Chad Byrnes

In his latest review, journalist Chad Byrnes reviews actress Audrey Plaza’s newest film, Emily the Criminal, in theaters now. Written and directed by relative newcomer John Patton Ford, whose resume is mainly short films (Patrol, Beautifully Esther), the film is said to pack a punch and a twist that’ll leave even the most wary of filmgoers satisfied. 

“This taut thriller might feel like a Sundance indie but it’s got the heart of a 70’s character study.,” reviews Byrnes. “Plaza, best known for her sardonic persona in Parks and Recreation and a slew of indie comedies, discards the deadpan wit that put her on the map, taking on the titular character with such heartfelt grit, you can’t help but empathize with her, even as she makes some terrible choices.”

Read more on L.A. Weekly here. 

Aubrey Plaza is so Good it’s Criminal in new Film

In her latest piece for L.A. Weekly, editor Shana Nys Dambrot visits the Cantos of the Sibylline Sisterhood exhibit at Los Angeles’ Alyce de Roulet Williamson Gallery on the ArtCenter College of Design Hillside Campus. On view through November 23, 2022, the exhibit features feminist, queer and trans artists who bring their vision to life through a range of artistic mediums, producing unique interpretations of the exhibit’s theme of juxtaposing historical archetypes of the feminine against modern day threats. 

“In the many crosscurrents of theme, motif, material and symbolism, the group does function like a sisterhood, as each artist addresses interrelated issues of permeable identity and power dynamics playing out in their diverse cultural milieus and lived experiences, as well as in their individual styles and mediums,” writes Dambrot. “One thing they share is the understanding that the current halls of power could use some renovation, and that it’s long past time to listen to women — or better yet, lose the stunted binary and embrace a more ambiguous pluri-potentiality for a future that is actually new, and whose freedoms are truly available to all.”

Read more on L.A. Weekly here. 

Cantos of the Sibylline Sisterhood Conjures a Feminist Future

 

Irvine Weekly writer Evan J. Lancaster reports that an exciting new eatery has opened up at The District at Tustin Legacy near Irvine. Sugar lovers rejoice as the new Baked Dessert Bar specializes in mouthwatering Filipino desserts such as mini cupcakes, taho soy pudding, and eclectic presentations of Halo Halo.

“[You can find] unique items like a chicken and waffle cupcake, along with a list of more than 30 more one-of-a-kind Filipino-themed cupcakes flavors, along with speciality cakes with flavors like Turon, Ube Leche Flan, and coconut buko pandan,” writes Lancaster. “With so many Instagram-worthy treats, it’s safe to say more people want to get in line for this decadent filipino dessert hotspot as soon as possible.”

Read more on Irvine Weekly here.

 

L.A. Weekly writer Isai Rocha reports that millions of California’s L.A. County residents and business are to be asked to cut their outdoor water consumption in its entirety this September. The reasoning behind this ask, beyond California’s ongoing drought, is that the county’s Metropolitan Water District (MWD) has plans to repair a major water pipeline due a leak in the pipe. This pipe in question distributes water from the Colorado River throughout Southern California and is expected to take at least a full 15 days to repair, from September 6 until September 20.

“We need to make this urgent repair to ensure this infrastructure can continue serving Southern California in the immediate term and for years to come,” Metropolitan Water System Operations Manager Brent Yamasaki said on Monday. “While we do this work, we need people who normally get water from this pipeline to eliminate their outdoor water use to stretch the limited available water supplies. We don’t take this call lightly, but it is what is needed at this time.”

Read more on L.A. Weekly here.

Millions In L.A. County Being Asked To Cut All Outdoor Water Use

Reporter Evan J. Lancaster covers local opposition over plans to bring professional soccer team LA Galaxy to the Championship Stadium located inside Irvine’s Great Park. Those against allowing the team to play there cite the possible displacement of beloved local Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC) as a major point of concern. 

“Fans expressed the fear that the proposal would ultimately evict the Orange County Soccer Club from Championship Stadium and give exclusive rights to the LA Galaxy for Division 3 use,” writes Lancaster. “Presented by the City Manager’s office, the proposal takes into consideration complaints from community groups over access to the facility. ”

Read more on Irvine Weekly here. 

Florida’s Saint Leo University has been host to 15 curious middle schoolers this summer, as the university’s School of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Data Science (CARDS), a coed robotics camp was in full swing. At camp, students learned how to build robots and then how to code those bots to race, run mazes and even compete in a camp-wide battle.

“I love the craziness — I love the creativity (the kids) have with what they build and design,” Dr. Monika Kiss, interim chair of the Mathematics Department in CARDS and camp leader, said. “This is not an opportunity they usually have on their middle school campuses, so, hopefully, they get a taste of what they can do, whether with engineering science or coding math, or all of the above.”

Read Mike Camunas’ latest piece on Laker/Lutz here.

Kali Filipino Stick Fighting is a discipline within martial arts that is gaining popularity, thanks to recent representation in movies and television shows. Laker/Lutz News reporter Mike Camunas reached out to Grandmaster James Berdal, who teaches this form of self-defense that came to the mainstream starting in the 1970s, to learn more.

“From Day One, a stick, or two, will be in your hand,” said Berdal, who was trained in stick fighting by Supreme Grandmaster Floro Villabrille and Grandmaster Ben Largusa. “Unlike other systems, the weapons training is not until after a certain level. With the use of the sticks, the hands develop and become ambidextrous with (all the) drilling. The main purpose, for me, is to perpetuate this very beautiful and deadly art form, and its cultures, and to instill awareness of self-defense to my students.”

Read Mike Camunas’ latest piece on Laker/Lutz here.

Reporter Evan J. Lancaster covers the local Irvine finalist for the Great American Recipe Cooking Show in his latest piece for Irvine Weekly. A PBS program, the Great American Recipe Cooking Show is an eight-episode series, hosted by a panel of celebrated personalities – Alejandra Ramos, Tiffany Derry, Leah Cohen and Graham Elliot – in which contestants face off in two 30-minute cooking segments, and one 90-minute elimination challenge.

“Nguyen, who is a stand-up comedian, describes an emotional bond with cooking, something he attributes to his mother,” writes Lancaster. “Growing up in Ohio, Nguyen’s story begins with humble beginnings. But thankfully, he says, his mother’s home-cooked meals became a trusted source of nurture and nature.”

Read more on Irvine Weekly here. 

 

At just 10 years old, Elijah Sumner is proving that anything is possible if you set your mind to it! The 2021 65CC Championship winner for his age division, is an elementary school student who spends his free time working hard at pursuing his dreams of becoming a champion in his hobby. Sumner’s hard work has earned him a handful of sponsorships, including local business in his Florida hometown.

“I like to compete with my friends, just trying to win, plus just being on the track,” Sumner says. “I remember being out here when I was little (at age 4) and it was fun, and it’s where I learned the competitiveness.”

Read Mike Camunas’ latest piece on Laker/Lutz here.

You’ve heard about K-9 units, but what about horse patrol? In this piece by Laker/Lutz News reporter Mike Camunas, we meet the Pasco Sheriff’s Mounted Posse. An volunteer unit, the horses and their human coworkers provide security, education and entertainment throughout Florida’s Pasco County. From community relations and fundraising to crime prevention and search and rescue, this unique team does it all! While the team is volunteer-based, all must pass through a stringent hiring process in order to saddle up. Human volunteers must pass a background check, must own a horse, must be able to transport the horse, and, of course, must know how to ride and to tack.

“A lot of work — safety is a huge thing, so there’s a lot of training and tactics to prepare ourselves for — lots of behind the scenes stuff, too,” said Dani McGinity, a Dade City resident who has been president of the posse since 2019. “There’s care for the horse, hay, the trailer — you put a lot of money into that — the fuel, feeding them, cleaning them. … You have to enjoy doing this, and if our volunteers are putting in that much effort to be here, it has to be fun and rewarding in some way.

Read more on Laker/Lutz here.