It’s been almost a year since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, and although life hasn’t completely returned to normal just yet, things are looking up. At the time of this writing, approximately 11.9% of the U.S. population has had at least one dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine while 4.5% of the population has had both doses. The U.S. is administering over 1.8 million shots a day and President Biden has pledged a new goal of getting 150 million shots in arms during his first 100 days in office.
After being under regional stay-at-home orders for what seems like an eternity, local businesses and schools have started to reopen as coronavirus cases drop. For our special “Education” issue, we highlight local schools that have persevered during the pandemic including Westside Neighborhood School, which has updated its campus and reorganized its classroom structure to continue to support students’ academic needs and well-being during these challenging times.
Local business owner Peter Georges quickly adapted all three of his restaurants – Hash, Rodini Park and Conference Room – during the numerous shutdowns to continue serving customers and keeping his staff employed and safe. Bull & Butterfly owners Alan and Heidi Jackson got creative with extra inventory, which led them to reimagine their restaurant menu and expand their business by adding to-go services.
For those eager to spend more time outdoors as the weather warms up, a revised edition of the hit book “Trails of the Angeles” just came out and features more than 100 spectacular hiking trails to check out in Southern California. Spring is just weeks away, bringing with it a renewed sense of hope. For many, these past few months have been some of the most difficult, but they have also provided an opportunity for growth, renewal and transformation.
Poet Anne Bradstreet once said, “If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” We don’t remain in any one season or life cycle indefinitely, and the blossoming flowers, bright colors and new life around us are all reminders that spring always brings new beginnings.
Kamala Kirk
Editor • kkirk@timespublications.com
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