocation of potable/fire water, sanitary sewer and electrical conduit utility lines that interfere with the future Regional Connector Transit Corridor alignment.

This includes, but is not limited to, the verification of existing conditions of the site and related coordination, potholing, demolition, traffic management, construction and supervision. Metro’s Project Labor Agreement (PLA) will apply to this project.

All Bids must be submitted on forms furnished by Metro, and must be filed at the reception desk of the Office of Procurement & Material Mgmt on or before Monday, July 22, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.Pacific Time, at which time bids will be opened and publicly read. Bids received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the bidder unopened. Each bid must be sealed and marked IFB No. C0981R. A Pre-Bid conference will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. in the Gateway Plaza Conference Room located on the 3rd floor at the address above.

You may obtain bid specifications, or further information, by emailing Joseph Lemon at lemonj@metro.net 6/27/13 CNS-2500914# WATTS TIMES LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (Metro) INVITATION FOR BIDS Metro will receive bids for IFB No. C1065 Paint Booths at Division 8, 9 & 10 per specifications on file at the Office of Procurement & Material Mgmt, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (9th Floor).

The Work involves the refurbishment of the existing paint booth at Metro Bus Division 8, and the installation of two new fully operational self-contained paint booths at Bus Division 9 and 10. The Work also includes the design and installation of roof exhaust fan supports, exhaust stacks and a fire suppression system.

This is a two-step design-build IFB. All Bids must be submitted on forms furnished by Metro, and must be filed at the reception desk of the Office of Procurement & Material Mgmt on or before Monday, August 5, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.Pacific Time, at which time bids will be opened and publicly read. Bids received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the bidder unopened. Each bid must be sealed and marked IFB No. C1065.A Pre-Bid conference will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 9 a.m. in the Gateway Plaza Conference Room located on the 3rd floor at the address above.

A job walk will be scheduled following the pre-bid conference.

You may obtain bid specifications, or further information, by emailing Joseph Lemon at lemonj@metro.net 6/27/13 CNS-2500903# WATTS TIMES

and find a way to make this team better.”

Roeser confirmed the Clippers won’t be making any player transactions with Boston in the near future, but said the Clippers “will be active in the free-agent market.” A reunion between Rivers and Kevin Garnett in Los Angeles remains unlikely after the NBA banned any potential trades including both men, but Rivers seems confident the Clippers already have enough talent to be even better.

“That’s the only reason I’m coaching, is to try to win titles,” Rivers said. “We’ve got to prove we can win a series first.”

Brian Shaw {Continued from page 10} career that lasted from 1988 to 2003.

He was a member of the Lakers’ three championship teams in the early 2000s and Jackson hired him as an assistant after he retired.

He won two more titles with L.A. as an assistant coach and when Jackson retired from the Lakers in 2011, Kobe Bryant voiced his support for Shaw becoming Jackson's successor, but he was passed over for that promotion.

AP Sports Writer Michael Marot contributed.

16

Thursday, June 27, 2013