Times were currently changing in L.A. prior to the pandemic, albeit much slower and in various ways. As designers bought up land (thanks, in some cases, to declared allurements) and gentrifiers pressed longtime locals out, icons of the city started to close down.
Among them was Circus of Books, the West Hollywood book shop and gay porn store that shut its doors in February of2019 Found at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and La Jolla Opportunity, the shop was as well-known for its inviting environment as it was for the products it brought.
Now, the shop is being memorialized in a Netflix documentary Talking to Mike Roe about the film, previous shopkeeper Barry and Karen Mason reviewed what they’ve spoken with clients about what the store has actually implied to them. Karen told him:
” There were a great deal of people who were closer to my age who had actually been through the AIDS epidemic, other than they were still there, because that shop conserved their lives.”
The shop has been resuscitated as ChiChi LaRue’s Circus, however for many people, the original store was a location to choose security, togetherness and feeling like a part of something larger than themselves.
It’s a prompt reminder of how essential neighborhood is during a crisis– and a push of support to stay in touch with your chosen or chosen-for-you household, so we can rebuild together when the time comes.
Showing Up Today, April 23
There’s pressure on Orange County authorities to denounce recent hate events in the location, and the Asian neighborhood and their supporters have sent a letter requesting help. Josie Huang has the story.
Sharon McNary takes a look at how the excess of oil and collapse of need is being felt in Southern California, including layoffs and oil tankers lined up overseas
The owners of San Gabriel Valley dining establishment Chengdu Taste, which brought Sichuan cuisine to a larger audience, has actually closed down all of their restaurants during COVID-19 Fiona Ng reports.
Join KPCC/LAist business and economy reporter David Wagner and Loree Levy of California’s Employment Advancement Department to discuss the very best way to get your unemployment claim processed, and what the federal coronavirus help package suggests for you.
It’s Take Your Kid To Work Day, and there’s a lot to unload there on a regular day. It’s not so normal, and Lisa Brenner has some thoughts.
Christine N. Ziemba has a list of 14 online happenings, consisting of a screening of a 7.5-hour film, women-centric funny from Flappers, stay-at-home First Fridays sessions from NHM and the Room Service Music celebration.
Doctors state less heart attack and stroke patients have been entering into the ER. Elly Yu reports that they’re worried clients are avoiding care since of worry of COVID-19
Libby Denkmann spoke with candidates Christy Smith and Mike Garcia, both going to change Katie Hill in CA-25, about their coronavirus strategies and how to (securely) get back to typical life.
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The Past 24 Hours In LA
L.A., California, The World: There are at least 16,435 coronavirus cases and 729 deaths in L.A. County. There are more than 37,000 cases and 1,400 deaths in California, and over 2.6 million cases and 183,000 deaths worldwide. CA Gov. Gavin Newsom offered updates on the six factors being used to decide when to reduce stay-at-home restrictions. L.A. authorities will provide more help to tenants slammed by the coronavirus.
Hollywood Legends: Musso & Frank has filed a lawsuit versus its insurer, alleging its coronavirus-related claims were wrongly rejected. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation is restricting the number of travelers on its 30- foot DASH buses to 10, and on its 35- foot buses to 12.
The Protesters Remain In The Hall: A vocal group of anti-lockdown protesters gathered near Town hall in downtown L.A. to honk their horns and hold up indications. The governor of Georgia wishes to resume the state’s theater as early as this week, but they’re not likely to get their hands on any new titles.
COVID-19 And Immigration: Regional immigrant advocates state they think the Trump administration is using the COVID-19 crisis as a reason to even more tighten up already strict immigration guidelines. As the financial crisis worsens, some immigrants deal with the decision of paying their rent and buying food or sending cash back to their house nations.
California Kids: We’ve assembled a list of online activities, learning websites, and enjoyable things to keep kids inhabited and active. A union of trainees from University of California, Cal State and community college schools is asking administrators for more aid coping with the coronavirus crisis.
Taking America’s Pulse: The Census Bureau is rolling out a $1.2 million experiment called the “Family Pulse Study” to determine how the pandemic is upending life for U.S. homes.
In Non-COVID-19 News
As part of our “ Unwind Live” series, enjoy our discussion with NPR science reporter and Invisiblia cofounder Lulu Miller and business owner and author Erica Williams Simon.
A 3.7-magnitude earthquake jolted some L.A. County residents awake simply after 12 a.m. Wednesday.
The child of the couple that ran Circus of Books, the iconic bookstore/gay porn store in West Hollywood, is informing its story in a brand-new Netflix documentary.
Low-income locals of South L.A., Watts and Boyle Heights are having a tough time signing up for the free or affordable internet being marketed by major service providers like AT&T.
Bye-bye cool weather: it’s time for some 90 degree temperature levels over the next couple of days.
County authorities might unfreeze $83 million of Constable’s Department funds, per Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s request.
Your Moment Of Zen
Making art out of the present moment is enough to lift our spirits. This mural lies on the corner of La Brea and San Vicente.
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