trump-rally-la-hotdog

The Hotdog Vendor at the Trump Supporters Rally Downtown: A Tale Behind the Wagon

Jose Barto January 12, 2021

The Capitol Riot, which occurred on January 6th, 2022, was President Donald Trump supporters’ way of demonstrating their anger upon his failure of re-election. A mob of almost 2000 unmasked people, flaunting their patriotism with red, white, and blue flags, sieged the L.A. City Hall while hoisting signs manifesting Trump’s famous slogan, ‘Make America Great Again’. Others, proudly armored with guns, displayed messages such as, ‘Stop the Steal’ and ‘Drain the “swamp.”

The mob of protesters were enraged by the results of the election during the 2020 presidential contest and began a peaceful march. This conflict-free rally went haywire and transformed into a vicious and frenzied sight wherein physical assault was carried out upon two photographers. Counter-protesters were battered and doused with pepper spray. However, in the thick of such mayhem, an old street food vendor by the name of Gabriel Josè Garcia stood alone with complacency.

This vendor reached his autumn of life at 53 years old and could be seen grilling his food, undisturbed by the chaos. He did what he has been doing for the past 25 years, and he was adamant to carry his weight by marketing his food, one of which is considered L.A.’s most celebrated grub, the Danger Dog.

Donning his usual hat and t-shirt, he had only one thing on his mind, which was to give his family el pan del día (daily bread). In his first language, Spanish, he stated how he had left “it” in the hands of the Lord and how he did not have a single thought about the riot. He was there to earn his living to care for himself and his family.

Garcia said, “I did not plan to go there with the idea of getting hurt or ill. I did not think of the fights happening. I just went there to do my job and earn the money my family needs. Ese día sólo tenía un objetivo en mente y trabajé hasta la noche (That day, I had only one goal in mind and I worked till the night).”

The hoard of Donald Trump patrons noticed Garcia as well and poked fun at him during the event. “What are you doing around this area, amigo?” asked some commenters, “You should be standing over there!” Despite being seen as a nuisance, Garcia felt no danger and stood unafraid in the same spot since the beginning of the day. He set up shop like usual, only worried about getting fined by police or even arrested. His worries increased when he saw how the tension of the rally grew.

A video was taken of Garcia without his knowledge. The team in charge of doing so was representatives of Fox 11 News, and this was screened during their segment, and the clip became virally known in every nook and cranny of social media. The first one to upload this video clip was a Twitter user who goes by the name Edwin Munera. He posted it on his account, unveiling the figure of a masked vendor on the street, Garcia, with a Rams hat on the top of his head and standing unbothered in the cluster that is the crowded rally of Trump supporters.

Munera, on the phone, stated, “I’m only relieved it was possible for him to get the money he well deserved, and that nobody caused any inconsiderate disturbance to him.” Through bated breath, he said, “It’s difficult for Hispanics to get their earnings, or even imagine profits; it’s tough with those people.”

In Garcia’s experience, this was not the first time he witnessed a similar incident. Almost three decades of his involvement in the street vendor scene has equipped him with encounters with several protests and many other huge crowds. Before the Capitol Riot, he saw the rise of the Black Lives Matter processions, which highlighted acts of racism since 2013. Along with this, he was also a witness to the crowds before the electoral results during the Biden-Harris celebration in November.

He continued to stay for a long time during the siege. There was a fight that bloomed among the president’s crowd and the people who criticized him. This was when police officers decided to intervene and handcuff around six people who were part of the brawl that erupted. This fight even reached Spring Street, around the outskirts of the LAPD headquarters. This prompted Garcia to finally thank God for his safety, pack his things, and leave.

Gonzales wore a smile that hid his tiredness. “I don’t feel bothered by criticism; not anymore,” he said, “I’ve worked in this field for a long time, I think you can say I’ve grown accustomed to such situations. The worst part is when police officers arrive without warning and fine us for selling food in this area. It really stings. When there are verbal insults that you hear every day, it doesn’t hurt you. But it’s a completely different thing when you get those ticket fines. A day’s worth of income will be wasted and those sting far greater than any comment.”

He could not earn much money that day, so whatever he had, he pushed down his front pocket and fled the scene. His small red cart was in front of his hands, being moved away squeakily to his usual spot in the Eastern area of Central City. As he was walking away frantically, he recalled hearing the echoes of tear gas going off and fracas echoing in the distance that grew the more he moved forward.

Throughout many obstacles, Garcia works to keep his family well-fed and in school. “It is not what the event is about,” said 22-year-old Juan Garcia Perez, one of his sons. “Prior to the rise of COVID-19, we could travel to different places, even as far as San Francisco or Las Vegas, sometimes even Colorado, to work at soccer games,” Perez states that his father is doing what he does daily, which translates to earning an honest living. However, the clip of him that day during the riot spread fast and wide, and this, according to his family and friends, was a call for concern over his safety.

“I hadn’t even thought about it initially,” Munera said, “I was under the assumption that it would just be a random video of a hot dog vendor. But then it suddenly occurred to me that it was a bloody Trump rally.”

Before the pandemic engulfed the world, Garcia, along with some of his relatives (such as his mother, his mentor and sole introduction to the art of street vending and its minutiae since he was twelve), would go around finding spots to park their little food carts in areas where it was common for a large gathering to occur. The habitual hubs in mind would be at the Staples Center, L.A. Convention Center, Dodgers Stadium, and even outside high schools & elementary schools.

Garcia spoke, “If there was a march held or an event happening, I’d always be there. Whether it’s a buzzing Lakers game or a Black Friday sale at the Staples Center, I’d try my best to show up. No matter what event, I’d be there. Then almost abruptly, these events were canceled and everything shut down.”

Street vendors, who have mostly been those who are of Mexican descent, have fought a long and hard battle in terms of decriminalization of street vendors in L.A. In January 2020, they finally won. However, there was a short-lived celebration due to the problematic permit process pushing vendors to continue illegal vendors without permits.

When the pandemic hit L.A., the unreliable situation of street vendors and their function in the city became significantly worse. “It was disastrous,” Garcia said, “It wasn’t only my problem of course. It was devastating for us all in terms of finance, because I had a huge dependency on events like marches, rallies and such to get my bills paid for housing, food, and everything.”

The family frequently moved around the state due to a lack of finances, endangering their lives and being on the front lines of the pandemic.

Perez stated that five years ago, two residents of Pico-Union passed away after the truck they drove flipped upside down as it was going from San Francisco to Los Angeles. “We grew up together,” he stated, “We sold beside each other. That happened while they were trying to earn money to live, to simply go and sell hot dogs.”

In the previous summer, Garcia encountered three men and was almost mugged while they screamed at him to give them his money when he was trying to sell off his raspados. He had a bright mind and a lucky soul as he ruined their plans when a good samaritan drove by coincidentally and helped him when surrounded by the men.

“That is the tale of every street vendor and their daily lives. How my father has to readjust his plans to make his wages and pay the bills. Sometimes, poverty can be seen as a romanticized narrative, its struggle and hustle can be idealized. But if you look at the bigger picture, there’s layers of hardships.” Perez said.

When he recalls the riot day, Garcia laughs to himself as he tries to decipher his news channel cameo. “Things like this make me too shy,” Garcia said, “If you look closely at the clip, you’ll notice how I moved around. I made attempts to outflank them, but they got me that day. Pero pues aquí estamos (but here we are).”

If you are interested in aiding Garcia and his family, they have come up with a GoFundMe page!

Andres-Guardado

LASD Whistleblower Reveals Big On Deputy That Shot Andres Guardado

Della Ford August 25, 2020

In another turn of events over the murder of 18-year-old Andres Guardado, a LASD whistleblower might have opened a can of worms. 

LASD whistleblower Austreberto “Art” Gonzalez’s alleged reveal brings to the attention of the violent clique ‘Executioners’- a group of deputies based at Compton Sheriff’s station. As revealed by the whistleblower, the deputy who shot Andreas Guardado was a potential member of the violent group. However, some officials deny or claim to be false against the allegations.

About ‘Executioners’ As Revealed By The Whistleblower

The violent clique comprises deputies at the Compton Sheriff’s station. In order to become a member of the group, one should resort to violence, as testified by the whistleblower.

As per the report by Gonzalez, some deputies belonging to the Executioners sports Nazi imagery tattoos and AK-47s. Reportedly, members become a part of the clique by committing violent acts such as executing members of the public. 

The testimony of Gonzalez obtained through Spectrum News 1 also discloses information about the violent clique. It reveals deputies attempting to impress Executioners, which is infamously called ‘chasing ink.’ 

It also revealed that deputies throw ‘998 parties’, which is a code for ‘officer-involved shooting.’ In law enforcement, it’s a situation where a deputy or an officer shoots somebody.

The LASD whistleblower further discloses that it was an act to welcome a new member or celebrate someone getting ‘inked.’ Several claims have been made regarding the gang. 

What Happened On June 18, 2020 And The Aftermath Situation

Deputy Miguel Vega, on June 18, 2020, shot and killed Andres Guardado in Gardena in an alleyway. As per the autopsy, the teenager was shot five times in the back by the sheriff’s deputy. 

Guardado’s death is quite a complex situation. As per reports, he was an unofficial security guard at an auto body shop. The deputies spotted the teenager having a chat with someone in a car. As per claims by the deputies, Guardado saw them, showed a gun, and fled.

The deputies chased after the teenager, and on reaching a nearby alley, Deputy Miguel Vega shot Guardado. Officials reveal that they have found a ‘ghost gun’ from the scene without a serial number.

Gonzalez, under oath, reveals that deputies involved in the shooting were prospects when asked if they were ‘inked members.’ However, Vega’s lawyer denies the report, saying it’s false.

The situation would have been less complex if the deputies had worn body cams, but those rolled out were only from October 1. Also, the video footage from across the streets fails to show the shooting.

Amid the violent incident, there is also a report about these deputy gangs, which have cost millions in lawsuits to LA County. It is not the first time related to violence by deputies. In 2018, The Banditos, an East LA group, got into a brawl with fellow members at a party. It led to the disciplining of twenty-six employees in connection with the episode.

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White Return In Inglewood

Cheyenne Grippa July 27, 2020

Hal Miller was a criminal lawyer who died recently. He and my father have been friends since their teens. I knew him but never spoke with him in-depth until sometime in the mid-90s when I was doing a story for the L.A. Times. It was a story about Eastside Boys, a group of black men born prior to 1940. My father and Hal were both members, but the latter was the group’s unofficial leader, expert, and historian. His house was like a permanent venue for reunions for years. But the yearly occasion wasn’t just a gathering; it was a homage to black life in Los Angeles in the early part of the twentieth century, which, when looking back, were its best years.

To grasp the magnitude of the gentrification taking over black neighborhoods in metropolitan L.A., it’s necessary to know what Eastside meant to black people. Of course, not everything was ideal; racist tradition forced blacks to reside in different neighborhoods on Eastside. The areas on Eastside were west of Alameda Street and east of Main Street and are currently called South Central. But despite the circumstances, the Eastside Boys, including Hal and my father, celebrated the gigantic possibility that L.A. appeared to provide what they could see from a small view of their surroundings. They celebrated it not only at reunions but every day of their lives.

The city was modern, with a sense of horizontalness, mixed economy, and inexpensive homes. It looked like a place accessible to everyone, irrespective of color, class, or status, unlike New York or New Orleans. The climate also encouraged people to keep that belief because it’s moderate, and anyone from any climatic region can adjust quickly. The success of the Eastside community in the mid-twentieth century also increased hope for a wonderful life that seemed to take form for future generations despite the segregation.

It did happen; hope turned to reality in one way after the 50s and 60s civil rights movement, but it came with a cost. When restrictions on racial housing disappeared, the white community left the area en masse leaving blacks in segregation once again. But prosperity continued, especially in the middle-class communities of Baldwin Hills, View Park, Leimert Park, and Crenshaw. These areas were off-limits to black people before.

As white people left the areas, it was Inglewood from where they left last and in large numbers. It was a different city for two reasons; first, it opposed integration historically, and second, its location was to the extreme west if you consider Eastside. Though many white people left, there was still a significant number of households residing even in the 1970s. Many blacks arrived and made the place their home, but the good life didn’t last long. Proposition 13, which limited the funding of various services, including public schools, had a disastrous effect. It later led to the onset of an epidemic in the form of crack cocaine which multiplying street gangs oversaw. The wave of immigrants from Mexico and Central America also changed the racial makeup of South Central and Inglewood.

As if all these weren’t enough, the rising cost of housing, sometimes called “the destabilizing force of the 21st century,” poses a threat and may take away any hope of a good life for the black community of L.A. The one factor, “affordability,” which made Eastside thrive, is no more prevalent. Los Angeles is sharply vertical now, and only the wealthy and elites can afford housing. Besides, race and class are also intertwined, so anything expensive isn’t accessible to blacks as a group. The trend that the Eastside generation and Hal started is reversed now as the famed Los Angeles’s “good life” is scarcely accessible to blacks. The success which the Eastside Boys saw and hoped for it to continue is stalled or closed in most sectors. Various aspects are pushing out the black community from blocks and neighborhoods.

Market Street In Inglewood

Return of White Community

This was an expected crisis so nothing to be surprised about.

As per a study conducted by the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, the increase in housing costs and the decrease in wages are the two main factors for the decline of South L.A. The price of houses is more than three times what it used to cost in the 60s. The scarcity of jobs, high cost of living, and rising prices of homes are some reasons for the gentrification taking over Crenshaw and starting to envelop Inglewood. The latter has become a much sought-after area in L.A. The real estate business has boomed in recent years, with housing costs soaring at least 63%, according to a study by Property Shark. The research also indicated that the catalog of two-bath and two-bedroom homes gave a feeling of “sub-urbanity.”

Gentrification wasn’t an event that Hal and my father imagined when they were growing up in blossoming L.A. It is one thing about white people fleeing and entirely another thing about them returning. The phenomenon has, of course, been reshaping black neighborhoods historically – Bed-Stuy, Harlem, to name a few – but never has it happened to such a vast extent as now. It’s a fact to be worried about because the black population of L.A. has gone down to less than ten percent of the total population and poses a danger of being pushed out entirely.

Proposed Future Inglewood Development

The New Inglewood

The danger is more pronounced in Inglewood, where I grew up and reside today. It isn’t an ordinary black neighborhood in L.A. under threat. It’s a city with a 50% black population. But several things, such as gentrification and impending economic and racial change, look very realistic for a place that has its separate culture, public image, school district, and government.

Many people, including my neighbors, say that even though gentrification has negative aspects, it’s the answer to reviving our image, which has been tainted for a long time. It’s also the perfect timing for a revitalization. There is plenty of development going on as the city is the location of a huge NFL stadium that will house two teams, the Chargers, and the Rams. The surroundings consist of condos, various facilities, retail, and amenities. In a way, it looks like the phoenix rising from its ashes and appears to hold a promise to improve Inglewood and make it better. James Butts, the mayor, said that Inglewood is one city that has undergone a vast transformation in only 4 years from being a crime-ridden, lack of jobs, and poverty-stricken city to something worthy and affluent.

However, there is one probable reality lurking around once the development completes. The designs of gentrification in every area seem to oppose the idea of blacks and Latinos of Inglewood staying around to benefit from the revived city. If nothing is done, then the history of the black community, which thrived even under dire circumstances, could be wiped out.

But there is hope because something positive is happening, and one of the first steps towards that has been regarding the MTA rail line, which is under construction. Crenshaw Subway Coalition, a transportation justice organization founded by Damien Goodman, fought, and now the rail line is accountable to the communities of Crenshaw’s and Inglewood’s requirements. The organization has been working to oppose gentrification in both areas.

According to the coalition founder, every aspect is being transformed into something white people can accept and like. If it continues, then the people (blacks) who built the place and lived there for decades will be pushed out eventually. To prevent this catastrophe, the coalition plans to form a non-profit community land trust.

More Hurdles Ahead

But it isn’t going to be easy because black neighborhoods may have missed the opportunity. The leaders and politicians are at fault here because they depended heavily on government funding, but it hasn’t helped. Instead of leaning on unreliable financing of the authorities, leaders could have intensely tried to acquire private development funding. It would have enhanced standards of living and created stable jobs. Another reason for the missed opportunity is that black people often aim low in life just to survive and not to flourish.

If the community were forward-thinking and tried aiming higher, it might have been a different scenario. The 1990s were when black neighborhoods could have done something and transformed the city. But that’s long gone, according to Michael Anderson, a developer, and an architect.

Now, it seems that only gentrification or the return of whites can make things happen, such as safe streets, good schools, and ideal retailers. What black communities wanted and needed is slowly happening, but it’s coming at a significant cost.

My uncle was one of the few people who obtained the Los Angeles dream. He bought a house in the 50s near Slauson Avenue, considered the demarcation line between white and black. His home was in the south of Slauson, and so he had a cross being burned on his property, but he stuck there.

Gentrification has many positive aspects too. However, it doesn’t do much for black people because it involves them leaving and not arriving. There isn’t any neighborhood in L.A to go to. 

lizard people los angeles

The Lizard People Of Los Angeles Real Or Fantasy?

Calvin Dobbins April 30, 2020

When residents in Los Angeles opened the front pages of the L.A. Times on the morning of January 29, 1934, some of them might have spilled their coffee out of shock at seeing the headlines. It was strange, exciting, and there was also an error. It read “Lizard Peolpe’s Catacomb City Hunted.” Legends about the lizard people had always been there, but it must have been the first time that print media featured a story on the topic.

Jean Bosquet, an L.A. Times reporter, wrote the story on the claims of G. Warren Shufelt, a mining engineer. According to Shufelt, he had created a machine, “Radio X-Ray,” and mapped the area, which displayed amazing things.

Shufelt said the X-ray showed a massive network of tunnels beneath Los Angeles covering a vast area. Supposedly, these tunnels weren’t built by our ancestors but by another race called the “Lizard People.” He also said that several locations in the tunnels contained treasures.

The Newspaper Report That Aroused The Curiosity

So, did Lizard People exist and inhabit the undergrounds of modern L.A.? Or were they just rumors or folk tales of the past? We may never know, but it’s an exciting theory. But many people like Shufelt believed it. Here is a quote from the Jean Bosquet story dated January 29, 1934.

“Busy Los Angeles, although little realizing it in the hustle and bustle of modern existence, stands above a lost city of catacombs filled with incalculable treasure and imperishable records of a race of humans further advanced intellectually and scientifically than even the highest type of present-day peoples, in the belief of G. Warren Shufelt, geophysical mining engineer now engaged in an attempt to wrest from the lost city deep in the earth below Fort Moore Hill the secrets of the Lizard People of legendary fame in the medicine lodges of the American Indian.”

The reporter must have been over-excited because he hardly takes a breath to give the reader this exciting and weird information. The article continues and mentions that Shufelt and his assistants truly believed that there were indeed tunnels and treasures under Los Angeles. So they had already started digging and inserted a shaft 250 feet inside the earth. The entrance of the shaft was on North Hill Street.

Shufelt trusted his device entirely, and therefore, he wanted to continue inserting the shaft below until it reached a thousand feet. He and his aides planned to stop after that if the venture yielded no positive result. The dig didn’t produce the desired outcome, so Shufelt and his aides abandoned the project by December of that year.

Along with the story, the newspaper also printed a map created by Shufelt according to his findings with the help of the X-ray machine. Readers can understand the structure of the tunnels by looking at the image printed on page 5 of the paper.

The image showed an artist’s imagination of the Lizard People working on the top right-hand side. On the left-hand side, it showed Shufelt and his assistants at the entrance of the shaft and below the engineer working with his device. The series of tunnels occupied the center of the image/map.

The tunnels were basically under the areas of Fort Moore Place, North Broadway, and North Hill Street. The article indicates that Shufelt and his aides believed that the Lizard People had a “Key Room” located under Broadway and 2nd Street. The “Key Room” was supposedly a place where the ancient race made plans and stored all their treasures and important information written on gold tablets.

Investigations into people’s hunt for treasure by a Times reporter indicated that some enthusiasts dug but didn’t find any significant amount of gold. The reporter also discovered that a Times report from around May 1934 said that an old-time prospector requested to dig on the hill, but the authorities denied permission. It was because the county made a deal with Shufelt and his assistants to share 50-50 of any profit obtained from the dig.

Lizard People: Fact Or Fantasy

What made G. Warren Shufelt so convinced that the Lizard People really existed in the past and that they left behind a vast series of tunnels and gold underneath Los Angeles? After Shufelt’s machine showed the results, which he believed to be an extensive tunnel system, he met a Hopi Native American in Arizona who told him the legend about the “Lizard People.”

As per the story that appeared in the L.A. Times, The Hopi chief told Shufelt that around five thousand years back, a massive inferno burned down the whole area of present Los Angeles. The inferno is said to have been caused by a meteorite. Therefore, the “Lizard People” built at least three cities beneath the spot where L.A. stands today. It’s believed that the tunnel system is so vast that it reaches up to the sea coast.

The term “Lizard People” bestowed on the ancient race isn’t because they were reptilian in nature, as some conspiracy theories suggest today, or the kind shown in movies. Instead, they considered the lizard as a vital being, and it symbolized long life. This race built the underground cities in the shape of the lizard, according to Shufelt’s narration. 

One of the cities shaped like a lizard below Los Angeles had its head under the Dodger Stadium. The site beneath downtown Central Library was the location of the tail.  

The curiosity regarding the “Lizard People” increased even more when the “Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research” received a letter from a woman on September 26, 1934, who made some weird and shocking claims. 

The woman mentioned in the letter that she had a vision one evening on December 22, 1933, when she was with some friends. According to reports, her friends also confirmed the clairvoyant moment which the lady had. 

She described that in her vision, she saw two civilizations at different times. One was a more recent one that had excelled in art and architecture and surpassed whatever is present today. The other vision was about an older civilization that consisted of cities underground with giant tunnels, some extending to the oceans.

She thought that this older civilization built underground tunnels to prevent attacks from other people and also to safeguard their society. Her friends said that Miss Edith had the vision before there was any mention of the Lizard People by the local media.

An Alternate Theory

While many people got curious about the Lizard People, the tunnels, and the buried treasure, others had different views regarding the story in the L.A. Times. Several individuals have said that the mining engineer’s “discovery” was nothing but an attempt to gain attention, and his claims were “tall tales.”

The report said that G. Warren Shufelt spread the rumor so that he would get a chance to dig and look for the so-called treasure. This theory emerged after being compared to another rumor suggesting Protestant graveyards in the 1930s held significant treasures.

It was a kind of “get rich quick scheme” with great promises but which delivered nothing. It seemed like that because digs and hunts didn’t yield anything that Shufelt initially claimed.

Urban Legend

Whether it was a hoax or not, Shufelt’s story about the network of underground tunnels and the Lizard People has become an urban legend. Locals and visitors are still curious, and indeed, Shufelt’s machine was right about one thing. There are tunnels beneath Los Angeles. 

Rumors abound that people used these tunnels to transport alcohol during the prohibition era. These tunnels are enormous, and some areas have huge hall-like spaces, but these are considered natural formations and not artificial. 

Though the story says that the Lizard People were superior humans who revered lizards, there is another theory regarding them. According to this theory, they are called lizard people because they’re reptilians who can shift shape at will. 

The assumption is that this race has a serpent/lizard head and a human body and has already infiltrated humankind and taken over the world. But that is a story for another time.

Though the project was discontinued, Shufelt disappeared from public view, and the stories stopped in the papers; people’s imagination didn’t. If anyone asks a resident about the Lizard People, they’ll hear the most amazing stories. 

Rumor, hoax, legend, or whatever people call it, there is something to ponder. Most legends have some truth to it. So, who knows? Maybe there existed a race who were superior to modern humans and built the underground tunnels and cities.

While there isn’t any evidence yet, experts may someday develop highly sophisticated devices that can capture images hundreds and thousands of feet beneath the ground. Then only will the answers be found, and everyone will know whether there indeed are the famous tunnels and treasure trove. 

Until then, enthusiasts can read stories, ask old-timers about it, and examine the map on various platforms. They can come up with their opinions regarding the legendary superior humans because, whether real or not, no law prohibits people from fantasizing about anything.

charney-mask

Charney Boosted Mask Production As City Officials Made Wearing Masks Outside Mandatory.

Anthony Pierson April 3, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc in the entire world, causing panic among individuals with its atrocity. Several cities in the US are facing the pandemic’s monstrosity, while different departments and officials are revamping their strategies to contain the outbreak.

Los Angeles suffered a similar faith when the pandemic took eleven more lives in April 2020. With this, COVID-19 has claimed 65 lives in the country, making it one of the most gruesome pandemics that the US has ever experienced.

Meanwhile, an official statement confirmed that the positive coronavirus cases had gone up to 3,518 since the pandemic began in 2019. The pandemic is on a rampage and has seen no boundaries when it comes to human lives.

Rich or poor, coronavirus has strangulated the lives of different individuals. The death toll in LA has seen many popular individuals, including a famous musician who succumbed to the lethal virus at the age of 52.

Safety Measures And Face Masks

Reacting to the unprecedented death toll, the LA mayor pursued a bold move to counter the pandemic at his routine press conference. Since Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the US, the mayor advised all the residents to wear face masks or something while going outside.

In the press conference, the mayor emphasized the importance of face masks as the first line of defense against the deadly coronavirus. In fact, the mayor took a black face mask and donned it in the press conference.

Since people do not wear face masks in public places, the mayor explained that it might look surreal or funny in the beginning but will benefit everyone in the long run. The mayor further elaborated that people will have to get used to wearing face masks and proclaimed that everyone must follow the look while going outside.

Furthermore, the mayor took the opportunity and explained that he wanted to set an example and lead the way in bringing change. 

The mayor further stated, “Wearing face masks in public places and on the streets will help everyone, and that is the way everyone will see each other in the coming days.”

Although the mayor fumbled while wearing the black face mask, he insisted that wearing fabric masks would act as the first line of defense and keep residents from the deadly virus.

Dov Charney Reacted Swiftly.

While the LA mayor emphasized wearing face masks in public places, a well-known personality was listening closely to the press conference held at the City Hall. The apparel maker found this news exciting and took the opportunity to produce face masks that everyone would appreciate.

Who Is Dov Charney?

Dov Charney is the founder of American Apparel, who had to leave his iconic brand in 1989. He started a shop in South LA, naming it Los Angeles Apparel. Although Chrney had to leave his previous workplace, he accumulated a lot of respect and loyalty within his previous workplace.

Most of his former colleagues and workers joined his new venture, moving down from Central Avenue to South LA. Since Charney was a famous apparel maker in the US, he had clients from different quarters of life.

For instance, Charney joined hands with popular singer Kanye West and Laurence Chandler to produce a hoodie for the singer’s Yeezy collection. The news set the charts on fire as Charney got more popularity by collaborating with the famous singer and Rochambeau designer.

Singer Kanye West revealed that creating this hoodie is his dream quest, which he termed “the perfect hoodie” slated to enhance his Yeezy collection. Likewise, Charney had partnered with several other celebrities to produce various popular clothing lines.

Los Angeles Apparel’s Fabric Masks

Los Angeles Apparel has produced fabrics for different and popular brands over the years. One of the most significant achievements for Los Angeles Apparel began in its early days when the brand began producing fabric masks for FEMA. 

The brand also launched its website and began selling its unique and exclusive designs on the website.

In a telephonic interview, Charney explained that Los Angeles Apparel has started witnessing the increasing requirement for face masks in the market. In fact, most of his employees use face masks while working, igniting the idea to produce face masks for everyone.

Charney further stated that he was working with an idea to produce face masks to suit everyone’s requirements. Once the brand gets everything right and figures out the right fit for everyone, Charney will roll out the face masks.

As the idea turned into reality, the brand had multiple designs available on its website. Customers can order their perfect fit and choose their preferred design or order a mask pack (3 units) for $30.

Charney further added that the brand has been giving away free face masks to the needy, so much that he is losing money while working on the venture.

Dov Charney On Free Mask Donation

As mentioned earlier, Dov Charney donated a lot of free masks to the public in order to curb the pandemic.

Charney further stated that he is donating a significant amount of the masks produced in his shop to the public. The apparel maker also elaborated that it was difficult to donate masks to the public as he had to spend money to make the masks.

In fact, the Canadian-born entrepreneur had invested a million dollars to procure equipment used for making masks. Furthermore, he had to adhere to various safety guidelines, like maintaining social distancing, producing high-quality masks, and conducting medical examinations on each worker to keep the factory virus-free.

Charney also stated that he has installed facial recognition technology in his factory to reduce shared surfaces, like punch clocks. This technology has allowed him to keep his employees safe and reduce touching surfaces to keep the factory safe from the deadly coronavirus. 

However, Charney believed that donating masks to the public is a noble deed, and if there is more requirements in the future, he is ready to provide in the future.

Charney insisted that he didn’t want any COVID cases within his premises, which would have halted his team’s progress in producing high-quality face masks. Furthermore, the entrepreneur noted that everyone in his factory wears a mask (including himself), which allows them to keep everyone safe.

What Happened After The LA Mayor’s Announcement

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti appears at a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing for his nomination to be Ambassador to the Republic of India on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Soon after the LA mayor announced the news, Charney began a live stream on his company’s Instagram account. He announced that his company would be hiring hundreds of employees to produce face masks to fulfill the swelling demand.

His announcement included opportunities for maintenance workers and individuals who knew about order packing. Charney also elaborated that he would offer handsome salaries to all the employees and offer additional packages for overtime hours.

However, Charney clarified his company does not guarantee that the masks produced by his company will be as good as the medical ones (N95 face masks). He further stated that people could not wear N95s for the whole day and that first responders should wear N95s.

The core idea behind his fabric masks is to prevent transmission, and if an infected person dons his mask, it will reduce the transmission rate to a great extent. Charney believed that protecting the ones who are not infected is very important and explained that infected individuals must wear fabric masks to protect others from the deadly virus.

Other Officials Comment On Face Masks.

Meanwhile, Sacremento’s officials cheered on residents for wearing masks and insisted that face masks play a vital role in preventing the spread of coronavirus. 

The official further stated that individuals who wear face masks enhance the fight against this deadly virus and boost the functionality of other guidelines, such as social distancing and lockdown orders.

Furthermore, face masks act as a primary defense where social distancing is not possible, making it a beneficial and addictive move.

President Donald Trump also expressed his support for wearing masks in public. However, the US president stated that he preferred scarves over face masks as the former is thicker.

Charney’s Big Step

Charney’s move to produce face masks has made a significant impact in reducing the transmission rate. The Canadian-born entrepreneur believes that once his employees get the required training, his facility can produce around 300,000 masks per week.

Since Charney’s face masks are different, people could pair them with different outfits without compromising their style. Furthermore, these face masks will help individuals from infection and reduce transmission.

Although Charney had to put immense effort into making this project come to life, he believes that his work/life balance is at its best. In fact, Charney channeled his years of expertise in making garments into this project, which helped him make high-quality masks with trendy designs.

In fact, many industry experts termed this opportunity as Charney’s comeback into the mainstream, enhancing his reputation and financial success.

Charney hired hundreds of employees and produced high-quality masks for everyone. His designs and fabric quality rose to popularity in the short term, making him one of the top mask manufacturers in the US.

Charney believed that face masks will stay forever and the Western world will need new and improved face masks, even if the pandemic ends.

eastside-la-boundaries

Eastside L.A – Where Does It Start? Where Does It End?

Anthony Pierson January 21, 2020

The answer may appear to be simple for some. But in reality, many people, including the residents of Eastside, struggle to give a correct and straight answer. Besides, a debate continues to rage as to where East L.A. starts because everyone has an opinion.

While some long-time residents mention a particular place, most new residents say they don’t know. Others are hesitant to say anything because they feel the question is a political one.

For instance, actor Leonardo Di Caprio, who grew up in East Hollywood and Echo Park, said he lived in East L.A during his younger days. However, most residents disagreed with that statement, and someone corrected him.

The reason why a white guy with blue eyes described the areas where he lived as East L.A. is because he couldn’t venture further east beyond there. Why? 

It may not be well-known to many new residents and youngsters, but Downtown L.A. was like a ghost town at night during the 1980s. On the other hand, people felt intimidated by areas such as Boyle Heights and Highland Park because they supposedly were filled with various gang members.

But there is one point to be noted, and that is Los Angeles didn’t come into existence in the 1980s or even the 1880s but in the 1780s. Black, white, brown, and Native Americans all had a hand in establishing Los Angeles. 

This new settlement was called “El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles.”  When translated, it reads “The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels,” it comprises present-day Downtown L.A.

So, for all those residents and curious people who regard the history of L.A. more than geography, designate Eastside L.A. in connection to Olvera Street, often considered the location where Los Angeles was born.

But with the scenery of L.A. changing rapidly, people make weird assumptions, too. Just recently, Sera Gamble, when talking about shooting locations for the Netflix series “You,” mentioned something along the lines of Leo Di Caprio. 

She said that if anyone truly wished to capture the essence of Los Angeles, they should begin in the east. However, by that, she meant the areas Leo Di Caprio also mentioned, namely the east of Silver Lake and Echo Park, and not the real Eastside.

With so many varied opinions from various individuals, it’s hard to come to a conclusion. That’s why it became necessary to do a ground report and find out what new and old residents had to say to the question, “Where does Eastside L.A begin?”

Silver Lake

Eddie Spaghetti, a homeless person for 22 years, earns his livelihood by selling things that he finds or that people give to him for five dollars. That’s why residents in the area also call him the $5 Guy.

On this day in January, he has a big smile on his face, and when asked where Eastside starts, he is quick to reply, “East L.A.” Next, I asked when he went there last, and he replied, “Yesterday, eating tacos at King Taco on Soto Street and Cesar Chavez.”

Next are two UPS drivers, Victor and Louis, parked near a former Silver Lake vegan and juice shop. When asked where Eastside starts, both had different opinions.

Victor said to go to Main Street in Downtown L.A. and head east, and that’s the beginning of Eastside. But Louis had another answer. According to him, it starts at “1st Street in East L.A.”

Echo Park

Archena, who originally hails from South Pasadena, was entertaining visitors from Oakland on Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park. She was standing in line at Konbi, and when asked where Eastside began, she hesitated and didn’t provide a straightforward answer.

According to her, it was a “political conversation,” and she wasn’t the right person to answer. However, she said she knows which part isn’t Eastside and mentioned two areas, Beverly Hills and Brentwood.

She was chatty and lively but didn’t mention many names besides the two. She owned that she was playing safe, and maybe that was a clever move.

DTLA

A group of young men were skateboarding near Ramón C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts, also called “VAPA” by its students. 

The school is near Chinatown, and when questioned regarding Eastside, Alex, one of the young men, said, “L.A. Trade Technical College.” It was probably a joke, and he said that because he, along with his friend Nick, studied there.

Nick, on the other hand, said, “East L.A.” All the young men said “Spence” and pointed to another youngster when asked who was the best skater among them. 

Strange, but this Spence also had another answer to where Eastside begins because he said “Eagle Rock” and skated off. Another young man named James (he had great hair) said “Las Feliz” in a weird way, which made everyone laugh.

Boyle Heights

The neighborhood had a huge Jewish population in the past, but not so much now. It’s predominantly inhabited by Hispanics and Latinos and some white, black, Asian, and Jewish residents. 

Moni’s Party World is a shop for various party items. Eva, who graduated from Felicitas & Gonzalo Mendez High School, has been employed in the shop for around five years. 

When queried regarding Eastside L.A., at first, she wondered if it was between Boyle Heights and Commerce. But then she mentioned it’s “more east than Boyle Heights.”

El Norteño De Savy is a store that has been dealing in menswear for more than forty years. The store has also converted a considerable portion of its area for a card game known as Yu-Gi-Oh.

Two young men engrossed in the game had quick replies related to the game. But when asked regarding Eastside L.A., they said they didn’t know.

But since I wanted to know their thoughts, I asked what they think when someone says a party is on the Eastside. Their reply was somewhat hilarious. 

Andreas, one of the two boys, said they were introverts and stayed in the same spot. Jonas, his friend, agreed with that statement, and both confessed that they never wondered where Boyle Heights fits in L.A. regarding directions. 

But it was way different with Maria, who works as a cashier at the original Guisados. According to her, Eastside starts at Lorena St. She was firm regarding her point and said Boyle Heights wasn’t connected to Eastside.

Another long-time resident, Eduardo Garcia, who has lived in the area for more than 45 years, said that Eastside used to start at Boyle Heights, but now it begins at Lorena St. 

He explains it by mentioning a few things about the neighborhood but doesn’t exactly arrive at the point. But from his explanation, I did learn several things, like the lively older man was in the theater business and that he came from Guadalajara, Mexico.

Luis Vega, the City of Angels Tattoo shop owner, said Boyle Heights was where Eastside began in the past, but not anymore. But he ponders a bit and explains if you look in the west, there’s L.A., and when you look towards this side, it’s the Eastside.

A customer called Fatima had a different opinion. She said that Eastside starts at Indiana St.

Luis Vega’s two teenage sons were also in the shop, and when I asked them, Luis Jr. replied, “Whittier,” but his brother wasn’t sure what to answer as he never considered it.

Lorena Street

Javier smoking a cigarette in the Lorena Drive-In parking lot has a separate view. He disagrees that Lorena Street is the beginning of Eastside. He says that the east of L.A. River is where the Eastside starts, and the river is the divider. 

According to him, he judges things by what Mother Nature provides and not by what people say. He also says that Boyle Heights ends in Indiana Street, and East L.A. begins from there. But he disagrees that Eastside starts there.

Johnny’s Shrimp Boat

I headed towards the west and went inside Johnny’s Shrimp Boat, a restaurant a few blocks away. If you watched “Rampart (2011)”, which starred Woody Harrelson and Ice Cube, you must have noticed this restaurant. 

Two people were in the restaurant: Victor, who was working the Grill, and George, a customer. When I questioned them regarding the beginning of Eastside, they both replied differently.

The customer, George, said it started in El Sereno. But Victor disagreed and said it began after Lorena St. corrected himself and said, “Indiana, my bad.” When asked why, he said, “It is what it is.”

Indiana Street

I move back towards Indiana Street again and notice a mini market called Indiana Dairy. A friendly Asian lady in charge of the market chats with me, but when I asked where Eastside begins, she said she couldn’t speak or understand English well.

But I am not deterred by this since I want some answers, so try to obtain opinions from her customers. 

I met Raphael, who was scratching a ticket and had just won. As he entered the Indiana Market, I asked the all-important question, and he replied that Eastside began on this street. When asked why, he said, this place is Boyle Heights, and east of here is East L.A.

Another customer, Jose, was also trying his luck on the ticket. He was sitting in his classic car, a 1966 Mustang. When I enquired regarding the beginning of Eastside, he wasn’t sure but said it was Indiana or Lorena. He resides in the area. 

When he learns the question is asked because many people consider Silver Lake or Echo Park as the starting point of Eastside, he is amazed or even finds it hilarious. 

His exact words are “Silver Lake?”, “I’m lost on that one.” 

joker-pyschopath

Contemplating Joker – Insight Into The Psyche Of Psychopaths And Sociopaths From A Psychiatrist’s Perspective

Edgar Esparza October 24, 2019

Dr. Kate Wilson is bright, funny, and bold. She’s a highly experienced and skilled psychiatrist with extensive knowledge of mental disorders. She has quite a reputation and is known for treating aggressive criminals with severe mental illness, including patients like the supervillain character “Joker,” played by Joaquin Phoenix.

So indeed, she’s the perfect person to discuss the movie’s portrayal of mental illness. Right?

Our 90-minute conversation will give you a clear picture of how society treats or think about mental illness from Dr. Wilson’s point of view.

What Made You See The Film “Joker”?

I used to enjoy watching the Batman cartoon in college and thought of the Joker as the weirder version of Krusty the Clown with violent behavior. But I knew instantly that it was an origin story.

What piqued my interest in the movie was none other than Joaquin Phoenix. He’s one of the finest actors of his generation and is famously known for playing unconventional roles. So without much thought, I went to the theatre to watch it. He goes all in when it comes to playing a character, whether it’s gaining weight or looking mentally ill. No wonder he won an Oscar for his exceptional performance in the movie.

Some time ago, I came across an article where the director said he wanted the character of the Joker to be challenging to understand. But I can’t help it; I’m a psychiatrist!

So here I am going to read The Joker like a book!

Is The Jokers Laughter A Real Condition?

Sadly, yes! While watching the movie, I learned he has PBA (Pseudobulbar affect). This condition can happen to people with traumatic brain injury. Sometimes, people with Parkinson’s can also suffer from this disorder. I’ve never seen anyone act like that unless they’re seriously ill. Kudos to Joaquin Phoenix for portraying the character so well. Crying and laughing at the same time? The act was spectacular!

Usually, this illness can be controlled by taking Nuedexta, an FDA-approved medication. So I thought that if he had taken this medicine, things might have been different, and maybe he would’ve been a little better. The princess of pop, Britney Spears, seems to have this condition, and it’s extremely sad.

What About Joker’s Mother?

Not only was she delirious and mentally ill, but she was also diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder. Narcissism is a personality disorder and cannot be treated. Narcissists are extremely selfish people who will never see any fault in them and can’t accept their wrongdoings. So if you address their mistake, they will try to prove that you’re wrong and display hostile acts.

Do you think the Joker was aware of his madness?

Most likely because he attends therapy and takes medication.

I almost teared up when he wrote in his notebook about how people expect you to behave. It was sad.

As A Psychiatrist, How Do You Portray Joker’s Unnamed Therapist?

Being relatable to patients is something that we focus on, and so I was somewhat relieved when his therapist told him about how people don’t care. They don’t care about you or me. What I appreciate in the movie is that the people who evaluated his symptoms were both black women. Is there a diagnostician better than a black woman? I don’t think so!

No wonder, without hesitation, she got straight to the point because that’s what we usually do, cut to the chase.

In One Scene, Joker Kills One Of His Cohorts And Allows The Other One To Escape. Do You Think Showing Compassion Is Normal In A Psychotic Person?

The answer depends on whether a person is a sociopath or a psychopath.

Joker’s behavior is distorted because his mentally unstable mother mistreated, neglected, and abused him. He suffered enough abuse as a child that it created a monster in him, thus the name Joker.

Is he a psychopath?

He definitely is because sociopaths are magnetic and have a very likable quality that would attract you toward them.

The perfect example of this would be the American serial killer Ted Bundy. He was a charming, intelligent man, so people would usually say that he could not do such things. But when he gets drunk, he becomes Mr. Hyde and behaves wildly.

Psychopaths are experts in wearing masks and using their charm to persuade you to get what they want, and sociopaths often display unpredictable mood swings.

Do You Think People With Mental Health Problems Like Joker Should Receive Treatment From Hospital And Asylum Or Prison Suits Them Best?

The answer would depend on the mental condition of the person. Because if a person’s illness is the root cause of his insane behavior causing him to commit a crime, he should be admitted to a mental hospital for treatment.

We have Twin Towers Correctional Facility in L.A., the country’s largest psychiatric hospital. They have a bunch of mentally ill patients and a full squad of psychiatrists. The facility has different floors and levels that accommodate patients depending on their mental condition.

I can say that mental hospital patients can improve a lot, so it’s best to send them to a mental hospital for treatment. Since it’s a place made for them, they sure can get better with time.

You Have Met People At The Twin Towers Correctional Facility Who Have Committed Heinous Acts. So How Would You Feel If You Met Them While Walking On The Street? Would You Feel Safe Or Get Scared?

There are several services available for people recovering from mental illness to help them get back on their feet. It can be a group discussion, exercise, yoga, training their social skills, etc., and these people take recovery very seriously because it’s no joke. There’s no room for error.

It’s because we tell them that living in a society is an honor because people like you could be kept in a mental hospital forever. So there’s no way I’d get scared or intimidated by their presence because they’re trying their best to recover and live in a society like a normal person.

Do You Think The Joker Wanted To Get Better?

Absolutely! He was aware enough of his mental condition and even went on to ask to increase his medication, but his therapist seemed unconcerned. I felt like stepping in for a moment because this guy wanted to get better; he was looking for help.

Seeing someone searching for help and consistently going to appointments was heartbreaking. But society doesn’t care at all, and we are all to blame.

What more? People with behavioral or mental disorders don’t have the same societal value as those people who don’t have disorders. That’s the sad reality. Most people avoid receiving help or delaying treatment for fear of being treated differently in society, and this discrimination is a huge problem.

People with mental illness are discriminated against in many ways that create a barrier among people.

Society doesn’t care about the mentally ill person at the grocery store, park, or anywhere and treats them as nonexistent. Reality is heartbreaking, and this movie portrays it perfectly. He didn’t get the chance he so desperately wanted.

What Do You Think Is The Cause Of Mental Illness? Is It Hereditary? Is It Associated With Trauma? What Do You Think Is The Reason For This Disorder?

Some mental disorder is genetic and can run in families, but this does not guarantee that you will develop the same illness. Researchers are yet to find the exact cause, but genetics play a major role. Besides, mental illness can also result due to upbringing.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mentions that mental illness can be caused due to several factors, such as drugs, alcohol, traumatic experiences, loneliness, and brain abnormalities.

At present, there are no genetic tests that can help determine your gene combinations to know if you’re susceptible to any mental illness. However, your family history may be able to provide you with clues. If a close family member has a mental condition, you might also be at possible risk.

Understanding and recognizing the risk may help you stay alert and diagnose the illness early.

Is mental illness curable?

Mental illness is treatable, but it cannot be cured. The best you can do is receive medication to alleviate the symptoms to function and work normally. There are various effective treatments available, and they can significantly help improve the symptoms and prevent any danger.

If You Were The Joker’s Psychiatrist, What Would You Do?

The Joker has a bipolar disorder type 1 characterized by maniac episodes and also suffers from a neurological condition called Pseudobulbar affect (PBA).

Luckily this condition can be treated with medication. To control his mania, he should take a mood stabilizer and antipsychotic medicine to help reduce his delusions. He would also need to take Nuedexta to treat his pseudobulbar affect.

Moreover, he needs therapy to help him deal with his emotions due to his traumatic childhood experiences.

silverlake-foot-sign

Famous Silver Lake Foot Sign Saved

Calvin Dobbins September 27, 2019

Silver Lake and its town people saw a feat and an action so close to their hearts the day their infamous and favorite silver lake foot sign was saved from apparent theft. On a fateful evening, Markus Spencer, the store owner, of “Quirk this way” at Los Feliz by Vermont Avenue, had an idea that something sinister was afoot.

Markus wouldn’t be easily convinced that two men in their black sedan were screeching their car tires. As Markus observed these men further, they were unfazed by what they seemed to be doing. They were unscrewing one of the letters from the silver lake foot sign. Markus stated, “I know when something is fishy, I own a quirky store myself. I know when something is weird.”

In his store, ‘quirk this way, ‘ Markus sells weird-looking antiques to t-shirts with worms on a skateboard design. Markus also sports wall frames with views overlooking silver lake town and the picture of the silver lake foot sign at sunset. Markus Spencer is the kind of man everyone knows and is fond of. The way he makes the city his home is seen from the measures and steps he takes to save the silver foot sign as though it were his own. The town’s people, including Markus Spencer, have long become fond of the iconic silver lake foot sign.

The Silver Lake foot sign first made it’s spin dating back to 1985. Ever since then, the sign twirling around the sunset rays of Sunset Boulevard has become the town’s favorite and signature. So, Markus did not waste any minute when he sensed something odd and fishy about these two men. Upon questioning them under whose order they were doing what they were doing, still, the two men did not respond to Markus. He, therefore, contacted the motel and alerted the town people on his Instagram and in a public community group on Facebook.

The motel contacted Dr. Sam Terry, who is the owner and the podiatrist of the Silver Lake foot clinic. Dr. Terry then confirmed that no order was issued for these two men or anyone to take the foot sign away. At first, it must’ve occurred to some bystanders and onlookers besides Markus, who might’ve thought nothing was wrong because there had been news that this foot clinic would be relocating to a new place. But for Markus, it was a feat he couldn’t stop himself from doing since he has been with Dr. Sam Terry since the start of a well-documented plan for this relocation.

Markus recalls the situation when he questioned the two men unscrewing the panels about who they were working for, and they couldn’t seem to answer his queries. Markus added, “It was too unamusing to see their confusion and the silence that followed after the questions.” But the unwavering effort of a local person like Markus saved the sign that entirely symbolizes the sunset boulevard of Silver Lake.

Markus decided to sit under the sign in the hopes that extra help would soon arrive while he tried to hinder the two men from continuing their uninvited service of theft. Eventually, Spencer could do what he was hoping for, and his effort finally paid off, and the town’s iconic sign stood still.

The town people were all happy to have their favorite old sign back. A man and his wife strolling commented, “we were scared and sad thinking we might never see the iconic sign of the town again.” Another woman with her child outside their house stood in awe and commented, “I mean, it’s as old as my house. I was in shock to see the chaos around the sign earlier.” After the situation was brought under control, there were questions arising. Markus Spencer, in his success of saving the sign, was so excited to tell the story to the people and answer the questions.

Dr. Sam Terry seemed so much at ease and relieved knowing his foot sign was saved from possible robbery. Dr. Terry and along with the co-owner of the clinic and the property, proposed to keep the sign with Markus Perry at his store before further relocation to the new location. At this, Markus was all the more willing to accept the proposal to keep it in his store. Markus added, “I have a soft spot in my heart for silver lake foot sign and being able to keep it safe will definitely keep my heart full.”At this, Markus was all the more willing to accept the proposal to keep it in his store. Markus added, “I have a soft spot in my heart for silver lake foot sign and being able to keep it safe will definitely keep my heart full.”

Dr. Sam and the owner of the property, Mr. Ricky Kelly, were so grateful and at ease knowing that their property and the sign were both far from being destroyed. Dr. Sam, the podiatrist of the clinic, was planning on relocating the clinic to a new location in the historic Filipinotown, and, therefore, Markus was helping him out in taking the measurements of the sign, arranging the pick-up trucks to help in the shifting of the clinic.

Due to this close association with the clinic and especially during the relocation process, Markus was aware of the people helping him and the doctor with the clinic’s shifting process. Therefore, when he saw the two men in their black sedan trying to unscrew the panels while looking extremely unfazed, yet it was not a show to be missed out on for Markus Spencer. The faces of the two men were not familiar nor were they able to answer the questions.

Markus commented, “They looked like they were not bothered or maybe that was their plan to seem unfazed at their actions to avoid any commotion but Markus knows when things are weird.” The whole situation alarmed the people of the town, and almost all the people living in a close proximity to the clinic came rushing as Markus was quick to alarm the people through his social media accounts.

Silver lake town saw something they never thought would happen in their lives where a sign that has been a part of the city for a very long time will undergo through something like a theft. Markus Spencer became the talk of the town as well as a hero who bravely saved the sign from the thieves. In all his quirkiness, Markus was excited to narrate the story to the town people, who were all very curious to know the details as to what actually happened.

The headlines in the news the next day read, “Los Feliz Store Owner rescues the famous Silver Lake Foot sign from Thieves,” and Markus couldn’t help but feel super proud and happy. He felt a sense of true belonging to the town he had been calling home for so many years.

The thieves were trying to escape the scene, but the motel Markus alarmed first was also quick enough to report a possible theft to the nearby police station, and so the police were able to arrest the two men before they could escape from the scene.

In what first seemed like a sudden situation of chaos and confusion, it finally came to a good and successful conclusion where the sign was saved, and the police nabbed the thieves.

Dr. Terry commented, “I am so happy not only because my clinic was saved but to see the corporation of the people. This is what I call a good community.”

He further added to the loyalty of Markus and the rest of the town people how they sincerely took ownership of something which is not in their possession. Dr. Terry was deeply moved by the action of the people.

Markus Spencer also gave a massive shoutout to the manager of the motel he first alarmed of the situation for his willingness to help and not doubt the problem that was going on.

When asked the motel manager what his first reactions were, he replied, “I sensed a great deal and sense of urgency as though my own house was in danger.”

The reactions and the way all the concerned people in the scene reacted and their successful outcomes only teach us the lesson that you need to be accountable for your existence and your being.

“The selfless act of doing and being never goes to waste,” said Markus Spencer as he stood beside the clinic shaking hands and hugging the people of the town, who were all appreciative and thankful for his service that day.

The people of silver lake town were so happy they could retrieve back one of their favorite signs. The silver lake foot sign gives you the feeling of being at home for the town’s people. As many of the people grew up seeing the sign when it was first put up. And for the rest of the older generation, it feels like a sign of good old days, recalling when they were a little younger, a little stronger.

Besides the fact that a possible robbery was going to take place in this peaceful neighborhood, we also saw the beauty of a community that comes hand-in-hand in times of trouble.

popeyes chicken

The Unforgettable Experience At Popeyes During The Chicken Sandwich Madness In Summer

Edgar Esparza September 26, 2019

The employees at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen must’ve probably gotten tired of picking up the call and hearing the same question again and again: is that chicken sandwich back? 

It was a crazy summer for the employees at Popeyes, and the reason was their new fast food item, the crispy fried chicken sandwich. This new item on their menu instantly became so popular that everyone wanted a bite. It’s no surprise that people all over the country would swarm at the restaurants to get a taste of their delicious crispy chicken sandwich. 

But it’s worth mentioning that behind the scenes, the employees worked tirelessly with no days off, even on weekends, to cater to the customers. Their dedication was commendable!

Since this famous chicken sandwich was available in over 3000 locations across the U.S., it was successful in satisfying the demands of hungry customers even though it was on the menu only for a couple of weeks. 

It was one of the best decisions that Popeyes ever made to entirely create a new chicken sandwich, as it was a total hit. Sure, they weren’t ready for the overwhelming demand and positive response to their new fast food item. Even The New Yorker couldn’t get enough of Popeyes’ tasty sandwich chicken that was highly praised. 

The magazine described the chicken sandwich as having the perfect combination of every ingredient, and every bite was full of flavor and so balanced that it was worth the hype. 

Popeyes In Hollywood

It was in the middle of August when the chicken sandwich obsession began in Popeyes’ restaurants across L.A. 

In locations like Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard, hungry customers would start lining up an hour before the store opens. Businesses located at Hollywood Boulevard would place orders in advance, and on La Brea Avenue, endless lines of cars were waiting to order their chicken sandwich at the drive-thru.

It was so popular and tasty that everyone wanted to try Popeyes sandwich chicken at least once. This fast food became instantly famous and remains a favorite among fast food lovers.

Sarah Miles, the general manager of the Hollywood and Cahuenga Boulevards restaurant, said customers were ordering about 50 to 100 sandwiches at one go and selling over 1000 chicken sandwiches in a day. Now, you can picture the madness at Popeyes during the rush!

Though Miles was able to console the long line of hungry customers by handing out water and licorice, one person she couldn’t please was the psychic next door. She was not okay with the long waiting line of customers past her business. Truth be told, that’s understandable, but it was out of their control.

Even now, customers won’t stop calling to ask when the chicken sandwich will be back in stores.

So, what’s the reason behind the delay? Running out of chicken is not an option. So, did they run out of sauce or other items?

Miles says that a unique ingredient is used for their signature sandwich, which is not used for any other food item, including a special sauce that’s equally tangy and spicy. 

She further says that the recipe cannot be replicated as it has a distinct flavor and can easily identify a fake one.

When the demand for chicken sandwiches was at its peak, all the employees at Popeyes across L.A. had to work double shifts, and managers were working 70 to 80 hours a week. As a result, employees in some locations couldn’t handle the workload and backed off, which was a struggle for the remaining crews. 

Soon enough, the chain ran out, and sold-out signs were put up on the restaurant doors and drive-thrus and are now replaced by corporate signs. 

Popeyes In Western Avenue And Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

If you ever visit the Popeyes on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, you’ll be impressed by how clean the place is. It’s comfortable with efficient space and is nicely decorated. 

You can enjoy ambient music playing through in-ceiling speakers and bask in the sunshine from the large open windows as sunlight pierces through the glass panels. You’ll love it here!

Of course, it’s not a new thing seeing a homeless woman on the streets of L.A. digging through trash looking for food. So, when the store’s general manager, Stella Jones, strictly tells her that digging through someone’s thrash is not allowed, the woman buzzes off with the leftovers.

Jones has been working there for quite a long time, and like most store managers, they were the first ones to try out the new signature sandwich before it was added to their menu. 

She said it tasted delicious but had no idea that people would go crazy over their chicken sandwich. The demand was extraordinary, and sales went through the roof.

Jones further says they’re preparing to bring their instantly famous chicken sandwich. The only reason for the delay is that they want to hire more people and give them proper training to be well-prepared to face the challenge. 

Last time, some employees couldn’t handle the pressure and called it quits. This increased the workload for other crew members who had to work double shifts. So, this time, they want to be fully prepared to bring their most in-demand chicken sandwich back to stores. 

During the mayhem, the Popeyes King store faced some dreading challenges. By saying this, accidents occurred at the location, and customers threw thrash around, even banging on the glass. For this reason, they lost some of their employees as the situation went out of control, and they decided to leave.

The cashier, Mark Roberts, said that although it was chaotic, it was a thrilling experience. 

Roberts said he usually clocks out at 5:00 p.m., but when the demands skyrocketed, he had to work overtime. 

During that time, his shift started at 4:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. 

He said people would still be lining up at 4:00 a.m. to order chicken. It was that serious! 

Even the store’s general manager, Jones, worked for 14 days straight, multitasking several responsibilities. She was answering calls non-stop and was figuring out where to store 40 racks of buns while a room full of angry and hungry customers kept staring at her.

At last, she admitted that it was challenging. But then she says that’s a part of her job and has to jump in when she has to because that’s the responsibility of a store manager. However, she gets no overtime for her extra efforts. So she’s hoping that the franchise owners will send some good news and expects to receive a bonus because she deserves it!

Jones hinted about the possible return of their famous chicken sandwich during the winter but said that some stores might bring it sooner.

She also said that the store at Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard has just gotten some exclusive sandwiches. So, this curious reporter went there straight away!

Popeyes At Slauson Avenue And Crenshaw Boulevard

At the Popeyes on Slauson Avenue, the first thing you’ll notice is a big flat-screen T.V. running either sports or news channels, and no one seems to be bothered by it. The customers are not there to watch the T.V., and the crew is too busy working on orders to care about which network is on. No one is interested in changing the channel, neither do I. 

Jack Brown manages the store at Slauson Avenue, and he’s been running the place for over 25 years. So, no wonder he proudly says he can immediately identify new guests. 

He says the store has been peacefully running for decades and has never had any issues except one night when he tolerated disrespect because one woman was highly irritated for receiving too many pickles. But that was it. Other than that, there are always long lines of customers in the lobby and drive-thru eagerly waiting for orders.

Do they love the chicken sandwich?

Brown says they enjoy the sandwich so much that they keep coming for it frequently. He smiles and says the store opens at 10:00 a.m., but people start lining up at 9:00 a.m. because they can’t get enough of it. They want to get their hands on it before it’s sold out. Also, they wouldn’t get one but would order 5, 10, 15 at one go. 

So, not only out of curiosity but also equally hungry, an order for the most in-demand chicken sandwich was placed. As the crew prepared the sandwich, payment was made, and finally, this journalist was ready to savor the delicious chicken sandwich. 

Was it worth all the attention and noise made on social media about this fast-food item? Absolutely, and for all the right reasons. With a combination of the generous sauce spread on the fresh bun and the crispy and moist chicken breast, the taste was heavenly. 

Finally, understood why people would line up for hours and hours to order this chicken sandwich. It’s simply addicting! 

uber-ab5

Uber Drivers Say “No Thanks” To AB 5: Flexibility Is Better Than Becoming Employees

Calvin Dobbins August 29, 2019

Rideshare drivers show massive displeasure after Gov. Gavin Newsom’s assembly Bill 5, designed to reclassify independent contractors as regular employees. 

Although coming with good intentions, AB 5 fails to consider the ground-level repercussions, ultimately making things more difficult for gig economy workers. 

We’ve seen several protests and anger over the widescale ill-treatment of drivers by rideshare giants like Uber and Lyft. But when it comes down to it, most drivers prefer having the flexibility and freedom to choose their own timings over becoming employees. Let’s explore why.

Why Drivers Reject AB 5

On paper, the AB 5 bill seems to give gig workers a cushy deal on a silver platter. The new reform would bring positive changes like paid sick leaves, health benefits, and stringent minimum wage rules. So why is the bill met with a scoff and a general thumbs down? 

It’s very simple; drivers can turn on the app when they want to work and switch it off when they’re done. It makes things like dropping their kids off at school and picking them back up an easy task. What’s more, no one can stop them from taking a month off, or even two for that matter. Right now, the companies they work with don’t have the power to control them, and that could change with the AB 5 bill. 

Of course, plenty of other companies claim to offer flexible hours. But it’s nothing like the freedom you get when driving for Uber or Lyft on your own terms and timings. 

With all this to consider, we aren’t surprised that drivers aren’t the least bit interested in letting all that go to become full-time employees of a company that never really bothered about their problems in the first place. And that’s why most drivers would rather quit.

A Night At An LAX Lot

We traveled to an LAX holding lot, where we interviewed several drivers waiting for their next rides. The consensus amongst these drivers is that they prefer flexibility over anything else. Choosing their own working hours is the biggest reason they do this, and no amount of benefits can replace it.

Amidst the sound of planes flying overhead, we spoke to Hayk, an Uber driver with severe concerns over the new bill. “They (Lawmakers) don’t live our lives,” he says as he patiently waits for the next ping. 

Hayk lives in a two-bedroom apartment for which he pays $2500. His wife works a full-time job, so he has to take the kids to school and pick them up afterward. He emphasizes that no other job with particular shift timings will allow him to do all that. Being an Uber driver is the only way he can take care of his personal chores and work at his convenience.

When asked about the health benefits, Hayk sneers and voices his skepticism. He doesn’t believe the benefits are worth giving up his freedom and signing up as an employee. “Any time they change something, they make it worse.” 

“If you’re not driving over 50 hours a week, you cannot make any money”, Says Brain Lee, a Pasadena-based driver with over two years of experience. Lee usually drives approximately 50 to 60 hours weekly, and the new law might prevent him from doing so. 

You see, the moment Lee becomes an employee, his company would have to pay him overtime for the extra hours. It might sound on paper, but it’s not practical when you think about it. 

The app won’t send him trip requests after he crosses the 40-hour threshold. Beyond this point, he would need special permission to keep getting requests. It will force him to moonlight at a different company if he wants to make up for the remaining 20 hours. 

And then there’s the question of companies simply cutting down on the number of available drivers. That’s something employees won’t have any control over, unlike now. Becoming an employee puts them at the company’s whims and brings the possibility of getting fired due to downsizing, budget cuts, or any other factor. 

An Arcadia chef, Joel Turk, speaks to us with a soft-spoken charm. Turk would have been open to getting health benefits six months back when his wife was a contract worker. But ever since she got a studio job with health benefits, Turk isn’t enticed by the offer anymore. 

The Smokey-Robinson look-alike owns several large vehicles, which allows him to make small deliveries for UPS and work as an XL category driver for Lyft and Uber. He also uses his cars for his catering company. 

As a father of four kids who attend four different schools, Turk needs the time to drop off and pick up all his children. His cooking and food preps also make his work (driving) timings very particular. Considering all of the above, there’s no way he would agree to become a ride-sharing company employee that would make him conform to stringent work timings. 

Lyft Driver and Orange County resident, Kent, seems more relaxed on the matter than his peers. He believes it will take years for any change to come through, and he’s not exactly wrong. There will obviously be many court hearings and appeals before anything solid occurs. Plus, several delivery startups and rideshare companies already plan on fighting the bill tooth and nail. All of this indicates a lengthy and expensive trial. 

“They’re willing to spend $30 million to fight it? Just pay us that $30 million.”, Kent jokes. He used to drive for Amazon some years back and had plenty of criticism regarding the ever-decreasing ride fares. Kent believes that companies keep trying to make rides cheaper through pool systems. He compares it to public transportation and claims it will ruin things for everyone.

After all, what’s the point of bringing down prices to $2 per ride if nobody makes any money in the end? Ride-sharing is convenient for people; if they wanted to go on the bus, they would spend $2 over there instead.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 06: Uber vehicles are lined up at the new ‘LAX-it’ ride-hail passenger pickup lot at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on November 6, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The airport has instituted a ban on Lyft, Uber and taxi curbside pickups as airport construction increases during a modernization program. Passengers have complained of long wait times and confusion at the pickup area, especially during peak hours. Passengers must depart their terminal and then ride a shuttle bus or walk to the separate pickup lot. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Analyzing The Real Problem

By this point, we’ve understood that the AB 5 bill brings many problems for the people it aims to help. Forcing companies to pay a regulated minimum wage and provide health insurance sounds like the noble thing to do. However, we must also ask where the money for such policies will come from. 

We’ve already seen the downsides of the $15 per hour rule. Rather than help employees, it ended up with many losing shifts and jobs, as smaller companies couldn’t afford to pay these wages. As a result, many businesses had to downsize just to make a profit. We fear the same will happen due to the AB 5 bill. 

Harry Campbell runs a popular podcast and blog called the “Rideshare Guy” and offers us some fascinating insight over the phone. According to him, turning freelance drivers into employees can solve rideshare companies’ oldest problem: driver retention. 

Companies constantly have to spend tons of money just to replace the drivers they have lost. Looking at a leaked report from 2017, we can confirm that only 4% of drivers stayed with a company for more than one year. It is mainly because the work is incredibly stressful, highly demanding, and less profitable than people think. 

What’s glaringly evident is that companies will face increased costs in the wake of employee benefits. Campbell suspects that this will result in a slight increase in fare prices, approximately $2 per ride. 

The multi-talented persona reveals that customers didn’t have to pay the full price for rides until now. Companies deliberately decreased fare prices to get more customers while spending millions yearly on bonuses to get drivers to continue working. 

He also points out that most company losses are subsidized, thanks to venture capitalists. As a result, customers, corporate employees, and investors walked out with a fantastic deal. However, things have always stayed the same for drivers or gotten even worse. Campbell claims that the only supporters of the AB 5 bill are the same drivers who have faced the worst scenarios so far.

Conclusion

The AB 5 bill will be closely watched by everyone at this point. As of now, most drivers don’t seem to support the bill and state they would rather quit than be forced to become Lyft or Uber employees. Freedom is the most important thing for these drivers, and we can’t really blame them. 

Our investigation has brought to light several issues with the AB 5 bill, which presents itself as a noble fix and solution for the plights of millions of gig workers in the country. Forcing companies to reclassify gig workers as “employees” might increase costs, ultimately making things worse for the drivers. If profit margins are threatened, companies will simply terminate a large portion of drivers or have to increase ride prices, ultimately leading to fewer customers. After much analysis, it’s clear that the AB 5 bill is far from perfect, and as the sun rises over Los Angeles, we are left wondering, who does the AB 5 bill really benefit? Definitely not the drivers.

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