LOS ANGELES —The California Community Foundation or CCF announced June 16, a $20 million transformative gift from MacKenzie Scott, author, advocate, and philanthropist, which will be used to sustain and strengthen the Los Angeles region’s arts ecosystem through the creation of the LA Arts Endowment Fund.
The Endowment will support small to mid-sized organizations that play vital roles in their communities. The creation of the Endowment is about ensuring the long-term sustainability of nonprofit arts organizations by strengthening the infrastructure of the arts in Los Angeles County for the future.
Los Angeles County has one of the most vibrant and diverse arts communities in the nation, with a creative economy that generates more than $203 billion annually. The pandemic magnified pre-existing financial and structural challenges experienced by arts nonprofits. On average, arts organizations hold fewer than four months of operating cash reserves.
In response to the toll that the pandemic has had on the arts, CCF joined more than a dozen foundations in creating the LA Arts Recovery Fund earlier this year. The Fund is a collaboration of local and national philanthropy and one of the largest-ever pooled private investments for arts in Los Angeles County. It is designed to sustain community organizations, promote cultural and economic recovery, restore community health and well-being and reaffirm the centrality of the arts in Los Angeles.
The Fund has already awarded 90 nonprofit organizations more than $36 million in grants for post-pandemic rebuilding. The grants will provide operating support over a period of two to three years, ensuring that these critical community organizations can begin the recovery process and re-envision their futures.
The Endowment will allow CCF’s commitment to the arts to extend beyond our ability to simply meet this moment through the important work of the Fund, by the creation of a permanent fund that will be able to address long-term systemic solutions for arts organizations in Los Angeles for years to come.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 6 new deaths and 210 new cases of COVID-19. Of the six new deaths reported today, three people that passed away were over the age of 80, one person who died was between the ages of 50 and 64, and one person who died was between the ages of 30 and 49. One death was reported by the City of Long Beach.
To date, Public Health identified 1,246,619 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,416 deaths. There are 218 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 20% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for nearly 6,910,000 individuals with 17% of people testing positive.
At the peak of the pandemic the county was losing 277 residents a day. Hospitals were under enormous strain, with more than 8,000 people hospitalized with COVID-19 and there were more than 15,000 new cases diagnosed each day.
L.A. County is in a better place than any other metro area of similar size in the entire nation. Each day, on average, only 1.5 cases per 100,000 people are diagnosed in L.A. County, compared with 2.8 cases in the same population in the New York City metro area, 2.9 cases in Chicago, 3.5 cases in Atlanta, 5.3 cases in Houston, and 9.1 cases in Miami. Only 0.4% of COVID-19 tests in L.A. County are positive, compared with 0.8% in New York, 1.3% in Chicago, 1.7% in Atlanta, 3.3% in Houston, and 3.7% in Miami.
Over the past six months, the tremendous effort to get the vaccine into the arms of residents has gotten the county to a place where as of June 11, more than 5,490,637 (66%) of eligible L.A. County residents have received one dose of the vaccine and 4,668,783 (56%) are fully vaccinated.
As of today, workplaces remain under the current Cal/OSHA standards which continue to require distancing and masking for all employees. The Cal/OSHA standards board may vote on proposed modifications to the current standards on Thursday.
As of June 15, the state has eliminated pandemic-related restrictions that have been in place over the past year, including physical distancing, capacity limits, county tier systems and mask requirements for vaccinated Californians in just about all settings.
Under Vax for the Win, California was one of the only states in the country to achieve a week-over-week increase in the rate of vaccinations, and most recently saw a 22 percent increase in vaccinations, including an increase in rates amongst hard-to-reach communities.
In taking early action to address the pandemic head-on, Governor Newsom protected both Californians and the state’s economy, resulting in some of the best health and economic outcomes of any state in the country:
California has created more jobs than any other state for three months in a row, adding 385,000 jobs; in April alone, California created 38 percent of the nation’s jobs.
The state consistently has amongst the lowest case rates and transmission rates in the nation, and hospitalizations dipped to the lowest point since March 2020.
More than 40 million vaccinations have been administered in California, surpassing the next closest state by 16 million, with over 70 percent of adults having at least one shot.Californians who have not gotten vaccinated yet are encouraged to go to myturn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255 to schedule their appointment, or go to myturn.ca.gov/clinic to find a walk-in clinic in their county.
The Los Angeles County Public Health Order on June 15, supersedes the health officer’s prior order and aligns Los Angeles County with both the Governor’s directive to move Beyond the Blueprint for Business and Industry, the State public health officer’s memoranda and the State public health officer’s order.
This order’s intent is to continue to protect the community from COVID-19. It protects those who are not or cannot be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the county, as other protective measures are removed, and to increase vaccination rates to reduce spread of COVID-19 long-term, so that the whole community is safer and the COVID-19 pandemic can come to an end.
These requirements align with recommendations issued by the CDC. The following provides information about higher risk settings where masks are required or recommended to prevent transmission to those with a higher risk of infection, or for those whose vaccination status is unknown.
Masks are required for everyone, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, in the following settings: On public transit; In transportation hubs; Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare and other youth settings. (Note: This may change as updated State K-12 school guidance is forthcoming, pending updates for K-12 operational guidance from the CDC.), Healthcare settings; State and local correctional facilities and detention centers and homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and cooling centers; Masks are required for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses.
Public Health recommends in settings where there is close contact with other people who may not be fully vaccinated, individuals should consider double masking or wearing a respirator (e.g., KN95 or N95).
In settings where masks are required only for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals, businesses, venue operators or hosts may choose to: Continue to require all patrons to wear masks, regardless of their vaccination status; Post clearly visible and easy to read signage and allow fully vaccinated patrons to self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry; or Implement a proactive COVID-19 vaccination verification process to determine whether individuals are required to wear a mask prior to entry onto their premises.
Special considerations are made for people with communication difficulties or
certain disabilities.
Businesses, venue operators or hosts must post clear signs to communicate masking requirements on their premises to non-employees. No one can be prevented from wearing a mask as a condition of participation in an activity or entry into a business. Those who are exempt from mask requirements remain unchanged at this time and guidance can be found at
The following sectors serve populations that have lower rates of vaccination
or those who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated.
Day camps, schools (K-12) and school districts. All public and private schools (K-12) and
school districts within the County of Los Angeles may open for in-person classes. Schools and school districts must follow the reopening protocols for K-12 Schools and the Protocol for COVID-19 Exposure Management Plan in K-12
Mega events with large crowds greater than 5,000 (indoors) and 10,000 (outdoors) attendees. Mega events are considered higher risk for COVID-19 transmission. Indoor mega events where more than 5,000 people are in attendance, can reopen to the public. In addition, indoor mega event operators must verify the full vaccination status or pre-entry negative COVID-19 viral test result of all attendees. Attendees must follow CDPH guidance for face coverings.
Outdoor Mega Events that attract crowds of over 10,000 people can reopen to the public.
Overnight Organized Children’s Camps.
The owner or operator of an Overnight Organized/ Children’s Camp must post the required Los Angeles County Public Health Protocols for Overnight Camps.
The Health Officer will continue monitoring epidemiological data to assess the impact
of lifting restrictions and fully re-opening sectors.
On June 19, San Pedro will celebrate Juneteenth 400 at the Port of Los Angeles, a one-of-a-kind event to celebrate the end of slavery in the last province of the United States. This celebration originated in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. This date is commemorated as the anniversary date of the June 19, 1865 announcement by Union Army general Gordon Granger, when he proclaimed the end of slavery in Texas, the last remaining place where enslaved African Americans learned that their freedom had been purchased by the American Civil War.
Event organizer Joe Gatlin, of the San Pedro/Wilmington chapter of the NAACP described this year’s celebration as a first of its kind event that will serve as a launching pad to sign up youth from traditionally disadvantaged communities to join the Los Angeles Maritime Institute’s TopSail STEM Youth Program and acquire maritime and leadership-oriented skills.
This year’s celebration will feature a live-streamed, multi-media production event that will link Juneteenth celebrations from across the country at the Los Angeles Waterfront. There will also be a celebration at the Cabrillo Beach Youth Waterfront Sports Center.
The COVID-19-compliant production will include a sea vehicle event and fireworks display intended to deliver a message of unity as Americans recognize its diverse history.
Juneteenth programming includes
The celebration will include live coverage of a LA Waterfront vehicle and vessel staging then parade intermixed and ending with live-streaming of interviews, produced content, guest speakers and music. Actor and civil rights activist Hill Harper will be among the guest speakers at the event.
The boat parade starts at 5th and Harbor at 12:30 for the 1p.m. fire boat display.
There will be a boat parade with the fire boat displays at 4p.m. and a fireworks display at 7 p.m. Parking for the boat parades at 1p.m., 4p.m. and 7p.m is at the Port of Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club on 5th and Palos Verdes Streets.
Guest Speakers and Music at Berth 46, ending at approximately 1:00 p.m.
Venue: Cabrillo Beach Youth Waterfront Sports Center, 3000 Shoshonean Rd, San Pedro, CA 90731
The City of Carson and the Carson Citizens Cultural Arts Foundation will host the 2021 Juneteenth Rhythm and Blues Virtual Celebration featuring DW 3 and Greg Rose.
DW3 has performed on the Warren Hill, Wayman Tisdale and Dave Koz Jazz Cruises. Greg Rose and band play a pivotal role performing in the arena of R&B. Many in the industry have compared Rose’s sound to the late Teddy Pendergrass, Isaac Hayes, and Luther Vandross.
Time: 5:30 p.m. June 19
Details:For more information on the Juneteenth Celebration, please contact Community Services/Parks & Recreation at 310-847-3570
To date, nearly 67% of Long Beach’s adult population has received a vaccine. The national goal is to hit 70% by July 4, and the city is working hard to hit that target in the weeks ahead. On June 17, the Long Beach Health Department will host “Sharks for Shots” at the Aquarium of the Pacific where folks will receive free admission when they receive their first vaccine shot.
Here is a full list of all the places you, your family, and friends can get vaccinated this week:
Event: “Sharks for Shots” at Aquarium of the Pacific
June 17: Get your first COVID-19 vaccine (12plus) at the Aquarium from 6:30 to 9 p.m., and receive FREE admission to see sharks 🦈 & other sea creatures. More info here.
For more updates on vaccination efforts and the city’s response to COVID-19, join a COVID-19 press conference and community update at 2 p.m. June 15 You can watch the live stream on the city’s Facebook and Twitter pages, YouTube channel, and website.
Walking up the road in the warm night, with the town sleeping around them, two men turn onto a dirt track between ramshackle houses towards the beach. Where the coconut palms meet the rocks and gravel, they pass young men who have wrapped themselves in thin colored cloth. They’re sleeping on the ground, their heads invisible.
Fishing boats are drawn up on the beach. The two men, a young teenager and an older man, walk over to the best-looking boat, painted red with indistinct words on the side. It’s a thin, shallow hull, with a small covered section in the middle over a diminutive motor. Two white outriggers are tied to the end of curving bamboo arms, one on each side. A big net is wrapped up under a cover in the middle of the boat.
The sleeping men wake up. Together they begin pushing the boat on bamboo rollers down the beach. Lifting the outrigger arms, they slide the hull into the water, and the boat floats in the small waves. It’s almost totally dark, a crescent moon moving in and out of clouds crossing the sky.
The older man hoists a bag full of beer, and gingerly walks from the needle-nose prow down into the hold between the engine and the net, as the boat rocks gently beneath him. He is Ayon, the captain. Beboy, his helper, jumps on. Ayon starts the motor, and the boat pulls away from the beach.
Ayon loops a wire connected to the accelerator around his big toe. With one hand he steers the boat with a long pole connected to the rudder, while he guns the small engine with his foot. They set out into total darkness, the boat rising and falling with the waves. Bohol’s strange peaks are looming dark shapes on the horizon, above the tiny lights of the towns of Garcia Hernandez and Jagna.
They pass a couple of other boats on the way out. Ayon’s brother is a fisherman on one, its yellow light barely visible. Beboy shines a makeshift flashlight on the outrigger and into the dark water as they go, looking for fish. Finally, they set out their net, its long line of floats rising and falling with the waves. Ayon smokes a cigarette while he waits, drinking a beer. Beboy stands in the stern, watching for clouds and storms.
As dawn breaks and light slowly fills the sky, they pull the net in. Hand over hand, the web of filaments comes up the side of the boat, and as Beboy pulls Ayon looks for the fish. They are catching milkfish, or bangus. The muscles of these small, compact fish promise more meat than most fish their size, making them popular in the market. Bangsilog, bangus with egg over garlic rice, is a favorite breakfast in the Philippines.
The net in, and the fish in buckets, they turn the prow towards Bohol’s hills in the distance. In no hurry, the motor is barely audible above the sounds of waves and gulls as they head back to land. A small crowd greets them at the beach, performing the same boat-pulling exercise in reverse, dragging the hull up on bamboo rollers to its original resting place.
Meanwhile, women from the market stalls of Jagna look into the buckets, and argue with Ayon about the bangus’ size and price. They make their deal, and the morning’s catch disappears even before the boat stops moving. The last beers are passed around and drunk, and Ayon and Beboy walk slowly home.
Over a million people in the Philippines make a living from fishing, and 80% fish in small outrigger boats like Ayon’s. The country is made up of over 7000 islands, giving it the world’s largest discontinuous coastline, and making fishing an integral part of what it means to be Filipino. Fish are the number one source of protein in the diet of the people of the islands.
On the other side of the Bohol Sea is the big island of Camiguin. Here too, twenty years after Ayon and Beboy’s night of fishing, the boats go out every morning, coming back with their catch for the market. But here, as the women examine the catch, they see no bangus. They complain that the fish are small, hardly worth selling.
Mario Valladares, father of many of the fishermen on this beach, looks resigned as he mends his nets, as though he’s heard this many times before. His son Virgilio holds up a string of today’s catch, and explains that they can’t go any longer to the old fishing grounds of years past. The Philippine government has declared them an ecological preserve to protect the resource from overfishing. That leaves Camiguin’s small fishermen to find their catch in the areas that border it.
“The big fish just run for the preserve and hide. They know we can’t go there to get them,” Mario Valladares laments. After the nets are mended, they carry their strings of fish with them as they head down the beach, planning to cook them for their own breakfast.
In the past, most Filipino fishermen were also farmers. As fish get scarcer, however, and sections of the sea are walled off, fishermen must travel further to find a good catch. When they don’t, as it happens frequently now with the Valladares family, they no longer have time to farm and the catch doesn’t pay for the gas in the boat.
Their predicament is the result of forces over which they have no control. The Philippine government ratified the Law of the Sea Treaty in 1978, which forced it to commercialize its fish resources in order to retain jurisdiction over its territorial waters. Commercialization meant attracting foreign investment for large fishing operations. Huge trawlers pulling purse seine nets scooped up huge quantities of marine life. Fish stocks plummeted, forcing the creation of no-fishing areas to try to allow the fish to recover.
Small fishermen were left behind – their old fishing grounds and fishing methods walled off by decree, and by the economics of a system in which they cannot compete. Two decades ago Ayon and Beboy were able to make a living fishing on the coast of Bohol. The new reality for fishermen is that of the Valladares family on Camiguin, fishing in the same Bohol Sea.
WASHINGTON — Six California men, four of whom identify as members of Three Percenter militias, were arrested June 10, for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, which disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
Allan Hostetter, 56, of San Clemente; Russell Taylor, 40, of Ladera Ranch; Erik Scott Warner, 45, of Menifee; Felipe Antonio “Tony” Martinez, 47, of Lake Elsinore; Derek Kinnison, 39, of Lake Elsinore; and Ronald Mele, 51, of Temecula are charged with federal offenses that include conspiracy, obstructing an official proceeding, and unlawful entry on restricted building or grounds. Taylor is also charged with obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder and unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon on Capitol grounds. Warner and Kinnison are also charged with tampering with documents or proceedings.
As alleged in the indictment, through the late fall and early winter of 2020, the defendants communicated with each other to plan and coordinate their effort to obstruct and interfere with the joint session of Congress at the Capitol on Jan. 6, to certify the electoral college vote. The defendants communicated through various messaging applications and social media, including the encrypted messaging application Telegram, to share information regarding the election; coordinate travel to Washington, D.C.; and promote events sponsored by the American Phoenix Project, which Hostetter founded to oppose government-mandated restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, as well as the Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Capitol Police, with significant assistance provided by the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.
In the 150 days since Jan. 6, approximately 465 individuals have been arrested on charges related to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, including over 130 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
San Pedro (Little Italy of Los Angeles) — The crowd cheers as Ciro Immobile of the Italian national soccer team scores their second goal against Turkey. The 300-block of 6th Street between Mesa and Centre Streets was closed off to vehicle traffic. Nearby restaurants extended their serving area for a better viewing experience. Italy defeated Turkey in the Euro 2020 match, 3 – 0.
