Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we look at a big change coming at the California Horse Racing Board.

Del Mar’s seven-plus week stretch of safe racing this year came to an end on Sunday when two horses were euthanized after suffering fatal injuries during races. In the third race, Ghost Street, a 3-year-old gelding, suffered a front leg injury that proved to be life ending. Just 90 minutes later in the sixth race, Prayer Warrior, a 3-year-old colt, also suffered a front-leg injury, was vanned off and later euthanized.

This comes on the heels of seven fatalities at Santa Anita, including the death of Mongolian Groom in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The story of the Del Mar deaths is being covered by Tod Leonard of the San Diego Union-Tribune. You can read about it by just clicking here.

Change coming at CHRB

Before we get to the usual Monday of stewards’ ruling let’s get to this breaking news: Rick Baedeker, executive director of the California Horse Racing Board, is going to retire before the Spring. He made the decision in July but it didn’t become public until his job was posted on a state of California web site. In case you wondered, or want to apply, the job pays between $130,000 and $145,000. Here’s the catch, though, you’ll have to live in Sacramento.

This will give Gov. Gavin Newsom one more spot to reinvent the CHRB in his vision. The job is not that of a board member but that of the person who runs the office on a day-to-day basis.

Baedeker, 70, came to the job in 2014 after a career that included being a race track executive. Because he is staying for a few more months, this should allow him to see through the results of the investigation into the horse deaths at Santa Anita.

For a few more details on what this all means, just click here.

Steward’s rulings

The stewards were busy the last week of the Santa Anita meeting and some of it had to do with jockeys being confused about the way things operate in Southern California. So, let’s get to them.

–Owner George Lopez, who does business as Hay Day Racing, had his license suspended for failure to appear at a stewards’ hearing. He was supposed to be there to answer a complaint by trainer Librado Barocio that Lopez had a financial obligation to the trainer for $1,500. As with all people with suspended licenses, Lopez is denied access to all track premises.

–Owner Kenji Morinaga, known as K M Racing Enterprises, had his license privileges reinstated when his debt of $18,211.97 to the Equine Medical Center was paid in full. The original ruling was from Oct. 20, was set aside.

–Owner Randy Rennon, known as Summer Knights Stables, had his license privileges reinstated when his debt of $985 to Robert Mitchell of Bonnie Acres Ranch was paid in full. The original ruling from Oct. 27 was set aside.

–Jockeys Assael Espinoza and Jorge Velez were each fined $300 for whipping their horses in the fifth race on Oct. 27, when their horses were clearly out of the race. Both jockeys understood the stewards’ reasoning. Velez was on Hergame, who finished seventh in the eight-horse race. Espinoza was on Time For Ebby, who finished eighth.

–Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., was fined $200 for failure to show up for his mount on Nov. 1 in the third race, the Golden State Juvenile Fillies. He was supposed to ride Warm Summer. Abel Cedillo rode the filly to a ninth-place finish in the 11-horse race.

–Jockey William Buick was fined $100 for being late to get a “leg up” on his mount, Daahyeh, in the eighth race on Nov. 1, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. It let to the horse being out of order in the post parade. The stewards said: “… it caused an unsafe situation in the walking ring outside the saddling barn.” Daahyeh finished second.

–Jockey Richard Kingscote was fined $100 for being late to mount his horse in the fifth race on Nov. 1, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. The stewards put it this way, he “couldn’t seem to fin his one (1) mount on the day’s card until all the other jockeys had mounted their horses and left the walking ring.” His horse, Dr. Simpson, finished fifth.

–Trainer T.R. (Ray) Bell II was fined $400 for failure to register his horse Manresa as a bleeder and in need of Lasix until after the entries were drawn for the second race on Nov. 3. She finished second in the maiden race.

–Jockey Jorge Velez dropped his appeal of two riding infractions. The apprentice was originally cited for a July 24 infraction at Del Mar and another on Aug. 9 at Del Mar. He will serve the first set on Nov. 14, 15, 16 and 17 and second set on Nov. 22, 23, 24, 28 and 29.

–Jockey Flavien Prat was suspended for three days (Nov. 9, 10 and 14) for careless riding aboard Hit the Road in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on Nov. 1. Hit the Road altered course with enough room inside the quarter marker and caused Deviant to clip the heels of Hit the Road and Deviant stumbled badly. Prat can ride in designated (i.e. stakes) races during the suspension.

–Jockey Rafael Bejarano was fined $100 for striking his mount, Ippodamia’s Girl, four times in the final 100 yards of the Ken Maddy Stakes in the first race on Nov. 2. The horse finished third. Steward Grant Baker voted for a higher fine because it gained Ippodamia’s Girl a “black type” grading over Don’t Sell.

Who goofed, I’ve got to know?

Talk about a bad day. I sure had one. First, I referred to Belvoir Bay as a he instead of a she. On second reference, I misspelled new CHRB board member Oscar Gonzales with the wrong last letter. And then, in a total faux pas, I left in several paragraphs verbatim from a Del Mar news release in the “Del Mar review” section without crediting them. It was a case of just forgetting to delete those paragraphs. As you know, I always try and credit the originators of content. My apologies to all.

Del Mar review

Sunday’s feature, the $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes for 2-year-old fillies going 6 ½ furlongs went pretty much as predicted when heavy favorite Leucothea ran a smart stalking race before taking the lead in the stretch and winning by 3 ½ lengths.

Leucothea paid $2.80, $2.40 and $2.10. Orquidias Bix finished second and Stellar Sound was third.

Here’s what the connections had to say.

Peter Miller (winning trainer): “It wasn’t exactly the way we drew it up, we thought we’d be on the lead. I thought the one (Biddy Duke) could be the fly in the ointment, but [Leucothea] showed she could rate, so at the end of the day it’s probably a good thing.”

Abel Cedillo (winning jockey): “The plan was to let her go to the lead, but if something happened I could take back. The one horse (Biddy Duke) showed a lot of speed and my filly was very relaxed so I just let her go.”

Big races review

A look at graded stakes or races worth $100,000 on Sunday.

Woodbine (3): $100,000 La Prevoyante Stakes, Ont-bred fillies 3-years-old, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Sav ($3.30)

Aqueduct (8): $150,000 New York Stallion Series, NY-breds fillies and mares 3 and up, 7 furlongs. Winner: Our Super Nova ($7.90)

Aqueduct (9): $100,000 Stewart Manor Stakes, fillies 2-years-old, 6 furlongs. Winner: Fly So Pretty ($23.20)

Del Mar (8): $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes, fillies 2-years-old, 6 ½ furlongs. Winner: Leucothea ($2.80)

Final thought

Always looking to add more subscribers to this newsletter. Can’t beat the price. If you like it, tell someone. If you don’t like it, then you’re probably not reading this. Either way, send to a friend and just have them click here and sign up. Remember, it’s free, and all we need is your email, nothing more.

Any thoughts, you can reach me at [email protected]. You can also feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa

Now, here’s the star of the show, Sunday’s results. We’ll see you on Thursday

Del Mar Charts Results for Sunday, November 10.

Copyright 2019 by Equibase Company. Reproduction prohibited. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, California. All finishes confirmed by Plusmic USA. Official program numbers may not correspond with post position. 3rd day of a 15-day meet. Clear & Fast

FIRST RACE.

5½ Furlongs. Purse: $22,000. Maiden Claiming. 2 year olds. Claiming Prices $32,000-$28,000. Time 21.87 45.89 58.07 1:04.50

Winner–Octopus B.c.2 by Shackleford out of Georgia, by Tiz Wonderful. Bred by Peachtree Stable (KY). Trainer: Peter Eurton. Owner: Peachtree Stable. Mutuel Pool $166,131 Exacta Pool $97,483 Quinella Pool $3,121 Superfecta Pool $45,751 Trifecta Pool $69,709. Claimed–Octopus by Hronis Racing LLC. Trainer: John Sadler. Scratched–none.

OCTOPUS stalked outside a rival, bid three deep on the turn, took the lead into the stretch, kicked away under a left handed crack of the whip and a vigorous hand ride, drifted in some and was under a hold late. NONNO’S POLARIS chased three deep then off the rail on the turn, came a bit wide into the stretch and edged a rival late for the place. MAHI MAHI had good early speed and dueled outside a rival then between horses on the turn and into the stretch, drifted to the inside in the final furlong and was edged late for second. OVERKOTER stalked off the inside then a bit off the rail on the turn, continued outside a rival in midstretch and weakened. DREAM PALACE went up inside to duel for the lead, fought back on the turn and into the stretch and also weakened. PASTOR MIKE settled outside a rival then chased between horses, continued alongside a foe on the turn and into the stretch and lacked a further response. SHOWEM APOLLO broke a bit slowly, saved ground throughout and failed to menace.

SECOND RACE.

6½ Furlongs. Purse: $17,000. Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $8,000-$7,000. Time 22.56 45.93 1:12.05 1:18.58

Winner–Big Base Ch.f.4 by Smiling Tiger out of T’s So Shy, by Jazzing Around. Bred by Tom McCann & Jeff Cissell (WA). Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer. Owner: Hollendorfer, LLC and Todaro, George. Mutuel Pool $161,140 Daily Double Pool $43,439 Exacta Pool $83,613 Quinella Pool $3,135 Superfecta Pool $44,029 Trifecta Pool $64,930. Claimed–Big Base by Clay Sides. Trainer: Peter Miller. Scratched–none.

BIG BASE bobbled at the start, was sent between horses then chased of the rail, continued between foes into and on the turn, was fanned four wide into the stretch but rallied under left handed urging to collar the runner-up late. EMPRESS OF LOV chased inside then a bit off the rail, angled in on the turn, came out leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch, bid between foes to put a head in front a sixteenth out but could not hold off the winner. BRAGGING RIGHTS dropped back off the rail, angled in outside a rival into and on the turn, came out in the stretch and edged foes for third three deep. JUST BE HELD stalked outside then three deep leaving the backstretch and off the rail on the turn, came three wide into the stretch, drifted in and was edged for the show between horses late. COPPER COWGIRL sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside and weakened in the final sixteenth but was edged late for a minor share. SHE’SLUCKYTHATWAY saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside in the stretch and did not rally. EREBUNI bobbled at the start, chased outside then three deep, was fanned five wide into the stretch and gave way. PRINCESS DORIAN close up stalking the pace a bit off the rail, bid outside the leader leaving the turn, took a bad step into the stretch and was pulled up and vanned off.

THIRD RACE.

1 1/8 Mile Turf. Purse: $52,000. Maiden Special Weight. 3 year olds and up. Time 23.75 48.77 1:13.35 1:37.63 1:49.75

Winner–Farquhar B.c.3 by Tale of the Cat out of A Touch of Glory, by Golden Gear. Bred by Hinkle Farms (KY). Trainer: Vladimir Cerin. Owner: Wilson, Holly and David. Mutuel Pool $223,261 Daily Double Pool $20,647 Exacta Pool $119,608 Quinella Pool $4,830 Superfecta Pool $49,532 Trifecta Pool $74,282. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (5-4-6) paid $39.95. Pick Three Pool $61,580.

FARQUHAR chased outside a rival then three deep, was forced out a bit on the second turn, bid three deep a quarter mile out to gain the lead nearing the stretch, inched away under urging, drifted in some and held gamely. COMMANDING CHIEF stalked outside a rival then three deep, was in a bit tight on the second turn then angled in and bid between foes a quarter mile out, angled to the inside in the stretch and continued willingly. CARDIFF CAY saved ground chasing the pace, steadied in tight off heels leaving the second turn, came out into the stretch and finished with interest. MUSKOKA sped to the early lead and angled in, set the pace inside, fought back leaving the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. DA KINE stalked inside then between horses on the backstretch and second turn, was in a bit tight midway on that turn then steadied sharply nearing the quarter pole, came out into the stretch and lacked a rally. MERWIN’S MAGIC squeezed a bit at the start, angled in and saved ground off the pace and was through early. GHOST STREET hopped some at the start, stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside the leader on the backstretch and into the second turn, took a bad step and was pulled up on that turn and vanned off.

FOURTH RACE.

6 Furlongs. Purse: $18,000. Maiden Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $20,000. Time 22.38 45.78 58.34 1:11.41

Winner–Lord Adare Dbb.c.3 by Violence out of Pure Genius, by Mr. Greeley. Bred by Helen Barbazon & Joseph Barbazon (NY). Trainer: Robert B. Hess, Jr.. Owner: Happy Go Lucky Stables, LLC, Arthur, Michael V. and Islas, Ruben. Mutuel Pool $194,646 Daily Double Pool $25,139 Exacta Pool $116,743 Quinella Pool $3,959 Superfecta Pool $82,653 Trifecta Pool $108,264. Scratched–Silver Fury.

50-Cent Pick Three (4-6-5) paid $41.30. Pick Three Pool $26,613.

LORD ADARE sped to the early lead, set a pressured pace a bit off the rail, kicked clear on the turn, opened up under a brisk hand ride in the stretch and was under a hold late. MIGHTY ELIJAH chased outside then off the rail, came four wide into the stretch and was clearly second best. MIKE OPERATOR stalked between horses then outside a rival or off the rail, came three wide into the stretch, angled to the inside in the drive and picked up the show. RED VALOR stalked four wide then three deep, angled in off the rail on the turn and weakened in the final furlong. U S HERO bobbled to be off a bit slowly as the ground broke out behind, saved ground throughout and improved position late. SEVERIN stalked between horses then a bit off the rail into and on the turn, came out into the stretch and weakened. WILD CAT CANYON saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back on the turn, came out into the stretch and had little left for the drive. ACCLAMATION KING bobbled and broke outward, dropped back off the rail, went outside a rival into the turn, came a bit wide into the stretch, drifted in late and lacked a response in the lane.

FIFTH RACE.

5 Furlongs Turf. Purse: $53,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $40,000. Time 22.36 45.04 56.73

Winner–Miss Hot Legs Ch.f.3 by Verrazano out of Expo Gold, by Johannesburg. Bred by Avalon Farms, Inc. (KY). Trainer: Simon Callaghan. Owner: Qatar Racing Limited and TNIP, LLC. Mutuel Pool $263,043 Daily Double Pool $30,432 Exacta Pool $151,116 Quinella Pool $5,348 Superfecta Pool $75,509 Trifecta Pool $116,525. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (6-5-7) paid $10.40. Pick Three Pool $73,081. 50-Cent Pick Four (4-6-5-7) 4 correct paid $86.80. Pick Four Pool $172,037. 50-Cent Pick Five (5-4-6-5-7) 5 correct paid $184.80. Pick Five Pool $584,226.

MISS HOT LEGS had speed outside then pressed the pace alongside a rival, stalked leaving the turn, re-bid outside that one into the stretch, took a short lead, inched away under some urging past midstretch and proved best. ANONYMOUSLY angled in and saved ground stalking the pace, came out for room in upper stretch and finished willingly. SILKEN SPY stalked outside a rival on the backstretch and turn, came out into the stretch and got up for the show three deep on the line. SWIRLING saved ground stalking the pace, came out past midstretch and was edged for third between foes late. RED LIVY (IRE) had good early speed and dueled a bit off the rail, angled in and inched away leaving the turn, fought back inside in midstretch and weakened some late. ROSES AND CANDY chased between horses then outside a rival on the turn and into the stretch and lacked a rally. PACIFICA (FR) settled three deep chasing the pace, continued off the rail early on the turn, angled to the inside on the bend and weakened in the drive.

SIXTH RACE.

5½ Furlongs. Purse: $53,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $20,000. Time 21.74 45.23 57.67 1:04.39

Winner–I Belong to Becky Dbb.g.3 by Vronsky out of Pinky’s Posh, by Bold Badgett. Bred by Old English Rancho (CA). Trainer: Peter Miller. Owner: Rockingham Ranch. Mutuel Pool $261,729 Daily Double Pool $33,082 Exacta Pool $157,968 Quinella Pool $5,379 Superfecta Pool $64,103 Trifecta Pool $106,409. Claimed–Midnight Special by Zennedjian, Eddie S. and Garcia, Victor. Trainer: Victor Garcia. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (5-7-2) paid $12.50. Pick Three Pool $65,828.

I BELONG TO BECKY had good early speed and dueled inside, kicked clear on the turn, came a bit off the rail in the stretch and held under urging. BOB’S SNIPER stalked three deep, was forced out by the pulling up horse early on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and rallied in the final furlong. CLAIM OF PASSION chased off the rail then outside a rival, also was forced out early on the turn, angled in outside a rival into the stretch, found the inside in the drive and got up late for the show. MIDNIGHT SPECIAL bobbled at the start, saved ground stalking the pace, got through inside then came a bit off the rail on the turn and into the stretch and was edged late between foes for third. OCCAM’S RAZOR had speed between horses then stalked between foes, was forced out early on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and was outfinished for a minor award. SATANTA settled off the inside, was forced out early on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. TIGER STRIKE chased between horses then a bit off the rail, got through toward the inside then angled in on the turn and gave way in the drive. PRAYER WARRIOR prompted the pace outside the winner, took a bad step and was pulled up early on the turn and vanned off.

SEVENTH RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $53,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $40,000. Time 24.38 48.53 1:12.65 1:24.17 1:35.81

Winner–Murad Khan (FR) B.g.6 by Raven’s Pass out of Lady Elgar (IRE), by Sadler’s Wells. Bred by S.C.E.A. Haras de Manneville (FR). Trainer: John W. Sadler. Owner: Hronis Racing LLC and John W. Sadler Racing, Inc.. Mutuel Pool $279,830 Daily Double Pool $34,419 Exacta Pool $135,847 Quinella Pool $5,116 Superfecta Pool $57,006 Trifecta Pool $89,315. Claimed–Murad Khan (FR) by Altamira Racing Stable and Kagele, Tom. Trainer: Peter Miller. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (7-2-3) paid $26.05. Pick Three Pool $44,359.

MURAD KHAN (FR) pulled along the inside then saved ground stalking the pace, awaited room in midstretch then bid inside under a crack of the whip nearing the gap to the chute, gained the advantage in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. WOUND TIGHT angled in and dueled inside, took a short lead on the second turn, came a bit off the rail into the stretch, was between horses in deep stretch and was edged late but held second. MUSAWAAT (GB) stalked inside then between horses on the backstretch and second turn, came three wide into the stretch and finished willingly. STOP THE VIOLENCE angled in and dueled outside a rival, fought back on the second turn, was fanned out a bit into the stretch, fought back past midstretch and was edged for third. CUPID’S CLAWS chased outside a rival then inside into and on the second turn, came out for room in upper stretch, was in tight off heels and steadied a sixteenth out and lacked the needed rally. DREAMS OF VALOR stalked off the rail then outside a rival on the second turn, came out some in the drive, was between horses in the final furlong and could not offer the necessary response. BIG BUZZ chased a bit off the rail then outside a rival, went up three deep on the backstretch and into the second turn, angled in some leaving that turn and lacked a rally.

EIGHTH RACE.

6½ Furlongs. Purse: $100,000. ‘Desi Arnaz Stakes’. Fillies. 2 year olds. Time 22.01 45.24 1:10.55 1:17.42

Winner–Leucothea Ch.f.2 by Midshipman out of Any for Love (ARG), by Southern Halo. Bred by Woods Edge Farm, LLC (KY). Trainer: Peter Miller. Owner: Altamira Racing Stable, SoCal Seven Racing and McGoldrick, Brian. Mutuel Pool $290,714 Daily Double Pool $46,490 Exacta Pool $131,897 Quinella Pool $3,772 Superfecta Pool $61,467 Trifecta Pool $87,183. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (2-3-4) paid $22.55. Pick Three Pool $38,803.

LEUCOTHEA bobbled at the start but broke with the field, stalked off the rail, bid outside the early leader to take the advantage on the turn, inched clear leaving the turn and widened in the lane under a moderate hand ride while drifting in a bit. ORQUIDIAS BIZ chased off the rail or outside a rival, continued off the inside on the turn and three wide into the stretch and gained the place. STELLAR SOUND stalked outside a rival then off the inside on the turn and a bit wide into the stretch, drifted in some in the stretch and held third. ROADRUNNER’S HONOR settled a bit off the rail then outside a rival on the turn, angled in some in the stretch and lacked the needed rally. SPITEFULNESS saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back on the turn, came out into the stretch and gave way. BIDDY DUKE had speed inside to set the pace, dueled briefly inside the winner midway on the turn, dropped back leaving the turn and through the stretch and had nothing left for the drive then was eased in the final furlong.

NINTH RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $52,000. Maiden Special Weight. 2 year olds. Time 23.17 49.03 1:13.67 1:25.53 1:37.32

Winner–Royal Act B.c.2 by American Pharoah out of True Feelings, by Latent Heat. Bred by Stonehaven Steadings (KY). Trainer: Peter Eurton. Owner: C R K Stable LLC. Mutuel Pool $386,254 Daily Double Pool $150,844 Exacta Pool $210,442 Quinella Pool $6,835 Superfecta Pool $112,324 Super High Five Pool $26,914 Trifecta Pool $156,104. Scratched–Don V., Shootin Money.

$2 Pick Six Jackpot (5/6-7-2-3-4-4/7/11) . Pick Six Jackpot Carryover $43,735. 50-Cent Pick Three (3-4-11) paid $17.05. Pick Three Pool $223,758. 50-Cent Consolation Pick Three (3-4-7) paid $3.70. 50-Cent Pick Four (2-3-4-4/7/11) 4 correct paid $111.15. Pick Four Pool $562,592. 50-Cent Pick Five (7-2-3-4-4/7/11) 5 correct paid $286.75. Pick Five Pool $554,679. $2 Pick Six (5/6-7-2-3-4-4/7/11) 5 out of 6 paid $14.60. $2 Pick Six (5/6-7-2-3-4-4/7/11) 6 correct paid $1,473.00. Pick Six Pool $154,010. $1 Place Pick All 9 correct paid $778.20. Place Pick All Pool $26,351.

ROYAL ACT pulled his way along to press the pace three deep then stalked on the backstretch, re-bid three wide on the second turn, was fanned out a bit into the stretch, battled outside rivals, gained the advantage in deep stretch under urging and gamely prevailed. MUCH MORE HALO dueled between horses then outside a rival, battled between foes on the second turn and in the stretch and continued gamely to the end. SPECIAL DAY pulled between horses then stalked outside a rival or between foes, continued inside on the second turn, steadied off heels in upper stretch, came out for room past midstretch and got up three deep on the line for third. RIP CITY had speed inside to duel for the lead, came a bit off the rail into the stretch then drifted in a bit in upper stretch, fought back along the fence through the drive and continued willingly. I’M LEAVING YOU a bit slow to begin, angled in and tugged inside, went outside a rival on the backstretch and on the second turn, came three wide into the stretch and found his best stride late. FRASARD (GB) pulled and drifted out a bit into the first turn, stalked outside a rival then three deep, bid four wide into the second turn, continued four wide into the stretch and was outfinished. KISS TODAY GOODBYE angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, came a bit off the rail in the stretch and lacked the needed rally. GOALIE a bit crowded at the start, settled inside then came out a bit into the backstretch, continued inside on the second turn and into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. CAPITAL CALL a bit slow to begin, angled in and chased outside a rival to the stretch and did not rally.

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Firefighters on Sunday continued to contain a fire that broke out in Hollywood Hills near the Warner Bros. Studios lot in Burbank.

The 34-acre Barham fire was 15% contained as of Sunday afternoon, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. Smoke was still visible from the fire zone but the fire’s forward progress has been halted and it doesn’t pose a danger to any structures.

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The fire started just before 2 p.m. Saturday in the 3600 block of Barham Boulevard and quickly scorched the hillside near the studio lot before firefighters were able to get the upper hand, officials said. More than 230 firefighters — assisted by five water-dropping helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft — were battling the blaze at its peak.

On Sunday, firefighters continued to work on dousing hot spots and containing the blaze.

“Crews will be working throughout the day today, tomorrow, and possibly longer,” the fire department said in a statement. “The terrain is very steep and the mop up will be a slow methodical process to eliminate hot spots and smoldering debris. Water drops by air will continue to aid in completing this objective.”

One firefighter suffered non-life threatening injuries to an arm and leg and was transported to a hospital for treatment, LAFD spokesman Brian Humphrey said. There were no mandatory evacuations ordered and no other injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire has not been determined. But officials said there were no homeless camps around the origin point of the fire.

A magnitude 3.5 earthquake was reported at 2:07 p.m. Sunday six miles from Indio, Calif., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The earthquake occurred nine miles from Palm Desert, nine miles from Coachella, nine miles from La Quinta 11 miles from Rancho Mirage.

In the last 10 days, there have been three earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.

An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes of 3.0 to 4.0 occur each year in California and Nevada, according to a recent three-year data sample.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 4.9 miles. Did you feel this earthquake? Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS.

Even if you didn’t feel this small earthquake, you never know when the Big One is going to strike. Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit.

This story was automatically generated by Quakebot, a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS. A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published. If you’re interested in learning more about the system, visit our list of frequently asked questions.

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Lifeguards found more than 100 pieces of medical supplies, including small needles, along the shoreline south of the Venice Pier on Sunday.

At about 11:30 a.m., lifeguards noticed what appeared to be lancets, small needles, orange plastic tubes and other supplies lying along the water’s edge. The source of the debris is unknown, according to L.A. County Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division.

Some of the apparent flotsam was given to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for further investigation.

The beach was closed until the cleanup was completed. Lifeguards will continue patrolling the area for any additional medical supplies.

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Friday, Nov. 15

Atlantics
A young Sengelese woman is tormented by the loss of her true love at sea. With Mama Sané, Amadou Mbow. Written by Mati Diop, Olivier Demangel. Directed by Diop. In Wolof, French and English with English subtitles. (1:47) NR.

Bluebird
Documentary spotlights a storied Nashville nightclub where aspiring singers and songwriters go to try to break into the country music business. With Taylor Swift, Maren Morris, Connie Britton, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill. Directed by Brian A. Loschiavo. (1:23) NR.

Charlie’s Angels
Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska are the titular trio in writer-director-costar Elizabeth Banks’ reboot of the action franchise based on the 1970s TV series. With Djimon Hounsou, Noah Centineo, Sam Claflin, Patrick Stewart. Story by Evan Spiliotopoulos, David Auburn. (1:59) PG-13.

Crown Vic
An LAPD officer hunts two cop killers over the course of one long night. With Thomas Jane, David Krumholtz, Josh Hopkins, Bridget Moynahan, Scottie Thompson, Gregg Bello. Written and directed by Joel Souza. (1:40) R.

Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops
Documentary follows two San Antonio cops assigned to a mental health unit as they put compassionate policing practices into action. Directed by Jennifer McShane. (1:36) NR.

Everybody’s Everything
Documentary profiles emo rapper Lil Peep. Directed by Sebastian Jones, Ramez Silyan. (1:56) NR.

Feast of the Seven Fishes
A large Italian American family tries to keep an old-country tradition alive in this romantic comedy. With Skyler Gisondo, Madison Iseman, Ray Abruzzo, Joe Pantoliano, Paul Ben-Victor. Written and directed by Robert Tinnell. (1:39) NR.

Ford v Ferrari
Matt Damon is American car designer Carroll Shelby and Christian Bale is British racer Ken Miles in this fact-based drama about the duo’s efforts to challenge Italian automotive legend Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France in 1966. With Jon Bernthal, Caitriona Balfe, Tracy Letts, Josh Lucas, Ray McKinnon. Written by Jez Butterworth, John Henry Butterworth, Jason Keller. Directed by James Mangold. (2:32) PG-13.

The Good Liar
Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren square off as an elegant if elderly grifter and his not-so-easy mark in this suspense thriller. With Russell Tovey, Jim Carter. Written by Jeffrey Hatcher, based on the novel by Nicholas Searle. Directed by Bill Condon. (1:49) R.

I Lost My Body
A pizza delivery boy’s severed hand makes its way across Paris trying to reunite its owner in this animated tale. With Hakim Faris, Victoire Du Bois. Written by Jérémy Clapin, Guillaume Laurant; based on a novel by Guillaume Laurant. Directed by Clapin. In French with English subtitles. (1:21) NR.

Line of Duty
A disgraced cop goes rogue to try to rescue the police chief’s kidnapped daughter. With Aaron Eckhart, Dina Meyer, Ben McKenzie, Giancarlo Esposito. Written by Jeremy Drysdale. Directed by Steven C. Miller. (1:38) R.

Lost in America
Documentary on the crisis of youth homelessness in the U.S. With Rosario Dawson, Jewel, Tiffany Haddish, Miley Cyrus, Halle Berry. Written and directed by Rotimi Rainwater. (1:45) NR.

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No Safe Spaces
Comic Adam Carolla and conservative radio host Dennis Prager explore the debate over free speech in America in this documentary. With Tim Allen, Van Jones, Alan Dershowitz, Ben Shapiro, Cornel West. Directed by Justin Folk. (1:35) PG-13.

Radioflash
A teen and her family in the Pacific Northwest try to survive after an electromagnetic pulse plunges the region into darkness. With Brighton Sharbino, Dominic Monaghan, Will Patton, Fionnula Flanagan. Written and directed by Ben McPherson. (1:43) NR.

The Report
Adam Driver portrays real life investigator Daniel J. Jones, whose inquiry led to dark truths about the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Program after Sept. 11. With Annette Bening, Ted Levine, Michael C. Hall, Tim Blake Nelson, Corey Stoll, Maura Tierney, Jon Hamm. Written and directed by Scott Z. Burns. (1:59) R.

Scandalous: The Untold Story of the National Enquirer
Documentary explores the tabloid’s decades-long run as a purveyor of news and gossip. Directed by Mark Landsman. (1:36) NR.

The Shed
A teen discovers a murderous creature lurking in a tool shed on his abusive grandfather’s property. With Jay Jay Warren, Timothy Bottoms, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Frank Whaley. Written and directed by Frank Sabatella. (1:38) NR.

16 Bars
Four prisoners in a Richmond, Va., jail collaborate with Arrested Development rapper Todd “Speech” Thomas to create an album based on their experiences in this documentary. Directed by Samuel Bathrick. (1:34) NR.

To Kid or Not to Kid
Documentary explores the lives of women who have chosen to remain childless. Directed by Maxine Trump. (1:15) NR.

The Warrior Queen of Jhansi
A ruler in 19th-century India leads her people in rebellion against the British East India Company. With Devika Bhise, Rupert Everett, Nathaniel Parker, Ben Lamb, Jodhi May, Derek Jacobi. Written by Swati Bhise, Devika Bhise, Olivia Emden. Directed by Swati Bhise. (1:43) R.

Waves
A suburban African American family pulls together in the face of loss. With Kelvin Harrison Jr., Lucas Hedges, Taylor Russell, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Sterling K. Brown. Written and directed by Trey Edward Shults. (2:25) R.

White Snake
A woman with amnesia faces supernatural forces when she embarks on an epic journey to uncover her past in this animated prequel. Written by Damao. Directed by Amp Wong, Zhao Ji. In Mandarin with English subtitles. (1:39) NR.

Ximbi Xombix
A grunge band is mind-controlled into playing alternative K-pop reggae at a virtual music festival. With Claudia Pak, Tareq Alumalifi, Dr. Israel. Written and directed by Dae Hoon Kim, a.k.a. Sand O’ Man. (1:38) NR.

Viacom Inc. Chief Executive Bob Bakish is streamlining his team by identifying key executives who will oversee the various TV networks after Viacom’s upcoming merger with CBS Corp.

The Viacom-CBS marriage is expected to be complete by mid-December. Three veteran programming executives — Showtime’s David Nevins, Nickelodeon’s Brian Robbins and MTV’s Chris McCarthy — are getting increased turf as part of this month’s management overhaul of TV, film and digital operations, according to two people familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly.

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Viacom is expected to formally announce the moves on Monday.

McCarthy will gain a much bigger portfolio, becoming president of entertainment and youth brands. The New York based executive already runs Viacom’s legacy channels, MTV and VH1, and Logo and CMT. He will pick up responsibility for four additional networks: Comedy Central, TV Land, Paramount Network and the Smithsonian Channel, which currently is part of CBS.

Nevins has managed the premium channel, Showtime, for CBS since 2010 but his profile increased substantially after the exit of CBS’ longtime leader, Leslie Moonves. For nearly a year, Nevins, based in Los Angeles, has been chief creative officer for CBS with oversight of programming for the broadcast network. He will continue to oversee CBS network programming, Showtime and now, BET. Scott Mills will continue to provide day-to-day management at BET.

Robbins, who became president of Viacom’s Nickelodeon business in October 2018, takes over AwesomenessTV. It’s a homecoming for Robbins, who created AwesomenessTV in 2012 with longtime producing partner Joe Davola. The pair sold the once high-flying business to DreamWorks Animation in 2013, and Viacom claimed it last year. Robbins is based in Burbank and Hollywood.

As part of the moves, longtime Viacom executives Kent Alterman and Sarah Levy are leaving the company.

Alterman has been with Viacom for two decades and manages Comedy Central, TV Land and Paramount Network. Levy, a longtime Nickelodeon executive, has been chief operating officer of Viacom’s Media Networks group for about a year but that role is being phased out, one of the knowledgeable people said.

Last week, CBS announced a change in leadership at its internet division, CBS Interactive. As part of that switch, longtime head Jim Lanzone said he will step down next month and that Marc DeBevoise will become the CEO of CBS Interactive, which includes the CBS All Access streaming service. DeBevoise also will oversee Viacom’s digital initiatives, a consolidation that hints at the company’s greater ambitions in the streaming space.

Jim Gianopulos will continue as chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures and will also oversee the company’s filmed entertainment operations.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the executive shuffle.

In a wild, wide-ranging interview earlier this summer at San Diego Comic-Con — beginning with the eternal struggle over how to hold a microphone — the cast and creators of “Rick and Morty” of course landed on the subject every fan of the Adult Swim animated series wants to talk about: Pickle Rick.

Co-creator Dan Harmon credits a clip debuted at Comic-Con prior to Pickle Rick’s first appearance in Season 3 as part of the reason the character — a sentient, brined cucumber into which mad scientist Rick transforms himself to avoid family therapy — became a phenomenon. It was “thumb-on-the-scale cheating,” he said, adding that visual artists are into Pickle Rick, “and I think it’s because — ”

“It’s shaped like a” male body part, interjected co-creator Justin Roiland.

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“Well, it’s phallic, but it’s also emblematic of self-torture and stuff,” continued Harmon. “It’s the stupid thing Rick did to himself. Anyone who makes anything recognizes [that]. You’re your own worst enemy.”

Harmon, Roiland (who voices both Rick and Morty), Spencer Grammer (Summer) and Sarah Chalke (Beth) dropped by the Los Angeles Times Photo and Video Studio at San Diego Comic-Con earlier this summer for a conversation that reeled from chummy laugh riot to the introspective and even philosophical — much like the series itself, which returns for its fourth season Sunday. (They’re already at work on Season 5.)

They dug deeply into their creative process and a turning point in their modus operandi. And, by the way, Roiland emerged the clear winner in the epic mike-holding conflict.

To see the entire interview, click on the video below.

SERIES

The Voice The top 20 perform in this new episode. 8 p.m. NBC

All American After Spencer and Olivia’s (Daniel Ezra, Samantha Logan) efforts to help Layla (Greta Onieogou) backfire, Layla pretends that everything is fine by throwing a birthday party for Olivia and Jordan (Michael Evans Behling) in this new episode. 8 p.m. CW

Dancing With the Stars In this new episode, contestants dance to a medley of songs from some of the most popular boy bands and girl groups in history. Emma Bunton and Joey Fatone are guest judges. 8 p.m. ABC

9-1-1 The team responds to a bizarre skating mishap at an ice show, a crash involving a self-driving car and a robot going rogue at an internet sales company’s fulfillment warehouse. Angela Bassett, Aisha Hinds, Ryan Guzman and Peter Krause star in this new episode with guest stars Tracie Thomas, Wallace Langham and Andy Cohen. 8 p.m. Fox

Prodigal Son As the homicide squad digs into the “Junkyard Killer” case, Malcolm (Tom Payne) realizes the main suspect may have had a connection to his father (Michael Sheen). Lou Diamond Phillips also stars in this new episode of the crime drama. 9 p.m. Fox

His Dark Materials Lyra (Dafne Keen) arrives in London determined to find Roger (Lewin Lloyd) with Mrs. Coulter’s (Ruth Wilson) help while the Gyptians continue their search for the missing children and the Gobblers in this new episode of the fantasy series set in an alternate universe. 9 p.m. HBO

Rock the Block The designers reach the final week. 9 and 10 p.m. HGTV

Bluff City Law General Virginia Howe (guest star Eisa Davis), Emerson’s (Stony Blyden) mother, arrives in town with a case holding life-or-death stakes that she wants Sydney and Elijah (Caitlin McGee, Jimmy Smits) to take. Also, Della (Jayne Atkinson) helps her son (guest star Daniel Reece) process his feelings about his father’s (guest star Dakin Matthews) meddling in their family business. Barry Sloane also stars. 10 p.m. NBC

The Good Doctor Shaun’s (Freddie Highmore) psychology gives him the ability to relate to a patient who is isolated by an autoimmune deficiency. Also, Claire, Morgan and Dr. Andrews (Antonia Thomas, Fiona Gubelmann, Hill Harper) treat a 13-year-old patient who is going blind. Nicholas Gonzalez, Christina Chang and Richard Schiff also star with guest stars Haley Ramm and Kiefer O’Reilly. 10 p.m. ABC

Independent Lens “The Interpreters,” a new episode of the documentary series, focuses on the thousands of local interpreters who helped U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan and now seek safety. 10 p.m. KOCE

Catherine the Great Pressure from foreign powers leads to a bitter argument between Catherine and an ailing Potemkin (Helen Mirren, Jason Clarke) in the conclusion of this historical miniseries. 10 p.m. HBO

SPECIALS

The Warrior Tradition This new documentary examines how the culture and traditions of Native Americans affected their participation in the United States military. 9 p.m. KOCE and KPBS

TALK SHOWS

CBS This Morning (N) 7 a.m. KCBS

Today (N) 7 a.m. KNBC

KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA

Good Morning America (N) 7 a.m. KABC

Good Day L.A. Dr. Mehmet Oz; Dermatologist Sonia Batra (“The Doctors”); Debbie Allen performs; Michael Reagan and daughter Ashley Reagan, Reagan Legacy Foundation. (N) 7 a.m. KTTV

Live With Kelly and Ryan Helen Mirren (“The Good Liar”); Kristin Davis. (N) 9 a.m. KABC

The View (N) 10 a.m. KABC

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Rachael Ray (N) 10 a.m. KTTV

The Wendy Williams Show (N) 11 a.m. KTTV

The Talk Brigitte Nielsen guest co-hosts. (N) 1 p.m. KCBS

Tamron Hall Nev Schulman and Laura Perlongo (“Catfish: The TV Show”); Dr. Steven Gundry. (N) 1 p.m. KABC

The Dr. Oz Show Common mistakes that can turn a microwave into a hotbed of germs; shopping for healthy shrimp. (N) 1 p.m. KTTV

The Kelly Clarkson Show Tim McGraw; Kiernan Shipka and Isabela Merced. (N) 2 p.m. KNBC

Dr. Phil (N) 3 p.m. KCBS

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Matt Damon (“Ford v Ferrari”). (N) 3 p.m. KNBC

The Real Erika Jayne (“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”); Rick Ross. (N) 3 p.m. KTTV

The Doctors Loneliness; preventing Alzheimer’s; benzo epidemic; a child’s invention helps kids at the hospital. (N) 3 p.m. KCOP

To the Contrary With Bonnie Erbé “Finding the News: Adventures of a Young Reporter.” (N) 6 p.m. KVCR

The Daily Show With Trevor Noah (N) 11 p.m. Comedy Central

Conan Kevin Nealon. (N) 11 p.m. TBS

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Michael Shannon; Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush; Pete Yorn performs. (N) 11:34 p.m. KNBC

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Will Smith; Andrew Scott. 11:35 p.m. KCBS

Jimmy Kimmel Live! 11:35 p.m. KABC

Amanpour and Company (N) midnight KVCR; 1 a.m. KLCS

The Late Late Show With James Corden Kate Beckinsale; Andy Haynes. (N) 12:37 a.m. KCBS

Late Night With Seth Meyers Whoopi Goldberg; Thomas Middleditch; Doja Cat and Tyga perform; Chris Johnson with the 8G band. (N) 12:37 a.m. KNBC

Nightline (N) 12:37 a.m. KABC

A Little Late With Lilly Singh Adam DeVine. (N) 1:38 a.m. KNBC

SPORTS

Women’s College Basketball Tennessee visits Notre Dame, 4 p.m. ESPN2

NHL Hockey The Arizona Coyotes visit the Washington Capitals, 4 p.m. NBCSP

NFL Football The Seattle Seahawks visit the San Francisco 49ers, 5 p.m. ESPN

NBA Basketball The Toronto Raptors visit the Clippers, 7:30 p.m. FS Prime

For more sports on TV, see the Sports section.

SANTA CLARA, Cuba — 

The image that lingers from my last afternoon in Cuba was nothing I’d have spent time watching anyplace else. But here, in a small park in the eastern city of Santa Clara, on a sunny Sunday last November, I couldn’t stop watching.

A flock of healthy little children was giggling and clapping and jumping up and down to cheerful tootling music, while two garishly painted clowns put on a silly outdoor show and a ring of beaming parents and grandparents looked on.

The scene was about as wholesome and apolitical as anything in my 1950s Midwestern childhood and very different from the stereotypes that some Americans hold of this island nation.

I was enchanted. I stopped following our tour leader and kept watching the laughing children while the rest of my group went off to find more Cuban rum and good cigars before departure time.

At first glance, the scene seemed too tame to have anything to do with Cuba’s 1959 revolution. And it was far too ordinary to attract international tourists. It felt more like walking into a family party, so I started chatting with bystanders in my tourist Spanish, hoping to be part of it.

“How often does this show happen?” I asked one of the grandfathers, a trim man in late middle age. “Every Sunday,” he said and smiled.

My next question was embarrassingly American: “How much does it cost?” The man looked mystified.

“I mean, do you have to pay for this?” No, he said, still looking puzzled.

The Sunday show was a local institution, and it was free, like so much else in Cuba. Universal health care, for example. Public education is high quality and free, from kindergarten through high school, and university classes are so affordable that some Cubans hold degrees in several fields. Adult literacy, UNESCO says, is virtually 100%.

‘We don’t live good’

This is Cuba, 60 years after the revolution, more than two decades after the Soviet Union plunged it into financial chaos and a few months after changes in U.S. policy whipsawed American travelers and Cuban citizens who had been benefiting from an increase in U.S. visitors.

But there’s still a big downside to life here 60 years after the revolution.“We live,” an older Havana man said to me on another visit here three years ago, “but we don’t live good.”

The man was in grade school when Fidel Castro came to power in 1959, and now he was a retiree. Sometimes the monthly government rations don’t go far enough for everybody to get their share, he said, and the stores run out of basics. Streetlights in his neighborhood often don’t work. And if you want anything like a new vacuum cleaner or a stove, his wife added, the best bet is to get somebody to bring it in from Panama.

On six visits to Cuba since 1999, including the one last fall, I’ve had a chance to see changes in the daily lives of its people thanks, in part, to international tourism. About 4.8 million foreigners visited last year, the equivalent of almost half the total population. About 638,000 of them were Americans, according to CREST, the Center for Responsible Travel.

The numbers of foreign visitors had been growing every year, boosting Cuba’s economy even before President Barack Obama and Raúl Castro, Cuba’s head of state, restored diplomatic relations in 2015.

In June, President Trump clamped down, canceling the loose “people-to-people” category of U.S.-sanctioned group travel to Cuba.

For Cuba travel to be “sanctioned” by the U.S. government, the money that individual American travelers spend here must benefit ordinary Cubans, not fall into the hands of the Cuban government. Rules for organized groups are different but now Americans traveling individually are supposed to stay in private homes, eat in privately owned restaurants, called paladares, and shop in privately owned stores.

Cuba has loosened its own rules for travel for its citizens. Cubans can travel outside their country and can legally operate small businesses and directly buy and sell their own houses and cars.

Restaurants have better food and more of it, and paladares aren’t clandestine anymore. There are more places to shop and more imported stuff to buy, for visitors and Cubans who can afford it. And there are far more places to stay —including in family homes and rentals including Airbnb — in a range of prices.

But even so — even at a peaceful children’s show on a bright Sunday afternoon — the 1959 revolution is never far away. Especially not in Santa Clara, where the mortal remains of guerrilla leader Che Guevara are enshrined in a dramatic memorial.

Another nearby monument commemorates the attack on the Tren Blindado, the armored troop train that Guevara’s men blew up here on the last day of December 1958. Dictator Fulgencio Batista fled the country the next day.

Around the corner from the Santa Clara park, the words “Gracias, Fidel” were painted in 3-foot-tall black letters across a wide façade. And there was a large sign in the little park itself, with Fidel Castro’s image and a long quotation, not surprising because he was given to lengthy speeches. I snapped a picture of it to read later.

Then I went back to watching the cute kids and the clowns and a couple of old men leading wooden goat carts, giving rides to toddlers.

It wasn’t always thus

On my first visit, in 1999, the towns looked like a developing nation. Havana was especially shocking: rundown buildings, empty storefronts, ancient cars held together with wire, house paint and hope. Scary dark side streets. Restaurants with only one or two items on the menu, usually moros y cristianos, black beans and rice.

Back then, a visitor could get better food in the paladares, black-market restaurants, often in people’s homes; they were unmarked so you found them by tapping into the rumor mill. Or their operators found you, usually at night, in neighborhoods where the streetlights were few or none.

Strangers would materialize out of the darkness, murmuring invitations to home-cooked meals at low prices. The menu would feature foods that ordinary Cubans couldn’t get — bootlegged shrimp, for example, or white-meat chicken, even lobster — foods officially reserved for the big hotels where foreign tour groups stayed.

As scary as the unlighted streets felt, though, they were safe. People were everywhere, and they were friendly. The police were frequent. The children always looked healthy, clean and neatly groomed. I saw no child beggars.

And everybody I met could read, thanks to a nationwide literacy campaign undertaken soon after the revolution. Cubans seemed to know more about world politics than most Americans, surprising given the restrictions on the free flow of information. And they knew a lot about the United States: “My sister/brother/cousin/son is in New York/New Jersey/New Orleans/Miami,” they would say — especially Miami.

The revenue that comes from those relatives abroad and from increasing tourism to the island has helped fuel one of the world’s largest and most meticulous historic preservation efforts in Habana Vieja, or Old Havana.

Street by street, plaza by plaza, buildings that date as far back as the 1500s have been given beautiful new life, and now the restoration effort is spilling over into other significant neighborhoods, including along the Malecón, Havana’s magnificent seafront boulevard.

One evening, last November, I stood on the rooftop terrace of our group’s restored hotel in Havana, next to its lighted swimming pool, and remembered when the buildings were shabby and drab, the streets almost empty.

Now the scene had a fairy-tale quality. Spotlights made the stately buildings glow ice-white, and classic American cars, now restored, jeweled the tree-lined streets.

What hadn’t changed is this: Cuba is still full of welcoming people. That isn’t a cliché. Even when tourists were infrequent and Americans were a flat-out surprise, no one in Cuba ever lashed out at me because of my country’s politics.

The closest anyone came was a stranger I chatted with in Havana early on.

“You are friends with Russia,” he said. “You are friends with Vietnam. Why are you not friends with Cuba?” It was a genuine question, and I had no satisfactory answer. I still don’t.

On the plane back to Miami this time, I opened my photo of the sign in the Santa Clara park and read Fidel Castro’s words. He had spoken forcefully and seriously on the meaning of revolution and freedom, but the passage made me smile. All those healthy little kids, laughing at silly clowns in the park, had delivered the same message far more eloquently.

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The changes in recent years on visitation to Cuba have created opportunities as well as confusion for Californians. Can you even go to Cuba? If so, can you fly to Cuba? Can you take a cruise to Cuba? The answers — yes, yes and no — may surprise you. And if there’s one thing you don’t want to be, it’s surprised, because the consequences are significant. Here are the questions we hear most often, answered by two Cuba experts and information from the Office of Foreign Assets Control. What’s that? Read on.

Doesn’t the State Department prohibit visits to Cuba?

No. This is incorrect on two counts. First, the rules you’ll need to know for a Cuba visit fall under the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. You can take a more in-depth look at bit.ly/cubarules.

President Obama loosened restrictions on Cuba travel in 2015; President Trump tightened them again, mostly recently in June.

You can still visit. Traveling with a group probably will be easier because a tour company will know the regulations and steer you, away from danger. Danger? What you don’t want is to unwittingly do business with a company that the Treasury Department has deemed off-limits because of ties to the Cuban government.

“We are taking additional steps to financially isolate the Cuban regime,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a Sept. 6 statement. “Through these regulatory amendments, Treasury is denying Cuba access to hard currency, and we are curbing the Cuban government’s bad behavior while continuing to support the long-suffering people of Cuba.”

Thus certain hotels, for example, are off-limits because they are under the control of the military. To see the list, go to bit.ly/cubarestrictedentities.

But didn’t U.S. airlines stop flying there recently?

No. It’s true that American and JetBlue in December will drop flights to such places as Santa Clara in central Cuba and Holguín in eastern Cuba, but flights to Havana, which is most of the air traffic, continue.

“Quite honestly, [for] the majority of the tourism that we’re involved in, the gateway really is Havana,” said Janet Moore, founder of Distant Horizons in Long Beach, which sends many groups to Cuba.

A couple of her groups are supposed to be in Santa Clara this winter. “We will have to drive” as the result of the decision, which she labeled as strange. “It’s not the end of the world for us, but it’s another nail in the coffin” of travel to Cuba.

OK, so I can take a cruise to Cuba, right?

Wrong. In June, cruises to Cuba were banned suddenly, catching numerous cruise lines flat-footed. That amounted, Cruise Lines International Assn. said, to a loss of about 800,000 visitors and created havoc for those who had signed up just so they could get a sampler platter of Cuba. The sudden cessation left many berths unfilled.

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That sudden stop also affects those who make a living or make ends meet by serving tourists. “Cubans have been suffering economically because their livelihood is tied to what American travel organizers can bring to them and their families,” said Manny Kopstein, co-founder of Cuba Travel Adventures Group in the Bay Area, which does philanthropic work in Cuba while providing customized travel. The loss of the cruise market is a “huge negative” for those who had invested to serve visitors and are suffering a corresponding drop in income.

Maybe I should go now before things change again?

December, January and February are good times to visit Cuba — after hurricane season. It’s dry and less humid. But you may have trouble finding a trip if you’re thinking of a group tour. After a slow summer (which is not high season), both Kopstein and Moore are finding demand is high for winter trips.

Do I have to go with a group?

You do not. But here’s what OFAC regulations say if you’re traveling in “support for the Cuban people,” a new category of travel that is acceptable: “Each person relying on a certain general authorization must retain specific records related to the authorized travel transactions. “ And Code of Federal Regulations 501.601 says that “such record shall be available for examination for at least five years after the date of such transaction.”

If you go as a foreign independent traveler, the documentation is your responsibility. Keeping your paperwork around for five years is also your responsibility. If you’re bad at one or the other, consider going with a group or reforming your ways.

If I do go, should I take euros instead of U.S. dollars? How about a credit card?

If you happen to have a big stack of euros sitting around, sure. The exchange rate for euros is better than that for U.S. dollars, which incur a 13% penalty when you exchange them in Cuba. But unless you are spending lavishly, you may not see that much benefit. You’ll pay a transaction fee to convert your dollars to euros and to convert them back again so I vote no. You are certainly allowed to take a credit card; you may not be able to use it. The country is still building its economic infrastructure. For now, cash is king.

What if I just want to lie on the beach and get winter out of my bones ?

If you’re an American, go somewhere else. (Canadians and Europeans have no such restrictions, so winter travel to Cuba is quite appealing to them.) In answer to the question about whether “travel to Cuba for tourist activities” is allowable, OFAC’s response is short and sweet: No. Lying on the beach falls under no category we could find. If what you’re doing doesn’t fall into one of the allowable categories permitted under the newest regulations, it means you’re out of compliance and, if questioned, you also may be out of luck.

Have a travel problem, question or dilemma? Write to [email protected]. We regret we cannot answer every inquiry.