latimes--2020-12-11--L.A. County coronavirus surges hit upscale suburbs as well as the inner city

The coronavirus is spreading more deeply into an increasingly diverse array of communities across Los Angeles County , hitting not only densely populated lower-income neighborhoods but some affluent suburbs as well .
It ’ s the latest sign that the unprecedented surge of the virus is increasing the risks to a wide swath of the population .
On Thursday , L.A. County recorded an alarming 12,741 new cases of the coronavirus , shattering the single-day record by nearly 3,000 cases , and 74 deaths , the fourth-highest single-day total of the pandemic .
The rising infections are going to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southern California , where capacity of intensive care beds continued to shrink to critical levels .
“ This is the most dangerous time , ” said L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer .
L.A. County officials this week released data showing big jumps in coronavirus cases in dozens of communities in the San Gabriel Valley , South Bay , the Westside and central L.A. Communities that saw a more than 200 % increase in coronavirus cases between late September and late November include Silver Lake , Claremont , Rosemead , San Gabriel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palms , Westchester , Lennox and parts of South Los Angeles .
Working-class areas of Los Angeles County with dense , crowded housing and neighborhoods with many essential workers have long suffered from high coronavirus cases , and Latino residents are getting infected , hospitalized and dying at disproportionate levels compared to white residents .
But the dramatic rise in cases in relatively more affluent communities such as Westchester , Claremont and Silver Lake demonstrates how the coronavirus can easily radiate out to other communities .
For instance , Claremont , a majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eastern edge of L.A. County , reported a 345 % increase in its coronavirus cases reported in the last two weeks of November compared to the same period of September .
It was a sizable jump , although Claremont still has a lower-than-average case rate compared to the rest of the county .
Claremont ’ s case rate in late November — 522 new coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents — was still below the countywide average of 622 per 100,000 residents .
“ I ’ m not quite sure what ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to probably look at the trend over a period of time , ” said Dr. Paul Simon , the chief science officer for the L.A. County Department of Public Health .
Claremont is geographically adjacent to a number of heavily Latino cities in neighboring San Bernardino County ravaged by the coronavirus .
A statewide Times analysis of the hardest hit communities identified those along the 10 Freeway corridor in San Bernardino County as having among the state ’ s highest case rates , including in Bloomington , Colton , Fontana , Montclair , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L.A. County are watching another group of communities that also experienced spikes of at least 140 % .
Those include suburbs like La Mirada , Diamond Bar , San Dimas , La Verne , Whittier , Valinda , Chatsworth , Carson and Lawndale as well as Echo Park , Highland Park , Willowbrook , Vermont Knolls and San Pedro .
‘ Many more people around you are now infected ’ “ If you live or work in these communities , please know that many more people around you are now infected , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates of virus transmission , it ’ s critically important to stay at home as much as possible ; and if you ’ re going out , to please always keep a distance of at least six feet and wear a face covering.
” It ’ s not unusual for cases that initially concentrate in one community to spill out to the broader community .
Orange County epidemiologists observed how coronavirus cases initially concentrated in Santa Ana in May began spilling out to the rest of the county , and by July , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Habra and Buena Park in the northern part of the county and south to Irvine and Costa Mesa .
In Los Angeles County , the rate at which coronavirus test results are coming back positive over the past week is now 11.7 % , roughly triple what it was around Halloween , when the positivity rate was around 4 % .
The county is now averaging nearly 9,500 new coronavirus cases a day over the last week , and 52 COVID-19 deaths a day .
Those are both record numbers in this pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 488,519 coronavirus cases and 8,151 COVID-19 deaths .
Latino and Black residents more likely to be hospitalized Even with the new data , COVID-19 is still striking hardest in communities of color in L.A. County .
Latino residents are now becoming infected with the virus at more than double the rate of white residents .
Latinos were nearly three times as likely , and Black residents nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized after contracting the virus as white residents .
Latino and Black residents are also more likely to die from COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are at higher risk for the illness for several reasons .
Many are essential workers who must leave home to work in retail stores , manufacturing plants and other sites .
That puts them at a greater risk of contracting the virus .
Some Latino neighborhoods are more densely populated , making the virus easier to spread .
Latino workers have the highest rate of employment in essential frontline jobs where there ’ s a higher risk of exposure to the coronavirus , according to the ; 55 % of Latinos work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents do as well , compared with 35 % for white residents .
During the summer and early fall , progress was made in reducing the disparity in COVID-19 hospitalizations among Latino and Black residents compared to white residents .
But the latest surge has begun to erase those improvements .
Other regions have also detected shifts in the demographics of those getting infected with the coronavirus .
In Marin County , the virus initially spread disproportionately in the Latino community , likely through essential workers who got sick on the job .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a spike among white residents , who health officials believe got it from indoor gatherings .
“ We ’ re finding a greater proportion of those cases among people who are gathering indoors and might have a more reasonable option to avoid those exposures , because they ’ re based on personal choices , ” Dr. Matt Willis told the Marin County Board of Supervisors in November .
“ It ’ s most discouraging that that ’ s what is driving it — but also encouraging because we think those are behaviors that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not a matter of economic necessity.
” With cases rising , the availability of intensive care beds in Southern California and the Central Valley hit alarming new lows on Thursday .
“ Like a speeding car approaching a cliff , if we do not rapidly change course , we are in jeopardy of catastrophic consequences , ” Simon said .
In Southern California , ICU availability fell to 7.7 % on Thursday , down from 9 % the day before , the latest data show .
The state defines the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles , Mono , Orange , Riverside , San Bernardino , San Diego , San Luis Obispo , Santa Barbara and Ventura counties .
The situation was even more dire in the San Joaquin Valley region , which is reporting 1.9 % ICU availability , down from 4.2 % .
Numbers have also worsened in the Greater Sacramento area , which reported in at 13.3 % ICU availability , down from 14.3 % ; and the San Francisco Bay Area , which was at 17.8 % , down from 20.9 % .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an explosion of virus transmission over the Thanksgiving holiday , officials said .
California on Thursday recorded 33,995 new coronavirus cases , marking the third highest tally for a single day , and 172 deaths .
California has averaged nearly 29,000 new coronavirus cases a day over the last week , a record .
More Californians are also dying of COVID-19 than at any other point in the pandemic .
The state has averaged about 150 deaths a day over the last week — breaking a record set in August .
Cumulatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.48 million coronavirus cases and more than 20,600 COVID-19 deaths .
Hospitalizations also surged to records .
Statewide , an all-time high of 11,497 coronavirus-positive patients were hospitalized as of Wednesday , the most recent day for which complete data are available , the eleventh consecutive day the record has been broken .
In L.A. County , 3,624 people were in hospitals with coronavirus infections on Wednesday — four times as large as the number was a month ago , when 903 were in the hospital with COVID-19 on Nov. 9 .
Nationally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported on Thursday , the highest single-day total of the pandemic , according to Johns Hopkins University .
The cumulative national pandemic death toll is more than 292,000 .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention forecasts that there could be 332,000 to 362,000 cumulative COVID-19 deaths by Jan. 2 .
Unless current trends change , the University of Washington ’ s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation forecasts a cumulative California death toll of about 25,000 by the same date , and 52,000 by the end of winter .
The California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hospitalized people with COVID-19 in the state could double by Jan. 10 , from about 11,500 currently to roughly 26,000 .

The coronavirus is spreading more deeply into an increasingly diverse array of communities across Los Angeles County, hitting not only densely populated lower-income neighborhoods but some affluent suburbs as well.
It’s the latest sign that the unprecedented surge of the virus is increasing the risks to a wide swath of the population. On Thursday, L.A. County recorded an alarming 12,741 new cases of the coronavirus, shattering the single-day record by nearly 3,000 cases, and 74 deaths, the fourth-highest single-day total of the pandemic. The rising infections are going to put more pressure on already overburdened hospitals across Southern California, where capacity of intensive care beds continued to shrink to critical levels.
“This is the most dangerous time,” said L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.
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L.A. County officials this week released data showing big jumps in coronavirus cases in dozens of communities in the San Gabriel Valley, South Bay, the Westside and central L.A. Communities that saw a more than 200% increase in coronavirus cases between late September and late November include Silver Lake, Claremont, Rosemead, San Gabriel, South El Monte, Hawthorne, Palms, Westchester, Lennox and parts of South Los Angeles.
Working-class areas of Los Angeles County with dense, crowded housing and neighborhoods with many essential workers have long suffered from high coronavirus cases, and Latino residents are getting infected, hospitalized and dying at disproportionate levels compared to white residents.
Communities in the San Gabriel Valley and South L.A. County are among those that have seen the highest percentage of increase in coronavirus cases between late September and late November. (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health)
Sizable jumps in virus cases in affluent suburbs
But the dramatic rise in cases in relatively more affluent communities such as Westchester, Claremont and Silver Lake demonstrates how the coronavirus can easily radiate out to other communities.
For instance, Claremont, a majority white and relatively affluent suburb on the eastern edge of L.A. County, reported a 345% increase in its coronavirus cases reported in the last two weeks of November compared to the same period of September.
It was a sizable jump, although Claremont still has a lower-than-average case rate compared to the rest of the county. Claremont’s case rate in late November — 522 new coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents — was still below the countywide average of 622 per 100,000 residents.
“I’m not quite sure what’s going on there. I’d want to probably look at the trend over a period of time,” said Dr. Paul Simon, the chief science officer for the L.A. County Department of Public Health.
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Claremont is geographically adjacent to a number of heavily Latino cities in neighboring San Bernardino County ravaged by the coronavirus. A statewide Times analysis of the hardest hit communities identified those along the 10 Freeway corridor in San Bernardino County as having among the state’s highest case rates, including in Bloomington, Colton, Fontana, Montclair, Rialto and San Bernardino.
Officials in L.A. County are watching another group of communities that also experienced spikes of at least 140%. Those include suburbs like La Mirada, Diamond Bar, San Dimas, La Verne, Whittier, Valinda, Chatsworth, Carson and Lawndale as well as Echo Park, Highland Park, Willowbrook, Vermont Knolls and San Pedro.
‘Many more people around you are now infected’
“If you live or work in these communities, please know that many more people around you are now infected,” Ferrer said. “With much higher rates of virus transmission, it’s critically important to stay at home as much as possible; and if you’re going out, to please always keep a distance of at least six feet and wear a face covering.”
It’s not unusual for cases that initially concentrate in one community to spill out to the broader community. Orange County epidemiologists observed how coronavirus cases initially concentrated in Santa Ana in May began spilling out to the rest of the county, and by July, high infection rates were reported from La Habra and Buena Park in the northern part of the county and south to Irvine and Costa Mesa.
In Los Angeles County, the rate at which coronavirus test results are coming back positive over the past week is now 11.7%, roughly triple what it was around Halloween, when the positivity rate was around 4%.
The county is now averaging nearly 9,500 new coronavirus cases a day over the last week, and 52 COVID-19 deaths a day. Those are both record numbers in this pandemic. Cumulatively, L.A. County has tallied 488,519 coronavirus cases and 8,151 COVID-19 deaths.
Latino and Black residents more likely to be hospitalized
Even with the new data, COVID-19 is still striking hardest in communities of color in L.A. County. Latino residents are now becoming infected with the virus at more than double the rate of white residents. Latinos were nearly three times as likely, and Black residents nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized after contracting the virus as white residents.
Latino and Black residents were more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 than white residents of L.A. County (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health)
Latino and Black residents are also more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to white residents.
Latino communities are at higher risk for the illness for several reasons. Many are essential workers who must leave home to work in retail stores, manufacturing plants and other sites. That puts them at a greater risk of contracting the virus. Some Latino neighborhoods are more densely populated, making the virus easier to spread.
Latino workers have the highest rate of employment in essential frontline jobs where there’s a higher risk of exposure to the coronavirus, according to the UC Berkeley Labor Center ; 55% of Latinos work in such jobs and 48% of Black residents do as well, compared with 35% for white residents.
During the summer and early fall, progress was made in reducing the disparity in COVID-19 hospitalizations among Latino and Black residents compared to white residents. But the latest surge has begun to erase those improvements.
‘In jeopardy of catastrophic consequences’
Other regions have also detected shifts in the demographics of those getting infected with the coronavirus. In Marin County, the virus initially spread disproportionately in the Latino community, likely through essential workers who got sick on the job. But more recently, there has been a spike among white residents, who health officials believe got it from indoor gatherings.
“We’re finding a greater proportion of those cases among people who are gathering indoors and might have a more reasonable option to avoid those exposures, because they’re based on personal choices,” Dr. Matt Willis told the Marin County Board of Supervisors in November. “It’s most discouraging that that’s what is driving it — but also encouraging because we think those are behaviors that people have more control over, because it’s not a matter of economic necessity.”
Availability of ICU beds hit alarming new lows
With cases rising, the availability of intensive care beds in Southern California and the Central Valley hit alarming new lows on Thursday.
“Like a speeding car approaching a cliff, if we do not rapidly change course, we are in jeopardy of catastrophic consequences,” Simon said.
In Southern California, ICU availability fell to 7.7% on Thursday, down from 9% the day before, the latest data show. The state defines the region as Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
The situation was even more dire in the San Joaquin Valley region, which is reporting 1.9% ICU availability, down from 4.2%.
Numbers have also worsened in the Greater Sacramento area, which reported in at 13.3% ICU availability, down from 14.3%; and the San Francisco Bay Area, which was at 17.8%, down from 20.9%.
The surge in cases likely represents the consequence of an explosion of virus transmission over the Thanksgiving holiday, officials said.
California on Thursday recorded 33,995 new coronavirus cases, marking the third highest tally for a single day, and 172 deaths.
California has averaged nearly 29,000 new coronavirus cases a day over the last week, a record. More Californians are also dying of COVID-19 than at any other point in the pandemic. The state has averaged about 150 deaths a day over the last week — breaking a record set in August.
Cumulatively, the state has logged more than 1.48 million coronavirus cases and more than 20,600 COVID-19 deaths.
Hospitalizations also surged to records. Statewide, an all-time high of 11,497 coronavirus-positive patients were hospitalized as of Wednesday, the most recent day for which complete data are available, the eleventh consecutive day the record has been broken.
In L.A. County, 3,624 people were in hospitals with coronavirus infections on Wednesday — four times as large as the number was a month ago, when 903 were in the hospital with COVID-19 on Nov. 9.
Nationally, more than 3,100 COVID-19 deaths were reported on Thursday, the highest single-day total of the pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins University. The cumulative national pandemic death toll is more than 292,000.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention forecasts that there could be 332,000 to 362,000 cumulative COVID-19 deaths by Jan. 2. Unless current trends change, the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation forecasts a cumulative California death toll of about 25,000 by the same date, and 52,000 by the end of winter.
The California COVID Assessment Tool forecasts that the number of hospitalized people with COVID-19 in the state could double by Jan. 10, from about 11,500 currently to roughly 26,000.


latimes--2020-12-11--Earthquake: Magnitude 3.4 quake reported near Ukiah, Calif.

A magnitude 3.4 earthquake was reported at 11:24 p.m. Thursday 14 miles from Ukiah , Calif. , according to the U.S. Geological Survey .
The earthquake occurred 40 miles from Clearlake , 52 miles from Healdsburg , 59 miles from Windsor and 66 miles from Santa Rosa .
In the last 10 days , there have been four earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby .
An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 occur per year in California and Nevada , according to a recent three-year data sample .
The earthquake occurred at a depth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this earthquake ?
Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS .
Even if you didn ’ t feel this small earthquake , you never know when the Big One is going to strike .
Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit .
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot , a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS .
A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published .
If you ’ re interested in learning more about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked questions .

A magnitude 3.4 earthquake was reported at 11:24 p.m. Thursday 14 miles from Ukiah, Calif., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake occurred 40 miles from Clearlake, 52 miles from Healdsburg, 59 miles from Windsor and 66 miles from Santa Rosa.
In the last 10 days, there have been four earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.
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An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 occur per year in California and Nevada, according to a recent three-year data sample.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 2.8 miles. Did you feel this earthquake? Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS.
Even if you didn’t feel this small earthquake, you never know when the Big One is going to strike. Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit.
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot, a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS. A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published. If you’re interested in learning more about the system, visit our list of frequently asked questions.


latimes--2020-12-11--Fairgrounds, theme parks open drive-through holiday shows to offset lost revenue

Roller coaster enthusiast Gregg Condon hasn ’ t been able to jump on his favorite thrill rides since the pandemic forced nearly all of California ’ s theme parks to close nine months ago .
But he recently returned to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia with his family for a more sedate experience : a drive through the amusement park to admire trees , buildings and oversized decorations adorned with thousands of multicolored twinkling lights , accompanied by blaring holiday music .
“ There are certain things that can ’ t be done in 2020 , but I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adapting to a very tough situation , ” the Oxnard resident said .
With the pandemic putting an end to large public gatherings , theme parks , fairgrounds , racetracks and other venues that host huge crowds are adapting by launching holiday drive-through events in hopes of recovering some of the revenue they ’ ve lost in the ongoing health crisis .
Drive-through light shows are now operating at Irwindale Speedway , Dodger Stadium , a water park in San Dimas and the Los Angeles , Orange County , Ventura and San Diego @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The events have health officials ’ blessing because guests don ’ t mingle : They never even get out of their cars .
Holiday revelers , desperate for family activities , have been inundating such events .
Still , the revenue from the light shows is expected to make up only a fraction of the lost income .
The Orange County Fair & Event Center — home to the Orange County Fair , Costa Mesa Speedway and Pacific Amphitheatre — is expected to lose about $ 46.8 million in revenue this year because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car and motorcycle races and concerts , fair officials said .
The event center is hosting a holiday Night of Lights drive-through nightly until Jan. 10 , expecting about 1,500 cars per night .
But that ’ ll bring in only about $ 150,000 for the venue , fair officials say .
The rest of the revenue goes to the event promoter .
“ It ’ s helping , but it obviously doesn ’ t replace the lost revenue , ” said Miguel Santana , chief executive and president of the Fairplex in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about $ 45 million in revenue this year from the cancellation of the Los Angeles County Fair , car shows , concerts and other events .
The Fairplex is hosting a drive-through light show based on the “ Elf on the Shelf ” picture book .
Santana declined to say how much money the event is expected to draw but said it will “ generate minimal revenue in relation to the revenue lost.
” Six Flags Magic Mountain also declined to disclose how much revenue its Holiday in the Park drive-through event is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attendance will remain below half of the park ’ s outdoor capacity .
The park ’ s parent company , Six Flags Entertainment Corp. , reported in October a revenue decline of $ 979 million in the first nine months this year compared with the same period last year .
Throughout the pandemic , businesses have been scrambling to devise ways to stay alive until conditions return to normal .
Card rooms have added outdoor gambling tables in their parking lots , distilleries are producing hand sanitizer , and sports leagues are playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans .
Drive-through light shows are the most prominent money-making efforts at large venues , but fairgrounds and stadiums have also launched other revenue boosters such as drive-in movie showings .
The Rose Bowl in Pasadena is hosting a drive-through event featuring animatronic dinosaurs .
The Fairplex in Pomona is generating some revenue by storing cars for auto rental companies whose business has dramatically declined .
Businesses “ are trying to generate revenue to increase their chances of survival until they come out on the other side , ” said Greg Brown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina .
He predicted that such efforts as the holiday light shows could live on as ways to make extra money after the pandemic ends .
“ I think people will come up with all kinds of revenue streams that they didn ’ t think of before , ” Brown said .
The drive-through light shows direct drivers along paved paths bordered by brightly lit trees , buildings and other attractions , along with oversized holiday decorations and costumed performers .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pomona , performers in red elf costumes juggle , dance and balance on a tightrope on the side of the path .
A smartphone app that visitors are encouraged to download plays music and a story narration , in sync with the sights along the drive .
At Six Flags Magic Mountain music blares from outdoor speakers and , in addition to lights adorning the buildings and trees , colored images of snowflakes are projected on walls .
A giant pendulum attraction called CraZanity is also bedecked in lights .
In a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trees .
But the price of such entertainment can be steep .
For the Elf on the Shelf drive-through , tickets range from $ 25 to $ 35 for children and $ 30 to $ 40 for adults , depending on the day of the week .
The prices go up for package deals that include holiday merchandise or a “ socially distanced photo opportunity with Santa.
” Other light shows , charge by the carload , such as the one at Irwindale Speedway ( $ 59 ) .
Are they fun ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yelp reviewers who gave five stars to the Elf on the Shelf event wrote : “ I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has younger children or if you are just a kid at heart.
” But others called it dull and uninspiring .
“ The entire event was a forced marketing to bring Christmas cheer , ” one wrote .
Irwindale Speedway closed in early March because of the pandemic , resulting in what is expected to be a $ 6.5-million drop in revenue compared with last year , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In recent months , Huddleston said he considered opening a temporary drive-in movie theater to show holiday films as a way to keep revenue flowing .
But he soon discovered that the number of cars he could fit into the facility to see a movie wasn ’ t enough to turn a profit .
Huddleston said he got the idea for a drive-through light show after meeting Jason Zdenek , president of Mobile Illumination , the company behind light displays at malls , theme parks and movie studios including Universal Studios Hollywood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ A cartoon light bulb went off over my head , ” Huddleston said .
“ I have a lot of time , a lot of space and a lot of electricity.
” The result was a 2.5-mile drive-through that starts on the drag strip and continues throughout the track , into the pit area and under the bleachers , featuring 20-foot illuminated lollipops and a 100-foot Christmas bow .
It also features a 110-foot-tall light tree that shines with more than 100,000 LED bulbs .
Huddleston couldn ’ t predict how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he said he was optimistic because the crowds were huge the first few nights .
“ We have our fingers crossed and are hoping for the best , ” he said .
“ Failure is not an option .
We have to make it work .
”

A child in a car looks at fake snowfall and colorful lights at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia on Dec. 3. Theme parks and other big venues hope light shows’ admission fees offset some of the revenue they’ve lost in the pandemic.
Roller coaster enthusiast Gregg Condon hasn’t been able to jump on his favorite thrill rides since the pandemic forced nearly all of California’s theme parks to close nine months ago.
But he recently returned to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia with his family for a more sedate experience: a drive through the amusement park to admire trees, buildings and oversized decorations adorned with thousands of multicolored twinkling lights, accompanied by blaring holiday music.
“There are certain things that can’t be done in 2020, but I think Magic Mountain did a fantastic job of adapting to a very tough situation,” the Oxnard resident said.
Advertisement
With the pandemic putting an end to large public gatherings, theme parks, fairgrounds, racetracks and other venues that host huge crowds are adapting by launching holiday drive-through events in hopes of recovering some of the revenue they’ve lost in the ongoing health crisis.
Drive-through light shows are now operating at Irwindale Speedway, Dodger Stadium, a water park in San Dimas and the Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura and San Diego county fairgrounds, among other locations.
The events have health officials’ blessing because guests don’t mingle: They never even get out of their cars.
Holiday revelers, desperate for family activities, have been inundating such events. Still, the revenue from the light shows is expected to make up only a fraction of the lost income.
The Orange County Fair & Event Center — home to the Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa Speedway and Pacific Amphitheatre — is expected to lose about $46.8 million in revenue this year because of the cancellation of the fair, car and motorcycle races and concerts, fair officials said.
The event center is hosting a holiday Night of Lights drive-through nightly until Jan. 10, expecting about 1,500 cars per night. But that’ll bring in only about $150,000 for the venue, fair officials say. The rest of the revenue goes to the event promoter.
Advertisement
“It’s helping, but it obviously doesn’t replace the lost revenue,” said Miguel Santana, chief executive and president of the Fairplex in Pomona, which is expected to lose about $45 million in revenue this year from the cancellation of the Los Angeles County Fair, car shows, concerts and other events.
The Fairplex is hosting a drive-through light show based on the “Elf on the Shelf” picture book. Santana declined to say how much money the event is expected to draw but said it will “generate minimal revenue in relation to the revenue lost.”
A performer dances and waves at cars making their way through the light show at Dodger Stadium. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
Six Flags Magic Mountain also declined to disclose how much revenue its Holiday in the Park drive-through event is expected to draw, but representatives said attendance will remain below half of the park’s outdoor capacity.
The park’s parent company, Six Flags Entertainment Corp., reported in October a revenue decline of $979 million in the first nine months this year compared with the same period last year.
Throughout the pandemic, businesses have been scrambling to devise ways to stay alive until conditions return to normal.
Card rooms have added outdoor gambling tables in their parking lots, distilleries are producing hand sanitizer, and sports leagues are playing matches in arenas and stadiums devoid of fans.
Drive-through light shows are the most prominent money-making efforts at large venues, but fairgrounds and stadiums have also launched other revenue boosters such as drive-in movie showings. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena is hosting a drive-through event featuring animatronic dinosaurs. The Fairplex in Pomona is generating some revenue by storing cars for auto rental companies whose business has dramatically declined.
Businesses “are trying to generate revenue to increase their chances of survival until they come out on the other side,” said Greg Brown, a finance professor and executive director of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina.
He predicted that such efforts as the holiday light shows could live on as ways to make extra money after the pandemic ends.
“I think people will come up with all kinds of revenue streams that they didn’t think of before,” Brown said.
Cars drive through a tunnel of lights at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
The drive-through light shows direct drivers along paved paths bordered by brightly lit trees, buildings and other attractions, along with oversized holiday decorations and costumed performers.
At the Elf on the Shelf event in Pomona, performers in red elf costumes juggle, dance and balance on a tightrope on the side of the path. A smartphone app that visitors are encouraged to download plays music and a story narration, in sync with the sights along the drive.
At Six Flags Magic Mountain music blares from outdoor speakers and, in addition to lights adorning the buildings and trees, colored images of snowflakes are projected on walls. A giant pendulum attraction called CraZanity is also bedecked in lights. In a few spots, fake snow drifts from the trees.
But the price of such entertainment can be steep.
For the Elf on the Shelf drive-through, tickets range from $25 to $35 for children and $30 to $40 for adults, depending on the day of the week. The prices go up for package deals that include holiday merchandise or a “socially distanced photo opportunity with Santa.”
Other light shows, charge by the carload, such as the one at Irwindale Speedway ($59).
Are they fun? Reactions have varied. One of the Yelp reviewers who gave five stars to the Elf on the Shelf event wrote: “I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has younger children or if you are just a kid at heart.” But others called it dull and uninspiring. “The entire event was a forced marketing to bring Christmas cheer,” one wrote.
Irwindale Speedway has converted its racetracks into a holiday drive-through light show.
Irwindale Speedway closed in early March because of the pandemic, resulting in what is expected to be a $6.5-million drop in revenue compared with last year, according to Tim Huddleston, president of the speedway.
In recent months, Huddleston said he considered opening a temporary drive-in movie theater to show holiday films as a way to keep revenue flowing. But he soon discovered that the number of cars he could fit into the facility to see a movie wasn’t enough to turn a profit.
Huddleston said he got the idea for a drive-through light show after meeting Jason Zdenek, president of Mobile Illumination, the company behind light displays at malls, theme parks and movie studios including Universal Studios Hollywood and the Americana at Brand in Glendale.
“A cartoon light bulb went off over my head,” Huddleston said. “I have a lot of time, a lot of space and a lot of electricity.”
The result was a 2.5-mile drive-through that starts on the drag strip and continues throughout the track, into the pit area and under the bleachers, featuring 20-foot illuminated lollipops and a 100-foot Christmas bow. It also features a 110-foot-tall light tree that shines with more than 100,000 LED bulbs.
Huddleston couldn’t predict how much revenue the event would bring, but he said he was optimistic because the crowds were huge the first few nights.
“We have our fingers crossed and are hoping for the best,” he said. “Failure is not an option. We have to make it work.”


latimes--2020-12-11--More eligible Californians voted in November's election than any time since 1952

Final election results show almost 17.8 million Californians cast ballots in the election that ended on Nov. 3 , the highest percentage of eligible voters to participate in a statewide election since 1952 and the third-highest percentage since 1910 .
But this year ’ s participation by 70.8 % of eligible voters may be even more historic due to the lower voting age .
Since the passage of a constitutional amendment in 1971 to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 , no California election has come close to turning out as many eligible voters .
“ This was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American history , ” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said in a video posted online Friday afternoon .
“ And it would not have been possible without the contributions of elections officials and poll workers alike .
Their work maintained the resiliency of our democracy during a global health crisis.
” As a share of registered voters , only the presidential elections of the 1960s and ‘ 70s saw a higher turnout of Californians .
And in raw numbers of votes in November , no state came close : More than one in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cast by a Californian .
Estimates show more votes tallied in California than in 20 other states and the District of Columbia combined .
The statewide outcome was never in doubt at the top of the ticket .
President-elect Joe Biden won 5.1 million votes more than President Trump in California , a larger margin than that by which Democrat Hillary Clinton bested Trump four years ago .
Biden won 35 of the state ’ s 58 counties — amassing more than six times as many votes as Trump in San Francisco and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes in rural Inyo County .
On Monday , a slate of 55 appointees to the electoral college will convene at the state Capitol to formally cast their votes for Biden .
In all , Biden won states representing 306 electoral college votes to Trump ’ s 232 votes .
One small part of the November election did not come to a conclusion on Friday .
In Butte County , north of Sacramento , a judge allowed elections officials to count 529 ballots discovered in a sealed drop box on the campus of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadline on election day and that only have the potential to affect the outcome for a local ballot measure .
Presidential elections generally result in a higher turnout than statewide primaries or gubernatorial elections .
Researchers said they hope to dig deeper into the November data to better understand the composition of California ’ s fall electorate by race , ethnicity , gender and age .
For decades , the demographics of the state have diverged sharply from those who cast ballots — resulting in elections largely dominated by older white voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a higher turnout , ” said Mindy Romero , director of USC ’ s Center for Inclusive Democracy .
“ What we don ’ t yet know is what that really meant for historically underrepresented groups in the electorate.
” Few states have done more than California in recent years to expand opportunities for eligible citizens to vote .
State leaders have created automatic voter registration at DMV offices ; extended voter registration through election day ; offered absentee voters more options in who can return their ballot ; and pushed for counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for early voting at a variety of community locations .
More ballots are probably counted here than in other states — often adding a few weeks to the tabulation process — as the result of California laws that extend the number of days a ballot can be received in the mail and give voters a chance to fix illegible or missing signatures on an absentee ballot envelope .
But no voting law was perhaps more significant in explaining November ’ s high turnout election as the pandemic-inspired decision to mail a ballot to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters .
Elections officials were concerned that a large number of in-person voters could overwhelm polling places that had to be redesigned to lessen the risk of COVID-19 infection .
“ We looked out for our neighbors , our communities , our local elections officials .
And our democracy is stronger for it , ” Padilla said .
Final election results show almost 87 % of the state ’ s 17,785,151 votes were cast somewhere other than a polling place or vote center .
And almost 99.5 % of those ballots were accepted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Automatically mailing all registered voters ballots brought a degree of uniformity to California ’ s election that has been missing in recent years and made it easier to tell voters statewide what they should anticipate , ” said Kim Alexander , president of the nonpartisan California Voter Foundation .
Processing and counting ballots lasted longer than usual , due to a one-time rule enacted by state lawmakers that allowed ballots postmarked by election day to be tallied if they were received by Nov. 20 — more than five times the normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that unique rule change will expire at year ’ s end , the Legislature will consider an effort next year to continue mailing every voter a ballot .
A bill by Assemblyman Marc Berman ( D-Palo Alto ) would make permanent the mailing of ballots to all voters and require ballot tracking systems to be made available for all voters in future elections .
Alexander said that other changes made for 2020 , enacted to make this year ’ s reliance on remote voting easier , should also be extended .
“ Going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all Californians have equal access to early voting opportunities and official ballot drop boxes , ” she said .
Though the presidential race attracted the most votes of any November contest , close behind was Proposition 15 , a statewide ballot measure that unsuccessfully sought to raise business property taxes to help fund schools and local government services .
It garnered more votes than any of the other 11 ballot measures , with 52 % of voters rejecting the constitutional amendment .
The fewest votes in support or opposition to a statewide measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which a majority of voters overturned a 2018 law that sought to abolish cash bail in favor of allowing judges to make pre-trial detainment decisions .
In all , voters approved five of the 12 statewide propositions .
On the local level , Californians were far more supportive of ballot measures seeking new taxes or borrowing .
Election results compiled by the California Local Government Finance Almanac shows 198 of 260 local tax and bond measures were approved by voters — most of which were general city tax increases , requiring only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most school bonds proposed in communities across the state also passed .
There were 100 seats in the California Legislature on the fall ballot — all 80 seats in the Assembly and half of the 40-member Senate — but very few close contests .
Only a half-dozen legislative races saw a margin of 5 % or less between the two candidates ; most were double-digit wins for incumbents .
Of the 53 congressional races on the ballot , only three ended with the seat changing hands from one political party to another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Reps. Harley Rouda and Gil Cisneros in Orange County and T.J. Cox in Hanford .
Forty California counties saw registered voter turnout higher than the statewide average , with Sonoma County leading the state at almost 90.5 % of all voters casting a ballot .
Imperial County saw the lowest turnout with 67 % of registered citizens participating .
In Los Angeles County , ballots were cast by 74 % of registered voters .
Romero noted that the last three election cycles in California — the 2016 presidential contest , the 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contests this year — have all led to higher turnout than in previous years .
She said while the trends look promising , continued outreach by voting rights organizations and campaigns will be necessary to reach younger voters and those in low-income communities , groups frequently underrepresented in California elections .
“ I think we have a moment where we could continue this , ” she said .
“ But the work has to be put in .
”

Ballots were dropped off on election day in thousands of locations, including the San Diego County election offices. State lawmakers will soon consider making permanent the 2020 law to mail every voter a ballot.
Final election results show almost 17.8 million Californians cast ballots in the election that ended on Nov. 3, the highest percentage of eligible voters to participate in a statewide election since 1952 and the third-highest percentage since 1910.
But this year’s participation by 70.8% of eligible voters may be even more historic due to the lower voting age. Since the passage of a constitutional amendment in 1971 to lower the voting age from 21 to 18, no California election has come close to turning out as many eligible voters.
“This was an election unlike any other in modern American history,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said in a video posted online Friday afternoon. “And it would not have been possible without the contributions of elections officials and poll workers alike. Their work maintained the resiliency of our democracy during a global health crisis.”
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As a share of registered voters, only the presidential elections of the 1960s and ‘70s saw a higher turnout of Californians. And in raw numbers of votes in November, no state came close: More than one in every 10 ballots in the nation was cast by a Californian. Estimates show more votes tallied in California than in 20 other states and the District of Columbia combined.
The statewide outcome was never in doubt at the top of the ticket. President-elect Joe Biden won 5.1 million votes more than President Trump in California, a larger margin than that by which Democrat Hillary Clinton bested Trump four years ago. Biden won 35 of the state’s 58 counties — amassing more than six times as many votes as Trump in San Francisco and edging out the incumbent president by 14 votes in rural Inyo County.
On Monday, a slate of 55 appointees to the electoral college will convene at the state Capitol to formally cast their votes for Biden. In all, Biden won states representing 306 electoral college votes to Trump’s 232 votes.
One small part of the November election did not come to a conclusion on Friday. In Butte County, north of Sacramento, a judge allowed elections officials to count 529 ballots discovered in a sealed drop box on the campus of CSU Chico — votes cast before the deadline on election day and that only have the potential to affect the outcome for a local ballot measure.
Presidential elections generally result in a higher turnout than statewide primaries or gubernatorial elections. Researchers said they hope to dig deeper into the November data to better understand the composition of California’s fall electorate by race, ethnicity, gender and age. For decades, the demographics of the state have diverged sharply from those who cast ballots — resulting in elections largely dominated by older white voters.
“This election definitely pushed everyone to a higher turnout,” said Mindy Romero, director of USC’s Center for Inclusive Democracy. “What we don’t yet know is what that really meant for historically underrepresented groups in the electorate.”
Few states have done more than California in recent years to expand opportunities for eligible citizens to vote. State leaders have created automatic voter registration at DMV offices; extended voter registration through election day; offered absentee voters more options in who can return their ballot; and pushed for counties to implement a far-reaching system that allows for early voting at a variety of community locations.
More ballots are probably counted here than in other states — often adding a few weeks to the tabulation process — as the result of California laws that extend the number of days a ballot can be received in the mail and give voters a chance to fix illegible or missing signatures on an absentee ballot envelope.
But no voting law was perhaps more significant in explaining November’s high turnout election as the pandemic-inspired decision to mail a ballot to each of California’s 22.3 million voters. Elections officials were concerned that a large number of in-person voters could overwhelm polling places that had to be redesigned to lessen the risk of COVID-19 infection.
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“We looked out for our neighbors, our communities, our local elections officials. And our democracy is stronger for it,” Padilla said.
Final election results show almost 87% of the state’s 17,785,151 votes were cast somewhere other than a polling place or vote center. And almost 99.5% of those ballots were accepted, a historically low rate of rejection.
“Automatically mailing all registered voters ballots brought a degree of uniformity to California’s election that has been missing in recent years and made it easier to tell voters statewide what they should anticipate,” said Kim Alexander, president of the nonpartisan California Voter Foundation.
Processing and counting ballots lasted longer than usual, due to a one-time rule enacted by state lawmakers that allowed ballots postmarked by election day to be tallied if they were received by Nov. 20 — more than five times the normal grace period under California law. Though that unique rule change will expire at year’s end, the Legislature will consider an effort next year to continue mailing every voter a ballot.
A bill by Assemblyman Marc Berman (D-Palo Alto) would make permanent the mailing of ballots to all voters and require ballot tracking systems to be made available for all voters in future elections. Alexander said that other changes made for 2020, enacted to make this year’s reliance on remote voting easier, should also be extended.
“Going forward, we need to also ensure all Californians have equal access to early voting opportunities and official ballot drop boxes,” she said.
Though the presidential race attracted the most votes of any November contest, close behind was Proposition 15, a statewide ballot measure that unsuccessfully sought to raise business property taxes to help fund schools and local government services. It garnered more votes than any of the other 11 ballot measures, with 52% of voters rejecting the constitutional amendment.
The fewest votes in support or opposition to a statewide measure were for Proposition 25, a race in which a majority of voters overturned a 2018 law that sought to abolish cash bail in favor of allowing judges to make pre-trial detainment decisions.
In all, voters approved five of the 12 statewide propositions. On the local level, Californians were far more supportive of ballot measures seeking new taxes or borrowing. Election results compiled by the California Local Government Finance Almanac shows 198 of 260 local tax and bond measures were approved by voters — most of which were general city tax increases, requiring only a majority of votes to be enacted. Most school bonds proposed in communities across the state also passed.
There were 100 seats in the California Legislature on the fall ballot — all 80 seats in the Assembly and half of the 40-member Senate — but very few close contests. Only a half-dozen legislative races saw a margin of 5% or less between the two candidates; most were double-digit wins for incumbents. Of the 53 congressional races on the ballot, only three ended with the seat changing hands from one political party to another. All of those were defeated Democrats: Reps. Harley Rouda and Gil Cisneros in Orange County and T.J. Cox in Hanford.
Forty California counties saw registered voter turnout higher than the statewide average, with Sonoma County leading the state at almost 90.5% of all voters casting a ballot. Imperial County saw the lowest turnout with 67% of registered citizens participating. In Los Angeles County, ballots were cast by 74% of registered voters.
Romero noted that the last three election cycles in California — the 2016 presidential contest, the 2018 state elections and the primary and November contests this year — have all led to higher turnout than in previous years. She said while the trends look promising, continued outreach by voting rights organizations and campaigns will be necessary to reach younger voters and those in low-income communities, groups frequently underrepresented in California elections.
“I think we have a moment where we could continue this,” she said. “But the work has to be put in.”


latimes--2020-12-11--Mavericks explodes with 'best waves in 10 years,' pioneering waterman says

The surf on Tuesday at Mavericks was “ as good as it ’ s been in 10 years , ” big-wave pioneer Jeff Clark said .
Clark ought to know .
He was the first surfer to ride Mavericks , the formidable reef break west of the Pillar Point headlands .
That ’ s at Half Moon Bay , about 25 miles south of San Francisco .
Clark rode Mavericks for years before it became known in the early 1990s as the foremost big-wave surf break in the continental United States .
With surf in the 50-foot range , Clark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — the biggest , best Mavericks we ’ ve seen in 10 years.
” There were 40 to 60 boats in the lineup , he said , and surfers from Hawaii to Portugal had traveled to Northern California to get a piece of the action .
Surf forecasters had been watching a storm in the North Pacific that had pummeled Hawaii ’ s North Shore with big surf a few days earlier .
Thanks to satellite technology , forecasters can predict a week in advance when swells will slam ashore around the globe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 289 degrees out of the northwest .
On a compass , 270 degrees is due west , and 180 degrees is straight south .
The optimum swell direction at Mavericks , according to the surf forecaster Surfline.com , is 270 to 295 degrees .
On a map , this swell window looks like a skinny sliver of pie .
Imagine standing on the cliff overlooking the ocean and pointing due west .
Now pivot to the north .
Between those two imaginary lines lies the ideal swell direction for Mavericks .
Going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 296 to 301 degrees , you hit the wave shadow cast by the Farallon Islands .
The best season for surf at Mavericks is roughly October or November through March , with January being the peak month .
These are the best months to get swells from the west or northwest of 8 feet or more with intervals of 15 seconds , according to Surfline .
Mavericks begins to break at 10 feet , but generally needs to be at least 15 feet to show its stuff .
Winter is when mammoth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swells toward the California coast .
Mavericks is exposed to swells from the southwest too .
This is the direction of swells primarily in the summer — which is winter in the Southern Hemisphere .
These may also be large swells , but they don ’ t take advantage of the unique underwater topography , known as bathymetry , that focuses on the waves from a west or northwest swell at Mavericks .
Swells are generated by winds from big storms , sometimes many thousands of miles away .
The waves produced are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strength of the storm , its duration and the size of its wind fetch .
The fetch is the length of open water over which the wind blows .
The fetch is the part in which the energy is transferred from a storm ’ s powerful winds into the water .
The waves with longer wavelengths travel faster .
These are the longer-period waves that arrive first and illustrate the importance of accurate forecasting .
These cleaner-breaking giants are the ones that surfers covet — the ones with more space between the crests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surfers who arrive early .
An interval of more than 16 seconds is considered ideal for Mavericks , according to Surfline .
These longer-interval waves are also the ones with the most energy extending deepest beneath the water level , generating the unique Mavericks break .
When these waves “ feel ” the ocean bottom as they approach shore , that contact causes the part of wave close to the ocean floor to slow down , and the top of the wave to accelerate , peak and eventually break .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swirling shape in the bathymetry off Pillar Point comes into play .
Beginning about a mile offshore , the wave ’ s energy begins to be focused and magnified by a distinctive reef on the ocean floor .
As the wave travels toward shore and it encounters shallower water over the reef formation , wave energy converges , lifting up monster surf .
Light offshore winds Tuesday along the Northern California coast helped to hold the waves up and keep them almost glassy , contributing to what Clark called “ a perfect Northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age 11 , after his family moved to Half Moon Bay , and he says he surfed all the big waves in Northern California .
In high school , he said , he carefully studied a wave breaking off Pillar Point .
He did this from a perch high on the headland , where he could get a good view of the wave about a half-mile out in the ocean .
Finally , after studying the wave for a long time , in February 1975 , the 17-year-old Clark paddled out , braving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rocks .
He continued to ride the wave known as Mavericks solo for 15 years .
One might think that the surf spot is named for the young maverick surfer who pioneered and conquered it , but it is actually named after Maverick , a white-haired German shepherd dog familiar to surfers of near-shore surf at Pillar Point in the early 1960s .
Clark introduced this new break to surfers from Santa Cruz and San Francisco in the early 1990s .
Then , in 1992 , the spot was presented to a worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ magazine that , according to Matt Warshaw ’ s comprehensive “ The Encyclopedia of Surfing , ” described “ the dark-haired , strong-jawed Clark as a ‘ hellman , ’ and the ‘ unofficial guardian of a true secret spot.
’ ” Since then , a cascade of media attention and numerous surf videos and documentaries have given Mavericks and the surf contests held there global fame and recognition .
Tow-in surfing was introduced at Mavericks in 1994 .
With this controversial method , surfers could ride bigger waves when they were towed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave that Clark rode alone for a decade and a half , beginning as a teenager , tragically claimed the lives of renowned Hawaiian big-wave riders Mark Foo in 1994 , and Sion Milosky in 2011 .
To what does Clark attribute his fearlessness during the years when he was the “ Lone Ranger ” at a dangerous , then-unknown Mavericks ?
“ You ’ re bulletproof at 17 , ” he responded .
No local board shapers knew how to make surfboards to accommodate the waves Clark was riding , so Clark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make his own .
Clark now operates a surf shop and a paddleboard shop in Half Moon Bay , specializing in boards for Mavericks .
In a year so severely marred by a global pandemic and economic crisis , surfers received a gift from the North Pacific this week when weather and swell conditions aligned to provide a rare perfect day along the San Mateo County coast .
And it ’ s just possible that there may be more swell on the way Sunday and Monday , Clark said .

The surf on Tuesday at Mavericks was “as good as it’s been in 10 years,” big-wave pioneer Jeff Clark said.
Clark ought to know. He was the first surfer to ride Mavericks, the formidable reef break west of the Pillar Point headlands. That’s at Half Moon Bay, about 25 miles south of San Francisco. Clark rode Mavericks for years before it became known in the early 1990s as the foremost big-wave surf break in the continental United States.
With surf in the 50-foot range, Clark said Tuesday was “an amazing day — the biggest, best Mavericks we’ve seen in 10 years.” There were 40 to 60 boats in the lineup, he said, and surfers from Hawaii to Portugal had traveled to Northern California to get a piece of the action.
Surf forecasters had been watching a storm in the North Pacific that had pummeled Hawaii’s North Shore with big surf a few days earlier. Thanks to satellite technology, forecasters can predict a week in advance when swells will slam ashore around the globe.
Advertisement
The best swell window for Mavericks. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
The swell direction on Tuesday was about 289 degrees out of the northwest. On a compass, 270 degrees is due west, and 180 degrees is straight south. The optimum swell direction at Mavericks, according to the surf forecaster Surfline.com, is 270 to 295 degrees. On a map, this swell window looks like a skinny sliver of pie. Imagine standing on the cliff overlooking the ocean and pointing due west. Now pivot to the north. Between those two imaginary lines lies the ideal swell direction for Mavericks. Going a little further to the northwest, from 296 to 301 degrees, you hit the wave shadow cast by the Farallon Islands.
The best season for surf at Mavericks is roughly October or November through March, with January being the peak month. These are the best months to get swells from the west or northwest of 8 feet or more with intervals of 15 seconds, according to Surfline. Mavericks begins to break at 10 feet, but generally needs to be at least 15 feet to show its stuff.
Winter is when mammoth storms in the Gulf of Alaska send swells toward the California coast. Mavericks is exposed to swells from the southwest too. This is the direction of swells primarily in the summer — which is winter in the Southern Hemisphere. These may also be large swells, but they don’t take advantage of the unique underwater topography, known as bathymetry, that focuses the waves from a west or northwest swell at Mavericks.
Swells are generated by winds from big storms, sometimes many thousands of miles away. The waves produced are dependent upon three main factors: the strength of the storm, its duration and the size of its wind fetch. The fetch is the length of open water over which the wind blows. The fetch is the part in which the energy is transferred from a storm’s powerful winds into the water.
Ideal weather in the North Pacific for the Mavericks surf break. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
The waves with longer wavelengths travel faster. These are the longer-period waves that arrive first and illustrate the importance of accurate forecasting. These cleaner-breaking giants are the ones that surfers covet — the ones with more space between the crests — and are the waves that reward the surfers who arrive early. An interval of more than 16 seconds is considered ideal for Mavericks, according to Surfline. These longer-interval waves are also the ones with the most energy extending deepest beneath the water level, generating the unique Mavericks break. When these waves “feel” the ocean bottom as they approach shore, that contact causes the part of wave close to the ocean floor to slow down, and the top of the wave to accelerate, peak and eventually break.
Advertisement
The waves with longer wavelengths travel faster. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
This is also the point in which the unique swirling shape in the bathymetry off Pillar Point comes into play. Beginning about a mile offshore, the wave’s energy begins to be focused and magnified by a distinctive reef on the ocean floor. As the wave travels toward shore and it encounters shallower water over the reef formation, wave energy converges, lifting up monster surf.
As a wave travels toward shore and it encounters shallower water over the reef formation, wave energy converges, lifting up monster surf. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
Light offshore winds Tuesday along the Northern California coast helped to hold the waves up and keep them almost glassy, contributing to what Clark called “a perfect Northern California day.”
Clark started surfing at age 11, after his family moved to Half Moon Bay, and he says he surfed all the big waves in Northern California. In high school, he said, he carefully studied a wave breaking off Pillar Point. He did this from a perch high on the headland, where he could get a good view of the wave about a half-mile out in the ocean. Finally, after studying the wave for a long time, in February 1975, the 17-year-old Clark paddled out, braving cold water, treacherous currents and dangerous rocks. He continued to ride the wave known as Mavericks solo for 15 years.
Lots of jet skis out at #Mavericks to make sure #surfers are safe as they take advantage of #BigWaves delivered this week. pic.twitter.com/WkENofxRvP — Robert Handa (@RHandaNBC) December 9, 2020
One might think that the surf spot is named for the young maverick surfer who pioneered and conquered it, but it is actually named after Maverick, a white-haired German shepherd dog familiar to surfers of near-shore surf at Pillar Point in the early 1960s.
Clark introduced this new break to surfers from Santa Cruz and San Francisco in the early 1990s. Then, in 1992, the spot was presented to a worldwide audience with a cover story in Surfer magazine that, according to Matt Warshaw’s comprehensive “The Encyclopedia of Surfing,” described “the dark-haired, strong-jawed Clark as a ‘hellman,’ and the ‘unofficial guardian of a true secret spot.’”
Since then, a cascade of media attention and numerous surf videos and documentaries have given Mavericks and the surf contests held there global fame and recognition.
Tow-in surfing was introduced at Mavericks in 1994. With this controversial method, surfers could ride bigger waves when they were towed in behind a personal watercraft.
A barrel big enough to fit a bus inside of it at Mavericks this week. It was “the biggest, best Mavericks we’ve seen in 10 years,” big-wave pioneer Jeff Clark says. (Richard Podgurski Jr@RichardPodJr)
The wave that Clark rode alone for a decade and a half, beginning as a teenager, tragically claimed the lives of renowned Hawaiian big-wave riders Mark Foo in 1994, and Sion Milosky in 2011.
To what does Clark attribute his fearlessness during the years when he was the “Lone Ranger” at a dangerous, then-unknown Mavericks? “You’re bulletproof at 17,” he responded.
No local board shapers knew how to make surfboards to accommodate the waves Clark was riding, so Clark, a third-generation carpenter, taught himself to make his own. Clark now operates a surf shop and a paddleboard shop in Half Moon Bay, specializing in boards for Mavericks.
In a year so severely marred by a global pandemic and economic crisis, surfers received a gift from the North Pacific this week when weather and swell conditions aligned to provide a rare perfect day along the San Mateo County coast. And it’s just possible that there may be more swell on the way Sunday and Monday, Clark said.


latimes--2020-12-11--My son 'needs more than a screen' mom says as LAUSD taken to court to partially reopen schools

Five days after the Los Angeles Unified School District announced it was shutting down all campuses for limited in-person instruction , two children ’ s advocacy groups have asked the state ’ s highest court to require the system to partially reopen to serve its youngest students and those with special learning needs , according to court documents filed Friday .
In a petition filed with the California Supreme Court , the Alliance for Children ’ s Rights and the Learning Rights Law Center allege that L.A. Unified violated a state law that requires education agencies to offer in-person instruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LAUSD had offered limited in-person tutoring and assessment for students with disabilities , reaching less than 1 % of 465,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade .
And then on Monday Supt .
Austin Beutner announced a hard shutdown of all campuses amid the unprecedented spike in cases .
“ We have an imperative to get kids back to school as soon as possible the safest way possible , ” Beutner said Monday , adding that “ extraordinary and quite dangerous ” infection rates were too high to allow for students and teachers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extensive safety protocols in place .
The law , passed in June , preserved funding for school districts at levels similar to the previous year , but also set broad guidelines intended to ensure that students would receive an appropriate education despite the pandemic .
Recognizing the limitations of online learning , lawmakers specified that instruction should be conducted in person as much as possible and also that the length of instruction in minutes had to meet state minimum standards — although schools had much leeway in how they carried out instruction .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ address learning loss whenever possible through in-person classroom-based instruction , and L.A. Unified has failed to do that , said Alex G. Romain , a partner at Milbank LLP , which filed the suit on behalf of the organizations .
“ There is no question that severe learning loss has already occurred , is ongoing , and will lead to irreparable harm for these students .
This slow-motion catastrophe — with potentially irreversible and life-long negative consequences for students— can and should be immediately addressed , ” the petition states .
It also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cohorts is possibleas long as it is safe from a public health perspective.
” A spokesperson for the school district , asked about the petition , said , “ We do not comment on pending litigation.
” Up till now , county health guidelines have governed how much instruction is permitted during the pandemic and then school districts can decide to be more restrictive .
The litigation seeks to change that .
The advocacy groups seek to compel the district to provide as much in-person instruction as permitted under Los Angeles County public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools to offer instruction for students with special needs in groups of up to 12 .
And the total number of students on campus can equal up to 25 % of a school ’ s total enrollment .
The guidelines were established to help students in greatest need , including students with disabilities , English learners and those who are particularly struggling with distance learning .
In addition , schools can apply for waivers to bring back their youngest — transitional kindergarten through second-graders — who are least able to learn via Zoom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance learning is a challenge for everyone … for some students , it is simply impossible , ” Romain said in an interview .
The district ’ s latest move to shut down all in-person services , was a step in the wrong direction , Romain said .
Jennifer Braun , president and CEO of the Alliance for Children ’ s Rights , said it was “ crucial ” that the group take action now , as families and children are becoming more distraught with the limitations of remote learning .
“ These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ I don ’ t see how it ’ s any different than people having appointments with their doctors .
It ’ s to address that immediate need.
” The lawsuit alleges that the school district could have taken steps to resume some in-person classes as early as September with safety protocols in place .
The school year began in mid-August and the district has previously said it began its one-on-one tutoring program in October .
Last month , Milbank and the Alliance for Children ’ s Rights to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to serve students with special needs during the pandemic .
In response , Devora Navera Reed , the interim general counsel for LAUSD , said that some in-person instruction began in the latter part of September .
But the county ’ s stringent guidelines , which call for a 14-day quarantine if an individual in a cohort tests positive for COVID-19 , could lead to multiple and consecutive quarantines , according to the letter .
“ We have seen this play out in real time in several school districts , and the unpredictability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been very disruptive to students and families , and students with social-emotional challenges can be particularly adversely impacted by the lack of consistency , ” she wrote in a letter dated Nov. 12 .
Still , Romain says , “ LAUSD has done very little to be able to meet its obligation under the law.
” For Ariel Harman-Holmes remote learning has been challenging .
Harman-Holmes , 40 , took time off work as a lawyer to stay home with her children who are 2 , 6 and 8 years old .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But her 8-year-old , who is autistic , struggles with the online format — the glitches are distracting , and the Zoom classes can lead to a sensory overload .
She said she has tried to get him assessed and placed in a specialized program , but the process was delayed by school closures .
She said she has noticed he has regressed when it comes to writing , which now overwhelms him , and she feels he will get better with only with the help of a one-on-one aide .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
“ That ’ s not how his senses work .
He can ’ t learn this way , he just can ’ t. ” In September , a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of parents of LAUSD students accused the district of failing students through remote learning , many of whom are Black and Latino .
Separately , a group of Democratic state legislators are advocating for schools to begin planning for in-person instruction next semester .
On Monday , Assemblyman Phil Ting ( D-San Francisco ) introduced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establish in-person instruction within two weeks of public health orders that allow school campuses to open as early as March .
In a statement , Ting , a father of school-age children , said he is concerned about students who are falling behind because of “ our sole reliance on remote teaching.
” Low-income students at public schools are bearing the brunt of the school closures , as some private schools have already reopened , worsening achievement gaps , he said .
“ Schools in other states and countries have prioritized in-person learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major outbreaks .
California ought to follow that path , ” Ting said .

Five days after the Los Angeles Unified School District announced it was shutting down all campuses for limited in-person instruction, two children’s advocacy groups have asked the state’s highest court to require the system to partially reopen to serve its youngest students and those with special learning needs, according to court documents filed Friday.
In a petition filed with the California Supreme Court, the Alliance for Children’s Rights and the Learning Rights Law Center allege that L.A. Unified violated a state law that requires education agencies to offer in-person instruction “to the greatest extent possible.”
LAUSD had offered limited in-person tutoring and assessment for students with disabilities, reaching less than 1% of 465,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. And then on Monday Supt. Austin Beutner announced a hard shutdown of all campuses amid the unprecedented spike in cases.
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“We have an imperative to get kids back to school as soon as possible the safest way possible,” Beutner said Monday, adding that “extraordinary and quite dangerous” infection rates were too high to allow for students and teachers to interact on campus, even with extensive safety protocols in place.
The law, passed in June, preserved funding for school districts at levels similar to the previous year, but also set broad guidelines intended to ensure that students would receive an appropriate education despite the pandemic. Recognizing the limitations of online learning, lawmakers specified that instruction should be conducted in person as much as possible and also that the length of instruction in minutes had to meet state minimum standards — although schools had much leeway in how they carried out instruction.
The state legislation requires school districts to address learning loss whenever possible through in-person classroom-based instruction, and L.A. Unified has failed to do that, said Alex G. Romain, a partner at Milbank LLP, which filed the suit on behalf of the organizations.
“There is no question that severe learning loss has already occurred, is ongoing, and will lead to irreparable harm for these students. This slow-motion catastrophe — with potentially irreversible and life-long negative consequences for students— can and should be immediately addressed,” the petition states. It also states that “in-person instruction in small cohorts is possibleas long as it is safe from a public health perspective.”
A spokesperson for the school district, asked about the petition, said, “We do not comment on pending litigation.”
Up till now, county health guidelines have governed how much instruction is permitted during the pandemic and then school districts can decide to be more restrictive. The litigation seeks to change that.
The advocacy groups seek to compel the district to provide as much in-person instruction as permitted under Los Angeles County public health guidelines.
Those directives allow for schools to offer instruction for students with special needs in groups of up to 12. And the total number of students on campus can equal up to 25% of a school’s total enrollment. The guidelines were established to help students in greatest need, including students with disabilities, English learners and those who are particularly struggling with distance learning. In addition, schools can apply for waivers to bring back their youngest — transitional kindergarten through second-graders — who are least able to learn via Zoom and other online platforms.
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“While distance learning is a challenge for everyone … for some students, it is simply impossible,” Romain said in an interview. The district’s latest move to shut down all in-person services , was a step in the wrong direction, Romain said.
Jennifer Braun, president and CEO of the Alliance for Children’s Rights, said it was “crucial” that the group take action now, as families and children are becoming more distraught with the limitations of remote learning.
“These are essential services” for children, she said. “I don’t see how it’s any different than people having appointments with their doctors. It’s to address that immediate need.”
The lawsuit alleges that the school district could have taken steps to resume some in-person classes as early as September with safety protocols in place. The school year began in mid-August and the district has previously said it began its one-on-one tutoring program in October.
Last month, Milbank and the Alliance for Children’s Rights wrote a letter to the district demanding information on how officials planned to serve students with special needs during the pandemic.
In response, Devora Navera Reed, the interim general counsel for LAUSD, said that some in-person instruction began in the latter part of September. But the county’s stringent guidelines, which call for a 14-day quarantine if an individual in a cohort tests positive for COVID-19, could lead to multiple and consecutive quarantines, according to the letter.
“We have seen this play out in real time in several school districts, and the unpredictability of opening and closing of classes has been very disruptive to students and families, and students with social-emotional challenges can be particularly adversely impacted by the lack of consistency,” she wrote in a letter dated Nov. 12.
Still, Romain says, “LAUSD has done very little to be able to meet its obligation under the law.”
For Ariel Harman-Holmes remote learning has been challenging. Harman-Holmes, 40, took time off work as a lawyer to stay home with her children who are 2, 6 and 8 years old. All three have exceptional needs, she said.
But her 8-year-old, who is autistic, struggles with the online format — the glitches are distracting, and the Zoom classes can lead to a sensory overload. She said she has tried to get him assessed and placed in a specialized program, but the process was delayed by school closures. She said she has noticed he has regressed when it comes to writing, which now overwhelms him, and she feels he will get better with only with the help of a one-on-one aide.
“He needs more than a screen,” she said. “That’s not how his senses work. He can’t learn this way, he just can’t.”
In September, a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of parents of LAUSD students accused the district of failing students through remote learning, many of whom are Black and Latino.
Separately, a group of Democratic state legislators are advocating for schools to begin planning for in-person instruction next semester. On Monday, Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) introduced a bill that would require educational agencies to establish in-person instruction within two weeks of public health orders that allow school campuses to open as early as March.
In a statement, Ting, a father of school-age children, said he is concerned about students who are falling behind because of “our sole reliance on remote teaching.” Low-income students at public schools are bearing the brunt of the school closures, as some private schools have already reopened, worsening achievement gaps, he said.
“Schools in other states and countries have prioritized in-person learning during COVID-19 and have done so without major outbreaks. California ought to follow that path,” Ting said.


latimes--2020-12-11--Man bought Maserati with unemployment money scammed from state EDD, prosecutors say

When Pasadena police pulled over Robert Sloan Mateer behind the wheel of a slick Maserati SUV , they found $ 197,711 in cash , methamphetamine and a loaded gun without a serial number .
They also found 17 unemployment benefit debit cards loaded with tens of thousands of more dollars in various names .
The stack of cards carried more than $ 133,000 for unemployment benefits , issued by California ’ s Employment Development Department under the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act passed by Congress in March , according to a five-count federal indictment against Mateer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cards were in the names of victims of identity theft , according to federal prosecutors .
That Maserati was purchased with some of the unemployment insurance benefits the 30-year-old Pasadena man fraudulently obtained by using stolen identities , the indictment alleges .
Mateer is allegedly one of the hundreds behind a billion-dollar-plus fraud that has unfolded this year involving EDD , according to state and federal prosecutors .
Some of those involved in the scheme are already inmates in state prisons and claims were filed in the names of more 130 Death Row @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handles the cards , has warned that fraud in California ’ s unemployment benefits system could total $ 2 billion .
McGregor Scott , U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of California , whose office investigated the prison fraud for months , said the problem may be even greater , with preliminary federal findings that “ billions of dollars were sent out of the state and out of the country by EDD.
” Mateer on Friday appeared in a Los Angeles federal court on charges of possessing at least 15 or more unauthorized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , aggravated identity theft , possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine , possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime , and being a felon in possession of ammunition .
Along with the cards , police found more than 85 grams of methamphetamine in the luxury SUV , according to court documents .
Mateer ’ s attorney could not be reached for comment .
According to the investigator ’ s affidavit , Mateer admitted to obtaining the unemployment benefits debit cards by using “ thousands ” of identity profiles in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loaded with about $ 14,500 .
That money was intended to be distributed by the EDD under the CARES Act , which expanded unemployment benefits to cover those who were previously ineligible , including business owners , self-employed workers , and independent contractors , who were put out of business or significantly reduced their services because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Mateer allegedly admitted to investigators that he withdrew the $ 197,711 in cash found in his Maserati from ATMs across the Los Angeles area , according to the affidavit by postal inspectors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the second time he made such withdrawals .
Mateer allegedly withdrew about $ 13,840 from the EDD debit cards in his possession in September , according to the affidavit .
Mateer , a felon , was taken into federal custody on Oct. 21 .
He could face up to 17 years to life in prison if convicted of all charges .

When Pasadena police pulled over Robert Sloan Mateer behind the wheel of a slick Maserati SUV, they found $197,711 in cash, methamphetamine and a loaded gun without a serial number. They also found 17 unemployment benefit debit cards loaded with tens of thousands of more dollars in various names.
The stack of cards carried more than $133,000 for unemployment benefits, issued by California’s Employment Development Department under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act passed by Congress in March, according to a five-count federal indictment against Mateer unsealed last month. Many of those cards were in the names of victims of identity theft, according to federal prosecutors.
That Maserati was purchased with some of the unemployment insurance benefits the 30-year-old Pasadena man fraudulently obtained by using stolen identities, the indictment alleges.
Mateer is allegedly one of the hundreds behind a billion-dollar-plus fraud that has unfolded this year involving EDD, according to state and federal prosecutors. Some of those involved in the scheme are already inmates in state prisons and claims were filed in the names of more 130 Death Row inmates. Bank of America, which handles the cards, has warned that fraud in California’s unemployment benefits system could total $2 billion.
McGregor Scott, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of California, whose office investigated the prison fraud for months, said the problem may be even greater, with preliminary federal findings that “billions of dollars were sent out of the state and out of the country by EDD.”
Mateer on Friday appeared in a Los Angeles federal court on charges of possessing at least 15 or more unauthorized access devices with the intent to defraud, aggravated identity theft, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of ammunition. Along with the cards, police found more than 85 grams of methamphetamine in the luxury SUV, according to court documents.
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Mateer’s attorney could not be reached for comment.
According to the investigator’s affidavit, Mateer admitted to obtaining the unemployment benefits debit cards by using “thousands” of identity profiles in his possession. Each debit card was loaded with about $14,500.
That money was intended to be distributed by the EDD under the CARES Act, which expanded unemployment benefits to cover those who were previously ineligible, including business owners, self-employed workers, and independent contractors, who were put out of business or significantly reduced their services because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mateer allegedly admitted to investigators that he withdrew the $197,711 in cash found in his Maserati from ATMs across the Los Angeles area, according to the affidavit by postal inspectors, who investigated the case.
It was the second time he made such withdrawals. Mateer allegedly withdrew about $13,840 from the EDD debit cards in his possession in September, according to the affidavit.
Mateer, a felon, was taken into federal custody on Oct. 21. He could face up to 17 years to life in prison if convicted of all charges.


latimes--2020-12-11--Musician FKA twigs accuses Shia LaBeouf of physical, emotional abuse in lawsuit

Musician FKA twigs filed a lawsuit Friday against Shia LaBeouf , accusing the actor of repeated physical and sexual assault during an abusive , yearlong relationship .
In the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court , the 32-year-old British singer-songwriter , whose real name is Tahliah Barnett , described her time with LaBeouf as a “ relentless abusive relationship.
” She is seeking damages for sexual battery , assault and infliction of emotional distress .
The court filing recounts how Barnett began dating LaBeouf after the pair worked together on the movie “ Honey Boy ” and moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed , she alleged in the lawsuit , were frequent episodes of verbal and emotional abuse that escalated into physical assaults by the `` Transformers ” franchise actor as he “ became increasingly violent.
” During a trip to a spa outside Los Angeles around Valentine ’ s Day in 2019 , the singer said she awoke to find the actor violently squeezing her .
He then began strangling her with his hands , whispering , “ If you don ’ t stop you are going to lose me , ” according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elaborate on LaBeouf ’ s alleged comment .
As they drove home the following day , the actor threatened to crash the car unless Barnett professed her love for him , the lawsuit claims .
When she attempted to escape at a gas station , the actor slammed her against the car and attempted to strangle her in the parking lot , according to the lawsuit .
LaBeouf has a string of arrests , often involving violence and alcohol .
In 2007 , he was arrested on suspicion of fighting with a neighbor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year he was held on suspicion of driving under the influence after hitting another car .
In 2014 , while attending a Broadway performance , he was arrested during intermission on suspicion of causing a disturbance and being drunk and disorderly .
He was arrested in Austin , Texas , on similar charges in 2015 .
In September , LaBeouf was charged with misdemeanor battery and theft by the Los Angeles city attorney for allegedly taking a man ’ s hat in a physical confrontation .
He has pleaded not guilty to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuses Barnett and another former girlfriend suffered at the hands of LaBeouf .
In March 2019 , LaBeouf locked Barnett in a room when she tried to leave their house , according to the lawsuit , which includes an eyewitness account of the incident by a housekeeper .
And during their yearlong relationship , the lawsuit alleges , LaBeouf , who was playing a gangster in the movie “ The Tax Collector , ” would take on the “ role in real life ” and would sometimes brandish a handgun in a car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had killed stray dogs so he would know what it felt like to take a life .
Barnett alleged LaBeouf sometimes slept with guns in the bedroom , including a loaded rifle at his bedside , and was paranoid about being attacked by gang members .
The lawsuit was first reported by the New York Times .
In a response to the suit , the actor told the New York Times that “ many of these allegations are not true.
” But he added , “ I am not in the position to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owe these women the opportunity to air their statements publicly and accept accountability for those things I have done.
” LaBeouf went on to tell the newspaper that it was difficult “ to accept the knowledge that I may have caused great pain to others ... .
I write this as a sober member of a twelve-step program and in therapy for my many failings.
” Friday ’ s lawsuit said Barnett , along with the other former girlfriend , attempted to convince LaBeouf to seek treatment for substance abuse and mental health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amends by donating to a domestic violence shelter .
“ Shia LaBeouf has abused Ms. Barnett ... and others .
We tried to resolve this matter privately on the condition that Mr. LaBeouf agree to receive meaningful and consistent psychological treatment .
Since he was unwilling to agree to get appropriate help , Ms. Barnett filed this suit to prevent others from unknowingly suffering similar abuse by him , ” Barnett ’ s attorney Bryan Freedman said in a statement .
While she is identified in the lawsuit , the Los Angeles Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the nature of the alleged abuse , and she could not be reached for comment .
The allegation of sexual battery arises from an accusation in the lawsuit that the actor knowingly gave Barnett a sexually transmitted disease .
According to the lawsuit , LaBeouf admitted to having the disease and used makeup to conceal physical signs of it on his body during an outbreak .

Musician FKA twigs filed a lawsuit Friday against Shia LaBeouf, accusing the actor of repeated physical and sexual assault during an abusive, yearlong relationship.
In the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the 32-year-old British singer-songwriter, whose real name is Tahliah Barnett, described her time with LaBeouf as a “relentless abusive relationship.” She is seeking damages for sexual battery, assault and infliction of emotional distress.
The court filing recounts how Barnett began dating LaBeouf after the pair worked together on the movie “Honey Boy” and moved into together in October 2018. What followed, she alleged in the lawsuit, were frequent episodes of verbal and emotional abuse that escalated into physical assaults by the “Transformers” franchise actor as he “became increasingly violent.”
During a trip to a spa outside Los Angeles around Valentine’s Day in 2019, the singer said she awoke to find the actor violently squeezing her. He then began strangling her with his hands, whispering, “If you don’t stop you are going to lose me,” according to the suit. The lawsuit does not elaborate on LaBeouf’s alleged comment.
As they drove home the following day, the actor threatened to crash the car unless Barnett professed her love for him, the lawsuit claims. When she attempted to escape at a gas station, the actor slammed her against the car and attempted to strangle her in the parking lot, according to the lawsuit.
LaBeouf has a string of arrests, often involving violence and alcohol.
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In 2007, he was arrested on suspicion of fighting with a neighbor in Van Nuys, and the next year he was held on suspicion of driving under the influence after hitting another car. In 2014, while attending a Broadway performance, he was arrested during intermission on suspicion of causing a disturbance and being drunk and disorderly. He was arrested in Austin, Texas, on similar charges in 2015.
In September, LaBeouf was charged with misdemeanor battery and theft by the Los Angeles city attorney for allegedly taking a man’s hat in a physical confrontation. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The lawsuit details other alleged abuses Barnett and another former girlfriend suffered at the hands of LaBeouf. In March 2019, LaBeouf locked Barnett in a room when she tried to leave their house, according to the lawsuit, which includes an eyewitness account of the incident by a housekeeper.
And during their yearlong relationship, the lawsuit alleges, LaBeouf, who was playing a gangster in the movie “The Tax Collector,” would take on the “role in real life” and would sometimes brandish a handgun in a car. The suit alleges he claimed he had killed stray dogs so he would know what it felt like to take a life. Barnett alleged LaBeouf sometimes slept with guns in the bedroom, including a loaded rifle at his bedside, and was paranoid about being attacked by gang members.
The lawsuit was first reported by the New York Times.
In a response to the suit, the actor told the New York Times that “many of these allegations are not true.”
But he added, “I am not in the position to defend any of my actions. I owe these women the opportunity to air their statements publicly and accept accountability for those things I have done.”
LaBeouf went on to tell the newspaper that it was difficult “to accept the knowledge that I may have caused great pain to others .... I write this as a sober member of a twelve-step program and in therapy for my many failings.”
Friday’s lawsuit said Barnett, along with the other former girlfriend, attempted to convince LaBeouf to seek treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues, as well as to make amends by donating to a domestic violence shelter.
“Shia LaBeouf has abused Ms. Barnett ... and others. We tried to resolve this matter privately on the condition that Mr. LaBeouf agree to receive meaningful and consistent psychological treatment. Since he was unwilling to agree to get appropriate help, Ms. Barnett filed this suit to prevent others from unknowingly suffering similar abuse by him,” Barnett’s attorney Bryan Freedman said in a statement.
While she is identified in the lawsuit, the Los Angeles Times is not naming the second woman because of the nature of the alleged abuse, and she could not be reached for comment.
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The allegation of sexual battery arises from an accusation in the lawsuit that the actor knowingly gave Barnett a sexually transmitted disease. According to the lawsuit, LaBeouf admitted to having the disease and used makeup to conceal physical signs of it on his body during an outbreak.