Photo Credit: The LA Times
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From Jamie’s Desk:
Every once in a while you see a movie, a play, or a piece of art that changes the way you think about life. It’s rare, but it’s special when it happens. GUAC, now playing at the Kirk Douglas Theater, is one of those performances.
Manuel Oliver didn’t choose to write a one-man show. He didn’t choose to become an activist or a disruptor. He didn’t choose to travel the country in a refurbished school bus with his wife Patricia, or to get arrested outside of the White House for climbing a crane and demanding a meeting with President Biden. And he definitely didn’t choose for his smart, funny, romantic, talented son Joaquin Oliver to be shot and killed in Parkland on February 14th, 2018. But that’s what happened.
In the wake of immeasurable grief, Manny has done the impossible. He’s taken every parent's worst nightmare, and has turned it into a piece of art that’s saving and changing lives. GUAC, which is also the nickname Joaquin’s friends gave him, is overall a story about love. It follows the trajectory of the family’s life, from their immigration from Venezuela to becoming American citizens to losing their son Joaquin, and the family’s tireless activism that followed. He says that he’s just doing what he knows best: being Joaquin’s dad.
The experience you will have watching this show is truly singular. You’ll laugh, cry, smile, dance, sing, and even play the air guitar. Manny doesn’t want you to come and be sad or feel helpless afterward. He wants you to be fired up – and I promise you will be. Another thing that’s special here is that this isn’t a partisan show. It’s not about pointing fingers at one side or the other, or arguing that the government should take your guns. Sure, there are a few Trump jokes – but that’s not even really partisan at this point. But Manny is angry at all politicians, as he (and we all) should be.
He’s angry about their lack of action. How it’s become normalized for children to do active shooter drills, practicing what they need to do if a gunman enters their school. It’s embarrassing and enraging that our country has done nothing to make a real dent in gun violence. Sure, the pro-gun/pro-NRA scale tips Republican, but there have been times since this epidemic began that Democrats could’ve taken decisive action as well – yet they didn’t. Why?
I don’t have a clue. It’s one of those questions that keeps me up at night. You would think that the shock from Columbine would’ve spurred action. Or the horror of Sandy Hook, where first-graders were murdered. What about Las Vegas, where 60 concertgoers were killed and 867 injured, in just the span of a few minutes because the weapon was designed specifically for mass murder? There are countless others: Virginia Tech, Uvalde, Parkland, Aurora, Pittsburgh. It seems like it never ends, and we enter the cycle of violence, outrage, and inaction. Not even the events at the WHCD, where politicians and cabinet members hid underneath tables (like schoolchildren do regularly) seemed to change things.
It’s a uniquely American problem.
In 2024, 44,447 Americans lost their lives to gun violence — an average of one death every 12 minutes.
Every year, more than 4,400 American children and teens are shot and killed, and an estimated 3 million children are exposed to shootings annually.
A few more categories where America is, indisputably, #1:
#1 in civilian gun ownership — 393 million firearms in American hands. More than the next 25 countries combined. We are 4% of the world's population and own roughly 46% of the world's civilian guns.
#1 in school shootings — more than 50 times the rest of the G7 combined.
#1 in firearm homicides among high-income countries — 26 times the rate of our peers.
#1 cause of death for American children — guns, five years running.
Photo Credit: Center Theatre Group
I know this newsletter is intense, and these statistics are jarring. But that’s where we are as a country. For those of you who are elected officials reading this: do something. For those of you who back candidates running for office – withhold your support until they can answer what they are doing to prevent gun violence. And everyone should see GUAC.
On May 14th in Culver City, I’ll be hosting a fundraiser to support GUAC and other arts initiatives that bring critical issues to the stage. You can buy your ticket here. But if you can’t make that, you can still donate (and be sure to check out the play another night). For those not in LA, keep your eyes open for when the show comes to your city in the future – and maybe it’ll even come to a streaming service soon.
Finally: today, take a brief moment of silence for Joaquin Oliver and the thousands of children who have lost their lives in school shootings in America. This is a solvable problem, but it’s up to us to change it.
Thank you Manny, Patricia and Andrea Oliver for sharing Joaquin’s story with us, and working tirelessly to make the world a better place.
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Discussed in this issue: Where to grab a bite if you’re in town for the Milken Conference, my conversation with Manny Oliver, and a special Jamie’s List birthday shoutout.
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Those of you in town for the Milken Conference, please do me a favor and go out and get a quick bite, or even order some food in. Milken is without a doubt one of the most interesting conferences of the year. However, its food options are not ideal — so be sure to take advantage of the great options within walking distance or a quick drive away. And of course, these places are good for ANYONE in Beverly Hills, not just conference-goers. I’ve sorted some of my favorite spots by distance from the Beverly Hilton:
Photo Credit: The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills
The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills – We featured this recently, so be sure to check out the archive for a full run-down, but this is where you want to hit if you’re looking for something quick. They have seating, but it’s mostly a to-go place. So if you’re starving after speaking on a panel or listening to people change the world – be sure to grab a sandwich (or salad, if you’re keeping things light). I love The Gourmand, but you truly can’t go wrong with anything at this charming Italian-style deli and cheese shop. Delivery available on Uber Eats, Postmates, and their official website.
📍 0.4 miles from Milken // ~10 minute walk
Luscious Dumplings – This is another place I wrote about recently (which you can find here), but the location and quick service make this the ideal place to go. It’s small and they don’t take reservations, but if you’re craving juicy dumplings, crispy scallion pancakes, and flavorful pork buns, this is a worthwhile stop. Delivery available on GrubHub, Seamless and DoorDash.
📍 0.5 miles from Milken // ~12 minute walk
Photo Credit: Time Out
Jon & Vinny’s – It’s hard to find an Angeleno who hasn’t been to Jon & Vinny’s and loved it. The sneaky thing about Jon and Vinny’s is that it might be the best breakfast in LA. So if you are looking for a pre-conference spot, this is it. For you out-of-towners, some of my favorites are the gem lettuce salad, spicy fusilli, chicken parm, and Little Nat’s pizza. The pro-move is to order the wings, but that might be a bit messy if you’re in your Milken attire. Go here during lunch – or after the conference. And if you’re craving something sweet afterwards, Go Greek is right next door, which is a can’t-miss dessert spot. Delivery available on DoorDash.
📍 0.5 miles from Milken // ~12 minute walk
La Scala – One of the OG Beverly Hills spots, but rightfully so for their famous chopped salad. They have all of the classic Italian staples on the menu, but the salad is what you’re there for. Delivery available on DoorDash, Uber Eats, GrubHub, and their delivery website.
📍 0.8 miles from Milken // ~19 minute walk
Matu – Matu is one of those restaurants that I’lll never stop talking about. They have a full menu at dinner, but for lunch you are there for one reason and one reason only: one of the best cheesesteaks in America. Sorry for those of you from Philly, but this is a fact. (I’m not saying it’s better than Angelo’s or Jim’s, but it’s up there). They’re open until 2 for a midday meal, and again at 5 for dinner. The cheesesteak is only available at the bar counter, so keep that in mind when you sit. Delivery available on Postmates and DoorDash.
📍 1.0 mile from Milken // ~24 minute walk (but a short drive!)
Photo Credit: The Infatuation
Leora – This is the farthest spot on the list, but a huge LA lunch favorite. The tuna melt is by far their most popular item, but the Chinese chicken salad and caesar salad wraps are also pretty impressive. This spot is always busy, but it is worth it. The good news is that they deliver, so there’s no need to brave the lines. Delivery available on Door Dash, Uber Eats, Grub Hub, and their delivery website.
📍 1.1 miles from Milken // ~25 minute walk
NOTE: While the above spots offer delivery, there are still some gems that require a sit-down meal. If you’re feeling something a bit more formal for lunch or dinner, be sure to stop by South Beverly Grill, Marea, and The Grill on the Alley.
Welcome to LA, and HAPPY EATING!
I had the chance to sit down with Manuel Oliver for Lunch With Jamie this week. He’s not a politician, a scholar, a celebrity or a self-proclaimed thought leader. He’s not even an actor, despite putting on a brilliant performance in GUAC. No – Manuel Oliver’s only job (and what he says he’s best at) is being Joaquin’s dad.
I was nervous going into this conversation. As a father, I can’t even imagine the constant grief, anger, and sadness Manny must feel. I was hesitant to make the conversation too emotional, or to discuss details. But he immediately shut that down.
“Listen, I don't want you to be concerned about the way you're asking things or what to ask. Go for it. I'm over that moment of me feeling as a victim here. I'm not a victim. I also want to make that very clear. My son is a victim. Okay? I am the father. And the fact that I can do this, it empowers me as a father.”
And then the conversation really began.
The most surprising moment for me was when I asked him 5 things that could be done today to make a meaningful dent in the gun violence epidemic in our country. He gave me one: safe storage. I was shocked at what a simple, seemingly common sense solution that is – but for some reason, there’s pushback on that still. We can’t even come together to pass a law that forces people to safely store their guns? What the hell are we doing?
This doesn’t have to be normal. People don’t need to be killed in school or at a concert or a grocery store or their house of worship. But it’s a problem that requires an open dialogue to fix. Have these conversations. Like the one I had with Manuel. Or the one you’ve been putting off with your relative who doesn’t safely store their firearms. Push your lawmakers to be decisive on regulating automatic weapons, ask candidates at town hall what their stance on gun control is – and vote like your life depends on it.
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