March 15, 2013    |  By Gerald Morales

Arbor Village is home to Delian Music, one of Inglewood’s most outstanding music stores. You might have noticed the shop driving down Manchester Boulevard near the 405 freeway; it’s not far from Randy’s Donuts and close to the fairly new Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles.

Delian Music has been in business for over 65 years. The store’s current owner is Candace R. Blankenship, who is simply known as “Candy.” Her father purchased the store in 1967 from a couple named Delia and Arnie Arvidson. They had established Delian Music in
1947.

When Blankenship’s parents purchased the store, it served a dual purpose: music lessons and band instrument rentals. Her mother, Alberta, ran the store with successfully, and helped the people in the community realize its musical talents.

Candace started out working part-time. In 1977, her father passed away and she devoted a full-time career to the store. Three years after Delian Music moved to Sepulveda Boulevard in Westchester. This was when things started to change for the music store.

After the move, Delian Music started becoming a more competitive music store. It was the first music store to receive the Yamaha DX-7 synthesizer for sale. In the
1980s, the music scene became much more popular; another move was necessary.

She moved to Culver City after nearly 10 years at the Sepulveda location. Things went well for more than 15 years at the music store’s home in Culver City.

By this point, the store was focusing on accessories, mu-sic lessons and sheet music. One day the landlord handed her an eviction and Delian Music was suddenly without a home.

One year later in 2005 Delian Music made its way to Inglewood. Blankenship is an Inglewood native and is proud to have her store located in her hometown. In the course of her life the store has made a full circle.

The move to Arbor Village has been a good one. Students have studied their whole lives at Delian, and many dedicated individuals still hone in on their musical talents at the music store.

Blankenship is proud of her store being in Inglewood and is passionate about helping eager minds to learn music.
“Music teaches you discipline and how to think, it helps kids excel in math and science classes. Music can be a social endeavor; anyone can go play a guitar in the street or park and people can enjoy the music being played,” she said.

Blankenship is only one of the professional teaching staff at Delian. There is also Rick King, Greg Brown, Jorge Taylor, Edward Krzyzaniak, Brad Hubisz, Chris Vasquez,
Abe Curammeng, Derek Bomback, Ontario Alexander, Joel Herr, Steve Crane and Andrew Goodloe. And yet there is currently a need for a violin instructor!

The neighborhood music store gives back to the community as well. The Delian Music Education Foundation was created in 2004 and aims at helping aspiring musicians generate funds to pursue their musical careers. This non-profit foundation is a financial resource for music lessons, lesson books, music supplies and even instruments at times.

You can learn more at their website .

March 01, 2013

Discipline in many forms is instilled at training studio

Team Victory Muy Thai Kick boxing has found a home in Inglewood at 957 S. La Brea Blvd. It is easy to find as it is located next to the classic Googie architectural building Foster’s Freeze.

Humble, hardworking and passionate aptly describes owner Rod Mckiver as well as the philosophy he pro- motes to those who train at his gym. The same type of vibes can be felt when one enters a Team Victory training session. All the members maintain deft concentration and are clearly focused on their training regimen.

Team Victory is proud to have a place available to the community and its youth.

The studio opened three years ago and the number of members have grown significantly since then. Mckiver originally ran his events at a local church called Victory Outreach. The program was dedicated to hosting Muy Thai kick boxing for the youth who attended the ministry.

As Victory Outreach grew he started to notice there was potential to turn this into something more. He decided to open up a gym and dedicate it towards reaching out to the area youth.
Discipline is the main attribute Mckiver wishes to teach at the gym. The students and trainers come together as a family. Many at- tend school, go to work or manage both in addition to training together. Mckiver teaches them the importance of managing their time and being disciplined to reach all of their goals in Muy Thai Kick boxing and beyond.

Inglewood is now on the map in the boxing world. UFC fighters visit the Team Victory Gym to hone their skills from time to time. Bobby Greens, Reuben Duran and a few others have trained with the Inglewood locals. This gym offers genuine training that can be de- scribed in the fighting world as “Raw,” the result being that it has attracted many no- table fighters.

Inglewood locals and graduates from Inglewood High School such as Rene Jovel and Jay Alvarez train under Mckiver and represent Team Victory. Jay is the local champion and holds the record 9-2 thus far in his career. There are many fights coming in the near future such as one on March 2 at the Pomona Fair Grounds and another right here in Inglewood at Hollywood Park and Casino on March 16.

Mckiver just wants Team Victory to be a place for any- one to learn how to fight, build friendships and man- age relationships with others. He has a genuine desire for all his students to walk away with some type of valuable life lesson once they leave.

“This sport is amazing and it can change your life. I want this gym to be a lighthouse for boys and girls to find a safe haven and to explore all possibilities in life. I do this for Jesus Christ and for the people,” Mckiver declared.

To stay updated with Team Victory, please visit the studio’s Facebook page at:

March 01, 2013    |  By Teka-Lark Fleming

Bright Stars Reading Club was founded by teacher Terri Norwood. I popped by Bright Stars Reading Club 9th anniversary party at the Four Points by Sheraton in Culver City on February 9. Children were laughing in pajamas and reading books with friends.

“The pajama/teddy bear theme was an idea I had in the past, so it was time to make it happen. My goal is to help children and parents understand that reading really is fun, “ said Terri Norwood.

Norwood is also a 20-year veteran from the classroom.

She is an award-winning teacher having garnered an Excellence in Teaching by the Inglewood Unified Superintendent. “I find that fantasies are the best genre to engage younger children because anything can happen in a fantasy,” said Ms. Norwood.

Fantasy books tended to be one of the favorite genres of the young Inglelites.

“Inglelites” is a term coined by Morningside Park resident Jeanette Parish. It plays
on the term socialite. “

At Bright Stars we use various genres to make reading fun. We also reinforce vocabulary and comprehension development,” said Ms. Norwood with excitement. Classes are $20 per session. Etiquette classes are also in the works. For more information, please visit

Bright Stars Reading Club is on 714 E Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, 90301.

Kevin Chavez, Jennifer Espes, Robert Gonzales and Joe Victorino take a second from their scissors to pose in front of Joe’s Barbershop.

February 08, 2013    |  By Gerald Morales

It’s a family business that has been in Inglewood for generations. It’s on 681 W. Arbor Vitae Street, near Ash Street. It is home to some of the best barbers in Inglewood. What is it? Why, Joe’s Barbershop, of course!

The story begins in the 1970s when Joe Victorino was searching for that one good barber to cut his hair on a regular basis; his search was in vain. He attended school and studied the ways of crafting unique hairstyles. Learning how to cut hair Joe was the first step; afterward he decided it was time to open up his own shop.

The first Joe’s barbershop was opened in 1976 on Arbor Vitae and La Cienega. Longtime Inglewood natives may recall the Doors Market and mechanic’s shop at the shopping center back then. The barbershop soon gained a great reputation. In 1979, Joe’s Barbershop was relocated to Arbor Vitae.

For two decades Joe has been cutting hair. People come not just from Inglewood but all over Los Angeles—just to get one of Joe’s classic cuts. As a witness to the legacy his father established, Joe Jr. decided he wanted to continue what his father started. In 1992 he got into the hair cutting business as well. “My father had a saying: You watch people get married and you watch them get buried. Now I’m starting to see that happen the longer I cut hair,” Joe divulged. “As Hispanics, there are few legacies you can look up to for the young generation. I love to be a positive influence on the community, so I do things like offer free cuts to kids that bring in good report cards. It’s my way of giving back.”

Both my grandfathers got their hair cut at Joe’s, and I have many friends who will only go there to get the work done. People from all over the community recognize Joe’s as one of Inglewood’s greatest legacies. My family has gone there for generations, and we all agree that the staff live up to the reputation set down by the founder and namesake.

For those Inglewood residents who have yet to visit, get a cut from Joe’s barbershop and see for yourself: it’s a cut above!

For more information, please visit the website at . One can also just call and drop in to get the work done now at (310) 674.3655.

Century Heights native Dr. Carla Thomas takes a moment to smile for the camera at her dental studio.

January 10, 2013    |  By Teka-Lark Fleming

When the owner and dentist of Smile Studio, Dr. Carla Thomas was a little girl growing up in the Inglewood community of Century Heights she wanted to be a dentist.

Smile Studio caught my eye while I was riding my bicycle up Morningside Park’s business district on Manchester. It was a modern and beautiful facility. While at a community meeting in Briarwood, I met the charming Dr. Thomas. She was discussing the importance of dental care.

(Read More)

Dr. LeRoy Vaughn (second row) with his staff.

January 10, 2013    |  By Gerald Morales

Inglewood is home to one of the most renowned ophthalmologists and black historians. Until now, many people may not have been aware of his presence. Dr. Leroy William Vaughn practices eye care at 323 North Prairie Ave, Suite 217 in Inglewood 90301. He is a diabetic eye specialist and well known for his work regarding glaucoma too. He has received many awards over the years, one of which was from former President Bill Clinton thanking him for his service to patients.
(Read More)

Charly Pierce, owner of Sa’brak Boutique in Morningside Park, at the store.

December 10, 2012    |  By Chante Griffin

Looking for a little black dress for a night out on the town? A sleek pencil skirt for the office? A pair of leopard print wedge boots just because? (Read More)

December 10, 2012    |  By Gerald Morales

We all want to rock a nice body, even if it isn’t summer time. Maybe it’s because the weather seems to stay relatively warm, even in the colder months out of the year; (Read More)

December 10, 2012    |  By Gerald Morales

What’s the sum of adding the avenues LaBrea and Centinela? DVD Ave, of course! For 10 years, owner Chansuk, aka Danny, (Read More)