KPCC: Stories by Patricia Nazario

Word of mouth brings deaf taxman brisk business

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:30:48 -0700

A Southland tax preparer sets up shop at a Starbucks in Norwalk and relies on the sign-language grapevine to draw in deaf and hard of hearing customers.

Valentine's Day fragrance line concocts gifts for the sensual, sinful

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 05:00:00 -0700

They say, "You can’t buy true love." But you can spring for a 5 milliliter bottle of scented body oil that might help you fulfill a sinful desire.

“Get laid…" laughs Elizabeth Moriarty. She’s a real pistol. She collects vintage pornography and she’s the mastermind behind Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. Its complete catalogue includes 700 unique scents.

Staffers protest mandatory furloughs at Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:41:40 -0700

About a dozen psychiatric technicians at Norwalk's Metropolitan State Hospital protested state-imposed furloughs during their lunch break today. Staffers said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to close California's budget gap by forcing state employees to take off three days a month doesn't work at this residential hospital.

State health officials fine Southland hospitals for lapses in patient care

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:09:29 -0700

California public health officials have fined 13 hospitals for not complying with licensing requirements. Ten of the medical facilities are in the Southland.

USC Coach Carroll going to the NFL

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:50:17 -0700

Die-hard Trojan fans wiped away tears as Coach Pete Carroll announced he's heading to Washington to take over the NFL's Seattle Seahawks.

Christmas party at Santa Monica YWCA for transitional housing alumni

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:24:16 -0700

Former foster care girls currently at the YWCA - and others who’ve moved on - hang out, cook, and make festive ornaments. The transitional housing program aims to help girls land on their feet, after they age out of foster care.

Inglewood woman fights alleged misuse of dental system

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:51:16 -0700

When dental patients sign off on CareCredit, dentists pay a bank fee and get paid, up front, for whatever amount they bill for. That can easily add up to thousands of dollars. One Inglewood woman says her dentist misused the system to rip her off.

Schwarzenegger chooses Senator Abel Maldonado for lieutenant governor

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:24:00 -0700

California's next lieutenant governor could be someone who spent part of his childhood in East Los Angeles. Schwarzenegger named Santa Maria State Senator Abel Maldonado to the job. Maldonado grew up spending the summer months with his family in Southern California. During the school year, he picked strawberries with his parents in the Central Valley.

Cops in riot gear keep an eye on protesters at UCLA

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:30:49 -0700

About 100 University of California police officers tried to keep student protests under control on the UCLA campus today. Officers wore riot gear and used barricades and pepper ball rifles during demonstrations against the student fee increases the UC Regents approved.

Charles Drew University closes its Urgent Care Clinic

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:06:13 -0700

Fourteen months after the state-of-the-art diagnostic and testing center opened, Charles Drew University officials say it costs too much to maintain. Leaders of the Community Health Councils say it’s also possible that the closing may be part of the university’s strategy to play a bigger role at the new MLK Community Hospital, if University of California regents decide to partner with Los Angeles County and vote for the project.

Free rides today: Metro Gold Line East Side extension opens

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:35:39 -0700

The new leg of the Metro gold line is open starting today. Celebrations are getting underway today at four of the new stops, including Union Station, Little Tokyo, Mariachi Plaza, and East L.A. Civic Center. (Audio: KPCC’s Shirley Jahad talks with KPCC’s Patricia Nazario at Mariachi Plaza just before festivities get underway this morning.)

Thousands attend free H1N1 clinic in Monterey Park

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:39:12 -0700

Free H1N1 vaccine clinics across Los Angeles County are on the calendar through Thanksgiving, 2009, but thousands of people in Monterey Park aren't putting it off. The free clinic line stretched around Barnes Park on Thursday and took some people four hours to get inoculated.

Patients accuse Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of not disclosing radiation overdose

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:50:38 -0700

Larry Biggles is among the emergency-care patients who received a follow-up call from Cedars hospital officials, but say the word 'radiation' never came up.

Citizenship test changeover date nears

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:48:59 -0700

The civics test for immigrants who hope to become American citizens changes for the first time in decades. Federal officials adopted a multiple-choice-type exam where a question could have more than one correct answer.

Los Angeles city, Mexican firefighters wrap up training session

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:54:45 -0700

Twenty-seven bomberos, Spanish for fire fighters, and about the same amount from L.A. city volunteer their time for a free two-day workshop at a training facility near Dodger Stadium.

Thousands in Los Angeles receive H1N1 vaccine

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:08:47 -0700

Los Angeles County's H1N1 clinics are the county's biggest public health effort ever. Public health officials are scheduled to run 17 sites this week alone, including ones in Acton, Pomona, Downey and Compton.

Los Angeles County opens first H1N1 vaccine clinic

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:51:26 -0700

Los Angeles County public health officials today opened a free clinic at Encino's Balboa Sports Complex. It is the county's first such clinic to help combat the virus that has struck around the world. Around the country there are big delays in getting the H1N1 vaccine.

Hundreds of people started lining up before dawn for their shots.

First swine flu vaccination clinic opens in Los Angeles County

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:08:10 -0700

Hundreds of people stood in line at Encino’s Balboa Sports Complex this morning. They waited to get free H1N1 flu vaccinations.

Residents near Angeles National Forest prepare for possible mudslides

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:34:12 -0700

Homeowners who live below the Angeles National Forest in scorched foothill and canyon areas are rolling up their sleeves and getting ready for rain in the forecast.

Sweet taste of fall pie eating & baking contest in Malibu

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:22:28 -0700

A sweet old fashioned pie eating contest was held Saturday in Malibu. KPCC’s Patricia Nazario had the tasty job of judging the pies. She talks with KPCC's Shirley Jahad from the pie fest at the Malibu Country Mart on Cross Creek road just off PCH.