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Los Angeles Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Chilled by fear: ICE raids cast a pall over Orange County households, businesses
Good morning. It's Wednesday, June 25. I'm Carol Cormaci, bringing you this week's TimesOC newsletter with a look at some of the latest local news and events from around the county. The stories about Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Orange County keep coming. There are reports of restaurants and other businesses struggling, either due to having decimated staffs or a precipitous drop in customers — including Latino American citizens who are afraid to set foot outside their homes lest they be whisked into vans by masked men and taken to a detention center. If one of the goals of the Department of Homeland Security with the local ICE operation tactics is to sow fear, that mission has been accomplished, based on what TimesOC's Gabriel San Román reported from a day out in the field when he interviewed vendors at Anaheim Indoor Marketplace, day laborers on the street and a restaurateur in Santa Ana. At the marketplace, where many stands have been shuttered and remaining operators are worried they won't be able to pay rent, one vendor who asked not to be identified despite the fact they are a U.S. citizen, acknowledged the somber mood hovering in the air and the dearth of customers. 'Hopefully, things will get better soon,' the vendor told the reporter. 'But right now, it seems like [ICE] is approaching anyone who is Latino.' One incident that came to our attention last week is the experience of a Newport Beach attorney with a 'very American name,' as she said, who was walking in an O.C. park when she was detained by ICE agents, handcuffed and transported to a processing center. 'There was no warning, no rhyme or reason...,' the attorney told Douglas Sanders of the Daily Journal, who broke the story. '...Their goal was to get as many people as they could into their vans and go. Act fast, ask questions after the fact, and let the consequences be damned.' She said that about an hour and a half after she was hustled to the center she was told she could leave. She had to find her own way home, though. The L.A. Times reported that Narciso Barranco, an immigrant whose son Alejandro says had recently applied to become a U.S. citizen, was working outside of a Santa Ana IHOP on Saturday when he was violently detained by several masked federal agents. The encounter was documented on a video that went viral showing Barranco being taken down, pinned and punched over and over again by the agents after he'd tried unsuccessfully to run away from them. 'The younger Barranco told The Times on Sunday that his father was pepper sprayed and beaten, and that his shoulder was dislocated,' the paper reported. 'After speaking with him Sunday at about 6 p.m., Barranco said his father had not received medical treatment, food or water after more than 24 hours in a detention facility in Los Angeles.' There are, of course, two sides to the story. Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security, alleged in a statement to The Times on Monday that the 48-year-old Barranco, whom she described as an 'illegal alien,' had 'swung a weed whacker directly at an agent's face and refused to comply with the agents' commands or requests to identify himself.' She also said the report of the dislocated shoulder was false. Alejandro Barranco, 25, is a veteran of the U.S. Marines and his two younger brothers, Emanuel and José Luis Barranco, are active-duty members. He said Marines who have been deployed to protect federal property and ICE personnel probably have mixed feelings about the state of affairs, according to The Times. 'I know they love their country, they want to serve their country, but I'm also sure that they love their parents and they love their family members who are undocumented. I'm pretty sure we're all pushing for the same thing,' he said, 'which is a change in our system.' • The former NFL kicker who in February was arrested for his act of civil disobedience during a Huntington Beach City Council meeting has decided he'll run for office. Activist Chris Kluwe, a Democrat, said last week he plans to campaign in the 2026 elections against current Councilmember Gracey Van Der Mark, one of the 'MAGA-nificent 7' (in Tony Strickland's words) members of the H.B. City Council, to represent Assembly District 72. The district includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Newport Beach and Seal Beach. • One of Van Der Mark's colleagues on the Huntington Beach City Council, Mayor Pat Burns, muttered an obscene epithet about a woman addressing the council during a meeting last week that was caught on a live microphone, generating an outcry. You can read about his latest gaffe and what led up to it in this Daily Pilot story. • Given the unpredictable state of local and national economy, the Costa Mesa City Council last week agreed with four employee unions to a one-year contract, rather than a longer term, that will provide a total of $3.5 million in salary and benefit increases to city employees. • Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing: At Home, a home goods retailer based in Texas that operates 260 stores in 40 states is shuttering several SoCal locations, including stores on El Camino Real in Tustin and on Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa as it tries to recover from a slowdown in sales and the effects of inflation and tariffs. Both Orange County locations are advertising a store closing sale on their websites. • Kwong 'Tony' Chun Sit, 53, an Irvine animal trainer, was arrested last Thursday night on suspicion of animal cruelty and destruction of evidence in connection with the death of 11 dogs belonging to his clients, including nine whose bodies were recovered by police. He and his co-defendant, Tingfeng Liu, 23, of Vista, were arraigned Monday. Both pleaded not guilty. • A large crowd surrounded and allegedly assaulted Santa Ana police officers who were trying to make an arrest of a man for drinking in public at around 2 a.m. Sunday. When the dust settled, five people were arrested and three officers were injured with cuts and abrasions, City News Service reported. The incident occurred on the 300 block of West Third Street, according to police. • Artist and filmmaker Daniel Winn spent more than a year creating two large bronze and stainless steel sculptures that were stolen from an Anaheim Hills warehouse the weekend of June 14-15 and later recovered from a trailer parked on an Anaheim driveway last Friday, The Times reports. The sculptures, 'Icarus Within' and 'Quantum Mechanics: Homme,' are valued at a combined $2.1 million and there was concern the thief (or thieves) might sell them for scrap. Anaheim police say the case is still under investigation. Four players from Newport Harbor High, past and present, helped the Team USA Junior National team earn a silver medal at the World Aquatics Under-20 World Championships in Croatia over the weekend. Team USA fell to Spain, 14-11, in the gold medal match on Saturday. Contributors for the U.S. included 2023 Sailors graduate Ben Liechty and 2024 alumnus Peter Castillo, both now at UCLA. Gavin Appeldorn, a 2024 graduate now at Princeton, and incoming Sailors senior Connor Ohl also contributed for Team USA. Ohl recently committed to Stanford. Costa Mesa native Landon Akerstrom, a Mater Dei graduate who now plays for UC San Diego, also helped the cause. • In other water polo news, the Fischer sisters of Laguna Beach, Makenzie and Aria, were feted Friday in a USA water polo national team retirement ceremony. The team's coach, Adam Krikorian, told the Daily Pilot that Makenzie Fischer, who was a water polo standout at Laguna Beach High as well as Stanford, 'could literally be the best player in the world.' Her younger sister, Aria, played on three CIF championship teams at Laguna Beach and the Stanford team that captured three NCAA titles. Their dad, Erich Fischer, who still coaches at Laguna Beach, was a two-time national champion in water polo at Stanford and an Olympian in 1992. • The Anaheim Ducks, who have not made it to the NHL playoffs for seven years, traded center Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday for forward Ryan Poehling and the 45th overall pick in the upcoming draft, along with a fourth-round pick next season, the L.A. Times reports. • Petey the Surf Dog, a 6-year-old Westie, won the small dog competition at the 28th annual Purina Pure Plan Incredible Dog Challenge Western Regionals for the second straight year on Friday in Huntington Beach. Koa, an 11-year-old Labrador from Carlsbad, was also a repeat winner in the large dog competition at the event. • The life of the late Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson, who died June 11 at 82, was celebrated Saturday in Huntington Beach, where a paddle out ceremony was held in his memory. Dean Torrence of the surf -rock duo Jan and Dean was a featured speaker. He told the crowd that when he asked Wilson in 1963 if he could write a song for their use, he learned Wilson was working on two pieces that were contenders for the Beach Boys' next single, but they both sounded similar so he was willing to part with one. The songs were 'Surfin' U.S.A' and 'Surf City' and Wilson told Torrence he was leaning toward keeping 'Surfin' U.S.A' 'He said 'If you want the other song, you can finish it, I don't care,' so we took the song,' Torrence recalled. Eight weeks later, he said, 'Surf City' was the No. 1 song in the U.S. • O.C. resident Christine Mulholland has started a new podcast called 'What's Going On?' that seeks to expand environmental consciousness. The Daily Pilot caught up with Mulholland for this feature story about the entrepreneur, who said she can trace her interest in nature back to when she was 5 and convinced the neighbhood kids to help her round up earthworms that had been displaced by rains and put them back into the turf where they belonged. Mulholland in 2012 co-founded an environmental and wildlife conservation nonprofit called Generation Awakening. In 2018, she put on a 5K 'Race Against Extinction' locally that raised more than $40,000 to protect endangered species and their habitats. • The heroic efforts 100 years ago this month by famed Hawaiian swimmer and surfer Duke Kahanamoku and others who saved several lives when a fishing boat was toppled by waves in Corona del Mar were celebrated by Sherman Library & Gardens during a special fundraiser toward creating a bronze plaque commemorating the 'Great Rescue' of June 14, 1925. • Works by Korean American artist Wendy Park are showcased in a solo exhibition 'Of Our Own' now through through July 19 at Various Small Fires OC gallery, 119 N. Prospect Ave., Tustin. It's open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. • This is the month of the annual Wurst Fest at Old World Biergarten in Huntington Beach, where guests can enjoy bratwurst, soft pretzels, sauerkraut and German beers this Saturday and Sunday. Check out this list of exotic sausages also offered while supplies last: smoked alligator andouille, smoked elk sausage with bacon and cheddar, smoked venison sausage with port wine and potato, duck and bacon sausage with jalapeño pepper, rattlesnake and rabbit with jalapeño pepper, rabbit and pork with leeks and carrots, and venison sausage with merlot blueberries. Saturday's hours are noon to 10 p.m., Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. • Laguna Beach's storied Sawdust Art Festival opens this Friday and runs through Aug. 31. Now in its 59th year, the event will feature the works of more than 185 artists, live music and festival fun, according to organizers. There are special nights when Orange County residents with valid ID can enter at no charge. Visit the festival website to learn when residents of your city can take advantage of the offer. Scroll down the page to the 'Plan Your Visit' section to locate the schedule of dates and cities. Until next Wednesday,Carol We appreciate your help in making this the best newsletter it can be. Please send news tips, your memory of life in O.C. (photos welcome!) or comments to
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'Powerful' war film tells true story of life behind enemy lines for troops
Seven Lost is a 2021 independent war film that follows a group of Latino American soldiers who get stranded behind enemy lines in the Italian wilderness during World War II 'Seven Lost' is a gripping 2021 independent war film that tells the harrowing story of a group of Latino American soldiers who find themselves stranded in the treacherous Italian wilderness during the height of World War II. Their desperate bid for survival is meticulously portrayed as they navigate the unforgiving landscape and battle to return to the safety of their own lines. Under the visionary guidance of Eduardo Castrillo - who wrote, directed, and starred in the film - 'Seven Lost' shines a long-overdue spotlight on the pivotal role played by Latino soldiers during the Second World War, a narrative thread all too often glossed over or underplayed in mainstream war movies. This cinematic masterpiece expertly weaves together themes of survival, camaraderie, and the harsh realities of conflict through the unique lens of the Latino experience. Boasting an impressive ensemble cast including Karl J. Arana, Gabriel Rios, Diogo Hausen, Michael Placencia, Maurizio Bandi, Arturo Rangel, Raymond Ruiz, Eugene Magana, and Castrillo himself, 'Seven Lost' is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Audiences have warmly received the film, with one viewer praising it as: "An incredible journey of survival of a few soldiers during the World War. The story line is concise, but it delves into the psychology of the soldiers. It's important to have a period piece look like the period related to the story and the director did a great job with that! I felt like I was actually in the war during some sequences! The cinematography was excellent as well as the visual effects. That's very important in independent job by director Eduardo Castillo, cast and crew!" One audience member offered high praise for the movie's central theme, writing: "A rare and important film that showcases the war efforts of latinos during WW2. A team of seven soldiers are lost behind enemy lines in Italy and heroically defend civilians. "The movie's concept has mainstream sensibilities both in script and execution despite its low budget. Lots of great talent is evident in the movie's production from the Director and Actors to the Cinematography and Musical Score. It's an exciting and polished looking presentation. Do yourself a favour and check out this excellent indie feature that helps fill the glaring gap in Hollywood's portrayal of Latinos' bravery and sacrifice during WW2.", reports the Express. Meanwhile, another review celebrated the film by saying: "Seven Lost is a captivating independent war movie that deftly navigates the complexities of human emotions amidst the chaos of conflict. It's not easy to make a war movie on a low budget and this team did it! ! The film's raw and unfiltered portrayal of the harsh realities of war provides a thought-provoking experience, making it a standout in the indie genre. "While lacking the big-budget spectacle, Seven Lost compensates with its authenticity, delivering a powerful and memorable cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Well done." Yet another viewer lauded the film, saying: "This independent movie based on World War II is one of the most interesting and intelligent movies I've seen this year. "There are many films that depict the journey of a soldier in war, but this specific film surpasses them all. The script is exceptionally brilliant and consistently evokes empathy for each of the characters, who are surprisingly captivating." One viewer was full of commendation for the creators: "You can sense the passion invested into this film by those behind the scenes. A historical drama that transported me back to the 1940s. It's an intense tale of survival, trust, and the truth about the role of Latino soldiers in America's battle during World War 2."
Business Journals
21-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
We Are ALX helps childcare providers grow amid rising demand
Massachusetts childcare owners are receiving free business training to help meet the growing demand for services as workers transition back to in-person work. Story Highlights We Are ALX Inc. created a free business program for childcare providers. Massachusetts fully funds a $475 million childcare grant program. Childcare seats in Massachusetts increased by 8,700 in the past year. More workers returning to the office means more childcare needs statewide — and a local business group is working to help childcare providers grow and expand to help meet that need. We Are ALX Inc., a statewide nonprofit focused on advancing Latino American prosperity and leadership representation, created a free business program for childcare business owners to grow earnings potential, manage costs and move beyond day-to-day business operations toward a profitable growth business. The program last year graduated 59 childcare providers, up from 29 the year earlier, representing over 140 jobs and over 600 families and children, according to Eneida Román, president and CEO of We Are ALX. The program has served 135 entrepreneurs over two years — all free. Childcare providers have struggled to find workers because of persistent low pay and the lack of growth opportunities, according to a report from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation last fall. The average salary for childcare workers in Massachusetts last year was $43,000, per the MTF report, barely higher than the U.S. average of $39,370 per year, despite the high cost of living in the Bay State. The ALX program is aimed at helping childcare business owners learn how to access capital and resources, provide worker opportunities for additional certifications and professionalize their systems through better bookkeeping, website management and marketing. Dora Aguilar is CEO and owner of Bright Beginners Family Daycare LLC, a home-based family childcare provider in Randolph. She participated in the ALX program last year and said, 'They are great, fantastic coaches. Eneida ... is helping businesses, especially Latino businesses in the community, to grow up and is helping them in all the ways they need in order to be successful.' Sign up for the Business Journal's free daily newsletters, and download the free BBJ app for important news alerts on your phone. Bright Beginners was awarded the SBA Home-based Business of the Year for Massachusetts in 2023. Originally from Guatemala, Aguilar was a certified teacher for nearly a decade in her native country and has run her daycare program for 25 years, first in Hyde Park and more recently in Randolph. She said the ALX program provided a personal coach for eight weeks who help her sharpen her business plan, upgrade her social media presence, and better handle her business taxes. While she hasn't seen revenue grow yet since taking the program, the improved marketing could help that, she said. Aguilar is planning to expand her business from a home-based family childcare to a more formal daycare center, which would allow her to take on more children and employees." 'I'm talking to as many people as I can for help,' Aguilar said. 'Access and affordability' The lack of affordability and accessibility to early education and childcare is a pervasive drag on the regional economy overall. The local leadership of PNC Bank is hosting an event on April 30 with the Business Journal focused on early education and its impact on the region's workforce and the economy in an effort to address that challenge. "The commonwealth like every other state has a childcare challenge. It's about access and affordability for families, and that in turn is a barrier for people to participate in the labor force — and is a limiting factor for the Massachusetts economy," said Tom Weber, executive director of the Massachusetts Business Coalition for Early Childhood Education and a fellow of the Eastern Bank Foundation. The bank foundation contributed $100,000 to ALX to help expand its program last year. Román said other funding came from foundations at PNC Bank and TD Bank as well as from government grants. The per-participant cost is $3,000, but the return on the investment, Román said, is double that cost. "We currently have a waiting list for the next cohort," Román said. "Our vision for this program is to continue providing culturally relevant, strategic guidance that shifts mindsets from (entrepreneurs) seeing themselves as 'babysitters' to seeing themselves as business owners and educators." Weber describes childcare as a sector that has always been challenging for providers to make a profit. 'It's a sector that operates on exceedingly tight margins, and has been principally motivated and trained on the childcare and education components — but they aren't trained as well on the operation of the business of childcare.' Programs like ALX's and potential state funds aim to change that. Last month, the Healey administration released recommendations from a task force created last year on childcare affordability and accessibility that included focusing small-business resources offered by the state Executive Office of Education and its agencies. The report included exploring the expansion of small-business development programs for early education and childcare centers. Interestingly, Massachusetts is the only state that has continued to fully fund a pandemic-era childcare grant program after federal money was discontinued. The $475 million Commonwealth Cares for Children program provides grants to more than 7,500 childcare and early education programs in the state to help with operational costs. It has also helped increase pay for more than 45,000 educators, who were being paid just $30,000 a year before the pandemic. According to the state's Board of Early Education and Care, there's been an increase of 8,700 childcare seats for children in the past year, a 4% hike. That means every childcare program that received state money added an average of one new seat, and potentially thousands of workers who were previously unavailable to participate in the state's labor pool because of a lack of childcare options were able to do so. Nationally, a Business Journals report last year found that growth in childcare costs has outpaced other daily expenses — and the cost of child care keeps growing. The average national price for child care annually rose 3.7% between 2022 to 2023, to $11,582 per child, according to Child Care Aware of America. 'Some people will leave their jobs, some will reduce their work hours," Julie Kashen, senior fellow and director for women's economic justice at The Century Foundation, told the Business Journals. "But some people don't have that option and need to work to support those families." Employer Inclusivity Index - Small & Midsize Companies Percentage of total employees that are POC Rank Prior Rank Organization name/URL 1 1 Arka HR Solutions 2 2 Cruz Companies 3 3 Stop and Compare Supermarkets View this list
