Mary Cummins Investigative Reporter Los Angeles, California

Saturday, October 29, 2022

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Dia de Muertos Day of the Dead October 29 2022 by Mary Cummins

Mary Cummins, dia de muertos, day of the dead, hollywood forever cemetery, mary cummins, hollywood, los angeles, california, catrina, ofrenda, altar, folklorico, cemetery, latino

23rd Annual Dia de los Muertos Day of the Dead Noche de los Muertos celebration at Hollywood Forever Cemetery October 29, 2022. This year's theme is Mayahuel the Maguey Goddess.Ofrenda, 82 altars, altar contests, Catrinas, Catrina contest, music, dancing, folklorico, Aztec, food vendors, childrens center, three stages.

Address: Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90038
@hwdforever ladayofthedead.com

Talent, Entertainment, singers, dancers: Tradicion Dance Company, Las Mijas Danza Micana, Neiya Arts, Grupo Folklorico Sabor de Mexico, Folklor Mexicano Cielo Rojo, Estevie, Grupo Folklorico Cielito Lindo.

Sponsors: AT&T , ABC7 , UNAM Los Angeles , @mayahuelasg , Estrella Jalisco, Tito'sVodka, Northgate Market.

Producers: Tyler Cassity, Yogu Kanthiah, Jay Boileau, Celine Mares & Daisy Marquez co founders.

Event information: https://www.ladayofthedead.com/event-info/

Catrina contest. A woman named Janan Beltran from Australia won this year. She said she was inspired by Christina Sanchez from Riverside. Catrina Camilla from Ventura County, Kimberly Bueno? from El Serreno, Jose from San Diego, April from San Bernardino, Charito Fernandez were some of the other contestants.

Below are some photos I took at Dia de los Muertos.

Monday, July 18, 2022

Kent Twitchell Murals in Los Angeles, California, GPS address map driving tour by Mary Cummins

kent twitchell, mural, muralist, los angeles, california, mary cummins, california, harbor freeway overture, freeway lady, ed ruscha, bride, groom, marathon, seventh street altarpiece, map, gps, address, bride and groom, Steve McQueen, Ed Ruscha Monument, Harbor Freeway Overture, Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra, Holy Trinity with Virgin, Strother Martin, The Word, Jesus Christ

Below are some of the murals Kent Twitchell has done in Los Angeles, California. Their photos, GPS coordinates, addresses and link to Google maps are included for easy reference for driving or just viewing online. The ones on the freeways have been covered in graffiti and cover paint as of July 2022 so don't bother seeing them in person. Leaf was also painted over.

Bride and Groom
Photos taken by me July 19, 2022 from the parking lot.

1972-1976
240 South Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012
Between 2nd and 3rd streets rear side of building
GPS 34.05129831956354, -118.2474436629867

https://www.google.com/maps/place/240+S+Broadway,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90012/@34.0526857,-118.2477931,198a,35y,180h,39.42t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c2c64bfb1b20b1:0xa82e86a614ab7ac1!8m2!3d34.0513214!4d-118.2475236

Ed Ruscha Monument
Photos taken by me July 19, 2022 from the street

1978–1987 original, painted over then remade in this new location
The Historic American Hotel in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles
303 S. Hewitt Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Corner Traction and Hewitt. 714 Traction.
GPS 34.045325197715705, -118.23632221532253

https://www.google.com/maps/place/American+Hotel/@34.0453252,-118.2370734,84a,35y,90h,39.52t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m8!3m7!1s0x0:0xe6e0e83073f9c452!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d34.0452189!4d-118.236249

The Freeway Lady

1974 original 2015 current
Los Angeles Valley College, 5711 Fulton Ave, Valley Glen, California 91401
GPS 34.17428302119667, -118.42275213995057

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fulton+Ave+%26+Oxnard+St,+Los+Angeles,+CA+91401/@34.1743117,-118.4224666,3a,37.5y,85.66h,85.46t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sykuSRL15Qm5TQmUUvpT5xw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c2965b817e2c37:0xea1f8051c6496fc1!8m2!3d34.1794091!4d-118.422546

Harbor Freeway Overture
Photos taken by me July 2022

1991–1993
Citicorp Plaza parking structure exterior, 8th Street and the Harbor Freeway 110, Los Angeles, California
1018 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017
GPS 34.049304303708894, -118.26326274697789

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1000+W+8th+St,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90017/@34.0491249,-118.2634487,3a,75y,50.63h,107.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1so0uA4BgVwu_yWOLeH3o52g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c2c7b0b89061f3:0x6e451333572d0d4e!8m2!3d34.0488856!4d-118.2633708

Holy Trinity with Virgin
Photos taken by me July 19, 2022 from Carondelet Street. The full photo below I took with wide angle from the gap under the fence.

1978
Otis College of Art and Design exterior. 2401 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California facing Carondelet, west side of campus.
Actual address is 634 S Carondelet St, Los Angeles, CA 90057
GPS 34.06051531605821, -118.27996164447936

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0606461,-118.2802464,3a,60y,103.36h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sWEco02YvDJn5tGsfsGqjLA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en

L.A. Marathon Mural

1990
Southbound side of 5 Freeway just past Stadium Way Exit
Covered in graffiti and cover paint. Not visible as of July 2022

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0944101,-118.24258,3a,60y,226.2h,88.91t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sRB5q6WH-d6kZ562RxTvuuA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en

Seventh Street Altarpiece

Below are the originals

Below are how they are today July 2022

1983–1984
US 101 under Grand overpass. Covered in heavy tagging. Not visible.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0590897,-118.2452865,3a,75y,5.21h,102.84t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s3upfm0j_t9HRifO7nk77Ug!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Six Los Angeles Artists

1979
Employment Development Department exterior rear side
1220 Engracia Avenue, Torrance, California 90501
GPS 33.83563505214858, -118.3183834739392

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1220+Engracia+Ave,+Torrance,+CA+90501/@33.8355297,-118.3181159,3a,90y,282.13h,80.21t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5-SE-3GbRAgNTqxzE8bDTw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x80dd4ab715e264bb:0x369230322f360ce2!8m2!3d33.8355079!4d-118.3184784

Steve McQueen Monument
I took the first two photos July 19, 2022. There's a locked fence and lots of plants.

1971
Northwest corner dwelling at Union Avenue and 12th Street exterior
1151 S Union Ave, Los Angeles, California 90015
GPS 34.046479688767135, -118.27601625581796

https://www.google.com/maps/place/W+12th+St+%26+S+Union+Ave,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90015/@34.0466057,-118.2757873,3a,37.5y,242.01h,92.94t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQ5tOGQH9A8jMYAwKPInCeg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c2c7bd89e8bfd9:0x7bbbcddf2354deb2!8m2!3d34.0462035!4d-118.2760225

Strother Martin Monument
Photos taken by me July 20, 2022

1972 though name says 1971
Fountain Ave at Kingsley Drive exterior of southwest corner side of building.
5200 Fountain Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029
GPS 34.095031496561326, -118.30261318588079

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0951458,-118.3023874,3a,75y,240.45h,90.36t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_V_t9use_RQPsqjzBWXuEg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

The Watchers
1984
4814 Hollywood Boulevard (near Vermont Avenue) on an east-facing wall below the Junior Art Gallery. I was there July 2022 and couldn't find it. A person a few years ago also couldn't find it. I walked around all three buildings that make up the Junior Art Center. I walked under the buildings and on all the floors. Nada.

1984 9' x 20'
Barnsdall Park Junior Arts Center exterior below under building
4814 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Junior+Arts+Center/@34.1005889,-118.2942916,140a,35y,180h,39.44t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x9e4f76bc52938150!4b1!8m2!3d34.0998221!4d-118.2936476

The Word

1989–1990
Biola University Science Building exterior. Campus address is 13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada.
Specific address Bardwell Hall, Sutherland Way, La Mirada, CA 90638
GPS 33.90635704277332, -118.01488516687347

https://www.google.com/maps/place/13800+Biola+Ave,+La+Mirada,+CA+90639/@33.9062777,-118.0141677,85a,35y,270h,39.53t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x80dd2b5919ab0f61:0x82a08c167e275908!8m2!3d33.905432!4d-118.0150979

We The People, Out of Many, One

Building was closed so I took this of the building and through the glass door July 20, 2022. They close for lunch 12 - 1:00.

Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, Lobby
1816 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm.
GPS 34.0352°N 118.271°W

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1816+S+Figueroa+St,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90015/@34.0353071,-118.2732769,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c2c7c3e3409f8b:0x7d6895e59db04417!8m2!3d34.0353071!4d-118.2710882

JFK and Ronald Reagan. He also did Nelson Mandela on the right.
I took these July 20, 2022. There are also murals on the back. It's called "Back of the Wall."

Mural on Berlin Wall
5900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
In front of building

https://www.google.com/maps/place/5900+Wilshire+Blvd,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90036/@34.0627423,-118.3585373,43a,35y,180h,39.54t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c2b93d280ac4e9:0xb3e8a4339bde217d!8m2!3d34.0620864!4d-118.358567

The Wedding

2001
Hillside Memorial Park and Cemetery
Jewish Cemetery
6001 W. Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045
It's in the building that faces Centinela near Green Valley Circle near the gas station. Line up the billboards in the photo. I don't see it in Google view so maybe it's gone.
GPS 33.977862, -118.387608

Kent Twitchell old website
http://web.archive.org/web/20210625070045/http://www.kenttwitchell.org/about/

Kent Twitchell on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/kent.twitchell1

https://www.facebook.com/kenttwitchellart

If you want to see his main Los Angeles murals, here's a nice easy route. This omits The Word and The Freeway Lady which are farther away and the murals destroyed on the freeways. It starts in the Arts District in downtown Los Angeles and ends in Hollywood. This is the most driving effective route. Nice places to eat on either end. You can add in Bob Hope Patriotic Hall but call for their hours.

303 S. Hewitt Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
1018 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017
240 South Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012
1151 S Union Ave, Los Angeles, California 90015
634 S Carondelet St, Los Angeles, CA 90057
4814 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90027

5200 Fountain Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Sunday, April 10, 2022

Who is Vishal Garg of Better.com, Better Mortgage? Father Chand, Mother, Brother Vikas, manhole covers from India, by Mary Cummins

Vishal Garg of Better Mortgage better.com was born in Rajasthan, India about 1978. I have the exact birth dates but I'm not posting them even though they're public. I'm only posting public information. Vishal Garg is a public figure. These are issues of public concern. He moved with his mother, father and brother to New York as a child.

Vishal Garg's father is Chand Prakash Garg born about 1952 in India. Chand Garg is a mechanical engineer per his LinkedIn page. He attended the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, PGDM ( MBA ), Strategic Planning, PGDM ( MBA ) 1974 - 1976 and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, BE ( Hons ), Mechanical Engineering, BE ( Hons ), Mechanical Engineering, 1968 - 1973.

Chand Garg owns and operates Global Business Inc out of his home in Forest Hills, New York. GBI is in the "construction business." Chand Garg works with R B AGARWALLA & CO. making, selling manhole covers. There have been many articles an even a documentary about Indian made manhole covers which are used widely in New York and other states in the US. There is a photo from 2003 of Chand proudly holding a design for a manhole cover. The rest of the article is basically about Chand and the company bragging about basically using super cheap almost slave labor with little to no safety or environmental regulations to make lots of money.

Chand Garg was quoted in the following 2003 article ("The Ironcast System," S Mitra Kalita, Newsday, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, Monday, January 20, 2003) about why the US buys manhole covers from India. It's because of cheap labor, cheap supplies, little to no safety/environmental regulations and profits.

"We pay these people $1 per day for eight hours," said B.N. Agarwal, senior partner of R.B. Agarwalla in Calcutta, which exports manhole covers. "Their cost in the U.S. is $24 per hour. The advantage of India is only labor." New York City is R.B. Agarwalla's largest contract, worth about $2 million annually. Most foundries bid through U.S.-based contractors, and the family-run Agarwalla's middleman works from his home in Forest Hills.

Chand Garg rises each day at 6 a.m. to catch his clients in India before they leave for the day. Folders stuffed with designs for manhole covers, valve boxes and water hydrants fill Garg's second-floor office. He says he has formed close relationships with the staff of the city's Department of Environmental Protection, which is in charge of the city's manhole covers. Like Garg, many DEP staffers have a background in engineering. And like Garg, many are Indian. The same can be said for the dozen or so middlemen like Garg who operate throughout the United States bidding on contracts and then placing orders with foundries in India.

"We know each other but we don't talk to each other," he said. "We are competing. Sometimes we lose the bids for $100 on a million-dollar contract."

Manhole cover costs vary by weight, and New York City's current specifications call for them to be 27 inches in diameter, the cover to weigh 195 pounds and the frame to weight 345 pounds. Garg said Indian foundries often charge 24 cents per pound, while their American counterparts charge 50 cents per pound."

The manhole covers are built in Howrah, India in foundries. These foundries were set up during the 1800's by the British colonialists during their occupation of India. There's very little safety regulations in the foundries. They emit huge quantities of smoke and pollutants.

A New York Times article "New York Manhole Covers Forged Barefoot in India" exposed the dangers and harsh working conditions in the foundries. There is little to no safety equipment. Instead of machinery and forklifts the barefoot men lift and carry the heavy manhole covers. The working conditions were so shocking that they've since been investigated. There's a documentary film called "Cast in India (trailer)." Many of these workers are maimed or killed making manhole covers.

This explains a lot about Vishal Garg who thinks his employees are lazy and never work hard enough for him. This is why he's always grinding contractors and business associates. His father clearly taught him that it's good to abuse and take advantage of employees and business associates in the name of profits and money. That's clearly all Vishal Garg cares about.

I had to find this information through newspapers.com. All mention of Chand Garg and the manhole covers was erased from the same articles on the internet. His name, name of his business are available on the internet.

Chand Garg self identifies as Southeast Asian, Hindu, language Hindi. He lists his business category as "metal services" "wholesale." He's registered to vote in New York. He lives in a 2.5 story home in Forest Hills, New York. Home is 2,549-3,200 sf, 5 bed, 4 bath, two kitchens so maybe a guest house, estimate $1.6-1.8M and tax assessed at over $1,000,000 built 1910. He bought it for $472K in 1992 then listed it for sale for $2.5-$2.6M recently then removed the listing. Sounds over priced. Based on the photos he posted when he listed his house his parents appear to be religious Hindu. https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/7743-Kew-Forest-Ln_Flushing_NY_11375_M47524-40979

Vishal's mother is Manju. His brother is Vikas C Garg born about 1980. Vikas is involved in abillionveg abillion.com. His main job seems to be venture funding for his own business. "I spent most of my career working in Wall Street, finance, trading and hedge funds. I even worked for the U.S. government for a few years and helped them manage money. I had this whole career separately outside of my social values. It was this career that brought me to Singapore six years ago."

Vishal talking about his youth. "Yes. My mom, dad, brother and I moved to New York City when I was five, so I was a minority student in the public school system. I was fortunate to have my father, a math genius, coach me in the subject: he and I spent many summers on his office floor learning math from old Indian textbooks."

It appears abillionveg now called just abillion wants to raise funds for their app which just hosts reviews of vegan products made by other people. He hooked up with a tech guy to create the business just like Vishal and Khan. Maybe he's copying his brother's business model of raising funds for a business then keeping as much money for himself. The abillionveg Facebook page is gone. I've been vegan forever. In the last 5-10 years so many people just use veganism to raise venture funds. They don't even intend for the company to be successful or even operational.

Vishal is married to Sonia Alexander Palmieri Li who was born in Los Angeles. Her father was an Asian mathematician, statistician maybe from Hawaii who died in 2013. Her mother is Dr Deborah Anne Palmieri born in Massachusetts who specializes in Russian business. She's of Italian descent.

In 2009 Vishal Garg married Sarita M James in New York. She was born about 1976. Her father is Dr Thekkumkattil Devasia James a medical doctor from India. Her mother is Dr Pushpom James also a medical doctor. Lots of education, degrees and intelligence in these families. Sadly making money at the expense of other people seems to be their goal.