The Argonaut Newspaper — July 2, 2020

Page 1

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L E T T E R S An Open Letter to Interim Santa Monica City Manager Lane Dilg Re: Main Street’s ‘Al Fresco’ emergency rescue experiment Dear Ms. Dilg, Please accept my respect for your obvious skills and also accept my sympathy for the pressures coming at you from so many directions with diminished resources available for relief. Some mistakes are inevitable, so we must do our best to learn from them and adjust our course. Santa Monica’s deeply flawed Main Street “Al Fresco” rescue plan proves to be one such mistake with COVID-19 realities spoiling the pretty picture painted by the plan. Social distancing, with cleanable six-foot barriers and distances — that is the goal for reviving public contagion-safe spaces as shutdowns ease. Soon you’ll discover that proponents of this plan don’t know how to make it work with the community spread dangers we face. The image of an open-air piazza with thriving sidewalk cafes and wonderful little shops is an admirable goal. With a large open space, one without bike and traffic lanes and cement K-rails areas, but

with more space at the center where vehicles once rolled — that open space would have left more room for distance (“Duh,” I dare say). Al Fresco’s design sacrifices over two-thirds of the potential area a closed-to-traffic plaza would offer to provide the safe margins required to combat community spread. Some Al Fresco proponents have bent your ear with songs praising the intimate “parklets” that will be distributed along the former parking lanes on each side of Main Street. Eye candy appeal and functional extra customer seating virtues are loudly, but falsely commended.

Resuscitate Main Street with a plan that deprives it of the space social distancing requires? Concentrating people in public spaces during this global crisis is wrongheaded — and just plain evil when you really look at it. I’m sorry you were misled so badly. Now committed to this plan with our $190,000 gone — spent on repainting the Main Street road surface with fresh new lane markings — what can we do to mitigate the potential contagion machine we’re building? By contagion machine I mean: mask-less patrons eating, drinking, laughing and sneezing into the exhaust of passing buses and

panting cyclists, while families wait in line for limited restaurant seating options. Outdoor dining permit applications require specific social distancing diagrams for each participating business. Scrupulously examining them will be a huge city chore. This approval process will be Santa Monica’s last opportunity to mitigate transmission opportunities before enforcement becomes the only remedy. Does our Office of Emergency Management have to shoulder these responsibilities for Main Street along with the rest of their overload? So far, the only published plans available for social distancing seating standards are in the L.A. County COVID-19 recommendations, and even a quick look shows how few additional seats would actually be added following these standards. If the Mobility Division brain trust has some secret formula to solve the puzzle of serving enough customers to save Main Street, those plans should be public by now so applicants can see what the city requires to keep our re-opened Main Street as safe as possible — safe enough for customers to come and spend.

If no such model plans are offered, utilizing the outdoor space will be a mess of disparate, ad hoc arrangements submitted, each to be individually evaluated without a clear set of published standards. But messy as that eventuality is, it is the only move left for the city to make this plan less bad — except for disrupting action against violators after violations occur. You can salvage a valuable lesson from this embarrassing error. Don’t let automobile access remain more important than people access. Attack the challenges and get away from “last mile” personal transport that consumes valuable roadway and parking space with private cars. But on the bright side, we’re fortunate that the $190,000 spent has exhausted funding for similarly proposed stupid plans on other streets that sacrifice the public common for motor transport. Too bad that Santa Monica had that extra $190,000 when this plan first surfaced — then you wouldn’t have had to make the same mistake once. Cheers, Tim Tunks Santa Monica 44-year Ocean Park Resident

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ON THE COVER: Local beaches are closed this holiday weekend, but the marina is open for boating on personal or rented watercraft. Photo courtesy of Marina del Rey Convention & Visitors Bureau. Design by Arman Olivares.

Lost in America The social revolution that is happening now inspired me to write the lyrics below. I’m your black citizen... I committed no sin… I fear because of… The color of my skin… I’m Lost In America... Searching for the Statue of Liberty. I’m your Vietnam Vet… My home is the street I fought for you to be free... You turn your back on me… I’m Lost In America... Searching for the Statue of Liberty. I’m your welfare mom... Trapped in poverty… If I get a job and work… I have less money... I’m Lost In America...Searching for the Statue of Liberty. I’m your fast food server... Working hard every day... Doing my best to survive… On minimum wage… I’m Lost In America... Searching for the Statue of Liberty. I’m your high school dropout... Makes no sense or logic… Teach me a career skill... Not everyone goes to college… I’m Lost In America...Searching for the Statue of Liberty. Oh we the tired, the wretched and poor... We’re lost In America, Searching for the Statue of Liberty…

With chains broken at your feet… You stand so proud and tall… We are knocking at your door once more… For you promised us ... freedom and justice for all... Oh you promised us ... freedom and justice for all... Lyrics and music by Dan Wunsch (ASCAP), Marina del Rey

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We Must Invest in Arts Education Now! During this uncertain and destabilizing time, we have watched with growing alarm as school districts across LA County propose drastic cuts to arts education programs. While there is no doubt that the economic devastation caused by COVID-19 is forcing leaders to make difficult decisions, we take this opportunity to remind our school board members that California education code legally requires every student to have access to arts education. Additionally, multiple studies show that arts education increases student engagement, their sense of connection, average daily attendance rates and thus graduation rates. This cannot be overlooked as distance learning fuels an “engagement crisis” and dropout rates spike across the state. Evidence shows that students with arts ed are: - 5x less likely to drop out of school

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N E W S

LETTERS

Corona by the Numbers & Local Updates: COVID-19 cases Top 100,000; Beaches Closed for Holiday Weekend PHOTOS COURTESY OF SANTA MONICA PIER

The Santa Monica Pier reopened briefly on June 24 with physical distancing protocols, but will be closed again for the Fourth of July holiday weekend PHOTO COURTESY OF MARINA DEL REY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Compiled by Christina Campodonico Reported Cases by Neighborhood as of Monday, June 29 Culver City: 205; Del Rey: 128; El Segundo: 51; Marina del Rey: 20; Mar Vista: 125; Playa Vista: 46; Playa del Rey: 6; Santa Monica: 401; Venice: 92; Westchester: 162 Total Confirmed Cases in LA County: 100,772 Total Deaths: 3,326 • To mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and prevent large gatherings over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Los Angeles County officials announced Monday (June 29) that LA County beaches, beach parking lots, beach bike paths and beach accessways will be closed from 12:01 a.m. Friday (July 3) to 5 a.m. Monday (July 6). • “Due to rising #COVID19 cases all @CountyofLA beaches will be closing again temporarily this weekend, July 3rd through 6th,” county Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents Marina del

Take a ride on Marina del Rey’s WaterBus on the Fourth of July Rey, tweeted on June 29. “We had almost 3,000 reported cases just today. We cannot risk having crowds at the beach this holiday weekend.”

hope

• Marina “Mother’s” Beach will be closed Friday through Sunday, but will allow the launching of watercraft, says Department of Beaches & Harbors spokeswom-

an Carol Baker. Burton Chace Park will be closed on Saturday (July 4) and the WaterBus ($1 per ride) will not stop at Burton Chace Park on Saturday or at Mother’s Beach on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, but will be operational from 1 to 5 p.m. on July 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 5 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Independence Day. • The county order also applies to the Santa Monica Pier, which reopened on June 24 with safety protocols in place (limited hours, capacity caps, face covering requirements, handwashing stations and social distancing mandates), but will also be closed for the duration of the holiday weekend. Santa Monica’s beaches will be closed to recreational activities; its beach parking lots and its portion of the beach bike path will also be closed. • The City of Santa Monica has also extended its local emergency order through July 31. Visit santamonica.gov/coronavirus to learn more.

(Continued from page 3)

- 4x more likely to be recognized for academic achievement - And 3x more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree This is an issue of basic equity. We know low-income students & students of color face the greatest barriers to the high quality arts instruction they deserve. And, because the creative sector generates 1 in 10 jobs in the SoCal region, cutting funding for these essential programs will negatively impact an entire generation of students preparing to enter California’s workforce. If we fail to recognize the importance of arts education, we fail our children. We must invest in the arts programs that will ensure students have the tools they need to thrive. Do not cut arts education funding when our children need it most. Sincerely, Renee Klein, Marina del Rey Ingrid Mueller, Venice

We Want to Hear from You! Being in print is a lot more meaningful than grouching on Facebook. Send compliments, complaints and

insights about local issues to christinac@argonautnews.com.

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PAGE 4 THE ARGONAUT JULY 2, 2020

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COUPLES & COVID – COMMUNICATIONS, CARING AND COMPANIONSHIP MINDFULNESS – FINDING PEACE DURING A PANDEMIC EMERGING ADULTS – NAVIGATING YOUR 20s MEN’S SUPPORT GROUP GRIEF AND LOSS

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Fear Not the Fireworks! Help your pet cope with the booming sounds of Independence Day By Dr. J.J. Rawlinson The author is the Senior Manager of Community Partnerships and Welfare Initiatives and a veterinarian at Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, a one-of-a-kind community space in Playa Vista that is a unique mix of pet adoption center, educational programming destination and convening space for some of today’s top academics who study the human-animal relationship. Residents may be noticing an influx of fireworks being set off in the recent weeks. Though Marina del Rey canceled its official Fourth of July fireworks show to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, many neighborhoods are likely to witness smaller-scale shows from personal collections. These are occurring in the weeks prior and are likely to increase as we approach the holiday. The ones most aware of this cacophony of sounds are your pets. While many of our dogs and

cats can brush off or completely ignore the booms, there are quite a few pet owners who are currently consoling their companions, as they cower and shiver under the bed or sometimes even experience full-blown puppy panic attacks. If you know your pet is reactive to loud, unpredictable noises, the best efforts to help them will be preventative. Take action in advance to prepare them and your home for the lights and sounds coming in the evenings. It’s much easier to help your pet avoid these fears, rather than trying to calm them back down once it starts. • Make sure they are wearing collars and are microchipped, with current information on both. If a pet is scared enough to panic and try escaping, you’ll want their ID to help in a speedy return. It’s a common time for shelters to receive an influx of animals because of this situation. • Speak with your veterinarian in advance to determine plans for

your pet. They may be able to prescribe anti-anxiety medication for noise aversion. • Utilize calming sprays, like Adaptil and Feliway. These can help bring down the general level of anxiety that is stirred up by the loud noises.

• Consider purchasing a compression garment or ThunderShirt. These jacket-type items give gentle pressure and a swaddling effect around your pet, which can prove to be calming. • Keep your windows and blinds closed. Some pets can get in such a state of fear that they will try to run, jump, climb, or dig to escape the sounds. Be sure they’re secure in your homes. The room they’re in shouldn’t allow for the flashing lights of the fireworks to be seen either. • Give your dog a chew toy, Kong, or other exciting treats to keep them busy and distracted. If your pup is really busy on a good chew before the fireworks get really loud, they’ll stay more focused on the fun and tasty activity and pay less attention to outside distractions. • Put a stereo or TV on in the room with the volume up to drown out other sounds. That white noise can help combat what’s happening elsewhere.

• If your dog is crate trained, put them in their crate and in a room further away from the source and general direction of the fireworks. Whether that’s the back of your home or a room with fewer windows, there’ll be more barriers to help keep them calm. If every step of prevention is still resulting in a distressed dog or cat, you can make an appointment with a veterinary behaviorist, too. These are experts who specialize in animal behavior and can diagnose and prescribe medications if needed. Remember that if your pet is afraid and decides to hide in a closet or under the bed, don’t try to remove them from these spaces. They could react negatively in fearful self-defense. Instead, stay with your stressed pet and provide comfort and companionship. They know that you’re safe and caring, so your presence could be a big help to calm them during their moment of chaos.

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O P I N I O N

Stop the Spread this Fourth of July Celebrate freedom by increasing personal responsibility By Lindsay B. Call The author is the Chief Resilience Officer of the City of Santa Monica. We’ve now surpassed 10 million cases of COVID-19 worldwide and Monday, Los Angeles County had its highest daily case recording since the start of the pandemic. Hospitalization rates are also rising. Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the immediate closure of all bars at noon on Sunday in seven counties, including Los Angeles. LA County is now projecting the possibility of running out of hospital beds in two to three weeks. Likewise, the number of intensive care unit beds could be exhausted sometime in July. Santa Monica’s case count has surpassed 400. These benchmarks are a signal that we are very much still in this public health crisis. As businesses reopen and more people venture outside the home and loosen some of their grip on quarantine, new case record-

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ings are escalating after a plateau earlier this month. At the beginning of the pandemic, skilled nursing facilities were the most impacted but now there’s a 44% increase in cases among 18 to 40-year-olds. At the beginning of June, LA County had a 5% positivity rate. That number is now 8.8%, an alarming increase for public health officials and each of us. Recovering from a virus our best scientists don’t yet completely know and can’t entirely predict is a delicate dance. Individuals and families whose pocketbooks have been deeply impacted need to get back to work. Businesses have significantly changed operations to keep customers and their employees safe. We’ve adapted our behavior to stay six feet apart and to wear a face covering whenever we are out and patronizing local restaurants, retail, and other services we depend on as we take steps

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“The best way to celebrate freedom this year is by showing your love for our country’s health.” — Santa Monica Chief Resilience Officer Lindsay B. Call towards something that feels more like normal. As we’ve taken small steps toward recovery, there’s a large issue we must all take seriously and that’s personal responsibility. Every decision to wear a mask, not gather with those outside our home, and to check in and help neighbors at risk are vital to recovery. There’s no immediate hope that we will soon live absent the threat of COVID-19, so we must manage our every action to keep ourselves, our neighbors, and those each of us comes in contact with safe. This becomes more difficult when we think about the social and emotional impact of spend-

ing our days inside without seeing our extended families and support systems in person. But, the consequences of expanding our quarantine with family and close friends is illustrated in cases where entire families have contracted the virus. Let’s build on the social creativity we’ve developed and continue to connect from afar. As we approach the Fourth of July holiday weekend when gathering for BBQs, beach volleyball tournaments, and beloved parades are typically the norm, it’s important to remember we are a long way from normal. The best way to celebrate freedom this year is by showing

“UNCERTAIN ENDINGS” (6/25/20) By MARYELLEN UTHLAUT

your love for our country’s health and your neighbor by wearing a face covering and not participating in get-togethers and social events that threaten the very freedoms we hold most dear. Remember that reopening does not mean gathering. Let’s be a model for how to care for one another by maintaining the separation that keeps us all healthy and safe. When you go out only with those in your household, wear a face covering and practice six feet of physical distancing from those outside of your household. It’s a sign of respect, especially for everyone putting their health on the line to serve the Santa Monica community. As we head into the holiday weekend, know that LA County has ordered the closure of all beaches, beach bike paths, piers, and beach parking lots. Words to remember from Mayor Kevin McKeown: “Protecting each other, and each other’s families and friends, means keeping in mind three simple words: Don’t share air! Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, when you get too close or don’t wear a mask, you’re breathing air that’s just been in a stranger’s lungs. Avoiding that is easy. Stay six feet apart. Wear a mask. Keep Santa Monica healthy. Don’t share air!”


I N

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C O M M U N I T Y

Westchester Float Salutes 2020 Graduates PHOTO COURTESY OF DAN GARR

By Meera Sastry For the past 12 years, Dan Garr, along with a team of parents from his son’s former class at Westchester Lutheran School, has built elaborate floats for Westchester’s Fourth of July parade. This year’s promised to be an exceptional one, with Garr’s son and his class set to graduate high school with suitable congratulations in order. As COVID-19 spread, however, the students’ graduations and the annual Independence Day parade were both canceled. Nevertheless, Garr and the other parents were determined to commemorate the hard work and perseverance of their children, and repurposed their planned “Class of 2020” float. Instead of riding down the traditional parade route along Loyola Boulevard, the float will be driven through their Westchester neighborhood and Playa del Rey on July 4 as part of a police-escorted caravan and a celebration befitting of its time. “We’ll have kids spaced out on the float and parents [will] say something to the group whenever we stop in front of a house,” Garr

Local parent Dan Garr designed this float to honor the class of 2020 grown up feeling the magic that says. “We just want to tell them the community celebration evokes how proud of them we are, because of how much they’ve had each year. Since the turn of the millento endure just to get where they nium, the Westchester Fourth of are now.” July Parade (traditionally Garr, an inventor and artist, has designed floats for each of the last sponsored by the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce) has 12 years that the group of turned Loyola Boulevard into a close-knit parents has competed real-life Norman Rockwell in the Westchester Fourth of July painting and shown the neighborparade float competition. He hood’s strong community bonds. describes the event as being “like “We may be part of the city of Christmas” for the younger Los Angeles, but there’s a residents of the area, who have

small-town spirit here and the parade really reflects that,” Westchester Fourth of July parade founder and chair Gwen Vuchsas told The Argonaut in 2016. This year she’s helped organize a grassroots “caravan” version of the parade (also inspired by drive-thru birthday celebrations), which will start at a secret location in Playa del Rey at 11:30 a.m., cross Lincoln Boulevard and wend its way through the residential streets of Westchester for about an hour. (This year’s event is not affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce.) To prevent large crowds from gathering, event organizers will release the caravan route 30 minutes before step off and are encouraging residents to watch from their front lawns. “We have a mobile DJ who is very fun… and he plays live drums on the back of his big red truck,” says Vuchsas, adding that a fire truck, a few police cars and around a dozen vehicles will accompany the graduates on the float designed by Garr. “We wanted to honor these kids and

have them be able to ride in a parade and have fun on the Fourth of July.” The real magic of this year’s Westchester Fourth of July celebration, however, comes not from the float itself — though its spectacular design reaches heights of around 15 feet tall — but the collaboration it took to create it. According to Garr, over 30 people pitched in, reducing the time it took to produce a float like this from around four to six weeks to only two. “It was the parents and families that made this float, and all that it stands for,” Garr says. “At the end of the day, the float is a giant hug for our kids and all of their friends.” The caravan route will be released at 10 a.m. on Saturday (July 4) on The Argonaut’s Facebook page: facebook.com/ TheArgonautNews. This story draws on archival material from past reporting for The Argonaut by Joe Piasecki; Argonaut editor Christina Campodonico contributed to this story.

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F O O D

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Can’t go camping? Bring the sweets of summer to your kitchen with this chocolatey cherry pie!

RECIPE GUIDE For the Crust • 1 package of Graham crackers • A few pretzels, Lotus Biscoff

PHOTOS BY AMY WATSKY

By Amy Watsky There’s nothing that screams summer more than s’mores. Pair that with some seasonal cherries, and you’ll have the perfect camp-style treat right in the comfort of your own home! This light and creamy pie is perfect for summer nights, so why not try it for Fourth of July? Cherries go so well with chocolate and almonds — combined with a salty graham cracker crust and a gooey, caramelized marshmallow topping, it culminates into a mouthful of different textures and flavors; I like to call this “sweet umami.” Pies sound daunting, but as long as you follow the steps, it’ll come together quite easily. Again, this guide can be as easy or as difficult as you’d like. This crust is great for beginners and takes just 10 minutes to prepare. For those wanting to avoid the extra step of the meringue topping, store-bought marshmallows work as a great substitute and fit perfectly into the s’mores theme. If you have extra from the cherry filling, the leftovers work great as a jam or mixed into a savory red wine reduction in stews or grilled meats. For those who want to make this vegan, simply replace the egg yolks with an extra few tablespoons of almond milk and some more cornstarch, and replace the butter and chocolate with their vegan substitutes. I chose to avoid heavy cream and whole milk, something typically used in custard pies, and substituted almond milk — a lighter, recently popularized pantry staple. Some recommendations for sourcing ingredients: Murray Family Farms sells an amazing variety of cherries at their stand at the Mar Vista, Venice Beach, Santa Monica or Culver City farmers markets. Hopf Chocolate, at the Mar Vista Farmers Market, sells handmade vegan chocolate, perfect for those who want to make this pie vegan. Their 80% dark chocolate almond sea salt bar would be a perfect topping.

The classic s’more meets all-American pie in this fresh and creamy dessert cookies, or any type of crunchy cookie you have laying around • 2 tablespoons of slivered almonds • 6 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter • ¼ teaspoon of salt For the Filling • Cherries, 1 cup pitted and halved • Orange liqueurs (optional) • 1 tablespoon of brown sugar • 1/3 cup of slivered almonds • 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder (I like using the extradark kind) • 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, separated • ½ cup of almond milk • 2 egg yolks (Keep the whites for the meringue, if making) • ½ cup of sugar • 2 ounces of melted baking dark chocolate • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract • 1 teaspoon of almond extract (optional) • ¼ teaspoon of salt Toppings • 2 egg whites for the meringue (from the eggs used in the filling) • 1/3 cup of sugar • 1 teaspoon of vanilla • A pinch of cream of tartar (optional; it just helps with the process of egg whipping) • 2 ounces of dark chocolate

PAGE 8 THE ARGONAUT JULY 2, 2020

• 10 cherries with the stems on • A handful of almond slivers • Marshmallows (For those not making the meringue topping) • Mint (optional — adds a nice vibrant touch) • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a food processor, blend together the Graham crackers, crunchy cookies, almond slivers, and salt until no chunks remain. For those who don’t have a food processor, place all of the ingredients in a plastic bag and smash it with a mallet or rolling pin until evenly crushed. • While the food processor is running, slowly drizzle in the melted butter until the mixture starts to come together. You’ll know it’s ready when you can pinch the mixture and it sticks together easily. If it seems too dry, feel free to add an extra tablespoon of melted butter. • For this recipe, I like to use a 10-inch metal tart pan with a removable bottom, but any pie or quiche pan will work. Grease the pan with some melted butter, and dump the crust mixture in. To form the crust, it’s best to start with the sides. Take a smooth-bottom cup and press the mixture up the sides of the pan, making sure the sides are even all the way around. Spread the remaining mixture evenly along the bottom. Before pressing in,

place a generous layer of slivered almonds on top of the mixture. This will prevent the bottom crust from becoming soggy. • Place in the oven and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. If using a tart pan with a removeable bottom, I recommend placing the pan on a baking sheet for easy transportation. Let it cool and harden on the counter while you make the filling and turn the oven down to 325. • First, start with the cherries. Place them in a saucepan with the liqueur if using, and brown sugar over medium high heat until bubbling. After 5 to 10 minutes, they should release their juices and break down slightly. Combine one tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, and pour it into the cherry mixture, stirring until thick. Set aside to cool. • Whisk the eggs, sugar, and almond milk together in a glass bowl until combined. Add in the cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, vanilla, and almond extract if using. Slowly drizzle in the chocolate, whisking until just combined. • Evenly spread the cherry filling onto the bottom of the crust. Gently pour the chocolate mixture over the cherries and bake it in the oven for 25

minutes. The pie is done once the center is set and jiggles slightly. Put it in the fridge for at least 4 to 6 hours. • Before serving the pie, prepare your preferred toppings. Melt the chocolate and coconut oil together, and dip the cherries in. Place on a plate lined with wax paper and put it in the fridge or freezer for 5 minutes. • Boil a few inches of water in a medium saucepan. In a heatproof bowl, combine the reserved egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar if using. Place over the simmering water and whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved. • Take the bowl off the heat, and whip until it holds stiff peaks. For those who don’t want to do this, using marshmallows work just as well! • To assemble the pie, start with the marshmallow/meringue portion first. If using meringue, either pipe it or dump it on the center of the chilled pie. If dumping, use a knife to create peaks. If using marshmallows, simply place as many as you’d like on top. Torch the meringue or marshmallows until golden brown. If you don’t have a torch, broil it in the oven until golden brown. Top with the chocolatecovered cherries, a handful of slivered almonds, and a grating of chocolate to serve.


C O V E R

S T O R Y

Boating during a Pandemic How to keep your crew and yourself safe while out on the water

By Paul M. J. Suchecki By now most of us think we know how to beat the novel coronavirus: wear a mask, keep at least six feet away from others and wash our hands frequently, but is it feasible to do this on a watercraft? The beaches may be closed this Fourth of July holiday weekend, but if you’re lucky enough to have access to a boat and follow the rules responsibly, you can still get out on the water. According to LA County officials, the operation of dinner cruises, large charter operations, sports fishing charters, the WaterBus and even parasailing have not been impacted by the beach closures. So, what can we boaters do to make sure that we survive a killer that has taken out more than 127,000 Americans? Let’s start with how the virus spreads: recent research shows that COVID-19 travels in aerosolized moisture along with bigger drops that people release when they cough, sneeze, sing or speak. Just the simple act of saying something nice to another person can propel a virus more than six feet, according to one study. Singing spreads the virus further. In a March 10 choir practice in Skagit County, Washington, one member of the choir infected 52 of 60 other members, leading to two deaths; one reason why in-person religious services were banned in several states, and why, in the near term, you won’t hear

anybody singing “What Do We Do with a Drunken Sailor” on any boat I skipper, but face masks might become a regular part of a sailor’s uniform. Remember that face masks (aside from particlefiltering N95s) are mainly intended to block the spread of infection out from behind a mask. The county draws a clear distinction between people who live together in the same household and friends. People who live together are allowed free reign on a boat neither wearing masks nor worrying about getting too close to other crew members. According to Carol Baker, Division Chief of Community & Marketing Services for the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches & Harbors, “Boat and watercraft rentals to individuals and [members of] the same household are permitted. Six-pack and 12-pack [fishing] charters are permitted, but are still limited to individual households.” For these people Fairwind Yacht Club Fleet Surgeon Kenneth Murray, MD emphasized, “Wear a mask if you leave the boat, if you interact at the fuel dock, if the authorities board for a safety check, if you pump out.” On its own boats, as of June 30, Fairwind is finally allowing people from different households to sail together again, with strict limits involving crew size while it mandates constant mask wearing by all. “If you are in a high-risk category by age or medical

condition, be exceedingly careful to maintain distance from people,” Dr. Murray said. Although social distancing could work on a boat if you were to go to the bow and hang out there for an entire sail, most of the crew could not get away with that. Dr. Murray continued, “I recently convened a committee of skippers who are medical experts. All five of us agreed that it is not possible to maintain social distancing on sailboats, nor small or medium motor-driven boats. In theory you could, if everyone stuck in one spot, but in reality, they don’t.” This is a major reason why “all-hands-on-deck” sailboat racing probably won’t be coming back any time soon, but for day sailors and cruisers it’s essential for us to rethink how we sail. Nicole Mooradian, Public Information Officer of the County of Los Angeles’ Department of Beaches and Harbors, told The Argonaut in May “Boats with six or fewer passengers all from the same household are now allowed, provided that [each] crew member onboard is strictly complying with all health mandates, including physical distancing and use of cloth face coverings.” She reminds again that passengers should be from the same household. In June, Ms. Baker opened the door a crack for those of us who live alone. “With regard to folks who are using their own boats or those of friends/acquaintances,

household limits still apply unless social distancing can be implemented,” she said. However on Wednesday when Governor Gavin Newsom doubled down on COVID-19 precautions, county official Kristin Friedrich reminded that per the state’s stay-at-home order “gatherings of any size, for any purpose, that include non-household members are not allowed.” When it comes to cleaning, stock up and frequently use hand sanitizer, a better option than using rubber gloves, “because you are more likely to spread virus around from other surfaces,” said Dr. Murray. “If there’s more than one skipper, additionally the boat should be scrubbed with soap and water in cockpit, and cleaned with approved wet-wipes below deck, following use.” Never ever go below deck without wearing a mask. Remember the number of infections on cruise ships? Below deck, COVID-19 can linger in the air. Help it dissipate by opening a porthole, or hatch. “Boats should be preferably left to sit for a day between uses, to allow the environment to sterilize,” said Dr. Murray. “All of the above is not a guarantee of safety, it only reduces risk from COVID-19.” Considering the airflow on a sailboat, I see nothing wrong with an asymptomatic sailor sitting on the bow of a boat and having a mask-free good time. But when it

comes to the almost inevitable close proximity of being in the cockpit, science and medical advice seem to err on the side of face masks. Unfortunately, mask wearing has become politicized. “Masks in public are subjugation, not science. They acclimatize you to uncritical obedience. Far worse mandates will follow,” said Skipper Glenn Damato, author of “Breaking Seas” and the “The Far Shore” in a recent Facebook Post. He told The Argonaut “I don’t believe any restrictions should be enforced at this point, based on the data we have. … However, the caveat is we are relying on people to behave as responsible adults – which is something we rely on in a free country not under the control of an authoritarian government. The price of that liberty will be a marginal increase in risk. These masks will be distant history quite shortly. In a little while, we’ll be like, ‘Face masks are so April.’” But Dr. Murray gets the last word, “Considering that the consequence could be death of yourself or a family member, at this time people should not do things that have any chance of exposing them to increased risk. Just don’t do it. This will pass soon.” Emmy Award winning writer/ producer Paul Suchecki founded www.VeniceBeachVideo.com

JULY 2, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 9


PAGE 10 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION JULY 2, 2020


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FIND YOUR PLACE The Stephanie Younger Group 310.499.2020 | DRE 01365696 stephanieyounger.com | @stephanieyoungergroup Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. If your property is currently listed for sale this is not a solicitation.

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“The moment you step in you are greeted by natural light, warmth, and an open floorplan that embraces the indoor/ outdoor lifestyle,” say agents Dennis Hsii and Kofi Nartey. “This four bed, four-and-a-half bath home has been upgraded throughout. You enter past the private patio (with fireplace), into the great room, kitchen and dining area, and den. The master bath has a soaking tub and walk-through, walk-in closet. The master also has a private patio overlooking the bluffs. All moments from the parks, pools, gyms, restaurants, and shops.” Offered at $2,595,000 Dennis Hsii & Kofi Nartey Playa Vista Partners (844) 99-PLAYA

“Enjoy breathtaking views from this two bed, two bath + loft Penthouse,” says agent Jesse Weinberg. “This light & bright home offers an open floorplan and direct access to a private rooftop deck perfect for watching the annual Christmastime boat parade & July 4th fireworks. The split-level layout boasts hardwood floors, gas fireplace, recessed lighting & a chef’s kitchen with quartzite/quartz countertops and breakfast bar. Unit also comes with two parking spaces/electric car charger, in-unit laundry, and four-zone heat/air conditioning, private storage area, & bike room.” Offered at $1,265,000 Jesse Weinberg Jesse Weinberg & Associates 800-804-9132

“Open the stately front door and experience a bright and open, well-conceived floor plan,” says agent Stephanie Younger. “The casual family room provides a cozy vantage to enjoy the backyard’s outdoor fireplace, built-in BBQ and hot tub. The master suite is a restful retreat. Four more bedrooms and two additional baths complete the interior layout. Rounding out this spectacular residence, the detached studio, with ¾ bath, is a bonus space perfectly suited to a home office or guest suite.” Offered at $1,749,000 Stephanie Younger Compass 310-499-2020

THE ARGONAUT REAL ESTATE Q&A 2020’s Tenant Protection Act Part I: Just cause eviction hotels and motels; • accommodations in which the tenant shares kitchen or bathroom facilities with an SFR owner-occupant; • SFR real estate that can be sold and conveyed separate from the title to any other dwelling unit, like in a SFR subdivision or condominium project

To qualify for an at-fault just cause eviction, the tenant: • defaulted on a rental payment; • requires “just cause” to evict tenants in place • failed to enter into a landlord-requested for 12 months or more. renewal or extension of a lease which Requiring a just cause for eviction makes it far terminated on or after January 1, 2020 [See This past fall, Assembly Bill (AB) 1482 enacted harder for landlords to evict tenants in order RPI Form 565]; California’s Tenant Protection Act (TPA) of to rent out their properties to new tenants at a • breached a material term of the lease; 2019. The law made several significant higher rate. Further, if a tenant is being evicted • conducted criminal activity on the premises This is incorporated as a boilerplate notice of changes pertaining to landlords and tenants. To notify the tenant of the property’s exempt at no fault of their own, the landlord may or common areas, or used the premises for tenant rights into RPI Form 550 §10 and Form status from the TPA, the landlord uses a also be required to provide modest financial Who the TPA impacts an unlawful purpose; 551 §9, our residential occupancy agreements. checkbox in the rental or lease agreement with relocation assistance. The applicability of the TPA is comprehensive, • assigned or sublet the premises in violation the following statutory language: Further, landlords of property exempt from covering most multi-unit residential real of the expired lease; • This property is not subject to the rent limits In response this change in tenant notice the TPA need to notify the tenant in writing of estate housing in California and those single procedure, RPI (Realty Publications, Inc.) has imposed by Section 1947.12 of the Civil • refused the landlord’s authorized entry into their exempt status to qualify themselves for family residential (SFR) units owned by a published a new library of landlord-tenant Code and is not subject to the just cause the premises; or the exemption. The landlord notifies the tenant REIT, a corporation or an LLC with a corporate forms to be used by landlords of properties requirements of Section 1946.2 of the Civil • failed to deliver possession after providing by using a checkbox in the rental or lease member. However, there are numerous, Code. This property meets the requirements subject to TPA limitations and procedures. the landlord notice to terminate the tenancy agreement to indicate whether the property is sizable exemptions for multi-family units and of Sections 1947.12(c)(5); (d)(5) and 1946.2 Further, both the residential lease and month- subject to rent limits and just cause eviction or surrender possession. [CC 1946.2(b)(1); conditions for SFRs to be excluded. (e)(7); (e)(8) of the Civil Code and the owner is to-month rental agreement have been revised requirements. [See RPI Form 550 §10.1 and See RPI Form 576-1] Properties exempt from the TPA not any of the following: to be compliant for both exempt and nonForm 551 §9.1] Also classified as an at-fault just cause eviction exempt properties. [See RPI Form 550 and Multi-unit residential real estate exempt from (1) a real estate investment trust, as For tenancies entered into prior to July 1, 2020 is a tenant’s failure to vacate when the tenant 551] the “just cause” eviction procedures include: defined by Section 856 of the Internal was a resident manager or other employee of which do not include the notice, the landlord Revenue Code; All new and revised forms are available for free will provide the notice and, if applicable, • residential units that have been issued a the landlord and their occupancy was provided (2) a corporation; or download on the RPI Forms Download page. certificate of occupancy within the previous indicate their exempt status using the separate in conjunction with their employment status (3) a limited liability company in which at 15 years; Just Cause and Rent Cap Addendum, doing so and limited to the period of employment, and “Just cause” required for certain least one member is a corporation. [See • a duplex of which the owner occupied one no later than August 1, 2020. [See RPI 550-3] the employment has been terminated. [CC evictions RPI Form 550 §10.1 and Form 551 §9.1] §1946.2(b)(1)(K)] of the units as their principal residence at At-fault just cause evictions For tenancies commenced or renewed on or the beginning of the tenancy and remains in When a residential property or tenancy does not meet any of the criteria for exemption, the after July 1, 2020, tenants are to be notified of Just cause evictions notices are of two types, occupancy; THIS WEEK’S QUESTION WAS ANSWERED BY the new “just cause” and rent cap protections based on whether the tenant is: landlord is to abide by the TPA limiting their • units restricted as affordable housing for extended to residential tenants by the TPA. • at fault, called an at-fault just cause eviction Carrie B. Reyes is ability to increase the rent or evict a tenant to households of very low, low, or moderate Market Watch editor and [CC §1946.2(b)(1)]; or regain possession. The following statutory language is to be a income; project editor of the Real • not at fault, called a no-fault just cause provision in all residential rental and lease • dormitories constructed and maintained Landlords exempt from the TPA requirements Estate Economics and eviction. [CC §1946.2(b)(2)] agreements, written in no less than 12-point in connection with any higher education may continue to use all existing RPI forms, as Economic Trends in Calitype: institution in California; An at-fault just cause eviction is further these are unchanged by the TPA. fornia Real Estate books. • units subject to rent or price control that California law limits the amount your rent can categorized as either: first tuesday Journal What the TPA does restricts annual increases in the rental rate to • curable; or be increased. See Section 1947.12 of the P.O. Box 5707 • caps annual rent increases at 5% plus the an amount less than that set by the TPA; • incurable. Civil Code for more information. California Riverside, CA 92517 rate of inflation for much of California multilaw also provides that after all of the tenants • multi-unit transient occupancy housing like This article is part I of a two-part series covering California’s Tenant Protection Act. This first part goes over just cause eviction laws. For information on the new rent caps enacted by the TAP, see Part II.

unit residential properties; [See Part II of this series, forthcoming]

PAGE 12 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION JULY 2, 2020

have continuously and lawfully occupied the property for 12 months or more or at least one of the tenants has continuously and lawfully occupied the property for 24 months or more, a landlord must provide a statement of cause in any notice to terminate a tenancy. See Section 1946.2 of the Civil Code for more information.


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CA 90291 - $2,400,000, Land - 2721 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291 $2,000,000, Hearing Date for Approval of Sale: July 21, 2020 @ 10:00 a.m., Location: LA County Superior Court 111 N. Hill St, LA, CA 90012. Contact Listing Agent for more info: Tim Steuernol 310-532-9080 DRE: 0 1 7 4 2 7 6 6 o r www.naicapital.com.

Buildings, LLC, 850 S. Broadway Penthouse Floor Los Angeles, CA 90014. 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: 02/2015. I declare that all inDEADLINE: formation in this statement is Monday at 11am for Thursdays true and correct. /s/ Steve The Argonaut Newspaper, Needleman. TITLE: ManCALL ANN: 7/2/20 ager, Corp or LLC Name: An626-584-8747 or jac Fashion Buildings, LLC. This statement was filed with EMAIL: the LA County Clerk on: June Fic. Business Name 25, ann@argonautnews.com 2020. NOTICE – in accordance with subdivision (a) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS of Section 17920, a Fictitious NAME STATEMENT FILE Name statement generally Legal Notices NO. 2020098962 expires at the end of five Type of Filing: Original. The years from the date on which following person(s) is (are) it was filed in the office of the Notice of Partition Sale doing business as: ANJAC county clerk, except, as Per Court Judgement FASHION BUILDINGS. 850 provided in subdivision (b) of Venice, Beach S. Broadway Penthouse Section 17920, where it exFloor Los Angeles, CA pires 40 days after any 14 Units - 39 Paloma Ave, 90014. COUNTY: Los change in the facts set forth Venice, CA 90291 Angeles. REGISTERED in the statement pursuant to $8,400,000, 5 Units - 2209 OWNER(S) Anjac Fashion Section 17913 other than a Ocean Front Walk, Venice, Buildings, LLC, 850 S. change in the residence adCA 90291 - $2,400,000, Land Broadway Penthouse Floor dress of a registered owner. - 2721 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90014. a new Fictitious Business Venice, CA 90291 State of Incorporation or LLC: Name statement must be $2,000,000, Hearing Date for California. THIS BUSINESS filed before the expiration. Approval of Sale: July 21, IS CONDUCTED BY a LimThe filing of this statement 2020 @ 10:00 a.m., Location: ited Liability Company. The does not of itself authorize LA County Superior Legal Court - Notices registrant commenced to the use in this state of a ficti111 N. Hill St, LA, CA 90012. transact business under the tious business name in violaContact Listing Agent for Three affordable units available fictitious business name or tion of the rights of another more info: Tim Steuernol names listed above on: under federal, state, or com3 1 0 - 5 3 2 - 9 0 8 0ThreeDaffordable R E : units available Two 2‐bed + 2 bath and One 1‐bed + 1 bath Very Low‐Income Apartment units in Culver City, CA available 02/2015. I declare that all inmon law (see Section 14411 0 1 7 4 2 7 6 6 o r formation in this statement is et seq., Business and Profesfor move‐in September, 2020. wTwo w 2‐bed w . n+ 2abath i cand a One p i 1‐bed t a l+.1cbath o Very m .Low‐Income Apartment units in Culver City, CA available true and correct. /s/ Steve sions code). Publish: The Ar for move‐in September, 2020. Needleman. TITLE: thManThe Argonaut Newspaper, between the following dates/times: Thursday, July 30 , 2020 @ gonaut Newspaper. Dates: Applications will ONLY be accepted ager, Corp or LLC Name: 7/2/20, 7/9/20, 7/16/20, Applications will ONLY best, 2020 @ 8pm. DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS BEFORE OR AFTER. accepted between the following dates/times: Thursday, July 30th, 2020 @ An7/2/20 8am until Saturday, August 1 jacAPPLICATIONS Fashion Buildings, LLC. 7/23/20 8am until Saturday, August 1st, 2020 @ 8pm. DO NOT SEND BEFORE OR AFTER. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. This statement was filed with Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. the LA County Clerk on: June 25, 2020. NOTICE – in acUnit Type Monthly Rent Security Deposit Occupancy Employment - PT cordance with subdivision (a) 2 bed, 2 bath $823.00 823.00 Minimum 2, Maximum 5 of Section 17920, a Fictitious 1 bed, bath $731.00 731.00 Minimum 1, Maximum 3 Name statement generally expires at the end of five VOLUNTEER DRIVERS years from Max. household income, including all persons 18 and older: Max. household income, including all persons 18 andthe older: date on which NEEDED it was filed in the office of the 1‐person … $36,550 1‐person … $36,550 The Disabled American Vetcounty clerk, except, as 2‐person … $41,800 erans (DAV) A Non-Profit Or2‐person … $41,800 provided in subdivision (b) of 3‐person … $47,000 ganization serving California 3‐person … $47,000 Section 17920, where it ex4‐person … $52,200 Veterans. Needs dedicated 4‐person … $52,200 5‐person … $56,400 pires 40 days after any Volunteer Drivers to trans5‐person … $56,400 change in the facts set forth port Veterans to the West A preference will be given to income‐qualifying households acceptable documentation thesubmit statement pursuant to in that Los Angeles V.A. Hospital showing that they are currently being served by the Upward Bound House Homeless other Shelter. than a Section 17913 A preference will be given to income‐qualifying households that submit acceptable documentation Vehicle and Gas is provided change in the residence adFor more information please showing that they are currently being served by the Upward Bound House Homeless Shelter. Complete Applications must provide the required information for allof members of the householdowner. who are dress a registered contact Blas Barragán at 18 or older, including: a new Fictitious Business (310) 268-3344 • Valid government‐issued picture ID, such as Driver’Name s License, or statement a Valid Passport or anymust other be Complete Applications must provide the required information for all members of the household who are government‐issued photo ID filed before the expiration. 18 or older, including: • Proof of legal, verifiable income, including but notThe limited to: filing of this statement • Valid government‐issued picture ID, such as Driver’s License, or a Valid Passport or any other We are hiring caregivers who • last 2 years Tax Returns or W‐2 Forms does not of itself authorize government‐issued photo ID • copies of (2) most recent payroll stubs would love to help other senithe use in this state of a ficti• Proof of legal, verifiable income, including but not limited to: • 2 months most recent bank statements tious business name in violaors. Flexible hours! Ideal can• Verification of Employment  last 2 years Tax Returns or W‐2 Forms didates are compassionate tion of the rights of another • a list of all Assets (i.e., real property other than the family residence, checking and savings people who want to make a  copies of (2) most recent payroll stubs under federal, state, or comaccounts, stocks, bonds and other forms of capital investment, and retirement accounts or difference! Must be local and mon law (see Section 14411  2 months most recent bank statements pensions) with current values to drive. Please apply willing et seq., Business and Profes Verification of Employment • For adult member of household who receivesions public benefits such asPublish: TANF, SSI, SAAThe or otherArby visiting the Careers page code). benefits, please complete and sign the Cert.gonaut of Zero Employment Income or  a list of all Assets (i.e., real property other than the family residence, checking and savings of our website www.inhomeNewspaper. Dates: Verification of Full‐ Time Student status form provided online carela.com or by calling our accounts, stocks, bonds and other forms of capital investment, and retirement accounts or 7/2/20, 7/9/20, 7/16/20, • Proof of any non‐employment income (e.g. Social Security, Explanation of Benefits or office at (310) 878-2045. 7/23/20 pensions) with current values

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 For adult member of household who receive public benefits such as TANF, SSI, SAA or • Proof of Section 8 or VASH vouchers or any other federal, state of local public assistance or other benefits, please complete and sign the Cert. of Zero Employment Income or housing subsidies. If you have a Section 8 or VASH Housing Assistance Voucher, please provide a copy of the voucher with an active date, if applicable. Verification of Full‐ Time Student status form provided online Autos/Parts  Proof of any non‐employment income (e.g. Social Security, Explanation of Benefits or During the application window APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY ONLINE: at Award Letter, unemployment checks, child support) must be submitted www.12821apply.com read all instruction on the page and click waitlist and complete the attached access will be able to access the online system utilizing computers available at all local libraries or may call Special  Proof of Section 8 or VASH vouchers or any other federal, state of local public assistance or preliminary approval form to reserve your spot on the initial waitlist. Interested parties without computer 424‐353‐7763 to request an emailed or mailed hard copy of the online application. Submitting 15% parts discount with ad access will be able to access the online system utilizing computers available at all local libraries or may call housing subsidies. If you have a Section 8 or VASH Housing Assistance Voucher, please applications online is the safest way to assure that the application is received during the three‐day Lifetime warranty on 424‐353‐7763 to request an emailed or mailed hard copy of the online application. Submitting provide a copy of the voucher with an active date, if applicable. application acceptance period and that income information remains confidential. However, if applicants Brakes,Shocks & Struts applications online is the safest way to assure that the application is received during the three‐day 13021 W. Washington Blvd are unable to access a computer during the application acceptance period, completed applications may application acceptance period and that income information remains confidential. However, if applicants During the application window APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY ONLINE: at 310-305-7929 are unable to access a computer during the application acceptance period, completed applications may be sent by mail and will considered timely if they are post‐marked during the application acceptance www.12821apply.com read all instruction on the page and click waitlist and complete the attached be sent by mail and will considered timely if they are post‐marked during the application acceptance period, 12821 Apply is not liable for lost, damaged or delayed mail. Applications should be sent to: period, 12821 Apply is not liable for lost, damaged or delayed mail. Applications should be sent to: preliminary approval form to reserve your spot on the initial waitlist. Interested parties without computer Lifetime Warranty on 12821 Apply Brake Shocks & Struts 12821 Apply 13021 W. Washington Blvd. 3435 Ocean Park Blvd. #107‐529 3435 Ocean Park Blvd. #107‐529 310-305-7929 Santa Monica, CA 90405‐3301 Santa Monica, CA 90405‐3301

An application fee of $33.00 will be required from preliminarily approved applicants before final An application fee of $33.00 will be required from preliminarily approved applicants before final Management approval. If approved by Management, applications will be sent to the City of Culver City’s Management approval. If approved by Management, applications will be sent to the City of Culver City’s Housing Division for final approval and they may require that you provide additional verification and Housing Division for final approval and they may require that you provide additional verification and signatures. Applications for available units will be approved on applicants meeting the property’s rental signatures. Applications for available units will be approved on applicants meeting the property’s rental criteria and the City of Culver City’s Income Verification and in the priority approved by the Housing criteria and the City of Culver City’s Income Verification and in the priority approved by the Housing Division. Division.

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LIGHT & AIRY 3 BD, 2 BA W/OCEAN VIEW If it is discovered that an applicant has given false information or has not accurately completed the If it is discovered that an applicant has given false information or has not accurately completed the application application to avoid negative information being found, the application will be denied. If a lease has been Spacious single level apartto avoid negative information being found, the application will be denied. If a lease has been entered into and entered into and such information is discovered, the lease may be voided, and legal action taken to evict. ment on the peninsula with such information is discovered, the lease may be voided, and legal action taken to evict. private 2-car garage, lots of windows, fireplace, appliThis is an Equal Housing Opportunity. Management will not, on account of race, color, religion, sex (gender), disability, familial status, national origin, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, ances, chef’s kitchen, formmedical condition, age, source of income, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic al dining and much more. information, citizenship, immigration status, primary language, military or veteran status or any Partially furnished upon rearbitrary reason, deny a qualified applicant the opportunity to lease a dwelling unit suitable to quest. $6,000/mo. Call for their needs appointment. 310-480-8151.

PAGE 14 THE ARGONAUT JULY 2, 2020

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LOS ANGELES TIMES SUNDAY CROSSWORD PUZZLE “FAST x FURIOUS IV” By YAAKOV BENDAVID and YONI GLATT ACROSS 1 Bring up, as a subject 7 Longtime Syrian ruling family name 12 Rat on 16 Passover mo., usually 19 Vaquero’s home 20 Ethiopia’s Selassie 21 Puritan’s conclusion? 22 Sulu portrayer John 23 Fast 26 Vehicle in a queue 27 Computer connection method 28 “Die Lorelei” poet 29 Wound 31 Doctor Octopus, to Spidey 32 Load 34 “The Flying Dutchman” soprano 36 Norse pantheon 37 Development site 40 “Groundhog Day” insurance salesman 42 Specifics, informally 44 Rope fiber 45 Carne __: steak dish 47 Paying passengers 49 Food 51 Based on deduction as opposed to experience 53 Furious 56 Gentle attentiongetters 57 Series-ending abbr. 59 Radiate 60 “Nor to their idle __ doth sight appear”: Milton 61 Part of Q.E.D. 62 Groups that get

busy in Sept. 64 Charm 66 Fairy tale figures 70 T, on the NYSE 71 Rootless sort 73 Hit the dirt on a diamond 74 “So exciting--not” 75 Half of an alternative to 7-Down 77 Former White House family 79 Digitally stored 80 Stack 81 Cathedral part 83 “No damage” 85 Actor Wallach 86 Palindromic magazine 87 Fast 91 As an alternative 93 Philanderer first seen in Cervantes 94 Banjoist’s aid 96 Choking up 97 Peak in Thessaly 98 Creator of Horton the Elephant 101 Gardener’s buy 102 Rural spread 103 Columbus’ birthplace 105 Critical times, military-style 107 Author Morrison 109 Dispassionate 112 Vibrant photo 114 Region bordering the River Avon 116 Showman named Phineas 119 Letters on a note 120 Furious 123 Balaam’s mount 124 Cajun mainstay 125 Blake of ragtime 126 Herbal brew 127 Understand 128 Hold back 129 __-no question 130 Nasty looks DOWN 1 Bring up to speed 2 Totaled, as a bill

3 Furious 4 Have a hankering (for) 5 “The Witches of Eastwick” co-star 6 Schmooze (with) 7 Sashimi staple 8 Word in many California city names 9 Many a Punjabi 10 Skin cream ingredients 11 Treated like it didn’t exist, as gravity 12 Tony Gwynn’s uniform number 13 Frequent winner 14 Polite question opener 15 Kagan on the bench 16 Some fingerpointing 17 One in an ancient Jewish sect 18 Rehnquist’s successor 24 “Total Recall” director Wiseman 25 Klein of fashion 30 Son and brother of George 33 Tennis’ Novak Djokovic, for one 35 Fast 38 Source of praise in verse 39 Red Guard leader 41 Editor’s “Lose it” 43 Headed the cast of 45 The Binghamton Rumble Ponies, e.g. 46 Ancient Greek military power 47 Furious 48 A little 50 Andrews or Vandenberg: Abbr. 52 “Tsk tsk” sayers 54 Pitching stat 55 “Cosmicomics” author Calvino

58 Vena __ 63 Big rollers 65 __ shaft 67 Fast 68 Buffy player Sarah Michelle __ 69 Ally of “The Breakfast Club” 72 Stadium access 76 Like a supermarket before a major storm, perhaps 78 Musical fifths 80 Saint at a gate 82 Name-linking trio 84 LEGO buys 87 Kind of situation to avoid 88 “What’s the point?!” 89 “Way to go, bro!” 90 Gentle gait 92 __-puf: old laundry product 93 Open galleries 95 Pet shelter visitor, maybe 99 Draped dress 100 Bondi Beach city 102 Forensic evidence bits 104 “Now, about ... ” 106 Seamless flow 108 Large power 110 More cuddly 111 Jewish community orgs. 113 It helps a team pull together 115 Snatches 117 Blessing follower 118 Went by car 121 Actress Graynor 122 Muchacho’s uncle

DOOM RAIDER I think the guy I recently started dating might run in the same circles as my ex. (He’s said a few things that led me to think that.) This terrifies me because I really do not like my ex and don’t want there to be any overlap in our lives. I keep having nightmare scenarios play out in my head where I show up to the bar after my new guy’s poker game and my ex is there. What can I do if this happens? —Distressed

Golub and Daniel Gilbert find that we tend to overestimate how bad some future event will make us feel. This overblown prediction of how miserable we’ll be in the future serves to bum us out in the present. Accordingly, the researchers observe that “it may be” as the Stoic philosopher Seneca noted nearly 2 million years ago,“He who suffers before it is necessary suffers more than is necessary.” When the ex pops up in your head, instead of rerunning your usual social It helps to suddenly become British horror movies, recognize that you have when you run into someone you dread what it takes to deal with whatever seeing, because a posh British accent is comes your way. After all, what’s the worst ideal for conveying a polite greeting like: thing that’s likely to happen, an uncomfortable silence preceding an uncomfort“What a surprise. I was sure someone able moment greeting each other? (This would’ve poisoned you by now, or at is rarely fatal.) Keep reminding yourself of least electrocuted you in the bathtub.” What doesn’t help is ruminating on how this whenever dread arises, and though you might never become a pillar of chill, you’ll feel if you do see your ex. Unfortunately, our mind is not our BFF, and it has you should find your overall level of a habit of sending us off in directions hysteria dialed down considerably. that cause us needless suffering. For Eventually, if your paths do cross, you example, we are our own worst emotion- should be able to stand there like it’s no al fortunetellers, or in psychologists’ terms, big deal, which suggests you are barely we are crap at “affective forecasting.” cognizant of his continued existence...in (“Affect” is a fancy-schmancy researcher a way running outside and hiding word for moods and emotions we between parked cars like it’s a hostage experience.) Social psychologists Sarit crisis just can’t.

UNDERCOVER SMOTHER I’m a 33-year-old bisexual female manager, and a co-worker seems to have an intense crush on me. She invites me out for drinks and buys me little gifts (a teddy bear, chocolates, flowers, a heart-shaped necklace). I make excuses to get out of drinks and show no enthusiasm for the gifts, but the more I don’t show interest, the more obsessed she seems. How do I get her to stop without making it awkward? —Disturbed It’s really uncomfortable when any conversation she has with you includes the breathy subtext: “I like your outfit. I’d like it even more if it were in a pile on the conference room floor.” It’s possible she’s experiencing limerence, a constant, obsessive romantic longing for another person that leads to often-smothering acts intended to get that person to reciprocate. Though limerence can seem like a form of love, love involves concern for the other’s feelings and wellbeing. In limerence, the limerent person’s target is a love object they’re pursuing: the romantic obsession version of a dirty tennis ball a dog’s chasing that never rolls to a stop. However, there is a way out. Psychologists Albert Wakin and Duyen Vo explain

that “limerence is sustained and fueled by uncertainty,” which heightens the limerent person’s hope as well as their cravings for emotional reciprocation from the object of their obsessive desire. They add that “the limerence reactions tend to dissipate in conditions where there is complete certainty,” whether it’s “absolute reciprocation or the other extreme of absolute rejection.” The kindest thing you can do (for yourself and for her) is help her give up hope — immediately, lest Tacky Gift Mountain starts growing a twin peak. Take her aside and say: “I just want to clear up any possible misunderstanding. I’m not interested in ANY relationship beyond being co-workers.” If she tries again or the gift barrage continues, tell her again in unambiguous language (providing the necessary “absolute rejection”). Don’t explain why. You are not interested in her. Period. Revealing this to her will surely be awkward, but it gives her the “complete certainty” she needs to escape the claws of limerence and, best of all, before you run out of excuses to escape her regular “Wanna go for drinks after work?” You: “I have to feed my cat.” Her: “I thought your cat died last year.” You: “I have to feed its ghost.”

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.

JULY 2, 2020 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 15



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