Author: Debbi Compton

The CIRCLE Program Responses to Nonviolent 911 Calls in LA

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Established in 2022, the Crisis and Incident Response through Community-led Engagement (CIRCLE) program has trained mental health workers to respond to nonviolent 911 calls throughout the Los Angeles area.

A Different Kind of Incident Approach

As homelessness issues expand throughout the city, the program’s 80-person staff take on 911 calls from a perspective of care and concern rather than having the city dispatch armed police officers to the scene, which may escalate the situation unnecessarily.

Calls regarding issues involving unhoused individuals, including loitering, noise disturbances, substance abuse, and indecent exposure, are all more effectively addressed by CIRCLE’s mental health staff working in 24-hour shifts. They even perform more mundane well-being checks for these individuals, demonstrating quality of life concerns and consideration.

CIRCLE’s Origin and Expansion Efforts

When the program began, it only served the Hollywood and Venice areas but moved quickly into downtown and South Los Angeles, the Northeast Valley, Lincoln Heights, and the Harbor Area. Amid the program’s success, Mayor Karen Bass announced CIRCLE’s expansion into Manchester Square, Oakwood, Mar Vista, Palms, Playa Vista, Playa Del Rey, Westchester, and Dockweiler Beach.

CIRCLE has not yet established a decompression center in West Los Angeles. Still, mental health director Latoya Stevenson states that they are essential to the services they provide.

“It’s a place for respite for people experiencing homelessness to come back for a short period of time to meet with the care coordinator, to meet with the mental health worker, get a break from being out in the elements,” Stevenson said.

The Role of Decompression Centers

Rather than a drop-off or walk-up site for immediate crisis attention, these decompression centers are available for CIRCLE staff to use during a mental health interaction. From this point, unhoused individuals and others suffering from mental health issues are encouraged to use established services, such as shelters and clinics. These decompression centers enable CIRCLE staff to meet these individuals in need where they are and help them move forward.

Why CIRCLE Is Expanding

Mayor Bass acknowledged the program’s effectiveness on Monday, saying, “If you can address a person who is having a mental health crisis early, you can prevent that person and that crisis from deteriorating to the point where you have to have police because that individual has become violent, or that individual has hurt someone.”

As much of the Los Angeles community has voiced quality-of-life concerns regarding the unhoused population, CIRCLE’s program offers a beneficial solution. Theirs is a preventative tool, responding to community concerns while addressing the crises these unhoused individuals face.

Helping Refocus Police Efforts

Over 14,000 nonviolent 911 calls were handed over to CIRCLE teams just last year, demonstrating the program’s reliability and effective response to issues involving unhoused individuals and those experiencing a mental health crisis. Their efforts have enabled armed police officers to focus on fighting crime rather than entering preventable altercations.

As Mayor Bass has apparently realized, the city of Los Angeles stands to benefit from police officers’ free allocation of resources toward more pressing matters. CIRCLE has made a lasting impact on the community and how a city can respond to various activities and crimes, making realistic distinctions between where resources need to be allocated at a given time and where one response would be more beneficial than another.

As former Mayor Eric Garcetti said when he first expanded the program in 2022, “CIRCLE is about strengthening the human bonds that are essential to public safety, and using a nonviolent response to homelessness so that we can help, not punish, our most vulnerable Angelenos.”

September 6, 2024
From Hollywood Glitz to a Backyard Shed: A Fast-Track Career

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Hair stylist Sallie Ciganovich once lived the Hollywood dream. It has since turned into a nightmare. She has over two decades of experience and her resume includes styling the hair of actors on “Star Wars,” “The Mandalorian,” and “Ahsoka.” Her work even earned her four Primetime Emmy nominations. Today, instead of working on big productions, Sallie is cutting and coloring hair in a small shed by her pool just to make ends meet.

The eight-by-ten-foot space, affectionately referred to as “the shack in the back,” wasn’t intended to be a source of income. Instead, it was supposed to be a place where her friends would come over and she could give them haircuts. However, with her bank account dwindling and work in Hollywood drying up, the shack has become a financial lifeline for her family.

Paying her Dues

Growing up in Naperville, Illinois, Sallie found her passion for hairdressing at an early age. After beauty school, she worked as a colorist in Chicago, where she got her first taste of the entertainment world by doing makeovers for Jenny Jones at NBC. However, driven by ambition and a desire to chase bigger dreams, she moved to Los Angeles to make her mark.

Like many with large dreams but small connections, her early days in Hollywood were tough. Sallie finally got her break working on the film “Wonderland,” which helped her join the IATSE hair and makeup union. Work was slow at first, but eventually, she landed jobs on shows like “Monk” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” where she stayed for 12 seasons. Sallie remembers the show with great fondness, recalling the creativity, quick changes, and family atmosphere.

Over the years, as Sallie’s reputation grew, so did her career. She worked on shows like “Glee,” “Bones,” and “The Orville.” Most notably, her work on “The Mandalorian” and “Ahsoka” earned her more Emmy nominations. But despite her success, the last few years have been the hardest of her career.

COVID Hits and Packs a Wallup

Both the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent 2023 strikes brought Hollywood to a standstill, curtailing Sallie’s work like never before. Productions shut down, and opportunities for veteran workers dried up. What’s more, there was a production exodus from Los Angeles to Great Britain, Ireland, New Mexico, and Atlanta.

Producers who she once depended on for work retired or left the industry and Sallie was forced to rebuild her network from scratch. Confronted with starting over, her savings depleted, and her health care insurance in jeopardy, Sallie used the “shack in the back” to generate extra income.

Do or Die

With financial pressures mounting, by the summer of 2023, Sallie started taking in clients in her backyard shed, charging $60 for a men’s haircut and $100 for an all-over color. Most of her clients are friends or former colleagues from the industry. However, even with the extra income, it has been tough for her to make ends meet.

What’s next? Sallie is currently considering more drastic measures to secure her future. One option may be relocating to Kentucky, where her mother mentioned that 32 movies have recently been greenlit. Another potential idea is transforming an old church near her family’s farm in Indiana into a day spa. She is researching this opportunity through an online business course. Whether either of these choices comes to fruition, at the end of the day would require that Sallie relinquish the dream and career which took her decades to build.

The Only Certainty is Uncertainty

Sallie’s story is a wake-up call for how much the entertainment industry has changed. The future is uncertain. Careers that once seemed secure are now in jeopardy. Sallie is in limbo, questioning what comes next and whether her passion for Hollywood and her career can see her through these difficult times.

August 23, 2024
Jill Biden Thinks the US Can Match the Paris Olympics Energy in 2028

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There was nothing but praise from First Lady Jill Biden, who attended Paris’ “spectacular” Olympic opening ceremony this past Friday. Yet, while the First Lady may have been dazzled by the pizazz of Paris and the Eiffel Tower backdrop, she found herself looking ahead Saturday to how the U.S. can match the same Paris energy when the Games are held in Los Angeles in four years. How? Simple – Hollywood, baby.

Friday night’s ceremony saw Biden snapping photos along the Seine River after meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte. Leading the U.S. presidential delegation to the Olympics, Biden continued enjoying the celebrity buzz in The City of Light, hugging and taking photos with hip-hop icon Flavor Flav when she stopped by to watch a women’s water polo match. Mirroring excited grins, Biden and Flavor Flav were decked out in red, white, and blue USA outfits – with the hip-hop star wearing a USA Water Polo clock around his neck — his signature accouterment.

The opening ceremony was a blend of elaborate performances that included the likes of Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, and French-Malian pop star Aya Nakamura, with French flair. The artists’ may have been the focal points, but the landmarks of Paris became the backdrops for captivating song, dance, and surprises like a hot air balloon carrying a ring of fire into a rainy Paris sky near the Eiffel Tower.

While the show also featured heavy rain that drenched the athletes parading on boats down the Seine and the crowds gathered along the river’s banks and bridges, the enthusiastic energy continued, with cheers erupting throughout the city.

Emphasizing that the weather didn’t impact the celebrations, Biden stated, “the rain did not dampen our spirits.”

Also seen at the star-studded ceremony was the founding member of the groundbreaking hip-hop group Public Enemy, the official hype man for USA Water Polo. After his PR team saw a post by an athlete drawing attention to the financial difficulties for most Olympic athletes, the hip-hop artists made an undisclosed financial contribution to the women’s program under a five-year deal.

The first lady also met and took photos with athletes from the U.S. team, giving a round of applause for American star Frederick Richard’s floor routine before meeting with the team shortly after it finished second in its subdivision, just behind Britain.

“That was pretty sick,” the 20-year-old Richard said. “I did not expect today that I would meet the First Lady, but I’m very thankful for the opportunity, and I’m glad they’re watching. I mean, that’s powerful, too.”

Richard’s only regret? He didn’t “show her a cooler floor routine” after he scored a little below his usual standard.

Earlier this week, Biden also stopped by the Grand Palais, the venue that hosts fencing, visiting athletes on the U.S. women’s rugby and the track and field teams at a training center in the northern Paris suburbs.

Speaking at a reception at the U.S. ambassador to France’s official residence, she mused on how the U.S. could top the show in 2028. Biden stated, “OK, so Paris has the Eiffel Tower, but we have Hollywood, right? And the magic of Hollywood that makes all dreams come true. So I think we’re gonna be OK,” she said. The First Lady added, “At the 2028 Games, Olympians and fans will see themselves reflected in Los Angeles — add that to our American warmth, hospitality and leadership, not to mention experience.”

August 2, 2024
LA Will Display the Only Green-Boned Dinosaur in the World

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The Los Angeles Natural History Museum is going green with the addition of its latest dinosaur. The 75-foot-long sauropod Gnatalie (pronounced Natalie) is being assembled at the museum. According to museum officials, it is not just a member of a new species but also the only dinosaur found on the planet whose bones are green.

Gnatalie received her name from the gnats that swarmed the excavation site of the long-necked, long-tailed, herbivorous dinosaur’s fossils, which were first discovered by researchers in 2007 in the Utah Badlands. The dinosaur’s fossils have a unique coloration of dark-mottled olive green, which it received from the mineral celadonite during the fossilization process.

While other fossils typically are brown from silica or black from iron minerals, green fossils are scarce due to the mineral celadonite forming normally in volcanic or hydrothermal conditions, which typically destroy buried bones. Celadonite entered the fossils when volcanic activity around 50 million to 80 million years ago made it hot enough to replace a previous mineral.

Like a sauropod species called Diplodocus, the sauropod refers to a family of massive herbivores, including the Brontosaurus and Brachiosaurus. This new species of dinosaur lived 150 million years ago, during the late Jurassic Era, which makes it older than the Tyrannosaurus rex, which lived 66 million to 68 million years ago.

While the discovery of the dinosaur will be published in a scientific paper next year, seeing Gnatalie in all her glory is a sight to behold.

Matt Wedel, anatomist and paleontologist at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona near Los Angeles, said he heard “rumors of a green dinosaur way back when [he] was in graduate school.” But, when he finally was able to glimpse the bones while they were being cleaned, Wedel said they were “not like anything else that I’ve ever seen.”

John Whitlock, who teaches at Mount Aloysius College, a private Catholic college in Cresson, Pennsylvania, joins in the excitement. Whitlock researches sauropods and expressed enthusiasm at having such a complete skeleton that helps fill in the blanks for less complete specimens.

“It’s tremendously huge, and it really adds to our ability to understand both taxonomic diversity and anatomical diversity,” Whitlock said.

Gnatalie will bring more than greenery to the Los Angeles Natural History Museum. Luis M. Chiappe of the museum’s Dinosaur Institute said in a statement about his team’s discovery that “dinosaurs are a great vehicle for teaching our visitors about the nature of science, and what better than a green, almost 80-foot-long dinosaur to engage them in the process of scientific discovery and make them reflect on the wonders of the world we live in!”

Last month, the museum asked for a public vote on five choices for the dinosaur’s name: Verdi, a derivative of the Latin word for green; Olive, after the small green fruit that symbolizes peace, joy, and strength; Esme, short for Esmeralda, which is Emerald in Spanish; and Sage, an iconic LA plant that is also grown in the Natural History Museum’s Nature Gardens.

Gnatalie will be the museum’s biggest dinosaur and can be seen this fall in its new welcome center.

July 23, 2024
Much Loved LA Bar, The Varnish, Closing Its Doors After 15 Years

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News of The Varnish’s closure sent shockwaves through LA, and, in many ways, it feels like the end of an era in the cocktail scene. Opened in 2009 by Eric Alperin, Cedd Moses, and Sasha Petraske, The Varnish was a West Coast spin on Petraske’s legendary New York bar, Milk & Honey. It found a home alongside Cole’s French Dip and soon became the bedrock of LA’s drinking culture, especially where old-school cocktails were crafted with purpose.

In its 15 years of operation, The Varnish received awards and critical acclaim, listing it as 14th in the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2012. It won the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award and became a James Beard Award nominee. Additionally, it served as a watering hole for notables like Jonathan Gold and Anthony Bourdain.

The closure is due, in part, to the shifting landscape of Los Angeles’s bar scene. Before The Varnish, the cocktail culture in LA was only slightly behind that of other major cities—not taken seriously at all, according to Leandro DiMonriva, one of the bartenders at The Varnish. Its establishment changed things overnight, raising the stakes on how guests in LA created and enjoyed cocktails.

Alex Day, a former bartender and now partner in other ventures, describes The Varnish’s approach to cocktails: raising a generation of mixologists to uncompromising standards. It was an attitude that had little to do with drinks but created a community where real passion for the craft and attention to detail could thrive.

With its many lit candles and playback of soft, calm jazz, the feel in The Varnish was immediate. This made the bar an asylum for those searching for more than a drink. It created an environment wherein strangers turned friends over carefully prepared cocktails and experiences shared in common, creating a sense of belonging that resonated beyond its four walls.

But apart from the timelessness of its appeal, The Varnish needed to be more attentive to everything happening in this contemporary age. The pressure of the economy—especially the pandemic—was squeezing every business in the City of Angels to a pulp, including downtown. With the economic climate changing for rapids, rising costs, and urban dynamics, it was a battle for survival, besides the effort to keep its unique identity alive.

The former bar manager, Samuel Houston, shared his challenges when the pandemic compelled them to look inward, saying, “It’s in that line between being traditional and practical to make adjustments to survive.” The difficulty for Varnish lay in not giving up on those values that made it unique in the first place: fresh ingredients and precise techniques brought this particular challenge of adapting to the new reality of fewer guests and economic uncertainty.

As The Varnish nears the moment when it will finally shut its doors, nostalgia, and gratitude fill the atmosphere for both patrons and employees. It meant so much more than just a bar to many; it stood as a tribute to the lasting power of its founders’ vision.

Varnish has left something behind—something much more than its physical location; a legacy that only happens when relentless passion meets dedication. Even marking the closure of such an era, its influence will be upon Los Angeles cocktail culture for years to come, inspiring a new crop of bartenders and spirits enthusiasts to pursue excellence in their hospitality and craft.

July 9, 2024
LA Shares Updates on 2028 Olympic Games

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Major Venue Changes for the LA28 Olympics

The LA28 organizing committee, which aims to maximize resources and improve the spectator experience, has revealed major venue alterations that will impact the future Games.

Swimming Events Set for SoFi Stadium

Swimming events will now be held in SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, according to a news conference on Friday by LA28 Chairman Casey Wasserman. Two makeshift pools will be built at SoFi Stadium to enable this relocation, imitating the arrangement that proved well for the 2024 U.S. Olympic trials at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Before being uncovered and ready for swimming competitions, these pools will be covered for the Opening Ceremony.

The Olympic program had to be adjusted as a result of the decision to relocate swimming at SoFi Stadium. Swimming will now take place throughout the second weekend and final week of the Games, instead of the customary time immediately following the Opening Ceremony. The purpose of this modification is to smoothly handle the venue change and maximize logistics.

Strategic Relocations to Oklahoma City

Another sport impacted by Southern California’s venue restrictions, softball, will move to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. By using existing venues that satisfy international competition requirements, this approach eliminates the need to construct temporary facilities in Los Angeles. In a similar vein, canoe slalom competitions will move to Oklahoma City as the Los Angeles region lacks adequate sites.

Wasserman stressed that the quality of the athlete and spectator experience, as well as financial responsibility, were carefully taken into account while making these selections. “Both the canoe slalom and softball venues in Oklahoma City are built to international competition standards, ensuring a high-quality experience for athletes and fans,” said Wasserman. He also emphasized the advantages of cost reduction and possible income growth for LA28, both of which are essential for upholding a balanced budget.

Wasserman voiced confidence in SoFi Stadium’s potential to organize a successful swimming tournament, both in terms of capacity and passion among spectators. SoFi Stadium, which can accommodate up to 38,000 spectators, promises to be a magnificent venue for Olympic swimming, breaking the marks set in the modern period at the U.S. Olympic trials in 2024.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the corresponding host cities need to approve these venue alterations. By being proactive, LA28 hopes to quickly obtain these permits so that it may go forward with thorough planning and implementation.

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are slated to take place in one of the most famous athletic towns in the world from July 14 to July 30, offering a fusion of history and innovation. With a hopeful statement, Wasserman said, “We’re very confident this is going to be a swimming competition for the ages in every regard.”

The move of canoe slalom and softball to Oklahoma City fits with LA28’s plan to make use of the current infrastructure in order to comply with Olympic regulations. Oklahoma City’s potential to stage Olympic-level games is demonstrated by its history of hosting significant athletic events, such as the Women’s College World Series, which has been held there every year since 1990. This choice capitalizes on the local community’s excitement and support for elite sporting events in addition to guaranteeing logistical efficiency.

LA28’s dedication to efficiency and quality is demonstrated by its choice to move softball and canoe slalom to Oklahoma City and move swimming to SoFi Stadium. These calculated actions will determine whether the 2028 Olympics are a success or a failure, giving competitors, spectators, and host towns an unforgettable experience.

As the organizing committee navigates these adjustments, there is a strong emphasis on financial responsibility and quality, which are crucial for the success of the event. With the Olympics set to take place in July 2028, the anticipation builds, promising a spectacular celebration of sports in one of the world’s most iconic athletic cities. By embracing innovation and adaptability, LA28 is poised to create memorable moments for all involved, ensuring that the 2028 Olympics will be a resounding success.

June 25, 2024
EMBODY Serves Residents of LA to Improve Community and Mental Wellness

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Los Angeles was recently invigorated with the joy, connection, and empowerment that “EMBODY: Empowering Mental Health through Community Wellness and Creativity” brought to the community. Over 700 community members attended this extraordinary day of holistic wellness and artistic expression, which took place on Saturday, May 18, at Hope on Union. The event was designed to be a beacon of healing, and to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month through the support of CalMHSA and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.

The event, which was MC’d by TEDx global public speaker and poet Sean Hill, delivered a plethora of activities that were aimed at promoting the wellness of both the body and soul. Those in attendance took part in spiritual yoga and tai chi sessions, a public photo booth, dance and collaboration in playshops, created an art mural, and engaged in thought-provoking discussions on mental well-being and financial wellness. Music from local DJ Tyrone Ward and songs from the all-female sextet group Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas added to the atmosphere.

During the event, the community received professional plant-based offerings that were provided by Chef Tony of Sunny Express Gourmet Fast Food, Chef Megan Tucker of Mort and Betty’s, Vegan Liberian cuisine by Mamie Peppa, and Chef Supreme of Harvest Academy, who represented Big Mountain Foods.

Beverages were also offered by Hannah Said of Saffron Cowboy, as well as by Rich Bertrand of Nija Wellness. Both the food and drink added to a celebration of cultures.

With help from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s Take Action LA Initiative, EMBODY will not just be a one-time event, but a part of a movement dedicated to mental health awareness and support for LA County residents. The initiative was made in collaboration with Vegans of Los Angeles, and continues to make an impact on the community.

Gwenna Hunter, the founder of Vegans of Los Angeles and even collaborated, stated that she was “so pleased that we were able to provide this community with a day of absolute ease, celebration of wellness, live music, education, free quality merchandise, a free abundant produce market, and delicious plant-based hot foods. To see all the smiling faces, the children laughing and playing, moms sitting down to a nourishing meal and families spending time together brought so much joy to our hearts.”

L’lia ‘Tizzle’ Thomas, who co-created EMBODY and is the founder of Soul SistarMystique Aromachaura, also stated, “This was a beautifully diverse event that called for us to nurture our mind, body, and spirit. It was a profoundly memorable and life-changing day that was a true embodiment of love, art, and bliss.”

DeAnna Carpenter, the founder of She Who Builds LLC and an EMBODY Co-Creator, added: “I’m grateful we were entrusted with this opportunity to infuse the community with more beauty, joy, laughter, lightness, accessibility, and a variety of resources that we hope will sustain and inspire them in their daily lives and in their wellness and wellbeing journeys.”

EMBODY was created to untangle the stigma surrounding mental health, as well as to provide a welcoming space where prevention, education, and encouragement could flourish.

For media inquiries, please contact by email: [email protected] or by phone: (954) 224-0244

June 18, 2024
General Hospital Actor Johnny Wactor Fatally Shot in Los Angeles

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An actor for the long-running show General Hospital was fatally shot in the early morning hours of May 25 after he stumbled upon thieves who were attempting to steal his catalytic convertor.

Johnny Wactor, the actor, was with his co-worker Anita Joy when he was shot after their bartending shift in Downtown Los Angeles. Joy had been walking with Wactor at Level 8 before the incident and was with Wactor when he died.

In a lengthy Instagram post made on Wednesday, May 29, Joy wrote that she had “needed to take some time to collect [herself] and [her] thoughts” before posting.

“I was with Johnny in his last moments and I’m here to be his voice after such unimaginable events,” Joy wrote. “He was killed senselessly by a coward who reacted without care of the gorgeous life he was taking. So I’m angry, I’m sad and I’m all of the feelings at once… but above all, I am here for Johnny’s justice.”

She added that the “basic details of the horrific story” came down “to a few criminals trying to steal a car part.”

“Everything happened in an instant,” she went on to write. “I’ve come to describe it as a glass of water that gets tipped over and you’re scrambling to grab it and save it from spilling out completely but it just runs through your fingertips and is gone.”

Joy explained that the pair had “cautiously approached the men” to question what they were doing,” as they initially thought the car was being towed.

“Johnny kept his cool as he always did, simply stating that it was his car and for them to leave. Hands open to his sides in peace,” Joy wrote. “Johnny was between me and the man who shot him – as I heard the shot ring into the night, he forcefully tumbled back into my arms, and as I grabbed for him, I shouted, ‘Hunny, you ok?!’

And he only responded, ‘Nope! Shot!’”

Joy stated that Wactor had “toppled onto the street,” and that she had “pushed her legs under him and tried to hold his body up while screaming for help” and for him to “stay with [her].”

She added that a security guard named Bryan, who worked at the club they were bartending at, came by and called emergency services before trying to perform CPR on the actor. Joy added that she had tied her denim jacket around her friend to try to stop the bleeding but that the wound was “too extreme for him to survive it.”

“But by God, he fought to stay,” she wrote.

In the post’s caption featuring a photo of the two together, Joy said that Wactor “lit up any room,” and added, “No matter how well you knew him, he treated everyone like he truly cared about you.”

Wactor, known for his General Hospital role as Brando Corbin, had also appeared in Army Wives, NCIS, The OA, Westworld, Station 19, Agent X, Animal Kingdom, Criminal Minds, and other shows.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner determined that the actor died from a gunshot wound to the chest and that his manner of death is listed as a homicide.

A GoFundMe was set up to help his family with funeral and travel expenses. As of the morning of June 1, it has raised over $100,000.

June 6, 2024
Beat the Summer Heat By Watching a Movie at One of LA’s Grand Movie Palaces

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The LA Conservancy is offering a unique opportunity for the public to escape the heat and reality this summer. The grand movie palaces of Downtown LA are set to air a series of movies throughout the summer. These historic theaters, typically off-limits to the public, will be exclusively open for special film screenings.

The LA Conservancy has established this exciting summer program to keep the history of film alive. For over 30 years, the non-profit organization has been committed to preserving the cultural and historical sites of the beautiful city of Los Angeles. In 1987, they established a program called Last Remaining Seats in order to showcase the grand movie palaces of Los Angeles. Sarah Lann, who is the Director of Education at the conservancy, stated that the program started to revitalize Downtown Los Angeles during the economic challenges the city faced in the 1970s and ’80s

This year, the screenings will be held in three iconic theaters downtown: the Palace, the Orpheum, and the Los Angeles Theatre. Each of these theaters has a rich history. What’s more, they offer more than just a viewing experience. They offer visitors the opportunity to step back in time.

The Palace Theatre, described by Lann as a “jewel box” on Broadway, is the oldest of the three theaters. It was built in 1911 originally for vaudeville shows. Despite being smaller than the other theaters, it offers intimacy and extravagance with its detailed murals and ornate decorations that remind people of a Faberge egg.

The Orpheum Theatre is the “big sister” to the Palace. It was built in 1926 and boasts a Wurlitzer organ. The organ will be played live during some film screenings, accentuating the vintage film experience. The Orpheum has also appeared in various films and TV shows, making it a familiar location for individuals who have never stepped inside.

The Los Angeles Theatre, the last of the grand movie palaces, was built on Broadway in 1931. It quickly faced financial difficulties during the Great Depression but eventually opened with Charlie Chaplin’s film City Lights. Not only was Chaplin at the premiere, but Albert Einstein was too! The theater is extravagantly designed and partially inspired by Versailles.

The film lineup for this year is as exciting and iconic as the venues. Opening night on June 1 will feature the classic comedy The Seven Year Itch and a unique celebration of Marilyn Monroe’s birthday. Other screenings include timeless favorites like Bullit, Gaslight, and From Russia With Love. A special screening of Mi Vida Loca, commemorating its 30th anniversary, will consist of the director’s and cast members’ appearances. This film tells the gripping true story of women surviving gang life in Echo Park.

Lann notes how these venues remind us of a time when public spaces were breathtakingly beautiful and accessible to everyone for just a few cents. She hopes that the “Last Remaining Seats” program will reintroduce people to these architectural masterpieces, which, according to her, are the “best kept secrets” of the city.

Their website provides information about volunteering and membership for those interested in getting involved with the Los Angeles Conservancy or the film series. Whether you’re a film buff, a history enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique way to cool off this summer, these movie screenings offer an unforgettable experience in some of the most stunning settings Los Angeles has.

June 5, 2024
LA Museums Are Making a Change to Help the Environment

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Los Angeles museums are taking a bold step toward environmental consciousness by rethinking their approach to temperature control within their exhibition spaces. As part of the Climate Impact Program launched through PST Art, the Getty’s arts initiative, institutions like the Hammer Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) are pioneering new strategies to minimize their environmental footprint while still preserving valuable artwork.

Doing What’s Best for Both Art and Environment

Traditionally, museums have maintained strict temperature and humidity controls, adhering to standards established nearly a century ago. However, new research and international art conservation guidelines suggest that wider temperature ranges can be safe for artwork and significantly reduce energy consumption.

Leading the charge is Laura Lupton’s firm, LHL Consulting, which developed the Climate Impact Program. By relaxing typical climate control standards, museums can substantially cut energy use, a critical consideration given the cavernous nature of exhibition spaces.

“Museums are the most trusted institutions, full stop,” Lupton said. “Being seen as institutions that are actually taking responsibility in making sure that museums are a climate solution inherently helps build a sense of community trust.”

The Hammer Museum plans to pilot expanded temperature and humidity ranges in its upcoming PST exhibition, “Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice.” Director of Exhibitions Michael Nock emphasizes the importance of reducing the museum’s energy footprint, saying, “The energy that we use to run the building is a really large portion of every project’s footprint… I can’t thank the artists who are in the show enough for being advocates for it and happy to sign on and endorse the effort.”

Some Museums Must Be First So That Others Can Follow

MOCA is also pushing boundaries by experimenting with temperature ranges in its new HVAC systems and site-specific installations. At MOCA, baseline emissions equate to the energy use of 20 homes, according to the museum’s 2023 sustainability report. However, with the implementation of a new energy management system for its HVAC system, the museum anticipates a 25% reduction in energy usage. Kelsey Shell, the museum’s environmental and sustainability strategist, underscores the urgency of adopting environmentally sustainable approaches in response to the climate crisis.

“It’s difficult for any institution to be the first,” Shell said. “This is an example where the Climate Impact Program and the discussions with colleagues that have come from that have allowed more institutions to feel safer in making those choices together.”

These efforts are part of a broader initiative within the PST Art program, themed “Art and Science Collide.” The Getty Foundation, which oversees the initiative, emphasizes the importance of collaboration.

“If each individual institution had to undergo this learning process all on their own, it would be really challenging,” said Joan Weinstein, Director of the Getty Foundation. “Doing it as a community sharing all those resources, sharing the knowledge that already existed in the community has so much more impact.”

A Conscientious But Natural Decision

By repurposing materials, encouraging on-site installations, and exploring sustainable practices, museums hope to integrate climate-based decision-making into their operations seamlessly. Other participating institutions include the Skirball Cultural Center, the Broad, and the California African American Museum, among others.

Ultimately, museums see themselves as key players in climate action, leveraging their status as trusted institutions to inspire community engagement. Through thought-provoking exhibitions and innovative approaches, they aim to spark meaningful conversations and encourage action for a more sustainable future.

May 15, 2024
Business Owners Seek Help After Impact of Fire on 10 Freeway

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A major fire on November 11th caused damage when a blazing flame erupted beneath the 10 Freeway, leaving businesses in downtown Los Angeles reeling. Francisco Torres Sr., a two-decade veteran of the local product distribution industry, is among many who have been severely affected. His plans for semi-retirement were unexpectedly thwarted when the fire destroyed his business.

Tragically, disaster happened while Torres Sr., 69, was moving equipment to his son’s company. About $200,000 worth of essential equipment, including a semi-truck, a pickup vehicle, five forklifts, and several other necessary items, were ruthlessly destroyed by the fire. Instead of a planned progressive shift in duties, there was a mad dash to save what little money the family still had.

Torres Jr. describes his experience seeing the destruction done to his family’s business as nothing less than a “living nightmare.” It was difficult to get advice from municipal officials in the chaotic aftermath of the fire, and solutions were hard to come by in the confusion that followed.

Nevertheless, on November 20th, the city of Los Angeles unveiled a temporary Business Assistance Resource Center, offering a ray of light. The facility, supported by discretionary funding from Councilman Kevin de León’s office, provides a vital support system for companies that are struggling due to the effects of the fire and the ensuing shutdown of nearby freeways.

On its first day, the resource center housed inside Young’s Market Company in downtown Los Angeles saw a surge in the number of entrepreneurs looking for help. Over thirty entrepreneurs benefited from the services offered, and officials from several county and local departments, charitable organizations, and business associations were available to provide direction and encouragement.

Apart from providing cash assistance, the resource center also offers mental health counseling and legal advice, acknowledging the complex difficulties entrepreneurs face following a disaster. Business owners such as Daniel Oh, a distributor of women’s clothes whose company, YS Collection, has been close to the fire scene for 13 years, are hopeful that they will be able to obtain financial aid to lessen their losses.

Oh projects a startling 70% reduction in income since the highway shutdown, blaming the sharp decline on the departure of loyal clients amid erratic travel patterns. The freeway’s restoration to traffic is a step toward normalcy, but businesses nearby continue to face difficulties as a result of certain on- and off-ramp restrictions.

Councilman Kevin de León recognized the struggles encountered by business owners, who are the town’s backbone, and emphasized the road closure’s significant impact on the local economy. Beyond the information center, the mayor’s office has launched a micro-enterprise grant program that provides awards of up to $5,000 to ease financial pressures in an effort to help impacted businesses.

Notwithstanding the challenges experienced by companies in downtown Los Angeles following the highway fire, the cooperative efforts of municipal authorities, nonprofit organizations, and other agencies provide a glimmer of hope for recovery. The community’s tenacity emerges as entrepreneurs face the obstacles ahead, highlighting the unwavering energy that characterizes downtown Los Angeles.

March 20, 2024
Major Marijuana Bust in South El Monte: 12 Arrested in Warehouse Raid

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In a major move against unlawful cannabis activities, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) swooped in on a warehouse in South El Monte with a large-scale raid, uncovering over 5,500 cannabis plants and roughly 455 pounds of processed cannabis. This operation led to the apprehension of twelve people on charges related to drug offenses, marking a strong statement in the LASD’s continued battle against the illegal cannabis market and its related criminal undertakings in the area.

The operation kicked off with a search warrant for the commercial property, unveiling an elaborate cultivation setup. This raid is part of a wider crackdown by the LASD aimed at illegal cannabis ventures, which, beyond breaking drug laws, are seen as nurturing a spectrum of criminal behavior. Such illegal setups are frequently tied to organized crime networks and pose numerous challenges for communities, from the nuisance of bad smells to attracting crime due to the substantial cash flow involved.

Illegal marijuana cultivation and distribution networks pose a substantial challenge to law enforcement agencies. Such operations are highly lucrative and are often operated by organized crime groups that use the proceeds to fund further illegal activities. By conducting raids and shutting down these operations, the LASD aims to disrupt the supply chain of illegal narcotics, thereby curtailing the financial support of organized crime groups. This, in turn, enhances community safety and well-being by removing a source of criminal activity from neighborhoods.

The LASD’s proactive approach to combating illegal marijuana operations includes conducting between 300 and 600 search warrants a year related to marijuana. This high volume of raids highlights the pervasive nature of illegal marijuana cultivation and distribution in Los Angeles County and the LASD’s commitment to addressing this issue head-on. The department’s efforts are not just about enforcing drug laws but also about protecting communities from the broader implications of these illegal operations.

The impact of raids such as the one in South El Monte extends beyond the immediate disruption of illegal marijuana operations. These actions also serve as a deterrent to others who might consider engaging in similar illegal activities. By demonstrating the consequences of such operations, including arrest and the seizure of property, the LASD sends a clear message that illegal drug operations will not be tolerated.

Moreover, the LASD’s focus on dismantling the networks that fuel organized crime through illegal marijuana operations is a critical component of their broader strategy to enhance public safety. By targeting the financial underpinnings of organized crime groups, law enforcement agencies can weaken these groups’ ability to operate and reduce their impact on communities.

The recent raid in South El Monte demonstrates the LASD’s ongoing efforts to combat the illegal marijuana trade and its associated criminal activities. Through diligent enforcement and strategic operations, the LASD is making significant strides in disrupting the supply chain of illegal narcotics, enhancing community safety, and reducing the influence of organized crime. As the department continues to execute search warrants and conduct raids, it remains committed to protecting the well-being of Los Angeles County residents and upholding the rule of law.

March 13, 2024