While children’s fashions emphasize comfort and quality fabrics, they’re often inspired by what adults are wearing, too. With everything from matching sets to exclusive prints and collaborations, kids’ styles are not an afterthought but a category with its own prestige.  

English Rabbit at 9412 Brighton Way has become a destination for discerning parents seeking the extraordinary. Inside, racks are lined with pieces from the world’s most exclusive children’s designers—think seasonal couture, stacks of Fendi shoe boxes, and a variety of miniature Chloe and Dolce & Gabbana handbags. 

“Parents value brand names, trends, quality, and they’re still price conscious, even though it is Beverly Hills,” Kelly Dowdy, owner of English Rabbit, told the Courier. The store caters to newborns up to size 14, with mixed brands, price points, and styles. 

“Kids’ fashion is usually a season off from what’s happening in women’s, so it tends to follow pretty closely what’s happening in adult fashion,” Dowdy said. “And I buy things that are close to that, and it doesn’t look like tie-dye and tutus.”

The most popular items are high fashion and contemporary pieces, including those from Off-White, Zimmermann, and Self-Portrait. “We carry Marni Kids, and when people come in and see that direct takedown from women’s, and that it’s stuff they have, they get excited,” Dowdy said. 

For baby essentials, MarMar Copenhagen is a frontrunner, since the brand is known for using high-quality fabrics for long-lasting wear. Onesies, rompers, dresses, and more formal first birthday dresses are also big in that department. 

“Fendi has done really well, and that’s kind of where people splurge and will buy a statement piece that’s really expensive.” 

One of the pricier items at English Rabbit is a $2,292 Fendi dress for baby girls, made of light pink organza with colorful florals embroidered throughout and an airy silhouette. Dolce & Gabbana’s classic floral and butterfly print dresses are also among the most popular specialty garments for girls. For boys, shirt jackets from Bonton and reversible puffer jackets from Stella McCartney do very well. 

Many people splurge on luxury kids’ items, particularly when gifting, and presents like $295 Christian Louboutin crib shoes create a show-stopping baby shower moment. “It’s fun buying a child their first Louboutins, which the parents probably wouldn’t do because it’s not a necessity,” Dowdy said.

English Rabbit offers styling services, too, because many of their clients shop remotely. Each store associate is trained on how to put together outfits, as well as blend brands. “One of our top customers has only been into the store once,” she said.

“I think retail has been really challenging for a lot of other industries within retail, but ours has continued to grow,” Dowdy said. “I think during hard times, people find joy in spending on kids and still having that outlet to shop. So, we’ve filled that need during the past few years of ups and downs with the economy.”

A few blocks west, at 9631 Brighton Way, stepping inside the Bonpoint boutique feels like crossing the Atlantic without a passport. As one of the few French couture brands that’s dedicated almost exclusively to children, it’s known for timeless silhouettes in whisper-soft cottons and blossoming patterns. Since its inception in 1975, Bonpoint has collaborated with British design house Liberty, using their iconic floral prints and signature Tana Lawn patterned cotton fabrics.

“Our attention to detail, from hand embroidery to the use of the softest of fabrics, the clothes are all designed with the children’s comfort in mind, while also maintaining couture standards,” Daniel Davidson, area manager for the Beverly Hills Bonpoint store, told the Courier. 

Parents who shop there want their kids to look polished without feeling overdressed and look for pieces that transition easily from every day to special occasions.

Each collection emphasizes a blend of timeless elegance, playful creativity, and luxury. With Bonpoint celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the current capsule is a tribute to the brand’s heritage. 

Recently, styles have been modernized with embellishments, such as long-sleeve tops or T-shirts with ribbon details that add a playful three-dimensional element. Davidson noted that parents favor more ornate items that showcase Bonpoint’s artistry over a simple sweater. 

While they rarely make clothing in dark colors, the solid black wool “Jelma” dress has been hugely popular this season. With a ruffled neckline, a delicate cherry eyelet pattern on top, and a pleated godet skirt, it’s ideal for a wintery special occasion. The dress is styled with black patent Mary Jane shoes, a black velvet bow hairband, and a silver flower-shaped crossbody bag to complete the polished ensemble. 

The $625 “Josiane” dress sold out almost immediately for girls. It features a warm raspberry flower print on Liberty fabric and decorative gold piping. Romantic and vintage-inspired, the dress reflects the signature Bonpoint style—a blend of French elegance and timeless Liberty charm.

For boys, the most sought-after items include a $295 cotton and wool crew-neck sweater with a raised Paris Archives inscription on the front and a $425 color-blocked sweater with a nostalgic cinema design woven on. 

As soon as new merchandise is received, Davidson will put together outfits and text photos of looks to his roster of regular and high-profile clients. “They’ll heart the photos they like, and I’ll send things out without them even coming into the store. They can try on the items with their kids at home and then send back whatever doesn’t work. We send out tens of thousands of dollars of consignments to each client, and they’ll get a one-week turnaround.” To make the process as easy and seamless as possible, they have couriers drop off and pick up whatever is being returned. “Customer service is huge.”

Bonpoint has also collaborated with brands like Golden Goose and Veja for sneakers, and in October released a curated assortment of pieces with Gigi Hadid’s knitwear line, Guest in Residence. In February, they are launching a limited collection with Porsche, including T-shirts, hats, bandanas, cardigans, and even a leather coat for boys and girls. For babies, the Porsche collaboration will primarily consist of T-shirts and beanies. 

If Bonpoint is understated refinement, Monnalisa, at 338 North Beverly Drive, is joyful exuberance. The Italian label’s Beverly Hills boutique bursts with bold florals, rhinestone studs, and playful couture that transforms every day into a celebration. 

The global brand originated in Italy in the 1960s and has operated its Beverly Hills store for almost 15 years. The store offers unique collections and maintains a family-owned identity with a second-generation leading design. The brand caters to a wide age range, from newborns to teenagers, focusing on quality materials and singular designs. 

“Our clients like the brand’s exclusivity,” Monnalisa store manager Lana Andreic told the Courier. “We’re not sold in the department stores, and people really appreciate it when they come in and know these are things that they cannot find anywhere else.”

The brand collaborates with Disney every year, with different characters featured on the clothing each season. For Pre-Fall 2025, Stitch, from the Lilo & Stitch franchise, appears on everything from striped sweaters to tulle dresses, as well as Minnie and Mickey Mouse.

For the Fall-Winter 2025-26 collection, the main print is designed with colorful gemstones and crystal embellishments that can be easily mixed and matched. For autumn, Monnalisa interpreted the season’s mood with teddy bear motifs and warm brown hues. 

According to Andreic, their most popular items are tulle dresses for girls ages 2 to 12. The garments feature bodices with layered, ruffled short sleeves that add a romantic flair, and tiered skirts with ruffles, adding volume and movement. A slim belt at the waist with a small jewel detail completes the look. “This is our iconic style, which we have every season, and the only things that change are the print and color. They are super, super popular for birthday parties and special occasions. Girls just love tulle, and it’s all lined with 100% cotton. Everything that touches the skin is cotton.”

The store carries a $355 velvet dress for infants with a Peter Pan collar, three decorative rosettes at the waist, and delicate pleats falling below to create movement for a more sophisticated, formal look. 

While the brand’s baby collection is always slightly different from the girls’, many clients request matching outfits for their newborn and toddler. For the Spring-Summer 2026 season, the same garments will be carried for babies up to 6 years old.

“One of our best local clients, her daughter is now 22,” Andreic said. “Then she had three nieces, so she came back here to shop for them. People are really loyal to the brand.”

Venturing down to 179 South Beverly Drive, Auntie Barbara’s General Store is more than a shop for kids; it’s a Beverly Hills institution. Having been on the street for over 50 years, the boutique is where luxury meets nostalgia. The store carries books, toys, jewelry, purses, and clothing sourced from Europe and all over the United States for newborns up to size 14. 

The shop’s assortment blends practicality with panache: special-occasion dresses alongside everyday wear, traditional layette items, and gifts. Unlike the mono-brand flagships on Rodeo Drive, Auntie Barbara’s thrives on variety, pulling from a curated mix of labels. While it may not command the sky-high price tags of Gucci, its value lies in curation, customer loyalty, and community identity.

“We carry it all, from a sweater for $48 and one for $100,” longtime owner Barbara Bartman told the Courier. “You can pretty much get anything you need from a rattle to a fur coat.”

Bartman curates everything in the store and ensures that the fabrics and materials of each garment are of high quality. “I first ask myself, is this itchy?” Bartman said. “If a kid puts it on and doesn’t want to wear it, then we’ll sit on it. Seams must be in the right place, and it has to be super soft.”

One of the store’s most popular brands is a Spanish line called 1+ in the Family, which Bartman orders a year in advance. With a minimalist and modern aesthetic, the line is known for wrap onesies, button-front cardigans, drawstring pants, and slouchy overalls in neutral palettes and unfussy silhouettes for babies and kids ages 0 to 4. 

“This generation wants everything to be gender neutral, which I think is the most awful thing in the world,” Bartman said. “They only want their kids to be in beige.”

On the wall, the shop displays printed vintage-inspired T-shirts for boys from Something Corporate with phrases like “Someone Famous” and “Sky Ya Later” printed on the front. Beneath them, folded shirts and sweatshirts in earthy tones are neatly stacked, in styles that mix sporty and fun. 

For girls, shoes are arranged on top of round tables with styles like mesh Mary Janes with buckle straps that mirror the trendy Alaïa women’s ballet flats, and denim blue slip-on sandals with a cutout “H” design, similar to the Hermes Chypre shoe. 

“We got into Labubu’s too, because I had to,” Bartman said. “I’ve even got someone in New York making dresses with them on it. I’m not crazy for them, but I don’t always buy what I like. I have to keep up with and buy what kids want.”

Of everything in her store, her favorite items are decorative woven storage boxes with playful designs that she imports from Europe. They are all under $200, come in three sizes, and feature colorful, whimsical scenes embroidered on them. 

On Rodeo Drive, the icons of high fashion have extended their reach to even the youngest clientele. The children’s sections at stores like Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana are not afterthoughts tucked in the back of the flagships, but gleam with the same grandeur as their adult counterparts, only scaled to miniature proportions. At Gucci, the kids’ department is designed like a playful theater, with sweeping red velvet curtains framing the entrance. Inside, the mini mannequins are styled in coordinated, polished kids’ wear looks with Gucci’s signature pattern, and shelves are stacked with GG-printed $1,350 backpacks and $1,100 tote bags that feel both collectible and practical. As part of the 2025 Cruise children’s collection, many feature fanciful motifs of cats, dogs, and mushrooms designed by South Korean painter Naon Jeong. 

Heritage motifs are reimagined for a younger generation. For parents looking to splurge on items that never go out of style, tiny $560 horsebit loafers for boys and girls are a classic fan favorite. 

“I literally only buy it for a wedding or special event, because in two seconds, your Gucci dress has a throw-up stain on it that never comes out,” Oren Katz Paskover, mother of two, told the Courier. 

On Via Rodeo, the Dolce & Gabbana children’s section is designed with the same bold energy. It has modern lacquer surfaces and mirrored walls and shelving, giving it a mini boutique feel within the larger store. Racks of clothing decorated with the brand’s signature florals bloom vibrantly across party dresses for girls and $455 cotton poplin rompers for babies, alongside simple jersey dresses emblazoned with the Dolce & Gabbana logo. 

“I look for things that’ll last as long as possible—babies grow so fast, so you want to maximize the value if you’re spending on it,” Stephanie Roach told the Courier. “Also, they spit up or have accidents on everything!” 

For boys, the color palette is more monochromatic, with black and white prints that channel the brand’s unmistakable baroque sensibility. Here, classic short-sleeve crewnecks are elevated with Sicilian maiolica tile patterns and paired with matching Bermuda shorts. 

Even Amiri, known primarily for menswear, has expanded to the kids’ market and carries a small selection of children’s clothing and accessories at the store on Rodeo. Their most popular items here are their $150 “Core Logo” T-shirts, which have Amiri printed on the front, and the sold-out $170 “Ma Quad Scribble” T-shirt with their signature monogram reimagined in a colorful radial burst. Parents who shop here are looking for logos and street style. 

Beverly Hills children’s stores showcase a range of kids’ luxury fashion, where quiet luxury and maximalist glamour can be found on the same street. From the refinement of Bonpoint to the exuberant florals of Dolce & Gabbana, to Amiri’s street-luxury edge and Auntie Barbara’s community roots, the offerings are diverse. Together, these boutiques and flagship houses prove that style in this city begins early. 

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Pursuant to state law, Beverly Hills was required by 2021 to demonstrate its ability to build 3,100 new housing units, divided into various income categories. The city worked with the California Department of Housing and Community Development from 2021 to 2024 to produce a housing element satisfactory to the state. 

“During that period, state law has a provision called Builder’s Remedy, which says if the city has not had its housing plan certified by that deadline, developers can submit applications for projects, and those projects do not have to comply with the general plan or the zoning,” Forbes told the public. Certain developers were paying very close attention to this three-year window of time, during which the city received 16 applications. Those applications have now been reduced to 14. Of those, five have been approved by the Planning Commission so far. “We do have various lawsuits pending on some of those as well … but we’re now at the point where we have to start bringing these projects forward,” Forbes added. 

Nazarian noted, “I don’t think that anybody is denying that we need housing. We need affordable housing. We are facing a housing shortage in California … it’s taking away local control, which is the issue.”

Builder’s Remedy has succeeded in removing “control” from Beverly Hills as it relates to the applications in question. The city is essentially mandated to approve the projects. The city has pursued various legal paths to stop these projects from getting approved, to no avail. Courts have ruled in favor of the developers’ Builder’s Remedy applications. 

Many community members also had questions regarding SB 79, a California law titled the Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act. This law requires the city to increase the density of development allowed within a quarter-mile ring of the new Canon and La Cienega subway stops, regardless of zoning. “So, even single-family properties and neighborhoods within a quarter mile of these subway stations, if a developer wants to propose a multifamily project in those areas, the city would be compelled to approve it under that law,” Forbes said. While the Century City subway stop is outside of the city border, the quarter-mile ring around that station extends into Beverly Hills. In addition to a streamlined permitting process, parking is not required if the development is located within a half mile of a major transit stop. 

“We want to support the state; it’s important,” Nazarian said. “Since they want to encourage public transit and the use of it, then we want to support that as well.” As far as parking permits are concerned, the City Council is exploring an ordinance that would prohibit residents of SB 79 units from participating in the city’s preferential and overnight parking. 

Forbes also described significant projects in the planning stages and under construction, and how they will benefit the city. Scheduled to be completed in 2028, the biggest is One Beverly Hills, which will consist of two condominium towers, a luxury hotel, and roughly five acres of public park area. Per the project’s development agreement, the city will receive tax revenue and public benefit contributions, which are both estimated to be substantial. The Planning Commission also recently approved the new Louis Vuitton flagship store on Beverly and Rodeo Drives, which construction is expected to begin next year. Designed by Frank Gehry, the flagship store will be roughly 100,000 square feet and will house a museum exhibition space as well as a café. The third major project is the Saks Fifth Avenue project, which is going through the entitlement process. “The development agreement is being negotiated right now, as far as what public benefits will be provided,” Forbes said. 

Forbes also spoke about a new system that the city is working on to streamline permitting and expand the building permitting process online, using artificial intelligence. 

The conversation also touched on short-term rentals, reminding the public that the City Council recently adopted an ordinance making them illegal in single-family and multifamily neighborhoods. Across the city, the minimum required lease period for all units is 12 months. 

Lastly, after renewed concern about coyotes in the community, people were reminded not to leave food or water out on the street, including around trash cans. “We’re actually putting up cameras in a couple of locations to try and identify who is feeding them, because there are some regular locations where food is getting put out,” Forbes noted. Leaving food out for wildlife attracts coyotes to the neighborhood and violates the municipal code. The city has a contract with Los Angeles Animal Services, which can assess a property or neighborhood and flag potential coyote attractants. 

The next Straight Talk with Sharona will be held on Nov. 6 at 5:30 p.m.  

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Powerhouses including Willow Bay, award-winning journalist and owner of the Angel City Football Club; Jeanie Buss, Governor and co-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers; Charlotte Jones, Chief Brand Officer and co-owner of the Dallas Cowboys; and Lauren Leichtman, owner of the San Diego Wave Football Club, discussed the experiences and challenges of women in sports ownership on a panel moderated by two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA championship winner Candace Parker.

Charlotte Jones shared her father’s unexpected purchase of the Dallas Cowboys football team and the challenges faced, emphasizing the need for resilience. “We have to have a high tolerance for ambiguity, and we have no idea what tomorrow is going to bring, but we have to be prepared,” Jones said. “We’ve taken the first risk. We put everything on the line … you’ve got to be comfortable in that space and then figure out how to make the best decisions to turn the club around when we get there. You know, they don’t issue you a manual when you buy a team.”

Having purchased the Angel City Football Club a little over a year ago, Bay reflected on handling crises, from the wildfires to ICE raids, and how they have impacted her team.

At the height of the immigration raids in the city, her soccer team’s supporters wanted to hang a banner that read “Abolish ICE” at the stadium in response to the fear and uncertainty that people were feeling, but it was a violation of venue policy.

Understanding the need for the community to respond to the moment, Bay agreed to a different show of support. “Fans created T-shirts with our assistance, with ‘Immigrant City Football Club’ on the front, and in English and Spanish, ‘everyone belongs here’ on the back, and they offered them to people on their way into the games,” Bay said. “The response was overwhelmingly positive, and I think we were surprised … there was so much concern about speaking out, and our fan community loved it.”

When asked about the growth of women’s sports, Leichtman, who owns a team that competes in the National Women’s Soccer League, believes we are on the cusp of an explosion, but significant challenges remain.

“We don’t own our own stadium,” Leichtman said. “The men get priority, then concerts, then women. To me, that’s completely untenable. So, I think we’ve got a lot of work to do. The only way out of it is to push your way in. You just know it’s not an acceptable answer.”

For women running men’s sports teams, Jeanie Buss noted that many obstacles and barriers are, in fact, extremely surmountable. As the first female Governor in the NBA and a championship winner, Buss spoke about the need to deviate from the exact path that came before her. “I think my biggest challenge was I couldn’t develop relationships with the players like my father could, because I couldn’t go in the locker room after a game, and I had to figure out ways to make connections with the players that were meaningful outside of that,” Jeanie Buss said.

At the Summit, Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion Alex Morgan, also known for her efforts fighting for pay equality in the workforce, was honored with the Changemaker Award. Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, was awarded the $100,000 Visionary Prize for Women’s Economic Empowerment. Saujani has advocated for closing the gender gap in tech and improving policies around motherhood, paid leave, and childcare. The Inaugural Trailblazer Award was given to Carolyn Clark Powers for her work making going to an L.A. museum free, and Bridget Gless Keller, who championed the building of the Children’s Institute campus in Watts.

Additionally, more than $220,000 was raised at the event for the Visionary Women’s NextGen Scholars initiative, which supports first-generation college students with a $5,000 discretionary scholarship, giving dozens of young ladies the comfort and benefit of a monetary cushion during the college years.

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Grammy Award–winning singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno was this year’s headline act, whose soulful bilingual repertoire wove together Latin, blues, folk, and Americana seamlessly. Moreno drew one of the largest crowds of the day and had the audience singing along and swaying to every note. 

Hundreds of people gathered at the Canon stage to see a returning fan favorite act, the Kooban Ensemble, known for their mystical and folkloric Iranian music. Sponsored by the Farhang Foundation, the show featured Melieka Fathi performing classical Iranian dances. Before the Kooban Ensemble’s performance, Mayor Sharona Nazarian warmly welcomed everyone who came out. “Beverly Hills is a globally recognized community, and our goal is to celebrate unity,” Nazarian said.

Famous for their viral renditions of the national anthem at L.A. Kings games, members of the Korean Senior Community Center Los Angeles Harmonica Ensemble enchanted listeners with nostalgic melodies, and their colorful traditional Korean hanboks captivated onlookers. A Filipino‑American a cappella ensemble, the Filharmonic; bassist and composer Luca Alemanno, who reimagined cinematic scores by Ennio Morricone and Nino Rota; and Israeli singer-songwriter LALA Tamar, known for merging Moroccan soul with Brazilian beats, were among some of the other musical performances.

While dance company Versa Style delivered a high-energy fusion of hip hop and contemporary choreography, the Danza Azteca troupe donned feathered headdresses, beaded garments, and ankle rattles for a show that blended Mexican ceremonial practices with dance and music. 

Rounding out the program, Debbie Allen Dance Academy showed beginners how to move to the rhythm of the beat, and girls from Everybody Dance L.A. gave the community a salsa lesson, where attendees learned basics like the salsa step, step touch, the grapevine, and jazz hands. At a stage on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Canon Drive, the Asian American improv troupe Cold Tofu captivated kids of all ages with improvisational storytelling throughout the day. 

“Today has been a celebration of diversity, creativity, and community,” Karla Gordy Bristol, Chair of the Arts and Culture Commission, told the crowd. “It gives context and meaning to the richness of all cultures and what makes us all so special.”

In addition to contributing to the artistic lineup, consuls general from Bulgaria, Italy, Senegal, Trinidad, and Tobago attended the festival. Gastronomic offerings reflected the day’s cultural diversity, with food trucks from Chef Mojdeh Eghbal’s with gourmet Iranian street fare, Indonesian fusion from StopBye Café, deli fare from the Deli Doctor, and classic pastas from LA LA Lasagna. Nearby, Kinrose Creamery served ice cream inspired by Middle Eastern flavors, and a candy stand from Kandi, which specializes in Swedish sweets. 

“The Arts and Culture Commission is truly committed to bringing programs to you, our community, and neighboring cities that forwardly celebrate cultural diversity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging,” Bristol added. “Festival Beverly Hills shines a light on this incredible diversity, honoring the traditions of people from their respective homelands through art, music, dance, and communities.”  

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Many showed up wearing The Smokin’ Cobras T-shirts, and the band played high-energy fan favorites like Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart,” Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock & Roll,” Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose,” and Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti.” 

“Welcome to our Beverly Canon Gardens concerts in the park,” Mayor Sharona Nazarian told the crowd. “This month is about enjoying our parks. We have so many different activities and so many different programs … I love that we see everybody dancing, enjoying this beautiful space. We have 8,700 acres of parks in the city of Beverly Hills. Isn’t that amazing?”

The free event drew crowds of adults, children, and seniors who came together to enjoy music, food, and each other’s company on the festive summer night. 

“Beverly Hills is always one of the absolute highlight shows of our year,” The Smokin’ Cobras told the Courier. “The people are amazing. We play all over the world, and nobody rocks any harder than our brothers and sisters in Beverly Hills … dancing feet and beautiful smiling faces of all ages as far as the eye can see. What a blessing.” 

With palm-lined walkways, trickling fountains, and a lively atmosphere, Beverly Canon Gardens perfectly embodies why parks make life better. This celebration is just one of many happenings throughout July that highlight the value of the city’s 15 public parks and open spaces in fostering wellness, connection, and joy. As part of the programming, residents can also pick up a free California State Parks vehicle day-use pass at the Beverly Hills Public Library, available while supplies last. 

The next event will be a “Clueless”-themed Family Bingo Night at Roxbury Park on July 11 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. To learn more, visit https://www.beverlyhills.org/1400/Parks-Make-Life-Better-Month-July-Activi. 

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One of the most anticipated celebrations is the debut of “The Clueless Suite” at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, where guests can immerse themselves in Cher’s lavishly stylish world. The limited-time luxury experience, available from July 12 through Sept. 1, was created in collaboration with Paramount Pictures, “Clueless” costume designer Mona May, and Bloomingdale’s. 

The suite is decorated with stills from the movie, behind-the-scenes pictures provided by Paramount, and framed photos of Paul Rudd on the nightstand. It features yellow plaid upholstery, fluffy accent pillows, and an interactive “digital closet” display that brings Cher’s outfit-selecting computer to life.

“We just wanted this to be like Cher and Dionne invited you to come for a sleepover and stay the weekend,” interior designer Jordan Hackworth told the Courier. “We have the ultimate girly amenities, a game night area, and the most luscious pure silk bedding. We just wanted to really make a fantasy out of it, like what is Cher doing in 2025? We took a lot of inspiration from the movie, and it’s all done with a wink and a nudge. Nothing is taken too seriously. But we wanted to blend high fashion with Beverly Hills and make it girly and sweet.” 

The closet is meant to be like an extension of Cher’s, complete with a wardrobe inspired by the movie and curated by Bloomingdale’s and costume designer May. The whole experience is shoppable, and the booking comes with a custom garment, a $100 gift card to Bloomingdale’s, plus a VIP personal styling service at the department store. And because Cher never relied on mirrors, there’s also a Polaroid camera to photograph your looks before deciding on the perfect one. The suite also comes with a white Jeep Wrangler convertible to cruise around the city in, and beauty treatments fit for a Noxzema commercial.

“The boas, the pink and the yellow, the Mary Janes … it’s all kind of updated and current, and you can get inspired and have fun with colored clothes,” May told the Courier. “It’s basically about inspiring girls … As an artist, it’s incredible to be recognized 30 years later and have some of your work live forever. The sleepless nights, the stress, it was all worth it.”

From “CH” monogrammed bathrobes to a copy of Covert Bailey’s “The New Fit or Fat,” every inch is a nod to the film’s most memorable moments. The vanity is filled with colorful accessories, fuzzy pens, and copies of Cher’s report card, because convincing teachers to change your grades every other semester is no small feat. 

The 30th anniversary celebrations culminate in a festival at La Cienega Park on July 19, where Mayor Sharona Nazarian will officially proclaim the date as “Clueless Day.” Produced with Street Food Cinema, the ticketed event will include food trucks themed photo installations, a DJ, and an alfresco screening of the movie. 

Beyond the suite, other “Clueless”-themed events in Beverly Hills include a special July 10 Concert on Canon featuring “AS IF!”, a ’90s tribute band at the Beverly Canon Gardens, an outdoor screening of the movie at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Aug. 6, a Cher-themed spa package and special dessert at The Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, which runs from July 15 to Aug. 15.

To learn more, visit https://lovebeverlyhills.com/articles/view/beverly-hills-celebrates-clueless-30th-anniversary. 

As if you’d want to miss it.  

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Of the 325 lots, the 1988 Bellville Sassoon floral day dress, known as the “caring dress,” was the most anticipated, selling for $520,000. The blue crepe-de-chine knee-length dress is decorated with pastel flowers in shades of pink, yellow, and blue, with a gathering at the waistline. 

“She was seen photographed in it in Brazil when she went to a children’s hospital,” Michael Amato, a fashion specialist at Julien’s, told the Courier. “She wore it because she loved it, and it was very comforting because kids actually felt a little less intimidated because it was so soft and tactile.” The princess was photographed wearing the dress in public at least seven times, often during official visits to hospitals. 

Renae Plant, an Australian native and founder and curator of The Princess Diana Museum, submitted the winning bid for the caring dress. Plant told People magazine that she and her husband took out a fourth mortgage on their home to get the dress. 

Other standout pieces in the auction included a 1981 John Boyd pink straw archer-style hat, worn for her honeymoon send-off in 1981, and a 1986 Catherine Walker evening gown with cream silk crepe embroidered falcons, made custom for her to wear during the 1986 Gulf Tour. The hat went for $26,000, and the falcon dress for $455,000. 

According to Beverly Hills-based Julien’s Auctions, this marked the largest collection of her iconic wardrobe ever assembled for auction. A portion of the sales from Princess Diana items will benefit Muscular Dystrophy UK.  

Last December, Princess Diana’s 1985 Jacques Azagury evening dress made history at the Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Movies’ Hollywood Legends sale, going for $1,148,080. 

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Born in the San Bernardino area, Foran and his wife, Carole, moved to the Beverly Hills flats in 1971 and have been there ever since. The couple raised four children, all of whom graduated from Beverly Hills High School. Now a retired physician, Foran practiced for 42 years as a vascular surgeon and served as chief of the vascular surgery division and kidney transplant service at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

In 1963, Foran opened a vascular surgery practice in Beverly Hills with his friend Dr. Richard Treiman. Today, the two remain close and play bridge together several times a week. “We were the first people to do pure vascular surgery in the L.A. area,” Foran said.

In 1964, Foran provided surgical access for the first vascular access surgery for dialysis in the Los Angeles area at what was then Mount Sinai Hospital. Revered in his field for his many accomplishments, Foran was also one of the doctors who started the kidney transplant program and performed the first kidney transplants at Cedars of Lebanon and at Mount Sinai Hospital before the medical center was built.

Since he retired in 2005, Foran has occupied his days working on his tennis game and plays regularly at the Beverly Hills Tennis Club.

The trophy he won is called the Gold Ball, and it’s the first one ever awarded in the 95-and-older division. “So, I’m the only one in the world who has that ball,” Foran said proudly. Foran played tennis at Colton High School in Colton, California, but noted that he didn’t make the team at UCLA, where he received his undergraduate degree. “I’m a rank-and-file tennis player and have been fortunate to live longer than a lot of the better players that I had to compete against,” Foran told the Courier. “I struggled for some 30 years in tournament tennis trying to achieve one of these, and I was very happy to win it.”

Foran used to belong to the American Medical Tennis Association, and he and his wife traveled extensively with fellow tennis-playing physicians to participate in tournaments against other doctors. “It was fun,” Foran said. “We met a lot of wonderful people and saw some beautiful tennis facilities around the world.” His favorite tournament destination was Karlovy Vary, a town in the Czech Republic. 

“My wife grew up in Beverly Hills, and she graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1951, so we have some roots in the community,” he added. “Having lived here for all these years, we’ve had many, many close friends here and neighbors on our street.” 

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This group of students holds a special place in the school’s history. They were in kindergarten when the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly changed the world, and virtual learning, mask mandates and social distancing became part of their early education. The class of 2025 is also the first to graduate from the school since reconfiguration in 2019 when all students were relocated to Hawthorne Elementary School during the construction of the new campus. 

“This year is the year of firsts,” Principal Sarah Kaber said. “You were the first to decorate these brand-new walls with butterflies from the Butterfly Project, a bright symbol of transformation. And today, you are the first students to be promoted from this auditorium, standing at the threshold to your next big adventure. Today, we look back not just at what’s behind us, but as far as you all have come. Each of you has grown in knowledge and character and confidence, and today, we honor every part of your story, your struggles, your successes, your friendship, and your growth.”

The ceremony also included fifth graders singing the school’s alma mater, remarks from teachers, and speeches by several students who shared memories and reflected on their journey over the last five years. 

“Can you believe we started as sweet, adorable kindergarteners who were scared of the dark, and now we have become the shining light for those who come after us?” Julia Razi said. “In the past years, we’ve learned a lot. From reading “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss to writing five-paragraph essays about climate change, from adding two plus two to multiplying fractions, from learning to color in between the lines to sculpting a ceramic butterfly.”

“COVID made school weird and hard at times, but it also showed us how strong we are,” Theodore Benyamin said. “We learned to adapt, to be flexible, and to keep going even when things didn’t go perfectly, like when Zoom froze because the Wi-Fi went out, and it made us look like we were frozen in space. If that wasn’t enough change, we also moved from Hawthorne to this new, beautiful campus, El Rodeo.”

Students paid homage to their time at Hawthorne, highlighting carnivals, Pajamarama, Halloween parades, and movie nights, as well as the cherished experiences that shaped their time at El Rodeo, which included an overnight field trip in the Santa Monica Mountains, dance parties, and a multicultural day. 

As cameras flashed and the 106 students were awarded their certificates, it was clear that this wasn’t just a graduation—it was truly a milestone. Moving on to Beverly Vista Middle School, these fifth graders leave behind not only a legacy of resilience but also a foundation for future classes to build upon. 

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Rite Aid filed for Chapter 11 in 2023 and emerged from a financial restructuring process last September, but the company has continued to face significant challenges. According to a May 5 letter addressed to pharmacy benefit managers from Owen McMahon, Group Vice President of Enterprise Pharmaceutical Purchasing at Rite Aid, “These challenges have only intensified as a result of the rapidly evolving retail and healthcare landscapes in which Rite Aid operates.” 

On that same day, the chain once again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Many locations will be shuttered nationwide, but the Canon Drive location was not listed in its recent store closure list as of a May 9 filing. 

Zach Zalben, a commercial real estate developer who owns many pharmacy locations, tells the Courier that the Canon Drive location is likely in the 10 ten highest pharmacy sales (rumored to be in the $25 million range) of any retail pharmacy in the United States.  

The property on which Rite Aid sits is owned by the Charles Company, a West Hollywood-based commercial and residential real estate development firm run by Mark and Arman Gabay. The 24,553-square-foot brick structure was built in 1967 as a retail pharmacy and a Crown Books, for those who remember. According to documents reviewed by the Courier, Rite Aid’s lease expires at the end of 2025, with an option to extend for an additional five years. 

 “If they don’t have that many years left on the lease, what will happen is that the landlord will be the one who really has the opportunity to call the shots,” commercial real estate agent Richard Rizika told the Courier. “What often happens is someone will come in, like a CVS or Walgreens, and say, ‘I agree to go ahead and take that over, as long as you give me the time to negotiate with the landlord to get a longer lease term.’”

“I think the landlord and the creditors of Rite Aid should come up with a collaboration where both the fee simple owner and the leaseholder, Rite Aid, win,” another prominent Beverly Hills developer told the Courier. “It probably should involve the developer just paying Rite Aid to walk away from their below-market lease so they can put a worthwhile development there. I think they’re keeping the Canon location in the near term, and because it’s such a good lease and such a good store, I think this is one of very few Rite Aids that survive.”

Rite Aid has notified customers that most of the stores slated for closure will stay open for at least the next few months.  With many of their locations, Rite Aid is looking to sell its prescriptions, pharmacy front-end inventory, and other assets to new owners. For the time being, they will continue to offer pharmacy services, but the company stated it is working to ensure a “smooth transfer of customer prescriptions to other pharmacies.”
Rite Aid has not responded to requests for an official comment about the Canon Drive location. But, “Alice,” a shift supervisor at the location who did not want to provide her last name, told the Courier, “It’s a roller coaster …“We know that they’re all closing but we don’t know exactly when.” 

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The sisters were presented with the Trailblazer Award by Samuel L. Jackson. “Everyone in this room knows Wendy,” Jackson said. “When it comes to needing help or information or a doctor … Wendy is the first call to make.” Goldberg is a New York Times bestselling author and philanthropist who also worked as a creative partner with her late husband, film and television producer Leonard Goldberg. Her son John Mirisch is presently the vice mayor of Beverly Hills.

“I can’t imagine my life without her,” Jackson said when introducing Howard. “She’s been my agent, friend, consigliere, someone who is to high-stakes blackjack what Superman is to hero comics. She’s been my hero for at least 30 years.” A revered agent in the industry, Howard has represented Jackson for decades. Her client list also includes the likes of Michael Keaton, James Spader, Goldie Hawn, Diane Lane, Christopher Walken, Michael Caine, and more. 

The sisters then sat down for a fireside chat moderated by their longtime friend, Judge Judy Sheindlin. “I came to Hollywood at the tender age of 52,” Sheindlin said. “If anyone had suggested to me that 30 years later, I would be standing here celebrating these two fabulous women, I would have said, ‘What are you smoking?’” Having met Howard 27 years ago, Sheindlin described her as the most gifted agent in Hollywood and Goldberg as a philanthropic mountain climber. 

“Women’s Guild, you have my supreme admiration for all that you do,” Howard said. She went on to praise the level of care at Cedars-Sinai hospital, which she witnessed firsthand this year, after her husband had been hospitalized on two occasions. “I was moved by the kindness and the enthusiasm shown by your staff. David loves talking to people, and no matter what someone’s job was, he ended up having a conversation with them … Everyone put such energy and joy into their work.”

When Sheindlin asked Goldberg why she gives so much of her time and energy to the Women’s Guild, she responded matter-of-factly: “If one is privileged and has the wherewithal to do it, you do it.” 

In addition to having some of Hollywood’s biggest names present, the luncheon was emceed by “Entertainment Tonight” host Nischelle Turner. Just outside the Crystal Ballroom, an Elysewalker pop-up boutique was also set up for the event, and 10% of the proceeds went to the Women’s Guild Cedars-Sinai. Since its inception, the Women’s Guild has raised over $70 million for Cedars-Sinai. 

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“When we sent people to help, I knew they were going to see some things in this fire that maybe they’ve never seen before,” BHFD Chief Greg Barton told the Courier. “It takes a toll on them, and it takes a toll on their families.”

“We were very aware of the toll it was taking on the firefighters who were putting their lives on the line,” Varina Bleil, CEO of Maple Counseling, told the Courier. “Whenever there is a crisis going on and first responders are dealing with it, that also means that their families are really called upon to support them and hold it together on the home front. It was a prolonged crisis, and we wanted to recognize the sacrifices made for the safety of all of us in the Los Angeles area.”

According to Bleil, people typically wait between six weeks and two months after a trauma before seeking mental health support. “The truth about mental health during a crisis is that we’re really sowing the seeds of a future investment,” Bleil said. “When working with first responders who are trained to take on that kind of trauma as part of their day job, sometimes the demand is not immediate. Sometimes, first responders consider being able to manage stress on their own as part of the job, but it really shouldn’t and doesn’t have to be.” Recently, demand for these services has started to “pile in.”

In the weeks after the fires were extinguished, flyers were circulated among the department with information and signs to look for if someone was struggling with mental health. If a firefighter was withdrawing, not sleeping, not eating, having mood swings or acting differently, they were referred to Maple.

“There’s a lot of stuff that they see throughout their career that is very traumatic, and they have to push it down and do their job,” Chief Barton said. “That’s what the community expects from them, and that’s why this service is so important.”

In addition, Maple is also offering six free therapy sessions to anyone in Los Angeles County who was impacted by the fires. Beyond talk therapy, Maple counselors teach people how to integrate mindfulness, breath work, and somatic awareness to help manage day-to-day anxiety. “I’m just encouraging everyone to add a professional into your corner as you navigate life after living through a crisis like the LA fires,” she said.

Established in 1972 by Beverly Hills parents, Maple Counseling has been involved with the city for years. It has contracted with the Beverly Hills Unified School District to provide counseling and mental health support services to students on school sites, and as part of the city’s crisis response, a licensed therapist from Maple is also embedded with Beverly Hills first responders.

Before the fires, Maple already had an arrangement available for the Beverly Hills Police Department, the BHFD and their families, where therapy sessions were capped at $20.

The emotional and psychological impacts seen in people affected by the recent Palisades and Eaton wildfires run the gamut. Still, Bleil noted that they are primarily suffering from anxiety, existential rage, guilt, and grief.

These services can be accessed by calling Maple Counseling at 310-271-9999. Bleil encouraged the public to also call the Briskin Wilder Welcome Center, which offers mental health intake and management support at zero cost to anyone in the county. “Essentially, we’re trying to eliminate all barriers to anybody getting the mental health help that they need by removing the arduous process of even figuring out what you need, where to go, or what you can afford,” she said. “We have licensed practitioners who can take that on.”

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“I think that we have so much to offer her in the community, and I really wanted to be able to highlight the various businesses,” Nazarian told the Courier. “We are facing certain economic restraints in the coming years, and so I really wanted to find ways to support the local businesses while also highlighting the various programs that we have throughout the city. So, we’re going to be doing programs that also include the southeast part of town, including South Beverly Drive, and different areas that people may not normally visit.”

“I have a lot of interest from not only businesses, but also community members, residents and visitors,” Nazarian added. “So, I think it’s a really great way to unify the community as we build a safer, stronger and more united Beverly Hills.”

Novikov, which opened in 2024, features a mix of Italian-Mediterranean-inspired dishes in a warm and upscale setting. With Italian marble floors and a market-style display of artisanal pastas and colorful fruits and vegetables, including asparagus, apples, melons, tomatoes and bell peppers arranged in woven baskets, the space has a rustic and elegant aesthetic.

Originally from London, the restaurant has locations in Moscow, Miami, Doha, Istanbul, Dubai, Ibiza and more. “I’ve been to many Novikov’s, and this one is by far the best, in my opinion,” Nazarian told the crowd. While popular menu items include the tuna tartar and the truffle pizza, the mayor’s favorite dish is the Greek salad. 

According to city officials, the event sold out in one day. “It’s quite humbling, and it’s very exciting, and I’m so grateful to Novikov for opening their doors for the very first one,” Nazarian told the Courier. “I really enjoy being able to support all our local businesses. So, we’ll go to as many as we can and visit them, just to open the door and allow the community in.”

The next “Spotlight with Sharona” will be held in six weeks.  

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It was only fitting, therefore, that the third annual “Women Who Shine Gala,” orchestrated by Beverly Hills Chamber’s Women’s Business Network, took place at the iconic “Pink Palace” on March 26. 

“It was a woman in business,” Sherry Andrus, a member of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and owner of the Epiphany Boutique, told the sold-out crowd at the Crystal Ballroom. “And tonight, we honor her [Anderson’s] legacy as we celebrate women in business, women who shine, and women in our community because women like her really forged the path for the rest of us who are here celebrating tonight.” 

The gala featured keynote speaker Nichol Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), who has raised over $204 million for programs tackling education, health care, homelessness, and social justice, and Dania Ramirez, an actress and producer best known for her roles in the drama series “Devious Maids” and Netflix’s “Sweet Tooth.” 

This year, the Women’s Business Network partnered with the 3-2-1 Empower organization, which supports female victims of human trafficking worldwide by providing them with education and vocational training to help survivors heal and rebuild their lives. Founder of 3-2-1 Empower, Ramona Braganza, emphasized that the exploitation of women is not only happening in countries on the other side of the globe but also in our own backyard. According to law enforcement, over a recent seven-day period, over 500 arrests were made related to human trafficking in California. Of those arrests, 230 were made right here in Los Angeles County. 

Funds raised at the gala would support their work in aiding victims of trafficking, as well as helping local charities with wildfire relief efforts. 

For the keynote address, Whiteman was interviewed by Erika Martin, a certified broadcast meteorologist. Whiteman discussed her career journey and commitment to philanthropy. “My career is really built on—yes—the foundational economics degree and manner of management organization, but also doing the hard, hard work and being pointed out in rooms or being picked and chosen to be the next person in various roles,” Whiteman said. “And I took risks in many instances, whether that was to shift careers or position or to do something that I had never done before.”

A Spelman alumna and former VP at the Jackie Robinson Foundation, Whiteman has been at the helm of the LADF for the past 12 years, winning the 2020 ESPN Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year award.

Whiteman’s advice to younger entrepreneurs and leaders is to take risks and put in the work. 

“Anyone who knows me will tell you I’m a believer in hard work, she said. “I just don’t think there’s any other way.” She also underscored the importance of having mentors who act with honesty and integrity, who she said helped guide her in her career. 

The evening’s second keynote speaker, Ramirez, is also known for making history for her role in ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” where she played the first Latina Cinderella. Ramirez told the crowd exactly how she defines success: with the five pillars of belief, hard work, conquering fear, perseverance and service. 

When Ramirez moved to Los Angeles, she noticed meeting a lot of people who were making a lot of money, but many were sad, she said. “I asked myself, ‘What is success?’ It’s not just financial stability. It’s not just getting married and having babies. It’s about service, and I got to a place in my life where I looked at myself and I said, ‘How can I serve?’”

Overwhelmingly, that theme was the dominant one of the evening: success is about service.  

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The mutual-aid relief organization helps families impacted by the fires ravaging the Los Angeles area in January by pairing them with vetted volunteers who come in Tuesday through Saturday and shop from a curated selection of new and lightly used items based on specific requests and notes from their assigned family. 

Launched by Aidan Cullen, co-founder of the creative networking platform Nova, Pair and Care is managed by 24LA, a wildfire relief project founded by Los Angeles natives Kenyan Armitage and Malin Smith. With the help of donations from more than 70 brands and hundreds of dedicated volunteers, 24LA x Pair and Care has been able to help over 1,000 families rebuild by offering a personalized boutique shopping experience. Through Nova, Cullen was able to enlist the help of brands like Puma, Adidas, Skims, Miaou, I.Am.Gia, Saje, Clinique and Goop to donate goods that would then be packed and delivered to people who had lost everything. “After seeing a lot of friends who wanted to help but didn’t know where to put their energy and hearing of so many families who required assistance and weren’t getting what they needed, we decided, because we know so many brands, let’s see if we can get them to donate stuff,” Cullen told the Courier. Recently, Pair and Care partnered with the LAROI Foundation, a nonprofit started by singer-songwriter The Kid LAROI, to collect donations of instruments, musical equipment, cameras, art supplies and more for creatives who lost everything in the fires.

Individuals impacted by the fires sign up by filling out an intake form located on the Pair and Care Instagram page and are then matched with two volunteers and connected via text message. Once volunteers are assigned to a family, they come into the warehouse in Hollywood and pack a suitcase for them based on their likes and needs. To provide ongoing support, volunteers often make two shopping trips for one family. The system is designed so volunteers can help those in need by communicating directly and then hand-delivering specific items they want. The warehouse space in Hollywood is divided into sections based on age and gender, with over 100 racks of clothing organized by size and style, with a separate area for shoes and personal care stocked with products from Murad, Humanrace, Verb, Starface, Crown Affair and more. Volunteers can choose from a selection of On running sneakers, eyelet SEA dresses, Puma tracksuits, Burton sweatshirts, Steve Madden children’s shoes, Honeydew pajamas and racks of vintage T-shirts. 

For Julia Phelan’s family, the temporary stay in Beverly Hills has been made a little brighter, thanks to Pair and Care. 

“I didn’t want to get anything for me or my husband because we can find our own things, but it’s kind of a fun thing for a 16-year-old to get a surprise care package,” Phelan told the Courier. “Right now, we’re just trying to find those small moments of some little ray of sunshine coming from somewhere. So, it just served as one of those.” 

She added, “I had some folks reach out to ask for my son’s shoe sizes and if I thought he would like red shoes or green shoes, and things like that. He was delighted with what he got.” 

At the end of the month, Pair and Care will transition to a biweekly pop-up in West LA. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” Smith and Armitage told the Courier. “As we move forward with 24LA x Pair and Care, we hope to address each person’s evolving and specialized needs.” To learn more, volunteer or donate, visit https://www.instagram.com/pair_and_care/ or follow @pair_and_care or @24laproject on Instagram. 

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“While many participants came from career technical education pathways such as fashion, journalism, TV production and audio media production, others applied because they were eager to explore areas they may not typically have access to,” said Rebecca Starkins, Executive Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives for the Beverly Hills Unified School District. 

“I didn’t realize prior to this day that there was a great amount of work done behind the scenes to create a polished and seemingly effortless show day,” said Aunaleah Ellis, a 12th-grade student at BHHS. “The Beverly Hilton was a beautiful hotel, and it was amazing how it was transformed for the ‘Hollywood’s Party of the Year,’ the 2025 Golden Globes. I loved seeing the different roles in the production and the individuals focused on their work. It was inspiring to see the production staff work together to create this beautiful event.”

With support from Golden Globes executives, city personnel, crew and celebrities, students developed their talents and gained invaluable insight into journalism, event production, fashion design, marketing, and public relations. 

On the first day of the program, 22 students were selected to participate in the ‘Golden Globes Insider’ portion and tour the Beverly Hilton Hotel as it was being transformed. The group had the chance to see how the red carpet was constructed, tour interview booths and media trailers, and learn the technical elements of producing a globally broadcast event. According to the Golden Globes, the 82nd annual awards show ratings surpassed 10 million viewers and had 40 million social media interactions. 

On the second day of the program, nine BHHS students had the chance to interview key behind-the-scenes players, including Rick Pizante, Senior Vice President of Dick Clark Productions, Helen Hoehne, Golden Globes President, and Sam Kim, Hotel Manager of the Beverly Hilton. Additional interviewees included Golden Globes Executive Producer and Showrunner Glenn Weiss, Golden Globes Head Engineer David Crivelli, Golden Globes Art Director and Red-Carpet Designer Zeya Maurer and more.

The program culminated on the day of the Golden Globes, where six BHHS students, dressed in black tie, were strategically placed on the red carpet to attract the attention of celebrities and conduct interviews on the scene. Students spoke with over 30 Hollywood stars, including Kerry Washington, Nicole Kidman, Adam Sandler, Glenn Close and Jennifer Coolidge. 

“She was so open and genuine,” BHHS student Nora Nikfarjam said regarding her interview with Glenn Close. “She talked about the importance of perseverance in a creative career, and I’ll never forget her saying that failure is just another step toward success.” 

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The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) hosted the event, which Beverly Hills Mayor Lester Friedman chaired. The gala marked the beginning of a three-day conference that included remarks from Peter Paltchik, the Israeli Olympic bronze medalist in Judo, Melissa Aviles-Ramos, Chancellor of New York City Public Schools, and others who shared their insight on the fight against intolerance. The evening included an interactive art installation with cartoon comic panels inspired by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, as well as virtual reality programming from NGO ISRAEL-is, where guests were able to immerse themselves in the stories and experiences of five survivors of the Oct. 7 massacre. 

Summit panelists on Dec. 12 included Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook and Mayor Friedman. The Courier’s Dec. 20 issue will contain a full report of the summit programming. 

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The new Rolex Boutique opened to great fanfare on Dec. 4 at 312 N. Rodeo Drive. Operated by Gearys, the 6,200-square-foot building features a custom green twisted-glass façade designed to evoke the brand’s classic Oyster model.

“This project started a little over five years ago when Rolex wanted a bigger presence on Rodeo Drive,” Tom Blumenthal, President and CEO of Gearys, told the Courier. “My family has owned Gearys for over 65 of its 95 years. We’re well entrenched in this community, and this space was really just a perfect location. So, five years ago, the spark was lit.”

The new flagship took 3 years to design and 1.5 years to complete. Previously occupied by Dolce & Gabbana, the work plan included modifications to the exterior and the building of a third floor with a rooftop terrace.

Highlights of the new boutique include a stucco wall depicting the Los Angeles skyline, a green marble bar, green marble walls and a circular wood staircase connecting all three levels.

The second floor includes a cylindrical after-sales service area, where watchmakers are available to help clients with their timepieces. The third-floor rooftop is reserved for private events and to host VIP customers.

“It’s a wonderful partnership with Rolex that my family has had for over 25 years,” Blumenthal said. He added that the Rolex timepieces in highest demand are off-catalog, one-of-a-kind watches that are not available to the public and gem-set pieces.

 

In addition to a press conference, festivities included an evening event in which a portion of Rodeo Drive was closed off. City officials and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the newest addition to the famed street. Making a special appearance was tennis legend Roger Federer, who has long been associated with the brand.

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Ganji first started seeing coyotes in her neighborhood about a month ago, and she wasn’t the only one. Over the past month, an uptick in coyote sightings in the flats has left many Beverly Hills residents fearful of leaving their homes. Primarily in the south of the city, the coyote sightings have prompted law enforcement to issue community warnings and best practices on how to stay safe, but the problem persists. Typically known to avoid people, residents have reported increasingly brazen coyotes that are unafraid to approach people and pets at any time of day or night. While the city of Beverly Hills does not remove or trap coyotes, officials work with the Los Angeles County Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures (ACWM) to manage wildlife encounters. 

In a WhatsApp group chat designated for zone six residents, neighbors share real-time coyote sightings and updates, “warning everybody it’s on Peck, it’s on Camden, it’s on Bedford,” said Ganji. “We think there are two that are living on our street.” As part of the Just in Case BH emergency preparedness plan, the city was divided into nine geographic zones, with zone six extending west of Beverly Drive and south of Wilshire Boulevard to the city boundary. 

“We call the police daily, and we’ve called animal control,” she said. “The coyote has not physically attacked anybody, but are we supposed to wait for it to attack us and then do something about it?”

Ganji grew up in Beverly Hills and has lived on South Bedford Drive for four years, but never have coyote sightings been a daily occurrence. “I feel like, as a neighborhood, we’re kind of at a standstill, and we don’t know what to do other than keep warning each other,” Ganji said. “We’re off of Olympic and Wilshire boulevards; there should not be coyotes here.”

According to several neighbors who contacted the Los Angeles County ACWM, an inspector from the Integrated Pest Management Division has been deployed to survey the area and then is expected to provide the city of Beverly Hills with an assessment. “I’m sure something is being done, but as a resident, I don’t know who’s really the right person to contact,” Ganji added.

Beverly Hills resident Mouna Forde told the Courier she was first approached by two coyotes about a month ago, around 4 a.m., while taking her Maltese dog outside. “I grabbed my dog in my hand, and one thing that surprised me was they weren’t scared,” Forde said. “They were coming towards me.”

Forde’s second encounter with a coyote was on Oct. 31, around 6:15 p.m., while she was walking her dog on South Roxbury Drive. “There were a lot of kids, noisy streets and lots of cars, and I turned my head, and it was behind me,” Forde said. “When I grabbed my dog from the floor, the coyote came towards me to attack my dog. I yelled and screamed, but it wasn’t scared.” According to Forde, the coyote cornered her in front of a parked car on her street, and she could not get by. After calling for help, her building manager came outside and chased the coyote away. “So now I have to walk my dog in the daytime with pepper spray, and it’s not enjoyable,” she told the Courier. “I don’t take her for walks anymore, and that’s so sad. I feel terrorized.”

Longtime resident Audrey Frantz was walking her small dog during the early evening of Oct. 24 when she realized a coyote had been trailing her. “Two ladies waiting at the Steak 48 valet said to me, ‘Pick up your dog, you’re being followed by a coyote,’” Frantz told the Courier. A few days later, she saw another coyote in the same neighborhood. “I was walking my dog next door to Steak 48 because there’s a little patch of grass there. I was with my neighbor, and she had her two little dogs. Then, all of a sudden, a big coyote came out of the bushes across the street on the west side of Roxbury and literally barged at us.” Frantz and her neighbor picked up their dogs and ran for safety inside the restaurant. 

Frantz lives on South Roxbury Drive and is one of many who no longer walks in the neighborhood. “I have too much anxiety, and I get constant text messages and phone calls from neighbors with coyote sightings during the day and night.”

“The community needs help, and people need to be able to walk in the neighborhood and feel safe,” Frantz added. “People are not walking their dogs in the neighborhood right now, and everybody is on edge.”

City officials urge people to keep pets indoors or in secure enclosures, not to leave any pet food outside, secure trash, and close crawl spaces to mitigate the threat of coyotes. To report a sighting, residents are encouraged to contact LA Animal Control at 310-207-3266. 

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Visionary Women is a member-based organization founded in 2014 by former Beverly Hills Mayor Lili Bosse and bestselling author Angella Nazarian to support women’s initiatives on a local and global level. Over the past 10 years, Visionary Women has awarded $3.5 million in grant funding to over 240 nonprofit organizations that drive change and address pressing issues facing women and girls. Beyond that, the organization has worked to build a network of influential women, brought together under one platform to highlight issues relevant to them.

To achieve greatness as a professional athlete, Williams developed a mental discipline and learned techniques that allowed her to stay in a growth mindset, process failure, learn from failure and ultimately reframe it.

“My mom was blunt,” Williams said. “She’s like, ‘I’m not raising any weak women.’” Growing up, Williams recalled her father only allowed the kids to watch educational programs. “He didn’t let us watch ‘The Cosby Show.’ He’s like, ‘Bill Cosby’s already rich. You’re not.’”

“And he would ask us a lot of questions, like ‘Why does a rich man get richer, and a poor man gets poorer,’” Williams said. “Meanwhile, back in Dodge, you’re 8 years old, and you definitely don’t know why, but you always had to answer.”

According to Williams, she learned how to be a fearless competitor in the game of tennis by watching her younger sister, Serena. “She wasn’t thinking about what if I lose or what if it doesn’t work out. She was actively going forward. She gave everything, and she didn’t hold back and allowed herself to be her best.”

“If you fail giving it your all, that’s a beautiful thing,” Williams said. “But if you fail because you didn’t allow yourself to be your best, that one hurts.”

“Venus really spoke to women of all ages, and reminded us that pressure is a privilege,” Chloe Makhani, Visionary Women Board Member and GenV Founder, told the Courier. “As we continue to grow in life, we can always improve and shouldn’t be afraid to fail. I think that really stuck with the crowd. Let’s put our fear aside and prevail in our feminine power!”

Approximately 500 people purchased tickets for the Fall Salon, and attendees received a complimentary copy of Williams’ new book.

GEARYS Beverly Hills and The Wall Street Journal sponsored the event.

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“Everything you see there on the ground, the tents, the canopies, everything is original,” Ilan Faktor, one of the exhibit organizers, told the Courier. “Everything is from the festival. The shoes, everything you see in the lost and found, everything is original.” From the portable restrooms pierced with bullet holes to the beverage bottles at the marketplace bar and the sound system; everything in the exhibit was recovered from the Nova festival after the carnage. 

Throughout the exhibition, video footage from attendees and testimony from survivors play next to corresponding festival sites, hauntingly capturing the essence of the victims’ and survivors’ experiences. 

“It was the best festival,” Michal Ohana, a Nova survivor, told the Courier. “The energy, the vibe, the people, the smiles—it was wow.” After the fighting broke out, Ohana hid under an Israeli military tank for roughly six hours with a gunshot wound in her leg and her body covered with ricochets. 

“I lost 10 of my friends at the festival, and two of my friends were kidnapped, and they are still in Gaza,” Ohana said. “I’m still alive, and I need to do something for my friends, for the hostages, for the families, for the survivors, and I started to share my story, to tell the truth to the world about what happened to us and what is still happening to us.”

“They shot me in my leg,” Ohana said. “I don’t understand how I can do all these things, but now I’m dancing, walking, surfing, and it’s a miracle that I’m here today and I can share my story.”

The installation ends with a healing room, a call to action to bring the Israeli hostages home, and a message of hope: “We will dance again.”

The exhibit runs from Aug. 17 through Oct. 8 in Culver City. To learn more, visit https://www.novaexhibition.com/.  

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The kickoff event was held on the terrace at the Beverly Wilshire, during which the Beverly Hills City Council presented Orlinski with a certificate of recognition and applauded the artist’s partnership with the city. Members of the Rodeo Drive Committee, the Mayor of Nice, France, and members of the French Consulate were also in attendance. 

“Rodeo Drive Celebrates Fashion has brought together our community to experience firsthand incredible VIP services, special programs in our flagship stores, and of course, as you see here today, world-renowned artwork from Richard Orlinsky,” Mayor Lester Friedman said. 

“When I walked on Rodeo Drive, I was very surprised to see all the people, the kids, watching the structures with a smile,” Orlinksy said. “When you see the smile in the kid’s eyes, I think it’s a success.”

The public exhibition will be on display until November. 

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From landscapes to faces, Licht’s work is firmly planted in the realm of abstraction. His pieces predominantly feature a muted color palette of earth tones and swirling, varied brushstrokes ranging from broad swaths to finer, more delicate lines that seem to intertwine. Licht’s compositions are highly textured, with layers of paint or stapled pencil shavings creating depth and complexity.

Licht experiments with adding space to his art, working with four panels of wood for paintings and similarly with paper for his drawings. “I got interested in this two-by-three ratio, with one side being one and a half times bigger than the other,” Licht told the Courier. “So, it’s the shape that 35-millimeter photos are, it’s a two-by-three.”

To achieve the ratio, Licht tapes about an inch of extra paper to his existing eight-and-a-half by 11 pieces that he works with. “But then I really liked this way of working, where you have one piece of the drawing and can add a new piece of paper to it, take it away, and bring it to another drawing. It did something visually exciting that I hadn’t encountered. It really does change the feeling of breadth.” From there, Licht began to recreate the process on a larger scale, painting on four separate wood panels and then attaching them upon completion.

Some of his paintings also feature paintbrushes stapled to a panel after being accidentally left to dry on thicker swatches of paint. “The process of painting is always seen in the result, and some people emphasize this more than others,” Licht said. “I love the nakedness of accidents in nature and unforeseen interaction, but I also think intention matters.”

While the show gets its title from Mark Strand’s book of poetry called “The Continuous Life,” Licht is continuously inspired by “The Rock” by Wallace Stevens, and always carries a palm-sized paperback copy with him. 

The works range in cost, with the smallest in size priced at $1,000 and the largest, which is just over 10 feet, at $24,000. Since the show opened on June 7, about half of the pieces on view have already sold. 

The exhibition will be on view until July 13. 

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“We’re going to replace two long-time council members, which would be councilmember Bosse and myself,” Gold said. “So that in and of itself probably is a significant shift in what’s going to happen in the city, and how that intersects with everything else that’s going on.”

While the Wilshire/La Cienega subway stop, which was expected to open in the fall of this year, has been delayed to 2026, Gold noted there would be a push to have it ready in time for the Olympics. Adjacent to the Beverly Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, construction for the One Beverly Hills project will break ground next week and is expected to open in 2027. 

A handful of community members had questions and concerns regarding the housing element lawsuit and the city’s appeal to the Los Angeles County Superior Court judgment that would restrict new building permit approvals until they meet the state’s housing requirements. 

“We have to create affordable housing, and we have to create housing which is affordable,” Mayor Gold said. “The council gets it. We’re working on it.”

At its Jan. 23 meeting, the City Council approved an ordinance that amended the Mixed-Use Overlay Zone regulations and changed the maximum density for residential conversion projects. 

With this change, the minimum unit size of 500 square feet will determine the maximum number of units that can be converted to housing in an existing commercial building.

“We all know that in the world of Amazon, the world of COVID, work from home, and all the rest, the utilization of commercial buildings has diminished,” Gold added.

In the last few months of his term, one resident asked Gold how he hopes to be remembered. 

“This is my 13th year, and I would hope that as I leave office, people feel that I did a good job. That I served the public well.” 

Gold also spearheaded the formation of the Next Beverly Hills committee to engage young people in the city. Other projects ended in disappointment, such as Cheval Blanc Beverly Hills. 

“The people spoke, and Cheval Blanc did not happen, but it’s left a gap,” Gold said regarding the financial future of the city. “Not that we were counting on the revenue, but nonetheless, the inflation of our costs continues, and we still have to deal with what will ultimately come to be a gap in revenue versus expense. So, the next council is going to have to deal with that.” 

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From varsity jackets to pixelated camouflage prints and denim fringe, the line includes an array of ready-to-wear pieces, leather goods, shoes, jewelry, sunglasses, bedazzled accessories and more. The brand’s signature Damier checkerboard print runs as a throughline, with checkered details on nearly everything. Inside, Parisian streetlights decorate the space and a large bookcase with Louis Vuitton city guides on the shelves opens up to a secret room. Hidden behind the bookshelf in a dark room, the spotlight is on the crown jewel of the collection: the Speedy Bandoulière bag. The bag comes in bright colorways, decorated with Louis Vuitton’s signature monogram. Over the summer, the $1 million made-to-order Millionaire Speedy bag, with its gold hardware, chain strap and pendant-encrusted diamonds, went viral when it debuted. According to Emily Huang, Director of Corporate Communications at Louis Vuitton, the new Speedy bags are expected to sell out first. Williams also collaborated with L.A.-based artist Henry Taylor for the collection, which features miniature reproductions of Taylor’s portraits as an alternate suit embellishment alongside the iconic LV.  

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“This Bastille Day event taking place in Beverly Hills makes perfect sense first because of the long and lasting friendship between France and the United States,” said Duhaut-Bedos. “I’d like to remind our American friends that France is the U.S.’s oldest ally. It also makes sense because of the Sister Cities agreement between Beverly Hills and Cannes, France, and because the French residence, where the consulate general hosts all the events, is in Beverly Hills. In fact, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the acquisition of the French residence by the French government, and the strong ties of friendship between Beverly Hills and France, and the city’s interest in the culture of France, are obvious when you walk around the city.”

Duhaut-Bedos highlighted the “Beverly Hills is Beautiful” sculpture by French artist Mr. Brainwash at the opposite end of the gardens, which the city commissioned in 2019 as part of the Beverly Hills Public Art Program. Its companion piece, “Life is Beautiful,” is nearby on Rodeo Drive. Earlier this year, the artist also opened the Mr. Brainwash Art Museum on North Beverly Drive. “We are so proud to have a French artist honored this way in Beverly Hills,” she said.

“On Bastille Day, we celebrate the French Republic and its values summarized in our motto: liberty, equality, fraternity,” Duhaut-Bedos said. “Seeing so many American friends today celebrating Bastille Day with us reveals something of which I am personally convinced, that Bastille Day is also a moment to celebrate the wonderful and old friendship between France and the United States and our shared values.”

Duhaut-Bedos also described her office’s efforts to help establish connections between French and American people, and work to increase the number of French teaching programs in American schools through an initiative called French for All. 

“Founded on shared values of freedom and on the defense of democracy, our countries are both preparing to build a common future,” she added. “And in many, many sectors, France and the U.S. are ready to work together and lead the way.” 

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The nonprofit arts organization Dance and Dialogue (D&D) marked its 10th anniversary with a gala at Greystone Mansion on May 17, during which guests were invited to support and celebrate cultures from around the globe. Entertainment included dance performances across an array of disciplines from African to Folklorico. Founded in 2013 by choreographer, dancer, and Beverly Hills native Ricka Kelsch, D&D has worked with more than 34,000 students across Los Angeles, particularly in at-risk communities, through free programs and workshops that marry dance and communication to break down social barriers. In April alone, D&D served over 7,000 local youth.

The gala evening included a cocktail reception with food, drinks, performances by the Van Nuys High School Dance Company and Mariachi and Folklorico dance numbers by students from the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts. The night proceeded with remarks from speakers and honorees, followed by a Tango dance performed by Anna Trebunskya and Dmitry Chaplin from “Dancing With the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance.” Entertainment also included a Hula and Tahitian dancing performed by members of Liz Watts and Company, Persian dance by the L.A. Bellydance Company, Jazz dance from JazzAntiqua Dance and Music Ensemble, and African dance from Kara Mack, a choreographer, singer, dancer and founder of the magazine Africa in America: Music, Dance, and Culture.

D&D programming includes all city workshops, in which middle and high school students from different schools and socioeconomic backgrounds come together to participate in a day of council circles and dance, and 8-12 week in-school residency programs open to grades 3-12.

“They start the morning in council, and then they travel through their dance classes,” Kelsch said. “At the end of council, they commit to what are they going to do to make the dance classes that they’re about to take a safe place for each of them to explore and express themselves.”

Proceeds from the gala will help fund and expand the reach of the program. The event honored Jonathan Zeichner, former Executive Director at A Place Called Home, a nonprofit in South Central to underserved youths; Glorya Kaufman, a philanthropist whose initiatives include the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance at the University of Southern California and Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center; and photojournalist Kathy Eldon, who founded the nonprofit Creative Visions Foundation to support creative activists making entertainment with an impact.

“I have about 710 students,” said Yvonne Vasquez, the Principal at Wisdom Elementary School in south Los Angeles. “About 93% of them are Latino and 7% are African American. So, these students they do face a lot of adversities every single day, and the program Dance and Dialogue helped them build their toolbox on how to deal with these things.”

This year, D&D expanded its residency program with new community centered programs that debuted at Wisdom, which take place during and after school. Through D&D, students can take classes taught by working professionals in jazz dance, poetry, spoken word, theater, drum circles, and even sign language. The program also extends support to students’ families, with access to the eight-week sessions through the parent center. The residency, which debuted at Wisdom, is part of a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Unified School District.

“It does help them develop their social skills, their peer-to-peer relationships, helps them learn how to calm their anxieties, and just learn how to be with each other through artistic expression,” Vasquez added.

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The protest was attended by members of the Iranian American community, public figures, students, human rights advocates, political activists, and more including Beverly Hills City Councilmember Sharona Nazarian, Mayor Karen Bass, and Congressman Adam Schiff. According to Nazarian, as many as 150,000 people came out to show support. 

“Let’s see action and regime change now,” Nazarian said, speaking to the crowd from a podium. Chants of “Zan, zendegi, azadi,” or “Woman, life, freedom,” echoed throughout. The date also marked the 44th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. 

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After former BHHS principal Mark Mead was promoted to director of student safety last summer, Bregy appointed Drew Stewart and Kim Decatrel as interim co-principals for the 2022-2023 school year, giving the administration time to find a replacement. However, as the search for a new principal continues, Stewart and Decatrel will finish the school year out. “It is one of the most important decisions that I will make,” Bregy said regarding who he will recommend for the position to the board. “It’s a very comprehensive process that will involve a lot of people, including our students, because it’s really important that I get their feedback about their next principal as well.” Bregy also emailed a survey out to the community this week, asking for input regarding the role. 

“We’ve really marketed the position,” Dr. Bregy said. “I look forward to updating the board and our community where we are in this process, but I’m very transparent about what this process looks like…There’s no front runner, these are authentic interviews. I’m not even in the first round because I don’t want there to be any perception that the superintendent is picking somebody that he knows.”

Candidates must apply by 4 p.m. on Jan. 27, 2023, at bhusd.org/apply/. 

In the coming days, Bregy will also announce updates on the Konheim building, anti-bullying measures, elevators at the high school and the construction committee. The next board of education meeting will be held on Jan. 31 at 5 p.m.

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In the afternoon of Jan. 15, BHPD sent out an advisory alert with photos of the suspect, seeking help from the public to identify the perpetrator. The public safety notice included two images of the suspect captured on surveillance footage, in what initially seemed to be inside a house. However, the footage actually captured a fireplace in an outdoor living space. The suspect never gained entry to the house. The photos rapidly circulated on social media, causing unease among neighbors while the suspect remained at large. 

On the evening of Jan. 17, the BHPD again reported that officers were “in the area of the 1000 block of Laurel Way related to a trespassing call.” While officers were assisted from above by drones and a Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department helicopter, no suspect was apprehended. However, by the next day, the BHPD announced Turner’s arrest.

“I would like to thank our incredible Beverly Hills Police Department for working around the clock and being the best of the best,” said Mayor Lili Bosse in a Jan. 18 statement. 

“I am thankful to our residents for their patience and our department’s tireless efforts to bring this suspect into custody,” said BHPD Chief Mark Stainbrook. “Crime of any kind will never be tolerated in Beverly Hills.” 

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The work involves daily lane closure during construction hours, and small stretches of sidewalk will be fenced off from pedestrian traffic. On weekdays, construction work hours will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Emergency vehicle and pedestrian access will be maintained during construction, as well as residential access. According to LADWP reps, construction for the first valve on Sunset Boulevard and Sierra Drive is expected to begin mid-January, “basically in two weeks from now.” For the first valve replacement, most of the work will take place on the sidewalk on the south side of Sunset at Sierra, with occasional eastbound curb lane closures to accommodate some construction equipment. Construction on the second valve, on Sunset Boulevard at Alpine Drive, is slated to start mid-February. Since the valve is in the middle of the roadway, eastbound and westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on Sunset between Foothill Road and Alpine Drive. During this time, two traffic officers will help guide and control traffic in both directions. The trench will be plated daily after work hours, and both replacement projects are expected to be completed by March. 

One of several items that was unanimously approved by the Council included an amendment of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance that removes provisions that allow a landlord to evict a tenant for the purposes of remodeling. The Council also approved an ordinance that permanently codifies the regulations of Urgency Ordinance No. 21-O-2833 related to the adjustment of lot lines that can create or expand lots across the jurisdictional boundaries of Beverly Hills, and a change order that increased the total not to exceed purchase order amount with Nastec International, Inc. from $2,315,570.00 to $2,576,310.49 for fiscal year 2022-2023. The increase of $260,740.49 will be allocated specifically for security patrol services. 

The Council also approved the establishment of a Beverly Hills City Council/Holocaust Memorial Ad Hoc Committee, tasked with exploring the possibility of a Holocaust Memorial in the city. Mayor Lili Bosse appointed Councilmember John Mirisch and herself to serve on the committee. To ensure the continuation of government operations in the event of an emergency, the Council also adopted a resolution approving individuals as standby officers for Councilmembers. 

Beverly Hills City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey also announced the appointment of Keith Sterling, who has served as Chief Communications Officer since 2021, to the position of Deputy City Manager. 

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Earlier in the week, Public Health officials estimated that roughly 40% of patients with the virus were admitted to the hospital for COVID-related conditions, with many only learning they were infected when testing upon admission. After a spike in November, COVID-related hospital admission rates declined enough this month for the county to move out of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “high” COVID activity category to “medium.”

Last week, county health officials warned that “death rates…continue to climb in Los Angeles County, especially among older people.” On Dec. 29, the county reported 25 new virus-related deaths, up from 21 the previous day. Those numbers raise the overall death toll to 34,643. As of Dec. 29, the seven-day average daily rate of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 15.6%, up from 11.7% the previous week.

Health officials have urged residents to be cautious during the holiday season and “layer” protections like wearing a mask indoors to reduce the risk of transmission. While there is no mask mandate, Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer advised the public to start wearing them given the high rate of transmission. Face coverings are still required indoors at healthcare and congregate-care facilities, at businesses where they are required by the owner, and for anyone exposed to the virus in the past 10 days.  

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The city of Beverly Hills began the year with a new chief of police, Mark Stainbrook. He became the 11th person to hold the title since the formation of the department in 1927, overseeing more than 200 officers and civilian employees.

In February, Beverly Hills hosted Frieze Los Angeles for the first time. The event drew in an estimated 35,000 visitors to the international art exhibition. With everything from large-scale sculptures to small watercolors and digital art, more than 100 exhibitors from around the world presented work from internationally renowned and emerging artists alike. 

After the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the City Council unanimously passed a resolution in March condemning Russia, standing in solidarity with Ukraine. 

In April, Lili Bosse was installed as mayor, ushered in her third term with a ceremony at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Bosse’s speech unveiled new initiatives, including the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) Real Time Watch Center. Launched in June, the facility uses state-of-the-art technology to monitor the city’s sprawling surveillance network around the clock. That network includes nearly 2,000 CCTV cameras, automatic license plate readers, unmanned aerial systems (drones), a fusion cell and Live911, a new system that allows officers to hear emergency calls live in the field as they come in and immediately respond without having to wait for instructions from dispatch. 

In May, the City Council unanimously passed a 14% base salary raise over the next three years for the BHPD, making the city’s officers the highest paid in Southern California. To attract more female police officers, Bosse and Stainbrook signed a letter of intent to participate in the 30 X 30 pledge in April, which commits to increase the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women in the BHPD. The mission of the nationwide 30 X 30 campaign is to achieve at least 30% female representation in law enforcement by the year 2030.

In June, Sharona Nazarian was elected to the Beverly Hills City Council. She became the second Iranian American and the first Iranian American woman to serve on that body. With three open City Council seats, the election saw the highest voter turnout since 1972, with over 40% of the city’s 22,439 registered voters casting their ballot. Incumbent Councilmember Lester Friedman, who was first elected in 2017, was reelected with the highest share of the vote in this latest election. Incumbent Councilmember John Mirisch finished third and was reelected to an unprecedented fourth term. 

Also in June, the city kicked off Pride Month with its inaugural Pride Night event at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Promenade Terrace with live entertainment from a diverse roster of performers. 

In July, the son of Beverly Hills City Councilmember Lester Friedman, Adam Friedman, was charged with two criminal counts by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for allegedly creating a fake social media account impersonating then city council candidate, Sharona Nazarian, while his father was up for reelection. The charges were subsequently reduced to misdemeanors. Friedman’s next court date is in January. 

After the murder of Mahsa Amini in September, councilmembers took to the streets to join the protests and passed a resolution that condemns the government of Iran for the wrongful death of Amini and calls upon the United States government and the United Nations to increase sanctions against Iran.

In a major milestone, the city officially approved plans for Cheval Blanc Beverly Hills in September. The high-profile luxury hotel project is being developed on North Rodeo Drive by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. UNITE HERE Local 11 has since launched a petition campaign to put the approval of the hotel before voters by way of a citywide referendum. The County of Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder is presently in the process of certifying the signatures obtained by the union. 

In November, voters returned to the polls to cast their ballots for two of five candidates running for a seat on the BHUSD Board of Education. Incumbent Rachelle Marcus and first-time candidate Judy Manouchehri emerged as front-runners soon after the polls closed and were declared victorious. 

Former Beverly Hills High School wrestling coach Ryan Faintich also became a household name in November, when he was fired after surveillance footage surfaced that showed him pushing another student on campus. The move was met with a firestorm of public outcry, and dozens of outspoken Faintich supporters that voiced their views at school board meetings. As of year’s end, no action has been taken to restore Faintich to his position, although recall notices were served on several board members by angry parents.

November also saw the official launch of the holiday season, with the annual Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration. The event drew a crowd of 6,000 and featured a performance by 16-time Grammy Award-winning musician, songwriter and producer David Foster and singer Katharine McPhee. 

In December, the city came together to celebrate City Manager George Chavez, who is retiring after 34 years of service. Chavez was honored with a farewell party, a commendation and historic key to the city. 

As the year draws to an end, residents have one more weekend to view the spectacular “Unwrap the Magic” 3D mapping show illuminating City Hall. The holiday-themed projections have delighted spectators throughout the festive season and will continue through Jan. 1.

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30-second mapping projection, choosing from 14 clips to display on the tower. From clips like a 60-foot-tall snowman, teddy bears, dreidels, and candy canes, it hopes to offer something for everyone. 

The city partnered with Utopia Worldwide, Inc., an event production and design company based in Burbank, to create the festive holiday projection show. After the sun sets, the exterior of City Hall is transformed into a magical gift, wrapped in seconds with red paper, and tied together with silver bows. The projection show adorns the building with colorful animations and intricate designs, featuring a wide range of holiday-themed imagery.

“We had been talking about doing a large-scale project for a while now,” Utopia Production Coordinator Hailey Buck told the Courier. “The lily pond last year was a lot of fun, and they wanted to try to build on that kind of momentum.” In addition to Unwrap the Magic, Utopia has worked on other projects with the city of Beverly Hills, including Lights on the Lily Pond, Glowing Gardens, Beverly Hills Holiday Bazaar, Next Night, Light the Night and more.

According to Buck, the idea for the projection show came from Norm Kahn, the owner of Utopia. “This idea had been floating around for a few years,” Buck told the Courier. “But this year, we were given the go ahead. We assembled a little team with us, people from Beverly Hills, and the company that makes the show, NewMedia.” 

Based in Madrid, NewMedia Creative Technology Studio collaborated with the Beverly Hills Public Works department and Utopia to brainstorm ideas and produce the projection mapping show. With its changing visuals and smooth transitions, the unique display is both eye catching and transfixing. “They wanted to make sure it was a holiday how, and we had a lot of representation of Hanukkah, Christmas, generic winter, and of course the Beverly Hills scene like the lily pond, fountains and palm trees,” Buck told the Courier. 

The “Unwrap the Magic” show is free and open to the public, spreading holiday cheer in the city through Jan. 1, 2023.   

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On the second night of Hanukkah, the community joined members of the Beverly Hills City Council for the annual menorah lighting celebration at Beverly Gardens Park. About 100 guests of all ages gathered around a giant menorah near the Lily Pond to celebrate the festival of lights with song and heard from city leaders about the significance of the holiday and remembering the past while looking towards the future. While the atmosphere was joyous and festive, the evening was nonetheless colored by another recent antisemitic incident, in which a menorah was defaced on private property on Sunday night.

“This is a message to everyone that we are a city that embraces light,” Mayor Bosse said. “We embrace miracles. We embrace kindness. We embrace hope. And tonight, as we proudly are standing by the menorah, and we wish everyone a Happy Hanukkah, a holiday of light, a holiday of miracles, a holiday of unity. We see this community together, and always know, that we are united, and our light will only shine brighter. Light will always overcome darkness. And I thank each and every one of you for being here tonight to bring your light to help illuminate the light of the menorah.”

Bosse thanked the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) for apprehending the suspect, making an arrest soon after. On Dec. 19, Eric Brian King from Dallas, Texas, was taken into custody and charged with felony vandalism and a hate crime. According to BHPD, “the initial investigation revealed that King carved Nazi symbols into the base of the menorah.”

“The warmth of the Hanukkah candles serves to illuminate us and remind us of what freedom is,” said Councilmember John Mirisch. “The fact that some loser would come to Beverly Hills to deface a menorah in our city is just despicable. But we cannot let that intimidate us. The proper response is more light. The proper response, from my perspective, is Jewish pride. The proper response is to celebrate who we are, to be inclusive, and to allow other people to celebrate that.”

“The holiday also, in its core, is the story of miracles,” Vice Mayor Gold said. “Oil, which was supposed to last for a day, lasted eight. And that’s really a story of human endurance, believing, and it’s a story which always builds hope.”

The previous night, over 600 people gathered at The Maybourne Beverly Hills for the first night of Hanukkah for an event hosted by the JEM Community Center. The crowd gathered around a 10-foot menorah at Beverly Canon Gardens as Rabbi Hertzel Illulian welcomed community members, including Mayor Bosse, Councilwoman Sharona Nazarian, and Holocaust survivor, Joe Alexander. The evening included music, face painting, photo booths, fruit carts, gifts and traditional Chanukah gelt handed out.

“Throughout my most troublesome times in the camps I never gave up hope and never stopped trusting in G-d,” Alexander, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, said. “Today may be a tough day but tomorrow we hope will be a much better one.”

“…right now, we are experiencing so much darkness like antisemitism and with what’s going on in Iran,” Nazarian told the crowd. “We pray together that the miracle of Hanukkah will continue to spread the light and we as Jews standing today are a miracle and are a perfect reflection of what Hanukkah is.”

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In an exclusive statement for the Courier, the district provided this response:

“On the 13th of December, three trustees, Mr. Noah Margo, Dr. Amanda Stern and Mrs. Mary Wells, received a Notice of Intent to Circulate a Recall Petition. The Notice specified the reasons for circulation of the Petition and the reasons were common for a Notice. The procedure for initiating a recall of an elected official is set forth in the state’s Elections Code. Based on information from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk regarding a potential 2021 Special Standalone Election, a special election related to a recall would approximately cost the Beverly Hills Unified School District upwards of $500, 000 of taxpayer money. Should a recall election be successful, the District may be required to hold another special election that would incur an approximate cost upwards of $500,000, for a total of $1,000,000 of taxpayer money.”

As stated in California Elections Code 11006, “proponents begin the recall of an elective officer, including any officer appointed in lieu of election or to fill a vacancy, by the service, filing and publication or posting of a notice of intention to circulate a recall petition.” According to California law, if the voting population is less than 50,000, the number of signatures required for a recall petition is 20%. In Beverly Hills, where there are roughly 21,000 registered voters, proponents must gather about 4,200 valid signatures.

“BHUSD values and respects all of our community members and The Board of Education has gone to great lengths to ensure that every individual who desires to speak has been heard,” Dr. Bregy said regarding the incident with Faintich and subsequent public outcry. “The Board of Education is permitted to limit Public Comment time to 20 minutes per topic and remove ceded time. Instead of doing this, they have listened to over 4 hours of public comment over the last month on this single subject and have taken this matter under extensive consideration. The ongoing grandstanding, all in the name of defending an adult who initiated blatant aggressive and physical contact toward a student, has garnered no change in the decision by the Superintendent.”

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In her outgoing remarks as president, Mary Wells shared highlights from the past year. “My first goal as president was to ensure that the board was better informed so that we could make better decisions,” Wells said. “We have made changes to our meeting agendas, the board meeting structure, and our committees in order to improve how and when information is shared with the board.”

During her time as president, the board refined the district’s mission statement and vision statement, and further defined its core values: excellence, integrity, wellness, inclusion, safety, and community. Wells introduced the first ever BHUSD Community Pledge, and under her leadership, the board passed a resolution in support of the women of Iran and their fight for human rights. “All of these efforts raise the visibility of our school district and create opportunity in the city for our families and students,” Wells said.

“As everyone knows, this board identified a multitude of issues and made the hard decisions necessary to make the bond program to modernize our school facilities, and security programs more effective and efficient,” Wells said. “We completely restructured the construction program and safety program to provide transparency and accountability.”

Marcus, who begins her second term, was installed by Wells. “As many of you may know, my husband was very ill, and I was debating whether I wanted to run again,” Marcus said. “And unfortunately, because he passed away, the decision became very apparent that my heart is in the school district, and I couldn’t leave it at this time. My work was unfinished.”

Manouchehri was installed by Judge Richard Stone, who graduated from BHHS in 1974. “I knew I could apply my professional skills as a real estate construction and business attorney, and my personal experience as a product of our school system, for the betterment of our schools, our beautiful community, and most importantly, our children,” Manouchehri said. 

Margo was installed as president by Dr. Brian Goldberg, who also served on the school board from 2007 to 2015. “Please understand that while not every vote that has and yet to come across this board will be unanimous, all of us, all of us, sincerely believe we are casting our votes in the interest of the district success,” Margo said. “This and past boards have worked and will continue to work tirelessly to put in motion all of the elements needed for our district to succeed.”

In his last year as president, Margo announced a new initiative called “Now Noah Knows,” to showcase the unique teaching methods of each educator. In the segment, Margo will meet one on one “with some of our incredible teachers and learn something new.” 

Stern was installed as vice president by Nathan Kruger, who currently serves as the Vice Chair of the BHUSD Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee. “We have a challenging year ahead,” Vice President Stern said. “We continue to face pandemic related learning loss, mental health problems, intense political tension, and a robust but complex construction program. This collective anxiety is tempered however, by the phenomenal success of our students.”

In other board business, Wells was appointed as clerk and as the representative to the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization, and Marcus as the annual representative to the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association. 

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“I have apologized,” Faintich said. “At the same time, I feel that I was clear that I was trying my best to do what I believe in my heart was right to protect my kids. If you look at the school district’s website and you go to the anti-bullying page, it says ‘school employees shall establish student safety as a high priority and shall not tolerate bullying of any student.'” 

Since early November, the public has urged the board to reevaluate the situation and hear all sides of the incident. In recent weeks, many students who witnessed the event came forward to provide firsthand accounts of the situation. According to multiple students, the student Faintich pushed had bullied a wrestling student. 

“Furthermore, it says, ‘school staff who witness bullying shall immediately intervene to stop the incident,” read Faintich. “Further down, ‘school staff shall receive related professional development including information about early warning signs of harassing, intimidating behaviors and effective prevention and intervention strategies.'”

“I didn’t receive it,” Faintich added. “So, here’s what I did receive. I received a warning, in my head and in my heart, and I felt that my wrestlers, the thing that matter most to me in this world, were threatened by a person who had committed and admitted to doing violence to one of my wrestlers the day before.”

A wide array of people came to advocate for Faintich, from alums spanning a decade of graduating classes to 8th graders at Beverly Vista Middle School, and even Beverly Hills High School class of 2021 valedictorian (and wrestling team captain), who joined virtually from his dorm room at Brown University to speak on behalf of Faintich’s character. 

“I would not call myself Coach Ryan Faintich’s friend,” said Jason O’Hara, head wrestling coach at Torrance High School. “We do not hang out. We’re not drinking buddies…I tell you this because I want you to understand that I’m not here talking to you all because I have my friend’s back. I’m here talking to you all because it is the right thing to do.”

The decision to remove Faintich disappointed many members of the BHUSD community, who feel the coach’s actions did not warrant his termination after 11 years of employment in the district.  “This is injustice,” said one parent.

“I don’t think I’m alone in saying that I will show up to support him as many times as you allow me to,” another parent said.

“We don’t stay on our backs,” said a female wrestling student. “So, we’ll show up again.”

At the next meeting on Dec. 13, the board will hold its organizational meeting for the installation of the 2022-23 officers: President Noah Margo, Vice President Dr. Amanda Stern, Mary Wells, Rachelle Marcus, and newly elected Judy Manouchehri. 

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“There are not enough words to describe the incredible and beloved City Manager George Chavez who truly has been the heart and soul of this City for the past 34 years,” said Beverly Hills Mayor Lili Bosse. “He has helped guide us through some of the most challenging times in our history with such grace and dedication to the community that he loves so much. He is a dear friend, colleague and above all an amazing leader and human being. He will be greatly missed and so much of what makes Beverly Hills so special is because of him.”

In 1988, Chavez began his career with the city as a Building Inspector and has since held positions including Assistant Director of Community Development/City Building Official, Director of Public Works and Assistant City Manager. In 2019, Chavez was appointed City Manager, where he was responsible for overseeing the nine city departments and developing policy. He is also a recipient of the 2017 Fred C. Cunningham Award for Distinguished Service, which recognizes city employees of exceptional character and dedication to the community.

Immediately following the reception, Chavez will be formally recognized at the City Council meeting at 7 p.m. 

Assistant City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey will take over as the first female City Manager of Beverly Hills on Jan. 1, 2023.

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“A few weeks ago, I was utterly disappointed to learn of an incident that took place where an employee was physically aggressive towards a student. Appropriate steps were immediately taken to thoroughly investigate the event. No stone was left unturned, witnesses were interviewed, and the video footage from before, during, and after the incident was scrutinized. The employee no longer works for BHUSD.” 

At its Nov. 22 meeting, the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education heard dozens of pleas from the public to reconsider the fate of Faintich. The board heard emotional testimonies about both the incident and his character from students, parents, and alumni. During public comment, Faintich himself addressed the board and the public to apologize. 

“My heart was, certainly as everyone knows, in the right place, but the choices I made to make contact physically with a student of Beverly Hills was not the correct way to handle the situation,” Faintich said. “While I perceived a threat, and while I truly wanted to protect and safeguard my wrestlers, there was a better way to handle.”

“We want to be role models, we want to be leaders, and perhaps the best thing I can do is admit, truthfully and honestly, that this was not the way to handle the situation,” Faintich said. “I would like to apologize to the board members, to Dr. Bregy, to Tim Ellis, and to Dr. Horvath that have been put in an impossible situation.” Faintich received a standing ovation from the audience at Jon Cherney Lecture Hall.

“Coach was never anything but 100% supportive and protective of my son,” one parent said. “He has been an invaluably positive influence.” Similar sentiments were echoed throughout public comment from other parents. 

Those in attendance traveled from both near and far to publicly implore the board to reevaluate the situation and hear all sides of the incident. Students who witnessed the event came forward to provide firsthand accounts. According to multiple students, the student Faintich pushed had been bullying one of the wrestlers. “What I saw was Ryan defending the wrestler in front of all of us,” one student said. 

The victim of the alleged bullying also came forward during public comment. “I’d like to give my two dimes on coach Ryan and express my bottomless gratitude for not only him being a great coach, but just being the only staff member, the only adult at the school, willing to do something so that this kid doesn’t just get away after he unprovokedly took a swing at me on Walden Drive on Halloween when I was just hanging out with my friends,” said the student. “And the worst part is, when the school administration was supposed to deliver justice, they swiftly suspended coach. But the kid that assaulted me got away unscathed. Nothing was done about it.”

Despite the public display of support for Faintich, and frustration over his termination, the board indicated that it could not make decisions in a public forum regarding this personnel and employment matter. Whether Faintich has a future role to play in the district remains unknown. “I think that what is clear is the impact that coach Ryan has had on the school, on many players, and lives that he’s changed, and that he’s done it with the best of intentions,” Board President Mary Wells said. “And that couldn’t have come across any clearer this evening.” 

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McPhee and Foster, who married in 2019, headlined the event and played holiday classics and songs from their new album called “Christmas Songs,” which comes out on Nov. 25. McPhee introduced herself as a native Angeleno and led fans in a few seconds of Weezer’s “Beverly Hills,” while Foster gave shoutouts to the likes of Mayor Lili Bosse and tennis legend Tommy Haas, both of whom were in the audience. Entertainment that evening also included a cappella carolers and the Grammy-winning all-female mariachi band, Mariachi Divas. While last year’s celebration also drew in around 6,000 attendees, other years have seen as many as 10,000 visitors. 

Rodeo Drive was also populated with holiday performers and characters that included jugglers who rode up and down the street on giant tricycles and a life-size inflatable snow globe with a wintery character inside who posed for photos with families and interacted with the crowd. 

Three performance zones, food trucks, picnic tables and seating areas were set up throughout the street, with luxury storefronts like Valentino and Saint Laurent in the backdrop. Before the fireworks grand finale, holiday dancers and performers paraded down Dayton Way at Rodeo, and followed by Santa Claus riding on top of a Beverly Hills Fire Department truck, waving to the crowd.

The holiday festivities continue through the New Year in Beverly Hills, with installations such as the Glowing Gardens at Beverly Canon Gardens, “Lights on the Lily Pond” at the Beverly Hills Lily Pond, and the “Unwrap the Magic at Beverly Hills City Hall” projection show on view nightly on the Beverly Hills City Hall Tower.

On Dec. 3 and 4, festivities continue at the historic Greystone Mansion and Gardens for the annual Holidays at Greystone event, which features a seasonal variety show titled “Holiday Spectacular” presented by the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, music on the terrace from rock/klezmer band Mostly Kosher, caroling, crafts, story time and festive décor. The two-day event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and reservations are required for all attendees ages 2 and up. 

Additional Reporting by Nathan Ansell

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“It starts often with amazing women who have a vision,” Bosse said on Nov. 14. “We’re going to get to see incredible art and understand where this remarkable Champagne came from.”

Adorning the walls are works by 10 female artists whose artistic interpretations of Madame Clicquot were commissioned for the occasion: Yayoi Kusama, Sheila Hicks, Monique Frydman, Moyoco Anno, Tacita Dean, Pénélope Bagieu, Inès Longevial, Olimpia Zagnoli, Rosie McGuinness and Cece Philips. The first piece in the show is Kusama’s “Twist with Madame Clicquot!” where an original portrait of the Madame is reimagined with the artist’s signature red polka dots. 

“Twist with Madame Clicquot!” by Yayoi Kusama. Photo by Bianca Heyward

“The story of this brand is so rich and unique, and it starts with this audacious woman who was the first owner of this Champagne maison,” said Nelson Elliot Gillum, Marketing Director at Möet Hennessy. “And her and her husband, while he was still alive, took joy in running the family winery. It was really small, and the family focused on other businesses. But through a legal loophole at a time when women weren’t allowed to have bank accounts, and in France they weren’t allowed to own property, she was able to take this business and grow it to the budding empire that it is today. We’re standing in the glory of her work 250 years later. Really, she’s truly the first modern day businesswoman.”

Conceived by French curator Camille Morineau and designer Constance Guisset, the exhibit includes a film component to virtually tour the brand’s vineyards and chalk cellars, an interactive library, original Champagne bottles from the 1840’s that were found in the Baltic Sea, original bottle labels, the trademark registration certificate for Veuve Clicquot labeling and sealing from 1874, and more. 

The pop-up exhibit also includes the Yellow Café, where guests can purchase lite bites and taste pairings of Veuve Clicquot. In addition, the gift shop has an array of Veuve Clicquot’s collectible items, Champagnes, and other merchandise branded by its distinctive yellow color. All proceeds from the Yellow Café will go to support RE:Her, a nonprofit comprised of women restaurateurs dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry. 

Solaire Culture marks the first global traveling exhibition from the LVMH owned brand tVeuve Clicquot, which debuted in Tokyo this June, and will next make its way to London after Beverly Hills. Running through Nov. 20, the exhibit is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free, and all guests must be 21 or older to attend. To book tickets, visit visit https://solaireculture.veuveclicquot.com/en-us/exhibition.

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In the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor’s race representing the 3rd District, West Hollywood City Councilmember Lindsey Horvath has expanded her lead over Senator Bob Hertzberg by about 15,000 votes at press time. The latest results show Horvath received 51.82% of the vote, and Hertzberg at 48.18%. Over 600,000 ballots countywide are believed to still be outstanding from the Nov. 8 election, although it’s unclear how many of them are from the county’s District 3. The District 3 seat covers a majority of the San Fernando Valley, stretching from Westlake Village and Malibu to Calabasas, West Hills, Porter Ranch, San Fernando, Panorama City and Northridge, while also stretching to West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

On Nov. 15, incumbent L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva conceded defeat to former Long Beach police Chief Robert Luna as results from last week’s election continued to favor Luna in the race to head the largest sheriff’s department in the nation. In the last week, Villanueva has consistently trailed behind Luna, with the latest results showing Luna up by nearly 20 percentage points with 60.29% of the vote, and Villanueva with 39.71%. 

“I want to wish the incoming sheriff well,” Villanueva said at a Nov. 15 news conference. “I want him to succeed for a simple reason –  the safety of the community depends on him succeeding. The welfare of every single person on the department depends on him succeeding.”

In the Los Angeles mayoral race, Rep. Karen Bass has built a nearly 50,000-vote lead over developer Rick Caruso, holding 53.06% of the vote to his 46.94%. After the Nov. 15 update, an estimated 565,050 ballots still need to be processed according to the clerk’s office, but it’s unclear how many of the uncounted votes are from the city of Los Angeles. The last five updates after Election Day have all resulted in gains for Bass, who took the lead in the vote count on Nov. 11. 

To ensure that each vote is counted, California law requires election officials to accept ballots that are postmarked by election day up until one week after the election, which extends and slows the vote count period. 

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office announced on Nov. 15 that updates on election results will now be reported daily between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. through Saturday, Nov. 19.

To see the latest election results, visit https://results.lavote.gov. 

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Both Manouchehri and Marcus emerged as front-runners soon after the polls closed on Nov. 8. At their respective election night parties, Marcus welcomed supporters into her home on North Elm Drive, and Manouchehri at her mother’s house on North Alden Drive. 

Marcus, whose term is set to expire in December of this year, was first elected to the board in 2018. A parent of BHUSD graduates and a former teacher, Marcus brings over 50 years of experience as an educator in the district with her. Fellow board members Noah Margo and Board President Mary Wells, city officials, friends and family celebrated her projected victory. 

“I am thrilled to know that the community has given me a vote of confidence to continue as a trustee on the board,” Marcus told the Courier. “I look forward to collaborating with the other board members to ensure the successful education of each and every student. Another priority is the construction program and its completion as scheduled. There were many qualified candidates for the two seats, and I want to thank them for running. Congratulations to Judy Manouchehri for being elected to the board.” 

A parent to three students in the district, Manouchehri herself also graduated from Horace Mann Elementary School and then Beverly Hills High School. Dozens of friends, family members, and neighbors excitedly gathered around the TV in Manouchehri’s mother’s living room to watch early returns come in. 

“This campaign really demonstrates the heart and the soul of this city, this district, and our families that are in the district,” Manouchehri told the Courier. “I would say this has been a campaign of synergy, where we each care so much that it inspires us all to work harder, to do more, and to give more. To me, it really exemplifies the best of us. It’s about loving BHUSD and wanting more for BHUSD at the same time.”

Manouchehri accepted congratulatory hugs from Board President Mary Wells, Councilmember Sharona Nazarian, and several city commission and committee chairs. 

“For me, it’s been such an amazing journey,” Manouchehri said. “I feel like this has been a culmination of who I’ve been since I was a little kid growing up in Beverly Hills up until this moment.”

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While panelists acknowledged that protests have become more regular in Iran over the years, discussion centered around why this movement may be different, and how it already is. Since the death of Mahsa Amini ignited unrest throughout Iran and around the globe, the Beverly Hills community has reverberated the voices of the brave Iranian women who continue to stand up for their rights. “When you have protesters in a country like Iran that is so restrictive, you really need to help put wind in their sails,” Ameri said. 

“For the past seven weeks, we’ve witnessed young Iranians led by women and students rise up in protest against morality laws, against the Iranian regime, and really against the very harsh reality of their everyday existence,” Razi said.

Unprecedented in scale, duration, and unity, Iranians from different ethnic and religious backgrounds are taking part in protest despite the risk to themselves. 

“It is unified both inside and outside Iran,” Daftari said. “We have never seen such unity in the messaging, and the message being very simple: regime change.” She noted that protests are even happening in clerical cities like Qom, 87 miles south of Tehran, indicating how widespread the movement has become despite government crackdowns. 

“They’re trying to make examples out of influencers, people who have large followings, people who have names out there in all sorts of sectors from athletes, musicians and poets and dancers,” Daftari said. “But the kids are not scared. They’re not backing down, and that tells us that this isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. If there was ever a chance for the Iranian people to overthrow their government, and to get their point across within the last 43 years, this looks like it will be it.”

According to Daftari, for the sake of survival, the Iranian government has become extremely united in terms of its response to the protests. “Unfortunately, they are messy and there’s going to be internal strife,” Ameri said about uprisings. “And the Revolutionary Guards, who were established exactly for this reason, are not going to let go.”

“This is a marathon more than a sprint,” Daftari said. “As it has been said, it will take many more. And while this is not the ultimate step that will topple this regime, I do believe this will be the penultimate step that will in fact topple this regime.”

For the movement to be successful, Ameri suggested choking up the funding of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and freezing the assets of the Iranian leadership and their progeny in Western countries. “I think a global conference that really puts the spotlight on Iran at this point in time would be really critical,” she added. 

In response to audience questions about how to support Iranian women and the revolution, Daftari said “they want one thing from us, and that’s to have their story told.” 

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Citing “several incidents in the flats,” Councilmember Sharona Nazarian asked about using drones to assist officers in patrolling residential streets. In the past week, BHPD sent out four alerts for three crimes via Nixle, a community information service. On Oct. 28, officers detained a suspect for a robbery near Elevado Avenue and Beverly Drive. On Oct. 30, BHPD investigated a burglary on the 1300 block of Park Way, but no suspects were located. On Oct. 31, BHPD made an arrest for trespassing on the 500 block of North Palm Drive. 

“Based on what happened in the flats, we have been putting one more of the Covered 6 and Nastec in the flats,” Chief Stainbrook said. “As I mentioned, the camera operators will go up and down the streets as well where we have camera coverage. And when they’re not responding to a call, the drones are doing the same thing. They’re basically flying in patterns, looking for suspicious activity.”

According to Stainbrook, the 34% decrease in crime since June 2022 is the result of a few different factors. “We are hearing anecdotally that criminals know not to come here, and if they come here, they will be caught and we will go and find them even if it’s months later,” the Chief said. Last week, BHPD arrested a suspect in connection with an Aug. 15 shooting outside Nusr-Et Steakhouse that left one man hospitalized. Stainbrook noted that the break in the Nusr-Et case was, in part, due to the new technology being used. 

In September, the new drone program helped law enforcement with the arrest of multiple suspects who were connected to a smash and grab robbery in March at a jewelry store on South Beverly Drive. The department also recently purchased a drone with a spotlight and with a speaker microphone that can talk to people on the ground. Next, BHPD will work on high priority intersections and upgrading and expanding residential CCTV cameras.

Since the inception of the RTWC, ALPRs have helped police recover 25 stolen vehicles and make 38 arrests, intercepting those driving stolen cars or suspects with active warrants. Four additional ALPR’s will also be activated on Rodeo Drive. 

“We knew some crimes were happening between noon and 5 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, Sunday,” Chief Stainbrook said. “We redeployed the security staff very specifically and strategically in certain areas of the city, and the crime just took a huge drop in those areas because of how we deployed the security staff. So, we kind of used them as a force multiplier.”

Now, BHPD keeps one officer from Nastec and one from Covered 6 at the RTWC working with the watch commander, communicating with those on the ground, and making sure security staff is deployed. 

According to Stainbrook, the new technology has been an invaluable resource in helping detectives follow up on investigations. Councilmember John Mirisch requested statistics from BHPD that charts the department’s rate of solving crime. “I’m convinced that we would see that we’re solving a much higher percentage of the crimes that do occur, in addition to the ones that we deter, than in surrounding areas,” Mirisch said. 

In terms of aggravated assaults, Stainbrook noted that BHPD is making between six and eight arrests each month. However, it’s unclear out of how many. 

“If there is anything technology wise, whether it’s drones, whether it’s any suggestions that you’ve heard today, and you find that it’s something that we can do, let’s get it done,” Mayor Bosse said. “We’ll put it on the next agenda, whatever it is you need.”  

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“COVID, Black Lives Matter, a rise in hate crimes, school shootings – they affect us all, every single day,” Kovacik said. “Maple Counseling, with its new expanded services, will reach an even bigger community whose voices need to be heard. And the community needs to know that it is okay to not be okay.”

Students in the city have too benefitted from the counseling center’s high-quality services, at an accessible price. For years, the Beverly Hills School Unified District has contracted with the Maple Center to provide individual and group counseling services to students on campus at the high school. 

While the average fee per counseling session is $25, no one will be denied if they cannot pay. 

Over the last few months, the Maple Center has raised over $1.1 million on behalf of its mission and honorees. Of those funds, $700,000 is specifically earmarked for the new Briskin Wilder Welcome Center. Characterized as both a program and a place, the Welcome Center allows for expanded mental health care services either through the Maple Center or an outside agency.

This year marks more than one milestone for Maple Counseling, with new headquarters opening in mid-city Los Angeles. The new 10,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility is located near the intersection of La Cienega Boulevard and the I-10 Freeway. 

“We are thrilled to honor Judy Briskin, Rex Wilder, and John and Kristin Jameson at this year’s Maple Counseling 50th Anniversary Gala,” said Hon. Myra Lurie, Chair of the Maple Counseling Board of Directors. “Mental health impacts people from all walks of life. They have helped transform the lives of countless individuals and families seeking mental health care for themselves or a loved one in Los Angeles County.” 

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To shed light on how the movement is impacting many in Beverly Hills, the board invited Mayor Lili Bosse, Councilmember Sharona Nazarian, former BHUSD School Board President Nooshin Meshkaty, district parent (and aunt of Board Member Gabriel Halimi) Maryam Halimi, and Beverly Hills High School Associated Student Body President, Ashley Jourabchi to share their perspectives as part of the BHUSD Community Spotlight.

“There’s an unprecedent number of women fighting for human rights in Iran,” President Mary Wells said. “These women and their supporters are putting their lives at risk and are calling for the world to amplify their voices. The City Council of Beverly Hills has taken the lead with a resolution calling for action. Although our lens is an educational one, we stand with all women of Iran and their bravery and fighting for what are unabashed violations of fundamental human rights.”

“Our community is an exceptional one, with residents from around the world,” Nazarian said. “Many Iranians immigrated to Beverly Hills 43 years ago because they were exiled when the Islamic regime and the Islamic Revolution took over. They felt that Beverly Hills was a safe place and a welcoming space.”

Nazarian herself moved to the United States as a young girl, being “among the first wave of immigrants from Iran.” She is the first Iranian American female to serve on the Beverly Hills City Council. 

“Our amazing young people have the intellect, courage and strength to make a difference and bring about global change,” Nazarian said. “With resolutions like these, we are showing them why they matter, and the reason why we are united as part of our international stance of solidarity with the people of Iran.”

“What makes Beverly Hills so unique is that we value human rights,” Bosse said.

“And that no matter where we came from, one thing that we have in common is that we will always stand up and stand strong for one another.” The words ‘Justice for Mahsa Amini’ continue to shine on Beverly Hills City Hall “until there is justice,” Bosse said. 

Meshkaty asked the community to save the date for a “peaceful rally through the city, just to let everyone know that a city as glamorous as Beverly Hills is not there just for merchandise…They also stand there for what’s right.” The rally will be held on Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. with more details to come. 

Halimi, a parent with three children enrolled in the district, was born in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and lived there until 1993, when she left her country in search of freedom. In sharing her story, she recalled being “constantly harassed” by the morality police during her teenage years for “anything from a little hair showing out of our hijab to laughing with friends. Sometimes, even for being good looking.” Halimi’s mother, a pediatric physician forced to work at a government clinic, suffered from a heart condition, and died at age 48 after being denied leave for a specialized treatment overseas. “Since we were Jewish, we were not permitted to leave Iran,” Halimi said. 

“A few years after my mom’s passing, the government, not having any use for the rest of us, allowed us to leave Iran for a duration of two weeks,” she said. “But we took advantage of it, and fled Iran.” At the time, Halimi was 15 years old. 

As a first-generation Persian American high school student, “we’ve been severely, severely affected by these tragedies,” Jourabchi said. “And now, seeing the rise in antisemitism, we’ve been baffled by what’s been happening at this day and age.”

Jourabchi, whose father fled Iran some 35 years ago, hopes to ignite change by increasing awareness beyond the Persian and Jewish community. “It’s important for us to stand for what we believe in,” she said. “And I really believe that we truly can make a difference as we stand together as a community.” 

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At the Chamber forum moderated by David Mirharooni, Chair of the Government Affairs Committee, Marcus was asked why she chose to run, again. The longtime Beverly Hills resident cited her institutional knowledge, history on the board, and longstanding commitment to students, adding: “During my four years on the board, I studied the issues and I’ve done my homework in order to make wise and thoughtful decisions…I will vote against the majority if I personally feel it’s a wise thing to do.”

Dodes, who is in her third year as President of the BHEF, has also served on several school advisory committees. Currently, she is the Communications Co-Chair on the Horace Mann PTA Executive Board and is on the Beverly Vista Middle School Site Council. “I am running because I’ve already been effecting change in the district,” Dodes said. “I’ve helped choose the technology for our one-to-one student device programs. I’ve helped choose three of our current school admins, and I’ve helped adopt textbooks at both the TK-5 and middle school levels.”

“I’ve seen a decline in quality of education with each student I’ve worked with throughout the year,” LaVoice, who works as an Applied Behavioral Analysis tutor for children with special needs, said. 

When asked about their plans to bolster student body relationships with the local business community, candidates responded with various ideas.  

“I really would like to inspire by incorporating credit-based assignments with business in the community, whether it’s marketing, advertising, or content development,” Manouchehri said.

“I’d like to bring in high profile business leaders and motivational speakers to discuss their career paths and what it takes. I’d like to work on projects in conjunction with Rotary of Beverly Hills and the Chamber of Commerce, as well as for opportunities for philanthropy. And I’d like to partner with the Chamber executive board and other companies to create internships and training programs for vocations and other jobs.”

With several teen fentanyl overdoses in recent weeks at nearby schools, the crisis has become “impossible to ignore,” Mirharooni said. Candidates were asked about mental health resources and how they would educate the BHUSD community about exposure to fentanyl. “I know that BHUSD puts kids on suspension for being caught with drugs,” Amir-Salkin said. She also suggested establishing an Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous club at school. Manouchehri spoke of the need for “a comprehensive fentanyl educational plan,” and Marcus talked about the availability of the opioid antagonist Narcan at all school sites, with administrators trained in how and when to use it.  

Mirharooni also asked the candidates about fiscal responsibility and construction budget oversight. Marcus, who spearheaded the creation of the Facilities and Construction Oversight Committee, confirmed budgetary concerns. Still, according to Marcus, elementary students will be back at El Rodeo by 2024 and BHHS buildings B3 and B4 will be complete by 2025. While the board has since hired a new bond manager to correct course, problems remain. 

In contrast, at the Oct. 18 Teen BHEF and Interact forum, candidates were asked to identify what areas they feel are most in need of funding. Responses ranged from providing teachers with more support and having licensed clinicians at each school site. “I think right now where we really need to use our monies and focus our opportunities has to do with mental health,” Amir-Salkin said. 

The sophomore representative for the Interact club, Oliver Shemtov, asked the final question: What do you think is the best way to address differences of opinion within the school board or between the school board and the community? 

“I have worked with many different families from diverse backgrounds, and I know how to set my ego aside and work as a team,” LaVoice said.

“So, it really comes down to just simply treating everyone with dignity and respect,” Dodes replied. “I think, especially in our current times, especially with social media, WhatsApp, things can devolve real fast into shouting matches.” 

“In my practice, on a daily basis, I’m dealing with $5, $10, $15, $20 million deals, a lot of egos,” Manouchehri said. “I am constantly making sure that there is clarity, consistency, and that we are all crossing the same finish line with respect and courtesy…I believe that I can bring that professional perspective and those tools to the board, and to this district, to really inspire us to communicate and arrive at decisions in a little bit more of a harmonious and collaborative approach.” 

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In response to concerns from residents who don’t know which agency to contact when they need assistance, the city is creating a three-digit hotline that will be available 24 hours a day, “as well as a whole program in place to address this concern,” said Bosse. More information will be shared at the next meeting. On the topic of bike lane usage next to Roxbury Park, data collected by the city from July and August showed that an average of 32 cyclists used it per day. According to Bosse, that number has increased by six since April. During the session, Bosse also suggested that the Human Relations Commission showcase people in the community who are healers during its mental health update at each meeting or incorporate a similar acknowledgment in Parks and Recreation mental health programing. 

Chair of the Human Relations Commission Noelle Freeman asked that Business with Bosse highlight shops in the southeast part of the city. According to Bosse, businesses that want to be featured contact the city, and be prepared to accommodate anywhere from 150 to 300 guests.

The topic of drugs in the city schools was also discussed. “Maybe we should have a campaign, maybe we should bring the sniffing dogs back to our schools,” Beverly Hills resident and psychologist Dr. Nanaz Pirnia said. “Everyone is doing drugs and vaping everywhere.”

After several student fentanyl overdoses in the area since the school year began, Los Angeles public schools will be equipped with Narcan, an opioid antagonist, often administered nasally, that can immediately reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. BHUSD will also be stocked with Narcan.

“We are doing our best right now to alert parents about the fentanyl crisis,” Board of Education President Mary Wells said. With October being National Substance Abuse Prevention month, Wells shared programming at the middle and high school to educate students and parents about drug use and overdose.

On Oct. 23, Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) parents can tour a “Reality Party” to learn about the current party culture and the threats related to alcohol and drugs. “Reality Party” is an immersive, realistic, simulated teen party performed by BHHS student actors at a private home in Beverly Hills. 

The event will take place from 2 – 5:30 p.m., with limited space. To register, visit www.BHHS.BHUSD.org/RealityParty. Following the tour, parents will hear from a panel of experts in the field on how to keep their kids safe.

Another suggestion made by a resident was find a way to way to recognize residents who have impacted the city, and possibly expand the Cultural Heritage Commission’s Golden Shield awards beyond locations that have historical and cultural significance. “For the moment, because it’s relatively new, we’ve focused on places of interest,” Cultural Heritage Commission Chair Kimberly Vinokur Reiss said. “Part of what I’d like to do is introduce people to that as well. So that would be definitely something we could take into consideration.”

The next Live with Lili will be held on Nov. 22. 

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“I never thought that Tyler would die of an overdose,” Shamash said. “He was so smart. He knew everything about drugs, but fentanyl has changed everything.” Shamash will return at the end of October to share her story with BHUSD ninth graders. “If you cannot say with 100% certainty that your child will never try one drug one time, you cannot be sure that they’re safe from fentanyl,” she added.

Ali Norman-Franks, the wellness counselor at the high school, also spoke about the Norman Aid substance misuse prevention campaign happening in October. “This month, we’ll be sharing post stories about substance misuse and managing peer pressure, as we know that’s a problem for our students,” Norman-Franks said.

In his superintendent report, Dr. Michael Bregy shared that while the opioid overdose treatment Narcan has become increasingly difficult to find, all school sites are stocked. Administrators underwent training this week on how to administer the treatment, which comes in a nasal spray typically.

“The blessing and curse of working with children is oftentimes they act before they think,” Dr. Bregy said. “And so that’s our job, is to reverse that, and to start providing skills so that in any situation, a student has been educated enough to think about what they’re doing before they do it. This is one of those instances where it’s so quick, that it could be too late.”

In a 4-1 vote, the board also voted to disband the Facilities and Construction Committee since the construction program has been restructured. Rachelle Marcus, who initially established the committee, was the sole no vote.

“Over a year ago I formed this committee to provide oversight and transparency in the construction program,” Marcus said. “I’m not yet comfortable that eliminating this committee is going to do what it’s supposed to do.”

At its next board meeting, the board invited parents to speak about the unrest in Iran. “

“It affects all of us, but it’s affecting directly many members of our community and their families,” President Mary Wells said. “I just want to say that I personally stand with the women in Iran who are fighting for human rights.”  

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“It’s really about sharing information, understanding what the issues are that the different districts are facing, and then bringing speakers or addressing those kinds of broader issues,” Wells told the Courier.

According to Wells, the executive board, sets the direction for the programming and how the association is run. The board typically meets once a month, and meetings are hosted by different districts in the county. Recently, the executive board created a subcommittee for legislative advocacy, which could potentially work with LACOE on future legislative issues.

 “Part of our strategic plan is also about having our district be more visible,” Wells told the Courier. “So, I was really excited about this opportunity because it also allows for our district to have representation with the executive board, and as an officer that gives us a bigger voice.” Serving alongside Wells on the 2022-23 LACSTA executive board as President is Tina Fredericks, from the Pasadena school district, and Vice President Jeffrey De La Torre from the Hacienda La Puente school district.

At its most recent Oct. 3 meeting, the topic centered around employee retention–an ongoing challenge facing many school districts in the county, Wells said. Held at the LACOE offices in Downey, guest speakers with insight and analysis included Dr. Alicia Aceves, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Support Services for the East Whittier City School District and Dr. Maria Martinez-Poulin, Deputy Superintendent at LACOE.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be appointed to the Executive Board of LACSTA as Secretary-Treasurer and to represent BHUSD as an officer of the Executive Board,” Wells told the Courier. “I look forward to working closely with the Executive Board, including LACOE and the California School Boards Association, to support the mission of LACSTA and serve the members of LACSTA for the advancement of public education.” 

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On Sep. 29, Councilmember Sharona Nazarian spoke in front of hundreds who gathered at the West Hollywood Park for a candlelight vigil for Amini, hosted by the Iranian American Women Foundation. As the first woman of Iranian descent elected to serve on the Council, Nazarian’s voice is significant and her platform far reaching. Mayor Lili Bosse also attended the vigil.

“The policies that the regime sets are not those of the Iranian people,” Nazarian told the Courier. “This is not a religious or cultural issue when it comes to what happens to the people of Iran who are just asking for basic freedoms. The Islamic Republic is not the Iranian people and their policies do not support the views of the people. Obviously, I am excited that we are supporting a resolution against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”  

On Oct. 1, Mayor Bosse held up a banner that read “Women, Life, Freedom,” as she marched alongside thousands from Pershing Square to Los Angeles City Hall in protest of the Iranian government. “Beverly Hills is standing up for human rights and we want everyone across the world to stand with us,” Mayor Bosse said in a statement last week.  

Throughout the city, Amini’s memory is honored. At the Beverly Hills Tower building on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Canon Drive, a large banner reads “We Stand With the Women of Iran #mahsaamini” next to an image of Amini, shown smiling with her hair down. Next to it, another sign reads “Free Iran” above a pre-revolution Iranian flag with a lion and sun emblem in the middle–an anti-government symbol. The flag was changed after the Iranian Revolution and now features a stylized red symbol at the center to reflect the Islamic Republic. 

“A lot of people come to Beverly Hills from all over the world, and they will now be aware of what is happening,” Shawn Far, owner of the fashion house Vertigo and the Beverly Hills Tower building, told the Courier. “Everyone is joining this movement. This could be something like Black Lives Matter.”

Nearby, West Hollywood City Hall was also lit in the Iranian flag’s red, white and green, colors as a show of support for the women of Iran this week. Over the weekend, Los Angeles City Hall was illuminated with Iranian national colors. 

“They cannot celebrate their femininity, they cannot dance, sing or even show their hair,” Nazarian wrote in a social media post. “If they get a divorce, they lose custody of their child. All the beauty that a woman brings to this world, are seen as immoral or taken away.” 

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“We’re in a different place now than we were these last few years, but I still feel that many of us are still carrying so much of what we’ve been through,” Bosse said. “And I feel that we’re carrying it in our bodies, we’re carrying it in our hearts, and we’re carrying it in how we relate to one another…We’ve had to be isolated from each other, and I really wanted Dr. Chopra to give us tools for resilience, for hope, for connection, for love.”

According to Chopra, the formula for happiness is H= S+C+V (happiness equals the brain “set point” plus condition of living plus voluntary choices.)

“Unhappy people, no matter what the situation is…their first response is criticism, condemnation, complaint and playing the victim,” Chopra said. “Basically, your happiness is determined by situations, circumstances, events, and people. And therefore, in a sense, you’re at the mercy of every stranger on the street.”

Chopra explained that each person’s set point is determined by their parents, noting that if parents have a negative approach to life, a child grows up to adopt a similar mentality, which can result in growing up to be an unhappy person. “What kind of life is that” Chopra asked. “Where you’re at the mercy of every stranger on the street, every circumstance or every event or every relationship. By being a victim, you become a victim. And then that reinforces your victimhood.”

For the past 30 years, Chopra has been on the scientific advisory board at Gallup, Inc., an analytics and advisory company that also collects data on well-being. According to Chopra, there are many facets of well-being: corporate well-being, social well-being, physical well-being and community well-being. 

Chopra noted that thriving businesses have a shared vision, maximum diversity, a workforce that complements other’s strengths, and an emotional and spiritual connection. 

“If you ignore an employee or somebody who works for you, as a leader, the disengagement goes up by 45%,” Chopra said. “On the other hand, if you criticize them, it falls to 20%. Why? Because people need to feel that they exist. If you ignore somebody, for practical purposes, they don’t exist. But if you criticize them, at least you notice them.” 

Chopra defined social well-being as having two or three people in your life who “will have your back, who will not judge you, and who will support you no matter what.”

“And if you have even two such people in your life, you will be thriving,” Chopra said. 

“We need at least six hours of human interaction every day with other people,” Chopra said. “And these days, even if that is text messaging, it’s okay. If you send somebody an emoticon with a hug and a kiss, you will give them a dopamine hit.”

The third pillar of well-being, physical well-being, includes sleep, stress management, exercise, mind body coordination, learning something new, relationships, and biological rhythms. As a way to measure physical well-being, Chopra posed one question: Do you have enough energy to do everything that you want to do?

For community well-being, Chopra said emphasized the importance of safety. “Are you feeling safe walking alone at night in your community,” Chopra asked. “If you lose your wallet, do you think it will be returned to you?”

Chopra is a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego and the founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit for research on well-being and humanitarianism. Details on the next event in the Mayor’s Mental Wellness Series were not available at press time.  

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At her installation in April, Bosse unveiled a new Real Time Watch Center that uses state-of-the-art technology to monitor the city’s sprawling surveillance network 24/7, which includes CCTV cameras and automatic license plate readers. “I am bringing our safety to a whole new level,” Bosse said in her speech. “We do not defund police; we fund our police!” The city is actively recruiting new police officers, and recently augmented salaries to ensure its officers are the highest paid in Southern California.

In addition to the Real Time Watch Center, a new drone program is now in place, “keeping a watchful eye from the sky.” According to Bosse, the surveillance has already proven effective, helping law enforcement with the arrest last week of multiple suspects who were connected to a smash and grab robbery in March at a jewelry store on South Beverly Drive.

Bosse also spoke about Live 911. The new system allows officers to hear emergency calls live in the field as they come in, allowing for an immediate response without having to wait for instructions from dispatch. The BHPD alert text message system communicates information directly from the police department, and the public can sign up for notifications by texting BHPD alert to 888777.

“I know how difficult the last couple of years have been for all of us – and I know we’re grateful that we’re finally on the road to recovery,” she noted.

Bosse also highlighted new eateries like Sweetgreen and Erewhon and spoke about steps taken to continue to incentivize and attract new businesses. 

“It’s not just about restaurants, the world’s top visionaries want to invest in Beverly Hills,” Bosse said. “The Mandarin Oriental Residences on Wilshire, Rosewood Residences at the former Friars Club site and ONE Beverly Hills projects are offering world-class living – and the new extraordinary AMAN Hotel at ONE Beverly Hills will join our luxury class of hotels in our world-class city,” she noted.

“We all know the pandemic had a dramatic impact on our local businesses and our city’s finances,” Bosse said. “But we continue to see recovery and improvement in our big four tax revenues – property tax, sales tax, business tax and TOT (also known as hotel tax).”

According to Bosse, property values remained strong and even improved while citywide valuation rose 5.2%, sales tax and business tax have fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels. While hotel taxes have not yet fully recovered, they’re at about 85% of pre-pandemic levels. “With inflation, rising interest rates and some economic uncertainties, the city will continue to keep a proactive, watchful eagle eye and take action to protect our financial stability,” she added.

In her concluding remarks, Bosse promised that in the remaining months of her term she will “continue to put the safety and health of our community first, champion our local businesses and listen to you. You have my word and my heart, Beverly Hills.” 

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“I am thrilled to have this new leadership team in place as part of our newly restructured construction program,” Board President Mary Wells told the Courier. “I am confident that this team will deliver an effective and efficient building program and ensure transparency and accountability to our taxpayers.”

The team is made up of Raphael Guzman, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Will Karrat, Executive Director of Construction Services, Ken Haas, Executive Director of Construction and Facilities and Amin Salari, the Executive Vice President of Fonder-Salari, which is the construction management firm contracted by the district.   

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The event was hosted by “The Late Late Show” host James Corden, and featured a start-studded outdoor concert with performances by Meghan Trainor, Gwen Stefani, and John Fogerty. Guests included Kris Jenner, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos. 

Festivities took place in multiple locations across The Wallis’ Beverly Hills campus. The Azoffs were honored in a presentation in the Bram Goldsmith Theatre, followed by al fresco gourmet dining on the Promenade Terrace and the concert. 

In their remarks during the celebration, event Co-Chairs Cathy and Mark Louchheim and Susan and Peter E. Strauss said, “We are delighted to co-chair The Wallis Delivers: An Evening with Shelli and Irving Azoff. This event is a special opportunity to celebrate Shelli and Irving, remarkable individuals whose spirits infuse everything they do, while also supporting The Wallis’ community mission.”

Wallis Annenberg and Lynda and Stewart Resnick were honorary co-chairs. As a token of appreciation, the Azoffs were gifted a Sing for Hope piano painted by American artists, the Haas Brothers from The Wallis. 

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The Canadian author, activist and actor currently co-stars in the Israeli television series “The Baker and the Beauty.” Prior to his new post at the oldest survivor-founded museum in the United States, Sharif was a leading fundraiser for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, seeing the museum through a $388 million capital campaign. The LGBTQ advocate also served as a national spokesperson at GLAAD and volunteers as an ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and The Human Rights Foundation. 

“The whole mission and being a survivor founded museum is really based on storytelling,” Sharif told the Courier. “With me taking this role, there’s so much more we could do together with Hollywood to help share stories because at the end of the day, we’re in the same business of storytelling.”

In the role, Sharif will lead the development and communications strategy, and be part of the museum’s expansion project, helping them double their square footage from 28,000 square feet to 50,000 over the next two years.

“We’re living in some pretty crazy times,” he said. “Recorded incidents of hate crimes and hate speech are increasing across America and we’re seeing more and more antisemitic attacks right here in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. So, it’s more than just an opportunity. It’s an obligation right now. It’s not a historic museum, it’s relevant – and we’re dealing with it in the present. Most importantly is, the only way to fight hate is with education, and the Holocaust Museum provides free education to students around California. And the museum is currently at critical capacity. Unless we expand, we’re going to have to start turning students away.”

The new building will accompany the current one on their campus in Pan Pacific Park near The Grove. 

The expansion will include more classrooms, a theater that seats 200 people, a 2,500-square-foot gallery for temporary exhibitions, a pavilion with a railroad boxcar found near the Majdanek concentration camp in Poland and a “Dimensions in Testimony” theater where visitors can have a virtual conversation with a Holocaust survivor using holographic capture and voice recognition software. 

The goal is to attract 500,000 visitors per year by 2030. 

The current building is partially underground, with limited visibility to the public from the street. 

For Sharif, the museum expansion project is “our big coming out.” “We’ve always been there, but now we’re finally going to be much more visible. That’s the way to confront hate, is to be there standing tall in front of it.”

He noted that the expansion campaign recently reached 80 percent of its funding goal, allowing them to break ground this fall. “We’re looking for more people to show around and get excited by the project to bring on board,” Sharif said. “We’re very fortunate to live in a city like Los Angeles, which is truly philanthropic.”  

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“Whether we like it or not the metaverse is here and will continue to be here,” Mayor Bosse said. “I want to make sure that we really protect our community, protect Beverly Hills, and use it as a way to really tell our story.”

According to Travis Cloyd of Worldwide XR, an entertainment technology and digital agency, Santa Monica was the first city in the country to enter the metaverse by offering a virtual way to experience its downtown district through FlickPlay, a metaverse social app company. Users can explore an interactive map of the city and collect tokens, which can then be used to unlock digital experiences in the app or redeemed for physical items at retailers in the city. 

“Look at these Metaverse ecosystems as trailers driving more foot traffic and more awareness,” Cloyd said. “For example, I can text message somebody anywhere in the world, and they get a snippet. They get a chance to go step in the virtual space for only a small, limited time. We’re hoping that that can drive them to physically come in here.”

To partake and create content in the metaverse, the city would have to buy digital parcels of space in the metaverse using cryptocurrencies. After using cryptocurrencies to acquire digital parcels of real estate in a metaverse ecosystem, the city would be able build a virtual replica of City Hall or Rodeo Drive. In the metaverse, users can purchase virtual property, goods, services, or nonfungible tokens (NFTs) and pay for them with cryptocurrency. 

“I absolutely would support looking at this as a way to promote the city, not as a new lifestyle,” Councilmember John Mirisch said. “But it’s a form of recreation. People are spending time there and can we reach them there? I think we should look at it more as a billboard than as speculative real estate.”

However, Mirisch opposed doing anything that would require the city to use cryptocurrencies, and suggested the city do a cost benefit analysis. “Unless they develop cryptocurrencies that are carbon neutral, I’d say staying away from anything involving cryptocurrency is a must,” Mirisch said.

While referred to as the “wild west,” the city hopes to explore opportunities in the metaverse that utilize augmented reality to support tourism and the local economy.  “I think there’s so many advantages to what this can do for our city,” Mayor Bosse said. “It can be a promotional tool. It can be an informational tool. We’re always looking at new ways of communicating with our residents and with those who don’t live in our city as well.”

Bosse indicated that she and Vice Mayor Julian Gold would be in future liaison meetings to explore the metaverse for the city before bringing it back to the council. “I think it’s important that we protect the brand of our city as well and we also use this as an opportunity,” Mayor Bosse added.

“If we could use this as an educational tool for our residents and others, I think that’s great,” Vice Mayor Gold said. “If we can create avatars that help people through the planning process, I think that’s great.”

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The new proposed policy separates residential wastewater customers (single-family and multi-family) and adds a quantity charge for the single-family and multi-family classes. “I think one of the hopes was this would urge people to go use irrigation meters,” Director of Public Works Shana Epstein said. “Those who have a lot of outdoor water use, so when we have to call for no outdoor water use, we have an ability to really see if those meters are running or not.”

Based on a cost-of-service study conducted by HF&H Consultants, LLC, the commission supported restructured water rates that include volumetric charges for residential customers and continued fixed and volumetric charges for commercial users. The city will also continue charging water reliability charges to generate revenue to cover the costs of developing water supplies to lessen dependence on the Metropolitan Water District. 

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“As most of you know, the south part of Beverly Vista is basically all blacktop or asphalt,” said a parent during public comment. “Except for that small part, which is the green field, there is very little or almost no natural shade in that area.”

With middle school sports starting up at BVMS and more foot traffic, Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said staff are already in talks with the PTA to address the shade issue. Board President Mary Wells also suggested forming a sustainability advisory group to incorporate more greenery and shady areas on district campuses. “I think that there is definitely reason to think about the lack of green space and shade at Beverly Vista Middle School, and other schools, but BVMS really seems to be hit very much so,” board member Amanda Stern said. “It would be a sad state of affairs for kids to just have to go to the auditorium for lunch, when they really should be moving around.”

In a 4-1 vote, the board also approved a three-year contract with William Karrat for the position of Executive Director of Construction Services. Vice President Noah Margo was the sole nay vote, adding, “there are unbelievable parallels between the new Construction Manager’s responsibilities and this person’s responsibilities, and that’s where I’m concerned that wires might get crossed and we may run into conflict.” 

In the cabinet level position, Karrat is responsible for managing the implementation of the district’s facilities master plan and bond program. The Executive Director of Construction Services will track the progress of all construction projects and report directly to Raphael Guzman, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. The role involves coordination and collaboration with Bregy and his cabinet. 

“I think that we looked at this structure to provide greater transparency and accountability, and to streamline the reporting structure so that there’s better communication, both within our district and outside of our district,” President Wells said. “I feel really confident that this is the piece that we need to provide that accountability.”

Board member Gabriel Halimi said the role gives administration, including Bregy and his team, “the ability to actually monitor, supervise and help direct the direction of our construction program, which was something that the cabinet did not have in the previous structure.”

Since the board approved the BHUSD Community Pledge on Aug. 23, five have found permanent homes, with one placed at each school site and one at the district office. The community pledge was also read last Friday by Beverly Hills High School co-Principal Kim Decatrel, before the first home football game of the season. “I think that that was an important way to be able to share with another school district how important we feel these words are in our own community,” Bregy added. “I think that there was a lot of value added to being able to start a football game with the pledge being read.”

“The idea is to ensure that we keep this message going, and it takes everyone to do that,” Bregy said. “So, we’re going to be really creative about how we do that throughout the school year and continue to get people to not only sign the pledge, but even more importantly, live the pledge and live up to the pledge.” 

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“If you come by the police station, she’s there 24/7 and she provides mental health support to officers,” Stainbrook said. “The dispatcher loves to have her in dispatch…she’s always going around to different departments.”

As she has done at previous Live with Lili events, Mayor Lili Bosse began the Aug. 25 session by providing updates on ideas discussed at previous meetings. Bosse shared with the crowd that staff are working on making the Parks and Recreation website more user-friendly, reminded the community of upcoming cultural events like the Beverly Hills art show, has BHPD exploring adding police kiosks and a blue light safety system in the city and around the two metro locations. The blue light safety system includes strategically placed, high-visibility, emergency alarm stations that would allow people to directly ping the police department at the push of a button in an emergency. 

During the Aug. 25 meeting, several residents suggested that signs and stickers be placed near tour bus locations to direct and guide visitors through the city. Ideas ranged from having a QR code that uploads an interactive map of the city when scanned, highlighting areas of interest and programming for residents and visitors alike to community bulletin boards or a calendar of upcoming events and community reminders. 

“We’ve already heard three people for QR codes,” Mayor Bosse said. “So, by next month when this comes back, we definitely have to have some really great paths to get us there and maybe even have some test pilots up.”

Bosse’s husband, Jon, asked about the possibility of a city-wide Ping-Pong tournament, and others proposed doing a weekly game night held at the city’s public parks where neighbors can gather for a few hours on a weeknight and socialize over a game of backgammon, chess, or even flag football. “That’s a great idea,” Bosse said. “I’ll be there and I’m sure I won’t win anything, but I’ll be there. I love it.”

Another resident proposed taking it even further by incorporating an augmented reality component to the QR codes, to which Bosse replied: 

“It’s a great idea once somebody can explain it to me, but I know that that is definitely the future. I’m still trying to get there myself, but I love it and the conversation about the metaverse is going to be at our next city council study session agenda.”

The evening closed with an announcement from Laura Biery, the city’s Marketing and Economic Sustainability Manager, with news that the city of Beverly Hills is a finalist in the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation’s award for “Most Business-Friendly City in Los Angeles County.” The winner will be revealed Nov. 9. 

The next Live with Lili will be held on Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at City Hall’s Municipal Gallery.  

The post Mayor Bosse Cites Progress on Several Projects at Live with Lili appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“I can’t thank you enough for this because it’s a good test of God forbid, if it happens, a test of our capabilities, fire department, and also civilians,” BHPD’s Lieutenant Robert Maycott told participants. 

BHPD Chief Mark Stainbrook stressed the importance of the drill, highlighted the coordination involved, and acknowledged the classroom and individual training that took place leading up to this exercise, adding “every year we should be doing this before the school year starts.” 

“We’re going to do everything to be as safe as possible,” Stainbrook added. “Everybody’s a safety officer. So, real world scenario, it’s not sanitized in there and there’s stuff on the floor.”

To ensure everyone’s wellbeing, those labeled “observers” wore neon yellow safety vests indicating they were not to be shot at. In the exercise, police officers used Simunition rounds, training ammunition made of bright pink or blue wax bullets. 

“They are marking cartridges; they’re fired out of real weapons with different barrels,” Lieutenant Maycott said. “There’s no way to put a real round in those.” In the designated training area, no other weapons, including handguns, knives, or sharp objects, were permitted inside the scenario. Maycott advised everyone to keep their “head on a swivel” and reviewed verbal commands such as the “range is hot,” meaning the scenario is live and they may handle firearms, and “index” meaning the exercise is over and everyone must stop. Emergency personnel were instructed to work diligently, talk on the radio like they normally would and communicate back to dispatch. A combination of emergency personnel and officers comprised a Rescue Task Force, led by firefighters who are the first to go inside, extricate any victims and asses the triage. 

The drills were held inside, with two other contact teams on deck at any time, and officers downloading information at the SWAT car and getting a visual look downrange. Inside, a student role player ran down a dark hallway asking, “is my friend okay” and was directed to safety while two medics lifted another role player nearby into a body bag.

According to BHPD Spokesperson, Lieutenant Giovanni Trejo, private security through Nastec International, Inc. is used in a scenario like this to assist by patrolling each entry point at the school. Doing so allows emergency personnel and police officers to respond to the situation without having to also secure the perimeter.

“It’s so important to let everybody see the inside of a school and see what it would look like in an event like one of these situations, God forbid,” Stainbrook said. “These exercises take a lot of planning and coordination, and you have to be patient with these things. It takes a while to get it set up to run through a scenario that only lasts a couple minutes. Communicate, coordinate, and help each other out, because when it really goes down, that’s exactly what we’re going to have to do, and that’s why we’re all practicing this. So, when and if it happens, it’s not the first time we’ve ever done it.” 

The post BHPD Conducts Safety Drill at Hawthorne Elementary School appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“We have Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) programs at each of the schools that reinforce the positive behaviors that we expect of our kids, but we have never set those expectations for the entire school community including the Board, parents, and our staff,” Board President Mary Wells told the Courier. “And so, to kick off the year, we are launching The Community Pledge to set the tone and standards for our behavior. As a community we want to create the environment that supports our students and each other. We want everyone to be treated respectfully and we will hold each other accountable. The Community Pledge acknowledges our commitment to do just that.”

As a community we want to support the expectations we have for our students and each other. We want to be treated with respect and hold each other accountable to that, especially when we have an election coming up.

The pledge was introduced to BHUSD staff on Aug. 12 and will be brought back on Aug. 24 for parents and students to sign on back-to-school night. 

“We’re going to invite everybody to sign it,” Wells told the Courier. “The cabinet, all the PTA presidents and their executive board, the site council, the principals, the Associated Student Body–we’re going to try and get as many leaders as we can to come to our board meeting to sign it at that meeting, as well as ourselves.”

School board members are currently conceptualizing the ways in which the pledge will be used, including being placed at all campuses and in school communications. The pledge is expected to be integrated in a variety of way, including at the beginning of each board meeting, before class starts, before sports games and more. 

Over the summer, the board and cabinet held planning sessions to prepare for the new school year–something past boards have never done, according to President Wells. The pledge initiative stemmed from President Wells’ goal to improve the functionality of the board. Moving forward, the admin planning meetings will take place annually before classes begin. During the planning sessions, the cabinet also “fine-tuned” the BHUSD Mission Statement, Vision Statement and Values and Governance Handbook, which will be approved by the board at the Aug. 23 meeting. 

Wells has called on fellow board members to invite their respective liaison committees and city commissioners to sign their names and take the pledge at the upcoming board meeting. 

“The energy at the schools is very high,” Wells said. “Everyone has a positive attitude and is excited about the changes that have been made to set us up for success in the coming year, and you can really feel it.” 

The next board meeting will be at 5 p.m. on Aug. 23 at the Jon Cherney Lecture Hall at Beverly Hills High School.

Aug. 24 for parents and students to sign on back-to-school night. 

“We’re going to invite everybody to sign it,” Wells told the Courier. “The cabinet, all the PTA presidents and their executive board, the site council, the principals, the Associated Student Body–we’re going to try and get as many leaders as we can to come to our board meeting to sign it at that meeting, as well as ourselves.”

School board members are currently conceptualizing the ways in which the pledge will be used, including being placed at all campuses and in school communications. The pledge is expected to be integrated in a variety of ways, including at the beginning of each board meeting, before class starts, before sports games and more. 

Over the summer, the board and cabinet held planning sessions to prepare for the new school year–something past boards have never done, according to President Wells. 

The pledge initiative stemmed from President Wells’ goal to improve the functionality of the board. Moving forward, the admin planning meetings will take place annually before classes begin. During the planning sessions, the cabinet also “fine-tuned” the BHUSD Mission Statement, Vision Statement and Values and Governance Handbook, which will be approved by the board at the Aug. 23 meeting. 

Wells has called on fellow board members to invite their respective liaison committees and city commissioners to sign their names and take the pledge at the upcoming board meeting. 

“The energy at the schools is very high,” Wells said. “Everyone has a positive attitude and is excited about the changes that have been made to set us up for success in the coming year, and you can really feel it.” 

The next board meeting will be at 5 p.m. on Aug. 23 at the Jon Cherney Lecture Hall at Beverly Hills High School. 

The post BHUSD to Adopt Community Pledge appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

With the event about two months away, liaisons agreed to recommend waiving the bidding requirements in the interest of time and accepted the proposal by Authentic Agency as the event production vendor in amount not to exceed $142,900 and an additional $42,900 for talent and production fees. The number is well over the $100,000 they were expected to budget for the night and the approved $150,000 budget to cover the cost of concert production and talent fees along with in-kind items such as permits.

“The hope is definitely a DJ, because we’re going to start during daylight hours and do a lot of family friendly stuff, so you’re going to want some background music going on,” Next Chair Tiffany Davis said. “Then once the stage production starts, the goal would be to have people do small opening acts that could be community level talent, and then some sort of a headliner that has a name that people have heard of. It would not be a level, superstar talent, but something that would bring people to the event even if they don’t live in Beverly Hills.”

Depending on the level of talent, the total cost for the event is estimated from anywhere between $172,900 and $212,900. “Somebody like a Lance Bass from NSYNC or like a 90′ retro act,” Davis said. 

“I’m okay with it, but I would really look hard for other sources of funds,” Gold said. City staff noted that there are potentially unencumbered funds that haven’t been asked to be carried forward for the next fiscal year as a possible financing source. 

“I think right now it’s really a confluence of a lot of different economic events,” Deputy City Manager Gabriella Yap said of the cost. “With inflation and supply chain issues, that are causing these proposals to come in much higher.” 

The committee will present the Next Night proposal, with a selection of possible talent, and budget for approval to the entire City Council at its Aug. 23 meeting.

The post Next Night Returns Oct. 22 appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“We feel like it’s important for us to leave it as a discussion for this evening, so people have a chance to look at it,” Board President Mary Wells said. “And give an opportunity for the community to give us feedback before we approve it at our next board meeting.”

In an increasing partnership between the district and the city, Beverly Hills police officers and firefighters will conduct emergency safety drills on campus at Hawthorne Elementary School the morning of Aug. 12, and “it might be a little noisy,” said Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy.

 Beverly Hills first responders will practice advanced tactical drills, provide on-scene medical treatment for victims, with visually and audibly simulated discharge of weapons. The training exercise will provide a review of on-campus protocols, and police and fire department response during a major emergency. 

“We want to work with our police department on all of our schools, and we want our schools to be as familiar as possible to our police department,” Bregy said. 

Bregy also informed the community that the district is awaiting COVID-19 guidelines from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health before the first day of school next week. “As we are excited about starting the new school year, absent of those guidelines, I just want to remind people that masks are absolutely a choice and an acceptable part of our culture,” Bregy said. “And it has been, and it’s worked really well. As we’ve had masks required on and off, we’re going to start the same way with the school year, with preference.”

While masks remain optional, Bregy noted other layers of protection in place, including temperature checks, quality of ventilation and the “highest grade” MERV 13 air filters used at schools. 

“You’ve got to keep in mind that it’s not over,” Bregy said. “And you need to do what you need to do to feel safe. Nobody knows their kids better than their parents.”

“We’re kind of entering a new school year with parents allowed to be parents, and to make the decisions that are best for their family,” he added.

President Wells encouraged the public to attend in person or virtually for the next board meeting on Aug. 23 for the signing of a district community pledge and the approval of the new Mission Statement, Vision Statement and Values and Governance Handbook. 

“We’re looking at a community pledge, and that will be forthcoming as well for everybody to see,” President Wells said. “We really are excited about this upcoming year. I think that the work that we’ve done as a team and focusing in on what is our common goal and our common purpose, has really brought clarity to our thinking as we’re looking at the strategic plan and this upcoming year. I can say for certain that this board and the Cabinet, we couldn’t be more excited about starting this year and we are so behind this educational excellence for our school district.” 

The post BHUSD Considers Safety Practices for New School Year appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The 2022-23 school year marks the beginning of Stewart’s sixth year in the district and Decatrel’s fourth year.

“The last few years were really tough, andwehadtogrowinalotofwaysasa school,” Decatrel told the Courier. “We had to band together to make it through some very tumultuous times, but now we’re in a position to reengage with the momentum we had in building our culture, in moving our test scores, and addressing student’s social emotional needs, so that we have a program that addresses the whole student. We’re feeling very well positioned to make progress in all those areas.”

Prior to BHUSD, Stewart taught at Steele Canyon High School in East County, San Diego for 13 years, where he primarily taught 11th and 12th grade history. Before starting at the district, Decatrel was an education administrator at the New York City Department of Education.

“Part of the reason we’re feeling so optimistic is because we have a great team this year with our Assistant Principal Phil Chang and new Assistant Principal, Samantha Jung,” Decatrel told the Courier. Chang remains on the administrative team in his role as Assistant Principal of Operations, and former Horace Mann Assistant Principal of three years, Jung will now serve as the second interim Assistant Principal for the 2022-23 school year. “We have a wealth of institutional knowledge, loyalty, enthusiasm for our community and really highly skilled people on the team,” Decatrel said.

Of primary importance to district administrators was maintaining continuity for students and being able to make more progress as a result. With shared leadership styles, Stewart and Decatrel stressed that the bedrock of their work is in maintaining communication and fostering relationships with staff, students, and families.

“My leadership is collaborative, empathetic, and goal and relationship oriented,” Stewart told the Courier. The duo has adopted a “fail forward” mentality, hoping to instill a sense of trust and safety for students to learn, grow, and experiment. “We’ve worked together closely as assistant principals for three years,” Stewart said of Decatrel. “So, I think it’s just a matter of making sure that we’re not duplicating efforts.”

For Stewart, the challenge ahead lies in continuing to bring students and staff together out of isolation and out from COVID-19 restrictions. “I want to really try to bring not just a feeling of normal back, but of progress and pushing forward,” Stewart said.

“It’s a very huge job,” Decatrel added. “On any given day, any administrator will say, ‘I wish I could clone myself to be able to be multiple places at once.’ So, this is a great opportunity for that. We can engage with students and families and teachers a lot more than we would have been able to before.”

“We’re super grateful to be given this opportunity by the district, and to be able to work with the community,” Stewart said. “Beverly Hills is a special place, and we can’t believe the amount of support from all our community partners and how welcomed we feel by the community.”

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An homage to the iconic NBC sitcom “The Golden Girls,” the pop-up is a fully functioning fast-casual restaurant (with an emphasis on desserts) and bar that transports guests to the girls’ 1980’s hangout spots. The pop-up has ample photo moments for fans to enjoy from the kitchen table to the lanai and more.

The menu was developed by executive chef Royce Burke with classic items like Sophia’s Lasagna al Forno (with vegan options), The Lanai: A “Miami style” Cuban sandwich, Blanche’s Georgia style cookie, a bacon lettuce potato sandwich, specialty cocktails, mocktails and cheesecake. Diners are required to purchase tickets in advance, and each 90-minute reservation includes a “Golden Main” and a slice of cheesecake. Guests have the option to purchase additional sides, drinks, desserts and exclusive The Golden Girls Kitchen merchandise. In partnership with East Side Cheesecakes, guests can order a variety of different cheesecake flavors including chocolate, strawberry, pumpkin, and Oreo.

The fully immersive restaurant experience is a collaboration between the online community Bucket Listers and Bucket Listers Creative Director Derek Berry. The pop-up is expected to open in New York City in the fall, Miami and San Francisco in the winter, and Chicago in the spring of 2023.

Tickets start at $39 per person during non-peak hours and $49 during normal hours.

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While the Cabinet also discussed the possibility of renewed indoor mask mandates, county public health officials announced on July 28 that the mandate would not be imposed. “I wish I had an update for you, I don’t,” Bregy said regarding the possibility of a renewed mask mandate. “I know that the city has put out information about indoor masking. Ours is a little different from the city, so we’re waiting for L.A. County to find out what we’re doing.”

While Bregy highlighted the success of the district’s “your mask, your choice” masking policy, the district has historically remained aligned with Public Health. School administration will meet to discuss next steps once more information becomes known. “I really don’t want this district to have to go back to masking,” Board President Mary Wells said. 

“Our goal this year is to really make this the best year ever, and we really want to have a positive attitude, and it’s really about bringing the community together,” Wells added. “We are going to face a challenge. If we are facing that challenge, my plea to everybody is to be respectful.”

“I am very, very, very frustrated by our county for continuing to make decisions that are not based on data at all, that continue to put our children on the front line and hurt them,” Board member Gabriel Halimi said. “There’s just no data to support that masks will help in any way.” 

After a successful first round of grandparent permit approvals in which 52 were issued by the district, 27 permits were granted in the second round of approvals on July 18. Most of the permits issued from both rounds were for elementary school enrollment.

“If you remember, our policy was to include up to 100 permits for our grandparents that are living within the attendance area in Beverly Hills,” Bregy said. “We are up to 79 total for the applications that have been approved, and students are being placed into classes.” 

However, with grade levels already full and some residents struggling with the application process, Bregy acknowledged room for improvement in the policy. “We’re working individually with a lot of families,” he said. 

During the meeting, Bregy informed the board that the district’s new bond manager for its construction program, Fonder-Salari, Inc., which started on July 17, “hit the ground running.” 

According to Bregy, El Rodeo, which closed in 2019 to be modernized, is expected to reach substantial completion in December of 2023, and construction at the high school is to be at substantial completion in June of 2025. The district is preparing to move the entire Hawthorne Elementary School student population into the new state-of-the-art El Rodeo campus in a little over a year. 

“Hands down, it will be one of the best facilities in California,” Bregy said of El Rodeo. “So, we’re really excited about that, and that’s something that we’ve been talking about now for about five years, and we’re getting to that place where we’re putting the final cap on reconfiguration.”

After being a fixture in the audience for months, new student board member and BHHS senior Alix Bodden introduced herself to the community at the meeting. 

“Becoming a student board member has been a journey of mine for the last five years,” Bodden said. “I have watched the last five student board members come and go, since I was 12 years old, since I was in seventh grade.” The position allows students a rare chance to see how the district is run from the top. 

“I think every student board member that I’ve seen has had their own key and prevalent issues during the school year,” Bodden added. “From the metro, reconfiguration, COVID-19, and I’m excited to see what prevails in my term.” 

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The July 28 announcement may have mooted the City Council’s actions at the Special Meeting. The sentiments expressed therein, however, are likely to hold. The Council meeting was colored by considerable public comment, with 75 people making emotional pleas in opposition to the mandate.

“I feel it is our job to lead and I support the power of choice,” Mayor Bosse said.

“Our job is to be proactive and public about what we believe. This is a united City Council and community that cares about health. We are not where we were in 2020, and now we need to move forward as a community and be part of the solution.”

According to Assistant City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey, the county does have the capability to enforce health mandates and has inspectors go out to ensure that businesses are compliant with the Public Health order. “I don’t remember the county having a substantial presence in our city,” Hunt-Coffey said of the city’s experience with county enforcement with previous mask mandates. 

“The Department of Public Health thanks the City of Beverly Hills for the support and assistance it has provided to protect the health of the public during this COVID-19 pandemic,” Public Health told the Courier in a statement. “If the universal indoor mask requirement does return, Public Health will continue to inform local officials of the current status of COVID-19 and the safety recommendations and requirements in Los Angeles County, as COVID-19 continues to be a leading cause of death in the County. This year, COVID-19 alone has claimed more than 4,000 lives in Los Angeles County, higher than the 6-month average total of deaths from drug overdoses, influenza (during a pre-pandemic year), and motor vehicle accidents combined.”

The Special City Council meeting began with a host of community voices, from concerned parents of children in the district to business owners and elected officials from neighboring cities, advocating against the enforcement of indoor masking. “Being controlled by the Los Angeles County Department of Public means that decisions about our lives are not being made based on our conditions and our needs,” Dr. Michal Amir-Salkin (a candidate for BHUSD School Board) said during public comment. “This is bad health care.”

“Is the cure worse than the virus and is the short-term solution worth the negative long-term impacts of wearing a mask 24/7,” candidate running for California’s 36th Congressional District Joe Collins said. 

According to statistics presented by city staff at the meeting, city employees spent a combined total of 62,767 hours on enforcement related to COVID-19 from July 2020 to June 2021. “I think that if the county institutes requirements, then I think it’s their job to provide the enforcement,” Councilman Lester Friedman said. “I think that we did it during the acute stage, I’m not sorry that we did it during the acute stage, but I do think that time has moved on now.”

“You have a great deal of discretion regarding where to devote your enforcement resources…You heard about code enforcement, obviously that’s going to take away from other priorities,” City Attorney Larry Wiener said. “The Council does have the discretion to say we want to focus on those other priorities and not focus on enforcing the mask mandates. 

“I find it difficult to want to impose mandates that we’re saying we’re not going to enforce or follow up with,” Councilwoman Sharona Nazarian said. “What’s the point?” 

The mask mandate would apply indoors for anyone age two and older in places such as shared office space, retail settings, event spaces, restaurants, bars, gyms, and educational settings. Under the mandate, employers are obligated to provide employees with masks and have proper signage at their establishment. 

“In the past, when mandates have been implemented, but our surrounding counties are not wearing masks, it makes it much easier to go other places than coming to Beverly Hills,” Chief Executive Officer of the Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau Julie Wagner said. “There are numerous concerns that if this were to go through, that we would see business on the books for August disappear and go to neighboring counties.”

“I really feel that we have to heal as a community, and we have to respect each other, and we have to be part of the solution finally,” Mayor Bosse said. “I feel this is one of the most important meetings to have had because I really feel it was an opportunity for us to really hear you, hear each other, and for you to hear us, we are on the same page. This is a united Council, a united community, that cares about health and cares about each other and has learned from the last few years.” 

The post City Council Votes Against Mask Enforcement appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“BHUSD tries to reach each of its students where they are, and to give each of the students as much as possible of what he or she needs to become the best version of themselves,” Amir-Salkan told the Courier. “This is what I believe BHUSD has the ability to do, because I have seen it in my own child.”

In November of 2021, Amir-Salkan was one of seven applicants who was interviewed by the board to fill the vacancy left by Tristen Walker-Shuman, who resigned in September. As a BHUSD parent, Amir-Salkan has helped run Hawthorne’s annual book fair, organized a 2019 Space Camp trip for Hawthorne’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students in Huntsville, Ala. and again for Beverly Vista Middle School STEM students in 2020, which was ultimately canceled due to COVID-19.

“I really want to help BHUSD figure out these issues, figure out our options, and figure out what is the best path forward for the district as a whole, for the students, and for our community,” she told the Courier.

Amir-Salkan joins Judy Manouchehri and sitting board member Rachelle Marcus in the race. At press time, Marcus and Janessa LaVoice, a children’s Applied Behavioral Analysis tutor, have filed to appear on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Amir-Salkin will hold her campaign kick-off event on Aug. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The post Amir-Salkin Announces BHUSD Board Candidacy appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Panelists were asked about best energy and sustainability practices, how city is taking steps to meet its climate goals, and simple everyday actions for Beverly Hills residents to lower their carbon footprint. 

“As they said in the movie, one of the best ways to sequester carbon is to be able to put that back into your soil and create healthy, resilient, plants,” Aldridge said. “And that is what you are specifically doing every single time you’re going to use that kitchen pail.” 

California legislation has established reduction targets for Greenhouse gas emissions and requires the state to reduce emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and achieve statewide carbon neutrality by 2045. The CAAP aims to reach long term community goals by providing cleaner energy, reducing air pollution, supporting local economic development, and improving public health. 

To remain in compliance with Senate Bill 1383, a new statewide mandatory organic waste collection law, every jurisdiction, including Beverly Hills, is required to provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses. All entities of the city will be asked to contribute to the reduction of methane by collecting and separating their food scraps. 

The city is providing residents with 90 gallon “GREEN” green waste collection containers as well as a kitchen pail to help meet state-mandated reduction goals. According to the city, green waste accounts for roughly 40% of all waste generated Beverly Hills residents. To avoid bugs and odors when composting, Aldridge suggested sprinkling baking soda or spraying the pail beforehand with soap.

With buildings looking for an energy efficient retrofit to offset carbon emissions, panelists were asked for recommendations with regards to electrification and water conservation. 

“There are four major sources of emissions in our homes, and that is our cooktops, it’s our dryers, it’s our heating and hot water heating,” Stapleton said. “And that’s what creates emissions in our homes.” According to Stapleton, buildings account for about 48% of our greenhouse gas emissions. 

“Things like LED lights, like insulation, some of that’s no brainer kind of stuff, but it all adds up and we really have to take that into account,” Stapleton said. “We can’t just keep finding more ways to use more power, we have to be more efficient with the power in our homes. And then as we look to transition, right now there’s a lot of rebates available for things like heat pump HVAC, heat pump water heating, induction cooktops are coming down in price, and there’s incentives for those, but that’s going to require infrastructure changes to our home.”

Stapleton also encouraged the use of more native plants, explore drought tolerant landscaping and address water usage by switching to a drip irrigation system instead of sprinklers. 

Beverly Hills is currently enrolled in the Clean Power Alliance 100% renewable energy program, meaning the electricity used will be procured by the Clean Power Alliance

“Currently, Beverly Hills gets 50% of that power under our rate that we offer, which is 50%, clean,” Goodhill said. “But starting in October, it will be 100% renewable energy from the sun, from the wind, and from other renewable energy sources. So, it’s a huge, very exciting move that Beverly Hills has signed on to.”

According to Goodhill, moving Beverly Hills to 100% clean energy will have the impact of reducing 186.4 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually, “which is the equivalent of planting 1.4 million trees or removing 18,182 cars off the road.” However, the move to clean energy comes at a cost. Goodhill explained that customers can expect a 3% cost increase in their bills, and no cost increase for low-income customers. 

To learn more, visit beverlyhills.org/BHCAAP. 

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“The quality that I think I can bring to the board is a bridge builder, being a conduit to the families,” Manouchehri told the Courier. 

“And continuing a lot of the progress that’s been made in the last 30, 60 and 90 days to increase transparency and accountability with the bond monies and the facilities. Based on my experience as a construction real estate attorney, these areas are my expertise, and it would be my pleasure for my own community to benefit from my personal and professional experiences.”

Manouchehri has practiced construction and real estate law since 2005. At the district, Manouchehri volunteers on the Beverly Vista Middle School PTA Executive Board as Parliamentarian and as an elected member of the Hawthorne School Site Council, a state-mandated committee that meets to discuss the school plan, goals, and designated budget. 

While this is her first time running for an elected seat on the school board, she’s not an unfamiliar face. In November of 2021, Manouchehri was one of seven candidates interviewed by the board to fill the vacancy left by Walker-Shuman. Ultimately, Halimi was appointed as interim board member. 

“I am a hard worker,” Manouchehri stated in a July 11 release. “I believe the Board needs to gain the trust of the community again. We are at a juncture where we need to operate with complete transparency and consistent communication.”

Priorities outlined in her campaign include improving rigorous academics, ensuring safe, sound, and modern facilities, and the safety and security of the BHUSD community. 

“I think that the district should be the jewel on the city’s crown, and it would be an honor for me to have a part in pursuing that,” Manouchehri told the Courier. 

Manouchehri will hold her campaign kickoff event on Aug. 28 from 12 to 2 p.m., with details forthcoming. 

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“I am so honored to be invited to speak with my dear friend Lili to support her powerful work around the vital topic of mental health in the City of Beverly Hills,” Dr. Eger told the Courier. “This City represents the center for creative professionals and the impact of events such as this can truly amplify around the world. My life purpose is to do work to help others to move from victim to empowerment, and to learn to unlock the prisons of their own mind. I am so grateful to be here this Friday to be of service to the amazing people of Beverly Hills.”

Born in 1927 in Hungary, Eger was a teenager when she and her family were sent to Auschwitz, the concentration camp in Poland, where her parents were killed in the gas chambers. Eger and her sister were moved to Austria towards the end of the war, and later rescued by a young American soldier in 1945. In 1949, she and her husband moved to the United States, and in 1969 she received her degree in psychology from the University of Texas, El Paso. Eger then pursued her doctoral internship at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss, Texas.

“I was expecting her to do it virtually,” Bosse said during LIVE WITH LILI on July 13. “Many of her events that she does, she’s done one with Oprah and Diane von Furstenberg and others, it’s usually been virtual. So, this is a real treat that she is coming down from San Diego.” 

Dr. Eger has a clinical practice in La Jolla, California and holds a faculty appointment at the University of California, San Diego. She was the primary subject of a Holocaust documentary that appeared on Dutch National Television and has had numerous appearances on television programs including CNN and the “Oprah Winfrey Show.”  

Free two-hour parking will be available at the Rexford Drive parking structure. 

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Marcus will be the sole incumbent up for reelection. The longtime resident of Beverly Hills served as an educator for over 50 years in all five BHUSD schools. 

“Over the last four years, our district, like every school district in the country, has faced unprecedented challenges,” Marcus told the Courier. “We must do all that we can to maintain excellent academic standards and provide our students with an exceptional TK-12 education. Facilities play a significant role in their educational experience, and we must ensure that the entire construction program is well-managed, within our budget, and completed as soon as possible. Additionally, now, as always, the safety and security of our students and staff remains of paramount importance. No child should ever be afraid to come to campus, and no teacher or support staff should have to worry about their safety when they come to work each day. Our district has made great strides, but we have more to do, and I hope to use my unparalleled institutional knowledge and love of this community to help make that happen.”

In a continuation of her first campaign, Marcus is running for reelection with her “Students First” pledge. Marcus served as Board President during the 2020-2021 school year, leading the district in the time of home learning; her oath of office was administered virtually by current Mayor Lili Bosse. An advocate for transparent legislating, Marcus promises to govern with the district’s vision and mission at the forefront. 

“While serving on the Board for the past four years, she has been fully involved in all aspects of the schools,” the Committee to Re-Elect Rachelle Marcus announced to the Courier. “During her next term, she will be able to utilize the invaluable knowledge and experience she has gained since her election in 2018.”

Marcus will discuss her complete platform with the community at her campaign kickoff event, which will be held on Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the 705 N. Elm Drive home of Dr. Bud and Carol Foran.

The Board of Education consists of five members with staggered terms, elected to serve four-year terms. Board President Mary Wells, Vice President Noah Margo, and board member Dr. Amanda Stern have terms that expire in December of 2024. The Courier will continue to cover the race and provide updates as candidates enter the race for the BHUSD school board.

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Currently, Beverly Hills offers pickleball at the Roxbury Park Tennis Center, where four courts are available, and the La Cienega Tennis Center, with eight courts. Beverly Hills residents and visitors can sign up for pickleball private lessons and group classes with a pro or rent out a court.

“We now have over 150 people weekly in our group class program and somewhere between 20-50 per week for privates,” Zoe Jeffery, Director of Pickleball for Beverly Hills Tennis, told the Courier. “We have grown from zero in January when we launched. It’s very popular!”

After the successful launch of pickleball in 2020 followed by restrictions and lockdowns related to COVID-19, Beverly Hills neighbors formed an independent adult pickleball group. Started by Camden Drive neighbors and friends, Alyssa Rosten and Cindy Transgrud, a community of pickleball enthusiasts emerged.

“It started because of the pandemic, people needed to be social, but they wanted to be outside and get a little exercise,” Beverly Hills resident Nancy Heim told the Courier. “And I’m older, I’m 64, but it’s for all ages. My son plays, a lot of young kids play – they, of course, beat us. And it’s just really made a difference in my social life, because as you get older, you don’t have as many opportunities for socialization.”

What began a few years ago with a handful of women getting together to play pickleball at Roxbury Park or La Cienega Tennis Center, has now evolved into a loosely organized league with a dedicated group of 35 to 40 people that meet three times a week to play and “whack their hearts out.” Heim joined in January of this year.

“It’s really just a great way to get exercise, foster friendships, and actually strengthen ties in the community,” Heim said.

According to Heim, spots fill up less than an hour after Transgrud emails the group the weekly call for reservations. “If you don’t respond quickly, you’re not getting playtime because it’s just so popular.”

For some, pickleball serves an important social service by bringing adults together in an easy social setting that nurtures group camaraderie. “It’s a great sport, easy to learn and so much fun to play,” Susie Finesman, who moved a few years ago from New York to Los Angeles, told the Courier. “I haven’t made this many new friends since my kids were in nursery school.”

At Roxbury Park, courts are available to reserve on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. At the La Cienega facility, courts are available to rent Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For residents, the fee is between $8 to $9 per hour, and for non-residents between $11 to $12 per hour.

To learn more, visit https://www.beverlyhillstennispickleball.com/. To make a reservation, visit www.beverlyhills.org/pickleballrez or email Tennis@beverlyhills.org. To schedule a pickleball lesson, contact the Beverly Hills Tennis Pro Shop at 310-652-7555.

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In addition to Ellman Garber and her daughter, the Champion for Children award also honored the architectural firm Perkins & Will, who designed Hope Street’s newest early childhood center, The Nest. 

“I am so proud to have been recognized as a Champion for Children honoree by an organization that’s been called a national model for success,” Ellman told the Courier. “Hope Street’s success is based upon the quality of the relationships it builds with entire families. And when the needs were the greatest during the pandemic, the center’s staff left their own children at home to help the children of essential workers. They created a food bank and transformed the after-school classrooms into a remote learning center serving elementary, middle, and high school students. Every community hospital in America should have a Hope Street.” 

The Champions for Children Award recognizes community members who have done work to help further Hope Street’s mission. Ellman Garber, who served two terms as mayor during her 12 years on the Beverly Hills City Council, has helped care for wounded service members during the Korean War and assisted with Care Medico missions in Honduras and Algeria. Three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and producer and a product of the Beverly Hills Unified School District, Ellman has leveraged her storytelling abilities to raise awareness for Hope Street. Ellman co-chaired the event and serves as member of the Hope Street Advisory Board. The mother-daughter duo is responsible for raising funds that provided the center with upgraded computers and funding its Youth Education and Leadership Program. 

“Dignity Health – California Hospital Medical Center’s Hope Street Margolis Family Center represents a unique approach to healthcare,” Ellman Garber told the Courier. “It treats the needs of the whole family, from birth through college. This year alone Hope Street’s high school graduates, many of whom grew up attending Hope Street’s programs since birth, are heading to esteemed universities including Columbia, UCLA, UC Riverside and Bucknell, to name a few. I am honored to support this program knowing its programming is producing a generation of young people who we will proudly call our neighbors one day!”

To learn more about Hope Street, visit https://www.hopestreetfamilycenter.org/. 

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As a result of issues raised in the May 9 meeting, solar panels will be added on the roof of the Roxbury Park Community Center, city staff have started working with Southern California Edison to install more EV stations, more information about bikes lanes and sharrows has been disseminated, no smoking signs have been placed on Reeves Drive, and next week signs prohibiting large delivery trucks will be placed on Reeves. According to Bosse, the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) has increased enforcement along Reeves Drive since May, and businesses have been notified by the city prohibiting large delivery vehicles. About 35 residents attended the hybrid meeting to share ideas, suggestions, things that are working well and what they think needs improvement in the city. 

“We’re all ears and you can be assured that at next month’s meeting, I’m going to have your answer and maybe hopefully even have it implemented,” Bosse said. 

Beverly Hills resident and business owner Eric Cohen used the venue to share his experience with the BHPD after he and four neighboring business owners were burglarized in January of this year. According to Cohen, two suspects were caught on his surveillance camera footage picking the lock at Video Valet, Cohen’s concierge inflight entertainment company on S. Beverly Drive, and others. The suspects stole checkbooks, credit cards, computer hardware and an estimated $10,000 worth of stolen iPads. 

“We had all the video footage, we worked very closely with the detectives,” Cohen said. “They could not catch the criminals because they lived in Northern California, and they assured us, all of us victims, that as soon as these women came back into town, that they would catch them… and after about four or five months we’d all sort of given up. Until one day, I got a phone call last month.” 

Two suspects were arrested in May of this year for burglary in connection to the case, BHPD’s Lt. Giovanni Trejo confirmed. According to Trejo, the two suspects were connected to other similar burglaries that occurred in January, March, and April of this year. Both suspects are from Northern California.

After working closely with BHPD and providing them with all relevant video footage and receipts from various restaurants and stores detailing fraudulent charges, Cohen was disappointed when detectives told him to be patient. “You know, when somebody says, ‘we’re going to get them,’ after five months, you’re like yeah, maybe,” Cohen told the Courier. “Big difference is we got them. They came back, and we got them, just like they said.”

The criminal case is active and going through court proceedings, Trejo told the Courier.  Echoing the words of BHPD Chief Mark Stainbrook, “If you come to Beverly Hills to commit a crime, we will catch you,” Cohen told the Courier. “And that’s what happened here.”

At the public meeting, residents asked about bringing back the Beverly Hills Community Farm, which was founded in January of 2020 and briefly occupied the vacant retail space at 414 N. Bedford Drive with nine large hydroponic towers. Residents also asked about how the city purchases property, adult education programs, and creating a free shuttle bus in Beverly Hills that stops at senior centers, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, grocery stores and shopping centers. 

Questions were also asked about enforcement violations regarding misuse of meters designated for food pickup orders and the possibility of establishing a GoFundMe on the city’s website to support fallen or injured Beverly Hills police officers.

“We’re always looking to buy property,” Bosse said. “We recently bought property on Robertson, and one of the suggestions on that street is to put affordable housing. We bought property on Wilshire, by subways, by the Gale Yard and that whole area, and we’re going to have a lot of public conversation around that particular property.” 

To highlight the importance of mental wellness through education, Bosse is collaborating with spiritual teacher Dr. Deepak Chopra and holocaust survivor, psychologist, and author Dr. Edith Eger to engage the adult community with programming that focuses on resilience and healing. In 2017, as a part of Bosse’s SOUL (Seek Original Unique Learning) initiative, Chopra led two hour-long meditations open to the public. Dr. Eger will kick off the first Mayor’s Mental Wellness Series on July 15 at City Hall from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., and Chopra on Sept. 23. The series will be held in person, with virtual options available.

The next LIVE WITH LILI event will be held on July 13 at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Gallery at City Hall. 

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According to statistics sourced from CoStar real estate database by Greg Sefain, Economic Development Manager with Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, vacancy rates for both retail and particularly office submarkets have increased since 2019. 

In 2019, the vacancy rate for offices was at 9.2% with an average market rent per square foot at $70.94. In 2020, it rose to 10.3%, in 2021 to 17%, and now 16.5% in 2022. While the average market rent for offices has gone down in the last four years, currently at $68.52, the vacancy rate has almost doubled. Compared to West Hollywood, Century City, and Santa Monica, Beverly Hills has the highest office vacancy rate as of June 2022. For comparison, the office vacancy rate in West Hollywood is 10%, with an average rent of $57.20 per square foot. 

For retail, the vacancy rate was 4.8% in 2019, with an average market rent per square foot at $96.34. In 2020, the vacancy rate rose to 5.65%, in 2021 to 6.5%, and 6.1% in 2022. The average rent for retail has increased by $2.06 since 2019. Despite having a substantially higher market rent, Beverly Hills has the lowest retail vacancy rate as of June 2022 compared to West Hollywood, Century City, and Santa Monica. For comparison, the retail vacancy rate in Santa Monica is 10%, with an average rent of $70.36 per square foot.

“Generally speaking, compared to most cities, we didn’t lose nearly as many businesses as other cities did,” Chamber President and CEO Todd Johnson said. “And we have upwards of 35-40 new businesses that have opened or will be opening within the next 12 months, some amazing restaurants, and some great retail.” Big names like Erewhon, Shake Shack, Sweetgreen and Jon and Vinny’s are all expected to open between summer and fall this year. However, Johnson said as the Chamber is anticipating a less robust fall with fewer tourists expected, they’re planning to encourage residents to shop and dine locally. 

Nearly two years after the City Council approved the mixed-use ordinance in 2020, there are few mixed-use projects in development. The ordinance allows for the development of mixed-use buildings as residential above commercial along some of the major corridors in the city where that was previously not allowed. The height limits vary between three and five floors, depending on the adjacent residential uses in the area. 

According to City Planner Timothea Tway, there are no applications that have been submitted right now, but there are two mixed-use projects in the works in the concept review phase.

“Obviously, 30 story buildings might be an answer, but that’s not going to happen,” Gold said. “But within reason, are there things that we could do that would make it more attractive?”

“There are probably some places in the city where the council might be more willing to allow greater height or density,” Gold added. 

With Metro stations opening in 2025 in Beverly Hills, the impact it will have on tenants was a new agenda item to “get people to think about if there are things we should be considering as this gets closer,” Vice Mayor Gold said. “Now’s the time to put them on the table.”

With regards to a public restroom at the Wilshire/Rodeo station, stakeholders advocated both for and against it, with some proposing a fee-based system. 

“Metro does not have restrooms in any of their outlets so far,” Friedman said. “It was supposed to go to the Metro board in terms of what they were going to do in their stops, and we had our own independent discussion about what we should do in Beverly Hills. We were taken on a tour of a Metro station by the police department, and we were informed of the significant issues of having a restroom at a stop. Crime issues, the fact that we would be perhaps the only one that would have a restroom along the way, and it’s really being rethought as to what we really should do.”

Proponents argued that by providing a restroom, it would deter people from public urination in nearby alleyways and side streets. “There are positive things, we just have to figure out how to manage unwanted urination and other things that come up,” said David Mirharooni, who sits on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. 

 “I think it’s very much a work in progress,” Gold said. “TBD what that’s going to look like.” 

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While the meeting took place in person at City Hall, participants also had the option to join virtually. Stakeholders were divided into four smaller group workshops in the Council Chamber and on Zoom rooms, with about half a dozen people in each to discuss resiliency, design standards, and safety. 

Priorities that guided the conversation included pedestrian and diner safety, the aesthetic impact of the use of temporary materials on the streetscape, and recognized competing interests for use of the sidewalk, particularly where outdoor dining already exists. 

Pervasive ideas that emerged from the breakout sessions included swapping the dining, parking, and pedestrian areas to create a boardwalk-esque look and moving outdoor dining closer to the physical restaurant it serves to improve operational and pedestrian safety. Other issues identified were outdoor aesthetics being reflective of each unique restaurant, concerns about weather protection and style, and potentially concealing barriers. Safety for vehicular traffic, including ensuring appropriate clearances for cars getting in and out of spaces, was highlighted. 

“There was also an emphasis on how these standards can kind of create a level or a bar, but retaining as much individuality as possible, allowing each of the individual parklets to be designed specific to their context,” LOHA’s Ian Dickenson said. “Then heightened emphasis on safety as it relates to the pedestrian vehicular interface.”

Other takeaway concerns revolved around maintenance of the parklets, concealing safety enhancements, and matching the aesthetics of weather protection materials for sun, wind and rain for outdoor dining areas to each parklet. As a solution, stakeholders proposed concealing the barriers potentially by encasing them in wood or other material to serve an aesthetic function.

The second OpenBH Community Meeting will be held virtually the week of June 20 to review results from a follow-up survey sent to stakeholders and outline design parameters.

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Historically, interdistrict attendance permits have allowed employees of the district and the City of Beverly Hills, as well as parents on active military duty, to send their children to BHUSD. 

To be considered for a permit in the district, the student must obtain written consent from their district of residence and file a district permit application with the documentation at the BHUSD Enrollment Center. 

To be eligible for the new permit, the grandparent must have resided within the district’s attendance boundaries for a minimum of 10 years, with proof of grandparent residency verified each year prior to enrollment. To apply, the district is requiring a birth certificate for the student and their parent, three original utility bills, property taxes under the grandparent’s name or lease, and if the lease is expired, a recent canceled check and a renewed lease. Applicants must also complete a residency affidavit.

Grandparent Permits will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis, and the number of permits available will be based on the percentage of space available per grade, with 25% of available spaces at each grade level open to those with a Grandparent permit. No additional sections will be added, and sections with less than 10 spots available will not have permits offered. Permits will be open to grades TK-12, and the number of permits will be capped at 100 for next year. The Board will review the pilot program again next school year to determine whether they will continue offering it. 

“The policy was designed to be cost neutral to the district,” Vice President Noah Margo said. “We’re not going to incur, nor the way it’s written will we incur, any extra costs to taxpayers the way that we have designed the policy. We are opening it up as gently as possible for enrollment purposes.” The district noted that they will not be financially responsible for expenses related to providing transportation for students attending BHUSD on any permit program. 

“This community has been so responsive and there is a high interest in this,” Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Laura Chism said. “I want it to run smoothly and run well, so I would ask the board’s permission to let us communicate it out. Give us a few days.”

The district is expected to communicate all application information to the community in a June 15 correspondence before the enrollment period opens. 

“Really proud of this permit,” Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said. “The shaping of the permit and the language really was based on a lot of feedback from not only the community, potential grandparents with grandchildren that have the opportunity to attend BHUSD, but also really good conversation and dialogue with our Board of Education to help shape policy.” 

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for June 28 at 5 p.m.

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As part of her Business with Bosse initiative, Mayor Lili Bosse visited the Flour Shop on June 9 inviting the community to sample their sweet treats. Flour Shop, which opened on South Santa Monica Blvd. in August of 2020, is known for their colorful desserts and signature Explosion Cake that explodes with rainbow sprinkles when cut. Attendees posed with Bosse in front of the shops floor-to-ceiling painted rainbow, received a free cake ball and a Flour Shop discount code to use at a future date.

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The Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) class of 2022 celebrated the end of the year with the Senior Awards and Scholarship Evening on June 1, where seniors who excelled during their years at BHHS were honored. Festivities continued on June 3 with a graduation ceremony held on the BHHS Nickoll Football Field.

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Other big names coming to The Wallis include Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, and Bradley Bredeweg, whose work is represented in the The Wallis’ upcoming world premiere of “Invincible – The Musical,” a reimagined 21st century Romeo and Juliet that runs from Nov. 22 to Dec. 17, 2022. Additional artists featured next season include Sheldon Epps, Xiang “Sean” Gao, Emma Rice, Kwame Alexander, Lisa Fischer, Thelma Houston, Osvaldo Golijov, Lillias White, Stephanie J. Block, Anthony McGill, Isaac Mizrahi, Ulysses Owens, Jr., J’Nai Bridges, Jeffrey Kahane, John Irving, Reza Aslan, Mambo Kings, Ballet Hispánico, Luminario Ballet of Los Angeles, BODYTRAFFIC, Pacifica Quartet, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and more. The program also includes continued partnerships with Writers Bloc, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and Film Independent. 

Their signature Sorting Room series and free monthly outdoor Sunday Funday events also return in The Wallis’ ninth season, which begins in late September. 

The May 31 announcement event at the Bram Goldsmith Theater included preview performances from contemporary dance company BODYTRAFFIC, as well as a musical number titled “We Live for Love” from “Invincible” performed by Benatar, Giraldo, and Bredeweg. 

“I’m most looking forward to having our diverse community of artists, audiences, donors, students, and the broader community fully engaged with The Wallis again via our live performances and education programs,” The Wallis’ Executive Director and CEO Rachel Fine told the Courier. “Our 2022/2023 offerings are meant to entertain, elevate, educate, nurture and spark joy among our community members. I’m eager to see our patrons embrace our programming with a Wallis subscription, which ensures they won’t miss out on anything during the season. I also recommend embracing the unexpected by sampling a wide range of performances. With the breadth and depth of our 2022/2023 season, which honors theater, dance, music, film, cabaret, conversation and family programming, there is something for everyone, including families with children of all ages. Whether you’re a new or returning patron, we are raising the curtain for you.” 

Making its Los Angeles premiere on Jan. 11, 2023, The Wallis presents Wise Children’s “Wuthering Heights” based on the novel by Emily Brontë. The show is adapted and directed by Emma Rice. 

The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) makes its debut at The Wallis next season with two appearances: Baroque Concerti on Jan. 28, and Masterworks for String Orchestra on May 6. Baroque Concerti features chamber performances with soloists Yura Lee, principal viola, and David Washburn, principal trumpet, and Masterworks for String Orchestra with compositions by Bingen, Britten, Mendelssohn, Hindemith, and Greig, curated by LACO Concertmaster and Director of Chamber Music, Margaret Batjer.

From March 16-18, 2023, “Shanghai Sonatas: A New Musical in Concert” will make its world premiere at The Wallis in collaboration with the University of Delaware Master Players Concert Series. The show is directed by Chongren Fan and produced by Xiang “Sean” Gao, one of Musical America’s Top 30 Professionals of the Year and illustrates how music has the power to bridge cultures.

To learn more about the programming, scheduling, subscription options, and ticket sales, visit TheWallis.org. 

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“Last night’s ‘Live with Lili’ felt electric and inspiring,” Bosse told the Courier. “It was very exciting to be surrounded by many new and familiar faces in a very intimate warm environment. I truly wanted everyone to feel that we were having an open conversation that felt similar to the intimacy in a living room at City Hall. I loved how open and free people felt to share their great suggestions and ideas. I will be giving updates at each “Live with Lili” as to what we were able to implement of the suggestions and share timelines and updates on the others. Today, already one of the residents proudly shared on her social media that her suggestion of sidewalk signage for no smoking on her street was already installed within hours of sharing her idea. I am truly loving the ability for connection with our residents and having their ideas shape our city.”

After suggesting that no smoking signage be expanded to residential streets, particularly on Reeves Drive, Cultural Heritage Commissioner and Beverly Hills resident Kimberly Reiss posted photos on Facebook of just that the next day. “Last night I asked and today it was DONE,” Reiss wrote in a May 10 post. “It’s how we do it in BH! Thank you Live with Lili!!”

During the forum, Beverly Hills resident TJ Wilk agreed with Reiss. “I live on Reeves and she’s right,” Wilk added. “There’s a smoking issue, and it would be amazing if there was a way we could eliminate that somehow.”

“I just think they’re kind of ugly and there’s so many of them,” 17-year-old Beverly Hills High School student Mateen Yeshova said of the green sharrow shared-lane marks on the streets. “There’s like eight off Santa Monica. There’s like five, six in such a small distance, I don’t think we needed that many. Can you give me like a reason why we put so much?”

The sharrows are part of the city’s Complete Streets program, Bosse explained. Legally, bikes and cars can share the road, and the city installed the sharrows to provide added safety for riders and drivers. “Some of the issue though…which I know the city is working on, is education as to exactly your point,” Bosse said. “Why did they show up? What does it mean?”

As new resident of the southeast, Human Relations Commission Vice Chair Noelle Freeman asked Bosse about her vision for that part of the city, including the Gale Yard site, which the city will retain from Metro in 2024. 

“I’m open to what this community feels,” Bosse responded. “I know one of the things that we’ve talked about that I think is certainly worth taking a very serious look at is a police substation.”

To watch the first Live with Lili, visit

https://www.beverlyhills.org/citymanager/mayorandcouncilmembers/livewithlili. 

The next event will be held on June 23 at 7 p.m. at the City Hall Municipal Gallery.  

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The meeting began with a spotlight on Hawthorne Elementary School fifth grade students Enzo Jadidolahi, Mila Fekri, Riley Metcalfe, and Chloe Kaveh who presented on The Butterfly Project, an initiative that educates children on the horrors of the Holocaust. The program is led by special education teacher Liat Canes.

Fifth graders watched the award-winning movie, “The Last Butterfly,” listened to stories of children who survived the Holocaust and created their own butterflies from clay to represent the 1.5 million children who were killed. The butterflies will be placed on the newly painted mural in front of the herb garden at Hawthorne. The students presented to the board lessons learned since The Butterfly Project kicked off on Jan. 27, International Holocaust Day.

“Our vision is for each fifth-grade year to add to the legacy by creating a butterfly on the butterfly wall,” Canes said.

With the passing of Assembly Bill AB 22, access to full-day of TK will be extended to all 4-year-olds in California at no cost to families by the 2025-26 school year. In preparation for what will effectively be another grade level by 2025, the district is seeking funds from the California Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten and full-day Kindergarten Facility Grant Program.

“This first application round is open in April of this year and there will be a second one April of next year,” Rob Murray, Director of Demographics and Planning at King Consulting, said at the meeting. “But again, pending this resolution, you will be set to go to put in an application for this funding in the current year.”

Each application is for a single school site. Regardless of how many applications are submitted across the state, everyone must get one of their applications funded before another can go back to get funding for multiple applications. BHUSD is looking to fund three school sites: El Rodeo, Hawthorne, and Horace Mann Elementary School. The funds will go towards adding specialty classrooms with special dimensions specifically for TK and Kindergarten kids. According to Murray, the state is requiring that classrooms be no less than 1350 square feet, including a dedicated restroom.

“There’s just a lot of benefit that comes from having the structure of these classrooms,” Murray added. “And especially with the increased number of these students coming in, it’s at least helpful that there is some funding that the state is making available.”

In his Superintendent report, Dr. Michael Bregy provided the board with an update on COVID-19 at the district. After Winter Break, 293 positive COVID-19 cases were reported at BHUSD the week of Jan. 9. After Spring Break, the week of April 17, 17 positive cases were reported in the district. As of April 27, the district is reporting nine positive cases among students, and one among staff. While the district’s positive case numbers have drastically decreased since January, cases have almost doubled from early March, when that number was four. With the new dominant BA.2 subvariant and increased gatherings over the Spring Break, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) reported an increase in K-12 student positivity in an April 27 release.

Despite the uptick in cases at BHUSD and nearby schools, the district concluded its weekly PCR COVID-19 testing program on April 22, which had tested all unvaccinated students and a random selection of vaccinated students.

“We are holding our own and doing a really good job of mitigating the spread,” Bregy said. “To have nine during this time, we feel really good about. Some of the mitigation efforts that are ongoing, that have become consistent practices, are things that we’re continuing to do, and those things are working for us.”

The district will continue to offer daily COVID-19 Rapid Antigen testing for all symptomatic and non-symptomatic staff and students at all BHUSD school sites from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through the end of the school year. “We have had a decrease in the need and demand for our testing, but we still have it available,” Bregy said. “So, we’re looking at returning to the pre-Omicron rush to where we have a rotating cycle.” Bregy indicated that the previous rotating testing program, where rapid testing will be available on different school campuses for students and staff depending on the day, will be reinstated next year. However, Rapid Antigen testing will still be available every day at the district office.

With the retirement of Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Wade Roach, and the Director of Information Technology Services, David Damico, the board welcomed two new hires: Raphael Guzman and Sandi Tsosie.

Guzman, with over thirteen years of experience in school district finance, will take over Roach’s job. Previously, he served as the Chief Business Official of Inglewood Unified School District, during which time he achieved many positive financial certifications, settled collective bargaining agreements, facilitated the implementation of a new bond measure, and helped the advancement of several construction and facilities projects.

Tsosie, with awards from the California Industrial and Technology Education Association and the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, will assume Damico’s position. Tsosie spent the first 12 years of her career at the Hermosa Beach City School District, with experience as a Career and Technical Education Instructor, Title I and Intervention Coordinator, Student Council Advisor, Detention Coordinator, and Girls’ Basketball Coach.

The next Board of Education will be held on May 10 at 5 p.m.

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The Beverly Hills North Homeowners Association and The Municipal League of Beverly Hills

April 27 and April 28, 7-9 p.m.

The forum will be held at the Beverly Hills City Council Chambers and live streamed at beverlyhills.org/live. For more information, contact 424-253-4100.

Southwest Beverly Hills Homeowners Association

May 3, 7-9:30 p.m.

The forum will be held at the Beverly Hills City Council Chambers and live streamed at beverlyhills.org/live. For more information, contact Kenneth Goldman at kgoldman@kaglegal.com. 

 “The Southwest Homeowners have held a Candidate Forum for more than 30 years during each municipal election,” Southwest Beverly Hills Homeowners Association board member Kenneth Goldman told the Courier. “We try to ask good questions and to be fair to all candidates. Toward the end of the Forum we will take questions from the audience. It’s always been really well received and, I think, helpful to the voters to know where each candidate stands. We try to get very specific responses from the candidates.”

Beverly Hills Active Adult Club 

May 9, 1 p.m.

The forum is being held at the Roxbury Park Community Center to discuss topics of interest to the senior community. 

Rotary Interact and Teen BHEF Candidate Forum 

May 11, 5 p.m.

The student run event will be held at the Cherney Lecture Hall at Beverly Hills High School. Students will prepare the questions as well as moderate the event. To RSVP, email manager@bhef.org. The event will be recorded and streamed by KBEV. 

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The 2022 Father’s Day car show will invite auto enthusiasts to participate, driving a planned route that begins at City Hall and concludes on Rodeo Drive, giving fans the chance to see the vehicles both in motion and up close. At its April 12 Study Session, the Beverly Hills City Council heard plans for the event from the President of the Rodeo Drive Committee, Kathy Gohari, and approved a total associated budget request in an amount not to exceed $228,970. Since its inception, the Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance has been among the biggest automotive events in the world, drawing in as many as 46,000 people each year. From American muscle cars to pre-war collectibles and winning race cars, some of the most exquisite vehicles ever made by Lamborghini, Bugatti, Ferrari, McLaren, Bentley and more will be on display. 

“Having the combination of a car rally in conjunction with the stationary exhibition on Rodeo Drive, residents and visitors are in for an exciting Father’s Day celebration,” Gohari told the Courier. “As we are heading into the summer months, and hosting the annual Father’s Day event, with outmost caution for safety, this tradition is an excellent way to come together again.”

The Concours event is curated and supported by founder Bruce Meyer, a longtime Beverly Hills resident, founding chairman of the Petersen Automotive Museum and prominent collector of classic cars. “We’ve traditionally done a car show on Rodeo Drive,” Meyer said at the council meeting. “Then over COVID we did a parade last year, which I thought was quite successful. So, this year, we’re going to do the best of the best, do the parade and the car show.” 

The daylong event will be confined to the city, beginning in front of City Hall on Crescent Drive with a parade of 50 curated cars and drivers who will be cheered on as they set out to follow the proposed route, ending on Rodeo Drive. Another 50 cars will be staged concours-style on Rodeo Drive for the public to enjoy close-up before being joined by vehicles from the tour. “We’ve really taken out all the stops,” Meyer added. Last year, the tour included vehicles like the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, 1960 Maserati Typo 61 Birdcage, 1957 Dual Ghia Convertible and the only 1970 Lancia Stratos Zero. 

“I love the fact that we have made this a hybrid,” Mayor Lili Bosse said. “I love the fact that there’s going to be the tour in Beverly Hills and the car show on Rodeo. I think people are so excited to have it back. So, I’m going to be a predictor, and I’m going to tell you it’s going to be the best one yet. And there’ll be people who will love both and do both.”

Video monitors will be installed throughout enhancing the experience and ensuring that attendees know what vehicles are positioned where, giving everyone a chance to enjoy all the event has to offer. Organizers will work with the Chamber of Commerce and the Beverly Hills Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) to map out restaurants in the city on the monitors to help people find a bite during the car show. “We’re going to get people to really enjoy our restaurants and really enjoy our city,” Bosse said. 

Luxury auto dealership O’Gara Coach will return this year as the event’s main sponsor, displaying some of their most rare historic vehicles. According to coordinators, additional sponsorships will be secured, including from other local brands. 

The Council also approved the following street closures required for the event: Crescent Drive from S. Santa Monica Boulevard to N. Santa Monica Boulevard on June 19 from 7 to 11 a.m.; Rodeo Drive from Wilshire Boulevard to S. Santa Monica Boulevard on June 18 from 9 p.m. to June 19 at 10 p.m.; Dayton Way from Rodeo Drive to the alleyways on either side from June 18 at 9 p.m. to June 19 at 10 p.m.; and Brighton Way from Rodeo Drive to the alleyways on either side from June 18 at 9 p.m. to June 19 at 10 p.m.

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Current Treasurer Fisher has been in this role for the last five years. A product of the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD), Fisher is a tax and business attorney, with experience as a Traffic and Parking Commissioner, and as Chair on both the Planning Commission and the Public Works Commission. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served on the city’s covid-19 Business Recovery Assistance Task Force to begin talks on how city policies and programs could best help the local economy.

“I’ve been involved in the city for decades and my business has been here for over 30 years,” Fisher said. “I’m a graduate of Beverly High, my wife has worked in Beverly Hills longer than I have, she’s been here for almost 45 years. I was a former Cub Scout leader, former member of the Board of Directors at Temple Emanuel. So, I’ve been around, I’ve been dedicated to this city and this community, and we’ve done a great job. We’ve never lost one penny on any investment that I’ve made in almost five years.”

A Beverly Hills resident of 20 plus years, Manaster’s experience includes serving on the BHUSD Board of Education, including one year as president, and also on the Traffic and Parking Commission, serving one year as Chair. An attorney by trade, he is currently President and CEO of Contract Carpet Corporation, a half century old flooring business in California. 

“I am California born, and my children are fourth generation from Beverly Hills,” Manaster said. “My wife went to Beverly High, along with my mother-in-law. I care deeply about this city. I would not be running for office if I did not care very deeply about the future of the city. My platform includes two new items that I think the city needs to consider.” Citing financial blows from the pandemic, Manaster would form a committee of experts called “Bring back Beverly Hills” to better support the business community coming out of COVID-19 and establish a resiliency fund. 

“Balancing the finances related to the surplus funds that the treasurer manages is something I’d be very skilled at doing,” Manaster said. “To stand out, however, I would establish some additional surplus funds for the future that are not currently there and I’m hoping that the treasurer’s office would be able to spearhead that and with the help and support of our City Council in being able to stabilize ourselves for the future. We have a great foundation in Beverly Hills, but one thing that I’ve noticed over the years is that we aren’t always as forward as we might like.”

While according to Fisher, budgeting is not a function of the City Treasurer, it’s one of the areas he wants to focus on. “We need to start with the zero-based budget,” Fisher said. “Look at each department, what programs need to be enhanced, what programs should be eliminated, or readjusted or reorganized in the departments. We really need to take a ground up look and make sure that this city is ready to function in this century.”

Both candidates were asked how they would attract new talent to the BHPD and BHFD, views on compensation, and how they would work with the City Council around the city budget to help attract top recruits. 

“We have great pension benefits for both of them and non-compensation benefits,” Fisher noted. He would make suggestions for how to extend the force and expand active volunteer groups that expand the departments reach. 

To make the city more attractive for police officers to come, Manaster suggested “creating incentives to stabilize businesses and help businesses substantially be assisted in the city to stay in the city. Those are all great things that there’s the potential for a treasurer to be able to spearhead given the acknowledgement by the City Council.” To boost economic recovery, Manaster believes that the treasurer could also act as a moderator and facilitator between individual businesses that contribute to the livability of the city and the council. 

Fisher was asked about his role during the pandemic, and how it allowed him to provide relief to residents and businesses. In addition to the Business Recovery Task Force, Fisher was also active on the city’s Tourism/Hospitality/Restaurants Subcommittee and conducted outreach with several tenant associations.

“Fortunately, there wasn’t a very large impact on the treasury, the fiscal side of things, from the residents,” Fisher said. “There was on the commercial side, obviously, because of rent, although I’m proud to say that the value of real estate in Beverly Hills continued to go up throughout the pandemic, and property tax increased.”

To learn more about the candidates, visit: http://www.beverlyhills.org/cityclerk/electioninformation/meetthejune2022candidates/ 

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The Log Cabin is a one-story clubhouse built circa 1936 when it was first home to Troop 27 of the Boy Scouts of America. The building looks like a quintessential storybook log cabin, with an exterior wall made of wood log, and a small front porch located at the top of a short flight of concrete steps centered under a projecting gable.

While the cabin is located within the city limits of West Hollywood, the property itself had been previously owned by the City of Beverly Hills. The Log Cabin was subleased to the West Hollywood Recovery Center (WHRC)  and used as a meeting place for drug and alcohol recovery groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Bordering Beverly Hills, the Log Cabin is on North Robertson Boulevard, just off Melrose Avenue, surrounded by luxury retailers such as Chrome Hearts and Maxfield; catty corner is Cecconi’s West Hollywood, a high-end Italian restaurant. The Log Cabin bears no resemblance to the upscale neighborhood surrounding it, which is part of its appeal.

In January of 2020, the property made headlines after a Beverly Hills audit revealed that there was no lease in place with the WHRC and Log Cabin, and a contractor had “found portions of the building in poor condition.”

After the City of Beverly Hills provided notice to the WHRC to vacate the premises by March 31 of 2020, public outcry pressured the city to preserve the space as a sanctuary for the sober community.

For decades, the Log Cabin had served as a hub for people in all stages of recovery, from all walks of life, who came through the doors each day in the name of sobriety.

As a result, both cities signed an agreement in April of 2020 where West Hollywood leased the site from Beverly Hills for one year. The City of West Hollywood subleased the property to the WHRC to continue offering addiction recovery services.

The lease agreement with West Hollywood included the option for the city to purchase the property. The agreement stipulated a 99-year restriction limiting use of the Log Cabin to addiction recovery services and a parking lot. Should the city opt to redevelop the property or use it for something other than recovery services, West Hollywood would have to pay Beverly Hills half of its fair market value.

While the price tag for the transaction with Beverly Hills comes out to $5.7 million, a staff report compiled for the March 21 meeting noted the need for renovation. Given the fact that West Hollywood identified the Log Cabin as a potentially historic structure, any construction on the structure would be subject to an environmental review and state standards dictating treatment of historic properties. 

Additional reporting by Samuel Braslow

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At its March 22 meeting, the board supported a reduction in single use plastic water bottles sold on campus, solicited volunteers to review school cafeteria food on the new Wellness Committee, and heard a COVID-19 update. Since adopting a “your mask, your choice” stance on March 12, the district reported one active positive case among all students, and four among staff on March 22. “Today is day seven of the optional masking, and we’ve not seen any indication at all that there has been an increase to our COVID-19 cases,” BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy told the board.

Bregy asked the community to save the date for the Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) class of 2022 graduation, which will be held June 3 at 9 a.m. on the Nickoll Football Field. In the spring of last year, he noted that staff were unsure in what capacity an in-person graduation ceremony could be held, if at all. 

“I’m so glad that we are in a different place today because this is not only a rite of passage, but an area that we can celebrate the success of our students, our staff, and also our school district,” Bregy said. “This is an amazing event.”

School staff also announced that the food services department is recruiting volunteers in the district to be part of the new Wellness Committee, which is tasked with reviewing nutritional guidelines for food items available at school. The committee will evaluate current menu offerings, look at guidelines for reimbursable meals, and goals related to nutrition education and physical activity. 

“We know that this is an area that has a lot of interest from our community, and so our goal here is to see who is interested,” Bregy said.

Those interested in participating must email cafe@bhusd.org by March 25 at 3 p.m. and will be provided an application. The committee will meet on April 6 from 3  to 4:30 p.m. and April 30 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and then make recommendations to the board on how to improve wellness policy. 

At the request of Board member Noah Margo, a discussion took place regarding the elimination of single use plastic bottles available to purchase in the cafeteria. “I think it’s time for our city and our community to start putting practices in place that are protective of the environment,” said Margo. “I am not calling for an all-out ban of plastic bottles immediately, but what I would love to be able to do is look into what that would entail.”

Board members agreed with Margo, advising staff to bring more information regarding student access to water filters and implications on the existing food program before taking any official action. 

Margo also requested that the Board discuss a potential resolution or additional bylaw to discourage governing board members from endorsing candidates in local elections. “We are in another election cycle this year, and people are asking each other all the time for endorsements,” Margo said. “Who we vote for is our business and it doesn’t dissuade people from voting who they vote for. But I think in a small community like ours, it starts to have the appearance of playing favors.”

However, the idea was not supported by other members, and the discussion was brief. 

“It is part of the political process, and it is each individual’s right to endorse whom they like or whom they feel that they want to endorse, or to not endorse at all,” said Board President Mary Wells said. “I think it’s up to the individual, and I wouldn’t want to interfere with that.” 

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According to Rite Aid employees, the company notified staff on March 7 that its doors will be closing on March 21. 

“We expect Rite Aid may sublease or work to negotiate an early termination of the lease,” the city’s Chief Communications Officer Keith Sterling told the Courier. “In either case, we expect Rite Aid to pay the full rent due under the lease. In anticipation of the vacancy, we will take steps to begin marketing the space.”

According to Sterling, the city was ready to begin preliminary talks to renew the lease with Rite Aid on Bedford. 

“Like all retail businesses, we regularly review each of our locations to ensure we are meeting the needs of our customers, communities and overall business,” the company said in a statement. “During our December Q3 earnings call, we announced that we would be closing 63 stores across the U.S. approximately 2 percent of our total locations. A decision to close a store is one we take very seriously, and those decisions are based on a variety of factors that retail businesses consider such as overarching business strategy, lease and rent considerations, local business conditions and viability, and store performance. We review every neighborhood to assure our customers will have access to health services, be it at Rite Aid or a nearby pharmacy.” 

While the Bedford location will no longer exist, Rite Aid is encouraging customers to transfer their prescriptions to the nearby Canon Drive location. As stated by Rite Aid, the company provided associates at this location with other job opportunities at nearby pharmacy locations.  

“Rite Aid has been an excellent tenant at this location for more than 30 years and we are disappointed to hear about the closure,” Sterling said. 

Nearby boutique pharmacy Mickey Fine is hoping to take on customers left without their drug store of choice. “If you are not a Mickey Fine customer already, please consider breaking free from the chain drug stores and joining us as Rite Aid on Bedford is closing this week,” read a March 14 email. 

In response to the announced closure, community members remember the chain drug store fondly. In a March 16 Instagram post, Vice Mayor Lili Bosse remembers the drug store as “a staple in our hometown. We all felt sad when we heard that corporate was closing 63 locations and Bedford is one of them starting March 21. I will always remember running in for greeting cards, candy (yes candy), and just whatever I needed.”

“This is a big loss to the community,” resident Anthony Ferrara told the Courier. “That pharmacy was a good alternative to the Rite Aid on Canon, which is always busy and chaotic. The one on Bedford also provided a good shopping resource, almost like a convenience store, to residents and employees of all the offices and businesses in area.” 

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Beverly Vista Middle School (BVMS) students took part in the Beverly Hills Junior Chef competition on March 8, cooking up creative dishes in 90 minutes with a mystery box of ingredients. The competition was held at Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) and livestreamed on the student television station, KBEV. The event was the culmination of a six-week long interdisciplinary Gifted and Talented Education enrichment program that merged students interested in media production and culinary arts. More than 20 BVMS cooking students and 10 BVMS media students participated, working with chef Rick Leece from the school’s culinary program, Media Director Romeo Carey and Assistant Media Director Ricky Lee. Culinary students were placed on teams and judged on the presentation, flavor, and texture of their creations. The winning team consisted of BHHS students Kiley Davidson, Madison Chen and Chase Chen.

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]]> https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/15/beverly-hills-students-in-the-news/ Tue, 15 Mar 2022 10:15:00 +0000 https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/15/beverly-hills-students-in-the-news/ Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) students of all ages are being recognized nationally for their achievements in the arts and sciences.

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Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) students of all ages are being recognized nationally for their achievements in the arts and sciences. From visual artists at Hawthorne Elementary to musicians at the high school, below are some of the students that exemplify creativity and commitment to excellence across all levels.

At Beverly Hills High School (BHHS), 11th grader Chloe Kate Truong was selected to represent Beverly Hills as a National Youth Correspondent in the 2022 Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University being held in Virginia this July.

The prestigious program has been going on for over 30 years, where a group of 300 students can network with the some of the top journalists and media professionals in the country.

“I think that being a National Youth Correspondent is about getting the opportunity to represent something that I care about,” Truong told the Courier. “It’s about people’s lives and the work that they have done for the world, and likewise learning how to communicate the message that you want others to hear. BHHS has allowed me to explore my passions and find success on both an academic and a personal level.”

The interactive program provides high-achieving high school students access to distinguished leaders in media and are awarded transcripts, letters of recommendation, a certificate of achievement that can be included in college applications and college credit from The American University.

“The skills and determination to succeed that I have honed there will lead me through this program,” Truong told the Courier. “Information is invaluable, it practically runs the world. And having the right information allows for democracy to thrive, diplomacy to be possible, and cultural and societal awareness to blossom. As a National Youth Correspondent, I would be learning more about how information gets crafted and shared in a way that benefits the world.”

At Hawthorne, six students received awards in this year’s “Youth Art Month” art show and competition as part of the national arts program directed by the California Art Education Association. These students competed against others in the county in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional categories and now move on to the next level, the Southern California Area Competition. BHUSD elementary students placed above their peers in ceramics, multi-media, candle-making, fiber arts and ink work.

“To be recognized by the leaders in Art Education means a great deal to us; that we have something very special going on here at Hawthorne,” Elizabeth Federman, a veteran elementary school art teacher at the district told the Courier. “For students to see their artwork displayed around the school is so motivating for them. It reinforces their accomplishments. They know and understand that when they work hard, they can be really proud of themselves. But then to be at the top of their peers in all of Los Angeles County, that is like icing on the cake. I am excited to see how our students will do in the Southern California Area Competition.”

At BHHS, Suhh Yeon Kim, a junior orchestra student, auditioned for and was accepted to participate in this year’s California All-State High School String Orchestra at the California Music Educators Conference in Fresno this past February. Out of several hundred students who auditioned, Kim was judged as one of the highest-ranking musicians, and qualified to rehearse and perform with guest conductor Kayoko Dan, Director of Orchestral Activities and Assistant Professor at Sam Houston State University and the Music Director of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera in Tennessee.

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]]> https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/14/pop-up-designer-event-in-beverly-hills-aids-unicef/ Mon, 14 Mar 2022 10:12:00 +0000 https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/14/pop-up-designer-event-in-beverly-hills-aids-unicef/ New York based fashion designer Lily Clempson and Rayni Williams, co-founder of The Beverly Hills Estates, hosted a pop-up shopping event at Williams' Beverly Hills home on March 7.

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New York based fashion designer Lily Clempson and Rayni Williams, co-founder of The Beverly Hills Estates, hosted a pop-up shopping event at Williams’ Beverly Hills home on March 7. Fifty percent of the proceeds went to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), providing aid to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children. Clothing racks set up in Williams’ backyard showcased Clempson’s line, LilyEve, which is known for its one-of-a-kind up-cycled silk and terry cloth jackets made from vintage Herme?s towels. The pop-up drew in dozens of people eager to shop for a cause, with sales resulting in a $10,000 donation to UNICEF the following day.

“Rayni is a family friend, who was one of my first customers on the up-cycled designer jackets and has been a massive supporter of the brand ever since,” Clempson told the Courier. “We had always had the event planned, but given the timing of the world events we decided to donate proceeds to UNICEF.”

Shortly after graduating from Parsons School of Design in New York City, Clempson launched LilyEve in 2020 at the onset of the pandemic from her parents’ house on Long Island. “My mom had four Herme?s beach towels in the attic,” Clempson told the Courier. “And one day I decided to just cut them up and make them into facemasks, not realizing the value of a Herme?s beach towel.”

Clempson repurposed the towels – with some sewing help from her mom – and began LilyEve by selling her unique and colorful face masks to raise money for FoodBankNY. “They started to just really take off, and we ended up raising $10,000 for food banks from these towels,” she said.

Shortly thereafter, Clempson teamed up with a former couture tailor at Bergdorf Goodman to help with production locally as demand increased. The duo expanded LilyEve to womenswear, launching jackets made from Herme?s terry cloth towels with whimsical prints and silk jackets using up-cycled vintage Herme?s and Chanel silk scarves. The limited edition luxury outerwear ranges from $1000 to $2000 and is available in boutiques like Fred Segal in West Hollywood, the Webster in Miami and more. LilyEve also sells bucket hats ($125) and terry cloth cabana trousers ($350) made using leftover “scraps” from their jackets. “The idea was how do we make a fully sustainable brand, and how do we kind of bring something to life with these different fabrics,” said Clempson.

Commitment to sustainability is one of the brand’s guiding principles. In lieu of tissue paper to wrap garments, all LilyEve items are wrapped in colorful printed vintage silk scarves.

“I started it by giving back to food banks; it’s nice to keep having some element of giving back to charity,” Clempson said. LilyEve will host another virtual shopping event at the end of April, with proceeds going to UNICEF again. To learn more, visit https://lilyeve.store/.

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Beauty Tailgate at Bloomingdale’s Century City

10250 Santa Monica Blvd.

Feb. 11-12, Noon-6 p.m.

To celebrate the big game, Bloomingdale’s will host an immersive beauty tailgate experience at its Century City location this weekend with complimentary beauty touch-ups from brands like Estée Lauder, Bobbi Brown, M.A.C and Clinique, cornhole and ping-pong games with prizes, and light bites. The event is open to the public and located outside of the cosmetics department.

The Tailgate Tour Super Week

Santa Monica Third Street Promenade

Feb. 11-12, 12 to 10 p.m.

The Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, Fox Sports Radio, iHeartmedia and KTLA Channel 5 have come together to bring a tailgate experience to the Third Street Promenade this weekend. The tailgate includes live DJ’s, complimentary drinks and snacks, competitive football challenges and other activities for football fans. The event is free and open to the public. To learn more, visit TailgateTour.com.

Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest

Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa St.

Feb. 11-12, 8 p.m.

For its third installment, the 2022 Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest includes three nights of music, with headliners like Miley Cyrus, Green Day, Halsey, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and Machine Gun Kelly. To buy tickets, visit https://www.superbowlmusicfest.com/. 

“The Big Game” Super Bowl Event at Tatel

453 N. Canon Drive

Feb. 11, 10:30 p.m.; Feb. 12, 9:30 p.m.

Tatel Beverly Hills, the Spanish eatery backed by Pau Gasol, Rafael Nadal, and Cristiano Rinaldo, will be hosting a two-night event this weekend to commemorate Super Bowl LVI. The events will feature famous athletes and musical acts, with special performances from Ne-Yo, Georgia Sinclair, ABRXSE and Luck. The first night will be hosted by former football player Michael Irvin, and the second night hosted by Jonathan Cheban (known as Foodgod), and former football players Dante Hall and LeSean McCoy. To RSVP, email Tatel@taraink.com. 

Shaq’s Fun House Presented by FTX

Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, 665 W. Jefferson Blvd.

Feb. 11, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Shaquille O’Neal’s annual Super Bowl event is equal parts music festival and carnival. This year’s version will feature performances by Lil Wayne, Zedd, Diplo and DJ Diesel (Shaq’s spin master alter ego); a full carnival and FTX ferris wheel; a Wynn Nightlife VIP experience; and a Taste of Los Angeles featuring vendors Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles, Pink’s Hot Dogs, Diddy Riese, Meat District butcher crafted premium burgers, Daring Foods plant-based chicken, Papa John’s pizza and KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar (for VIP guests). To purchase tickets, visit https://shaqsfunhouse.com/tickets/. 

Sports Illustrated: The Party

Century Park, 2000 Avenue of the Stars

Feb. 12, 9 p.m.

Sports Illustrated’s annual Super Bowl event is advertised as “the biggest party of Big Game weekend” with a lineup of musical guests including Kygo, Jack Harlow, DJ Irie and surprise guests. Tickets start at $750, and VIP tickets include access to the open bar for five hours. To purchase tickets, visit https://sitickets.com/event/si-the-party. 

Big Game Weekend: Saturday Night Lights Hall of Fame Party

1439 N. Ivar Avenue,

Feb. 12, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. (21+ only)

Capture Studios and Fame Hospitality are hosting what promises to be one of the biggest pregame events this weekend at the Sunset Room Hollywood. Taking the stage will be Meek Mill, Diplo, GUNNA and more alongside a star-studded guest list. General admission tickets can be purchased at http://superbowl-la.eventbrite.com/. 

Tropical Tailgate at Freehand Los Angeles

416 W. 8th Street

Feb. 13, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The Broken Shaker, a rooftop lounge located at the Freehand Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, is hosting a tropical tailgate on game day with a musical performance by DJ Short Shorts. Following the event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Super Bowl will be screened. No RSVP is needed, but guests will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Rah Rah Rosé at the Beverly Hilton

9876 Wilshire Blvd.

Feb. 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

For those who are seeking an alternative to football this Sunday, the Beverly Hilton invites you to drink rosé poolside at the hotel. The Rah Rah Rosé event includes a rosé tasting along with pairings of wine and cheese. This event is open to hotel guests and the public. 

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For 10 days this month, a seemingly typical electronic traffic sign perplexed and confused westbound passersby on South Santa Monica Boulevard and Charleville Boulevard. Instead of messages advising motorists and pedestrians of construction or traffic, the Variable Message Sign was populated with provocative words by renowned American conceptual artist and painter, Mel Bochner. Hoping to provide an unexpected disruption, Bochner’s public sculpture titled “Street Sign” cycled through five short satirical phrases: “talk is cheap,” “blah blah blah,” “it could be worse,” “hahaha,” and “nothing ever changes.”

The sculpture was on display in tandem with the Bochner exhibit, “DO I HAVE TO DRAW YOU A PICTURE?” at the adjacent Marc Selwyn Fine Art gallery. The show includes Bochner’s recent oil on velvet paint- ings that incorporate the phrases illuminated on the sign outside.

“Every reaction that you can imagine, we had,” gallery owner Marc Selwyn told the Courier about the public sculpture. “We’ve had people try to take it down because they thought it was sabotage. There was somebody who was trying to unplug it, we had people taking selfies, people laughing, and people perplexed. A lot of people don’t understand it, and that’s the way the artist wanted it.”

Bochner is famous for his paintings that incorporate phrases, particularly “blah blah blah,” which he began experimenting with in 2008.

The ongoing exhibit features 10 works of oil on velvet with viscous, multicolored letters that spell out phrases on a porous velvet background. According to Selwyn, many of the pieces have already been sold. “Once people see ‘blah blah blah’ those familiar know right away it’s Mel Bochner and come in,” Selwyn said. Depending on the size and medium, Bochner’s pieces have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Bochner’s pieces vary in color scheme, phrases, and word placement, continuing his exploration of language in painting, and painting as a language. The paintings include an array of language, from “all or nothing” to “bozo” and “a rat’s ass.” “I don’t consider them concrete poetry,” Bochner said in a Jan. 16 Zoom call hosted by the gallery. “I consider them drawings. I consider them portraits.”

Selwyn noted that “most people know our gallery as kind of a zen temple where we have a lot of minimal conceptual art and very quiet, kind of zen shows.” He added, “This is a real cacophony of language and color, and it’s kind of atypical of what you normally see at the gallery…you walk in and it’s just a burst of color.”

Born in 1940, Bochner received his Bachelor’s in Fine Art from Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1962 and received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts in 2005. His work appears in the collections of prom- inent galleries around the world including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Tate Modern in London, the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, and more.

Bochner’s recent solo museum exhibi- tions include The Jewish Museum in New York in 2014, Haus der Kunst in Munich, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. In 2018, Bochner was included in the 57th edition of Carnegie International, the oldest North American exhibition of contemporary art from around the globe, at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh.

“DO I HAVE TO DRAW YOU A PICTURE?” is at the Marc Selwyn Fine Art gallery through Feb. 26.

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Related Story: BHUSD Sees Outbreak as County Cases Surge

“When we had three cases in a day at one school, it literally is 12 to 15 hours of work for the administration to do the contact tracing, to get students tested, to send out emails, to make phone calls, and to then document the data,” BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said during the Jan. 18 meeting. “And that’s when there were two to three cases a day. Now, we’re averaging about 60 cases a day and we have the same staff to do that.”

In a Jan. 21 email, Bregy reported that positive test results from new cases decreased from last week to this week by approximately 71% at the high school and decreased by approximately 68% at Hawthorne Elementary. Still, while the district’s positive COVID-19 case rate remains a concern for school staff, Dr. Bregy told the Courier the district is not short on tests. Early on, the district partnered with two outside COVID-19 testing companies to help school administrators manage a case surge. “BHUSD is fortunate to be in a position where staff shortages are significant but not yet impeding us from performing the functions necessary to run our schools,” Bregy told the Courier.

According to Bregy, the administration’s priority is to remove students who test positive for COVID-19 from the school environment to avoid any transmission in the classroom or at lunch. “We are still contact tracing,” he said. “It’s really important that we do that. We are struggling with the sheer numbers, but we do believe that getting that information, especially if it is a situation where there has been an exposure to another student, that we do inform families, that we provide that testing.”

In Los Angeles, the COVID-19 vaccine is available for those aged five and up with booster shots recommended for those age 12 and up. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health), Pfizer is the only vaccine authorized for those under the age of 18.

Public Health statistics through Jan. 16 indicate that 27.6% of BHUSD students between the ages of five and 11 are fully vaccinated, and 84.4 % of those aged 12-18 are fully vaccinated. While health officials hope to expand vaccine eligibility for children as young as six months old, a sizable cohort of the student population remains unprotected from serious illness from COVID-19.

Currently, the BHUSD Student Testing Program is driven by positive cases. All unvaccinated students are tested for COVID-19 weekly, as well as a random selection of vaccinated students.

Testing is now available at every school site and the District Office every school day between 7:30 am and 4:30 pm.

In anticipation of the high number of tests required, Bregy noted that a minimum of three COVID-19 testers from an outside testing company were added at each school site, in addition to extra staff where there are high close contact counts. “Between elective testing, required testing, close contact testing, and symptomatic testing we are testing on average 1000 people daily with rapid antigen tests,” Bregy told the Courier.

Related Story: Mary Wells Installed as BHUSD Board President

Still, the district is coping with unforeseen staffing shortages and long wait times. On the morning of Jan. 18, student testing was delayed because four members of the testing team tested positive themselves.

 The district began the new semester on Jan. 10 amid record-breaking case numbers driven by the highly infectious omicron variant. Over 200 students and 40 staff tested positive for COVID-19 after a district-wide testing day on Jan. 9. Equipped with over 9,000 rapid antigen COVID-19 tests, each of the district’s 3,300 students and roughly 750 staff were tested. The district also distributed tests to household members accompanying students in the same car.

Exposure protocols at BHUSD include five-day quarantine requirements, with close contacts allowed a modified quarantine based on their vaccination status. “Close contact” is defined as 15 cumulative minutes of exposure in a 24-hour time span within 6 feet of someone who has tested positive.  Public Health mandates that close contacts be tested on both day 0 and day five.

“We have this opportunity where the testing can occur when you’re a close contact and that could occur at our sites with a quick return back to school,” Bregy said. “This is probably the biggest change since returning in the beginning of the year.”

An asymptomatic and unvaccinated close contact must isolate at home for at least five days, unless they test daily before school until day five. On the fifth day, if they have no symptoms, they may return to school masked (both indoors and outdoors) if they have a negative antigen test administered by the district. The district also instituted a new policy for this current surge whereby the siblings of infected students are assumed to be positive as well and must isolate for the minimum five days. Quarantine for unvaccinated close contacts is now limited to mask-off exposures.

Asymptomatic and unvaccinated infected students are now given the option of a modified quarantine if they test negative and if the exposure took place in the school setting supervised by school staff. According to revised Public Health guidelines updates Jan. 18, the exposed student and the person with a COVID-19 diagnosis must have each worn a mask consistently and correctly during the entire exposure period. Modified Quarantine students can return to all regular activities including sports and extracurricular.

Close contacts that are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated with a booster (if eligible) can return immediately to the classroom if they test negative. However, the district will still test them again on day five.

“If our district gets vaccinated, can we eliminate mass testing,” asked board member Noah Margo. He argued for bold action to “get our kids back to regular learning, because that’s what’s being hurt the most…our kids are falling behind. We know that. We have to be realistic about that.”

“I’m always up for a good fight, but to take on the LA County Department of Public Health, we’d be shut down instantly,” Bregy said. “We’ve had a couple of classrooms where we’ve had three or more cases where they’re epidemiologically linked, and that’s never happened before. But it shows how contagious this variant is. And so that’s a county direction then, to shut down these classrooms if that continues, and we’re working really hard so that that doesn’t happen.”

Public Health defines a COVID-19 outbreak as three confirmed cases within a 14-day period of each other in a specified group with members who are epidemiologically linked, do not share a household, and are not a close contact of each other outside of the campus. Per Health Officer Orders, the district is required to report the cluster to Public Health and coordinate a response. “We immediately reported these cases to LACDPH and they explained that the links may have been during eating at lunch,” Bregy told the Courier. “But due to the surge, they are not able to rule out that the students may have been infected from an off-campus source.” According to Bregy, Public Health officials did not conclude the cases were an outbreak and therefore did not recommend an outbreak response plan.

“I believe that as a board, we have not done our job by actually taking a more proactive and active approach towards making policy towards COVID-19 and what we’re seeing,” board member Gabriel Halimi said.

“Beverly Hills is a very special place,” Halimi said, citing access to talented educators, world-class medical professionals, and an actively engaged parent community. “We are not some small town in the middle of the country,” he added. “We are Beverly Hills, and we have some of the best data and the best ability to make decisions and policy out of anybody anywhere.”

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Leasing activity reported by the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce shows that the city remains a sought-after destination for business owners. Dozens of new shops and restaurants have opened in the city this year, with at least 20 more set to debut in 2022. Additionally, hotels such as The Maybourne Beverly Hills and the Beverly Hilton are continuing to invest in their spaces with luxurious renovations planned for next year.

“Businesses were up significantly over 2019,” Chamber President and CEO Todd Johnson told the Courier. “There were not very many that I talked to that were worse off. I think the industry that took the hardest hit is: one, the restaurant world, and two, the hotels.” On Dec. 28, Lawry’s The Prime Rib on La Cienega Boulevard announced the restaurant would be temporarily closed for dining-in due to “unforeseen challenges and staffing issues related to the pandemic in recent weeks.” The announcement came shortly after Lawry’s canceled the Lawry’s Beef Bowl, an annual tradition in which the Rose Bowl teams are invited to dine at the Beverly Hills restaurant. Lawry’s is still fulfilling to-go orders.

“Our business is good, it’s not off the charts, but if we had a stronger quarter one of this year, we would be beating 2019,” Duke Hagenburger, the General Manager of menswear store ISAIA Beverly Hills, told the Courier. “We’ve been here for six and a half years, and we had a phenomenal 2019. And then, like everyone else, we had a tough time in 2020. We’ve seen it build back up, starting in the spring and going through summer, into the fall and the holiday.”

Located at 9527 Brighton Way, Hagenburger attributes some of the store’s stability to its highly localized clientele. “We’re not relying on people to come into town to buy from us,” he said. “It’s a relationship-based business.” Known for Italian hand-made menswear, ISAIA offers a tailormade Neapolitan shopping experience. 

“We are fortunate, as a family business, to not have production issues,” Hagenburger said. “Yes, it’s a little slower and our deliveries are later than normal, but not ridiculous. With omicron, I think we’ll have a little bit of fluidity in the first month or two of 2022, but the customer is definitely back in and they’re ready.”

Last year, Tara Riceberg, owner of Tesoro Beverly Hills, worried about not having customers in her shop. This year, she worried about not having enough product. “Thankfully I was able to order from various sources to fill my shelves with beautiful and purposeful objects,” Riceberg told the Courier. “I think I had a strong holiday season because the city provided valet parking on Canon and I kept the store open on Friday and Saturday for late night shopping.”

With fewer street meters to make room for outdoor dining parklets, Riceberg was concerned that her store would suffer due to the lack of street parking. Soon after she voiced these concerns to the city’s Small Business Assistance Task Force, “my loading zone meters were removed and the valet was there,” she said.

With the omicron surge, Riceberg is anticipating a dip in sales. She plans to strengthen online and curbside pick-up again. “At the end of the day, the health of my team and customers is my priority.” She added, “I’m really proud of the city’s efforts to help small business survive and thrive during these challenging times.”

The city’s efforts in these challenging times have definitely paid off, if the roster of new businesses is any indication. Openings expected in 2022 include Jon and Vinny’s (454 N. Bedford Drive), Breadblok (260 N. Beverly Drive), Jeni’s Ice Cream (445 N. Beverly Drive), Beverly Bar (434 N. Camden Drive), Full Proof Pizza (371 S. Doheny Drive), Lorenzo California (9529 S. Santa Monica Blvd.), My Thai Thing (9632 S. Santa Monica Blvd.), Maple & Ash (235 N. Beverly Drive), Erewhon Market (233 S. Beverly Drive), Philz Coffee (233 S. Beverly Drive), Tommy’s (235 N. Canon Drive), Great Art Space (9465 S. Santa Monica Blvd.), The Shade Store (9565 S. Santa Monica Blvd.), Velverie (9737 S. Santa Monica Blvd.), Sweetgreen (245 N. Beverly Drive), ASRV (340 N. Beverly Drive), Sotheby’s Auction House (350 N. Camden Drive), Maddox Gallery (425 N. Canon Drive), All’Antico Vinaio (9523 S. Santa Monica Blvd.) and Shake Shack (9601 S. Santa Monica Blvd.). 

“I think it’s pretty encouraging, to be honest,” Johnson told the Courier. “Other cities are really struggling, and our spaces are getting filled up. I think the brand, and the fact that you’re able to work in Beverly Hills or have a business is still very alluring to people. When I talk to the other Chamber presidents, they tell me that things are kind of tough.”

Additional reporting by Samuel Braslow 

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Avant was “a stalwart supporter of children and the Watts-Willowbrook community,” previously even serving as President of Neighbors of Watts, a support group centered around childcare in South Los Angeles communities.

“As many have inquired, we have arranged the Jacqueline Avant Memorial Fund for the new MLK Children’s Center in Watts, as per Jacque’s wishes,” a statement released by the Avant family said. “More information and a donation section can be found on the MLK Health and Wellness Development Corporation website: mlk-cdc.org.”

Avant, the wife of producer Clarence Avant and Los Angeles philanthropist, was shot and killed in her Beverly Hills home on Dec. 1 at age 81. The family also announced that a special memorial will be held for Avant after the holiday season, with details forthcoming.

MLK-CDEC has raised funds for renovations to trailers that currently house the MLK Pediatric Clinic HUB, which, according to the organization, serves approximately 5,000 Los Angeles children and teens in foster care each year. In 2022, the pediatric clinic will move into the first floor of the new three-story, 55,000 square foot MLK Child and Family Wellbeing Center. The Center will provide at-risk pediatric and adolescent patients and their families with improved outpatient clinical services, hoping to serve as a model for community-based programs addressing the needs of those struggling with care for mental illness, substance abuse and homelessness. The Autism Wellness Center will be located on the second floor. 

The MLK-CDC has also raised additional funds for new furniture, equipment, and personal needs such as clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, emergency food vouchers, and MTA cards. 

Donations can be made to the MLK Health and Wellness Development Corporation (a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization) for the Jacqueline Avant Memorial Fund for the new MLK Children’s Center in Watts, California. To learn more or donate online, visit https://www.mlk-cdc.org/jacquie.  

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The daughters of Grammy-winning producer David Foster launched Favorite Daughter in December 2020. Prior to entering the design world, they had already acquired a following by starring in the 2015 reality TV show “Barely Famous” and hosting the podcast “The World’s First Podcast.”

The sisters spoke to the Courier about their latest venture.

“The reason we chose Beverly Hills for our store location is that we want to appeal to women who want to be at the center of fashion, but don’t always feel included in it because of price point,” the Fosters told the Courier. “We want someone to be able to come to a store right smack in the middle of Beverly Hills and feel part of the fashion culture, if they want to be.”

While the women’s ready-to-wear brand is only a year old, they have already cultivated a loyal consumer base among those seeking luxury items at a more affordable price point. 

“Our goal was to make high quality clothes, with trend forward looks, but at a cost that is more attainable,” the sisters said. The store is stocked with $300 cashmere sweaters, the $218 high-waisted wide leg “favorite pant” and even the constantly sold-out $198 Tower super-high-rise jeans.

According to Todd Johnson, President and CEO of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, many businesses in the city are surpassing their 2019 earnings. “I think people still see Beverly Hills as a viable and ultimately, the cream of the crop, to be able to open a business in,” Johnson told the Courier. “Having a business in Beverly Hills is still very alluring to many people.”

“Starting a business in a pandemic was interesting for sure,” the Fosters told the Courier. “We chased the lounge trend for a minute, and launched with a masked hoodie that was innovative and gave a huge pop to our business. But as the desire to forget the pandemic rose, we evolved with it and ditched our masked lounge and focused on how excited we all have been to be back out in the world. Our business has been doing great, and the response from people has been incredibly exciting. We credit our success to listening to people. We open every message, listen to every piece of criticism, adjust and pivot when needed, and create the clothes women tell us they want and need. We’re really proud of how fast it’s grown.” 

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The once vacant storefront windows at 445 N. Canon Drive debuted a new art exhibit on Dec. 2 with seven paintings hanging by American contemporary artist Kevin HEES. The windows display works from his latest MUSIC! series, which pays homage to musical genres, tempos, and rhythms. HEES’ work is known for his use of colorful circles, geometric shapes, and his signature circle and three lines of marks that represent the number seven, symbolic of the ingredients for life and art.

The temporary installation is part of the “Visions of the Future” program, a collaborative effort between the Next Beverly Hills Committee and the city’s Arts and Culture and Human Relations Commissions that is intended to activate public spaces with vibrant, visual pop-up art experiences. This is the second installment of the pop-up, which is expected to be on display to the public for one month. In 2020, his work appeared in shows at the Wynn Fine Art Gallery in Palm Beach and he contributed to the Norton Museum of Art’s 80th anniversary art auction with Sotheby’s. This is the artist’s first public showing on the West Coast.

“I believe that music has the power to guide you home,” HEES told the Courier. “Not your home on the outside, but your home on the inside, what I refer to as the silence center. That is the place where you hold your energy, your clarity, your growth, your insight, your freedom, your power, and your creativity. No matter where I am in the world or what’s going on in my life, good or bad, if I put my headset on and listen to my music, I can always find my way home. And that’s actually what this show is about.”

Each piece has its own color scheme, incorporating words like “Opera,” “House,” or “Pop,” with quotes that inspired HEES like Shakespeare’s “If music be the food of love, play on.”

“So, there’s lots of quotes and lots of thoughts and lots of ideas about music and how music effects the human experience,” he told the Courier. “I’m inspired by all kinds of music. You’ll see on these paintings they say gospel, disco, rock, country–it’s a celebration of all music. Even the universe has a hum.”

HEES came to his career as a painter by way of photography. HEES began his career as a painter, makeup artist, photographer, brand consultant, and producer working with brands like Ralph Lauren, BELK, STILA, Kevyn Aucoin Beauty and E! Entertainment. He has photographed household names such as Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, Annie Lennox, and Christina Aguilera. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013, painting became the centerpiece of his life. However, it wasn’t until the end of 2019 that it became his professional focus and personal outlet.

The two artists who inspired the body of work MUSIC! were American singer-songwriter, Stevie Nicks, known for her work on Fleetwood Mac and American actor and singer, Steve Kazee, known for his Tony Award winning role as Guy in the musical “Once.”

While HEES doesn’t play the guitar, his guitar, named Stevie, features prominently in his paintings. The guitar was purchased as a gift for Kazee, who HEES was planning to photograph a few years ago. “Then the shoot didn’t happen, and so I brought the guitar to Palm Springs and then I photographed the guitar,” HEES told the Courier. “And it became the beginning of what is now the music project.”

“I took the guitar and I put it in the paintings as a way to join the two projects together: my photography and my painting,” he said.

His next exhibit, titled the Cage, will be, in part, a performance art piece with seven paintings. The cage features a 60-foot-long wall of fencing with three paintings hung on both sides, and a 10-foot high and 12-foot wide cage coming out in the center, forming a T. HEES himself will be inside the cage, painting the seventh 6×7 foot piece of the series, on an already primed, prepped, and painted canvas.

“The Cage is about the situation that caused me to stop shooting as a photographer,” HEES told the Courier. “I went through a really bad lawsuit where it became very clear to me, based on this experience, that I had no rights over my work. So, I have tried to try to turn that dark experience into a positive statement about standing up, stepping forward, and speaking out.”

“The only thing that I’ll do in the cage is the writing. and all the pastel work where I can write I don’t have to have water,” he added. “Turn your pain into power, that’s the kind of messaging.”

To learn more about HEES, visit https://heesart.com/.

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]]> https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2021/12/06/applications-open-for-community-assistance-grants/ Mon, 06 Dec 2021 12:18:00 +0000 https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2021/12/06/applications-open-for-community-assistance-grants/ For 2021-22, 22 organizations received grant funding for services helping seniors, homelessness, physical and mental health, culture and more.

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]]> The City of Beverly Hills has begun accepting applications for its Community Assistant Grant Fund (CAGF) to be awarded for the 2022-23 fiscal year. Through CAGF, the city partners with local organizations that provide services for the community’s most vulnerable populations, such as seniors, disabled and homeless, to maintain a social service safety net–a priority outlined in the city’s General Plan. Agencies that are crucial to the health and welfare of the community are encouraged to apply by the Feb. 1, 2022 deadline. 

The grants are administered by the Human Services Division, and all applicants are reviewed by the Human Relations Commission and the Charitable Solicitations Commission. The City Council determines the final allocation of funding.

“The Commission is looking forward to continuing the mission of the CAGF and reviewing applicants who provide such important services that benefit our immediate community and beyond,” Human Relations Commission Chair Ori Blumenfeld told the Courier. “This past year we received the most applications ever, and I expect that next year we will surpass that record and be blessed with even more applications to review for funding. The Commission is grateful to the city for its unwavering support and continuous funding year after year of these worthwhile causes.”

For 2021-22, 22 organizations received grant funding for services helping seniors, homelessness, physical and mental health, culture and more. The 22 existing grant recipients include the Collins and Katz Family YMCA, OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center, Safe Parking LA, Affordable Living for the Aging, All Saints’ Homeless Assistance Program, Bet Tzedek Legal Services, Beverly Hills Active Adult Club, Beverly Hills Cardiopulmoary Resusication, Beverly Hills Education Foundation, Chiron Center, Inc., ETTA, Jewish Family Service – Los Angeles, Jewish Free Loan Association, The Miracle Project, The Maple Counseling Center, People Assisting The Homeless, Saban Community Clinic, Step Up on Second, Theatre 40, Tower Cancer Research Foundation, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and the Westside Food Bank.

Applications will be considered based on the following criteria: organization provides a unique service that addresses an unmet need of the community and does not duplicate other providers or programs; organization does not rely solely on community assistance funding to remain viable and the services would cost more to the city if the city provided them directly; organization provides services that support the city’s commitment to the provision of a social service safety net that addresses the health and welfare of community members; organization provides regional services that enable the city to meet its regional obligation to help ameliorate social issues.

This year, the city will once again be accepting applications for cultural grants. These applications must still meet the first two above criteria, but they also must be existing Beverly Hills organizations that have demonstrated a history of providing outstanding cultural events that respond to the needs of the community.

The applicant must be, or partner with a 501c.3 organization. The applicant must return a completed application to humanservices@beverlyhills.org or by mail postmarked no later than Feb. 1, 2022, at 5 p.m. to the Beverly Hills Human Services Division. 

For more information or to download an application, visit www.beverlyhills.org/cagf. To learn more about past recipients, visit: www.beverlyhills.org/humanservices. 

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]]> https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2021/11/29/jac-mani-signs-national-letter-of-intent-with-uc-davis/ Mon, 29 Nov 2021 12:00:00 +0000 https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2021/11/29/jac-mani-signs-national-letter-of-intent-with-uc-davis/ Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) senior Jac Mani was surrounded by his friends, family, teammates, and coaches on Nov. 18 as he accepted a basketball scholarship offer to the University of California, Davis.

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Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) senior Jac Mani was surrounded by his friends, family, teammates, and coaches on Nov. 18 as he accepted a basketball scholarship offer to the University of California, Davis. The event was held in celebration of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (D-I) National Signing Day, a period in which a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of Intent (NLI) for a collegiate sport with a school that is a member of the NCAA. Technically, Mani put pen to paper on Nov. 11. (Initial D1 Basketball signing dates began on Nov. 10.) However, the ceremony took place Nov. 18 at the district office. UC Davis was one of eight scholarship offers received by the 6’9 220-lb. power forward.

“I’ve been playing since I was a little kid, like five,” Mani told the Courier. “It’s only my second season playing at Beverly, but I came here from Milken Community School to play basketball.”

According to UC Davis, Mani was an All- League first team selection while he was a sophomore at Milken, where he averaged 18 points per game and nine rebounds. In his junior year, after he transferred to BHHS, Mani improved to 20 points per game and 11 rebounds. As a junior, he was the leading scorer and rebounder on the varsity team.

“They’re going to pay for him to go to school at UC Davis, which is pretty amazing,” Tim Ellis, the Director of District Sports at BHUSD, told the Courier.

“He’s worked very hard for this day, and we’re excited to be a part of this opportunity for him,” boys head basketball coach, Jarvis Turner, said at the ceremony. “We know that Jac is a tremendous basketball player, and he has a bright future in the game. We are also blessed, as a staff, and as a school, to have somebody of his caliber and his talent be a part of our program to help our program go to where we need to go. And more importantly, Jac is great young man.”

With his sights set on professional basketball, the Beverly Hills resident looks up to NBA legend, Kobe Bryant. “My favorite team is the Lakers,” Mani told the Courier. Mani’s younger brother, in his freshman year at BHHS, is also on the basketball team.

“Jac, this is a day that you’re probably remember man for the rest of your life,” Coach Turner said. “And it is the start of what will be a long and successful future in the game.”

Already donning a UC Davis hoodie, Mani signed the letter while teammates and friends cheered. “I’m just grateful to my coaches for pushing me every day to be my best and my teammates and my family for supporting me,” Mani said during the signing ceremony. “I’m very blessed.”

The BHHS Varsity Boys Basketball team began the season on Nov. 17, with the Normans defeating the Oakwood Guerillas 70-44.

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]]> https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2021/11/20/hollander-twins-breaking-records/ Sat, 20 Nov 2021 12:00:00 +0000 https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2021/11/20/hollander-twins-breaking-records/ Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) twins Josh and Danielle Hollander have been setting new cross-country records in track since they were freshmen.

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Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) twins Josh and Danielle Hollander have been setting new cross-country records in track since they were freshmen. On Nov. 2, the Hollanders were individual Ocean League Cross Country Champions, and both qualified for the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section championships. The twins were recently selected to represent Team USA in track and field in the U-18 Maccabi Games, which will be held in Israel during the summer of 2022.

With the fastest 3-mile course time of the week at 16:28.80, Danielle also earned a nomination as one of the California girls XC runners of the week based on her Ocean League finals time. This past weekend at the CIF Prelims, Danielle advanced to the next round to hopefully get a chance to compete in the CIF State finals next week. Unfortunately, Josh is unable to run due to an injury.

“We came to the sport relatively late compared to many other high school runners and it has motivated us to work even harder every day,” Danielle told the Courier.

Having grown up playing soccer and attending cross country conditioning in the summer before high school, Josh and Danielle cultivated and fostered their passion for cross country. In the ninth grade, both set the freshmen records at BHHS for the 3-mile run, and Danielle advanced all the way to CIF finals in cross country.

As sophomores last year, the twins won the Ocean League Track titles in the 800- meter, 1600-meter, and the 3200-meter races. Despite last year’s shortened track season, Josh set a personal record of 9:56 in the 3200-meter race. Without a coach or a team to train with during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hollanders relied on each other to come up with training routines and condition together.

“You can never be satisfied in either cross country or track,” Josh told the Courier. “There is always a new challenge and a better time you are trying to achieve.”

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]]> https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2021/11/19/council-approves-request-to-honor-setian/ Fri, 19 Nov 2021 12:02:00 +0000 https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2021/11/19/council-approves-request-to-honor-setian/ The Beverly Hills City Council has unanimously approved a request to honor Vahagn Setian, the 17-year-old Beverly Hills High School student killed in a drunk driving accident in 2006.

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The Beverly Hills City Council has unanimously approved a request to honor Vahagn Setian, the 17-year-old Beverly Hills High School student killed in a drunk driving accident in 2006. The tribute will take the form of a landscape boulder and plaque next to a tree being planted at Roxbury Park in Setian’s honor. On the night of Dec. 2, 2006, Setian was a passenger in a car that crashed into a tree on South Beverly Drive. The driver, former “Prison Break” star Lane Garrison, was inebriated.

Setian’s family established the Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation after he died. The Foundation works with community youth to support them with smart decision making. It also promotes anti-drunk driving initiatives. At its Nov. 16 meeting, the Council approved the Foundation’s request to make an annual donation to plant trees within the community, beginning with the inaugural event on Dec. 5 at Roxbury Park.

“It really is a question of making the right choices,” Councilmember John Mirisch said during the Nov. 16 hearing. “And that’s something that I think a lot of good has actually come from, as tragic as it is, I think this is something that is important for our city.”

Other councilmembers echoed similar statements, saying they were honored to be part of the program.

The Foundation donated $5,000 to the Beverly Hills Community Charitable Foundation to fund the inaugural tree dedication event. The 30-inch-wide and 16-inch-high proposed plaque will be affixed to a boulder placed next to an oak tree planted in the area behind the Roxbury Park basketball court.

“The goal is to make sure that we communicate with kids that their decisions are very important,” Karen Setian, Vahagn’s father, told the Courier. “On a day-to-day basis, being mindful about the choices that they make is crucial. Not only for their well-being, but others too. That is the most important message that I wanted really to communicate.”

Over the years, Beverly Hills High School has provided the elder Setian with opportunities to address students at assemblies.

Setian first opens his heart to establish a channel of trust. “I tell them, ‘This is what my pain looks like.’ And it works because it becomes very personal.”

The Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation also holds an annual memorial run fundraiser on the first Sunday of December, bringing the community together to run and compete for prizes provided by generous sponsors. The tree planting each year will be in conjunction with the memorial run.

“The idea with the tree was always attractive to me,” Setian told the Courier. “The tree is like a sign of life. It’s something that passes to the next generation. It always had a tremendous meaning for my wife and I. Especially since it is the 15th anniversary since Vahagn passed, and the 15th anniversary since we started our foundation.”

The December date was chosen to fall as near to the date of the original tragedy in 2006. “The car was crashed on the 2nd, and he was taken to Cedars-Sinai, and he passed away on Dec. 3, in the morning,” Setian told the Courier.

The text on the plaque will read: “VAHAGN SETIAN (1989-2006)
Our Work is Strong With Your Support VAHAGNFOUNDATION.ORG”

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]]> https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2021/11/13/gabriel-halimi-appointed-to-bhusd-board-of-trustees/ Sat, 13 Nov 2021 12:00:00 +0000 https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2021/11/13/gabriel-halimi-appointed-to-bhusd-board-of-trustees/ In a unanimous vote at its Nov. 9 Special Meeting, the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education approved Gabriel Halimi as its provisional appointee until November of 2022. Halimi will fill the vacant seat previously occupied by Tristen Walker-Shuman, former Board of Trustees Vice President.

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In a unanimous vote at its Nov. 9 Special Meeting, the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education approved Gabriel Halimi as its provisional appointee until November of 2022. Halimi will fill the vacant seat previously occupied by Tristen Walker-Shuman, former Board of Trustees Vice President. Walker-Shuman resigned from her seat on Sept. 22 after weeks of controversy surrounding her residency status.

(The issue of Walker-Shuman’s residency surfaced after an anonymous complaint sent on Aug. 26 alleged that she had moved from Beverly Hills to Pittsburgh in August, thus disqualifying her from the position.) Halimi was chosen out of a pool of 20 applicants and will hold office for the remainder of Walker-Shuman’s term, which expires on December 2, 2022. A product of the District, Halimi graduated from Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) in 2000 and served as student board member from 1999-2000. In that time, he co-sponsored the successful resolution that approved and installed football lights at the high school.

“I’m humbled by the unanimous support of the Board of Education to join them for the next year,” Halimi told the Courier. “I think it’s a testament to my new colleagues that they appointed me, despite some of my constructive critiques of the Board, and I’m looking forward to working with them. I was fortunate enough to serve on the Board of Education 20 years ago as the Student Board Member, and I’m thrilled to bring my 20 years professional and non-profit experience back to serve the students of our community.”

Halimi is an entrepreneur, attorney, and businessman who has resided in the District since February of 2021. In 2004, he earned his B.A. in Political Science from University of California, Santa Barbara and then went on to Loyola Law School, where he graduated in 2008. At the onset of the pandemic, Halimi also co-founded a pre-school and summer camp, and operated the business aspects of the school then for approximately 18 months.

“To my knowledge this is the first time that a former Student Body Board member will be a trustee on the Board,” Board President Rachelle Marcus told the Courier. “We had many qualified candidates, and the Board took the task of selecting the appointee very seriously. In the end we voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Gabe Halimi as the provisional member for the remaining term of the previous Board member who resigned. I look forward to working with Halimi. I want to thank all the applicants who applied for the provisional Board seat, and I hope they will continue to support the BHUSD both now and in the future.”

The Board went through a two-step elimination process in which each member put forward up to three of their top candidates, narrowing the list of seven down to five. In the second and final round, board members chose their top two candidates. With three votes for Halimi cast by Marcus, Board Vice President Mary Wells, and Board member Dr. Amanda Stern, a majority emerged. “As far as Mr. Halimi, I would welcome him with open arms if that’s the direction that the board goes,” Board member Noah Margo said. “But I, as a board member who has been there and done that, am very cautious about some of the things he had to say.”

Having stated earlier that the appointment should come in a 4-0 vote, as a show of unity among a historically divided Board, Margo compromised and voted yes. “I don’t think he was any of our first choice, by the way tonight, but he might be our compromise,” Margo said at the meeting. “So, that being the case, I will support Mr. Halimi to try to get some harmony and stability on the board. But hopefully he knows that this grisly old man here has his eye out.”

“I think that he has the motivation and the passion to do a great job,” Stern said of Halimi. “He’s a father in the District. He certainly answered his questions with intelligence and with the, shall we say, the courage to provide some critiques.”

During his interview, Halimi criticized the Board’s communication and public etiquette, as well as their lack of administrative delegation. “We have to get comfortable making tough decisions without it becoming bickering and snide remarks.” He added: “This Board sets the tone for the entire organization. I know it sounds cliche, but that’s what you guys do in this room.”

“This is not going to be a popular thing to say,” Halimi said on Nov. 2. “But I think this Board can do a better job of acting like a Board, and what I mean by that is to really work together as a team.”

Citing the continued decrease in enrollment, Halimi emphasized the importance of engaging with the community, and particularly with young families that are new to the District, such as his. Halimi has four small children, however none are enrolled currently.

When asked during his Nov. 2 interview if he would run for a seat on the Board in the Nov. 2022 election, Halimi indicated he would not. “This is a really big commitment and I take that very seriously,” Halimi said. “The only reason that I could do this for a year right now is because I’m at a little bit of a crossroads, as I’ve shared with you guys, I am in a transitional phase, and I know I can commit the time this year. But after that, I don’t think so.”

Halimi will be sworn into office by the Board of Education at a later date.

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]]> https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2021/11/12/britweek-coming-to-beverly-hills/ Fri, 12 Nov 2021 08:43:00 +0000 https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2021/11/12/britweek-coming-to-beverly-hills/ "We're all about supporting the community and hosting engaging car events, and this is definitely one we're really excited about," Michael Bodell, Chief Operating Officer of the Petersen Automotive Museum, told the Courier.

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]]> On Nov. 14, the City of Beverly Hills, in partnership with the Petersen Automotive Museum, will host BritWeek 2021, a car rally featuring 75 of the world’s most iconic British vehicles. The rally will begin at the Petersen Automotive Museum at 10 a.m., winding through city streets routed to the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, and end with a public car show in front of Beverly Hills City Hall and on the forecourt of the Wallis. The one-day event is a fundraiser for the non-profit organization, BritWeek, founded in 2007 by Nigel Lythgoe and then British Consul General, Bob Peirce, to promote British creativity, innovation and excellence in film, television, music, art, fashion, design, retail, sport, philanthropy, business and more. Magnus Walker, celebrity car collector and artist, is co-hosting the event. The last BritWeek, in 2019, drew crowds of over 700 people to Beverly Hills. 

Event organizers chose 50 guests who will be participating by driving select British high-end luxury cars in the rally on a pre-designated route. Once complete, the group will return their cars for display along North Crescent Drive for the public. Cars that are scheduled to appear include Steve McQueen’s distinguished 1956 Jaguar XKSS, one of only two 1947 Rolls Royce Inskips ever to be made by hand, 1948 Bentley MK VI Mallalieu Mercia Roadster, an original 1962 Lotus 7 and a 2005 TVR Sagaris, which is the only one in the United States.

“We’re all about supporting the community and hosting engaging car events, and this is definitely one we’re really excited about,” Michael Bodell, Chief Operating Officer of the Petersen Automotive Museum, told the Courier. “Peterson is taking its Steve McQueen Jaguar XKSS on the rally, which is one of the most significant vehicles in the collection. It’s also one of the most valuable vehicles in the collection, and that is going to be the big one for us. We’ve got a couple of Blower Bentley’s from the late 1920s, and just a host of amazing cars. It’s a very diverse mix of vehicles that will be with us. In total, we should have somewhere around 300 vehicles, but only 75 of those 300 will be on the rally.”

The free and family-friendly event begins at 8 a.m. with a British-themed breakfast on the Petersen Museum’s rooftop, where guests can view the cars up close as they compete for the “Petersen Perfection,” “Best in Show,” “Hammertime Excellence” and “Outlaw” awards. The rally will begin afterward, at 10 a.m., and the cars will be on display for the public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Crescent Drive, at Beverly Hills City Hall, and the Wallis Annenberg Motor court. 

“The fun thing is we just opened a brand-new Bond exhibit called Bond in Motion, which is the first official Bond vehicle exhibit mounted in the United States in partnership with Eon Productions and the Ian Fleming Foundation,” Bodell told the Courier. “So, for the people who do come to the museum, they have the opportunity to come inside the museum and see the exhibit. So that kind of ties the British theme together with James Bond.”

The rally is sponsored by Richard Mille, HSBC Bank, The Maybourne Beverly Hills Hotel, Britbox, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and O’Gara Coach Beverly Hills.

To learn more about BritWeek, visit https://britweek.org. 

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]]> https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2021/11/07/bhusd-interviews-candidates-for-board-vacancy/ Sun, 07 Nov 2021 09:00:00 +0000 https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2021/11/07/bhusd-interviews-candidates-for-board-vacancy/ At its Nov. 2 Special Meeting, the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education interviewed seven applicants who are in the running to fill the board vacancy left by the resignation of Tristen Walker- Shuman.

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At its Nov. 2 Special Meeting, the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education interviewed seven applicants who are in the running to fill the board vacancy left by the resignation of Tristen Walker- Shuman. The candidates interviewed were Michal Amir-Salkan, Judy Friedman, Gabriel Halimi, Brigitte Lifson, Judy Manouchehri, Robert Myers, and Aaron Reitman.

All seven candidates were interviewed in person, one at a time, in 30-minute windows at the Jon Cherney Lecture Hall at Beverly Hills High School. Each applicant was posed the following questions:

Many individuals are unclear about the purpose and scope of the Board of Education. What is one such misguided notion?

Tell us about your strengths and attrib- utes and why we should appoint you to the school board?

What has our district done well over the past 3 years and what has our district done poorly? Be specific. If you are appointed to the board, which one of these will you try to address first?

Please describe in detail any challenge you have faced in a leadership role. How did you resolve the problem? Be as specific as possible.

Briefly explain an issue you believe affects students today and how would you try and solve it?

What do you think is the most effective way to solve a problem or a dispute among Board members?

Do you think is the most effective way to solve a problem or a dispute among Board members?

What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?

How does the District funding differ from ADA (average daily attendance) and how does that impact how we provide student services?

One big issue we may be faced with in the near future is mandatory vaccination for all students. We know there are strong com- munity opinions on both sides of the debate. How would you address the challenge, especially in lieu of LACDPH mandate?

District rankings have dropped in recent years. What issues do you believe the district needs to address in its academic program and offerings. What programs and policies would you advocate for to increase students’ achievement?

Our enrollment has slowly declined over the last decade or more. Explain why this is a problem and what measures you would propose to increase enrollment?

Do you plan on running for a seat in the November 2022 school board election? The Board will deliberate and make a selection at its Nov. 9 meeting.

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The group met with world class restaurants and retail stores including Showfields (experiential retail), Cote (Korean steakhouse), MARKZ Hospitality Inc., Dante (Italian cafe), Unapologetic Food Group (Indian restaurant) Boucherie (French bistro), American Bar (continental cuisine), Motorino (Italian pizzeria), Breads Bakery, Aux Merveilleux de Fed (French bakery) Alta Marea Group (Italian cuisine), Black Seed Bagels, Le Bilboquet (French restaurant), St. Tropez (French cafe) and Casa Nela Hospitality Group (Italian cuisine). 

I think it’s really about building and developing relationships,” Todd Johnson told the Courier. “But we have developed and worked with some of these folks for several years now. For instance, I had first met with Danny Meyer’s 11 years ago about Shake Shack. And at the time, he had no interest in going outside of the state of New York.”

The delegation met with the Dinex Group to welcome the Michelin starred French restaurant, DANIEL, helmed by Chef Daniel Boulud. The popular Upper East Side restaurant will open at 9200 Wilshire Blvd., where the Mandarin Oriental residences will be.  

“We met with two other restaurants that are really close to signing deals,” Johnson told the Courier. “I can’t say their names, but they’re both Michelin starred and they’re actually both looking at sites on Camden Drive, so that street would all of a sudden come alive.”

“We need to bring casual dining restaurants in our city,” Johnson told the Courier. “Not everyone is going to be able to go to Avra, or Spago, or Nusr-Et and all these places. I think a really good bagel place like Breads Bakery or Black Seed Bagels would just really do well.”

Business retention meetings were held with Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), Ralph Lauren, Hudson’s Bay Company, the Richemont Group, Kering, Saint Laurent, David Yurman and SHVO (Beverly Hills developer). 

According to Johnson, Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), the holding company for luxury department store, Saks Fifth Avenue, has big plans for Wilshire Boulevard, taking over the stretch from Camden to Roxbury. “They want to end up putting all their men’s and women’s into the old Barney’s,” Johnson said. HBC is looking at potentially adding mixed-use living units, a hotel, and a walkway in the back with greenspace. “They’re moving forward on that.”

“The Bouchon space has been filled by Craig’s in West Hollywood, but I think they’re going to call it Tommy’s,” Johnson told the Courier. “Tommy was the maître d’ with a huge following, so he’s counting that people will come over there and see him, so that’s exciting.”

With businesses on Rodeo Drive reporting a significant increase in revenue from 2019, Johnson noted that “people are generally pretty optimistic about how the business climate in city is going.”

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“I just want to acknowledge a hearty thank you for the honorable Mr. Goldstein for putting his hat in the ring. For any inconvenience that the miscalculation caused, I think as a board, we’re sorry for the slip up, but we’re all human, we make mistakes. I think the right thing to do is advance the seven candidates,” said Board member Noah Margo. 

After the Board discussed logistics, Margo made a motion to conduct interviews of the seven applicants on Nov. 2. “We will interview all the candidates with a 40-minute window for each candidate. Following that meeting, we will set a meeting to deliberate and vote,” said Margo. The motion was seconded by Mary Wells and passed unanimously with a 4-0 vote.

All seven candidates will be interviewed on the same day, one at a time. The interviews will be conducted in person during an open session and will be broadcast live from the Jon Cherney Lecture Hall at Beverly Hills High School. Each applicant will have to provide a negative COVID test before their respective interview slots. 

Board members will submit five to six questions to BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy by Oct. 29. “I don’t think we need to be too exhaustive,” Board member Dr. Amanda Stern said. “I think that maybe five or six questions could really help us. I think we all have a good sense of these seven at this time, but we do have to think carefully about how we would like to prepare our interview questions.” 

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In May, the PWC unanimously agreed to recommend the ordinance to the Council, and the Council unanimously agreed to move forward on the proposed ordinance at its Sept. 21 meeting. The ordinance goes into effect on Nov. 27. 

“In order for Beverly Hills to continue to be an iconic brand, we need to be forward thinking and leaders in various industries, including adopting sustainable methodologies,” PWC Commissioner, Sharona Nazarian, told the Courier. “We want to encourage our business community and stakeholders to foster a culture to reduce the consumption of single use plastics before these unwanted items are placed in our to-go food bags and subsequently in our landfills.”

Insurmountable amounts of disposable foodware accessories fill the City’s waste stream, polluting the land and ocean, according to the staff report. The production of plastic cutlery contributes to the depletion of natural resources, increases greenhouse gas emission on manufacturing, and its decomposition further increases the greenhouse gas emissions coming from landfills. Since disposable foodware accessories are generally not recyclable and disposed of in landfills, the ordinance will help manage waste and pollution from these items. 

Instead of automatically included disposable items, popular food service delivery apps like DoorDash or Postmates already feature an option to request cutlery on their platforms. 

“There were several public hearings on it, staff went to the Chamber of Commerce, and they also reached out to various restauranteurs in the city, and the comments were generally very positive and in favor of it,” PWC Chair Charles Alpert told the Courier. “It’s sort of like a win-win for the restaurants, too, who get to save some money if they don’t have to give out ketchup packages and plastic silverware with every order. I think there’s a feeling that this was a first step and there’s a lot more to do regarding packaging for takeout food in general. We haven’t tackled Styrofoam, and other types of packaging, so I’m hoping that next year we’ll do a follow up ordinance.”

To help food service establishments comply with noticing requirements, the city will provide the appropriate signage in both Spanish and English. Businesses that use foodware dispensers are exempted from the ordinance and will be allowed to continue their use. After educational efforts have been exhausted, businesses will be subject to enforcement fines by the city. For first and second violations, businesses will receive a notice, and then a $25 fine will be enforced each day after the second violation notice. Fines are not to exceed $300 annually. After conducting community outreach campaigns and activities, staff found stakeholders and residents to be very supportive of the ordinance, with letters from regional environmental groups urging the city to expand the scope. 

“We have to think outside the box and become more comfortable with finding ways to reduce costs while saving our environment,” Nazarian told the Courier. “That is what the Disposable Foodware Accessory Ordinance accomplishes. Big changes come from many small steps forward.”

To learn more, visit 

http://www.beverlyhills.org/departments/publicworks/recyclingandconservation/disposablefoodwareaccessories/web.jsp?NFR=1.  

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Since winning their last regular league match on Oct.19 against El Segundo High School, the girls tennis team emerged at the top of the league. The team made headlines in May of 2020 by defeating Flintridge Prep in six straight matches and ultimately winning the CIF championship.

“It’s been a really awesome season,” Maya Goldkorn, a senior on the team, told the Courier. “I think we definitely carried over a lot of the enthusiasm from last year and the team got really close. We got a lot of brand-new players this year too that have been incredible, and it’s just been fun to play because I think we have a very solid lineup.” Ellis, too, remarked on the quality of players, saying, “they’re solid from top to bottom.”

According to Goldkorn, things are starting to feel “more normal” since the team can go compete at other schools and take the bus there wearing masks. 

“I think part of the reason that we’ve been doing pretty well is because we have a lot of team spirit and our team is very bonded,” Goldkorn said. “Sometimes after games we go to In-N-Out on the way back and everyone’s always supporting each other and cheering for one another.”

While Goldkorn doesn’t plan to continue her tennis career in college, she said “but I think a lot of girls on the team definitely have what it takes.” The tennis CIF playoffs start the first week of November. 

“We’re wrapping up a lot of our fall seasons right now,” Director of District Athletics, Tim Ellis, told the Courier. “The girls volleyball team finished up last week and they are the Ocean League champions. They did a great job, and they will start the CIF playoffs next weekend.” After defeating Leuzinger High School 3-2 on Oct. 11, the BHHS varsity girls’ volleyball team will compete in the CIF Los Angeles City Championship Finals on Nov. 5-6. 

On Nov. 2, the girls and boys track will compete in their Ocean League cross country finals, where all six schools in the league get together and run. 

“We got exciting young new coaches for cross country, and the team is doing very well,” Ellis told the Courier. “Danielle and Josh Hollander are both outstanding young cross-country runners. They are both very solid runners and they’ve been running since they were freshmen.” Danielle came in first in her division at the prestigious Woodbridge Invitational Cross County Classic presented by ASICS America a few weeks ago, and Josh and came in seventh. 

“The boys’ water polo will not make the playoffs,” and the football team, said Ellis, “is struggling, but they’re there.” 

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“We appreciate when members of our community step up to really sign up for this kind of backroom tireless work that has to get done and keep everything in compliance,” Board Member Noah Margo said. “And for anybody that even put their name in for that, I appreciate it.”

According to CBOC bylaws, the committee must have one member who is active in a business organization representing the Beverly Hills business community; one member active in a senior citizens’ organization; one member who is a parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the district; one member who is both a parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the district and active in the PTSA; one member who is active in a bona fide taxpayers’ organization; one member with a finance background; and one member with a construction background.

The district sought applicants from the following positions: taxpayers organization member, business organization member, senior citizens’ organization member, at large member, parent or guardian member, parent or guardian/ Parent Teacher Association member, construction background and finance background. The CBOC’s newest members range from financial consultants to the executive vice president of the PTA at Horace Mann school, bringing varied experience to the table. The new members will be filling the vacancies of Jason Rund and Richard Schreiber. 

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Nationwide, over 600 similar Women’s March events took place over the weekend, including in Downtown L.A., Long Beach, West Hollywood, Pasadena, Malibu, Van Nuys, and several Orange County communities. The event was organized by longtime Beverly Hills resident, Colleen Rabin. According to Rabin, 299 people registered to attend Saturday’s sign holding event.

“I hosted the BH rally because now is a crucial time to speak up for reproductive freedom,” Rabin told the Courier. “We shouldn’t have to fight for Women’s Rights 50 years after Roe v. Wade! I don’t want young women to experience what it is like to live during an era when women don’t have the option of a safe and legal abortion but are forced to give birth.”

Now known for filing high-profile sexual abuse and discrimination lawsuits, Allred has represented Norma McCorvey (“Jane Roe”) in Roe v. Wade and in 1995, the family of Nicole Brown Simpson in the OJ Simpson murder trial. Standing at a podium in front of the lily pond, Allred shared with the crowd her own experience of having a back-alley abortion in California in the 1960s after she was raped at gunpoint in Mexico. “We are here today to send a message [to] the U.S. Supreme Court to keep abortions safe and legal,” Allred told the cheering crowd. “I’m just excited to be here in Beverly Hills and see all of you. You know, shopping is a great thing in Beverly Hills, but activism is even better.”

Held two days ahead of the Supreme Court reconvening, organizers hoped to influence justices to uphold Roe v. Wade in advance of a Mississippi case attempting to prohibit all abortions after 15 weeks. “We’re going to send the Supreme Court and lawmakers across the country a clear, unified message. The attack on our reproductive rights will not be tolerated,” states the Women’s March website.

Alongside Allred, Smith, the Texas teenager, addressed the crowd and encouraged their efforts. “We cannot, we will not, go back to the days where the only way to end a pregnancy is to risk our lives, or go back to the days where the only way to access our reproductive rights was through a coat hanger,” Smith told the crowd. “We are not a vessel for reproduction, we are human beings. And it’s about time we get treated like it. The tentacles of this nation are freedom, liberty, and equality, and when a government turns its back on those principles, we will not stay silent about it.”

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The resolution came after the board’s Sept. 28 vote approving that the vacancy be filled by a provisional appointment instead of holding a special election. According to Board President Rachelle Marcus, the county estimated the cost of holding a special election to be $480,000. The appointee will hold office for the remainder of Walker-Shuman’s term, which expires on Dec. 2, 2022. 

The new board member application asks candidates 20 questions, ranging from why they want to be a school board member, to elaborating on the district’s strengths and identify areas for improvement. Sample questions include: “How does the board’s role differ from that of the superintendent?”; “What should be the relationship between the board members and the administration in the handling of school concerns?” and “Briefly describe your commitment to public education and our local school district, among others.” Before submitting, applicants will be asked to sign their names and certify that all the information provided is accurate. 

To be eligible to apply for appointment to the Board of Education, an individual must be at least 18 years old; be a resident of the Beverly Hills Unified School District; be a registered voter in the state of California, and not be disqualified from holding civil office by the constitution or any state law. BHUSD employees may not be sworn into office as an elected or appointed member of the board unless they resign as an employee. 

To verify residential eligibility, visit: https://www.bhusd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=799244&type=d&pREC_ID=1656629. 

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The new designs feature playful text and photorealistic elements imposed over vibrant blues, pinks, greens, and oranges that aim to attract the attention of pass-through traffic. The city uses these high visibility outdoor advertisements to celebrate the season and encourage passersby to shop, dine and stay in Beverly Hills. The personalized pole banners include “Merry and Bright” with coral snowflakes, acorns, and wrapped gifts; “Festival of Lights” with a Hanukkah menorah and dreidels; “Christmas Delight” with gold ornaments and “Sparkle Tonight” with champagne bottles and flutes for New Year’s Eve. On the opposite side of each design reads “xoxo BH” in gold lettering, with the Beverly Hills shield’s reflective gold texture amplified and the BOLD logo at the bottom. Pending approval from the full City Council on Oct. 12, the new designs will be installed citywide by Nov. 18–except for Rodeo Drive, which has its own holiday banners. 

The street pole banners that are currently in place throughout the Business Triangle display the “Welcome to” banner campaign with images of the lily pond or a couple in a convertible driving down Rodeo Drive, among others. During the 2020 holidays, the #BHHealthyCity COVID-19 messaging banners were up, and holiday banners were not installed. In 2017, the BOLD Holiday banners were designed and used during 2017, 2018, and 2019. 

“My goal is to have a similar experience as we did with the last BOLD banners, where it would last at least for three years, as well,” Bosse said. “I think it’s whimsical, and yet traditional. I find it interesting. I appreciate that you’ve taken the direction from the Council to make sure that we include Hanukkah, and that we have holidays.”

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The last board member election held during a regular election, in November of 2020, cost the district approximately $49,875. According to Education Code Section 5091(a)(1), a governing board has 60 days from the date of the vacancy or the filing of a deferred resignation to either make a provisional appointment or order a special election to fill the vacancy, which would be paid for by the district. Eligible candidates must be 18 years of age and a citizen of the state; a registered voter; a resident of the school district; not an employee of the school district (or the employee must resign before taking office) and not otherwise disqualified from holding office. While there is no specific process identified in the law concerning how potential candidates should be vetted, Board Bylaw 9223 states: “The Board shall accept nominations for Board membership at a public meeting and shall select the provisional appointee from among these nominees by a majority vote.”

“I have no one in mind, and I’m going to be very open minded when it comes to selecting a new person,” BHUSD Board President Rachelle Marcus told the Courier. “I’m looking for someone that comes in with some knowledge of the school district, so that they can fill in very quickly, someone who is able to make independent decisions, and someone who can work well with all the members of the school board. They don’t have to agree with them, but they have to be able to work with them.” The appointed candidate will serve for the rest of Walker-Shuman’s term, which expires Nov. 8, 2022. According to Marcus, this will be the fourth provisional appointment the Board will make. The district is expected to solicit candidate applications by advertising in local media as early as next week. A provisional appointment can be rejected with a petition signed by 1.5 %of registered voters in Beverly Hills. 

The issue of Walker-Shuman’s residency surfaced after an anonymous complaint sent on Aug. 26 alleged that Walker-Shuman had moved from Beverly Hills to Pittsburgh in August, thus disqualifying her from the position. 

Regarding Walker-Shuman’s resignation, Board member Noah Margo said, “I look to our community now and ask what we can learn from this unfortunate situation, whether you agree or not, with the events that led to our current vacancy.”

Margo continued, adding, “Based on the true evidence, what happened here isn’t a good thing. As part of our reflection and analysis, it’s important to consider the motivations that led here. Why would certain community members work so hard to disrupt a school board that has voted unanimously 99 percent of the time? Who ultimately stands to gain from disrupting your united school board in a time of pandemic and educational progress? I can only speculate as to the answers to these important questions.”

COVID-19 Guidance

Last week, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health (Public Health) released updated guidance that gives school districts the option to allow unvaccinated students who have come into contact with a positive COVID-19 case to continue attending in-person classes under a modified quarantine (MQ). In order to qualify, the following criteria must be agreed on: the exposure took place in a school setting, supervised by school staff; the exposed student and the person with a COVID-19 diagnosis both wore a mask consistently and correctly during the entire exposure period, including outdoor exposures; they must test twice weekly during MQ; they will have a visual identifier, such as a sticker or wristband to notify staff of their MQ status; they can only participate in regular school curriculum/instruction provided during school hours and no after-hours sports or activities; they must wear a mask at all times, indoors and outdoors; and they must eat and drink six feet away from other students. Under the new guidelines, the district will allow unvaccinated students who have been exposed to another student positive with COVID-19 as a close contact to immediately return if they’re eligible through a modified quarantine. 

“That is the most significant shift in all of the LA County Department of Public Health protocols in the last 18 months,” BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said. “Having students that have been exposed to the virus, who obviously have a higher risk of transmitting COVID-19 than students that do not, and allowing these students back onto our campus, raises the responsibility for all of our staff to ensure that these rules are followed for those families that choose this brand-new modified quarantine option.”

Those who don’t feel comfortable adhering the requirements do not have to participate in MQ. According to Bregy, as of Sept. 24, 16 out of the 79 school districts in Los Angeles County, including BHUSD, have adopted the option of a modified quarantine. “So far, we have not had any families say no to modified quarantine,” Bregy added. As of Sept. 29, there are seven positive active cases of COVID-19 among students and two among staff.

“I advocate for any decision that we can make that would protect not only students’ health first, but keeping schools open as well,” Margo said. “I think that that is mandatory in keeping people mentally healthy during this pandemic, making sure that school is still an option.”

Regarding the new testing policy for students, Bregy said, “As the pandemic continues, we need to continue the layers of protection that we have for our students.” While details about what types of PCR tests being offered have not been released, Marcus told the Courier there will be “options.”

The next BHUSD Board of Education meeting will be held virtually on Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. 

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“Mason just wanted to participate in a normal ritual for all kids: school,” said Heather Woodring, Mason’s last teacher at Horace Mann. His former classmates stood alongside her. Jenny Gordon, creator and director of the City’s “A Taste of Broadway” musical theater program, recalled Mason’s strength and courage as a solo number onstage after completing his first outpatient dose of chemotherapy. Gordon and her student ensemble performed two musical numbers. A fellow patient at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Malakai, sang an original song he wrote titled “See You Again.” Malakai was diagnosed with Liver Cancer the same day Mason received his diagnosis. 

“This goes out to a special friend, Mason,” Malakai said. “My friend, we battled cancer together, and he didn’t make it. This song is dedicated to him and his family.”

Throughout his treatment and beyond, parents Jenn Duncan and Stacey Book adopted the slogan “Not Today Cancer” as their battle cry. Since losing their son, they began a licensed nonprofit organization called Not Today Cancer, with a mission to support cancer research and cure childhood cancer. “We believe pediatric cancer should be a curable disease,” reads the mission statement. “There is cutting edge research happening to make that a reality, but pediatric cancer receives a shockingly low amount of funding.”

The nonprofit will be hosting its first annual 5K run at Roxbury Park on Sept. 26 at 9:30 a.m. to raise money for Pediatric Cancer Research. To participate, become a sponsor, or learn more, visit: https://www.nottodaycancer.care/. 

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The City Council directed staff to create a process for converting the temporary no-fee OpenBH program parklets and expanded outdoor dining uses into a long-term, fee-based program for review again this December. Considerations include timelines for approval of temporary to long-term conversions, which would be implemented throughout 2022 and creating a draft guide of design standards for parklets that would be developed using an existing contracted design firm, with outreach to stakeholders and OpenBH program participants. Additional considerations include the process for reviewing and approving parklets; code changes necessary to approve conversions; a new scaled fee structure depending on size of expansion; parklet fees and adjustments to open air dining sidewalk fees, including annual lease costs. In moving forward, the Council will split into two subcommittee groups: one would be focused on broader policy considerations, including code and fee structure changes, and another focused on design and operating standards. 

In total, 134 businesses have utilized the OpenBH program since it began in June of 2020. Currently, there are 88 businesses in the program, and 30 outdoor dining street parklets. With lost revenue from waived permit fees, parking meters, and absorbing one-time traffic control costs, the fiscal impact of the current no-fee OpenBH program comes out to around $1.4 million each year. 

During the public comment period, business owners, restaurant staff, patrons, residents, stakeholders, and more expressed support for OpenBH, while also highlighting concerns about parking, noise, safety, and accessibility. President and CEO of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, Todd Johnson, expressed continued support for the program and recommended removing noticing requirements for permanent outdoor dining, establishing a fee structure and more. 

“Certainly, we need to continue this program in its current form until three months after permanent design standards are in place,” Johnson said. “And something that certainly everyone knows, that sitting outside and enjoying the weather that we have is wonderful, there are some loud cars that go up and down the street.”

Shallom Berkman, owner of Urth Caffé, requested that the Council continue the OpenBH program through 2022, in order to recoup losses incurred from 2020. “The outdoor seating is truly enjoyed by the community,” Berkman added. “I get numerous comments from the community about how much they love the parklet seating, and everyone hopes that it will continue.”

“I do think we need to improve the crowd control,” Spago General Manager Steve Scott Springer said. “Sometimes when volume increases, the crowd control can get a little out of control.” Springer shared he has seen an increase in marijuana smoking, adding “we don’t want our guests walking through all of that.”

“We are hopeful that the OpenBH program remains in effect for at least another year, and that Spago and other businesses can recoup their substantial investments in creating outdoor dining,” Barbara Lazaroff, co-owner of Spago, said. “We accept that when construction commences for the North portal on Beverly, the Canon art wall will need to be removed and therein, our pavilion as well. We hope to plan for other solutions prior to that point.”

The City Council unanimously agreed that open air dining was, and continues to be, a success in Beverly Hills. The Council was uniform in supporting a reimagined version of OpenBH, with reformulated policy, design standards for parklets, and code and fee structure changes related to outdoor dining.  

“I love OpenBH, but when you eat out, it can feel like you’re eating next to a freeway,” Mayor Wunderlich said. “There’s the noise issue, there’s the safety issues, there’s the mobility issues that have been brought up. And so those also are things that I think it will be good for us to consider in these conversations going forward.”

“Many, including me, are delighted by the OpenBH program,” Wunderlich concluded. “And to be permanent, though, we do need to consider the issues that were discussed today.”

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“We have hit that threshold in the past,” Magdalena Davis, the city’s Special Events and Filming Coordinator, said. “It’s hard to say at any one point how many people might be on the street. But over this period of time, between staff and guests, which is what the county currently counts towards 10,000, we have had that before.” 

In years past, the city-sponsored signature holiday program has attracted crowds of more than 10,000 people. Even before the new Public Health Order, the Rodeo Drive Committee (RDC) was concerned about enforcing mask requirements, particularly because the event does not have one entrance or exit.

The Holiday Lighting Celebration kickoff is scheduled to take place on Nov. 18, from 5-8 p.m., encompassing all three blocks of Rodeo Drive, from Santa Monica Boulevard to Wilshire Boulevard, with non-stop entertainment across three stages. The Rodeo Drive/Special Events/Holiday Program Committee’s proposal for the 2021 festivities include fireworks; three stages with coordinated and choreographed performances in 15-minute increments; live models available for photo opportunities; stilt performers; food trucks with kosher and vegan options; a beer and wine garden; holiday helpers on bicycles handing out candy and ornaments; break-dancers; music and Santa Claus in a red sports car.

“The Rodeo Drive Committee will follow state, county and city health protocols as the safety of the community and visitors remains our top priority,” Kathy Gohari, President of the Rodeo Drive Committee, told the Courier. “Updated requirements and guidelines will be posted with event information on the city and Rodeo Drive websites. Attendees are encouraged to check back into the event pages for the latest information.” 

Should the Nov. 18 event be canceled, purchase orders approved with J. Ben Bourgeois Productions Inc., the company producing the event, would only be partially refunded. Councilmember John Mirisch pushed city staff to plan for a robust virtual celebration, given the ever-changing state of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Maybe we should be offering people it virtually anyway,” Mirisch said. “But if it’s not safe to have it, would that not be the way to go rather than to lose the funding?”

The Council directed staff to explore contingency plans, including options for live streaming the event with enhanced virtual components, masking, and options to ensure the show goes on. 

The Council also reviewed designs for the rebrand of the “My Beverly Hills” shop local program, which launched in 2014 and aims to encourage public engagement between local businesses and incentivize residents and visitors to increase the number of dollars locals spend within the city. As part of the Chamber of Commerce’s Work Plan contract with the City, the shop local program will be rebranded from the existing “My Beverly Hills” to “Now Beverly Hills.”  Having garnered support from council liaisons Mayor Robert Wunderlich and Vice Mayor Lili Bosse on Aug. 31, the new design features the word “Now” inside the city’s iconic shield, with Beverly Hills appearing underneath the shield, in orange, pink, and turquoise color variants. The new logo will be used for new street pole banner designs, social media assets, website branding and more.

During the Study Session, other councilmembers were less than enthusiastic about the direction of the rebrand design concept. “It left me confused and very unexcited,” Councilmember Julian Gold, M.D., said.

“The word ‘now,’ for us, incorporated many things together, such as the time for Beverly Hills is now, and it’s now for a variety of reasons,” Wunderlich said.  “Our thought, whether you felt it or not, was that the time for Beverly Hills is now gets incorporated into the word ‘now,'” he added.

Ultimately, the City Council directed staff to move forward with the phrase “Now Beverly Hills” but incorporate a visual element, beyond static images, and incorporate other taglines with broad appeal. 

The Council also considered The Beverly Hills Experience mobile app, which launched on Aug. 10. Members of the Beverly Hills Historical Society presented the new platform to the Council. The app features walking tours of Beverly Hills; videos with facts about the city, photographs, and stories; landmarks and the best locations for “selfie” photographs; stories about some of the city’s most famous residents; an interactive Lily Pond panorama, which allows visitors and residents to view the city as it was in 1915; biographies of 24 famous Beverly Hills neighbors; an augmented reality experience feature, and more. Those who download the free app also receive free access to Robbie Anderson’s book, “Beverly Hills: The First 100 Years.” 

The City Council was unanimous in its praise for the app, seeing it as an opportunity for historians as well visitors and residents. 

“However the city can support this, we should,” Mirisch said. 

“We’ve already started the ball rolling in the promotional efforts,” added the city’s Chief Communication Officer, Keith Sterling.

BHTV is in the process of preparing a video promotion on the app that the city hopes to share. Sterling added that his team is “supporting this app 100 percent and promoting it in all the ways that we know how to promote things, because we see it as a true asset for us.” 

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Reminiscent of a Louis Vuitton workshop, one stage features a selection of the Maison’s trunks in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, exotic leather goods, and made-to-order collectibles from the brand’s games and home collection. Another stage is designed as a Parisian apartment decorated in a monochrome palette, where gowns worn by Hollywood starlets are on view beside one-of-a-kind leather handbags, recherché watches and fine jewelry displayed in LV trunks. A third stage evokes a beautiful seascape with a beach set up, displaying an orange surfboard designed by multimedia artist, Alex Israel, featuring three custom-made fins. Next to a lifeguard house, a picnic on the beach displays a monogrammed trunk with neatly housed flatware and cutlery that serves four. Modular furniture pieces designed in new colorways by Damien Langlois-Meurinne and Tokujin Yoshioka made their North America debut in the space, juxtaposed next to hard-sided trunks throughout. 

Wearable pieces are dispersed throughout the space, as well, including classic bag styles for men and women such as Capucines, Keepalls, and Sac Plats that have been reimagined in unique finishes and colors. Select pieces from the new Louis Vuitton x Fornasetti collection are also displayed in the Savoir Faire Universe and available to purchase. 

To learn more, visit www.louisvuitton.com. 

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“The city of Beverly Hills always wants to remember what occurred on 911 and never forget,” BHFD Chief Greg Barton told the Courier. “We never want to forget the firefighters, the police officers, and the civilians who lost their lives that day 20 years ago. It’s so important to this community to remember those who gave their lives during this time, and we want to continue every year to have this ceremony and honor those people.”

The Beverly Hills 9/11 Memorial Garden is open daily to the public, honoring the 2,977 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center site, near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon.

The memorial garden includes a 30-foot steel floor beam pulled from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, which folded in half following the day’s destruction, and now stands 18 feet tall. The beam is supported by a raised Pentagon shaped base with the names of all 2,977 lives lost etched onto stainless steel plaques. The artifact is positioned next to two stone replicas of the Twin Towers and six stone column water features that represent life and hope for the future. The space is encircled by curved granite benches for visitors wanting to sit, reflect, and honor the events of that day. The surrounding greenery is representative of the field in Shanksville, Pa. The memorial was created with attention to lighting and landscaping to ensure its visibility day or night.

Enclosed in the foundation are copies of the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Gettysburg Address, and a piece of the aircraft from Flight 77 along with captain’s insignia wings.

Located on the Fire Department grounds at 445 North Rexford Drive on the North/West corner of Rexford and South Santa Monica Boulevard, the memorial was inaugurated on September 11, 2011, in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

To watch the evening ceremony, live online, visit: beverlyhills.org/LIVE. 

To learn more, visit: https://beverlyhills911memorial.org/

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Kicking off at 5 p.m. at the Virginia Robinson Gardens, the celebration will honor the heroic front-line workers and their resilient staff that have served over 15,000 families in L.A. County even during the pandemic. For the past six years, El Nido Family Centers has partnered with Robinson Gardens holding its Garden Gala at the estate.

“It’s important to celebrate El Nido’s work throughout the pandemic and strengthen the road ahead for our families,” Chair of the Garden Gala and El Nido Board Member, Meredith Messer Fried, said. “El Nido has continued and expanded their vital services during this critical time. I believe this event will provide much needed funding for L.A.’s critical safety net and provide a healing and celebratory experience for guests and supporters who are finally able to come together.”

This year, the Garden Gala will feature the sounds of Lizzy & The Triggermen in concert, which L.A. Weekly dubbed “10-piece jazz sensations.” Lizzy & the Triggermen are known for wailing horns, amazing vocals, and rhythm section, channeling sounds of the ’20s and ’30s. El Nido Board Member, Sylvia Lopez, former KCBS / KCAL news anchor for 30-years, hosts the program. The Supper Club-themed dinner will be prepared by #PezCantina, owned by husband-and-wife duo, Chef Bret Thompson and Lucy Ramirez Thompson. 

For more information visit https://aesbid.co/ELP/ELNIDO21/.

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Enrollment is limited. Registration Fee: $75 (scholarships available). 

To learn more about “Staged Stories” visit: https://thewallis.org/StagedStories?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EduFall21Classes&utm_content=version_A.

To learn more about “Beyond Words” visit: https://thewallis.org/BeyondWords?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EduFall21Classes&utm_content=version_A. 

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As part of the Chamber’s Work Plan contract with the city, the shop local program will be rebranded from the existing “My Beverly Hills” branding to “Now Beverly Hills.” At its Aug. 31 Chamber of Commerce Committee Liaison meeting, City Council Liaisons Mayor Robert Wunderlich and Vice Mayor Lili Bosse provided feedback and approved a rebrand design concept presented by Symblaze, a full-service digital agency contracted for the task. Reinvented as Now Beverly Hills, the new design features the word “Now” inside the city’s iconic shield, with Beverly Hills appearing underneath the shield, in orange, pink, and turquoise color variants. 

The new logo will be used for new street pole banner designs, social media assets, website branding and more. Having garnered support and suggestions from council liaisons, Symblaze will develop additional campaign designs to present for final approval from the City Council at its Sept. 14 Study Session. With funding already incorporated into the city’s contract with the Chamber, the launch of the rebranded Shop Local program is expected to proceed in October 2021. 

“For Beverly Hills, that shield shape is very powerful,” Josh Morgerman, co-founder of Symblaze, said. “People all over the LA Metro area and beyond, they know that shield as a Beverly Hills thing.”

Last year, the program encouraged people to patronize local restaurants by running an outdoor dining campaign, featuring businesses that were participating in the City’s OpenBH program. During the 2020 holiday season, the “My Beverly Hills” program launched a “Shop Local, Get Local” campaign where locals who shopped at retailers in the city could use their receipts to be entered into weekly contests, raffling gift cards to local restaurants. The shop local program is complimentary to partake in, with over 4,000 email subscribers and steady attendance at mixers. 

“I think Beverly Hills now can speak to a resident and encourage me, as a resident, to shop and dine in the Beverly Hills of the now, what is currently here,” Vice Mayor Lili Bosse said. “I feel that it also makes people who don’t live in our city, who were coming to visit either as tourists or if they live in West Hollywood or Westwood, they know what we have now.”

“I was thinking that the symbolism of it would be that it’s uniting something different and preserving something that’s the same,” Mayor Robert Wunderlich said of incorporating the Beverly Hills shield into the rebranding.

“It’s the recognizable iconic figure,” Bosse said. “Everybody knows that’s our shield, but you know what, this is us now.”

To learn more about the shop local program, visit http://www.mybeverlyhills.net/.   

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In the late 1930’s, Scotti had initially traveled to San Francisco to create a mural for the Golden Gate International Exposition held at San Francisco’s Treasure Island, but was subsequently engaged to undertake a project creating a mural in the gym. Made in 1938 on upwards of 30 canvas panels, the piece depicts scenes of ranch and farm life with horses, sheep, and cattle and has been considered as a nod to early agrarian years in Beverly Hills. 

With renovations underway at the swim gym and decades of exposure to chlorine, talk of potentially covering, restoring, or moving the celebrated mural has raised concerns in the community. With that, the Cultural Heritage Commission has come on to help find a viable solution for the piece.

The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education has preliminarily considered covering the mural and moving it elsewhere, intact, to allow more wall space for school memorabilia from sporting tournaments in the gym. However, no decision has been made regarding the mural, its restoration, covering, or removal at this time. 

According to Mark Odell, urban designer for the city of Beverly Hills, BHUSD staff is considering other locations for school memorabilia in conjunction with the construction of an additional school facility, Building C.

However, during the meeting, vice chair of the Cultural Heritage Commission, Kimberly Reiss, raised questions. “I’m not sure that this mural was part of the WPA project in California,” Reiss said. “It is not on the list of New Deal artwork.”

“If you look carefully at the mural, what we think might be early California, I think is more likely, Argentina,” Reiss said. “And if you look at the people and what they’re wearing, it would seem to point in that direction. This is purely speculative on my part, but I do believe that it’s depicting early Argentina commerce, and there’s horses and rams and a family.” 

Reiss also voiced concerns about possible chlorine damage to the piece from years of being housed above an Olympic sized swimming pool. “I don’t think it was intended to be in a room that had a lot of chlorine,” Reiss added. “In order to save this piece, I would personally be open to relocating. I know that’s not Kosher in preservation, but I believe that the work of art is more important than its location.”

Her findings sparked questions about the mural’s historical relevance to the community, too.”There’s also evidence that Scottie, among other artists, created many murals for the Argentine pavilion at the Golden Gate Expo,” Reiss said. 

“Scotti won awards for the murals that he completed in that pavilion,” Reiss added. “And I personally am led to believe that, after that Expo was completed, they didn’t have a place for this mural, and therefore it was offered to the community.”

The Golden Gate International Exposition opened in October of 1939 and ran through May of 1940 to celebrate the city’s two newly built bridges: the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge. The swim gym at Beverly Hills High School was built in 1939. Commissioners hypothesized, given the overlapping dates and the size of the mural, few structures were big enough to house such a piece, making the gym an ideal location. 

“It may be worth preserving, and maybe we can find some place that’s big enough,” Chair Craig Corman said. “I mean, it’s been there all these years, so it’s certainly part of our culture. But it’s interesting that it wasn’t original, or may not have been original, to the design, and may not even depict what everyone thought it depicted all these years.”

While no action was taken on the matter, staff and commissioners have been tasked with uncovering the true origins of the mural before making any recommendations directly to the school board for future review. The next Cultural Heritage Commission meeting will be held on Oct. 13.  

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In years past, the lighting ceremony has attracted crowds of more than 10,000 people. Currently, gatherings of that size are classified by Public Health as mega events, and require all attendees to wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status. To help accommodate these guidelines, the Rodeo Drive Committee (RDC) will be handing out custom branded face coverings with a clear center. 

“Our goal is to make it feel like one big party that’s just extended, so you don’t really feel like you’re missing anything,” Kathy Gohari, president of the Rodeo Drive Committee, said. The event will require an overnight street closure of Rodeo Drive from Wilshire Boulevard to South Santa Monica Boulevard, a portion of Brighton Way and Dayton Way. In addition, the RDC has proposed to have an enhanced audio system and playlist for the five weekends between November 18 and Christmas Eve. 

“I think our goal is we want a wonderful holiday lighting evening,” Bosse said. “But the goal is to have a vibrant holiday experience from that day through the holidays.” As planning moves forward, Bosse hopes to confirm that retailers along Rodeo Drive intend to remain open later during the holiday season. Gohari noted that the RDC is asking merchants to extend business hours for three nights: Nov. 18, 19, and 20. 

“We are asking the brands to put their money where their mouth is,” Gohari said. “So, we really want a partnership from everybody.”

She added that many of stores are already very much vested in the holiday programming, and plan to have small cocktail parties kept within their sidewalks and stores. 

“We have reached out to many of these merchants and we’re asking anybody who has a rooftop to create their own installation to create their own moments of VIP rooftops, and to add to the celebration by creating different levels that they can invite guests to,” Gohari said. 

The RDC is requested funds totaling $529,776 for the holiday lighting celebration, and an additional $11,500 to fund the citywide holiday music. The holiday lighting celebration is funded by the Tourism and Marketing budget, funds that have already been approved by the City Council.  

Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Set for Nov. 18 appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

While the Board did not unanimously agree on what measures should be implemented to protect students and staff from the virus, it was clear only that additional safeguards are needed and soon. Parents, too, inundated the public comment period of the meeting, equally making a case for and against compulsory testing and vaccinations. 

On Aug. 25, just nine days into the new school year, the District reported 11 positive cases of COVID-19 among students, and two among staff. Of the 10 students who tested positive, nine were at the high school and  two at Horace Mann Elementary. Of the staff who tested positive, one was at the high school and the other at Horace Mann. 

“Between positive cases and the close contacts, that’s 172 disruptions in eight days…no matter where you are or what side you’re on, in eight days, we’ve had 172 disruptions in our classrooms,” BHUSD Superintendent, Dr. Michael Bregy, said. “And that’s disruptive to the entire class. So, our responsibility is to mitigate those disruptions and get back to what we’re supposed to be doing, and that’s providing a high-quality education, and you can’t do that in an environment where you keep getting kids in and out of classrooms.”

Currently, BHUSD does not mandate regular testing or vaccinations, but testing is in place for students who become symptomatic in class. However, the District does offer free daily COVID-19 rapid antigen testing for all symptomatic and non-symptomatic staff and students at various school sites between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 

While all Board members agreed that more and potentially obligatory testing would be essential to mitigate the spread of the virus, the cabinet did not reach a conclusive consensus around mandatory vaccinations for the eligible student population. 

Fearing a potential onslaught of legal issues, Marcus said “I would love, in a perfect world, to require everyone to get tested. I would require everyone who’s eligible to get vaccinated.” 

Marcus later elaborated her thoughts for the Courier. “I am 100 percent in favor of mandatory and weekly testing because I believe we, as a school district, have the legal right to demand that our students to be tested for the health and safety of all our students, faculty, staff, and the overall community at large.” She added, “The multitude of legal issues surrounding compulsory vaccinations, however, makes me less likely to support this approach until such time that we are assured that we will not be facing costly legal battles which will take money out of our General Fund to litigate. Culver City Unified has not yet seen the onslaught of legal claims from parents who oppose this mandate. If other districts felt that these lawsuits would fail in a court of law, I believe we would see many more school districts passing a mandatory vaccine requirement. I strongly believe we need to continue to educate our community about the life saving protections, to a scientific certainty, that vaccinations provide, and to encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated,” said Marcus.

At the high school level, if a vaccinated student is asymptomatic but tests positive for COVID-19, they can remain at school with a mask. Unvaccinated students who test positive are immediately isolated. “We can impress upon people the importance of being vaccinated, to prevent that type of thing,” Marcus said. “The community needs to wake up and find out that if they want to keep their kids in school, they’ve got to do these things.”

Sympathetic to parents who are concerned about lack of data testing, Board Member Dr. Amanda Stern said: “I stop short of mandating a vaccine at this time.” 

“I would be open to having mandated vaccines,” said Board Member Mary Wells. “But I feel like we need to have a better understanding of what that means for us from a legal standpoint and liability standpoint. So, I would be open to having direction to understand that.”

“Whatever adjustments can be made to our testing procedures to help eliminate the number of cases and protect our students and keep our education consistent, I will get behind,” added Board Member Noah Margo.

The one Board member who took an unequivocal stance was Tristen Walker-Shuman. “We need to do compulsory testing,” Walker-Shuman said during the meeting. “In my opinion, we should mandate vaccines for 16 plus. I believe that’s going to happen in the next month anyway.” Walker-Shuman voiced that she would like to see district wide compulsory testing in place by Sept. 15 and mandatory vaccinations in place by Sept. 30. Walker-Shuman maintained that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should be tested on a regular basis.

As positive COVID-19 cases inching up each day in the District, the Board is uniform in their resolve to keep students healthy and inside the classroom. While the issue of mandatory vaccinations has been pushed back, another layer of protection in the form of expanded testing is in the works. In closing, Bregy said: “We need to get going on the policy writing of that so that we can bring that back to the Board of Education.” 

The post BHUSD Mulls Additional COVID Policies appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The recall ballot will have only two questions for voters. The first is a “yes” or “no” question, asking voters if Gavin Newsom should be recalled and removed from the office of Governor. The second question asks voters who answered “yes” to vote for a particular candidate whom they would like to have to replace Newsom as Governor.

There are 46 candidates listed on the ballot. If more than 50% of voters answer “yes” to the first question, which is the removal of Gavin Newsom as governor, then the candidate with the most votes for question two, which is the listing of candidates, will win. At its Aug. 17 Study Session, the City Council heard updates regarding how and when to vote in the upcoming election.

“This is an important election,” Mayor Robert Wunderlich said. “Multiple ways that we can vote. So, everybody, please vote.”

Vote Centers

The City of Beverly Hills will provide one 11-day vote center for the California Gubernatorial Recall Election at City Hall (455 N. Rexford Drive) in the Municipal Gallery on the second floor. The vote center will be open from Sept. 4 to Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. 

There will be a four-day vote center at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (9876 Wilshire Blvd.) in the Wilshire Ballroom, located near the main entrance of the hotel lobby. Voters can cast their ballots here starting Sept. 11 through 13, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sept. 14, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Both locations will offer free parking. 

Vote by Mail Drop Boxes

Beginning Aug. 16 through Sept. 14, voters can return their ballots using one of two drop boxes located in the city. There are already two secure drop boxes in Beverly Hills, one in the civic center area of City Hall (455 N. Rexford Drive), next to Kelly’s Coffee and Fudge, and at the Roxbury Park Community Center (471 S. Roxbury Drive), near the front entrance of the park. While they are accessible 24 hours a day, both drop boxes will close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. 

The boxes are made of stainless steel and secured to the ground, with protections against liquids and graffiti in place. The mail slot is small enough for only a ballot, and the capacity for each box is about 5000 ballots. The Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder/County Clerk’s office is responsible for the maintenance, management, and collection of ballots. 

Vote by Mail 

Vote by mail has already begun, with all registered voters in Los Angeles County having been sent a vote by mail ballot via UPS that can be filled out and mailed back, with postage already included. Those who are not registered with Los Angeles County can sign up to receive a vote by mail ballot by Aug. 30. To track your ballot, visit: https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/. 

Voters opting to mail in their ballots can do so at one of three postal branches in the city: Crescent Postal Store (323 N. Crescent Drive), Beverly Station (312 S. Beverly Drive), and Beverly Hills Main Office (325 N. Maple Drive, Suite 150). They are all open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Beverly Hills Main Office includes Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Residents can also return their vote by mail ballot at one of the official drop box locations. 

For more information, visit www.beverlyhills.org/elections. 

The post Council Hears Updates On the California Gubernatorial Recall Election appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California would require all teachers and school staff to be vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. This week, Culver City Unified School District made headlines, becoming the first public school to extend vaccine directives to students. “We are mandating vaccines for all eligible staff and students,” the district announced on Twitter on Aug. 17. “We will begin gathering vaccine status data immediately.  The deadline for providing the proof of vaccine is Friday, November 19, 2021, to give everyone the opportunity to make their vaccine plans.” 

When asked if an issue would arise if guidelines were imposed that mandated students at the high school be vaccinated to enter a public indoor space, Bregy said: “So, it’s my understanding that that could never be done locally, that would have to be done from the state of California, which would be way out of our hands. But to my understanding, that type of vaccination for students would have to come from the state.” Bregy estimated about 50 percent of the high school population is vaccinated. Right now, there are no COVID-19 testing requirements for students. However, at BHUSD, testing is in place for students that become symptomatic in class. 

“Larger school districts like LAUSD will claim that that is occurring, that they’re requiring and mandating COVID-19 testing,” Bregy said at the meeting. “But we know that in the very few school districts that are doing it, that they’re plagued with legal bills and challenges… our own attorneys have advised us that at this time, that we would be in a legal quandary if we were requiring students to be able to test in order to attend and participate in school.”

Bregy did indicate though that the district is looking to expand rapid COVID antigen testing for students, beyond those who are symptomatic. Regarding vaccination mandates for staff, Bregy said: “We believe that most of our staff are vaccinated. We are, at this point, as of today, really falling in line with what is required, and that is if somebody is not vaccinated, that they will be tested twice a week. We are not yet at a point where it’s mandated for every single employee.”

Staff that have been vaccinated will still be tested once per week for the virus. 

For students who test positive, there is not a one size fits all approach. At the high school level, if a vaccinated student is asymptomatic but tests positive for COVID-19, they can remain at school with a mask and “still be considered to be safe in our schools.” Unvaccinated students who test positive are immediately isolated. “Then it’s a quarantine period,” Bregy said. “We are then providing instructional support for those students. So, it depends on the grade level, it depends on the, the exposure level that they’ve had, and it also depends a lot on if they were on campus or not.” 

The post BHUSD Addresses COVID Concerns appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Bregy underscored that the numbers are changing each day. “Just today alone, four or five new families came in to register,” he said. Last week, 41 new students registered. 

District saw its numbers decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many of its younger learners moving to private schools resulting from frustration surrounding school closures. “In the next several months, we’ll be able to see this shakeout as far as our enrollment, and then start looking at some of the trends in the entire community,” Bregy added. 

For the 2021-2022 school year, enrollment at the high school is up by 10 from last year with 1,245, and up by five at the middle school with 871. At Hawthorne Elementary, enrollment is down from 557 in 2020 to 520 in 2021. Horace Mann Elementary is seeing the biggest drop, with 559 students, compared to last year’s 609.  

The post Enrollment Update from BHUSD appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“Honestly, he’s very romantic like this all the time,” Samuels told the Courier. 

White Knight at Spago appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Wells served as a director and member of the Executive Committee of The Wallis for 23 years. She was an active member of several Wallis committees including the Architect Selection Committee, Construction Committee, and Landscape Committee. As the namesake of the Wells Family Education Courtyard, she steered generous support to The Wallis early and consistently, allowing the organization to plan ambitiously to include not only performing arts, but also arts learning, education and community service in its programming.

“Luanne Wells was among the longest-serving and most-dedicated members of The Wallis Board of Directors,” Rachel Fine, The Wallis’ Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, said. “As a Beverly Hills High School student, she frequented The Wallis when it was the United States Post Office, which housed her favorite candy store. Her passion for the original historic building is well represented by the beautiful landscaping to which she committed much time, energy and care, as well as the Education Courtyard, which bears her family’s name. With her elegance and grace working in tandem with her intelligence, thoughtfulness and spark, she was an invaluable Board member for more than two decades. She’s irreplaceable and will be deeply missed by everyone at The Wallis.”

Wells and her late husband established Environment Now, where she served as Executive Chairman. Other examples of her philanthropy included the creation of the Frank G. Wells Environmental Law Clinic at UCLA and the launch of the Santa Monica Baykeeper and the San Diego Baykeeper, where she served on the Board of Directors. She spent much of her spare time in Malibu breeding horses and other animals, as well as cultivating various species of trees.

“We are heartbroken over the loss of Luanne,” said daughter in law and BHUSD School Board Member, Mary Wells. “She will leave a huge hole in all our lives. She was truly an exquisite woman with a formidable presence. We will miss her terribly as a loving and fun-loving grandmother, mother and friend. Her generosity and delight in bringing family and friends together created a legacy for all of us.”

Wells was also a member of the California Institute of the Arts’ Board of Trustees, the Getty Conservation Council, the Junior League of Los Angeles, Blue Ribbon of the Los Angeles Music Center, and served on the boards of the Bravo Colorado Vail Valley Music Festival, the Hereditary Disease Foundation, the American Diabetes Association, and Shambala, a rescue program for wild animals.  

The post Remembering Luanne Wells appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The partnership between the Nazarian Foundation and WIZO dates to Israel’s earliest days in the 1950’s, when the Nazarian family matriarch, Goldbahar Aviva Chachami Nazarian–known to everyone as Ima (“mother” in Hebrew) – volunteered at WIZO facilities after making aliya Israel from Iran.

Soraya Nazarian, her daughter Dr. Sharon Nazarian, WIZO President Esther Mor, chairperson Anita Friedman, and dozens of other Nazarian family members and members of the WIZO community attended the day care’s dedication ceremony last week. 

“Research has shown that the investment in children between birth and five years old is critical, and that if you start that young, the rest of their lives will be a path to success,” Dr. Nazarian said at the ceremony. “This facility, and the staff and teachers who are so loving, are the insurance policy of the future of the state of Israel.”

“The Nazarian Family Foundation and WIZO share the belief that education is the most important catalyst for social change,” Mor, said. “By investing in young children, we are investing in Israel’s future as the toddlers in this wonderful center will one day be our nation’s leaders, innovators and defenders.”

Younes and Soraya Nazarian are prominent members of the Iranian Jewish community in Los Angeles, known for their years of philanthropic work, both in America and Israel, in fields such as the arts, health and institutions of higher education.

Soraya became a founding member of WIZO Los Angeles after she and her husband Younes moved to the United States from Iran and remains an active member till this day. At its entrance, the day care center will feature a bronze sculpture created by Soraya of the family matriarch with an inscription telling her story. The sculpture was inspired to give the children a second “Ima.”

“The Nazarian family’s commitment to the advancement of Israeli society is expressed in three main ways – education, art, and medicine,” said Esther Barak Landes, CEO of the Ima Foundation, the Israeli arm of the Nazarian Foundation. Landes added that the fourth goal, which will soon become the foundation’s main focus, is empowering women in society.  

The post LA Philanthropists Open Tel Aviv Day Care Center appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Board members took issue with the $2,850.000 designated from Measure BH for payment to Team Concept Development Services, Inc. for Bond Program Management for Security.

Team Concepts is Don Blake’s company hired by BHUSD to oversee management of bond funds. 

During the meeting, Board member Mary Wells questioned the $2.8 million expenditure to manage bond funds for a security program whose parameters are not fully known yet. 

“We have a purchase order for bond management for security in the amount of $2,800,000,” Wells said. “My issue with it is that I am not comfortable approving this when I do not have an overview of the security program…until we have this information, I’m just not comfortable approving dollars in this amount.” 

Wells added that she had been requesting an overview of the security program since she came on the Board. To date it has not happened. Wells also pointed out that the bond budget itself earmarked $2 million for total security expenditures. 

“I don’t see how that adds up if we’re spending $2.8 million just for the bond management part of the program for security,” she said. 

Wells’ skepticism is justified, according to documents reviewed by the Courier. An April 21 District report for Measure BH project expenditures shows an overall budget for District-wide security of $2.2. million, based on a 2018 budget (the most recent one available). The same report shows payments to Team Concept Development Services, Inc. in the amount of $1.76 million during the period from July 1, 2020 to March 27, 2021 for construction management. 

The question of why an additional $2.8 million payment is in order is one Wells hopes will be addressed at a Study Session on this matter on Sept. 2. (Two prior Study Sessions on the same topic have been canceled.)

Board President Rachelle Marcus shared a viewpoint similar to the one expressed by Wells. At the Board meeting, Marcus noted, “I’m really kind of puzzled that all of this is coming up right now and we haven’t studied the plan itself. So, I personally would like to withhold the $2,850,000 on the purchase order.” 

Marcus moved to amend the approval of the ratification of the Purchase Order, minus the purchase order for Team Concept Development Services Inc. for bond program management on security. 

As acknowledged on the record by BHUSD officials during the Board meeting, the rejected item will not have an immediate impact on security for the start of the school year. In fact, the Board approved Amendment No. 2 in their contract with Nastec International, Inc. for armed security agent services, adding an additional officer at Beverly Hills High School, with a total of three now. At Hawthorne School, Horace Mann and Beverly Vista Middle School, two Nastec guards will be always assigned. Additionally, the Board has approved contracts with CSEA for unarmed security guards, who are assigned to each campus. 

The Courier will update this story as events unfold. 

Additional Matters Considered by the Board

In addition to the Purchase Orders, the Board also considered other orders of business regarding the upcoming school year. Superintendent Dr.  Michael Bregy encouraged BHUSD staff and students aged 12-years-old and above to obtain vaccinations against COVID-19. In order to limit the potential spread of the virus, BHUSD is strongly discouraging non-essential visitors on campus. With classroom capacity limits lifted, three-foot distancing will be maintained when possible. And face masks will be required in all indoor environments. (Currently, face coverings are optional in outdoor settings.) 

“This is the beginning of a new school year,” Bregy said. “We’re very fortunate if you think about it. We’re one of the very few kinds of industries if you will that has an opportunity for a fresh start every single year.” 

The District will conduct daily temperature checks, provide COVID-19 testing on site and impose a 10-day quarantine should someone test positive. If a student tests positive or comes in close contact with someone who did, the school will provide the student with instruction to keep up with what’s happening in the classroom while in isolation. 

“At this time, public schools cannot mandate vaccines for our students,” Bregy said. “This would be something that the state would have to decide, and then we would have to implement it if the state makes that decision. But, as a public school district, we cannot require the COVID-19 vaccine for students.” 

The Board also approved an amendment to the independent study board policy BP 6158, and administrative regulation 6158 for the 2021-2022 school year to meet the requirements of AB 130, which Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law on July 9 this year. For the 2021–22 school year only, AB130 requires school districts and county offices of education to offer independent study as an education option. This requirement does not apply to charter schools. Still, BHUSD will return with a full face-to-face instructional model.  

“Schooling done in person, when possible, feasible and safe, is perhaps our best notion developmentally for children,” said Board Member Amanda Stern. “I don’t want to depart too much from that, however, I’m glad that there is a provision such as AB130 as needed.” 

The Board also approved its second three-year employment agreement with Bregy in the position of superintendent, beginning on July 1, 2022, and expiring on June 30, 2025. “He is dedicated and hardworking, he instituted the three-year strategic plan, and he has one of the most talented cabinet which surrounds him in being able to accomplish everything he does,” Marcus said. “I am thrilled that we have such a consistent and strong administration.” 

At the end of the meeting, Wells made a reference to Terry Tao’s legal engagement letter that was removed from the agenda for approval. The Board is in the process of reviewing the legal contract. “I have been reviewing our legal fees. I really feel that this is somewhat of a blind spot for us and I think we can do better,” said Wells. She went on to say that the District needs to improve the process for making legal expenditures to be more judicious with its spending. 

The post BHUSD Board Rejects $2.8 Million Purchase Order for Security Program Management Fees To Be Paid for with Bond Funds appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The latest trends have officials alarmed, as the Delta variant continues to spread across L.A. County communities. Those who are unvaccinated are at the highest risk of getting and transmitting COVID-19, and risk severe infection. Vaccinated individuals have strong protection against the virus, including the Delta variant, and are considered low risk. 

“Because of the more infectious Delta variant and the intermingling of unmasked individuals where vaccination status is unknown, unfortunately, we are seeing a surge in cases in L.A. County that looks somewhat similar to last summer,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. “An important difference this summer is that with millions of people vaccinated, we are hopeful we will avoid similar increases in deaths that were experienced last year.” 

Not all of the numbers look bad for Beverly Hills, which boasts a high rate of vaccination. Currently, nearly 77% of those 16 or older have received at least one dose of the vaccine. The numbers lag slightly for youths between the ages of 12 and 17, less than 50% of whom have received at least one dose. 

The latest spike comes days after the county updated its mask policy, requiring face coverings be worn inside by all, regardless of vaccination status. The updated order went into place at 11:59 p.m. on July 17. Public Health is also reporting a continued increase in the number of people hospitalized for COVID-19, with 585 people currently hospitalized, 23% of which are in the ICU. Two weeks ago, there were 273 people hospitalized.

“By adding a mask requirement for everyone indoors, the risk for transmission of the virus will be reduced, and with increases in the number of people getting vaccinated, we should be able to get back to slowing the spread. Sensible masking indoors adds a layer of protection to the powerful vaccines. It is important that we work together to drive down transmission so that there will be much less community transmission when schools reopen,” Ferrer said.

Los Angeles County has taken a more proactive stance than the state or federal governments. Seven counties in the Bay Area stopped short of issuing a mandate like Los Angeles, instead recommending that everybody wear masks indoors. Other jurisdictions around the country that are seeing their own surges are following L.A.’s lead. Nevada’s Clark County, home to Las Vegas, reinstituted tougher mask guidelines after seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. 

In an appearance on CNBC on July 21, Dr. Anthony Fauci said he thought it unlikely that the federal government would issue any nation-wide masking rule “because there will be a lot of pushback on that.”

Indeed, Los Angeles saw immediate pushback to its own new indoor mask rule on July 18, the first full day it went into effect. A group of about 10 protesters traveled through stores in Westwood with megaphones and signs, refusing to wear masks. Two Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers trailed the group and issued orders to leave a grocery store but did not make arrests or issue any citations for violating the health order. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has flatly refused to enforce the county’s order. 

Additional reporting by Samuel Braslow

The post Pushback to Masks As Surge Continues appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Licht is a lifelong Beverly Hills resident and a graduate of both Hawthorne Elementary and Beverly Hills High School. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley and an MFA from USC. Licht was unanimously selected by the City Council to serve on the Planning Commission in 2016 and unanimously reappointed in 2018. In addition, Licht served two terms on the Traffic and Parking Commission, totaling 11 years of work on city commissions.

“I am very fortunate to have lived in Beverly Hills most of my life and the city has given me so much. I can never pay it back, but I can pay it forward,” Licht told the Courier. “All the work, time and effort I’ve put in pales in comparison to what the city has meant to me. I grew up here, I moved back as an adult and raised my family here. I just love the city. My family and my business interests are all in a great place right now, and I have the time and energy to devote to being on Council.”

The issues at the forefront of his campaign include safety, ensuring that the police and fire department have every tool available to them, maintaining an exceptional school district, and developing strategic plans for future developments. 

“I moved here for the same reason a lot of people do, for the police, the fire and the schools,” Licht said. “I want them to be as good as possible and I want the police and fire departments to have everything they need to keep the city the way it is and the way it’s known, as safe.”

“I think we need to plan very carefully for the coming of the subway, that’s going to be very important to the city,” Licht added. “I think we need affordable housing, and we need to consolidate housing around the subway stops. I’d like to have more affordable housing to allow more people the opportunity to live here, and also to encourage young people to live here. I would love for my children to be able to afford to live here and reap the benefits of the city, as well as energize it. Clustering housing around the subway stops, and especially the La Cienega stop, would encourage that.”

After six years on the Traffic and Parking Commission, Licht “knows every crack in the city.” As a commissioner, Licht took field trips around Beverly Hills with the city’s traffic engineer to point out problems related to congestion, and work towards solutions. While Licht admits that traffic problems in the city remain unsolved, many small changes he implemented during his terms on the Traffic and Parking Commission have made a difference.

While two of his children were enrolled at Beverly Vista Middle School, Licht also worked with the city engineer at the time to solve issues related to the carpool drop-off lane. Noticing many near accidents and traffic backed-up at Brighton Way and Wilshire Boulevard, Licht worked with the city to put in bollards in the right turn lane. “Now, you have to turn right, and it’s completely solved the problem. The traffic is much, much better,” said Licht. 

Licht cited another example for the Courier. 

“There’s a lane on Bedford Drive, just north of Santa Monica Boulevard, by the church, where in the mornings traffic backs up quite far up Bedford, because it was essentially only one lane, and many people from the hills drive down Bedford because it’s one way south,” Licht said. “I got the city to put up no parking signs from 7:30 – 9:30 a. m. in the curb lane, so we had two lanes going south instead of one. That pretty much solved that problem.”

On the Planning Commission Licht advocated for the passage of the hillside ordinance and the mixed-use ordinance. Approved in 2017, the hillside ordinance amends development standards pertaining to basements, grading and retaining walls in the city’s hillside area. Approved in 2020, the mixed-use ordinance allows for mixed-use development in certain commercial areas of the city, including portions of Wilshire Boulevard, La Cienega Boulevard, Robertson Boulevard, Olympic Boulevard, South Doheny Drive, San Vicente Boulevard, South Santa Monica Boulevard and South Beverly Drive. Of the city’s 12 commissions, the Planning Commission is the only one with authority to make final decisions without a vote from the City Council.

“I think that the Council and Commission have seen a lot of the development projects very similarly,” Licht told the Courier. “I was very happy that we were able to agree on the One Beverly Hills project because that’s going to be spectacular for the city. I think it’s going to be the eighth wonder of the world and really rock people. My goal for any project that comes to us is what’s best for the city, and that project is a really good one.”

Licht said that he is a strong believer in term limits. “Being a Councilmember is not a lifetime job, it’s not a job for a generation. I’m a strong supporter of that,” he told the Courier.

To promote his candidacy, Licht intends to go door-to-door in the city, introducing himself to prospective voters. “I realized that not very many people watch the Planning Commission meetings, and nobody knows who I am. Hopefully, people will have little events for me in their homes and invite their friends, so I can do a little bit more one-on-one.”

Licht will be announcing his campaign steering committee soon and can be reached at andrewlicht@gmail.com. 

The post Andy Licht Declares City Council Candidacy appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

On Sept. 14, California voters will have the option to vote “yes” or “no” to the question of whether to remove Newsom from office, and an opportunity to select a replacement candidate. Votes cast for a successor candidate will only be counted if more than 50 percent of voters casting ballots in the recall election vote to recall the Newsom.

The Recall Gavin 2020 campaign began gathering signatures in June of 2020. According to data released by the secretary of state’s office, L.A. County accounted for 264,488 of the 1,719,900 cumulative total of verified signatures. 

The Role of the Freedom Rallies

Mike Netter, a co-founder of the Recall Gavin Newsom campaign, told the Courier, “We probably gathered about 15 to 20 percent of those signatures from the Beverly Gardens rallies. Netter was referring to the “Freedom Rallies” held on Saturday afternoons at Beverly Gardens Park began in mid-July of 2020, drawing as many 4,000 people. 

“I began collecting [recall] signatures in June,” Beverly Hills resident Shiva Bagheri told the Courier. “Personally, I think I gathered around 500 signatures. I brought my clipboard inside my backpack to the park, so for anybody that wanted to sign, I just pulled it out. But I also went around Beverly Hills. I remember walking towards a restaurant and probably like ten people who were sitting outside signed it.”

The effort to recall Newsom is supported by two prominent local businesses. Kitson, a boutique known for unique merchandise and a celebrity clientele, adorned its Robertson storefront with large bright posters that read, “Recall Gavin Newsom.” Local Italian eatery, La Scala, also voiced outrage towards Newsom, posting on Instagram, “He’s still an assh*le & needs to be recalled! Please come by & sign a petition this Saturday!!” The recall campaign occupied their outdoor patio on weekends, collecting signatures from interested voters. 

“The rallies were a celebration of America, freedom and Donald Trump, who, as president, embodied classical American values and worked to root out the corruption that has plagued our government for far too long,” a Beverly Hills resident told the Courier. “I was not planning on signing the recall petition before I went to the rally. But, because of Newsom’s non-sensical shutdowns and mandates which destroyed small businesses and so many people’s lives, I gladly signed it.” The resident will be supporting Larry Elder to replace Newsom.

“We want the recall election not to necessarily be about who’s going to be the next governor, but about the issues facing California,” Netter said. “We have a power crisis. We have a water crisis. We have an infrastructure crisis. We have a homeless crisis. We have an EDD crisis, and we can’t tax our way out of this.”

Supporters of the recall campaign believe the effort will be a success due to heightened political awareness after a presidential election and lingering outrage regarding Newsom’s handling of COVID-19 closures and restrictions. However, recent polls conducted by the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies found that Newsom still has an overall positive approval rating. Findings show that support for the recall is at 36 %–unchanged from late January–and a four-point increase (49 % in the number of voters that intend to vote “no” in the recall. Another 15 % of voters remain undecided. 

The poll also found early interest in the gubernatorial recall skewed toward GOP voters, with twice as many Republicans (75 %) reporting a high degree of interest, versus Democrats (36 %) or No Party Preference voters (35 %). 

“Beverly Hills is kind of a funny area because people are really scared for the most part,” Netter told the Courier. “People are worried about being blacklisted by the government and they’re afraid to talk. People have this perception in the movie business that if they speak their mind and they’re not liberal, they get blacklisted.” 

As of July 15, a number of posts circulated around pro-Trump social media accounts declaring the resumption of weekly rallies at Beverly Gardens Park starting July 17. 

“The rallies were so inspiring for a brand-new citizen and a tremendous display of this great country’s First Amendment,” a Beverly Hills local, who works in the entertainment industry and asked to remain anonymous, told the Courier. “We the people rule this country, not the corrupt politicians and the administrative state.”

While polling suggests that Newsom will likely survive the recall, Netter said: “It’s going to be a much closer election than everybody thinks. I still feel that Gavin is going to get removed from office because every day he does something stupid that shows he’s a bad governor. This isn’t about Democrat or Republican, it’s about a governor not listening to the people, the average everyday people in his state.”

Additional reporting by Samuel Braslow 

The post Newsom Recall Effort in Beverly Hills appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“We are completed with excavation, and we’re just beginning with our station structure,” Yvette Ximenez, a project manager with Metro, said regarding the Wilshire/Rodeo station. “We’re on track to open the station in 2025.” Much of the construction is being done at the entrance of the station, located at South Reeves Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, where contractors are working below ground seven days a week. 

“We also are having material delivered to us, as well as equipment,” Ximenez added. “We’re having ongoing concrete pours and those will be mostly daily from Wilshire Boulevard for the foreseeable future.”

During peak traffic hours, from 7- 9 a.m. and 4-8:15 p.m., Wilshire Boulevard will remain open with three lanes in each direction between El Camino Drive and Crescent Drive. Between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., the same stretch of Wilshire may be reduced to two lanes in each direction, and from 8:15 p.m. to 7 a.m., lanes may be reduced to one in each direction. 

After successfully removing the K-rail last month on Wilshire from Canon Drive to Beverly Drive, Metro is working on the street restoration. “We’ve opened up the street again,” Ximenez said. We’ve done the restriping, installed the traffic signals as well as restored the crosswalks.” According to Metro, the only crosswalk that needed to be restored was the crosswalk at Wilshire and North Canon Drive. “Now that we’ve completed with excavation, we’re in the thick of our station construction which will be ongoing through 2024.”

The next steps for Metro work will be done on the exterior walls to provide support for the structure of the station, and continued installation of geotechnical instruments along the entire tunnel alignment. The instruments will monitor ground movement, settlement, and other geological conditions and be installed within the public right of way or privately owned properties. On weekdays, work hours on Wilshire Boulevard will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and off Wilshire will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To learn more, visit https://www.metro.net/projects/westside/. The next Metro Purple Line Extension community meeting will be on Aug. 4 at noon. 

The post Metro Construction Updates for Beverly Hills appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“We’re featuring summer colors and a collage-based background that highlights the various icons that make Beverly Hills what it is,” Julie Wagner, President and CEO of the CVB, said of the summer campaign. “The idea is to remind people that we’re not like everybody else. That, when you come to Beverly Hills, it is truly a different experience.” The summer campaign includes bright shades of yellow, orange, pink and blue, while the fall color scheme showcases the shield logo in burnt oranges and warm teals. The holiday palette includes deep blues, reds, and greens with pops of color. The juxtaposed imagery is quintessential Beverly Hills: Rodeo Drive, the Beverly Hills sign, City Hall, the Beverly Hills Hotel and of course, palm trees. 

Typically, the Beverly Hills trademark city shield logo is either black and white or gold and white. The CVB Committee requested use of the vintage logo with multicolored treatments.

“This is fantastic,” Council Liaison, Vice Mayor Lili Bosse, said. “It is kind of Andy Warholesque, with the Beverly Hills twist. So again, CVB, thank you for being so forward thinking and visionary and you have my, not surprisingly, complete support.”

“We tried to use this with the standard colors but really it just didn’t pop,” Wagner said. “It really took the whole look and feel of the campaign down.”

“I love it,” Bosse said. “The color and the freshness…I love the concept of taking the vintage shield and freshening it up.”

Mayor Robert Wunderlich echoed Bosse’s statements, adding, “It all looks good to me.”

The CVB’s most recent campaign, “As You Wish,” debuted in March of this year and showcased the bespoke services and world-class amenities found in the city through the lens of five pet ambassadors. The campaign underscored ways that the city caters to the needs of today’s global travelers–and their furry companions. 

The Committee will meet again in September to present holiday headlines and provide updates to Council Liaisons. 

The post Beverly Hills CVB Unveils New Campaign Artwork appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“We came up with this concept of holiday helpers, basically a group of elves, that are very whimsical,” Kathy Gohari, President of the Rodeo Drive Committee, told the Courier. “It is very much like an abstract piece of art. And the elves, we’re planning to basically finish them off in holiday glitter colors of gold, silver, and then they will be surrounded by all sorts of ornate packages, holiday ornaments, and a few cars. The color scheme is an homage to both Christmas and Hanukkah, and the colors will be incorporated in all three blocks for a beautifully lit street for everybody from all over the world to come and visit.”

The proposal received mixed responses from Council Liaisons, Mayor Robert Wunderlich and Vice Mayor Lili Bosse. “We like Rodeo Drive to be distinctive and it’s a kind of display that you might expect to see in the Grove or someplace like that, you know,” Wunderlich said during the meeting. “It’s not screaming Rodeo Drive to me.”

Wunderlich suggested adding, “something else to reinforce that this is a tradition. That it’s a return to tradition, a return to pre-pandemic.”

“I think the way that these elves are going to be, in that they’re going to be glitter and the size, to me, makes it a little bit more out of the box,” Bosse said. “I’m always somebody that likes tradition. But I like tradition with a twist.”

However, both liaisons expressed support ultimately, with a few requests.

“Mayor Wunderlich suggested moving the BOLD logo down to the ornaments, and things like that,” Gohari, who boasts over two decades of experience on the committee, told the Courier. “So hopefully we will have a new deck by July 15 with those little details incorporated.” 

The Committee still is waiting for council approval for the city to use the branding of the Beverly Hills Open Later Days (BOLD) program this holiday season. Both Bosse and Wunderlich expressed support to approve its usage, if retailers in the city agree to keep their shops open later for the season. “If Rodeo Drive banners wanted to say BOLD, I would support that,” Bosse said regarding using the BOLD branding on street banners. “But I also feel that it wouldn’t make sense if the stores aren’t going to be open and if we don’t have activation… It would really mean to me that Rodeo Drive and the rest of the community really wants to have the nightlife, have the stores open late, have the activation.”

“BOLD has become synonymous with us celebrating our holiday season,” Gohari told the Courier. “It has become synonymous with certain stores staying open later, so I only think it is fair to continue the tradition and not lose the momentum and the work that has been put by all the merchants and the city behind BOLD programming in the past few years.”

In recent years, Beverly Hills has certainly earned a reputation in going all out for the holidays. In 2019, as part of the BOLD program, the city also put on 12 nights of programming, complete with live performances and fireworks. In 2019, the Committee was working with a 1.3 million budget–a figure that seems almost unimaginable today. Last year, the holiday décor budget was $352,702. 

“We’re being extremely conservative, keeping in mind that we need to keep an elevated experience, which doesn’t come cheap,” Gohari told the Courier. “But at the same time, we’re trying really hard to be cost-effective with the production company. Truly, the difference in the minimal cost of increase that is this year versus last year was not about so much about staffing or setup fees, it was a lot of production and storage costs that have changed because of COVID.”

The Rodeo Drive-Special Events-Holiday Program Committee will seek final approval for and present the second iteration of the 2021 holiday décor at the July 15 City Council Study Session.

The post First Glance at Rodeo Drive Holiday Décor appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

With almost 20 years of experience, Johnson started his career as a high school English teacher with the New Orleans Parish School Board, and then later with the Chaffey Joint Union High School District. Most recently, he served as the Vice Principal at Antelope Valley High School, overseeing Special Education.

“Mr. Johnson’s extensive time in the high school arena leaves him well poised to further the exemplary work of our BHHS staff, students, and community,” BHUSD Superintendent, Dr. Michael Bregy, said. “With substantial experience in PBIS, Special Education, and beyond, Mr. Johnson will bring an innovative perspective to our Norman family.” 

Johnson holds a Master of Education Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the UCLA Principal Leadership Institute (PLI), a Master of Arts Degree in Secondary Teacher Education from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature from Dillard University. 

“In looking at the accomplishments of the current team, I feel fortunate to work with individuals who not only value education but place student outcomes at the center of their decisions,” Johnson said in a statement released by the District. “As the district continues to grow and meet its goals, I look forward to offering my skill set to the students, families, and staff of BHHS and the Beverly Hills Unified School District.”

The post Torray Johnson Appointed New Assistant Principal appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

After discussion, the Committee decided to change the target day to Thursday. 

“Mayor Wunderlich actually proposed the first Thursday, which is an excellent idea,” NBH Chair, Noelle Freeman, told the Courier. “I think it serves a better purpose because Friday is typically already a packed day of the week for businesses and restaurants. We’re putting together a plan to start soon, but down the line includes some sort of bigger event or potential street closure to really bring that ambiance that we’re looking for.”

Having already garnered support from Council liaisons Mayor Robert Wunderlich and Councilman Julian Gold, and Chamber President Todd Johnson, the committee will assemble a group to focus on community outreach. “We’ll have a street team go out and walk the entire city to talk to business owners and hopefully get them to participate,” Freeman told the Courier. “We don’t want it to be just the Golden Triangle, we want to make sure that every business in the city is benefiting from something like this.”

In practice, the first Thursday program is imagined as an elevated bar crawl. Instead of going out to one location, the goal is to “really get people out and about,” Vice Chair, Tiffany Davis said. “And then popping in to have dinner or grabbing a drink from someplace and then going on to the next place.” 

“I’m at UCLA for grad school right now and I know first Friday in Venice is very popular with students,” Sharon Ghalichi said. “I know Thursday would be even more popular because first off, Beverly Hills is much closer, and everybody’s always looking for something to do Thursday night after classes.

The committee also discussed potentially bringing food and beverage vendors to the Beverly Canon Gardens or to a closed street in the business triangle to reenergize the city. “We thought maybe one of the lesser trafficked streets would be good to start with, such as Brighton, and maybe close a section of that,” Davis said. “Then bring in perhaps some food trucks, some elevated games…something to get the community out and about and just enjoying each other’s company again.”

“I really love these ideas and I love the closing of the street,” celebrated clothing designer, Johana Hernandez, said. “My business is on Brighton Way and Camden, and my team and I were talking about bringing in some popular food trucks just because they have a huge following.”

While the program doesn’t need to go before the City Council, the committee must get approval from the city’s Special Events liaisons. To get involved and learn more, visit http://www.beverlyhills.org/citymanager/committees/nextbeverlyhillscommittee/web.jsp.

The following Next Beverly Hills Committee will be held on July 22. 

The post Next Beverly Hills Considers Thursday Nightlife Program appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

BHC: What does the future of the ILC look like?

“The ILC still exists. We’ve always had the ILC because we’ve always had the responsibility of providing an education to students that are your tennis players, or dancers or somebody that has a medical need. Right now, we’re looking at what certain criteria must be met for the ILC, but the expectation is that students come back full time and in person…So, when we gave them a choice last year, I think a lot of our students said, ‘I’m already in a routine, you know, I’m going to go back next year.’ And some of it isn’t just academic. Some of it is social emotional, and that’s just as important. I think that with some of our students who didn’t return, it’s tougher for them to go back. It’s almost strange and unfamiliar to return.”

Bregy added,”By offering Live@BHUSD as well as the ILC, we were able to meet the needs and cover just about everybody,” Bregy added. “For some people, it just didn’t work. I’d be zooming into some classrooms, and I would see 5, 6, and 7-year-olds just leave.”

Last summer, many parents who were frustrated by the continued school closures decided to transfer their children to private school. How has that affected overall enrollment?

“We had a very small number that did that. We did have a high number of people who did go to a different location to ride out COVID. So, with our virtual offerings, a lot of people that were able to continue their education but be in a different time zone. There were some pockets of students who left from different grade levels, but it was a very small number. It wasn’t statistically significant. And the reason that I know that is because when we did reopen, we had a few people that then came back.”

“I think what was hard is that some people had expectations of us, as a system, to reopen before we were even allowed to. It’s been the most difficult, emotional, and stressful time in my professional career. I deal with controversial issues all the time, but never something that has divided the community like this before. And when I say that, I mean, not just closing and opening, but the timeline. The reason why I feel professionally beat up is that I think we did an amazing job with our communication. Yet, we would still have people that would be publicly denouncing us or upset with our decision when we weren’t even allowed to come back yet.” 

What is the primary work ahead of you?

“We were able to identify a number of kids that experienced learning loss. We have more kids than ever in our summer programming, and many of them by invitation, which we hadn’t done before. I believe we have over 300 students involved in summer programs.”

“One of my biggest concerns is that I don’t think that we have an accurate understanding, conceptually, of what that learning loss is,” Bregy noted. 

“I think our biggest challenge still lies in front of us. From meeting kids where they’re at academically, and from a social emotional perspective, so that kids feel that sense of belonging. There’s a lot of stress and pressure to make sure that kids are okay and be able to mitigate as many gaps as we can determine. We can’t just have an expectation that everybody is going to start in the same place.”

Will there be masking requirements next year? 

“It’s really hard to say. We’re following the LA County Department of Public Health order and right now, students have to keep them on. I think that we will probably start the year with mask wearing and health screenings. But I think it’s just a matter of time until it’s going to change. Summer is short, and a lot will change in the next month.”

What percentage of the student population is vaccinated?

“I do know a large number of students that have been vaccinated, but we haven’t specifically asked because I know that we will not be mandating that somebody is vaccinated for COVID to attend classes.”

At the Beverly Vista Middle School graduation earlier in June, “students were very proud to tell me they had been vaccinated,” Bregy told the Courier. “It’s great to hear because it’s a huge step in mitigating any possible transmission.”

“We have great protocols in place. We worked so hard on our health screenings, temperature checks, labeling and have great signage. No matter what happens in the fall, I think the community is ready.”

Ed Note: During public comment at the June 22 BHUSD Board of Education meeting, a former teacher raised concerns about an allegedly racist incident at Horace Mann. The Courier will address the District’s response to those concerns in its July 1 issue. 

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The city and The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts have each contributed $50,000 to fund the Sing for Hope project. “We’re looking for donations and people that are interested in helping us with this project,” Commissioner Stephanie Vahn said. “Even if you gave $100 or $1,000, all of that accumulates into one piano. The more people that give, the more pianos we can have.”

After conducting site visits, Lester Vrtiak, Director of the Sing for Hope Pianos, and Adrine Ovasapyan, the city’s Recreation Supervisor, identified the following as potential locations: City Hall, the Beverly Hills sign, Beverly Gardens Park, Will Rogers Park, La Cienega Park, near the community center at Roxbury Park, Two Rodeo, and the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts. For Beverly Gardens Park, two options were presented: one to the right of Ringo Starr’s “Peace and Love” on Santa Monica Boulevard and Canon Drive, and a second option shaded under a tree near Tom Friedman’s “Takeaway” on Santa Monica Boulevard and Rodeo Drive. For Will Rogers Park, staff suggested that one piano be placed in a shaded area near a large palm tree, and the other near the steps of the Sunset Boulevard entrance.

“I know the business community is very eager for us to help welcome Beverly Hills back with a lot of vibrancy,” Rogers said. “I think the arts play a vital role in bringing this economy back. It’s one of the reasons why people want to come to Beverly Hills.” Rogers also underscored how the Sing for Hope piano program hopes to support performance artists who have been unable to work for a year. Her team is working on scheduling concerts with surprise guests as part of the arts programming.  

While commissioners endorsed the proposed locations, some hoped to see a larger piano presence in the business triangle. 

“This is our first pilot in Beverly Hills,” Vrtiak said, citing his years of experience with the program in New York City. “These are a lot of great ideas and I’m really enjoying hearing all of your suggestions. The goal is that this is our pilot, and in the future, when we return, we can learn from our locations and definitely expand and try new places.”

On June 22, the Recreation and Parks Commission will review the proposed locations. To learn more about Sing for Hope Beverly Hills, visit https://singforhope.org/beverlyhills/.

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However, retailers throughout the city are increasingly worried about security. “I would say the one thing that I have noticed a little bit more than before COVID is just a little bit of a safety and security issue,” Sabaa Kamal, owner of Kamal Beverly Hills boutique on Bedford Drive, said during the meeting. “I’ve noticed a lot more homeless people kind of wandering into the store…I have gotten more calls from the sales associate on the floor worried about homeless people coming in and picking up some rings off the shelf and walking out with them. This was not as big of an issue before.”

Kamal’s store offers a curated selection of clothing, bridal gowns, jewelry, and accessories meant for formal events in a highly personalized, luxury environment. “I think a lot of people that had put off weddings and special occasions, are now finally going on those vacations,” Kamal said regarding an uptick in sales seen recently. Kamal noted that she moved to Los Angeles specifically to open her store in Beverly Hills. “It’s a luxury statement in of itself, and so I think that’s why I was drawn to the Beverly Hills location… I think we’ve had clients that place orders just to be able to say, ‘oh I got this from Beverly Hills.'”

Other retailers, such as Tara Riceberg, owner of Tweak and Tesoro, have opted to keep the shop door locked. 

“I don’t think we need to rely on the BHPD or Ambassadors to help us with a rogue vagrant when we can prevent the issue by simply keeping our doors locked for the safety of our staff and clients,” Riceberg told the Courier. “Even though we are seeing an increase in homeless people in Beverly Hills, it’s still much safer than in L.A.  I now keep my door locked at my shop on Beverly Boulevard. It may seem less inviting but it’s no different than being buzzed into a jewelry store in Beverly Hills.”

Johana Hernandez, the haute couture designer behind the brand GLAUDI, has three boutiques: one in Beverly Hills, one in Downey, and one in Orange County. “I have to say that Beverly Hills has been the one that’s been more challenging to get back to normal,” Hernandez said. 

Hernandez added that, “with the robberies and protests, it’s just kind of made people not want to choose the Beverly Hills store location. They would rather go to Downey or the OC location.”

For Hernandez, much of her sales result from trunk shows. “And because of COVID, we haven’t done those things. But on July 25, thanks to the city of Beverly Hills and the OpenBH program, we’re doing a drive by fashion show which is the first in the city.” Hernandez hopes the event will bring more customers to her Brighton Way location. Because Beverly Hills gives brands a global platform, the designer hopes to welcome more people, not intimidate them. 

The post Small Businesses in Beverly Hills Express Security Concerns appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Unlike last year, which was marked by closures and restrictions, this summer is colored by rebirth and reopening. With people more excited than ever to go out, the Courier asked prominent influencers with ties to Beverly Hills to share their 2021 summer spots in town. The roster of insiders includes Beverly Hills High School grad and “Million Dollar Listing-L.A.” celebrity real estate agent, Josh Flagg; Hawthorne Elementary school alum and influencer’s influencer, Alexandra Rosenthal; S.F. native turned L.A. transplant and Cycle House fitness luminary, Nichelle Hines; Beverly Hills native and an alum of The Buckley School, Olivia Perez, and more. From seasonal culinary pop-ups, new hotel hot spots, and under-the-radar Beverly Hills gems, here is what they’re up to:

Sophia Parsa
@sophiaparsa

At age 30, Parsa’s titles include Head of Community at FabFitFun, co-founder of the Mountain Gate dinner speaker series, angel investor, Forbes 30 Under 30 board member, event planner, and entrepreneur. Last summer, the Los Angeles native co-founded two new ventures: Golden Rice Co., a restaurant pop-up serving her mother’s home-cooked Tahdig (a traditional Persian rice dish) every Sunday out of Poppy in West Hollywood, and Boxxie Party, a personalized event planning and gifting service. Since then, Golden Rice Co. has been featured in The Infatuation’s “Best Pop-Ups In L.A. Right Now” and reviewed by L.A. Times restaurant critic, Bill Addison, as “spectacular.” Parsa has produced hundreds of events and hosted over 1 million guests.

Euro Caffe

I started walking a lot at the beginning of the pandemic, discovering my city on foot for the first time, basically, and I discovered Euro Caffe. I was walking on Canon looking for a bottle of water and kind of stumbled upon it! I didn’t want to walk into a restaurant like Il Pastaio and just ask for water, right? So, I found this little cafe, and the minute I stepped in, I was like, ‘whoa. I feel like I’m in Italy right now.’ I love to travel more than anything, so I love how European the vibe is. It’s through this beautiful walkway in between little shoe boutiques and has Italian jerseys hanging from the wall. The owner makes such incredible coffees, too. This spot is a hidden gem. 427 N. Canon Dr. #111, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

 Summer Social Club

Summer Social Club is another thing I discovered during the pandemic while trying to get to know other people in the food pop-up scene. It’s essentially a pop-up restaurant incubator run by Employees Only in West Hollywood. A lot of these cool culinary pop-ups you see on Instagram just have a cloud kitchen and operate without a place where people can come in. So, Summer Social Club provides a backyard space and a platform to be able to run a live service for restaurants without a physical storefront using their staff, waiters, and bartenders. Every week, the lineup is different! 7961 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046

Olivia Perez
@livvperez

The 27-year-old L.A. native is an interviewer, journalist, and the host of the “Friend of a Friend” podcast, a weekly talk show in which she interviews the next generation of luminaries. Since founding “Friend of a Friend” in 2015, Perez has interviewed the likes of Maggie Rogers, Bella Hadid, Hannah Bronfman, Symone Sanders, Millie Bobbie Brown, Lindsay Peoples Wagner, and Jordan Firstman, and has moderated panels for businesses like Shopify, Bumble, WWD, and The Wing. She’s made her mark as an editorial and cultural archaeologist, digging up the best of the unknown and sharing it with her followers as a contributing writer for Forbes.com, and through her creative partnerships with brands like Chanel, Kith, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Nike, Calvin Klein, and more.

Chaumont Bakery 

Everyone needs a go-to local bakery, and mine is Chaumont. Whether I’m on a morning walk to grab a coffee, want a quick snack on the go, or am looking for a good coffee meeting spot, Chaumont is one of those places that always feels like a hug, and I know will do the trick. They have some of the best croissants in town, and if you’re looking for a treat yourself breakfast, get their breakfast sandwich with egg and cheese.  143 S. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90212

 Gigi’s

Gigi’s is the perfect recipe for a great night out. Whether it’s date night, girl’s night out, or a family dinner, the drinks and food are incredible, and the vibes are unmatched with a hint of old Hollywood glamour. 904 N. Sycamore Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038

 Descanso Gardens 

Slightly off the beaten path, but definitely worth the drive, the Descanso Gardens is the perfect oasis for a day when you want to do something spontaneous and different. It’s one of the most underrated nature destinations in L.A! Whether you want to go for a walk with friends, take a book to the garden, or get lost in their forest, you’ll leave feeling reenergized after a beautiful day in nature (and have some incredible photos too). 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 

Alexandra Rosenthal
@allymrosenthal

Rosenthal, 29, graduated from Emory University in 2014 with a BBA from the Goizueta Business School. After working on Wall Street for six years, the Beverly Hills native returned to L.A. to work at SET Active, an athleisure startup. Since assuming her role as Director of Operations at SET in 2020, the brand’s signature matching workout sets have attracted the likes of Kaia Gerber, Hailey Bieber, and Kylie Jenner. Beloved by influencers on Instagram, each new drop features limited edition colorways that sell out fast. 

Full Proof Pizza

If there’s one thing my five years of living in New York taught me, it’s an appreciation for good pizza. I’ve been thrilled to see so many new pizza spots pop up all over the city in the past few months. Something I’m really looking forward to this summer is the Lodge Bread Company’s new pizza concept, Full Proof Pizza, opening in Beverly Hills in August. If it’s anything like their current restaurant, it will undoubtedly be a huge hit.

Santa Monica Proper Hotel

Somewhere I’ve loved spending time recently is the Santa Monica Proper Hotel. Immediately upon walking in my first time, I was infatuated by every inch of decor. I’ve been obsessed with every meal I’ve enjoyed there, and I’d also argue that they have some of the best views in L.A. I know for a fact I’ll be spending a ton of summer days at their rooftop pool in my new SET Active swimwear, launching in August, listening to their live DJ with friends. 700 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

 AKT

The past year has had me really missing in-person workout classes. I was elated to discover that one of my favorite studios from New York, AKT, would soon be opening in West Hollywood. Their classes are the perfect blend of cardio and toning work. It’s one of the only workout classes I take that’s so fun I forget I’m working out! 7111 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046

 Delilah at Wynn Las Vegas

Out of town, you can catch me heading straight to the new Delilah restaurant opening at the Wynn this summer in Las Vegas! Vegas is the best escape for a quick weekend getaway, and now I can’t wait to have one of my favorite restaurants there. Delilah in L.A. is a guaranteed good time and I’m excited to see it make its mark on the Vegas scene. 3131 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89109

Josh Flagg
@joshflagg1

Known for starring in Bravo TV’s “Million Dollar Listing-LA,” Flagg, 35, is one of the most sought-after luxury real estate agents in Los Angeles. Having sold over two billion dollars in property, Flagg’s A-list clients include the likes of Adam Levine, Shonda Rhimes, Tom Ford, and Steve Aoki. Beverly Hills born and based, Flagg is ranked by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the top residential real estate agents in L.A. In addition, Flagg sits on the Board of Governors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Temple of the Arts, and The Los Angeles Jewish Home. 

Cara Hotel, Croft Alley Beverly Hills

This summer, the Cara Hotel in Los Feliz is going to be the place to be. It’s so elegant that it gets me out of my 2-mile radius from where I live. In Beverly Hills, one of my best friends, Adam Rubin owns Croft Alley, which is a great place for a quick bite. It’s always packed and filled with great people. Try the tuna lettuce cups. Or, for a real treat, order the super popular Josh Flagg special, a great dish off the menu: it’s a traditional preparation of French scrambled eggs, cooked with low and slow heat, made with fresh herbs accompanied by truffle fontina toast.  Cara Hotel, 1730 N. Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027. Croft Alley, 9433 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

Nichelle Hines
@nichelle

A founding member and Chief Ride Officer at Cycle House LA on Melrose, Hines, 44, is known for her star-studded clientele and her ability to push those she trains with to redefine their limits. Since starting at Cycle House in 2008, Hine’s cycling classes (many of which she documents on Instagram) have attracted a cult following, with Jessica Alba, Madonna, Naya Rivera, and Nicole Kidman among her dedicated pupils.  The San Francisco native is an activist, coach, trainer, and actress, with appearances on The Sopranos, Grey’s Anatomy, The King of Queens, Parenthood, Scandal, and NCIS: Los Angeles and partnered with brands such as Tory Sport by Tory Burch, Kora Organics by Miranda Kerr, Eddie Bauer and Vital Proteins.

Tree People

My favorite little spot is Tree People on Mulholland Drive. It’s a really cute walking path right at the line where Beverly Hills sort of ends and the valley is about to start. They plant trees there and it’s a great place to take kids. Whether or not the actual Tree People organization office is open, you can just go there and walk it, or you can drive up and park. Just an awesome neighborhood-friendly spot. They have a trail you can walk that’s for planting trees—it’s amazing and perfect for summer. 12601 Mulholland Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Burgers Never Say Die

I think the BEST burger in L.A. is Burgers Never Say Die on Glendale Boulevard right off of Silver Lake Boulevard. It is the best Smashburger in town and you won’t regret it. What’s so great about those burgers is they’re really thin and smashed, and you can eat it without feeling too full after. They marinate the onions for three days, so you get all the onion flavor with none of the bad breath. It’s by far my favorite burger in Los Angeles. 2388 Glendale Blvd. Unit A, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Caitlyn Chase
@caitlynchase

Chase, 33, is a Beverly Hills-based blogger-turned-entrepreneur who began her career as a fashion and beauty writer after graduating from Pepperdine University in 2009. In 2011, Chase launched her own luxury lifestyle blog, “Caviar & Cashmere,” where she continues to share the latest and greatest in fashion, beauty, travel, interior design, wellness, lifestyle, and more. Having amassed a serious online following among luxury lifestyle lovers, Chase launched a Caviar & Cashmere skincare line in 2018. The influencer has worked with brands such as Olay, Aston Martin, Nespresso, Joe Fresh, Simon G Jewelry, Glamsquad, Fairmont Hotels, and the Four Seasons Hotels. In 2017, Chase was awarded “Trendsetter of the Year” by the Los Angeles Business Journal. 

Bel-Air Under the Stars

Summer is my favorite time of year when the days are longer, and the nights are warm. This season, you can find me having a picnic under the stars at Hotel Bel-Air, where the hotel will set up an outdoor dining experience on the property for a group of two to six, complete with your own private fireplace, s’mores kit, and food and beverage by Wolfgang Puck. Don’t forget to order the Tuna Cone! Hotel Bel-Air, 701 Stone Canyon Road, Los Angeles, CA 90077

Beverly Hills Tour D’Elegance

One event I am looking forward to taking place in Beverly Hills is the Tour D’Elegance. Happening on June 20 this year, locals will rally with their favorite classic and modern cars from the Peterson Automotive Museum, through Beverly Hills, ending at Beverly Hills City Hall. Spectators are welcome to attend and watch the parade of notable cars, free of charge. The event will support local first responders, benefitting both the Beverly Hills Police Association and the Beverly Hills Fire Association.

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