It happened about 11:15 p.m., at a depth of about 4 miles, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. There were no immediate reports of damage.

The USGS Did You Feel It? app showed it was felt mainly in the Big Bear area south of Lucerne Valley and east of Lake Arrowhead, according to those responding on the app.

TikTok employees reported receiving a series of online threats through various social media platforms from a suspect identified as Joseph Mayuyo, according to a Culver City Police Department statement.

On Friday, Mayuyo allegedly threatened TikTok’s Culver City headquarters again on a social media platform, police said. Company security evacuated the building out of an abundance of caution, police said.

Detectives and related teams went to Mayuyo’s residence, where he threatened online that he would not be taken alive if an arrest was attempted, police said. Detectives obtained arrest and search warrants.

At 10:10 p.m. Friday, crisis negotiators initiated contact with Mayuyo, police said. After more than 90 minutes, Mayuyo came out of his residence and was taken into custody without further incident.

Mayuyo was booked into the Culver City Police Department Jail for suspicion of criminal threats and a search at his residence produced items of evidence, police said.

Mayuyo was being held without bail, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s online inmate locator.

“This incident demonstrates our department’s strong commitment to ensuring the safety of our community and local businesses,” said Police Chief Jason Sims. “We take all threats seriously and investigate them thoroughly.”

PORTLAND, Ore. ' A federal judge in Oregon temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from deploying the National Guard in Portland, ruling in a lawsuit brought by the state and city.

U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued the order pending further arguments in the suit. The plaintiffs say a deployment would violate the U.S. Constitution as well as a federal law that generally prohibits the military from being used to enforce domestic laws.

Immergut wrote that the case involves the intersection of three fundamental democratic principles: “the relationship between the federal government and the states, between the military and domestic law enforcement, and the balance of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.

“Whether we choose to follow what the Constitution mandates with respect to these three relationships goes to the heart of what it means to live under the rule of law in the United States,” she wrote.

Generally speaking the president is allowed “a great level of deference” to federalize National Guard troops in situations where regular law enforcement forces are not able to execute the laws of the United States, the judge said, but that has not been the case in Portland.

Plaintiffs were able to show that the demonstrations at the Portland immigration facility were not significantly violent or disruptive in the days or weeks leading up to the president’s order, the judge wrote, and “overall, the protests were small and uneventful.”

“The President’s determination was simply untethered to the facts.”

The Defense Department had said it was placing 200 members of Oregon’s National Guard under federal control for 60 days to protect federal property at locations where protests are occurring or likely to occur after Trump called the city “war-ravaged.”

Oregon officials said that description was ludicrous. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in the city has recently been the site of nightly protests, which typically drew a couple dozen people in recent weeks before the deployment was announced.

Trump The Republican president has deployed or threatened to deploy troops in several U.S. cities, particularly ones led by Democrats, including Los Angeles, Washington, Chicago and Memphis. Speaking Tuesday to U.S. military leaders in Virginia, the president proposed using cities as training grounds for the armed forces.

Last month a federal judge ruled that Trump’s deployment of some 4,700 National Guard soldiers and Marines in Los Angeles earlier this year was illegal, but he allowed the 300 who remain in the city to stay as long as they do not enforce civilian laws.

As for Portland, the Defense Department announced that it was placing 200 members of Oregon’s National Guard under federal control for 60 days to protect federal property at locations where protests are occurring or likely to occur.

That announcement came after Trump called “war-ravaged” in late September, a characterization that Oregon officials called ludicrous while saying they do not need or want federal troops there.The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland has been the site of nightly protests, and the demonstrations and occasional clashes with law enforcement have been limited to a one-block area in a city that covers about 145 square miles (375 square km) and has about 636,000 residents.

A handful of immigration and legal advocates often gather at the building during the day. At night, recent protests have typically drawn a couple dozen people.

A larger crowd demonstrated Sept. 28 following the announcement of the guard deployment. The Portland Police Bureau, which has said it does not participate in immigration enforcement and only intervenes in the protests if there is vandalism or criminal activity, arrested two people on assault charges.

A peaceful march earlier that day drew thousands to downtown and saw no arrests, police said.

Trump sent federal officers to Portland over the objections of local and state leaders in 2020 during long-running racial justice protests following George Floyd’s killing by Minneapolis police. The administration sent hundreds of agents for the stated purpose of protecting the federal courthouse and other federal property from vandalism.

That deployment antagonized demonstrators and prompted nightly clashes. Federal officers fired rubber bulled and used tear gas.

Viral videos captured federal officers arresting people and hustling them into unmarked vehicles. A report by the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general found that while the federal government had legal authority to deploy the officers, many of them lacked the training and equipment necessary for the mission.

The government agreed this year to settle an excessive force lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union by paying compensating several plaintiffs for their injuries.

But on Jan. 1, 2026, when the iconic Star Trek starship makes its debut in the 137th Rose Parade, it will come to life with grey lettuce seeds and white coconut.

As Paramount Pictures and CBS launch Star Treks 60th anniversary on the first day of 2026, float builders are promising a 'Beam me up, Scotty' moment.

Only instead of Captain Kirk calling upon chief engineer Montgomery Scott to transport him back to the spaceship, magic-makers at Artistic Entertainment Services will make use of a set of transponder pods made of golden red millet and blue statice.

The hope is to bring some Star Trek mystique to the parade crowds, said Kyle Amerine, float project manager with AES.

One person will start in one of the transponders, said Amerine. Then, a screen simulating a de-energizing field will pass in front. The person will disappear from that transponder and appear several feet away in the other transponder, he added.

The magic behind the curtain?

'Were looking for a set of adult twins to make that materialize,' Amerine said.

In addition to the 'Beam me up' stunt, the float, titled 'Space for Everybody' seeks to 'reflect values of hope, inclusivity, exploration and unity,' according to CBS.

When the sci-fi franchise debuted in 1966, it celebrated the diversity of America with various races and ethnicities working together to save lives and survive battles from the USS Enterprise.

The ships communications engineer Lieutenant Uhura, for example, was played by Black actor Nichelle Nichols who later went on to recruit diverse applicants for NASA.

As for the Rose Parade float, it is currently in the fabrication phase, said Amerine, with the next phase painting before adding the floral elements. Some of the AES painters, he said, are big Trekkies.

'They are definitely looking forward to painting the Enterprise and really hitting all of the details to really make this float come to life,' Amerine said.

At the rear of the float, the USS Enterprise will soar over the crowds, with the golden transponders in the middle.

The front of the float features the Star Trek command bridge. Thats where characters Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and others sought out new civilizations 'to boldly go where no man has gone before.'

The float will also introduce the new series 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,' starting next year on Paramount+. The show ' based in San Francisco ' stars Holly Hunter as commander and Paul Giamatti as the villain.

The nod to the new series takes the form of the academys campus with a backdrop of the Golden Gate bridge.

So far, Paramount and CBS have not announced what favorite Star Trek characters or actors might appear on the float. But, many have had prior Rose Parade appearances.

Shatner served as grand marshal in 1994 and rode a horse down Colorado Boulevard. LeVar Burton, who played blind Starfleet officer Geordi La Forge, was grand marshal in 2022.

AES Floral Director Scott Lamb, a Trekkie since the 1970s, said he and many of his employees are stoked to be working on the Star Trek float.

What celebrity float riders is he anxious about?

'Im waiting for Spock and Kirk and Sulu and Uhura,' Lamb said. 'Im waiting for them all.'

Lisa Jacobs is a Southern California freelance writer and a former editor at the Southern California News Group.

Sanchez, 38, was arrested on suspicion of battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication, Indianapolis police said.

He was in town to call Sunday’s game between the Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders for Fox Sports. As of Saturday afternoon, he was not booked and remained in the hospital.

“We are deeply grateful to the medical team for their exceptional care and support. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family’s privacy during this time,” Fox Sports said in a statement.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department released a statement earlier Saturday that it was investigating a physical disturbance that happened about 12:30 a.m. involving two men, with “one receiving lacerations and the other sustaining injuries consistent with stab wounds.”

It added that the detectives believed it to be an isolated situation between the two men and not a random act of violence, and that “the case will be presented to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office for a charging decision.”

Additonal details were not immediately available.

Sanchez, 38, played four seasons at USC after a stellar stint at Mission Viejo High, which was capped by a CIF Southern Section Division II title in 2004. After three years as a backup at USC, Sanchez started in 2008 and led the Trojans to a 12-1 record and a Rose Bowl victory over Penn State.

Despite pushback from Trojans head coach Pete Carroll on his decision to go pro, Sanchez was selected fifth overall by the New York Jets in the 2009 NFL draft. He helped lead the Jets to consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances in his first two seasons and also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Washington.

Sanchez played his last NFL game in 2018 and announced his retirement in 2019, after which he embarked on a broadcasting career with ESPN.

The Jets posted a message on X, formerly known as Twitter, in support for their former quarterback: “Sending our thoughts and love to Mark Sanchez and his family. Hoping for a speedy recovery, 6.”

Sanchez and his wife, Perry, who married in 2023, have three children together.

This is a developing story. Please check back for more. 

After a one-year hiatus, an award-winning commercial builder of Rose Parade floats — now Fiesta Productions — was back in business.

Abboud, surrounded by at least a dozen red-clad Tournament of Roses volunteers, led a time-honored fall tradition ' the safety review of three parade entries for the 137th roll down Colorado Boulevard.

There were no Fiesta floats in the 2025 Rose Parade, as the tournament dropped them in June 2024 as an authorized builder after nearly four decades.

For Abboud, who was one of 18 employees laid off during Fiesta Parade Floats demise in 2024, the companys resurrection was always in the cards.

'To see this company go away was not an option,' Abboud said of the tournaments oldest float builder. Hes now Fiesta Productions president and chief creative officer.

For Abboud, who was employed under former owner Tim Estes for nine years, working on the Rose Parade was 'more of a dream than a plan.'

He was catapulted into the float design business, he said, after a chance meeting with Raul R. Rodriguez before the former died in 2015. Meeting the renowned float designer and artist was 'like magic happening,' said Abboud. And that made him determined to get into the float business to keep the spirit alive.

'The passion I have for the Rose Parade is unbelievable,' Abboud said as he reminisced about his careers trajectory.

The new Fiesta now employs 14, Abboud said, with 10 of those returning from the old company.

His new team is building three, possibly four floats for the 2026 Rose Parade, he said. And, one of those, promises to be a show-stopper with a 31-foot-high ground-breaking animation.

On Saturday, all three floats had technical inspections and test drives.

The yet-to-be announced show-stopper float ' still in its rawest chassis-only form ' passed the T1 inspection. According to Kevin Walsh, Tournament of Roses chairman of float construction, the technical one phase is a mechanical test of maneuver-ability.  The engine is in place and works, he said, and the brakes work. The driver is sitting in his seat, with full view of the road.

Steve Altmayer is back in the drivers seat for the show-stopper float. He worked on 38 parades with Estes, he said, and was happy to be back under Abboud.

'Hes a nice guy,' Altmayer said of his new boss. 'Hes rounded up all the premier people from the old staff and were glad to be back.'

The City of Torrances 'Together in Harmony' and San Francisco Travel Associations 'Believe in San Francisco' both passed the T2 inspection phase. Technical two phase is when a float is ready for decoration. The chassis is fully encased, the artistic elements are painted and the driver is hidden underneath all the regalia.

T2, said Walsh, is also when animation is tested and when driver, observer and any float riders have to pass a 45-second evacuation test in case of a fire or other emergency.

West Torrance High School senior Elizabeth Le, whose design inspired Torrances 'Harmony of Nature,' will be one of the float riders. She said the 2026 parade will be her first.

'Im very excited,' Le said. 'Id never thought this would happen.'

Tournament of Roses President Mark Leavens was also on hand Saturday morning at Fiesta Productions test drive.

Once October hits, he said, the Tournament goes into overdrive. Theres the Rose Court announcement, an upcoming grand marshal announcement this week and the Rose Queen crowning on Oct. 28.

Its a time when all the pieces come together, Leavens said.

And, witnessing the resurgence of an award-winning float builder, Leavens said, is a happy part of that.

'The old Fiesta had a long list of building award-winning floats,' Leavens said. 'Mike (Abboud) was part of that and we are excited to have Fiesta Productions floats going forward.'

David Eads, Pasadena Tournament of Roses CEO, who ultimately determined the old Fiesta had not met criteria to continue float building, said in a statement he was glad to see Fiesta Productions carrying forward Rose Parades 'proud history of artistry and innovation.'

'Its exciting to welcome them alongside our other commercial float builders,' Eads wrote. 'And we cant wait to see their creativity come to life on Colorado Boulevard.'

For now, creativity was only on display beside the 210 freeway on Irwindale side streets.

As the last of the three floats glided effortlessly down Avenida Padilla and rounded the corner to Irwindale Road, Abboud stood on the grass recording video on his phone.

'So far, so good,' he said. 'Its an excellent start.'

Lisa Jacobs is a Southern California freelance writer and a former editor at the Southern California News Group.

In his 2024 book, 'The Klan Whisperer,' Davis, an R&B and blues pianist and guitarist, describes his encounters with Klan members and other racists during the past five decades. Over the years, more than 200 white supremacists have left their hate groups after meeting with him, according to Davis, who is Black and lives in Maryland.

As a young man, he played with a country and bluegrass band at the Silver Dollar Lounge in Frederick. Many of the patrons were 'rough country types,' and 'racial violence could erupt if Black men were present,' Davis wrote in his book. 'Over time, I was accepted by the white patrons who didnt perceive me as threatening. I became well-liked mostly because I was a musician.'

Eventually, Davis became friendly with a man named Hank, a Klansman who frequented the Silver Dollar. Every six weeks, Hank would show up with fellow Klansmen and Klanswomen to watch him perform.

'I would meet some of the Klan members on my break, while others did not want to meet me but would enjoy watching me and dancing to my music,' Davis wrote.

In an interview with The Baltimore Sun, Davis said the United States is at a crossroads regarding race relations. The conversation  has been edited for length and clarity.

How did you start doing your anti-racism work, what you call your pro-human work?

I was born in Chicago; my parents were from Virginia, and my father worked in the U.S. State Departments Foreign Service. So I grew up as a U.S. embassy kid, traveling around the world.

I attended a newly integrated school in Massachusetts in 1968. Several of my friends were in the Cub Scouts, and they invited me to join, and I did. We had a parade from Lexington to Concord to commemorate the ride of Paul Revere.

I was the only Black participant, and the streets were blocked off. The sidewalks were filled with white people walking, cheering, and having a good time. We reached a point in the parade route when suddenly I was getting pelted by rocks and bottles and soda pop cans, by a small group of spectators off to my right, on the sidewalk.

I looked over and saw a couple of kids and a couple of adults, who I assume were their parents. My scout leaders came running and covered me with their own bodies.

What did your parents say?

They asked me, ‘How did I get all scraped up? I told them exactly what had happened. For the first time in my life, my mother and father sat me down at age 10 and explained to me what racism was. When they were explaining it to me, I was incredulous; my 10-year-old brain could not process the idea that someone who had never seen me, spoken to me, or knew anything about me would want to hurt me for no other reason than the color of my skin. It just made no sense.

[That] was 1968, and Dr. [Martin Luther] King was assassinated, and every major city in this country burned to the ground. It was destruction and violence, all in the name of this new word I had learned. I formed this question in my mind: How can you hate me if you dont even know me? For the next 57 years, Ive been looking for the answer to that question.

What effect has the emergence of Donald Trump as a political figure and as president had on white hate groups?

Donald Trump did not invent racism. However, Donald Trump has given racists carte blanche to operate freely upon their ideology. Not everybody who voted for Donald Trump is a racist. But every racist voted for Donald Trump. And I would say that Donald Trump is the best thing thats happened to this country. I dont mean to say hes a good person or that hes done great things for the country. When I say hes the best thing, he has brought racism to the forefront. Until him, people were trying to turn a blind eye to it. 'Oh, we had a Black president, racism is over now.'

Because of Donald Trump, we can no longer turn a blind eye, because everywhere you look, its there. We can no longer ignore it. I see it as a wakeup call to this country if … wants to survive.'

How active are the KKK and other white supremacist groups in Maryland and the greater DMV area?

They are not very active in Maryland. Roger Kelly [the former Grand Dragon, or state leader, of the KKK in Maryland] had the largest Klan group in Maryland; he got out, and we became very good friends. He rethought his ideology based on a lot of things that I was telling him, and he left the Klan and shut it down. Then another fellow tried to pick up the mantle, and he got in some trouble and was quickly shut down in Sharpsburg. You have several chapters of the Klan in Virginia. I know those people. Delaware, there are a couple of chapters there.

What do KKK members think of the Smithsonian Museum?

I took a KKK leader there around 2018 and showed him around. He thought it was fascinating. He thought it should have more Confederate history in it.

What types of jobs do people in white supremacist groups hold?

A Klansman, a Klanswoman, a white supremacist of any affiliation, whether neo-Nazi, Proud Boy, Patriot Front, whatever, is not stamped out of a standard cookie-cutter. They come from all walks of life, all socioeconomic backgrounds, and levels of education. They go from a third-grade dropout that you see on 'Jerry Springer' or 'Geraldo' throwing chairs on the stage, all the way to the president of the United States. President Warren G. Harding was sworn into the Ku Klux Klan in the green room of the White House. Harry Truman joined the Klan for a very short time. He got out and went on to become president. Hugo Black was in the Klan in Alabama when he got the Supreme Court appointment. Some work at the White House, some work pumping gas. Some are schoolteachers, people who work in grocery stores, or in a police department.

How do you get white supremacists to reconsider their beliefs?

Generally, I meet with them one-on-one, and I dont like to say that I convert anybody. I will say that I am the impetus for them to convert themselves. Youve heard the expression that ones perception is ones reality, and thats so true. Whatever someone perceives becomes their reality. You cannot change someones reality. If you try to change it, youll get pushback. What you want to do is offer them a better perception or perceptions. And if one resonates with one of those perceptions, they will change their own reality.

Have a news tip? Contact Ruben Castaneda at 443-862-6133 or rucastaneda@baltsun.com.

Our parents learned of my brothers autism when he was 3 years old, and as he grew, our family watched Daniel become who he is: someone who adores the beach and the Beatles, thrives on being on-the-go, and, like the rest of his family, loves food.

Daniel poured the eggs into the skillet and reached for the spatula I handed him, scrambling the yellow of the yolks; singing the refrain from 'Home' by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. After weeks of practice, I now let Daniel lead the charge on this recipe, but I stay close, concerned for his safety around the heat. Its why we cook with an electric skillet as opposed to an open flame, the pans temperature dial and larger dimensions proving easier for Daniel to manage.

I am not alone in considering modifications in the kitchen ' and beyond ' for a loved one with a disability. In 1988, Congress passed the Assistive Technology Act, a law issuing federal funding to states to help increase access to assistive technology devices and services for individuals with disabilities.

In 1989, the Illinois Assistive Technology Program began. Its mission is to provide individuals living with disabilities and health conditions greater access to assistive technology devices and services, enhancing their independence and participation in daily life. IATP is based in Springfield and serves people throughout Illinois.

'We realize that not everybody with a disability can make the drive to us, and so we come to them,' says Jessica Schuyler-Weir, director of training.  'We want to welcome anybody who wants to learn about how assistive technology can help them.'

The team works with individuals, their families and their caregivers to determine the best way, be it a site or home visit, for the individual to engage with IATPs core programs. These include a Device Loan Library, a Demonstration Center (featuring demonstrations of thousands of devices), and a Reuse Program, offering gently used and new assistive technology devices and durable medical equipment to those who would otherwise be unable to afford them. If an individual has a need that a device doesnt meet, they can speak with IATPs Makers Program about custom fabrication.

'I am a person who was born with one hand, and now I am learning to play the guitar because of an IATP Makers creation ' a prosthetic pick,' says Schuyler-Weir.

In recent years, IATP has launched additional initiatives, including its Tech Kitchen, a program dedicated to equipping individuals with assistive technology tools and training needed to develop culinary skills and confidence in the kitchen.

'People were often asking us about training programs to learn independent living skills in cooking,' says Schuyler-Weir. 'We wanted to fill that void.'

The IATP team welcomes individuals to their homestyle teaching kitchen in-person or virtually for demonstrations and to provide a tour of an accessible kitchen layout. The Tech Kitchen offers cooking classes to residents of Illinois aged 14 and up, with any disability, who currently receive services from one of the major bureaus of the Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services. They also coordinate home visits, sending a chef-instructor and occupational therapists to clients.

'Our team works with the individual to determine their specific needs, available resources and how they can benefit from assistive technology,' says Schuyler-Weir. From there, the team employs a device loan system helping individuals acquire needed devices. Should that device no longer be needed, it can be recycled back to IATPs Reuse Program.

During visits, Tech Kitchen staff work with individuals to develop a variety of functions in the kitchen, including recipe literacy, meal planning, and knife and stove safety, using tools ranging from air fryers and induction burners to plastic cutlery and smart technology. It all begins, Schuyler-Weir notes, with time spent with the individual, learning their skillsets and enthusiasms.

'We never start with what it is that an individual cant do, but instead, with what they want to do ' what they want to cook, and to eat ' and what challenges are between them and these goals,' she says. 'We ask ourselves, ‘How can we build up this individual and their experience in the kitchen?'

Schuyler-Weir references one of their clients, whose mother was eager to see her son embrace his desire to cook, but who was concerned for his safety around stovetops.

'By the end of the day, he made quesadillas independently,' says Schuyler-Weir. 'People who never thought they or their loved ones could cook in the kitchen are seeing the benefits of these tools ' who knew all that an air fryer could do, or that you could bake bread in a microwave? There are so many options.'

While individuals can receive the fullest range of benefits of IATPs Tech Kitchen only as a client of Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services, Schuyler-Weir notes that the team works to find sustainable solutions for everyone, including resources on where to buy devices and how to access Tech Kitchen demonstration videos.

'We want to reach as many individuals as we can with this work because we know the impact it has on the lives of those who need it most.'

In addition to working directly with individuals and their caregivers, IATP also responds to Tech Kitchen inquiries from community day programs and residential providers. Culinary education is a cornerstone of the curriculum at Gateway to Learning, a Lincoln Square program dedicated to providing lifelong learning opportunities to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To help inform their programming across four kitchen classrooms and onsite bakery Dorothys Sweet Shoppe, Gateway contacted IATP for a virtual training.

'Many staff expressed interest in learning how to adapt culinary tasks to maximize participant independence, and IATP offers that expertise,' says Amanda Bulgrin, director of community day services at Gateway to Learning. IATPs training covered topics such as mobility and low vision considerations, adaptive measuring tools, and knife safety. The insights served as refreshers and guidance for the Gateway to Learning team, which continues to champion the culinary arts as a means of creative expression and autonomy building for their community.

'When one cooks or bakes, the most noticeable result is the meal or the baked good. But the reality is that someone is gaining a lot of experience and skill development in the process,' says John Ratzenberger, chief operating officer at Gateway to Learning.

Bulgrin agrees. 'Life skills are key in a person achieving increased independence,' she says. 'In turn, these skills build self-esteem and confidence ' it feels good.'

That Sunday at home, I came around the kitchen counter next to where Daniel stood and asked if he wanted my help. He looked at me, then back to his dish, now nearing completion in a steaming, perfectly fluffy scramble.

Daniel kept his gaze on the skillet, using the spatula along its edges, pausing his singing only momentarily to speak.

'I want to do it myself.'

He returned to his song and to his spatula, smiling wider this time.

Nicole Schnitzler is a freelance writer.

Congratulations! Its the culmination of years, maybe decades, of hard work. But if your business occupies real estate, whether owned by a related entity or leased from a third party – theres another big question: what happens to the building?

The answer depends largely on whether your company owns the property through a related entity or simply leases space from an unrelated landlord. Each path requires a different strategy.

Owned real estate

If your operating business occupies a building owned by you or a related entity, several options emerge:

Sell the real estate before the business sale. You can sell the building to a future owner-occupant and arrange to vacate once the company transaction closes. This separates the real estate deal from the business deal, providing clarity for all parties.

Lease the building to the buyer of the business. Instead of selling, you might keep the property and sign a lease with the buyer of your company. This allows you (or your family entity) to continue collecting rental income long after the business changes hands.

Formalize a lease before the sale of the business. Another option is to establish a lease between the related entity (property owner) and the operating company before selling. This locks in occupancy terms, giving the buyer certainty and making the business sale potentially more attractive.

Leased real estate

If your company rents from an unrelated, arms-length landlord, the conversation is different. In this case, the business buyer will want to know:

'How much time is left on the lease?

'Are there options to renew or expand?

'Is the rental rate market-competitive?

A strong lease can be an asset to the sale, while an expiring or above-market lease can become a liability. In many cases, negotiating an extension or adjustment with the landlord before selling the business can smooth the path for a transaction.

Why it matters

Buyers arent just purchasing your business operations – theyre buying continuity. If the real estate arrangement is murky, the deal becomes more complicated. By addressing how the building fits into the transaction, you eliminate uncertainty, increase buyer confidence, and often enhance the overall value of the sale.

Selling a business is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions a family will ever make. Dont let the real estate piece become an afterthought.

Whether you own or lease, work with advisers who can help you consider all potential directions so you can move on to your next chapter with peace of mind.

Allen C. Buchanan, SIOR, is a principal with Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate Services in Orange. He can be reached at abuchanan@lee-associates.com or 714.564.7104.

Today we look at panoramic maps that are in the Library of Congresss archives.

The panoramic map was a popular cartographic form used to depict U.S. and Canadian cities and towns during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known also as bird’s-eye views, perspective maps are non photographic representations of cities portrayed as if viewed from above at an oblique angle. Although not generally drawn to scale, they show street patterns, individual buildings and major landscape features in perspective.

To see more cities in the U.S. and Canada, search Library of Congress panoramic maps.

Sources: Library of Congress