Inglewood News AND LENNOX CITIZEN The Weekly Newspaper of Inglewood Herald Publications - Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lawndale, El Segundo, Torrance & Manhattan Beach Community Newspapers Since 1911 - Circulation 30,000 - Readership 60,000 (310) 322-1830 - September 24, 2015 Festival Salutes Hispanic Heritage Kioana Natzumy Cordova sits still as one of the volunteer face painters decorates the six-year-old’s face with a couple of colorful balloons. Cordova and her godmother Andrea Perez [not pictured], were among the hundreds that participated in this year’s Inglewood Hispanic Heritage Festival. The event was filled with local vendors, folkloric performances, a classic car show and kids’ activities in celebration of the yearly event. Photo by Cristian Vasquez. Hundreds Gather, Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month By Cristian Vasquez come in, have some food, listen the music; The smell of food filled the air as musical it’s a positive thing. That is the beauty of performances including salsa, merengue and these events.” folkloric unfolded on stage during this year’s What began as a one-week period dedicated Inglewood’s Hispanic Heritage Festival. to celebrating the contributions to America Hundreds of people spent their Saturday by people of whose ancestors are linked to enjoying Inglewood’s annual Hispanic Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central Heritage Month celebration at Crozier Middle and South America, has turned into a bonding School, across the street from city hall. experience for many communities. “One thing we are doing is that we are After introducing the council members, celebrating our culture,” Councilman Eloy Chief of Police along with one of the Morales Jr. said. “The beauty of this city is Department’s captains, the City Manager that we are fifty-fifty but we are made up and other people who help manage the city; of so many cultures and we have a black Inglewood James T. Butts went on to remind mayor, two black councilmen and two Latino everyone in attendance of all that the city councilmen that really respect each other. has accomplished but that there is still room The mayor promoted the first Latino captain to move forward. [in the police department] and we support “This city has come a long way; we are each other. Let’s not only celebrate ourselves a diverse city and a diverse city council. I today but let’s share ourselves today.” really had the honor working with some Hispanic Heritage Month, which dates great council people,” Mayor James T. Butts back to 1968, is a yearly celebration that said. “We have done some great work but takes place from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 in honor we have greater things to come.” of the independence of all Latin American In the past the City of Inglewood hosted countries. The day of Sept. 15 is significant the Hispanic Fiesta at Rogers Park but due to because it is the anniversary of independence budget cuts, the festival was canceled. With for countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, the city’s economy recovering, the Hispanic Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In Heritage Festival has been received well by addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their the residents and shows signs of more than independence days on Sept. 16 and 18, just community engagement. respectively. “The amazing thing about this is that “We have representatives from everywhere not only are we back because our budget among our residents,” Morales Jr. said. “This is starting to progress, but the fact that our is a moment when we celebrate who we community has changed so much from back are, but the most important thing is that we then to now,” Morales Jr. said. “It is amazing show people who we are; we teach about to see the businesses that are showing up. our culture and this is our opportunity to say We have billion dollar businesses coming in and the quality of investors now to that of the quality of investors in the past is amazing. We are talking about bringing in a six billion dollar project at Hollywood Park, having our Market Street redeveloped. That is an amazing difference and it’s great.” Despite the talks about a NFL team moving to the Los Angeles area, Morales Jr. was clear in that there is a likelihood that Inglewood could host an NFL franchise, but that such a decision can only be made by the league. “Stan Kroenke is building the stadium here and I am sure that it is his hope [that the NFL approve moving the team], just like we all do,” Morales Jr. said. “We are doing everything that we need to do as a city to do that. We can’t guarantee it but we like our chances.” Also part of this year’s festival was the new classic car show display, where car lovers donated their time and works of art for the community to enjoy. “I want to thank them for getting everyone out here to enjoy the classic car show,” Councilman Alex Padilla said. “Most important I want to acknowledge all of you for talking the time to come out and acknowledge all the good things that we are doing in the beautiful city of Inglewood.” The celebratory mood carried throughout the day, despite the warm weather. “I always tease Eloy and Alex about this phrase, which I think it is such a cool phrase and I’m sorry you guys kind of co-opted it for yourselves but it means so much to me, Viva la Raza, and for all our races,” Butts said as he waved goodbye to the crowd. • Inside This Issue Certified & Licensed Professionals.......................6 Classifieds............................2 Community Briefs...............3 Film Review..........................2 Finance..................................5 Food.......................................8 Hawthorne Happenings....3 Legals................................ 6-7 Pets........................................4 Police Reports.....................3 Sports....................................5 Weekend Forecast Friday Sunny 84˚/72˚ Saturday Sunny 84˚/72˚ Sunday Sunny 84˚/70˚
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