EL SEGUNDO HERALD September 10, 2020 Page 5
Entertainment
Film Review
Robin’s Wish Reveals What Led to the Actor’s
Suffering and Demise: Lewy Body Dementia
By Ryan Rojas for www.cinemacy.com
On August 11, 2014, news reports broke
the tragic news that the beloved comedian
and actor, Robin Williams, had died. Major
media outlets had globbed on to the news
that he had taken his own life, leading to
an incredible amount of press that stunned
the world.
It was unthinkable to feel why Robin
Williams would have taken his life, and
people soon started to ask questions. People
wondered if a years long battle with drug
abuse contributed, if deep-seeded depression
played a part (and the media spun up endless
more stories). But a new documentary,
Robin’s Wish, looks to clarify the reason for
Robin’s death.
Although Robin Williams had unmatchable
performance energy–a tornado of improvisational
comedy–offstage, and offscreen, he
was incredibly private. His secrecy extended
through the end of his life, when the actor
(as the documentary shows) began to suffer
from debilitating bodily ailments, such
as forgetfulness, paranoia, and emotional
Robin’s Wish, courtesy Vertical Entertainment.
Downtown from front page
Swoop from page 3
sends over the price. Once the client books,
they are put in touch with the driver and the
vehicle owner to finalize the details. The Swoop
dispatch team contacts the customer, and the
customer is then picked up at the assigned date
and time and delivered to their destination.
Most start-ups typically need venture capital
funding, and Swoop recently raised that $3.2
million from investors, which Evenson said,
was “very exciting for us.” Evenson said that
raising the capital was a challenge, noting they
had to “navigate the waters, that can be a little
political at times. “We envisioned Swoop not
just as a marketplace but, building software
for these operators. We are building-out new
products (moovs), that will allow operators to
“manage their rides more effectively.” There
is that “moovs” word again.
Like almost every other business in 2020, the
transportation industry has been hammered by
the dreaded COVID-19 virus, “but we realize
that there are opportunities,” Evenson said.
He said that ground transportation companies
need help, guidance, and support during
these tough times, including comprehending
and implementing CDC guidelines, enforcing
social-distancing parameters in vehicles, as
well as implementing cleanliness protocols.
He said that while there has been a precipitous
dip in ground transportation needs, this
has allowed his operators to become immersed
in embracing new technology, pivoting to the
thought process of not only moving people but
to “move things.” “Our mission is to increase
vehicle utilization,” he said, which does not
mean just transporting people from point A
to point B. He said Swoop has re-purposed,
with their partners, featuring grocery delivery,
shipping, and the transportation of key medical
supplies.
Molly Phillip, Director of Events at We
Crush Events, is a strong supporter and client
of the Swoop team. “Swoop has revolutionized
the transportation game,” she said. “What
Pete and Amir created is truly innovative and
inspiring. These guys dove in headfirst pushed
to fundraise to an impressive degree, and
through it all continue to maintain a downto
earth customer service model that makes
their product and services feel approachable,
affordable, and overall so much fun! As a large
part of a small-business start-up, creating a
partnership with Swoop has been one of the
most valuable decisions I ever made. There is
not a request that Pete and Amir will not take
on and try to fulfill for you. Their salt-of-theearth
demeanors are a joy to work with. While
you are out there with them trying to crush
major new deals with some of the world’s top
brands, you simultaneously feel like you are
catching up with an old friend and growing
your business’ futures together.”
Well, there you go…and you now know
what “swoop” and “moovs” means! •
The group at Swoop.
See Film, page 9
The El Segundo Herald
wants to sincerely thank
all the advertisers that are sticking
with us, during this difficult time.
XOXO
XOXO
XOXO
XOXO
A new business deserves a good name.
Your
Business Name
Here
DBAS PUBLISHED FOR ONLY $75.00
Email dba@heraldpublications.com or call 310-322-1830 for more information.
So, what’s next? The first step is finding
a consultant with experience and knowledge
about downtown redevelopments. Recruiting will
begin in September, and the selection process
is expected to take about a year to complete,
the council decided last week. The initial plan
is to treat the downtown improvements as a
separate issue from the Civic Center’s possible
new uses, though in reality, they are somewhat
connected.
Rethinking the City Civic property’s future
would require its own study because El Segundo
is not in the land-use development business,
Mitnick said. “The bottom line is it’s best
to reach out to the development community
so we can listen to them and take their
recommendations as to what options might
be to the Civic Center site,” he said. “Then,
a plan can be submitted from that.”
Both start right away in September with
an invitation for consultants to submit their
qualifications for consideration. Extensive
public outreach and input would be part of
the process, which could see consultants hired
by September 2021 and plans approved by the
end of 2022. Under the fast-tracked schedule
released last week, the dual projects could begin
in approximately two years. Environmental
impact reports would need to be done on
the Downtown Specific Plan update, and
the Planning Commission would review the
proposed physical changes to the downtown
business corridor ahead of any council vote.
Though downtown and the Civic Center
would be developed, reviewed, and ultimately
approved as separate projects, City Manager
Mitnick assured the council that they would
influence each other this way.
The decision to move forward with a
downtown plan update and study of the City
Hall property was unanimous; however, it
was a 3-0 vote. Because the entire council
had conflicts of interest about downtown
redevelopment, the five members’ names were
placed in a basket - on ping-pong balls - and
three names were randomly selected to vote.
City Attorney Mark Hensley explained that
blindly choosing enough members to form a
quorum is a legal practice in California and
that El Segundo has used it before.
While city officials envision a future beyond
COVID-19 and the limitations on business
and residents, El Segundo is doing its part
to halt the virus’s spread and end the health
emergency as quickly as possible. The city has
launched a “Wearing is Caring” campaign to
encourage compliance with the face-covering
requirement. Banners are displayed on Main
Street, and signs have been posted throughout
the city, reminding residents and visitors to
cover their mouths and nose when in public
places to protect themselves and others.
El Segundo also continues to assist local
businesses in complying with L.A. County
Health Department’s emergency orders and
reminds residents and daytime visitors to
support local retailers and take advantage of
outdoor dining on Main Street, Richmond
Street, Rosecrans Avenue and elsewhere in the
city. The Chamber of Commerce also actively
promotes the “Gundo to Go” curbside pickup
and delivery of fresh meals made by local
restaurants to comply with the county’s July
16 order that halted indoor dining. •