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Los Angeles Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
7 newbie tips to the L.A. County Fair
I'm not much of a fair guy — I never win at carnival games, I get dizzy as a passenger in a car, and fair food is as overrated as In-N-Out. But last week, I attended the Los Angeles County Fair for the first time ever because why not? Besides, if Miguel Santana can be a Fairhead, so can I. He's one of the most influential people in Southern California: longtime confidante of the late Gloria Molina, former chief administrative officer for Los Angeles and current president of the California Community Foundation. But I think he had the most fun as head of the L.A. County Fair from 2017 to 2020, a stint immortalized by his appearance on the cover of the 2022 book '100 Years of the Los Angeles County Fair' riding a gondola lift alongside the book's author, legendary Inland Valley Daily Bulletin columnist David Allen. 'Who's there says a lot about us as Southern California,' Santana said of the L.A. County Fair's audience as I exited the 10 Freeway toward the Fairplex. 'It's a sense of Americana and proof we can be diverse and American at the same time.' I asked if this fair was as big as the Orange County Fair. He laughed the way all Angelenos do when presented with a comparison to Orange County. 'It's enormous. You're gonna get your 10,000 steps.' Behold, then, this newbie's L.A. County Fair tips: Fair parking is an ungodly $22.50, and don't you dare try to leave your jalopy at nearby Ganesha Park unless you want to spend a couple hundred dollars fishing it out of some random tow truck yard. My Pomona parking hookup was faithful reader Fernando Iniguez — gracias, Fern Iggy! I owe you a Jerez sweatshirt. $21.50 on the internet. At the gate? $32. Um, yeah. But one big complaint, Fair lords: It took me three attempts to buy my tickets online. Ever heard of Zelle? 'There's going to be so much music,' Santana told me, and he was right. Between live bands, Spotify playlists, DJs and radio stations, it was like walking through a wholesome Coachella. Bachata smoothly transitioned to Go Country went to KCRW became Taylor Swift switched over to a super-chirpy cover of the O'Jays' 'Love Train' at the Disco Chicken stand. And though Pharell Williams' 'Happy' played at least five times while I visited, the atmosphere was so cheerful that I didn't have to scream to drown out his ode to optimism. There's nothing like seeing suburbanites who probably think meat comes from Erewhon fairies stand with terror in their eyes as bleating sheep and goats swarm them asking for pellets. How much did fairgoers live in the moment? I saw next to no one use their smartphone other than for photos. And I also noticed a middle-age white guy in a MAGA cap standing a few feet away from a Muslim family with nary a negative look at each other. They were too busy staring ahead like the rest of us at an octet of magnificent Clydesdale horses ready to pull a Budweiser wagon. I loved all the vegetables and livestock at the Farm & Gardens, enjoyed the trippy art at the Flower & Garden Pavilion and appreciated the juxtaposition of a lowrider show next to the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum near the Millard Sheets Art Center. But the best part of the fair was the area labeled 'America's Great Outdoors' — and I say this as someone who thinks camping and hiking are for the (literal) birds! Volunteers sawed logs with kids, taught them how to pan for gold, showed off desert reptiles and even hosted an environmental magic show. Throw in a replica of a Tongva hut and a U.S. Forest Service fire lookout tower and the nearby sound of the RailGiants Train Museum, and this is what Knott's Berry Farm used to be before it became whatever the hell it is now. I had to rush back to Orange County for a columna the day I visited, so I only spent an hour and a half at the fair. I had to skip the tablescape competition, didn't go through the exhibit halls and was only able to eat at Hot Dog on a Stick because they make the best lemonade on Earth. But it was wonderful to leave the problems of the world mostly at bay for a few hours to enjoy the living, breathing Wikipedia that is a county fair at its finest — and the L.A. County Fair is definitely that. Huge Snorlax plush toy: Next year, you're mine. Alan says: 'Your Man by Josh Turner.'C Price says: 'The Circle Game by Joni Mitchell.' Email us at essentialcalifornia@ and your response might appear in the newsletter this week. Today's great photo is from Times photographer Robert Gauthier at Dodger Stadium where the 2-year-old son of Dodgers infielder Mookie Betts runs away with the ceremonial first pitch ball. Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorAndrew Campa, Sunday writerKarim Doumar, head of newsletters How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
Business Wire
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Nearly $10 Million of Fire Relief Aid Distributed From GRAMMY ® Telecast Contributions
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Three months since GRAMMY ® telecast viewers generously contributed nearly $10 million for Los Angeles Fire Relief efforts, that money has made its way to recipients across the region, helping both music professionals and the broader local population affected by the devastating wildfires. MusiCares ® has distributed $6,125,000 to more than 3,100 music professionals across Los Angeles and $3,969,005 has been directed to three community-based organizations: California Community Foundation, Direct Relief and Pasadena Community Foundation. Donations made during the GRAMMY telecast came from everyday supporters around the world, with the median contribution of $53.50. This overwhelming show of solidarity demonstrated how people across the globe opened their hearts, and their wallets, in support of Angelenos in need. The GRAMMY telecast also included several performances and segments dedicated to raising awareness of the crisis created by the wildfires. 'The music community does amazing things when it comes together,' said Recording Academy ® and MusiCares CEO Harvey Mason jr. 'This outpouring of love and support was humbling, whether it was performing or participating on the show, making contributions or donating their time and items for fundraisers. We are grateful for this amazing community and the GRAMMY viewers who felt inspired to give.' 'What moved us most in the days following the GRAMMY telecast wasn't just the scale of support, it was the spirit behind it. Thousands of people gave what they could, and together, their generosity became a lifeline for those in crisis, which reached far beyond our industry. That's why we partnered with trusted community organizations who are helping Angelenos across the region access the care, resources and support they need to rebuild,' said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. When disaster strikes, emergency support is only the first step. Recovery is a phased process that stretches well beyond the news cycle. While MusiCares responded within days of the fire's outbreak to provide immediate assistance, the long-term needs of music professionals are now coming into sharper focus. From loss of work and instruments to the emotional toll of displacement and trauma, the aftermath continues to affect lives. Few cities embody the soul of music like Los Angeles. Thousands of people here make a living in music, often relying on specialized tools and gig-based income to survive. With equipment destroyed, events canceled and homes damaged or lost, the music community has faced a multifaceted crisis. MusiCares continues to provide aid through customized case management, mental health support and financial assistance to those with lasting need. To address the broader community impact beyond the music industry, MusiCares and the Recording Academy partnered with California Community Foundation, Direct Relief and Pasadena Community Foundation, three trusted organizations already embedded in the neighborhoods hit hardest by the fires. Below are updates on how these funds are helping rebuild Los Angeles as a whole. California Community Foundation (CCF) CCF is supporting groups working on rebuilding the infrastructure that binds communities. Along with funding organizations that provided cash assistance and emergency supplies immediately after the fires, we are supporting our partners in reviving the places where people in neighborhoods come together as a community. 'Recovery isn't just about rebuilding homes,' said CCF President and CEO Miguel Santana. 'People who lost their homes also lost schools, churches, stores -- the places that connected them to their neighbors to form the community they treasured. As we bring activity back to places like a park, a church, or a school, people can re-connect as a community. Those chances to be together can give people strength and hope as they continue the difficult process of rebuilding their individual lives.' Direct Relief In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires, Direct Relief mobilized its resources to address both the immediate and long-term healthcare needs of affected communities. As the fires displaced thousands and overwhelmed local healthcare systems, many residents—particularly those uninsured or underinsured—faced significant health risks, compounded by housing instability, food insecurity, and the loss of essential services. Direct Relief responded by delivering critical medical supplies to health centers, collaborating with local healthcare providers to ensure access to emergency care, and supporting mental health services to help survivors cope with the trauma. Beyond healthcare, the organization worked to stabilize the broader community by providing grants to local organizations focused on restoring housing, food security and essential services, ensuring a comprehensive recovery approach for those hardest hit by the disaster. 'Recovery from wildfires involves more than rebuilding physical infrastructure—it requires addressing complex social challenges such as housing instability, food insecurity, and healthcare disparities,' said Dr. Byron Scott, CEO of Direct Relief. 'Community health centers and free and charitable clinics serve as vital anchors, providing not just medical care but comprehensive support including mental health counseling, housing assistance, and nutritional services. MusiCares' generous funding will empower safety-net providers to continue delivering the holistic care that Los Angeles communities urgently need.' Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) Pasadena Community Foundation has played a vital role in distributing critical resources to Altadena and surrounding communities, where many families were displaced, and community systems were overwhelmed. Through its Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund, PCF adopted a three-phase funding approach focused on immediate relief, stabilization and support, and long-term housing recovery. Phase 1: Emergency Relief Phase 2: Interim Housing, Children's Mental Health, Case Management, and Family and Childcare Support Phase 3: Rebuilding Housing in Altadena through Altadena Builds Back Foundation. In collaboration with Pasadena Unified School District and several other child health-centered nonprofits, including the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena and Pasadena Sierra Madre YMCA, PCF is now channeling funds into supporting mental health initiatives for children and subsidizing summer programming. These efforts aim to foster a sense of stability and healing for youth, particularly as the six-month post-trauma milestone—a common time when PTSD symptoms emerge—approaches this summer. 'Nonprofits in Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre have been our partners on the ground for more than 70 years. Throughout the last three months, PCF has seen these organizations meet the moment in countless ways—disbursing cash assistance and emergency supplies, securing stable housing, addressing the unique challenges of older adults, rescuing and tending to lost and injured pets, and so much more. We are so grateful for the support of organizations like MusiCares, which allowed PCF to get resources to these organizations very quickly and begin our community's recovery,' said Jeannine Bogaard, VP of Community Impact at Pasadena Community Foundation. As Los Angeles continues to recover, MusiCares remains committed to seeing its music community through every phase of this journey. MusiCares has a long history of crisis response dating back to Hurricane Katrina and beyond and will continue to walk alongside those who have lost so much until they are fully back on their feet. For more information on the MusiCares Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort or to donate, please visit ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum ®, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares ®, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards ® — music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators. For more information about the GRAMMY Awards and the Recording Academy, please visit and For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on X, 'like' Recording Academy on Facebook, and join the Recording Academy's social communities on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn. For media assets, please visit the Recording Academy's Press Room. MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit:
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Californians see undocumented immigrants as essential to economy, poll finds
As President Trump launches a crackdown on unauthorized immigrants in the U.S., a new survey finds that a majority of California voters support providing social services for all low-income residents in the state, regardless of immigration status. In contrast to the anti-immigrant rhetoric emanating from the White House, the survey of 800 California voters portrays a populace that values the contributions of immigrants, regardless of legal status, and believes their well-being is intertwined with a well-functioning state. Californians 'understand what a vital role immigrants play in ensuring that we all have a quality of life, and they want to make sure the basic fundamental services like access to healthcare get maintained for everyone,' said Miguel Santana, president and executive officer of the California Community Foundation, which commissioned the survey in partnership with other foundations across the state. The poll found that more than two-thirds of respondents support allowing all state residents to purchase health insurance through Covered California, regardless of immigration status. Currently, unauthorized immigrants are not eligible to buy a plan through the state's health insurance marketplace. Nearly two-thirds of respondents, 64%, support offering food assistance to all eligible low-income families, regardless of the parents' immigration status. Currently, undocumented immigrants are not eligible for California's food stamp program, but they can apply for assistance on behalf of their U.S.-born children. The survey also found that 57% of respondents support continuing to allow all eligible low-income residents to access medical care through Medi-Cal, the state's public health insurance program for the poor, regardless of their immigration status. Last year, California became the first state in the nation to offer health insurance to all low-income undocumented immigrants. That expansion is being blamed, in part, for Medi-Cal costs ballooning well above the original budget estimate. As part of the nonpartisan survey, San Francisco-based David Binder Research interviewed voters by cellphone, landline and online, in English and Spanish, between March 19 and 24. Of the respondents, 47% identified as Democrats and 28% identified as Republicans, generally reflecting the California electorate. The research revealed that even moderate and swing voters in California see undocumented immigrants as essential to the economy, and are worried about the economic fallout from Trump's pledge to carry out mass deportations, said pollster David Binder. Participants expressed concerns that raids targeting farmworkers will drive up grocery prices and that wide-scale deportations will decimate small businesses and make it more expensive to build houses. 'They're worried that mass deportations are going to cause disruptions in their daily routine,' said Binder, whose research firm also does polling for Democratic candidates. 'They'll say, 'I'm really nervous about this, because it may end up costing me and my family.'' That sentiment underscores a broader truth in the Golden State: Immigrants are critical to the economy in California, where about 10.6 million people — or 27% of all residents — were foreign-born as of 2023. That's the highest share of any state and more than double the share in the rest of the country, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. About 1.8 million immigrants living in California — roughly 17% — were undocumented in 2022, according to the Pew Research Center. Unauthorized immigrants accounted for an estimated 7% of the state's workforce in 2022, according to the Pew Research Center, with some sectors deeply reliant on this workforce. At least half of the estimated 255,700 farmworkers in California are undocumented, according to UC Merced Research. The California survey struck a different tone than several national polls that have found the American public is generally supportive of the Trump administration's get-tough immigration policies. A March CBS News/YouGov poll, for example, found 58% of Americans approve of the administration's program to deport immigrants who are in the country without authorization. The California survey, in contrast, found that about 6 in 10 voters support ensuring all Californians have access to due process, regardless of whether that person is undocumented or has criminal convictions. This could indicate that the Trump administration's efforts to frame its deportation strategy as a public safety initiative are "falling flat" with California voters, according to the research summary. 'Instead of mass deportations, Californians want to further integrate immigrants, regardless of their legal status, into the fabric of our state,' said Tom Wong, director of the U.S. Immigration Policy Center at UC San Diego, who was not involved in the survey. Masih Fouladi, executive director of the immigrant rights group California Immigrant Policy Center, said the survey affirms efforts that advocates are pushing in Sacramento, including increased funding for immigrant legal services and protecting access to healthcare. 'It shows that the people in California still believe in a California for all,' said Fouladi, who wasn't involved in the polling. This article is part of The Times' equity reporting initiative, funded by the James Irvine Foundation, exploring the challenges facing low-income workers and the efforts being made to address California's economic divide. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Californians see undocumented immigrants as essential to economy, poll finds
As President Trump launches a crackdown on unauthorized immigrants in the U.S., a new survey finds that a majority of California voters support providing social services for all low-income residents in the state, regardless of immigration status. In contrast to the anti-immigrant rhetoric emanating from the White House, the survey of 800 California voters portrays a populace that values the contributions of immigrants, regardless of legal status, and believes their well-being is intertwined with a well-functioning state. Californians 'understand what a vital role immigrants play in ensuring that we all have a quality of life, and they want to make sure the basic fundamental services like access to healthcare get maintained for everyone,' said Miguel Santana, president and executive officer of the California Community Foundation, which commissioned the survey in partnership with other foundations across the state. The poll found that more than two-thirds of respondents support allowing all state residents to purchase health insurance through Covered California, regardless of immigration status. Currently, unauthorized immigrants are not eligible to buy a plan through the state's health insurance marketplace. Nearly two-thirds of respondents, 64%, support offering food assistance to all eligible low-income families, regardless of the parents' immigration status. Currently, undocumented immigrants are not eligible for California's food stamp program, but they can apply for assistance on behalf of their U.S.-born children. The survey also found that 57% of respondents support continuing to allow all eligible low-income residents to access medical care through Medi-Cal, the state's public health insurance program for the poor, regardless of their immigration status. Last year, California became the first state in the nation to offer health insurance to all low-income undocumented immigrants. That expansion is being blamed, in part, for Medi-Cal costs ballooning well above the original budget estimate. As part of the nonpartisan survey, San Francisco-based David Binder Research interviewed voters by cellphone, landline and online, in English and Spanish, between March 19 and 24. Of the respondents, 47% identified as Democrats and 28% identified as Republicans, generally reflecting the California electorate. The research revealed that even moderate and swing voters in California see undocumented immigrants as essential to the economy, and are worried about the economic fallout from Trump's pledge to carry out mass deportations, said pollster David Binder. Participants expressed concerns that raids targeting farmworkers will drive up grocery prices and that wide-scale deportations will decimate small businesses and make it more expensive to build houses. 'They're worried that mass deportations are going to cause disruptions in their daily routine,' said Binder, whose research firm also does polling for Democratic candidates. 'They'll say, 'I'm really nervous about this, because it may end up costing me and my family.'' That sentiment underscores a broader truth in the Golden State: Immigrants are critical to the economy in California, where about 10.6 million people — or 27% of all residents — were foreign-born as of 2023. That's the highest share of any state and more than double the share in the rest of the country, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. About 1.8 million immigrants living in California — roughly 17% — were undocumented in 2022, according to the Pew Research Center. Unauthorized immigrants accounted for an estimated 7% of the state's workforce in 2022, according to the Pew Research Center, with some sectors deeply reliant on this workforce. At least half of the estimated 255,700 farmworkers in California are undocumented, according to UC Merced Research. The California survey struck a different tone than several national polls that have found the American public is generally supportive of the Trump administration's get-tough immigration policies. A March CBS News/YouGov poll, for example, found 58% of Americans approve of the administration's program to deport immigrants who are in the country without authorization. The California survey, in contrast, found that about 6 in 10 voters support ensuring all Californians have access to due process, regardless of whether that person is undocumented or has criminal convictions. This could indicate that the Trump administration's efforts to frame its deportation strategy as a public safety initiative are 'falling flat' with California voters, according to the research summary. 'Instead of mass deportations, Californians want to further integrate immigrants, regardless of their legal status, into the fabric of our state,' said Tom Wong, director of the U.S. Immigration Policy Center at UC San Diego, who was not involved in the survey. Masih Fouladi, executive director of the immigrant rights group California Immigrant Policy Center, said the survey affirms efforts that advocates are pushing in Sacramento, including increased funding for immigrant legal services and protecting access to healthcare. 'It shows that the people in California still believe in a California for all,' said Fouladi, who wasn't involved in the polling. This article is part of The Times' equity reporting initiative, funded by the James Irvine Foundation, exploring the challenges facing low-income workers and the efforts being made to address California's economic divide.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
L.A. Woman: Alahna Jade Shares her Vision for her Hollywood Hotspot, Linden
Lately, there's been an exciting emergence of Black-owned hospitality ventures in L.A. — with Linden leading the Jade and her fiancé, Sterling 'Steelo' Brim — best known for his longtime role as host of MTV comedy clip staple Ridiculousness — joined forces with New York restaurateurs Vincent Bryant and Scott Williams (behind the Lower East Side's Las' Lap) to create this inviting and effortlessly cool new food destination in the heart of Hollywood that evokes the culture and backgrounds of its owners.'Being Black and being in Hollywood, there's a lot of spaces that are welcoming of us but don't necessarily put us at the forefront,' Jade says. 'I think being able to create a space for people who look like us in that location … there's a different sort of love that you get. It was important for us to create this space because the Black dollar is big, and it goes a long way, and being able to regenerate that back into our community is really important to us.' Also meaningful to Jade and her partners is helping fellow Angelenos when they can. Linden donated $20,000 to the California Community Foundation's Wildfire Recovery Fund in Los Angeles as well as 20 percent of their January proceeds to the cause — which surely made an impact, because the place is visibly packed every night. And for good by New York's multicultural Linden Boulevard, Costa Rican and African-American chef Jonathan Harris' dishes nod to soul food and the Caribbean yet taste universal and innovative. His creations — from crispy duck fat fries and fried chicken to the perfect burger smothered in garlic lemon aioli — are rich in flavor, and portions are input into the space has been significant. She says her partners sought her opinion on everything, from the (Black) art on the walls to the choices of decor and the vibe in the main room and adjacent speakeasy called Dot. The Montana native, who began working in food when she was younger and later shifted to marketing and PR, knows how to garner attention and create excitement for the restaurant — which delivers on the buzz. 'It's been a team effort, but I definitely took lead on decor and things they felt needed a woman's touch,' she says. 'I'm really grateful to my fiancé, because I think that was something that he was really passionate about — not being another all-male-led business. He really gave me that platform and believed in me.'And she knows how rare that is: 'There's not a lot of women in hospitality and I don't think women get a lot of opportunities,' Jade says. 'So I am really blessed.' "The Black dollar is big, and it goes a long way, and being able to regenerate that back into our community is really important to us.'
