I go here for my LAUSD district trainings, small and large groups. The meeting areas are well equipped and the access to technology outlets is adequate. The cafe is AMAZING. Great quality of food and reasonable prices. My only complaint about the cafe now is that the Chef Special prices are higher and the quantity is less. The front desk staff is friendly and greets you nicely when we arrive and are very helpful. read more

Looking for a local spot to have lunch and lucky me this place was recommended. The lunch selection and quality were great, the food was good. I ordered two lunch specials and was surprised when I was told the total. Excellent value for the money paid. Customer Service was also really nice! The place was nice and clean, I will definitely visit this place again. read more

The California Endowment - Chicken quesadillas - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Came here for a coalition meeting and felt the good vibes and energy from people the moment I pulled into the lot. There's a parking lot in the back of the building. The security guard was super bubbly at 8am. He instructed me on where to park and where to enter. Upon entering the building there is a central desk to the right. They greeted me with a good morning and welcomed me to their space and directed me further. I was on the first floor past the courtyard which is large and beautiful and perfect place to escape for fresh air, to eat, or to do a little bit of work. If it's rain or too sunny, there are plenty of places in the inside to sit and do work including high tops outside of the many meeting rooms as well as dedicated study room areas. Not sure how much it cost to rent a place but for our meeting it was perfect. They also have a little cafe on site so you don't have to leave for your caffeine or small treats. read more

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I have been to the California Endowment Center several times over the past few years. Hadn't crossed my mind to review this venue. Shame on me. Let's jump right into this review. Great venue. Large space. Multiple conference rooms - variety of sizes to meet your needs. Beautiful atmosphere. Well kept and maintain greenery. Free parking. On-site Cafe. The Cafe food is quite delicious and reasonable prices. There is indoor dining and outdoor patio seating. Restrooms are clean. Cafe - What did I get? Turkey burger with sweet potato fries + a drink $12 (yup, $12) - burger and fries were very good. No complaint. See attached photo of the menu. In previous visits I had a salad, fresh and delicious as well. Don't recall the cost but it was under $10. I spoke with some of the staff who informed me that the Cafe is open to the public. The menu does change. Drive, walk, rideshare, public transportation - however you get here, just 1sign-in to get access to the Cafe. It's that simple. Things to keep in mind - The center is located at the corner of Alameda and Bauchet, keep straight if you are on Alameda, don't turn. Parking is down the driving path. The Post Office is on the right hand side - keep driving past. Guard post to access parking will be right in eye view. Stop at the front desk and tell them what you are here for and they will provide you directions to the area you need to be in. This way you avoid trying to locate where you need to go. read more

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My department has held conference meetings here several times now and our experience has been fantastic every time. Reserving a space can be tough as it is only a $50 deposit to reserve any of the large rooms! We usually need to book a year out and they only allow you to book no more than a year out, so it's good to know what date you are planning well in advance. The staff here are very responsive and helpful. They meet with me ahead of time to discuss what kind of tables and equipment I need. The day of the event, the tables are already set up they way I requested and staff are on site to provide assistance with technology, audio, visual, internet, and other equipment requested. The rooms are spacious and clean with plenty of screens for guests to see from anywhere they may be sitting. They do not allow outside food and drinks. There is a nice cafe with various beverages, breakfast and lunch items. They also offer catering. If you don't cater, they still provide ice water in large dispensers, which is a nice touch as well! read more

I only rate 5 stars if everything is perfect. - Smash Burger: $6.50 - Great quality burger for its price. Portion on the smaller end, more of a proper serving size for the average person. Meat was not overcooked, juicy and flavorful. - Summary: I came here around noon on my lunch break, I wasn't very hungry, and this place has a variety of options other than meals. They have a lot of snacks and beverages to choose from outside of their menu options. I chose to get the SmashBurger because it seemed like a simple choice for me. They have two different "Chef's Special" courses every day along with their regular food items. I recommend this place if you're looking for something on the healthier end, quality over quantity type of place in my opinion. Customer service is great, they try to get the food out quick without sacrificing quality, and they have a really great Aqua Fresca! Sorry I don't have any photos, I come here on a biweekly basis because it's close to my reporting location for work. I recommend this place if you're just looking for some quality food without having to sit down and get served. Also, the prices are great here because it's a nonprofit. read more

Whenever I find out that a conference is at CEC I know it will be a great event. When you arrive in the morning, you are greeted with a smile by parking attendant to let you know where are the best parking spots are or if the lot is full. After dealing with traffic in the morning, that's always great to have someone greet you with kindness. they offer free parking but depending on events happening the lot can fill up and they have an overflow lot so try and get there early. Inside the building, it's lots of open space and conference rooms for large and small event events. I've attended large (100+) and smaller meetings(50+) with a positive outcome. There is a cafeteria for you to eat but if you are a conference caters, the food is really good. They offer a weekly menus and stand-along dishes along with healthy food and great snacks. There is the patio area outside to eat with umbrella but it can't get pretty hot out there on sunny days. Sound system quality is state of the art. Although we did have an issue with the microphone throughout the day. Its a great location for large or small meetings or all-day conferences. The value with conferences rooms and quality food is worth it. read more

The California Endowment is a beautiful building in DTLA. It's close to a couple of metro exits (china town and union) and offers free parking. I've attended several conferences and the setting, rooms, audio and visual are always on par. There's a small cafeteria on site that offers some yummy breakfast and lunch options. I love their open air garden in the middle of the building, decorated with lush vegetation, tables and chairs. read more

Customer service from Raul was great. The cost of my food was reasonable and affordable. The ambiance was a cool vibe.

2023 California Black Birth Equity Summit was PHENOMENAL!! We had a 2-day conference. Black birth equity leaders and stakeholders from across California have come together for actionable solutions and meaningful collaboration to support healthy and thriving Black families. The 2023 California Black Birth Equity Summit elevated and celebrate the numerous policy, program, research, and innovation advancements since the 2019 Summit. This year's Summit will be one of the largest gatherings of leaders and stakeholders in California dedicated to advancing Black birth equity and justice. read more

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Beautiful conference space. Nice amenities and help with the technological stuff. I would to back!

Nice venue for events. Needs more signs especially for parking. Then location is tricky, and google map doesn't help at all in locating the parking area. Inside, it's clean and people friendly. 5-4-2023 read more

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I do not think I have ever rated this type of establishment before, but I feel that I must for The California Endowment. We use this facility often for trainings, and it is a favorite among my coworkers! It is a state of the art, beautiful facility. They have good amenities: a nice and affordable cafe to grab breakfast and lunch, free parking on site, lots of tables outside and good seating inside, updated technology, and helpful staff. I do not have a single negative thing to say about The Endowment Center. Aside from all the amenities, The California Endowment is in a great location. It is next to Union Station and across the street from Olvera Street. There are plenty of eateries around, if you feel that you want to venture out. read more

I came to the endowment for a meeting I had with grad school. I have passed by the endowment for years, but have never been inside, I was so impressed. I had heard it was a beautiful place to hold meetings and collaborations, but I thought it was very nice, clean and updated. My meeting was held in the Redwood room which led to a small patio. I also appreciated that they have their own free parking lot. I had a great time! read more

The California Endowment - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Convenient and centrally located in Downtown LA next to Union Station. Ample and free parking if you have a scheduled training on site. All of the rooms are named and lined up. They are clean and have large projection screens and mics around. The cafe is very reasonable and they have nicely cooked dishes. Today they had Steak Tortas and Curry creamed Carrots. It was tasty. They could have put a bit more meat in the torta and a few more fries. The outside eating area has many tables with chairs with large shades to give shade. Conveniently situated bathrooms and the place is very clean. read more

The California Endowment - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Free Parking on site. Mother's Room (Lactation Room) with complete privacy, electrical outlets, a private sink, and a swivel chair. All Gender Rest Room in addition to regular Men's and Women's rest room. Cafeteria on site with fresh cooked meals (breakfast items 7am-11am and lunch items) on the menu. Beautiful clean space for training and plenty of outdoor and indoor places to eat your lunch during your break. Best Facility I've ever been sent to for Training for my job in the L.A. area. I'd rather come here then being sent to a hotel conference room for a day training because the amenities are so well thought out. read more

The California Endowment - For all you hardworking breastfeeding moms with out there! - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

(Oh yeah! This is my first try of yelp's new app straight from my iPhone. How cool!) The place was easy to locate with the help of yelp's direction. I was very impressed with the cleanliness of the establishment and bathrooms were frequently checked by the environmental services staff. I think this is the most important thing other than the all day supply of fresh coffee, good breakfast and healthy lunch served. The people who worked here were polite and we also happened to visit their cafe. I looked at the prices and reviews on yelp were accurate....really cheap and decent! They only serve lunch, btw. The wall decors and interior of the lobby were very simple but elegantly looking. :) read more

The California Endowment - The Father. - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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What a great place for an event. We came here for a trade show and had a great event. the staff of the event was great for keeping everything on point even the mexican food we were provided with. I had time to walk around the grounds for a bit and love the lay out. the pond, and statues are very cool They have a on site cafe that is super cheap and has good food. And if that's not enough Phillipe's French dip is across the street I will be hitting them up next time. read more

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This is just a review of their NEW café (Rise Up Café) customer service. I had two coworkers paying at the same time (ordered the same tuna sandwich). One coworker had some chips and the cashier offered her the combo option to get the chips and a drink. She says ok, and gets the combo ($6.53). Upon hearing this, my other coworker asked her cashier if she could also get the combo with chips. The cashier charges her ($7.67), but tells her the combo comes with a soup, and listed the available soups. My coworker repeats that she wanted chips and not soup. So the cashier tells her she will do this just this once and give her the chips, but next time she will have to specify when she orders at the ordering section that she wants a combo. Now my coworker gets fed up that she's being chastised when it was allowed for the other coworker to add a combo at the register. So she just cancelled her entire order. She did, however, order the same sandwich for another coworker who couldn't make it. When the sandwich came out, it was on this white roll kind of bread, but the menu clearly says "on wheat." So my coworker lets the cashier know that she wants it on wheat. This cashier then proceeds to explain that it didn't specify on the order that she wanted wheat and once again started explaining that if she wanted specifics on her order she should have told the people she ordered with that she wanted wheat. (I double checked the menu. it REALLY CLEARLY said the sandwich is on wheat. I should have taken a picture). So my coworker cuts her off and tells her that she was done with the explanations. She just wants her sandwich. On wheat. Like it should be. In response, the cashier tells her ok, they'll make her a new one and "Stay Black!" My coworker gives her a confused look, so she pointed at her and repeated, "stay black!" Personally, I was confused, but was explained that this was some kind of ghetto insult. So, I had to give this low rating. If you were curious about the food: Tuna Sandwich - I'm told it was good Chicken Cesar Wrap ($4.35 including tax) - a bit too dry read more

The California Endowment - Receipt of the coworker who was able to get the tuna sandwich combo at the register. - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I attended a conference at the California Endowment Center. This place is beautiful and relaxing. They have various sized conference rooms which are well maintained. Even the bathrooms were clean. The food they served was okay, but I didn't attend the conference for the food. If I worked here, I would eat close to the water fountains daily! read more

The California Endowment - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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On the edge of Chinatown, hides a gorgeous garden. I pray the rain gods will revive it from this state-wide Dry-estocene Era. Those who know the way of the Buddha-- or in my case, the tao of mah gurl J.-- are enlightened enough to make their way here... Into this secret oasis, off the gritty streets of the City of Angels... Behold: The California Endowment. A light-filled, beautifully architected structure. When you step inside, it is exactly like wandering around in a modern art museum. Not only does this place feed my eyes, but my tummy as well. HELLLO! I'm in love now. The bustling little cafeteria here serves up outstanding, healthful and tasty vittles. Different menu every day. Vegetarian and meat options. All sorts of beverages. Cal Endow's kitchen does an excellent job with interesting recipes. I've had acorn squash filled with wild rice and all sorts of grains plus another veggie side. Stews are great. One time, roast pork was over-cooked ;/ but the vegetable sides.. yumm. They jam-pack the containers with piping hot, house-made food. You can eat very well, very frugally, and maybe have enough left over for another meal. Yes, peepz, *in L.A.*! Bring your order outside to one of the (teak?) tables and dine in a lovely tranquil courtyard. Extra star bump for the atmosphere: open air, sunlight, landscaping, greenery... So pretty!! You should have seen the soothing fountains before this despicable drought. Have lunch or breakfast, while meditating, relaxing or getting inspired, romanced, or what-so-ever trips your fancy. I just adore this outdoor space. California Endowment = awesome, unique, zen... one of the most splendiforous places I've ever encountered. Are we really in Los Angeles?!? read more

This is a great venue to host a meeting or conference! I would highly recommend this place!

The Endowment's Cafe has to be the best cafe in Downtown L.A.. From a quality of food stand point, the Endowment has a rotating menu of delicious, healthy, and affordable food. Notable favorites of mine include the banh mi sandwiches and the fish tacos. Their weekly grill specials are also really good and usually include a side. They also post their weekly menu online now: http://tcewebservices.calendow.org/cafemenu/cafe%20menu.pdf Their chili is also usually a solid option - $1.50 gets you a small cup (which is more than enough for one portion). Add a side of salad (quinoa and thai cucumber salad are my personal favorites) and the whole meal comes out to just $3. Plus, their courtyard area has nice fountains and lots of shade for a relaxing lunchtime setting. Overall, a great cafe to have lunch in Downtown L.A. read more

The California Endowment - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My friend Shauna was kind enough to post an event here on Yelp's events page this past week...and it was at her urging that I tagged along for a very informative and cultural evening. Like Thao said, the CA Endowment IS an oasis in our bustling city...the structure itself is gorgeous and very well-kept and the interior artwork is quite fascinating. I particularly like this one installation near the room in which we saw our lecture (see the pic that Thao added near Yosemite Hall!)...it was this huge, I'd say about 25 by 10, mixed media piece consisting of wooden ovals covered in sheer tissue that had been treated to various degrees. Some were sheer white, others appeared to have moss growing up the side, while still others mimicked stained glass. Very cool. The event itself was a two person panel highlighting the witty and nutrition-savvy, Marion Nestle. The discussion primarily centered around how the economy, more specifically the government, has a hand in what and in what way, we eat. The talk ran the gamut from local farmers to elites only being able to afford organic grub, etc. There was also a Q & A by the audience that was quite interesting as well. Afterward I made sure I bought a copy of one of her books, "What to Eat" and had her sign it...I browsed through Shauna's copy a bit during the lecture itself and was particularly intrigued on the chapter encompassing Lactaid and lactose intolerant people. Who knew that Lactose was a double sugar and that our bodies need to break it down into two sugars: Lactose/Galactose and that LacTASE is the enzyme in our body which does the breaking down? Apparently, this enzyme can go away with age and you can actually have a breath test done to see if your body indeed still has it...and if not, perhaps THIS is why you have that gurgly tummy and can't tolerate dairy. The CA Endowment is a great addition to the city and offer up many events from which to choose and become enlightened just a little more on health. Parking is free but the lot closes about a half hour after an event so be sure to move it if you plan on going to nearby Olvera for dinner or it will get locked behind a closed gate.... read more

The California Endowment - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Writing a review for their cafeteria actually. I got the tri tipped beef topped with poached pear with bleu cheese and it was absolutely amazing. The sear on the beef was on point, although I wish that it had been medium rare (my personal preference). I also had a turkey chili with garbanzo beans which was cheap at $1.75, but did not excite me as much as the main course. The cafe was really accessible and parking was readily available. You just have to tell the security guard in front that you are there to go to their cafe and they will let you through. I would recommend this place to anyone that is working around down town Los Angeles and want to have an elegant meal at a really affordable price. My meal costed $7 dollars and I ended up getting too much food than I could finish. read more

The California Endowment - Tri tipped beef topped with poached pears and bleu cheese, served with a Rosemary potatoes, mixed vegetables and chili on side. - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I had a work related conference here and this is one of the nicest facilities I've been too, parking is easy, the building itself has a beautiful flow, they have a cafe . The staff is 100% professional, we never had issues with the supply of the Continental breakfast we provided. Most people, not related to our program looked lost, but each hall had a LCD screen with what meeting took place in that particular hall. The bathrooms where clean and when there was an overflow, the staff was on it withing minutes. read more

Went to the annual Community Forum of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative held here. Very nice facility. Personable/helpful staff, clean restrooms, sturdy chairs. Just added to the enjoyment of the event to hold it here. Very convenient location adjacent to Union Station with lots of public transit options. read more

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Oh man, after reading reviews now I'm really bummed I didn't try out the cafe... I was here a few days ago for a conference. It was probably around 250-300 people attending so pretty small. The parking is free and super easy in big lots. The place was clean and their furniture new and modern, albeit in almost all boring beige. Their catered continental breakfast was some serious meh, do not try their muffins. I had a chocolate one and almost regretted it which is saying something. I spent about 8 hours in the Yosemite room which is a large hall but it was SO warm towards the end it was gross. The lunch was lovely, they set up chairs and tables outside by the pretty garden. The food was decent although they clearly repurposed many ingredients repeatedly. I kept running into artichoke hearts and asparagus. The afternoon snack was kind of meh, I was recently at the Hilton in Glendale for another retreat but their service was so much better I was a bit disappointed. Overall, I think it's a decent meeting place though it's probably too small for a larger event. It is pretty, close to downtown, and I do like the Cal endowment's work and mission. read more

*Review for the Endowment's café* Sooo DELICIOUS, HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE! One of my favorite places to eat in DTLA. The food in the café can suit any palette, and they have vegan and gluten free options as well. The Endowment promotes healthy eating, so there are a lot of vegetables used to create healthy and delicious entrees and sides. They also serve healthy cooked meats and have a wide array of healthy salads, fruits and soups. I'm impressed with their creativity, their execution and most of all, their subsidized prices! You can get an entrée and two sides for about $5-$6. Although, if you do want your burgers and fries, you can order that too. ;) The menu changes daily and the café closes every other Fridays. You have to sign in at the front desk in the Endowment before you can access the café. The patio area is really nice too, with a lovely fountain placed right in the middle. There is limited seating adjacent to the café though. Really great healthy lunch option! read more

This is such a hidden gem! Who knew that there was such a nice cafe located inside this structure. The cafe serves very healthy and organic meals for very affordable prices. On the day I went i ordered the citrus cod with sides of corn and veggies for less than 6 bucks! I added on a wild rice soup for a dollar, what a deal. They have lovely outdoor seating and indoor seating which can get pretty full during lunchtime. For gent out there, this place is packed with pretty ladies who come here for the healthy food, don't say that I didn't tip ya read more

This is a great place to hold a meeting. I had to organize a meeting for 25 people. It was easy to make the reservation. The staff is great and very accommodating. The food was excellent. Vegetable paella and the tequila encrusted Salmon. I didn't have to do anything once the order was confirmed. We got here and the food was out on time. The only thing i needed help with was the A/V system - the have a really fancy one. Very high quality. It was some what intuitive but i sure didn't want to break anything. I loved arriving and not needing to worry about anything. The facility is beautiful and very accommodating. They have a mom's room. The have guest laptops to check your email and print a few things. We have a few more meeting coming up. i can't wait cause it's less work for me than when we have the meetings in our offices. read more

I have been here twice now for work conferences. Lots of parking. The endowment center has many services that I came across. Large building with lots of different areas and smaller conference rooms that many different agencies use. Everything is immaculate in the main entrance area. Conferences rooms are also kept very clean. The employes that I came across were friendly. I'm going to check into seeing how to hold different types of meetings here for my own business... read more

The California Endowment - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Nice facility. They have lots of conference rooms. They also have a cafe inside that accepts cards. Food is not too good. Selection = bleh. They also have a outdoor seating area which has a nice water feature. Driving up I was very scared due to the numerous homeless tents set up a couple yards away. I parked by the postal service which was $6 to park. You can find street parking but be careful. read more

Hard to tell if you're arriving at a cafeteria or a sleek modern minimalist musuem of fine art. The facility alone is beautiful. The halls are bustling with all sorts of people attending meetings here but when you make your way tot he cafe you're in for a treat. Not only is the food delicious and there are healthy options including vegan and gluten-free dishes everything, down to the beverages is...wait for it....CHEAP. This subsidized cafeteria has the lowest prices you'll find in the immiedate area making it possible to have a gourmet lunch for less than $5. It's open to the public, just sign in at the front desk when you arrive and enjoy. read more

I always jump for joy when work sends me to a training and I find out it's at the Cal Endow! Free secured parking and plenty of it. So easy to get to it's on alameda and Ord. Just down the street from philippes. Great lunch spot. The cal endow also has a great on campus cafe! Thumbs up! read more

I had a really amazing experience from the logistical planning to the actual event. Sue Ko, our logistics coordinator from the endowment, was absolutely helpful, accommodating, and very quick to support. I was able to get my questions answered promptly, and I was able to ship my materials in advance. When we arrived, our shipped boxes were in our room, and our PowerPoint was pre loaded and already up on the screen! I definitely would recommend holding your trainings or events here at the endowment. A great facility and great facilities team. read more

The California Endowment - We held our two day training in the Mojave Room. Great space and layout that comfortable held 25 people. - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Part of me feels as if I should not review this place of awesomeness as it is really a best kept secret, but then that would be unfair to the rest of you yelpers. The Cafe at the California Endowment is, hands down, one of the healthiest, most creative, flavorful, and cost effective cafes you will find. Their constantly changing weekly menu is really wonderful. From salads, to homemade soups, to alternative entrees with an assortment of sides. I will just give you some examples of their menu and then the rest of the peanut gallery can decide for yourselves. Salmon Wellington Seafood Paella Lamb skewers All for under 6 dollars, which include two sides. Ok, i really am not doing them justice right now as my head hurts and my memory is shot, but trust me. Go. You will thank me for it. And we shall share in the gloriousness that is our happy stomachs and full wallets. read more

Great place for meetings. Ample parking (i've never paid & work for local govt. where I'd submit a receipt if I did pay). Very clean all around, corridors, patios, courtyard, restroom, elevators, etc., Modern look & feel. Very friendly, helpful, efficient & welcoming staff. This meeting room areana is located just north (?) of the huge US Post Annex, near Philippe's, Homegirl Deli/Homegirl Bakery, Olvera Street, China Town, Spring Street BBQ, Union Station...errr...and yeah, the county jail...where else in LA can you find great eats & people watching spots?? read more

I've never seen food more deliciously subsidized than at the California Endowment. I wonder where the funding comes from. Complete meals for around the $5-$6 range. Small menu but all choices are delicious and I've never been disappointed. Complimentary cucumber or lemon-infused water. Shh. The secret has been let out but if you must, spread the words at your discretion. read more

Holy shizzz. The Endowment Cafe has changed MY LIFE. Big statement, but it's true. Since I work next door (ish), I literally come here 3-4 times a week for lunch. Most everything is organic and fresh. They ALWAYS have a vegetarian (sometimes vegan!) entree, as well as yummy looking meat options for all my carnivores out there. They're subsidized by Blue Cross, which makes it so affordable. I never spend more than 5 bucks for an entree, two sides and a drink. The food is delicious, I kid you not. It's soooooo good. Vegan chicken and waffles with sauteed okra?? Done. They are closed every other Friday, so make sure you call ahead of time to make sure it's open. I have it down in my calendar (seriously) and I literally panic about what I will eat on those days since there is NOTHING even close in quality and price in the area. LERVVV. read more