The sign illuminates eight lanes of the neighboring 710 Freeway. In contrast to the new monument to luxury, the gritty Long Beach Freeway leads into the post-industrial heart of Southeast Los Angeles. Thousands of eighteen-wheelers trucking in the majority of exports into the United States from the Pacific Rim make this the busiest highway with … Continue reading How Bell Gardens is Banking on Bicycle Club Casino’s Luxury Hotel
KCET Departures
Worth Gold: Feminism and Leadership at the Miss Bell Gardens Pageant
Bell Gardens City Council members with the 2015 Miss Bell Gardens Court. Photo: City of Bell Gardens"All the court members agreed it was a great experience. One princess, Vanessa Perez from UC Irvine said: 'I've lived in this city all my life. I'm proud to be from here and to get more involved.' Mayor Jennifer … Continue reading Worth Gold: Feminism and Leadership at the Miss Bell Gardens Pageant
I can defend myself: One mother’s story, a whole community’s struggle
Laverne Cox thinks Zoey Luna rocks and you will too. In this interview, Zoey and her mom, two Downey residents, tell their story of struggle and victory against transphobia, violence against trans people, and how the ACLU and so many other organizations have supported their journey.
The Time is Now: Radical Feminism at Rock Camp in Southeast LA
Excerpts from the KCET Departures' essay, "The Time is Now for Chicas Rockeras in Southeast L.A.": After the "Radical Body Love for Young Riot Grrls" workshop led by facilitator Gloria Lucas, one of the campers said, "I love my body!" Volunteers also said they heard girls say, "I'm not ashamed to be round. No soy … Continue reading The Time is Now: Radical Feminism at Rock Camp in Southeast LA
A Man in His Backyard: sightseeing in City of Commerce with author Stephen Gutierrez
Read Vertiz's new essay on KCET: "A Man in His Backyard: sightseeing in the City of Commerce with author Stephen Gutierrez." The essay is like driving through the streets of southeast LA: past its modest homes, past the Citadel Outlets, past parks and schools that made gold medal swimmers and writers like Steve. Of course … Continue reading A Man in His Backyard: sightseeing in City of Commerce with author Stephen Gutierrez
Latina Leadership in Bell Gardens, a new KCET essay
"In the parking lot of the Food-4-Less supermarket on the corner of Atlantic and Slauson, two high school students stood near the sliding door entrance registering people to vote. The young women wore jeans and T-shirts (Garcia was probably in a Grateful Dead shirt), their hair gathered loosely into ponytails. Their temples beaded with sweat, … Continue reading Latina Leadership in Bell Gardens, a new KCET essay
How Eleven Brothers Made El Pescador a Thriving Set of Family Restaurants
After five presidents and three recessions, El Pescador seafood restaurants are more popular than ever. Read my new essay on immigrant hustle, family lineage, and the multiple dazzling skills of restaurateurs in southeast LA. Gracias!
New Essay on KCET’s Departures
"...now I know what the garden gives." - Jorge Segura, educator and photographer, Downey, CA Read a love letter I wrote to urban gardening in southeast Los Angeles here. "What the garden gives: homegrown food along the Alameda Corridor" Stay tuned for the next essays on the Bell Art Walk and more!
On KCET’s Departures, “Bell Gardens? That’s Indian town!”: 1980s Pow Wows and Cultural Persistence
My family has lived in Bell Gardens since 1976, but we never drove past a pow wow at a local park. Gatherings that are sometimes open to the public, sometimes sacred ceremonies; they're hard to miss. Those big and bright gatherings with dozens of pop up tents in green and blue, people of all ages … Continue reading On KCET’s Departures, “Bell Gardens? That’s Indian town!”: 1980s Pow Wows and Cultural Persistence
Vértiz Featured on KCET’s Departures
As part of the reading series "LAnguage" at the Last Bookstore hosted by Mike the PoeT Sonkensen, Vickie Vértiz was featured in an article on KCET's "Departures" website. Vickie is thrilled to be included in such an amazing group of women, including Gloria Alvarez, Marisa Urrutia Gedney, Rachelle Cruz, Zoe Ruiz, and many other talented … Continue reading Vértiz Featured on KCET’s Departures
