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ON THE COVER: A Black Lives Matter protester raises her sign high amid a peaceful protest in Santa Monica. Photo courtesy of Zee James. Design by Arman Olivares.
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L E T T E R S Considerate Community Thought and Effort Can Help Save Our Local Retailers, Dated May 5, 2020 To those blessed with good health and finances the main struggle of late has been the total inversion of normal. Mercifully. But small businesses weren’t even lacing their gloves when the knockout blow was dealt. With few exceptions these local shop fronts operate in a world where remote employment is not possible and the layoffs were immediate and catastrophic, the number of people affected staggering. To highlight the strain on such places, the Starbucks sitting on the corner of Montana and 15th is closing its doors permanently. Yes Starbucks, that household name and industry juggernaut found in 62 countries with 182,000 employees and annual revenue of $26.5 billion, is unable to weather the storm at that location. Starbucks, it’s worth mentioning, has a market share just shy of 25% meaning that 1 in 4 Americans, stepping from their homes destined for a caffeinated mood enhancer each morning, deposit their money into the same enormous and well-lined money pit, Starbucks. Yet, the seemingly always-busy
really aware of just how shaky the small business tightrope can be? As we slowly ebb toward normality, that rope has never been more perilous nor the stakes more real. For those fortunate enough to be able to spend freely I urge them to think carefully about how and where the money is spent. With so many employees desperate to get back to work and owners flirting with ruin, we need not just be another customer but be a better customer in this rapidly approaching new normal. Choose local and choose small. Independent mom and pop venders are the most vulnerable as society slowly gets back on its feet. Already the underdog in the commercial marketplace before the pandemic, the need to patronize and take care of these places cannot be overstated. If you’re spending your money in a business of the tipping industry, tip appropriately. A couple extra dollars on top of whatever is your usual adds up if we do it en masse. There is a misconception that tipping is only a bonus for a staff member already presumably pulling a decent salary. The reality is that the modest wages paid to staff in tip-reliant industries allows the house to hire a larger base of people. Therefore, with the extra
neighborhood store by Whole Foods is no more. Could there ever be a more glaring example of the pressure level felt around the city? Here in Santa Monica, the argument could be made, the small restaurants and retailers dotted generously amongst our shady and sun drenched streets are one of the areas finer features. To imagine many are at serious risk is an arresting and frightful thought, but a very real one given current events. This is, however, potentially salvageable with thoughtful financial interaction from those able to. Hard and strange times like these have a tendency to bring a community together. It seems, paradoxically, social distancing has brought us closer, in the metaphorical sense. Things like neighbors chatting for hours over fences as their kids play at their feet is a heartwarming thing to witness. Those out exercising, considerately making room for one another and sharing polite gestures as they pass, is also a new and pleasingly common observation. I urge the same sense of community be applied to our little local businesses as they prepare to open their doors. In the uber-competitive, high-rent and fickle world, are we
numbers, a level of service is created that, you, for example, may not see in Europe, where wages are better, staff are therefore more scarce, and tipping is often not expected. Great service does have a fee. That’s what you’re paying for. What it comes down to is just take care of those who take care of you. If you’re out to happy hour remember the restaurants are almost certainly operating well below capacity while distancing laws are enforced. This is an industry where the more seats you can squeeze into your mind-bendingly expensive slice of real estate is the difference between sink and swim. The knife-edge that many restaurants operate on may surprise many who frequent them. Busy restaurants with excellent chefs, good reviews and a faithful following can still find any number of ways to go belly-up. So many things must go perfectly right while so few errors are made just to keep the doors open and the lights burning. Happy hour is essentially advertising. Small tasty samples of what usually exists as much larger dishes can be sampled at a fraction of the cost, financial and physical. But it’s not great news for the house or your servers. The
already thin profits can be turned side-on should an evening be unexpectedly quiet, but reach for a microscope if you’re looking at margins during happy hour. So next time stay past 7 p.m. and try an item off the dinner menu or a couple regular-priced drinks to balance the scales. Be patient. Many of these businesses never close for more than a day, most not at all. Now they have been down for months. Some staff are probably new and the familiar faces out of practice. The need to be busy, and busy now, is real. This may result in things moving a little slower than you’re accustomed. Service a little clunky or teething issues juggling a wave of anxious people desperate for normality. Be patient if it doesn’t go quite as smoothly as you had remembered. ... I’ll be just so happy to be back, won’t you? David Dawson, restaurant owner and personal chef Santa Monica
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Giving For The Sake of Giving Drive-By Do-Gooders delivers hope and hydration to Skid Row’s homeless two bottles at a time By Anthony Torrise Every Sunday, Skid Row’s curbside residents anticipate one of the only steady sources of support that comes their way. A car with the words “Drive-By Do-Gooders,” driven by Mar Vista resident Lycia Naff, arrives at 6th Street and turns onto Gladys Avenue, then Ceres Avenue, then Towne Avenue, and many more streets throughout Skid Row. For the 120 or so people who approach the car every week, Naff hands out two bottles of water, body wipes, some form of protein, and — as of recently — masks and gloves. Bathrooms, showers, and water fountains are not easily accessible to those who live in Skid Row, which makes this the primary source of hydration and hygiene for many. Over the course of seven years, Naff has formed relationships with lots of people
Every week, Drive-by Do-Gooders deliver care packages of water, wipes and now masks and gloves
PAGE 4 THE ARGONAUT JUNE 4, 2020
who live in, around and on the outskirts of Skid Row. Naff was first introduced to the area in 2013, when she was invited to serve in a feeding line on Gladys Avenue. She recalled helping a woman move her shopping cart up a curb and how it stuck with her. The next day, she went back to see the same woman and gave her water and wipes. “It just grew and grew and grew,” said Naff. She began going back with more supplies every week until she was barely able to keep up with buying them. Naff then started setting aside 10% of her income and used it to supply her efforts until 2015, when she began the process of forming a nonprofit organization. Over the past five years, DriveBy Do-Gooders has been kept afloat thanks to donations and support from Naff’s friends and community.
Her experience with homelessness goes back much further than seven years, however. Naff’s brother Cory Naff was a victim of addiction and homeless in Venice Beach for 25 years before she was able to get him any help six years ago. Her brother is sober and now has a steady job, but Naff continues to want to get out and help the homeless community. “A pandemic isn’t really gonna scare me much. I’ve got my mask on, I’ve got a little plastic shield and I got gloves, which I’ve always worn, anyway. The only bummer is it’s hard to shout out,” says Naff. To make a donation or to find out how you can help, contact Lycia Naff at lycia@drivebydogooders.com or visit drivebydogooders.org. Got a scoop of good news? Email christinac@ argonautnews.com.
N E W S
Corona by the Numbers & Local Updates: Restaurants Get the Green Light to Reopen
The Drive-By Do-Gooders SUV brings essentials to those in need on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles
Compiled by Christina Campodonico Reported COVID-19 Cases by Neighborhood as of Tuesday, June 2 Culver City: 161; Del Rey: 82; El Segundo: 11; Marina del Rey: 36; Mar Vista: 84; Playa Vista: 29; Playa del Rey: 3; Santa Monica: 284; Venice: 69; Westchester: 99 Total Confirmed Cases in LA County: 57,118 Total Deaths: 2,443 • LA County gave the green light for restaurants to reopen on Friday, May 29, with guidelines and restrictions. • In-door, in-person dining occupancy must not exceed 60 percent of prior maximum seating capacity. • Bars areas may reopen to serve food with alcohol purchase if 6-foot social distancing can be maintained — this includes 6 feet of distance between employee work, food and drink preparation areas. • All employees interfacing with the
public or other employees must be offered a cloth face covering at no cost and are required to wear a face covering during their shift. • Customers are instructed to wear face coverings to be served, but not while eating. There are some exceptions for those with respiratory conditions and young children under the age of two. • Face shields must be provided to and worn by employees servicing customers not wearing face coverings. • Symptom checks are to be conducted before employees enter workspaces. • Live music and entertainment are prohibited. • Restaurants in the City of LA are now eligible to apply for the LA Alfresco program, which allows reopening restaurants to convert public spaces such as sidewalks and parking lots into outdoor dining areas upon approval. Visit corona-virus.la/laalfresco to learn more.
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JUNE 4, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 5
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A Memorial at Sea Local surfers honor the life of George Floyd at historic Santa Monica beach Photos and Story by Ashley Nash The author is a journalist, writer and photographer from Los Angeles. She is an alumna of New Roads High School in Santa Monica and the USC Annenberg School of Journalism’s graduate program. Her writing and photography typically explore the relationships between art, culture and social justice. In face masks and floweradorned wetsuits, surfers and supporters gathered at The Inkwell — a historically Black beach in Santa Monica — on Friday, May 29, to commemorate the death of George Floyd. On Memorial Day, Floyd was arrested after being suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill for a purchase in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The father and beloved friend died while police officer Derek Chauvin pinned him to the ground and knelt on his neck for over eight minutes — the incident captured on video. Floyd’s last words were
“I can’t breathe,” the same words that Eric Garner said before he was killed by a police officer in 2014. The surf photographer known as @CaliforniaMermaidPhotography on Instagram organized the evening paddle-out ceremony in Floyd’s honor. The event organizers made a few an-
A R T S
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Masked surfer allies pay their respects to George Floyd on the shore lined with blue ribbons and tree stems for last Friday’s paddle out ceremony
&
nouncements before surfers made their way through a path of ribbon-dressed stems toward the waves. Men, women and children of all ages and backgrounds filled the ocean as onlookers stood on the beach in solidarity. The location of their meetup was just as significant as the
ceremony itself. During the Jim Crow era, The Inkwell (a derogatory term for the beach reclaimed by African Americans as a “badge of pride”) was one of very few outdoor sites in Southern California where Black people could swim, sunbathe and socialize “without facing the racially motivated harassment endemic to other
Southland beaches,” wrote historian Alison Rose Jefferson for The Argonaut in 2015. Now, over 100 years later, a Black man was memorialized on the same sand where his ancestors congregated for safety and solace. I personally felt drawn to the ceremony because of the healing power of water. Over the last week, protesters with the Black Lives Matter movement and allies have continued to lift their voices and fill public spaces across the country with hopes of inciting change. Within days of the civil unrest in Minneapolis, Chauvin was arrested and charged with murder. Capturing these images reminded me that communities are more than capable of organizing. Being there also reminded me that, if unified behind missions of justice and equality, we can make it so that we never have to commemorate another life lost to police brutality ever again.
Zoom into Art Saturday’s ‘Reimagine’ online arts festival brings the Westside’s creative scene to a computer near you By Meera Sastry This Saturday, June 6, the Venice-Mar Vista Arts Coalition (VMAC) will unite several Westside arts organizations to put on “Reimagine,” a virtual arts and music festival. The celebration will take place from 2 to 10 p.m. on multiple online platforms (including Zoom) and feature musicians, DJs, visual artists, and poetry along with interactive workshops. The online event will serve as the summer 2020 installations of the Mar Vista Art Walk and Venice Art Crawl, which have vibrantly celebrated the local art scenes with quarterly IRL events, festivals and one-off pop-ups over the last five and 10 years, respectively. Among the member organizations of the Venice-Mar Vista Arts Coalition participating
in the “Reimagine” festival are not only the Mar Vista Art Walk and Venice Art Crawl but also Venice Boulevard’s Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) and Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center. The coalition, which put on last year’s mega arts festival The Get Around, includes various Westside arts organizations. The theme of “Reimagine” was inspired by the current pandemic and prompts artists and participants alike to reflect on how art can enable all of us to restructure our lives through this crisis and beyond. “What we realized was that, in spite of all of the challenges, it was almost as if the universe was giving us an opportunity, by
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The artwork of Sofia Venegas and Ruth Chase adds a touch of whimsy to the “Reimagine” festival
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Rallying Cry Black Lives Matter protesters raise their voices for George Floyd in Santa Monica PHOTO BY @JASONRYANPHOTO
PHOTO BY ZEE JAMES
The peaceful march began at the intersection of Ocean and Montana Avenues with protesters taking a knee to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement Story by Meera Sastry Among George Floyd’s final words on May 25 were “I can’t breathe.” Spoken as a white police officer (since charged with second-degree murder) pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck, that final cry has reverberated across America, spurring passionate displays of public protest and reigniting the Black Lives Matter movement against the menace of police brutality and the backdrop of a global pandemic. On Sunday, May 31, that wave of energy crested in Santa Monica, where approximately 150 protesters peacefully assembled at the corner of Ocean and Montana avenues and made their way to the Santa Monica Pier, where a tense standoff with police occurred as organized looters ravaged the city’s downtown businesses and curfew fell. The Santa Monica Police Department reported no loss of life or serious injuries from the civil unrest. We talked with protesters who were on the ground about their experiences and how they made their voices heard amid the noise. Violet Scott-Street Violet Scott-Street is a student activist at Santa Monica High School. She used Instagram to raise awareness of Sunday’s protest as well as to organize a cleanup effort the morning after.
Scott-Street is half-Black, and was motivated to protest by the racism she has personally experienced growing up in Santa Monica. “The fact that we have a movement here encouraging a new standard for society and a new normal of holding police accountable and having value in the life of a Black man or woman, it’s something I need to be a part of, because it affects me too, and it affects everyone who has melanin in their skin,” she says. “Now that we’re getting more people involved [in Black Lives Matter], especially white allies, I think it’s a really important time to be standing up for the Black community and to be saving lives.” Scott-Street was surprised that a Black Lives Matter protest would
be held in Santa Monica, but happy to see the solidarity in the community. “I’m used to being the token Black person, and white people not giving a sh*t about the Black community because it doesn’t affect them, but seeing that people are showing empathy is really incredible,” she says. “I do see the racist side of my wealthy, white neighborhood, but I also see the side of people who want change and want justice in this world, and it’s incredible to see all the good that comes out of my neighborhood and all the people who support the movement.” Scott-Street is resolutely pro-peaceful protest and encouraged those protesting alongside her to stay nonviolent and avoid any damage to her neighborhood.
At the protest, she marched up and down Ocean Avenue and knelt for moments of silence to honor George Floyd and other victims of police brutality. Despite the solidarity present in the protest, she did hear negative responses from some Santa Monica residents. “A lot of the people living on Montana didn’t want us… there,” she says. “We had people yelling out of windows at us about protesting; they thought it was stupid and they wanted us to get out of their neighborhood. That was upsetting, but we were entirely peaceful.” Although Scott-Street’s movement was entirely peaceful, she witnessed some of the looting and property damage in downtown Santa Monica, and was frustrated
by it and the response from police. “We realized that these aren’t protesters that are looting, or even from Santa Monica,” she says. “It was really upsetting to see the police officers focused on getting rid of our peaceful movement while the looters weren’t being litigated at all.” “The police didn’t make any arrests or do anything,” she says. “They just let the people looting run off with boxes of shoes and stuff.” Scott-Street characterized the looters as opportunistic. “They were obviously not from Santa Monica. They saw this protest as an excuse.” On Monday, Scott-Street organized a clean-up of the downtown area, and was (Continued on page 9)
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JUNE 4, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 7
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PHOTO BY @JASONRYANPHOTO
PHOTO BY GUNNAR KUEPPER
‘We Protest Not Loot’
PHOTO BY GUNNAR KUEPPER
On Sunday, as peaceful protesters stood up for the cause of Black Lives Matter, looters ransacked downtown Santa Monica businesses. Law enforcement from across LA County were called in to assist with the police response.
Police blame ‘opportunists’ for looting and graffiti amidst legitimate protesters; 95 percent of the people arrested do not live in Santa Monica By Matt Rodriguez What began as a peaceful protest soon turned into chaos as opportunists took to the streets and looted businesses all across downtown Santa Monica on Sunday. At around 1 p.m., an estimated 150 protesters gathered at the corner of Ocean Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard to condemn the murder of George Floyd and the countless other unarmed black people who have died at the hands of law enforcement. As the demonstrators marched down Ocean Avenue approaching Colorado Avenue and the Santa Monica Pier, cars chauffeured looters to Santa Monica Place. The looters broke into stores stealing whatever they could before police arrived at around 2:30 p.m.
“We share in the grief and the outrage at the killing of George Floyd and far too many men and women of color who came before him,” said Mayor Pro Tempore Terry O’Day at a press conference the following day. “We need change in America, but let’s be clear, the events of looting and arson from last night are the work of opportunists hijacking a vital message and a movement.” According to the city, 292 businesses reported damages, with 155 reporting significant damage. In addition to the damages to businesses, Santa Monica recorded 84 reports of graffiti. The Fire Department also responded to nine fires across the city. The National Guard deployed 130 soldiers to assist law enforcement. The Santa Monica Police Department made 438 arrests on
PAGE 8 THE ARGONAUT JUNE 4, 2020
Sunday with the crimes ranging from looting, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and violation of curfew. According to Santa Monica Police Chief Cynthia Renaud, 95% of the people arrested do not live in Santa Monica. “What we can glean from intelligence online is that there are opportunists who are tracking where peaceful protests are occurring and they are then going into that city knowing that resources will be tied up ensuring First Amendment rights to free speech,” said Renaud. The looters made their way from Santa Monica Place and moved further into downtown looting more businesses. Some of the businesses that were badly damaged were those in between Santa Monica Boulevard and Arizona Avenue, off of
Fourth Street. Looters broke into several businesses such as Patagonia and Jack’s Jewelers. They also broke into the second-hand designer store Wasteland, which boarded up its storefront with a mural that read “After the Plague Comes the Renaissance.” Looters defaced the mural with graffiti which now reads “After the Plague Comes the Riots.” Other buildings were tagged with some reading “No Justice No Peace” and down the road at the local Vons on Lincoln Boulevard, it read “Stop Killing My People” in red spray paint. Later that day, a fire was set across the street at the Sake House on Santa Monica Boulevard right next to Jack’s Jewelers on Fourth Street. Amidst the pillaging, peaceful protesters marched on as police dealt with the looters. Some
protesters helped police mitigate the damage, stopping looters. Several people attempted to break into the REI on Santa Monica Boulevard and Fourth Street before a woman holding a sign saying “End All Violence” stepped in front of their crowbars, hammers and skateboards pleading with them to stop. The group eventually left after others stepped in to help as another protester held a sign saying “We Protest Not Loot.” “We are here for the protests, but when we see people looting it defeats the cause,” said the woman who stepped in front of the looters to FOX 11. “This is about George Floyd,” said the protester holding the “We Protest Not Loot” sign. “This is not about selfish gain. This is (Continued on page 10)
PHOTOS BY @JASONRYANPHOTO
Around 150 protesters came together on May 31 to decry Floyd’s death and call for an end to police brutality
Rallying Cry (Continued from page 7)
bolstered by the show of community support she saw there. “Seeing everyone come out, it proves that we [the protesters] weren’t the people looting. Why would we loot and then come clean up?” Jon Benward Jon Benward, a Black resident of Venice, saw the protests happening in real time as he walked back from grocery shopping and decided to join with his roommate. Although first joining out of curiosity, he was glad to have been present at the demonstration. Benward was present on the streets in front of the Santa Monica Pier as police and protesters stood off in front of the iconic landmark on Sunday. “There was tear gas coming into the crowd, but no one was throwing anything at the cops,” Benward says. “It was just a passionate — and understandable — frustration [on the part of the protesters].” After seeing the tactics of the police firsthand, Benward feels that the amount of force used was unnecessary. “It got out of hand only because the tactical response was that of confronting a terrorist group,” he says. “There was a barricade lined up; they were shooting rubber bullets — like paintballs full of lead, the shape of a 9mm — basically bullets themselves. It could have easily taken someone out if shot from a close enough distance.” Benward continues to describe
not only violence on the part of the police but a total lack of care for the protesters’ lives. “I saw a lot of people get shot [with rubber bullets], and what was worse, I didn’t see anyone from the police come over to help anyone who had been hit,” he says. “It seemed like there was just a wave of rubber bullets and tear gas.” Benward condemns the police reaction wholeheartedly. “It was a protest about aggression, and they were being aggressive to people who didn’t do anything,” he says. “Before the tear gas and the rubber bullets and them boxing us in, there was no violence. It was completely unwarranted.” Benward stayed at the protest until around 7 p.m. Though curfews were announced by the city of Santa Monica, he saw that it would have been impossible for all protesters to obey them. “There was no way, from how cops were blocking everyone on Pico Boulevard, for anyone to disperse calmly,” Benward says. “There was no way for anyone to reasonably get home in the time between the announcements and the curfew. And when the curfew went out, there was still tear gas going into a crowd of people walking away from the altercation. They were gassing no matter what.” Kendall Dees Kendall Dees is a resident of Brentwood who went to the protest with her family, arriving at its start around noon and staying for about an hour and a half. She and the protest group
she was with walked up and down Ocean Avenue, peacefully chanting and holding signs. “It was a very diverse crowd, and it made me really happy to see such a unified group that was so peaceful,” Dees says. “There was a sense of community between people of all backgrounds and races, and that was the most hopeful part of the day for me.” Dees says she and her family left the protest shortly after the line of police was set up. “It was pretty unsettling, considering the fact that it was a peaceful protest, but I guess it must have been precautionary,” Dees says about the police presence she witnessed. She acknowledges that her privilege as a white woman from Brentwood likely made it easier for her to avoid any conflict with the police, although she says she wishes they would have reacted differently to the protests. “I almost wanted them to say something in solidarity with the protesters, or acknowledge that it was peaceful, but instead they just felt like a menacing presence,” she says. “I wanted them to at least say something like ‘we’re here keeping you safe’, not ‘we’re here policing you’.” Elliott Hyon Elliott Hyon is a resident of the San Fernando Valley who heard about the protest on social media and went with a friend. He describes some confusion when it came to the organization of it, but says that he was eager to take action: “Everything that was being organized was done
without much notice, and it was difficult to figure out where we would be going, but once we did figure it out, we made sure to get there.” Hyon was motivated to protest in order to demonstrate racial solidarity. “For me, as a member of an Asian-American community, it’s important for us to remember that Black people have been there for us, and have defended us against racist attacks,” he says. “To not do the same and to act like the police have ever been on our side, is a complete lie. We should be doing everything we can do uplift and support Black voices and Black lives.” Upon arriving in Santa Monica around 3 p.m., Hyon was struck by the disparity in attitudes between people participating in protests and those seemingly unaffected. “I saw people picnicking, going to the beach, seemingly without any care in the world,” he says. “Then we got to the protest, where there was a face-off against the police, and there was a lot of tension in the air. It felt like two different worlds, or two different Americas, to see people so removed from it and then people directly involved.” Hyon did not witness any violent interactions with the police firsthand, but felt that police were moving protest groups around. “The police made a blockade, and might have actually blocked off the protesters into smaller groups, because we could see tear gas in the distance.” He also witnessed members of the protest calling on police to
join protesters, but did not feel as if it would be effective, given the nature of the protest as one against police brutality. “We started kneeling, and people were chanting to the police to sit with us,” he says. “Personally, I don’t feel that police will be on our side, but maybe people wanted to see some clemency even though they are upholding a system that holds Black people down.” Zee James Zee James is a Black woman and a long-term resident of Santa Monica whose partner heard about the protests while out on a jog. She joined the protest from noon to around 1:15 p.m., and marched peacefully, kneeling for moments of silence and chanting the names of those killed by police. Although James did not interact with the police, she witnessed who she believed to be looters, and condemns their actions. “I saw outside of my building a number of young people returning to their cars with clearly stolen goods like boxes of sneakers, new clothes and backpacks,” she says. “The most discouraging part to me is that so many of these people clearly drive for Uber and Lyft. I hope they get caught. I hope they get fired.” Despite the presence of looters, James’ experience at the protest was positive. “I felt like we were one. My partner is Caucasian, but he gets how hard it is for the Black community, and he was not alone.”
JUNE 4, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 9
PHOTO BY GUNNAR KUEPPER
Interactive workshops that you can do at home are another aspect of the online festival celebrating local artists and creativity
Zoom into Art (Continued from page 6)
Artist Single Dean brings his musical talents to the Venice-Mar Vista Arts Coalition’s “Reimagine” online art & music festival this Saturday PAGE 10 THE ARGONAUT JUNE 4, 2020
musical artists range in style, from singer-songwriter to psychedelic to soul, and include single acts and rock bands alike. The Venice Art Crawl’s 2020 Legendary Women Artists of Venice awards show, which was folded into the festival and could not happen live because of COVID-19, will serve as one of the centerpieces of the event, honoring artists Ruth Chase, MB Boissonnault, Sandra Zebi, and Robin Murez. These artists create in several mediums, including multiple forms of painting and sculpture, and their work will be shown on the stream at 5:15 pm. Beyond Baroque’s literary contribution is to be a series of readings, streaming at 6:30 pm, by nationally recognized poets based in Los Angeles such as bridgette bianca, Jose Hernandez Diaz, Joseph Rios, and Sholeh Wolpé. The awards show will be joined by a host of other visual art offerings, including several virtual art shows and live workshops and artist demonstrations. There will be other avenues for viewers to participate beyond virtual art as well, including an open mic and yoga lesson. The night will end with a set from DJ Todd Spero accompanied by fire dancers and live painters. Despite the transition to a virtual format, the “Reimagine” festival promises to be an exciting day and night of art appreciation and engagement. Stream for free on YouTube at bit.ly/mvartcoalitionyoutube, Facebook at facebook.com/ marvistaartwalk or via Zoom. Visit bit.ly/reimaginezoom to register for the Zoom event or marvistaartwalk.org to learn more.
Smashed windows and shattered crystals marked the scene of the Wonders of the World Museum & Gallery on Lincoln and Broadway PHOTO BY MATT RODRIGUEZ
hitting the pause button, to reimagine the way the future could be,” says organizer Lenore French, President of the environmental nonprofit Green Communications Initiative which helped birth the Mar Vista Art Walk five years ago. “We all felt that, as artists, we would be able to translate to ensure that the things that we love about and have learned from this time would not be lost.” “In the midst of illness, panic, and isolation, we know that urgent changes are necessary. And in the opening of space to consider new horizons for how we live, we’ve realized urgent changes are possible. In this year’s annual Venice-Mar Vista Arts Coalition festival we’re dreaming those possibilities into being,” writes Quentin Ring, the Executive Director of Beyond Baroque, in the event’s artist statement. The festival’s charitable partner
complements this timely topic: Westside Food Bank, which is currently supporting hunger relief efforts for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Artists and musicians are three times more likely than the average population to end up unhoused or without food and essentials,” says French. “We want not only to emphasize that the Westside Food Bank needs donations, but we want our artist community to know that these resources are available to them. The purpose of this event is two-fold: both to fund the food supply and to make sure our community of artists and musicians is taken care of.” After the opening ceremony, the festival will begin with several musical performances, with more to follow throughout the rest of the night. Those set to perform in “Reimagine” include the following: Osmunda, The Strayngers, Single Dean, Randy Emata, Looner, Time Warp Records and Westerner. These
On Monday, downtown Santa Monica businesses began the process of rebuilding
‘We Protest Not Loot’ (Continued from page 8)
about all the suffering that we have been put through, people of color... The system doesn’t work. This is why this is happening, but we can’t take it out on other people. These local businesses, they had nothing to do with this. George Floyd would be upset.” As the chaos subsided, business owners returned to their stores to assess the damages. Les Miller, owner of Optomeyes located across the street from Santa Monica Place, reflected on the damage to his business. “It’s devastating, it really is,” said Miller as he stood behind the shattered windows of his storefront. “It kind of sets us back a little bit.”
On the following Monday hundreds of volunteers gathered right off the Santa Monica Pier, close to where the looting started, to assist the city workers to clean up the city. “We are here today to clean up Santa Monica as one community,” said O’Day. “Piece by piece we will repair and we will rebuild. We are strong. We are resilient. We will get through this.” The volunteers armed with their brooms, sponges and paintbrushes helped sweep up the broken glass and painted over the graffiti. “It’s refreshing to see strangers coming to help,” said volunteer Michelle Hahn. “It’s just that moment of humanity that comes together in a moment of crisis.”
JUNE 4, 2020 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION PAGE 11
Enjoy the Real Estate Experience You Deserve!
Era Matilla rEalty 225 CulvEr Blvd. Playa dEl rEy
Manager BrE#1323411
Broker assoc. BrE#01439943
THE ARGONAUT PRESS RELEASES FABULOUS CITY VIEWS
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PLAYA VISTA TOWNHOME
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“This three bed, three bath single family home in the highly sought after Venice/Marina corridor,” says agent Jesse Weinberg. “Has a rooftop deck overlooking the stunning new Oxford Tidal Basin & sunsets. The open floor plan boasts 27 foot ceilings, white oak floors throughout, & gourmet kitchen w/ marble counters, European cabinetry & stainless appliances. The first floor features guest bedroom with full bath and access to front yard. Second floor features a huge master bedroom w/luxurious master bath featuring dual vanities & a separate shower and spa tub. A truly unique, creative living experience.” Offered at $1,895,000 Jesse Weinberg Jesse Weinberg & Associates 800-804-9132
“This gorgeous home has a bright and open living room with hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen, and stainless steel appliances,” says agent Todd Miller. “All three bedrooms are on the second floor. The private rooftop deck has city views encompassing the Sony rainbow and Hollywood sign. Incredible location surrounded by shops, restaurants and nightlife in downtown Culver City, including the Kirk Douglas and Arc Light Theaters and a weekly farmer’s market. Unlocked for Access Sat & Sun 2-5pm” Offered at $1,399,000 Todd Miller Keller Williams Santa Monica 310-923-5353
“Nestled in the hub of Playa Vista is this beautiful three bed, two-and-a-half bath townhouse,” says agent Stephanie Younger. “As you enter you're greeted by a light and bright floorplan equipped with hardwood floors. In the kitchen you will find stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and a sliding glass door leading out to a private patio. Upstairs is the master suite with walk-in closet, private balcony and en suite fully equipped with double vanity, spacious shower, and soaker tub. ” Offered at $1,049,000 Stephanie Younger Compass 310-499-2020
“A single-level home is in the Camden brownstones,” say agents Dennis Hsii and Kofi Nartey. “Has an unbeatable location — less than one block from The Resort (pool and fitness center) and two blocks from Runway (retail, restaurants & activities). This spacious home has three bedrooms, all on one level, plus an office with built-in desk. An open-concept floorplan showcases the modern kitchen, dining room and living room. Lots of windows and natural light. The home has a covered balcony that is perfect for outdoor grilling.” Offered at $1,695,000 Dennis Hsii & Kofi Nartey Playa Vista Partners (844) 99-PLAYA
THE ARGONAUT REAL ESTATE Q&A
With the world in chaos, what does this mean for our local real estate market? None of us have seen anything quite like this. I have been a real estate broker and attorney for about 25 years — seen several market crashes, recessions, earthquakes, and yes- even riots. However, our current situation is unprecedented. Our local economy suffered a gut punch in March when all but essential businesses were ordered shut down to protect the public from the pandemic of Covid-19. Now, rioting has brought more devastation to our community. While many people have the majority of their net worth in their real estate, and with expectations of retirement for the baby boomer generation, what does this actually mean for our local homeowners? When so much is uncertain, facts are comforting. In the long term, we know that real estate investment is one of the surest bets. Those of you who do not anticipate selling your home in the next few years should not be concerned. Those of you who do — no need to panic. The overall value of local real estate is relatively stable. There is a spike in inventory which surely will impact prices, giving buyers greater choices. Now, some facts: The Good News Sales prices throughout our region are higher than they were this time last year. Comparing May 2019 to May 2020 single family home and condo sales combined, most of our local cities
show an increase. There are a couple of exceptions, Westchester shows a decline of approximately 8% in median prices from this time last year and Santa Monica a decline of 2%. Marina del Rey is up 4%, Venice is up almost 12%, Playa del Rey is up 49%, Playa Vista is up 114% (!!!) and Palms/ Mar Vista is up 17%. It is true that the real estate market and prices were heating up in the first quarter of 2020 and we are not going to have the benefits we thought that would bring us all. Year to year is a far better indicator and most of you are better off than you were a year ago, even despite the current crisis. Please take that win! Let’s look at how the current crisis is impacting home sales. Here are the statistics for our local neighborhoods, single family homes and condominium sales combined, per the MLS: Marina del Rey Overall sales prices & median price/SF is also slightly up. Here’s the not great news- Compared to this time last year, there is a 469% increase in the available month’s supply of properties for sale. The number of sales currently occurring is also down from last year, by more than 80%. Venice While overall sales prices were up compared to last year, the price/SF dropped by almost 17%, with median falling below $1000/SF for the first time
PAGE 12 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION JUNE 4, 2020
since mid 2016. Inventory spike is close to 200% from last year. Properties in escrow are down 60% from last year. Westchester While overall sales prices were slightly down, the median price/SF rose almost 16% from last year and remains stable. Months supply up 100% and current escrows down 65% from last year. Playa del Rey Improvements over last year, with overall prices up close to 50% and price/SF up 22%. The downside is we are seeing an especially large spike in inventory, a 733% increase in months supply compared to last year. Current escrows are down 88% from last year.
Culver City did not fare as well in price stability. Prices were down about 32% from last year and price/SF dropped even more. Months supply has increased more than 200% and current sales are down 65%. Santa Monica Also some decrease from year to year, with a slight decline in overall sales prices and a 13% decrease in price per sq.ft. Months supply has jumped by 273% from last year and current escrows are down by more than 72%.
One parting piece of advice- if you do anticipate selling in the foreseeable future, don’t wait. The prices have not dropped yet. There are signs that they are likely to, with a decrease in employed home buyers Playa Vista Sales prices are improved and an increase in available inventory. If from last year by 100% and price/SF you do not anticipate selling in the next increasing 21%. Again, a spike in inventory few years, please don’t panic- long term show the months supply skyrocketing, always brings recovery and growth over from a 4 month supply in March to a 37 time. month supply in April. With May showing a 24.5 month supply, that is a 545% increase compared to same time last year. Palms/Mar Vista Again, overall good news with no resulting value decreases yet. Overall sales prices were up almost 17% from last year and price/SF by 3%. Months supply, one of the largest increases- more than 1000% from only a one and a half month supply this time last year to a current 17.4 months supply. Pending escrows are down more than 90% from last year.
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION WAS ANSWERED BY
LISA PHILLIPS, ESQ Lotus Estate Properties
Lisa Phillips is an active Realtor in the Los Angeles area, with more than twenty years as a practicing real estate broker and attorney. Lisa is also a member of the National Association of Realtors “Green Resource Council”, and achieved its “GREEN” Designation. www.LisaPhillipsRealEstate.com.
Large End Ties Now Available Slips 32’ and Up Water & Power Dockside Newly Remodeled Restroom/Laundry Facilities Ample Parking
Thank You! To all those on the front line fighting to keep our communities safe and to everyone in the community for doing their part to stay safe. The Argonaut has been the trusted source of information for our community for almost 50 years — we’ve been through many challenges in the past and we’ll get through this one together.
Buying or selling real estate? The Argonaut has you covered.
Call Kay Christy at 310-600-7923
310-823-4644 13999 Marquesas Way, Marina del Rey • Office open 10am - 6:30pm daily
LOS ANGELES TIMES SUNDAY CROSSWORD PUZZLE “BACK TO BASICS” By C.C. BURNIKEL ACROSS 1 “True Detective,” e.g. 6 Worshippers of the sun god Inti 11 Chinese smartphone brand 15 Organization with an ElderWatch program 19 Dollar, to Enterprise 20 Snookums 21 Rice, for one 22 “That explains it” 23 “Match Game” host 25 Arenal Volcano home 27 Crash site? 28 Blonde __ 29 The mariachi’s guitarrón is one 31 Settled on a papasan, say 33 Senegalese-American actress __ Rae 36 Idealistic sort 37 Stick up 39 Taste in kombu kelp 42 Team to play in SoFi Stadium 45 Whole Foods fruit 51 Do figure eights 53 Sarge’s boss 54 Unthinking 55 Preliminary race 58 Hungarian town known for its baroque buildings 59 Bank transaction 60 Code creator 61 Comes to an end 63 Actress Vardalos 64 Polite words while entering 66 Pollution concerns 68 Cause of
goosebumps, maybe DOWN 50 They’re often choppy 1 Uninteresting Called from the flock 52 Periods of note 2 Ticks off Chip dip, casually 56 Winter hrs. in Halifax 3 Minnesota-based Stretchable loop 57 “Lip Sync Battle” cosmetics company Parents not related by commentator Chrissy 4 Big __ blood 60 Numerous 5 The Honest Company 80 Bygone space station 61 A.L. Central team co-founder Jessica 81 Last bit 62 Fish commonly 6 Lollygags 82 Wealthy heir known as a 7 “Game of Thrones” 84 Mötley __ porgy patriarch Stark 85 Press (down) 65 Band named for 8 Cornfield cry 87 Paleo __ a rodent 88 Classic Ford, familiarly 9 Diva’s time to shine 66 Launch site 10 Good thing for 89 Stuffs to the gills 67 They might be teammates to be in 90 Move furtively game changers 11 Take place 92 Widespread adverse 69 Language group 12 Everyday language reaction, as to a new including Zulu 13 __ Service policy 70 Furthermore 14 Kia sedan 95 Off the mark 72 Defib experts 15 Bus stopper 98 Major artery 73 “Big Little Lies” 16 Iraq is about 1% of it 99 Well resource novelist Moriarty 17 Suggestions, for short 100 Iris rings 74 Sci-fi film FX 18 Samosa veggies 103 Beyoncé, to the 75 Clown car noise 24 Excuse in court Beyhive 76 Mythical mariner 26 Taiwanese laptops 105 “That’s a shame” 77 Forum wrap 30 Father of Thor 108 Item in Manet’s 78 Cost of belonging 32 Office newbies “Luncheon on the 79 Meeting, casually 34 Legacy creator Grass” 82 Tend to the 35 Stockpile 113 Hamm from Alabama sauce 115 Black widow’s creation 38 Number of Scrabble 83 Mojave natives X-tiles 117 Savory pastry 86 “Knowing all the 40 Initial fee 118 Pungent deli choice facts”: Woody 41 Star Wars Day month 122 Indian flatbread Allen 123 Thickener in Asian 88 __-pitch 43 805-year-old desserts 89 Stick in the snow document 124 Rub it in 91 “Grant County” 44 “Shrek!” author 125 Beckoning elision crime novelist William 126 “Watermark” musician Slaughter 45 Paella pot 127 Parks in American 93 Lie in the sun 46 Place for solar panels history 94 Baby’s ailment 47 Billy’s caretaker 128 Snow vehicles 96 Hummingbird 48 High-fashion 129 Moving measurement food shoemaker Jimmy 97 Island near 49 Winning 69 71 72 76
Trinidad 101 “__ Theme”: “Doctor Zhivago” tune 102 Stars, to Cicero 104 Skips 106 “Shucks!” 107 Tractor giant
108 109 110 111 112
Study, with “over” Privy to __ limits Breakfast staple 12 ounces, at Starbucks 114 Basics appearing
116 119 120 121
in reverse in eight puzzle answers Ran Blini topping Young chap Increase, with “up”
JUNE 4, 2020 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION PAGE 13
er Service Charge for the Consolidated Sewer Maintenance District and Accumulative Capital Outlay Fund, Marina Sewer Maintenance District, and the remainder six zones of Consolidated Sewer Maintenance District will remain at their Fiscal Year 2019-20 levels. If you oppose the fee increase, you may submit a formal written protest that include the owner’s name and property address and signed by the propDEADLINE: erty owner. The protest may be submitted by mail, fax, or e-mail. Monday at 11am for Thursdays The protest may also be submitted in person at the Public HearCALL ANN: ing unless, as provided below, the 626-584-8747 or Board conducts a virtual meeting in response to COVID-19. *ImportEMAIL: ant Note: Because of COVID-19, the County Board of Supervisors ann@argonautnews.com may conduct a virtual meeting using electronic and telephonic means, in order to preserve social distancing and in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders. If you want to testify, submit a protest, or observe the meeting, NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING v i s i t p l e a s e JUNE 23 2020 AT 9:30 A.M. https://bos.lacounty.gov/BoardHEARING ROOM OF THE Meeting/Board-Agendas or call BOARD OF SUPERVISORS , (213) 974-1411 for updates and ROOM 381B KENNETH HAHN instructions on how to participate HALL OF ADMINISTRATION 500 or provide testimony. Mail written WEST TEMPLE STREET, LOS protests/comments to: Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90012 Angeles County Public Works, (corner of Temple Street and Sewer Maintenance Division, Re: Grand Avenue)* LOS ANGELES Protest – Annual Sewer Service COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS IN Charge Report, P.O. Box 1460, COMPLIANCE WITH ARTICLE Alhambra, CA 91802-1460. E-mail XIIID OF THE CALIFORNI A written protests/comments to Ms. STATE CONSTITUTION AND Linh La at lla@pw.lacounty.gov THE PROPOSITION 218 OMNIFax Written protests/comments atBUS IMPLEMENTATION ACT, IS tention to Ms. Linh La at (626) HEREBY NOTIFYING ALL AF300-3365. If you have any quesFECTED PROPERTY OWNERS tions or would like additional inOF THE FOLLOWING: Los formation about the rate increase, Angeles County Public Works will please call Ms. Linh La at (626) be proposing an increase in the 300-3340, Monday through annual sewer service charge for Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. the following zones of the ConsolIndividuals requiring reasonable idated Sewer Maintenance Disaccommodations, interpretation trict. Zone: ANETAProposed Inservices, and materials in other crease Per Sewage Unit: $170. languages or in an alternate Current: $10 New Rate: Fiscal format may contact the Public Year 2021-22: $180. Reason: To Works coordinator at (626) 458offset the increasing wastewater 7901. Requests must be made treatment and disposal costs to one week in advance of the the City of Los Angeles. Zone: scheduled meeting date. IndividuLAKE HUGHESProposed Inals with hearing or speech impaircrease Per Sewage Unit: Three ment may use California Relay 15% increases per year beginService 711. Esta Noticia es para ning Fiscal Year 2021-22. Current: su información solamente, No es $773. New Rate: Fiscal Year una factura. Si no entiende esta 2021-22: $889; Fiscal Year 2022noticia o si necesita más 23: $1,022; Fiscal Year 2023-24: información, favor de Ilamar al De$1,176. Reason: To offset the partamento de Obras Públicas al rising operation and maintenance (626) 300-3309, de lunes a jueves costs and to comply with regulat7 a.m. a 5:45 p.m. ory agencies requirements. Zone: AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA TRANCASProposed Increase Per SOBRE EL INFORME ANUAL DE Sewage Unit: Three 15% inCARGOS POR SERVICIOS DE creases per year beginning Fiscal DRENAJES Year 2021-22. Current: $2,111. 23 DE JUNIO 2020, 9:30 A.M. New Rate: Fiscal Year 2021-22: SALA DE AUDIENCIAS DEL $2,428; Fiscal Year 2022-23: CONSEJO DE SUPERVISORES, $2,792; Fiscal Year 2023-24: SALÓN 381B KENNETH HAHN $3,211. Reason: To offset the HALL OF ADMINISTRATION 500 rising operation and maintenance WEST TEMPLE STREET, LOS costs and to comply with regulatANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90012 ory agencies requirements. Begin(en la esquina de Temple Street y ning on July 1, 2022, through July Grand Avenue) El CONDADO DE 1, 2027, in the Aneta Zone and LOS ANGELES OBRAS July 1, 2024, through July 1, 2027, PÚBLICAS, EL DISTRITO CONin the Lake Hughes and Trancas SOLIDADO DE MANTENIMIZones, the amount of each fee ENTO DE DRENAJES, Y EL DISmay be adjusted by the lesser of: TRITO DE MANTENIMIENTO DE (1) the increase, if any, in the ConDRENAJES DE LA MARINA, EN sumer Price Index (CPI) for all CUMPLIMIENTO CON ARTICLE urban consumers in the Los XIIID OF THE CALIFORNI A Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim STATE CONSTITUTION Y LA areas, as published by the U.S. PROPUESTA 218 OMNIBUS IMGovernment Bureau of Labor StatPLEMENTATION ACT, NOTIistics, from March of the previous FICA POR LA PRESENTE A TOcalendar year to March of the curDOS LOS PROPIETARIOS rent calendar year, or (2) the inAFECTADOS DE LO SIGUIENTE: crease, if any, in the cost of El Condado de Los Angeles providing the service for which the Obras Públicas propondrá un fee is collected, as confirmed by aumento en el cargo anual por the Auditor-Controller; the adjusservicio de alcantarillado para las ted fee shall be rounded to the siguientes zonas del Distrito Connearest dollar; provided, however, solidado de Mantenimiento de Alnotwithstanding any of the above, cantarillado. La Zona: ANETA no fee shall exceed the cost of Aumento Propuesto: $170. Actual: providing the service for which the $10. Nueva tasa actual para fee is collected. The annual Sew2020-21: Año fiscal 2020-21: er Service Charge for the Consol$180. Causa: Para compensar el idated Sewer Maintenance Disaumento de los costos de tratamitrict and Accumulative Capital ento y eliminación de aguas residOutlay Fund, Marina Sewer Mainuales a la ciudad de Los Angeles. tenance District, and the reLa Zona: LAKE HUGHES. mainder six zones of ConsolidAumento Propuesto: Tres ated Sewer Maintenance District aumentos del 15% anual a partir will remain at their Fiscal Year del año fiscal 2021-22. Actual: 2019-20 levels. If you oppose the $773. Nueva tasa actual para fee increase, you may submit a 2020-21: Año fiscal 2021-22: formal written protest that include $889; Año fiscal 2022-23: $1,022; • Repair the owner’s name and property Año fiscal 2023-24: $1,176. address and signed by the propCausa: Compensar el aumento de • Faucets Toilets erty owner.&The protest may be los costos de operación y mantensubmitted by mail, fax, or e-mail. imiento y cumplir con los requisi• Drain Cleaning The protest may also be submittos de las agencias reguladoras. ted in person at the Public HearLa Zona: TRANCASAumento • Water ing unless,Heaters as provided below, the Propuesto: Tres aumentos del Since Board conducts a virtual meeting 15% anual a partir del año 1978 fiscal Garbage toDisposals in•response COVID-19. *Import2021-22. Actual: $2,111. Nueva ant Note: Because of COVID-19, tasa actual para 2020-21: Año • Repipe Specialist the County Board of Supervisors fiscal 2021-22: $2,428; Año fiscal may conduct a virtual meeting us2022-23: $2,792; Año fiscal 2023• Water & Gas Leaks ing electronic and telephonic 24: $3,211. Causa: Compensar el means, in Specialist order to preserve social • Sewer aumento de los costos de distancing and in compliance with operación y mantenimiento y Licensed-Bonded-Insured the Governor’s Executive Orders. • Tankless Water Heaters cumplir con los requisitos de las If you want to testify, submit Lic.A#799390 ALLaWork Guaranteed agencias reguladoras. partir del protest, or Inspections observe the meeting, • Camera 1 de julio deCulver 2021, City hasta el 1 de Blvd., 90230 p l e a s e v i 11520 s i t Jefferson julio de 2026, en la zona de Anhttps://bos.lacounty.gov/Board• Hydro Jetter 24 hr.etaEmergency Service y del 1 de julio de 2024, hasta Meeting/Board-Agendas or call el 1 de julio de 2026, en las zo(213) 974-1411 for updates and nas de Lake Hughes y Trancas, el instructions how toARGONAUT participate monto de4,cada PAGE 14on THE JUNE 2020tarifa puede or provide testimony. Mail written ajustarse por el menor de: (1 ) el protests/comments to: Los aumento, si lo hay, en el Índice de Angeles County Public Works, Precios al Consumidor (IPC) para
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$180. Causa: Para compensar el aumento de los costos de tratamiento y eliminación de aguas residuales a la ciudad de Los Angeles. La Zona: LAKE HUGHES. Aumento Propuesto: Tres aumentos del 15% anual a partir del año fiscal 2021-22. Actual: $773. Nueva tasa actual para 2020-21: Año fiscal 2021-22: $889; Año fiscal 2022-23: $1,022; Año fiscal 2023-24: $1,176. Causa: Compensar el aumento de los costos de operación y mantenimiento y cumplir con los requisitos de las agencias reguladoras. La Zona: TRANCASAumento Propuesto: Tres aumentos del 15% anual a partir del año fiscal 2021-22. Actual: $2,111. Nueva tasa actual para 2020-21: Año fiscal 2021-22: $2,428; Año fiscal 2022-23: $2,792; Año fiscal 202324: $3,211. Causa: Compensar el aumento de los costos de operación y mantenimiento y cumplir con los requisitos de las agencias reguladoras. A partir del 1 de julio de 2021, hasta el 1 de julio de 2026, en la zona de Aneta y del 1 de julio de 2024, hasta el 1 de julio de 2026, en las zonas de Lake Hughes y Trancas, el monto de cada tarifa puede ajustarse por el menor de: (1 ) el aumento, si lo hay, en el Índice de Precios al Consumidor (IPC) para todos los consumidores urbanos en las áreas de Los Ángeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, según lo publicado por la Oficina de Estadísticas Laborales del Gobierno de EE.UU., desde marzo del año calendario anterior hasta marzo del año calendario actual, o (2) el aumento, si lo hubiera, en el costo de proporcionar el servicio por el cual se cobra la tarifa, según lo confirma el Auditor-Contralor; la tarifa ajustada se redondeará al dólar más cercano; sin embargo, a pesar de lo anterior, ninguna tarifa excederá el costo de proporcionar el servicio por el cual se cobra la tarifa. El cargo anual por servicio de alcantarillado para el Distrito de Mantenimiento de Alcantarillado Consolidado y el Fondo de Pago de Capital Acumulado, el Distrito de Mantenimiento de Alcantarillado Marina, y las seis zonas restantes del Distrito de Mantenimiento de Alcantarillado Consolidado permanecerán en su Año Fiscal Niveles 2019-20. Si se opone al aumento de la tarifa, puede presentar una protesta formal por escrito que incluya el nombre del propietario y la dirección de la propiedad y firmada por el propietario. La protesta puede presentarse por correo, fax o correo electrónico. La protesta también se puede presentar en persona en la Audiencia Pública a menos que, como se estipula a continuación, la Junta realice una reunión virtual en respuesta a COVID-19. *Nota importante: debido a COVID-19, la Junta de Supervisores del Condado puede realizar una reunión virtual utilizando medios electrónicos y telefónicos, para preservar el distanciamiento social y cumplir con las órdenes ejecutivas del gobernador. Si desea testificar, presentar una protesta u observar la r e u n i ó n , v i s i t e https://bos.lacounty.gov/BoardMeeting/Board-Agendas o llame al (213) 974-1411 para obtener actualizaciones e instrucciones sobre cómo participar o dar testimonio. Por correo por escrito protestas/comentarios a: Los Angeles County Public Works, Sewer Maintenance Division, Re: Protesta – Informe anual de cargos por servicio de alcantarillado, P.O. Box 1460, Alhambra, CA 91802-1460. Si tiene alguna pregunta o desea información adicional sobre el aumento de tarifa, llame a Norma Valdez al (626) 300-3309, de lunes a jueves, de 7 a.m. a 5:45 p.m. Las personas que requieran adaptaciones razonables, servicios de interpretación y materiales en otros idiomas o en un formato alternativo pueden comunicarse con el coordinador de Obras Públicas al (626) 458-7901. Las solicitudes deben hacerse con una semana antes de la fecha programada de la reunión. Las personas con discapacidad auditiva o del habla pue den usar el Servici o de Retransmisión de California 711. Esta Noticia es para su información solamente, No es una factura. Si no entiende esta noticia o si necesita más información, favor de Ilamar al Departamento de Obras Públicas al (626) 3003309, de lunes a jueves 7 a.m. a 5:45 p.m. 5/28, 6/4/20 CNS-3363831# THE ARGONAUT
For Classified rates and info, call Ann at 626-584-8747 or ann@argonautnews.com
Fic. Business Name FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2020075748 Type of Filing: Original. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: MRS. FISH, MRS FISH, MISSES FISH, MISSIS FISH, MISSUS FISH. 448 South Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90013. COUNTY: Los Angeles. REGISTERED OWNER(S) Hill Corner LLC, 448 South Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90013. State of Incorporation or LLC: California. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY a Limited Liability Company. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. /s/ Jeffrey Fish. TITLE: Managing Member, Corp or LLC Name: Hill Corner LLC. This statement was filed with the LA County Clerk on: May 4, 2020. 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). Publish: The Argonaut Newspaper. Dates: 5/21/20, 5/28/20, 6/4/20, 6/11/20 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2020079269 Type of Filing: Original The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: JUST LOVE REALTY; 13274 Fiji Way Suite 100 Marina del Rey, CA 90292, 3221 Carter Ave., Unit 110 Marina del Rey, CA 90292. COUNTY: Los Angeles. REGISTERED OWNER(S) Alisha Hall, 13274 Fiji Way Suite 100 Marina del Rey, CA 90292. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY an Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the Fictitious Business Name or names listed above on: 01/2020. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. /s/: Alisha Hall. TITLE: CEO. This statement was filed with the LA County Clerk on: May 11, 2020. 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 profes-
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). Publish: The Argonaut Newspaper. Dates: 6/4/20, 6/11/20, 6/18/20, 6/25/20
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THE AFTERWIFE My wonderful stepmom died last year, and my dad was debilitated by grief. I got him to go to a support group, which really seemed to help. He’s been dating a woman he met there, and they’ve gotten serious. My brother says my dad wants to marry this woman. He’s happy for our dad, but I’m disgusted. It’s just wrong that he’s with another woman so soon. My dad loved my stepmother and was a great husband, but he’s now looking like a fraud because he’s moved on so quickly. — Distraught Daughter It’s not like your dad wore dark glasses to the funeral so he could cruise the pretty ladies in attendance without getting caught. There are many misconceptions about how a person’s “supposed” to feel after their loved one dies, and we tend to go all grief police on someone we think isn’t grieving enough or for long enough. I suspect these harsh views are a byproduct of one of the possible functions of grief. Evolutionary psychologist Bo Winegard and his colleagues point out that grief stops us from getting on with our lives after a loved one dies. This is costly, impinging on our survival, or at least keeping us from mating and passing on our genes. But because of this, grief can be a sort of teardrenched, listless, gloom-shrouded character witness. Sure, we could tell people we’ve got great character. But that’s just blah, blah, blah, with nothing to back it up. However, because grief is costly — emotionally, physically, and in forcing us to put our lives on pause — it’s seen as a more reliable signal than claims we make about ourselves. The Winegard team believes grief likely functions as a form of social advertising: evidence the grieving person is a “loyal, trustworthy,” committed partner who forms deep attachments. This might be why so many people eventually went so vicious on comedian Patton Oswalt. His wife died suddenly, and he was devastated, and he got a flood of sympathy from his fans. Eighteen months later, he remarried, and the public turned on him — with ugly tweets like: “80,000 died from the flu last year and fat man Patton never mentioned it. Faker than his ‘grief’ for his dead ex wife.” My journalist friend, Leslie Gray Streeter, 49, gets really angry about these attacks on a surviving spouse: “It’s always shocking how strangers would rather you be embalmed in their memory than happy.” She writes “you” because she, unfortunately, has experience in this
area, chronicled in “Black Widow,” her “sad-funny” memoir about suddenly losing her husband five years into their marriage. She tweets about the social media-shaming of Oswalt, Dog the Bounty Hunter, and other widowed celebs: “It’s not your business when celebrities you don’t know remarry after being widowed. No it’s not. I’m serious. Stop it. Not your business. ... Leave people alone.” This is advice we should apply beyond the celebrisphere. Research by psychologist Camille Wortman debunks many common myths about how grief “should” work: for example, the incorrect expectations “that depression is inevitable following loss; that distress is necessary, and failure to experience it is indicative of pathology.” And then there’s the myth you might be clinging to: the notion that real love leads to grief that is endlessly debilitating. It is — for a very small percentage of people. But grief researcher George Bonanno suspects we’re prone to believe unending grief is the norm in part because much of what’s written about grief is by grief therapists. They are “apt to see only those bereaved people” who are unable to recover without professional help. However, Bonanno explains, for most grieving people, resilience — the ability to recover (and sometimes to recover relatively quickly) and get on with life — is the norm. Bonanno urges us not to assume that this means they had “either superficial or conflicted relationships with the persons they lost.” Bonanno explains that bereaved people who find peace seem to put their loss into some sort of perspective. He gives the example of a woman who married her high school sweetheart and had two children and a full life with him. Her world shattered when her husband died abruptly, but she “found meaning and vigor and even joy in the idea she was going to make it.” Consider whether the message you want to send to your dad is, “Hey! Your life was supposed to stop when my stepmom’s did,” effectively punishing him for healthy coping. Wortman writes: “The major coping task faced by the bereaved is to reconcile themselves to a situation that cannot be changed and find a way to carry on with their own lives.” As Patton Oswalt explained about why he remarried 18 months after losing his wife: “It just felt like worlds were connecting and everything was okay again.”
GOT A PROBLEM? Write to Amy Alkon at 171 Pier Ave, Ste. 280, Santa Monica, CA 90405, or email her at AdviceAmy@aol.com. ©2020, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. Alkon’s latest book is “Unf*ckology: A Field Guide to Living with Guts and Confidence.” Follow @amyalkon on Twitter or visit blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon.
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