Demi Lovato Reveals Her nd The Heart and Sid Brickman, 2 Principal of Locke Former Drug Addict Life: ‘I Soul of Writing High School Honored by Alumni Couldn’t Go Without ... Cocaine Pg.Pg. 22 Pg. 4 Pg. 5 The Immaculate Heart of Mary Children’s Choir elebrate the Holidays with one of Los Angeles’ Most Dynamic Children’s Choirs CGet in the holiday spirit by listening to musical cheer from a group that embodies the joy and love with which the season is filled! Hosted by Blessed Sacrament Church, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chil- dren’s Choir will sing Christmas jingles that are sure to bring hap- piness to listeners, young and old. The choir is comprised of second to eighth grade students ranging in age from 7 to 12. Founded in 2010 by its artistic director, Chris- topher “Pete” Avendaño, the choir is a dynamic youth ensemble with a multilingual and multi-genre rep- ertoire. Last December, the see CHOIR Pg. 6 In July of 2013, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Children’s Choir had a successful performance for Disney’s Performing Arts Program. City of Hope Hospital Toy Give Away It was a huge success and it was much appreciated by the patients and staff. I would like to thank Santa Clause (Richard) and the agencies that participated: The Bell Gardens Police Department, the Pasadena Police Department, and the Inglewood Police Department. We wish every patient at City of Hope Hospital a blessed and speedy recovery. Christina Karagias and Phil of Pacos Mexican Restaurant thank you for your ongoing support. Merry Christmas to all. MULTI-CULTURAL NEWSPAPER Serving Southern California • Los Angeles • Inglewood • Gardena • Hawthorne • Lawndale • Torrance • Redondo Beach • Manhattan Beach • Ladera • Baldwin Hills • Windsor Hills • Leimert Park • Westchester Fox Hills Shopping Mall • Culver City • and surrounding areas 2 www.calcrusnews.com COMMUNITY December 12 - December 18, 2013 California Crusader News By Excluding Millions, Health Care A Weekly Adjudicated Newspaper Reform Falls Short THREE LOCATIONS Today, on the 65th anniversary for immigrants. That’s PHONE of the day that the UN General why Young Invinci- (424) 269-1359 Assembly adopted the Universal bles is releasing our (424) 269-1964 Declaration of Human Rights, it’s “Roadmap to Cover- [email protected] timely to remember one proclama- age for Young Cali- (editorial) tion in particular: that “everyone fornia Immigrants.” [email protected] has the right to a standard of living As the roadmap adequate for the health and well- shows, the state (legals) being of himself and of his family.” funds Medi-Cal (our [email protected] It’s important to reflect on that as version of Medicaid) (advertising) we roll out one of the biggest re- coverage for low-in- forms to our health care system come, lawfully pres- Published Weekly — Deadline that this country has seen. Indeed, ent immigrants who — Monday prior the passage of the Affordable Care have been in the US to Thursday issue date. Act (ACA) was an important mile- for less than 5 years stone for the United States, be- as well as for DACA- 12519 Crenshaw Blvd cause it extended affordable and mented youth. Addi- Hawthorne, CA 90250 accessible coverage to millions tionally, 9 counties in over one million undocumented NEEDS it.” (Inside The Hawthorne of previously uninsured people California offer coverage programs immigrants will remain uninsured, As the immigration reform debate Chamber of Commerce) across the country. However, as that will not discriminate based on without the peace of mind and ramps back up in the new year, the law takes effect and the health immigration status. Our statewide financial security that health cov- health reform and immigration 2930 W. Imperial Hwy. insurance marketplaces open, not network of community clinics has erage provides. And other states reform advocates must work to- Suite 200J everyone has been included in grown by 46, thanks to new fund- have even fewer options. gether. While the Senate-passed Inglewood, CA 90303 the promise of reform. Millions of ing through the ACA. These clinics One young man we’ve met said it immigration reform bill incorpo- NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC people have been excluded from will continue to treat those who fall best. “Thanks to Obamacare my rates pathways to citizenship, its benefits, including undocu- through the cracks, and our Road- mom doesn’t have to wait 4 more guest work visa programs and fi- 11215 South Western Ave. mented and some lawfully present maps to Coverage infographics years to get covered, which I am nancial assistance to DREAMers, Los Angeles, CA 90047 immigrants (such as Deferred Ac- provide more information about very grateful for,” Jesus Garcia, it leaves out a pathway to health NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC tion for Childhood Arrivals [DACA] these options. 22, told us. However, his sister care for many immigrants. Young grantees). Despite California’s alternative was left behind and can’t get cov- Invincibles will be fighting to reach Founder In California, policymakers have routes to care for some young im- erage. “I really have no idea what’s that vision in this country set out by M. Meg Roi, Esq. taken steps to address those gaps, migrants, too many people will re- going to happen …her job doesn’t the United Nations all those years Publisher and there are health care options main without access to coverage. offer insurance and she has a con- ago - to provide accessible, afford- Victoria Diaz outside of the state marketplace Experts project that in California, dition. She doesn’t have the luxury able health care for everyone. Co-publisher of not wanting insurance. She CCN Cecelia Lopez Managing Editor Becky Garcia The Heart and Soul of Writing Written by Charles L. Chatmon interviews with a group of students • Get it down, get it down Production Circulation Manager in a college in New York state, quickly, write it down Sidney Davis Modern writers these days have went over his thoughts and opin- • The clue to the writer, (in Graphic Design a lot of knowledge and opinions ions about writing not just for tele- terms of an idea) don’t let Troy Cole on their business, sharing them vision, but in general. Some of the it die in the head with new or aspiring authors. For comments made that struck me • All writers are born, nev- CREDO — Reporting the news instance, besides looking at so- were the following (paraphrasing): er made about diverse communities in a cial media feeds and researching • It’s story that counts, it’s heart • Observation is key in life balanced manner with a focus on various writing sites, the budding and feeling, it’s reality, it’s legiti- of writer, paramount positive events. The term “CRU- writer can be deluged with a flood macy, authenticity, honesty • One can create as long SADER” connotes the “zeal and of information, advise, chastise- • It’s the capacity for the printed as he is ingenious, novel, enthusiasm” applied in keeping ment all written by us who are the word or spoken word to move you different, imaginative, op- the community informed, while ‘professionals’ in this field. I can – these are the key things posed to sedentary Charles L. Chatmon “making a difference” in the understand if this is intimidating • If you can get across your own • The writer broadens, be- there were much more I could media. for a first time author. Luckily, the idea, get it across comes deeper, more observant, have shared but decided the few great writers don’t see it the same • If you have the climax first – build more tempered, becomes more posted would be enough. In our way we mere mortals do. the house around it wiser over a period of time passing microwaveable 21st Century world I took some time recently to write • The instinct of creativity must be There were a ton of quotes – in- where everything has to come fast, down a few notes from Rod Ser- followed by the act, the physical sightful, important, poignant and it has to come now, the mentality ling, the creator of the Twilight act of putting it down for a sense sincere that I heard from Mr. of ‘the grind’, the focus of looking at Zone, who spoke in sixteen video of permanence Serling in those clips. Granted, see WRITING Pg. 6 STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS FINANCIAL SERVICES will provide you with savings of up to 90 percent on all your $24.99/mo. FREE HD/DVR upgrade for new callers, SO Brands Considered! Call Anytime! 24hrs/7days (888) 491- Guaranteed Income For Your Retirement. Avoid market risk medication needs. Call today 1-800-273-0209, for $10.00 off CALL NOW! 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