Brent Madridejo: Courage in the Face of Cancer

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Sue Pascoe

Brent Madridejo before being diagnosed with cancer.
Photo: Courtesy of Brent Madridejo

By CHAZ PLAGER

High school is a time fraught with trials and tribulations for any aspiring young adult.

Exams, extracurriculars, credits, community service and more, push high schoolers to their limits as they try to decide how they will pursue lives after graduation.

Yet one Palisades Charter High School Class of 2023 member has overcome all of those normal high school senior dilemmas and more.

Brent Madridejo graduated in June with his class, while in remission from lymphoma.

His symptoms began to appear in July of 2022.

“My mom and dad noticed that I would keep repeating questions to my friends and slept a lot more often, which is abnormal because I would almost never take naps before,” he said.

Madridejo was hospitalized in August and a large tumor was found in the left side of his brain. The diagnosis of cancer came a month later in September 2022. It was a rare lymphoma variant Diffuse Large B-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Primary CNS Lymphoma (PCNSL).

PCNSL is a very rare and dangerous variant of cancer, usually seen in adults over 65. The cancer has a five-year survival rate of just 30 percent.

Without treatment, those infected will usually pass away after 45 days. It was lucky that Madridejo went to the hospital when he did.

Despite these setbacks, however, he persisted. Madridejo stayed and caught up with school through online classes, as well as occasionally going to school on “good days.” During this time, he was undergoing chemotherapy and recovering from an uncommon procedure called autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT).

ASCT involves taking healthy stem cells from your own body and using it to work in place of failing bone marrow. ASCT helps the body fight back against cancer.

Thanks to his efforts, Madridejo was declared in remission in June. He was able to attend Pali High prom as well as his graduation this year. At the ceremony he gave a speech on his struggles and his will to persist.

“Watching him go through this was bad to say the least,” said lifelong friend Nima Hakimian. “But Brent’s been strong throughout the whole process and giving us frequent updates that made it easier to feel confident about the future. I’m proud of him.”

Madridejo was accepted to University of California Los Angeles on April 25, 2023. Currently, he is back in the hospital due to complications, but remains positive.

“Today is a good day! Feeling much better,” he wrote. “Thank God. There’s always a reason to be thankful.”

Brent Madriejo (wheelchair) gave a graduation speech at PaliHi on June 8.
Photo: Courtesy of Brent Madriejo

An excerpt of Madriejo’s graduation speech follows:

Hello Class of 2023! We made it!

I want to leave you a message to reflect upon: something I want you to remember.

I am a cancer patient, who has fought for life every single day – and not knowing – and constantly questioning. What will happen? What am I missing out? Or when will it end?

I’ve learned things start to pile up quickly in my head and it can be overwhelming.

However, one day while undergoing chemotherapy, I remember one of the nurses told me, “Take it one day at a time.”

What does that mean?

As you continue your journey: Focus on today and where you are right now and what you have right now.

Don’t linger over the past too much nor constantly think about the future.

Keep moving along with what the present gives you, because truly the only thing we can do is move forward.

Utilize the time you have. Think about what you have in life right now and where you are right now.

Let yourself continue walking down this pathway called life.

May all your flaws and strengths teach you what is best for you right now. Trust yourself with the present.

The past is done, and the future can wait. Today, we celebrate what we have accomplished. Keep going. Persist.

Thank you Palisades! Remember, “take it one day at a time.”

Brent Madriejo is back in the hospital.
Photo: Courtesy of Brent Madriejo.

Posted in Health, Kids/Parenting, Schools | 4 Comments

Experience Fireworks Produced by the Pros

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Sue Pascoe

This photo was taken at a prior Fourth of July show at Palisades High School.
Photo: Morgan Genser

Pyro Spectaculars by Souza has orchestrated a 20-minute fireworks show that will be fill the skies above the Palisades High School Stadium by the Sea on July 4.

This company is one of the largest fireworks providers in the nation. On the 4^th, Souza will provide more than 400 shows across the nation, including Macy’s 47^th annual 4^th of July Spectacular, which will be broadcast live on NBC and Peacock.

Jim Souza, the President and CEO, of Pyro Spectaculars by Souza, sent the following information to Palisades resident Rich Wilken, who has headed the logistics of the show here for years.

“To ensure our displays are safe and unforgettable, we have conducted pyrotechnic training seminars in Spokane and in California at Sacramento and Cerritos,” Sousa said. “Hundreds of our licensed pyrotechnicians and their crews underwent this extensive training, fortifying our commitment to safety and the exhilarating firework performance accompanying every 4^th of July celebration.

“We look forward to filling the sky with color and excitement,” Sousa wrote. “Let’s come together in unity and revel in the spirit of Independence Day. Here’s to a safe and memorable 4^th.”

Tickets are available for the 9 p.m. firework show at PaliHi. They must be purchased in advance. There will be NO ticket sales at the gate. The event does sell out, so people are urged to purchase tickets early (visit: palisades4th.com).

Food Available at the Palisades High School Stadium on the 4^th

If a resident is headed to the Palisades High School Stadium for the Fireworks, there will be at least 13 food trucks in the parking lot to choose from. Gates will open to the stadium at 6 p.m. Food trucks will only be accessible to people who enter the facility (with tickets) after the gates open.

Babys Badass Burgers (Burgers)
Kona Ice (Shaved Ice)
Cool Haus (Ice Cream)
The Berlin Truck (Sausages/Grilled Cheese)
Cousins Maine Lobster (Seafood)
The Lime Truck (Mexican)
Prince of Venice (Italian)
Border Grill (Mexican)
Florian (Burgers/Craft Sandwiches)
Green Truck (Organic Farm to Table)
Wings ‘N Waffles
Bakara Grill (Kosher)
Stellar Pizza

Posted in Holidays | Leave a comment

Cocaine Use, Enlarged Heart Factors in Keenan Anderson Death: Family Files $100 Million Lawsuit

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Sue Pascoe

This screen shot of Keenan Anderson was taken from the LAPD video.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner released its findings in the death of Keenan Darnell Anderson, 31, on June 2.

The report (“Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Keenan Darnell Anderson”) listed the cause of death “as effects of cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart) and cocaine use (death determined hours after restraint and conducted energy device [CED] use); the manner of death is undetermined.”

The report notes that on January 3, law enforcement personnel responded to the scene of an auto accident where Mr. Anderson was a driver.

The report said, “Mr. Anderson was observed making erratic statements and appeared agitated. He soon fled on foot and was restrained by multiple officers who reportedly used wrist locks and hobbling techniques, and a CED.

“External analysis of the discharged CED revealed probes were deployed without skin impact and that trigger activations were discharged to Mr. Anderson’s back via drive-stun application.

“Minutes after being subdued, Mr. Anderson was treated by responding fire department personnel, where he became unconscious with labored breathing.”

The report notes he was transported to the hospital and was pronounced dead hours after his encounter with law enforcement.

An autopsy was completed on January 11 and the manner of the death was certified on June 1.

Keenan Anderson, a relative of Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, was visiting his family in Los Angeles over the Christmas holiday when the accident occurred at the intersection of Lincoln and Venice Boulevards.

Initially, the family filed a $50 million damages claim against the city after Anderson’s death in January. It was rejected.

After the release of the coroner’s report Mayor Karen Bass in a June 2 statement said, “Keenan Anderson was a father, a son, a brother, a cousin, and an educator of young people. He was loved and he is missed. My thoughts are with his friends and family as I know the release of this report will cause them and many Angelenos great pain as they still mourn this loss.

“I remain committed to expanding the public safety system to include health professionals and to ensuring LAPD officers receive the best possible training to assist people in crisis.”

L.A. Attorney Carl Douglas and civil rights attorney Ben Crump held a press conference on June 19. A suit seeking damages of $100 million, alleging civil rights violations, has been filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

“It matters not whether there was cocaine in his system because the actions of the officers were wrong,” Douglas said.

“Had he not been Tased, Keenan Anderson would be here today. Look at the video. Your eyes are not deceiving you. What killed him was an overdose of excessive force,” Crump said.

Posted in City | Leave a comment

Lifeguard Towers on Will Rogers Beach Vandalized

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Sue Pascoe

Community Council President Maryam Zar (left) and L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath at the unveiling of the Lifeguard towers painted in the colors of the Progress Pride Flag.
Photo: PPCC Facebook

Pacific Palisades Community Council President Maryam Zar joined LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur in a L.A. County Third District Beach Cleanup with Heal the Bay on June 17 from 8:30 to 9:45.

Afterwards, there was an unveiling of Lifeguard Towers #17 and #18 that had been painted in the colors of the Progress Pride Flag, under a motion approved by the L.A. County Supervisors.

Those towers are the southernmost area of Will Rogers Beach and are across from West Channel Road. That portion of the beach is considered Historic LGBTQ+ Friendly Ginger Rogers Beach.

According to Horvath’s office, the stretch of beach became a popular destination for gay men as far back as the 1940s. It was soon dubbed Ginger Rogers Beach in honor of the film legend.

On the Pacific Palisades Community Council Facebook page, Zar wrote “Fun morning at Ginger Rogers Beach, celebrating Pride month and unveiling the newly painted lifeguard towers, 17 & 18 now displaying Pride colors and providing a safe space for the LGBTQ community at Will Rogers State Beach.

By Monday, it was reported that the towers had been vandalized, and windows smashed.

“Hate will not win. Not today, not ever,” Horvath said in a statement Tuesday. “We will repair the towers and continue to fight the extremism that has given rise to acts of hate like this because the only way to fight hate is with love.”

Although this is a state beach, L.A. County is responsible for its maintenance.

Resident Sharon Kilbride wrote to the Supervisor’s office on Wednesday, June 21, emphasizing the urgency of repainting the tower numbers.

“I don’t know if it’s been brought to your attention that the numbers 17 and 18 are no longer on the towers,” said Kilbride, who often works with the homeless that frequent Will Rogers Beach. “In an emergency, the tower numbers need to be noted so the public can call in the location of the problem. Paramedics and LAPD have asked if this can be taken care of ASAP.

“Could you please have whoever is responsible get the signage posted and the tower numbers noted on both of the newly painted Lifeguard towers,” Kilbride said.

This lifeguard tower on “Gingerbeach” part of Will Rogers was vandalized after being painted for PRIDE month.

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Summer Creative Writing Contest 2023 Opens

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Sue Pascoe

These young students were winners in a prior writing contest.
Actors Bill Jones and Christine Kludjian read the winning stories out loud at a ceremony.

If your kids are bored, or even if they aren’t, give them a challenge these next two months. Write something longer than a text message. LOL

The annual summer creative writing contest sponsored by the Palisades Friends of the Library is underway.

The theme this year is “The Best Day” and submissions will be judged on creativity, originality, effort, plot and theme. The top three entries in five grade categories (1-2; 3-4; 5-6; 7-8; and high school) will win gift certificates to Diesel Books: $250 for first, $100 for second and $50 for third.

The contest is open to all residents of Los Angeles or those who attend a school in Los Angeles. Entries may be short stories, essays, non-fiction articles, scripts, monologues, or poetry, and must be submitted by September 5. Contestants must write their entries during Summer 2023.

Contestants are limited to one entry not to exceed three pages (double spaced only) typed in font size 12. Pages must be numbered.

Misspelled words are acceptable for younger entrants. Entries which an adult has clearly written will be disqualified.

Each entry must have a completed entry form (visit: friendsofpalilibrary.org). Contestants may consult a dictionary, thesaurus, or other reference source; but they may not copy any published work. A non-fiction entry should have sources if necessary. Entries with profanity will be disqualified.

Entries cannot be returned and students are urged to keep a copy of his/her work. Contestants may not submit entries that have won prizes in other contests.

For questions, email: [email protected].

The Friends of the Library is a nonprofit organization, which has supported the Palisades library through its regular book sales and its used bookstore located on the small patio at the back of the library.

Posted in Books, Kids/Parenting, Schools | Leave a comment

Homeless, Brush, and Lachman Lane Questioned

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Sue Pascoe

If residents see homeless in a heavy brush area, contact the task force on homelessness.

The public safety fair, co-sponsored by Councilmember Traci Park and the Brentwood and Pacific Palisades Community Council on June 10 in Simon Meadow was rich with information, but meager with attendees.

The Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness was among the organizations represented at the event. A Paseo Miramar resident complained about an area on State Park Land, where there hasn’t been brush clearance and seems to be a magnet for some homeless.

Those residents were told to send a picture of the area and the location of the possible encampment to [email protected]. They asked, “is the email checked?” and Taskforce members assured the resident that emails are checked daily.

Once PPTFH is aware of possible locations, then the LAPD beach detail, which also patrols the canyons and hillsides surrounding Pacific Palisades will go to the area to see if people are illegally camped.

Those Paseo residents also wondered why brush clearance had not been done on state land.

Many Castellammare residents whose homes abut state park land are worried because brush clearance has not been done.

Circling the News spoke to Warren Sutton, Brush Clearance inspector for Los Angeles Fire, who was also at the event.

He confirmed that L.A. City will cite the state for not clearing the brush, but that doesn’t ensure it will be done.

“The state land is pretty concerning,” he said.

Several Castellammare residents who were at the event said state park land abuts portions of Castellammare.

They asked the state to clear the brush, but when the state would not, they raised nearly $140,000 in private money in 2019 to have the land cleared. “It was our money, our insurance and our liability,” the residents said.

Sutton confirmed that even though the state of California makes homeowners do brush clearance on state land, the state also requires that the homeowners get a permit before they can start.

According to the Castellammare residents, once they had a permit, the state came in dictated what could be removed and what had to remain: some plants were sprayed green, that meant they couldn’t be removed and others orange, which meant residents could remove them.

Castellammare residents, who did this in 2019, 2020 and 2021, are not sure they can raise the funds to clear state lands, again.

They even wrote to try to receive a California State grant for the express purpose of paying for brush clearance but were denied.

The Inspector said he can cite the state, but he cannot cite the residents for failing to do brush clearance on state land.

The Inspector said his other concerns in this area are the areas where there is only one way in and out, such as Mandeville Canyon and Paseo Miramar. He was asked about the Palisades Highlands, and he said the Lachman fire road was available to residents.

At the last Pacific Palisades Community Council on June 8, several residents said a wall had been built by a private resident across the trait to prevent egress.

Sutton told CTN that he was not aware of that issue but he would check.

In a June 16 email to CTN, Sutton wrote, “I was on Lachman Lane. There is a gate on each end as there always has been. One gate needs some repair, but still opens when it is unlocked.”

Sutton said Highland residents could still use the fire road in an emergency.

1. TRAVEL TO THE INTERSECTION OF PALISADES DRIVE AND PIEDRA MORADA (INDICATED ON THE MAP AS #1).

2. TURN ONTO PIEDRA MORADA DRIVE AND TRAVEL SOUTH TO MONTE HERMOSO DRIVE.

3. MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO MONTE HERMOSO DRIVE, TRAVEL WEST TO THE FIRE ROAD ENTRANCE (IMMEDIATE LEFT TURN AFTER TURNING ONTO MONTE HERMOSO DRIVE (INDICATED ON THE MAP AS #2).

4. TRAVEL THROUGH THE FIRE ROAD, TO LACHMAN LANE.

5. ONCE ON LACHMAN LANE, DRIVE SOUTH TO VIA FLORESTA, TURN LEFT ONTO VIA FLORESTA (TRAVELING EAST).

6. ONCE UPON VIA FLORESTA, CONTINUE TO BIENVENEDA AVENUE AND TURN RIGHT (TRAVELING SOUTH) TO SUNSET BLVD.

Posted in Accidents/Fires, Homelessness | 1 Comment

Viewpoint–Adults Need to Step Up Stop After-Hours Park Activities

Posted on June 20, 2023 by Sue Pascoe

Fireworks explosions at the Rec Center.

A middle-school boy was badly injured in a fireworks explosion that happened at the Palisades Recreation Center on June 16 around 10:15 p.m.

People can tell he is hurt terribly, because his cries of anguish can be heard on the video.

The kid, who was injured, is at the Grossman Burn Center that specializes in comprehensive treatment of burns from acute care and reconstruction. CTN has been told he will need surgery and that he may be scarred for life.

The “friends” who were with him when the explosion happened did not call 911. They did not call the kid’s parents for help, instead they ran off, leaving the kid to get home on his own.

Parents, it doesn’t matter if your kid is a star athlete or the top of his class academically. It does not matter if someday he may go to a “top college.” If your kid does not have enough compassion and empathy to help someone who is severely injured, your kid lacks humanity. Your kid lacks a conscience and kindness. Your kid lacks a soul.

The injured boy will not talk about what happened, probably because he doesn’t now want to be known as a “snitch” and doesn’t want to get his “friends” in trouble. He doesn’t understand, that he could actually save his “friends” from a similar fate.

With such a severe injury, many might think that put a stop to the fireworks at the Rec Center. No.

Last night, June 19, there were fireworks at the park again, three explosions happened around 9 p.m. at the corner of the baseball field. A stronger explosion happened about 11:12 p.m. in the area that appeared to be the Palisades Bowl.

The Rec Center closes at 8 p.m. and there is no one in the office. Residents who live around the rim of the park have been told to call 911.

Police have responded when called, but generally the youth either have scattered or they wait until the police officers leave before setting off more fireworks.

The Rec Center staff does call the police on a regular basis during hours, because of issues caused by packs of youth, graffiti, fighting, using a lighter and aerosol sprays to cause a flame thrower.

Police can’t be at the center 24/7. Parents, if you don’t want your child to end up in a burn center or worse at a funeral home, it’s your time to step up.

Where are kids getting money to buy fireworks?
Do you know what places your kids are ordering from?
Do you know where your kids are after 10 p.m.? If they say they are going to a friend’s house, do you check?

There are other adults, besides parents, that can take responsibility, too.

Pacific Palisades Community Council, what are you doing about the illegal activity at the Palisades Rec Center? Saying “not my problem” doesn’t further the conversation. One resident, who lives near the park, wondered about the PPCC’s obsession with safety in Potrero Park, “despite the fact neighbors of the Recreation Center are situated far closer and are far more impacted by nighttime activity.”

Park Advisory Board are you reaching out to L.A. City Recreation and Park Department asking for more oversight?

Saying there’s nothing that “we can do,” only means another teen maybe be injured or killed.

This editor knows that fireworks can kill from personal experience. Her grandfather John Bernard Larson died in fireworks accident on July 4, 1950.

My grandfather was a farmer, well-liked and respected by fellow farmers and the people who lived in the nearby town. Every July 4^th a community picnic was held at Lydon’s Dam. My mother wrote “There were big cotton wood trees to provide shade and neighbors all brought food to be shared at noon.”

After the meal, it was a softball game, and my grandfather who was ambidextrous was a key players because he could pitch left or right-handed.

In the evening, a fireworks display was the closing event. Everyone who could afford to, had contributed some money to buy and select the shells.

My grandfather, and a friend Tom Lydon, were in charge of setting off the fireworks.

“It was to be a grand beginning,” my mom said. “The first one was supposed to be fireworks that looked like a flag.”

My grandfather and Tom lit the fuse, but it didn’t go off.

They went back to check on it, thinking they might need to light it again. As they bent over the shell, it exploded in my grandfather’s face. Tom was also burned.

They rushed my grandfather to the hospital 45 miles away. My mom remembers that they had to go to the farm and shut up the chickens, before they traveled to the hospital too.

“When we got to the parking lot, mom and my brother were come from the hospital, and they told us dad had died.”

She remembers that her father never had a chance to go to high school, but served three terms on the school board. “He was well-read and informed. We got a daily newspaper when we could afford it.”

She said that some of the attributes of my grandfather were “honesty, hard-working, loving, friendly and handsome. I loved my dad very much and sad he was killed so young. He was only 56.”

Posted in Viewpoint | 8 Comments

Accidental Journalist Covers Game of the Century

Posted on June 20, 2023 by Sue Pascoe

The University of Houston versus UCLA basketball game was played in the Astrodome in 1968.

By BOB VICKREY

One recent evening as I kicked back in my recliner after experiencing a genuinely rotten day, I chose to reminisce and write about a much better one many years ago—which turned out to be one of the most extraordinary days of my life.

On that January day in 1968, the city of Houston was experiencing unseasonably mild weather with a light cool breeze in the air.

I had come back home to visit my parents during the mid-winter college break and had no firm plans for the day. When I found my dad working in his backyard garden, he looked up and said, “I’m surprised you’re still here. I figured you’d be headed to the Astrodome to see the big Houston-UCLA basketball game that has everyone buzzing.”

He said, “If you’re planning on going, you better get moving because there’s going to be a huge crowd headed that way and traffic could be murder.”

My dad was right. Why not drive out to the Astrodome and see if I could get lucky and finagle a last-minute ticket to an event that was being billed as the “Game of the Century?”—Lew Alcindor versus Elvin Hayes.

I assumed I might be a bit late since the game would be starting shortly, but when I reached the 610 Freeway, I noticed there were no visible cars in front of me—or for that matter, behind me either.

Was this like the surreal “Twilight Zone” episode where the city’s inhabitants had all suddenly vanished and one man was left alone as possibly the last person on earth? Or more likely, had the whole city of Houston completely shut down for this basketball game?

Since there was no one on the road, I began to accelerate to 70, and then found myself doing 80, while checking the rearview mirror for flashing red lights. Within a few short minutes I had amazingly made it all the way across town to the front gate of the Astrodome parking lot, where I encountered not one single ticket attendant.

The lot appeared to be completely full as I drove closer to the front west entrance near the box office—where I found no one standing in line. (Okay, are you reading this Mr. Serling?)

A Houston Police officer stood in the street in front of my car and signaled to lower my window. He said, “If you’re looking for a parking spot, why don’t you just park right there next to my patrol car. It’s okay, because everyone who was coming is already here and in their seats.”

I shook my head in total disbelief at my continued good fortune and headed for the box office, while searching my wallet for some cash. The ticket agent glanced down at my open wallet and asked, “Is that a press pass there next to your driver’s license?” I assumed she would reject it once she realized it was merely for my campus newspaper, “The Baylor Lariat.”

She smiled politely and said, “I’m so sorry Mr. Vickrey, but all the chairs at the press table are already taken, so I could only offer you something in the row right behind the table.” I did my best to contain my jubilation, and said to her, “I think I might be able to see just fine from there.”

I can’t remember if I kicked up my heels as I made my way through the gate entry and headed to my lower court-level seat. Sure enough, I noticed there were two empty seats behind the press table as I flashed my credentials at the usher who led the way.

As I hastily took my seat just before opening tipoff, I still hadn’t fully comprehended how this cosmic miracle was currently unfolding. But things only got better a moment later when a strikingly attractive woman entered the row and took the vacant seat next to me. She wore a press badge that read: “The Denver Post.”

“Looks like our timing was perfect” she said, as she reached into her attaché case for her notebook. Then it occurred to me that I had been in such a hurry to leave the house, I hadn’t even considered bringing any writing tools since I was planning on being nothing but a spectator instead of a reporter. I was in the process of being exposed as a journalistic fraud.

I told my new friend Helen that in my rush to make it on time, I’d carelessly left my briefcase behind. She reached into her carrying case and cheerfully offered me her extra yellow legal pad and a ballpoint pen. Bingo! Just like that, I was now a fully legitimate member of the press corps.

I admitted to her that I was presently overwhelmed by my good luck that day, and quickly recapped my smooth trip there – including having just landed this courtside seat. She added, “Well, it’s only going to get better from here on out. Wait until you see the incredible seafood buffet the TVS Network crew has waiting for members of the press after the game in the Astrodome Club skybox.”

UCLA and Houston had the two best big men in the country in the Bruins’ 7’2” center Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and the Cougars’ brilliant Elvin Hayes. UCLA featured other stars like guards Lucius Allen and Mike Warren, as well as their sharp-shooting forward Lynn Shackelford. Besides Hayes, Houston also had All-American guard Don Chaney and their ever-reliable inside big man Ken Spain.

I realized that the big game had suddenly become secondary to my good fortune in just getting there, but this was nevertheless a great matchup of perennial power UCLA and the quickly emerging program of the University of Houston, which had its own goal of winning a national championship. The two top-ranked teams featured loaded rosters with players that would one day go on to have legendary careers in the NBA.

The game was being played before a record crowd of 55,000 fans but had been somewhat tarnished by a serious eye injury suffered by Alcindor in the Bruins’ previous game. He had worn an eye patch all week right up until game time.

The matchup turned out to be a real nail-biter and came down to a last-second finish when the Cougars’ Hayes sank two free throws to give Houston a 71-69 lead. With one possession remaining, UCLA’s All-American Warren uncharacteristically deflected a pass meant for a wide-open Shackelford, who was a deadly shooter from the corner.

The game that day ended in bedlam with the Houston crowd making so much noise that it seemed the Dome’s glass rooftop might shatter.

The Cougars had also ended the 47-game winning streak of UCLA but would eventually face them again in the national semifinals with a fully recovered Alcindor. In that game, the Bruins took their revenge in a 101-69 drubbing of the Coogs on their way to winning yet another national championship.

But this January day belonged to the Houston Cougars.

That nationally televised game would change the way college basketball was perceived by the entire sports world—and helped elevate the sport to a new level, while opening the door for the wildly popular “March Madness” tournament. The major networks took note of the huge audience the game had drawn and began televising more college games in coming years.

As for me, I was able to write the game story for my campus newspaper which was filled with plenty of game details and statistics. But I knew even then as I was writing it, that for me, the game wasn’t the real story that day. It was rather about my own magical sequence of events that had gotten me there, as it seemed the stars had aligned perfectly, and everything had fallen flawlessly into place.

To cap off our day, Helen and I enjoyed the delicious shrimp and lobster feast in the Astrodome’s media clubhouse, and she toasted my day of good fortune as we remembered the old proverb: “It is not always about the destination; it’s often about the journey.”

Bob Vickrey is a writer whose columns have appeared in several Southwestern newspapers including the Houston Chronicle. He is a member of the Board of Contributors for the Waco Tribune-Herald, and was cited by the California Newspaper Publishing Association for column writing awards in 2016 and 2017. He lives in Pacific Palisades, California.

Posted in Sports, Vickrey | 5 Comments

Pet Dog Killed by Coyotes in Highlands

Posted on June 19, 2023 by Sue Pascoe

When a Highlands resident let out their dog in their fenced yard in the morning on June 16, it was just like every other morning. And then it wasn’t. The residents 13-year-old medium-sized canine was brutally attacked by two coyotes.

Although the dog was immediately taken to the VCA pet hospital on Sepulveda, the animal could not be saved.

The family is in shock and wanted to warn others that letting your dog out in a yard might not be safe.

Highlands Summit Club director Rebecca Wade sent out a June 16 notice: “I am sending out this advisory on coyotes due to a report that was received today concerning a coyote attack on a family’s medium-sized canine while the animal was in the rear yard of the residence, which is a highly irregular occurrence.

“We want to be always proactive and help to ensure your family members safety, even the ones with four legs. Please feel free to post, forward or otherwise share the advisory with friends and neighbors.”

ACS Patrol Captain Aaron Sias also sent out a Coyote Advisory to Highlands residents acknowledging the attack and added another incident.

“We have also received a report of another client’s nanny not wanting to exit her vehicle due to a lone coyote remaining around the vehicle for an extended period, despite the nanny making noise and trying to scare it away.

“Relocating problem coyotes is not an option as it would only serve to move a problem to another neighborhood, which is not a solution,” Sias said. “Limiting access to human and pet food, or other attractants can prevent this type of change in behavior from becoming an issue in the first place.”

The advisory included the following safety tips:

Always keep trash, recycling, and compost in wildlife-resistant containers.
Do not feed pets outdoors or remove food at night. Bring pets inside at night.
Remove human or pet food and strongly scented items from yard.
Clean garbage and recycling bins with bleach or ammonia.
Remove attractants such as fallen fruit. Keep bird feeders clean and maintained.
When you are walking your dog in areas known to have coyotes, carry a loud whistle of even an umbrella that one can open and close rapidly to scare them away.

Coyotes weigh between 18 and 40 pounds, and can run at speeds of 25 mph and sprint up to 40 mph. They have been known to scale fences upwards of six feet in height.

Residents are also reminded that coyotes eat rodents, small mammalian predators and sometimes they may eat rattlesnakes and scorpions. They are considered opportunistic and may go after small dogs and cats. Coyote scat is beneficial because it distributes seeds of plants, such as the saguaro cactus, which is endangered.

The City of Los Angeles gives the following suggestion if one is approached by a coyote. “Wave your arms. Shout in a low, loud tone. Throw objects at the coyote while maintaining eye contact. Make yourself look as big as possible. If you are wearing a jacket, take it off & swing around over your head. If possible, go towards active or populated areas but do not turn your back and run, because that could trigger a chase.”

Posted in Animals/Pets, Environmental | 3 Comments

Venice Ramada Project Remains Vacant and Won’t House Anyone Until December 2024

Posted on June 19, 2023 by Sue Pascoe

This motel in Venice was bought by the city for $10 million to be used for housing the homeless.

By ANGELA MCGREGOR

(Editor’s note: The following story appeared in a June 15 edition of the Westside Current and is reprinted with permission. CTN printed a story “Sexual Predator Moved into Venice Neighborhood” in August 2022. There were unanswered questions then about where did the initial $10 million come from and now this property is it owned by the City or by the nonprofit?)

After spending $10 million to purchase a 33-room Venice hotel for conversion into permanent supportive housing in December 2020, the L.A. City-owned property has now been vacant for eight months – and won’t house anyone until December 2024.

In December 2020, the City of Los Angeles purchased the Ramada Inn at 3130 Washington Blvd., just west of Lincoln, with Project Homekey funds.

The property was subsequently sold for $1.00 to People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), a homeless services agency who is also receiving funding to oversee the operation and renovation of the building.

At a contentious meeting with nearby residents in January 2021, a representative, from then Councilmember Mike Bonin’s office, announced that the facility would be used for “transitional” housing for the “next 3-5 years.”

In April, 2021, a group of 400 Venetians called Family First Venice filed an appeal to the project, in response to the city’s refusal to work with nearby residents to establish conditions whereby the facility could be operated safely. That appeal was denied, and the building — which is within three blocks of three different elementary schools — was opened for transitional housing.

By August of 2022, two residents of the facility had died of overdoses and a convicted sexual predator a had made the facility his home for a few months. That summer, everyone who lived there was notified they would have to move out to accommodate the building’s conversion to permanent supportive housing. The last resident moved out roughly eight months ago.

According to Tyler Renner, the Director of Media for PATH, construction to convert the former motel to 33 permanent supportive housing studio units is anticipated to begin in October of this year. Architectural plans were submitted to City Planning in December of 2022, and PATH is still responding to city comments on the project. They hope to complete construction by the end of 2024.

The scope of work for the project includes:

Installation of vents and kitchenettes for all units
Installation of cabinets in each unit
Replacement of flooring in units and throughout the property as needed
Converting existing hotel lobby into on-site management and case management offices for Tenants
Converting existing common area room into ADA compliant laundry room
Conversion of 2 existing rooms into ADA compliant units
Conversion of Two existing rooms into visual/noise impaired units
Creating outdoor patio areas for tenants

As for the exterior of the building it will, according to Renner, “remain as is…with an exception to new paint and plants.”

Posted in City/Councilman Mike Bonin, Homelessness | Leave a comment

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