EL SEGUNDO HERALD May 14, 2020 Page 9
Morgan Wood from page 3
Film Review from page 5
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Morgan Rojas
from public performances to visionary science.
Concerned with the effects of climate change,
and with the support of his troupe, John created
the Biosphere 2. His idea was to replicate
Earth’s natural biosphere that would incorporate
all atmospheres inside of a dome: a man-made
rainforest, an ocean with living coral reef, and
a desert, all curated with specific animals and
plants to populate it. In theory, it was genius.
But like all good sci-fi stories, things didn’t
go according to plan.
Spaceship Earth plays like a love child
between A24’s sci-fi drama High Life and
the Netflix sensational cult series Wild Wild
Country, with a little inspiration from NEON’s
The Biggest Little Farm mixed in. Supporters
viewed Biosphere 2 as the search for the truth.
Critics viewed it as trendy ecological entertainment,
complete with matching red jumpsuits
that looked like they came straight off of a
Hollywood set. Rumors of John’s cult-like
behavior are a fascinating theme throughout
the film, and while nothing is ever proven, if
it actually was a cult, it was at the very least
a force for good. In addition to the astonishing
story, the archival video content and incredible
time-lapse footage are breathtaking.
Watching Spaceship Earth in these times
feels a bit ironic. I found myself thinking,
why would anyone willingly quarantine for
years!? However, there are similarities here
as we continue to isolate from the outside
world. Once the stay at home orders begin to
lift and we’re able to roam outside again, the
Earth, as we knew it pre-COVID-19, will be
changed. Hopefully for the better, but changed
nonetheless, and it is up to us to keep our
natural habitats happy, healthy, and thriving. •
involves cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in
public areas.
The Parks and Recreation Department staff
will adapt their programming for traditional
events and activities, moving them online in
what Petit promises to be “new and creative
virtual programming.”
It’s possible within two weeks that the
picket ball, tennis and paddle tennis courts
can be reopened, but the players can expect
some changes. Among the changes being
considered are singles play only (no doubles),
and a reservation system (no drop-ins). Social
distancing will be enforced between groups of
players, and no sharing of equipment, racquets
or paddles would be allowed, Petit said.
The El Segundo July 4th fireworks show and
park activities are being canceled to comply
with the stay-at-home orders from the state
and Los Angeles County. “Not happy about
that,” Mayor Drew Boyles said Monday on
his COVID-19 Update. All but one South Bay
city so far - Redondo Beach - have pulled the
plug on Fourth of July holiday events. Redondo
Beach plans fireworks after dark, but without
any other fanfare.
The decision to shut down for the Fourth
comes as El Segundo was forced to reduce
expenses because of significant losses in business
taxes and services fees since the March
health emergency started. The ban on nonessential
work and travel shrunk spending and
emptied the hotels, restaurants and retailers.
El Segundo city management and the council
agreed to slash $6.1 million in expenditures
through September and freeze hiring.
The Lakes golf course and driving range
reopened last weekend, under the relaxed
countywide order. With the complex still under
city management, new rules are in place
about personal spacing, check-in times, and
equipment use. Reservations must be made
and pre-paid to play the course. There is no
golf carts rental, the restaurant is closed, but
the restrooms are open. Scorecards, pencils
and rakes for the sand traps are gone.
May saw a number of annual events canceled
because of the extraordinary response to the
public health emergency. The Ed! Foundation
didn’t hold its annual gala fund-raiser for May
8. The April Easter Egg Hunt got bumped,
along with the Hometown Fair & Carnival
and the Elderfest celebrations.
Assistant City Manager Barbara Voss said
the city is ready to guide El Segundo businesses
through the reopening phases ahead. The
county has identified five phases of recovery,
and Voss said the small opening of beaches and
retailers for curbside delivery represents Phase
2 with “a, b, c, d and e elements to it. We’re
at ‘a’ right now.” Information for businesses
to reopen and comply with the county’s new
rules are posted at ElSegundobusiness.com in
the COVID-19 resources section.
She pointed business owners to a new $5,000
grant program from Supervisor Janice Hahn’s
office. To be eligible, a business must have no
more than five employees. The grant application
period started Wednesday and closes at noon
May 14. Other financial-assistance programs and
resources for local businesses struggling financially
with the shutdown are explained at the site.
The county also has a moratorium on evictions
for non-payment of rent, and that protection
for tenants is explained in detail at the site.
Late fees are not being waived for water bills,
and Voss advised residents and commercial
customers to either pay online, by mail or use
the water-bill drop box at City Hall to avoid
late payments. “If you’re having a hardship
due to COVID-19, you’re out of work or ill,
please give us a call. We want to work with
you,” she said. The phone number to call is
310-524-2319.
Street-sweeping and 72-hour parking violations
aren’t being issued because so many
people are furloughed, laid off or working from
home. Police Chief Whalen asked residents
to consider moving vehicles off the street on
street-sweeping days anyway. “With cars on
both sides of our streets, they aren’t getting
cleaned as they should.”
With his officers not issuing the parking
citations, there’s been a $200,00 drop in fines
since March. Whalen said when businesses
reopen and people return to their offices and
places of work, he’ll instruct officers to issue
warnings about street-sweeping days and longterm
parking before they ramp up and starting
writing tickets again.
El Segundo’s new medical director, Dr.
Marc Cohen, reassured drivers it’s safe not
to wear a face covering while in a car. Even
if the car windows are open, the chance of
airborne transmission of the virus is negligible,
he explained. There is a silver lining in the
new routines people are practicing when in
public: Masks and social distancing should
block the spread of seasonal flu in the fall,
Dr. Cohen revealed. •
as a senior in high school in 2015. The award
recognizes a graduating senior in each area who
is an exceptional player and invested in the
development of the game in her community.
When Kelsey became the ESMS lacrosse coach,
her sister Morgan stood out, and Morgan’s drive
for excellence helped develop her teammates.
Kelsey was an all-league player for the
Eagles and Morgan followed in her footsteps.
“I’ve been a starter on my varsity lacrosse
team since my freshman year.” She won the
Ocean League Offensive Player of The Year
in her sophomore and junior years. She was
selected captain for the second year in a row.
This season she helped her team to be ranked
ninth in the CIF. When the season was cut
short, Morgan was on pace to break the school
scoring record set by her sister Kelsey.
Morgan followed her sister’s passion for giving
back and started coaching at the ESMS as a
freshman and sophomore with her father. As
a junior and senior, she was the head coach,
as well as guiding the K-5th grade teams. She
leaves a legacy knowing she has helped make a
difference and the continued interest in lacrosse.
Morgan was an integral part of her class and
was involved in the ASB throughout her four
years at El Segundo high school. What Morgan
will miss most about graduating is the team
aspect of playing high school sports. “I loved
the business of the school year, trying to balance
schoolwork, work, practice, and games.”
Morgan is also thankful for her high school
experience that is winding down to the last
few weeks. She has made the most of her
four years in high school and says her teachers
and the coaches were terrific. “ESHS does
an amazing job of providing great coaches for
every sports team.” She added that the teachers
are so amazing and take a personal interest in
their student’s successes.
What got Morgan through the ups and downs
of high school was meeting some of the incredible
friends through the teams she played on.
“My teammates have been the greatest support
system, and I’m so grateful for the memories
we’ve made over the past four years.”
Morgan summed up her thoughts by thanking
her family, friends and the community who
helped shape the person she is today. •