Los Angeles Downtown News 05/08/2023

Investing in Youth Metro extends GoPass pilot program

By Luke Netzley LA Downtown News Deputy Editor

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors has approved $20 million to extend Metro’s GoPass pilot program through June 30, 2024. Set to expire this June, the program provides free transit passes for K-14 students at participating schools in the form of a GoPass TAP card.

“The program has been really successful, way more successful than I think we even imagined,” said Devon Deming, deputy executive officer of the GoPass pilot program. “Between year one and year two, we more than doubled the rides that students took. We had set a goal to double those rides for this current fiscal year, but we met that goal already in March, … 10 million student rides. Since its launch in October 2021, we hit just over 18 million rides.”

The program was born from the Fareless System Initiative Task Force that started identifying challenges and opportunities related to eliminating fares on Metro buses and trains during the height of the pandemic. The first phase of Metro’s Fareless System Initiative was to target students from elementary school through community college.

Today, the GoPass program includes over 100 school districts and 1,400 schools. More than 241,000 students have registered as participants, representing nearly 20% of LA county’s students.

“The student feedback on the program has been really positive,” Deming said. “Some students have said that this program is the reason why they’re able to attend college at all or why they’re able to attend their K-12 school on a regular basis. Some students have to choose between meals and transportation, and so getting the transportation for free allows them to eat more meals, which sounds like an extreme case, but it’s actually not.”

Deming explained that around 80% of the students in the program are from low-income households and that the transit passes can help break down barriers between young Angelenos and an education.

According to Metro, families of K-12 students who participate in the GoPass program typically see a yearly savings of $288 per student, while community college students save $516 per year. A study that Metro participated in also showed that

students who receive a free transit pass have up to 27% higher graduation rates.

“The costs of transportation should never stand between our students and opportunity,” Mayor Karen Bass added “All students deserve equal opportunity, and Metro is doing its part to make sure nothing keeps our students from obtaining all the benefits that a good education provides.”

While GoPass lowers students’ overall educational costs, it can also provide them a reliable means of transportation to attend jobs, medical appointments and leisure activities. Students will have unlimited usage of their pass, valid anytime participating transportation agencies are in operation and on any regularly scheduled route.

“I actually was a student who took transit when I was going to school, and I personally would not have been able to graduate from college without my daily bus ride to school, so I know firsthand how important it is in terms of student success,” Deming said. “I would hope that it becomes part of the fabric of LA County, that if you’re a student going to school, either as a K-12 student or as a community college student or college student, that it’s just part of your school experience, … something that is commonplace in LA, that it’s not unusual for students to be riding transit.”

Beyond the student experience, Deming said that increasing youth ridership can help shift the trend of transportation

in LA from a car culture to a transit culture.

“A lot of adults have made it to adulthood in LA County without ever riding our transit system, and then that becomes much more daunting,” she explained. “Riding the transit system isn’t very difficult, but if you haven’t experienced it, then it seems more difficult. So part of the goal of this program is certainly to give students this tool.

“We want them to be able to move about LA County and learn about LA County. We also want them to be able to learn about how to navigate the transit system because it will create transit rider for life, not only just in our county, but it’ll be something that they can use no matter what city they go to.”

The board’s $20 million extension, paid for with fiscal year 2024 operating funds, will enable Metro to retain the benefits of this pilot program while the agency continues to identify other funding opportunities.

“By eliminating the cost and worry of transit fare for students across the county, this program is helping students and their families focus on their academic success and other goals,” said Hilda L. Solis, LA County supervisor and Metro board member. “Not only are we eliminating transportation costs from being a barrier to students’ access to opportunities, but we’re also encouraging the next generation of LA County leaders to ride Metro to get where they need and want to go.”

SINCE

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PRESIDENT:

VICE PRESIDENT:

The GoPass pilot program was created as part of Metro’s

to provide

transit passes for K-14 students across Los Angeles County.

Dignity Health nurses radiate human kindness

By Dignity Health — California Hospital Medical Center

Each day, nurses dedicate their time and efforts into caring for patients while comforting families. They work tirelessly and selflessly to ensure each and every individual that enters a health care facility receives the greatest care possible. Yet even in the most challenging of circumstances and with the most devastating of outcomes, they maintain their purpose while radiating human kindness.

In May, a special time known as Nurses Week is devoted to recognizing these unsung heroes for all that they do. At Dignity Health — California Hospital Medical Center (CHMC), the week is filled with activities and treats

intended to remind the nurses how valued and appreciated they are year-round.

“Here at California Hospital, we take the time during Nurses Week to ensure all of our nursing professionals are fully aware of how essential each of them are,” said Alina Moran, CHMC president. “Every day, patients from the communities we serve come into our hospital in need of high-quality care with a compassionate touch, and that is exactly what our nurses provide them.”

Two nurses at CHMC stand out for going above and beyond the nursing call of duty.

Ju Young Jung, a critical care nurse who was recently awarded the Acts of Humankindness award for embodying the core values of Dignity Health, offers her translation services to her patients through her fluency in four languages, brings baked goods to her co-workers, and constantly lifts the spirits of those around her when they are at their peak stress level.

Before joining the CHMC team, Jung spent three years living in Africa serving as a missionary, nurse and educator, offering her expertise to people living in remote villages while teaching local children how to speak English. In the absence of many amenities, Jung had to learn to cut her own hair, a skill that would serve her well down the line. She now provides her hair-cutting abilities to her patients, particularly those who are homeless, helping them look and feel clean, while boosting their spirits.

A second nurse at CHMC, Leahn Ignacio, has been a vital part of the hospital team for 19 years. Outside the walls of the facility, however, she is more than just a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse.

Ignacio serves as a deaconess at Iglesia Ni Cristo in the San Fernando Valley, helping her church donate food to underserved members of the local communities. She also plays a crucial role in keeping the environment

ADVERTORIAL

healthy by leading the way in tree-planting initiatives in the community. Additionally, she takes the time to help mentor the younger generation of nurses at CHMC by serving as their preceptor, while sharing her faith in God with colleagues and patients to help them connect with their spiritual side during times of distress.

During Nurses Week, it’s important to recognize how important these health care professionals are to us all. They lead by example through their compassionate spirit while providing their medical expertise to all those who seek care.

To learn more about the nursing program at CHMC, visit https://bit.ly/DignityHealthCANurses.

Nurses and hospital teams, thank you for leading with skill and compassion.

Amid ever-changing circumstances and countless demands, nurses and hospital teams are constantly evolving to meet patient needs and elevate care. Your partnership, leadership and ingenuity are an inspiration to all of us. On behalf of patients and our people at Dignity Health – California Hospital Medical Center, thank you for the life-saving work you do.

Happy Nurses Week and Happy Hospital Week!

Dignity Health/Submitted

Ju Young Jung spent three years living in Africa serving as a missionary, nurse and educator, offering her expertise to people living in remote villages while teaching local children how to speak English.

Dignity Health/Submitted

Leahn Ignacio serves as a deaconess at Iglesia Ni Cristo in the San Fernando Valley, helping her church donate food to underserved members of the local communities.

Mental Health Awareness

LACDMH brings community together

By LA Downtown News Staff

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health has launched its Take Action for Mental Health LA County campaign, which focuses on helping county residents support their own mental health and the mental health of people around them.

The campaign’s call to action encourages people to take action for themselves and others through the LACDMH 24/7 Help Line and the myriad resources available from LACDMH, the nation’s largest public mental health department. It aims to prevent and reduce risk factors by decreasing stigma surrounding mental illness and providing people the tools and connections to seek help for themselves or a loved one.

As part of the campaign, more than 400 grant-funded community events will take place throughout May and June, including free fairs, art festivals, after-school programs, yoga and 5K run/ walk activities, professional conferences, mental health trainings and outreach campaigns. LACDMH also awarded over $8.9 million in grants to 110 community organizations to promote well-being, resilience and community connection. The list of grantees includes Asian Mental Health Project, Black Women for Wellness, Center Theatre Group of Los Angeles, Chinatown Service Center, Girls Club of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Unified School District, Mental Health America of Los Angeles, Minority AIDS Project, Sycamores and Youth with Purpose.

Each of the upcoming events, including the free community fairs in each of the eight LA County service planning areas, will provide free resources; connections; physical and mental well-beingthemed giveaway items; and free meals in warm, celebratory atmospheres that

will foster community and togetherness. All events will focus on decreasing stigma and discrimination, increasing help-seeking behaviors, and awareness of and access to mental health services and resources.

Upcoming community events in and around Downtown LA include the CVJP Take Action for Mental Health LA Fair, a veteran mental health resource gala held at Patriotic Hall on Wednesday, May 17, focusing on suicide prevention, destigmatizing mental health outreach and providing access to services; “HEAL HEAR HERE – a free art healing event open to all,” a reparative afternoon of collective care with 30 artists selected by 30 organizations featuring music, processions, movement and workshops held at 1245 N. Spring Street on Saturday, May 20; and Creating Mental Wellbeing Through Pelvic Health at the Kapayapaan (Peace) Festival, a free healing arts festival in Historic Filipinotown highlighting mental well-being through pelvic health education, support group and holistic, integrative services that will be held at the Filipino Cultural Center Los Angeles on Saturday, May 20.

“LACDMH recognizes the importance of listening to our stakeholders and partnering with our diverse communities to meet LA County residents where they are,” Los Angeles County Director Dr. Lisa H. Wong said . “The breadth of Take Action for Mental Health LA County campaign events exemplifies the collaboration and the village it takes to form an interconnected community support system that promotes empathy, selfcare, and care for others.

“Our hope is that the Take Action for Mental Health LA County campaign will create healthy dialogue, reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, and encourage use of DMH resources.”

Covered California will help DT CONSIDER THIS Working Kitties Field Report

On the job 24/7

By Ellen Snortland

LA Downtown News Contributing Writer

Rocking on my porch, my dear friend Michelle and I looked to our right and saw Tuck, a feral kitty, come for some kibble. We were both in tears because he had been AWOL for a few weeks.

“We had cats at our family bakery. My dad created Ezekiel bread, and an organic bakery will not use poison for rodents, that’s for sure,” she said. “The cats were all feral: some friendly, others not so much.”

Michelle’s been the greatest cheerleader in my project to reduce our rodent population without using poison.

You may own a small business or warehouse in Downtown Los Angeles, live near a restaurant, or have a home in the San Gabriel Valley. No matter where you live, you’ve probably seen a rat or two and wondered how to combat them safely.

Working cats to the rescue!

Even Disneyland in Anaheim uses working cats for this purpose since, as they say, “There’s only room for one rodent here!”

In early March, I wrote a column about working cats and that I’d applied to have two feline rodent hunters for our home in Altadena. A week later, Rosa of kittybungalow.org and I stood on my front porch; she had come to set up the enclosure for the two cats that I’d I renamed Nip and Tuck. After I told Rosa I had already written a column, she said, “I hope you do a follow-up column; we need the exposure and the donations to spay and neuter more kittens.” I promised I would, and here it is.

I’m happy to report that we’ve seen a marked decrease in rodent activity since the kitties moved here. Hurrah!

I was already fervently against the use of poison. I became even more committed as I witnessed a life-anddeath drama via Facebook during the darkest depths of the COVID-19 pandemic. My friend Bonnie Schindler witnessed a mature owl’s horrific struggle against an internal injury. Bonnie said, “The crows were dive-bombing Owliver, the name we gave the owl.” It had

all the markers of rat poisoning. The Schindlers were able to get Owliver to the Wildlife Care of Southern California (wildlifecareofsocal.org). It turned out Owliver was in the throes of death from a parasite that had dug into his brain behind his eyes.

That Owliver wasn’t poisoned doesn’t matter as much as having the image of the magnificent winged apex predator struggling seared on my brain forever. Birds of prey are especially vulnerable to rat poison: hawks, eagles and owls. This is a double tragedy because the fewer birds of prey, the more rats can proliferate.

Other animals and our pets can eat rat poison or the poisoned rats themselves. Not good! Yet we see rat control trucks around here a lot. Stop it! If Disney can use feral cats, so can you. Seriously.

Naïve as I am, I thought feral kitty fostering would be a noncontroversial project. As it turns out, someone I love and respect dearly took umbrage over our feral kitty adoption, and they weren’t the only ones. They were concerned about cats killing birds. I also care about birds … and not being overrun by rampant rat populations. The fewer unplanned litters, the fewer smaller birds are taken by starving cats.

As it is, I feed our feral kitties once a day. They return because they know they can get a good square meal. Meanwhile, their very presence discourages rats.

JUDGE’S OPINION

Hey you! Speak up!

Downtown News wants to hear from people in the community. If you like or dislike a story, let us know, or weigh in on something you feel is important to the community.

Participation is easy. Go to downtownnews.com, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the “Letter to the Editor” link. For guest opinion proposals, please email christina@timespublications.com.

Back to Michelle and me. She knew that I was so sad … I haven’t seen the little Russian blue female, Nip, for three weeks. She might have become a link in the food chain, or as Michelle and my husband, Ken, comfort me, “She might have found a better deal in another yard.”

Speaking of Ken, we now have the benefit of kitties without setting off the intense asthma attack he gets whenever he’s around felines. I’ve never seen a face swell up and breathing become so difficult in another human being as I did when Ken visited a home but had forgotten to ask the owner if they had cats, as he would have stayed outside.

Because we have a large property, I applied for and got another two kitties from Kitty Bungalow: Charm School for Wayward Cats. Michelle is so pleased, as she is a feline fan extraordinaire. Here’s to sterilized feral kitties and their war on rodents — and poison — which benefits us all.

If you’re interested, here’s where you

can apply for feral cats anywhere in Southern California:

• Paw Mission – Rodent Rangers: thepawmission.org/rangers.html.

• Kitty Bungalow – Working Cat: kittybungalow.org/workingcat (This is whom we’re working with. I love their subtitle “Charm School for Wayward Cats”).

• Kitten Rescue – Cats on Pawtrol: kittenrescue.org/2019/12/cats-onpawtrol.

P.S. Bonnie Schindler and Elizabeth Tatum are presenting a voice recital at Pasadena Presbyterian’s Music at Noon series on Wednesday, May 31. Just show up! Pasadena Presbyterian Church 585 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena.

2023 marks the 30th year that Ellen Snortland has written this column. She also teaches creative writing online and can be reached at ellen@ beautybitesbeast.com. Her award-winning film “Beauty Bites Beast” is available for download or streaming at vimeo.com/ ondemand/beautybitesbeast.

Ellen Snortland

DTHEALTH

Doctors Fight to Unionize Loma Linda medical

residents, mental health advocates gather

at City Hall

By Leah Schwartz

LA Downtown News Staff Writer

Medical residents at Loma Linda University Medical Center are fighting for accommodations that most take for granted: fair wages, sustainable working conditions and work-life balance.

On April 27, preceding Mental Health Awareness Month in May, medical residents at LLUMC and mental health advocates gathered at Los Angeles City Hall to shed light on the ongoing and under-reported physician suicide crisis in the United States and reflect on possible solutions.

Working in the medical field is stressful enough, but combined with burnout, sleep deprivation, and sparse access to mental health services, it can be deadly. According to reports from the American College of Emergency Physicians, approximately 300 to 400 doctors died by suicide last year in the Unite States, not including unreported attempts.

In limbo between full-fledged doc -

tors and students, medical residents are among the most vulnerable in the medical field, sometimes working 80-hour weeks and often barely making minimum wage. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, 30% of medical residents and students suffer from depression and 10% experience suicidal ideation.

Dr. Jessica Muñoz, an emergency medicine resident physician at LLUMC, explained that there had been multiple suicide attempts and completions at the medical center and relayed that many of her co-residents currently struggle with mental health and even suicidal ideation. “But you don’t hear about those stories,” she said. “It’s bad for the press.”

Dr. Darya Tajfiroozeh, a pediatric resident at LLUMC, gave a firsthand account of conditions at the medical center. “We work over 12 hours a day, 12, or sometimes more, days in a row. We switch between night and day shifts like we don’t have a sleep-wake cycle. We frequently work 24- to 28-hour shifts, like our bod -

ies were not designed to eat or sleep. We get four days off a month like there’s no other aspect to our lives.”

She continued, “It only took a few months of residency for me to notice myself changing in the most negative way, from an excited first-year resident who looked forward to going to work to help people to a broken one who just needed to survive another day at work. Many days I didn’t even have any desire to take care of myself, let alone someone else.”

Tajfiroozeh described account after account of similar anonymous resident experiences: breakdowns, depression, burnout and life-ending thoughts. One unnamed resident fainted at work before taking a leave of absence after working themself to exhaustion, taking on two extra jobs on top of their 60to 80-hour week at the hospital just to make ends meet. She detailed watching many of her previous health co-residents experiencing suicidal ideation and panic attacks and now on anti-depres -

sants, stating plainly, “This is physician abuse.”

With a physician shortage in the Unites States, it’s imperative that hospitals create a safety net for residents and physicians, not only for health care providers but for patients as well.

“Young residents and interns are people we will be relying on. We need them to be well in the field that’s already short. We need to be able to support them,” said Harold Turner, executive director at the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “This is truly a case of the cobbler’s children having no shoes. … We’ve invested a lot in these young people, and our future depends on them.”

Feeling unheard and undervalued, residents at LLUMC filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to join the Union of American Physicians and Dentists on Monday, Feb. 13. An unfair labor practice charge was also filed with the NLRB against LLUMC for cohersive statements.

“To address physician suicide, you

Chris Mortenson/Staff

On the steps of City Hall, medical residents Dr. Jessica Muñoz and Dr. Darya Tajfiroozeh speak on the rising rate of physician suicide in the nation.

must be willing to change your system at every level. You have to listen to your employees and their needs. We have to hold these institutions accountable for each and every life that we have lost at the expense of their dirty pockets,” Dr. Muñoz said. “When we stand together and collectively bargain for better working conditions through a union, we stand to improve our spiritual, emotional and physical health to improve the lives of our children, brothers, sisters and loved ones.”

After filing the petition, residents were met with swift legal retaliation from the LLUMC legal team. In the hopes of forestalling the union election, LLUMC demanded a preelection hearing, lasting 12 days, raising issues that had been previously determined by federal courts, Congress and the NLRB.

During the hearing, the LLMC sought to reclassify residents as students, overturning their employee status, following a 25-year precedent. The medical center, a Seventh-day Adventist health

care institution, also raised religious objections, which federal courts and Congress had previously rejected. The institution even went so far as to assert that residents are not doctors but religious ministers.

“This was a massive hearing record. … It’s very clearly a delay tactic,” said attorney Michaela Posner, representing the union, who remains optimistic. “We look forward to receiving a decision and direction of election in this case, sooner than later, so that residents and fellows at Loma Linda can finally get the union. Loma Linda’s needless delay tactics cannot succeed.”

Residents hope to join the union by June before many finish their residency programs. Their first order of business will include call rooms for medical residents working 24-hour shifts or more and a livable salary. Other possible dockets include maternity leave, lactation rooms, housing and food stipends, and financial aid toward licensing exams.

Chris Mortenson/Staff

Attorney Michaela Posner relays the roadblocks LLUMC residents have hit in their fight to unionize.

The Next Generation Dinosaur Ball raises over $1.4M for Natural History Museum

By LA Downtown News Staff

To help foster the next generation of scientists and museum professionals, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County has raised more than $1.4 million through its 2023 Dinosaur Ball. The donations will go toward the museum’s ESTEAM programs, which engage participants in the fields of environmental education, science, technology, engineering and math.

The biennial ball, the first in-person gala since 2019, ran with the theme of “Deep Time,” inspired by the museum’s research and collections with a nod to the current exhibition “LA Underwater: The Prehistoric Sea Beneath Us.”

Guests began the evening with an experiential cocktail hour featuring outdoor opportunities in the Natural History Museum’s nature gardens to experience the sights and sounds of the earth 100 million years ago and immer-

sive elements indoors that celebrated “Opening Night at the Museum in 1913” with live music and pop-up dance performances.

This year’s Dinosaur Ball was hosted by the Board of Trustees of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, with trustees Esther Chui-Chao and Robert Procop serving as co-chairs for the event. Notable guests included television personality Tawny Little, who emceed bidding on exclusive behind-thescenes science experiences; television producer Marcy Carsey; and actress Paula Patton.

The Natural History Museum’s ESTEAM programs supported by the event include its Marine Teen Internship Program, the National Science Foundation-funded Understanding Nature and Los Angeles Biodiversity (UNLAB) postbaccalaureate research and mentorship program, and projects supported by

state Outdoor Equity Grant funding. The museum developed these programs for youth and teens, as well as postbaccalaureate mentoring opportunities, in an effort to reflect the diversity of LA and illustrate the Natural History Museum’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and mentorship.

The Marine Teen Internship Program helps local teens gain exposure to museum research, collections, interpretation, program development, and critical knowledge and skills that will enhance their academic achievement and broaden their future career options.

The UNLAB postbaccalaureate mentoring program facilitates biodiversity research, mentorship, professional development and educational enrichment for mentees with a focus of understanding nature and the biodiversity of LA through museum collections and fieldbased research.

Outdoor Equity Grants engage residents near the Natural History Museum to explore the nature in and around LA, by providing 850 people from the community 14 activity days.

“From our Outdoor Equity Program, Adventures-in-Nature camps and community science activities to our high school marine science and postbaccalaureate internships, we are playing an increasingly crucial role in providing youth in underserved communities with the tools, training and mentorship that will enable them to become the scientists and innovators of tomorrow,” said Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, president and director at the museum.

“At the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, we believe it is urgent that we nurture our children to achieve their very best, providing them the experiences and support they need and deserve to fulfill their potential.”

Gina Cholick/Contributor

Esther Chui-Chao, Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County trustee and co-chair of the 2023 Dinosaur Ball, with John Edwards and Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County trustee Nancy Edwards.

Gina Cholick/Contributor

Robert Procop, Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County trustee and co-chair of the 2023 Dinosaur Ball.

Gina Cholick/Contributor

Roni Cleveland and chef John Cleveland of Neighborhood Grill by Post & Beam at NHM enter the 2023 Dinosaur Ball at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Gina Cholick/Contributor

Joe and Celia Ward-Wallace, SLAC Hospitality, with Shana Mathur, chief strategy and external affairs officer, Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, and her husband Brian Bristol, attend the 2023 Dinosaur Ball at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Gina Cholick/Contributor

NHMLAC trustee emeritus Paul Haaga Jr. and his wife, Heather Haaga, attend the 2023 Dinosaur Ball at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Gina Cholick/Contributor

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell speaks at the 2023 Dinosaur Ball.

Gina Cholick/Contributor

Emily Lindsey, co-curator of La Brea Tar Pits, and Heather de Roos, president of the board of trustees of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, at the 2023 Dinosaur Ball at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Gina Cholick/Contributor

Tawny Little speaks at the 2023 Dinosaur Ball at the Natural History Museum.

Gina Cholick/Contributor

Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, president and director of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, speaks with Myesha Ward, director of social impact, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, at the 2023 Dinosaur Ball at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Should I go to the ER or urgent care?

By PIH Health

When you or a loved one is experiencing a health problem, determining what to do or where to go can be confusing. Here are a few guidelines.

If you’re experiencing a serious injury or life-threatening emergency, call 911.

The emergency room is your best choice for:

• Chest pain and symptoms of heart attack.

• Stroke symptoms.

• Severe breathing problems.

• Bleeding injuries.

• Major injuries, especially head injuries.

• Serious burns.

• Broken bones.

• Poisoning.

• Major allergic reactions.

PIH Health has emergency rooms at its Good Samaritan, Whittier and Downey hospitals.

Urgent care saves time and money.

For conditions that are not serious, urgent care is faster and more cost effective than the emergency room. You can walk in to receive care — no appointment is needed. Urgent care centers can provide care for routine illnesses and injuries, such as:

• Cold and flu symptoms.

• Earaches.

• Bladder/vaginal infections.

• Mild asthma flare-ups.

• Minor lacerations.

• Back pain.

• Stomach problems.

• Joint pains.

• Sprains/strains.

• Rashes.

“Urgent care center physicians and staff will check you over and, if needed, provide treatment, perform basic tests and X-rays, and write prescriptions, or even transport you directly to the appropriate hospital for additional intensive treatment,” explained Dr. Roberto Madrid, vice president, medical group operations at PIH Health.

PIH Health has urgent care centers in the Westlake area of Los Angeles, Montebello, Whittier, Downey, Hacienda Heights, Santa Fe Springs and La Habra.

For more information on PIH Health emergency rooms and urgent care centers, visit pihhealth.org/locations.

If you have a sprained ankle, flu-like symptoms, a urinary tract infection or another non-life-threatening health issue, visiting a PIH Health urgent care center might be the most convenient way to get the care you need.

PIH Health/Submitted

People who need to see a medical professional can walk in and receive same-day care when their regular doctors are not available. Additionally, urgent care centers have shorter wait times and cost less than a trip to a hospital emergency room.

PIH Health/Submitted

PIH Health/Submitted

PIH Health Urgent Care Center Westlake is located at 2200 W. Third Street, Suite 120, Los Angeles, in the Westlake area, just west of Downtown Los Angeles.

THANK YOU!

HAPPY NURSES WEEK

PIH Health celebrates and honors our nurses for all of their contributions to caring for our patients. Nurses offer our communities hope for a healthier future by working collaboratively each day to deliver high-quality and compassionate care.

Thank you, nurses, for all you do.

PIH Health Downey Hospital

PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital

PIH Health Whittier Hospital

PIH Health Physicians

PIH Health Home Health

Covered California will helpDTENTERTAINMENT

80 Years of Visceral Entertainment ‘18th & Grand’ celebrates the Olympic Auditorium

Special to LA Downtown News

Everyone has an Olympic Auditorium story, from watching a championship boxing match to cheering on the Mexican masked wrestlers to slam dancing at a punk rock show. For nearly 80 years (1925 to 2005), LA’s Olympic Auditorium was a focal point for sports and culture in Los Angeles, serving as the home for visceral entertainment and competition.

For the multitudes of Angelenos who entered the massive arena or watched a bout on their living room TV screens, the Olympic conjures memories of courage, drama and communal raucousness.

On Aug. 11, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes will open “18th & Grand: The Olympic Auditorium,” an immersive, multimedia exhibition that will encompass both floors of the Downtown museum, remembering characters of a disappearing world and connecting the venue to seminal events and cultural movements throughout LA history. The exhibition is cocurated by filmmaker Stephen DeBro, Latino boxing historian Gene Aguilera, and LA Plaza curators Karen Crews Hendon and Esperanza Sanchez.

Gathered from multiple collections, including the Theo Ehret Estate, the Bob Willoughby Photo Archive, Jaime Hernández, Frank Aragon, Gary Powers Glenn Bray and others, the exhibit will feature distinctive objects and relics, including embroidered boxing robes, hand-stitched lucha masks, race-worn roller skates, art, illustration, photography, film, oral histories, boxing posters, wrestling programs and punk rock fliers.

The public is invited to share their own Olympic Auditorium stories and artifacts by contacting LA Plaza’s curatorial team at curatorial@lapca.org or 213-542-6247 that could be incorporated into the exhibition or a special public program. The types of objects sought for the exhibition include boxing, roller derby and lucha libre/wrestling memorabilia, as well as ticket stubs, posters, fliers and photography. For anyone who would like to share their stories, the exhibit will offer a recording booth to capture favorite memories.

Leticia Buckley, LA Plaza’s chief executive officer, recalled, “My dad, who immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico in the ’50s, recalls fondly the many nights he spent at the Olympic Auditorium. He loves to rattle off the names of boxing greats he was lucky to witness live. Jump forward 40 years, and I’m standing in the parking lot of The Olympic, watching Rage Against the Machine attempt to

dismantle a system with a drum beat and a guitar lick.

“I look forward to hearing from fellow Angelenos about how The Olympic rocked their world, too. I’m thrilled that LA Plaza is the home for the world premiere of this monumental exhibit.”

“Growing up in LA, the Olympic made an indelible imprint on my childhood memories,” said filmmaker Steve DeBro, “18th & Grand: The Olympic Auditorium Story.”

“The T-Birds coming back to win on the final jam, Freddie Blassie’s outrageous trash talk, Jimmy Lennon’s musical voice, the gallantry of Danny ‘Little Red’ Lopez and the early ’80s punk rock shows feel ingrained in my DNA. When making my documentary about the Olympic years later, I realized that it wasn’t just spectacle, but a mirror on the city’s history, its vibrant subcultures and unique characters. It still has a lot to teach us about who we are and how we got here.”

Gene Aguilera, Latino boxing historian and author, shared, “The Olympic was known as boxing’s epicenter, and from its opening in 1925 to its last fight in 2005, most boxers and their fans were of Mexican and Mexican American origin. It became the rite of passage for many Mexican boxers to cross the border, make Los Angeles their home, and become a world champion for

their burgeoning and devoted Latino public. … I invite everyone to revel in this once in a lifetime presentation of all the important stories and artifacts of the glory days of the venerable ‘Theater of the Violent.’ Los Angeles, this is for you.”

“The Olympic Auditorium was a place that broke rules, transcended social norms, and generated thrilling excitement that energized the public and catalyzed cultural connection,” said Karen Crews Hendon, LA Plaza’s director of exhibitions and senior curator.

“The Olympic was a maker of new heroes, where Black, brown and Asian athletes conquered the ring with comradery and competition, championing roles of identity and representation in LA that crossed borders and brought people together regardless of their differences.”

“The Olympic Auditorium was a space

where social movements manifested in political and civil rights rallies,” added Esperanza Sanchez, associate curator. “These gatherings reflect the intersectional stories and histories of diverse communities in Los Angeles. Today, the site remains an important hub for Korean Christians and a community of worshipers attending services and events at the Glory Church of Jesus Christ.”

A series of programs in conjunction with the exhibition is in the works, including an opening event on Sunday, Aug. 20, featuring family-friendly activities and an outdoor concert; an afternoon of roller derby memories; a night of lucha libre; the screening of the “18th and Grand: The Olympic Auditorium Story” documentary; and a series of pláticas/panel discussions featuring boxing, wrestling and roller derby legends.

The exhibition runs through May 12, 2024.

“18th & Grand: The Olympic Auditorium Story”

WHEN: Various times Aug. 11 to May 12, 2024

WHERE: LA Plaza de Cultura Y Artes, 501 N. Main Street, Los Angeles

COST: Visit website for charge

INFO: 18thandgrand.com

Bob Willoughby Estate, The Bob Willoughby Photo Archive/Submitted

Bob Willoughby (1927-2009). “Big Jay McNeely at the Olympic Auditorium,” circa 1951. Black and white photograph.

Theo Ehret Estate/Submitted

Theo Ehret (1920-2012). Exterior, Olympic Auditorium, April 1970. Black and white photograph.

Theo Ehret Estate/Submitted

Theo Ehret (1920-2012). “Mil Máscaras and Ernie Ladd at the Olympic Auditorium,” circa 1970s. Black and white photograph.

Hap Navarro Boxing Collection/Submitted

Photographer unknown. “Art Aragon at the Main Street Gym” circa 1951. Black and white photograph.

Collection of Gary Powers, Roller Derby Hall of Fame/Submitted

Roller derby promotional image. “Honey Sanchez,” circa 1960. Color Photograph.

Covered California will helpDTENTERTAINMENT

Don’t Dream It’s Over Crowded House makes good on postponed tour

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski LA Downtown News Executive Editor

Crowded House was forced to postpone its last North American tour due to the drummer’s back injury.

Vocalist/guitarist Neil Finn said he’s looking forward to making good on the jaunt.

“We’re in rehearsal at the moment,” he said in late April. “I just got here from New Zealand. The band has gathered from different parts of the world. It’s a joyous occasion when we get together.”

The Australian band — which includes Neil ; his sons, guitarist/singer Liam Finn and drummer Elroy Finn; original bassist Nick Seymour and producer/keyboardist Mitchell Froom — is touring in support of its seventh studio album, 2021’s “Dreamers are Waiting.”

“It was a project of the pandemic, really,” Neil said of the album. “We were lucky enough to start the project off in real studios in Los Angeles for two to three weeks. All the rhythm tracks were done. We had to cancel our last week

because the studio closed.

“We continued on a lot of Zooming. Some of us ended up playing together. I was lucky enough to be in a bubble with our sons. We had to exchange files with each other. We were making music any way we could.”

Crowded House performed livestream concerts during the shutdown and concentrated, individually, on the record. The musicians worked on their own, allowing them to discover and explore new sounds.

“Part of that is a restlessness to not repeat the formulas,” he said about Crowded House’s history of timeless music.

“Part of it is accidental. There’s really no manual for music. There’s always this mystery and element of chance. Endurance is the thing that gets them over the line.”

Originally active from 1985 to 1996, Crowded House found success in the United States with its self-titled debut, which spawned the hits “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Something So Strong.” Subsequent tracks included “Fall at Your

Feet,” “Weather with You,” “Chocolate Cake” and “Not the Girl You Think You Are.”

Crowded House disbanded in 1996 and reunited in 2020 with the current lineup. The act is one of the fortunate few who could perform during the pandemic, as New Zealand isolated on a national scale.

“We were able to play a tour in New Zealand when the whole world was locked down,” he said. “New Zealand was eluding the virus with the airport lockdown. We were more isolated. We did a two-week tour of New Zealand. We were very privileged. It’s been tricky to navigate.”

Between pandemic-dictated postponements and Elroy’s back surgery,

touring has been tough to navigate. Now the band is in the best shape it’s ever been, Neil explained, in terms of the sound.

“We have Mitchell Froom, our original producer, on keyboardist,” he said. “Things like ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ never sounded better because he’s the guy who played it. We asked him to join the band back in the day. He finally saw the light, and now he’s in the band.

“Liam and Elroy are two of my favorite musicians. My old cohort, the original bassist, who’s traveling well, he’s in the band. We’ll be playing most of the songs that people are most familiar with and fond of, but we are able to play our album that we were never able to play (due to the pandemic).”

Crowded House

WHEN: 7 p.m. Monday, May 8, and Tuesday, May 9

WHERE: The Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles

COST: Tickets start at $50

INFO: livenation.com

From left, guitarist/singer Liam Finn, drummer Elroy Finn, vocalist/guitarist Neil Finn, producer/keyboardist Mitchell Froom and original bassist Nick Seymour perform as Crowded House.

Covered California will help DTENTERTAINMENT Event Announcements

LA Live venues bring the top acts

By LA Downtown News Staff

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson will embark on a global tour in celebration of the 20th anniversary of his debut album, “Get Rich or Die Tryin’.”

Produced by Live Nation and presented by Sire Spirits, The Final Lap Tour will make a stop on Aug. 30 at Crypto.com Arena.

The Final Lap Tour will feature the rap icon performing dozens of fan-favorite and chart-topping hits, along with select tracks that have not been performed live in decades.

Plus, the tour will feature support from special guest and longtime friend Busta Rhymes across all dates and Jeremih supporting on all North American dates, with more special guests to be announced.

Jackson’s Sire Spirits brands, Branson Cognac and Le Chemin du Roi Champagne, will be available throughout the tour and at select Live Nation venues for other events.

This relationship ties into Live Nation’s commitment to diversity and supporting fully Black-owned brands, of which Sire Spirits is one of the few.

Since the release of “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” he has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. Jackson has leveraged his star power to achieve unparalleled success as an entrepreneur, actor, director and executive producer.

Jackson continues to break records. He holds the record for the highest-rated premiere of a series on Starz with “Power Book II: Ghost.”

The general on-sale starts at 10 a.m. Friday, May 12, at Ticketmaster.com.

Other upcoming shows at Crypto.com Arena and the Microsoft Theater include:

Microsoft Theater

Ricardo Montaner: May 6

Fantasia with Joe: May 26

Edwin Luna Y La Trakalosa de Monterrey: May 28

Mike Salazar: June 2

CNCO: June 3

Latin Legends: June 10

Druski: July 14

House of Cheer: July 15

RuPaul Drag Race: July 16

UB40, Men at Work, Smashmouth: July 21

El Fantasma: July 22

Banda Cuisillos: July 29

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony: July 30

Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour: Aug. 5

Santa Fe Klan: Aug. 11

The Australian Pink Floyd Show: Aug. 12

Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy: Aug. 13

Felipe Esparza: Oct. 7

Alejandro Sanz: Oct. 14

Banda El Recodo: Sept. 30

Harout Pamboukjian: Oct. 1

Caifanes: Nov. 4

Carlos Vives: Nov. 5

Grupo Frontera: Nov. 25

Tini: Dec. 31

Crypto.com Arena

Erykah Badu: June 17

Eslabon Armado: July 15

Jurassic World Live Tour: July 21 to July 23

Los Angeles Salsa Festival: July 29

Lil Baby: Aug. 5

Drake and 21 Savage: Aug. 21 and Aug. 22

Zach Bryan: Aug. 23

Monster Jam: Aug. 25 to Aug. 27

50 Cent: Aug. 30

Carin Leon: Sept. 16

Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival: Sept. 23 and Sept. 24

Madonna: Sept. 27 to Sept. 28, Sept. 30, Oct. 1

SZA: Oct. 22 and Oct. 23

Old Dominion: Oct. 27

Pepe Aguilar: Nov. 3 and Nov. 4

Lauren Daigle: Nov. 10

Depeche Mode: Dec. 15

Anita Baker: Dec. 22

Covered California will help DTDINING

Something’s Brewing Downtown

Realtor helps turn little-known neighborhood into fermentation hub

By Leah Schwartz LA Downtown News Staff Writer

No one knows exactly what to call the small strip of land between Chinatown and Lincoln Heights, running along the LA River. Some call it Mission Junction — others, more aptly, the Fermentation District.

In the last half-decade, a smattering of breweries and wineries have popped up in the area, ushered in by the recent renovation of the Los Angeles State Historic Park, favorable zoning laws for breweries, affordable rent and half-forgotten history. Businesses like Homage Brewing, Highland Park Brewery, 101 Cider House, Angeleno Wine Co. and Benny Boy Brewing have all had a hand in the neighborhood’s brewing renaissance.

Moreover, behind the scenes, Evan Jurgensen, senior vice president of Lee & Associates in Downtown Los Angeles, has also shaped the neighborhood into the emerging Fermentation District, leasing and selling many of the newest properties in the area.

Driving home from work six years ago, Jurgensen, who specializes in selling and leasing commercial properties, knew the neighborhood had the potential to be big and quickly began working in the area. The large industrial-looking buildings decorating the community looked sparse, but inside, they were a veritable hub of creativity with art studios and other creative ventures. “I think once more people figure out this area exists, they’ll love it … This feels like the next Arts District, and nobody knows it yet,” he said.

Jurgensen’s gamble paid off. In addition to the numerous craft alcohol producers, there has been an influx of residential housing and creative office spaces, with young professionals migrating from the increasingly expensive Westside.

Highland Park Brewing was the first mover in the neighborhood in 2018, closely followed by Angeleno Wine Co. Then came 101 Cider House in 2019, followed by Homage Brewing and Benny Boy Brewing in the post-pandemic years. Jurgensen, whose office is a block from Highland Park Brewing, is well known in the community and facilitated real estate development for 101 Cider House and Benny Boy Brewing.

While this is a recent revival, the area has a storied history surrounding early alcohol production in California. Long before the rolling hillside vineyards of Napa Valley, LA

Chris Mortenson/Staff

Evan Jurgensen, senior vice president of Lee & Associates in Downtown Los Angeles, at his office in the Fermentation District.

was the locus of wine production in California, the remnants, which can be seen on the neighborhood’s street signs — Naud Street, Mesnager Street and Wilhardt Street — all named after winemakers.

Previously, alcohol producers in LA were only allowed to operate in the highest level of industrial zoning. But in 2013, the city adopted the Cornfield Arroyo Seco Specific Plan, which allowed zoning for fermentation operations to incentivize residential and business growth in the area.

“We’ve just built a little bit of a community here of alcohol producers. … It’s really fun to have a community of drinkers and drink makers here,” said Amy Luftig Viste,

co-owner of Angeleno Wine Co.

The neighborhood continues to grow with several apartment buildings in the works, spurred on by the development of the area and the revitalization of the Los Angeles State Historic Park, the largest open space in Downtown.

In the future, Jurgensen sees the area as a bustling neighborhood, blending residential life and breweries — a perfect blend of work and play.

“This is going to be a destination where people just want to hang out at the park for the afternoon and grab a drink,” Jurgensen relayed.

Homage Brewing

1219 N. Main Street, Los Angeles 909-461-6962, homagebrewing.com

Highland Park Brewery

220 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles 213-878-9017, hpb.la

101 Cider House

119 Wilhardt Street, Los Angeles 323-352-3987, 101cider.com

Angeleno Wine Co.

1646 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles 213-399-8864, angelenowine.com

Benny Boy Brewing

1821 Daly Street, Los Angeles

bennyboybrewing.com

Chris Mortenson/Staff

Homage Brewing is among the smattering of breweries that have popped up in the Fermentation District in recent years.

Chris Mortenson/Staff

Evan Jurgensen and Chelsey Rosetter, co-owner of Benny Boy Brewing.

Covered California will help DTDINING

A Culinary Celebration Mother’s Day events abound in DTLA

By Luke Netzley

LA Downtown News Deputy Editor

In celebration of Mother’s Day weekend, Downtown Los Angeles’ The Palm restaurant will unveil new specials from Friday, May 12, to Sunday, May 14. For chef Omari Williams, the experience was built to feel like home.

“We wanted to offer something that mothers would love,” he said. “We’re right in the right in the heart of Downtown … next to LA Live. We have this beautiful building, and it just feels like a home.”

The Palm’s Mother’s Day specials will include a lobster ravioli appetizer, a filet mignon topped with lobster scampi and the “Ruby Fizz” cocktail made with strawberry puree, Passoa, Licor 43, pro -

secco and strawberry cream, garnished with a strawberry slice.

“We’re known for our USDA prime steak … (and) our lobsters coming out of Nova Scotia,” Williams said. “You’re going to get a little bit of a claw and tail meat and a nice white wine scampi sauce. … It pairs great with either white or red wine, probably either a sauvignon blanc or a pinot noir, something that’s going to be sweet, not overpower the lobster, but also bring out the flavor of the steak.”

Williams called the weekend celebration a “collaborative effort” from the culinary team, as his peers raised ideas of balancing light and bold, land and sea.

“It’s like our little play on a surf and turf, but it’s nice and it’s light,” he de -

scribed. “You’re not going to be full or stuffed when you get out of here, but you’re going to enjoy the sea and the land. That’s where we’re coming from.”

Williams, who has worked under the likes of famed chef and restauranteur Wolfgang Puck and appeared on shows such as Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen,” learned to cook in his family kitchen. He was inspired by his mother, Karen Little, and grandmother Danny Kay Ross.

“My mother played a huge part,” Williams said. “I was originally a computer science person, and in my junior year I read a book by Anthony Bourdain that my best friend gave to me while we were vacation in Europe. … I read that book while we were on the trains, and I made that pivot in my life and I nev -

er looked back. It was because of my mother always cooking in the home … that I found my way into the kitchen. … We still cook to this day together, and I’m actually setting up to cater her 70th birthday coming up in November. She was my inspiration … and she can still outcook me.

“My grandmother as well, she was a steak and eggs woman. She taught me how to actually cook a steak and the first time actually heating it medium rare, which is hard to do when you’re a kid. But she had that cast-iron skillet with the bacon fat … and she loved New York strip and she had steak eggs four days out of the week. … And that’s my go-to chef meal, always.”

Williams explained that it was The

The Palm/Submitted

The Palm sits on the corner of Flower and W. 11th Street in Downtown Los Angeles.

Palm’s “family atmosphere” that drew him to the DTLA destination, and he noted the importance of a restaurant’s ambience in molding a joyful experience.

“We have beautiful décor,” he said.

“You’re going to be able to have a fine dining experience but still feel real comfortable at the same time. I think it’s very inviting, and I think it’s going to be a great, great atmosphere for all the mothers.”

Mother’s Day at The Palm

WHEN: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 12, and 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, May 14

WHERE: The Palm, 1100 Flower Street, Los Angeles

INFO: thepalm.com/location/the-palm-los-angeles

Other events

The Palm isn’t the only eatery in DTLA having Mother’s Day specials. Check out these as well.

The Millennium Biltmore 506 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles milleniumhotels.com

Nestled among the glimmering skyscrapers overlooking Pershing Square, and reminiscent of 1920s Hollywood, The Biltmore has been an iconic landmark of Los Angeles since its inception and transports its guests to the glamor of Hollywood’s golden age.

The historic hotel, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, will invite moms and mother figures, along with their families, to experience an array of decadent dining selections at The Biltmore’s Mother’s Day brunch, which will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 14. The brunch will take place in the property’s Rendezvous Court and features a three-course assortment of meats; cheeses; seafood; and an omelet, carving and dessert station, with champagne to raise a glass to mom afterward. Breakfast specialties will include Belgian waffles with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, classic eggs Benedict with hollandaise sauce, ricotta cheese and spinach frittata, apple wood smoked bacon and chicken-apple sausage, and fresh fruit and berries.

The brunch costs $75 per person and $45 per child, and reservations via Open Table are encouraged.

ROW DTLA

777 S. Alameda Street, Los Angeles rowdtla.com

This Mother’s Day, treat mom to a celebration beyond the traditional flowers and cards. ROW DTLA, Los Angeles’ historic 30-acre urban retail enclave, is offering a variety of experiences on Sunday, May 14. The offerings include:

• Wellness: Book a microfusion facial at skin care brand The Things We Do, all-natural gel nail treatment at Powder Beauty, an innovative scalp treatment and new hair color at Nova Arts Salon, or take a group fitness class on Coreology fitness studio’s XFormer machine.

• Dining: Enjoy brunch, dinner or a quick bite at a bevy of award-winning restaurants, such as Pizzeria Bianco, helmed by JBF-award winner Chris Bianco; Hayato, whose chef is a current semifinalist for a JBF Award and holds two Michelin stars; Michelin-starred Kato; Rappahannock Oyster Bar; or walk the various food booths at Smorgasburg.

• Shopping: Support independent, contemporary designers including womenswear from Bel Kazan, swimwear at Coast by Coast or the best in vintage at Arcade.

• Entertainment: Multiple rooftop flicks are airing at ROW DTLA this Mother’s Day courtesy of Rooftop Cinema Club. Catch “Shrek” at 3:30 p.m., which is a dog-friendly showing, “Mamma Mia” at 6:30 p.m. and “Everything Everywhere All at Once” at 9:15 p.m.

• Sightseeing: Stroll the breezeways and take in stunning architecture, murals and Downtown skyline views.

Tulsi Indian Eatery

408 S. Main Street, Los Angeles tulsieatery.com

Tulsi Indian Eatery understands the importance of this day and has curated a special thali to make it even more memorable. Titled the Amma Thali Combo, the Mother’s Day-themed meal blends the restaurants most loved vegetarian dishes. It features two appetizers, dahi vada and khaman dhokla, popular entrees such as dal makhana, chana masala and aloo gobi, a dessert served with rose lassi.

The amma thali combo was built as a tribute to the unconditional love and care that a mom provides and will be available Saturday, May 13, and Sunday, May 14, at Tulsi Indian Eatery’s Northridge, DTLA and Westwood locations. No reservation is required, and customers can order the amma thali combo for pickup or delivery.

Covered California will helpDTENTERTAINMENT

Developing Talent Future stars of baseball coming straight out of Compton

By Jeff Moeller

LA

Downtown News Contributing Writer

Major League Baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day each April.

Each player wears Robinson’s historic No. 42 a number officially retired universally by MLB in 1997 with all teams using Dodger blue jersey numbers regardless of their primary team colors.

It is an annual tradition that began in 2004, and this year Jackie Robinson Day is more than a tribute to his historic debut with the Dodgers 76 years ago. It also is a public nod to the 50th anniversary of the Jackie Robinson Foundation that was founded by Jackie’s widow, Rachel, after Robinson passed away in 1972.

Yet the 2023 MLB season marks something else of note, highlighted by a statistic that could have the late Hall of Famer scratching his Dodgers cap. Only 6.1% of the players on MLB roster as of Opening Day are Black. That is fewer than 60 players and the smallest percentage since 1955.

Additionally, five teams did not have a single Black player on their roster, and nine other clubs had one.

Is that troubling? Alarming? Concerning? Darrell Miller, who is Black, does not think so.

“I am the most optimistic that I have ever been being in this space,” said Miller, who grew up Riverside and currently serves as the director of MLB’s Urban Youth Academy in Compton.

“We have been doing our due diligence. We really have added some of the pieces that we have needed to add to develop the kids in the United States where they have a real bona fide chance to get to the next level. A lot of these guys are in the pipeline. They are coming.”

Miller is a former catcher with the Angels, where he played parts of five big league seasons from 1984-88. Among his teammates were several African Americans, including the legendary Reggie Jackson and Rod Carew.

Going to a game now for Miller is different he acknowledged. “You often look at a sport through the lens of people who look like you or remind you of yourself.”

Since retiring his spikes and bat, Miller has been spent the better part of the past 20 years growing the game in the inner city.

“We are just to the spot where we have a lot of great academies in place, and the academies have broadened our reach across the United States,” he said. “We have come up with and created programs in conjunction with USA Baseball. We work with athletes to help develop their skill set. The last two years we have had a lot of first-round draft picks via academies like the one here in Compton.”

Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the MLB Youth Academies in Compton and New Orleans serve children throughout the greater Los Angeles and

Angels Baseball/Submitted

From a famous family that includes basketball stars Reggie Miller and Cheryl Miller, former Angels catcher Darrell Miller has blazed a post-playing career helping develop baseball talent in the inner city.

New Orleans areas, particularly those from underserved communities, offering the highest-quality baseball and softball instruction as well as resources to develop athletes off the field (e.g., SAT/ACT classes).

Grassroots efforts, backed by MLB and MLB executive/former Angels executive Tony Reagins, also include the Dream Series and Breakthrough Series, programs that focus on developing the player on and off the field, and the annual Hank Aaron Invitational is a summer highlight for the diverse group of amateurs.

Miller, a Cal State Pomona product, knows baseball is tough. The journey to the big leagues is even tougher. His pitch? Pitching!

“We have double down on letting the kids know the best opportunity is on the mound,” he said. “We have worked with

a lot of kids, African Americans, with good arms who have embraced the challenge. Some of these kids are so athletic. We just have to get them past the part where maybe they think pitching is boring.”

One of challenges in baseball is keeping young players active in the game. MLB has been heralded in recent months for making rule changes that have made games in 2023 shorter and crisper. Still, it isn’t difficult to see those who choose basketball or football can have entirely different professional experiences, including direct routes to the NBA and NFL, respectively.

Miller need not look very far. His younger brother Reggie went directly from starring at UCLA to playing in all 82 games and averaging 10 points as a rookie in the NBA with Indiana. It was

the beginning of an 18-year NBA career that reportedly earned him more than $100 million.

Darrell, meanwhile, was drafted in the ninth round of the 1979 MLB Draft. In 12 pro seasons he saw action in the minors 11 of those years. The 1987 season was the lone single campaign Darrell played an entire year with the Angels. Reggie still made more than twice the money than his older brother that year.

A baseball lifer, it was a grind for Darrell, who called Holyoke, Salinas, Idaho Falls, Rochester and Edmonton home along the way.

“When you play several years in the minor leagues and you feel like you are doing well, it is then when you realize you are in the midst of the grind,” said Miller, who initially worked as Angels director of community relations for four years post-playing career before becoming a Scout for the Halos. “The Angels then were also known for not promoting their young talent. They often traded young talent. To actually get promoted and play for the Major League club was rare.

“It was a mindset as much as it was a grind. I was lucky enough to get recalled, and even then, the MLB minimum salary was nothing like it is now.”

While the road to the majors is filled

with stops in small towns and smaller salaries, the opportunities are there. Despite the low percentage associated with African American players that came out in April, baseball has no problem in diversity when it comes to international players. There were more than 100 players from the Dominican Republic (104) on this year’s Opening Day rosters, according to published reports.

“I played in Latin America for years in Winter Ball,” Miller said.

“We have so much in common with our Latin American brothers and sisters. There is great passion there. We share a bond. It is enthusiasm and love in celebrating success. People of color have always had that emotion flowing, but you also have to be respectful and honoring the game while celebrating.”

Which takes us back to Jackie Robinson. The future Hall of Famer and civil rights icon paved the way for players of multiple backgrounds to be MLB stars.

“Jackie Robinson Day helps shine a light on the issue. It is a celebration of the barriers he broke for African Americans, Latinos, everyone not born white,” Miller said. “The diversity in the game today, and for those put on a uniform before every game, owe respect to Jackie Robinson.”

Covered California will help DTSPORTS

FC Bayern and LAFC Elite ID Camp

Club partnership signals new dawn for youth development

By Luke Netzley

LA Downtown News Deputy Editor

In the wake of their joint venture Red&Gold Football, founded to provide young talent with a developmental pathway to first-team soccer, FC Bayern Munich and Los Angeles Football Club have unveiled the first FC Bayern and LAFC Elite ID Camp, which will run from Wednesday, June 7, to Friday, June 9.

The camp, which is limited to 100 qualified players selected by the FC Bayern and LAFC academy staff, will provide top-level male and female youth play -

ers born between 2005 and 2008 (U-15 through U-19) the opportunity to learn from and be scouted by coaches from MLS champions LAFC and Bundesliga champions FC Bayern. For three days, FC Bayern academy coaches will immerse the selected players in the club’s methodology.

FC Bayern is one of the great powerhouses of world soccer, a talent factory that’s fueled German international triumphs and solidified the Bavarians as a dynasty in the Bundesliga.

The announcement comes at a time

when the United States Soccer Federation is experiencing an identity shift, with British soccer executive Matt Crocker taking the helm as the new sporting director for the U.S. men’s national team with a heightened focus on youth development.

“The impact of a coach to impact (a youth player’s) love for the game is huge,” said Crocker, who served as head of England’s youth teams for seven years.

“We have to build a landscape where soccer is accessible for everybody. … Socioeconomic background should not be a stumbling block of whether a child can

fall in love with soccer or fall out of love with soccer.”

Players identified by FC Bayern coaches at the Elite ID Camp will have the opportunity to attend an array of prestigious FC Bayern programs, including but not limited to joining Team USA at the FC Bayern Youth Cup Finals, FC Bayern World Squad, FC Bayern Global Campus and more.

Qualified players interested in the opportunity to participate in the Elite ID Camp can submit applications for evaluation at lafc.com/bayern-camp.

Chris Mortenson/Staff

Bringing in new players like 20-year-old Stipe Biuk, 21-year-old Mateausz Bogusz, 24-year-old Timothy Tillman and 24-year-old Denil Maldonado, LAFC has become a hotbed of young talent in the MLS.

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