The reception for the installation of new Beverly Hills Mayor Julian Gold, M.D. began before the evening’s City Council agenda was completed–and that turned out to be a good thing as the wind picked up as the night went on. After performances of classics such as “Over the Rainbow” and “La Vie en Rose” by Sing for Hope’s Camille Zamora, Gold encouraged the audience to head to the outdoor patio of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts while the meeting agenda concluded. Shortly after 9 p.m., those who took his advice enjoyed a catered buffet by Il Pastaio, featuring the restaurant’s famed burrata and farro salad, baked involtini spaghetti wrapped in eggplant, penne arrabiata, chicken piccata and mixed vegetables, plus Sprinkles cupcakes, fruit tarts and beverages. The intensifying wind and chill did not dampen spirits, and the mood was upbeat. As the crowd mingled, community leaders reflected on Gold’s speech and term ahead.
Beverly Hills Unified School District Board Member Judy Manouchehri and Governing Board Member Mary Wells chatted at one of the cocktail tables decorated with a small, elegant centerpiece of peach-colored roses and yellow orchids.
“I look forward to Mayor Gold’s term and his vision for the future,” Wells told the Courier. “The school district has built a strong partnership with the city, and we are focused on moving these initiatives forward for the benefit of our schools, students and taxpayers.”
Myra Lurie, Chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee, was joined by Alissa Roston, a former member of the committee.
“I’m delighted about the installation of Mayor Gold,” Lurie told the Courier. “He has always been such an advocate for all the good things in the community, and I’m particularly excited about the fact that he wants to emphasize the good work of organizations that help people and bring people together. I think it’s going to be a very positive, productive and collaborative year to come.”
Praising Lili Bosse’s term as mayor, Lurie continued, “We’re fortunate to live in a city where everybody is aligned in the goals of the community and in the health and well-being for all.”
Arts and Culture Commissioner Karla Gordy Bristol expressed her excitement about Gold’s term.
“I’m looking forward to someone who’s seasoned in the position getting a third chance to do an even more marvelous job than he did in the past,” Gordy Bristol told the Courier, emphasizing Gold’s public health and mental health initiatives. “I love the People Helping People concept. ‘Love and kindness’ is my motto, and Lili talked about being kind, and we have Kindness Week through our community services. This fits in and expands on that.”
