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ON THE COVER: Local skateboarders Stephanie Wise and Briana King inspire and encourage other women to participate in the sport. Photo by Luis Chavez. Design by Arman Olivares.
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L E T T E R S
N E W S
Corona by the numbers & local updates Compiled by Kamala Kirk Cases and deaths by neighborhood as of July 11: Culver City: 2,268 (deaths 110); Del Rey: 33 (deaths one); El Segundo: 757 (deaths six); Marina del Rey: 416 (deaths four); Mar Vista: 2,120 (deaths 37); Palms: 2,668 (deaths 61); Playa del Rey: 117 (deaths one); Playa Vista: 630 (deaths nine); Santa Monica: 4,955 (deaths 182); Venice: 1,796 (deaths 13); Westchester: 2,614 (deaths 49) Total Westside cases: 18,374 Total Westside deaths: 474
Total confirmed cases in LA County: 1,257,628 Total deaths in LA County: 24,542 Total new cases as of July 11: 1,113 Total new deaths: Four Hospitalizations: 373 Positivity rate (seven-day daily average): 1.63% Total number of people tested: 7,112,495 (Source: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health)
Eye on the prize, who can beat Mike Bonin? Editor: There is an old saying in politics, and that is, “You can’t beat somebody with nobody.” And with current incumbent LA Councilman Mike Bonin (CD-11), you have the quintessential political insider and darling of the downtown status quo. A two-term incumbent who has fallen upon hard political times with his radical ideas that right is somehow wrong and wrong has now become right as he has decimated our neighborhoods with a growing homeless epidemic in the thousands and rising crime the result of these wrong-headed policies as our public spaces have been taken hostage by criminals and transients as 50% of all crime here in Venice is now homeless-related! There isn’t a place in LA with more homeless than Venice with the exception of Skid Row downtown and Mike Bonin seems perfectly content with that reality. But despite the fact Bonin is a wounded incumbent of sorts with a tough race ahead of him as well as a second recall attempt complicating his future, Bonin remains a smart and savvy political operative that is Harvard educated and will do all that is necessary to retain this seat he inherited from the late Bill Rosendahl nearly a decade ago. Bonin’s first two races were sleepy “no-contest” drubbings (2013, 17) as he was challenged by underfunded and
unknown aspirants. It was the late Rosendahl who cleared the field and anointed this downtown inside bureaucrat. And while I clearly don’t like Mike, the residents of District 11 demand a viable and compelling alternative, someone who can actually defeat Bonin. For the angst and opposition to Bonin is large and deep. He is an arrogant Machiavellian who lacks the ability to listen or the temperament to govern. In too long, out of touch and time to go! So after the disastrous road diets and this explosion of homelessness now spreading to the rest of the district, the past support Bonin enjoyed in places like Brentwood and the Palisades seems to be crumbling and bursting at the political seams. So the need for “new leadership” and calls for change are obvious, but who has the community support, resume and record of results that can defeat a partisan, professional politician the likes of Mr. Bonin? Enter Venice resident and attorney Traci Park. I took the time to visit her web address (tracipark.com) and while most political websites are flowery presentations long on rhetoric and short on specifics, this site really said nothing at all. And while I don’t know Park, she is a political novice with no real community advocacy or service and is she really the ticket to take out Bonin? The answer is no. For the fact Bonin isn’t mentioned once
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ArgonautNews.com like Bonin is with an unknown litigant like Park, that logic seems too easy, and probably out of the realm of probability. For here comes the new boss, same as the old one? She describes herself as an environmental activist – and it would have helped if any reference to that actual activism was made available for voters to judge for themselves! And while it’s nice to know she loves our beloved Lakers and Dodgers, if that is the prerequisite for public office, everyone in the 11th CD would qualify for what would be an extremely crowded race. What was even more interesting was the address of her campaign noted on the site. A Sacramentobased political operation versus a local address, here in Venice – or an address somewhere in the district would suffice! For there are more than enough lawyers in politics and government, nothing new or different here! And Bonin didn’t lose a cent of his gargantuan public salary during COVID-19 totaling to the tune of $300,000, more than any council member in the United States and more than any of the 50 state governors, as well as the entire U.S. Senate and House of
Representatives! For what does Bonin or Park, for that matter, have in common with average residents and voters? Two ambitious millionaires, one who has failed in his public service, and the other who has no public service worth mentioning? In the case of Bonin, it’s failed public policy gone astray and run amok. In the case of Traci Park, “Where’s the beef”? Nick Antonicello Venice Climate change: It’s not the heat, it’s the stupidity Editor: Wake up, America! Get real about what’s happening! Let’s educate our youth to recognize the difference between fertilizer and shoe polish, because if we don’t, we won’t need shoe polish anymore because we’ll be buried up to our kneecaps in fertilizer. We all know something about lying yet a third of us can’t recognize the Big Lie. I’ve always loved Santa Monica because education was largely successful here, even though the incidence of vaccine
CREDIT: KRIS DAHLIN
in her website is downright strange and disturbing. Equally strange is that she never even mentions the current recall efforts or does she support that attempt to shorten and end his tenure of office! More so was the fact no plans or proposals worth repeating here regarding rampant homelessness and rising crime is also absent from her non-agenda. Will Park clean up the boardwalk and the encampments here in Venice? Yes or no? Will she work with LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and set a deadline to remove the encampments from the boardwalk so that business can be reimagined, restored and revived at OFW? Yes or no? Bluntly speaking, what is her plan for a safe, clean and vibrant Venice Beach? Having lived here for 30 years, I have never heard of her until her name recently surfaced as a potential candidate. Has she ever been to a meeting of the Venice Neighborhood Council? Has she served on a committee? What is her actual record of community, volunteer service? For if the solution for beating and replacing a career politician
Harry Perry serenades on Venice Beach over Independence Day weekend. denial is distressingly large of late. What can we do about it? I suggest we each try to find new contacts and make some new friends — and then gently wise them up. Listen patiently and politely to the misguided, try to identify the signposts that have led them astray (Tell me, where do you get your news?) and help expose them to new information. My dentist friend tells me that you don’t have to floss all your teeth — just the ones you want to keep. The same principle goes
to educating the ignorant and mislead. It’s only necessary if you want the planet and our society to be the kind of place where you want to live. Tim Tunks Santa Monica
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 kkirk@timespublications.com
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C O M M U N I T Y
Alternative Solutions Proposal to place temporary shelters in MDR sparks concern for local businesses IMAGE COURTESY OF MARINA DEL REY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
By Andres de Ocampo A motion proposing to build single-occupancy temporary housing for homeless people in Marina del Rey’s Fisherman’s Village parking lot has local tourism and hospitality businesses concerned. Councilmember Mike Bonin, District 11, authored the motion in March and writes that, “addressing our homelessness crisis requires a wide range of solutions,” and despite initiatives like Project Roomkey, Project Homekey and more, the homelessness continues to increase and, “much more must be done. Different interventions must be tried, and more locations must be identified.” Bonin outlined four countyowned parking lots and an RV park in the proposal for temporary “single-occupancy tiny homes or safe camping” and “safe parking”. The parking lot in Fisherman’s Village, just feet away from tourist attractions like
A motion proposing to build temporary housing for homeless people in Marina del Rey’s Fisherman’s Village parking lot has local businesses concerned.
restaurants and party boat rentals, prompted many businesses to speak out. A letter from the Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau (MDR CVB) CEO, Janet Zaldua, was written to Supervisor Janice Hahn, District 4, defining and voicing the worries of Marina del Rey’s local businesses, especially in Fisherman’s Village. Zaldua, whose job includes attracting visitors to Marina del Rey, said that the MDR CVB is “a destination marketing organization. We promote Marina del Rey for tourism and service the voice for tourism and hospitality in Marina de Rey.” Though the proposal is in a phase of a “feasibility study” and it is unclear what accounts for the study and what other requirements are necessary for the temporary housing site in Fisherman’s Village, Zaldua said, “We don’t feel like it’s appropriate or feasible to bring homeless pallets to a tourist attraction…
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ArgonautNews.com Just for the party boats and accessing the water alone, a minimum of 200,000 people come through here for that.” According to Zaldua, Supervisor Hahn responded to the CVB’s letter and Zaldua said that, “[Supervisor Hahn] acknowledges the [CVB’s] concerns and supports a feasibility study. This is a very complex issue and it’s a balance between finding support for the homeless and taking into account the needs of business owners.” Zaldua believes that placing the temporary housing site in the Fisherman’s Village parking lot might deter tourism and families from visiting Marina del Rey, consequently affecting businesses recovering from the pandemic. “The Marina is 800 acres and much of that is water,” she said. “We have very few open public spaces and most of those are utilized to access the beach. Many of the lots are always packed with families.” Zaldua expanded on their position in the letter to Supervisor Hahn, saying, “Building homeless housing within a small tourist destination surrounded by visitor attractions where supportive
“We can fight all we want [as local businesses], but when the county decides something, they do it and they don’t listen to us… that is my fear. If it’s going to happen, I’m leaving. You start to lose money. It’s going to crush all of the business.” — Stefano Baccianella services for the homeless are not available within the vicinity is a poorly thought-out solution for both the business sector and the homeless population in need of assistance. “Areas within Los Angeles County that are located near medical and mental health facilities, addiction rehabilitation centers, and other supportive services should be identified first as a more practical location to shelter the homeless population.” Though Zaldua and Marina del Rey businesses oppose Bonin’s proposal, they are, “compassionate about this issue and want to be included in the dialogue,” Zaldua said. “We’re not against temporary housing,” she said. “We’re saying that placing temporary housing in the middle
of a tourist attraction is not very feasible… “You have to consider the needs of the business owners too, family-owned businesses that have been here forever, this is their livelihood.” Zaldua proposed two alternative solutions to Bonin’s proposal, one of them being a “homeless task force,” which would be comprised of the local businesses and lessees to facilitate dialogue amongst the Marina del Rey community. A task force existed previously in 2014, according to Zaldua, and was spearheaded by Marina del Rey’s local sheriff substation under Captain Reginald Gautt. Another alternative solution to the temporary housing site in Fisherman’s Village, according to
Zaldua, would be to take a percentage of the Transient Occupancy Tax that Marina del Rey pays to LA County as an unincorporated area, and allocate it to funding for other initiatives for the homeless crisis. Prior to the pandemic, in a 2019 annual report from the MDR CVB, Marina del Rey’s economic impact of tourism reached $398.2 million and paid $11.7 million to LA County as a part of the Transient Occupancy Tax. Since then, the MDR CVB reported that hotel occupancy dropped 50% due to Covid-19 and the Transient Occupancy Tax payment steeply dropped to $4 million. Many of the attractions in Fisherman’s Village and the surrounding area are struggling to recover from the pandemic, with
business just starting to pick back up to pre-pandemic normalcy. Stefano Baccianella, owner of Sapori Italian Restaurant in Fisherman’s Village, which sits next to the proposed parking lot site, said the pandemic was a struggle for everyone, including his restaurant. “My business survived because I was working 14 hours a day [with my daughter],” he said. “I was working every day with only one guy in the kitchen and now the [county] is going to do this to us?” Baccianella hopes for an alternate solution, but is not entirely confident in LA County listening to local businesses concerns. “We can fight all we want [as local businesses],” he said, “but when the county decides something, they do it and they don’t listen to us… that is my fear. If it’s going to happen, I’m leaving. You start to lose money. It’s going to crush all of the business.” Baccianella worries that “people are going to start getting the news about the Marina,” and customers (Continued on page 8)
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BUSINESS IMAGES COURTESY OF MARINA DEL REY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
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Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO, Janet Zaldua, has proposed two alternative solutions to Mike Bonin’s proposal: a homeless task force and to take a percentage of the Transient Occupancy Tax that Marina del Rey pays to LA County as an unincorporated area and allocate it to funding for other initiatives for the homeless crisis.
Alternative Solutions (Continued from page 7)
and tourists will choose to go elsewhere, like Newport Beach or San Diego to eat, plan vacations or have weekend outings. Combined with being heard by local elected officials and having a say in alternatives to the Bonin’s proposal, Baccianella said there needs to be more understanding for local businesses. “There are no businesspeople,” he said about local elected officials. “They don’t know what it means to run a business. They email, but they don’t come to look or sit down here for a day to see how to run a business, or how we pay rent or pay our bills.” Jennifer Kirkley-Vaughan, co-owner of Pro SUP Shop which is located on the other side of the marina facing Mother’s Beach, said that her business was lucky enough to stay open during the pandemic, but still felt the effects of nationwide business closures. “Obviously tourism not being here in Marina del Rey effected our business,” she said. “We catered more toward local business [during the pandemic], but the overall community of Marina del Rey was hurting.” Kirkley-Vaughan said that while it’s important to have compassion for the homelessness crisis and to find potential solutions to help, she would like the Marina del Rey community have a seat at the table for alternative solutions and doesn’t see Bonin’s proposal as practical. “Why would you put these housing pallets for the homeless right in the middle of a busy tourism community where families are visiting?” she asked. “It just doesn’t seem like we have the proper
infrastructure like roads, hospitals, mental health facilities and rehabilitation centers to make this a good solution. “Especially after the hard year that this community has had,” she continued, “Now that tourism is coming back… To then put homeless pallets in Fisherman’s Village, it could deter tourism and this city is so reliant on tourism.” Kirkley-Vaughan worries that, if the temporary shelters get built in Fisherman’s Village, there might be an influx in the homeless population in the Marina, which she believes could affect business in the Marina, even to the point of closures for small businesses. To those who have opposing viewpoints to MDR CVB and Bonin’s proposal, Kirkley-Vaughan said, “We can want our business, [employees and other businesses] to do well and have compassion to find a solution, but not want [that solution] here. We’re not saying that we don’t want to help, but we’re saying let’s find a solution that will help everybody.” Zaldua said that she got closer to many of the local businesses in Marina del Rey during the pandemic and saw the “human side and the pain” that local businesses went through. “To shame people by saying, ‘You don’t want it in your backyard because you don’t want it by your business,’ is an unfair argument,” she said. “[These business owners] feel like they’re going to lose everything they’ve worked their whole life for. That’s when all of the walls come down. Some of these people, during the pandemic, didn’t know what to do.” Councilmember Mike Bonin was unavailable for comment.
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P E O P L E
Cultivating Beauty Celebrity hairstylist Matthew Preece on his career, meditation and more PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ
By Srianthi Perera When he’s not cutting hair, celebrity hairstylist Matthew Preece turns inward. “Meditation is a way to remove yourself from the daily chatter and the daily grind, it’s a place where you can connect with the universal consciousness,” said Preece of his namesake hair salon in Santa Monica. Preece also finds value in connecting with his clients. “I like knowing that I have the ability to be able to change how they’re feeling to the positive. There’s nothing I like more than seeing my clients walk out with beautiful hair and feeling beautiful as the day goes,” he added. “I like to help them transition to a different state of mind if they are suffering with something. So, it’s all about connection.” Round French mirrors with lighting, brushed aluminum stations, Buddha statues, pictures of the Sex Pistols and graffiti art – in this eclectic, high-end establishment, clients such as Bill Gates, Tony Robbins, Robert Downey Jr., the Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Muse step into an ambiance where spirituality meets with rock ‘n’ roll, while also hobnobbing with the ultra-modern. “Living in Los Angeles and working in this industry, it’s inevitable that you’re going to be bumping shoulders with celebrities, and obviously making friends along the way,” Preece said. But does he get nervous that the scissors will slip or the foam will flow just a tad much? “Personally, I don’t really get nervous,” Preece said. “I’m not in a position where doing a celebrity really means anything to me other than maybe making a friend. However, occasionally, depending on the situation I find myself in, it can be a little nerve-racking.” It’s nothing compared to Preece’s beginnings in the industry back in his home country of England. He was just 21 when he opened his first salon. “I got into the hair salon business because I was at the forefront of fashion in my
Matthew Preece is a leading fashion and celebrity hairstylist and the owner of Matthew Preece Salon in Santa Monica. youth and it seemed like a natural step,” Preece said. “I immediately took to it, finding I had a natural ability to create.” However, it was premature. “It was a nightmare, I was far too young to deal with managing and running a salon. I was full of testosterone and fear. It was very difficult,” Preece
PAGE 10 THE ARGONAUT JULY 15, 2021
recalled. “I promised myself I would never own a salon again. And, of course, I came to America, and one thing after another, now I own my own salon again.” In 2008, Preece received an opportunity to open a Fred Segal Salon in the same location as the older Fred Segal
beauty salon. Coincidentally, it was located in a place he had called home for many years. “At the time I was working at the Chris McMillan Salon in Beverly Hills when Fred and Michael Segal personally asked me to resurrect the Fred Segal salon space to its former glory,” Preece said. “I reluctantly
agreed, but as history shows, obviously that was a great decision for my career at that time. Unfortunately, Fred Segal in Santa Monica closed its doors in 2015 and I was left with the option to open a Matthew Preece Salon or go to work at another salon elsewhere. I meditated on this
ArgonautNews.com
Preece also regularly practices meditation and offers online classes on Zoom. decision and decided to go with my own name salon.” Preece brought to the table a good work ethic. “Fortunately for me, starting out my career in England and working with a sensational group of stylists, my training was exceptional and my work ethic was, and still is, one of a very high standard,” Preece said. “Obviously, I brought this with me across the pond and I install these high standards in my salon by guiding and nurturing my team.” There are many benefits to owning and operating a hair salon: the hands-on experience, the camaraderie with the team and nurturing/guiding the connection. “I really enjoy seeing the clients in the salon leave happy and healthy with beautiful hair,” Preece said. The pandemic, however, adversely affected their livelihoods as salons were closed in LA for nearly nine months. “The whole of the industry’s blueprint has changed, stylists were forced out of the salon into people’s homes by no fault of their own,” Preece said. “Once we get some stability within the industry, stylists will start prioritizing working in the salon because economically it will make more sense.” During these economically depressed times, Preece has another avenue of income: his two product lines of hair care
products, Matthew Preece and Pure Bao, which are completely natural and toxin-free, while offering a great performance. “I wanted to create a product that was natural, safe and clean with no harmful chemicals that would outperform the best products on the market and I feel 100% that I have accomplished this,” Preece said. “Everybody that uses these products reorders and is amazed by the performance.” The other good news is that Preece’s salon is back open with 13 stylists and business is growing again. “We’re getting a lot of new clients, which is fantastic,” Preece said. “We’re getting the clients back that hibernated for a year-and-a-half because of Covid-19. A lot of us have been vaccinated and people are feeling much safer now. It is definitely moving in the right direction.” Then there’s meditation, which goes in tandem with Preece’s work. Even during pre-pandemic times, meditation was much in demand. Preece learned the philosophy in a transcendental school in India that he continues to visit. He used to teach in the salon and now presents online. “There’s a massive demand for meditation right now,” Preece said. He has up to 50 students on Zoom classes and also guides people one-on-one. There is no charge but donations are accepted. He contend-
ed that people are conflicted. “Now, they’re finding it hard to connect to people, they’ve got in the habit of staying in the home. They are finding it hard to socialize. What are the rules? People are internally conflicted,” Preece said. “They see what’s going on in the world, they have fear, a lot of people are unemployed, a lot of lives have changed. I’ve gone from the really busy, bustling salon to having to close down. That goes across the board. It’s crazy the sacrifices the small businesses have had to make in this pandemic.” What happens from there? “I can either be in a place of fear and I can stress and worry about the future,” Preece shared. “Or I can be in the moment and not have any fear-driven stories to my daily existence and I find that I’m a lot calmer when that happens. Because the story is in the moment. The story is facing fear. If you have that realization that you’re making a story about the future, then you’re adding that fear emotion that can cause illness in various different ways; then you’re golden if you can practice that. That’s what I do.” Matthew Preece Salon 1122 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica 310-907-4022 matthewpreece.com
Preece’s roster of celebrity clients includes Muse, the Foo Fighters, Tony Robbins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, aand many more. JULY 15, 2021 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 11
C O V E R
S T O R Y PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ
LADIES OF DOGTOWN Women claim their place in Venice skateboarding culture
Stephanie Wise and Briana King are local skateboarders that inspire and encourage other women to participate in the sport. PAGE 12 THE ARGONAUT JULY 15, 2021
ArgonautNews.com
By Bridgette M. Redman When Stephanie Wise first started skateboarding in Venice, she was one of only three female skaters. Now, with the advent of the girl skating group GRLSWIRL, she’s in good company. Skating has become so popular amongst women that Wise and fellow skater, Briana King, were featured in the May 2021 issue of British Vogue, modeling the latest styles and showing off their hottest moves. Venice Beach is where skate culture was born — and it is also the home to the first GRLSWIRL chapter. Other chapters are in New York and San Diego. “It is a lot more accepted today for women, especially in our area,” Wise said. As recently as five years ago, Wise said it was a lot harder to be accepted, especially if you weren’t highly competitive. It was common then for people to get mad at skaters who weren’t extremely good. Now though, GRLSWIRL is open to skaters of any age and experience. They are, according to their website, “as welcoming and warm as the Southern California weather.” Wise said most of them ride carver boards, which is the board she started skating on and how she fell in love with that aspect of old Venice. Now 20 years old, Wise started skating on her 9th birthday when a friend gave her a skateboard as a birthday gift. Her dad had been an active part of the skateboarding culture, but was at first reluctant to have his daughter join him. However, once she started, they would skate together, first around the neighborhood or the golf course, and then at the park. “We would practice surf style,” Wise said. “We would work on power slides and turning into waves and the motion of surfing. I started loving it, so I’d go on my own with my music and my headphones and surf the streets.” Skating, she pointed out, was created to improve surfing skills when the waves were bad. People would pretend they were surfing on the streets. It’s what ushered in the whole era of Venice’s Dogtown that changed skateboarding for
Venice is home to the first GRLSWIRL chapter, a women-founded inclusive skate collective that empowers female skaters. everyone around the world. By Wise’s freshman year of high school, she was competing in surfing and used skateboarding to practice. “I really started going every day with my headphones and skating around the neighborhood,” Wise said. “It was my safe space to do my own thing and progress and have my alone time.” She’d alternate between listening to rap and fast-paced music and chill alternative surf sounds. “Skating styles are really affected by the music you’re listening to,” Wise said. Even as skating in Venice has become more focused on the streets and being super techni-
cal, Wise said she remains focused on the old Venice Beach surfing style. “There are so many different ways to skate,” Wise said. “Someone can be a great street skater but horrible at the pools. Another could be really flowy in the pools. Everyone has their own way to skate. There are always places to create.”
Pioneering skating culture for other women
When Wise first started skating the park, she would go super early in the morning when there were only three other people there — one a roller blader. Unlike the skaters at later times, these two men and one woman were very
inclusive and helped to bring her into the culture. Her presence helped bring others in. She talked about how one of her friends told her that she thought the skate park was only for guys until she saw Wise there and realized that she could skate too. “I’m pretty feminine,” Wise said. “I think skating before was a tomboy thing and I don’t really look that way. I feel that people watching me skate realized it’s accessible to every type of person. It doesn’t have to be super-duper serious. You can love it for what it is and what you can do.” Wise values knowing what
you want and pursuing it. Skating and surfing rely on determination and self-belief. She recalled having a vision when she was younger of who she wanted to be from watching skating movies and seeing her dad surf. “If you put your time into becoming the surfer you want to be or the skater you want to be, you will get there,” Wise said. “With skating, every day I’m still learning. I’m trying to push myself to get better. The really cool thing about skating and surfing is that they are such an independent sport. People can help, but it’s really a mind game. Once you understand how to control the thoughts you are thinking and organize them, then you are able to do the things you want to do.” Wise said she now finds a balance between being serious and enjoying it in a peaceful way. Being a skater has taught her to be strong and to work past her injuries. “You get so injured when you push yourself,” Wise said. “You’re falling on concrete, not water. I’ve learned the right time to push myself and the right time not to push myself.” Some of the external and societal pressures that women feel are what Wise said caused many women to hesitate when it came to skating. Skaters are likely to going to injure themselves and she started to notice the way injuries affect parts of her body. For women, she said, there is a desire to be beautiful, whereas few guys feel that way. “Women are afraid of hurting themselves,” Wise said. “No one wants to have huge lumps on their hips or break their legs. Guys don’t think about that and women do. Women are very logical. It’s really cool that women are easing into the sport in their own way.” For her, she chooses to learn things slowly so she doesn’t get hurt. She also loves having more women who skate because they understand her concerns and she can relate to them. “In the beginning I felt alone, now that there are so many girls, it’s awesome,” Wise said. She is pleased to see that the culture has become more inclusive and more people are finding skating accessible. Women are even starting to do it at a young age so that by the time they are her age they are amazing. “It’s been really cool seeing so many little girls, maybe six or eight, skate the park and just drop (Continued on page 14)
JULY 15, 2021 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 13
Ladies of Dogtown (Continued from page 13)
into the big bowl,” Wise said, adding that often these young girls are more confident than she is. “There is no age to skating. I can be friends with someone 6 or 60 years old. It changes the way you view people. You just respect everyone and their soul and who they are as a person.”
Skating onto the pages of Vogue Magazine
Wise grew up surfing and skateboarding, and her dad is an active part of the skateboarding culture.
King is also a model and has appeared in multiple ad campaigns and music videos. PAGE 14 THE ARGONAUT JULY 15, 2021
The Vogue shoot came about almost by happenchance. Wise’s father was talking about how she skates and surfs and that their family goes back four generations in Venice. The person he was speaking to said his friend was scouting for Vogue. Wise submitted and they called her in for an interview, asking her all about Venice. “They wanted to have the shoot be super core to Venice and with me growing up here and my dad and his dad being a part of Venice, I feel really at home here,” Wise said. “They wanted me to be a part of the project because I represented the skater/surfer/artist — everything that Venice has to offer.” They then asked Wise if she knew of other female skaters and she recommended her friend and fellow skater, King, who had been modeling for 17 years. The two were picked for the shoot. They arrived early in the morning so they could get their hair and makeup done, but by 11 a.m. when they started the shoot, it began to rain so hard that they closed off the skatepark. “I was so bummed that I didn’t get to skate there,” Wis said. “They were like, ‘Let’s go to this side street on the boardwalk.’ We’re skating in the rain and I’m totally sliding out — it was hard to skate.” However, she said the experience was fantastic despite the challenges of weather. They tried a couple different locations and the shot that they used of her in the magazine was from the boardwalk — the place where she skates from her house to the beach. “It was like I had been training my whole life,” Wise said. “I was super in touch with the cameras. I felt so at peace.” She said King was doing all sorts of tricks while she was
riding her Carver in a progressive and cruisy way. The Vogue editors edited their picture together for what Wise felt was a very cool shot. They also got to change outfits several times and cycled through several designer clothes including pieces by Louis Vuitton, Prada and Gucci. Wise even got to model some of her own brand of clothes. She hand paints clothing from hats to shirts as part of her Graveyard Garage brand (graveyard-garage.com). “They wanted to use my clothes,” Wise said. “I brought everything and they chose the pants. That was super sick. They credited me too, which was really awesome.”
Skating into the heart of Venice
Venice remains the place that Wise wants to be; she doesn’t feel at home anywhere else. She tried living in Long Beach while going to school and found that she missed the boardwalk and all the people in Venice. “Artistic people surrounding me and everyone has such good vibes — even if they are not good vibes, they are adding to it in some way,” Wise said. “There’s no place like Venice. It really has this energy to it. It’s loud and fun with always something happening. If I want to surf, I can surf. If I want to skate, I can skate. If I want to hang out with interesting people or if I want to hang out with the homeless — I can have any conversation.” Wise’s connections span generations from her peers to friends of her father who are constantly around. She goes down to the beach and can see a thousand people that she knows. Everyone, Wise said, feels like family. There were changes during COVID-19 with everyone staying away for a while. Wise said she’d often have the skate park to herself and it was the first time in her life when there were only locals in Venice, all the tourists and visitors were gone. Now, though, people have started to return. “There is always someone who brings a smile to my face when I go to the beach,” Wise said. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.” Follow Wise and King on Instagram: @stephanie.wise @brianaking
E D U C A T I O N
Fostering Growth and Resilience Sycamore Community School in Santa Monica to open for 2021-2022 school year COURTESY OF SYCAMORE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
By Bridgette M. Redman The sycamore tree, found throughout the Los Angeles area, grows fast, is resilient, and experiences annual regrowth and regeneration. These are the qualities that are inspiring a new K-8 school opening in Santa Monica in time for the 2021-2022 school year. The founding of Sycamore Community School is in response to the way children were educated during the pandemic, but also sprouts out of a lifelong dream of the principal and the way she believes children should be educated. “We see our school as fast-growing and our curriculum is designed to foster resilient kids who have high self-esteem, feel good about themselves and have empathy toward others,” said principal Mary Ann McQueen. Sycamore Community School will have a curriculum that, while recognizing the importance of technology, will emphasize pencils, crayons, markers, paint, manipulatives and, most of all, real books – the kind you hold in your hand and turn the pages. “When you think about kids (during the pandemic) having to learn virtually and primarily through a device, it is very limiting,” McQueen said. “Not because technology is bad, but because as a medium of learning, it can be tiring. It’s not as effective when it comes to things like reading.” McQueen said they plan to use technology intentionally, carefully and thoughtfully, and not let such things as digital reading replace reading out loud and together in groups. Even their oldest children in the upper grades will be read out loud to. McQueen formed many of the
Mary Ann McQueen is the school’s principal with more than 30 years of experience as an educator. school’s philosophies throughout her life, while others were a direct response to how education took place during the pandemic. “Ever since I was a small child, I always viewed my own experience in schools through a lens of what I would do differently if I was in a position to have that kind of impact,” McQueen said. “A lot of the things that we’re doing and that the team has put in place are things I’ve believed for a long time about what works well with kids.” She recalled that when she was growing up, kids constantly played outside with little to no supervision. They made up their own games, learned to get along, and experienced the outdoors no matter what the weather. “We really want to get kids outside in ways that foster more independence, more resilience and more creativity,” McQueen said. “Kids are so programmed now, they spend so much time in the car, they don’t have the opportunity to use their imaginations and their personalities to navigate with people and to have a give and take, to just have fun without a lot of pressure to
perform.” In pursuit of such goals, Sycamore Community School will have more recess, outdoor classes, and field trips that involve walking to places and taking public transit. One such trip will be biweekly walks to the library, which is three blocks away. They are currently working to develop strong reading lists for all their classrooms and filling them with actual books that provide opportunity to talk about topics that promote social-emotional learning. One of their focuses will be responding to what kids have gone through over the past 15 months. “For kids, it was over a year,” McQueen said. “Their whole life got thrown upside down. Kids experienced loss, isolation and depression. We really want to use this opportunity to have a jumping off point for discussions.” Enrollment for the school is now open and they have students in every grade but 8th. There are five teachers, all of whom McQueen has worked with in the past and who have experience with each other. With tuition costing $15,000 a year, the school’s goal is to keep the school affordable and to offer scholarships to those who need them. They plan to forge partnerships with parents and relationships between families so that they have a cohesive community. “People have the opportunity to be part of something new and be the pioneers,” McQueen said. “It is special to be a part of a start-up school and help develop the traditions and events and culture of the school.” Every morning, school will start at drop-off time with a commu-
nity gathering in their courtyard, where there is a decades-old sycamore tree. They’ll have announcements, community leaders will address the school, and people will have the opportunity to connect. Parents will have opportunities to volunteer in the classroom and on field trips and outings. The school plans to reach out to and partner with such organizations as the Boys and Girls Club, religious organizations in the community, the public library, the Santa Monica Y, and organizations that serve homeless people. There are already plans in place
for after-school enrichment programs such as coding, art, musical theater, chess and yoga. Other activities will be offered based on the needs and interests of the students. “I really hope to parlay over 30 years of experience as an educator in K-12 schools with my colleagues into developing a really excellent and affordable option for parents that has a rich curriculum with rigor,” McQueen said. “We’ll have a smaller teacher-student ratio.” sycamorecommunityschool.org
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Mucking It Up Venice artist celebrates her unique style PHOTOS COURTESY OF JULES MUCK
Jules Muck is a Venice-based graffiti, mural and fine artist. By Bridgette M. Redman Jules Muck has learned to celebrate who she is as an artist and who she is as a person. A first-generation immigrant, Muck was on the streets of New York at a young age after her parents returned to their home country. She had no thoughts of being an artist then and making money for what she did was far from her mind. Her goal at the time was to avoid being arrested for creating her art. As a street artist, Muck’s graffiti was made anonymously in the middle of the night. She started out just doing stylized words, often just the last name she had adopted: Muck. Now, years later, she has a studio in Venice and her work is in high demand. She just bought her third house using money made from her art. A self-made artist, she encourages young people to pursue art if it is their dream, no matter how much others might discourage them or try to minimize what they do as a hobby. “You don’t have to give up,” Muck said. “You just have to work hard and do it every day. If you do what you love and you open up, it works out. The
community takes care of me 100% — that has been true wherever I go.” In addition to numerous walls in Southern California, Muck’s work is displayed on her Instagram account and on her website. She credits the artist Lady Pink for taking her under her arm and making her believe she could do more than what she was doing. “Lady Pink took me on as an apprentice,” Muck said. “The way she orchestrated my apprenticeship, as I worked for a living, she shifted me and gave me work that helped me navigate and slowly transitioned me to being my own thing.” It is a connection that has persisted through the years. Muck said even this past summer when she was in Upstate New York, Lady Pink, who is one of the pioneers of graffiti art, made sure she had work. “She has helped me and so many other young women and men find their way into the art world,” Muck said. “We’re all people who didn’t have access to a formal art education. We had no nepotism, no family connections. She’s so amazing
PAGE 16 THE ARGONAUT JULY 15, 2021
in that way. She has no fear, to be able to hand off work like that.”
They all came down and painted together.
Where art meets crime
Muck moved to Venice and immersed herself in the community there. People responded to her art and Venice would become the “most Mucked city” in the world, with her murals going up everywhere. “I have to say that all of Southern California has felt very art-friendly,” Muck said. “I liked Venice because they let me do a lot more art and most of the people there were really receptive to it. When I moved there, there were a lot of artists. I can’t really say that now. Most of my friends are gone. They moved to the east side or all over.” She said she loves the energy of Venice and will always be inspired by it, but because of the scale and amount she paints, she has to move around. If she stayed in Venice, she would run out of space. Muck’s work has taken her all around the world. She’s painted in New Orleans, Miami, Indianapolis, Michigan, anywhere that has work for her. She recently painted a Syrian
Muck said that before Lady Pink, she didn’t believe that she was worthy. She ran around at night under the cover of anonymity, painting and then running away with no one knowing it was her. “My intense urge to create was bad and illegal, it was very hidden,” Muck said. Then things began to change. She was arrested and her family found out what she was doing. She started to see people talking about her work in AOL chat rooms. They always referred to her as “this guy” and that “he” did all these crazy things. “It made me start coming forward as a woman and I had this idea to paint female walls with all women and to celebrate that and to let it be known we were girls,” Muck said. Fast forward to 2001 and Muck was one of the first women invited to paint the Wall of Fame in New York. The following year they gave her a massive wall and asked her to invite all the women she knew.
Mucking up Venice
refugee camp. Sometimes she is surprised by the reception she receives. “For me, the most bizarre was Indianapolis,” Muck said. “I couldn’t believe how receptive they were to my art.” She was supposed to spend three days there a few years ago, but she ended up staying longer and doing more than 100 murals. She was in demand from businesses and residences. After she left, they threw a huge mural festival. “People wanted art on their houses, their garages, their cars,” Muck said. “They were so thrilled with this kind of mural work that they had seen when they traveled to Portland and California and New York, that they wanted it and now they have it.”
Pandemic painting online During the pandemic, Muck found herself in isolation like so many other people. She quarantined with the family of her boyfriend and needed to come up with things to do. She partnered with a friend of hers who was an out-of-work web designer. Together, they created coloring pages of her art and an
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A lot of the work that Muck has been doing lately is creating residential murals and backyard art for people. online tarot reading. “It was a fun way for us to both stay busy,” Muck said. “Every day I released a coloring book page.” For the tarot reading, Muck invited different artists and musicians to make up little sayings for each of the images that she painted. People can ask a question and click on the deck to get an image and saying. More recently, she’s been back doing mural work. People who have been stuck at home have been wanting residential murals and backyard work.
Demand still surprises
Sometimes Muck’s work takes paths she doesn’t expect. Several years ago, she was friends with a young man who had a brain tumor that he decided not to treat. Billy loved picking through garbage to find what he saw as treasures. He’d get really excited about it. After he died, Muck started to notice the trash, things her friend would have been thrilled with. There were all sorts of bulk pieces on the side of the road — coaches, refrigerators and other furnishings. They were taking a long time to be picked up and they would call out to her. She started painting them, something she said hearkened back to her roots of not having permission, but avoiding getting arrested. One time the police pulled up and watched her paint. She said they seemed confused because it wasn’t illegal but it was odd. Muck painted a lot of trash and took pictures of them to gather them into what she called a Muck Book. The intent, though, was that like Billy, they were temporary and made in tribute to his life. “What made me stop was that people started collecting them,” Muck said. “People were collecting diseased couches and moldy refrigerators and
putting them in their houses. It became a bummer. It was within an hour of me painting and it was gone to someone’s house. I lost the thrill. I’ll do it every now and then when I’m inspired, but not how I did during that time period.”
Passing on the mentoring
The project Muck is most excited about currently is working with the Queens Project in Watts. It is a chance for her to do for young women what Lady Pink did for her. She’s working with young women and they are painting side by side as she teaches about art. “It’s amazing, the young girls I meet,” Muck said. “They start crying when they meet me. They are so sweet.” It’s what inspired Muck to start posting more pictures of herself as she works so that young women could see that she was a woman and that women can do graffiti art. When she talks to them, she encourages them to see their art as worthy.
Living into her name
Even Muck’s adopted last name is part of her celebrating who she is rather than who people wanted her to be. Her grandmother would call her a “mucky pup” because she was inherently messy. “I’m a slob,” Muck said. “I was shamed for it as a kid and as an adult. Muck is my celebration of who I am. I’m messy, I make a mess. Most of the things I own have paint splatters. My hair often isn’t brushed. I like to show a story of beautiful things coming out of the muck. It’s just a dichotomy of things. I think that I’ve always embraced it because so many people pushed against it.” Website: julesmuck.com Instagram: @muckrock
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Call Rebecca Bermudez at 310-463-0633 or rebecca@argonautnews.com THE ARGONAUT REAL ESTATE BUSINESS NEWS
Tying the Knot? How’s Their Credit? When applying for credit individually and the three scores are reported, lenders will use the middle score, not the highest or lowest. If someone sees three scores of 750, 781 and 755, the lender would then use 755 as the qualifying score. When a couple applies for new credit, lenders use the lowest of the two middle scores. If your qualifying scorer is 755 and the spouse’s scores report in You’re probably very aware of where your own at 620, 616 and 640, the individual’s qualifying personal credit stands. The better your credit, the score is 620. When combining both on the same more credit offers you’re going to get in the mail. mortgage application, the two middle scores are Creditors want your business because you’ve 755 and 620. Lenders would then use 620 as the proven not only do you utilize various credit lines qualifying score. This could mean a larger down but are also responsible with them. Certainly payment or a slightly higher rate. That’s kinda making your monthly payments on time is the getting in the weeds a bit but it’s how mortgage biggest factor but so is utilization. Creditors want lenders use scores when qualifying those applying you to charge things and then pay them off over time for the sole reason of collecting interest on the for a mortgage together. That’s why it’s important funds used. Credit utilization means not just using to get a handle on your future spouse’s credit profile. credit but also keeping an eye on outstanding From a purely technical perspective, it’s good to know the credit profile of someone you’re soon to marry. Not the most romantic of notions but it’s still important. It can also get a little clumsy if you straight out ask your future forever partner, ‘Hey, btw, do you have good credit?’ That’s gonna be a turnoff, for sure. But you should get a general idea.
balances along with available credit. Credit scores No, I don’t think you need to blurt out something begin to climb when credit is used but also keeping like, ‘Hey, how does your credit report look’ but a balance of approximately one-third of credit lines. even if you later find out your new spouse has Yet when you get married, while each person keeps damaged credit, it really doesn’t take all that long to get credit scores on the rebound. If you’ve got individual credit lines there will soon come a time to open a joint account. The new account might be great credit and your newlywed not so much, working together you can get scores where they for a new car or to open up a joint credit account need to be. and certainly to buy and finance a new home. If your soon to be betrothed also has excellent credit, both your scores will continue to rise. But there can be a hitch if one of the individuals has spotty credit. Here’s the deal- when two people apply for a loan together, each will have separate credit scores, one each from the three main credit repositories of TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. That then means there are six credit scores appearing on the newly acquired joint credit report. Which to use?
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FIND YOUR PLACE 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.
JULY 15, 2021 AT HOME – THE ARGONAUT’S REAL ESTATE SECTION PAGE 21
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Fic. Business Name FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2021135628 Type of Filing: Amended. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: RODRIGUEZ ROMERO DESIGN, RODRIGUEZ ROMERO ARCHITECTURE, RODRIGUEZ ROMERO ARCHITECTS, RODRIGUEZ ROMERO DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, RRDA; 7904 Glider Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90045. COUNTY: Los Angeles. Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number: 4738309. REGISTERED OWNER(S) Rodriguez Architects Inc, 7904 Glider Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90045. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY a Corporation. The registrant commenced to transact business under the Fictitious Business Name or names listed above on: 05/2021. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. /s/: Daniel Rodriguez. TITLE: President. Corp or LLC Name: Rodriguez Architects Inc.This statement was filed with the LA County Clerk on: June 17, 2021. 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: 06/24/21, 07/01/21, 07/08/21, 07/15/21
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2021153810 Type of Filing: Original. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: THE POSTPARTUM CARE COMPANY. 6338 Vista Del Mar Playa del Rey, CA 90293. COUNTY: Los Angeles. REGISTERED OWNER(S) Art of Nursing Care, Inc., 6338 Vista Del Mar Playa del Rey, CA 90293. State of Incorporation or LLC: California. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY a Corporation. 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/ Amy Tinney. TITLE: CEO, Corp or LLC Name: Art of Nursing Care, Inc. This statement was filed with the LA County Clerk on: July 7, 2021. 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: 07/15/21, 07/22/21, 07/29/21, 08/05/21
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2021142098 Type of Filing: Original The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SHORELINE PUBLISHING; 2200 Pacific Coast Highway Suite 210 Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. COUNTY: Los Angeles. REGISTERED OWNER(S) Maureen Jennings, 2200 Pacific Coast Highway Suite 210 Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY an Individual. 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/: Maureen Jennings. TITLE: Owner. This statement was filed with the LA County Clerk on: June 24, 2021. 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: 07/01/21, 07/08/21, 07/15/21, PAGE 22 THE ARGONAUT07/22/21 JULY 15, 2021
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ance 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: 07/01/21, 07/08/21, 07/15/21, 07/22/21
Legal Notices Notice is given to any/and all creditors of Ada Moses residing at 2051 W 85th Street L.A., CA 90047. Ada Moses died 07/16/2020. Please contact Yvonne Folk, Ttee in writing at 1933 W Manchester Ave L.A., CA 90047 (323) 750-1362 PUBLISHED: Argonaut Newspaper 07/15/21, 07/22/21, 07/29/21, 08/05/21
Name Change ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case No. 21SMCP00223 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES. Petition of ZACHARY ELLIS GARAI, for Change of Name. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1.) Petitioner: Zachary Ellis Garai filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a.) Zachary Ellis Garai to Zachary Ellis Djanogly Garai 2.) THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: August 6, 2021. Time: 8:30 AM. Dept.: K. The address of the court is 1725 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90401-Santa Monica Courthouse. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Los Angeles. Original filed: May 18, 2021. Lawrence Cho, Judge of the Superior Court. PUBLISH: The Argonaut Newspaper 06/24/21, 07/01/21, 07/08/21, 07/15/21
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Summons SUMMONS Case Number (Número del Caso): 20STCV11856 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): JOSHUA ISLER, an individual; JOSHUA ISLER, as Trustee of the Taylor Living Trust dated April 24, 2016 YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: WILLIE MAE TAYLOR, an individual, through her attorney-in-fact RIKKIE RENEE HUGHES, an individual NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this published summons is served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online SelfC e n t e r H e l p (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal SerWeb site vices (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court h a s a sta tu tor y l ie n fo r waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court's lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación. Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su
un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. The name and address of the court is (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): Central District, County of Los Angeles, 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff's attorney is (El nombre, la dirección y el númerode teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): Jay J. Chung, 520 South Grand Avenue, Suite 1070, Los Angeles, CA 90071; (213) 341-1602. Date Filed (Fecha): 03/25/2020. This case concerns the following properties: (1) 1307 West 59th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90044 (“Property I”), legal description: Lot 14 of Tract 3987, as per map recorded in Book 42, Pages 51 and 52 of Maps, in the Office of the Recorder of said County. APN: 6003-009-017, and; (2) 1440 West 62nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90047 (“Property II”), legal description: Lot 109 of Tract no. 5687, as per map recorded in Book 61 Page 24 of Maps in the Office of the County Recorder of said County. APN: 6002026-017.
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LOS ANGELES TIMES SUNDAY CROSSWORD PUZZLE “COLOR COORDINATED” By PAUL COULTER ACROSS 1 Race distance 5 Shrink 12 Traditional koa wood product 19 “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” author Loos 21 Unworthy of 22 Started up again 23 __ officer 24 Bishopric cousin 25 Like aftershave after a shave 26 1994 A.L. batting champ Paul 28 *Wine ingredient? 29 *Sarah of “Suits” 30 Pigment used in rustproof primer paints 32 Blood lines 34 Bananas or nuts 37 Monetary “p” 38 Diamonds, in slang 43 Rib-tickler 46 Oval-shaped wind 48 Benefit 49 *Slip through the cracks 50 *Traffic stoppers 51 Junk bond rating 54 Yitzhak’s predecessor 55 Allegro non __: fast, but not too fast 57 Umbrella component 58 Problematic to the max 60 Gas pump fractions 61 Fermented honey drink 64 Mountain nymph 65 World Cup “Way to go!” 66 Product with lots of shapes ... or what each of four black squares effectively is? 70 Poli-__ 73 Absinthe flavoring 74 A-line line
75 77 81 83
Bench warmer? Stone set alone Basic card game 1994 Olympic gold medalist skater Baiul 84 __ donna 85 Triple __: liqueur 86 *Take by force 88 *“A Clockwork Orange” antihero 89 Keys 90 South American river with a crocodile namesake 92 Clumsy boats 93 Tribal emblem 94 Minty cocktail 96 Gun 98 Daredevil’s stockin-trade 99 Put out 104 *Closely match 109 *Aconcagua’s range 114 Conditionally let out 115 Winning game after game 116 They’re seen among the reeds 118 Samurai lacking a master 119 Go back over 120 Superheroes always have them 121 They come with strings attached 122 Fine-tuned 123 Krypton, but not Tatooine 124 Canapé spread DOWN 1 Bruce Wayne lives in one 2 Pointless 3 Stayed 4 Business for many Amazon explorers? 5 Agatha Christie’s “The __ Murders” 6 “The Day the Earth Stood Still” actress Patricia
7 Part of A.D. 8 Musician Redbone 9 Half the taijitu symbol 10 Tried hard 11 *Biblical possessive 12 Polished 13 Grooves made by a saw 14 Sky-high gp. 15 Time co-founder 16 Mideast leader 17 Fast time 18 On pins and needles 20 *Gene variant 27 Vientiane native 29 Ocasek of the Cars 31 Means of access 33 *Put on the books 35 Elon University st. 36 Washington city where Olympic skiers Phil and Steve Mahre were born 37 Circle ratios 38 *Norse mythology battle used as the subtitle of a 2017 “Thor” film 39 Egg-shaped 40 Racer Yarborough 41 Roasts, in a way 42 Blind segment 43 Brando role in 1978’s “Superman” 44 Critical layer 45 Fulfilled 47 Defies authority 49 Ringling Brothers brother 50 Half a Balkan country 52 Prefix with -aholic 53 Magnum stopper 56 *Ghost 59 Boston-based sportswear giant 62 Hotshot 63 Attract 67 Goddess with a throne headdress 68 Insignificant
69 Key of Schubert’s “Trout Quintet” 70 Cornfield sight 71 Sundae alternatives 72 Big name in movies? 73 Mann of ’Til Tuesday 76 Winter Palace resident 77 Roasting rod 78 Rounding phrase 79 Merry-go-round tune 80 *Dangerous strain 82 Derby, perhaps 86 Cool 87 Anchorage for a galleon 91 Mark down, maybe 92 *Place abuzz with activity 94 Sent raspberries to? 95 Text letters often in blue 97 Diamond pro 98 Location 100 Body with arms? 101 1994 rival of Nancy 102 “The Cocktail Party” playwright 103 Fog modifier 104 Red dessert wine 105 From square one 106 Appraise 107 Cutting-edge brand? 108 Security problem 110 Iditarod terminus 111 Carpe __ 112 “__ quam videri”: 35-Down motto 113 WWII weapon 116 *It’s next to nothing 117 JFK arrival, once
THIN LINE BETWEEN LOVE AND BAIT My relationship with a man I’d been dating was getting serious. His previous relationship ended when his girlfriend dumped him. Last month, he ran into her and told her he was seeing me. She began crying and begged him to take her back. He was torn about what to do. I told him his feelings for her weren’t romantic but stemmed from a sense of obligation, and that he should be angry at her for trying to make him feel bad about moving on with someone else. He still went back to her, and now they’re engaged. I’m furious. Why would he choose to be with someone who dumped him? He could’ve moved forward with someone who really cares, with whom he could have a relationship based on love, not guilt (over making this other woman cry). How can I prevent this from happening to me again? — Outraged
with this other woman the first time around, he felt out of his league – perhaps sensing that, on a 1 to 10 scale, he’s, say, a 6 to her 8.9. If this was the case, he probably acted somewhat needy and clingy: qualities that are not exactly lady bait. She, in turn, probably sensed she could do better and put him out on the curb. But then something changed that changed him: He got a woman (you) who made him feel loved and wanted, which likely shifted his demeanor from needy-clingy to comfortably confident. Assuming this was what went on, you basically provided him with the romantic version of going to the grocery store on a full stomach to avoid standing weeping in the doughnut aisle. Additionally, though it’s unlikely the guy planned this, you probably served as bait to bring his girlfriend back. Social psychologists Jessica Parker and Melissa Burkley find that single women (but not those in We sometimes explain things to relationships) rate a man as “signifiourselves in ways that don’t so much lay out the facts as provide an airbag cantly” more desirable and pursuitfor our feelings. Take a question I often worthy when they’re told he’s taken. “This may be because an attached hear from readers: “Why did he/she man” has been “‘pre-screened’ by stop returning my calls?” Helpfully, many suggest the most likely explana- another woman,” speculate Parker tion right in their email; something like, and Burkley. This “pre-screening” is a form of “social proof,” a term coined “I just know they were kidnapped by by social psychologist Robert Cialdini. the Russian mob.” Right. And they’re We sometimes decide what we probably still tied up in an abanshould value based on what other doned warehouse, being tortured till people value. In this case, your they give in – agree to withdraw and finding the guy boyfriend-worthy hand over the entire $36.72 in their might’ve led his ex to think, “Uh-oh...I checking account. made a mistake dumping him.” Though female tears can be a sort Of course you’re hurt and disapof kryptonite for straight men, I’m sorry pointed. But it sounds like you also to say it’s unlikely this other woman’s feel cheated to some degree, like boohoos and a sense of obligation something you deserve was stolen on your guy’s part mind-controlled from you. There’s a tendency to think him into going back to her. love should be “fair,” meaning whatThere’s this notion that relationships ever you put into a relationship, you’re simply involve two people who love owed in return. In fact, people in each other making each other relationships ultimately act in their happy. Supposedly, once you’ve got that, it’s all cartoon birdies, butterflies self-interest. That sometimes involves dumping the partner who’s done and flowers till you’re both sleeping nothing but love them for the partner out eternity in side by side who dumped them but is willing to cemetery plots. take them back. In fact, the human mind evolved to Understanding this is no guarantee have a built-in accounting departyou won’t get hurt. However, if you’re ment. Its jobs include preventing us from being “all give” to some “all take” realistic about love – recognizing you sociobro, which, for ancestral humans, can’t expect it to be fair – and about the danger from potential mate would’ve posed survival issues. In the poachers, you might have a shot at mating sphere, our inner accountant continually calculates our mate value amping up your game and fending them off. To be on the alert for them, and that of our partner (or prospeckeep in mind the physical features tive partner), gauging whether we’re that make a man especially attracselling ourselves short – or whether tive to a single woman on the prowl: our partner’s likely to come to that broad shoulders, a chiseled jaw and conclusion about being involved big perky boobs on the girlfriend with us. sitting on his lap. Chances are when your guy was
GOT A PROBLEM? Write to Amy Alkon at 171 Pier Ave, Ste. 280, Santa Monica, CA 90405, or email her at AdviceAmy@aol.com. ©2021, 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 15, 2021 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 23
W E S T S I D E
H A P P E N I N G S
Compiled by Kamala Kirk “The Last Ranger” Film Fundraiser, 7 to 10 p.m. The AntiViral Film Project is bringing a night to enjoy under the stars to promote their latest film, “The Last Ranger”, which is about the rise of the rhino poaching during the pandemic. This event will be hosted by famous poet and TEDx speaker, Sean Hill, along with food, drinks and live entertainment featuring comedian Morgan Jay, Beats by DJScribbly Jim, Auction by Chuck Dukas of “America’s Got Talent”, among others. There will be a silent auction featuring international experiences, South African Safari and inspirational artwork and wildlife photography. The event is open to the public. Proceeds will support production of this cause-driven film, and revenue from the film will fund nonprofit global partners including ARCC, Wild Tomorrow fund, VETPAW and Global Conservation Force. Register at eventbrite.com/e/ the-last-ranger-fundraisertickets-160631646579
Friday, July 16 Marina del Rey Film Festival This summer will mark a milestone for the Marina del Rey Film Festival as it will be celebrating its 10th anniversary at the Cinemark 18 and XD at The Promenade at Howard Hughes Center. The festival will screen hundreds of independent films beginning July 16 and it will continue through July 22. Tickets available for all showings at the door or online. For more information and to view the schedule, visit marinadelreyfilmfestival.com Marina Drive-In Movies,
COURTESY OF BUBBIES ICE CREAM
Thursday, July 15
On Saturday July 17 and Sunday July 18 from noon to 5 p.m., Bubbies Ice Cream will serve free mochi ice cream in Venice Beach. 8 p.m. Marina Drive-In Movies returns for a summer series in mid-June through early September. Gather with your family and friends to watch movies on the big screen by the sea in Marina del Rey. Order food from gourmet food trucks on-site or bring your own food and drinks. Movies will play every Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 per car and parking is first-come, first-served. Marina del Rey Lot 2/Boat Launch at 13477 Fiji Way. To view the movie lineup, visit mdrmovies.com
Saturday, July 17 Guild to Host Vintage Treasures Sale, 8 to 11 a.m. Westchester Mental Health Guild is hosting a “Vintage
Treasures and Memorabilia” sale. All the proceeds will benefit Airport Marina Counseling Service. Items have been donated by members for sale and include such things as antique glassware, crystal bowls, Lladro and Hummel figurines, and other items of value. Cash and credit cards will be accepted. 7839 Henefer Ave., Westchester. For more information, visit westchestermhg.org and amcshelps.com Marina del Rey Farmers Market, 8 to 9 a.m. (seniors), 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (general public) This weekly outdoor event allows Westside residents to support local produce sellers and other vendors. Food from a wide variety of businesses is available for purchase. Masks are required and only 40 people are allowed COURTESY PHOTO
On July 15 from 7 to 10 p.m., the AntiViral Film Project is bringing a night to enjoy under the stars to promote their latest film, “The Last Ranger”, which is about the rise of the rhino poaching during the pandemic.
to shop at any one time. Held in parking lot 11 at 14101 Panay Way. More information is available at beaches.lacounty.gov/ mdrfarmersmarket Free Mochi in Venice Beach, noon to 5 p.m. July is National Ice Cream Month and Bubbies Ice Cream is helping Angelenos celebrate with free mochi ice cream all month long! Beat the heat with a delicious mochi ice cream treat by visiting the Bubbies Treat Wave Ice Cream Cart in Venice Beach. All ice creams are individually wrapped and include Bubbies’ best-selling flavors: Strawberry, Mango, and Vegan Chocolate. The Ice Cream Cart will be located on the corner of Winward Avenue and Ocean Front right on the boardwalk. Food Bank, 12:30 p.m. On the corner of West Manchester Avenue and Wiley Post Avenue in Westchester, a church will be giving out free groceries beginning at 12:30 p.m. Please note, visitors are expected to abide by the rules and procedures regarding preventing the spread of COVID-19, which includes wearing a mask and maintaining their distance from others by remaining in their vehicle. Visitors will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is recommended that visitors arrive early. The food bank operates as a drive-through, meaning that volunteers will place items in the vehicles of guests upon their arrival. The food bank asks that guests remain in their vehicles at all times during their visit as a way of upholding social distancing guidelines. 8606 Wiley Post Ave., Los Angeles
Sunday, July 18 Santa Monica Main Street Farmers Market, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Shop for local fresh produce and prepared foods from local restaurants starting at 2640 Main Street. You can also enjoy musical entertainment from featured weekly bands, face painting, balloon designs, and if you catch it on the right week, a cooking demonstration featuring local produce. 2640 Main St., Santa Monica. Mar Vista Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This vibrant, year-round market offers local produce, prepared foods, kids crafts and live events. Located at 12198 Venice Blvd.,
Grand View at Venice Boulevard. For more information, visit marvistafarmersmarket.org Free Mochi in Venice Beach, noon to 5 p.m. July is National Ice Cream Month and Bubbies Ice Cream is helping Angelenos celebrate with free mochi ice cream all month long! Beat the heat with a delicious mochi ice cream treat by visiting the Bubbies Treat Wave Ice Cream Cart in Venice Beach. All ice creams are individually wrapped and include Bubbies’ best-selling flavors: Strawberry, Mango, and Vegan Chocolate. The Ice Cream Cart will be located on the corner of Winward Avenue and Ocean Front right on the boardwalk. Santa Monica’s Food Legacy, 5 p.m. Join KCRW’s Evan Kleiman for a celebration of Santa Monica’s rich and diverse food legacy with Raphael Lunetta, co-owner and chef of Lunetta/Lunetta All Day, and pastry chef and co-founder of Tartine, Chad Robertson. The event kicks of their virtual silent auction, Plates in Places, from July 18 to 25. You’ll get the chance to bid on cooking classes, restaurant gift certificates, exclusive culinary experiences, luxury accommodations, specialty foods, wines and more. The auction will open on July 19 at 9 a.m. Admission to Santa Monica’s Food Legacy is free and open to the public. Donate $45 or more when you register and receive a one-year membership to the Santa Monica Conservancy. Send questions to rsvp@smconservancy.org
Monday, July 19 Introduction to Mindful Meditation, 7 to 8 p.m. Instructor Heather White-Laird discusses mindfulness, a secular form of meditation, benefiting health and well-being. In the second of three monthly sessions, simple tools will be provided to allow you to continue practicing at home. To register, email karen.reitz@santamonica.gov
Send event information at least 10 days in advance to kkirk@ timespublications.com
