It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Greystone Mansion Gardens The Doheny Estate in Inglewood, CA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Inglewood, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Carrie is amazing. Very knowledgeable about Senior living, lifestyle, and care. Super responsive and phenomenal”
“Always Best Care was there for us after my wife's surgery. We had a caregiver”
“Loli demonstrated a level of professionalism that stood out, and her service and follow through”
“My dad came home from the hospital, then to hospice care for 4 months,”
“Excellent service. Professional staff and wonderful caregivers.”
“I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Servicesto help you navigate the care of”
“I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Servicesto help you navigate the care of”
“Loli is very caring, worked with us to get the best caregiver match for my”
“We are deeply grateful to Loli and to two of the ABC caregivers in particular,”
“I needed to find an assisted living community for my dad in a hurry, and”
“Always Best Care was an excellent caregiving service for the short time they tended to”
“reliable with excellent oversight”
“We have had 24/7 care for my mother with ABC for over 2 years. The”
“Loli Ramezani and her staff are top notch when it comes to the service they”
“Loli was excellent to work with. She really took the time to understand my”
“This was a wonderful experience. The care giver did a fantastic job taking care”
“Loli and the staff at Always Best Care were very professional, compassionate, and resourceful in”
“Outstanding service. I would recommend Manhattan Beach Always Best Care to anyone who needs to”
“I needed to find someone for taking care of my poor mom without being worried.”
“Loli truly cares about her clients and their families ! , She”
“Was a pleasure to meet Loli and be introduced to her at Always Best Care”
“Loli and Always Best Care was a blessing to have as care providers for my”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care is good. At this point,”
“Very pleased with Loli and her entire team. Top to bottom great service and very”
“Loli and Best Care was the perfect fit to take care of Mom for the”
“Carrie is amazing. Very knowledgeable about Senior living, lifestyle, and care. Super responsive and phenomenal follow up. An incredible resource for all things "Senior".”
“Always Best Care was there for us after my wife's surgery. We had a caregiver come each day for two weeks to help bath, feed, walk, and tidy the house during working hours so that my wife was not alone. Our caregiver Naomi was a God sent and so delightful. I often overheard my wife and Naomi singing together. What a joy! Thank you Loli and ABC Senior Services for making this service available to Beach Cities.”
“Loli demonstrated a level of professionalism that stood out, and her service and follow through made our experience with Always Best Care Senior Services stress free. We had a unique situation that required a specific type of caregiver and Loli was able to make a great match! Overall a great experience.”
“My dad came home from the hospital, then to hospice care for 4 months, then passed at home. Loli helped our family during multiple transitions of his care. She is professional and efficient, but also compassionate and empathic. She was a core contact for our family from in- and out-of town, and always responded quickly to calls, emails or txts. Dad's caregiver needs and schedules were ever-changing and Loli was always able to adjust, helping us to coordinate needs from hospice and family. We are so thankful Dad was able to spend his last months at home. We continue to use Loli's services for our mom. The caregivers are trained well and often became friends to my folks. I highly recommend Loli's services.”
“Excellent service. Professional staff and wonderful caregivers.”
“I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Servicesto help you navigate the care of your loved ones in their senior years of need. We called them when we found out my 92 year old mother in law was due to be released from the hospital but clearly not able to care for herself upon her release. It was a stressful situation but Loli new exactly the right questions to ask and heard our needs and pointed us in the right direction with all that needed to be done. She set up a call with hospice who arranged for all necessary equipment to be delivered in less than a 24 hour period. She also set up 3 very competent experienced care givers to be at the home in that same 24 hour period. The speed and professionalism in which this all happened could not have handled any better in my opinion. Working with Loli at Always Best Care Senior Services put our minds at ease and got everything set up for us to care for my mother in law. Loli was hands on in meeting with us and introducing the care givers and involved with speaking to doctors and hospice and everyone involved with my mother in laws care. She made a highly stressful time much more manageable and guided us every step of the way. She also followed up and made sure all that was supposed to be done was being taken care of. You are in good hands when calling on them for your loved ones care. I am happy to speak to anyone directly if you would like to ask any questions I give my permission for Always Best Care to give my personal phone number out to speak to anyone who is considering using their services.”
“I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Servicesto help you navigate the care of your loved ones in their senior years of need. We called them when we found out my 92 year old mother in law was due to be released from the hospital but clearly not able to care for herself upon her release. It was a stressful situation but Loli new exactly the right questions to ask and heard our needs and pointed us in the right direction with all that needed to be done. She set up a call with hospice who arranged for all necessary equipment to be delivered in less than a 24 hour period. She also set up 3 very competent experienced care givers to be at the home in that same 24 hour period. The speed and professionalism in which this all happened could not have handled any better in my opinion. Working with Loli at Always Best Care Senior Services put our minds at ease and got everything set up for us to care for my mother in law. Loli was hands on in meeting with us and introducing the care givers and involved with speaking to doctors and hospice and everyone involved with my mother in laws care. She made a highly stressful time much more manageable and guided us every step of the way. She also followed up and made sure all that was supposed to be done was being taken care of. You are in good hands when calling on them for your loved ones care. I am happy to speak to anyone directly if you would like to ask any questions I give my permission for Always Best Care to give my personal phone number out to speak to anyone who is considering using their services.”
“Loli is very caring, worked with us to get the best caregiver match for my parents, was able to schedule someone when we needed a caregiver on short notice and she always made suggestions to us to help make things better and more comfortable for my parents.”
“We are deeply grateful to Loli and to two of the ABC caregivers in particular, María Flores and Soledad, for their professionalism, dedication and superb service over the course of nearly two years. They provided coverage on evening shifts on weekends and some weekdays —as well as on occasional overnight shifts— for my mother who was in the early-to-moderate stages of Alzheimer’s. (We recently moved her into an assisted living facility.) Because our need for ABC's services was sporadic and variable, Loli and her staff often had to juggle quite a bit to accommodate us — for which we are grateful. Occasionally we’d be assigned a caregiver who wasn’t the best fit but Loli was always responsive to our concerns and would work with us to find a different caregiver. We also appreciate the “added value” that Loli brought to the table — her overall expertise on elder care, knowledge about related resources, and guidance on how to make our home safer for my mother. We are pleased to highly recommend Loli and ABC for your in-home eldercare needs.”
“I needed to find an assisted living community for my dad in a hurry, and knew that I didn't have as much time as I'd like to do all of the research on my own. I was very relieved when I found Loli to help us as a consultant for our search. She was very detail-oriented in acquiring the necessary info from us, and helped us to find a few places with availability that we could visit. I very much appreciated her knowledge of so many various communities, her professionalism, her efficiency, and the wide range of items that she suggested we consider, that we may not have thought of on our own. I would highly recommend her placement services.”
“Always Best Care was an excellent caregiving service for the short time they tended to my ailing mother, a late-stage pancreatic cancer patient. She passed away shortly after we began the caregiving service. In the short time that Always Best Care tended to my mother, the caregiver Maria demonstrated excellent experience. She tended well to my mother and assisted in any other way that she could. Thank you Maria and Always Best Care for your service. I wish you all the kindness and wellness in the world. Colin”
“reliable with excellent oversight”
“We have had 24/7 care for my mother with ABC for over 2 years. The care and compassion they showed for her really touched my heart. I have had to ask for last minute help when another caregiver (not from ABC) could not show up for a shift, Loli and staff always came through for me. She has always been available to work out problems and last minute requests, I can't say enough about how important that has been to me when I live out of state.I have really been able to rely on their judgement once they got to know my moms likes and needs, they always tried to match her with a caregiver that she would also feel comfortable with personally.The caregivers were long term, they did not come and go, mom really became attached and appreciated them. The caregivers speak highly about Loli as their employer, they have mentioned to me they really feel like she cares and looks after them as well. Touches like Loli dropping by for a visit to chat with mom, or remembering her birthday with a bunch of flowers was so great. I would definitely recommend!”
“Loli Ramezani and her staff are top notch when it comes to the service they provide. They are very accommodating on all levels from helping you think things through from start to finish, as well as remaining flexible through each process with the ultimate changes that always seem to arise. I highly recommend them and will be using them again if/when the need presents itself”
“Loli was excellent to work with. She really took the time to understand my father in-law and the family's needs. We had a wonderful caregiver for my father in-law and when it came time to move him from our home, Loli was instrumental in finding a Room and Board that was a great fit. We had used a different service and we can tell you Always Best Care is MUCH higher quality.”
“This was a wonderful experience. The care giver did a fantastic job taking care of my mother. I would recommend them to anyone. The care giver was kind, helpful, and provided all the help we needed. Their service was instrumental in my mother being able to get her independence.”
“Loli and the staff at Always Best Care were very professional, compassionate, and resourceful in providing in home care for my Mom. Loli was responsive when I needed to talk to her about changes or adjustments to my Mom’s care. With her experience and knowledge in the field of senior care she always had recommendations and resources to reach out to when we needed to consider options and alternatives for my Mom’s care. Loli was very compassionate and respectful of my Mom’s wants and needs. I would highly recommend Loli and Always Best Care for senior care services.”
“Outstanding service. I would recommend Manhattan Beach Always Best Care to anyone who needs to have care for a family member. I've had personal experience with Carrie’s organization and was very impressed with her and her caretakers.”
“I needed to find someone for taking care of my poor mom without being worried. When I talked to Loli I got the feeling she understood and she went through A to Z on everything with me. Care and quality care is truly what she delivers.”
“Loli truly cares about her clients and their families ! , She is compassionate professional”
“Was a pleasure to meet Loli and be introduced to her at Always Best Care Senior Services. Rarely have a met someone that offered so much warmth, care, and genuine concern for the well-being and happiness of her clients. Loli will be my first call when my family members need assistance.”
“Loli and Always Best Care was a blessing to have as care providers for my aunt. Loli spent countless hours herself with my aunt as a liason to help my aunt become comfortable with the transition of her employees into her house as her 24/7 care providers. All of the Always Best Care employees where very caring and professional, and they all showed great compassion for my aunt during her final months. We will be forever grateful to Loli and her staff for helping us during our time of need. There are few truly caring souls, who will give their all for those in need. Always Best Care is owned and operated by such a person, and her employees share this great gift.”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care is good. At this point, I’m just having compassionship, encouragement, lighthousework, and preparing meals. I would recommend them because they’re good, efficient, and caring.”
“Very pleased with Loli and her entire team. Top to bottom great service and very professional. Would highly recommend here and her excellent staff to anyone seeking this form of service in the South Bay”
“Loli and Best Care was the perfect fit to take care of Mom for the last 2 years. Loli insured that we had the wonderful and attentive care givers. I never had to worry about Mom. I knew she had the best care and was able to stay in her home because of the care and support provided. I would recommend Loli and Best Care to all her are looking for care for someone they love. Thanks Loli for everything.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Center Park in Inglewood, CA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local 1010 Wine and Events or visit Centinela Adobe, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Inglewood, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Inglewood, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Inglewood, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
When my great-aunt Alena Cindy Giardina bought her house in Inglewood’s Morningside Park more than five decades ago, the neighborhood was already booming. Hollywood Park had a lively racetrack, the Forum hosted great shows and the Lakers played nearby.But in the last decade, my aunt has watched the city rise to a new level around her: The Metro line expanded, Hollywood Park transformed into a multiuse shopping center and the new SoFi Stadium brought big games to the neighborhood. There are plans to build a luxury hotel in Hollyw...
When my great-aunt Alena Cindy Giardina bought her house in Inglewood’s Morningside Park more than five decades ago, the neighborhood was already booming. Hollywood Park had a lively racetrack, the Forum hosted great shows and the Lakers played nearby.
But in the last decade, my aunt has watched the city rise to a new level around her: The Metro line expanded, Hollywood Park transformed into a multiuse shopping center and the new SoFi Stadium brought big games to the neighborhood. There are plans to build a luxury hotel in Hollywood Park and more apartment complexes in Inglewood too.
Giardina, who has served as a parks and recreation commissioner for Inglewood and on the City Council, told me during an evening chat that, when she moved in, the city was “on the verge of exploding [and] becoming a really fabulous community.”
Any one weekend can show how much the city has changed. Including the last one.
Hollywood Park was transformed once again into the festival grounds for the 19th annual Hard Summer music festival, which tens of thousands attended. Meanwhile, the Kia Forum hosted two concerts, including one that coincided with the festival. SoFi was preparing for two concerts of its own, and of course the stadium’s summer has been partly defined by the eight FIFA World Cup games it hosted.
Residents of Inglewood share their neighborhood with thousands of visitors every event.
Road closures, heavy congestion, competition for parking and big noises can stalk any humble Inglewood resident these days. They and their city have had to adjust.
Indeed, the first day of the Hard festival followed the expected pattern. Saturday saw hordes of people being directed across closed-down streets in Hollywood Park. Cars, lined up bumper to bumper, stretched for about a mile past SoFi Stadium. Street closures extended past the city too.
Chandra Richardson, who has lived in Inglewood for five years, has developed a routine of checking events in the area each day before making any major plans.
“The only time I really get stuck is if I have something to do on Century Boulevard, which I try to avoid,” Richardson said. Century Boulevard adjoins Hollywood Park, SoFi Stadium, Intuit Dome and more. “But one day, I went to Target and got stuck because I forgot there was a game.”
Parking lots close to events can sometimes charge more than $100 per car. In the first few blocks of neighborhoods directly surrounding SoFi, new signs warning of two-hour parking only or tow-away zones keep the parking clear for residents.
And, last year, a curfew was established to limit late-night noise from the venues.
“There are times when the stadium or the concerts that are outside of the stadium are so loud that we can hear them here,” said Christyn Carter, who lives two miles away in Morningside Park. “And those concerts that go late into the evening during the week, that could affect my sleep, my babies’ sleep.”
Richardson has found a few ways to cope. For one thing, triple-paned windows help. But sometimes the noise is welcome: “If we’re watching a game, I like to hear the roar of the crowd from SoFi.”
On a recent weekday evening in Hollywood Park, the Iconix was filled with residents and locals getting in a workout; teens were hanging out at the new Raising Cane’s; two women bonded over drinks and appetizers at the Meeting Spot; and a father played with his children through the walkways.
“I’ve seen how [Hollywood Park’s growth] has benefited residents,” said Claudine Cooper, a fitness instructor at the Hollywood Park Iconix and a 26-year resident of Inglewood.
For my aunt Cindy, the growth, and the crowds, are a reminder of how far the city has come.
“I am so proud to be part of this new experiment,” she told me, “which is this incredible melting pot where people come from all walks of life and we all fuse together and enjoy each other.”
Not everybody loves it, though. The Lennox-Inglewood Tenants Union organized protests before and during the construction of SoFi. One of its organizers called the new stadium “a crisis for renters” in a 2022 L.A. Times article.
Times reporting showed that Inglewood was one of the most affordable places to buy a home in Los Angeles County as of 2016. By 2021, the median home price had increased a whopping 84%.
Contraband fuel
Today’s great photo is from photographer Ariana Drehsler of the 10-year anniversary live concert of “La La Land.”
Have a great day, from the Essential California team
Jim Rainey, staff reporter Hugo Martín, assistant editor, Fast Break desk Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor Andrew J. Campa, weekend writer Karim Doumar, head of newsletters
SLIPKNOT have announced their (sic)est Stadium Tour, crossing the globe Summer 2027. The tour, produced by Live Nation, launches July 3 at London’s historic Wembley Stadium, in a UK and Europe exclusive. The tour stops at SoFi Stadium on Friday, August 13, with special guests Bring Me The Horizon and Loathe.Featuring a brand new set, new staging and a setlist spanning across their career, these shows will be the ultimate Slipknot experience to date.In case you missed it, ...
SLIPKNOT have announced their (sic)est Stadium Tour, crossing the globe Summer 2027. The tour, produced by Live Nation, launches July 3 at London’s historic Wembley Stadium, in a UK and Europe exclusive. The tour stops at SoFi Stadium on Friday, August 13, with special guests Bring Me The Horizon and Loathe.
Featuring a brand new set, new staging and a setlist spanning across their career, these shows will be the ultimate Slipknot experience to date.
In case you missed it, Slipknot have uncovered massive projections and snipes across the world hinting at tonight’s epic (sic)est Stadium Tour Launch experience. Fans are encouraged to meetup at London’s Wembley Stadium (5-9PM) and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles (5-9PM) to grab whichever tickets they’d like for each respective show before the rest of the world, ahead of all presales and general onsale to the public. Each event will feature a pop-up shop with exclusive, very limited merch items, and the first 500 ticket purchasers will receive a free event poster with exclusive art. Each event is first come, first served. At sunset, fans are encouraged to gather around a 30 foot high, iconic flaming Slipknot Tribal S symbol. See details for each location below:
(sic)est Stadium Tour Launch experience Los Angeles, CA at SoFi Stadium: Address: 3919 Pincay Dr, Inglewood, CA 90305 Parking: Opens at 3PM, Free parking is located right by the tribal S in Lot C. Located on Pincay Drive, please use the above address to be routed directly to the lot. Box Office: Open from 5-9PM PST – Tickets will be available for sale at the Entry 5 Box Office
How To Buy Tickets On Site: You can only purchase tickets at the box office window. Cash sales are not accepted, all tickets must be purchased via a debit or credit card. Tickets will not be printed, they will be emailed digitally. 8 tickets maximum per person.
Ticket Options + Seating Map: VIP Packages and all ticket price levels will be available. VIP perks include early entry, access to private Slipknot-themed lounges, exclusive items signed by the band, and more. Packages will be available for purchase with each ticket. For more information on VIP packages, visit slipknot1.com/VIP
For more info and the most up to date Los Angeles launch event, go HERE.
TICKETS: Slipknot’s Artist Presale kicks off on Tuesday, September 29 at 10AM Local. Knotfest Presale starts at 12PM Local Tuesday, September 29 at 12PM Local HERE and is followed by additional presales throughout the week. The general on sale begins Friday, October 2 at 10AM Local HERE. For more information and tickets, visit https://slipknot1.com/. Please check local listings for full presale and onsale details, as ticketing timelines vary by market.
Earlier this month, Slipknot surprised fans with their anthemic offering “Arsenal” – the band’s first new track in over three years. The single arrived alongside its eerie and imaginative music video directed by M Shawn Crahan - (clown) and starring Jackson White. On “Arsenal”, Slipknot sound sharper than ever, the direct result of their commitment to the music, first and foremost. The track is an undeniable statement of strength in the face of diversity, and a new marker for the world to deal with and wonder how Slipknot was always - and still remains - so dynamic and modern.
The culture of Slipknot has spread much farther than anyone could have predicted when nine guys from Iowa put on masks and uniforms, and began challenging the globe to keep up. The band’s influence can now be seen and felt in the underground, in those artists headlining rock and metal festivals across the world, and virtually everywhere in between. Across genres and subgenres, artists the world over are following in footsteps that have led out of the Midwest and onto stages around the world. And all without an ounce of compromise, to anyone. That authenticity has lauded them billions of streams, a Grammy award and several nominations, multiple RIAA certifications, and most recently prior to now, a completely sold-out global anniversary tour across some of the largest stages around the world (London’s O2 Arena, Madison Square Garden, LA’s Intuit Dome, etc). And they’re not letting up.
Nearly three decades in, it's evident that Slipknot still summon the drive, creativity, and band camaraderie required to make music like this. Their rise to becoming one of the greatest and most influential rock bands of the 21st century is marked by hardship, having weathered enormous personal tragedies and facing them head on, a drive that has earned them respect from their fans and naysayers alike. Through it all, they’ve kept a fighting spirit that’s allowed them to keep innovating, and keep testing the ragged edges of their sound to see how much further they can push it.
Troy Aikman deserves a new contract. That’s not just my opinion. Ask his ESPN colleagues Michael Wilbon and Stephen A. Smith.With play-by-play partner Joe Buck sitting pretty via a reported six-year, $108 million contract extension, ESPN’s star Monday Night Football game analyst is still twisting in the wind. Some of Aikman’s high-profile colleagues at ESPN have begun speaking out publicly.Wilbon, one of the most respected voices in media, called out his bosses at the worldwide leader for not completi...
Troy Aikman deserves a new contract. That’s not just my opinion. Ask his ESPN colleagues Michael Wilbon and Stephen A. Smith.
With play-by-play partner Joe Buck sitting pretty via a reported six-year, $108 million contract extension, ESPN’s star Monday Night Football game analyst is still twisting in the wind. Some of Aikman’s high-profile colleagues at ESPN have begun speaking out publicly.
Wilbon, one of the most respected voices in media, called out his bosses at the worldwide leader for not completing an extension with the best NFL game analyst in the business.
“You know who calls a game better than Troy Aikman, knuckleheads? NOBODY calls a game better than Troy Aikman!” declared Wilbon, as he signed off an episode of Pardon the Interruption with Tony Kornheiser earlier this week.
Smith, arguably the face of ESPN, “sincerely” wants ESPN to keep Aikman and Buck together. At 25 years and counting, they’re the longest-running broadcast duo on NFL TV. Did we mention the celebrated pair is poised to call ESPN’s first Super Bowl telecast on Feb. 14—after previously calling the Big Game six times for Fox Sports? No wonder Smith described them as the “A team” on his SiriusXM show Monday.
“They are the A team. Joe Buck, it don’t get no better, play-by-play. Excuse the double negative. It’s just the truth. And I feel the exact same way about Troy Aikman, who I love, who I’ve loved for years. That’s their business, that’s ESPN’s business, that’s ABC’s business, and all of that. I know they’ll be calling the Super Bowl this year,” said Smith per Awful Announcing.
The First Take star continued: “Troy Aikman is a three-time Super Bowl champion, an elite football mind whose credentials and résumé is as impeccable as they come, and it speaks for itself. I sincerely hope that we don’t lose him as a person that’s employed by ESPN, but if we do lose him, I want to wish him all the happiness in the world if he decides to go elsewhere. Because football must have Troy Aikman’s voice in it, he’s that special of a guy and a football mind, and I sincerely hope that we keep him.”
Wilbon and Smith have a point. The 59-year-old Aikman’s current five-year, $90 million deal expires after Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium. But the Pro Football Hall of Famer hasn’t received a formal contract offer, sources say. The pending free agent said in a Dallas radio interview last week that he’s already looking forward to his next “landing spot.”
It didn’t have to be this way. Aikman and the 57-year-old Buck are represented by the same powerful talent agency: CAA. They could have used their leverage to force a package deal. But when Buck went his own way, Aikman was left on his own. If ESPN management can’t—or won’t—come to terms, Aikman will likely be calling games for CBS Sports, Amazon Prime Video, or Netflix next season. Meanwhile, his 25-year run with Buck will be history.
Wilbon and Smith are two of the savviest operators in the business. They remember the bad old days, before ESPN hired Aikman and Buck away from Fox Sports in 2022. Back then, ESPN was viewed as having the weakest broadcast team among the NFL’s media partners. As a result, the sports cable giant routinely got the worst game schedule from the NFL despite paying more than any other league partner.
With their gravitas and Super Bowl résumé, Aikman and Buck helped ESPN repair its tattered relationship with NFL brass on Park Avenue. That has paid off in much stronger game matchups for MNF in recent years.
Consider ESPN’s MNF telecast of the Bills’ 37–34 win over the Rams on Oct. 12. The overtime thriller pulled a broadcast TV–like 19.8 million viewers. Through Week 5, MNF is off to its best viewership start since ESPN acquired the package in 2006, averaging 19.3 million viewers. That’s up 16% over the same period last year. Without Aikman, Buck, and sideline reporters Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge, does anybody think ESPN would score a matchup like Bills-Rams in Week 5? Or Broncos-Chiefs in Week 1? Color me skeptical. Why mess with that success?
Could the two sides be playing hardball before an eventual deal? Sure. Maybe the plain-spoken Aikman is negotiating publicly and doesn’t want to leave Buck and ESPN. Likewise, maybe ESPN brass is keeping its powder dry until its big Super Bowl presser at parent Disney’s sleek New York City headquarters on Dec. 1. ESPN could grandly announce it’s re-upped Aikman through its second Super Bowl in early 2031, and everybody would be happy.
It would be a nice, feel-good Disney script. But don’t bet on it. It’s getting ugly out there. We’re still dealing with human beings who are grappling emotionally with feelings of pride, betrayal, and anger. Things may have reached the point of no return for Aikman, Buck, and ESPN. As my Front Office Sports colleague Ryan Glasspiegel first reported, the “tension” over their respective contract situations sparked an argument between Aikman and Buck before Bills-Rams last week.
Cooler heads prevailed. Yes, the pair avoided the elephant in the broadcast booth during their last two MNF telecasts. But aside from the typical on-air bonhomie, something seems off to me. At times, the partners seem to have trouble looking each other in the eye. Aikman and Buck speak past each other, not to each other. As consummate pros, they’ve masked it well. But it’s a shame to see such a historic TV partnership ending in such a fashion.
Aikman deserves better. But, sadly, history is repeating itself. He gave his all to Fox for two decades. But during his last contract negotiation in 2022, management let him walk without making an offer. It was a fateful decision that reset the talent chessboard. Since that moment, ESPN has gone from worst to first among NFL broadcast booths.
As for ESPN management, Phil Simms believes the network has already made its decision on Aikman’s successor. “They’ve got their eye on somebody else,” he told Kay Adams. The former Giants QB knows whereof he speaks: Simms served as CBS’s lead game analyst for 19 seasons for the Tiffany Network. But Simms was blindsided when CBS demoted him to the studio in favor of the fresh-off-the-field Cowboys QB Tony Romo in 2017.
So who’s Simms’s mystery candidate? He didn’t say. But my sources point to Greg Olsen, the Fox game analyst who drew rave reviews for his call of Super Bowl LVII with Kevin Burkhardt in 2023 before being dropped to No. 2 behind Tom Brady, as the likeliest candidate.
Olsen’s contract with Fox is up after this season. He’s made no secret that he wants a No. 1 color role. Maybe ESPN wants to get younger in the MNF booth with the 41-year-old Olsen vs. Aikman, who turns 60 in November. As one well-placed source told me: “It has to be Olsen. He’s available, aggrieved, and has already been a [No. 1] analyst.”
What about Peyton and Eli Manning? They’re already under the aegis of the four letters via their ManningCast and multiple projects through Omaha Productions. But does either of the Manning brothers want the hassle of traveling when they already call a limited schedule of MNF games from home studios?
So I keep coming back to ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro’s game-changing talent raid on rival Fox in 2022. Maybe Pitaro and ESPN content czar Burke Magnus go ahead and make the obvious hire with Olsen. But they could also be playing 3D chess here while preparing to pull an okey-doke on all of us.
Could it be that ESPN is already targeting 37-year-old Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce for MNF? Hell, his older brother, Jason Kelce, is already an ESPN analyst. His younger brother—the husband of global pop superstar Taylor Swift—could draw millions of new female fans to MNF and the NFL. Then there’s 40-year-old Rams coach Sean McVay. He looks miserable after his 2–4 start this season. McVay was previously this close to joining Amazon Prime Video. The NFL now owns 10% of ESPN. Maybe ESPN figures Aikman has done his job at helping to repair their relationship with the Shield, and now it’s time for the next chapter of the iconic MNF.
Nothing lasts forever. But that doesn’t mean anybody can, or will, call MNF better than Aikman and Buck. Fair warning: If Aikman’s replacement flops, ESPN will have egg on its face worse than the Jason Witten–BoogerMobile fiasco in 2018. So here’s some free advice for the brass in Bristol. To paraphrase Celtics legend Red Auerbach: Sometimes, the best trades are the ones you don’t make.
The owner of Cuban Leaf Cigar Lounge said the business is preparing to leave its Market Street location by the end of August following the sale of the property.Owner Pahvae Psalms said the transition has disrupted his membership-based business, displaced loyal customers and ended years of investment in downtown Inglewood.Psalms, a former music industry executive and producer, said he spent nearly $200,000 building out the space for the cigar lounge when he signed the lease three years ago.“They sold the building up...
The owner of Cuban Leaf Cigar Lounge said the business is preparing to leave its Market Street location by the end of August following the sale of the property.
Owner Pahvae Psalms said the transition has disrupted his membership-based business, displaced loyal customers and ended years of investment in downtown Inglewood.
Psalms, a former music industry executive and producer, said he spent nearly $200,000 building out the space for the cigar lounge when he signed the lease three years ago.
“They sold the building up under my nose without me knowing it,” Psalms said. “The previous owners assured me that they’d renew my contract and I’d be around for the Olympics.”
The previous listed owners, 118 North Market Street LLC, could not be reached for comment.
For nearly a decade, Cuban Leaf Cigar Lounge has served as a gathering place for professionals, entrepreneurs and cigar enthusiasts in Inglewood. It was previously located on Florence Avenue near Locust Street. Now, Psalms is facing the difficult task of relocating the business again after learning the building had been sold.
“There’s a large exodus of businesses, legacy businesses, without communication or coordination from the city or the mayor’s office,” said Cherella Nicholson, president of the Downtown Inglewood Association. “About 10 businesses have left Market Street in the last nine months.”
Inglewood Mayor James Butts wrote in an email that “neither the city nor the mayor’s office is informed when businesses close in the city.”
“Businesses close or move for a variety of reasons unconnected with the government,” Butts wrote. “I have no information that 10 businesses closed in the last 9 months on Market Street.”
Psalms said he was notified during the last week of May that the property had changed hands.
According to Psalms, the new building owner is the Martin family, who owns multiple restaurants in Inglewood. Psalms said he hasn’t received any official paperwork to vacate from the previous owners or from the Martin family. Christian Martin said he and his family met with Psalms in person to discuss the ownership change and Psalms told The LA Local discussions have primarily been over the phone.
The lounge’s water service was shut off in mid-June when the property changed ownership and after provisions in the existing lease requiring the landlord to pay for water were rejected, Psalms said. The water was turned back on after the transfer of ownership, Martin explained.
Martin told The LA Local his family bought the property housing the cigar lounge in June and that Psalms was on a month-to-month lease. Martin said he gave Psalms 90 days to vacate after speaking with him in person, and there was no need for a formal eviction.
“When it’s time for them to sell, they didn’t even offer us the chance to buy,” Psalms said. “I would’ve bought the building.”
Martin also said his family bought the space because they will eventually have to move four businesses affected by the city’s transit project.
Cuban Leaf’s move also affects their membership program. More than 30 members who paid approximately $3,000 annually will have to receive refunds for the remainder of their memberships, creating an additional financial burden, Psalms said
While he searches for a new location, Psalms hopes to remain on Market Street — this time as a property owner rather than a tenant.
“It kind of hurts because it’s personal for me,” Psalms said. “But I’m still excited about the future.”
My background: I was raised in LA’s Crenshaw District and spent nearly a decade as an educator in the Los Angeles Unified School District before starting my journalism career in TV news. I was a broadcast news reporter for 14 years.
What I do: I cover Inglewood and South LA as a reporter for The LA Local. I’m honored to be a part of community-powered news in Los Angeles and helping people tell their stories.
Why LA: LA is my home and after living all over the country, there’s no other place I’d rather be. The weather, the diversity, the global appeal and the laid-back vibe is just what I need.
The best way to contact me: My email is [email protected].
Inglewood’s elections are just over two months away — and we want to put the issues you care about at the center of the conversation.Please take a few minutes to fill out the Inglewood Voter Survey below and tell us what you’re thinking ahead of the Nov. 3 election on issues ranging from the impact of the upcoming Olympics to food security. Your answers will help direct our reporters’ coverage of the election and Inglewood as a whole.Inglewood released an official list of candidates and issues that will ...
Inglewood’s elections are just over two months away — and we want to put the issues you care about at the center of the conversation.
Please take a few minutes to fill out the Inglewood Voter Survey below and tell us what you’re thinking ahead of the Nov. 3 election on issues ranging from the impact of the upcoming Olympics to food security. Your answers will help direct our reporters’ coverage of the election and Inglewood as a whole.
Inglewood released an official list of candidates and issues that will be on the Inglewood ballot this November.
The list includes 18 candidates for mayor, two City Council seats or three spots on the Inglewood Unified School District Board of Education, according to the Inglewood City Clerk’s office.
There’s also a trio of ballot measures that cover as well as up to $400 million in school district bonds.
My background: I spent my early years in downtown Los Angeles and lived the last decade between Pico Union and University Park. Before journalism, I spent stints as an after-school tutor and a housing social worker. I’ve covered immigration, religion, housing, local government and a little bit of everything else for outlets in Los Angeles and beyond.
What I do: I keep an eye on local institutions — like city governments, police departments and school boards — and an ear to the ground for the good, the bad and the weird things going on in South LA and Inglewood. I tell you what I find out on our website, in our newsletter and on social media.
Why LA?: This place is home. I love the people, the cultures, the hills and the Pacific Ocean.
The best way to contact me: My email is [email protected]. Find me on Signal @isaiahembee.23.
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