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    Senior Moments: Ready to feel the joy of a musical
    • April 15, 2023

    “Feeling blue? Here’s what to do.” That’s how Cantor Judy Sofer described the upcoming performance of the musical comedy “The Drowsy Chaperone” she is directing for the Jewish Federation’s JFed Players.

    Not unlike this year’s Academy Awards, where many of the nominees were over 50, the production showcases older actors. A cast of predominantly senior, seasoned actors bewitches the audience with a cosmically comedic, toe-tapping musical performance.

    Juxtaposed with talented ingenues singing and dancing their hearts out, the multi-generational cast ensures no one will be feeling blue when they leave the theater.

    The Drowsy Chaperone character, played by veteran Altadena actress and artist Karen Brown, has a gift for entrances that always makes me laugh. Her interactions with the young bride-to-be, portrayed by Wendy Otto, the sweet-voiced actress from Tujunga, provide one of the show’s many unexpected delights.

    The overlying story is about a man who is a fan of vintage musicals and who suffers from non-specific sadness. He decides to cheer himself up by playing a record of the 1928 Broadway musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone.” As soon as the needle on his record player hits the recording, the show explodes into fun-filled chaos as he imagines the entire cast parading into his apartment.

    My later husband, George, a founding member of the JFed Players, was a man who never felt blue in a theater. Especially this one.

    “I feel more at home on stage than anywhere else,” he used to say.

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    Whenever I see a JFed Players production, I imagine the roles he might have played. The stage always seems a little empty without him. But for this show, he will be back on stage with the theater ensemble he loved.

    When George passed away, The JFed Players honored his memory with the dedication of a director’s chair with the inscription “George Roegler, Always on Stage.” His chair is part of the production and is on stage for all performances.

    Performances are Saturdays, April 15, 22 and 29 at 8 PM; Sundays, April 16 and 23 at 3 PM and Thursdays, April 20 and 27 at 7:30 PM at Porticos Art Space, 2033 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena

    Tickets www.jewishsgpv.org or 626-445-0810

    Email [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @patriciabunin.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Should I stay or should I go? Real estate advice I’m giving to tenants, owners
    • April 15, 2023

    As I penned this column, it was Good Friday and Passover.

    I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and Zissen Pesach!

    Most of you have folks from whom you solicit advice. Those of you who own a business most likely get counsel from a banker, attorney or CPA. Others may seek wise words from priests, clergy or a sage family member. And finally, maybe you take direction from TikTok, Facebook or Instagram.

    Regardless, you rely on a trusted adviser of some kind. I am such a source for many of my clients. Today, I’d like to review some of the advice I’ve given this week and the situation that preceded the request for counsel.

    Lease renewal on preset terms

    We originated a lease in 2017. We represented the owner. Included in the transaction was a five-year term with an option to renew for an additional five years. As we’ve discussed here before, options are “personal” to the tenant and must be exercised within a specific time window.

    If you fail to give your owner the proper notice, you lose out on options. In this case, the tenant wanted to remain in the building but missed his option window. He also wanted the owner to contribute to some construction expenses and wanted the right to buy the building.

    So what advice did I give?

    I recommended the owner renew the tenant at the preset option terms and contribute a small amount of the construction expense. Additionally, I suggested not granting a right to purchase.

    So, why? The family that owns the building relies on the rent for their livelihood. The tenant wants to remain and keep paying. An interruption of this stream through a costly vacancy, plus the expense of originating a new lease, would not be offset by a small bump in rent that could be achieved with a new occupant.

    As to buying rights. These come in several flavors — option to purchase, right of first offer and right of first refusal. Most favor the occupant. Instead of limiting flexibility through a purchase right grant, I offered the owner: “approach the tenant first if you desire to sell.” There’s no commitment to the resident but they’re the most likely buyer anyway.

    Lease term remaining

    I was introduced to a light manufacturing company several years ago. They’ve not had a need for my services but we’ve kept in touch.

    Recently, the owner made a decision to exit the business she worked hard to build. Trouble was, time remained on her lease and the business buyer only wanted to occupy the premises for a short while, just enough time to relocate the business out of state.

    This is typical of a strategic buyer who purchases a competitor but has an adequate physical plant to consume the operation. Consequently, some time would remain once the new owner of the enterprise vacated.

    So what advice did I give?

    Fortunately, the lease rate she pays is dramatically below market, so she has a few paths forward.

    The easiest is to approach the owner and request a buyout of the remaining obligation. Sometimes a landlord will see the benefits if a new tenant will pay more.

    The buyout is based on the cost once downtime, broker fees, free rent and improvements are calculated. If that approach isn’t palpable, the tenant can sublease — in this case at more money than currently being paid.

    Some leases will ding you with a sharing of this profit, so beware.

    Allen Buchanan is a principal and commercial real estate broker at Lee & Associates, Orange. He can be reached at 714.564.7104 or [email protected]

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    What you need to know about creating a living garden wall
    • April 15, 2023

    Walls with plants growing on them are turning up everywhere. And I am not just talking about vines that cling such as Boston ivy and creeping fig. It is now possible to cover any wall, exterior or interior, with vegetation in a variety of colors, textures, and forms. Such living walls are becoming an increasingly familiar sight at airports, commercial buildings and private residences as well, where both exterior and interior walls are candidates for vertical gardens.

    David Brenner is the founder of Habitat Horticulture, a company that designs, installs, and maintains what he refers to as living walls. Brenner has installed more than 30 living walls in the Los Angeles area – at the Westfield Century City Mall, Del Amo Fashion Center, and Century Plaza Hotel among many others.

    Exterior and interior walls of several Los Angeles homes have also served as canvases for Brenner’s horticultural works of art. There is nothing predictable about Brenner’s plant selections, which depend upon the whims of the client. These melanges of botanical species include ferns, geraniums, heucheras, coleus, orchids, parlor palms, bromeliads, and succulents, although this last category, Brenner confided, tend to become leggy when grown on walls.

    Shrub monkey flower Mimulus aurantiacus. (Photo by Joshua Siskin)

    Canna Tropicana, an excellent container plant. (Photo by Joshua Siskin)

    Cymbidium orchid flower spike. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Kaufman)

    Epidendrum orchid. (Photo courtesy of Rita Swartz)

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    It is now possible to procure a self-contained “mini living wall system” for your home or office. The unit – which goes by the name of Gromeo – arrives complete with plants and ready for hanging. The six-sided vertical planters, framed in birch wood, come in two sizes: approximately two feet by two feet and 18 inches by 18 inches.

    Assorted plant combinations, depending on the amount of your available light, are available, but no electrical or plumbing work is needed to set up your unit. You simply fill the one-gallon reservoir at the base of the unit every two to three weeks. The plants are embedded in Growtex fabric – made from recycled plastic bottles – that wicks up the water in the reservoir below through capillary action. You can also order the wall system without plants and insert your own selections in the pockets provided.

    To learn more about Gromeo, visit habitathorticulture.com. When you get there, click “shop” in the upper right-hand corner of the home page to access Gromeo wall planters.

    Anyone with a wall planting experience is invited to send their story to me at the email address given below.

    I asked readers to send me their orchid experiences. One of the responses included a photo of a brilliant, cherry red clutch of flowers from an Epidendrum orchid courtesy of Dee van Dam, who writes about it as follows: “I am not a fan of the foliage, but this plant redeems itself by blooming year around. I am in Ontario and my plant gets morning sun and afternoon shade.”

    Jerry Kaufman, who gardens in Westminster, sent an impressive photo of a three-foot-long cymbidium orchid flower spike, festooned its entire length with perfect yellow blooms.

    Kathleen Byrnes, who gardens in Pasadena, is seeking suitable perennials that “tolerate the blistering overhead sun of summer and continuous shade of winter” when planted along the north-facing wall of a garage or other building.

    The first plant that comes to mind for the exposure you describe is star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), which could be trained into a hedge or secured to a trellis if you want it to reach the height of the wall. Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum) or glossy leaf privet (Ligustrum lucidum) would also be suitable for growing as a hedge in the location you described. They could be kept trimmed to any height you wish, from three feet to eight feet or more.

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    Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) could also work for you. It is tougher than the conventional hydrangea and can take more sun. Natal plum (Carissa grandiflora) has cultivars in various sizes and does well in both sun and shade. Finally, heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica), an evergreen, is also blessed with many cultivars of various sizes, all of them bearing foliage that changes color with the seasons and suitable for a bright northern exposure.

    I still prefer the old standby Nandina domestica that grows to a height of six feet and, due to its rhizomes, is virtually indestructible. It also makes an excellent container plant should you wish to make a row of containers in the area you mention.

    California native of the week: The shrubby monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus) may be the most endearing California native. Some say there is no rhyme or reason to their common name although others see a monkey’s face upon close inspection of a flower. They are evergreen or briefly deciduous woody plants of low stature, reaching three feet tall and four feet wide. Flowers are generally orange or apricot in color, but hybrids may bloom in red, pink, purple, or white. The plants are sometimes called sticky monkeyflowers as their leaves and flowers have a glutinous texture. They should be blooming now and, if you cut them back once flowering subsides, they may flower again in mid-summer. Due to our heavy rains this winter, however, they may flower continuously and heavily until August. Monkeyflowers can grow in either sun or partial shade.

    Please send questions, comments, and photos to [email protected].

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Coachella 2023: Bad Bunny makes history and Metro Boomin brings out several special guests
    • April 15, 2023

    Bad Bunny held his microphone out to the crowd and invited them to sing along to his 2021 hit “Yonaguni” as previous Coachella performer Post Malone came out to accompany him on guitar.

    But festival attendees couldn’t hear much.

    The sound had gone out on Malone’s guitar and though he continued to rock out like he was having the time of his life, it was an awkward silence for the rest of us. There were several long and unexplained pauses during Bad Bunny’s performance, but the Puerto Rican star gave fans plenty of powerhouse moments with fan-favorite tracks and top-of-the-line stage production that at one point morphed into a gas station to mimic his impromptu show atop real gas station back in 2022.

    Still, Bad Bunny’s Friday night performance at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio marks the first time a Latin artist has headlined the three-day festival and his second appearance in Indio since 2019.

    Thundercat and Gorillaz perform on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)

    Kaytranada fans react as he performs on the Outdoor Theatre on the first day of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

    Bad Bunny performs during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

    John Legend performs with Metro Boomin in the Sahara Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)

    Blink-182 performs in the Sahara Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)

    John Legend performs with Metro Boomin in the Sahara Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)

    Kaytranada performs on the Outdoor Theatre on the first day of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

    Blink-182 performs in the Sahara Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)

    Blink-182 performs in the Sahara Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)

    As the sun sets on the first day of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023, festival-goers navigate their way through the bustling grounds. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

    Kaytranada fans react as he performs on the Outdoor Theatre on the first day of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

    Kaytranada performs on the Outdoor Theatre on the first day of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

    Kaytranada performs on the Outdoor Theatre on the first day of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

    Molly Hart dances with fans at the Heineken House on the first day of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

    Blink-182 performs in the Sahara Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)

    The setting sun casts a warm light behind the “Molecular Cloud” by Vincent Leroy on the first day of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

    Kaytranada performs on the Outdoor Theatre on the first day of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

    Gorillaz perform on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)

    Future performs with Metro Boomin in the Sahara Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)

    Bad Bunny fans react as he takes the stage as the headliner for the first day of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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    The visuals, which included his classic “Un Verano Sin Ti” beach setup, helped set the mood as he nodded to past headlining performances with a short clip of his first Coachella set. For a handful of moments throughout the night, Benito made sure to playback documentary-style videos, showing the various styles of Latin American music that Bad Bunny draws inspiration from in one way or another.

    One of the videos focused on reggaeton’s rise in Puerto Rico, leading to his hit track “Safaera” off “YGLQMDLG,” during which he was accompanied by Jowell & Randy and Nengo Flow on the stage. The duo and Flow stayed on to perform their own single, “Hoy.”

    Sign up for our Festival Pass newsletter. Whether you are a Coachella lifer or prefer to watch from afar, get weekly dispatches during the Southern California music festival season. Subscribe here.

    Bad Bunny played hits from throughout his career including “Tití me preguntó,” “La Santa,” “Moscow Mule,” “Yo Perreo Sola,” “DÁKITI,” “I Like It” and “Vete.”

    Over in the Sahara Tent, a star-studded cast supported Metro Boomin as he flipped through tracks from his “Heroes &  Villains” record. The hip-hop producer brought out a slew big names, starting with John Legend singing “On Time” with Mike Dean on keys. Hip-hop artist Future joined Boomin for a handful of hits including “Superhero,” “Thought It Was A Drought,” “I Serve The Bass,” “Wicked and “Digital Dash.”

    Don Toliver then emerged, leaping on “Too Many Nights” and “Around Me,” strutting around the backup dancers who were seen sporting all-black attire and ski masks that covered each of their faces. 21 Savage and The Weeknd also showed up for a couple of songs each, with “Low Life” and The Weeknd live debuting the song “Double Fantasy” with Dean on saxophone whipping the crowd into a frenzy. By the finale, Diddy made his way to the stage for “Creepin.’”

    Before Bad Bunny’s headlining set, Coachella served its usual buffet of eclectic musical treats, which on Friday included a handful of vintage acts.

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    Blink-182 was a last-minute surprise addition to the lineup, the performance special for the return of original singer-guitarist Tom DeLonge to the group.

    Their 18-song, hour-long feature plenty of fan favorites such “What’s My Age Again,” “First Date,” “I Miss You” and “All The Small Things.” DeLonge and singer-bassist Mark Hoppus seemed delighted to be back and bantering together on stage, while drummer Travis Barker was his usual stoic self behind his kit.

    New Wave icons Blondie attracted an overflow crowd at the Mojave Tent that opened early hits such as “One Way Or Another” and “Hanging On the Telephone.”

    Singer Debbie Harry was in strong voice throughout the set. Midway through she brought out Chic guitarist Nile Rodgers to play on “Rapture” and the Harry solo song “Backfired,” before “Heart of Glass” and “Dreaming” wrap things up.

    Gorillaz played immediately before Bad Bunny, delivering an hour-long set that featured guests such as Thundercat on “Cracker Island,” Bootie Brown on “Dirty Harry,” and Del the Funky Homosapien on “Clint Eastwood.”

    Band leader Damon Albarn handled many of the vocals himself, with opening song “M1 A1” and the always lovely “On Melancholy Hill” among his highlights.

    Hip-hop trio De La Soul have often collaborated with Gorillaz, and were back on Friday to sing on “Feel Good Inc,” which was dedicated to David Jolicoeur, who died earlier this year and as Trugoy the Dove was one third of De La Soul.

    The Chemical Brothers closed out the Outdoor Stage with a powerful, body rocking set of big beat techno and house music.

    While Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons stayed in the shadows behind their gear, the surreal visuals added plenty to watch. The Chemical Brothers also are a Coachella legacy act having played the very first fest in 1999.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Photos: Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach 2023, the 200-mph beach party has started
    • April 15, 2023

    A great day 1 start and finish for the 48th running that race fans enjoyed.

    Indycar driver Sting Ray Robb exits the turn 11 haipin onto Shoreline Drive during the first practice session for the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Indycar driver Marcus Ericsson drives through the turn 11 haipin during the first practice session for the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Indycar driver, and 4-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Helio Castroneves drives through the turn 11 haipin during the first practice session for the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Indycar driver Romain Grosjean drives through the turn 11 haipin during the first practice session for the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Stadium Super Trucks driver Myles Cheek flies off a jump as he races up Pine Avenue during practice at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    An IMSA sportscar races down Shoreline Drive during practice at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Indycar driver Colton Herta races through the turn 10, leading to the haipin, during the first practice session for the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Stadium Super Trucks driver Joshua Thomas flies off a jump as he races up Pine Avenue during practice at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Stadium Super Trucks driver Robby Gordon flies off a jump as he races up Pine Avenue during practice at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Stadium Super Trucks driver Max Gordon races out of a corner as he races up Pine Avenue during practice at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Stadium Super Trucks drivers Myles Creek, right, and Robert Stout, left, fly off a jump as they race up Pine Avenue during practice at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Race fans react as the Super Stadium Trucks race by in front of the Long Beach Convention Center during practice at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Porsche Carrera Cup Series driver Michael McCarthy, 7, races into turn one during practice at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Porsche Carrera Cup Series drivers Grant Talkie leads Jimmy Llibre through turn one during practice at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    A pair of Porsche Carrera Cup Series drivers race down Shoreline Drive during practice at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Driver Kevin Weeda crashes former Formula 1 driver Elio De Angelis’ 1982 era John Player Special Lotus in the tire barrier during practice for the Historic Motor Sports Association at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Driver Sean Allen races around the fountain in former Formula 1 driver Alain Prost’s 1980 era McLaren during practice for the Historic Motor Sports Association at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    An IMSA sportscar races down Shoreline Drive during practice at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Driver Sean Allen races around the fountain in former Formula 1 driver Alain Prost’s 1980 era McLaren during practice for the Historic Motor Sports Association at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Driver John Dimmer races around the fountain in former Formula 1 driver Jackie Stewart’s 1971 era Tyrrell during practice for the Historic Motor Sports Association at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Driver Gray Gregory races around the fountain in former Formula 1 driver Hans Stuck’s 1976 era March during practice for the Historic Motor Sports Association at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Driver Chris Locke races around the fountain in former Formula 1 driver Mario Andretti’s 1976 era John Player Special Lotus during practice for the Historic Motor Sports Association at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Driver Gray Gregory races around the fountain in former Formula 1 driver Hans Stuck’s 1976 era March during practice for the Historic Motor Sports Association at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    Driver Steve Romak races around the fountain in former Formula 1 driver Vittoria Brambilla’s 1976 era March during practice for the Historic Motor Sports Association at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 14, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

    The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach began on Friday April 14, 2023. Marco Sorensen during IMSA qualifying. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

    The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach began on Friday April 14, 2023. Filipe Albuquerque during Friday IMSA qualifying. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

    The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach began on Friday April 14, 2023. Driving number 14 in the 100Thieves Lexus during Friday IMSA qualifying. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

    The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach began on Friday April 14, 2023. Pato O’Ward during Friday practice.(Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

    The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach began on Friday April 14, 2023. Filipe Albuquerque during Friday IMSA qualifying. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

    The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach began on Friday April 14, 2023. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

    The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach began on Friday April 14, 2023. The Stadium Super Trucks entertained the crowd during their first practice session on Friday. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

    Fans watch as NTT IndyCars roar around the track in a practice session on day one of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

    The Accelerating Performance Baby Bull Racing Porsche 992 car during the Porsche Carrera Cup Series qualifying session on day one of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

    NTT Indy Car Series practice session action during day one of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

    Benjamin Pedersen in the A.J. Foyt Enterprises (55) NTT Indy Car during a practice session on day one of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

    NTT Indy Car Series practice session action during day one of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

    NTT Indy Car Series practice session action during day one of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

    The Kellymoss Porsche, driven by Riley Dickinson, took pole position in Porsche Carrera Cup Series Pro category in a qualifying session during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

    The Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 car took pole position in the GTD Pro category in a IMSA qualifying session during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

    The Kellymoss Porsche, driven by Alan Metni, took pole position in Porsche Carrera Cup Series Pro-AM category in a qualifying session during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

    A spectator watches as Porsche Carrera Cup cars make their way through the track during a practice session on day one of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

    Porsche Carrera Cup action during a practice session on day one of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

    The BMW M Team RLL GTP car during an IMSA practice session on day one of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

    The Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 speeds through an IMSA practice session on day one of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

    The Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 speeds through the track during an IMSA practice session on day one of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

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    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Fullerton baseball beats La Habra in a walk-off replay for the Freeway League rivals
    • April 15, 2023

    FULLERTON — Zach Fany’s single to left in the bottom of the seventh drove in Miguel Velazquez from third to give Fullerton a 1-0 victory over La Habra in a key Freeway League game Friday at Fullerton High School.

    For the second game in a row, La Habra and Fullerton battled for six scoreless innings, with the home team coming away with a 1-0 walk-off victory.

    Fullerton (13-6, 5-1) and the Highlanders (13-3-2, 4-2) had been tied for first coming into the game, but the Indians are back in the top spot by themselves after the victory.

    Velazquez reached on error to start off the seventh for Fullerton and then took second on a sacrifice bunt from Carlos Barrios.

    Niko Savage then walked, sending Fany up to the plate.

    With a one-ball, no-strike count, the Indians pulled off a double steal that put Velazquez at third and Savage at second.

    That set the stage for Fany’s game-winning hit.

    “After (the double steal), I knew I was getting a fastball,” Fany said. “Right off the bat, I knew it.”

    La Habra pitcher Matthew Viveros went the distance for the Highlanders in their 1-0 loss to Fullerton in a Freeway League game Friday, April 14. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

    Fullerton’s Miguel Velazquez scores the winning run on Zach Fany’s single to give the Indians a 1-0 victory over La Habra in a Freeway League game Friday, April 14. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

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    The pitching for both teams was exceptional.

    Fullerton right-hander Matthew Carbajal allowed no runs on five hits over 6 2/3 innings, and he left runners in scoring position stranded in three innings.

    “He was outstanding,” Fullerton assistant coach Tom Rainey said. “He came in and he threw all three pitches in any count all day. He kept them off-balance.”

    Rainey was filling in for head coach Shaun Hill, who received a postgame ejection for arguing the balk call that ended Wednesday’s game.

    La Habra starter Matthew Viveros pitched a complete game, allowed a run on three hits with three strikeouts.

    After retiring the first two batters in the top of the seventh, Carbajal gave up back-to-back hits to Bobby Fiero and Bobby Brooks and left the game with Brooks on first and Fierro on third.

    Eddie Advita relieved Carbajal and retired Anthony Gomez on a hard line drive that was caught by Fany, the shortstop.

    Carbajal was on the mound in relief in the bottom of the seventh Wednesday at La Habra High when he was called for a balk that allowed the winning run to score from third to give the Highlanders a 1-0 victory.

    La Habra baseball scores on a balk for walk-off win over Fullerton

    The right-hander said he was anxious to get back on the mound.

    “I really wanted to have a good day today,” Carbajal said.

    A pivotal play took place in the fourth when Indians center fielder Connor Sunderland threw out Izaiah Posada at home.

    Posada was trying to score from a second on Andrew Gandara’s single, but Sunderland threw on target to catcher Nate Norman, who applied the tag.

    “I think if we get the run across there in the fourth, it puts a lot of pressure on them,” La Habra coach Jack Brooks said.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Fans keep the party going during Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s Fiesta Friday
    • April 15, 2023

    They danced.

    They boogied.

    They strutted and stomped — pretty much anything but the waltz or fox-trot. Rule out the tango while you’re at it. None of those classics, after all, works well when partying to electronic dance music during an outdoor concert.

    Instead, hundreds of EDM fans — or race lovers who just wanted to listen to some music — helped close out Day 1 of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday evening, April 14, by grooving to the beats of DJ Boombox Cartel at the Terrace Theater Plaza.

    Boombox Cartel, a Mexican American DJ based in Los Angeles, helped celebrate the return of the Grand Prix’s Fiesta Friday concert for the first time since 2019. And the type of music — electronic dance music, or EDM — was also a first for Fiesta Friday.

    “We’re very happy that they have brought Fiesta Friday back,” Long Beach native Alicia Hernandez, who has attended the Grand Prix with her family for the past six years, said in Spanish. “We missed it.”

    Fans gather for Boombox Cartel on Friday Apr. 14, 2023, at Terrace Theater Plaza in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

    Los Angeles-based DJ Americo Garcia of Boombox Cartel headlines Fiesta Friday Apr. 14, 2023, at Terrace Theater Plaza in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

    Los Angeles-based DJ Americo Garcia of Boombox Cartel headlines Fiesta Friday Apr. 14, 2023, at Terrace Theater Plaza in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

    Los Angeles-based DJ Americo Garcia of Boombox Cartel headlines Fiesta Friday Apr. 14, 2023, at Terrace Theater Plaza in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

    Los Angeles-based DJ Americo Garcia of Boombox Cartel headlines Fiesta Friday Apr. 14, 2023, at Terrace Theater Plaza in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

    Los Angeles-based DJ Americo Garcia of Boombox Cartel headlines Fiesta Friday Apr. 14, 2023, at Terrace Theater Plaza in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

    Laura Navaja of Glendale gets into the music of Boombox Cartel on Friday Apr. 14, 2023, at Terrace Theater Plaza in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

    Los Angeles-based DJ Americo Garcia of Boombox Cartel headlines Fiesta Friday Apr. 14, 2023, at Terrace Theater Plaza in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

    Los Angeles-based DJ Americo Garcia of Boombox Cartel headlines Fiesta Friday Apr. 14, 2023, at Terrace Theater Plaza in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

    Los Angeles-based DJ Americo Garcia of Boombox Cartel headlines Fiesta Friday Apr. 14, 2023, at Terrace Theater Plaza in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

    Los Angeles-based DJ Americo Garcia of Boombox Cartel headlines Fiesta Friday Apr. 14, 2023, at Terrace Theater Plaza in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

    Los Angeles-based DJ Americo Garcia of Boombox Cartel headlines Fiesta Friday Apr. 14, 2023, at Terrace Theater Plaza in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

    Fans groove to Boombox Cartel on Friday Apr. 14, 2023, at Terrace Theater Plaza in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

    Fans groove to Boombox Cartel on Friday Apr. 14, 2023, at Terrace Theater Plaza in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

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    Like many other fans that gathered at the front of the stage, Hernandez said she was excited to be introduced to a new musical artist and genre.

    Fiesta Friday had been a regular occurrence before the coronavirus pandemic. But then race organizers canceled the 2020 Grand Prix. And there wasn’t enough time ahead of the 2021 and 2022 iterations to also host the Friday concert, which is free to Grand Prix ticket holders.

    But on Friday, crowds migrated from throughout the Grand Prix concourse to the plaza outside the Long Beach Performing Arts Center to welcome the concert back — and to enjoy the fiesta.

    Boombox Cartel, an internationally recognized producer and performer whose given name is Americo Garcia, has risen to the ranks as an unparalleled force in the world of dance music by combining, EDM, hip-hop and Latin influences.

    Some first-time Grand Prix attendees spent the day exploring the circuit just to jam out to Boombox Cartel in the evening.

    “This was the highlight of the day for me,” said Stephanie Castro, who arrived from Los Angeles in the early morning, eager to see one of her favorite EDM artists.

    “I’m excited to see (Boombox Cartel), listen and relax at the end of the day,” Castro said.

    Castro said she was surprised the Grand Prix would have him as a headliner — but she definitely approved.

    “It brings in different crowds and different people,” Castro said. “I’m going to jam out and maybe lose my voice from singing along.”

    Boombox Cartel represented a different style for Fiesta Friday, officials said previously. The Friday concert has traditionally featured rock bands.

    But officials said they hoped the change would broaden the concert’s appeal, drawing a younger, more diverse audience — and particularly enticing the Latino community.

    The show did its part: The concert was full of high energy and had fans of all ages jumping in the air and dancing along.

    As the sun startedsetting, Boombox Cartel took the stage.

    He ran on stage with his hands in air and encouraged long time EDM fans and new listeners to take part in the concert experience. His set included remixes of songs by popular artists such as Rihanna, Sam Smith and Billie Eilish.

    Related links

    The party gets started at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
    All-star band Kings of Chaos will rock the Grand Prix of Long Beach
    This is why a nonprofit brought 20 college students to Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
    It’s a beach party at the 2023 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
    First time at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach? Here’s what you need to know

    John Lumantas and Laura Navaja from Glendale put their hands in the air right along with Boombox Cartel — and jumped to the beat of each song the DJ played.

    “I didn’t expect him to perform in this setting but it’s really cool,” Lumantas said about the EDM artist. “It’s a good element for the Grand Prix to have multiple things in one place, not just racing.”

    Fiesta Friday was the first night in the concert series for this year’s Grand Prix. The Saturday night concert, closing out Day 2, will feature all-star rock band Kings of Chaos on the same concert stage in front of the Terrace Theater.

    Space in the plaza is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Swanson: Galaxy lucky to have fans turning up the heat
    • April 15, 2023

    Galaxy fans express their displeasure for Galaxy president Chris Klein before a recent game outside Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. (Photo by Mirjam Swanson)

    A small number of soccer fans sit in the L.A. Riot Squad supporter group section prior to the start of the Galaxy’s season opener on March 18, 2023, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The Riot Squad, along with four other Galaxy supporter groups, are boycotting game attendance in part due to a contract extension given to team president Chris Klein. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

    Galaxy midfielder Gastón Brugman controls the ball in front of a half-empty Angel City Brigade supporters group section during the second half of an MLS match earlier this month at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The Angel City Brigade, along with four other Galaxy supporter groups, are boycotting game attendance in part due to a contract extension given to team president Chris Klein. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

    Galaxy fans express their displeasure for Galaxy president Chris Klein before a recent game outside Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. (Photo by Mirjam Swanson)

    Galaxy fans express their displeasure for Galaxy president Chris Klein before a recent game outside Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. (Photo by Mirjam Swanson)

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    CARSON — The Galaxy is lucky to have such distraught fans.

    To have people so committed to showing up and … not showing up: Many of the iconic MLS team’s most devoted supporters have, for the first two home games this season, gathered outside Dignity Health Sports Park to protest. Their beloved soccer franchise has faded over the past few years, and they hold president Chris Klein and technical director Jovan Kirovski responsible.

    Since Coach Bruce Arena left in 2017, the Galaxy has churned through coaches, lost more games than it has won and made the playoffs just twice. That, after having earned eight consecutive playoff appearances and won three MLS Cups and two Supporters’ Shields in the period prior.

    This season, the team is 0-3-3 and limping into Sunday’s match against LAFC, the first against its crosstown rivals (7-1-2 in all competitions) since LAFC won the MLS title last season.

    Usually, when a team loses games, loses luster, it loses fans. Interest dips because folks are fickle and would rather find a fun way to spend their free time. It’s the natural order of things – unless you’re lucky enough to have people who just won’t quit you.

    And these Galaxy supporters couldn’t care more.

    So they can’t stay away. But they can’t go in either.

    “The Galaxy is everything, and I can’t wait to be back,” said a masked supporter named Kevin, who, like the other protesters I met before a loss to the Seattle Sounders on April 1, declined to give his full name. “But I am ready to sit out the season as well until we make the change and we have a little bit more clarification and communication and know exactly the way this club is heading.”

    “What we’re demanding of them is accountability,” a young man named Izzy said. “If I were bad at my job, I would get fired – this man got promotions!”

    It all reminded me of a public comment period at a contentious City Council meeting, when a hot-button issue arises and gets constituents all fired up.

    Those comments can be a little nebulous and a lot biased. Sometimes they lack context. Sometimes they’re on the money.

    But they almost always come from a place of genuine care and concern, delivered by people passionate enough about something that they’ve taken time on a work night to look up where the City Council even meets so they can go down and speak up about whatever is on their minds.

    And what good mayors do when a prickly communal debate arises is type out an open letter to concerned residents promising – wait, no. That’s not right.

    What they do is show up and listen. Sit and absorb criticism, uncomfortable as it must be. Because it’s always good when people pay attention and participate in the democratic process.

    And, no, pro sports isn’t a democracy, and fans don’t get a vote. Except, of course, with their dollars – and many of the protesters outside the stadium already paid for season tickets they don’t expect to use.

    So too had a lot of the hardcore fans inside. That was one reason they were watching live and not off-site with the supporters who’ve sworn off attending home games – the first two of which, by the way, attracted relatively robust, if less-festive crowds of around 20,000.

    But there were other reasons – none sympathetic to the front office – for boycotting the boycott.

    There’s the matter of supporting the team on the pitch: “I feel bad for the players,” said Brian Abrego, who stood in the sparsely populated supporters’ section, quietly watching the Galaxy lose 2-1 to Seattle.

    Carlos Montana said when he suggested 15-minute walk-outs instead, he felt like he was “roasted” for it. And Gerson Diaz said he initially supported the boycott – until he saw someone who was planning to do so buying a Galaxy jersey: “I was like, ‘Wait, that makes no sense.’”

    There was even a difference in how those inside the stadium and those outside discussed the team’s issues.

    Inside, they griped about roster construction: “We have quality players, but it’s just not assembled correctly,” Abrego said.

    Outside, the critique was more existential: “It’s not because we’re upset we don’t have any wingers,” Gloria J. said. “We talked about better communication … and there’s always going to be that gray area, nothing’s going to be black and white, but I do appreciate a little gray sometimes.”

    Going into this weekend, though, inside or out, it is black and white: No one is happy.

    You could read it in Klein’s open letter this week: “I believe in what we are building and in the people who are building it. However, if we fall short of our goals this year, I will step aside as the President of the club that I so dearly love.”

    Open letter from Chris Klein to the @LAGalaxy season ticket members.
    Is this enough #lagalaxy fam? Reactions? #mls pic.twitter.com/wbevcqFIHU

    — El Escudero de LA (@ElEscuderoDeLA) April 11, 2023

    And in the rebuttal from L.A. Riot Squad president Andrew Alesana: “They say ‘if you love something let it go.’ I believe, for you, that time is now. Your leadership has been ineffective, and has created a Galaxy organization that lacks transparency, with no clear vision …”

    An open letter. pic.twitter.com/tOYV4VfITs

    — LA Riot Squad (@LARiotSquad) April 12, 2023

     

    You could feel it too in Coach Greg Vanney’s response during a scrum with reporters: “The most important thing is get rid of the noise. Don’t care what anybody thinks. Don’t care what anybody says, don’t honestly care who shows up in the stadium.”

    Greg Vanney talks about context of the season so far …the upset supporters and bad situation overall at the #LAGalaxy pic.twitter.com/UCRFokdZOK

    — Eduard Cauich (@ecauich) April 13, 2023

    They really should care who shows up, though.

    Remember in 2011, late in Frank McCourt’s dispiriting tenure as Dodgers owner, when there was a 21% decline in home attendance and the club drew fewer than 3 million fans for the first time in a non-strike season since 1992?

    That active apathy was punctuated by true-blue fanatics like Roger Arrieta, who organized a pair of anti-McCourt protests.

    “You love them so much you want to fix the problem, even though you’re not an owner and you’re not in the front office or any of that stuff. So you think, ‘How can I take it upon myself to fix this?’” Arrieta said by phone this week. “It’s like if a family member, a brother or sister, is in trouble. You’ll do whatever you can to help them out.”

    Those efforts at intervention, organized and organic, helped lead to the embattled owner finally selling the team.

    Whether the Galaxy should acquiesce to protesters’ demands, I don’t know. But they better appreciate those fans making them squirm, respect the power of these people applying the pressure, and then proceed from there.

    Because they’re lucky to have them. Fair-weather fans, regular fickle folk, they would’ve faded away by now. Or maybe switched sides.

    Klein Out Protest by LA Galaxy Supporter Groups/Fans #LAGalaxy #mls #barras #ultras #hinchas #kleinout pic.twitter.com/X8xXGfDQoX

    — Ultras Barras Usa (@UltrasBarrasUsa) February 5, 2023

    ​ Orange County Register 

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