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The Normandie a 1960s Era Mid Century Modern Apartment Community Featuring Newly Renovated One, Two-, and Three-Bedrooms, Begins Leasing

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United States, 17th Apr 2025 – VF Developments, LLC, a minority and female owned and run company, has begun leasing “The Normandie” a 1960’s midcentury modern apartment community.  The attractive infill Los Angeles multifamily rental community offers fourteen newly renovated rental homes with one-, two-, and three-bedroom floorplans.  

111 N Normandie Avenue, located in the heart of central Los Angeles, features a 14-unit, two-story low-rise building with exterior enhancements that include a 1960s retro dingbat sign that complements the natural materials used. Blood red accents the original style wood façade along with main entry doors. VF Developments, LLC acquired the Los Angeles multifamily property with the plan of repositioning and adding capital improvements.

A renowned LA designer carefully restored and designed these late 1960s modern luxury rental homes featuring keyless entry door locks to spacious one, two and three-bedroom floor plans with newly renovated kitchen and bathrooms. The kitchens boast sparkling white stone quartz countertops with brand new self-closing cabinetry and high-end stainless-steel refrigerators with matching gas cooktop with oven and microwave. iRing doorbells with a smart home video security camera are also included. Bathrooms feature porcelain tiled bath tubs and glass shower doors. Each rental home also includes central A/C cooling and heating with recessed lights with luxury style cellular shade window blinds and distressed wood plank floors.  There’s a community washer and dryer on site.  111 N. Normandie Avenue, located just minutes from the 101 Freeway and Larchmont Village, features a fourteen-unit, two-story low-rise building with enhanced modern architecture and a gray cement shade base and accents of earth tone colors.

Inspired by midcentury Modernism architecture, these newly renovated rental homes are located in the heart of Koreatown, and minutes to hip Echo Park and Silverlake, Hollywood, and thriving Downtown Los Angeles. This location is Very Walkable with a Walk Score of 86 out of 100, so most errands can be accomplished on foot. 111 North Normandie Avenue is a 14-minute walk from the Metro B Line (Red) at the Vermont / Beverly Station stop. This location is in the Wilshire Center – Koreatown neighborhood in Los Angeles. Nearby parks include South Serrano Avenue Historic District, Wilton Historic District and Shatto Recreation Center.

The apartment homes are featured on https://www.drakereg.com/for-lease as well as VF Developments’ website https://vf-developments.com/ and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vfdevelopments/ and on Zumper https://www.zumper.com/pros/vf-developments-llc/vfdevelopments.  The apartments community is managed by Drake Property Management.

VF Developments LLC, led by Victoria Vu, restored these rental homes to its original 1960s condition with upgraded enhancements and features. Ms. Vu, managing partner of VF Developments, LLC, is a fashion designer turned real estate developer specializing in distressed multifamily apartments throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. Ms. Vu graduated from The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. 

Ms. Vu stated “We are excited to begin leasing these new rental homes.  We really enjoyed restoring a 1960s era apartment community to its original condition. These luxury rental homes feature key-less entry door locks entering you into spacious one, two, and three-bedroom floorplans.  There are bold designer touches throughout from the white stone quartz kitchen countertops upgraded with high-end stainless steel Whirlpool refrigerators with matching appliance package. Our bathrooms have been fully renovated with the spa as inspiration. Pebble floors complement the brand-new oversized tubs with glass shower doors and designer gold hardware. This property is truly a gem with its central location to hip Echo Park and Silverlake, Hollywood, and thriving Downtown Los Angeles, and everything that Los Angeles has to offer.”

James L. Kemple, a U.S military veteran, general contractor, and the owner of Patriot Painting & Construction, Inc., completed the exterior and interior renovations. He noted “We were able to legally reconfigure the original studio, one-, and two-bedroom floor plans to one-, two-, and three-bedroom layout like our project at 920 Everett Street in Chinatown and 1980 Park Grove near USC.  This greatly helps maximizing the space for our future residents and assisting with the housing shortage. The team that completed the renovations on the units were entirely locally based minority vendors, employees, and contractors. This was the same team we used on the reconfigurations at 920 Everett Street near Chinatown and 1980 Park Grove near USC.  We are proud to create jobs in the USC and DTLA area for minorities, significantly improve the community, and provide more affordable housing.”

Victoria Vu commented, “We are truly grateful for the opportunity to complete the renovations on 111 N Normandie, bring the property to market, and lease it up to provide much needed affordable housing to the city of Los Angeles. This project was similar to our project at 920 Everett Street near Downtown Los Angeles in the Chinatown area where we were able to legally convert a two bedroom to a three bedroom to maximize the space for our future residents. We strive to provide our residents with class A building finishes at affordable rents. As a first generation Asian American, myself and the team strive to enhance the communities around us and create modern living spaces for our future residents to call home.” 

Kim Vu, renovation and maintenance manager for VF Developments, LLC, added, “After successful renovations at 920 Everett Street in Chinatown and 1980 Park Grove near USC we are excited to bring these units to market and welcome in our future residents to enjoy the space we have created. The apartment homes are high-quality finish with all new appliances.”

Established in 2015, VF DEVELOPMENTS, LLC, a minority and female owned and run company, has acquired over $77 million in multifamily properties with a portfolio consisting of 40 properties and 272 units located in Los Angeles and Orange County. VF Developments strives to provide neighborhoods in gentrifying areas of Los Angeles and Orange County Class A building design finishes at accessible and affordable market rents to future tenants. VF prides itself on the opportunity to create and provide modern living spaces to add value to its communities. With properties ranging from condominiums to multifamily residences in gentrifying areas throughout the greater Los Angeles area and Orange County. VF manages a multitude of processes including closing on unique, off market opportunities, syndication, interior and exterior renovations, and design using unique architecture and interior compositions transforming distressed properties into contemporary, market-ready homes and apartment communities. VF seeks value-add investment opportunities and creates significant value for clients and investors. VF Developments specialized in acquisitions, renovations, and multi-family management in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.  The company targets under-performing and mismanaged multifamily properties in gentrifying areas of these counties. VF completes significant renovations that modernize and transform dated properties into cutting edge, high quality, best in class living environments – ultimately creating substantial value enhancement for its investors.  Videos of these stunning communities can be viewed here – https://www.youtube.com/@vf-developments

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Drug-Free Tennessee Helps Youth in Ripley Tackle the Truth About Drugs

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Nashville, TN, 18th June 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, This past weekend, youth attending a local football camp in Ripley got more than just practice on the field—they received life-changing information that could help them avoid dangerous pitfalls in the future. Volunteers from Drug-Free Tennessee were on hand to educate young athletes about the realities of substance abuse, delivering powerful prevention materials from the Truth About Drugs program.

Each participant at the camp received a full set of educational booklets detailing the harmful effects of various commonly abused substances—from marijuana and alcohol to fentanyl and prescription drugs. The booklets are part of a nationwide campaign to empower young people with factual, engaging, and age-appropriate information so they can make informed choices and resist peer pressure.

“The goal is to reach kids before the dealers do,” said Julie Brinker, Ambassador for Drug-Free Tennessee. “By giving them the facts in a way that’s easy to understand, they’re more likely to say no when someone offers them something dangerous.”

At the close of the event, each youth took a personal pledge to live a drug-free life, signing a poster to mark their commitment. The pledge served not only as a reminder of the day’s lessons but as a promise to themselves, their families, and their teammates to stay healthy and focused on a brighter future.

Drug-Free Tennessee works year-round to bring drug education and prevention to communities across the state through school programs, community events, and partnerships with youth groups. The group utilizes the Truth About Drugs program developed by Foundation for a Drug-Free World, a nonprofit organization that has distributed millions of booklets globally.

For more information or to request materials or a presentation, visit www.drugfreetn.org.

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THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2025 Opens with Global Significance Commerce Minister “Pichai” Leads Welcome for Buyers from 140 Countries

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Bangkok, Thailand, 18th June 2025, ZEX PR WIREOn 27 May 2025, at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre, Muang Thong Thani, Mr. Pichai Naripthaphan, Minister of Commerce, presided over the official opening of THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2025, Asia’s leading food and beverage trade show. The event offers a unique opportunity for businesses to explore cutting-edge food innovations from around the world, engage in trade negotiations, and reaffirm Thailand’s position as a global leader in the food industry under the “Thai Kitchen to the World” policy. The show is jointly organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) of Ministry of Commerce, Thai Chamber of Commerce, and Koelnmesse Germany.

Mr.Pichai Naripthaphan, Minister of Commerce stated that Thailand has long been globally recognized for its strengths in the food industry—from the abundance and diversity of raw materials to its rich natural resources and unique culinary culture. With these advantages, the government has continuously driven forward the “Thai Kitchen to the World” policy to elevate the quality of Thai food to international standards. As a result, in 2024, Thailand was ranked as the 12th largest food exporter in the world, and the country’s export value in 2025 is projected to reach 1.75 trillion baht, representing a 6.8% increase from the previous year.

THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA serves as a key mechanism through which the Ministry of Commerce drives the development of Thailand’s food industry. Recognized as the fourth largest food and beverage trade show in the world, the event provides a vital platform for Thai food businesses of all sizes—from SMEs and startups to major corporations—to engage in trade negotiations, build international business partnerships, and expand their export opportunities in a tangible and impactful way.

This year’s edition of THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA has expanded significantly in both scale and participation. Over 3,200 companies from Thailand and 56 other countries are showcasing their products across more than 6,200 booths, covering every major segment of the food industry—from agricultural products and processed foods to food technologies and related innovations. The event is expected to welcome more than 90,000 trade visitors from 140 countries throughout the trade days, generating a projected trade value of over 98 billion baht, both in immediate orders and within one year following the event.

“The success of this event and the continued growth of the food industry clearly reflect Thailand’s potential to become a global hub for the food business and a trusted food reserve for the world,” said Mr. Pichai. “Thailand is well-equipped on all fronts—with world-class infrastructure, a strong business network, and steadfast government support. These elements play a vital role in building international confidence and positioning Thailand as a future global center for service industries.”

THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2025 will host trade days from 27–30 May 2025, from 10.00-18.00 hrs. and will open for both trade and public visitors on 31 May 2025, from 10.00-20.00 hrs. The event will take place at IMPACT Challenger Hall 1–3 and IMPACT Exhibition Center Hall 5–12, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.

In addition to a comprehensive showcase of food and beverage products across all categories, the event features special exhibitions, seminars, and curated activities designed to update attendees on the latest food trends, shifting consumer demands, and other valuable industry insights—creating a fresh, forward-looking experience that supports business growth and long-term success.

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BLOOD and GOLD: A Wake-Up Call Wrapped in Truth

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New release from debut author Christie Sikora unveils the tragedy behind the triumph — and the truth behind the silence

Costa Mesa, CA, 18th June 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, The world came to Munich in 1972 to witness dreams come true. What unfolded instead was a tragedy that shook global consciousness — and left behind questions that have remained unanswered for over fifty years.

In her groundbreaking debut, BLOOD and GOLD: Athletes, Tragedies & Dynamism of Peace, Christie Sikora revisits the darkest day in Olympic history with one goal: to reveal the truth — and offer a path toward understanding.

Based entirely on factual truths, BLOOD and GOLD is not just a history lesson — it’s a mirror. Through investigative depth and emotional clarity, Sikora reveals the personal stories, political decisions, and human consequences that converged in Munich. Her mission is clear: to bring light where silence once stood.

“BLOOD and GOLD is not a book about blame,” says Sikora. “It’s a book about accountability, empathy, and awakening. It’s about the lives that were shattered, the voices that were ignored, and the lessons that still haven’t been learned.”

The book explores:

• The historical context that led to the tragedy
• The political missteps and ignored warnings
• The athletes and families caught in the crossfire
• And the urgent need for global peace, personal healing, and deeper truth

Sikora’s work challenges the black-and-white narratives that have dominated for decades, instead presenting a deeply human, powerfully nuanced account. She offers hope — not through idealism, but through courage, conversation, and clarity.

Every purchase of BLOOD and GOLD supports change:

• A $0.25 donation goes to Doctors Without Borders, delivering critical medical aid to crisis zones.
• A $0.25 contribution supports Dynamism to Peace International Foundation, funding trauma recovery programs for women, children, and survivors of violence worldwide.

About the Author

Christie Sikora writes with a voice that is bold, unflinching, and guided by compassion. BLOOD and GOLD is the culmination of years of research, advocacy, and soul-searching — and is already being called a “blueprint for global empathy.” Her goal is to transform not just how we remember, but how we move forward.

Where to Find It

BLOOD and GOLD: Athletes, Tragedies & Dynamism of Peace is now available at authorchristiesikora.com, Barnes & Noble, and select retailers. A nationwide tour of signings, interviews, and online panels will accompany the release.

For interviews, inquiries, or partnership opportunities:
Den Wasserman
pr@evrimachicago.com

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Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

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