Jackie Lacey Why BLM is protesting a Black district attorney Page 3
Defunding LAUSD board cuts $25M from school police Page 5 July 13, 2020 I VOL. 49 I #28
All-Star Game Moved to 2022 MLB still sticking with its charitable commitments Page 8
A FAMILY’S DREAM REALIZED Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken comes to DTLA
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Art Share LA inspires during pandemic By William Bergholz uring the COVID-19 pandemic, the nonprofit Art Share LA has activated its “Let’s Paint the Town Initiative” with an open application process at artsharela.org. This initiative keeps Los Angeles’ artists working, primarily painting on Broadway, and shows how Art Share LA and its artists are essential to the health and safety of the Downtown community. Shortly after the coronavirus began, Art Share LA’s executive director, Cheyanne Sauter, thought, “If this is our ‘new normal,’ then we need to figure out how to create art and pay artists. Artists can’t keep producing and sharing for free.” Art Share LA is committed to paying artists like Ian Robertson-Salt for their work. He painted a mural he titled “Stay Safe.” “It’s a reflection of what people were being advised to do, which is wear a mask and be conscious of your surroundings and everything that’s going on,” Robertson-Salt said. “But I felt like it could also be perceived as a way to pay tribute to the first responders and the people who are having to work through this pandemic and put themselves at risk.” Art Share LA paid Robertson-Salt $100 for his mural. “They’re great,” Robertson-Salt said. “They’ll have online calls for themed projects, and they’re giving winners $15 every week.” Robertson-Salt has been painting murals for 10 years and plans to continue his Art Share LA connection. “Painting is what I love the most,” said Robertson-Salt. Art Share LA provides equitable access to artists, giving them a creative environment to live, work, develop, perform and exhibit. Their free to low-cost programs remove barriers to accessing art, giving artists hope to continue pursuing their careers. Their programs attract a local and diverse community of emerging artists, including more than 500 visual and 300 performing artists each year.
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Why BLM is protesting a Black district attorney Protesters use their truck to wave a flag outside of City Hall on July 1 as protesters head home from the “Jackie Lacey Must Go” weekly protest, which happens every Wednesday. Photo by Sarah Donahue/LA Downtown News
By Sarah Donahue lack Lives Matter is protesting Jackie Lacey, LA County’s first Black district attorney, because of her refusal to prosecute law enforcement officers who have killed more than 600 Angelenos since she took office in 2012. Signs reading “Bye Jackie!” and “Prosecute Killer Cops” are visible at the weekly protests in front of Lacey’s office, house and City Hall. Black Lives Matter LA has been mobilizing against Lacey for around two and a half years, but since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the worldwide protests that followed, the number of protesters has swelled to thousands. A recent study from Pew Research found that two-thirds of U.S. adults say they support the Black Lives Matter movement. Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter LA, criticized Lacey’s refusal to prosecute violent officers in an interview with LA Downtown News. She quoted 20th century African American writer Zora Neale Hurston, saying, “All skin folk ain’t kinfolk,” when speaking about Lacey. “We view Jackie Lacey as absolutely a Black face on white supremacy,” Abdullah said. Black Lives Matter leaders have spoken with Lacey, Abdullah said, but the conversations failed to bring forth the justice they are seeking. In early March, Lacey’s husband pointed a gun at Abdullah’s chest after she went to their door to have a community meeting because Lacey failed to schedule a promised meeting with the leaders. In a press conference, Lacey apologized, saying her husband, who is a former investigative auditor at the district attorney’s office, was afraid because she was receiving death threats. Lacey said she feels unfairly targeted by the protests against her. In an interview with the Associated Press, she said, “I don’t want people thinking I’m biased or racist or afraid, or any of these very unflattering things that are said.” “We shouldn’t assume that everyone who says, ‘Black lives matter’ isn’t concerned also about public safety,” Lacey said. “That’s a false choice that those are mutually exclusive.” Abdullah said most Black people voted for Lacey with high hopes that a Black woman in power would represent the community more authentically than previous district attorneys. That didn’t pan out, Abdullah said. When Lacey chooses not to prosecute cops who kill Black people, “The message is that police can do whatever they want without being held accountable,” Abdullah said. “They can kill people with impunity, and the police know that.” Albert Ramon Dorsey, Grechario Mack, Wakiesha Wilson and Brendon Glenn are just some of the names of Black lives who were killed at the hands of law enforcement, whose families never received justice, as outlined on Black Lives Matter LA’s “Jackie Must Go” page. “The message becomes to police that they can do whatever they want, and I think it actually plays a role in spurring police killings,” she said. “They don’t need to restrain themselves.” In LA County, the number of killings of people at the hands of police on Lacey’s watch is up to 609, Abdullah said, mentioning that the number doesn’t include the lives lost in June.
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The “veil of liberalism” that LA prides itself on makes many think that the city and the whole state of California are immune to racism, Abdullah said. While Californians like to believe their state is the model for progressive values, many of those who hold positions of power still continue to perpetuate the systemic racism the country was built on, and Lacey is no exception, she added. “Institutional racism can use people of any race to enact racist policies and engage in racist practices,” Abdullah said. Lacey refuses to bring justice to these families because she is funded by law enforcement unions like the Los Angeles Police Protective League, Abdullah said. The Los Angeles Police Protective League is a law enforcement union and lobbying arm that represents LAPD officers and has a reputation for supporting what is considered for some as right wing “law and order” policies. “They of course don’t want their members prosecuted,” Abdullah said. “If she’s being funded by them it’s very difficult for her to separate herself from them.” The Black Lives Matter LA Facebook page described the Los Angeles Police Protective League as a “gang,” saying, “It buys off politicians, intimidates critics and covers up the crimes of its members.” In June, a group of high-level prosecutors publicly called for the California State Bar to forbid district attorneys from receiving campaign donations from law enforcement unions, saying it creates bias and is a conflict of interest in the ways district attorneys prosecute and investigate officers. Since the protests began, multiple government leaders have withdrawn their endorsements for Lacey or hinted that they are no longer in support. Mayor Eric Garcetti said it may be time for a change in the district attorney’s office on June 12 in an interview with the Appeal, a criminal justice publication. Congressman Adam Schiff and Assemblywoman Laura Friedman withdrew their endorsements for Lacey. A tweet from Schiff on June 20 said, “This is a rare time in our nation’s history. We have a responsibility to make profound changes to end systemic racism & reform criminal justice.” In response, Lacey issued a statement defending her actions while serving as district attorney. “As the first African American woman to hold the LA County D.A.’s office, I am proud of my record of taking on systemic racism and reforming criminal justice—from bail reform to reducing juvenile cases by nearly 50%, to increasing our office’s focus on mental health treatment instead of incarceration,” she said. George Gascón, a former San Francisco district attorney, is running against Lacey for her third term and is endorsed by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren. His campaign is centered around being more progressive in his approach to law enforcement and public safety. Some have asked Abdullah if it’s too late for Lacey to reconcile with the Black Lives Matter leaders and the community they represent. It’s never too late to change, Abdullah said, but her actions must speak louder than words. “Jackie Lacey has abused the Black community, and before we try to bring her back into the community, she needs to make amends, and that means prosecuting police,” Abdullah said.
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Newsom on coronavirus: ‘Your actions save lives’ By William Bergholz tatewide activities are moving indoors. Bars are closed in the areas of highest concern. Over the July 4 holiday, local, county and state leaders closed beaches and their parking lots. Ten multiagency enforcement strike teams were launched. Gov. Gavin Newsom is proud of these actions, he said during a press conference last week. “I just want to compliment the local efforts, the county efforts, the educational efforts, and the social persuasion that was very I think well represented and demonstrated over the Fourth of July holiday weekend,” Newsom said. Many counties took further action. Of 23 listed counties, 13 issued local orders. Those include Los Angeles, Ventura, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Imperial, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Fresno, Stanislaus, Merced, Kinds, Orange and Contra Costa. Three stayed connected to the state’s orders—Riverside, San Bernardino and Kern—and Colusa, Glenn, Solano, Monterey, Marin, Madera and San Diego are awaiting action. The state is monitoring those 23 counties and will provide technical assistance by engaging the counties’ local health officers and elected officials. As a result, criteria will be addressed and support will be offered. In addition, the state is working and focusing on enforcement. The state has prioritized enforcement on parts where there are known violators, high-risk workplaces, and industries that should be operating in an appropriate and safe manner, like restaurants and bars. The state has significantly increased its enforcement with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), the Department of Industrial Relations & Division of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) and the Board of Barbering & Cosmetology. There have been close to 6,000 in-person visits to bars and restaurants. As a result, the ABC visited about 6,000 establishments. Through the Department of In-
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dustrial Relations and OSHA, over 440,000 businesses were contacted through in-person visits, phone and email. As for the Board of Barbering & Cosmetology, 344 licenses were contacted and provided comprehensive safety checklists. “So significant improvement and increase in enforcement. We are going out with the resolve this moment needs, to make sure people are protecting themselves and protecting others, to mitigate the spread of this virus,” Newsom said. However, the spread of the virus continues. As of July 5, 5,699 new cases were reported. The seven-day average is 7,876. The average daily number of tests is 104,609, and the state has tested 127,000 people: a new record number of people. Both the testing and positivity rates are increasing. Hospitalizations have increased to 5,790 individuals, and the ICU admissions number has risen to a total of 1,706. He said 11,416 ventilators are available. The state still has ample hospital capacity in its system, but it is being monitored very closely. Twenty-four people died due to coronavirus during the holiday weekend. “Everybody is moving, they’re taking action, they’re being responsible, and we’re very, very grateful for that,” Newsom said. “That’s the spirit of the moment, the spirit of the times. A recognition of individual responsibilities. I’ll remind you, we did an incredible job collectively as a state. Forty million of you did a remarkable job to move aggressively and early. We were the first state to move forward with stay-at-home orders. We were able to bend that curve. “We have the capacity to do that again to mitigate this increase in the total number of positive cases and the transmission of this disease. The most important thing you can do is wear a face covering. It is a mandate in the state of California. It protects not just you but others. It’s a sign of respect, a sign of responsibility, and it’s also a demonstration of, I believe, character, to meet a moment head on and to be forceful, in terms of our resolve, to save lives.” More information about all of the above is available at covid19.ca.gov.
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LAUSD board cuts $25M from school police By Sarah Donahue he momentum from the protests surrounding the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and the fight to abolish police have sparked the fire for Black Lives Matter LA to take a stand for a group it says should never be criminalized—students. Bowing to pressure, the LA Board of Education voted to cut $25 million from the Los Angeles Unified School District’s police budget recently. Funds were redirected to support Black student achievement. “If there’s any place police don’t belong, it’s in our schools,” said Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter LA, on a recent This is Not a Drill Facebook Live session. According to the motion, the money will be invested in hiring counselors, safety aides and social workers to address mental health, prioritizing schools with the highest population of Black students. School police will be taken off-campus and out of uniform as well, until the Superintendent Task Force comes back with recommendations for an alternative safety plan, according to the finalized agenda. The motion was amended to ensure the school district cannot contract the LAPD, LA County Sheriff’s deputies or other armed security agencies to patrol schools. In the event of an emergency, all schools will have access to community-based support to ensure students’ safety, the finalized motion states. “When we divest, when we defund the police, we now have a whole new set of resources that can be used to make the world we imagine a reality,” said Abdullah in an interview with LA Downtown News. Students and Black Lives Matter leaders consider this a partial victory. They still plan to fight to further defund the school police to improve the future for LA’s Black students by creating better access to health care, housing, mental health services and recreational programs to address universal needs. “I’m going to embrace what the youth said: ‘We want all of it,’” Abdullah said. “We want to defund the police. We want new systems in place that actually bring safety to our community.” This comes after a June 23 protest outside Los Angeles Unified School District’s headquarters. Thousands of students and Black Lives Matter protesters lined the streets demanding that police be removed from schools and defunded to protect the safety of Black and Latino students and end the school-to-prison pipeline. A 2018 analysis from UCLA’s Million Dollar Hoods project found that despite Black students only making 8% of the school dis-
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trict’s population, they account for 25% of arrests, citations and diversions by school police. The school board voted 4-3 in favor of the motion. At the end of the meeting that lasted more than 10 hours, differences in opinion resulted in two board members— Richard Vladovic and Jackie Goldberg— yelling at each other over Zoom. In an interview with the LA Downtown News, Abdullah accused dissenting board members of being “stuck in old ways of being.” “They dismiss our youth, and I think that speaks to the fact that they probably shouldn’t be school board members if they’re not willing to listen to the students that they’re supposed to be creating policies for,” she said. “It’s really problematic.” The school district’s police chief, Todd Chamberlain, expressed major concerns about the budget cuts before the motion’s vote, saying defunding by this much is “neglectful” for the safety of schools as well as the 65 officers who will be laid off. “Unfortunately, I think with what we’re doing now with the limited amount of resources, you are going to have bare minimum service,” Chamberlain said. “You are not going to have the opportunity for intervention prevention.” He resigned the next day after the budget cuts were made official. “In good conscience, and in fear for safety and well-being of those I serve, I cannot support modifications to my position, the organization and most importantly, the community (students, staff and families) that I believe will be detrimental and potentially life-threatening,” Chamberlain wrote in a statement announcing his resignation. On the Facebook Live session with Black Lives Matter LA, educational scholar and activist Dr. Pedro Noguera said schools shouldn’t have a police presence. “What this represents is a correction,” Noguera said. “The real truth is that safety is essential, but safety is a byproduct of relationships, not of security systems,” Noguera said about the budget cut proposal. The session also included Abdullah’s teenage daughter, Thandiwe, and BLMLA leader Joseph Williams, who explained how police in schools is a relatively new standard. They argued policing in school leads to trauma and low self-esteem for students. Thandiwe said she graduated early to escape the harmful environment created by police in her school. Abdullah said her daughter has been “traumatized and terrorized by school police since the second grade.”
“My school was never welcoming for Black students,” Thandiwe said. “When these random searches would happen, every single time it was me. Every single time it was a Black student.” Police in schools have become commonplace after the 1999 Columbine shooting. Even though policemen are in schools to protect students from school shootings, the children’s safety isn’t guaranteed, Noguera said. He referenced the Stoneman Douglas massacre, where the school’s policeman hid from the gunman while 17 students and staff were killed. Despite studies revealing that most school shootings happening in rural, suburban communities, Noguera noted that it’s urban schools that are most heavily policed. “The disparities in schools serving affluent white kids—they don’t get treated like this,” he said. “They don’t get slammed on the ground. They don’t get arrested for marijuana. None of this happens. The parents of those kids know that.” Williams was 13 when he was pushed out of school, which led him to spend time in group homes and juvenile detention
centers. Many youth follow the same path, Williams said. Williams described the discrepancy among schools across LA, saying how social workers break up fights in nicer schools, while fights in low-income, predominantly Black schools are met with police, pepper spray and K9s. “What we’ve also seen is the criminalization of young people for incidents that were never seen as criminal before,” Noguera explained, saying that when he was younger, kids would get suspended for things like fights but never arrested and slammed to the ground. The continued pressure from protesters has led cities like San Francisco and Oakland to eliminate police from their schools. By the end of the summer, Black Lives Matter organizers are hoping that the same progress can be made in LA, saying the momentum of the protests is the reason why the idea has even been considered. “It’s not about school discipline,” Williams said. “This is another form of colonization and criminalization and systemic racism that folks are rising up against right now.”
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Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken comes to DTLA By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski arques Williams knows the chicken business. His father, Vincent Williams, has spent more than 40 years frying chicken in Los Angeles, most recently through Honey’s Kettle. Now Marques is bringing it Downtown, thanks to the delivery-only location called Honey Drop Kitchen. “We had our sights set on Downtown LA for a long time,” Marques said. “Our Honey Drop Kitchen is just outside of Downtown LA, but it will service the area. Downtown is really becoming the mecca in LA for good food. “We thought it was incredibly important to have a presence there, with the amount of density in LA. It’s our story connecting the west side to the east side. It makes all the sense in the world to plant our flag in Downtown LA.” Since establishing Honey’s Kettle in Compton in 2000 and relocating the restaurant to its current space in Downtown Culver City in 2005, Vincent and his wife, Arlene, have created a community staple. With the Honey Drop Kitchen, the restaurant can share the revered recipe across the city. “Expanding our footprint has been a goal of ours for some time, but we wanted to do it right,” Vincent said. “With the increased demand for food delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw the opportunity to grow and fill a need for our guests. Through our
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new drop kitchens, we promise to remain a symbol of quality, on-demand for the entire city to enjoy.” Marques added, “We are serial entrepreneurs. We bring our fresh, never-frozen, highest-quality food to Downtown LA. We make everything by hand, including the wet batter biscuits, and we do it all with love. “Our story is we never compromise on quality. We’ve been doing all of our products the same way for more than 20 years.” Marques grew up in the business. At age 7, he was working the cash register and learning how to fry chicken. He learned about every aspect of the business from the ground up, including mopping floors, cooking food preparing orders and interacting with customers. “I was actively involved in the restaurant business in all capacities,” he said. “I know the business better than anyone outside of my dad. I’m 34 now and I’ve been doing it since I was 7. It’s truly a family-owned business.” Using a kettle-cooking method inspired by the Colonial era and perfected over nearly 40 years of testing, Vincent crafts scratchmade, farm-fresh fried chicken paired with high-grade local honey, freshly baked biscuits and classic sides. The Honey Drop Kitchen menu features favorites from the Honey’s Kettle menu crafted using the same kettle-cooking method and farm-fresh chicken, handmade
baked goods, and locally sourced ingredients. Additions to the menu from “The Vault” (Vincent’s lab for new ideas) include the “Biscuit Bake,” a new breakfast creation. Retail goods including Honey’s Biscuit Mix and Secret Sauce are also available for purchase from Honey Drop Kitchen. Menu highlights include: • Chicken sausage and egg biscuit bake: Chicken sausage, fresh cracked egg and cheese, baked in a flaky buttermilk biscuit. • 3.3 (three hotcakes, three silver dollar wings): Three melt-in-your-mouth hotcakes, accompanied by three kettle-fried silver dollar cut wings, butter and 100% maple syrup. • Premium kettle chicken sandwich: Kettle-fried breast fillet, shredded lettuce, tomato, topped with Honey’s house sauce on a toasted artisan bun. • Three-piece breast strip meal: Jumbo kettle-fried chicken strips, alongside kettle fries, buttermilk biscuit, and sweet ‘n’ tangy pickles, with choice of dipping sauce: ranch, honey mustard, hot sauce, and/or Honey’s house sauce. • Family pack: Eight pieces of kettle-fried chicken, two kettle fries, four buttermilk biscuits, pint of coleslaw or macaroni salad, and large side of sweet ‘n’ tangy pickles. • Picnic box: Twenty pieces of kettle-fried chicken, five kettle fries, 10 buttermilk biscuits, pint of macaroni salad, and a pint of coleslaw.
• Fresh pies by the slice: Peach, pecan or apple. Honey Drop Kitchen is available on all major delivery platforms, including Postmates, DoorDash, Uber Eats, ChowNow and Grubhub from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Honey’s Kettle has tackled drama before COVID-19, including a fire at its restaurant and the Great Recession. Marques said the family wasn’t about to let COVID-19 shut it down. “As far as when COVID and all that stuff hit, we really rolled up our sleeves,” he said. “Quality trumps everything. We are unwavering in our belief in quality. That’s come to fruition in a lot of ways for us. With the Honey Drop Kitchen expansion, we’re not compromising on quality either and our customers can taste it.” And the business is right for takeout. “It travels incredibly well,” Marques said. “We stayed open during the pandemic. We’re committed to not closing our doors unless the government or local authorities tell us we cannot operate. We saw an uptick on on-demand delivery, and we maintained curbside service. We’ve actually been busier now than we’ve been in the past.”
Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken honeyskettle.com Socials: @honeyskettle
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TRY OUR FAMOUS COLESLAW! Orangetheory Fitness leaves 30 minutes between classes so the staff can clean and disinfect the studio for 20 minutes. Photos courtesy Orangetheory Fitness
Orangetheory Fitness reopens with new procedures
nner Specials By William Bergholz fter closing due to coronavirus four months ago, Orangetheory Fitness has reopened its Downtown Los Angeles location. To do so, the studio followed required procedure from its corporate office, LA County and the state. Clients must prebook their classes through the Orangetheory Fitness app and must arrive 15 minutes early. On their first trip back, clients must sign waivers, have their temperatures taken and answer questions about coronavirus exposure and symptoms. Those who have symptoms or been exposed to the virus must reschedule or pause their membership for free. Masks and gloves are required; they’re provided by Orangetheory. Once clients enter the studio, they are given a disinfectant wipe and assigned a locker and a workout station. Members must stay 6 feet apart.
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In between classes, staff cleans and disinfects the studio for 20 minutes. Cleaners visit every evening, too. While closed, Orangetheory offered free Zoom classes run by its coaches. Even though Orangetheory has reopened, virtual classes will resume. “I think a lot of these new precautions we’re doing now might become the new norm,” said Orangetheory Fitness Downtown LA owner and coach Whitney Findorff. “Either way, as long as LA County mandates, we will abide to those orders. “Things are changing slowly because our No. 1 priority is our staff to make sure they’re safe, and then our members as well.” Orangetheory Fitness Downtown LA along with the South Park Studio are the only two studios of LA County’s 16 that are open. Info: 213-279-2900, studio0630@orangetheoryfitness.com
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Clayton Kershaw is excited to be back at the ballpark By Dave Hogg layton Kershaw knows there’s no guarantee baseball’s COVID -19 plans are going to work. He’s going to play baseball anyway. “I think there’s a trust factor with Major League Baseball and the player’s union— trust that we’re doing everything we can possibly do,” the Dodgers ace said on a Zoom call. “We want to play baseball and they agreed to let us be here and try to get this off the ground, and I feel like we should give it a shot.” As one of baseball’s best pitchers, Kershaw has moved into a leadership role with the Dodgers, but he doesn’t expect to babysit his teammates as they work to avoid COVID-19 away from the ballpark. “I think everybody knows the rules and that all of this is on us, at least to some extent,” he said. “I don’t know how much we’re going to have to harp on it, because we all want to give us the best shot to get through the season. “Some guys are going to be as safe as possible and still get it, but we have to do everything we can.” Like his teammates, Kershaw has an added incentive to get the 2020 season underway. The Dodgers have won seven straight NL West championships but still haven’t won a World Series. They won the pennant in 2017 but lost to the Houston Astros—yes, the Astros team who famously drummed their way through the season. In 2018, they lost another World Series,
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this time to a Boston Red Sox team that has also been linked to sign stealing. With the addition of one of baseball’s best young hitters in Mookie Betts and the sport’s best prospect in Gavin Lux, the Dodgers might never have a better chance to win the franchise’s first championship since 1988. And Kershaw doesn’t want to hear that it won’t count. “I’ve thought a lot about that,” he said. “Sitting on the outside, it is a 60-game season with no fans and all of the other stuff, and that’s going to look different. That’s really true. It’s not going to be like anything we’ve ever done. This season is going to be a category all by itself. But we’re all going into it on a level playing field, and we’re going to have exactly the same postseason. “I don’t think it is fair to say it deserves an asterisk—whoever manages to win this is going to be very happy.” Knowing how good the team could be, Kershaw made sure he was going to be ready when the season started—something that didn’t surprise Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “You all know Clayton—he was going to show up with his arm ready to go,” Roberts said. “He said he’s already thrown threeplus innings in the last few days, so this shortened camp isn’t going to be a problem. He’d go out and pitch right now.” Roberts knows the joy of winning a World Series—he was a big part of the
MLB sticking with All-Star project commitment By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski he COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, but the MLB, the Dodgers and the Dodgers Foundation will honor their commitment to four All-Star Legacy Projects, including one on Skid Row this year. The $1.7 million project will be revealed when it’s safe to do so and will benefit the communities of South Los Angeles, Lincoln Heights and Chinatown, along with Skid Row. The Veterans Service Center, operated by Volunteers of America Los Angeles, is the first point of contact for homeless vet-
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erans in Downtown LA. In collaboration with veteran-led organization The Mission Continues, this effort will upgrade existing outdoor gathering space facilities in Skid Row/Downtown LA for veterans receiving day services and those in long-term housing on-site with the following: painting and cosmetic repairs to existing structures and new lighting, new landscaping (refreshed green space, garden beds) and meditation garden, new outdoor dining space, upgraded workout equipment, new benches, and additional beautification projects. The Dodgers will host the Midsummer Classic in 2022.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw said it’s “great to be back” on the field at Dodger Stadium. Photo by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers
2004 Red Sox championship—and he wants to give his players every chance to experience that moment. “We’re going to talk to the players and address how important it is for them to be responsible,” he said. “What they do in the clubhouse and away from the park is going to have a direct on their teammates,
on the club and on the industry itself.” Along with the pandemic, this American summer has focused on the Black Lives Matter movement. Every team will be dealing with possible protests as well as other ways to support the community, but it will have more importance for Roberts. He’s one of only two Black managers in
“It was impor tant for MLB to work alongside our partners—the Dodgers and the Dodgers Foundation—on this,” said Melanie LeGrande, the MLB’s vice president of social responsibility. “We’ve been working with the team for a year on many of our projects. We had talked with the community partners and we wanted to honor that commitment that we made to them.” LeGrande, who expects the unveiling to be around Veterans Day, said it’s been fulfilling to work with the multiple partners. “The Volunteers of America Los Angeles has a wonderful spot in that area that supports veterans through long-term housing or through short-term housing and transformative opportunities,” she added. “Our other partner is The Mission Continues, a veteran-led organization that we’ve supported for a few years with financial and volunteer support. The Mis-
sion Continues is made up of veterans who change out their service through active duty to service in the community. We invited The Mission Continues to work with us on this project.” The MLB is dubbing an internal garden the All-Star Veterans Courtyard. It will be utilized by everyone on the grounds. “It’s not a public space,” she said. “It’s a community that’s in need near the flower market. We have an opportunity to make a difference in terms of beautification of the space.” LeGrande said volunteers have started on the project and finalizing the scope of the work that needs to be done. “We do anticipate the work being done by volunteers according to social distancing,” she said. “We’re excited. This is really important to us to honor the commitment we made.”
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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw said he “missed the game over the last four months.” Photo by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers
the majors—Dusty Baker will be running the Astros after A.J. Hinch was fired in the wake of the sign-stealing scandal—and they each have a chance at history. In the 117 years since the first World Series, Cito Gaston (1992 and 1993 Blue Jays) is the only Black manager to win the sport’s ultimate prize. Roberts goes into this season as the favorite to become the second, but he knows that is only part of the story. “I think I’m going to be doing a lot of listening this year—more than I’ve ever done before,” he said. “Given what has happened in this country in the last few months, I’m going to need to be sensitive to everyone’s concerns and questions about all of it. It’s a bigger responsibility than it was in March, but it is also an opportunity. “I’ve always believed if we can make more people socially aware—get them looking outward as opposed to inward— we’re going to do better.” The Dodgers aren’t going into the sea-
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son at full strength. David Price, a key member of the Red Sox team that beat the Dodgers in 2018, decided to opt out of the season because of the pandemic. With a Cy Young and seven All-Star appearances, Price could have been a significant boost to the Dodgers rotation, but Kershaw isn’t upset about players taking the year off. “My family is here, so I can go right from home to the park and back and feel great about it,” he said. “It’s going to be harder for guys who aren’t in that situation, and I understand any player deciding the risk is too big. I support everyone’s choice to make the right decision for themselves and their families.” Kershaw’s made the decision to play, and he wants to do it as soon as possible. “I really, really missed the game over the last four months,” he said. “I missed coming to Dodger Stadium, pitching and being with the guys. “It’s great to be back.”
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Covered California will help BUSINESS
Angelenos invited to celebrate the Downtown district By Annika Tomlin he Downtown Center Business Improvement District launched the “DTLA Grand Giveaway,” a sweepstakes featuring staycations, shopping, dining and jewelry in the area. “To celebrate Downtown LA’s grand reopening of businesses, we want to provide Angelenos with a fun and safe way to get out the house and relax away from the stresses of daily life,” said Suzanne Holley, president and CEO of DCBID. “The DTLA Grand Giveaway provides an opportunity to be pampered and spoiled and a chance to recharge and rediscover all that DTLA has to offer.” DCBID is a coalition of more than 2,000 property owners united in its commitment to enhance the quality of life in Downtown Los Angeles. When COVID-19 hit, the organization talked to destination analysts who had been surveying travelers and determining where they were going. Over half of the travelers surveyed said they are going to swap an out-of-town vacation for a staycation, according to Holley. “A lot of folks are not looking to do a lot of traveling outside of their neighborhood,” Holley said. “We thought this was a good opportunity to promote all of the amazing places that we have right here in our own backyard.” All Angelenos 18 and older (at date of
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entry) are eligible for the grand prize of a two-night stay at the InterContinental hotel and dinner at its Michelin-recommended steakhouse, La Boucherie. Entry is free and requires full name, email address and ZIP code. There are further staycations at six prominent area hotels for a one-night stay and dinner. The staycations and dinner include Los Angeles Athletic Club Hotel, a boutique hotel that sits atop a 12-story historic landmark; the contemporary hotel Westin Bonaventure, where guests can take in a 360-degree views of the city during dinner; an evening of fine dining and luxury atop Bunker hill at Omni Los Angeles Hotel; Hotel Indigo, with guest rooms featuring stunning murals to a penthouse cocktail lounge; NoMad Hotel, where historical grandeur meets modern-day sophistication; and dinner and stay at Freehand Los Angeles, a historic building transformed into a stylish contemporary hotel. “We know that the businesses Downtown are really anxious to open back up again, and so we are trying to find ways to support them,” Holley said. “We know that the community is very strong Downtown and really wants to support our businesses. This is just one more way that we can connect our great community with all of the resources that we
Suzanne Holley is president and CEO of the Downtown Center Business Improvement District. Photo courtesy Downtown Center Business Improvement District
have Downtown.” Angelenos do not have to live in Downtown to enter the sweepstake. Additional prizes include retail therapy with $500 worth of gift cards, from FIGat7th to Target, Zara, H&M and Victoria’s Secret. After shopping, the winner will have dinner for two nearby at Morton’s Steakhouse. Revel in the open-air shopping experience with a $500 gift card for The Bloc. Treat yourself to Macy’s, Bring Something to the Party, Jewelry Pavilion and Eli & Ella Rose. Then end the day with a meal for two at Joey DTLA.
The final prize is jewelry valued at $1,000 from St. Vincent’s Jewelry Center. “We really wanted this to be fun, because there are things that aren’t a lot of fun right now,” Holley said. “This is going to end, and there is no reason to think that this is going to go on forever. We just wanted to provide something fun for people to look forward to.” To enter, visit downtownla.com/dtla-grand-giveaway before August 14. Winners will be selected within seven days of the conclusion of the contest. For more information on DCBID, visit downtownla.com/about.
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Covered California will help ARTS & CULTURE Andre Comeau pushes ‘The Real World’ behind him with new EP By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski our years ago, former Reigndance vocalist Andre Comeau was playing in an acoustic folk band. Then inexplicably, he felt the pings of hard rock again. Encouraged by EMP Label Group’s Thom Hazaert and David Ellefson of Megadeth, Comeau released the EP “Wrong Within,” five songs of straightforward, Southern-tinged hard rock, in mid-June. “I met Thom many years back when he was still living in LA,” said Comeau, known as the “rocker guy” on the first season of MTV’s “The Real World.” “We talked a bit, and when I had the new album finished, a friend of mine reconnected us—Thom and I—and one thing led to another. I met up with David Ellefson and Thom when they were here in LA. We met at the Rainbow and had a lot of fun hanging out with those guys. I’m super excited to put this EP out on the label.” Comeau said the break from rock music
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and its inevitable return were conscious changes. “It was really a natural progression,” the Downtown LA resident said. “I write all my songs on acoustic guitar. I wasn’t terribly thrilled with the direction of rock at that time. I felt a real connection to some of the acoustic music I was listening to. “I continued along the folk path for many years. It wasn’t until maybe 2015 when I quite unexpectedly started writing rock songs again. There was no point in trying to bend those to fit my then-current folk leanings. I put a rock band together to record them and flush them out.” The move made Comeau realize how much he missed rock music. He’s so inspired that he already has 20 songs written for the next album and five of them are recorded. The delivery of his new songs is quite different from the Dylanesque approach of his folk tunes. He sings in a much higher register and, in some cases, “scream my
Andre Comeau spent time in a folk band before reigniting his rock roots. Photo courtesy Andre Comeau
head off.” “I missed it,” Comeau said with a laugh. “I certainly missed performing in that high-energy way and playing loud instruments. Playing in this rock genre allows me to open up my voice, just really open it up and let it fly. I would liken it to taking a fast car out on the freeway and seeing what it can do. That’s how I feel about playing rock. That’s where I shine.” When Comeau was on “The Real World” and playing with Reigndance with Dean Fertita (who’s now in Queens of the Stone Age and The Dead Weather), fans and critics didn’t give their music much of a chance. Comeau is hoping with “The Real World” eons behind him that will change. “Other than being a musician, which I will always be—hopefully, anyway—I can’t see that anything from then is all that relevant,” he said. Born in ’70s-era Detroit to a family of touring musicians, Comeau grew up steeped in all genres of music. Possessed with an instinctual sense of melody and dynamics, he has music in his blood. Reigndance ignited but quickly outgrew the burgeoning Detroit music scene of the early ’90s. Shortly after relocating to New York, Comeau was chosen to be a cast member on “The Real World.” After three
records and extensive touring, Reigndance disbanded in 1997. “Reigndance was really a great band, and we took it up the mountain,” he said. “And I’m extremely proud of everything we did. And we’ve all continued to be successful in our individual pursuits after. ‘The Real World’ thing, for a long time, was something I disconnected with, and at the time, it was really its own thing. For a long time, I didn’t even talk about it. Comeau relocated to Los Angeles and took up folk music via River Rouge in the 2000s. They released a handful of well-received albums and became a highlight of the Los Angeles club scene but disbanded in 2016. “I have always been a fan of Andre’s music, which, of course, I discovered through ‘The Real World,’” Hazaert said. “Reigndance was a great rock band, and, from a distance, I have perpetually kept up with his musical endeavors over the years. We had discussed briefly working together during the early 2000s, which ultimately never came to fruition as he transitioned away from rock for a season. I’m extremely excited that it has come together now the way it has. Andre has always been an extremely gifted songwriter and a true entertainer.”
Andre Comeau facebook.com/andrecomeaumusic/ emplabelgroup.com facebook.com/emplabelgroup Listen to “Son of a Gun” at youtu.be/hhFHI3k05dI
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Covered California will help ARTS & CULTURE
Spanish is key in ‘Dipped in Honey’ By Bridgette M. Redman hen an older playwright told Cristina Martinez there was too little Spanish language in her play, “Dipped in Honey,” and she should cut it, she went in the opposite direction. “I remember as a kid, my mom, as a first-generation (American), always told me that we aren’t rich and don’t have many material possessions but the one thing we do have is Spanish. That’s the only thing I can leave with you,” Martinez recalled. “So, for me, speaking Spanish was a big part of my experience. When I heard this playwright say that the Spanish wasn’t enough and that I should just cut it, I was like, if it’s not enough, then I’ll write more.” The play is getting a virtual debut at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 16, as part of the SheLA Arts Summer Theater Festival. In its third year, the festival runs from Monday, July 13, to Sunday, July 19, with four plays and one musical. Tickets can be purchased at shenycarts.org/she-la. Martinez, 23, graduated from Drew University with a BA in Theatre in 2019 and has been working on “Dipped in Honey” for the past several years. It recently won the university’s Robert Fisher Oxnam Award and was part of the Latino Theater Company’s 2019 Summer Play Reading Series. The play started out as a conversation between two friends who were looking at the stars. Since then it has evolved into a bilingual surreal poem about three children and their parents. It is set in Los Angeles and centers on the Latino experience, border issues and children’s loss of innocence. Martinez said it was the voice of her main character, Luna, who kept drawing her back to the story. It started as a single scene, but she kept writing and rewriting it. “Each time I went back, it really was the voice of Luna urging me on to write and tell this story,” Martinez said. “There were a lot of things in my own community and that I know that came out in this play. I think unconsciously I put them in and wrote about the community where I grew up.” Martinez grew up in South Central Los Angeles, and the community was continuing to speak to her as she wrote the play.
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Since the play was selected for the SheLA Arts Summer Theater Festival last
March, the death of George Floyd and the subsequent protests have put a focus on telling stories of BIPOC. However, Martinez emphasizes that stories like hers aren’t limited to 2020. “I think it is always time for stories like this,” Martinez said. “Stories that talk about pain and suffering that is currently happening and currently being ignored or most people are indifferent to it, there will never be a time when they shouldn’t be told.” She carefully pointed out the characters and events of “Dipped in Honey” are relevant no matter what the time, and the way they are unapologetically Latino isn’t going to go out of fashion. “Right now, diversity is hot,” Martinez said. “But I think inclusion and intersectionality and Black and indigenous people of color and their stories are relevant for today and for the rest of time.”
When she was informed that her play had been chosen for the festival, the plan was still to perform it live. Within a few weeks, discussions started about creating a virtual festival. Everyone was given the opportunity to walk away, but Martinez took on the challenge because she wanted her story heard by a larger audience. “It’s been challenging, but it’s also been beautiful to see the way that the story molds around the situation,” Martinez said. She was 19 when she wrote the first scene of “Dipped in Honey.” Now 23, she said she is confident about the play. “When I was 19, I was more scared of my voice and of having a strong opinion,” Martinez said. “Now, at 23, (the play) is more grounded and solid in that my voice is clear and the message is clear.” She was confident enough to brush off a person’s advice to focus on writing in English. That same person told her she should visit New York or London so she
could experience more culture. “I remember thinking, ‘Thank you very much for your comment,’ and just kind of leaving and laughing at the irony of the situation, because I studied in New York and I spent a semester abroad in London,” Martinez said. She said it was necessary to include Spanish because it is ingrained in the culture of her story’s families. “I think one of the beautiful things about theater is you don’t necessarily need to speak the same language or understand the language on stage to get the feeling across,” Martinez said. For example, when “Spring Awakening” was performed with deaf actors, it was very moving even to those who didn’t understand ASL. “That’s one of the beautiful things about seeing actors on stage. The connection can transcend language. We can empathize without fully understanding what someone is speaking.”
SheLA Arts Summer Theater Festival shenycarts.org/she-la/
“Dipped in Honey” performed a staged reading at Drew University in April 2019. Among those who participated was Angelica Toledo (Soledad); Diego Alejandro Gonźalez (Lucillo); Andrea Negrete (Luna); Cristina Martinez (playwright); Ashley Ortiz (Noche); Vivia Font (Estrella) and Jose Zayas (director). Photo courtesy Cristina Martinez
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