The policy, introduced by Board President Judy Manouchehri, is a response to community concerns about safety surrounding the new La Cienega/Wilshire Metro station, which is scheduled to open on May 8, and other Metro stations that will open in the future.

“A lot of families are anticipating the ramifications of the Metro opening,” Manouchehri said, noting that during a recent campus visit, she saw that, “anyone can come and go at a lot of different times of the day. Of course, during the primary instructional school day, there is significant restriction. But we have a lot of other activities and events … where I believe that staff and parents have a reasonable expectation that these events are closed and limited to school community members and folks with an educational purpose.” 

According to the new policy, access to school grounds will be limited to enrolled students and their siblings; parents, guardians, caretakers and emergency designees of enrolled students; district employees; authorized contractors, vendors and service people; pre-approved visitors with a legitimate school related purpose and City of Beverly Hills elected officials.

Other individuals will require authorization to access campus. 

All visitors, including parents and guardians, will be required to present government-issued identification and to check in at the security kiosk or a designated main entrance. All campus access points will be secured and monitored. The nature of security and monitors was not discussed at the meeting, nor was it written in the policy. 

In addition to instructional hours, the policy applies to events such as open houses, back-to-school nights, athletic events and student performances. 

The policy states that unauthorized individuals on campus will be directed to leave immediately and reported to the school’s administration personnel. They may be subject to applicable trespass laws and, if necessary, referred to law enforcement. 

During the meeting, all board members spoke in favor of the policy. 

“I think it’s great … in this day and age, we need to be parsimonious and conservative with our measures,” said Board Member Amanda Stern. “We can always cut back. I think there’s no one who feels that this would be too severe on any level, and I think that we are getting better at closing gaps, both figuratively and that actually exist … and I am grateful that that we have this and that this has been addressed. And I see no reason at all to not put that to good use.”

Superintendent Alex Cherniss said that school security is “very good during school hours,” but that “the challenge is after school hours.” 

“We should always know who’s on our campuses, and so that’s where we can get better … I’ve said it in the past — the dog parks here are more secure than our campuses on weekends, and we don’t necessarily expect to for that to be reality, and it is,” he said. 

In other business, BHUSD Executive Director of Maintenance, Operations and Construction Will Karrat and Fonder-Salari co-founder Amin Salari provided an update on district construction projects and the bond budget. They noted that modernization projects at Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) buildings B3 and B4 are complete, as are the upper athletic fields and much of the Grand Lawn. 

The new Konheim Athletic Building is expected to be completed by December, and the new South Site parking lot is expected to be completed by November, according to their report. Construction on the BHHS South Site athletic fields is expected to take place throughout most of 2027. 

The construction, which was funded by taxpayer bonds, was once projected to be over budget by at least $100 million and will now come in approximately $5 million under budget, according to the report. The effort to turn the financial projections around was spearheaded in part by Beverly Hills Vice Mayor Mary Wells several years ago, when she was a member of the BHUSD board. 

Speaking to the Courier, Manouchehri expressed her satisfaction with the outcome.

“We are deeply grateful to prior boards and our taxpayers for having the vision to invest in the modernization of our schools, and it is truly an honor to help bring these long-awaited projects to completion,” she said. 

The board will hold its next meeting on May 12.  

The post BHUSD Approves Increased Safety Measures for Campuses appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Naomi Yasui and Janice Moon, both juniors at BHHS, spent 12 weeks taking part in the work of facilitating community programs, improving public facilities and beautifying the city. Yasui worked with the Arts and Culture Commission, while Moon worked with the Recreation and Parks Commission.

“Our Community Services Department provides exceptional cultural, educational, recreational and social services that enhance and maintain a high quality of life for everyone. For their part, Janice and Naomi each spent 12 weeks supporting their commission’s work plan and performing the duties of recording secretary,” Mayor Craig Corman said during the recognition. “So, on behalf of a grateful City Council, I want to thank you and officially recognize you, Janice and Naomi, for all your hard work and service to the city of Beverly Hills.”

The program was open to students participating in the BHHS Career Academy and College and Career Center. Yasui said she was drawn to working with the Arts and Culture Commission through her love of playing piano and music. While working with the commission, she took part in discussions of programming for the Beverly Hills Art Walk, Festival Beverly Hills and the city’s celebrations for the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Yasui said she learned firsthand all the preparation that goes into a commission meeting.

“We had to work with a lot of agenda preparation,” she said. “I [prepared] the room, I learned what a dais is, a motion, a second, all those words, where to put the gavel, how to line up everything, where to set up the commissioner nameplates. You want to make sure you never get those wrong.”

Yasui said she gained a deeper appreciation for the level of detail that goes into staff reports and commissioner decisions when it comes to public art in Beverly Hills. She added that she had a better understanding of all the work that went into the art she’s seen her entire life, including “The Unconscious” sculpture by Franz West at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Beverly Drive.

“It’s a meeting from about 9 a.m. to 12. It’s quite long,” she said. “You sit there for a long time. It’s hard work to be able to make all these decisions about such valuable art pieces that the city has. I’ve lived in this city all my life. I walk past many of the statues and the sculptures, especially the big orange one by the bank by Beverly Drive. I have very specific memories of it and it’s this commission that really put that through.”

Yasui expressed gratitude for the support of each commissioner and her supervisor, Lori Tanner. She added that it was inspiring when Commissioner Karla Gordy Bristol came to BHHS during Career Day to talk about her entertainment company, a field Yasui said she is interested in pursuing.

Yasui and Moon are the two leaders of the BHHS Paper Arts Club, a student organization focused on origami. The pair was able to put their newfound skills into practice by drafting a proposal to both commissions for the club to appear at the Beverly Hills Art Show. The proposal was approved, and the club will host the first booth for a high school club at the show on May 16 and 17.

“This recognition reflects what makes Beverly Hills exceptional,” said Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education President Judy Manouchehri. “When our city and school district come together, we create opportunities beyond the classroom. Seeing our students recognized on a City Council stage is incredibly meaningful and highlights both our strong partnership and their limitless potential.” 

The post BHHS Students Recognized for Inaugural City Government Internship appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The discussions follow community outrage from a guest speaker appearance by influencer Ben Azoulay at the Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) Jewish club on Feb. 17. In 2008, Azoulay, then 18, faced allegations of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.

According to a civil lawsuit filed by the alleged victim in 2011 and public records reviewed by the Courier, Azoulay “admitted his guilt in open court and was convicted on the charge of violating Penal Code Section 288a(b)(1), oral copulation with a minor.” 

Azoulay has been highly controversial due to his posts that degrade women, encourage young people to do poorly in school and, in at least one post, appear to make light of the allegations leveled against him.

According to a district spokesperson, the visit was coordinated by a student-run club and approved at the BHHS site level, a protocol in accordance with the California Education Code. Superintendent Alex Cherniss later decried Azoulay’s talk, calling his views “abhorrent,” and said he would not have been allowed to appear if the district or principal knew of the talk ahead of time.

Board Member Amanda Stern apologized to the community for Azoulay’s appearance on April 14.

“I personally offer apologies to anyone in the community who was triggered by the visit from Ben Azoulay,” she said. “To students, parents and staff who have been victims of assault, I understand how upsetting this was … We cannot underestimate how damaging it is when someone comes to our campus and says, ‘I can’t lie. I was an F student.’ And then you have a student who happened to film it with everyone clapping.”

Board President Judy Manouchehri also apologized for Azoulay’s appearance.

“I really do want to acknowledge that we had a speaker that came through one of our student clubs not too long ago, and it was triggering and disappointing for a lot of our community members and I want to acknowledge that,” she said.

Assistant Superintendent Dustin Seemann proposed changes to district Policy 6145.8, the district’s visitor and assembly policy, that would require a vetting process and a final approval for each guest by the respective school’s principal, and prohibit guests from distributing any food that does not comply with board policy.

“The Superintendent or designee shall develop a comprehensive vetting process for all non-staff speakers/presenters, which must include a background check for criminal convictions, restraining orders, and any public record of conduct inconsistent with district values or missions. It is scheduled at minimum 15 school days in advance to allow for adjustment of academic schedule and provide families with information on assembly,” the proposed amendment read.

Seemann clarified that club events fall under the definition of an assembly. 

“What we’re trying to say as a group is, at minimum, we are getting names submitted to us 15 days in advance. Within that, we are ensuring that all of this has been followed through. Someone isn’t just invited off the street. They have gone through Raptor [Technologies school safety software],” he added.

Manouchehri said it was important to provide school principals with an objective standard that aligns with federal standards, which regulate limitations that school boards can impose on student organizations.

“I looked at some of the policy and I’m worried that the subjectiveness could get us into trouble with students’ rights,” she said. “This would inhibit the clubs. Dr. Seemann is categorizing a club as a special event. I just want to put this out here for everybody, this is not my opinion, but it appears to be federal law. Let’s look into it as a group so we can make sure we’re not overreaching.”

Board Member Rachelle Marcus argued that guest speakers should be scheduled outside of normal school hours to minimize instructional disruption, while Stern added it is important to enforce a policy that students don’t record guest speakers, as fallout from Azoulay’s appearance affected the district’s reputation.

Stern also claimed that district administrators should be able to make judgment calls about whether speakers are fit to speak to students.

“It took 20 seconds if you Google the person’s name to see absolutely abhorrent media,” Stern said. “This particular guy was legally okay to be on the campus, but that doesn’t matter because he wasn’t a good fit.”

Board Member Russell Stuart challenged the phrase “public record” in the proposed amendment, arguing that a guest’s social media posts should not be considered when deciding if they are fit to appear on campus and criticized Stern’s proposed policy changes.

“Dr. Stern, according to you, I’m not a good fit either, which you made a public statement that I should never have been allowed on campus, I should never have been allowed to speak to kids and that I was a dangerous person,” he said. “According to [the amended policy], I would be blocked from coming on campus. We cannot include opinion.”

Stern previously criticized Stuart for speaking about mental health at a BHHS boys’ mental health club, claiming he was not qualified, and also criticized his social media posts, including one that read, “Cheers to my haters! Be patient. So much more is coming.”

The last amendment would mandate all cellphones and recording devices to be powered off during assemblies and students and guests would be prohibited from recording or taking photographs.

The board will review an official proposal of an amended guest and assembly policy at a later date.  

The post Heated Guest Policy Discussion at BHUSD Board Meeting appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

As reported in the Jan. 16 edition of the Courier, the lawsuit alleges that the board violated its own bylaws by installing Sabag as vice president at its Dec. 16 organizational meeting, despite her having received fewer votes than Board Member Amanda Stern in the most recent election. The board’s bylaws stated that when multiple board members have the same term of service, “they shall serve as vice president in descending order of the number of votes received in their most recent election.”

The board voted to rewrite Bylaw 9100 before repeating the election of president and vice president on Jan. 27 to give the board complete control over electing its officers without regard to the number of votes in the most recent election. 

In his lawsuit, Lifschitz alleges causes of action for traditional mandamus, declaratory relief, and injunctive relief. He claims in pertinent part that the board has a “ministerial obligation under former BHUSD Board Bylaw 9100 to elect … Amanda Stern as the board’s vice president.” 

The defendants filed a demurrer to the complaint on Feb. 26, challenging its legal sufficiency on grounds that Lifschitz lacked standing and that the action was moot, among others. Chalfant overruled the demurrer as to all but the claim for declaratory relief, which he found redundant. The court ordered defendants to file an answer to the complaint within 20 days. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for June.

Lifschitz told the Courier he plans to proceed with a vigorous course of discovery. 

“I am grateful for the court’s thoughtful opinion repudiating the district’s positions and clearing the way for me to depose the board trustees in connection with this matter,” Lifschitz told the Courier. “I look forward to the seven hours I will have with each of them under oath. In the meantime, they can reconsider whether their Jan. 27 press release calling my case frivolous should be updated for accuracy.”

A spokesperson for BHUSD declined to comment. 

The post Ruling Allows Lawsuit Against BHUSD to Proceed appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The honorees are Afsaneh Tabibian (Instructional Assistant, BHHS); Felipe Gomez (Maintenance and Operations); Karen Garland (Program Specialist, HM/BVMS); Candace Hemphill (3rd Grade, ER); Ellen Kwon (4th Grade, HM);Kunhee (David) Lee (History & AVID, BHHS); Kari Marlowe (Program Specialist, ER/BHHS);Celeste McDonald (English, BHHS);

Fred Pinto (Visual and Performing Arts, BVMS); Laura Rogers (Special Education, BVMS) and Vivian Minor (Administrative Assistant, BVMS).

“The Beverly Hills Education Foundation is absolutely thrilled to be hosting BHEF HONORS this year, which combines the opportunity to celebrate the generosity of our BHEF donors and the creativity of our Innovative Teacher Grant award winners, along with publicly honoring the remarkable educators, administrators and staff members who have earned Apple Awards in 2026. After a decade-long hiatus, we are excited to be bringing this beloved tradition back to our community. This event is a testament to the spirit of excellence that defines our district, and we’re proud to shine a spotlight on the people who make that excellence possible,” said Tina Wiener, BHEF President.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available through BHEF.org   

The post BHUSD Announces 2026 Apple Award Honorees as BHEF Brings Back Apple Awards Celebration appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Currently operating on one floor and serving 11 families, the nonprofit aims to raise $35 million to renovate its location at the former Hilgard House Hotel and triple its operation. There is currently a waitlist of 38 families wanting to be housed.

Before opening in 2025, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital was the only children’s hospital in California that did not have a Ronald McDonald House. Hosting families from around the country and the world who face barriers to finding a residence while their children receive long-term clinical care, Ronald McDonald House Westside Los Angeles offers one hot meal every day, laundry services, a kitchen and community spaces to families in addition to free housing. 

“There’s a huge impact based on being open for one year,” Emily Juarez, development manager of Ronald McDonald House Westside Los Angeles, told the Courier. “You see families in the house, and you can see the stress on their faces the minute they walk into the house go down.”

Families receiving clinical medical care for a child at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Saint John’s Health Center are eligible to be housed at the Ronald McDonald House Westside Los Angeles for the duration of their child’s care.

The March 18 panel included Cedars-Sinai senior vice president and chief advancement officer Arthur Ochoa, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management managing director Tracey Gluck, California Landmark Group founder and president Ken Kahan and UniHealth Foundation president and chief operating officer Jennifer Vanore on topics ranging from the lack of housing aid for medically affected families to the value of philanthropy.

“We’re in an environment where resources for health care and reimbursement for health care providers continue to shrink and get squeezed in every way possible,” Ochoa said. “We are lucky to be in this part of town served by two extraordinary world-class academic medical centers, and at the same time, there is absolutely no reimbursement for the health care provider, for patients or their families for housing when people have to travel all the distance to receive care, and so the insurance companies aren’t paying for that, government isn’t paying for that, nobody’s paying for that. So, the idea that a group of committed philanthropists can help support the mission of Ronald McDonald House in providing that kind of support for people in the toughest times of their lives is pretty extraordinary.”

Proximate housing services are key in reducing a family’s stress while going through one of the most difficult experiences imaginable, Vanore said.

“When you look at stressors and stress being a satellite killer, the number two causes are a loss of a loved one or dealing with a catastrophic event related to health, and then the second is financial insecurity,” she said. “Nowadays, more and more parents are actually two-income families, and they’re very reliant on those incomes. So, if you have a family or a parent that has to be in that home for a year, they’re not able to work, that is a massive impact on their income for their family. It’s a sacrifice, and so being able to have a free place to stay really helps alleviate those stressors and those long-term mental health impacts on both the parents and the child.”

Gluck emphasized the lasting impact of philanthropy for both the receiver and the donor.

“Philanthropy as part of a wealth strategy,” she said. “I’m at J.P. Morgan, and we deal with high-net-worth individuals. Everybody can afford philanthropy, so making it a part of the strategy, along with involving the children and their children in the giving process, is very important because there’s a legacy, and they need to know what their family is focused on.”

Dr. Theodore Moore, a pediatric oncologist at UCLA, spoke after the panel and said that Ronald McDonald Houses not only provide urgent housing services to families, but can be essential for a patient’s care.

“We have a lot of therapy where you need to come for that therapy, but then you need to stay in the area for a minimum of 30 days of follow-up. Where do the families find a place to stay in Westwood or Beverly Hills or an area where they can afford and be with their whole family?” he said. “When you take care of a patient, you take care of the entire family, and Ronald McDonald Houses do this so well, the counseling, the play therapy, everything that’s there. You’re not going to get this with the family staying in a hotel somewhere. The whole family needs to be treated to be whole.”

The services provided by Ronald McDonald House are so impactful that families often have a difficult time leaving the community they’ve built with other families experiencing similar challenges when they are discharged from the house, said Kelly Herman, executive director of Ronald McDonald House Westside Los Angeles. Wheeler Hadden, director of operations of Ronald McDonald House Westside Los Angeles, remembered one moment between a family from Mexico and a family from China living in the house at the same time.

“Both families had a 7-year-old daughter who was receiving treatment and was inpatient when they first came, and now is outpatient. And they have both been there about the same amount of time, 10 or 11 months,” he said. “And you saw them in the kitchen, and the parents were cooking food respectively, in their own spaces. And the two girls started interacting. One girl asked her mom if she could share some of her food; her mom was cooking classic Chinese food, and the other girl shared home-cooked Mexican food. And they started sharing their food, the two girls. So just seeing that, it was beautiful.”  

The post Ronald McDonald House Westside LA Hosts Event appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The new guidelines provide daily and weekly time limits for students based on grade level, reduce the use of digital devices for students in early education through second grade, encourage the use of pen and paper assignments and provide recommendations for students to safely utilize digital tools.

The district provides Chromebooks and iPads for students to access online programs, individualized interventions, word processing tools and assessments.

Stern and Marcus both dissented because they needed more time to review and amend the policy. Stern said she was concerned by recent parent remarks that suggested the board often rushed through discussion, while Marcus said that she could not support the proposal without condensing the language to add clarity.

BHUSD School Board President Judy Manouchehri, who proposed the guidelines, said she brought the proposal forward after hearing parental feedback about their children’s frequent use of technology and after learning that a fourth-grade student had to take a laptop home every day to complete homework.

“In particular, placing iPads in the hands of our youngest learners, our 4, 5, and 6-year-olds, was not the right approach. It has raised valid concerns among families and in some cases, has even been a deterrent for parents considering enrollment in our TK program,” she said. “At the same time, I think it is important to clarify what this resolution does not do. … This resolution does not mean that we are stepping back from technology, modernization, nor progress.”

The proposal cited a statistic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that from July 2021 through December 2023, half of teenagers aged 12 to 17 had four hours or more of daily screen time.

“Excessive screen time can be associated with vision problems, increased anxiety and depression, addictive behavior, reduced attention span, difficulty managing emotions, lower academic achievement and weaker cognition, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics,” the proposal read.

Parent Dorsa Carrick, a founding member of Parents Against Unhealthy Screen Exposure, lauded the proposal and encouraged the board to strengthen its firewall on district devices to limit student internet use to only teacher-approved websites.

Student Board Member Charlotte Kaveh expressed support for the proposal but questioned the specifics of how much time students would be allowed on devices. Manouchehri responded that district staff will return with more specific guidelines after receiving direction from the board.

Board Member Sigalie Sabag said the resolution was “long overdue” and emphasized the need to minimize screen usage for students in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to limiting screen time, BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss is in the process of creating an AI task force to determine best implementation practices and the district passed a new cellphone policy in 2023 that limited cellphone usage during instructional time.

“This is an exciting moment for our district. We are taking a thoughtful, forward-looking step to ensure technology supports our students in the right way, with balance, intention and purpose,” Manouchehri told the Courier. “It provides for both a limitation of screen time in the younger years, while maintaining BHUSD’s commitment to innovation, technical education and career-readiness for our older students.”

The board will specify the screen time policy during future study sessions. 

The post BHUSD Approves Student Screen Time Guidelines appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

As its name indicates, the entertainment destination is managed by global hotel and casino giant Hard Rock International. But it is owned by the federally recognized Tejon Indian Tribe.  The history of the tribe permeates the property, beginning with the ceremonial blessings bestowed during an invitation-only grand opening attended by the Courier. Inside, the casino proudly displays tribal artifacts and artwork, highlighting the role the Tejon have  played in the history of the southern San Joaquin Valley.

Of course, this being a Hard Rock, authentic music memorabilia are ever-present as well. A 30-ft.-tall sculptural guitar at the entrance pays tribute to the intricate basket weaving of the tribe as well as the acoustic guitars popularized by local music legends Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. 

Step onto the 150,000-square-foot-casino floor, and you will swear you’re in Las Vegas. In addition to more than 2,000 slot machines and 50 live table games, facilities include exclusive VIP rooms for blackjack and baccarat and exclusive Plum Lounge. 

Dining options include a Hard Rock Cafe, Deep Cut Steaks | Seafood and YOUYU for a modern take on Asian noodles. The casual Marketplace Food Hall offers everything from artisanal pastries to street tacos and wood-fired pizzas. 

Hard Rock International COO Jeff Hook noted for the Courier that the drive to the propery is less harried compared to casinos in desert areas. He added, “I like to say, ‘Take the stress-free way to exciement.’”

https://casino.hardrock.com/tejon. 

The post Looking for a Glitzier Getaway? This new Vegas-style casino is only 1.5 Hours Away appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Experience Sonoma Ranch Life

NewTree Ranch, founded by hospitality veteran, designer and chef Edward Newell, is set on a sprawling private estate in Healdsburg, California, about 10 miles from the charming town square. In a short time, Newell has built a devoted under-the-radar following for its transformative, nature-rooted wellness experiences, that are redefining group travel around genuine connection and healing. 

“As a lifelong traveler, I’ve experienced what it means to feel truly welcomed and cared for, and that perspective shaped every detail of NewTree Ranch,” Newell told the Courier. “We’ve created a space where guests can fully exhale, knowing they are held in an environment that is both deeply intentional and quietly luxurious.”

That welcoming could also include a helipad landing on the ranch grounds from the nearby Santa Rosa airport, right in front of the main house, a four-bedroom Estate Villa. Up the hill is the second accommodation, a two-bedroom luxe Barn House, but no matter where you stay, expect to be greeted by two adorable Golden Retrievers serving as “mascots” of the property.

Start your morning with farm-fresh eggs plucked from the chicken coop near the barn, followed by a goat yoga or sound healing session. The afternoons are perfect for stand-up paddle boarding or canoeing on the lake, hot air ballooning, apple picking, hiking, or perusing one of the three gardens and plucking a few fresh asparagus or snap peas. You will also find the floral bounty in every room of the house with tastefully arranged fresh bouquets, and classes are also available to try your own hand. 

Horseback riding through the ranch is an opportunity for guests to connect more deeply with the property’s natural landscape and enjoy the calming benefits of time spent with the ranch’s rescue animal menagerie.

Back in the villa or barn, the pantries are well stocked with farm-fresh eggs, veggies, seasonal fruits, along with preserves, and salsa made on the grounds for serve-yourself breakfast or snacks throughout the day. This is true farm-to-table dining and not just a marketing slogan. 

“Here, people step away from the pace of everyday life, reconnect with the land through meaningful experiences and leave feeling restored, grounded and inspired—rooted, in part, in the rhythms of our regenerative garden and farm, where the health of the soil and the well-being of our guests are one and the same,” added Newell.

Daytime meals might include a bento box from a local Japanese spot, sandwiches from highly coveted Quail & Condor, or a handmade pizza from the wood-fired oven in the garden. For evening dining, an award-winning personal chef can be arranged for meals cooked in the Estate Villa gourmet kitchen, utilizing fresh veggies and produce from the grounds that showcase the ranch’s seasonal bounty. Catered events from some of the best regional cafes, bakeries, and gourmet shops, including caviar tastings, can also be organized, but if you book for more than six nights, the latter is a complimentary perk. Newell also encourages exploring beyond the gates and partners with many top local restaurants, extending the ranch experience while providing guests coveted access to some of the area’s most acclaimed culinary talents.

As the sun sets, take a stroll or soak in the pair of outdoor claw-foot bathtubs by the glamping tent with a glass of local wine. Up by the Barn House, there is a Japanese Tea Garden with a deep soaking stone tub and a glass pavilion with a view that can be set up for a massage. Below that area is a full gym and a commercial catering kitchen for events. The ranch is a popular spot for weddings. 

Wine tasting can also be arranged in-house, as well as excursions to nearby vineyards such as Kendall-Jackson, or a meal at refurbished Victorian B&B Madrona Manor. The town square of Healdsburg, with specialty shops, galleries and cafes is a short 10-minute drive from the ranch, and you can take the ranch Rivian for exploring further. For more information visit newtreeranch.com.

Also in Healdsburg, local pioneer Charlie Palmer of Dry Creek Kitchen, recently opened the contemporary Appellation Healdsburg Hotel, with dining options including Folia Bar & Kitchen and a rooftop bar-lounge with vineyard and garden views.
https://www.appellationhotels.com/hotels/california-healdsburg/

For offsite activities, Sonoma Zipline Adventures in Santa Rosa offers several guided eco-courses from the high-adrenaline to beginner or a Night Flight Tour at sunset through the redwoods. 

Historic Ojai Hotel with Resident Tortoises

Hotel El Roblar is not just a historic ranchero 1919 property in the heart of town, and the longest-standing property, but also the home for two Aldabra Giant Tortoises visiting from the Turtle Conservancy. Abra and Cadabra are 15 and 20 years old, respectively, but can live up to 150 years. This endangered, vegetarian species live in the Seychelles archipelago in the Indian Ocean and can also reach 600 pounds. Guests can gently pet them, but if you want to see more, schedule a visit to the nearby Turtle Conservancy with the front desk.

After a 50-year closure, behind the meticulous property restoration are Eric Goode, Ramin Shamshiri of Studio Shamshiri, Warner Ebbink and Jeremy McBride. As a homage to the early California missions, the 50-room hotel preserves its Spanish Revival architecture. 

On property, two distinct dining venues led by Chef Brandon Boudet (from Little Dom’s in LA) include Condor Bar, serving modern Mexican cuisine, and La Cocina for a casual breakfast or lunch. Additional spaces include an intimate lobby bar with a distinctive mural that depicts the natural history of the Ojai Valley, by artist Stefano Castronovo, a contemporary of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Most of the hotel’s impressive artwork was sourced locally. 

Guest rooms are divided among the Main House, which holds 31 rooms, many with garden terraces, 11 private bungalows with expansive patios, and the newly added Sycamore House, offering eight cabin-style rooms. The hotel’s design preserves original architectural details, including the Mission-style entry archway, the lobby’s stone fireplace, and classic Monterey-style furnishings. 

On the way to visit the turtles, or to take a dip in the pool, with six cabanas, you will encounter a lush Spanish walled garden with soaring palm and dragon trees, charming Spanish-style fountains, inlaid tile work, mosaic murals, and vibrant potted plants. 

Just across the street, visit the Ojai Playhouse, a 200-seat single-screen movie theater, opened in 1914, adding to the historic charm of downtown. And, every Wednesday evening, they collaborate with the hotel for a dinner and a movie night. Every Condor Bar reservation (made via Resy) at 5 p.m., comes with a complimentary movie ticket per patron to the 7 p.m. showing. theroblar.com

Big Bear Mountain Retreats and Bald Eagles 

Big Bear’s newly reimagined lakeside retreat, Hotel Marina Riviera, A Casetta Hotels Property—known for resorting and maintaining historic buildings from the Casy Cody in Palm Springs to Surf Rider in Malibu and The Pearl Hotel, San Diego—opened its doors along the shores of Big Bear Lake in June 2025. 

Think of this as an updated version of retro-American lake leisure with mid-century mountain décor across 42 guest rooms, with wood-burning fireplaces, housed within the property’s original 1968 Viking lodge. Enjoy the year-round heated pool, cold plunge, and barrel sauna overlooking the vast Big Bear Lake, along with restorative rituals that invite calm, connection, and a deeper return to nature. With pet-friendly rooms, lakeside paths, and scenic winter walks, the hotel makes it easy to bring your four-legged plus-one along for an escape. 

Of course, the winter activities include skiing and snowboarding or hanging out in a heated igloo on the patio, but the spring, summer and fall bring boating, hikes and bike rides around the lake, and fire pits for brisk evenings of stargazing or lakeside lounging. 

The hotel’s signature restaurant, and the area’s only true lakeside dining experience, De La Nonna at the Water’s Edge, serves wood-fired comfort dishes, natural wines, and favorites from the contemporary Italian brand that made a name in the downtown LA Arts District for focaccia-style pizzas.

Just beyond the shoreline, resident bald eagle pair Jackie and Shadow, have amassed a large national audience via a live-streamed nest overlooking the surrounding pine forests. The pair recently laid new eggs, drawing thousands of daily viewers and renewed social media attention. This moment offers a distinctly “only-in-Big-Bear” cultural touchpoint, blending wildlife, an alpine setting, and modern Americana storytelling.  hotelmarinariviera.com

Private Cabins from Arkouda Stays 

Arkouda Stays is a newly launched hospitality group redefining the open-air getaway. Founded in 2025 by partners Joseph Lontos, Donna Mulchand, and Todd Calongne, the brand was created around a shared belief: meaningful travel happens when people can slow down, disconnect, and fully experience true nature.

Arkouda Stays brings together two distinct yet complementary properties between the Arkouda Cabins and the forthcoming Arkouda House. The vision is to offer stylish, accessible stays that connect travelers to nature, and adventure, yet with comfort in a chic design aesthetic.  Whether you are drawn to the modern lodge atmosphere of Arkouda House or the intimate, nature-immersed setting of Arkouda Cabins, each property balances function and character in the forest, along with upgraded wellness amenities such as sauna pods and cold plunges.

These two new additions to the area confirm that Big Bear is not just a winter getaway, but also a top destination for fresh air wrapped up in a cool mountain escape. Arkouda Cabins is now open and accepting reservations year-round. arkoudacabins.com 

The post What’s New in California for Spring-Summer Travel 2026 appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Schools are selected for the California Distinguished Schools Program based on performance indicators from the California School Dashboard, including academic achievement, student progress, school climate indicators, and high participation in statewide assessments. To qualify, schools must meet rigorous statewide accountability standards, including at least 95 percent participation in state assessments and strong indicators in areas such as student achievement, attendance, and school climate.

The California Department of Education will formally recognize BVMS at the California School Recognition Program Awards Ceremony on April 24 in Anaheim.  

The post Beverly Vista Named a 2026 California Distinguished School appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The item was placed on the agenda by Board President Judy Manouchehri, who requested that the board hold a study session to learn more about how technology is being used in classrooms and how it impacts students. 

“I am interested in the developmentally appropriate use of technology in the classroom and beyond,” she said. “The problem is that what you want for your 4-year-old is different than what you want for your 10-year-old, is different than what you want for your 14-year-old, and is different than what you want for your 18-year-old. We, as a board and as a district, are tasked with getting it right for so many different age levels and for so many different purposes.” 

Manouchehri added that she has heard various points of view from teachers in the district regarding the use of tech in the classroom, particularly the widely used classroom program iReady. 

“I think that [teachers are] on both sides of the coin,” she said. “Some of them want to do the iReady. Some of them don’t want to do the iReady. And it’s hard for me to answer them one way or another, because I don’t have enough information.” 

All board members were in support of holding a study session on the issue. Board Member Amanda Stern noted that some programs are perhaps deployed too frequently but added that technological skills are a necessary part of education in the current moment and looking ahead. 

“Let’s look at the reality of, say, 2030,” she said. “Some of the emerging core skills that are projected at that time are AI and big data…technological literacy, as well as understanding systems in computers.” 

Stern added that most college campuses have thoroughly integrated apps and software into their learning environments. 

“That is just a part of our world,” she said. “So, we really need to make a demarcation between the very young brains and making sure that the students that we graduate from our schools are those that are career ready and poised to be economically independent and having viable careers. And very often that involves a minimum of, say, understanding how the cloud works and … Google Docs and all that sort of thing.”

BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss agreed to look at schedules and propose some options for a study session. 

In other business, the board heard from the president of the Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) Israel Club about a controversial speech given on Feb. 17 at the school by internet personality Ben Azoulay. 

Azoulay faced allegations of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in 2008 when he was 18. His  online content includes derogatory speech about women and exhortations for students to stop their education at a young age. 

The club president said that BHHS knew in advance about Azoulay’s talk and approved the event. 

“In planning this event, I submitted all the required forms, and the event was approved by the school, and I have documentation proving this,” he said. “Why would the school explicitly approve a guest speaker to come on campus, then subsequently penalize us for bringing him?” 

These comments seem to contradict statements from the district. In a comment to the Courier following Azoulay’s address to students, Superintendent Alex Cherniss said, “Had the principal or district known ahead of time, [Azoulay] would have never been approved to speak to this student club.” 

The club president additionally stated that as a result of Azoulay’s talk, Rabbi Daniel Illulian, whom the club president described as the club’s “rabbi and spiritual mentor,” has been indefinitely banned from entering the school. 

Speaking to the Courier at the end of February after the event took place, Illulian stated that he knew about the allegations against Azoulay in advance of the talk. 

“I did hear of alleged stories…and I reached out to him,” Illulian said. “I asked him directly about being convicted. He said he was not convicted. He said he was cleared. I looked it up online as well and did not see any convictions.” 

Public records reviewed by the Courier include a civil lawsuit in which Azoulay admitted his guilt on a charge of oral copulation with a minor, and in at least one public video posted to Azoulay’s Instagram account, Azoulay states that he was held in jail for 30 days. 

Illulian additionally stated that he offered Azoulay some guidelines about what would be appropriate to talk about, and, calling his speech “incredible,” said that Azoulay “really inspired the kids.” 

In a statement to the Courier following the event, Manouchehri said of the talk and permitting Azoulay on campus that she was “deeply disappointed that this oversight occurred.”  

The post BHUSD Board Discusses Restricting Education Technology appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

As reported in the Courier, the Metro Purple (D) Line Extension is set to open its first phase, from Koreatown to Beverly Hills, on May 8. New stations will open at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax and Wilshire/La Cienega. According to Metro officials, the journey from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to the edge of Beverly Hills will take approximately 20 minutes. Plans call for the line to eventually extend to Westwood/West LA. 

The D Line extension is part of Metro’s “Twenty-Eight by ’28” initiative, put in place to enhance transit infrastructure for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Traveling through Mid-Wilshire to experience the culture, cuisine and commerce across diverse neighborhoods will be easier, faster and more accessible. The opening of Section 1 of the D Line extension also brings us three stops closer to connecting Metro to the Westside, including the 2028 Olympic Village at UCLA where the world’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes will reside,” said Fernando Dutra, Metro Board Chair and City of Whittier Council Member. “That connectivity from Downtown LA to the Westside will serve as a lasting legacy for all Angelenos.” 

The post North Canon Drive to Reopen as Metro Extension Progresses appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The event also honored Patricia and John Nickoll with the Douglas M. Mancino Spirit of Humanity Award, which was renamed this year in memory of Mancino, who was a co-founder of CBF and who died in September 2025. 

The dinner was attended by over 500 people. The total funds raised have not yet been calculated. 

The evening began with a cocktail hour and silent auction, offering items for bidding such as a VIP tour of the Beverly Hills Fire Department and ride-along in a fire truck; a Porsche driving experience and four tickets to an L.A. Rams game.  

Emcee Fritz Coleman, the vice chairman of the board and retired NBC4 weathercaster, made opening remarks. He welcomed attendees and took a moment to honor Mancino.  

“Tonight, we come together in celebration of courage and compassion and community,” said Coleman. “We also recognize the inspired contributions and leadership of Douglas M. Mancino, who we lost this last year.”

The nonprofit CBF offers services such as medical care, reconstructive surgeries and emotional and psychological support to children who suffer burn injuries and their families. Their support continues throughout the child’s and family’s years of recovery. 

Jessica Pashkow, who co-chaired the dinner with her husband, Pash Pashkow, also addressed attendees.

“This evening is more than an event,” she said. “It’s a promise—a promise that no child will endure the long road of burn recovery alone.”

During a live auction, guests were invited to bid on items including a seven-night stay in a luxury villa in Costa Rica, lunch with Wyle on the Warner Bros. lot and a vacation at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.

In remarks during the program, Patty and John Nickoll expressed their gratitude for the honor of receiving the Douglas M. Mancino Spirit of Humanity Award.

“Patty and I are thrilled to receive this honor from the Children’s Burn Foundation,” said John.

“Doug Mancino was a dear friend, and to receive the Spirit of Humanity Award in his name is truly special and meaningful to us,” said Patty. 

Dami Mokuolu, a burn survivor who was injured at age three and a half and went through more than 50 surgeries, spoke to the audience about his experience healing from his burns through help from CBF. 

“I vividly remember returning to school while under excruciating pain from surgeries, having to endure that pain on a daily basis all while just trying to fit in, being bullied and ridiculed for what made me different,” he said. “What brought me solace was knowing that I wasn’t facing this alone. CBF gave me the medical, emotional and physical support to move forward. They provided me with a safe place to call home … this is the path that has shaped me into the confident and resilient man you see today.”

Wyle, the executive producer, writer, director and star of “The Pitt,” acknowledged his parents in the audience during his remarks. Wyle noted that his mother is a nurse and his stepfather was a Marine who later served in a photography unit and took time-lapse images of healing burn wounds. 

“I was raised to know two things: health care workers do angel work, and burns are as bad as bad as it can get,” he said. “I’ve spent a good deal of my professional career working in television emergency departments, but I am not an actual physician … the real heroes are the health care workers who dedicate their careers and lives to helping others.”

Speaking to the Courier after the event, Beverly Hills Fire Chief Greg Barton praised the work of CBF. 

“Burn prevention saves lives, and the work of Children’s Burn Foundation plays a vital role in supporting both prevention and recovery,” he said. “Members of the Beverly Hills Fire Department were proud to be part of the evening and to see so many from the medical community, burn survivor families, and supporters gathered to honor Patricia and John Nickoll, whose generosity has made a lasting impact in the Beverly Hills community. Events like Giving New Hope highlight the power of community coming together to support children and families on their journey to recovery.”

For more information or to donate, visit www.childburn.org.  

The post Noah Wyle and Nickolls Honored by Children’s Burn Foundation appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Bailey’s championship pedigree is nearly unmatched in California football in his more than 30-year career. As the founding coach at Yorba Linda High School, he led the team to two California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section championships. In his career that also included stints at Esperanza High School and El Dorado High School, he amassed 179 wins, 18 playoff appearances, 11 league titles and four CIF championships.

Beverly Hills went 0-9 last fall and has not had a winning season since 2010, a span that includes five winless seasons.

The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education approved Bailey’s appointment on Feb. 24 with a starting salary of $205,656. As a former UCLA offensive lineman, Bailey told the Courier he was excited about the prospect of transforming a program.

“I love a challenge,” Bailey said. “I went to college in this area at UCLA and that kind of stuff is pretty, pretty awesome about the school. It’s well known, it’s a great community, and I’m just excited to be a part of it.”

Bailey said he hopes to start a lower-level junior varsity team as part of his plans to revitalize the district’s football program. He emphasized that establishing a culture that the whole school can take part in will be key to bringing winning football back to Beverly.

“Football is a game of hard work, and that kind of stuff is going to be a big part of what our program is going to be about,” Bailey said. “We’re going to prepare the kids physically and mentally with technique and all those kinds of things to help prepare them for a season. … I’m big on discipline. And I’ll be honest, my philosophy has always been that I want to create a good human, a disciplined human and the byproduct of that is we win a lot of football games.”

Bailey previously worked with BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss, who formerly served as the superintendent at Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. He also has a past connection with Athletic Director Steve Lawson from their time together at El Dorado.

“This is a defining moment for our athletic program and for our community,” Cherniss said. “Coach Bailey’s track record speaks for itself. He builds cultures rooted in discipline, preparation and integrity. His leadership will elevate our football program and strengthen every athletic team on our campus. This reflects our commitment to educational excellence in every arena.”

Bailey emphasized that the best coaches adapt to the players and system they have. As a former offensive lineman, he wants to build the team’s strategy on physicality, discipline and consistency.

“My philosophy has always been stance alignment, get off,” Bailey said. “So, if you can get a good stance, you can get lined correctly and come off the ball correctly, you’re in a position to win. You won’t always win, but you’re in that position at least. If we have some good structure with our team, and they’re where they’re supposed to be, and make it hard for the other team, usually good things happen.”

As the district’s Director of Strength and Conditioning, Bailey will tailor programs for students districtwide to safely train with weights, utilizing the district’s facilities to develop a program that benefits physical and mental strength for every student in the district. Building on school pride and tradition, Bailey also said he wants to take the atmosphere of BHHS football games to the next level.

“When you have a strong football team, it sets the tempo for the whole year,” he said. “I’ve always been a school-first guy with cheer and other programs and the bands, and things like that to make it fun. I would love to make high school games more like a college game, where everybody’s into it with cheers and traditions. Obviously, I’m going to have to embrace some of the original traditions and then maybe make some of our own.”

Bailey’s appointment comes at an exciting time for BHHS’s facilities as the new Konheim Athletic Building is set to be completed in early 2027, complete with three full-size combination basketball and volleyball courts, a wrestling room, fitness center, bleachers, weight training facilities, locker rooms and offices. Following the building’s completion, the district will gear up to start construction on a new south side athletic field, complete with stadium seating and a track.  

The post BHHS Shakes Up Football Program With Jeff Bailey Hire appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The speaker, Ben Azoulay, is a social media personality who, in 2008, faced allegations of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. Azoulay was 18 at the time.  

According to a civil lawsuit filed by the alleged victim in 2011 and public records reviewed by the Courier, Azoulay “admitted his guilt in open court and was convicted on the charge of violating Penal Code Section 288a(b)(1), oral copulation with a minor.” 

In a video posted to his Instagram account last fall, Azoulay addressed the allegations. He said that he took a plea deal and denied that a sexual assault occurred. He stated that he was “held in jail … for 30 days.”  

Azoulay has been highly controversial due to his posts that often degrade women, encourage young people to do poorly in school and, in at least one post, appear to directly address and make light of the allegations of rape levied against him. 

On Feb. 17, the same day he spoke to BHHS students, Azoulay posted a video to his Instagram describing the benefits of young people discontinuing their education. 

“I was a high school dropout, but I also got kicked out of 17 schools in total,” Azoulay says. “I don’t believe in school. So, if you don’t want school? No problem. You’re not going to use it later on in life.”

In another video posted to his Instagram account in January, Azoulay states that women do not have rights if they remove their clothing.

“When a woman removes her clothes, she thinks she now has rights, and she could do with her body whatever she wants. She’s actually being stripped of her rights … a woman is very easy to manipulate.” 

According to a spokesperson from the district, the visit was coordinated by a student-run club and approved at the BHHS site level, a protocol that is in accordance with the California Education Code.

“The visit was not organized, directed, or approved by the Board of Education … consistent with established campus visitor protocols, the guest’s identification was verified through the district’s visitor management process prior to entry,” the spokesperson said in an email. “The individual cleared all required checks, including confirmation that the individual is not listed on the registered sex offender database. Student-run clubs operate as student-initiated activities rather than district-sponsored programs. As with all campus guests, the district applies standard visitor management, supervision, and safety protocols in accordance with Education Code and district procedures.”

Rabbi Daniel Illulian, who has been referred to as the “spiritual advisor” to the Israel Club, which sponsored the talk, shed some light on the process leading up to the event. 

Illulian described himself to the Courier as “the rabbi of Beverly Hills High School” and “a spiritual mentor of every student.” He  noted that he is on campus “every single day with a prayer stand.”

According to Illulian, Azoulay’s appearance came about after club students heard about him from their friends  and obtained his number. 

“He spoke in the valley a week before and the students spoke to him,” said Illulian. 

Illulian acknowledged that he was uncomfortable when he heard the allegations against Azoulay.  

“I did hear of alleged stories … and I reached out to him,” he said. “I asked him directly about being convicted. He said he was not convicted. He said he was cleared. I looked it up online as well and did not see any convictions. I did let the president of the club know about this and I let the school decide about whether to have him speak.” 

Illulian added that once Azoulay was confirmed as a speaker, he provided “some guidelines to him about what to say and what not to say.” 

“For example,” said Illulian, “I told him, ‘No foul words, nothing inappropriate for students.’” 

According to Illulian, Azoulay “really inspired the kids.” 

“The school teacher who was there was very satisfied and impressed with his words. Many kids were, too. He spoke about the importance of saying ‘no’ to drugs. He also spoke about his own difficult life and all the challenges he went through. His father was not in his life. He inspired the boys to never give up and to push. His speech was actually incredible,” said Illulian. 

That sentiment was not shared by a number of district parents who spoke out at the Feb. 24 BHUSD Board meeting. 

Community member Tamar Seff suggested that parents look at Azoulay’s social media presence. 

“[Ben] Azoulay, he’s misogynistic,” she said. “Hopefully, the kids don’t know what that means, but if their teachers are really good, they do. And he’s very problematic.”

District parent Michael Carrick said that he would like to see an apology from the district. 

“I want to know how that person got on campus,” he said. “I want to know why there’s been no apology … he is not a person that should be in front of our boys, our impressionable young boys. It truly disturbs me.” 

District parent Jackie Kruger was forced to leave the meeting after trying to speak about the incident. During public comment, Kruger attempted to make a statement about Azoulay’s talk. As Kruger began to speak, Board President Judy Manouchehri interrupted her, stating that Kruger’s comment was being made at the incorrect time and that she should wait to make it until later in the meeting. As Kruger continued to quote directly from the civil complaint against Azoulay, BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss told her, “This is not appropriate … please stop,” and echoed Manouchehri’s statement that the comment should be held until later. 

The dialogue between Manouchehri, Cherniss and Kruger continued to escalate until Kruger was approached by two security guards who escorted her out. During the escalation, Board Member Russell Stuart stood up from the dais and called Kruger “disgusting.” 

Speaking to the Courier after the meeting, Kruger said she was not permitted to return to the meeting or finish her comment. 

“Security told me that either Cherniss or Manouchehri said I was to be ejected from the building for the remainder of the night,” she said. 

Later that evening, Kruger, who is an attorney, sent Manouchehri, Cherniss, Stuart and district counsel a demand to cure, alleging violations of the Ralph M. Brown Act, the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment and state tort law. 

She also demanded the adoption of a written remedial policy, mandatory training for all board members and Cherniss, the preservation of audio and video recordings of the meeting and permission to deliver her full remarks at the next board meeting

In a Feb. 26 statement to the Courier, Superintendent Alex Cherniss denounced Azoulay’s talk. 

“Some of the views espoused by this man, which I’ve seen on social are abhorrent,” he said. “Had the principal or district known ahead of time, he would have never been approved to speak to this student club.”

Similarly, a statement received from Manouchehri close to press time on Feb. 26 noted, “Beverly Hills Unified School District supports student engagement and exposure to diverse viewpoints. That said, the speaker who presented at last week’s student-run event did not reflect the level of judgment, appropriateness, or alignment with our community’s values that we expect on our campuses. As Board President, I am deeply disappointed that this oversight occurred. Moving forward, we will implement a more rigorous vetting process to ensure all speakers uphold the standards and responsibilities inherent in addressing our students.”

The post BHUSD Community Responds to Controversial Speaker appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

They are wrong. 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., yet fewer than half of women recognize it as their greatest health threat. Among the most alarming trends: The number of women 35 to 54 experiencing heart disease and heart attacks is increasing.

For decades, heart attack death rates declined sharply, thanks to improved research, standardized treatment guidelines and widespread use of effective medications and procedures. While heart attack deaths are still much lower than they once were, the increase in heart problems among younger adults is worrying.

Multiple factors are driving this shift. Low levels of physical activity and high levels of sedentary behavior are major contributors, along with the growing diabetes and obesity epidemic, socioeconomic stressors, and environmental factors such as poor air quality, natural disasters and other influences.

Still, there is good news: Heart disease is largely preventable. And for women in particular—who may not experience obvious symptoms or whose symptoms are subtle—knowledge is a powerful prevention tool.

Here are five things every woman needs to know to protect her heart.

More women die of cardiovascular disease than all cancers combined

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S., causing one in three deaths each year. While men tend to develop cardiovascular disease earlier, women are more likely to experience poorer outcomes.

Historically, younger women with heart disease were less likely to receive evidence-based treatments such as statins and more likely to be told they were “too young” to have heart disease—or simply advised to lose weight. These delays and dismissals have had serious consequences.

Landmark research, including the Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study, which I led for the National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, helped reveal how heart disease often presents differently in women and prompted important changes in diagnostic and treatment guidelines. Despite these advances, women with heart disease are still more likely to be misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed or undertreated—sometimes delaying care that could save their lives. Knowledge can help women advocate for themselves.

Women often experience different heart attack symptoms than men

The so-called “Hollywood heart attack”—tingling in the left arm that leads to sudden, crushing chest pain—is common in men and can occur in women as well. But many women experience subtler symptoms, including shortness of breath, nausea, unusual fatigue, back or jaw pain, or chest discomfort that doesn’t feel severe or dramatic. 

Because these symptoms don’t match common expectations of a heart attack, they also have historically been overlooked or minimized. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Heart attacks can occur even if your arteries are clear

An increasing number of heart attacks are occurring in people without significant blockages in the major coronary arteries, a pattern seen more often in women. While men’s heart disease more commonly involves blockage of large arteries, women are more likely to experience dysfunction of the heart’s smaller blood vessels. This condition can lead to ischemia—a critical reduction in blood flow to tissues or organs—with no obstructive coronary artery disease, or INOCA. 

Even women who are physically fit can develop INOCA. In the past, if a woman had heart attack symptoms but a “normal” angiogram that showed clear major arteries, her condition might not have been recognized. Continued awareness and ongoing education around INOCA are helping clinicians better diagnose and treat these patients.

Heart disease develops silently over time

By the time someone has a heart attack, the disease process may have been underway for a decade or more. While heart disease can be managed with highly effective treatments, the most powerful strategy is prevention.

An estimated 80% of heart disease cases are preventable with lifestyle modifications. These include staying current with annual health screenings and knowing cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels, exercising at least 30 minutes daily, getting up from sitting throughout the day (a sedentary lifestyle is considered as strong a risk factor as smoking), managing stress, getting seven to nine hours of sleep, avoiding smoking and maintaining a nutritious diet.

Also, certain life stages and conditions unique to women, such as pregnancy and menopause, can affect long-term cardiovascular risk and should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Prevention is about good habits, not deprivation

A Mediterranean, plant-based diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, whole grains, healthy fats such as olive oil and lean proteins is recommended for heart health. Think of it as a diet of freshness, abundance, color and beautiful foods. Parents are encouraged to help ensure their children make healthy food choices, too.

Heart health isn’t about deprivation—it’s about building habits early that can prevent disease down the road.  

C. Noel Bairey Merz, M.D., is director of the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center, the Linda Joy Pollin Women’s Heart Health Program, the Erika J. Glazer Women’s Heart Research Initiative and the Preventive Cardiac Center in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai. She also is professor of Medicine and the Irwin and Sheila Allen Trust Chair in Women’s Health Research at Cedars-Sinai. 

The post What Every Woman Needs to Know About Heart Disease appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The two-story, 55,000-square-foot athletic facility will feature three full-size combination basketball and volleyball courts, a wrestling room, fitness center, bleachers, weight training facilities, locker rooms and offices. The new facility will replace the current Konheim Athletic Building, which will be demolished following the facility’s completion. Construction by Swinerton Builders began in fall 2024 and is scheduled to be completed in early 2027 with an estimated cost of under $60 million.

“Sports builds character. It builds skills that the classroom can’t teach,” said Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Public Information Officer Colby Gilardian. “It’s important that we have athletics and education go hand in hand. So having a dedicated space, brand new facilities to support our student-athletes is so important.”

The new building is currently visible while driving along Moreno Drive, between the Grand Lawn and the Swim Gym.

“The contractor on the project, Swinerton, is doing quick work of all the masonry that needs to be done first, so you can see that most of the shell of the building is almost there,” said Executive Director of Maintenance, Operations and Construction Will Karrat. “All the path is slate, and we’re going to start pouring some concrete flatwork to help move things along and start putting up some walls on the first floor of the building pretty soon.”

As part of the athletic facility renovations, the district is building an outdoor eight-lane, 25-yard swimming pool that will allow BHHS to host swim meets and water polo matches. The pool will also serve as a community pool, accessible to the public. The existing Swim Gym, as featured in “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), will also remain.

“Currently, the plan is to have both pools available, for use by our students and by the community,” Karrat said. “It’s a high demand thing to have, because the community loves to use the pool, and of course, our athletes need to use the pool, so the second one is going to be very beneficial, wonderful.”

The new Konheim Athletic Building will also include a designated room for the BHHS Athletic Alumni Hall of Fame, featuring Beverly Hills’ most renowned student-athletes in its history, including tennis legend Louise Brough Clapp. Clapp, who grew up playing tennis at Roxbury Park and went on to become a Wimbledon and United States Tennis champion, donated one of her Wimbledon trophies to the Hall of Fame.

Following the completion of the new Konheim Athletic Building, the district will gear up to start construction on a new south side athletic field, which can begin once the old Konheim Athletic Building is torn down. The new field will be complete with stadium seating and a track. The BHUSD Board of Education also awarded a bid to the Nazerian Group and tBP/Architecture on Jan. 27 for a new 110-space parking lot along Olympic Boulevard for $4,429,600 to help support the school’s new facilities.

“The new Konheim Athletic Building marks more than the start of a new facility; it symbolizes a renewal of hope, opportunity and pride for our entire BHUSD community,” BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss told the Courier. “This state-of-the-art home for athletics will empower our students to push beyond boundaries, build lifelong bonds and experience the joy of excellence every time they step into the gym. What we are building here honors our past, elevates our present and inspires every learner to reach higher, dream bigger and stand taller, together in a community that believes deeply in their potential.”

The district has recently completed several major construction projects at BHHS, including the new 1,200-seat Peters Auditorium, the Salter Family Theatre, six new tennis courts, a new softball field and the renovated Grand Lawn is expected to open in the coming months.

The post Progress Continues on Konheim Athletic Building at BHHS appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Over 30 million people worldwide now use AI mental health apps, with usage accelerating throughout 2025. Not surprisingly, younger people are leading the charge. About 36% of Millennials and Gen Z say they’re open to trying AI for mental health support, compared to 28% of older generations. For many younger people, chatting with an app feels less intimidating than sitting across from a therapist. These apps are always available. Feeling anxious at 2 a.m.? The app responds in under 30 seconds. No waiting rooms, no scheduling conflicts, no sitting in traffic.

It’s important to distinguish between AI chatbots designed specifically for mental health—like Woebot, Wysa, and Youper—and general-purpose AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini that we have discussed in the past. Mental health apps are built with clinical frameworks (like CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), tested in peer-reviewed studies, and designed with safety protocols for crisis situations. General AI chatbots, while often providing excellent general advice, aren’t trained in therapeutic techniques and lack the specialized safeguards needed for mental health support.

The AI mental health market is exploding. From $1.8 billion in 2024, it’s expected to reach nearly $12 billion by 2034. Investors are pouring in money—over $6 billion in the first half of 2025 alone—with most going to AI mental health startups. These apps have found sustainable business models through monthly subscriptions (usually $30-40), partnerships with insurance companies, and integration into telehealth services.

Several platforms have emerged as favorites:

Woebot Health uses CBT techniques in a chat format. Think of it as texting with a therapist who specializes in helping you challenge negative thought patterns. Clinical studies show users experience less depression within just four weeks. It’s even partnered with CVS Health.

Wysa serves over 3 million people in 65 countries and works with major healthcare systems like the UK’s National Health Service. About 80% of conversations happen entirely with AI, though you can add human coaching if you want. Users report feeling significantly less anxious after regular use.

Replika started as a general AI companion but has become popular for combating loneliness, especially among older adults. With over 10 million downloads, it keeps people engaged 48% longer than typical social media apps.

Youper connects with your fitness tracker to understand how your physical state affects your mood. Users who stick with it see a 48% decrease in depressive symptoms and 43% reduction in anxiety.

These apps are now available in over 30 languages worldwide. In Australia, 28% of people have tried AI mental health support. Many mental health professionals (43%) use AI tools themselves for tasks like notetaking and research.

California tech companies have been early adopters. Several Silicon Valley firms report 28% fewer burnout-related absences and about $380 saved per employee yearly after adding AI mental health tools to wellness programs. Even traditional California industries—from entertainment to agriculture—are piloting these programs. The Department of Veterans Affairs is testing Woebot for PTSD treatment with promising results. Schools use chatbots to give students confidential support. Even the Red Cross deploys AI chatbots after disasters to help survivors.

The research is encouraging, with studies showing people using AI CBT programs experienced 64% better outcomes than control groups. AI can even analyze patterns in patient records to predict suicide risk with 80-90% accuracy, potentially saving lives through early intervention.

The catch? Only a few apps like Woebot and Wysa have been rigorously tested in peer-reviewed studies. Most haven’t been studied beyond eight weeks, so we don’t know much about long-term effectiveness.

Privacy concerns loom large. No algorithm can replicate human empathy or adaptive intuition. AI chatbots frequently misinterpret complex emotions and must direct users to human support during crises.

Algorithmic bias threatens inclusivity. AI models trained primarily on Western data may poorly serve diverse cultural or linguistic contexts, potentially reinforcing existing inequities rather than reducing them.

California is leading the national charge to regulate this emerging industry. In October 2025, Governor Newsom signed a bill establishing the nation’s most comprehensive AI chatbot safety law, effective January 1, 2026. The law requires AI companions to clearly disclose they’re not human, implement suicide prevention protocols, protect minors from sexually explicit content, and remind users every three hours that they’re interacting with AI—not a licensed therapist.

As of October 2025, three U.S. states—Illinois, Nevada, and Utah—have enacted laws banning or severely restricting AI therapy without human oversight. Illinois and Nevada comprehensively prohibit AI chatbots from providing or advertising therapy without licensed professional intervention. Utah imposes strict disclosure and privacy requirements.

Internationally, the EU, UK, Australia, and Japan are considering regulations focused on transparency, risk assessment, and mandatory oversight.

The field is evolving at breakneck speed. Apps that exist today may look completely different in six months, and regulators are struggling to keep pace. What’s considered safe and effective practice is still being defined in real-time. If you’re considering an AI mental health app, verify it’s still available in your state, check recent reviews, and confirm any clinical claims are current—yesterday’s research may not reflect today’s version of the app.

AI therapy won’t replace human therapists, but it’s becoming an integral part of mental health care. For millions without access to traditional therapists, these digital tools offer something previously unavailable: immediate, affordable support when one needs it most. The question isn’t whether AI belongs in mental health care, but how we ensure it serves everyone safely and effectively.

Beverly Hills Courier columnist Dr. Eva Ritvo is a psychiatrist with more than 30 years’ experience practicing in Miami Beach. She is the author of “Bekindr-The Transformative Power of Kindness” and the founder of the Bekindr Global Initiative, a movement to bring more kindness in the world. She is the co-author of “The Beauty Prescription” and “The Concise Guide to Marriage and Family Therapy.” She is also the co-founder of the Bold Beauty Project, a nonprofit that pairs women with disabilities with award-winning photographers creating art exhibitions to raise awareness. Dr. Ritvo received her undergraduate and medical degrees from UCLA, and psychiatry residency training at Weill Cornell Medicine.

The post AI and Mental Health Care: A Rapidly Evolving Landscape appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The circumstances surrounding her resignation are not clear, however Collins-Williams filed a lawsuit against the district and the BHUSD Board of Education in January 2024. The suit alleges discrimination on the basis of age, race and gender; a hostile work environment; retaliation and a violation of the labor code protecting whistleblowers.

In the complaint, Collins-Williams, who is Black, alleged that the district’s culture “traumatiz[ed]” students, parents, community members and staff of color.

The lawsuit states that Collins-Williams was passed over for the job of deputy superintendent after being considered for and, she thought, “groomed” for the position. The suit states that instead, the district hired a younger Caucasian woman with no prior relevant experience, then promoted the new employee and raised her pay multiple times.

Meanwhile, Collins-Williams claims she was tasked with working towards rectifying data that showed that administrators at BHUSD disproportionately disciplined students of color. According to a court filing in Sept. 2024, Collins-Williams alleged that administrators “continue[d] to misrepresent and/or underreport this disciplinary data” and “endorsed a racially hostile work environment, which included racial slurs and racially discriminatory policies directed at Plaintiff” and other Black students and teachers.

In April 2025, attorneys for Collins-Williams were granted a motion to compel the attendance of former BHUSD Superintendent Michael Bregy at his continued deposition, answers to deposition questions and the production of documents.

The district declined to comment for this story. As of press time, an attorney representing Collins-Williams has not replied to the Courier’s request for comment.

A jury trial is set for her case in May.

The post BHUSD Assistant Superintendent Resigns appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The DLA was rolled out at Horace Mann and El Rodeo Elementary Schools with one kindergarten class and one first-grade class at Horace Mann, and one kindergarten class and two first grade classes at El Rodeo.

According to Horace Mann Assistant Principal Adrienne Kim, who together with El Rodeo Assistant Principal William Cameron gave a presentation to the board, first grade students enrolled in the program are “building Spanish literacy skills at the expected rate for a first-year immersion program, and the instructional approach is working.” 

Kinder students in the program have shown “a consistent performance across sites, which tells us that our launch implementation is aligned,” she said.  

Student progress is being evaluated through a combination of i-Ready, classroom assessments and teacher evaluations.  

Addressing some parent concerns, Assistant Superintendent Dustin Seemann spoke about the program’s “90-10” approach, in which 90% of core subject instruction is done in Spanish and 10% is done in English. As students enter middle school, instruction will shift to a 50-50 model, he said. 

“We spent the weekend at a DLA conference this past weekend at San Diego State, and everything and every session we sat through consistently doubled down on the fact that a 90-10 model within the first two years, as we move into a 50-50, those students … do outperform their English-only students by the time that they hit middle school,” he said. 

In advance of the presentation given by Kim and Cameron, a group of first graders enrolled in the DLA program performed a poem, “El Puente,” in both English and Spanish and a story, “Isabel Ayuda,” in Spanish.  

The board initially discussed the idea for the DLA in May 2025 and gave administrators the green light to bring the idea to fruition at that time. At that board meeting, Seemann noted that it seemed to be the right time to implement the idea since BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss had spearheaded similar projects in other districts, and the idea had the support of the board. 

Curriculum was vetted by district personnel, and teachers were recruited as students were simultaneously enrolled. Students in the program are instructed using the same state-approved curriculum as those in English-only classes. 

BHUSD additionally partnered with TNTP, a nonprofit educational consultation organization, to launch the DLA. 

At the Jan. 27 board meeting, Cherniss expressed his enthusiasm about the DLA. 

“This program will forever change the Beverly Hills Unified School District,” he said. “We each and every year will grow this program to where we are going to have fluent students in Spanish beginning by the time they get to middle school. So, I couldn’t be happier with the progress. I can tell you we’ve already started enrollment for next year, and we’re on our way to two full classes, one at each school already … it’s a huge win for our district that we put in place in very short time.”

Speaking in Spanish, Board Member Amanda Stern thanked the teachers and Cherniss, and said that she wanted to practice her own Spanish as she was once a student in a bilingual program as well. She additionally stated that she was very impressed with all the children. 

“It was a turning point for us to see [the program] because it was one of the most distinct programs we’ve had in a long time,” she said. 

Board Member Rachelle Marcus, who taught in the district for more than 50 years, also voiced her appreciation for the teachers, students and parents who have participated in the DLA so far. 

“I hope that we’re able to keep up with the need and the demand so that we can find the people to continue the program, because I see it’s wonderful, and I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “I’m just thinking to myself, they’re going to get to sixth grade, and my goodness, are Spanish classes going to have to be AP at that point? Because they’re going to be so super ready. And I’m glad that we’ve got the program in. It’s been very popular, and I’m glad to see it’s continuing on.”

According to Seemann, registration recently opened for current transitional Kindergarten students whose families wish to enroll them in the program for the next school year.  

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With nearly 1,200 seats, the newly renovated auditorium features state-of-the-art theatrical technology, including a multistory lighting catwalk, speakers, security cameras and ADA-accessible features. The theater is complete with an orchestra, balcony and a motorized orchestra pit that can be assembled or disassembled for any given performance. The facility also offers new dressing rooms, a green room and an engineering space for students to work on set construction while preserving the theater’s façade.

The renovation was funded over many years through local bond measures and was overseen by Executive Director of Maintenance, Operations and Construction Will Karrat and management firm Fonder-Solari.

Members of the Beverly Hills City Council, BHUSD Board of Education, parents, students, teachers, Parent Teacher Student Association leadership and Beverly Hills Education Foundation Board members came together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by the opening night performance of Dance Company 2026.

“This reopening is the result of years of thoughtful planning and commitment to our students and community and of course, thank you to every community member here tonight,” said BHUSD Board of Education President Judy Manouchehri. “Your presence reflects how deeply this district, and these spaces matter to Beverly Hills. This reopening also represents something larger: it marks yet another accomplishment in BHUSD’s ongoing investment in world-class facilities for our students in our community.”

The reopened theater will not only serve as a performance space for the school’s music, theater and dance programs, but will finally serve as a place for the full school to gather for assemblies. The theater’s technology will help support the school’s theater tech pathway, where students learn lighting design, sound design and stagecraft. The auditorium will also help facilitate a hands-on approach with school shows, where students will build sets for each production.

The auditorium’s stage was named after real estate agent Michael Libow, a BHHS alumnus, who donated the stage through the Beverly Hills Education Foundation.

“If somebody is a new parent coming into the Beverly Hills community, they will now be proud to call this their high school,” Libow said. “This is something that we can all be proud of in this community, and it brings people together.”

Students were at the forefront of every part of the theater’s reopening. A BHHS string quartet serenaded guests while Culinary Arts students prepared and served hors d’oeuvres. The main performance was led by the BHHS Advanced Dance Theatre Group, a group of 20 dancers who marked the theater’s first artistic performance with rousing and inspiring contemporary dance.

“It’ll elevate the quality of what we do. When you have great events like this, great venues like this, amazing kids will want to come here because of our dance, theater and arts, and it’s going to elevate all of our arts programs,” BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss said. “I think what we have here is the best of the best. And any parent that brings their kid here would say, ‘Hey, I want my kid to go here.’”

The auditorium had its soft opening on Jan. 27, when it hosted an assembly of five Holocaust survivors for Holocaust Remembrance Day. The student body gathered for the first time in one space to hear the stories of the survivors.

The Peters Auditorium reopening coincides with other major campus construction projects, including the renovated Salter Family Theatre, six new tennis courts, a new softball field, classroom and performance spaces in the B3 and B4 buildings and the Grand Lawn, which is set to reopen in the coming months.

“Tonight marks more than the reopening of a theater—it marks the fulfillment of a promise,” Manouchehri said. “A promise that every student deserves a space that honors their talent, amplifies their voice and reflects their worth. Through the unwavering commitment of this district, that promise has been kept, creating a comprehensive home for arts education and performance within BHUSD.” 

The post Beverly Hills High Celebrates Peters Auditorium Reopening appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The two actions taken by the board were challenged before, during and after the meeting, including in a complaint and petition for writ of mandate, declaratory and injunctive relief filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Jan. 26 by district parent Daniel Lifschitz. 

In his filing, Lifschitz argued that Board President Judy Manouchehri, and Board Members Sigalie Sabag and Russell Stuart—who together form a majority on the board—violated the board Bylaw 9100 in voting to deny Board Member Amanda Stern the vice presidency at the mandatory board organizational meeting in December 2025. 

At the time of that meeting, Bylaw 9100 existed in a version passed in 2024. Its terms stated that the vice presidency shall be determined in a rotation according to term of service and number of votes received. Stern received the highest number of votes in comparison to the other two board members—Sabag and Stuart—with the same length of service in the current term. As such, she was in line for the vice presidency. 

The lawsuit filed by Lifschitz alleges that the majority “elected to brazenly violate Bylaw 9100 based upon nothing more than animus towards Dr. Stern. They cited defamatory (and ultimately pretextual) reasons for lacking confidence in Dr. Stern’s fitness to lead, then assumed ad hoc authority to instead install Sabag as the vice president by majority vote.”

In addition to his complaint, Lifschitz appeared in court on Jan. 27 on an ex parte application for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent the board from changing the bylaws and electing Sabag to the vice presidency at the board meeting later that day. His application for extraordinary relief was denied by a judge, but the lawsuit will nonetheless proceed.

After the judge’s ruling on the TRO, the district sent out a press release with the heading “Beverly Hills Unified School District Prevails over Lifschitz; Gipson Hoffman & Pancione.” Gipson Hoffman & Pancione is Lifschitz’s employer. His lawsuit against the district was filed by him as a plaintiff acting as his own attorney. 

Lifschitz’s employer, the Gipson firm, is not involved in the case. Nonetheless, the release with their name on it was distributed by the district to members of the firm. 

In the release, the district states that BHUSD “prevailed” over Lifschitz and that the judge’s decision “reaffirm[ed] that the board conducts its business lawfully, transparently, and in full compliance with applicable law.”

“The judge said no such thing,” Lifschitz told the Courier. He went on to describe the release as a  “thuggish attempt in intimidation” that is “beneath the dignity of the district.” 

He added, “The retaliatory nature of this tactic only underscores the majority’s unprofessionalism and serves as further evidence of why the lawsuit against them must and will continue.”

At the board meeting on Jan. 27, the board voted to revise Bylaw 9100 to strike the language regulating the terms of the vice president’s selection. It also removed language stating that no board member shall serve more than one consecutive year in the same office. 

The vote to revise the bylaw passed by a 3-2 vote, with Stern and Board Member Rachelle Marcus voting no. 

The board then took another vote to elect Sabag as vice president by a 3-2 vote, with Stern and Marcus again voting no. 

The board stated that its rationale for the reconsidered election was an alleged violation by Stern of California’s Ralph M. Brown Act, which governs the conduct of public officials in meetings. The Brown Act prohibits “any use of direct communication, personal intermediaries, or technological devices that is employed by a majority of the members of the legislative body to develop a collective concurrence as to action to be taken on an item by the members of the legislative body.”

Sabag raised allegations of Brown Act violations against Stern at the board’s Jan. 13 meeting. She stated that Stern had spoken with her as well as Board Member Rachelle Marcus prior to the December 2025 organizational meeting. 

Sabag and Stern have differing accounts of the conversations. But, Stern was accused at the Jan. 27 board meeting of conducting a prohibited “serial meeting” in violation of the Brown Act. A serial meeting involves a majority of the board discussing board business in one-on-one communication with the intent to decide on a course of action. 

Stern responded that her actions were “scarcely a Brown Act violation.”   

“Neither I, nor anyone acting on my behalf violated the Brown Act, as no collective action was taken or caused by me on a non-discretionary matter,” Stern said.

The board majority nonetheless cited a 90-day obligation to “cure” Stern’s Brown Act violation and proceeded to revise the bylaw and reelect Sabag. 

The Courier has reached out to the district and to its counsel Michael Travis, who appeared by video at the hearing, to clarify the specific authority governing the board’s curative actions. 

A representative for the district said it would not comment on litigation. As of press time, the Courier has not received a response from Travis. 

Speaking on her own behalf, Stern later told the Courier that “The voters made it clear that the ‘will of the people’ was that the board conform to the bylaws and thereby install me as vice president by the end of 2025. That failed to happen. I am hopeful that the board will correct their course of action. Meanwhile, I wish to showcase our district in a positive light, and I am excited about some recent student accomplishments.” 

The post BHUSD Board Changes Bylaws, Installs Sabag appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

On Dec. 16, Board Member Judy Manouchehri was sworn in as the board’s new president and Board Member Sigalie Sabag was sworn in as the board’s new vice president, despite having received fewer votes in the most recent election. The board’s bylaws state that when multiple board members have the same term of service, “they shall serve as vice president in descending order of the number of votes received in their most recent election.”

At the Dec. 16 meeting, Stuart, Manouchehri and Sabag voted against Stern’s installation. Manouchehri criticized Stern’s actions while on the board, stating that she could more closely adhere to the Brown Act and not make “false statements to the public about closed session matters.”

On Jan. 13, following comments from district parents and students in her support, Stern decried her treatment by fellow board members, saying it humiliated her and caused chaos, and demanded to be installed as vice president.

Stern pointed to her accomplishments as a board member, including making a safety plan for graduation and increasing cybersecurity, and said that a record 7,102 voters supported her in the last election. Stern also condemned Board Member Russell Stuart’s social media posts and held up a photo of one that said, “Cheers to my haters! Be patient. So much more is coming,” and asked the room if they would tolerate the same behavior from their teenage children.

Board Member Rachelle Marcus, who nominated Stern for vice president, also criticized Manouchehri’s statements against Stern, calling them a “pre-planned attack for personal goals” and saying she was “appalled.” Marcus’ comments were met with applause from the gathered audience.

During public comment, district parent and attorney Daniel Lifschitz demanded Stern’s installation and threatened a lawsuit against the district if it did not abide.

“At least one person on this dais went to law school and should understand how separation of powers works,” he said. “You may also want to refresh your recollection of how mandamus works because that’s what I’ll be suing you under if you refuse to discharge your sworn ministerial duties under the bylaws and continue to perpetuate this charade that Miss Sabag was lawfully installed as vice president in a shameful December coup. … Do your job or I’ll see you in court.”

Stuart defended the board majority’s actions in voting against Stern and argued that the board has improved the district in the past year in numerous ways. During his comments, audience members shouted their disapproval at Stuart. Stuart then replied to Lifschitz and said, “I can’t believe you’re a freaking lawyer,” before getting up and leaving the meeting.

Manouchehri addressed Stern directly at the end of the meeting.

“While what I said has been described by many, I spoke to you from my heart and I spoke with you softly and not in an aggressive way,” she said. “I was voting my conscience based on not your views, but the interactions that we had had. I think you know that I respect your perspective, and I respect your opinion, and I acknowledge what you bring to this table, and I understand your anger. I hope that we can, like we did tonight, continue to work together.” 

The post BHUSD Faces Litigation Threat in Wake of Stern Controversy appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The renovated lawn along the west side of Moreno Drive will feature two distinct grass sections for students to use. The lawn will run across the entire Building B with a pathway leading to the school’s attendance office, ending at the new Konheim Athletic Building, scheduled to open at the end of 2026. The Grand Lawn, once the centerpiece of BHHS’s campus where graduation was held, will be used by teachers to host classes and by students as a place to eat lunch, study and make memories with friends. 

Funded through local bond measures, the Grand Lawn renovation is being overseen by management firm Fonder-Solari and carried out by construction firm Swinerton Inc.

“The students have been without it for so long, and just to have a space that really exemplifies who we are as a community and who we are as students means so much,” said Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Public Information Officer Colby Gilardian.

The renovations involved concrete flatwork, landscaping, irrigation and installing lighting, cameras and Wi-Fi, said Will Karrat, the BHUSD executive director of maintenance, operations and construction. The Grand Lawn renovation will dramatically change BHHS morning drop-off, as a new traffic lane along Moreno Drive will be added, Karrat said. The new lane will allow students to be safely picked up and dropped off in front of the high school, rather than having to drive all the way into the school’s main entrance. The lawn will also be surrounded by a new wrought iron fence, with cameras installed and each gate monitored by security guards.

Karrat added that in planning the renovation, it was important to provide enough green space while also selecting grass that would be easy to maintain.

“So, we wanted to keep the old look of having it being a grand lawn, and not just have it be a brown space,” Karrat said. “We wanted to have a lot of green so that’s what we’re going to incorporate into the lawn area. And then there’s two sections of raised areas, or small little hillsides that will be covered with drought-tolerant plants that we’re hoping it’s not going to require a lot of maintenance. It will hold up through the years, certainly.”

The reopening of the Grand Lawn coincides with other construction projects at BHHS that have been completed or are near completion in the new year. The fall saw the reopening of the Salter Family Theatre in Building 3, a 125-seat theater with modernized equipment for audio-visual technology, lighting systems and a redesigned backstage area. This year will also see the reopening of the Peters Auditorium, a 1,200-seat theater space that will open in conjunction with the BHHS Dance Company’s annual performance. The show is slated to run from Jan. 28-30 and will be the first production at the newly renovated Peters Auditorium in more than 10 years. 

In planning the Grand Lawn reopening, increasing campus safety was as important as providing an open space for students, Gilardian added.

“We obviously want the most modernized campuses and to give our students the tools and resources to succeed as best as possible within the facilities, but we also want to be courteous neighbors,” Gilardian said. “Our current Board of Education is really committed to finishing our facilities construction. We don’t want to be in construction forever, but we also want our facilities to be the best it can be. And so we feel like now is the golden age.”

BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss welcomed the renovation as a new chapter for BHHS.

“The Grand Lawn has always been the heart of our campus,” Cherniss said. “For generations, it welcomed students each morning and served as a place for connection, reflection and celebration. From daily lunches and studying to milestone moments like graduations, it holds deep meaning for our school community. After being closed for many years, we are now in the final stages of restoring this space back to our students, where it belongs. As superintendent, it is incredibly meaningful to help guide this moment, and I look forward to the many ways our students will soon learn, gather and grow here every day.”

The reopening of the lawn is especially significant for longtime BHHS faculty members who remember when students would congregate and make memories on the lawn before and after class.

“I am very excited for the reopening of our front lawn,” said BHHS math teacher Elaina Reilly. “It will be wonderful to again have a beautiful, natural space where students can gather, play and make high school memories.”  

The post Beverly Hills High School Grand Lawn Reopens After 10 Years appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

This holiday season, I hope you give yourself the gift of a pause, a time to reflect and make wise decisions about how to spend your energy, time, and resources in 2026. What are your overarching goals? Did you move forward in 2025? What are you most grateful for? What brought you happiness?

Then, be brave and flip the coin. What didn’t go as planned? What adversities did you face? When did you stumble? What lessons did you learn?

The answers to these questions help guide us so that next year can be better. Yes, each year can surpass the last! How can we create our best year yet? The answer shouldn’t be left to chance. While luck may play a role, sustained effort, education, and endurance are crucial for most of us.

I often reflect on my friend Kerry Gruson, whose life changed drastically when she was strangled and left for dead by a stranger. She now lives with Post-Traumatic Parkinson’s Disease and can hardly move, and her voice is a mere whisper. Yet, in the 52 years since her assault, she has led an extraordinary life, competing at the highest level of sports with her able-bodied partner. Kerry’s voice is quiet, but her message is loud and clear: “Together We Can.” Kerry and Caryn Lubetsky have earned three Guinness World Records and have been featured in multiple documentaries for their remarkable athletic achievements.

These women embody what psychologists call a growth mindset, the belief that our abilities and emotional resilience can expand with effort and intention. Developed by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck through decades of rigorous research, the growth mindset is the understanding that our most fundamental abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Intelligence and talent are not fixed traits but capacities that can evolve throughout our lives. Those with growth mindsets embrace challenges, persist through setbacks, and view effort as essential to mastery. At 78, Kerry’s life keeps getting better and better.

The growth mindset contrasts with a fixed mindset, which assumes our character and intelligence are static. People with fixed mindsets often avoid challenges, give up easily, see effort as fruitless, ignore useful feedback, and feel threatened by the success of others. The practical truth is this: when we believe we can grow, we actually do, and the reverse is also true. As Henry Ford said 100 years ago, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, either way you are right.”

The transition into a new year creates a “fresh start effect,” allowing us to see ourselves differently. This psychological clean slate enhances our motivation and makes us more likely to pursue goals. The New Year acts like a reset button for our brains, giving us permission to begin again.

When we enter January with a growth mindset, we actively create conditions for our brains to rewire themselves. We’re opening new neural pathways, strengthening connections that support new behaviors, and becoming different individuals than we were the year before.

A growth mindset thrives not on perfection but on awareness. If 2025 brought challenges, whether personally, professionally, or emotionally, you are not alone. Viewed through a growth mindset lens, discomfort becomes useful. The questions shift from “Why is this happening to me?” to “What is this teaching me? What skills are required? What strengths am I discovering?” In short, how does this challenge help me grow?

Self-compassion is vital to a growth mindset. Harsh self-judgment for unmet goals or mistakes anchors us to a fixed mindset. Letting go of unfruitful projects, relationships, or habits is not about minimizing pain; it contextualizes it. A growth mindset is grounded in resilience, marking the difference between being a victim of circumstance and a student of life.

Letting go doesn’t mean giving up; it clears space for what better aligns with your goals. Neuroscience illustrates this through synaptic pruning, where unused connections are trimmed to make room for stronger ones. You’re allowed to prune as well.

Traditional resolutions focus on doing: exercising more, earning more, or dieting. While worthy, they often fail because they lack a foundation in identity and sustainability. A growth mindset asks, “Who do I want to become in 2026?” The variations of this identity are endless. Perhaps you want to become someone who values curiosity over certainty, who leads with kindness, who finds joy in the small moments, and who provides optimal conditions for their body and mind.

People often struggle to change because they aim for dramatic reinventions. A growth mindset works through ongoing micro-experiments aligned with personal goals. These are easy, low-pressure behaviors that are more sustainable. Small steps, like five-minute meditations or reading two pages of a book, allow for progress without the overwhelming pressure of trying to reimagine everything overnight. Micro-experiments reduce fear and increase confidence, creating opportunities for your brain to forge new pathways. Be creative in your approach.

Your psychological ecosystem matters as much as your habits. Emotions and mindsets are contagious. For 2026, consider spending more time with curious rather than critical individuals. Seek mentors who challenge you kindly. Join groups that inspire learning and reduce exposure to those who reinforce a fixed mindset through limiting beliefs. One positive change I made in 2025 was joining a local Rotary club. My inbox now fills with invitations to volunteer and uplifting photos from events even when I can’t attend. This community of do-gooders has brought me a warm and wonderful feeling of belonging.

Think of the new year as a blank page, not an exam. You don’t need to prove anything, just explore, learn, and continue evolving into a better version of yourself. Embracing a growth mindset for 2026 means prioritizing progress over perfection, compassion over criticism, and curiosity over fear. It embodies the knowledge that you are, at any age or stage, capable of learning, expanding, healing, and transforming. Your brain is designed to grow, and the new year presents a unique opportunity to harness that capacity.

This year, may you strive toward becoming the person capable of achieving your dreams, shaped not by pressure but by possibility. Here’s to a beautiful 2026, one where your brain’s remarkable capacity for growth harmonizes with your heart’s deepest intentions. Embrace the journey and allow yourself to transform and I hope you have your best year yet!

“Becoming is better than being.” — Carol Dweck 

Beverly Hills Courier columnist Dr. Eva Ritvo is a psychiatrist with more than 30 years’ experience practicing in Miami Beach. She is the author of “Bekindr-The Transformative Power of Kindness” and the founder of the Bekindr Global Initiative, a movement to bring more kindness in the world. She is the co-author of “The Beauty Prescription” and “The Concise Guide to Marriage and Family Therapy.” She is also the co-founder of the Bold Beauty Project, a nonprofit that pairs women with disabilities with award-winning photographers creating art exhibitions to raise awareness. Dr. Ritvo received her undergraduate and medical degrees from UCLA, and psychiatry residency training at Weill Cornell Medicine.

The post Cultivating a Growth Mindset for 2026 appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Prior to Sabag’s election, Board Member Amanda Stern was nominated for the vice presidency by outgoing Board President Rachelle Marcus. Stern’s nomination appeared to be in keeping with the board’s bylaws, which state that the vice president is determined by rotation based on how long each member has served on the board during their current term. 

The bylaws state that if, as is the case with the current board, multiple board members have “the same term of service, then they shall serve as vice president in descending order of the number of votes received in their most recent election.”

In November 2024, Stern, Sabag and Board Member Russell Stuart were all up for election with Stern up for reelection. Stern received the most votes with 26.85%, followed by Sabag with 25.26% and Stuart with 24.74%. 

Manouchehri, Sabag and Stuart voted against Stern’s nomination for vice president. Stuart later nominated Sabag, who was approved in a 3-2 vote. Marcus and Stern voted against Sabag’s appointment. 

Reading from a statement during the comment period discussing Stern’s appointment as vice president, Manouchehri directed a lengthy speech at Stern, listing a number of what she called “key governance capabilities.” 

“For example, adhering to the Brown Act, adhering to the Board Governance handbook … not responding to the media, not calling the media and asking them to run certain articles in order to bash other board members, not relitigating board votes in the papers, not making false statements to the public about closed session matters, and not misleading the public when you voted unanimously with the rest of the board in closed session and more,” Manouchehri said.

It is not clear what articles or media Manouchehri was referencing. The Courier has not received requests or phone calls from Stern. 

Directing her comments to Stern, Manouchehri claimed that she “pleaded with you on more occasions than I would like to count to please be mindful of these behaviors … with respect to you being an officer of the board, I have been very torn … but as a trustee whose sworn duty is to this district, I believe I have no choice but to vote no.”

Speaking at the end of the meeting, Stern referenced an incident in 2023 in which Manouchehri used profanity in board communication, calling Manouchehri’s actions “unacceptable, abusive and toxic.” 

“I continue to want to work on this board very much, but I’m not at all surprised,” Stern added. “It’s shocking too, because the bylaws say that if you got the most votes, and that would be me, you have the longest term, then that is the person who becomes the vice president. So, it’s shocking that you guys would just go against the bylaws, ostensibly because Mr. Stuart got the lowest number of votes and you want him to be president … please don’t assume that I go around and gossip or divulge information, because it simply isn’t true.”

In a statement to the Courier on Dec. 17, Stern said that “word reached” her that the vote against her had been planned, so she had been expecting it. However, she said, “What was shocking was Mrs. Manouchehri’s prepared statement full of false allegations, which was very hurtful.” 

Stern added, “Our school mission statement asks for ‘respect and integrity’ and a ‘culture of honesty.’ This is critical for board members, as we serve as role models … my colleagues know well that I aim for peace and kindness even through differences. I look forward to productive and positive work on behalf of our students.”

BHUSD told the Courier in a statement that the board “appropriately followed the law,” noting that the board bylaws and state education code both stipulate that the board is required to “elect a president, vice president, and a clerk from its members.”

“The BHUSD Board of Education fulfilled its obligation to elect a president, a vice president, and a clerk … The contradictory language in [the bylaws] which appoints a board member to the office of Vice President absent a legal vote by the school board is invalid and does not supersede education code” or other language in the bylaws, said the district. 

Speaking to the Courier about why he voted against Stern’s appointment and in favor of Sabag’s, Stuart said he made the decision he thought was best for the community. 

“I just simply said, I am going to vote for the person that I feel is best suited for the job for the next 12 months,” he said. “It’s nothing personal.”  

The post New BHUSD Board Officers Are Appointed Amid Shake-Up appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The board voted to increase its monthly compensation from $240 to $1,200. The raise comes after the passage of Assembly Bill 1390 in October, which increased maximum monthly stipends for school board members in California. Under the new law, in districts with an average daily attendance between 1,000 and 10,000, school board members can receive a maximum of $1,200 per month. The board unanimously passed the motion on second reading and will review compensation for the student board member later.

“We put in so much time and effort that there’s no way to even compensate what we’re doing,” Board Member Sigalie Sabag said in favor of the proposal.

The board also unanimously approved a district trip to the Consumer Electronics Show— an annual electronics trade show that takes place in Las Vegas in January—at $4,000 per person for an unspecified 2-5 board and administration members.

“Attending CES provides staff with firsthand exposure to cutting-edge technologies and advanced AI tools, allowing them to deepen their understanding of emerging innovations and bring back critical insights that keep BHUSD forward-thinking, future-ready and aligned with best practices in educational technology and AI integration,” the proposal read.

Kimberly Lifschitz, a district parent, raised concerns over the cost of attending the conference, the lack of clarity on who would be attending and the district’s rapid implementation of Artificial Intelligence. She said the expense for a consumer trade show that is not open to the public is unreasonable when her son’s district school is consistently short staffed with classroom aides. Lifschitz also raised the concerns of the mental health impacts of AI.

“Four [thousand] per person but we don’t get names or an accurate head count—could it be because there is zero reason for school board members and district personnel to attend a consumer tech trade show?” Lifschitz said. “This is just plain insulting.”

BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss argued that attending CES was relevant to the school district due to the cybersecurity training, robotics courses and AI training that it offers. He added that command center technologist Ryan Damavandi, robotics teacher John Castle and public information officer Colby Gilardian may attend the conference to bring back lessons on technology.

“There is cybersecurity training as part of this and that will be a great investment for us … We know our parents really care about security,” Cherniss said. “It looks like it’s a worthwhile investment as we continue to talk about AI, we continue to talk about cybersecurity, ways to keep our kids safe, ways to provide the best education.”

Earlier in the meeting, parent Daniel Lifschitz raised concerns about a social media post from Board Member Russell Stuart in which Stuart replied “FAFO” to a post on X about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s daughter condemning President Donald Trump for calling her father “retarded.” Walz has a disabled son. Stuart then posted “feelings activated, facts overruled,” to clarify his comment.

Lifschitz, the parent of a disabled child, noted, “Is this the type of belief we should want someone in charge of overseeing education not only harbor but feel comfortable enough to express to the world without any apparent second thought?” he said. “If this is the example we’re looking to set for our kids, I fear the district’s legal troubles are only beginning.”

Stuart did not respond to the substance of Lifschitz’ comments. 

The board also unanimously approved an agreement with LA High Tech Enterprises to install vape detectors at Beverly Vista Middle School for a total cost of $64,127.11. Vape detectors were previously installed at Beverly Hills High School. The agreement comes after Board Member Russell Stuart said the vape detectors had been effective and revealed how many students were consistently vaping at a Nov. 1 Health and Safety Commission meeting. 

The post BHUSD Board Approves Pay Raise and District Trip appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Coming off a second-round loss last season against Silverado High School in the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division 7 playoffs to cap off an 11-12-1 record, the Normans are looking to compete at the top of the table in the 2025-26 campaign.

Coach Emilio Lari, in his third year as head coach of the program, said his current squad of players has been developing together for years.

“This will be my third year as head coach at BHHS, and what makes it meaningful is watching our long-term development model take shape,” Lari said. “Our current senior class was the very first group we began building at Beverly Vista Middle School (BVMS), and seeing their growth from sixth grade to varsity soccer has been incredibly rewarding. With a unified coaching staff across BVMS and BHHS, we’ve built a connected system that focuses not only on technical development, but on character, culture and life lessons. Our mission is to develop talented players, but more importantly, to develop exceptional people.”

Due to CIF realignment last season, Santa Monica, Culver City and Lawndale high schools rejoined Beverly’s division, upping the competition level on a weekly basis.

“We fought our way into the postseason again, meeting expectations in league play. While we’re proud of reaching the second round of CIF for the second straight year, falling short of advancing further was motivating,” Lari said. “Before I took over, the program had never advanced past the first round. Now, we’ve made back-to-back second-round appearances. That progress shows we’re close, and it’s fueled the belief that this year’s group can break through and make a deeper run.”

Lari said he is relying on the returning top players from last season, Noah Mussry and Noam Baruch, as well as this year’s captains to lead the team.

“[Mussry] drives our attack with relentlessness, aggressive pressing and creativity. He’ll continue to be a focal point in leading the front line and setting the tone with his work rate,” Lari said. “Noam Baruch leads through his composure. He draws pressure, yet consistently finds outlets and creates attacks with intelligence and vision. His calmness allows the entire team to play with clarity and confidence in possession.”

“Our captains, Nico Vallejo, Levi Sasson and Jesse Painter, will lead not only through ability but passion,” Lari added. “Each brings a different leadership quality, but together they set the emotional tone of our squad. Their standard of effort, accountability and love for the game is contagious. We believe this team is successful because of its passion. Talent wins games; passion and unity win seasons.”

To make that deeper run into the playoffs, Beverly players take part in a rigorous preseason program designed to help players meet the highest fitness levels while learning to play together cohesively.

“Every athlete must pass program-wide fitness standards, including the mile run, beep test and Man U test,” Lari said. “Once teams are formed, our focus shifts to shape, tactical intelligence, decision-making and culture. We schedule friendlies and scrimmages against teams of varying difficulties. Some matches we expect to win, others push us against top-division competition to build mental toughness. The objective is simple: enter the season cohesive, disciplined, fit and fearless.”

Though the Normans have started 1-2 on the season, with losses to New West Charter High School and Windward School, Lari said he was encouraged by the team’s tactical style in a dominant 7-0 win against Verbum Dei Jesuit High School and during a preseason scrimmage against Crossroads High School. He added that the team was not at full strength during the season-opening loss to New West due to CIF restrictions.

“We play a team-based, possession-oriented style built around movement, involvement and patience,” Lari said. “Instead of relying on one or two individuals, we emphasize collective play and trust in every line of our formation. Our base structure is a 4-3-3, but we’re flexible and adjust based on personnel and opposition.”

Lari emphasized that his team’s fluidity is their strength and relies most on the midfield to set the tempo.

“We build out of the back and look to progress through the midfield, which operates as the engine of our system,” he said. “The goal is to control tempo, stretch the field, and create high-percentage scoring opportunities through combination play, not just direct balls forward.”

Beyond building a cohesive system, Lari said that Beverly’s advantage is investing in players since they were young through a program that begins in middle school and retains the same players until they graduate high school. This sense of cohesion and togetherness, Lari said, is what will allow the team to compete against top programs like Santa Monica and Culver City, and make a deep playoff run.

“Beverly Hills soccer is unique because it’s a true community program. We develop players through a linear pathway, middle school to high school, allowing us to strengthen fundamentals, identity and culture from a young age,” he said. “Our players compete for the school and for the city, but more importantly, they compete for each other. We’ve earned league title contention and reached the second round of CIF in back-to-back seasons, yet we stay humble. We don’t rely on attention or spotlight; our drive comes from the family within the program and the standard we hold ourselves to.” 

The post ‘Sky Is the Limit’ for BHHS Men’s Soccer appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The district must pay $9.6 million to Siegman, per the jury’s Nov. 26 decision. 

Speaking to the Courier, attorney Stephen Weisskopf, who represented Siegman, expressed his contentment. 

“We are very happy with the jury, we are very happy with what they did,” he said. “We are happy for Laurie more than anything else.” 

In the suit, Siegman alleged that Hank “Henry” Friedman sexually abused her from 1978 to 1981. She also alleged that district officials knew or should have known about the abuse and failed to take action to protect her and other students. 

Siegman’s complaint, which was filed in 2020, took advantage of a California law which granted an extension of the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits alleging childhood sexual abuse. 

The first trial in the case took place in March 2024. It resulted in a hung jury on the issue of whether school officials knew or should have known about the abuse.

A second trial began in October and resulted in the current verdict. The jury unanimously concluded that administrators or supervisory employees were negligent, and that several district employees knew or should have known about the abuse. 

The jury also unanimously concluded that the negligent supervision of Friedman was a substantial factor in harming Siegman.

Friedman must also pay Siegman $6.4 million.

In a statement, Siegman expressed her relief and gratitude. 

“I am profoundly grateful to the victims and witnesses who had the courage to share their stories during my trial,” said Siegman in a statement. “After all these years, having the truth acknowledged means more than I can express. I am also thankful for the incredible legal team that stood by me and fought tirelessly on my behalf.”

BHUSD provided the following statement to the Courier: 

“This case involves allegations dating back more than 45 years. District counsel is reviewing all legal options, including a potential appeal. Importantly, our Superintendent, with the support of the Board, located insurance policies from the 1970s that previous administrations were unable to find. As a result, the Beverly Hills community will likely not bear the financial impact of this matter. While we respect the legal process and all parties involved, our focus remains on moving forward and continuing to create safe, supportive learning environments for every student.” 

The post Former Student Wins $9.6 Million Verdict Against BHUSD appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Almog Meir Jan attended the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. When Hamas militants descended onto the festival, Meir Jan saw his best friend get murdered and was then taken as a hostage into the Gaza Strip, where he was held for more than eight months in different apartments. 

Ben Ladany served during the war in the IDF’s Oketz K-9 unit along with his dog, Jack, where during a mission in Gaza, Ladany was shot seven times and Jack was killed. After waking from a two-month coma, Ladany met Meir Jan in the U.S., where they now travel and share their stories at schools and public forums. More than 200 Beverly Hills High School students gathered at an assembly to hear the speakers.

Meir Jan said that positive manifestation helped him remain hopeful while in captivity.

“The time in captivity brought to my head a lot of lessons and a lot on how to deal with struggles in your life,” he said. “The first months of the captivity, I always blamed myself for what happened. I blamed God. I blamed my country. I was angry. … After one month, I realized that I can’t control [anything] that happens outside. … The only thing that I can control is my mentality. It’s on myself. So, I started to look and see the positive things. … And trust me, it was difficult because life was very sad that day, but I started to say, ‘OK, I need to say that I’m lucky. I’m lucky that I’m alive. I’m lucky that I survived this massive massacre on Oct. 7. I’m lucky that I’m not alone in captivity, but I’m with two other hostages. I’m lucky that I’m not in tunnels and I’m in an apartment. I’m lucky that I’m a Jew. I’m lucky that I have my family that will fight for me.’”

Meir Jan said that while being held hostage, Hamas militants tortured him and the other hostages by carrying out mock executions and depriving them of sleep, showers and food. However, Meir Jan said that he kept tethered to the outside world by keeping a calendar of important family birthdays and counting down the days until a rescue he hoped would come.

Meir Jan was rescued, along with four other hostages, on June 8, 2024, in what became known as “Operation Arnon” after Chief Inspector Arnon Zmora—a commander of the rescue team, who was killed during the operation. Meir Jan was 21 years old at the time of his rescue.

“I remember that when the IDF soldiers came up to me and gave me the fist bump, the first thing that I told them was, ‘My mom has a birthday tomorrow, so let’s do it quickly,” he said.

Ladany said that he had no regrets from his experience in the military, and that Meir Jan’s lesson of manifestation has helped him in his own physical recovery, going from using a wheelchair to walking with crutches. The worst feeling he has from his attack, Ladany said, is the death of his dog.

During the event, BHHS students asked questions ranging from how Meir Jan spent his time in captivity to how he kept his faith to what his first meal was after his release.

“The only thing that you have in captivity —they take everything from you—you have just the faith, you just have the trust in God,” Meir Jan said in response to a question about experiencing his faith while in captivity. “A lot of nights I [went] to sleep without knowing if I will wake up in the morning. [I realized] that you need to hold the good things. You need to hold faith, what we have in life and God. When you are the lowest of the low, … you need to hold this, not to think about when it will be finished, when it will be over, when I will die, if I will survive, or if not. It’s a type of question that wastes your energy and your morale. I started to say, ‘OK, I have God, and I trust him.’”

Another student asked Ladany if he had any regrets from his time fighting in the war.

“No regrets, nothing—I don’t think twice,” he said. “The only thing that really upsets me and gets to me is that they shot my dog. That’s the only thing that really got to me.”

While in captivity, Meir Jan said he spent most of his time playing cards, exercising, and writing letters and songs. He added that he also tried to placate his captors by telling jokes and learning Arabic.

The students were moved by the stories of Meir Jan and Ladany, applauding them and going up afterward to express their gratitude. One student asked how both of them were recovering from the experiences, both mentally and physically. In addition to seeing both physical and mental therapists, Meir Jan said that taking control of his life has been the most powerful tool of recovery.

“The best recovery is to take responsibility for your life and to take choice. Eight months without taking one choice and the first thing that you want is independence,” Meir Jan said. “To come, and to educate and to share the story that you have, the testimony that you have, this is also a good tool for recovery. And there [are] a lot of kinds of recovery, … It takes time. It’s a process. It’s a big, big, long process.”

Meir Jan also shared what food he craved most once he was finally free.

“The doctors tried to give me some meatballs and rice,” he said. “I told them, ‘I don’t want this [expletive]. I want a pita shawarma.” 

The post Former Israeli Hostage and Soldier Give Guest Lecture at BHHS appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The board unanimously approved a proposal to provide a comprehensive architectural design of the new KBEV studio from PBWS Architects in the amount of $57,270. The board approved a partial demolition of the studio in August and completed a conceptual design for the new renovated studio. The firm will now conduct a scoping phase to determine code-required improvements, validate stakeholder criteria and establish a project budget. The proposal will include acoustical testing, evaluating the feasibility of the conceptual plan and reviewing existing equipment.

KBEV is BHUSD’s media program that broadcasts news and community programming and provides educational opportunities in broadcasting and filmmaking. Filmmaker and author Kyle Newman recently began his tenure as the district’s new KBEV Director.

BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss noted that the cost of the proposal was lower than other offers and will be offset by construction firm Fonder-Salari providing extra services.

Board President Rachelle Marcus commended the renovation plans.

“I agree with [Board Member Russell] Stuart that this has been a long time coming. I know that our students have been in limbo while working with KBEV. They’ve been doing a great job under the circumstances,” she said. “The only thing that bothers me is that this is still a long way away before it will be finished.”

The board also decided to table a separate measure related to the use of AI in district schools. The policy supported the safe and ethical use of AI by students and staff to aid with education and stressed that it be implemented “as a tool to augment and support, rather than replace, staff in the performance of their duties and responsibilities.”

Board Member Amanda Stern said she brought up the item to build on the “Maintaining Safe Digital Citizenry” policy that was passed in 2024 in the wake of the expulsion of five Beverly Vista Middle School students for using AI to create “deepfake” photos of their classmates. 

“It is my hope that within the next year or five years that we develop a robust AI task force or committee because there are a lot of amazing things that AI can do, but it must exist parallel to guardrails that make sense and protect our learners,” Stern said.

Stern also said that an AI policy can support students checking their work with AI and using it for research, rather than completely producing assignments.

Stuart said the policy fell short in helping students implement AI to bolster their learning.

“Right now, this policy is safe and neutral, but it does not set any clear goals for student learning, for teacher support and real innovation,” he said. “It reads like a document that protects the system, not one that leads change. Yes, we need ethical guardrails, but we also need a plan for how AI can help students learn faster, learn deeper and learn in ways that match how the world works now.”

Board Member Judy Manouchehri also expressed that the proposal did not go far enough in preparing students to effectively use AI for future jobs. Board Member Sigalie Sabag advocated to remove any language that involved disciplining students who use AI on assignments.

“[Students] are going to use AI once you send [assignments] home with them,” Sabag said. “If you don’t want them to use AI, have them do it in the classroom, have them write it out.”

However, Assistant Superintendent Dustin Seeman emphasized the need for an AI policy that prohibits direct copying just as students cannot copy from Google or a published book without properly citing the information. Cherniss agreed that the proposal needed revisions before voting and said the Board will revisit implementing an AI task force for the district.

“I would love to have an AI academy, or an AI program and I want Beverly Hills to be at the forefront of AI in public education,” he said.

Marcus said that the Board will bring back an improved policy on AI before voting.

“I see this as something of a steppingstone that we can improve upon,” Marcus said. “We do have cheating policies in the district, and so on. It’s not about the cheating policy. It’s about making this so that our kids are using it, so they know how to use it to improve, to citate and assist themselves in doing something.” 

The post BHUSD Approves Studio Proposal and Tables AI Policy appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Anthropologist and neuroscientist James Rilling and his colleagues at Emory University used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to capture real-time brain activity by measuring blood flow changes. Thus, they were able to peer directly into the minds of grandmothers as they processed images of family members and strangers. 

Fifty grandmothers volunteered to be placed inside an fMRI scanner where they viewed a series of photographs in four categories: images of their grandchildren, unknown children of similar ages, their adult children (the same sex as the grandchild), and unfamiliar adults.

As grandmothers gazed at photos of their grandchildren, the scientists observed robust activation in areas associated with emotional empathy. These neural networks enable us to literally feel what another person is experiencing. 

When a grandchild experiences joy, the grandmother’s brain lights up in ways that mirror that happiness, and she feels the same delight. When a grandchild is in distress, the grandmother’s neural pathways fire with corresponding concern. This pattern of activation suggests that grandmothers are neurologically wired to experience their grandchildren’s emotions as if they were their own.

When grandmothers viewed images of their adult children, something different happened. Rather than activating those same emotional empathy regions, these encounters triggered neural networks associated with cognitive empathy. These are our brain regions involved in understanding others’ thoughts, intentions, and mental states rather than directly sharing their emotions. It’s the neural machinery we engage when we’re trying to figure out why someone feels a certain way or what they might be thinking, rather than automatically mirroring their emotional state. 

These findings suggest that while most grandmothers remain deeply attached to their adult children, their brains process these relationships through a more cognitive lens, understanding rather than directly experiencing their adult children’s emotional states. 

When grandmothers viewed images of unknown children of similar ages to their grandchildren, as well as unfamiliar adults, their brains showed relatively little activation in either emotional or cognitive empathy regions. While grandmothers often feel general warmth toward children in general, the intense empathetic responses appear to be more easily triggered by their own children and grandchildren. 

These findings suggest that grandmothers’ brains have been specifically designed to recognize and respond to their own family members with remarkable precision and intensity. Most likely, thousands of years of evolution have created this intimate neurobiological connection. 

Unlike most mammals, human females often live for decades beyond their childbearing years. “The grandmother hypothesis,” put forward by anthropologist Kristen Hawkes, offers an explanation for this evolutionary puzzle. According to this theory, grandmothers who invested in their grandchildren’s welfare provided significant survival advantages to their families, leading to the evolution of extended human lifespan and the unique role of grandmothers in human societies.

Studies spanning continents and cultures have validated this hypothesis showing that grandmothers’ involvement correlates with improved outcomes for their grandchildren: better nutritional status, more stable and nurturing household environments, enhanced educational opportunities, and ultimately, higher survival rates into adulthood.

Research has also demonstrated that active, engaged grandmothers enable their daughters to have children more frequently and at younger ages, while also increasing the likelihood that these grandchildren will themselves survive to reproductive age and continue the family legacy. These factors create a powerful evolutionary advantage that has shaped human family structures across thousands of millennia. 

In our contemporary world, where life expectancy continues to increase and medical advances enable people to remain healthy and active well into their later years, the potential impact of grandmothers is growing. Today’s grandmothers often enjoy decades of healthy, engaged involvement in their families’ lives, bringing wisdom, emotional stability, and financial support that can profoundly influence future generations.

Although many modern families are separated by geography, this research offers tremendous hope. The neural activation patterns observed in the study occurred in response to mere photographs of grandchildren, suggesting that visual connection alone can trigger these powerful connections. 

Photo sharing through social media and messaging apps enables grandparents to witness and emotionally participate in their grandchildren’s daily lives and milestones despite the distance. Video calls through platforms like Zoom and FaceTime allow for face-to-face conversations that can also activate those crucial neural pathways and foster and nourish this special connection.

This important and heartwarming study reminds us that the special role of grandmothers appears hardwired in our brains to optimize human potential. Rather than viewing grandparents as peripheral figures whose primary value lies in occasional babysitting, hosting holiday gatherings, or funding education, we might better understand them as essential, unique components of healthy family systems occupying a very special evolutionary role. We are wise as individuals and a society to respect, nurture and support the vital role of grandmothers. 

The post The Neuroscience That Explains Why Grandmothers Are So Special appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

KBEV, Beverly Hills Unified School District’s award-winning media program, is a Career Technical Education class at Beverly Hills High School that gives students the opportunity of hands-on media production at every level—including cinematography, script writing and broadcasting. Founded in 1969, KBEV produces news segments on student life and community happenings and is the longest-running weekly student newscast in the world, according to BHUSD. Newman, a best-selling author and film director whose credits include “Fanboys,” “Barely Lethal” and “1Up,” as well as content for Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey and Hasbro Studios, brings his unique experience to the role after longtime KBEV executive producer Romeo Carey retired from the district.

In taking the role, Newman said he hopes to inspire the next generation of filmmakers and give students their introduction to the industry in the same way he was while growing up in New Jersey with no tangible gateway to the film industry.

“I feel really strongly about education and also passing the baton and helping mentor a younger generation,” he said. “This is a great coalescing of everything I love—it’s filmmaking and it’s storytelling, but at the same time, I’m learning from the students as much as I’m teaching them.”

Newman said his biggest hope is that students take away applicable life lessons from their work at KBEV and use the skills they learn in any field they choose.

“You may only be doing this as an elective, but you will leave the class with skills that are going to be applicable in all aspects of life,” he said. “Whether it’s how to present an idea or how to speak to yourself or showcase yourself, how to thrive in an interview setting, how to research an idea from scratch and bring it to life. Just writing—how to present an idea in a thesis or any paper you’re working on—what’s the story? What’s the hook? What’s the midpoint? What are the twists, and what’s your ending? You have to think of things in this way.”

KBEV is developing a new programming app for BHUSD’s broadcast platforms, which will include both student-produced content and district features, soon to be available on streaming platforms including Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku.

“We want to open it up so if you’ve got grandparents in New York or a cousin in Ohio that wants to watch you in the football game, these people now can have access to it,” he said. “We’re trying to broaden the reach of what students here in the KBEV program can do, and within that, beyond just covering sports and things like that, we would love to get short films, encourage kids to be making stuff that’s related off campus, not just what’s happening on campus. So it has a broader appeal too, and I think it’s going to be hugely instrumental in having more eyeballs on people’s content, and films, and creations, they’re going to be encouraged to make more.”

Living in a world with so much visual content, Newman said he hopes to give students a more technical understanding of what they watch on a daily basis and how to use the same techniques to impact an audience.

“We watch so much content as people,” he said. “Everybody already knows they speak a certain language subconsciously. But they might not know the terms, the vernacular, the way you would do it and the way you would analyze it. So, I’m giving them those analytical tools and those technical tools, so they can then understand what is already going on in their head, what they’re already watching. You go, ‘Oh my God, that’s what that’s called when this happens, or that’s what that technique is called. I know that because I’ve seen it in 100 different TV shows, but now I know what it’s called, and I understand why they’re doing it.’ I think that’s what’s important. It’s activating the subconscious that they already have.”

He is already seeing tangible results with students coming up to him after class after being newly inspired by conducting an interview or realizing the impact of a filmmaking technique, Newman said. He has also encouraged students to take on more individualized documentary-style projects beyond the classroom, hoping to challenge students to go beyond their comfort level.

“[The students] have really been challenged—we brainstormed a lot about what are good subjects, beyond not just what’s easy, not just what you have access to, but what are you interested in?” he said. “Talk to the shop owner. Talk about their business, how they got into their business. It starts from safe and easy to ‘Wow. This is exciting. I’ll push myself a little further.’”

Beyond hands-on practice, Newman said he plans to bring former colleagues into the classroom to give guest lectures for students and also hopes to eventually give students opportunities and internships on the sets where he works.

Student engagement and success under Newman has already been evident, said BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss.

“The success of the KBEV program is a shining example of what happens when student creativity meets professional mentorship,” Cherniss said. “Under Kyle Newman’s leadership, our students are not only learning media, they’re mastering it.”

In taking on his new position, Newman, who studied film at New York University, said he hopes to inspire students in the same way his previous professors did for him. One in particular was Arnold Baskin, who taught film for 40 years before his passing in 2019.

“Baskin was a very encouraging, hands-on professor, but he also gave kids a lot of room to go, create [and] a lot of leeway,” Newman said. “When you have big classes of students, everyone needs the highway to express themselves to travel. And that, I think, is very important. Rather than saying, ‘Everyone do this on this subject,’ let’s get a little more broad. Let’s say ‘These are some parameters, and how do you want to bring it to life? How do you want to tell the story?’ You can take the same footage and cut it 50 different ways. Each person could turn into 50 different projects. And that’s what I’m trying to show them. There’s no one way.” 

The post Kyle Newman Launches KBEV Into the Future appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

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. 

The post Pint-Sized Luxury: In Beverly Hills, Fashion Begins at Birth appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Speaking to the crowd during a break between songs, lead singer Roger Daltrey thanked everyone for being there. The event was the 10th year of The Who’s Backyard Concert, which benefits Teen Cancer America (TCA)—the organization Daltrey co-founded with bandmate Pete Townshend—and the UCLA Health Center. 

“These are your young Americans,” Daltrey said of the community the organization works to support. “This age group has been forgotten too long in the hospital system. We are changing it, [and] I’m very positive for the future. Thank you very much. We love you.”

The Backyard Concert was emceed by producer, writer and director Judd Apatow and included performances by The Doobie Brothers, Peter Frampton, John Fogerty, Def Leppard, Cheap Trick and Eddie Vedder in addition to the performance by The Who. 

The event is remarkable in a number of ways. Thanks to the tireless work of Daltrey, Townshend and members of the TCA Board such as Board President and CEO Rebecca Rothstein and board members Rick French and Chris Stewart—both of whom also sit on the board of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—rock legends including Robert Plant, Van Morrison, Billy Idol, Melissa Etheridge, Green Day and many more have graced its stage.

“I now call it Yardstock because they’ve had more stars than Woodstock,” said Daltrey over the phone a week after the performance.   

According to Daltrey, the musicians who participate do so because of a shared belief that they owe their careers to the teens and young adults who champion their music, and that those who receive the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis deserve the music industry’s support.  

“All the bands understand the support that this age group has given them to have the success they’ve had in their lives, and they’re giving back big time,” he said. “Teenagers and young adults are the people that drive the music industry. They’re the ones that discover new music, push the new trends, drive it forward.”

TCA, which has its headquarters in Santa Monica, opened its doors 12 years ago. But in truth, its roots stretch back further than that. 

Daltrey  became  involved  with  Teenage  Cancer  Trust  in  the  United  Kingdom in 1990 at the behest of his general practitioner, Dr. Adrian Whiteson. Whiteson founded the organization with his wife, Myrna, after recognizing that most cancer centers have programs for pediatric patients and adult patients but nothing for individuals who fall in the ages between. 

“The ages between 13 and 26 are totally different from either a child or a geriatric, and there needs to be some provision made in the hospital system for that age group,” said Daltrey. “They need to be amongst their peers, and their mental health and social needs need to be met. You take care of that age group; you will build a far better society.”

Daltrey quickly became interested in launching an organization similar to Teenage Cancer Trust in the United States. He hadn’t gotten far with the idea when, in 2009, someone knocked on his dressing room door before a show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. 

“I opened it, and there was this young woman standing there, and she said, ‘Can I talk to you?’” Daltrey said. 

The young woman said she had a brain tumor, and that she was familiar with Daltrey’s work at the Teenage Cancer Trust. If she survived, she said, she wanted to help him get the same thing started in America. 

After that, Daltrey said, “It all came together relatively quickly.” He had recently become friends with Rothstein, who lives and works in Beverly Hills, and asked for her help launching the program. At the time, Rothstein had four young children and a full-time job at Merrill Private Wealth Management as one of the top-ranking female financial advisors in America. 

“Roger had been trying for years to get somebody to say yes to him to bring the program to America,” said Rothstein. “I kept saying to him, ‘Roger, I’m busy.’ And he kept saying to me, ‘You’re not too busy for this.’”

As it turned out, Rothstein had a personal connection to the cause. At the age of 22, her brother passed away from a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. 

“He died right at the beginning of his life,” she said, “and I watched how it affected my parents.” 

Daltrey then took Rothstein to visit a hospital and meet young patients. Once she saw the need, she couldn’t say no.  

“The word ‘yes’ came out of my mouth,” she said, “and so it began.” 

Rothstein brought on Simon Davies, who at the time was running the Teenage Cancer Trust. Together, they assembled a board and began growing the organization. Much of their early work involved meeting with hospital representatives, explaining the idea behind TCA and endeavoring to build partnerships. 

In the years since, TCA has partnered with 72 hospitals in the U.S., including some of the biggest names in cancer care: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center and more. TCA’s services have reached over 200,000 adolescents and young adults, and their modules and programming have become the standard of care for the age group they serve. 

“I have an active board,” said Rothstein. “There are 13 board members that all participate in developing and pushing this charity down the road. This is a village of people that have worked to make the mission of TCA as successful as it has become.” 

Now, hospitals interested in creating programs for teens and young adults often seek the organization out. Bringing together multidisciplinary teams that include representatives from pediatric and medical oncology, which are often siloed inside hospitals, TCA’s expert providers collaborate to ensure that young patients’ physical, emotional, social and psychological needs are met. 

“Teens and young adults are in a critical period of their development where they’re becoming independent from their families, or they’re starting their own families,” said Jackie Casillas, a pediatric oncologist and a health services researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the first hospital to partner with TCA. “They may be in high school, looking forward to college and working or at a job, and all of that can be disrupted by the cancer diagnosis.” 

Alec Kupelian was one of those people. Kupelian, 31, was nearing the end of his freshman year of college at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2014 when he drove home to Los Angeles to take a friend to her high school prom. He planned to be in town for one night before returning to college. 

For several months, Kupelian had been experiencing pain in his leg. But like most people his age, he assumed it would go away on its own. 

His father, an oncologist, thought differently. After taking one look at his son upon Alec’s arrival home, Kupelian’s father took him into the hospital for an MRI. 

From there, everything changed. 

“Saturday was prom,” Kupelian said. “Sunday, I had an MRI. Monday, I had a biopsy. Tuesday was my port placement, and by Wednesday, I started chemo.” 

Kupelian was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a type of cancer that often spreads to the lungs and bones. He was 19 at the time and spent a year getting chemotherapy and radiation at UCLA. While  there,  he became  involved  with  TCA, which at that time had a physical space in the hospital for teens and young adults, including a lounge where young people could hang out together as they would outside the hospital. 

“To have people who understood what I was going through during treatment and could laugh about it with me in a time where laughing is sometimes hard to come by was incredible,” said Kupelian. 

Kupelian and a friend bonded over their IV poles, which they named Earl and Steve. 

“They were so chatty, and they just loved to have conversations,” he said with a laugh. “There are things that only the people going through it can understand and connect on.” 

The importance of this social network, said Sullivan, cannot be overstated.

“Seeing that they’re not alone, that there’s a community that supports them and that they can move forward and life is going to be beautiful, there’s still so much opportunity, is critical,” she said.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more cancer care has become remote. To that end, TCA put together a teen and young adult advisory group to discuss ways to bring young people together, whether online or in person. The advisory group worked with TCA to build a website and began making videos, including interviews with young people who have cancer diagnoses or are in their survivorship stage. 

“We started with the bricks and mortar, but we really had to evolve upon that, because we need to bring the program where the patients are at,” Casillas said. 

Kupelian is one of many TCA patients who have maintained those close friendships well past his time in the hospital. 

“I still have friends from treatment,” he said. “I got married this last year, and one of my friends from treatment offered to have my wedding at their house for free.”

At the beginning of a new partnership, staff from TCA lend their support to staff from the hospital to identify needs and strategize what a teen and young adult program might look like, since all U.S. hospitals function differently. From there, hospitals that want to pursue a program further may apply for a grant from TCA to help fund staff such as nurse navigators, social workers, program managers or mental health specialists. 

Since its inception, TCA has provided 49 grants, funding 85 positions in 35 cities throughout the country. 

A critical element of care for this age group is also fertility education and preservation. 

“Patients may not be thinking about having a child right now—say they were diagnosed when they were 18—but you do want to make sure they have all options for their future,” said Casillas. 

In addition to its grantmaking programs, TCA offers ongoing training, education, resources and connections for its existing partners. Those include monthly webinars for health care providers, access to advisory panels and ongoing support from TCA staff.  

Recently, the organization launched Play It Back, a program that pairs cancer patients and survivors with a music producer. Together, they work for six months to a year writing songs and lyrics and producing their own music. 

“They meet other young people from all across the country who are equally passionate about music and about music production,” said Sullivan. “It really becomes such a therapeutic way for them to move forward.” 

Daltrey said he would like to see more individuals in the music industry give back to the age group that pays their bills. 

“The music industry itself needs to give, and start to think about this, because they haven’t been quite as generous as they should be,” he said. “We need a little bit more support from the big music companies, so let’s give them a kick.” 

His greatest hope for TCA, he said, is to have an adolescent and young adult program in every hospital in the U.S. 

“I would like that to be available to everyone who needs it in America,” he said, “all across the country.” 

The post Rock Legends Give Back to the Youth Who Made Them appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Coming off a 13-15 campaign in the 2024-2025 season and a loss in the opening round of the California Interscholastic Federation Division 2A championship, Beverly is looking to bounce back under the leadership of Verdi. Prior to becoming head coach, Verdi served as the junior varsity coach for the last 16 seasons and also graduated from BHHS in 1999. Verdi takes over the program from Jarvis Turner, who served as head basketball coach for 15 years.

“I’m excited to get to work with these young men every day. Being a part of this program for the last 16 seasons, now as varsity head coach, means a lot to me personally,” Verdi said. “My biggest focus is culture, how we train, how we treat each other, how we carry ourselves. I want us to compete with effort and discipline, but also grow as teammates and people. We’re going to build something that lasts by focusing on the details and doing things the right way.”

The Normans will be led by captains Sasha Emrani and Max Simantob, seniors who play guard and forward, respectively. Verdi said the number of boys who try out for the program—which fields a varsity, junior varsity and freshman/sophomore team—is one of the strengths of the program.

“This program carries a legacy,” he said. “There’s pride in being part of something with history, and that motivates our players to rise to the moment. We had over 50 boys come out this year, which shows how much it means to be part of this team. That kind of energy is something we don’t take for granted.”

While coming off a solid season, Verdi said he hopes the team will take the next step this year.

“The focus is on improving communication, staying mentally sharp in key moments and developing stronger team chemistry,” he said. “We want to be more consistent, and that comes from trusting the process and doing the little things every day.”

Beyond working together as a team, Verdi is trusting his seniors to lead by example.

“I’m looking at our seniors to lead, not just in points or stats, but in how they show up for practice, how they support younger guys, and how they carry the standard. Leadership is about consistency and being dependable. That’s what I expect from them,” he added.

Athletic Director Steve Lawson said he believes that Verdi is the right person for the job at this moment.

“I’m excited that we have someone who truly understands what it means to be a Norman,” Lawson said. “Adam Verdi grew up in this program, he played here, coached here and he knows our students. He brings heart, consistency and a real love for the school. I think he’s the right person to build something meaningful with relationships and culture. My hope is that the program becomes a place where student-athletes thrive on the court and in their lives beyond high school.”

The basketball season is an opportunity for the school and the community together and the boys will need that support throughout the year, Lawson added.

“I want to encourage everyone, parents, students, alumni, neighbors, to come out and support our Normans,” he said. “When our athletes feel the energy of the community behind them, they rise to the occasion. It’s not just a game, it’s a moment we share.”

The boys will also be featured in new Nike gear after BHUSD approved a five-year agreement with that will provide the district with Nike-branded apparel at a discounted price.

“When our students walk into a gym or onto a field, how they carry themselves matters,” Lawson said. “Looking the part builds confidence. It shows that we take pride in who we are and what we represent. This partnership helps us reflect the excellence we expect from our students. It unites our programs, elevates our presence and reminds every athlete that they belong to something bigger. We are here to compete at the highest level, and we should look like it.”

One game that will rally both the school and the community is the annual rivalry game against Santa Monica High School.

“That game carries weight. There’s history and emotion in a matchup like that,” Verdi said. “As a player, those games meant everything. Now, as a coach, I see it as a chance to measure our toughness and composure. A win would mean more than just a score, it would show that we’re building something strong together.”

But more than growing together as a team, Verdi said he hopes his players will take away lessons they can apply to their lives outside of basketball from playing together.

“I want these guys to learn how to show up, even when it’s hard. I want them to understand what it means to be dependable, to communicate, to support one another,” he said. “Those lessons go way beyond basketball. Whether they win a championship or not, they’ll remember how it felt to be part of a team that held them to a higher standard.”

Beverly Hills will kick off the 2025-26 season with a Nov. 18 home game against Blair High School. 

The post Beverly Hills Basketball Returns with a New Coach and a New Look appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The discovery began when crews noticed glass embedded beneath the soil near the flagpole. After a careful excavation, a mason jar was revealed. Inside the jar was an original 1939 edition of Beverly Highlights, the student-run BHHS newspaper, and a typed dedication letter, each documenting the meaning and significance of the Knights Bench. 

The newspaper article noted: “Also new item to the Knights organization and a surprise to many was the new Knights Bench forming a semi-circle about the flagpole. This bench was kindly donated to the organization by Mr. W. S. McGilvray, father of Morgan McGilvray, one of the members.”

The dedication letter read, “In appreciation of the ideals of the Knights and for the furthering of their purposes in creating a standard of achievement among the Student Body, this bench has been given to the Knights by Mr. W. S. McGilvray in the month of June, 1939. It is being dedicated on this day, June 14, 1939, in the presence of the present Knight membership, under the supervision of the faculty sponsors, and before the assembled Student Body.”

Further research led to the 1939 BHHS Watchtower yearbook, which described the Knights as a highly selective student organization. According to the yearbook, “It is the goal of every high school boy to become a Knight, because membership means that he has achieved the highest honor in the school, that he has been chosen for dependability, for outstanding sportsmanship, for service, for scholastic attainments, and for citizenship throughout his school career.” 

Over many decades of lawn growth, renovations, and resurfacing, the stone gradually became covered, and the mason jar remained sealed and unseen until now. “This discovery reminds us that Beverly Hills High School is more than a campus. It is a story carried forward by each generation,” said Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss. 

The mason jar, newspaper, and letter are being preserved, not restored or altered, to maintain their original character. The Knights Bench stone will also be preserved and displayed as part of the restored Grand Lawn.

To continue this legacy, BHHS ASB students will begin to create a new 2025 time capsule, to be placed beneath the completed Grand Lawn for future Normans to uncover.  

The post Time Capsule from 1939 Discovered at BHHS appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

It is undeniable that agave spirits have risen in popularity and are neck and neck with vodka sales (the most popular), according to many industry professionals.  

Actor and Beverly Park resident Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has built a lifestyle platform around his Teremana tequila brand, rooted in his Polynesian background. “Mana has always been a part of my life and my culture,” says Johnson. “It’s the spirit and energy we bring into every room and every interaction.” 

This new initiative was created to prove that positivity and optimism, or “mana,” is contagious, so the actor has launched a series of culinary gatherings with over 100 people for a community experience at one long table, where food and drinks are shared, called “Share The Mana, Share The Table.” “It’s about creating a real platform for people to learn about the power of coming together, connecting, and feeling that contagious positive energy,” he said. “The chance to share that with more communities everywhere means the world to me.” 

Johnson is not simply putting his name on a brand but personally tasted 113 distillations when developing his tequila (in 2020), which has three expressions: Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo, all under a $40 price range, and can be found at Saks Fifth Avenue, Spago, The Hideaway, Mastro’s, and Craig’s, among others. teremana.com

Academy Award-winning actor Benicio del Toro is the co-owner of high-end brand Perro Verde Mezcal, handcrafted by a fifth-generation family of Oaxacan mezcaleros for over 120 years, but he has taken this endeavor a stylish step further. Co-founded by Juan Santiago Rodriguez and Mariana Carvajal, the Colombian-born, L.A.-based couple reshaping luxury in the spirits world, and mezcal producer Don Porfirio Chagoya, they are offering three expressions: Espadin, Blend, and Tobasiche, bottled in fashionable green-hued glass vessels with wooden stoppers, that would look perfect on any home bar cart.

“I connected with Perro Verde because it embodies the spirit of imagination, craft, and heritage. And it tastes pretty good too,” del Toro told the Courier.

Carvajal taps into her background in fashion and time spent in Paris to bring a minimalist elegance with the sculptural bottle design—an homage to French apothecaries. Rodriguez, who comes from the floral world, approaches mezcal like a botanist and storyteller, with a deep reverence for the land, the agave, and the generations behind its craft. 

Launched earlier this year with several parties in Beverly Hills at the Horseshoe House and at the Hotel Bel-Air, fans include Formula 1 champion Jenson Button, actor Kevin Connolly, designer Marc Ange, and producer Rick Yorn, among others. 

Perro Verde Mezcal was inspired by the colloquial Spanish and Latin American expression “Más raro que un perro verde,” which translates to “rarer than a green dog,” a nod to its extraordinary taste, which spans from yellow apples to lemongrass. With prices starting at $72 up to $325, it’s also available at Wally’s in Beverly Hills and Brentwood Fine Wines, or for cocktails at Honor Bar on South Beverly Drive and Eataly Century City, to name a few. perroverdemezcal.com

From Jalisco to Rodeo Drive

For a true born-in-Beverly Hills spirits success story, Rodeo de las Aguas Tequila, produced by Doheny Road Spirits, was conceived locally by Tony Garcia and producer-director-writer Jefery Levy (his wife Pam Levy co-founded Juicy Couture clothing brand), who lives in talk show host Merv Griffin’s former estate on Doheny Road. 

After meeting in a wine tasting group about 25 years ago, Tony and Jef decided after many discussions on the history of the area—the brand name pays homage to Maria Rita Valdez and her El Rancho Rodeo de las Aguas (The Ranch of the Gathering of Waters), a 4,500-acre expanse of fertile hills and natural springs dating back to 1838 in Beverly Hills—and the abundant water source, to launch a tequila company. After researching and tasting tequila brands during the COVID-19 pandemic, they started working hand-in-hand with master tequilero Álvaro Ramírez and CEO Enrique Balderas. 

“I just took everything I learned from wine,” recalls Garcia, who has traveled extensively in Burgundy, France and Piedmont, Italy. “The French term ‘terroir’ [in this case rooted in the red soil from mineral-rich highlands of Southern Los Altos de Jalisco] can also be applied to the agave fields, along with the highlands and the lowlands. There’s a difference in water and where it’s produced. Tequila from the highlands is more premium,” he added.

That approach has clearly paid off as the brand’s five expressions, which start with a Blanco at a $44 price point, Reposado, Añejo, Cristalino, and 5-year extra Añejo, at $225, have collectively garnered 52 medals, and counting, including Platinum, Double Gold, Silver, Bronze, Best of Show, Best in Class, Innovation Award and Design awards.

Can’t decide? The brand has launched a mini bottle set of all the expressions that would make a perfect stocking stuffer or hostess gift for $39.99 and is available at Wally’s or Total Wine. rodeodelasaguas.com 

Not Your Granddad’s Rye

The most surprising brand launch of recent note has been the Beverly Spirits Beverly High Rye, which is catching on with a younger demographic. It was founded by 30-something local Andrew Borenzweig—who “fell in love” with rye while working at Drake’s whiskey company, Virginia Black, when he was just 20 years old. The young entrepreneur set out to create a rye that was not “too rough” but still harnessing that spicy flavor and infusing some of the richness while balancing it with a little bit of sweetness that you find in a bourbon. 

The blend has struck a chord. In just a few short years, his rye has quickly been featured in specialty cocktails in some of the hottest restaurants and bars in Beverly Hills. These range from Funke to Cipriani (Beverly High Rye is used in the house Manhattan), The Grill on the Alley’s “Beverly Manhattan,” The Beverly Hills Hotel Polo Lounge, the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, along with Erewhon for holiday gifting ($64.99 for the original expression). 

The brand has also created a special blend for The Beverly Hilton Hotel’s 70th anniversary. “The Beverly Hilton has such a special history,” Borenzweig told the Courier. “We wanted to honor that legacy of all of the celebrations that have happened at this hotel over the years.” The team took one of their signature blends, The Beverly Reserve, which is 60% straight bourbon, 40% straight rye, and bottled it at 100 proof, just for The Beverly Hilton. The result is a rich blend that is perfect for sipping neat. It can be purchased at the bar or delivered to a room as an amenity for $270 per bottle.

For a limited time, The Beverly Hilton Reserve will also be featured on the Decades drinks menu at CIRCA 55 Restaurant + Lounge, with signature cocktails crafted by award-winning bartender and author Jeffrey Morgenthaler, including the “Golden Hour,” made with The Beverly Hilton Reserve, bianco vermouth, crème de pêche, thyme liqueur, and black lemon bitters.

Pop star Beyoncé has also stepped into the arena with SirDavis American Whisky, which was the official spirit of her Cowboy Carter Tour. Founded by Knowles-Carter herself, the spirit, encased in a tall, beveled glass bottle with a raised gold horse emblem, has rich and buttery toffee notes, and can be found at several local Beverly Hills and L.A. restaurants and bars, including The Maybourne Beverly Hills, L’Ermitage Beverly Hills and West Hollywood Edition. The “Honey Bee” cocktail, recipe in the sidebar, is perfect for chillier holiday weather. 

Honey Bee Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz. SirDavis American Whisky

• .75 oz. Lemon Juice

• .5 oz. Honey Syrup*

• Honeycomb garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

Add liquid ingredients to a shaker tin with ice going in last. Shake for dilution and pour into a coupe glass. Garnish with honeycomb.

*To make honey syrup, add 2 parts honey and 1 part water into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Allow to cool and transfer to an airtight container. 

Other celebrities that have “side hustles” in the spirits industry include rock star fashion designer John Varvatos in West Hollywood, who launched Villa One company with Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers right before the pandemic. “We come from two different ends of the world, but somehow we connected,” said Varvatos. “We ended up collaborating on fashion and a fragrance and we really hit it off. Every time we were together in L.A., we would celebrate over tequila.” Villa One is made at the brand’s own craft distillery, Fabrica de Tequilas Finos in Jalisco, using traditional techniques and natural ingredients for three expressions (Silver, Reposado and Añejo). villaonetequila.com

Walton Goggins of “White Lotus” fame quietly started his Mulholland Distilling brand with Matthew Alpert as a cinematic ode and celebration of their love for Los Angeles. They produce gin, whisky, and vodka which are meant to be enjoyed with friends—and even strangers. mulhollanddistilling.com

Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh has a spirit called Singani 63 that he discovered while filming in Bolivia and is responsible for developing the brand and bringing it to the U.S. market. The unique brandy is distilled from white Muscat of Alexandria grapes and can be found at wine.com. 

The post Celebrity Spirits on the Rise appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Next year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, so let’s start there. 

Philadelphia: America’s 250th anniversary celebration in July and events all year

The birthplace of the United States is preparing for the country’s big anniversary, so you can visit all year for select neighborhood and community events across the city. 

Activations include a full calendar of cultural festivals, attractions, and experiences rooted in community, including a new public event, “Bells Across PA.” This program will feature local artists designing 20 large replica Liberty Bells, each being displayed in a different area of the city. Another celebration is the “Neighborhood Tour Series,” taking place over 20 weeks in the spring and summer of 2026 and featuring a different community each time.

Stay at the newly renovated historic Bellevue in the city center and dine at one of Marc Vetri’s eponymous Italian eateries, Michael Solomonov’s Zahav, or Friday, Saturday, Sunday, which is one of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Park City: Sundance Film Festival Jan. 22 to Feb. 1, 2026

With the final season of the late Robert Redford’s pioneering Sundance Film Festival taking place in January 2026 before it moves to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027, this is one schedule of independent films not to miss. Stay at the Montage Deer Valley with fireplaces and outdoor firepits, the Bourbon & Burgers restaurant, Yama Sushi, and a bowling alley for burning off a little steam indoors, plus ski-in, ski-out options. 

San Francisco: The Super Bowl Feb. 8, 2026

If you plan to travel to the Bay Area for the Super Bowl in Santa Clara, consider staying at Nobu Palo Alto. Make sure to allow time in your schedule for a visit to San Francisco. As part of a Union Square revitalization, acclaimed chef and restaurateur Michael Mina is opening Bourbon Steak San Francisco, a new expression of his popular steakhouse concept. Adjacent, The Eighth Rule, a bourbon-driven bar developed by two-time MVP and four-time NBA champion and entrepreneur Stephen Curry (husband of Ayesha Curry), will also open inside the hotel. This is Curry’s first foray into hospitality, two years after launching his Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Gentleman’s Cut. 

“We believe in San Francisco,” said chef Mina, “and we are committed to continuing to provide spaces where people can come and eat, drink, celebrate, and feel welcome in one of the best cities in the world.”

Palm Springs: Modernism Week Feb. 13-23, 2026

Marking its 21st year, the mid-century architecture and design festival offers a staggering 500 events over 11 days amid a stunning desert mountain backdrop and plenty of poolside parties.

Stay in the middle of downtown, at the Thompson Palm Springs, the sleek, new property with a world-class art collection. Dine and drink at brand-new Bar Issi, by Marissa and Matt Hermer of Chez Mia, also designed by Fettle, and inspired by the iconic 1970s imagery of Mediterranean glamour along the Italian coastline.

New York: New York Fashion Week in February and September, and the Met Gala on May 4, 2026

While both fall and spring Fashion Week events will congregate around Spring Studios, the Met Gala in May is all about the revitalized Upper East Side and Ground Zero for years has been The Mark Hotel. With a private apartment-living feel (The Mark Penthouse is the largest in North America), the property was designed by Jacques Grange. The Mark is dog-friendly, with a “Spoiled Dogs Menu” created by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who has a variety of dining concepts in the hotel, from his namesake flagship eatery with the best truffle burger, to a collaboration with Caviar Kaspia, and a haute dog cart in front. This is a prime location with easy access to Central Park and The Frick Collection. The hotel offers private tours of the Met and a new Augustine Bader spa coming in the new year.  

Austin: South by Southwest (SXSW) March 12-18, 2026

What’s new at SXSW in 2026? For the first time, all conferences and festivals run side by side with seven days of interactive media, film, television, and music. With the Austin Convention Center redevelopment, SXSW 2026 transforms downtown Austin into a creative village.

To get the lay of the land, you should probably start on South Congress. This block runs from the north to the south of the city and is where you can find casual Austin staples such as Güero’s Taco Bar, where everyone from President Clinton to Matthew McConaughey has dined.  

Hotel Van Zandt is a boutique hotel nestled in the heart of Austin’s Rainey Street District for live music, just steps from Lady Bird Lake and the vibrant downtown district. Inspired by the city’s musical roots and rich Texas history, the rooms and suites have a sophisticated rock ‘n’ roll charm, including the rooftop pool deck (with piped-in underwater music) and art installations throughout the property.

Washington, D.C.: National Cherry Blossom Festival March 20 to April 13, 2026

The Tidal Basin is the most popular spot to view the D.C. cherry blossoms in spring, with more than 3,000 Yoshino cherry trees.  Stay nearby at The Jefferson, a dog-friendly boutique hotel dating back to 1923 with a Beaux-Arts architectural style that’s located steps away from the White House. The two Michelin Key hotel offers lavish suites, a state-of-the-art fitness center, an in-house historian for curated itineraries, a dedicated Book Room with a First Library book program, a private wine cellar, 24-hour butler service with in-room mixed cocktails, and all-day dining at The Greenhouse beneath the lobby skylight. 

New Orleans: Jazz and Heritage Festival April 23 to May 3, 2026

For one of the largest musical gatherings in the states, head to the Big Easy, where you can catch a diverse group of talent from Lenny Kravitz and Pearl Jam to Harry Connick Jr. and Trombone Shorty, along with local, African and Native American village-style marketplace crafts and food. 

New to the area are two charming boutique properties, The Garden District Hotel and The Blackbird Hotel, that are both helping to shape a new chapter for the city while celebrating a new culinary era with award-winning restaurants. The design-forward properties’ distinct personalities and amenities include The Garden District Hotel’s 47 retreat-like guestrooms, heated saltwater pool, and the city’s only swim-up bar, and The Blackbird Hotel’s 13 unique guestrooms, sultry lobby bar, and pool area surrounded by lush greenery.

Louisville: Kentucky Derby May 1-2, 2026

After a day at the races, stay at the 21c Museum Hotel, pioneers in launching a contemporary art-inspired hotel in 2006 by visionary art collectors and preservationists, Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson. Their mission? To make contemporary art more accessible by offering free, 24/7 exhibitions while sparking economic revival in historic downtowns. Stay in The Apartment, 21c’s sky-high sanctuary overlooking the Bourbon City skyline.

Newer to the scene is Hotel Bourré Bonne (meaning good bet), with a design and art influenced by the city’s historic French Beaux-Arts architecture and the city’s famed horse racing culture and French origins of Kentucky bourbon.

San Diego: NASCAR June 20-21, 2026

For car racing, comic book collectors, and soccer fans, the NASCAR series at the Naval Base in June, the Comic-Con festival at the Convention Center in July or the new FC Major League Soccer, which debuted in 2025 at Snapdragon Stadium, should be summer and fall (September-October) draws, respectively. 

To continue the romp, stay at the completely refurbished Lafayette Hotel in North Park—a haven for Hollywood elite in the 1940s and ‘50s. The over-the-top maximalist design with bold zebra and floral motifs includes a main circular lobby bar, vintage bowling alley, breakfast diner, basement speakeasy with live music, and a lively pool bar scene. Next door is an upscale Mexican restaurant in a church setting, complete with stained-glass windows, with masa and mole created from family recipes by chef José Cepeda. 

Chicago: James Beard Awards June 13–15, and the Route 66 Centennial on Nov. 11, 2026

To keep up with the level of culinary excellence and excitement of the annual James Beard Awards, dine at chef Grant Achatz’s Alinea, celebrating 20 years—and dozens of accolades. 

In addition, Palmer House, North America’s longest-operating hotel, since 1871, and another landmark Chicago destination, is celebrating the Route 66 Centennial in 2026 with a “Get Your Kicks Near Route 66” package, commemorating Illinois as the road’s official starting point. This will offer hotel guests luxe accommodations, welcome cocktails at the hotel’s speakeasy-inspired lounge, Original Palmer House Brownies (the baked treat was invented at the hotel in 1893 for the World’s Fair), a Google Map with points of interest and a Spotify playlist of cruising songs to set the mood.

Aspen: Art Week and The Aspen Art Fair July 29 to Aug. 2, 2026

While you might enjoy an annual ski trip to one of Colorado’s top mountain ranges, consider a trip to this tony town off-season during the summer months, especially during Art Week and The Aspen Art Fair in its third year, which is gaining international momentum—the second edition drew more than 4,000 galleries, curators, and collectors from across the globe.   

Stay at Hotel Jerome, and you will have easy access to the fair which takes place along the corridors and ground-floor suites of the property and even spills out onto the terraces. Do make time to have drinks at one of the hotel’s historic bars and admire the permanent collection of black-and-white photographs of the town, curated in partnership with the Aspen Historical Society.

“The Hotel Jerome is synonymous with Aspen and the heart and soul of town,” Becca Hoffman, CEO and founder of The Aspen Art Fair, told the Courier. “There is no better place to host a contemporary and modern art and design fair.”

Vegas: Formula 1 (F1) Nov. 20-23, 2026

Public charter service JSX has expanded routes from its private terminal near Hollywood Burbank Airport that will have you at the racetrack with ease and zero airport hassles. Once you arrive, stay at the luxury five-star Wynn Las Vegas with new dining spots such as the iconic Sartiano’s Italian Steakhouse from New York, or head “next door” to The Venetian for the new Michelin-starred Cote Korean Steakhouse from Miami and New York with curated artwork by Damien Hirst and design by David Rockwell. For more meat, The Palazzo opened a new 20,000-square-foot Bazaar Meat by José Andrés offering a tableside martini cart and a special illuminating chocolate dome dessert, Sphere Graffiti, with a mallet to break it open, revealing an assortment of sweet treats. “It’s almost more Vegas than Vegas!” shared chef Andrés about the new spot. The Venetian Resort is the only place fans can get the full experience of Sphere with concert and hotel packages, plus preferred seating.

Miami: Art Basel and Design Miami Dec. 5-7, 2026

During this busy time, most activities take place in the Miami Design District or South Beach. As the leading international art fair in the Americas, Art Basel Miami Beach welcomes 284 premier galleries from 43 countries and territories across the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. At this same time, Design Miami celebrates its 20th anniversary of creating a global forum for collectible design.

For a prime (and relaxing position) stay at the Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club in Miami Beach. It is located in a historic 1930s mansion property, with modern suites and sweeping ocean views that will make you feel far from the fray when you need to recharge. The Champagne Bar is great for drinks before delicious fresh pasta at Lido, and Thomas Keller also has a restaurant on the property with a bar and live jazz. 

The post Where to Go in 2026: Top U.S. Travel Destinations appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

You may have already seen some of the films that premiered in early November, but I’ll give you a recap of some of them, with an emphasis on movies scheduled to premiere at the end of the month and into December.

Early November

“Bugonia” is for fans of filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos who will celebrate his take on alien conspiracy theorists who meet their match in the corporate executive they kidnap. Convinced she has been put on Earth to destroy the planet, something will have to give, and neither she nor her crazy kidnappers will give an inch. Lanthimos favorites, Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, star.

“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” features Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc, back to solve another mystery with Andrew Scott, Josh Brolin, Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington and Josh O’Connor as victims or suspects.

“Nuremberg” revisits the postwar trial in Nuremberg, Germany of Hermann Göring and features an all-star cast led by Russell Crowe as Göring, the face of evil, matching wits with psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek) and lead prosecutor Robert H. Jackson (Michael Shannon). Göring’s crimes and his part in the “Final Solution” were gut-wrenching and all will be exposed.

“Predator: Badlands” is all about predators and prey. On a planet where all present are the prey, the search for the predator by alien monsters is aided by the limb-challenged Elle Fanning.

“Die My Love” shows the disintegration of a woman whose life begins to go downhill catastrophically when she moves to her husband’s small town. Jennifer Lawrence stars as a woman who begins to unravel after the birth of her first child.

“Christy” is a story about the resilience of Christy Martin, the most successful female boxer in the ‘90s. The role is played by Sydney Sweeney, who is almost unrecognizable in a bad shag hairdo and a mouth guard.

“Frankenstein” lets Guillermo del Toro combine his incredible visual sense with his love of monsters to retell this famous tale. As Dr. Frankenstein, played by Oscar Isaac, says, “In seeking life, I created death.” Heartthrob Jacob Elordi is his creation.

“Jay Kelly” is George Clooney and George Clooney is Jay Kelly in a movie about a movie star who has lost his way and wants to find it. Think of the old Cary Grant quote: “Everyone wants to be Cary Grant. Even I want to be Cary Grant.”

“Peter Hujar’s Day,” starring Ben Whishaw as photographer Hujar and Rebecca Hall as Linda Rosenkrantz, his interviewer, treats us to an extended conversation between them in 1974 about his career photographing the New York scene in its Bohemian heyday. Their conversation on screen is anything but static; it makes that era come alive while shining a light on a talented photographer whose fame has fallen to the wayside.

“The Running Man” is a reimagination of the Stephen King classic by director Edgar Wright and starring screen darling Glen Powell. Trying to raise money to save his child, Ben Richards joins “the game,” a last-man-standing contest where the players are hunted down and killed.

“Now You See Me, Now You Don’t” is best expressed by one of the characters: “Eight magicians against a worldwide criminal network? I like our chances.” A sequel to “Now You See It,” Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher and David Franco are back, with the tantalizing addition of Morgan Freeman and Rosamund Pike.

“Keeper” is the latest in a string of horror movies where a loving couple on a romantic getaway rents a house that happens to be haunted. How will they keep love alive, let alone survive this haunted house? Directed by Osgood Perkins, it stars TV favorite Tatiana Maslany.

Nov. 21

“Wicked for Good” arrives, and the wait is finally over. Part II continues the story of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) as they try to find their places in a world where Elphaba has become the Wicked Witch of the West. Dorothy will enter this picture, and the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) will return alongside hunky Flyero (Jonathan Bailey) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). Expect more fabulous songs from the “Wicked” playbook.

“Rental Family” reveals an interesting concept in Japanese society. Phillip Vandarpleog’s acting career is at a standstill when he gets an unusual offer from an agent in Japan. His gig? Be a stand-in character in real families needing someone to play the role of a family member—a missing brother, father, husband or son. Finding what’s missing in his life while filling in something for the people who hired him has its own peculiar reward.

Nov. 26

“Eternity” is something of a damned if you do and damned if you don’t proposition. Arriving in the afterlife, Joan has one week to decide where she will spend eternity and with whom. Adding to the inherent complexity of these choices, she is reunited with both men she married: her recently deceased husband of many years and her first husband, who died very early in their marriage and who has been waiting an “eternity” for her. It’s a competition where there can only be one winner. The film stars Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen and Callum Turner, with Da’Vine Joy Randolph as a heavenly overseer.

“Zootopia 2” finds Judy and Nick (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman) together again, this time hunting giant reptiles causing havoc. A plethora of famous voices adds to the delight of this animated favorite, including Yvette Nichole Brown, Quinta Brunson, Idris Elba and Macaulay Culkin.

Nov. 28

“The Thing With Feathers” dissects the world-shattering grief of a father (Benedict Cumberbatch) when his wife suddenly dies and he is left to raise his two sons. Trying desperately to cope, his grief appears to him as a crow, the metaphorical representation of where he is stuck and where he must go to help his children.

Dec. 3

“Oh. What. Fun.” for everyone but mom. Overwhelmed by Christmas preparations and activities that never end, Claire Clauster feels underappreciated by her brood, who take everything for granted. After all, no one ever talks about Mrs. Claus, and she probably does all the work. When she goes MIA, they finally realize how amazingly she did everything and how little they appreciated it. Without Claire (a luminous Michelle Pfeiffer), there is no Christmas. Also starring Felicity Jones, Danielle Brooks, Denis Leary and Eva Longoria, to name just a few.

Dec. 5

“The Secret Agent” is Brazil’s submission for the Best International Film Oscar and the most awarded film this year at the Cannes Film Festival. It tells the story of Armando, a former teacher, with a mysterious background, who is on the run from a corrupt CEO with a personal grudge against him. The powerful executive hires assassins, some of whom may work for the junta and the police, to kill him. Mixing horror with suspense and political intrigue, the film travels backward and forward in time to tell Armando’s story. Wagner Moura (Armando) won Best Actor at Cannes. Writer/director Kleber Mendonça Filho won Best Director.

“Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” finds Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza about to reopen. The video game animatronic characters are about to raise more havoc. Starring Elizabeth Lail, Josh Henderson and Matthew Lillard, it’s “Five Nights” all over again.

“Fackham Hall,” look out “Downton Abbey.” The lives of Lord and Lady Davenport go south when their daughter marries her wastrel cousin, and their daughter begins a clandestine romance with a petty thief who has ensconced himself in the manor house. Competing with the local vicar for her hand, he is soon framed for murder. It’s all very 19th-century fun and who couldn’t use a bit of aristocratic shenanigans? Starring Damian Lewis, Jimmy Carr (who also wrote the screenplay), Katherine Waterston and Thomasin McKenzie, it’s oh sooo British.

“100 Nights of Hero” is a reimagining of the Arab tale “A Thousand and One Nights.” Left alone in her husband’s castle, Cherry is being courted by their houseguest Manfred, who has bet her husband that he can seduce her in 100 nights. Aware of the wager, Cherry, with the help of her faithful servant Hero, devises a plan to avert his attentions by regaling him with stories from Hero’s arsenal. Based on the popular graphic novel, it builds a fairy tale with deadly stakes.

Dec. 12

“Hamnet,” based on the bestselling novel by Maggie O’Farrell, speaks to the love of Shakespeare and his wife Ann, as they navigate the devastating loss of their son Hamnet, whose name would live forever as Hamlet. Directed by Chloé Zhao, Academy Award winner for “Nomadland,” it stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley.

“Ella McCay” brings back director James L. Brooks’ refreshing comedic touch to the screen. Families! Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. Ella (Emma Mackey) has a doozy of a family, and their hilarious dysfunction only increases when she is elected governor of the state. Also starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson and Jack Lowden, Julie Kavner even shows up without that blue beehive she wore as Marge Simpson.

Dec. 19

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” is the third in James Cameron’s “Avatar” franchise. Expect outstanding effects and magical creatures. Will they survive the invading human armies? The soon-to-follow Part IV is an indication that they will. The stellar cast of actors includes the returning Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña and Sigourney Weaver. Michelle Yeoh plays a human scientist, with Oona Chaplin as the villain.

“The Housemaid,” based on the bestselling novel, is a thriller with lots of twists and turns, too plot-revealing to divulge. The book was a killer, literally and figuratively, and the casting is pitch perfect, with Sydney Sweeney playing the newly hired maid with a big secret and Amanda Seyfried as her wealthy employer who isn’t what she appears to be.

“The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” returns for a sea adventure with pirates. This fourth big-screen addition to the franchise is sure to please the fans of this long-running TV series.

“Father Mother Sister Brother” relates family dysfunction through three related stories, all about the relationship of adult siblings to each other and their parents. Expect absurdist comedy from writer/director Jim Jarmusch, starring Adam Driver, Tom Waits, Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett and more.

“Is This Thing On?” is loosely based on the life of British comedian John Bishop. Bradley Cooper directs from a script he wrote with Will Arnett and Mark Chappell that details the end of Alex’s marriage to Tess and the beginning of his new adventure. It stars Will Arnett and Laura Dern, with appearances by Cooper, Amy Sedaris and Sean Hayes.

Dec. 25

“Anaconda” is the very definition of a reimagination. The previous two Anaconda movies were horror films. This time around, led by Steve Zahn, Paul Rudd and Jack Black, all of whom know their way around absurdity, it’s comedy all the way as this trio decides to make their own “Anaconda” movie. Traveling to the jungle, they run into one problem after another, including a giant, very hungry, man-eating anaconda.

“Marty Supreme” is an unlikely movie about an unlikely man, Marty Reismara, a world-famous table tennis player trying to make his way through life when everyone else doubts his path. Starring Timothée Chalamet and Gwyneth Paltrow, they bring the flamboyant Marty to life.

“The Choral” is a look into the life of the villagers in a small Yorkshire town through the prism of the town choir. World War I has already scooped up many of the town’s young men, some members of the choral group, and its choral director. The appointment of a new director is controversial because of his ties to the hated Germans, but they need him to keep the choir running and get ready for their winter show.

“No Other Choice” is a Korean black comedy thriller about a man who loses his longtime position at a paper company and determines to find another, even if it means eliminating the competition, literally and figuratively. Winner of the International Award at the Toronto Film Festival, it is directed by Park Chan-wook and based on the Donald Westlake novel, “The Axe.”

“Song Sung Blue” features Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, down-and-out singers looking for a break. That break comes when they start a Neil Diamond tribute band called Lightning and Thunder. Together they find romance, heartache and success. It is based on the documentary by Greg Kohs about Mike and Claire Sardina.

December TBD

“In the Grey,” release date still to be announced, is Guy Ritchie’s newest action thriller. Jake Gyllenhaal and Henry Cavill are extraction specialists assigned to rescue a translator trapped behind enemy lines. Eliza Gonzalez also stars with Rosamund Pike and Fisher Stevens in support. There is no release date yet and Ritchie has been famously silent about details.

This is just a sampling of what’s coming. There will be something for everyone as we approach the holidays. Head on down to the nearest multiplex, grab some popcorn and a soda and treat yourself to a movie on the big screen. It’s a respite from the holiday preparations and fraught family visits.

Happy Holidays and Happy Viewing. 

The post Winter Movies: The Heat Is On appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Suddenly, the sound unraveled. Quickly opening his eyes, Gustavo saw worried, pale faces staring back at him. His instructor, Maestro Luis Jimenez, had arrived and stood in the back of the hall. 

“Oh my God, this is the end of my life as a musician,” said Maestro Gustavo Dudamel, recounting his terror in the hall’s silence. He thought, “I’m done. This is the end.”  

Maestro Jimenez slowly approached Gustavo. In a serious tone he said, “You have kind of a talent for conducting.” He then walked to his conducting block and raised his baton to begin the rehearsal.  

Later, Gustavo was summoned to the Maestro’s office. Instead of a stern reprimand, Gustavo was offered the introductory position of assistant conductor. This defining moment changed Gustavo’s life forever.

“I have to thank him a lot. I’m ‘here’ because of him.”

“Here” is the magnificent Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. For the past 17 years, beginning at the age of 27, Maestro Gustavo Dudamel has been the ordained “gift” to Los Angeles, the honored and cherished Music & Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. But soon Los Angeles will be saying, “Gracias, Gustavo!”

His leadership is often described as magical, as he infuses enthusiasm and spontaneous engagement, making classical music feel relevant and alive. With his bold and diverse programming, his dynamic, performative approach and his ability to inspire contemporary works, Maestro Dudamel has captured the world’s heart in classical music. He has not only dramatically increased his audience fan base, but he’s also transformed younger more diverse enthusiasts towards classical music. The New York Times has called him the “superstar conductor” and has praised his talents with helping to make the LA Philharmonic “the most important orchestra in America—period.” 

“Under his leadership, we’ve become a model for what a 21st-century orchestra can be: boldly creative, fiercely relevant, and deeply connected to its community,” said Chairman of the Board of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Jason Subotky.

During his extraordinary tenure, he’s energized global audiences, holding additional positions as Music Director of the Paris Opera (2021-2023), Music Director of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra of Sweden (2007-2012), and Music Director of the Simón Bolívar Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela (since 1999). 

As a visionary, he’s created many symphonic firsts. He has led orchestra performances at major pop culture events, including the Super Bowl halftime show with Bruno Mars, Beyoncé and Chris Martin. He conducted the LA Philharmonic as it opened the 91st Academy Awards broadcast, and many collaborative performances with artists like Billie Eilish and Coldplay, as well as having been featured in mainstream films and series such as “West Side Story,” “Sesame Street,” and “Mozart in the Jungle.” He’s been awarded eight Grammy Awards and five honorary doctorates in music from highly respected institutions from around the world, including Harvard University. Internationally, he has received Spain’s Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts, Chevalier and later Officier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France, the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute Gold Medal, and is a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.  

Accolades aside, what drives this megastar maestro is deeply rooted in his humble beginnings and the transformative power he experienced as a participant in El Sistema of Venezuela.  Modeling that system he founded the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA). In partnership with the LA Philharmonic, YOLA today boasts over 1,700 young musicians ages 6-18, who receive free instruments, intensive music training and academic support.  

President and Chief Executive Officer Kim Noltemy of the LA Philharmonic noted, “For years, audiences have witnessed this profound and mutual affection between Gustavo and the orchestra, because when Gustavo conducts, what radiates from the stage is pure, shared joy. His deep respect and love for the orchestra are unmistakable in every performance.” 

This natural connection with his orchestra, and his innovative thinking and trailblazing collaborations, have inspired audience enthusiasm. This past spring, at Coachella, Maestro Dudamel brought the LA Phil to perform for the first time. He smashed all expectations and records by intermingling works by Bach, Strauss, Wagner and John Williams, with contemporary artists such as LL Cool J, Laufey, Dave Grohl, Zedd and Cynthia Erivo. Gustavo stated in the Los Angeles Times, “This performance ‘represents a journey of making music accessible to everybody.’” 

By successfully “crossing over” from classical music into the world’s pop culture, Gustavo Dudamel has ignited awareness, exponentially, of the transformative power of music. His historical Billboard magazine cover story in 2024, the first classical musician ever to be featured, signifies this unprecedented crossover. As he packs his bags for the New York Philharmonic, ending his extraordinary reign in late spring 2026, the Courier was honored with this rare opportunity to gain an intimate understanding of his astonishing, meteoric journey, his wisdom, and how he believes music can be a unifier to help heal the world. 

From the calm, carpeted corridor, I opened the Disney Concert Hall’s auditorium door to the thunderous power of the LA Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, led by Maestro Dudamel. Having been invited to peek in on his private rehearsal of a new contemporary composition, I quickly slipped into a back mezzanine seat. The empty hall in its colorful and acoustical grandeur further heightened the mesmerizing moment. 

The piece, “Earth Between Oceans,” explores the power of nature through the lens of the four elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Undoubtedly, I had entered during the dramatic Fire section. The robust “wordless choir added a dynamic timbre to the ensemble,” said Ellen Reid, its Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, at the world premiere the following night. 

Suddenly, Gustavo’s large arm gestures silenced the sound. In the quiet, he turned in his conductor’s rehearsal chair and called to Ms. Reid sitting in the orchestra section behind him. They shared words of interpretation. He then swiveled back to his orchestra, lifted his arms, and revisited the refrain. It was extraordinary to watch his process.

“The good thing is that she’s there,” said Gustavo, reflecting on the rehearsal later that afternoon with me in his private office. “But she’s letting me go. She writes the music, and we interpret it. She was very touched about what was happening.” 

Ms. Reid had never heard her creation performed live before that afternoon. Neither had Gustavo nor the orchestra.  

He continued, “And for me, it’s wonderful. It’s like having Mahler or Beethoven there. ‘Hey, Ludwig, what do think about it?  Are we doing well?’” Gustavo chuckled at the thought.  “Although they [Mahler and Beethoven] are not present with us, they are present with their music, and you have to really read the music to understand and bring them alive.”

This is one of the benefits of performing new, contemporary compositions. 

“It’s like a baby that walks immediately,” said Gustavo. “When we are playing something, we don’t know what is going to happen. [Ms. Reid] has an idea. We have an idea. She’s very talented. I have premiered other pieces by her, and she’s very clear in what she wants. But in that moment when you play something for the first time.” He pauses. “It’s beautiful.”

“Beautiful” is also the way Gustavo describes hearing the sound of live orchestral music for the first time in his life. 

Little Gustavo was 5 years old. It was Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, a symphonic suite inspired by the tales of “One Thousand and One Nights,” also known as “The Arabian Nights.” His young father was a trombonist in the youth orchestra.  

“I was blown away. It was like, wow! I have the memory of the theater where we were, and the amount of sound that was coming. I was so excited. I was trying to see my father. But I couldn’t see him because I was very little.” 

Music is in Gustavo’s blood. His parents met in a folk music group in Barquisimeto at the ages of 15 and 16. Young Solangel Ramirez Viloria, a singer and voice teacher, fell in love with Oscar Dudamel Vasquez, a trombonist and salsa musician. They raised their two sons Roger and Gustavo, in a musical environment, beginning with Latin music, bolero, salsa, and merengue. 

Gustavo’s grandmother, Engracia Vasquez de Dudamel, lived with the family when Gustavo was a boy. She has shared stories about him, arranging his toy soldiers in orchestral positions. While the music played on the record, he would conduct their performance. This imaginative play from an early age made conducting feel very natural to him. 

But it was the revered Maestro José Antonio Abreu, and his trailblazing work to democratize access to the arts, who lit the fire under Gustavo. While mentoring him toward maestro prominence, Maestro Abreu inspired Gustavo toward a life commitment to social advocacy. 

In 1975, Maestro Abreu created a groundbreaking music education program, funded by the Venezuelan government’s social services division, to provide free musical education for all children regardless of their socioeconomic background. Believing music is a universal right, Maestro Abreu felt music education was essential for the well-being of children at risk, providing social inclusion and personal development through shared music making. As music transmits harmony and mutual compassion, he was convinced it could unite communities. Called El Sistema, it grew into a nationwide network of hundreds of music centers reaching hundreds of thousands of children from underprivileged backgrounds. Maestro Gustavo Dudamel is indisputably El Sistema’s most successful alumnus.  

Entering the program as a young boy, Gustavo thoroughly enjoyed making music with his friends. It was his happy place. El Sistema was popular and thriving. At the young age of 12, he was selected as a violinist from all the children in youth orchestras in Venezuela to be in the National Children’s Orchestra. This was his first encounter with Maestro Abreu. 

“Of course, he was there all the time supervising the rehearsals. One day he asked me to lead, to show the people how to do it.” 

Maestro Abreu recognized Gustavo’s talent and took him under his wing. Soon after, he invited Gustavo on a trip to Caracas, at age 14, to witness his first ballet performance. It was a ballet rehearsal of  “Swan Lake.”

“I was sitting there, and he asked me, ‘Do you see the rhythm? … in the body? Do you see the melody?’ I was like, wow, I have to discover that.” “‘Now, where do you feel the harmony? The chords?’ It was amazing because it was the most beautiful natural expression … Maestro Abreu was a genius.”

He was instructing Gustavo to see the orchestra in the movement of the body. At another point, Maestro Abreu used the analogy of a flying bird as a metaphor to help teach the movements of conducting hands. 

“He said to me, ‘Your hand is like a bird. You feel all the air in the palm of your hand and there is the dimension of sound. You are taking the sound that is everywhere. Even if you think it’s silent, there is energy. That is harmony and that is sound. And when you are making the movement of the upbeat to start, you are bringing that sound there,” as he gestured lifting his arms in his office. “And this is the way I hold the baton in my hand because it’s the body and the wings. And this is the head,” as he continued to demonstrate. 

Maestro Dudamel often conducts major repertoire and signature works like Beethoven and Stravinsky without a music score. He credits Maestro Abreu for this preparation. When asked about his dynamic, performative choreography possibly being memorized, as it pairs seamlessly and harmoniously with the memorized music, Gustavo quickly dismissed the thought.  

“No, never. I don’t practice my gestures. I have never practiced my gestures. The thing is, if I prepare everything perfectly, maybe what I have in mind doesn’t go with what the orchestra is expecting. My advice to young conductors is to be flexible, to manage the moment … The process has to be very natural.” 

Additionally, there’s commentary about Maestro Dudamel’s magic when he performs. It’s referred to as a spiritual connection that transforms him. Gustavo did not deny this interpretation. Instead, he recalled a “very important lady in the arts,” who was the head of the Latin American Festival of Theater in Venezuela and a dear friend of Maestro Abreu. After observing Gustavo’s talent as a young man, she declared that he had “duende,” from Federico García Lorca’s essay, “In Search of Duende.” It explores the concept of artistic spirit, or “magic,” that presents itself through a visceral, spontaneous power. 

“She told me I have magic. I thought, OK, I’m possessed or something. But it’s true. There is something that goes naturally with my body, with my soul, what I listen to, and what I feel.” 

When Gustavo was 18 years old in 1999, he was appointed as the youngest Music Director of the Simón Bolívar Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela. All of the musicians were graduates of the El Sistema program. As the chief conductor, he led the orchestra performing in Venezuela and around the world. 

“I had a series of concerts. I remember we played at the U.N. [United Nations].”

Enjoying performing with his friends, he was less motivated to do competitions. But Maestro Abreu had other plans for Gustavo. He felt Gustavo needed competition experience in order for his conducting talents to be seen and recognized internationally. 

Years earlier, when he was 11 years old, Gustavo heard a recording of Gustav Mahler’s Fifth Symphony and quickly became a lifelong fan. When the opportunity arose in 2004 for Gustavo, at the age of 23, to enter the prestigious Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition in Bamberg, Germany, Maestro Abreu wanted him to enter. But Gustavo was in Berlin for three months as an assistant conductor to Sir Simon Rattle at the Berlin Philharmonic. Nonetheless, back home in Venezuela, Maestro Abreu filled out the application paperwork. 

When Gustavo returned from Berlin, he said, “I told my Maestro I was feeling bad. I need to check with the doctor. I was trying to avoid going back to Germany.”

But Maestro Abreu pressed. It was to be the first time that Gustavo would be leading an internationally acclaimed orchestra as a conductor, the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra. After two weeks in Venezuela, Gustavo acquiesced. 

“I never pushed myself to say, I’ve got to do this. I got to win. It’s not my personality. I went there to enjoy, to experience the beautiful moment of knowing a wonderful orchestra, and knowing great people.” 

The outcome dramatically changed Gustavo’s career trajectory. 

“I passed the first round; my name was there. The second round, I said, well, this looks serious; let’s keep going. Then third round, then semifinals, then I’m a finalist. And it was very natural. I never pushed myself, saying I’ve got to win. But I felt that from my fellow competitors.” 

Gustavo won and the international community took note. One of the esteemed judges in Bamberg was, at that time, the current Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Maestro Esa-Pekka Salonen. In 2027, he will be returning to the LA Philharmonic as Creative Director, bookending Gustavo Dudamel’s tenure. 

Maestro Salonen shared, “When I saw him at the Gustav Mahler competition, it was stunning how naturally he connected with the orchestra and how effortlessly music flowed from him. He stepped in front of the Bamberg Orchestra, conducting a professional orchestra for the first time, Symphony No. 5 by Mahler, which is notoriously difficult to conduct, and it just flowed. The musicians [a hundred all older than him] accepted the fact that there was this young Venezuelan guy in front of them, guiding them, who didn’t speak much English. It just lined up beautifully. I thought this kind of talent doesn’t come across every year. It’s more like a generational thing.” 

Maestro Salonen quickly placed a call to the CEO Deborah Borda, requesting an invitation for this “conducting animal.” Soon after, Gustavo arrived in Los Angeles for the first time at age 24. The pressure was on, but Maestro Abreu had prepared him. 

Gustavo explained, “He made me play in the orchestra, to watch the conductors, and to feel what the musicians feel to be conducted. The work of conducting is not only making the orchestra sound good; it’s making the orchestra feel good … Remember that we are creating a sound together. We have the notes; we have the music composed by the geniuses of Beethoven or Mahler, all of them. But we have to reproduce that [sound]. And that is a feeling, a metaphysical process. [The conductor] has to create an environment where it is healthy to create beauty.” 

For him, the key is about inspiring and motivating the orchestra, adding, “I’m no one without the musicians because my instrument doesn’t sound.”

“You know how many times these musicians play Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony with so many conductors? What can be different in that moment? That is the secret. The secret is how you don’t change things. You try to enhance the moments and the spirit of everybody.”

That first visit to Los Angeles could have been overwhelming for Gustavo. He was coming from conducting a youth orchestra in Venezuela, and stepping onto the platform to lead one of the top orchestras in the world.

“It was an instant connection … I was conducting them and the interaction was, at the highest level, artistically friendly. The sharing of my ideas and how they were taking those ideas and making a sound from my ideas felt natural.”

“What I find maybe most amazing about him is that, after all these years of fame and success and adulation, he’s still an idealist. He believes in the importance of music as a social force, and that’s really impressive.”
– Maestro Esa-Pekka Salonen 

His United States conducting debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl in September 2005 was met with immediate and overwhelming success. More performances with demanding repertoires at the Walt Disney Concert Hall followed. His graceful and natural strength empowered the enthusiasm, reflecting the genuine admiration from the orchestra and his “charismatic power” with the audiences. The Los Angeles Philharmonic did not waste time. He was appointed Music & Artistic Director, succeeding Maestro Esa-Pekka Salonen, in October 2009 at the age of 27. 

In 2007, before Gustavo formally took on his position as Artistic Director, he launched the YOLA program, directly inspired by his own formative experiences with El Sistema. With the dual goal of developing musical proficiency and fostering social change in diverse, underserved communities, it became a key component in negotiations with the LA Philharmonic’s leadership. As they enthusiastically embraced this concept, YOLA has become not only Gustavo’s signature project but also a foundational pillar of the LA Philharmonic’s mission. Together, they erected the Judith and Thomas L. Beckman YOLA Center in 2021, designed by Frank Gehry, located in Inglewood, as YOLA’s first permanent home.

“When you give an opportunity to a young child that is not in the environment of having opportunities, you are not changing the life of one person; you are changing the life of all that surrounds this kid … It’s a lot of circles: his family, his neighborhood, his community. Everything changes. When they see a kid walking with an instrument, they feel proud … This is the philosophy of YOLA. This is the philosophy of El Sistema. They are transforming their lives and the lives of the people that surround them.”

It’s also about one’s identity. 

“Mother Teresa of Calcutta said the worst thing about being poor is to be no one. And what a beautiful thing when you give a child an instrument. You are giving them an identity. You are giving them a place in society with the most sublime expression of humankind. That is art.”

Gustavo further explained, “If we look pragmatically and we open our mind and our soul, what we see are people producing beauty. Whoever you are, whatever you think, wherever you come from, you are united in that moment because you are sharing energy at the same time. What a beautiful thing. This is what happens on stage.”

He believes it’s similar to a violin and a trombone, a flute and a tuba. They all come together, and there is harmony. 

“I think the world right now is not in harmony. It’s in a cacophony. It’s noisy. But noisy in cacophony is also harmony. We [need to] really open our ears, open our souls, open our minds. We will see the beautiful chords that are inside. But we need more of this.”

This is what connected Gustavo to the love of his life, his wife, actress and director, María Valverde. They met while working on the film, “The Liberator.” She was the star; he composed the film’s soundtrack. Years later, their friendship developed into a romance, and in 2017 they were married in a private ceremony. 

From the very beginning, they shared “beautiful, deep talks about art, about the concept of ‘viendo la belleza del arte, looking at the beauty of art.’” He expounded, “This concept goes beyond what we can understand about art. But by opening the paths for opportunity, the younger generations can contemplate, share, work together and understand that community connections create harmony.” 

The Dudamel Foundation, which María co-chairs, instills the belief that art and music are fundamental human rights. Capable of fostering a more just, peaceful and inclusive society, music is a universal language that transcends barriers and speaks directly to the soul. Their foundation, which is a part of a global movement, not only aims to give every child the chance to fulfill personal dreams through music; it also sees music as the catalyst for societal transformation, inclusion, empowerment and lasting change. 

“What I find maybe most amazing about him is that, after all these years of fame and success and adulation, he’s still an idealist. He believes in the importance of music as a social force, and that’s really impressive,” said Maestro Salonen. 

Our time together was evaporating. We ventured toward his bookshelves, and I spotted his first Grammy, for Best Orchestra Performance in 2011, resting prominently as well as his most recent Grammy, one of three won in 2025, awarded for his conducting of the LA Philharmonic. There was a photo of him giving a speech at the White House honoring his friend José Andrés accepting the Medal of Freedom, and other prizes and awards from world leaders such as the President of Chile, and the President of France. 

He grabbed a small, weathered book off the shelf. “This was my Maestro’s, his agenda book from 1978,” a significant treasure from which Maestro Dudamel has modeled his life’s mission. He began to thumb through the pages of his heirloom. “See, he wrote, ‘This is done. This is what I have to do,’” pointing to the Spanish multicolored, handwritten entries. He took a moment, reading, clearly moved.  

“Under his leadership, we’ve become a model for what a 21st-century orchestra can be: boldly creative, fiercely relevant, and deeply connected to its community.” – Jason Subotky, Chairman of the Board of the Los Angeles Philharmonic

There were other memorabilia from some of his trailblazing concerts, which begged the question about future music collaborations. He offered that he has many. 

“I was with Jimmy Page, of Led Zeppelin, the other day. It would be a dream for me to do something with him. Radiohead is a group that I admire and I love. And many Latin artists I would love to work with. That was my home. I was listening from salsa, to rock, to classical. There was no border or a wall that separated music … Music is one, with different styles. It’s an expression of humans. That’s it.”

Which music does he choose when he is with María? He chuckled, “A lot of music.” Then he changed the direction of the question. “Family for me is the most important thing. And that is what provides me inspiration. I think of María, my son Martin, my parents …” as he grabbed a photo of his son. 

“He’s a teenager now. He’s wonderful. I love to go with him to eat and talk. I learn a lot. I think every time is my favorite when I’m sharing it with him.” 

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Martin lives in Madrid. Gustavo confirmed it is his home as well. 

“Yes, Madrid and Los Angeles.” His answer opened the door. Is he really not saying goodbye? 

Gustavo has said, “When a finale is approaching, you can feel it. Whether an orchestral piece concludes with a bang or a whimper, its ending is rarely ambiguous .… There’s only one thing a final movement, third act, and proper goodbye will always have in common—they are never easy to get right.” 

He has referred to Los Angeles as “home” in the media. He has also shared his intentions to continue to perform with the LA Phil in some capacity each year going forward. 

“I’d like to see this as Gustavo not leaving, just changing the nature of his role in the life of the LA Philharmonic. He will be coming back. It will be everybody’s highest priority to see him back in LA often. It’s not a farewell; it’s just a transition to another role. This is a relationship that will keep growing and deepening. I know Gustavo is going to be coming back as long as he’s around. And that thought gives me a lot of joy … Gustavo feels like family to me. We are very close. It’s a great relationship, and I’m very, very proud of it,” shared Maestro Esa-Pekka Salonen.

After 17 years of the Gustavo Dudamel era, he leaves a legacy of purposeful, transformational, artistic leadership, explosive growth and impactful community engagement, and a prestigiously historic elevation of the LA Philharmonic’s international profile. With more than 50% of the orchestra members coming from the Dudamel era, his visionary, risk-taking approach and deep connections with the musicians will ensure his influence will resonate in Los Angeles for decades to come. 

“We are closing a chapter, and we are opening a new chapter.  It’s very important for our institution to evolve and to be flexible to new things. But it’s beautiful to see that we are closing a chapter in such a beautiful state. It’s working perfectly … As I told the orchestra, they are the most important [part]. Whoever is at the podium, that is OK. In the end, it’s the LA Philharmonic. And that is why I’m so happy and proud of being part of this family.”

Gustavo has been having these discussions with his musicians during his orchestra rehearsals.    

“We talked about how this time has transformed us. It’s an evolution that is very powerful.  This relation will never end.” 

Still, it’s hard to close the chapter. Maestro Dudamel offered a Colombian poet who described it best.  

“A century in an instant,” he said. “Everything is so beautiful and intense that a hundred years passes in an instant … It’s what I feel. It has been 20 years coming regularly to Los Angeles. It feels like this year. It was yesterday, one hour ago. It happened because of love, a century in an instant … Love for the people of Los Angeles, love for the orchestra, love to all of these communities.  It’s their generosity …  I’m so grateful.”  

The post Gustavo Dudamel: The Legacy of a Megastar Maestro | Feature Interview appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Incorporating a play, “UnRavelled,” written by Jake Broder, into the overall program of education about the brain and how the arts can be used to temper the inevitable, usually swift decline in cerebral function experienced in this particular form of dementia, Broder wrote his play using the singular case of Anne Adams. She was a talented biologist at the University of British Columbia who took a break from her career to nurse her son back from a devastating accident. As time went on, she was less and less compelled to return to the lab and began painting. Her husband, Robert, a mathematician at UBC, was less than enthusiastic. Anne was an unremarkable artist and they needed her income. Not to be deterred, she continued on her chosen path. Not long after her scientific retirement, she started experiencing word finding difficulties and subtle cognitive declines, something that coincided with a blossoming of her artistic creativity and prowess. Her dreams were inhabited by stories of the composer Maurice Ravel, with whom she began to feel a hallucinatory connection. It has been suggested that Ravel suffered from FTD and his music, especially “Bolero” was infused with the kinds of repetitions that Anne was showing in her increasingly accomplished paintings.

Although the exact nature of Ravel’s decline has never been established, he suffered from a cognitive impairment, some would say madness, that perplexed his doctors. An interesting, unprovable supposition, his appearance in Anne’s dreams suffuses her paintings with relatable repetitions and increasing depth. But this isn’t really about Anne or her art, interesting side lights. This is a story about empathy, care and relationships because, even though the illness, eventually diagnosed as FTD, was Anne’s, the burden was also Robert’s, one he bore with patience, love and empathy. The role of the caretaker is fundamental to the interactive exhibits presented by the Brain Health Festival.

The needs of those with dementia are similar, whether it be Alzheimer’s, Lewy body dementia, dementia brought on by Parkinson’s or FTD. There are no cures, although medical science, including some of the panelists at the festival, promise that there is help on the horizon. But the greatest message brought forward was one of hope, help and care. As explained in their FTD Pocket Guide, “Quality Time is Quality Care” and “Perception is Reality” whether that of the normal brain or that of the diseased brain. Do not expect a person with dementia to be what they were; accept them for how they are now. It matters little which area of the brain is affected or the kind of dementia. What does matter is that the caregiver finds the right resources for help and understanding. Although Robert, in the play and in real life, scoffed at a support group, he eventually found a path to understanding his role, strengths and limitations in assisting his wife and himself. Robert Adams was in the audience on Friday night; a panel, including their son Alex, the playwright and renowned neuroscientists from UCLA and UCSF, spoke following the play.

Besides the play and the interactive exhibits, the Brain Health Festival sponsored workshops on storytelling, music, movement and visual art. Acclaimed UCSF neurologist Bruce Miller, founding director of the Global Brain Health Institute, one of the post play panelists and a leading expert on FTD, presented the case of Anne Adams at a specially convened Grand Rounds at Cedars-Sinai.

An important resource for information about dementia, how to find a caregiver and things you can do to understand and lessen the burden can be found on the website fortheirthoughts.org. The goal of the For Their Thoughts Foundation is to help families find a community, and, to quote from their website: “equip caregivers, cultivate empathy and lift the stigma.” The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (aFTD) lists state by state resources, including a help line: www.theaftd.org. And, although Alzheimer’s and FTD are different types of neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s Los Angeles, alzheimersla.org, is a good source to know about.

Do not hesitate to contact your doctor for advice and help. It’s out there. You are not alone. Knowledge is power.

The post Unravelled—The Brain Health Festival 2025 appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

In his remarks welcoming Gates, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss said that the two men have known each other for 10 years, beginning when Cherniss, then the superintendent of the San Marino Unified School District, hired Gates to serve as the principal of San Marino High School. Under Gates’  leadership, the school became the number one academically achieving high school in California for three consecutive years. 

Gates’ tenure at PYLUSD also overlapped with that of Cherniss, who served as superintendent of PYLUSD beginning in May 2023. Gates was brought on to PYLUSD in June 2023. 

“There are so many accomplishments I could speak to, but what I would say [he does] best is his connections with people,” Cherniss said. “We are hiring him for Human Resources … he’s taught just about every grade there is, but he also connects well with students, and he connects well with teachers.” 

In a statement, Gates said that he is “honored” by his new role. 

“This is a community that deeply values excellence, possibility, and connection,” he said. “I look forward to supporting our extraordinary staff and ensuring that BHUSD continues to be a place where every student is known, challenged, and supported.”

There were some tense moments during the approval process for Gates at the Nov. 4 BHUSD board meeting.

Board Member Amanda Stern said she would abstain from voting on the agenda item that included Gates’ appointment because “The announcement of [Gates’] appointment … was unusually obscured and difficult to find in this agenda.” 

His appointment was included in an attachment to an agenda item on the consent calendar, which typically includes items that are approved collectively rather than discussed individually.  

“My choice to abstain has little to do with the individual in question and more to do with what felt like a bungled hiring process that lacked the usual transparency and due diligence that is required for such a high-level hire,” Stern said. 

Cherniss replied that the approval arrangement was valid. 

“This is the proper format to approve all personnel that are not under contract … and I did confirm that today with counsel,” he said.  

The board voted 4-0 to approve the certified personnel report, which included Gates’  appointment. Stern abstained from voting. 

“This agenda item absolutely was not where it was supposed to be,” Stern said. “It was obscured in a very unusual place. When something feels strange, it usually is.”  

The post New Executive Director of Personnel Services at BHUSD appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The decision came following a complaint filed with the district in December 2024 by Victoria Tate, the parent of a student who attended BVMS. The complaint described an incident in November 2024 during which, among other things, a racial slur was used in a classroom followed by a student pointing at a group of Black students, including Tate’s child. 

BHUSD initiated an investigation and concluded that the incident violated the district’s student conduct code. It took disciplinary measures against the perpetrators. It did not, however, agree that Tate’s child was “bullied, harassed and/or discriminated against on the basis of race.”

In response, Tate filed an appeal with the CDE. 

In the Oct. 23 ruling, the CDE held that the incident was, in fact, “sufficiently severe to intimidate and create a sense of lack of safety for a reasonable Black student.” As such, it constituted a violation of the California Education Code and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. 

The CDE went on to state that the district’s response to the incident was inadequate.

“[T]he district did not specifically tie its response to the inappropriateness and unacceptability of targeting black students with racially charged references to the n word in their classroom, regardless of their prevalence or use in popular culture, entertainment, or the media,” the ruling states. 

The CDE additionally assigned corrective action to the district, requiring a one-hour training at BVMS for administrators and staff about responding to allegations of peer-to-peer harassment and race-based bullying. The department included a requirement of proof of the training, including the date, attendees, content and provider information. 

Tate brought the CDE’s ruling to the attention of the community during public comment at the BHUSD Nov. 4 board meeting.  

The post State Finds Race-Based Bullying at BHUSD appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board President Rachelle Marcus and Board Member Russell Stuart addressed the commission on health matters concerning district students. Stuart said that the board received numerous complaints from parents regarding dust and dirt plumes emanating from construction of the One Beverly Hills project across the street onto the campus of El Rodeo Elementary School. In response, property developer Cain International met with board members and installed air quality detectors across the construction site and assured the board that the plumes were not harmful. The developers measure the air quality every five minutes and will notify board members if it reaches a certain threshold, Stuart said, adding that the site will need to be continuously monitored.

Stuart said the district’s new vape and smoke detectors have been effective. He did not give specific details on the number of students detected or the disciplinary consequences involved, but said the results were significant.

Stuart also highlighted technology initiatives, including the implementation of artificial intelligence within the district. BHUSD recently purchased two Apple Vision Pro AI headset devices, which have aided students in different subjects—such as science, media, athletics and robotics.

Commissioner Erica Felsenthal brought up concerns about implementing AI in education without conclusive research on how AI affects brain development and about possibly needing consent from students when it comes to using physical AI headsets. However, Stuart said the importance of getting up to date with the technology outweighed the potential costs.

“Where it can take someone’s mind and say, ‘I’m going to give you the greatest education that you’ll never get unless we put this headset on you,’ I think not exploring it would be a detriment to [what] our kids can learn,” he said.

BHPD Lt. Kevin Orth reported on August and September crime statistics, including previous year comparisons. Every type of crime in Beverly Hills decreased or stayed the same from 2024-25 except for aggravated assaults and major vehicle thefts, which saw a 17% and 2% increase, respectively. Fifty-four robberies were reported in Beverly Hills up until Oct. 19, 2024 while only 30 have been reported so far in 2025. The city also saw a decrease from 738 larceny thefts to 566 during the same time span. Orth attributed the decrease in crime to the BHPD’s Real Time Watch Center, a hub of the city’s surveillance tools established in 2022. He also said that neighboring cities are not experiencing similar decreases in crime. 

“Overall, our crime has been decreasing steadily,” he said. “Our arrest numbers are still increasing, which indicates that we have officers making proactive self-initiated activity … We’re a couple years into our Real Time Watch Center. All of our cameras, [automated license plate reader] systems, drone systems, all those have led to a decrease in crime in the last several years.”

Orth added that police officers, traffic control officers and private security will be on the scene on Walden Drive and Carmelita Avenue and that officers may shut down the streets depending on the amount of foot traffic. Orth also reminded the community that the city prohibits the use of silly string and shaving cream during Halloween hours.

Beverly Hills Fire Department Deputy Chief Alfred Poirier provided an incident comparison from September of 2024 and 2025. Poirier said that incident numbers have generally remained consistent across years, though emergency medical service calls decreased from 461 to 380.

Another important matter on the agenda concerned the Nov. 9 evacuation drill in the Trousdale neighborhood directed at 68 homes in a high fire severity zone. Residents north of Sunset Boulevard are encouraged to evacuate to Will Rogers Park via designated routes and are urged to prepare to-go bags. The drill will take place from 1-4 p.m. and police, city and fire officials will be stationed throughout the area to assist and direct traffic. Participation in the drill is encouraged by the city but not mandatory.

BHFD Fire Marshall Trevor Richmond shared two videos with the commission—from the Oakland Firestorm in 1991 and from the Palisades fire in 2025—which displayed the total chaos and danger during both evacuations and illustrated the urgent need to prepare for potential fire evacuations. Tens of thousands of people in L.A. County were under evacuation orders during the January wildfires.

“The only way to prepare for chaos is to train,” Richmond said. “The purpose of the drill—we want to be disaster ready. We want to increase community awareness through public education. We really want to exercise the operational component between the Beverly Hills Fire Department and Beverly Hills Police Department.”

Richmond added that another main goal of the drill is to improve communication between officials and residents. Residents can receive alerts through the city’s outdoor warning system and digitally through Nixle and BHPD Alert. Evacuation routes and details on what to pack in the case of an evacuation can be found on the city’s website. The “6 P’s” is a helpful way to remember what to pack—people and pets, prescriptions, papers, pictures, personal computers and money in the form of plastic or cash.

Richmond added that he will return to the commission later with a report on the efficacy of the drill. 

The post Health and Safety Commission Hears Updates on Nov. 9 Evacuation Drill appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

This is the most money raised in a single fundraising event for Maple Counseling Center, according to Board Member Noelle Batista. 

Hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist and KTLA Anchor Lu Parker, the event honored Beverly Hills Fire Chief Greg Barton with the Judy Briskin Spirit of Community Award for his bravery and leadership during crises, and Board Member Monica Berkett Dragoon with the Heart of Gold Award for her commitment to the mental well-being of children. 

Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian, a former intern and board member of the center, congratulated both award recipients. 

“What really hasn’t changed over the years is the exceptional quality of service at the Maple Counseling Center provides to our community and the kind of people who care about this organization, people like all of you who are here, and of course Greg [Barton],” said Nazarian. “He’s one of those rare people who doesn’t just talk about service, he lives it.”

Event attendees also heard speeches from keynote speaker Ally Walker, an actress and director, Deniz Himmetoglu, a client of the center and Varina Bleil, the center’s CEO.

Over 50 years ago, the Maple Counseling Center was founded on Maple Drive in response to concern over increasing substance use, but now provides critical mental health services and psychiatric help to over 7,700 individuals annually throughout Los Angeles and beyond. The center has since grown to be of service to anyone needing mental health support in the state of California, made possible through tele-health. Just last year, Maple Counseling opened its new community mental health clinic in Mid City LA, which includes the Briskin|Wilder Welcome Center, a “free concierge service” providing mental health needs assessments and case management to find appropriate care that fits clients’ budgets and insurance.

Rex Wilder, co-founder of the Briskin|Wilder Welcome Center and son of Judy Briskin, announced that his family covered the entire cost of the event to ensure all the proceeds go to the center. “It would be a shame to have any money that you are all donating have to go to the overhead,” said Wilder. “And to that end, our family has decided to cover every cost of the event.” 

“If there’s one takeaway for everyone to remember, it’s that Maple is here for people who don’t know where else to turn. This is a place that meets you wherever you are in your mental health journey,” said Wilder. 

This year in particular has been emotionally challenging for the Los Angeles community, especially after January blazes devastated the towns of Altadena and the Pacific Palisades. 

“[This year] has tested our community in ways that I, from my stance, are sort of unimaginable in terms of the psychological healing,” said Bleil. “We all have been witness to the LA wildfires that devastated communities and separated neighbors from neighbors, and it’s left a deep emotional scar for many people.”

In response, Maple Counseling quickly mobilized, bringing counseling and crisis response through MapleMobile directly to communities and shelters, an art therapy program to support children and families and free therapy to fire-affected individuals through a partnership with the Palisades Community Renewal Center.  

“From helping spearhead new programming for underprivileged youth receiving resources for the first time to creating support for those who recently lost their homes during the devastating LA fires, I am most proud of our ability to help those who are struggling regardless of their ability to pay,” said Dragoon. 

Barton praised Maple’s rapid response as what “real service looks like.”  

“Over this past year, we have faced moments that have tested us—wildfires, loss and uncertainty,” said Barton. “What stands out to me is how this community always comes together. In Beverly Hills, when there is a need, people show up. Whether it’s your neighbors or organizations like Maple. They all step forward, and that strength and unity are what makes this city so special.”

The center maintains a close-knit relationship with the Beverly Hills community, partnering with the Beverly Hills Unified School District to offer individual and group counseling services to students at the high school.

Now, Maple Counseling is turning its attention toward new initiatives, including: a crisis response team supporting Beverly Hills first responders, a psychological first aid program for alumni therapists to assist communities during crises, a bilingual Spanish-English community clinic, a “community circle” program teaching social-emotional learning in elementary schools and a Youth Ambassadors Board for high school students to promote mental well-being among their peers.

Himmetoglu, a client of Maple for over a year, attested to the center’s impact on his life. Upon a “nightmarish coming of age,” as Himmetoglu described, Maple entered his life when asking for help became one of two options left. 

“Maple is a team of people who care about me when I don’t, hold up a light for me when I lose direction, and keep me grounded even at those times where I might actually get to take it slow,” said Himmetoglu.  

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The policy stems from a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court case, Mahmoud v. Taylor, which held that not providing guardians with those options constituted a violation of their religious freedoms under the First Amendment. 

The policy considered by BHUSD board members was drafted by the California School Boards Association (CSBA). 

Mahmoud v. Taylor involved an elementary school curriculum in Montgomery County in Maryland from 2022 that included several books with references to LGBTQ children or adults. Following a lawsuit brought by parents, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of providing notification and an opt-out policy if and when those books were read and discussed. 

On Oct. 28, the BHUSD board was presented with CSBA’s draft policy. Despite being instigated by Mahmoud v. Taylor, the policy prepared by CSBA did not reference LGBTQ. books or single out elementary schools. Rather, the proposed language offered broad regulations prohibiting district employees from interfering with students’ religious beliefs or engaging in “religious indoctrination.”  

The draft reads, in part, “Teachers and other district staff shall be highly sensitive to their obligation not to interfere with the religious development of any student in whatever tradition the student embraces, and treat all religions and religious convictions, including nonbelief, with fairness and respect.” 

The draft also requires that parents and guardians be notified and have the option to opt out of instruction “based on their religious beliefs,” and that students who are opted out must be offered an alternate educational activity. 

Many members of the board found the language offered by CSBA too vague. 

“It is supposed to be for sincerely held religious beliefs, which is not an issue, but if you look at different experiences in schools, unless we are very clear, there could be a lot of reasons for [opting out] … it’s a much broader and philosophical conversation,” said Board Member Amanda Stern.

Board Member Russell Stuart agreed. 

“What [was] passed was fairly specific, and then this is incredibly broad,” he said. “Now, you kind of open up these floodgates to cherry-pick anything that might cross your religious understanding … my understanding when this rule came down from the federal government was [that it was] very specific on a topic.” 

BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss requested that board members come up with wording that more accurately reflects the intent of the policy. 

“We’re hearing ‘no specifics,'” he said. “If the board, between now and the next meeting, wants to provide us with specific language, please do that and we’ll bring it back for second reading.” 

In other business, the board narrowly approved a resolution recognizing ten nationally observed Heritage and Pride Months throughout the year. The months celebrate various racial, ethnic and other historically marginalized groups. 

During discussion, Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri and Board Member Sigalie Sabag voiced their opposition to the resolution. 

“I’m just concerned that by acknowledging some [groups] and not others, which is what this does, that we’re creating another issue of disparity, because European American Heritage Months are not on here, other Heritage Months that could potentially be created are not on here,” said Manouchehri, adding that the “ship has possibly sailed on a resolution like this.”

Sabag added that the board should be “concentrat[ing] on the education.” 

“I think this is very polarizing, and I think the way it’s written is not going to be positive,” she said. 

The board voted 3-2 to pass the resolution, with Manouchehri and Sabag voting no. 

Additionally, the board heard and made comments on the district’s 2025-26 strategic plan. 

The plan, presented by Cherniss and Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Dustin Seemann, included six overarching goals: improving student achievement, improving the quality of instruction, increasing student engagement in extracurricular activities, facilities completion, ensuring fiscal responsibility and a continued emphasis on safety and security. 

Regarding student achievement, quality of instruction and student engagement in extracurriculars, the district plans to use measures such as tutoring, a new math curriculum, a district-wide writing workshop program and academic interventions when necessary to achieve its goals. 

Board members brought up various concerns regarding these goals. Stern noted that Horace Mann Elementary’s test scores were below those of El Rodeo Elementary School. 

“I really would love to know what can be done to support Horace Mann perhaps more comprehensively, given that difference,” she said. 

Board President Rachelle Marcus expressed a desire for students to do more reading on their own time. 

“In English, in the middle school and the elementary school … getting kids to read books just to read books, to improve their skills of understanding in reading—I don’t think I see enough of that,” she said. “They are required to read the book in class, they read the book in class. What about the reading outside of class, and the strength and the rigor that that will provide? And book reports? … I really feel that’s something we are missing.” 

The scheduled vote on the strategic plan was tabled to give administrators time to incorporate board comments and concerns.   

The post BHUSD Board Considers Opt-Out Policy for Religious Beliefs appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

This prestigious recognition places the two among the top high school scholars nationwide, representing less than one percent of all graduating seniors across the country. Both students were honored at last month’s BHUSD Board of Education meeting, where they received official certificates of recognition from district leaders and their principal.

Both students began their educational journey at Horace Mann Elementary, continued through Beverly Vista Middle School, and then on the BHHS. 

“We are incredibly proud of Ezra and Xander for earning this national distinction,” said Dr. Dustin Seemann, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services. “Their hard work, intellectual curiosity, and perseverance represent the very best of BHUSD students.”

The National Merit Scholarship Program honors students who demonstrate exceptional academic promise through outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT exam. Semi-Finalists now move forward in the competition for National Merit Finalist standing and the opportunity to earn scholarships sponsored by colleges, corporations, and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.  

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Many parents and members of the community have expressed concern about how demolition, excavation and building will affect the school and surrounding areas. 

Following a presentation from the One Beverly Hills representatives, questions from members of the board and Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss focused on dirt and dust exposure from construction, as well as the impacts of noise and privacy. 

Addressing one of the primary concerns of parents—that potentially harmful dust and dirt was being generated and making its way to the school—Lauren Eckhart Smith, the senior vice president of development with One Beverly Hills developer Cain International, said that the demolition phase of construction is complete. 

“Our demolition activities, which I think have generated most of the concern … is complete,” she said. “There were two buildings … that were part of the Beverly Hilton that have been demolished as part of the development to make way for the botanical gardens.”

Samson Debela, the senior project manager with Turner Construction, the company overseeing building work, said that to mitigate and monitor the impact of dust and dirt, the developer has set up a monitor at El Rodeo that takes data about air quality at five-minute intervals. If dust and dirt surpass a designated threshold, a representative is notified through a phone app, and a phone call is placed to the principal of the school and the city.  

Data is collected in real time. 

To date, the air quality has not triggered the alarm. In the case of the alarm going off, Debela said, work would stop, and in addition to the school being notified, an investigation would be undertaken. 

No hazardous materials are present in the buildings being demolished, Debela added, and if they had been, they would have been removed prior to demolition. 

Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri requested that the developer contribute to “very tall trees” being placed at the exterior of the school, and to monthly air filter replacements. 

Smith called the trees “a great suggestion” and committed to exploring the idea. Debela added that a 16’8″ sound wall will be erected within the next couple of weeks to mitigate noise.

Board Member Dr. Amanda Stern noted the city’s recent commitment of over $500 million in bonds to help finance the development.

“We really do expect that safety and comfort of the staff, the teachers, the kids absolutely is ensured,” she said. “That is a great amount of money that has been given … many residents and those who are parents and teachers and staff are well aware of the $550 million Mello-Roos indebtedness, and I hope and trust you guys will continue to take care of our kids and the staff who are inadvertently right there.”

Cherniss said that he still has apprehension about the project. 

“For the next three years, I’m concerned not just about the kids we have, but potentially about families turning away from enrolling in our schools because there is this big project here … I’m not convinced this is a positive for El Rodeo or our school district yet, and I hope it is,” he said. 

In other business, residents expressed during the public comment period concerns about how cuts to federal special education funding may impact the district, and again asked the board to adopt a resolution combating racism against Black and Hispanic individuals. 

Kimberly Lifschitz, whose child is a student with special needs, asked the board to take action to keep services intact. 

“I am once again reaching out to this board to beg it to do its job … these programs are actually, genuinely life changing for students and families, even if they don’t come with Nike-branded spirit packs,” she said. 

District parent Teairra Harris requested during public comment that the board adopt a resolution proposed by members of the community to combat anti-Black and anti-Hispanic prejudice. 

Harris, whose daughter recently entered BHUSD as a freshman, said her daughter witnessed several boys laughing and joking about the murder of George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020, in a classroom last week on or around what would have been Floyd’s birthday. 

“She was uncomfortable, it created tension, she was very tense, and she was also angry and confused about how someone could find murder, let alone police brutality, comical,” said Harris, adding, “To have [a resolution] like this passed would be a godsend.”  

The post One Beverly Hills Addresses Concerns About El Rodeo Elementary School appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“Our football team continues to show up for this school with dedication and pride,” said BHHS Principal Loan Sriruksa. “Homecoming gave us the chance to recognize their commitment, especially our seniors, who lead with integrity and represent what it means to be part of BHHS Athletics.”

The event also served as an opportunity to acknowledge the city of Beverly Hills for its continued support of BHUSD schools. The presence of School Resource Officers at every home game, the Beverly Hills Fire Department’s onsite support, and the engagement of city leaders all contributed to a meaningful event. Additionally, the BHHS mascot was projected onto the Beverly Hills City Hall as a special salute to the school that evening. 

Attendees included Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss, Board of Education Members Rachelle Marcus, Judy Manouchehri and Russell Stuart, as well as City Councilmember Mary Wells, who previously served on the BHUSD Board of Education.

“This night was about our students,” said Dr. Cherniss. “It was about showing them that they are supported, seen, and celebrated by an entire city that believes in them. That’s the heart of our community and the promise of Educational Excellence.”  

The post Beverly High Homecoming a Great Success appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The new field provides BVMS with a regulation-sized athletic facility where students can train and compete. The upgraded space includes new turf, modern safety features, and an improved layout designed for performance and play.

“This field is a shining example of what happens when a community comes together to support its schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss. “The students of BVMS now have a space that reflects the strength of their school spirit and the district’s commitment to excellence.” 

The post Beverly Vista Middle School Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for New Athletic Field appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

President Trump’s declaration of peace between Israel and Hamas, formalized at a signing ceremony in Egypt with dozens of world leaders, has sparked an unusual wave of bipartisan celebration. Even longtime rivals like Hillary Clinton have praised the process, calling for global commitment to peace, security, and stability. Whether this fragile peace endures remains to be seen. Nonetheless, the moment itself provides a rare opportunity for us individually and collectively to shift our thoughts from fear to hope.

Deep within your brainstem lies a network of neurons called the Reticular Activating System (RAS). Think of it as your brain’s executive assistant, filtering the millions of sensory inputs flooding your consciousness each second and deciding which deserve attention. Your RAS prioritizes what you’ve trained it to value most. This process begins in early childhood and continues throughout life, largely out of our awareness. 

Our brains are wired with a negativity bias, a tendency to notice bad news before good. One critical comment can outweigh 10 compliments; a distressing headline keeps our focus longer than an uplifting one. Since Oct. 7, 2023, news from the Middle East has reinforced this bias, heightening expectations of conflict and despair and causing ripple effects of unrest around the globe, tearing apart friends, families, co-workers and classmates. 

If we are to thrive in our fast-paced, interconnected world with so much suffering, we must train our RAS to look for examples of kindness, compassion, caring and connection. This week finally brought that sort of news front and center. So, let’s seize the moment.  

We can attempt to do this by retraining our RAS. Whatever you repeatedly think about, discuss, or visualize gets tagged as “important.” Once tagged, your brain filters the world to confirm it. Believe humanity is dangerous, and you’ll find endless proof. Believe positive transformation is possible, and your brain will begin to notice evidence everywhere.

Brain imaging shows that witnessing or hearing about acts of kindness, such as peace agreements, triggers activity in the reward system, releasing dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. These feel-good chemicals enhance trust, motivation, and social connection. Psychologists call this experience “moral elevation.” It is that subtle warmth in your chest when you witness goodness. It’s your mirror neurons lighting up, inspiring you to want to help others. 

So how do we use this moment to reshape our thinking?

• Start your mornings with positive intentions. Ask yourself, “What kind act can I notice or create today?” This primes your RAS to filter for goodness throughout the day.

• Keep a kindness journal. Each evening, record three kind acts you witnessed or performed. Studies show that this simple practice rewires the brain toward optimism and gratitude.

• Practice mindful listening. Paying full attention to someone quiets your RAS and strengthens empathy. Presence itself becomes a form of kindness.

• Curate your media diet. The attention economy thrives on outrage because fear activates our ancient survival circuits. By seeking positive new stories, such as “Modern Love” weekly column in the NYTimes, you reinforce neural pathways of hope.

• Use visual cues. Post reminders of peace and positivity where you’ll see them often, such as T-shirts, coffee mugs, Post-it Notes. Such cues keep your focus and your RAS anchored in what truly matters to you.

In an era when countless forces compete for your attention, remember that you retain agency over one of the most powerful tools you possess: your focus. The RAS follows the training it has received through our genes, our childhood and our adult experiences. Feed it fear, and it will find danger. Feed it hope, and it will highlight opportunity. 

This week, world leaders were able to come together and sign an agreement ending suffering in the Middle East and quelling anxiety around the globe. Whatever the future holds, that moment happened. That experience now lives in our shared consciousness. The shift from “impossible” to “possible” is no longer merely a theory. We have evidence that positive change can occur and is worth working towards.

The question is: For how long will your RAS allow you to focus on it? Will you let this breakthrough recalibrate your expectations for what humans can achieve when they choose dialogue over division? Or will the next round of negative news pull you back in and decrease your hope for the future?

By choosing where we direct our attention, we can participate in the world’s healing: one thought, one conversation, one act of compassion at a time.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

– Gandhi

Beverly Hills Courier columnist Dr. Eva Ritvo is a psychiatrist with more than 30 years’ experience practicing in Miami Beach. She is the author of “Bekindr-The Transformative Power of Kindness” and the founder of the Bekindr Global Initiative, a movement to bring more kindness in the world. She is the co-author of “The Beauty Prescription” and “The Concise Guide to Marriage and Family Therapy.” She is also the co-founder of the Bold Beauty Project, a nonprofit that pairs women with disabilities with award-winning photographers creating art exhibitions to raise awareness. Dr. Ritvo received her undergraduate and medical degrees from UCLA, and psychiatry residency training at Weill Cornell Medicine.

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The item, brought for discussion by Board Members Sigalie Sabag and Russell Stuart, included potentially increasing the height of a fence being built at the school from eight feet to 20 feet.  

“If we look at Beverly Vista Middle School, and we see the soccer field, the fence, I believe, is 20 feet … I think that would be very secure,” Sabag said.

Currently, the fence is planned to be eight feet tall and is slated for completion in December. The project is already designed and under contract. According to Amin Salari, the chief Operating Officer/Executive Vice President of Operations at Fonder-Salari, Inc., which is doing the construction, increasing the height of the fence would take an additional four months and cost an additional $2 million to $2.5 million. 

Salari explained that the primary challenge of increasing the height of the fence would be building a foundation. Since the fence will be crafted from wrought iron, night time soil excavation would be required, among other things. 

Suggesting that if the board is interested in adding height to the fence, it should be done after construction is completed on the existing plan, Salari noted that a lighter, taller structure could be placed behind the eight-foot fence. 

“I am sure we can add, if you want to have a fence, add something on the top behind the existing fence later, but let’s just move forward with this project, considering the time and cost impact, because we’d have to go back to the drawing board,” he said. 

In other news, during public comment at the Sept. 30 meeting, multiple parents and community members read proposed resolutions designed to combat anti-Black and anti-Hispanic prejudice which, they said, were submitted for inclusion on the board’s agenda but were not included. 

“We have made multiple requests for this board to address the racism and disparate treatment that Black and Latin children in this district face,” said parent Victoria González-Tate. “But protection and acknowledgment of Black and Latin is always coming in the hereafter … If you have no interest in the equal educational rights of Black and Brown students, then step out of the way for the parents, students, teachers and community members to do so.”

Both resolutions were based on the language of the board’s recently adopted resolution to combat antisemitism.

BHUSD parent Zola Mashariki read a proposed resolution that, she said, would combat “anti-Hispanic and anti-Latino prejudice through education, awareness, remembrance and support.” 

The resolution would include mandates that BHUSD recognize mid-September through mid-October as Hispanic Heritage History Month, commemorate Cesar Chavez Day on March 31, create spaces to celebrate the diversity within the Hispanic and Latino communities and adopt the United Nations (U.N.) International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, a landmark treaty definition that was adopted by the U.N. in 1965.  

“It is time to educate BHUSD staff and students and to reflect, remember and learn … I hope you will take this seriously and adopt it,” Mashariki said. 

Dr. Regulus Allen, also a BHUSD parent, read a proposed resolution to combat anti-Black bigotry and racial prejudice. 

The draft resolution included mandates that BHUSD recognize February as Black History Month, commemorate Juneteenth as a designated day of remembrance marked by such activities as assemblies and trips to the California African American Museum in Exposition Park and designate Feb. 1 as National Freedom Day. 

Speaking about the importance of such resolutions, González-Tate noted that “this board benefits off the backs of Hispanic culture by making its elementary schools dual immersion in an effort to pull BHUSD out of the gutters they put themselves in.” 

The post BHUSD Board Considers Increased Security for BHHS appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“GSBH remains the only Catholic school in Beverly Hills and since 1930, has stood as a beacon of faith, learning, and community spirit—weathering the storms of history and emerging ever stronger. Through the turmoil of the Great Depression, the darkness of World War II, the founding of global institutions like the United Nations, the tense days of the Cold War, the digital revolution brought by the Internet, the heartbreak of 9/11, and countless other pivotal moments, our school has remained steadfast in its mission,” reads the school’s website.

Good Shepherd Catholic School started in 1930 by the Holy Cross Sisters, who were stewards of both the school and the parish, which celebrated its centennial in 2023. The church received a historical landmark designation the same year, which was facilitated by former Cultural Heritage Commissioner Kimberly Vinokur Reiss. 

“I think that the churches are a fundamental part of the history of our city,” said Reiss, on the school’s 95th anniversary. 

What allows Good Shepherd to continue for 95 years? “Faith as the foundation,” says Christine Redlin, the marketing and outreach specialist for the school.

“For nearly a century, our school has been the cornerstone of faith, learning, and community here in Beverly Hills … we celebrate our students and our families in a way that we highlight our faith, our learning and our existence in this wonderful community,” said Principal Lisa Widmann, who’s been with Good Shepherd for over 25 years. 

Widmann described the relationship between the city and the school as strong and something she is fortunate to have. She said they are “all part of this wonderful Beverly Hills family,” and that the city is very supportive of how they educate their students. Father Ed Benioff, pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd, spoke to the interfaith connections with other religious institutions and with members of the council who are Jewish, especially during residents’ heightened concerns about antisemitism and religious intolerance. He also mentioned the exchange of facilities between Sinai Temple in West Los Angeles and his strong relationship with Rabbi Erez Sherman. 

“We really appreciate the support of the city, because sometimes, church and state, we are a religious school. In my time here, in 10 years, I’ve received nothing but support and goodwill,” expressed Benioff. 

Beverly Hills City Council formally recognized Good Shepherd’s 95 years at its meeting on Sept. 30. 

“Congratulations on behalf of myself and my colleagues on the Beverly Hills City Council. We’re absolutely delighted, and we appreciate the number of years and dedication you have given to our most important citizens, our young people,” said Mayor Sharona Nazarian. 

Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, who represents Beverly Hills, also weighed in on the school’s enduring legacy. “For nearly a century, Good Shepherd has been much more than a school—it is a cornerstone of Beverly Hills, embodying the spirit of faith, compassion, and commitment to service that defines our community. This incredible milestone is a testament to the dedication of its teachers, families, and alumni who have nurtured generations with love and excellence. I am excited to celebrate not only its rich history, but the enduring impact Good Shepherd continues to have on shaping compassionate leaders and uplifting our community.”

Both the church and the school have been attended by a variety of notable alumni, including California’s 37th Governor, Joseph Graham “Gray” Davis Jr., who served from 1999 to 2003.

“When my family moved to California, the first school I attended was Good Shepherd, and it was one of the best,” Davis told the Courier.  

The post Good Shepherd Catholic School Turns 95 appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The cease-and-desist, issued by attorney Daniel Lifschitz, who is a parent of a BHUSD student, alleges that in its recent activates during public meetings, the board has violated the Brown Act. 

The Brown Act governs public meetings and conversations about issues affecting the public among elected officials with the goal of ensuring transparency.

In its Oct. 1 response, the board, represented by attorney Joseph R. Sanchez of Best Best & Krieger, LLP, said that it “respectfully disagrees with [Lifschitz’s] characterization of the events in question and [Lifschitz’s] interpretation of applicable law” and that it “has not violated the Brown Act’s public comment requirements.” 

In his cease-and-desist letter, Lifschitz argued that the board violated the Public Comment Obligation (PCO) of the Brown Act by “substantially chang[ing]” agenda items after public comment had been closed. 

Lifschitz specifically identified recent discussions about standards-based instruction, a resolution to combat antisemitism and a mandate to display the Israeli flag at BHUSD facilities that was quickly reversed due to safety concerns. Noting that the PCO limits the board’s ability to act on agenda items without sufficient input from the public, he argued that the community has been “robb[ed] … of any opportunity to address what the board actually votes on.” 

Citing California Government Code Sections 54960 and 54960.2, Lifschitz invoked his right to take legal action to stop the board from violating the PCO going forward. 

In its response, the board argued that the Brown Act doesn’t require public comment to be reopened after agenda items are modified during board discussions, and that the items referenced by Lifschitz in his letter were sufficiently described in agendas as to allow the public to be adequately informed.

“Legislative bodies retain the fundamental right to deliberate, debate, and modify proposals during properly noticed meetings … agenda descriptions need not include every detail of potential action, provided the description reasonably informs the public of the subject matter under consideration,” the board’s response states. 

Replying to the board’s response in a statement to the Courier, Lifschitz addressed applicable case law, specifically Preven v. City of L.A., which was decided in 2019. The board in its letter said that “The Preven decision does not establish a general rule requiring renewed public comment whenever agenda items are modified during the same meeting.”

“The response from the board’s counsel is disappointing, as it both misapprehends the relevance of the Preven decision and effectively writes out the ‘substantially changed’ clause from Section 54954.3,” Lifschitz said in his comment to the Courier. “I will liaise with counsel on the matter to see if escalation can be avoided and take next steps as appropriate.”

Tensions have run high between the board and the public in recent years. In March, Board Members Sigalie Sabag and Russell Stuart were served with notifications of an intent to circulate recall petitions against them. Prior to that, members of the community flooded board meetings to protest decisions to place longtime Media Director Romeo Carey on administrative leave and to reassign El Rodeo Elementary School Principal Sarah Kaber and Vice Principal Kevin Painter, and following the resignation of former Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy.

In its response to the cease-and-desist letter, members of the board said that they would carry on with their conduct as it stands. 

“The board will continue to conduct its business in full compliance with the Brown Act,” the response reads, “while preserving its ability to engage in meaningful deliberation and consideration of the matters properly before it.” 

The post BHUSD Board Responds to Cease and Desist Letter appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Klotzle was nominated earlier this year by the principal of Beverly Hills High School and selected through the district’s annual process of recognizingrecognizing one outstanding educator to represent BHUSD at the county level. He was honored at LACOE’s Teachers of the Year Reception on Sept. 19 at the Universal Sheraton Hotel, joining a select group of educators celebrated for their extraordinary impact across Los Angeles County.

“Mr. Klotzle’s recognition reflects the incredible impact he has on our students, our staff, and our school culture,” said Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss. “He is a visionary educator, an inspiring leader, and a true example of Educational Excellence in action.”

Each year, the LACOE Teachers of the Year program spotlights educators who exemplify instructional excellence, innovation, and leadership. 

Klotzle’s role at BHHS extends beyond the classroom, he leads both the instrumental and vocal music programs and serves as a campus PBIS Coach. His approach combines high expectations with mentorship and creativity, helping students grow both academically and personally.

The BHUSD Board of Education will formally recognize Mr. Klotzle at its meeting on Sept. 30.  

The post Justin Klotzle Named BHUSD’s 2025 Teacher of the Year Representative appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

1. Beverly Hills

Perfect for: A delightful Sunday morning with the entire family

When: Sundays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: 9300 Civic Center Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210

When it comes to the best farmers’ markets around Beverly Hills, look no farther than the heart of the city itself. Now in its 32nd year, the Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market boasts 55 vendors in a peaceful, car-free environment that allows kids to have a blast while parents pick out the perfect produce for dinner. 

“The Farmers’ Market has become a very important place for community members to gather and connect with their neighbors, not to mention, it’s a great way to support local farms and small businesses,” said Stephanie Harris, Beverly Hills Director of Community Services.

Located on Civic Center Drive, adjacent to the Beverly Hills Public Library, the market provides access to a wide variety of farm-fresh, seasonal fruits, vegetables, eggs, meats, juices, breads, baked goods and more. It also gives residents access to the knowledge of expert farmers, who can advise on how to store and prepare the best of the season’s produce. 

“We have farmers that have been with us for more than a decade, and they are enthusiastic about sharing their expertise,” said Harris. “It’s wonderful when our market patrons engage with our farmers to learn more about their produce and show appreciation for locally sourced food.” 

During the fall and summer harvest, residents also have the opportunity to sample some of the most locally grown goods imaginable—fresh herbs and vegetables from the Greystone Demonstration Garden at Greystone Mansion, such as eggplants, onions, peppers and basil. 

Little visitors are also sure to enjoy tasting delicious samples, dancing to the live music, getting creative at the craft tent, riding ponies and feeding goats at the petting zoo. Two hours of free parking in the Civic Center lot makes a trip to the market a no-brainer for the whole family. 

On Oct. 26 the market will host its annual Fall Funtastic celebrating Día de los Muertos, Halloween and Diwali. Then on Dec. 14, it will host a Holiday Craft Fair, where local artisans will showcase their creations, perfect for holiday gift shopping.

2. Brentwood

Perfect for: Impressing your teen while getting great groceries

When: Sundays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: 741 S. Gretna Green Way, Los Angeles, CA 90049

The Brentwood Farmers’ Market is a bustling and trendy Sunday gathering perfect for picking out fresh fruit, gorgeous blooms as well as delicious, prepared soups, dips and sandwiches. The market is often packed and sometimes not ideal for small children, but a fantastic place to bring teenage children who will love checking out the many cute jewelry vendors or fun food trucks serving arepas, aguas frescas, breakfast burritos, overflowing crepes and other tasty goodies.

3. Downtown Santa Monica 

Perfect for: The expert or aspiring chef in pursuit of perfect seasonal ingredients

When: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: 155-199 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Founded in 1981, the Downtown Santa Monica Farmers’ Market is one of the oldest and best-known farmers’ markets in all of Los Angeles, featuring more than 60 California farms. The market, which places an emphasis on fresh fruits, herbs and vegetables over packaged or cooked foods, is a favorite place for chefs to source ingredients for many of LA’s best restaurants. Some of its regular visitors include Josiah Citrin of two-Michelin-star restaurant Mélisse and one-Michelin-star restaurant Citrin; Travis Lett of Gjelina and RVR; and Evan Funke of Funke, Felix Trattoria and Mother Wolf.

4. Hollywood 

Perfect for: A big, bustling weekend adventure

When: Sundays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: 1600 Ivar Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028

The Hollywood Farmers’ Market is the largest in the L.A. area, boasting more than 160 stalls featuring farmers, food vendors and artisans. Founded in 1991, the mega market is also a favorite place for chefs to visit due to the wide variety of produce on offer. You can easily spend the entire morning exploring the market, which offers live music, children’s activities, knife sharpening, free compost services and book signings with some of the biggest authors in the food world.

5. West L.A. 

Perfect for: The local looking to check out new vendors and kids’ activities

When: Sundays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: 1635 Purdue Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90025

The West L.A. Farmers’ Market is one of the closest markets to Beverly Hills and is a great option for when residents are looking to shake up their Sunday market trip by checking out new vendors. The market is also a nice place to bring children as it offers a dedicated play area, weekly craft workshop and monthly kids’ cooking classes. There’s a big stage with a diverse live music program and plenty of seating, as well as fun food trucks and juice and coffee vendors. There is also a whole section dedicated to handcrafted jewelry, clothing and other accessories. Early birds can even enjoy a free yoga class at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday.

6. Mar Vista 

Perfect for: A fun trip west filled with awesome music and food trucks

When: Sundays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: 12198 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066

The Mar Vista Farmers’ Market is a Westside staple and another big market that offers something for everyone. One of the highlights of the town-square-style market is the bustling food emporium that brings together some of the best food trucks from across Los Angeles in a spacious outdoor dining area. There are free dog-sitting services, cooking classes, knife sharpening, children’s activities and an awesome rotating mix of live performers and DJs. The colorful market is a great place for people-watching, grocery shopping and of course, sampling.

7. Century City 

Perfect for: A midweek restock, or a lunchtime treat

When: Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Where: 10100 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90067

Located in the heart of Century City, this market is walkable from many offices and the perfect place to meet a friend for lunch. The midweek market also avoids some of the crowds that can plague the weekend markets, giving shoppers the chance to peruse the fresh produce in a calm and peaceful environment. The market offers a great selection of farmers, artisans and vendors selling food from around the world, including Hawaiian BBQ, sushi burritos and pierogies.

8. Topanga 

Perfect for: The hippie craving an escape into the mountains

When: Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Where: 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, CA 90290

The Topanga Farmers’ Market is one of the most whimsical and unique farmers’ markets in the Los Angeles area. Nestled in the lush greenery on the top of the Topanga Mountains, it offers a serene and stunning place to shop. In addition to the gorgeous locale and excellent produce, a big draw of this market is the stands run by local Topanga artisans showcasing one-of-a-kind handmade clothing, jewelry, body lotions and more. For bonus points, check out a local hike after you’re done at the market.

9. Melrose Place 

Perfect for: Pairing grocery shopping with boutique hopping

When: Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Where: 8400 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90069

A Sunday visit to the Melrose Place Farmers’ Market is the perfect way to kick off a day exploring the upscale boutiques located along the stylish street. The market is on the smaller side, but still offers a fantastic array of fresh vegetables, fruits, bread, baked goods, flowers and food vendors. And it’s a great local option for avoiding the crowds at some of the larger weekend markets.

10. Westwood Village 

Perfect for: Those who prefer an afternoon market

When: Thursdays, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Where: 1036 Broxton Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024

The Westwood Village Farmers’ Market is a favorite among UCLA students and places an emphasis on fun food vendors with favorites including pupusas, dim sum, and Lebanese shawarma. The later in the day market is also a great option for night owls or anyone who can’t spare the time for a morning market visit. 

The post Top 10 Farmers’ Markets Near Beverly Hills appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Salads, Sandwiches, and Smoothies

Following the success of its Koreatown opening several years ago in a former gas station, Royal Lobster has opened an outpost on Little Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills. The concept is simple: Use only the freshest lobster from Maine to Hawaii, where they were also voted the best lobster roll in Honolulu, made with just butter, brioche, and fresh Maine lobster. You can order individual rolls (also made with crab from Maine) or by the pound, along with seafood salads or creamy bisque. This location has indoor seating. 

The popular Florentine sandwich shop, All’Antico Vinaio, opened its third Los Angeles location in Beverly Hills earlier this year in the old Cheese Store space on Beverly Drive. Since its founding in Florence in 1991 by the Mazzanti family, this concept has become a global phenomenon. Known for its signature schiacciata bread, which is made fresh in-house daily, and the use of premium Italian ingredients, it has been hailed as one of the best street food experiences in the world. 

Second-generation owner Tommy Mazzanti made sure to include the craveable classics such as creamy Pecorino and truffle spreads to savory Prosciutto Toscano and artichoke cream, but also a few specialty salads, affettati (meat) plates, and gelato that will only be available at this location. “Opening a location in Beverly Hills is a dream come true,” said Mazzanti. “Bringing the authentic flavors of Florence, while making everything fresh daily in-house, is what makes us unique.” 

With a philosophy of “Health is Happiness,” the popular Miami all-day wellness cafe Pura Vida Miami opened in late July on Beverly Drive. Omer and Jen Horev, the husband-wife duo behind the lifestyle concept (founded in 2012), are on a mission to provide delicious and healthy food to the community. The range of menu options includes vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free items, from superfood smoothies to acai bowls, wraps and sandwiches, and all-day breakfast that includes a unique tomato bagel.

“From the beginning, our goal has been to grow with thoughtful intention, never just to open more stores, but to bring the Pura Vida lifestyle to communities that embody our core values of wellness, connection, and intentional living,” said Omer Horev, founder and CEO.

Down to the interiors, the cafe evokes a sense of calm and well-being, featuring natural wood finishes, soft neutral tones, and lush greenery. The dishes are clean-crafted with fresh, unprocessed ingredients and entirely free of seed oils. As part of its community culture, the brand engages in eco-friendly practices such as composting food waste and donating soil to local farms to support its commitment to a sustainable future. 

Bagel Boom

While it looks like we might be saying goodbye to Nate’n Al’s again, there has been a quiet bagel boom in Beverly Hills this past year that includes imports from New York to Santa Monica, along with gluten-free options. 

Carbs are back in a big way at Modern Bread & Bagel from New York City, but expect gluten-free options in a cozy indoor-outdoor cafe and market setting. The large menu includes a super seed bagel and a Jerusalem egg salad or za’atar tuna. 

Layla Bagels & Coffee from Santa Monica has also opened on South Beverly Drive. It is known for its hand-rolled, sourdough bagel and upscale ingredients from heirloom tomatoes to a passion fruit medley that attract lines around the corner on weekends.

Pop’s Bagels on North Beverly Drive is a beloved chain feeding communities from Fairfax to Brentwood. It also offers gluten-free options as a vessel to spread the popular Nova lox or the B.A.C. with bacon, avocado, and cream cheese.

The next carb option on the South Beverly Drive horizon will be low-key Sam’s Bagels with locations around the city, including Pico-Robertson. This brand is known for whitefish salad and the lox spread. 

And, more comforting carbs are on the way from Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Luscious Dumplings from the San Gabriel Valley. Popular for handmade Northern Chinese dumplings stuffed with pork, it is opening an outpost soon on Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills.

Sweets and Treats

Gelato lovers are in luck with Bacio di Latte’s new flagship location in Beverly Hills on North Canon Drive. As the world’s largest, family-owned, artisanal gelateria, expect a truly authentic Italian gelato experience with flavors from Belgian chocolate to pistachio or the popular three chocolates with a double blend of cacao and stracciatella, along with a cheerful eat-in experience at a banquette or cafe table to enjoy it before it melts. 

Beloved Asian bakery brand, Hi Bake, is making its U.S. debut with a flagship location in Beverly Hills on North Canon Drive. The menu will include customer favorites such as Thousand Layer Cake and Tokyo Banana Roll, along with inventive toast flavors and a full line of house-made drinks and ice cream. This new location also introduces fresh-baked treats for dogs, so you can bring your pets to this new cozy neighborhood hangout.

Kicking off its 30th anniversary this year, Levain Bakery has expanded its cookie empire to Beverly Hills and is also releasing its first book that is a retrospective of 30 years in the business, which started in New York City. Continuing a charitable opening tradition, during the opening day of the third LA location, all the proceeds went to support Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles, whose mission is to combat hunger by providing meals for those facing food insecurity. 

Designed by Brooklyn-based Sarah Carpenter & Studio, the 90210 location features a built-in, outdoor-indoor storefront bench, direct views into the busy kitchen, and a front-entrance signature, custom-designed mural created by local artist Janice Chang, with nods to the Beverly Hills Public Library and the Electric Fountain. You can expect the legendary signature cookie flavors, including Chocolate Chip Walnut (also available in vegan and gluten-free), Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, and Coconut Caramel Chocolate Chip – all baked fresh, in-house daily, along with blueberry muffins, loaf cakes, bread and rolls, and weekend-only sticky buns, plus LA roastery Canyon Coffee for all espresso beverages.  

The post Top 10 New Casual Spots in Beverly Hills appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Napa Valley

The Wine Train is a fine-dining restaurant on the rails in a stylish vintage Pullman rail car, and it’s the closest thing America has to an Orient Express/Belmond style of experience. The three-hour, seven-course “Tasting on the Rails” or the six-hour “Legacy Experience” with a four-course lunch service and wine pairings are great ways to see the Napa Valley without needing to drive or hire a car service. 

The train journeys leave the downtown Napa station. Depending on your ticket, you can start the day with Eggs Benedict and Champagne while you cruise past famed landmarks such as Yountville, and the architecturally stunning Opus One winery (which is also available to sip on the train journey) all the way up to St. Helena and Calistoga. One of the stops includes Charles Krug for a tour and tasting before you hop back on board for more imbibing and gourmet fare such as mushroom risotto and cider-glazed salmon.

There is also an afternoon high tea in partnership with Chandon Champagne on a vintage 1920s rail car, along with other experiences such as a grape-stomping ritual at Grgich Hills Estate, and the new “Fly and Ride” Balloons Above the Valley for one-hour hot air balloon excursions. winetrain.com

For more tea and vino, Opus One offers new elevated experiences for wine tasting, including a tea pairing with handmade ceramic bowls crafted by world-renowned artist, Pekka Paikkari, and their new four-course “Art of the Table” wine and culinary pairing amid a world-class art collection. The tastings begin with the tea service, with pairings developed to cleanse the palate and not interfere with the taste of the wine. An herbal blend curated for Opus One by San Francisco’s Red Blossom Tea Company is meant to awaken the palate with a blend of chrysanthemum, goji berry and winter melon. opusonewinery.com

Oasis by Hoopes offers a new kind of wine-country tasting experience. The vineyard has a wine club that’s not only about tastings. They invite members to become part of an extended family experiencing the regenerative farm life, with loved ones and dogs welcome. It is located in the midst of organic gardens and an animal sanctuary that is home to pigs, chickens, goats, dogs and a donkey, all of which you can pet while sipping on a selection of Hoopes premium wines. hoopesvineyard.com

Paso Robles and Central Coast 

About 20 minutes south of Paso Robles, the charming town of Santa Margarita is one of California’s best-kept secrets. The Old West town, with only one stoplight, is home to Ancient Peaks Winery. 

Santa Margarita Ranch is located on 14,000 acres in the Santa Lucia Mountains. What sets its beautiful surroundings apart from others in the region is not only the sustainable farming and Ancient Peaks winemaking, but additional adventures available on site. Visitors can zipline over the vineyards, go horseback riding through hidden oak groves and explore the land on guided foraging and wildlife tours. Estate-grown wines available for tasting range from chardonnay to cab franc, thanks to the diverse terroir from volcanic soils and the coastal breezes from the nearby Pacific Ocean. Don’t miss the Ancient Peaks Café and general store, which is a throwback in time where everybody knows your name.  ancientpeaks.com

If your fall plans include exploring more of California’s Central Coast, do stop in Buellton, at the Brick Barn Wine Estate, which hosts fun-filled events from comedy night to a creative paint and sip experience. Also, the Vega Vineyard & Farm offers family activities that include a petting zoo and private cabanas available for rent. discoverbuellton.com

Santa Ynez Valley

Alma Rosa in the Santa Rita Hills offers several unique and immersive experiences either by open-air tram or an invigorating hike. Jump on a private, guided, 2.5-hour tour aboard a seven-seater golf cart that winds through the vineyard vistas for a behind-the-scenes look at the 628-acre estate. Alternatively, take a one-mile Caracol Hike through elegantly planted patterns inspired by the Fibonacci sequence, with five distinct clones of Pinot Noir spiraling around a knoll with a view of the hills and ending at the Ranch House for a seated tasting paired with an artisanal cheese plate. almarosawinery.com

Santa Barbara 

The San Ysidro Ranch is one of the most stunning places for a staycation in a private bungalow, dinner at Stonehouse, spa treatment by the fireplace, or a wander around the gardens, but there is also a private underground wine cellar for tastings and tours. Here, down a long, narrow, stone staircase under the restaurant (next to the Plow and Angel speakeasy), you will find a well-preserved, 15,500-bottle collection, featuring 3,500 individual labels from 70 of the world’s most renowned wine regions. This includes a 120-bottle complete vertical of Château Pétrus from 1945 through 2017, and a recent acquisition of a 138-vintage collection of Château d’Yquem, including the exceptionally rare 1811 “Comet” vintage, celebrated as one of the finest wines ever produced. This is one of the best cellars in the country and an amazing insider experience, including a hidden wine-tasting room behind the bottles that you can also book for a private candlelit dinner. sanysidroranch.com

Ojai

For an outdoor immersive experience, The Ranch House is located amid a historic 15,000-square foot garden in Ojai. Book a global wine pairing with dinner from ‘the garden menu’ by The Rochers, Perfecta and Alia, from near Valencia, Spain, who have taken over this storied property. Before or after, you can wander through the bamboo forest, private tea house, wisteria, and rose garden.

Malibu

Thankfully, Malibu is now accessible after the devastating fires earlier this year. After a major refurbishment, Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club in the Santa Monica Mountains is welcoming visitors to the sprawling, 250-acre grounds for a bungalow staycation, dining, and wellness. They also make wines from cabernet to chardonnay and have fairytale nooks and crannies to indulge in for a special occasion. The antique carousel on the lawn (one of two on property) between the main restaurant and private event building is a fun centerpiece for a magical wine tasting. The North 40 has a classic Ferris wheel for events, and they also have a members club with other perks. calamigos.com

Laguna Beach

The signature restaurant at Montage Laguna Beach has been reimagined as Studio Mediterranean, which opened over the summer on the cliffside bluff overlooking the ocean. The menu features cuisine by Grecian native and chef Dennis Efthymiou (formerly of Luce in San Francisco and The Fat Duck in the U.K.). Along with this refreshing change is the rare Greek wine selection offered at the restaurant to complement the food, and you can have a private tasting overlooking the Pacific Ocean, as well. Sommelier Claude Isambert will pour vintages and varietals from Gai’a made with the assyrtiko white grape only grown in the volcanic soil on Santorini, which is fruity, oaky and pleasant to sip, proving that the wines of this region have come a long way.  “They are the discovery grape that I can make you have an experience apart from the food and service,” Isambert told the Courier. “Try something different.” montage.com

Temecula

While you might not be familiar with Temecula wines, now is your chance. This region holds the first subterranean wine cave in Southern California, concealed 104 feet below the surface. This immersive Cave Wine Tasting Tour showcases varietals at Oak Mountain Winery while teaching about the Temecula wine country. oakmountainwinery.com

For even more action, Grapes & Gears will have visitors participating in an ATV vineyard tour that blends adventure with wine education at Danza del Sol Winery. Guided by experienced hosts, visitors traverse rolling vineyards while learning about the art of winemaking and enjoying a curated tasting of seven distinct wines. danzadelsolwinery.com

Valle Guadalupe

If you can take a few days to venture down south to Baja, California, El Cielo resort offers a one-of-a-kind activity during the “Introduction to El Cielo’s Falconry,” where guests can meet one of the estate’s falcons and learn about their role in the winery’s sustainability practices. This is a fascinating glimpse into how the resort integrates nature and winemaking while you are in the Valle Guadalupe surrounded by rolling Mexican vineyards. Guests are able to taste plenty of wines and even blend their own to take home as a quaffable keepsake. elcielovalledeguadalupe.com 

The post Creative Wine Tasting Experiences appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Spanish wines have been around for a long, long time, for thousands of years, matching or even predating their Italian neighbors. Today, Spain is the third-largest wine producer in the world, behind France and Italy, and the array of choice is both dazzling and confusing since there are 400 native grape varieties available. The most well-known and most used are Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, Mencia and Airen, the latter now fading in popularity, as was the fate of the Malbec grape in Bordeaux. 

There are four main wine-growing regions: Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat and Montsant in Catalonia, and Rias Baixas in Galicia. Despite the recent rise in popularity of Spanish whites, red wines are still predominant in the Spanish viticultural landscape. 

History

One may venture as far back as around 3,000 B.C. for the first mention of Moorish viticulture and then advance to circa 700 B.C., when the Phoenicians established winegrowing around Cadiz and then amble forward to 700 A.D., when sherry was first produced in the Jerez region around Andalusia. 

The most famous viticultural area is Rioja or La Rioja, located in north-central Spain along the  Ebro River, which is in turn, subdivided into three zones, Rioja Alta, Rioja Oriental and Rioja Alavesa. It has a D.O.Ca., or “Qualified Designation of Origin,” the highest category in Spanish wine regulation.  

Rioja began to modernize in the 19th century when Spanish winemakers began to adopt French winemaking techniques, particularly aging in oak barrels and enhanced by the migration of many French winemakers to the region in mid-century when phylloxera decimated the Bordeaux area. As a direct result, there was a boom in demand from English consumers which lasted until the end of the century, when phylloxera invaded the Rioja region, causing massive damage and replanting of vineyards. 

Moving forward towards the mid-20th century, Spanish wines became a staple on the shelves of European supermarkets for the most part anchored to the fate of cheap wines and known as plonk. This phenomenon spread to the United States, and who can forget as a student indulging in sangria, usually concocted with cheap Spanish wine and vodka as the primary ingredients. 

Spanish Red Wines

There was one notable exception, and that is the most prized Rioja of all, Vega Sicilia, a winery founded in 1864 by Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves. He notably planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grape varietals he had imported from France, and which are still used in the wines today, although the majority blend is 80% Tempranillo. Wines are aged in barrels for eight to 10 years before release, an unusually long period by any global standard and top vintages such as 1962 and 1970 can fetch prices of approximately $1,000 per bottle at auction. The Vega Sicilia winery has enjoyed a reputation for producing top-quality wines, which is still as heralded as ever today. 

In the late 1990s a whole new generation of pioneering winemakers emerged led by the  Danish winemaker Peter Sisseck, who established Dominio de Pingus in the Ribera del Duero  region in Spain at price levels that rival Vega Sicilia of $600 to $1,000 per bottle.

In the Priorat region, Álvaro Palacios emerged as a young superstar with his premium brand of L’Ermita, which utilizes a high percentage of the Carinena grape with spectacular results and price levels exceeding even those of Pingus and Vega Sicilia. 

Lastly, in the Bierzo region of northern Spain, Bodegas Raúl Pérez Ultreia was the brainchild of Raúl Pérez. It uses the Mencia grape to produce full-bodied wines with structured balance and great aging potential, but with a much more modest price tag of $20 to $80 per bottle. 

Spanish White Wines

In the past few decades, Spanish white wines have also greatly improved in quality, the most remarkable being Albarino or Alvarinho from Galicia in northwest Spain. On the lighter side, these wines are known for their minerality and are especially delicious when paired with seafood.

Two to try are Verdejo, a light-bodied wine with an oaky sauvignon blanc taste, and txakoli, a dry, slightly sparkling wine from the Basque country.

Typically, Spanish whites are priced between $20 and $30. These wines are mainly light in body and aromatic. They do face stiff competition from similarly priced French and U.S. rivals from Oregon and California but present a delightful value for money alternative.

Richard Torin is the owner of Clarets LLC (www.clarets.com), fine wine merchants, founded in 1992 and a supplier of great wines to a local and international clientele. Richard can be reached at rtorin@gmail.com.

The post An Introduction to Spanish Wines appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

88 Club

A few doors down from La Dolce Vita, Bravo TV’s “Top Chef” winner chef Mei Lin—last seen at her award-winning Nightshade in the Arts District—and owner Francis Miranda (Daybird) have opened a fine-dining project rooted in the time-honored Chinese flavors Mei grew up cooking with her parents. 

Designed by Los Angeles-based firm Preen, Inc., the dimly lit space has a hidden speakeasy feel with just 44 seats and an intimate side cocktail bar. The private dining area overlooks the main floor, with jade details paying tribute to the stone’s cultural significance in Chinese tradition, symbolizing protection, prosperity, and longevity—along with the number 8. 

“I chose [to open in] Beverly Hills because I felt as though Chinese food had been extremely underrepresented in such a beautiful city,” Miranda told the Courier. “I think there are about 30 or more Italian restaurants and almost the same number of steakhouses. When you think of Chinese in Beverly Hills, all that comes to mind is Xian, Mr. Chow and Joss. Mr. Chow as a person and a restaurant is legendary, but I felt like it was time for something more playful and youthful that has a different vibe.”

While seated in the main dining area, the elevated comfort fare is placed on a marble rotating lazy Susan to share from sesame prawn toast, chrysanthemum salad, seasonal market fried rice, bok choy, tender grilled char siu using a pluma cut of Ibérico pork, and jasmine milk tea buns. The primarily French wine list is by Sommelier and General Manager Diana Lee (Gwen, Intercrew), with Kevin Nguyen (Death & Co, Camelia) consulting on cocktails that range from fun classics with a twist, such as Mai Tai and Long Island iced tea.

Cavcas 

Cavcas brings an underrepresented cuisine to Canon Drive—Armenian and Georgian—providing a nice alternative to the many Mediterranean or Italian options in the area.

Privately owned by a Beverly Hills resident, the restaurant features a glamorous white-hued dining room with a full bar and outdoor seating area. Signature dishes include wood-fired khachapuri—a cheese-filled bread boat topped with mushroom and black truffles that is a modern Georgian version of flatbread. Khorovats are smoky grilled meat and vegetable platters that are draped with thin layers of lavash bread and a side of Persian baghali rice pilaf with dill and lima beans. The salads are also substantial, including the house Cavcas served with heirloom tomatoes, crispy eggplant, and mint-infused cream cheese. For starters or snacks, Wagyu beef dolma or dumplings, plus the beet hummus are good options. For a sweet tooth, the baklava served warm with Madagascar vanilla bean ice cream is a must, as is the Dubai (pistachio paste) chocolate dome.

La OLA

The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on Doheny Drive has turned the rooftop restaurant into La OLA—a coastal Mexican eatery by longtime hotel Executive Chef Jesus Medina at the helm. Sandwiched between the spa and pool area, offerings at the alfresco dining spot, which means “the wave” in Spanish, include duck carnitas with a Yucatán salsa made with fresh habanero and swordfish al pastor with pineapple, along with agave flights of tequila or mezcal.

“We wanted to create a vibrant, open-air dining experience that truly reflects the spirit of Los Angeles—fresh, diverse, and effortlessly stylish,” Hotel Manager Erin Quon told the Courier. “We recognized a clear opportunity in the Beverly Hills dining scene to introduce elevated coastal Mexican cuisine, and this concept felt like the perfect fit for our rooftop oasis, blending bold flavors with California produce and laid-back rooftop vibes. It’s a celebration of the city’s cultural richness and love for refined, alfresco dining.”

Casa Dani and Katsuya

On the ground floor of Westfield Century City, Sam Nazarian’s sbe has brought together Casa Dani by Michelin-award-winning chef Dani García and Katsuya Century City by master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi. 

Housing the dynamic pairing is a 17,000-square-foot space designed by the acclaimed David Rockwell and Rockwell Group. Accommodating up to 400 guests, the two side-by-side restaurants are connected by an atrium arrival space leading to a circular bar, an open-air garden and terrace overlooking Beverly Hills and Hollywood. 

Casa Dani offers modern Mediterranean cuisine rooted in Andalusian traditions with vegetable paella or a seafood version with saffron, prawns and mussels, along with traditional classics such as Ibérico ham croquetas, and Basque cheesecake with shaved goat cheese. The adjoining Katsuya will offer fan favorites such as rock shrimp and crispy Brussels sprouts, a new toro tartare and A5 Wagyu tataki with plenty of sake selections and cocktails. 

Coming Soon

This fall, the former Tatel space on Canon Drive will become Azur—a French Mediterranean spot by the team behind the lively and colorful Lou Lou in Santa Monica. The latter is known for legendary Sunday brunches, and expectations are high for the new Beverly Hills venture.

Also this fall, Swedish chef Marcus Jernmark—who hails from the three-Michelin-starred Frantzén in Stockholm, as well as Aquavit and Per Se in New York, is opening Nordic-themed Lielle LA. The location is behind the former Mr. C Beverly Hills in the space once occupied by Walter Manzke’s Bicyclette French bistro and Ricardo Zarate’s Picca.

Additional international openings are set for 2026. Sant Ambroeus is an Italian concept from Milan (named after the city’s patron saint) that has garnered cult status in Palm Beach, New York, and more recently in Aspen. In 1936, two pastry chefs opened a cafe just a few steps away from Teatro alla Scala. In 1982, the first Manhattan location of Sant Ambroeus opened on Madison Avenue. Today, corporate chef Iacopo Falai focuses his menu on elegant Milanese-style cuisine and will be bringing his talents to a custom-designed stand-alone building on the corner of Beverly Drive and Dayton Way in the first quarter of next year. Expect a full-service restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating and two expansive bars, plus a private dining room for events and a daytime cafe with a separate entrance. 

The brand’s first flagship location for the West Coast marks a milestone more than a decade in the making. “We always knew we wanted to bring Sant Ambroeus to Los Angeles,” Managing Partner of Sant Ambroeus, Gaetano Guarducci told the Courier. “But it was important to us to be thoughtful and deliberate about choosing the right location. After many years of searching, we’re thrilled to have found the perfect spot in Beverly Hills.”

News from Old Favorites 

Nozawa Bar, the 10-seat, 20-course exceptional omakase haven tucked behind SUGARFISH on Canon Drive, has welcomed new Japanese Executive Chef Jay Sada. Born and raised in Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu, Japan, Sada brings his decades of experience along with some fun additions to the menu, such as a shabu shabu course with 100% grass-fed Wagyu ribeye from First Light Farms, and plenty of sashimi and nigiri dishes to carry the tradition forward. 

Culinary Icons on the Move: 

Nancy Silverton Adds to Menu at the Original Soho House in West Hollywood

After 15 years, the original Soho House on Sunset Boulevard has undergone a top-to-bottom make-over. This includes James Beard Award-winning superstar chef Nancy Silverton revamping the menu in the Garden at Soho House West Hollywood restaurant. Silverton, who was profiled on Netflix’s award-winning docuseries “Chef’s Table,” and is the co-owner of the Mozza Restaurant Group encompassing Michelin-starred Osteria Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza, and chi SPACCA, to name a few in Los Angeles.

Silverton’s new Tuscan-inspired menu includes about 10 items destined to be signatures, such as Nancy’s Nicoise with Ventresca tuna and potatoes, but don’t expect any pizza or pasta from the chef this time around. Instead, fun finger foods include the mini corn dogs with pimento cheese and pickled celery, along with arancine smoked scamorza cheese. 

More salads and veggies come in the form of a 10-wedge Cobb and a Caesar crostone (Italian toast) with braised leeks and egg with Cantabrian anchovy, and a cauliflower fritti with Calabrian mint aioli.

Larger format plates range from a grilled whole branzino with preserved lemon aioli, salsa verde, spicy romesco, and braised chicken thighs with broccoli or the grilled ribeye with black olive tapenade and white beans. 

For dessert, expect the chef’s rich butterscotch budino with caramel sauce, crème fraiche and pine nut-rosemary cookies made with polenta for a sweet and memorable ending. 

Evan Funke’s Roman Street Food Lounge Concept in Hollywood

Just when you thought master chef Evan Funke didn’t have any more Italian concepts to share with Los Angeles, Bar Avoja opened over the summer tucked behind his Mother Wolf restaurant in Hollywood. This modern Roman lounge is run by Mother Wolf Group Managing Partner Giancarlo Pagani and presents chef Funke’s take on Roman street food or “cibo della strada.” Avoja is Roman slang for “hell yeah,” and this sentiment blends cocktails, fine wines, and pizza al taglio, arancini cacio e pepe, fiori di zucca, and house-made dolci. The clubby space wrapped in rich walnut woods and red velvet seating, is only open Thursday through Saturday, but it’s a sexy date night outing with occasional live music, and the perfect lounge to begin or end your evening. 

Brock Makes His Debut

James Beard Award–winning chef Sean Brock from Husk in Nashville and Charleston, to name a few, makes his West Coast debut with darling, a restaurant and hi-fi listening lounge on North Robertson Boulevard. While Brock is best known for championing Southern food, this venture will celebrate California’s agricultural abundance through elemental live-fire cooking. The 12-dish menu will shift monthly to reflect the local micro-seasons. Bar Director Jason Lee (Bar Benjamin, baroo, n/soto) mirrors this philosophy while drawing cocktail inspiration from peak-season produce and global influences. 

The post The Beverly Hills Dining Scene appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“In the last 20 or 30 years, a small handful of people changed how we look at food.”  

The narrator then proceeds to cite the late Anthony Bourdain and René Redzepi of Noma. 

“And then you have José Andrés,” the voice adds. 

“José is a maximalist. On one side, you have the chef who has established a small empire of incredible restaurants, in essence bringing Spanish cuisine to the U.S. And the other side, you have a guy entirely dedicated to World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization wanting to feed the world. It’s totally unreasonable to try to do both those things at the same time, but José wants it all.” 

Indeed, if the Spanish-born Andrés’ life was a movie title, it would be “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” And the local restaurant scene played a supporting role in the Andrés success story.  

In 2008, the chef opened The Bazaar by José Andrés at the SLS at Beverly Hills on La Cienega Boulevard. The ground-floor venue, in a space designed by Philippe Starck, quickly rose to superstar status with its Spanish-influenced take on modernist molecular cuisine. Among its many accolades were four stars by the legendary Los Angeles Times food critic S. Irene Virbila and a place on the top 10 new restaurant list by GAYOT. A separate tasting area, which became Somni in 2018, garnered the chef his first two Michelin stars. Though both restaurants closed in 2020 after a consulting agreement dispute, the Andrés legacy—and that of The Bazaar—remain a powerful force in greater Los Angeles.  

Andrés, of course, is a powerful force globally, as well.  

His José Andrés group oversees more than 40 restaurants, one of which holds two Michelin stars, with several others accorded Michelin Bib Gourmand awards. Andrés is a New York Times bestselling author, James Beard Foundation Award-winner, Emmy-winning TV personality, entrepreneur and prolific communicator. His three-year-old Substack newsletter, “Longer Tables with José Andrés,” regularly regales close to 90,000 followers (whom Andrés calls “Food Fighters”) with uplifting stories, culinary tidbits, recipes and profiles. Topics this past summer ranged from the wonders of the Cap de Creus lobster of the Costa Brava to a primer on Mexican Merlot. The content, brought to life by National Geographic-worthy photos, weaves together a central theme: that every meal has the power to change the world.  

It’s a through line of Andrés’ work.  

In 2010, he launched the nonprofit World Central Kitchen (WCK) after a devastating earthquake struck Haiti. In the 15 years since, WCK has become synonymous with frontline emergency food relief during disasters both natural and man-made. Known for quick, nimble action and the ability to adapt on the ground, the organization has provided a food lifeline to hundreds of millions around the globe. Its teams are currently braving danger to provide ongoing aid in Ukraine (287 million meals provided thus far) and Gaza (147 million meals). Earlier this year, Andrés joined WCK relief workers mobilizing after the Southern California wildfires. More recently, WCK teams sprang into action after the tragic flooding in central Texas. 

For his actions, Andrés has thus far been recognized with a National Humanities Medal, Presidential Medal of Freedom and Nobel Peace Prize nominations in 2019 and 2024.  

His humanitarian efforts also extend beyond WCK. In 2023, Andrés launched The Longer Tables Fund, whose mission is to address “urgent issues in food systems, social justice, and education and advocacy, while uplifting communities.” In the same year, he founded the Global Food Institute at George Washington University, a multidisciplinary think tank to address food insecurity, food systems solutions, and in essence, seek solutions to the world’s problems through the lens of food. 

At the same time, the roster of Andrés’ endeavors continues to expand.  

This spring, he co-hosted a culinary cooking competition show on NBC with Martha Stewart called “Yes, Chef!” He also published “Change the Recipe: Because You Can’t Build a Better World Without Breaking Some Eggs.” Billed as a collection of life stories and lessons, it reads like a tapas menu of wisdom gleaned from experience (“You Don’t Need Everything to Be Happy,” “Move Forward Fearlessly”). Recollections range from his boyhood in Barcelona, savoring the simple dishes of his mother; to his days as a cooking school student and later as a chef at El Bulli, the transformative Catalan restaurant named the world’s best several times over; to a stint in the Spanish Navy; to the launch of his first restaurant, Jaleo, in Washington, D.C. 

Though some of the book’s chapters are scant in size, they’re profound in message. One chapter begins, “Cooking makes us human. It’s what separates us from every other animal on the planet. There’s good reason to think that cooking helped our brains grow, to develop sophisticated language and to grow community.”   

One community in particular—Los Angeles—holds a special place in Andrés’ heart, as I learned during an interview with him earlier this summer. He was half a world away in northern Spain, but eager to speak about his role in LA and its importance to his personal story.  

Though our meeting was virtual, via Zoom, the chef’s larger-than-life persona had no trouble breaking through. 

“Yo no hablo inglés,” (I don’t speak English) he proclaimed in a booming voice as he switched on his camera.  

“Yo hablo español!” (I speak Spanish!), I replied, although I had assumed the interview would be in English. It was, with the chef occasionally giving instructions in Castilian Spanish to those around him. Every now and then, he would puff on a cigar before responding to my questions.  

I began by asking about his first venture into the City of Angels.  

Courier: Chef, we know the José Andrés name as a global brand today. But not everyone realizes how important Los Angeles was to your early success. You launched The Bazaar here in 2008 as your first expansion outside of your home base of Washington, D.C. Tell us about that experience, which was groundbreaking in many ways. 

Andrés: It was, and I was very thankful to Sam Nazarian, the founder and owner of sbe and his family. To me, they’re family and friends. Sam was a very young man, looking for somebody to open his first hotel on La Cienega in Beverly Hills. And probably it’s always better to let others say this, but I have a feeling that what we did in the hotel was a breakthrough. I will be in eternal gratitude to Sam Nazarian, his family, his company SBE and his team to give me the chance to join Philippe Starck to show that hotels had room for creative improvement. We created one of the most amazing food-restaurant experiences. I think what we did at Bazaar was a ‘before and after’ in the understanding of how restaurants could be amazing food, amazing service but also highly original and entertaining all at once. 

Courier: You now have a presence in downtown Los Angeles, with the Spanish restaurant San Laurel at Conrad Los Angeles. That hotel is part of The Grand LA, the mixed-use project designed by Frank Gehry across from the Disney Concert Hall. Is it true that Gehry walked you through that space and encouraged you to open there? 

Andrés: Well, yes, all the above. Frank Gehry for me has been an icon. I met him many years ago. Frank Gehry is very obviously a visionary who has done so much, not only for LA but so many communities in America and around the world. Not so young anymore, but he’s still strong. He had such a passion for what he wanted to do there, explaining what he envisioned for that part of town that everybody agrees needs to become part of the greater LA. But when I met him, we were already committed. And it is not the only work I’m doing at the Conrad; we have already built a Bazaar there, too. 

Courier: That’s my next question. Can you tell us about the plan to open an outpost of Bazaar Meat at The Grand LA? That concept has been very successful in Las Vegas and Chicago as a ‘celebration of the carnivorous.’ What will this LA version be like, and when will it open? 

Andrés: It’s already built, but we need to be smart, and we are waiting for the right time between our friends and partners. But the restaurant is fully built. It’s right under the hotel. It’ll be Bazaar, which has been moving into Bazaar Meat. It will have the spirit of the original Bazaar, with traditional dishes and modern dishes. More focusing on meats that move away from steak, but steak, too, and obviously, fish and vegetables. People seem to want, and we’ve been having a lot of success with fish. We call it Bazaar Mar. We probably will end up opening Bazaar Green, which will be vegetables. But again, LA gave me this opportunity to be creative in probably one of the most creative cities in the world without a doubt. 

Courier: In the last year you have also expanded into Culver City at the Shay Hotel. You have Zaytinya there, which follows in the Mediterranean footsteps of its namesake in Washington, D.C. You have also opened the Mexican-inspired Butterfly on the rooftop. You seem to gravitate toward hotels. Is that part of your strategy?  

Andrés: I love hotels. In D.C., all my restaurants except The Bazaar in the Waldorf Astoria are stand still restaurants, but that is my home where I live. When you go to cities, it is good to be in the comfort of a home, and a hotel is a home away from home. There is great synergy with hotels and malls. We have some projects where we don’t have to carry the heavy burden of the investment. And in a way it’s a win-win. I did two big investments in New York with Mercado Little Spain and in Disney Springs with Jaleo. I opened the two biggest food enterprises representing Spain in the world right before the pandemic. When the pandemic hit, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I have all these spaces, this big investment.’ And you need to adapt to the situation and make the best out of it and create an even bigger opportunity. So, this expansion into hotels and a few malls that are up to the standards and quality I’m looking for makes all the sense in the world, and that’s what we are doing.  

Courier: You have experienced great success in LA over the years. What comes to mind when you think about the overall dining scene in LA right now?  

Andrés: It’s a city called Los Angeles (the angels) with ancestry from Spain and Mexico and all those Spanish and Latin influences. It’s a very cosmopolitan place in a way. And I have to mention people who came from being my teammates in Bazaar that now own their own restaurants. Somni used to be my restaurant. We opened inside Bazaar LA, and the name was my gift to one of my team members who wanted to be on his own like I did when I was young.  

[Author’s note: That team member, chef Aitor Zabala, opened a reimagined Somni (the Catalan word for ‘dream’) in West Hollywood in 2024. Earlier this year, it became the first restaurant in LA to earn three Michelin stars.]  

Andrés: It gives me a lot of joy that now Somni becomes its own dream, and in a way, I feel a grandfather of those three stars of Somni. I mean, it took him a long time and perseverance. But obviously, Aitor is one of the most talented chefs, not only in LA, not only in America, but in the world. And so, people like Aitor and Somni show us that the power of the will can move mountains.  

Courier: There are other veterans of The Bazaar who have also gone on to make a name for themselves, right?  

Andrés: Yes. Joshua Whigham also was with me many years. He was chef at Bazaar. I’m so proud that now he has his own restaurant [Casa Leo in Los Feliz]. Joshua is amazing. And the Voltaggio brothers, especially the chef Michael Voltaggio, who was my opening chef at Bazaar when we got the four stars in the LA Times. I remember when Mercado Little Spain got a huge review in the New York Times, too. I’ve been getting through my life a lot of three or four stars in reviews. And that doesn’t mean we are perfect. We also had our shortfalls. Everyone understands that in the restaurant business, you are only as good as the last plate. But for me, talking about a chef who came from Bazaar gives me a lot of joy, and I can keep giving you more names. Not to praise me or Bazaar. It only tells you that it’s a team that keeps investing in each other. And that’s how you create the city.  

Courier: In addition to those former teammates of yours, what other chefs do you think are doing the most interesting work here in LA? 

Andrés: Obviously, I’m a big fan of Roy [Choi, the chef who launched the Korean Mexican taco truck concept, Kogi]. What he’s done, the food trucks, he’s created the system of making good food more democratic and able to reach everybody. Not only in a high-end restaurant or a fancy restaurant, but even in the streets. People like Roy bet that food trucks could bring good food to people who would not go to a restaurant. That’s only LA. Also, the guys of Eggslut in that market [Grand Central Market]. You go there, and it looks like, what the heck is going on? You don’t know if you want to quit and run away. But once you become part of it, you may be a foreigner or tourist in LA, but all of a sudden you become a local, even if you are only there one day. And to see what Eggslut and its founder—he’s amazing—to see those lines, to get the egg sandwich, breakfast sandwich, oh my God. 

I mean LA is a small country, man. The bounty of things is just unbelievable. And influences. And that’s very powerful. Just look at the farmers’ markets where my guys go and buy things that are iconically seasonal. You keep going and going from the best breads and pizzas by Nancy Silverton to the Mexican restaurants and the great molés you can find. And the Japanese places like Sushi Zo, which is one of my favorites. I remember when I brought [El Bulli’s] Ferran and Albert Adrià for the first time to LA. We went there, and we went for lunch early, and we finished. And before they closed, we told them, ‘Can we do a second lunch?’ And the quality of taco places and the quality of Arab Muslim food and the quality of Jewish kosher Israeli food and the quality of Persian food.  

But LA to me, you have in LA a guy like Seamus Blackley, the founder of Xbox, who was crazy enough to make bread from scratch with ancient yeast. He’s able to create the best chocolate bar in the middle of LA with trees he’s growing in LA. I mean, this guy may be one of the best creative minds and engineers in the world. And in his free time, he’s able to make the best loaf of bread. And on top of that, being so generous that he shares that technique with everybody. You have a guy that has nothing to do with cooking, but he’s teaching even people like me how to make the best loaf of bread, create your own natural ferment and yeast from scratch. That’s LA. 

Courier: LA went through a terrible period early this year with historic, wind-driven wildfires. I understand you had a personal reason for coming out to help the WCK teams on the ground.  

Andrés: Usually, I take time away from my business and from my family for World Central Kitchen in big events. And big events are Category 5, where millions of people are impacted. Because if not, I will be 24/7 working on World Central Kitchen. And I still have to work. I mean, World Central Kitchen is not my job; it’s my hobby. It is my giving back to the community. But seems it’s taking more time of my private life and my business than I ever imagined or expected. And I’m very proud of it. But on paper, I was not going to go to LA. I was in a taxi on my way to Europe to take the plane. I got news that my friend lost his house. He texted, ‘José, my house burned down. My entire neighborhood burned down; my church burned.’ And in that moment, I stopped the taxi, I went back home, I put my golf clothes and my ‘having fun’ clothing away. And I took my World Central Kitchen bag, and I was on my way to LA to join teams that were already feeding people.  

Courier: Can you tell us what the experience was like and was there anything special about the way that Southern Californians responded to the disaster? 

Andrés: In the worst moments of humanity, the best of humanity shows up. And LA was not any less. Sometimes it is not just giving a plate of food; it’s giving a smile. Sometimes people just want to talk to somebody. And that’s what World Central Kitchen does. We had the actress Jennifer Garner with us. She was great. She spent many days helping her community, helping us. To me, it was beautiful to see because she didn’t have to do that. Her house was on the watch list. She was driving me around and giving hugs to firefighters and to police and to people who lost their homes and crying with them and laughing with them. What LA should be very proud of is that LA came together as one. Putting religion aside, putting politics aside, putting color of your skin aside, Angelenos were helping Angelenos. And that I’m very proud of. 

And then LA goes beyond the moments of emergency. A lot of people don’t know about David Grohl from Foo Fighters, ex-Nirvana, he joins local organizations. He cooks barbecue when he’s in LA on a Friday night in the back lot of his music studio. And then when he finished barbecuing all night, he goes out in the morning without sleep. He delivers food in different squares and neighborhoods with, unfortunately, a large, hungry or homeless population. So, it’s people like Dave Grohl who also make LA great. He does it because he believes that’s the way he can make his city slightly better. And that’s the power of LA.  

Just then, an assistant gently reminded us that we had gone over our allotted time. I quickly asked one last question about new ventures outside of LA, such as a reported new branded hotel in Washington, D. C. (“Not yet, but we have the plans,” said Andrés in reply.)  

He then picked up his phone and began to walk but remained on Zoom. For a few moments, he spoke about his life’s philosophy and worldview. 

But, those are topics for another interview, which I hope to conduct someday.  

He did give me his word about meeting in person the next time he is in town.  

“My team will make it happen; I promise you. Ciao.” 

The post José Andrés Wants It All appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The lawsuit alleges “willful and deliberate indifference” on the part of BHUSD, former principal Sarah Kaber and Director of Student Services Benjamin Wardrop towards a “series of unfettered sexual assaults occurring at [El] Rodeo Elementary” that allegedly occurred between November 2024 and March 2025. 

According to the complaint, a student enrolled at El Rodeo touched multiple other students’ genitals on various occasions, both over their clothes and skin-to-skin, while making sexually suggestive gestures and comments. 

The lawsuit alleges that the same student also targeted classmates by self-exposure, forcing other students to participate in kissing and forcing other students to watch that kissing. The student perpetrating the assaults “repeatedly taunts and mocks” the targeted students in the wake of the assaults, the complaint states. 

All of the alleged incidents occurred on campus.

According to the lawsuit, BHUSD employees, including Kaber and Wardrop, were alerted to the incidents when they occurred. The complaint states that the parents of the targeted students were not immediately told whether an investigation took place and were later denied access to certain documentation regarding the incidents. 

BHUSD employees allegedly told the parents of the targeted students that the incidents had been recorded, and that staff has been “working with the parents of the other students all year and have included other staff members to support [the student and the student’s] family.” 

One of the children targeted by their classmate “has been unable to sleep with the lights off, sleep [alone] … has been withdrawn, and is discouraged from attending and participating” at school since the incidents, according to the complaint. 

The complaint states that the instigating student was given a chaperone, but that the chaperone “frequently fails to adequately supervise” the student. It additionally alleges that BHUSD employees told the parents that the incidents did not meet the criteria for Title IX violations. 

In response, attorneys for the family state in the suit that BHUSD and its employees were “negligent and careless [and] allowed the attacks and subsequent harassment to continue for months,” constituting intentional discrimination.

Christopher Frost, an attorney for the family who filed the complaint, called the lawsuit a “last resort” in a statement to the Courier. 

“Our clients’ lawsuit is a demand for El Rodeo School and the Beverly Hills Unified School District to finally take appropriate action and protect all children harmed from a hostile environment of sexual harassment, assault and bullying that denies our clients access to their education,” he said. “Since the first incident happened in November 2024, our clients have been met with deliberate avoidance, bureaucracy and inaction at every turn … We further understand that there are currently no measures in place to prevent similar incidents from happening to other children at El Rodeo School. The lawsuit is also a demand for accountability.”

BHUSD declined to comment on the litigation. 

The complaint comes after Kaber was reassigned from her role as principal to a classroom position in the spring with no explanation to the community. Parents and teachers flooded BHUSD Board meetings to express their displeasure over the action and their support for Kaber, who was named Elementary Principal of the Year for Region XIV by the Association of California School Administrators in February.

“We had 35, 40 members of our staff, almost every teacher at the board meeting … in support for [Kaber],” an El Rodeo employee told the Courier at the time.

Kaber has since left the district. In June, the Stephen Wise Temple and Schools announced that she had joined their organization as Senior Director of Education, the Aaron Milken Center, effective July 1. 

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Lifschitz, who is also a parent of a BHUSD student, alleges that the board violated the Public Comment Obligation (PCO) of the Brown Act, which curtails the ability of a board to act on agenda items during a meeting without allowing the public to address the board regarding the substance of those agenda items. 

“What could be more evasive than taking open comment on one version of a proposal, then creating and passing a substantially different version on the spot? There would be no end to the potential abuse,” said Lifschitz during public comment. 

The letter states that, “over the past few months, the board has repeatedly violated the PCO by taking public comment on agenda items at the start of meetings, only to then substantially change and pass those items within the space of the same meeting, robbing the public of any opportunity to address what the board actually votes on once its marathon redlining sessions conclude.” 

He accused the board of violating the PCO during discussion of the Standards-Based Instructional Environment resolution, antisemitism resolution and the flag ban resolution, all of which Lifschitz has spoken about at past meetings. The resolutions have drawn controversy from the BHUSD community. 

Lifschitz cited California Government Code Sections 54960 and 54960.2, which provide that any interested person may take legal action to stop or prevent the board from violating the PCO in the future and determine past actions of the board that violated the PCO. 

The only condition precedent to bringing such action is furnishing a cease-and-desist letter, affording the board a 30-day period to follow PCO guidelines, Lifschitz said. 

Board President Rachelle Marcus and Board Member Amanda Stern have objected to these violations, but Board Members Sigalie Sabag and Russell Stuart and Board Vice President Judith Manouchehri have “embraced them with open arms,” Lifschitz said at the meeting. 

Marcus instructed Lifschitz to not mention names after he quoted Sabag from the July 16 regular meeting. Before the public comment portion of the meeting, Marcus said, “Personal attacks, inappropriate language and discussing specific employees or students are not permitted.” 

The school board  also received comprehensive updates about ongoing construction projects. 

Six tennis courts and a softball field at BHHS Upper Athletic Fields have been completed, with the remaining components of Retaining Wall #2 and Athletic Plaza set to finish by the end of the year. The new Konheim building, featuring a swimming pool and additional retaining walls, is steadily progressing with walls already constructed and completion targeted for December 2026. Most nighttime construction work for this building is complete, with only pool excavation remaining.

Construction mobilization for the BHHS Grand Lawn begins on Sept. 12, with the Northern Grand Lawn scheduled for completion by January 2026 and the full lawn by December 2026. Security system upgrades, including additional cameras, horns and vape detectors, will be finished this month. 

The board also approved the 2024-25 Unaudited Actuals. As required by state law, Executive Director of the Business Services Department at BHUSD delivered a report on the unaudited actuals, presented fiscal year-end data through June 30, comparing estimated versus unaudited actuals across revenue sources. Property tax revenue reached $70.5 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year, up from $68.2 million the previous year. Next steps include delivery of the First Interim Budget Report by Dec. 9, a financial audit for the 2024-25 fiscal year by Dec. 15 and finally, appropriate property tax revenue adjustments in the 2025-26 fiscal year.  

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“At BHHS, we believe in living each day with intention, academically, socially, and emotionally,” she said. “Back to School Night allows us to strengthen the connections that make that possible and set the tone for a positive, productive year,” said BHHS Principal Loan Srisraka.   

The post BHHS Holds Back to School Night appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“When I got here, one of the things I noticed was that we had a lot of kids that weren’t at grade level … we’re going to close those achievement gaps,” he said, “and that’s going to be the primary focus this year.” 

Cherniss’ time at BHUSD began not as superintendent but as a math teacher at Beverly Vista Middle School. He then worked as an administrator in the district before leaving to serve as the superintendent at Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District and, most recently, as superintendent at Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. 

Now, he’s bringing his robust experience to bear in Beverly Hills with an eye towards raising test scores and ensuring that the city’s students are where they need to be. 

According to state testing results, approximately 31% of Beverly Hills students in grades three through eight as well as grade 11 did not meet grade-level standards in English Language Arts in 2024, and approximately 42% fell below grade level in math.

The scores are a holdover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Cherniss said, when many children weren’t writing on a regular basis or receiving the same level of feedback from teachers as they normally would have. 

“All of these kids came back to school with these huge learning gaps, and that’s really impacted the academic achievement,” he said. 

To combat the setback, BHUSD will launch a new program, offering free after-school instruction by district teachers beginning in October. In these nine-week instructional sessions, kindergarten through middle school-aged students who are not performing at or above grade level will receive extra support. 

Teachers who facilitate the sessions will be compensated for their time. 

“This isn’t homework club, and it’s also not like hiring high school or college kids to tutor,” Cherniss said. “This is hiring our professionals to do real instruction.” 

Additionally, BHUSD is providing innovative training to new and veteran teachers. The district has adopted a new mathematics curriculum, Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI), which Cherniss describes as “more rigorous.” 

“We’re raising the level of instruction and we’re giving support … and, so what does that do long term? It provides more kids [who are] college ready,” he said. “We start focusing early on getting them up to grade level and above, and then we’ll get more college-ready students by the time they graduate from high school.”

Speaking to the Courier in April, Cherniss said he hoped to increase revenue in the district in order to finance new projects. To that end, he said he may look to naming opportunities as new sports facilities complete construction or renting out Peters Auditorium. But more than that, he’s focused on eliminating spending where possible. 

“The easiest way to add to your bottom line on the revenue side is actually not revenue; it’s cutting expenses,” Cherniss said. “Since I got here, we’ve cut $1.3 million in district office management salaries and expenses … and that’s a lot of money that can be spent on kids.” 

Since stepping into his role, Cherniss has been tasked with leading a Board of Education that is at times at odds with one another. Most recently, the board was divided over a proposal to display the Israeli flag as part of Jewish American Heritage Month (see story on pg. 1). Cherniss stepped in and made the decision not to display the flag on BHUSD property. 

When asked about his thinking on that decision, Cherniss declined to comment, saying only that “my thinking was very much explained in my statement” released at the time of the incident. 

As to his strategy for leading a board that does not always see eye to eye, Cherniss said the board consists of “very strong personalities” who are outspoken in their beliefs. 

“My job is to continue to be, sort of, the middle of the wheel, and the board can be all those spokes around the wheel,” he said. “I make sure the wheel continues to move around and forward in the right direction.” 

In the years ahead, Cherniss said his focus is on long-term gains for the district and its students. 

“In order to change culture, it doesn’t happen overnight,” he said. “We’re going to start doing a lot of small wins that will start to add up. I love being here, and I look forward to helping our district achieve success now and into the future.”  

The post BHUSD Superintendent Focuses on Academic Achievement in New School Year appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Research shows female athletes are up to eight times more likely than their male counterparts to experience an ACL tear. These injuries often require surgery and a 9-12- month recovery period. For any kind of athlete, that kind of setback can be physically and emotionally devastating. The good news is that with proper training, awareness and early intervention, many of these injuries can be prevented or treated effectively to avoid long-term damage.

The ACL is one of four primary ligaments in the knee. It helps keep the knee stable and protects the meniscus and cartilage when an athlete changes direction, pivots or lands from a jump.

Why are young female athletes more likely to tear this ligament? Several factors are involved. 

Anatomically, females tend to have a more “knock-kneed” alignment, which puts greater stress on the ACL, especially during awkward landings or sudden direction changes. On average, females also have less muscle mass around the knee compared to males, which means they have less natural support for the joint. 

Hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, may also affect ligament looseness and stability. In adolescent females, hormonal fluctuations during or after puberty may further increase the risk of injury. Research from Cedars-Sinai and other institutions suggests that certain phases of the menstrual cycle, when estrogen levels are high, may be linked to a higher likelihood of ACL injuries.

Sports that require cutting, pivoting and jumping are the most common culprits in knee injuries. These movements can put sudden, intense strain on the ligament, particularly in athletes who haven’t learned proper landing mechanics.

Some ACL injuries are dramatic—athletes may hear a pop, experience immediate swelling and feel their knee give out. Other injuries are more subtle, especially when the tear is the result of a non-contact incident. In those cases, the most telling symptom is a persistent sense of instability, particularly when trying to cut or pivot.

Diagnosis involves a clinical exam and is confirmed with imaging, usually an MRI. In most young, active patients, surgery to reconstruct the ligament is the best option. We typically use a tendon graft from the same leg to replace the torn ACL. While walking and basic activities often feel normal within a few weeks, returning to sport takes much longer—as much as a year for the graft to integrate and strengthen.

Prevention, however, is where we can make the biggest impact. ACL prevention programs—incorporating strength training, neuromuscular control drills and jump-landing instruction—are essential. These can be as simple as bodyweight squats, hamstring-strengthening movements and plyometric drills that teach athletes to land with knees aligned and under control. When done consistently, often as part of a warmup, these programs significantly reduce injury rates.

For athletes returning from ACL surgery, my advice is always the same: be patient. The knee may feel strong after a few months, but the biology takes time. Returning too soon risks reinjury, which can be heartbreaking after months of rehab. 

Once an athlete has torn one ACL, their risk of tearing the other is about four times higher. Not only does the athlete carry the same anatomic risk factors in the healthy knee, the individual also is likely to overcompensate. Imbalances in knee strength and the nervous system effectively make the healthy knee perform overtime, increasing the risk for injury.

All of this is why prevention training is not just a pre-injury strategy—it’s a lifelong habit for any athlete who wants to stay healthy and competitive. And even if reinjury does occur, it’s not the end of a sports career. With proper treatment, revision surgery and dedicated rehabilitation, many athletes successfully return to their sport stronger than ever.  

Michael Banffy, M.D., is chief of Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics, specializing in joint preservation, cartilage restoration and advanced hip, shoulder and knee arthroscopy. He serves as a team physician for the Los Angeles Rams, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Loyola Marymount University Athletics.

The post Why Young Female Athletes Face Higher Risk for ACL Injuries appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The unanimous vote, taken at a special board meeting on Aug. 29, came in response to Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss’ overturning of a board resolution adopted on Aug. 26, which stated that in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, all schools and facilities in the district “will display the flag of the State of Israel … throughout the month of May.” 

Cherniss overruled that resolution in less than 24 hours, stating that his decision was made with concern for “the safety and security of our students.”

Speaking at the special meeting on Aug. 29, Cherniss added that his decision was also based in part on “misinformation” about the district’s intent.

“This is a highly charged issue, to the point where we were receiving a lot of inappropriate feedback from people from all over, and so that’s how we got to where we are,” he said. 

The resulting Aug. 29 resolution, which purported to clarify the district’s stance on flying and displaying flags, states that the only flags that may be flown or displayed on district property, including in classrooms, are the United States of America flag, the California flag, the city of Beverly Hills flag and BHUSD or individual school flags. 

The resolution states that it does not restrict students and student activities, college or career activities or PTA events and programs, including multicultural celebrations. 

The board’s Aug. 26 resolution was presented as an initiative to combat antisemitism. In addition to the edict to display the Israeli flag during the month of May, the resolution recognizes May as Jewish American Heritage Month, memorializes events of the Holocaust and Oct. 7 and adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.

Board President Rachelle Marcus and Board Member Amanda Stern voted against the Aug. 26 resolution because of the Israeli flag mandate. It passed in a 3-2 vote.

At the Aug. 29 special meeting, Stern spoke about the backlash generated by the order to display the Israeli flag during the month of May, stating that she received over 480 messages containing “highly negative, vulgar, antisemitic comments” in the course of the three days following the vote. 

“I don’t know if you guys anticipated the amount of undue stress and self-inflicted wounds this did to our standing as a district,” she said. “I’m embarrassed by the media. I am embarrassed that several law enforcement folks and leaders in the city expressed deep concern for the hate mail they got … so while I know you guys never wanted to occasion that, I feel that it was a wild miscalculation of what this would do.”

During public comment on Aug. 29, multiple members of the community brought up a concern that the board used fears about antisemitism to surreptitiously ban the display of the LGBTQ+ Pride flag. 

The concern stems in part from the board’s Aug. 26 discussion. At that meeting, Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri stated that she and Marcus considered whether excluding the display of the Israeli flag was in conflict with mandating the display of the Pride flag, and that both women wanted to broach the subject with the entire board.

Manouchehri was referencing a resolution passed in June 2021, in which the then-sitting board voted to display the Pride flag during the month of June. That board recognized June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month. 

“The only other resolution that we have is the one for the month of June … that included a flag,” Manouchehri said on Aug. 26. “One thing that [Marcus] and I discussed, we believed we had to be even-handed in our approach.”

Speaking during the public comment period, Beverly Hills resident Daniel Lifshitz suggested that the attempt to ban most flags was a means to ban the Pride flag. 

“Today’s measure is a chance to ban indirectly what the board’s right-leaning majority simply doesn’t have the guts or political capital to attempt banning directly,” he said. “There was no public appetite to do away with Pride flags, so you endangered our community with a forced controversy, to make bigoted lemonade out of lemons, to use your bumbling error as a collateral attack on the LGBTQ community.”

Stern and Manouchehri exchanged tense words during the Aug. 29 meeting. Following her comments about the fallout of the attempted Israeli flag mandate, Stern asked all board members about their stance on the Pride flag. 

“I do want to ask you all directly, do you personally, professionally, want to get rid of the Pride flag?” she said. 

Manouchehri was the only board member to reply to the question. She did not offer a direct answer as to her stance on the Pride flag in her response. Manouchehri instead expressed her general support for the LGBTQ+ community. 

“To suggest that our LGBQT [sic] community should think that we are out there for them and we are against them after the three years that I’ve been on the board and I’ve loved, and continue to love, every student and every community member that has ever approached me,” she said, “I am truly offended, and I ask you to stop right there.”  

In a written comment to the Courier, Stern expressed confidence that the board will be able to act in harmony in the future. 

“The unfortunate backlash to the passage of the resolution, which I believe was posed in good faith to combat unprecedented levels of antisemitism and to commemorate important days in May, ultimately had nothing to do with a very different resolution which takes place in June, coincidentally, when school is not in session,” she said. “Moving forward, I am optimistic that board members will find common ground so that students, families, staff and administrators can find meaningful ways to celebrate Pride Month in June.” 

The post BHUSD Reverses Course on Israeli Flag Display appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“In light of heightened safety concerns around the displaying of flags on our campuses I have made the decision to take immediate action for the safety and security of our students,” Cherniss wrote in a statement sent to the BHUSD community. “Until further notice, no flags will be displayed on our campuses other than the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the state of California.” 

Cherniss went on to note that the directive is in line with a board policy governing administrative discretion over board policy that states, in part, “when immediate action is necessary to avoid any risk to the safety or security of students, staff, or district property or to prevent disruption of school operations, the superintendent or designee shall have the authority to act on behalf of the district in a manner that is consistent with law and policies.”

The vote to display the Israeli flag was taken at the board’s Aug. 26 meeting. In a 3-2 vote, the board approved a resolution which states that the action would “signify support for the Jewish community.”

The resolution also includes language recognizing May as Jewish Heritage Month and emphasizing the importance of combating antisemitism. It memorializes the events of the Holocaust and Oct. 7, and states that the district will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.

Board President Rachelle Marcus and Board Member Amanda Stern voted against the resolution, noting that they would support it if not for the included mandate to display the Israeli flag. 

Stern, who is Jewish, said the language mandating the flag display is in direct opposition to a recently passed policy addressing what the board referred to as partisan materials. 

“Just about two months ago, we spoke about how partisan materials—as an example, a Greek flag—would not be allowed,” she said. “We really need to look at that so there is not preferential treatment for one group over another.”

Stern added that she received emails from residents calling the resolution “wildly inappropriate,” “dangerous,” “a precarious step,” “treacherous” and a “self-inflected wound.”

Marcus, who is also Jewish, spoke about her personal experiences with antisemitism, and stated that her concerns regarding the display of the Israeli flag stemmed from questions of safety for those inside the building. 

“I would pass this resolution tonight, but … I fear for the safety of the students in the school,” Marcus said. “I don’t want to put something on the front of the school that will make us targets of any kind, especially with the students in our school.”

Board Member Russell Stuart, who voted for the resolution, argued that displaying the Israeli flag is not a comment on current international affairs. 

“The display of a flag during Jewish American Heritage Month is not a direct endorsement of the Israeli government,” he said. “It is not a direct endorsement of any geopolitical topic. It is a support for our Jewish students and the Jewish community.”

The resolution was last discussed at the board’s Aug. 5 meeting. Following that conversation, a subcommittee comprised of Marcus and board Vice President Judy Manouchehri convened to revise the resolution. 

During public comment, residents spoke for and against the resolution. City Council Vice President John Mirisch was among those who expressed his support. 

“Please pass tonight’s resolution and policy to honor Jewish American Heritage Month … this should be a no brainer for a school district that represents one of the only Jewish majority communities outside of Israel,” he said. “Education about Jewish history, including Yom HaShoah, Yom Ha’atzmaut and October 7 is critical in combating anti-Jewish racism and in allowing Jewish students to feel pride in their Jewish identity.”

Andrea Grossman, a graduate of BHUSD whose three children also attended school in the district, said that the Israeli flag does not belong on a public school. 

“I believe that the State of Israel has a right to exist; of course I do,” she said. “Israel, though, is not my country. I am a Jew, but Israel is not, nor will it ever be, my country … display the flag at a synagogue, such as the one flying at my synagogue here in Beverly Hills, or fly it at a private day school, but not at a public school facility.”

In other business, the board unanimously approved the expansion of the City Greens Community Farm program, which currently operates in the district’s high school and middle school, into the elementary schools as part of a two-year pilot program. 

The program utilizes hydroponic farming to teach STEM concepts as well as sustainability and health. 

The board additionally approved a contract with Integrated Demolition and Remediation, Inc. not to exceed $190,000 for demolition and hazardous materials abatement at Beverly Hills High School’s KBEV studio. The studio was found to have asbestos and lead containing materials, and work will begin immediately within the studio and in adjacent offices, work spaces and storage areas. 

Also at their Aug. 26 meeting, the board discussed the possibility of prohibiting teachers from tutoring students who are enrolled in their classes and significantly restricting teachers from tutoring other students in the district. Considering a possible amendment to an existing board policy, the board approved a first reading of the changes. 

Under the changes, teachers could tutor students who are outside the district, as long as “no district resources, facilities, or instructional materials are used, and provided further that such tutoring does not conflict with the employee’s duties or responsibilities to the district.” 

The board will consider the amendment again at its Sept. 9 meeting. 

The post BHUSD Reconsiders Israeli Flag Display On Campuses appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The complaint, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Aug. 7, stems from an accident that occurred when a carjacking suspect jumped a curb during the event, striking Stuart and several other people. Stuart was taken away in an ambulance and sustained serious injuries, including broken ribs and arms. 

Stuart is seeking damages including medical expenses, damaged and destroyed property and general damages, arguing in the complaint that the city “negligently, wantonly, recklessly … and unlawfully proximately caused injury and damages” by not providing sufficient pedestrian safety measures. 

In the lawsuit, Stuart alleges that the city had erected K-rails and other barriers near the location of the accident and could have used them as crowd safety measures closer to where the accident occurred. 

The suit states that barriers would have served to “protect pedestrians from the reasonable foreseeability of a vehicle jumping the curb, which is a well-known hazard (e.g., due to impaired drivers, distracted drivers, or accidents). These barriers could have been placed in the street at that location to alert drivers that the roadway was closed to through traffic, or on the edge of the sidewalk to protect pedestrians.”

In an email to the Courier, Stuart’s attorney Barry Novack noted that the complaint was filed “only after the city denied our claim for damages for the significant injuries sustained.” 

“The city failed to place available K-rails on the sidewalk in a position to protect against vehicles colliding with pedestrians,” Novack wrote, “thereby creating a foreseeable and preventable dangerous condition.” 

Beverly Hills City Attorney Larry Wiener expressed his condolences for the incident but stopped short of agreeing to Stuart’s demands. 

“We are very sorry about the accident that Mr. Stuart was involved in last November,” Wiener said in a statement to the Courier. “It was an unfortunate incident where a suspect involved in a nearby carjacking jumped the curb and struck Mr. Stuart with his vehicle. However, Mr. Stuart’s allegation that the city should have K-rail at every intersection to prevent this type of accident is unreasonable. The city will defend the case vigorously.”

The accident occurred in the evening of Nov. 14, 2024. Stuart was purchasing a balloon for his daughter on the street when, according to a statement he gave to the Courier at the time, he heard tires screeching, then woke up in an ambulance. 

He was released the following week and told the Courier at the time that he thanked “the good Lord, who not only protected me in that moment, but has shielded my soul.”

Stuart received an outpouring of support on social media following the accident. 

Stuart’s wife, Lisa, posted words of gratitude to the community.  

“I’m so grateful to the unbelievable number of people that have reached out to me,” she wrote. “The community of Beverly Hills; people don’t understand how tight knit it can be.” 

The driver of the vehicle that hit Stuart, 22-year-old James Portul of Pittsburgh, pled guilty shortly after the incident to charges of carjacking and hit-and-run with injury. Portul stole the car by force on the 400 block of North Bedford Drive, then drove it into a building on Wilshire Boulevard after hitting the victims. 

He fled on foot but was detained on the 200 block of North Beverly Drive.

Stuart was sworn in as a member of the BHUSD Board in December 2024.  

The post BHUSD Board Member Russell Stuart Sues City appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Key highlights of the redesign include:

•Unified District Calendar: A single location where all external school events are posted, making it easier than ever for the community to stay informed and engaged.

•BHHS Virtual Alumni Hall of Fame: In collaboration with the Beverly Hills High School Alumni Association, the new virtual Hall of Fame transforms the existing on-campus display into an accessible, interactive online experience. Visitors from anywhere in the world can explore and celebrate the achievements of distinguished BHHS alumni, keeping their legacy alive for generations to come.

•Unified Menu: One menu allows users to switch between school sites.

“Our schools deserve a digital presence that reflects the quality of education and opportunity we provide. This launch is a major step forward in making sure our communication tools match the exceptional work happening every day in BHUSD,” said Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss.

The redesigned websites are now live and can be explored at bhusd.org. Visitors are encouraged to share feedback through the online form available on each site. 

The post BHUSD Launches Redesigned District-Wide Website appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Continuing a valued tradition, BHUSD honored staff members for their years of dedicated service, recognizing those who have made a lasting difference in the lives of students. Honorees included those who have been with the district from between 10 and 40 years.

Additionally, the Apple Awards recognized staff members who went above and beyond during the 2024–25 school year. Recipients included:

• Beverly Hills High School: Ted Yoo, Roel Hinojosa

• Beverly Vista Middle School: Elizabeth Schultz, Vergine Aiazian

• El Rodeo Elementary School: Liat Canes

• Horace Mann Elementary School: Tiffany Graham

• District Office: Marilu De Arcos, Reiona Smith   

The post BHUSD Opening Day Launches New School Year appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

A city of Beverly Hills spokesperson described the fire as “small” and “contained primarily within the ventilation duct system with minimal damage to the restaurant.” The spokesperson added that the cause of the blaze is still under investigation. 

Chef Evan Funke provided this statement to the Courier regarding the incident at his eponymous establishment:

“To our cherished guests and friends,

Last night, a fire occurred in the upper portion of our exhaust system, the cause of which is still unknown. We’re relieved to share that all building safety systems functioned exactly as designed.

Thanks to the calm cooperation of everyone present, our staff and guests were evacuated swiftly and safely. Our deepest gratitude to the Beverly Hills Fire Department for their rapid response and expert handling of the situation.

To our guests with reservations this week, our team will be reaching out personally to arrange alternative accommodations at either Felix or Mother Wolf. We’re truly grateful for your patience and understanding as we work diligently to repair and restore the affected areas. 

We can’t wait to host you all very soon. 

All love and pasta.

EF”

The tri-level Funke opened in 2023 to great acclaim, with an emphasis on hand-crafted regional pasta dishes. Like its fellow Evan Funke-helmed outposts, it is a favorite of celebrities, food critics and even royalty. Earlier this month, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, posted a photo of her birthday dinner at the restaurant. She noted, “The culinary mastery of @evanfunke and his team is in the top five meals in my life.” 

A spokesperson for Funke told the Courier that they hope to have the doors open again as soon as possible. 

The post Fire at Funke Temporarily Closes Restaurant appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The program will convert four tennis courts to 16 permanent pickleball courts to accommodate the growing interest in the sport over the past few years. Specifically, tennis courts 7, 8 and 12 at La Cienega Park and court 1 at Roxbury Park Tennis Facility would be converted to pickleball courts. Staff received direction from the Recreation and Parks Council Liaison at its Feb. 27 meeting to conduct an additional sound study to consider other court configurations, secure official court measurements and finalize the proposed rules and regulations. The recommendation also calls for implementing new reservation software and adding staffing to support expanded hours. 

The Pickleball Pilot Program was initially launched in 2020 by the Recreation and Parks Commission to gauge public interest in the sport from the Beverly Hills community. Two tennis courts at the La Cienega Tennis Center and one at Roxbury Park Tennis Facility were converted into pickleball courts using temporary overlay lines and portable nets. However, the program was put to a halt due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and resumed in 2021 when facilities reopened to the public. 

By 2022, the city began receiving noise complaints from neighbors near La Cienega Park, which prompted the Recreation and Park Commission to move pickleball from courts 13 and 14 to courts 1 and 8. In response to the noise complaints, city staff commissioned professional studies, which found that noise levels on some courts exceeded Los Angeles County standards, while others remained within acceptable limits. 

Despite challenges over the sound, and the delay in program roll-out during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program demonstrated strong growth and community support. However, some public feedback remained mixed, with approximately equal numbers supporting and opposing the program at community meetings—reflecting the tension between pickleball enthusiasts and tennis players concerned about court availability.

At the Aug. 5 Study Session, residents echoed similar concerns and sentiments from past meetings.  

During public comment, several pickleball players voiced their enthusiasm for the sport and encouraged the council to finalize the Pickleball Pilot Program. However, some tennis players believed there were too many tennis courts being converted for pickleball and would attract players from outside Beverly Hills.

Jessica Smash, president of the Los Angeles Tennis Group, recognized the benefits of pickleball, but spoke on behalf of the tennis players who “don’t want to lose any more tennis courts.” 

In a letter sent to the council prior to the meeting, Daniel Fink, a Beverly Hills resident and physician, cited recent published research on the adverse health effects of pickleball noise on nearby residents. He argued that just as Beverly Hills pioneered smoking restrictions, it should protect residents from “unwanted noise exposure.”

During council discussion, Councilmember Mary Wells said she supports the staff recommendations, but suggested that the council revisit its noise ordinance for residential areas because of the rise in popularity of pickleball. Councilmember Craig Corman similarly agreed with the staff recommendatwions but inquired about the possibility of putting a sound blanket on a given fence to combat the noise issues. 

Later that evening, at its Regular Meeting and Parking Authority Meeting, City Council voted to approve a contract with Trueline Construction & Surfacing, Inc. for the tennis courts resurfacing project, which includes the conversion of the four tennis courts into 16 pickleball courts at Roxbury Park Tennis Facility and La Cienega Tennis Center.  

The post City Council Considers Finalization of the Pickleball Pilot Program appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Resolution #2025-2026-02, titled “Combating Antisemitism through Education Awareness, Remembrance, and Support,” stems from the board’s concern over antisemitism as a “real and rising threat in schools and society.” 

The resolution would have recognized May as Jewish Heritage Month by flying the Israeli flag at each BHUSD school, designate Oct. 7 as an annual Day of Remembrance, commemorate Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), and recognize Yom HaAtzmaut, the fifth day of Iyar in the Hebrew calendar. 

Tal Lavi, a self-proclaimed “proud Jew, proud American, and proud Israeli,” with three children in the school district, said the resolution would create a safe environment for Jewish students, citing that anti-Israel sentiment since Oct. 7 has given way to a rise in antisemitism.  

“I think that for many Jews, the Beverly Hills [Unified] School District is the choice to make sure that it’s a safe place for Jewish kids to be Jewish, to express their Judaism. This school district is what makes it that safe space. That’s the reason why we, and many other families, made a choice to be part of this district,” said Lavi. 

However, several Beverly Hills residents, including Jewish parents of BHUSD students, took issue with the resolution, particularly due to its language, potential First Amendment challenges, and what this means going forward for the student body.

By “completely eliminating any distinction between anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli sentiment,” Daniel Lifschitz, who is the son of an Israeli immigrant, said the resolution “seeks to destroy” decades of work done by Jewish people to combat the “dual loyalty trope.” This trope, Lifschitz stated, was posited by antisemites to “foster hatred and suspicion of Jews,” which pushes the notion that all Jews are required to be loyal to Israel, and therefore cannot be trusted to participate in American civic life. 

“[The resolution] also vaguely intones that there is some nebulous false version of Jewish history that will now be banned from discussion, zero specifics provided. It makes the shocking and unprecedented demand that we fly the flag of a foreign state and pledge unwavering support for that foreign state no matter what it does,” said Lifschitz, who is an attorney. “That is not merely illiberal and authoritarian but most likely illegal and an invitation for litigation.”  

Andrea Grossman, who attended El Rodeo Elementary School and Beverly Hills High School and whose three children attended BHUSD schools, said “Thank God” her children are no longer in the district. Grossman objected to the use of a Jewish calendar at a public school, adding that the resolution appears to violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Grossman said she read the resolution with “concern and dismay.” 

“Spoiler alert: Beverly Hills is a public school district in a diverse city with more than one religion, with more than one ethnic group, like it or not,” said Grossman. “Beverly Hills schools are not private schools. They’re not synagogues. Your resolution would be appropriate in a Jewish day school, in a private school, not funded by taxpayer dollars … It is my firm belief that this resolution will ignite rather than encourage antisemitism.” 

Following the critical public comments, Board Member Sigalie Sabag defended the antisemitism resolution as “not a symbolic gesture” but a commitment to “educating about Jewish history accurately” and “standing publicly against the growing darkness of antisemitism.” 

Both Board Members Russell Stuart and Amanda Stern emphasized the importance of the resolution, but agreed that its language needs to be revised. 

“We have an antisemitic problem… I think this is a great step forward to recognize that,” said Stuart. “I think that there’s a few words in here that we could revisit to make sure we are following every single step that’s possible.” 

“I understand that there are some real concerns that this very well-intended resolution does pose for me,” said Stern, mentioning challenges to the Establishment Clause. “We care very much about ending hatred and cruelty. And to that, I want to say that this resolution is coming from that place.” 

In light of the concerns over the wording of the resolution, Board Member Judy Manouchehri will form a subcommittee with Board President Rachelle Marcus to revisit and revise it for further consideration.  

The post BHUSD Discusses Antisemitism Resolution appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The new program will be rolled out at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year at Horace Mann and El Rodeo Elementary Schools.  

The idea for what will be called the Dual Language Academy (DLA) was brought to the BHUSD Board by Board Member Sigalie Sabag in May. The board supported the idea, and administrators, including Assistant Superintendent, Education Services Dr. Dustin Seemann, worked quickly to bring the idea to fruition. 

“What began as a vision I had for implementing a foreign language opportunity for our youngest learners has now become a transformative program that will benefit generations of BHUSD students,” Sabag said in a statement to the Courier. 

Over the summer, district personnel vetted curriculum and recruited teachers while simultaneously enrolling students to ensure there was enough interest to justify onboarding those new educators. 

According to Seemann, many families were eager to sign up. 

“We didn’t want to hire if there wasn’t a lot of interest, and so in June, we opened up registration for the program,” he said. “We were able to then recruit enough students … in total, we have over 80 students that are enrolled in the Dual Language Academy through this 25-26 school year.” 

The program will launch with one kindergarten class and two first grade classes at El Rodeo, and one kindergarten class and one first-grade class at Horace Mann. 

Students enrolled in the program will be taught the same state-approved curriculum as those in English-only classes. Those in the DLA will receive 90% of their core subject instruction in Spanish and 10% in English. 

“They’re not on a separate track from their grade,” Seemann said. “All kids in kinder [and first] are still held to the same state standards.”

The goal, said Seemann, is to grow the program through high school, adding dual language teachers as the cohort progresses. By the time they graduate, he said, “They’re going to be nearly fluent, if not completely fluent.” 

To train teachers and administrators, BHUSD has partnered with TNTP, a nonprofit whose educational consultants help districts launch programs such as the DLA. 

BHUSD has also hired several educators with backgrounds in dual language programs. Adrienne Kim, a new assistant principal at Horace Mann, coordinated Mandarin and Spanish dual immersion programs in the Montebello Unified School District. 

“It’s been really exciting for all of us to grow,” said Seemann. “Every day, I continually am learning and seeing new things. And our team’s really strong.”

BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss said in a statement to the Courier that the DLA is emblematic of the district’s potential. 

“This moment represents the very best of BHUSD,” he said. “The Dual Language Academy is a shining example of what is possible when vision meets action. Thanks to the incredible work of our teachers, our Board of Education, and our district leadership, we are creating opportunities that will last a lifetime for our students.”

Members of the current Board of Education have repeatedly stated their desire for BHUSD schools to be recognized by the National Blue-Ribbon Schools Program, which identifies schools across the country that have achieved overall academic excellence. 

Sabag believes the DLA is a step toward that goal. 

“As we work toward the National Blue-Ribbon recognition, we’ve focused on the key elements that define exceptional schools; early language access is one of them,” she said in her statement. “The Dual Language Academy is not only aligned with that vision, it’s a powerful example of what we can accomplish when we lead with purpose and put students first.”

Seemann said the idea of a dual language immersion program had been discussed by the district in the past, but it never gained traction. He noted that the current moment lent itself to the creation of the program, as Cherniss has launched similar programming elsewhere, and board members were in support of the effort. 

“It was the perfect timing,” Seemann said. 

Parents who are interested in enrolling their children should contact the district. As of press time, spots are available in some classes; however others are full. 

The post BHUSD Launches Spanish Dual Language Academy in Elementary Schools appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“Our commitment to educational excellence begins long before the first day of school,” said Cherniss. “We use this time to come together as a leadership team to align our vision, sharpen our goals, and prepare to support every student, every day.”

The retreat included sessions on academic planning, instructional leadership, and operational readiness, ensuring that every school is set up for success this fall.

“Although school’s out, our leadership team is all in,” said Cherniss. “We are energized, united, and ready to make this year one of the best yet.” 

The post BHUSD Holds Leadership Retreat at Hawthorne Campus appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

As part of the settlement, UCLA will contribute a total of $2.33 million to eight organizations that combat antisemitism and support the UCLA Jewish community, including Hillel at UCLA, Jewish Federation Los Angeles – Campus Impact Network, and Chabad of UCLA; $320,000 to UCLA’s Initiative to Combat Antisemitism; $50,000 payments to each of the four plaintiffs; and $3.6 million for attorneys’ fees and costs. Additionally, UCLA agreed to a permanent court order to prohibit knowingly allowing or facilitating the exclusion of Jewish students from on-campus areas, programs, and activities. 

“We welcome the settlement reached today between the University of California and Jewish students at UCLA,” said Jewish Federation Los Angeles in a statement. “Accountability is a vital step to ensuring that the mistakes made by the university, leaving Jewish students vulnerable and endangered, should not happen again.”

Hillel at UCLA Executive Director Daniel Gold stated the settlement is “an important and meaningful step forward in addressing the very serious challenges that Jewish students have faced at UCLA.”

Similarly, in a joint statement, the affected parties stated they were “pleased with the terms of today’s settlement.” 

The agreement builds on several actions the University of California says it has taken to combat antisemitism on campus following the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, such as opposing divestment from Israel, reaffirming system policies against intolerance, and publishing a systemwide Anti-Discrimination Policy. 

“Today’s settlement reflects a critically important goal that we share with the plaintiffs: to foster a safe, secure and inclusive environment for all members of our community and ensure that there is no room for antisemitism anywhere on campus,” said University of California Board of Regents Chair Janet Reilly. 

Jordan Varberg, an attorney at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, the law firm that represented the plaintiffs, said he believes the agreement is “the largest private settlement in a campus antisemitism case since the uprise in antisemitism in 2023.” 

Last year, college students across the nation, including from UCLA, Columbia University, and Harvard University, constructed pro-Palestinian encampments in response to their respective university’s ties to Israel in its ongoing war in Gaza.

On June 3, 2024, Jewish students at UCLA filed a federal lawsuit, Frankel v. Regents of the University of California, against the university for “allowing the antisemitic encampments and facilitating antisemitism on campus,” according to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

In the weeklong demonstration that started on April 5, 2024, and continued until May 2, 2024, UCLA allowed for student activists to set up barricades and establish an encampment that blocked access to the central parts of campus, the suit states. The plaintiffs alleged that pro-Palestinian activists enforced a “Jew Exclusion Zone,” which segregated Zionist and/or Jewish students and faculty from going to classes and participating in routine campus life. 

“The University of California, Los Angeles, once considered among the most prestigious public institutions in the world, has deteriorated into a hotbed of antisemitism,” the lawsuit reads. 

The plaintiffs brought claims under the First Amendment’s Free Speech and Free Exercise Clause, and the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.  They alleged activists chanted antisemitic threats, creating a pervasive air of fear for Jewish students, and that the university was aware of the encampments yet did not act to remove them, thus discriminating against students based on their religion. 

UCLA denied liability and wrongdoing alleged in the action and agreed to pay the settlement to avoid further inconvenience, expense and litigation, but Reilly recognized where the University of California had “fallen short.”

In a separate action, on the same day UCLA announced the settlement, the U.S. Department of Justice alleged the university violated federal civil rights law, which could result in a loss of federal funding. 

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the DOJ has “found concerning evidence of systemic antisemitism at UCLA that demands severe accountability from the institution,” and that UCLA will be forced to pay a “heavy price” for putting Jewish Americans at risk, but has not specified what that price will be.

The settlement and findings by the DOJ represent a growing number of higher education institutions facing scrutiny, investigation and federal funding threats in response to on-campus tension surrounding Israel and Palestine.  

The post UCLA Agrees to $6.45 Million Settlement of Antisemitism Claims appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

During public comment, several individuals spoke about their concerns regarding a newly implemented Standards-Based Educational Instruction policy, which was passed unanimously at the board’s July 16 meeting. 

Board Member Amanda Stern excused herself shortly after the meeting began because she was not feeling well. Stern later sent a message to Board President Rachelle Marcus, which Marcus read aloud, indicating that “all tests indicate [Stern is] okay.”

The newly drafted BHUSD social media policy was first presented to the board at its April 15 meeting. BHUSD does not currently have a policy governing its official social media accounts. 

The draft presented on July 22 included oversight rules, prohibited content, staff expectations and more. 

Under the policy, prohibited content would include political endorsements or partisan messaging; the unapproved promotion of commercial products and/or services; confidential student information; graphic, violent or sensitive material; personal opinions or commentary; and explicit AI content or other misuse. 

Board members agreed that students’ social media accounts should not be tagged, which they defined as mentioning the student’s social media handle. 

However, the board agreed that naming students—not tagging them—was acceptable as long as their guardians signed the media release form. 

Colby Gilardian, BHUSD’s public information officer, noted that posts spotlighting student accomplishments often get a lot of traction.  

“The ones that do the most well are the ones where we highlight our students,” he said. “The college decision series was a big one, excellence in action, sports games recaps, stuff like that where it’s really student-centered.” 

The policy will come back before the board for another reading at a future meeting. 

In other business, the board agreed to continue the development and implementation of a new committee, called the BHUSD BRIDGE Committee (Building Relationships to Inspire Development & Growth for Everyone). 

The idea for the committee was brought by Board Member Russell Stuart and was first discussed at the board’s May 13 meeting. On July 22, Stuart said that some changes had been made to the proposal since their last discussion. 

Primarily, those changes involve narrowing the BRIDGE committee’s focus to collaboration between local businesses and students, in which students would be given the opportunity to intern at local businesses and those businesses in turn could potentially work in some capacity with BHUSD. 

“The BRIDGE concept that I brought several months ago [proposed] a very vast, large, all-encompassing community involvement … I wanted to kind of change it into an idea where it is really, truly focusing on finding opportunities for our students,” he said. 

“A lot more businesses are going to want to do business with us if we open up that door and let them know that we’re more positive to those kinds of opportunities,” Stuart added. 

Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss will discuss the proposal with BHUSD Assistant Superintendent, Education Services Dr. Dustin Seeman and the Chamber of Commerce. 

During public comment, three individuals spoke against a new policy related to Standards-Based Instructional Education. 

The policy, which was brought by Board Member Sigalie Sabag, imposes limits on how teachers handle controversial issues in the classroom and tightens expectations that they do not deviate from their curriculum. 

Among those who spoke was Judith Chan, the Vocal Music teacher at Horace Mann Elementary School. Chan has taught in the district for nearly 25 years. 

Upon bringing the policy for review by the board, Sabag cited an incident that took place in Chan’s class as an example of why the policy needed to be implemented. 

Without naming Chan, Sabag stated at the June 24 board meeting that a music teacher “wasn’t teaching music; she was only teaching about protesting. That’s all she was teaching.”

At the July 22 meeting, Chan said she was there to address Sabag’s “reference to me in particular, her false allegations against me.” 

According to Chan, the incident Sabag referenced occurred in 2022 around the time of Black History Month and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. Chan taught the song “We Shall Overcome,” which she said is “a standard,” and her class watched a short cartoon video about King. 

A student then asked what civil rights movements are. Chan said she asked the class for their responses. One student mentioned the story of Rosa Parks, and another mentioned the Black Lives Matter movement. They briefly discussed what civil rights are, Chan said, then “moved on to other music activities.” 

Chan said that following that routine incident, Sabag, who was not yet a member of the board, stated during the public comment period of a board meeting that Chan “took it upon herself to teach her kids about Black Lives Matter and racism during her whole class.” In a written complaint, according to Chan, Sabag wrote that Chan “put teaching music aside in order to indoctrinate the students with [Chan’s] beliefs.” 

Sabag refused to meet with Chan in person, Chan said, despite a human resources request that she do so. 

Chan said that the district investigated the incident and “found all the claims [Sabag] had against me were unsubstantiated.” 

“So, Mr. Stuart, when you asked her in the meeting what happened to the music teacher,” Chan said, “I was surprised that she did not volunteer to give you the information that I was cleared from any wrongdoing.” 

The policy went into effect on July 16 following the board’s vote.   

The post New Policies Shake Up BHUSD appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Our culture, obsessed with youth, often discounts the value and vibrancy of aging and this is a mistake. Science and technology continue to enhance not only our lifespan but also our “healthspan,” defined as the years of our lives free from chronic illness or disability that affect the quality of our lives. Now our “golden years” can extend beyond rest and relaxation and become some of our most treasured. 

In the 1950s, the average lifespan was approximately 65 years. Today, with an average life expectancy of around 80, we are gifted with the possibility of many additional “golden years.” With the average age of retirement at 66, many of us will have decades to explore other interests. This elongation invites us to view aging as an opportunity and a chance to reinvent ourselves and embrace the possibilities that come with more time, more freedom and often more money. David Bowie optimistically proclaimed, “Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you should have been.” 

Examples abound of people thriving in what I call “the last third,” ages 60 to 90. My Aunt Mikki loved to say, “My highest-earning years were my 80s.” Speed walker Stephanie Singer, at 78, just finished the women’s Nike half-marathon, and has completed 17 marathons since turning 60. Ira Glick, at 88, plays full-court basketball four times a week. When Eli Levy’s son asked him if he was going to slow down his full-time psychology practice now that he turned 80, Eli shot back, “No, the opposite, I need to speed up. I have so much to do.” And, just this week, actress Kathy Bates, 77, made Emmy history by becoming the oldest nominee in the category of actress in a lead drama. 

Advances in medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle choices can play a crucial role in how our later years are experienced. Recent research published in Nature (2024) reveals that those who engage in regular aerobic exercise and maintain a Mediterranean diet can extend the length of their cellular telomeres. These telomeres are the protective caps on chromosomes and are linked to aging. The length of our telomeres may actually be a better predictor of health and longevity than our birth date. 

The landscape of aging is being revolutionized by technological innovations. AI-enabled health monitoring devices now track vital signs, detect early risks, and help manage chronic conditions, predicting potential issues with remarkable accuracy. Digital tools like brain-training apps and virtual reality programs help maintain cognitive function, delaying decline and keeping our brains sharp. Social robots, such as ElliQ and PARO, provide companionship, reducing loneliness and enhancing emotional well-being. Meanwhile, breakthroughs in genomics enable personalized prevention plans based on individual genetic risks, opening new horizons for tailored healthcare.

With more time for self-care, studies show around 40% to 50% of those over 60 engage in regular physical activity. Roughly 20% to 25% do muscle-strengthening activities that have shown to be crucial to combat age-related decline. Rates of smoking, drinking and drug use all decrease as we get older, reducing health risks. 

Psychological and emotional growth often flourishes with age. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center study, 80% of Americans aged 65 and older report feeling more emotionally calm and confident than in their earlier years. Hormonal highs and fluctuations diminish in later years, often leading to more peace and tranquility. 

Many older adults report a renewed sense of purpose. A 2022 AARP survey noted that 75% of retirees felt more engaged and fulfilled as they embraced activities that had previously been sidelined. With years of experience, accepting change becomes easier. Letting go of control, forgiving others, and trusting in one’s judgment nurture a peaceful outlook. Greater mental flexibility lets us see solutions from multiple perspectives, and independent thinking empowers us to follow our passions without undue influence.

Older adults often report that people are kinder and more willing to help, a reflection of societal respect and the richness of matured relationships. This support system, combined with an improved ability to assess risks and prioritize self-care, creates a foundation for living joyfully and intentionally.

Lastly, spirituality increases and often becomes a vital coping mechanism as we grow older. We may move from the more materialistic phase of life when we are acquiring and building, to a more reflective time where we seek a deeper understanding of our lives and the role we play in the universe.  

Certainly challenges abound as we grow older and you may recall, Mae West famously quipped, “Aging isn’t for sissies.” Yet, as our wisdom and resources have multiplied, we can demonstrate equanimity and resilience that might have eluded us during our younger years in the face of increasing challenges. Having encountered loss and illness as we age can also deepen our appreciation for life.  

As we look forward to a future where longevity is paired with increased vitality, let us remember that every day is a gift offering us a chance to grow and live our fullest lives. If we strive to maintain our optimal health over the years, we can continue to enjoy our best years yet.  

“Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.” 

—Eleanor Roosevelt  

Beverly Hills Courier columnist Dr. Eva Ritvo is a psychiatrist with more than 30 years’ experience practicing in Miami Beach. She is the author of “Bekindr-The Transformative Power of Kindness” and the founder of the Bekindr Global Initiative, a movement to bring more kindness in the world. She is the co-author of “The Beauty Prescription” and “The Concise Guide to Marriage and Family Therapy.” She is also the co-founder of the Bold Beauty Project, a nonprofit that pairs women with disabilities with award-winning photographers creating art exhibitions to raise awareness. Dr. Ritvo received her undergraduate and medical degrees from UCLA, and psychiatry residency training at Weill Cornell Medicine.

The post Is the Best Yet to Come? Embracing Our “Golden Years” in the Age of Innovation appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“If you want to learn what it really takes to become a filmmaker, this is the class,” said Newman. “From story development to editing, set experience to post-production, students will have the chance to work on real projects, meet real professionals, and take their skills beyond the classroom.”

Newman has directed feature films including “Fanboys,” “Barely Lethal” and “1Up,” and has produced content for Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Hasbro Studios. He is also the co-author of multiple New York Times bestselling books and currently serves as executive producer on an upcoming “Dungeons & Dragons” documentary. His current projects will serve as entry points for BHUSD students to gain exposure, mentorship, and hands-on opportunities in the creative arts.

Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss described Newman’s hiring as “a game-changing moment” for the district.

“Kyle brings the highest level of expertise and credibility. He is here to help our students build real careers, not just classroom projects,” said Cherniss. “This is a perfect example of how BHUSD blends academic rigor with career readiness. We’re proud to support a program that sets students up for meaningful success.”

Newman is already developing a new slate of programming for BHUSD’s broadcast platforms, which will include both student-produced content and district features, soon to be available on streaming platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku.

“Students in this program won’t just be learning, they’ll be creating,” said Newman. “We’re building something real, together.” 

The post BHUSD Appoints Kyle Newman as Director of Broadcast Production Program appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The policy, which was introduced by Board Member Sigalie Sabag, imposes limits on how teachers handle controversial issues in the classroom and tightens expectations that they do not deviate from their curriculum. 

Board President Rachelle Marcus and Board Member Amanda Stern opposed the policy at the beginning of the discussion period. Stern said she could not approve a policy that includes, as the original draft did, language stating that “Staff members with firsthand knowledge of potential violations are encouraged to report concerns promptly.” 

Saying the language was a “nonstarter” for her, Stern had strong words about its implications. 

“Please, guys, we are better than that, and we need to evolve,” she said. “That is going backwards, and there’s just no way to sugarcoat that … we have seen from the letters we’ve gotten, from the educators we’ve heard from, that is actually insulting.”

Marcus, who attended the meeting virtually, said the district already has a policy addressing the handling of controversial topics in the classroom. That policy was reviewed two-and-a-half years ago, Marcus said, calling the newly proposed policy “unwarranted and dangerous.” 

“Mrs. Sabag wants to limit all instruction in the classroom to curriculum only, leaving no room for discussion on any and all discussable topics which might be controversial, or even more,” said Marcus. “We are tying the hands of our teachers by limiting them to what the curriculum mandates they teach and teach only … before we adopt this, we should take a step back and see if it is really necessary.”

During public comment, several BHUSD teachers spoke against the policy. Other educators were present in the audience wearing shirts bearing the name of the Beverly Hills Education Association, the union that represents teachers in the district. 

Hannah Croft, a seventh grade English teacher at Beverly Vista Middle School, echoed some of the concerns expressed by Marcus and Stern. 

“The language of this supposed standards-based instruction policy does not actually reflect standards-based instruction, which I know well,” Croft said. “Instead, this proposed change demands teachers limit their scope of instruction, and by extension, limit student skills and ability to learn. The meticulously chosen and intentionally vague language of this proposed instructional change does not have student success at its heart. Instead, this proposed change actively inhibits the learning, growth and success of every child in this district.”

Over the course of a two-and-a-half-hour discussion, the board reviewed the policy sentence by sentence. Among the changes made was the deletion of the language Stern flagged regarding staff reporting one another. 

The board also added language stating that, “Educators are encouraged to have meaningful dialogue among students to foster educational objectives.” 

The new policy will go into effect immediately. 

In other news, the board approved the hiring of a new principal at Beverly Hills High School. Loan Sriruksa previously served as the principal of Esperanza High School in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District and has also held multiple administrative roles in the Garden Grove Unified School District.  

At the July 16 meeting, Sriruksa expressed her enthusiasm to start her new position. 

“I’m fully committed to continuing the legacy of high expectations for all students, while also fostering an environment where every person feels cared for, seen and supported,” she said. “I believe every student deserves not just a premium education, but a school experience that nurtures their whole self … Our school’s motto, ‘Today Well Lived,’ is one I hold close. It reflects the kind of school community I hope to lead.”

In a statement, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss voiced his confidence in Sriruksa.

“Loan Sriruksa brings a focused, experienced, and results-oriented leadership style to BHHS,” he said. “Her track record reflects exactly what we expect in Beverly Hills; strategic thinking, high expectations, and a clear drive for academic excellence.”  

The post New Speech Limitations Imposed on BHUSD Teachers appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Tennis great Naomi Osaka captured global attention by temporarily stepping away from her competition to regain her mental health as her drive for perfection was taking too great a toll. “The Substance,” the story of a woman who uses a product promising physical perfection, only to suffer horrific consequences chasing unrealistic beauty ideals, was a 2025 Oscar-winning film. And Kris Jenner, a self-proclaimed “perfectionist,” is recovering from extensive plastic surgery which has once again transformed her appearance. 

Pursuing excellence and achievement can be healthy and meaningful when in the right doses and places. But when does it cross the line and become too much? Problems arise when the focus detracts from other aspects of one’s life, mistakes are intolerable, standards are unrealistically high, or there is an excessive dependence on approval, praise, or recognition from others. Some may get trapped in the cycle of curating the perfect image and obsessively seek “likes” on social media, hoping that external recognition will boost their self-esteem. When validation is received, it brings a temporary high, removing the feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt that may have been lurking and fueling the perfectionism. Athletes who haven’t gained their internal confidence may obsessively hunt the next win to validate their sense of themselves. 

Social comparison is rampant due to social media, especially among adolescents searching for identity and acceptance during this crucial developmental period. Adolescents are appropriately asking themselves, “Who am I?” and “Where do I belong?” They may compromise their authentic selves, instead displaying what they feel will make them popular and hiding qualities they perceive as flaws. It has been well documented that increased social media use correlates with higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower levels of self-esteem and empathy. 

According to clinical psychologist Dr. Stephanie Lechich, “Unhealthy perfectionism and an over-reliance on external validation are central features of a collective narcissism that has been growing in the context of extreme usage of social media. Developing an acceptance of mistakes and imperfections fosters more stable self-worth, greater emotional resilience, and better relationships.”

This obsession with flawlessness can also restrict creativity and risk-taking. It can foster avoidance and procrastination or perpetuate rigid and distorted beliefs or behaviors characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. In relationships, the effort to conceal imperfections blocks authentic connection. 

Thankfully, overcoming unhealthy perfectionism and achieving more stable self-worth is possible. With time and practice, we can build a healthy sense of ourselves that relies more on internal validation and frees us from these dangerous and misleading comparisons. 

Here are 10 steps to take:

1. Identify the problem: Recognizing that you are suffering from perfectionism is an important first step. What areas of your life is this trait showing up in? What is it blocking you from experiencing? Are you willing to take steps to try to overcome it?

2. Be compassionate with yourself: Perfectionism is an easy pothole to stumble into. Developing self-awareness, self-kindness and eventually self-love will assist you. 

3. Embrace imperfection: Welcome the idea that imperfection is human. Speak to yourself kindly, especially during setbacks when the urge might arise to chastise yourself. Love yourself for your strengths and weaknesses. We all have many. 

4. Set realistic goals: Instead of aiming for perfect outcomes, focus on achievable and meaningful objectives. Break large tasks into manageable steps and celebrate small victories along the way. This reduces feelings of being overwhelmed and helps build confidence.

5. Challenge distorted thoughts: Become aware of all-or-nothing thinking (“If it’s not perfect, it’s a failure”) and catastrophizing (“If I mess up once, everything is ruined”). When these thoughts arise, question their validity. Ask yourself if your standards are realistic or if you’re setting yourself up for unnecessary stress. Often, reframing these thoughts to recognize effort and growth can help foster a healthier mindset. Use techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and substitute negative self-talk with positive thinking: “I learned a lot from this experience which will give me an opportunity to do better in the future.” 

6. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity: Shift your perspective to see mistakes not as signs of inadequacy but as inevitable and valuable parts of growth. Remember, no one is perfect; every successful person has faced setbacks. When failure occurs, ask yourself, what lessons can be learned? And how you can use those experiences to improve? Strive to be your own best friend, not your harshest critic during challenging times. Talk to yourself like you would your best friend and offer comfort and guidance and forgo harsh criticism. Remember the words of the famous football coach Vince Lombardi, “It is not how many times you fall, it’s about how many times you get back up.”

7. Limit social comparison: Reduce exposure to social media platforms if you find it triggers your perfectionist urges. Focus instead on your personal journey. What are your unique strengths and accomplishments? What are the areas you can look forward to growing into?

8. Stay in the moment: Engage in mindfulness exercises to reduce anxiety. Meditation and deep breathing soothe our nervous system. Try to stay present and observe your thoughts without judgment. This practice can help you recognize perfectionistic tendencies as they arise so you can choose more compassionate internal responses.

9. Develop internal validation: Work on affirming your worth internally rather than relying on others’ approval both in times of challenge and success. Focus on how you feel about yourself and your efforts. As we develop our internal compass, we free ourselves from the need for external validation. 

10. Seek professional support: If perfectionism causes significant distress or interferes with daily life or your relationships, consider consulting a mental health professional. Therapy can help identify underlying beliefs and develop strategies to foster a more balanced outlook. In particular cases, medication may be indicated to help you overcome perfectionistic tendencies if they are significantly disturbing your life. 

I hope these tips help you embark on a journey to greater self-love and self-acceptance. This work will pay dividends. As I love to hear in my yoga class, “progress, not perfection.” Savor the journey, not the destination. 

The post Understanding and Overcoming Unhealthy Perfectionism appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Let’s take a look at this age-old problem that is on the rise. 

The term “narcissism” comes from Greek mythology, where a young, handsome man named Narcissus gazed into a pool of water and fell in love with his reflection. Unable to look away, he ultimately died staring at himself. Flash-forward to this social-media filled world we are in, and it’s no wonder so many people are struggling.  Gazing out has never been so easy. 

Since 1980, psychiatrists have used the term “Narcissistic Personality Disorder” (NPD) to describe a condition in which individuals experience a deep sense of emptiness inside, hoping to find fulfillment but never quite reaching it, much like Narcissus gazing at his reflection. While the cause remains unknown, a combination of factors including genetics and environment seems to be at play. 

NPD is estimated to affect between 1% to 6% of the population and is slightly more common in men. Research suggests narcissistic traits and possibly NPD may be more prevalent among those in positions of power, so encountering it more often in places like Beverly Hills isn’t surprising.

Social media has contributed to the rise of narcissistic tendencies. By constantly looking at curated images of seemingly perfect lives, many feel less than or inadequate. When such feelings occur frequently during important developmental phases like adolescence, they can hinder growth, leading to excessive anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. The constant social comparison can also lead to emotional numbing and an inability to develop empathy for others. 

As we discussed previously, seeking external validation is a normal part of development, but as you mature, the goal is to learn to rely more on internal validation as you build your values and moral compass.  Self-love and self-direction free us from excessive reliance on others’ opinions. Failure to do so can leave you trapped in the cycle of seeking excessive validation then feeling deflated when you don’t receive it.  

Identifying a narcissist can be challenging at first because they can be very seductive.  They are used to drawing people in. External validation is like oxygen to them. It is best to learn the telltale signs and protect yourself, as engaging with narcissists can be painful. If you are fueling their self-esteem, they may be reluctant to let you go. As you read these traits, don’t worry if you recognize a bit of yourself in some of them. NPD only occurs when there is a maladaptive and pervasive pattern of these behaviors, and they interfere with your ability to function in a healthy manner.     

Here are some red flags: 

1. A Charming Start 

Narcissists often have a magnetic charm. They know how to flatter, compliment, and make you feel special. They may be the “life of the party,” but behind closed doors another version emerges. We have heard of “love bombing,” when a date showers you with compliments or gifts early on. Remember the adage, “When something feels too good to be true, it probably is.”  

2. Excessive Self-Promotion

Narcissists tend to focus heavily on themselves, constantly seeking to prove their worth, share their achievements, or display their knowledge. While sharing successes is natural, narcissists often go overboard, making everything about themselves. For example, they might interrupt a conversation about your promotion to highlight their career accomplishments. Name-dropping is another way narcissists may try to show off their importance.  

3. Self-Referential Thinking

Those with NPD lack empathy for others, as they are wrapped up in their own feelings.  They struggle to listen or care about your experiences, often redirecting conversations back to themselves. You might notice them changing the subject when you discuss personal problems or showing little interest in your achievements. For example, you might enjoy sharing your joy from a trip, only to have them talk about their own travels.

4. Entitlement

Narcissists display an overinflated sense of entitlement. They expect special treatment, whether it’s prioritizing their needs, getting the best seat, or expecting others to handle their tasks. When they don’t receive it, their self-esteem may suffer, and they often lash out. 

5. Reacting Explosively 

Narcissists may react disproportionately to feedback, criticism or challenges. Their fragile sense of themselves can easily get deflated. This leads them to defensiveness, anger, or dismissiveness, usually directed toward the person who triggered their uncomfortable feelings. This might manifest as an outburst or the silent treatment. 

Protecting Your Emotional Well-Being

If you find yourself dealing with someone exhibiting narcissistic traits, consider these steps:

1. Don’t Take It Personally

Remember that a narcissist’s behavior stems from their deep-seated insecurities. Their reactions are more about their internal struggles than about you.

2. Communicate Calmly and Clearly

When engaging, use calm, assertive “I” statements. Avoid blame or criticism, which can trigger defensiveness. Instead, express your feelings honestly and respectfully. For example, “I am sorry you are disappointed in the hotel room. Let me see if I can do anything to improve the situation.”

3. Set Firm Boundaries

Clearly define your limits and enforce them calmly but assertively. If they try to overstep, politely but firmly state your boundaries, like, “I’m not comfortable doing that, but I can help with this instead.” Consistency is key here.

4. Evaluate the Relationship

Maintaining a relationship with a narcissist in personal or professional contexts can be exhausting. It’s vital to assess whether the dynamic is healthy by checking in with your own feelings. If a relationship is depleting you or makes you feel uncomfortable, consider ways you can improve it or step back. You are responsible for your emotional health and are entitled to make adjustments to protect your well-being and happiness.  

5. Seek Support

Many books and podcasts deal with these issues as narcissism is on the rise.  Don’t hesitate to talk to a mentor or therapist. Professional guidance can help you develop strategies to cope with or leave a challenging situation.  

Recognizing narcissistic tendencies early allows you to take proactive steps to protect your well-being. Understanding the difference between occasional narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder empowers you to navigate interactions more effectively. Remember, your emotional health and self-respect are worth safeguarding, and you deserve relationships grounded in respect, understanding, and balance.

“The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others. Protect your boundaries and remember, you deserve relationships that respect and uplift you.” 

—Dr. Brené Brown  

Beverly Hills Courier columnist Dr. Eva Ritvo is a psychiatrist with more than 30 years’  experience practicing in Miami Beach. She is the author of “Bekindr-The Transformative Power of Kindness” and the founder of the Bekindr Global Initiative, a movement to bring more kindness in the world. She is the co-author of “The Beauty Prescription” and “The Concise Guide to Marriage and Family Therapy.” She is also the co-founder of the Bold Beauty Project, a nonprofit that pairs women with disabilities with award-winning photographers creating art exhibitions to raise awareness. Dr. Ritvo received her undergraduate and medical degrees from UCLA, and psychiatry residency training at Weill Cornell Medicine.

The post Are You Dealing with a Narcissist? What You Need to Know appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Garner Holt Productions is known for creating the lifelike animatronic figures featured in iconic attractions like Disneyland, including classics like Pirates of the Caribbean and the Hall of Presidents. Their Education Through Imagination initiative offers makerspace consultation, design, installation, and training grounded in real-world applications of engineering, design, coding, and storytelling.

The visit was an opportunity for BHUSD leadership to explore how programs like Garner Holt can inform and inspire future learning environments.

“We were inspired by how technology and storytelling come together to spark curiosity and creativity,” said BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss. “This experience deepened our understanding of how BHUSD might thoughtfully design future academic programs that integrate immersive, high-impact learning aligned with our commitment to Educational Excellence.” 

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The proposal was brought forth by Board Member Sigalie Sabag. 

Sabag sought to make clear, she said, that teachers are not to introduce controversial issues that do not pertain to the subject they are teaching. 

“This is a policy that we don’t have that needs to be implemented,” said Sabag, adding, “If you have a curriculum like, let’s say health, and you are teaching regarding gender or teaching any which way, this policy tells you how to go about it responsibly.”

The draft policy brought forward by Sabag defined controversial issues as including topics such as religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and geopolitical conflicts.

It identified courses such as history, civics, government, geography and economics as classes that may warrant the discussion of such issues. 

The proposed policy further identified mathematics, English, science, physical education, world languages, the arts and technical electives as courses in which “teachers must refrain from introducing political, ideological, or personal commentary unrelated to approved instructional goals.”

Under the proposal, other staff members would be encouraged to report violations of the policy. 

In elaborating on her point, Sabag described an incident in which a BHUSD music teacher showed a film about protesting. 

“In this circumstance … she wasn’t teaching music; she was only teaching about protesting,” Sabag said. “That’s all she was teaching. She is not teaching according to her class. You teach according to your curriculum and class.” 

During public comment, Katherine Warren, the president of the Beverly Hills Education Association (BHEA), the union that represents the city’s public school teachers, requested that the item be tabled. Warren said the collective bargaining agreement already has guidelines for teaching controversial issues, and that document takes precedence over board policies. 

“If the board wishes to revise or clarify language related to controversial issues, the appropriate venue for that discussion is the bargaining table,” she said. “BHEA requests that the agenda item … be tabled and brought to the bargaining team for any changes in language.”

Board Member Amanda Stern spoke at length against the proposed changes. Expressing a conviction that teachers should be able to instruct students in critical thinking, analytical thinking and how to compose an argument, Stern said educators need the freedom to “think out loud and show their reasoning.” 

“We don’t want robots for teachers,” she said. “We want people that we trust … if we want a machine to just give feedback and a binary response, we can move in that direction. Sadly, I feel that the schools in 30 years may well be that way because of the environment and regulations such as these.”

Agreeing with Sabag that violations “must be disciplined and enforced,” Stern went on to note that “I stop short of trying to censor some of the activity that makes classrooms stimulating and fun and speaks to these very standards.”

Stern added that the policy proposed by Sabag seems to contradict itself with respect to its purported disdain for bringing partisan politics into the school setting. 

“When I look at this new policy … it’s talking about not introducing [issues] along partisan lines, but it seems to me that this policy itself, I want to say it’s a playbook from some ideology that is partisan based,” she said. 

Stern and Sabag agreed to collaborate on the policy before further board discussion.

In other district news, Career Technical Education instructor and Media Director Romeo Carey has announced his retirement. 

In a message sent to the KBEV community, district representatives lauded Carey’s achievements during his more than two decades of teaching at BHUSD. 

“Romeo Carey’s dedication to student learning, media excellence, and public service has left a mark that will be felt for generations,” said BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss. “We thank him for his unparalleled contributions and wish him the very best in his next chapter.”

Carey was at the center of a controversy beginning in December 2024, when he was placed on paid administrative leave for reasons that were not disclosed to the community. Stakeholders, including students, parents and former students, expressed their outrage for months during public comment at board meetings. 

Carey was reinstated in March. 

In the same statement released by the district, Carey reiterated his mission and his hope for the future. 

“My duty as a mentor was to instill the idea that the pillar of a free and open society is a free press that acts as a watchdog, holding those in power accountable and informing the community about public affairs,” he said. “To my students who boldly took on their duty as broadcast journalists by holding truth to power, I will forever be indebted to their tenacity and courage.” 

The post BHUSD Board Discusses New Restrictions on Teaching ‘Controversial Topics’ appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Spearheaded by the BHUSD Communications Department, this partnership follows a successful district-led effort earlier this month to remove an anonymous Instagram account that was posting harmful content targeting BHHS students. The swift removal was made possible through direct collaboration between BHUSD and Instagram, setting a precedent for how our district can proactively safeguard student well-being in digital spaces.

As part of the program, all official BHUSD Instagram accounts now feature the official School Partner verification badge, distinguishing BHUSD as an early participant in this important national effort.

“With a platform as large as Instagram, this partnership equips BHUSD with real-time tools to help protect our students online,” said Dr. Alex Cherniss, Superintendent of Schools. “We are proud to be part of this initiative prioritizing student safety in digital spaces.”

Participating schools receive priority reporting access, real-time response updates, and direct platform support. Instagram also provides BHUSD with educational resources for students, families, and staff to promote safe and responsible social media use.

The Instagram School Partnership Program was developed in collaboration with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) to give educators more direct control in combating bullying and harmful online content. The program is currently open via waitlist to middle and high schools nationwide. BHUSD’s early inclusion reflects our proactive approach to communications and our commitment to creating a safe educational environment, both online and off. 

The post BHUSD Joins Instagram’s New School Partnership Program appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Our sympathetic nervous system—often called our “fight or flight” response—is deeply ingrained in our brains. It’s fast, automatic, and vital for survival. Our prehistoric ancestors, who were best at spotting danger, passed these traits to us through evolution. Today, we can’t help but scan our environment for threats, even when they are distant or unlikely. 

The media recognizes this innate human tendency. In the 1950s, outlets like the National Enquirer began exploiting it by showing graphic images that grabbed our attention. This strategy has since become standard across the industry. As the saying goes, “If it bleeds, it leads.”

When we watch horrifying acts or disasters, our bodies secrete cortisol, the stress hormone. Cortisol heightens focus, making it difficult to look away.  In moments of real danger, hyperfocus is essential, motivating us to take action. The mind and body prepare for battle, a way of life for our ancestors. The primitive part of our brain kicks in and we have an overwhelming urge to “fight, flight or freeze.” But when there’s no immediate threat, this urge is counterproductive, and the release of cortisol serves us poorly.  

Our ancestors didn’t need to worry about distant threats. Instead, they stayed alert to immediate dangers and recovered during quiet moments in nature. Today, with our interconnected world and 24-hour news cycle, bad news is constantly at our fingertips. 

This creates a vicious cycle: the more negativity we consume, the more our stress levels rise, leading us to seek out even more alarming stories. It’s a self-perpetuating pattern that fuels both the news industry and our mental health crises.

Understanding why we are attracted to negative news is the first step toward regaining balance. We must recognize our natural negativity bias—our tendency to focus more on threats. Once an adaptive trait to keep us safe, it is now often maladaptive, overestimating dangers and preventing us from feeling safe, enjoying the present and engaging our frontal lobe to truly solve the complex problems we are facing. The constant flood of distressing news and subsequent cortisol release keeps us in a state of hypervigilance, impairing our ability to relax, think clearly and work toward solutions.

Our personal habits and social environment worsen the problem. Smartphones, social media, and never-ending news feeds make it nearly impossible to escape negativity. We often scroll through snippets of alarming stories during moments meant for rest or connection—commutes, before bed, or mealtimes. Without realizing it, we condition ourselves to seek out negativity, perhaps even craving that adrenaline rush or distraction from our own struggles.

To protect ourselves, we must cultivate conscious media habits:

Limit exposure: Set specific times for checking news rather than scrolling mindlessly.

Choose sources wisely: Focus on outlets that report with integrity and provide context, not just sensationalism. Reading news is less jarring to the nervous system than watching it.  

Redefine what it means to stay informed: You don’t need to consume every detail of distressing events. Instead, focus on topics that matter most to you. Learn about issues, and then take proactive steps such as volunteering, donating, or advocating for solutions. Our nervous system is designed for action; engaging in meaningful efforts can foster a sense of empowerment rather than helplessness and despair.

Focus on the present moment: Ask yourself, “Am I safe right now?” In Beverly Hills, the answer will most likely be yes.  If you are safe, then you must bring your nervous system into proper alignment by shifting out of the state of hyperarousal.  Turn off the news.  Enjoy your life. Rather than making you callous, this strategy helps you to think clearly so you can solve problems and give to others who are more in need. 

Be aware of your emotional responses: Notice how certain stories make you feel—anxious, angry, overwhelmed—and acknowledge these feelings without judgment and limit exposure accordingly.  It is your job to protect yourself. 

Activate your parasympathetic nervous system—nicknamed the “rest and digest,” or “tend and befriend.” Our nervous systems are designed to be in balance.  This side counteracts the stress response by stimulating positive chemicals. Practice techniques like deep breathing, meditation, connecting with loved ones and mindful eating to foster this relaxation response.

Consume positive media: Stories of kindness, progress, and resilience happen every day. It just won’t save your life to read about, so you may find you aren’t as compelled to read them.  Yet viewing, liking and sharing these stories can help restore your faith in humanity and remind you of all the positivity in the world. 

Seek professional help: If you feel overwhelmed by media coverage and its effects, reach out. Mental health professionals can help develop tailored strategies for managing anxiety, building resilience, and establishing healthy boundaries around news consumption.

By actively choosing how we engage with the world’s news, we will be better equipped to solve the complex problems we are facing. “Fight, flight or freeze” won’t fix them except in the rare moments of extreme danger. I urge all of us to move away from our innate, simplistic, primitive responses.  When we activate the opposite side of our nervous system, we can engage our modern, sophisticated brainpower located in our frontal lobe.  The world is incredibly complex, and we need to come together thoughtfully to solve the problems we are facing.  

Case in point, I planned to address the issue of loving ourselves discussed last week, but felt it best to address the stress caused by the overwhelming amount of bad news. We must detoxify ourselves this week from the pernicious effects of too much cortisol. When we can reclaim our sense of safety and security, we can continue to explore more complex psychological themes.  

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” 

-William James

Psychologist, Philosopher, Educator  

The post Why We Can’t Look Away: Understanding Our Attraction to Negative News and How to Regain Control appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The presentation by CBOC member Jasmine Yadgari and CBOC Vice Chair Marc Carrel at the board’s June 10 meeting covered actions taken in fiscal year 2023-24 with regard to Measure E, a $334 million bond initiative passed in 2008, and Measure BH, a $385 million bond initiative passed in 2018. 

The report also summarized the findings of an annual financial audit prepared by Christy White, Inc., and an annual performance audit prepared by Moss Adams, LLP. 

“Overall, the CBOC is very pleased,” said Yadgari. 

The management of the two bond measures was rocky for multiple years. Both were drafted to improve BHUSD facilities, including seismic retrofits, modernization and increased security. In 2017, Team Concept Development Services (TCDS), owned by Don Blake, was brought on to manage the bonds. 

Five years later, however, bond manager Fonder-Salari was hired to replace TCDS after the board and community members lost confidence in TCDS. TCDS had reported a budgetary shortfall estimated to be between $89 and $129 million, and stakeholders expressed concerns about a lack of transparency in the company’s operations. 

In their report to the board on June 10, the CBOC wrote that the new bond management team has made “monumental improvements in transparency, cost savings, and billing controls.” 

The committee noted that the budgetary shortfall has been reduced to approximately $7 million, and that BHUSD and Fonder-Salari have refined reports providing CBOC with line-by-line expenditures. 

“The improvements that have been made by Fonder-Salari in terms of the transparency, what they’ve been doing, how they’re handling things, the cost savings [have been] a dramatic improvement from the former manager,” Carrel told the Courier after the board meeting. “This report from the CBOC highlights that there’s very few issues since Fonder-Salari has taken over.” 

The committee requested that the financial and performance audits be made public. The board agreed; however it is not clear when or how that action will be taken. 

In other business, the board voted 4-1 to amend regulations that govern parental rights and responsibilities in the district.

The amendment will add language stating that administrative personnel should only be present in non-disciplinary parent-teacher meetings under “exceptional circumstances.” 

Board President Rachelle Marcus was the sole no vote. 

The idea for the amendment was first put forth by Board Member Sigalie Sabag in the board’s May 27 meeting. On June 10, Sabag reiterated her belief that parents should be allowed to form a relationship with their child’s teacher independent of an administrative presence. 

“The parent has a right to meet the [teacher] in the classroom like it’s always been for many years,” she said, later adding, “It’s not anything contentious, it’s not anything hostile.”

Sabag did not cite a specific incident that prompted her request for the change. 

The amendment was met with questions and some concern by Katherine Warren, the president of the Beverly Hills Education Association (BHEA)—the union that represents public school teachers in Beverly Hills—and Marcus. 

During public comment, Warren expressed the apprehension felt by some instructional staff. 

“Who has requested this change in policy?” Warren said. “Teachers? Administrators? Where did this come from? … If an administrator is not present, what recourse does a teacher have if a meeting becomes contentious?”

Marcus said that as a former teacher, the language struck her as restrictive and unfriendly. 

“I feel that the tone of this is very unwelcoming,” she said. “As a teacher … when I’m meeting a parent for the first time, if I want an administrator there, I should be allowed to do that … I find it almost offensive.” 

Much of their concern centered on a sentence in the proposed amendment which originally stated, “No administrative personnel shall be present unless warranted by exceptional circumstances.”

Following a discussion, the board agreed to change the sentence to read, “Administrative personnel shall be present only when warranted by exceptional circumstances.”  

The post BHUSD Hears Positive Report on School Construction Bonds appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“These are the right people at the right time,” said Board of Education President Rachelle Marcus. “Steve and Devon bring the experience, vision, and dedication needed to take our athletics program to the next level.”

As part of their roles, Lawson and Saxon will support oversight of the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between BHUSD and the city of Beverly Hills. The JPA governs the shared use, maintenance, and scheduling of city and district facilities, a critical partnership that enhances access, safety, and programming for students and the broader community. Having athletic leaders in these positions ensures strong alignment between school needs and city resources.

An Army veteran, Lawson brings decades of high-level experience in coaching, program development, and athletic administration. He is a U.S. Open Champion, Pan American Games Bronze Medalist, and Olympic Festival Silver Medalist, and has served as Head Wrestling Coach at El Dorado High School for more than 27 years. During his tenure, he led teams to multiple league and CIF titles and coached 18 individual CIF champions, including a California State Champion.

Lawson is also the founder and director of SCWAY (State of California Wrestling Alliance for Youth), one of the state’s most impactful youth athletics organizations. SCWAY currently serves over 2,800 athletes and 75 clubs, and under Lawson’s leadership, has become a model for youth development, athletic safety, and coach training. Known for his disciplined yet student-centered approach, Lawson combines military precision with a deep belief in the character-building power of sports.

Saxon is a decorated cheer coach and educator who will work alongside Lawson. Saxon has led Birmingham Community Charter High School’s cheer program to six CIF-LA City Division I titles, two CIF State Runner-Up finishes, and consistent national recognition. Named the 2024 California Coaches Association Cheerleading Coach of the Year, Saxon is also a CIF-LA Cheerleading Co-Coordinator, overseeing logistics and competition planning for more than 80 school teams.

The Courier’s June 20 issue will include detailed reporting on the additional issues discussed/voted on during the June 10 meeting, including security costs related to construction, and a ban on administrator attendance at parent-teacher conferences.   

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“External validation” in psychology refers to the process of seeking approval, affirmation or recognition from others—to confirm one’s self-worth, feelings or beliefs. These external affirmations can boost our self-esteem and make us feel connected and accepted. Have you noticed that even ChatGPT has been trained to externally validate us? 

“Internal validation” is the flip side of the coin. It’s the ability to see our own worth without needing others to tell us. It’s the feeling you get when you finish an article and say inside. “I like it. This is the one.” Developing internal validation is a lifelong process. It is like cultivating a deep, unwavering love for ourselves—rooted in self-awareness, self-compassion and self-trust. 

Throughout life and on most days, we toggle between our innate need and desire for external validation and our developing ability to internally validate. 

Children learn by seeking approval which works well when life is simple. As babies and young children, caregivers are your whole world. Your feeling of hunger is remedied when you are fed. You feel cranky, and someone puts you to bed. As you grow, their approval, smiles, and their hugs help you learn how to navigate your feelings and the world around you. When a parent says, “I’m proud of you,” it’s more than just praise—it’s a building block for your sense of identity. A child who hears “Good job!” after drawing a picture or tying their shoes experiences a burst of pride which motivates them to keep going. Children who receive consistent external validation learn to feel safe and confident and their development soars.

School-age children learn thorough external validation from a widening group of parental figures who serve as teachers, coaches and tutors. They will receive feedback in comments such as: “Yes, 2+2=4. Great job on the spelling test. Thank you for taking turns in class. Boy, you ran fast on the soccer field today.” These forms of external validation guide and motivate them.  Kids given positive feedback will develop a healthy sense of themselves. 

As we grow into teenagers, the landscape shifts. Rather than seeking the validation of parents and parental figures, teens may “rebel” against these values as a way to separate and create their own identity.  My father, a wise child psychiatrist, said, “parents are like the dock, and teens shove against them to gain momentum to move into their own lives.”  

Adolescents start experimenting with different identities, trying on different “selves” to see what fits. They seek the opinions of friends and peers as the main source of external validation. Their sense of worth often depends on whether they’re part of the group, get enough likes or feel accepted by their peers. Think about how much time teenagers spend checking their social media accounts—seeking likes, comments and validation from followers. It can feel crushing to a teenager to be disliked by someone or have a friendship or dating relationship end.   

Teenagers are also developing their ability to internally validate and soothe themselves rather than coming to parents/adults for comfort. They are gaining an internal awareness of who they are and what matters to them.   

This time of life can be confusing, balancing the desire for external recognition from peers with the need to develop inner confidence. The key is that adolescence is a transitional period, a time when both types of validation are influential.  

As we move into adulthood, life becomes more about finding your own values and working to create a life that is right for you. Issues become complex and often there is no “right or wrong” answer. Where to live, what career path to pursue, to have children or not? These are questions that only you can answer and your internal feeling must become your guide.

Gradually, we learn to acknowledge and accept our own feelings. “That feels right to me and that doesn’t feel right to me” can become your guiding light. You develop your own internal compass. Learning to love your choices, celebrating your strengths, valuing mistakes as opportunities for growth and trusting your own judgment are signs of maturity. By consciously affirming your value, recognizing your achievements, and practicing self-compassion, you gradually shift from seeking approval outwardly to embracing yourself. Some call this “self -confidence or self-esteem.” Or, for music lovers, think of Frank Sinatra’s classic hit “I did it my way.”

Internal validation isn’t about ignoring others or denying the importance of social connections. Instead, it’s about fostering a healthy sense of yourself: appreciating recognition when it comes, but not relying on it to know who we are or to feel good about ourselves. If we fail to develop a healthy sense of ourselves, we end up with excessive narcissism, continually seeking external validation and in extreme cases, with narcissistic personality disorder.  More on that next week.  

Here are some practical ways to nurture internal validation:

– Practice mindfulness and self-awareness: Take time to notice your thoughts and feelings without self-judgment. When you catch yourself seeking approval excessively, gently remind yourself that your worth isn’t dictated by others. You already matter!

– Celebrate your strengths: Cultivate an internal sense of pride when things go well. Enjoy small victories and don’t postpone joy waiting for the big win. Recognize yourself in a meaningful way and don’t rely on others to acknowledge your success. 

– Engage in self-compassion when “mistakes” or less than optimal outcomes occur: They are a valuable part of life and are inevitable. Speak to yourself as you would to a good friend. Forgive yourself. With time these incidents can become gifts and teach us valuable lessons.  

– Keep a gratitude or affirmation journal: Write down things you love about yourself or moments when you felt proud of your actions.

– Set personal goals: Focus on what matters to you, not what others expect or value. Make them attainable. Review and update monthly. 

-Be realistic: If you constantly find yourself falling short, reassess the bar you have set for yourself.  We live in a hyper-driven society. Forget “keeping up with the Joneses.” Chart your own course. 

-Be patient: Developing self-confidence is a lifelong journey with bumps along the way. “Progress, not perfection “is an empowering mantra. 

– Limit social media use: Take breaks or set boundaries to prevent comparing yourself to the carefully curated and oftentimes unrealistic images. 

– Seek real connections: Focus on authentic relationships based on mutual understanding and support, rather than superficial approval.

Over time and with practice, we can move away from our younger tendency to seek external validation and nurture our growing internal wisdom. While external validation will always play a role and give us brief moments of happiness, lasting fulfillment comes from loving yourself within. 

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” 

– Ralph Waldo Emerson 

The post From Looking Outside to Loving Within: How Our Need for Validation Evolves Through Life appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Last year, 52% of American newlyweds used an engagement ring with a lab-grown stone compared to just 12% in 2019, according to an annual survey by The Knot. 

This boom in popularity has hit the natural diamond market hard.

The price of mined stones has dropped around 26% since 2022, according to jewelry data analytics firm Tenoris. In 2024, De Beers, the biggest name in the natural diamond business, reported a 23% year-over-year decrease in revenue driven by a loss in demand for mined stones.  

This disruption is even being felt in the luxury shopping destination of Beverly Hills, where many retailers are now opting to sell both natural and mined stones. 

But while the future for the overall industry is uncertain, high-end local jewelers remain confident that Beverly Hills will continue to flourish as a mecca for natural stones.

“Just look at all the global brand jewelry houses building new salons in Beverly Hills,” said Beverly Hills jewelry designer Martin Katz. “That certainly confirms in my mind that there is an international confidence in the Beverly Hills market for genuine diamond jewelry.”

This confidence is founded in the fact that there will always be a customer base that appreciates the value of natural stones and will therefore be drawn to the concentration of top-tier jewelers in the city that specialize in rare and antique stones. 

“Although they [lab-grown diamonds] may look the same to the naked eye, they are not the same,” said Katz. “Natural diamonds are formed over billions of years deep within the Earth under extreme heat and pressure, making them rare and unique treasures from Mother Earth that appreciate over time.”

Or, as renowned local jeweler Jack Weir puts it simply, “Natural diamonds have charisma; lab-grown diamonds do not.”

Manufactured diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical to natural diamonds, but instead of being created inside the Earth over the course of 1 to 3 billion years, they’re created inside labs in a matter of weeks. 

Akshie Jhaveri, founder of lab-grown diamond seller Grown Brilliance, vividly recalls the moment she understood the possibilities of lab stones. In 2020, her husband presented her with a group of natural diamonds and a group of mined diamonds and asked her to determine which was which. 

“He had two parcels of diamonds, and I really couldn’t tell the difference,” she said. “I thought, this is amazing, this is crazy, and this is an opportunity we need to launch on before it gets too common.”

She founded Grown Brilliance later that year, at a time when there were only two other major players in the market. Fast-forward five years and lab-grown diamond businesses are “a dime a dozen,” she said.

One of the first three storefronts she opened was just across the border from Beverly Hills on Melrose Place. In addition to engagement rings, the store does a fantastic business in statement jewelry pieces perfect for flaunting at a red-carpet event, she said.

“The high jewelry collections that we carry are all made in the exact same way that you would make a natural diamond piece. It’s all handset, hand-polished with very high-quality solid gold, and our customers love it,” she said. “No one can tell the difference, so why would you go and invest in something that you will only wear maybe two or three times a year?”

In addition to spotting a key market opportunity, Jhaveri also said she became passionate about selling exclusively lab-grown diamonds because of the ethical and environmental benefits.

Unlike traditional diamond mining, which can involve destructive land excavation and high carbon emissions, lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled environments with a smaller ecological footprint. Additionally, purchasing lab-grown diamonds helps avoid the concerns associated with “blood diamonds”—gemstones mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflict.

Grown Brilliance’s rate of growth has exceeded Jhaveri’s expectations. She now has 14 stores in eight states, with more locations on the way.

Improved lab technology and increased production have pushed down the cost of lab-grown stones, which has only served to further increase demand for synthetic jewelry.

In 2018, lab-grown diamonds were sold at an approximate 20% discount to their natural counterparts. Now they are sold at an 80% to 90% cheaper price compared to mined stones, and some experts predict their price will continue to drop even further. 

Among them is William Logian, co-founder of RobinHood Diamonds, who sells some of the cheapest manufactured stones on the market by electing to decrease the markup passed on to customers. The prices of diamonds on his website start at just $119 for a 0.5-carat pear shaped stone. 

After working in the jewelry industry for three decades, including at top-tier companies like Tiffany & Co., Logian said the idea for RobinHood Diamonds was born from a desire to give back after surviving a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. 

“I kind of was in a moral distress of having three kids and being faced with such harsh life realities,” he said. “Then I came up with this wonderful idea of RobinHood Diamonds, where we are going to concentrate on making luxury accessible for all, and we are going to work diligently and very hard to encourage everyone in the industry to stop overcharging for the lab-grown diamonds.”

Logian predicts that lab-grown diamonds are only going to continue to drop in price and take over more of the jewelry market. 

But what happens to the meaning of a diamond—a traditional symbol of luxury and elite social status—when it becomes accessible to everyone? High-end consumer demand shifts toward types of stones that hold on to their exclusive and irreplaceable nature.

“Obviously, the lab-grown diamond market is growing right now,” said Sasha Tarasova, head of sales for Jack Weir & Sons. “We have experienced impacts, primarily in shifting consumer demand towards colored gemstone rings as well as antique pieces and designer jewelry.” 

Jack Weir started his first diamond business in 1981 after he was inspired by the gorgeous diamonds he saw on a trip to Brazil. His son Wyler joined the firm in 2011, and the following year they renamed the brand Jack Weir & Sons. 

The Weirs consider themselves treasure hunters, traveling the world to secure the most beautiful and interesting stones to bring back to their Beverly Hills store. Because of the rare nature of their vintage jewels, the company does not suffer from increased demand for lab-grown diamonds.

“The people that we work with appreciate natural diamonds and specifically antique one-of-a-kind natural diamonds,” said Tarasova. “The old stones that we specialize in carry historical significance and emotional value. We consider them heirlooms, symbols of legacy as well as timeless investments.”

Some of the jewelry they offer is exceptionally rare. For example, they are currently selling a magnificent 1930s Art Deco, hand-cut Tiffany & Co. engagement ring. It’s a 5.03-carat emerald-cut diamond of G color with sparkling diamond accents, hallmarked with a signature and purity marks.

“It’s listed on our website for $188,000, but it’s a truly museum-worthy piece,” said Tarasova.

Acclaimed Beverly Hills jeweler Martin Katz is not concerned about the impact of lab-grown diamonds on his atelier for many of the same reasons, because his clientele appreciates the history and enduring value of natural diamonds.

“No two natural diamonds are alike, each one carrying its own history and story,” he said. “Much like the art market, an original work is far more valuable and collectible than a reproduction—even if an untrained eye cannot tell the difference between the two pieces.”

Katz has been in business in Beverly Hills for over 30 years and recently relocated to a penthouse salon in the Fred Hayman building, which allows him to spend more time designing jewelry and providing private one-on-one personalized service to his clients.

While Katz’s business is largely untouched by lab-grown diamonds, he anticipates they will continue to have a huge impact on the broader jewelry industry going forward.

“Some retailers will open just to cater to that [lab-grown] market as the profit margin percentages are massive compared to the margin on natural margins,” he said. “The mass market may be attracted to it, but the unlimited production of lab-grown stones keeps driving prices lower, so much so that the fashion industry will likely start using them in place of crystals.”

Tarasova also said she anticipates seeing more retailers enter the lab-grown business, while the natural industry will become more concentrated among the highest-end designers. And when it comes to the engagement ring industry, she does expect to see a continued growth in demand for colored stones and antique rings.

“People try to choose engagement rings that reflect their personality,” she said. “I’m sure a lot of people don’t want to be associated with something affordable and easily accessible.”

As the natural diamond industry adapts and contracts, both Tarasova and Katz predict Beverly Hills will remain a key marketplace where people come to seek natural stones.

“Beverly Hills is synonymous with luxury and heritage and timeless style,” said Tarasova. “The clientele here values craftsmanship, making it a natural house for a natural diamond market and destination for global shoppers who trust Beverly Hills with the highest standards of quality.” 

The post Lab-Grown Diamonds are Upending the Market, but Natural Gems Still Reign in Beverly Hills appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Baja California

While Todos Santos and La Paz have gained popularity in recent years, Cabo San Lucas and Los Cabos are still perennial favorites and the development boom with top brand hotels continues. 

With over $900 million in new hotel investments and more than 900 upscale rooms set to open by 2027, including brands like Soho House, St. Regis and Park Hyatt, the Cabo area boom is not slowing down anytime soon. Rosewood Residences Old Lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula is under construction and another high-end luxury hotel and residences will debut in Mexico with the opening of Raffles Estera East Cape Resort & Residences, slated for 2029, marking the brand’s first resort in North America with seven restaurant offerings.

Finally getting its due, the culinary scene is also gaining acclaim following its recent Michelin Guide debut, featuring one Michelin Star to Cocina de Autor at Grand Velas, multiple Green Stars, including Acre by master chef Arturo Rivero and Flora’s Field Kitchen by Rebecca Weitzman, along with dozens of Bib Gourmand nods for other eateries.

Old favorites like Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort are still top of the game with 12 Signature Beach Villas and the 28,000-square-foot Ty Warner Mansion, plus the Michelin Guide-recommended Árbol. La Botica is a new speakeasy-style, Cuban-inspired craft cocktail destination voted one of the “50 Best” in the world with the ambiance of a vintage apothecary accompanied by live entertainment. Recent collaborations include Mi Golondrina, with beautiful Mexican hand-embroidered clothing made by Mexican artisans, and the summer-long “Best of Baja” initiative featuring talent from destinations such as Todos Santos, La Paz and Valle de Guadalupe, highlighting chefs, artists, winemakers and emerging fashion labels from the region.

San José del Cabo has a new market, Sabores San José, which is similar to the Art Walk on Thursdays. Every Tuesday evening, from 5 to 9 p.m., the historic center transforms into a pedestrian-only zone featuring a walking food experience from local producers and restaurants. The event also includes live traditional music and folkloric dance. While you are in the Arts District area, check out Michelin Guide-recommended NAO and its signature fusion of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines.

Coronado

Once you arrive in San Diego, all eyes are on Coronado Island this summer with the iconic Hotel del Coronado in the final stages of a six-year, $550 million revamp, which came to fruition with the Veranda beachfront Victorian building and Nobu del Coronado, which opened in May. Other reasons for a revisit include private beach bonfires and the leash-free Coronado Dog Beach, personalized surf lessons, and a culinary and historical walking tour of the island. 

Carlsbad

If you missed the flower fields this spring and the new butterfly encounter, not to worry. The summer programming has just begun with strawberry picking to “secret garden spa parties” at the newly revamped Omni La Costa that includes yoga and sound healing. Several new Michelin Guide-recognized restaurants by Eric Bost (formerly of Auburn in Hollywood) include Jeune et Jolie, Campfire, and his two latest—Wildland for excellent all-day fare (including a genius pizza sandwich)—and Lilo for an intimate counter tasting experience. The best part is you can take the train from Union Station in L.A., which drops you off right in the heart of charming Carlsbad, where restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques await. 

Also new and within walking distance to the ocean, Little Victory Wine Bar is a natural wine and seasonal cooking spot from the team behind Encinitas’ cult-favorite Little Victory Wine Market—led by husband-and-wife duo Jeremy Simpson (Bestia) and Kirsten Potenza. Together with chefs Kelly and Elliott Townsend (Long Story Short), they were inspired by the cave à manger of Paris and Copenhagen and offer in-house cured “tinned fish” and skin-contact wines by the glass.

Newport Beach

Since the devastating Palisades fires, many residents have relocated to this area for a beachside retreat. The Pendry hotel holds the new Elwood Club for live music, wine tasting, art, fashion, wellness and sporting events. And its former private Italian-Riviera-inspired restaurant, Viamara, is also now open to the public. The sun-drenched décor will make you want to linger for a long lunch with branzino and a Negroni.

Catalina

After a 17-year absence, Catalina Island is offering horseback riding again. Most rides take 45 to 90 minutes and include hills, valleys, clifftops with ocean views and potential encounters with deer and island foxes. Catalina Horseback Adventures is reviving a tradition that goes back to the 1930s, when Catalina’s owners, the Wrigley family, set up a ranch known as El Rancho Escondido, which grew into an Arabian horse-breeding operation. The working ranch continues, 12 miles outside Avalon and is open for Saturday tours. For more touring, Catalina Island’s custom-guided golf cart tours are now available to explore Avalon. In a little over two hours, you will learn about the history of the location and the lifestyle of its residents. 

After your ride or tour, Catalina Brewhouse offers the only craft beer on the island, brewing six small-batch brews by Danny Gutierrez. For the newest waterfront restaurant, Pier 24 is located where the original Antonio’s Pizza was, paying homage to the original Steamer Pier, once home to William Wrigley’s cross-channel vessels, the S.S. Avalon and Catalina. Large picture windows look out onto the harbor for amazing views, along with two patios. 

Long Beach 

When catching the Catalina Express out to the island, Long Beach is a great port destination before or after your excursion. The refurbished 185-room Fairmont Breakers Long Beach is the area’s only luxury hotel with Queen Mary harbor views, a jazz club dating back to the 1920s (when it was a haven for stars of the era), a rooftop bar-lounge, several dining options and the area’s first luxury spa, with treatments that include lipstick readings. This is a grand hotel with Art Deco-inspired interiors and five culinary destinations, including coastal Italian fare at Nettuno on the ground floor and the notable return of the Sky Room, where you can start your meal with a Champagne-caviar cart, end with a Bananas Foster cart and enjoy a beef Wellington for two in between. Head upstairs to Halo after dinner for a nightcap or sunset views, as it’s the only rooftop bar in Long Beach. 

Rancho Palos Verdes

With plenty of walking trails with sweeping ocean views along the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Terranea Resort’s Sound Series at Nelson’s returns this summer for live music and dancing under the stars. This year’s series features 27 nights of oceanfront performances with the South Bay’s best local bands, ranging from reggae and country to pop and rock classics, taking place most Friday and Saturday nights through Aug. 30. Another reason to revisit this resort is its refurbished $4.5 million oceanfront spa with treatments that include a Harmonic Aura Awakening with healing Himalayan singing bowls and a HydraFacial. 

Santa Monica 

The hospitality boom continues in Santa Monica for its 150th anniversary on July 24 of this year. For the first time in its history, the Shore Hotel’s ground-floor restaurant is open to the public, along with a new indoor-outdoor poolside bar. Order a full seafood platter with jumbo black tiger shrimp, or the lobster roll with avocado and sriracha aioli, along with craft cocktails. Also on Ocean Avenue, a trio of San Francisco imports has opened, including Fitoor for upscale Indian fare, Ghirardelli chocolates, and Pacific Catch for daily Pacific Rim seafood specials, hearty cocktails, fish and chips, salmon burgers and sea bass brochettes. They also offer an “Aloha hour” from 3 to 6 p.m. on weekdays.

Channel Islands

With Oxnard Shores and Ventura Harbor also becoming beachside havens since the Malibu fires, a Channel Islands boat ride is not far away. The five remote islands to tour are referred to as “The American Galapagos,” and the new Channel Islands National Park mobile app makes it easy to schedule ahead. The free app includes self-guided hiking tours and interactive maps with points of interest, and the Island Packers provides the boat rides and chartered cruises for spotting whales and other sea life. 

Montecito 

Adjacent to the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge, the Post Montecito is a new outdoor lifestyle collection of shops and restaurants from Los Angeles-based developer Runyon, who is also behind the Platform in Culver City.  Retail offerings range from accessories by celebrity favorite Janessa Leoné, swimwear by Colombian designer Maygel Coronel and menswear by The Optimist. Italian restaurant Ospi Montecito (which also has locations in Brentwood and Venice), as well as Bogavante, a seafood-focused eatery that’s the sibling to Loreto in L.A., and a courtyard coffee cart, Little King from the popular Buellton cafe— are all centered around a playful mixed-media ceramic fountain, “It’s Raining,” by late Santa Barbara artist Marge Dunlap. 

Down on Coast Village Road, Bar Lou is a new brasserie from the owners of Little Dom’s in Los Feliz, located in a French Riviera-inspired bungalow with ample patio space for ordering oysters to sea urchin spaghetti, steak au poivre or fried zucchini blossoms with anchoiade sauce. During Friday lunch, they offer a Creole spin with Gumbo Ya-Ya, festive cocktails and Cajun music. Just across the street, the new Lion’s Tale, located inside the Montecito Inn, is perfect for martinis and bites of Koji-cultured butter with oat sourdough, smoked trout dip, and Oscietra caviar. And you’ve heard of the Urban Wine Trail, but now there is one for bivalve pursuits. The Oyster Trail is a new outing that starts at Clark’s Oyster Bar (from Aspen) on Coast Village Road.

Nearby Rosewood Miramar Beach has a new outdoor semi-private dining experience at the Michelin Star and Michelin Green Star restaurant. FronteMare by Caruso’s offers an interactive dinner for up to 12 guests. Each dish is created live by chef Massimo Falsini using the bounty from his onsite herb garden, Santa Barbara’s farmers markets and the ocean. And, speaking of, you can now take a surf lesson at the new club curated by local pro legend Adam Lambert. If you continue your journey up the coast, stop at The Barn at The Hilt Estate in Sta. Rita Hills (the closest Santa Ynez Valley winery to the ocean) for a tasting of its Estate Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. 

Pismo

You might have viewed Pismo Beach as a seaside pit stop on your way to San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles for wine tasting, but the tiny town has a resort hotel and restaurant worthy of its own visit. Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach sits along the city’s Central California Coast boardwalk and offers guests access to a canine-friendly beach with ocean views and stargazing with in-room telescopes in the evening after dinner at the Somerset Grill. 

Pequin Coastal Cocina at the resort just announced the return of its Winemaker Dinner Series for 2025. Sustainable purveyors include Motley Crew Marketplace & Ranch, Sunrise Organic Farm, Tootie Fruity and Foxen Vineyard & Winery. The winemaker dinners will run from June to September, ending with Fess Parker Vineyard and Winery from Santa Barbara.

Big Sur

As the hillsides of Big Sur bloom back to life, 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, with panoramic sea views, Sierra Mar at the Post Ranch Inn reopens its doors with a fresh take on seasonal dining: the Spring Chapter menu, which includes zero-proof garden cocktails. This new culinary event celebrates the spirit of renewal with a mix of ingredients from the onsite chef’s garden. Standouts are the chef’s garden salad with local greens and herbs, finished with cured lemon vinaigrette and egg yolks from onsite hens; and the California squab with smoked beets, endives, pickled cherries and port jus. In addition, the restaurant walls now hold an exhibition of underwater photography by Chuck Davis, showcasing Monterey Bay and Big Sur’s marine life.

Carmel

Perfect for a romantic escape, girls trip or solo getaway, Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach is tucked along the iconic 17-Mile Drive and steps from Carmel-by-the-Sea. This intimate Mediterranean-inspired hideaway was recently renovated with 24 luxe rooms and suites with cozy fireplaces, deep-soaking tubs and private terraces. Start the day with a spa treatment or sip fresh juice poolside, then enjoy a curated picnic in a Lexus (the house car) along the coast, and wind down with a complimentary happy hour in the cozy Living Room. Guests also enjoy access to Pebble Beach’s exclusive Beach & Tennis Club and a scenic 9-hole course at The Hay.

Half Moon Bay

Designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay recently completed a multimillion-dollar refresh that included the guest rooms, suites, spa, and signature restaurants Navio and The Conservatory. In addition, the resort has a new partnership with luxury women’s apparel brand Foray Golf, resulting in a package that celebrates the growing numbers of women in the sport with an 18-hole round of golf per night’s stay at Half Moon Bay Golf Links and an essential Foray Bag with golf accessories and apparel. In another exclusive partnership, Sazerac will create a custom whiskey blend for the property that you can sip at Ocean Terrace’s famous fire pits.

Mendocino County

Stretching out on 90 miles of prime Pacific coastline with close to 100 wines and 12 diverse American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), 24 state and national parklands, including “The Redwood Corridor,” and 450 unique accommodations, plus a wealth of local farm products from honey to hard cider and even cannabis, make this region a top Northern California getaway. If you do not want to drive, San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento and Sonoma County airports are all good options. 

Start at Pennyroyal Farm with a morning tour of the award-winning farmstead creamery to meet the dairy goats and sheep and learn about the integrative methods behind both the estate wines and cheeses, with a final tasting including the signature Sauvignon Blanc.

Earthspoke Farms has expansive fields of more than 5,000 dahlia plants and hundreds of colorful annuals and perennials with U-Pick Flower Field Days and a DIY Bouquet Bar. For the local version of the Basque spice Piment d’Espelette, dried chiles are produced at Boonville Barn Collective, a woman-owned operation from seed to jar, along with olive oil, sea salt and a variety of heirloom beans. Tours are by appointment only and do stop for a wine tasting nearby at Lichen Estate.

Other pursuits include a tour of Schnaubelt Distillery, opened in 2023 in Noyo Harbor, offering Smoked Salmon Vodka and Candy Cap Mushroom Bourbon, or you can visit an apple grove near a 130-year-old Red Gravenstein apple tree for Gowan’s world-class ciders, made onsite for six generations, with organic heirloom apples.  Set in Anderson Valley, one of Mendocino’s top wine-growing regions, this new 2.5-acre lavender farm shares space with Foursight Winery, a small family-owned operation crafting premium Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. The 15-acre estate marking the entrance to Boonville is a perfect prelude to a day of play with 25 wineries dotting the 15-mile stretch to the sea. Peak bloom season is June through August, so you have the whole summer to explore. 

The post California Coastal Getaways appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

What we can be certain of is that AI is offering us incredible tools to improve the quality of our lives right now. It is exciting to almost instantaneously summarize a book I am interested in, plan a vacation down to nuanced details, or create a meal plan and shopping list for the whole week. I have stopped saying “I don’t know” and now say, “Great question, let me look it up.” I realize this is just the tip of the iceberg, and I hope to find time this summer to take a deeper dive.  

If you are new to AI, begin by addressing your privacy concerns. Take precautions: check data usage policies, limit private data, use pseudonyms or generalities, disable chat history, delete conversations, create a separate email address for AI, or run offline AI models. When you are ready, use your browser to access ChatGPT, Anthropic (Claude.ai), Grok, Google Gemini or Perplexity AI. All have a free version. The AI landscape is changing quickly; today’s worst AI platform/app may be tomorrow’s best. In general, you can visit just about any major AI platform, ask almost anything you can think of, and prepare to be amazed.

Here’s a list of ideas to get you started or on the next step of your personal AI journey to make the most of your summer.  

1. AI for Outings 

ChatGPT can create a personalized itinerary, recommend activities, suggest restaurants and even help with day-to-day plans. Microsoft 365 Copilot integrates with your email and calendar to help plan social events, meetings and travel, organizing everything from the smallest detail to larger projects. AI-enhanced platforms like Wander let you preview museums, spas and even hiking trails in Virtual Reality before visiting. AI-powered apps like Eventbrite, Fever and TimeOut suggest concerts, rooftop events, gallery openings and pop-ups happening in real time. Apps like Yelp, ReciMe or TheFork use AI to learn your tastes and suggest new, trending restaurants or exclusive chef’s tastings.

2. AI for Meal Prep 

Yummly offers personalized recipe recommendations based on your dietary preferences, allergies and available ingredients. Mealtime provides easy meal plans with grocery lists, so you can cook with ease and efficiency.

3. AI and Gardening 

PictureThis or PlantSnap uses AI to instantly identify plants, weeds and pests via photo. Smart gardening assistants like Gardenia and Planta use AI to create personalized watering, fertilizing and light schedules based on your garden setup and local weather. iScape helps you visualize landscaping ideas, suggesting plant combinations and layouts based on sun exposure and soil conditions. And particularly useful in our dry climate are irrigation systems like Rachio that use AI to optimize water usage depending on plant needs and forecasted rainfall.

4. AI and Hiking 

AllTrails and Komoot use AI to suggest routes based on difficulty, scenery, user reviews and your fitness level. Maps AI-enhanced provides optimized paths, elevation changes. Smartwatches with AI (like Apple Watch or Garmin) track your heart rate, oxygen levels and pace while learning your habits to suggest ideal hiking times or rest intervals.

5. AI-Based Fitness Coaches  

Fitness apps like Freeletics use AI to personalize workout plans based on your fitness level, preferences and goals. It adapts your training as you progress, ensuring you’re always challenged without being overwhelmed. Aaptiv offers audio-based workouts guided by certified trainers, covering a variety of fitness styles from yoga to HIIT.

6. AI-Assisted Learning 

Duolingo adapts language lessons to your learning pace, making language acquisition fun and interactive. Khan Academy uses AI to recommend personalized lessons in a variety of subjects from mathematics to history.

7. AI for Art 

DALL·E generates images from text prompts, turning your ideas into unique visual creations. Midjourney is popular for stylized, artistic and imaginative images and is great for fantasy, fashion and moody aesthetics. Adobe Firefly—integrated into Adobe tools—generates images, styles and templates from prompts with a user-friendly interface. AutoDraw helps convert rough sketches into clean icons or shapes. Krea.ai turns sketches into full artworks using prompts and is popular with concept designers.

8. Photo Editing and Style Transfer 

Runway ML is an AI-powered video and image editing model, including background removal and style transfer. Prisma turns photos into paintings using famous art styles (like Van Gogh or Picasso). DeepArt also uses style transfer to apply well-known art styles to your photos.

9. AI Animation and Video 

Kaiber generates music videos or visual storytelling animations from static images or text. Pika Labs AI video generator is known for surreal, creative short clips.

10. AI for Generative Design and Fashion 

Artbreeder lets you blend and evolve images, faces, landscapes or anime-style art. Designify is an image editing tool that transforms ordinary photos into professional-quality visuals. 

11. AI Stylist 

ShopLook or Smart Closet helps you plan outfits for events and find similar designer items in local boutiques. Stylebook helps you organize your wardrobe, plan outfits and track what you wear. Smart Closet uses AI to auto-categorize clothing, suggest outfits and help you pack for trips. ACloset is a free app with AI-powered outfit suggestions based on weather, occasion and personal style. Zyler enables you to try on clothes virtually using a photo and get personalized fashion suggestions. AI Stylist by Fashable offers AI-driven outfit generation based on user-uploaded items and style preferences. Amazon StyleSnap lets you upload a photo, and AI will find similar products across Amazon Fashion. With Google Lens Fashion Search, you can take a picture of an outfit and AI will find similar items online. The Yes (by Pinterest) uses AI to learn your preferences and curate daily style recommendations. Lyst uses AI to track fashion trends and suggest deals across thousands of brands. 

12. Personalized Music Playlists 

Music has long been recognized as a powerful tool for improving mood and reducing stress. Imagine having a personal DJ who knows exactly what tunes will help you relax, energize or elevate your mood based on your current emotional state. Endel uses real-time data (such as heart rate, weather and location) to create personalized soundscapes designed to boost focus, relaxation or energy. AiMi dynamically adjusts its playlist based on your listening history, providing a seamless and evolving soundtrack tailored just for you.

13. AI-Powered Journaling 

Journaling helps us process emotions and make sense of our thoughts. AI-driven apps like Replika offer an AI companion that engages in conversations and helps you reflect on your emotions. It adapts to your needs and can help with everything from stress management to personal growth. Daylio is a micro-journal that allows you to track your mood and activities. Over time, the app identifies patterns, helping you recognize emotional triggers.

14. AI-Enhanced Meditation and Mindfulness 

Calm uses AI to recommend tailored breathing exercises, sleep stories and meditations based on your emotional state, helping you relax and unwind. Headspace provides customized meditation techniques to improve focus, reduce stress and manage anxiety. Ebb, its AI companion, offers emotional support by guiding you through mindfulness practices.

15. AI-Powered Sleep Assistants 

Sleep Cycle tracks your sleep patterns and wakes you during your lightest sleep phase, leaving you feeling refreshed. Pillow provides detailed insights into your sleep quality and even helps you create a better sleep environment by offering suggestions for temperature adjustments and soundscapes.

16. Virtual Reality Therapy 

Virtual Reality (VR) has evolved beyond gaming into a powerful therapeutic tool. Apps like Realize Music: Sing offer users a fully immersive VR experience for stress relief and emotional wellness. DIY music therapy through VR reduces stress hormones and stimulates your brain’s reward systems.

17. AI for Psychotherapy 

Woebot uses AI to offer cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, guiding users through mood tracking and offering coping mechanisms for anxiety, depression and stress. Wysa provides mental health support through chat-based therapy, offering strategies based on evidence-based techniques such as CBT and dialectical behavior therapy. Please note that these apps should serve as an augmentation for your psychotherapy and not as a replacement for evaluation and treatment with a trained professional.

I hope something on this laundry list caught your attention and that you feel inspired to lean into the positive aspects of AI. I have no doubt that our lives will look quite different in the upcoming years due to this powerful technology.  We can’t lose sight of the negative potential, and you can even ask AI how you can prepare for what lies ahead.  Their prediction is likely to be as good as ours, as we are entering uncharted territory! So, as the great minds around the globe ponder how to harness the unprecedented power of AI, I hope we can all benefit from its myriad of potential applications to live our best lives now.
 

The post Embrace AI This Summer: New Tools to Enhance Your Life and Well-Being appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

As the nearly 310 graduating students walked onto the football field sporting their college of choice on their graduation caps, they enthusiastically waved to a sea of BHHS friends and family. The BHHS Band performed a rendition of “Pomp and Circumstance” as students took their seats. 

BHHS Principal Drew Stewart opened the commencement ceremony by welcoming attendees and the graduating class. Stewart, who joined the BHHS community nearly eight years ago as a teacher, announced his departure as principal in early May. He celebrated the class of 2025’s hard work, dedication, and commitment, and recognized the BHUSD staff and board members for their support. 

“These students represent everything we hope for in our graduates,” said Stewart. “You, Beverly, are very fortunate to have the support of the entire community. Graduates, there are many here who believe in you and advocate on your behalf.”

Attendees at the ceremony included BHUSD board members and President Rachelle Marcus, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss, Mayor Sharona Nazarian and Beverly Hills City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey.

In alignment with the commencement’s theme, Marcus celebrated the class of 2025 as “the stars of our future” in her address. Entitled “The Stars, the Ground and the Tent,” Marcus’ speech equated the stars with the students’ goals, the ground with their beliefs and the tent with the people who have supported their futures. 

Graduating seniors faced challenges during their time at BHHS. As freshmen, the class of 2025 adjusted to a new campus and various bell schedule changes during the middle of the pandemic. Additionally, a demonstration that took place in the wake of the 2024 presidential election became a source of controversy, resulting in litigation and allegations of racial harassment. This past semester, the district underwent several leadership and staff changes. 

Nonetheless, BHHS seniors applauded their classmates for persisting and making it to graduation day.

“We dream big,” said Student Body President Sabrina Niku. “But we’ve also had to stay grounded, adapt and figure things out. No matter what came our way, we landed on our feet, and we did it together.”

In between speeches delivered by seniors Sarah Zhang, Aunaleah Ellis and Ruby Matenko-Lowenstein, attendees enjoyed live musical performances by the BHHS Symphony Orchestra and BHHS Madrigals. 

“It’s clear to me that no matter what we do, we’ve embraced this idea of being noble. And now, we have become our own unique set of stars to navigate by. And the ground is what keeps us steady—the foundation built by our family, friends, and community,” said Zhang.

“The greatest gift we can give to each other is each other,” Ellis told students.

Matenko-Lowenstein reflected on the bells students would hear throughout the school day indicating a moment of transition. “Up until now, we, the class of 2025, have been a collective unit, all hearing the same bell at the same times—bells that were helping us along to where we were supposed to go next, up until our very last day at Beverly. As we officially leave this era of our life behind, we will not hear these bells together anymore. Each of us will be on our own individual paths moving forward.” 

The post Beverly Hills High School Class of 2025 Celebrates Graduation appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The board also approved the implementation of a Spanish dual language program in the city’s elementary schools. 

“I think this is the most exciting, phenomenal, amazing board meeting I have attended in the past two-and-a-half years,” said Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri of the two new initiatives. 

In a presentation about the proposed restructuring of the College and Career Counseling Center, Dr. Dustin Seemann, the district’s assistant superintendent, education services, articulated the need for more counselors at the high school level. 

Currently, the College and Career Center employs five academic counselors, one college counselor and two wellness counselors. Seemann recommended transitioning that structure to four freshman and sophomore transition and academic counselors, four junior and senior academic and college counselors, one wellness counselor and one director of counseling. 

“[Our] recommendation is increasing opportunity, access and exposure for our school counseling program, specifically starting at [Beverly Hills High School],” he said, adding, “We are really coming to you and making a recommendation to redesign the way that we have seen our school counseling program functions at the high school.” 

The counselors focusing on freshmen and sophomores would be responsible for meeting with incoming eighth-grade families, collaborating with teachers and parents, and guiding students through the transition to high school. 

“That team, I kind of jokingly called it our hug,” Seemann said. “It is the team that is welcoming and transitioning all of our families, not just the students but all of our families, parents, all of our stakeholders, into the high school.” 

The counselors focusing on juniors and seniors would meet individually with second-semester sophomores, liaise with college admissions representatives and guide students and parents through the college testing and application process. 

The board approved the request unanimously. 

“When they evaluate you for a Distinguished School or a Blue Ribbon School, and also U.S. News & World Report, one of the metrics is those who not only applied to four-year schools but were accepted and matriculate,” said Board Member Dr. Amanda Stern. “So, it definitely is in our best interest to fortify the supports for that.” 

Seemann also conducted a presentation to inform the board about progress on implementing a Spanish dual language program in the city’s elementary schools. The program, which would be called the Dual Language Academy, would be introduced in one kindergarten classroom and one first-grade classroom at both El Rodeo and Horace Mann Elementary Schools in the fall. 

The program would follow a one-way immersion structure, meaning the majority of students enrolled would be native English speakers learning Spanish. 

The board approved the initiative with enthusiasm. 

“I wholeheartedly support this,” said Manouchehri. “I believe this is another game changer for our district.”

The district will hold a dual enrollment parent meeting on June 11 to answer questions about the program from the community. 

At the board meeting, Board President Rachelle Marcus debuted a new video series called “Mrs. Marcus Meets.” In it, Marcus meets with teachers and staff throughout the district to highlight their work. 

According to a statement from the district, the series aims to showcase BHUSD’s core values of excellence, integrity, wellness, inclusion, safety and community.

The first episode features Marcus in conversation with Beverly Vista Middle School (BVMS) Musical Theatre teacher Dr. Fred Pinto. The two discuss how Pinto knew he wanted to work with kids, the school’s recent performance of “The Addams Family” and what he enjoys about working at BVMS. 

New episodes will continue to air throughout the year. 

In other business, the board approved educational technology tools for the 2025-26 school year, including such products as iReady, BrainPOP and Classtime. The approval followed a discussion in which several board members expressed concern that the district is moving toward more screen time for students rather than less. 

“Is there something we can do, because we’re really trying to get away from screen time for the K, 1 through 2 and 2 through 3,” said Board Member Sigalie Sabag. 

Seemann noted that the tools have been carefully vetted by school administrators and staff.

“My answer would be, I’m making the recommendation to purchase [these tools],” he said, later adding, “I can promise you we are not plugging and playing students.” 

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The cohort of this year’s Off the Chart award recipients work in a wide variety of medical branches, from oncology to neonatal care, and occupy various positions including nurse coordinator and nurse practitioner. 

Award recipient Laura Alfonso Guerra, an inpatient oncology nurse navigator from UCLA Health, said that receiving the award was “an unexpected honor.”

“To be included amongst so many people that are so passionate and caring about the nursing profession is really such an honor and privilege,” Guerra told the Courier. “It really does inspire you and make you reignited into the nursing profession and the reason why we all started to be nurses in the first place.” 

Guerra entered the nursing profession 13 years ago, saying she always liked helping people and nursing just suited her personality. Working in oncology, she noticed the need for patients to receive support as they transition from the hospital to outpatient clinics. 

Executive Director of Off the Chart, Rachel Barchie, highlighted additional stories of some of the award recipients, including those who entered the profession through unconventional paths. One nurse left school to become a caregiver, eventually navigating her way through the healthcare system as an immigrant who only spoke Spanish. Another nurse, motivated by his upbringing with his grandparents in Taiwan, entered the field of behavioral health to serve the particular needs of the Chinese American elderly community. 

By sharing nurses’ stories and experiences, Off the Chart hopes to “bring increased visibility and attention to nursing expertise,” said Barchie. 

The Off the Chart campaign began in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the global need for nurses was increasingly becoming more urgent despite a declining workforce. This especially concerned Co-Founder of Off the Chart, Victoria Mann Simms, who experienced the extraordinary care of nurses when her father fell ill nearly 30 years ago.

Through recognizing nurses excelling in their field, Off the Chart aims to shine a light on their often under-recognized work in hopes of reversing the declining workforce trend. 

Johnese Spisso, President of UCLA Health and a registered nurse herself, spoke with Mann Simms and Nurse Economist Shawna Butler about a 2025 report from the International Council of Nurses. The report cited a chronic underinvestment in the nursing workforce and thus, investing in nurses would yield a greater return on investment, healthier populations, and a stronger local economy as a result. 

Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Off the Chart’s health system partners faced extraordinary challenges this year, particularly when mammoth wildfires devastated parts of Los Angeles in January. 

For example, City of Hope had to relocate their infusion centers due to wildfire smoke but continued to provide infusions to cancer patients. Nurse practitioner and award recipient from Keck Medicine of USC, Jacquelyn Kauilani-Paige, continued to provide support to patients, despite losing her home during the wildfire. UCLA Health’s Lindsay Calac, also an award recipient, worked to devise new plans for patient transfers during emergency situations, such as the wildfires. A fraction of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s staff was forced to evacuate or lost their homes.

“It’s been heavy on our minds, and people are still recovering or still homeless,” Cedars-Sinai Chief Nursing Executive, David Marshall, told the Courier. “It makes it a little sweeter this year to have this recognition.” 

Despite these challenges, the campaign’s health system partners continued to make their partnership with Off the Chart a priority. 

“We’re hoping that people will open their minds and open their thoughts to the importance of nurses,” Mann Simms told the Courier. “We rely on them for lots of stuff and we don’t realize it. They’re very overlooked.”

“Our goal is to move nurses from invisible to invaluable,” said Mann Simms. 

The post Off the Chart Recognizes Nurses with $10,000 Awards appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The 2025 summer line-up:

June 5: Upstream (Reggae, Steel Drum, Soca, Calypso)

June 12: Country nation (Country)

June 19: Forward Motion Band (Funk, R&B, Jazz) 

June 26: The Funky Warhols (Disco Tribute) 

July 3: Smokin’ Cobras (Rockin’ Oldies) 

July 10: As If (90’s Tribute) 

July 17: No concert

July 24: Joyce Partise (Brazilian bossa nova)

July 31: Neon Nation (80’s Tribute)

Aug. 7 : Rod Lightning and the Thunderbolts of Love (Classic Rock Tribute)

Aug. 14: Leslie Paul & the Latin Soul Band (Salsa/Latin Jazz)

Aug. 21: The Tokens (Doo-Wop/Pop)

For more information about Concerts on Canon and the bands, visit beverlyhills.org/csevents or call 310-285-1000.  

The post Concerts on Canon Summer Season Begins June 5 appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

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. 

The post El Rodeo Elementary School Promotion Marks a Milestone appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Highlights of the Tentative Agreement include a 4.75% increase to all salaries and extra pay, effective July 1, 2025; an increase in the certificated hourly rate to $66.46 per hour; a $1,500 increase to the benefits cap, bringing the new total to $14,750; new paid evacuation leave policies for natural or manmade disasters; updated class size ratios for transitional kindergarten through fifth grade; Counselor caseload guideline set at 325 students to one counselor; enhanced co-teaching language to support inclusive instruction and collaborative planning time; and additional staffing support, including the addition of a second district librarian.

“This agreement represents a major achievement for our entire community,” said Rachelle Marcus, President of the BHUSD Board of Education. “As a former teacher, I am thrilled to see us reach this agreement before the school year concludes. Both sides came to the table with respect and a shared focus on what is best for our students and educators. I am proud of the balanced outcome we achieved together.”

Katherine Warren, President of BHEA, stated, “We are delighted to have an agreement before the end of the school year. I would like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of both bargaining teams in making this deal possible. I would also like to thank Dr. Cherniss and the Board for their continued support.” The Tentative Agreement will be submitted to BHEA membership for ratification and to the BHUSD Board of Education for formal approval. 

The post BHUSD and BHEA Finalize Tentative Agreement appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The group, Promoting Alternatives to Unhealthy Screen Exposure (PAUSE), began meeting formally this school year. Dr. Rashelle Hakak, a clinical psychologist and founding member of PAUSE, said the idea to organize came when she and other members recognized the pervasive parental concern about screen time, both in and out of school.

“It was basically a bunch of parents who wanted change, and so we just started meeting,” she said. “We kind of created a checklist of what we wanted to get done.”

The group’s goals include encouraging parents not to provide their children with smartphones before eighth grade, developing a comprehensive understanding of how screens are used in BHUSD classrooms and pushing for change where necessary. 

PAUSE has signed a pledge with Wait Until 8th, a national campaign encouraging school communities to commit to not giving students smartphones until eighth grade. 

In terms of getting a clear picture of how screens—including iPads, tablets and laptops—are used in classrooms, Hakak said that PAUSE hopes to work closely with BHUSD officials.  

“We’re really trying to implement change and work more closely with the school district in a positive way,” she said. 

Dr. Dustin Seemann, the district’s assistant superintendent, education services said BHUSD officials share these goals. 

“My work with PAUSE is really around ensuring that we’re protecting our students’ social-emotional health and making sure that we are allowing them an environment in education to be able to focus on their academics,” he said. 

According to Seemann, Beverly Hills elementary school students spend an approximate average of 30 minutes per week on i-Ready, an online reading and math program that offers personalized instruction and diagnostics. Students receive approximately 1,590 minutes of instruction per week in total. 

“One of the myths when we launched i-Ready as an assessment diagnostic tool for differentiated learning [was that students] were always plugged in,” he said. “It’s actually incorrect … it’s really only 30 minutes in the week.”

Seemann also said that the program provides benefits to students who may be at different levels of reading and math. The technology is able to offer students a chance, for example, to read the same story or passage in class but at different levels. 

“Our kids don’t know that one kid may be reading at a higher level than the other kid,” he said. “They just know that they’re reading the same story … the differentiation piece has really been a game changer for education, period.” 

Some parents with PAUSE disagree about the positive effects of screens. Speaking at the BHUSD Board’s May 13 meeting, Dr. Jane Tavyev Asher, a child neurologist and founding member of PAUSE, said that neurological research has shown a connection between handwriting and reading capabilities that deteriorates if students use laptops or tablets instead. 

“If you type the information, it does not connect the same structures in the brain together as it does if you write it,” she said. “I really urge you … to please not have any iPads in the classroom at all at those young ages … definitely not in pre-K, not in K, not in first grade.”

There has been recent concern as well among parents over what students are able to access on their school-issued computers. Also speaking at the May 13 board meeting, Dr. Pantea Farhadi, a BHUSD parent, said her 8-year-old son was “exposed to sexual content” online. 

“His teacher placed him out of the classroom unattended with an iPad,” she said. 

Seemann said he was aware of the incident, which occurred when the student viewed a Wikipedia page with a graphic illustration, and that officials addressed it immediately. 

“As soon as we realized that was a potential threat, we were able to shut that [page] off and close it off from the student elementary devices,” he said. “We will consistently put student safety at the forefront of the conversation.”

Hakak said this type of incident speaks to a disconnect between the district office and the classrooms. 

“I don’t think they’re fully aware that the children, during any free time, that they’re allowed to be on their computers,” she said. “They’re unsupervised on a screen.” 

The post Parents Seek to Reduce Screen Time at BHUSD Elementary Schools appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The administrators, Dr. Steven J. Suttle at Horace Mann and Kim D’Aloisio at El Rodeo, are being brought on after the former principals at both schools were removed from their positions earlier this year. 

Both Suttle’s and D’Aloisio’s appointments were announced by the district on May 9 and formally approved at the BHUSD Board’s May 13 meeting. 

According to a statement from BHUSD, Suttle has served as a principal in multiple California school districts, earning honors for those districts such as the Gold Ribbon Award and the PBIS Platinum and Silver Awards.

In a separate statement, the district said that D’Aloisio most recently served as principal in a Los Angeles middle school which earned recognition as a California Distinguished School under her leadership and was a Magnet Schools of America Merit of Excellence recipient in 2024 and 2025. 

Speaking to the Courier, Dr. Dustin Seemann, the district’s assistant superintendent, education services, said that a nationwide search was conducted for both roles, and that the district received a slew of excellent candidates. 

“It was a very competitive process with a lot of people with a lot of great experience applying for these positions,” he said. 

Both Suttle and D’Aloisio stood out for their expertise, knowledge and training, Seemann said, as well as their past successes. 

“There’s so many things that they bring to the table about moving student data, closing educational gaps for students to ensure that all students can move towards meeting or exceeding state standards,” he said. 

Speaking at the May 13 board meeting, Suttle and D’Aloisio expressed their enthusiasm to join the district. 

“Elementary education is my calling,” said Suttle. “Both my parents were teachers. My brother’s an educator. My sister’s an educator. And I’m so thrilled that my journey as an educator now leads me to the beautiful community of Horace Mann and Beverly Hills.”

D’Aloisio voiced a similar sentiment. 

“El Rodeo is performing really well, I’d love to take it to the next level, and I’m just super excited to join the team here,” said D’Aloisio.

In other business, the board voted 3-0, with Board President Rachelle Marcus and Board Member Amanda Stern abstaining, to approve a five-year agreement with BSN Sports to outfit student athletes in Nike-branded clothing and equipment, beginning on July 1. 

The agreement is the result of an effort spearheaded by Board Member Russell Stuart, who spoke recently about what he perceived as the poor quality of BHUSD sports teams’ apparel. 

Disagreement broke out among board members when the item came up at the May 13 meeting, in large part because of its placement on the agenda. The item was slated for a vote without discussion, to which Marcus and Stern objected. 

“If educational excellence is really what we’re after, we want to unpack this … these are huge corporations,” said Stern. “I don’t know if I want to start a chapter where we have Nike in our world for the rest of our lives.” 

Stuart retorted, “If we started educational excellence while you’ve been on the board for five years, you would have done something like this yourself. For five years you’ve been here, and we have no outfits for anybody, and our kids are wearing pathetic clothing.”

Responding to a suggestion that the agreement was based on Nike’s brand popularity, Board Member Sigalie Sabag noted, without going into detail, that the deal came about because Stuart has “a connection.”

“It’s not for the popularity, it’s because we have the connection,” she said. “If [Russell] Stuart had the connection with Adidas, we’d have Adidas. He has a connection, and I think we should take advantage of it.”

The board also discussed at its May 13 meeting the possibility of establishing a group with members of the community that would serve as a way to increase communication between the board and stakeholders. 

Parents have long criticized the board for a lack of transparency in their decision-making process. 

The proposal, which would form a group called Building Relationships in District Governance and Education (BRIDGE), was brought forth by Stuart, who said the idea came partly as a response to community concerns. 

“We’ve had countless people who have said transparency is an issue for us and that communication is an issue for us,” he said. 

The idea was met with cautious optimism by other board members, and will be brought back for continued discussion at a later meeting.  

The post BHUSD Hires New Principals, Makes Deal with Nike appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“Stewart’s love for the Beverly Hills community is strong. His leadership has been marked by compassion, consistency, and a deep belief in the potential of every learner. BHUSD is deeply grateful for his years of service, his commitment to our students, and the impact he has had on the BHHS community,” said a May 2 statement from the district. 

In that same statement, Stewart noted, “This decision wasn’t easy. Beverly has been home to me in every way, but I’ve come to a place in life where I need to prioritize my family. I will forever be grateful for this community, for the people, the purpose, and the heart of this school. Beverly will always be part of me.” 

The district added that it is dedicated to a smooth transition as it begins the process of selecting a new principal. 

The post Principal Drew Stewart Leaving BHHS appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

She helped lead the Academic Decathlon team to the state level, earned top medals across subjects and conducted award-winning science research focused on food preservation. She also worked to expand sustainability efforts through City Greens, BHHS’s hydroponic gardening initiative.

In addition to her academic achievements, Kruger completed a Russian immersion program in Latvia, tutored elementary school students and served an internship at the Beverly Hills City Manager’s Office under Nancy Hunt-Coffey. 

“Karina is one of the most talented interns we have had. Her research and analytical skills are excellent. I have taught at the graduate level at both UCLA and USC and I believe that her work rivaled that of my graduate students,” Hunt-Coffey told the Courier.   

The post BHHS Senior to Attend Columbia University appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The suit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on April 25 by Natonda “Bella” Ivory and Jarvis Turner. Both plaintiffs are Black. 

“Schools ought to be teaching tolerance and equality,” Bradley Gage, the attorney representing Ivory and Turner, told the Courier, “not tolerating prejudice and inequality.”

According to the complaint, Turner, who worked as a basketball coach and Sports Marketing/Business and Finance teacher beginning in 2010, first alerted district officials to his concern about discrimination when a student made a racist social media post in 2018. 

The following year, he received an email to his school account calling him a “n—–.” After receiving a “nonchalant” response from his supervisor, former BHUSD Executive Director of Athletics Tim Ellis, Turner filed a police report with the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD). 

Turner also claims in the complaint that he received calls from students on his cell phone using “racial epithets” and in-person verbal mistreatment from parents who used “derogatory racial stereotypes,” and that the police were called on him when he was in the gym coaching the basketball team.

Ivory, who worked at the school from 2020 until 2025, alleges in the suit that after starting her tenure at BHHS as an Introduction to Fashion instructor and co-teacher of costume design, she was subject to ongoing discrimination and harassment. 

In February 2022, after a cafeteria employee allegedly cursed at her and refused to serve her, then-Assistant Principal Torray Johnson told Ivory that because of her race, she “needed to be quiet, meek, passive, and compliant with white counterparts,” according to the complaint.

The situation escalated throughout 2023 and 2024 and reached a climax on Nov. 5, 2024. According to the complaint, a group of students celebrating the election of President Trump marched to Ivory’s classroom chanting “f— Kamala” and banged on the door, where Ivory was meeting with members of the Black Student Union. 

According to the suit, teachers, security guards, the principal and the vice principal watched the situation unfold and did not intervene. Ivory was later told by BHHS Principal Drew Stewart that the students’ actions were protected by the First Amendment, which is why they were not asked to disperse. 

The suit further claims that in February 2025, a BHHS student announced to a classroom that she hated Ivory and wanted to stab her, and no action was taken by district officials. 

Ivory resigned this spring. 

Representatives from BHUSD declined to comment on the case.

The district is also facing another, separate lawsuit filed in January 2024 by Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Laura Collins-Williams, who is still employed by the district. The complaint alleges that Collins-Williams, who is Black, was discriminated against for her race, age and gender, and that she faced a hostile work environment as well as retaliation. 

On April 21, attorneys for Collins-Williams were granted a motion to compel the attendance of former BHUSD Superintendent Michael Bregy at his continued deposition, answers to deposition questions and the production of documents. 

“The judge saw what we saw,” Anita Edwards, an attorney for Collins-Williams, told the Courier. “That they didn’t do what they were supposed to do in producing documents. I’m happy we are able to move forward and get the rest of the information we need to pursue our case.” 

An attorney representing BHUSD in the Collins-Williams case did not respond to requests for comment. 

Collins-Williams’ lawsuit was recently given a trial date of May 26, 2026. 

The post Lawsuit Alleges Black Teachers Threatened, Called Racial Slurs at BHHS appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“I believe both sides are making progress,” said Katherine Warren, the president of the BHEA. “I believe there are still open lines of communication … I just wish we were going at a faster pace.”

Negotiations between the two parties were initially set to begin in August 2024; however the district requested a postponement due to the school board election, which took place in November 2024. BHEA agreed, and talks were initiated in January. 

Multiple changes in district and school leadership have caused significant slowdowns in the process. 

On Feb. 21, then-BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy resigned. On March 11, the BHUSD Board announced the closure of nearly a dozen district positions, including the position held by Matt Horvath, the then-assistant superintendent of personnel services. 

According to Interim Superintendent Dr. Jason Hasty, Horvath previously served as the lead negotiator in contract discussions with the teachers’ union. 

Warren says that in past years, representatives for the union and the district were able to conduct more rounds of offers and counters in a single day during contract negotiations. Last year, the two parties often went back and forth twice a day. 

This year, she said, that process has changed to one round per day, once every two weeks. 

Hasty agreed that contract talks have been affected. 

“[O]ne could argue we’ve had to have some delays in negotiations … what happened with the Palisades Fires, with our leadership change, I can see where some might say we’re a little slow to start,” he said. 

In the current round of negotiations, BHEA is asking for an increase in salary, updates to benefits and leave policies, and changes to elementary class sizes. Teachers received a salary increase of 10.5% last year, which Warren said made up for previous years in which increases were approximately 2.5%. 

Laura Collins-Williams, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, and Dr. Dustin Seemann, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services, are the main leads representing the district in contract negotiations with the union. Rachelle Marcus, BHUSD Board President, has also been sitting in on discussions. 

Hasty noted that the makeup of the negotiating committee for the district is subject to change. 

BHEA’s bargaining committee is led by Beverly Hills High School math teacher Josh Glass, and each school sends one additional representative to the table.

A primary concern for teachers is the possibility of going into the 2025-2026 school year without knowing what their salaries will be. 

Warren said that continuing negotiations over the summer presents its own set of challenges, as many educators are on schedules that are difficult to align. 

“I’m going to be disappointed and sad [if an agreement isn’t reached], because I think when teachers leave for summer vacation, they should know what their salary is in the fall,” she said.

Hasty said the district shares the same goal. 

“It is 100% the intention of the district and our leadership and the board to get a deal done before they leave for the summer,” he said. “And I’m going personally to be doing everything I can to ensure negotiations continue and that we’re not having any unnecessary pauses moving forward.”

The 2024-2025 school year will conclude on May 30. In order to reach an agreement by that time, Hasty said he would encourage the district to “work together to come to some common agreements … where we can meet in the middle on some of these things.” 

The post Teachers’ Union, BHUSD Hope to Reach Agreement Before Summer appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Neither Marcus nor Stern addressed the reasons for their changed votes at the April 15 meeting and had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

Speaking to the Courier following the approval of his contract, Cherniss said that one of his primary goals at BHUSD is to “take our district to the next level.” 

“I’d like to bring innovation and creativity to the forefront and prepare our students for future jobs that haven’t been invented yet,” he said. “To do that, we need to really push the envelope.”

Cherniss said that “pushing the envelope” may involve rethinking the classroom experience, including taking under consideration changes made to learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“COVID changed the game, and all of a sudden, we learned very quickly that there are different ways that kids can learn,” he said. “They can learn at home; they can learn online … and so a lot of families don’t want to go back to the old days. You’re seeing explosions in homeschooled kids, you’re seeing a lot of online schools … we as educators, we need to be on the cutting edge as well. And so that’s going to be one of my roles here, is to bring that to our district.”

When pressed on whether he was considering remote learning for students at BHUSD, Cherniss demurred. 

“I’m not sure what our models will look like, but I know that we will create more flexible learning opportunities where, rather than the student conforming to the classroom, the classroom will conform to the students,” he said. 

Cherniss comes to BHUSD from the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD), where he served as superintendent for just under two years. During his tenure there, he spearheaded the opening of an intensive sports program, the Universal Sports Institute, as well as a district-run charter school, the Orange County School of Computer Science. 

The endeavors were met with mixed responses from the Placentia-Yorba Linda community, with some parents expressing concern over their cost and a lack of transparency about their implementation. 

Cherniss did not specify whether he would pursue similar endeavors at BHUSD, however when speaking to the Courier, he suggested he would rely on fundraising rather than scaling back costs to finance new projects in the district. 

“One thing that we’ll always be looking at is, are there ways to enhance revenues?” he said. “Whether it’s community partners, whether it’s property, whether it’s different types of partnerships. We’re going to be looking at ways to expand revenues.”

Cherniss parted with PYLUSD on rocky terms with some members of that community. A Change.org petition was initiated on April 15, 2024, demanding his resignation because of what it called “failed vanity projects,” “rushing through a new, multi-million-dollar project” and several other allegations. It garnered 871 signatures. 

On Dec. 19, 2024, Cherniss was placed on paid administrative leave by the PYLUSD board. Representatives for PYLUSD did not respond to requests for details about the circumstances surrounding Cherniss’ leave, however Cherniss told the Courier that newly elected members of the PYLUSD Board, who were seated in November 2024, “wanted to go in a different direction.” 

“I created a new computer science school,” he said. “I created a new Universal Sports Institute. And I did so with three board members basically approving everything … in November, the board switched and no longer had support for those programs and those initiatives.”

At the April 15 BHUSD board meeting, multiple members of the public spoke in support of Cherniss, including two individuals who traveled from Placentia Yorba-Linda to speak on Cherniss’s behalf. 

“Our loss is your gain,” said Leandra Blades, a trustee of the PYLUSD board. “What you guys are going to gain is a leader in innovation, but also an exceptional educator.” 

Beth Fisher, who identified herself as a parent, former employee of PYLUSD and the founding principal of OCSCS, echoed Blades’ sentiments. 

“When it comes to leader credibility, there are five dimensions, and Dr. Cherniss ticks off every box: competence, dynamism, trust, immediacy,” Fisher said. “If you don’t know what that means with him, you will … he’s going to propel you into the future.”

One member of the public spoke in opposition to Cherniss’ appointment. Kimberly Lifschitz, who identified herself as a parent of a BHUSD student with an Individualized Education Program, said that the announcement of Cherniss’ hiring “destroyed [an] already fragile trust” in the board. 

“BHUSD’s announcement highlighted the Universal Sports Institute and OCSCS as examples of the innovation Dr. Cherniss will bring to our district,” she said. “Is the board planning to facilitate similar wildly expensive projects here? From where in the district’s budget will we take that money?” 

Speaking to the Courier following the meeting, Lifshitz said her concern stems from the fact that special education resources are often the first to go when district funding is reallocated. 

“If the number of aides in a class starts to get cut, that’s going to affect my son and his classmates first,” she said. “I don’t see how you could kind of blow the hole in a budget the way it seems like previous districts had without impacting funding for the classroom.”

Prior to his work as a superintendent, Cherniss was employed by BHUSD as a middle school math teacher, K-8 principal, director of human resources and assistant superintendent of business services.

In a statement, BHUSD Board President Rachelle Marcus voiced her eagerness for Cherniss to begin his role. 

“It’s with great pleasure that I welcome Dr. Cherniss back,” she said. “I have nothing but confidence in what he’s going to do.”

Cherniss will step into the position of BHUSD superintendent on June 1, and his appointment will span three years.  

The post Alex Cherniss Wants to ‘Push the Envelope’ at BHUSD appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

According to a statement from the district, Cherniss worked in BHUSD previously as a middle school math teacher, K-8 principal, director of human resources and assistant superintendent of business services. 

Outside of Beverly Hills, Cherniss has served as superintendent in the San Marino Unified School District, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District and the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. 

In the same statement, BHUSD Board Vice President Judith Manouchehri expressed her enthusiasm over Cherniss’ professional background.   

“Dr. Cherniss is a proven, visionary leader whose deep connection to BHUSD and track record of success in high-performing districts make him the ideal choice to lead our schools into the future,” she said. “Our community values academic excellence, transparency, and strong communication—and Dr. Cherniss brings the leadership and experience to deliver on those priorities.”

The selection process for a new superintendent began immediately after Bregy’s departure. As part of the procedure, a message was sent to community members asking for their input on priorities for the position. 

In a later message sent to all parents and staff on April 10 to announce Cherniss’s appointment, members of the board expressed their gratitude to those who responded to the survey. 

“We thank everyone who responded to our recent community survey,” they wrote. “Your voices played a vital role in shaping this decision. The three most commonly identified qualities the community prioritized in a new superintendent were a strong focus on academic achievement, transparency, and effective communication. Dr. Cherniss’ extensive experience as a superintendent across several high-performing school districts uniquely qualifies him to lead in these areas and to meet the expectations of our community.”

Some members of the community had previously voiced concern over the circumstances surrounding Bregy’s resignation. 

His departure was announced on Feb. 21 in an email to the community. At a BHUSD Board meeting on Feb. 25, several parents spoke about their frustration with how his exit played out. 

Romi Azevedo, a local parent, said Bregy was “depriv[ed] of the opportunity to personally express his departure on his own terms.”

“The decision lacked transparency and professionalism, and it has left many in our community questioning the motives and leadership of this board,” she said. 

In response to the April 10 announcement, Jackie Kruger, a local parent who was involved in a recent effort to recall two school board members, said that some members of the community felt there could have been more transparency in the hiring decision. 

“We had asked to have more parental involvement and community involvement … and I think that since there is lack of trust in the school board, it doesn’t help,” said Kruger.

Speaking for herself, Kruger noted that she “come[s] to this with an open mind” and the understanding that a decision had to be made quickly.

“There is an urgency in hiring a superintendent, and I understand that,” she said. 

Cherniss’ contract will be formally presented at the Board of Education meeting on April 15. If approved, he will step into the role by June 1.  

The post BHUSD Appoints New Superintendent appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Talent Show Results included first place winner, Back in Autumn Band, featuring Morgan Stern, Jake Rubel, Cooper Fink, and Hannah Thurston. Alina Sansyzbay came in second place and Remy Javidzad was awarded third place and the People’s Choice Award.

“The Talent Show is a great example of students leading with purpose and passion,” said BHHS Assistant Principal Kim Decatrel. “It’s inspiring to see them out on stage, taking a risk to share their talents. Enthusiastic and supportive audience participation centered the bonds between Normans and warmed the hearts of all in attendance.”

This year’s event not only highlighted student performance but also celebrated collaboration across campuses.  

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“This event was about helping students take the next step with confidence,” said BHHS Principal Drew Stewart. “We want every student to feel informed, inspired, and supported as they look ahead to life after high school.”

The fair included a wide variety of institutions, including public and private universities, liberal arts colleges, and out-of-state schools. College representatives were available throughout the day to answer questions, provide materials, and support students on their journey toward higher education. 

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Are you trying to secure VIP tickets to the U.S. Open this year? Perhaps you are feeling more adventurous and want to track mountain gorillas in East Africa or simply score a table at La Dolce Vita in Beverly Hills on a Saturday night. Look no further than this client-driven platform whose dedicated lifestyle managers provide members with personalized support.

Quintessentially’s U.S. CEO Lauren Wilt oversees the brand’s strategy, corporate development and day-to-day operations with a team of 50 across six cities.

Wilt joined the company as Head of Membership in 2013, after a previous role at the Cipriani Group.  Here are her insights on the growing concierge industry and traveling in 2025. 

Explain the services that Quintessentially provides. 

Travel, tickets and dining are our most common request categories; however, what makes Quintessentially truly unique and stand out are all the other things we do for our members. We take a 360-degree approach to lifestyle management, which means we support our members in all facets of their lives. From day-to-day support like finding dog walkers, to arranging appointments and sending gifts to loved ones, we also have specialists in numerous areas such as property and estate management, education and private clubs.  

What are the most in-demand travel or hospitality requests from your clients?

Time and time again, we see members who want to travel to familiar destinations such as Aspen or St. Barts and explore new places for their larger trips. They rely on us the most to tell them about the top properties, must-try restaurants and “must-visit” destinations to put it on their radar during the planning process. There has been an uptick in wellness-focused retreats; North American destinations like Mexico and Arizona and global destinations like Switzerland, Thailand and beyond. There has also been a surge in exploring the unexplored, which means destinations like Bhutan, which is not only a trending destination but also has great traction among our members globally and provides the opportunity to stay at luxury accommodations like the Aman or Six Senses. On a smaller scale, we are being tasked with requests like quick ski trips. The Presidential Suite at Hotel Jerome was a member favorite over Presidents Day weekend, for example. 

Is there a particularly challenging request that your team was able to resolve?

Earlier this year as the catastrophe of the fires has wreaked havoc on Los Angeles, it has been a particularly challenging time, not only as the CEO who has a large team in California but as a long-term LA resident and member of the community. Understanding the impact these fires have had on our members has been devasting, but it’s been encouraging to know we’re a team not only of experts, but also of friends, sisters, daughters, mothers and fathers who care about our members like their own community. As everyone has been impacted in different ways, we’ve been able to help families relocate for short-term stays in comfortable hotels while they wait to return to their homes, find suitable rental properties within certain criteria for those who have lost their homes completely and work with trusted organizations to provide a resource to members looking to make contributions for those in need. 

What trends are you seeing in luxury travel in 2025?

Luxury travelers are prioritizing self-care and holistic well-being. This includes stays at wellness retreats like SHA Wellness offering personalized programs like yoga, meditation, nutrition and spa therapies, and Chenot Palace Weggis, which offers advanced programs that focus on rejuvenation to delay the onset of biological aging. These destinations—be it in the mountains, by the ocean or at cutting-edge urban spas—are seeing a surge in demand.

Belated and extended honeymoons: Weddings now are so much different than they used to be because more and more frequently the couple has a global network of friends. This, coupled with the growing popularity of destination weddings, means that often couples are now taking a pause between their wedding and honeymoon. It’s nice to fully reset and prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon, which may take place in exotic locations like Mozambique, the Outback, Rwanda and beyond.

Soft travel: Traveling somewhere to reset and relax versus packing it in. The era of jam-packed itineraries is fading and is now being replaced by a desire for slow, intentional travel. Luxury travelers are seeking destinations where they can truly reset—long stays in serene locations, which for some may be tucked away in Jackson Hole and for others St. Barts, providing both a time to connect with nature and experiences designed to refresh both body and mind.

Cultural Immersion: Travelers are looking for meaningful engagement with local cultures. They want to explore destinations through hands-on activities like cooking classes, art workshops or guided tours with historians, creating deeper connections and more authentic memories. A property that comes to mind is Hacienda AltaGracia, tucked away in Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica, which gives it edge and creates an environment where cultural immersion is at the root of who this property is and everything they do. 

Adventure Tourism: Luxury adventure travel is booming as avid travelers want an outside-the-box experience; there really seems to be a surge in making once-in-a-lifetime trips at the forefront of their planning. From expeditions in Antarctica to glacier hiking in Iceland to private safaris in Africa, the focus is on tailor-made experiences that balance thrill with comfort—think luxury campsites, expert guides and personalized itineraries.

You have recently visited Nicaragua, El Salvador, Sri Lanka, Morocco and Costa Rica for surf trips and completed a 500-kilometer cycle challenge across the South of France. Any personal traveling tips for a seamless experience on the road or in the air?

Travel prepared: Before arrival, I’ve done my research and worked with our expert team of travel advisors to map out where I want to eat, what I want to see and experiences throughout the trip.  While this helps set me up for a successful vacation, there are a few habits I always follow upon arrival. 

Walk: I love to take a walk right away. This helps with much-needed fresh air after travel and to get my bearings in a new place. If it’s a city break, I love to see what’s around the immediate area, and if I pass a local grocery store, I always pick up some local snacks, which can be a great indicator of the culture. If it’s a country or nature holiday, a walk helps me to see what’s on property and explore what’s available during my stay. 

Talk: Whether it is to people in the airport, the taxi driver to my hotel or the person checking me in, I always try to be as friendly as possible and ask questions. Locals are a great way to learn about your destination’s history and culture. They will also know of citywide events to look out for and are a great source for insider tips when navigating a new destination, such as an off-the-beaten-track local restaurant or shop.

Unpack: It takes a few minutes, but I find in the long run it’s a time-saver during a vacation.  Unpacking also helps me feel settled and at home in an unfamiliar place. 

Gratitude: I try to ensure I understand and can say basic words and sentences in the local language, especially greetings and words of gratitude.

Which Beverly Hills properties or restaurants are the most sought-after for bookings?

Polo Lounge (The Beverly Hills Hotel), Dante (The Maybourne Beverly Hills), Matsuhisa, Sushi Note Omakase, La Dolce Vita, Nozawa Bar, Funke, Matū and Marea.

What do you never leave home without and why?

Besides my phone, there are a few things I tend to never leave home without. First, I love my Smythson cardholder, which is personalized with my initials. I’ve never been a fan of large wallets, and my Smythson fits in any pocket, with everything I need whether staying local or traveling domestically. Wherever I go, I also always have a Kosas Lip Fuel within arm’s reach. It’s my lip balm, lipstick and lip gloss all rolled into one super sleek tube that fits anywhere. Finally, when traveling, I never leave home without my Kindle. I’m an avid reader and this fits easily into any purse or carry-on luggage. I’m also a huge advocate for packing cubes, which help me stay organized and efficient on any trip. My favorite packing cubes are my monogrammed Mark & Graham set. 

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Located just 20 minutes from the international airport and 12 minutes from the center of town, Amanjena, which translates to “peaceful paradise,” feels a world away from everything. Arrive through its gates and instantly enter a serene Moroccan fantasy world, where the open-air reception is furnished with antiques and decorated with a display of colorful spices from the region. Guests are immediately captivated by the awe-inspiring water feature outside. The black-bottom tranquility pool sets the tone for the entire resort—amplifying the architecture and lighting of the property at night when it reflects off the water—and juxtaposes the desert landscape, creating what seems like an impossible oasis.

“The first time I was at Amanjena was about 15 years ago with my wife,” says Cape Town, South Africa–based architect Stefan Antoni, principal and founder of SAOTA Architecture and Design, which is responsible for everything from mansions in Bel-Air to hotels across Africa and Europe. “I was an early ‘Amanjunkie’ and had been to a lot of the early Aman hotels in Asia. Amanjena was built in 2000, but it feels centuries old and very much of its destination, which is a testament to its architect, Ed Tuttle [who also designed the first Aman, Amanpuri, in Phuket].”

Indeed, so much of Amanjena’s appeal rests in its ability to pull the guest into the destination and immediately feel a connection to the local architecture, the landscape, and the soul of Marrakech. And, for its next phase, just a handful of special villas at Amanjena will allow its esteemed guests the privilege of owning a piece of the luxury oasis. Sprawling across 13 acres, Amanjena currently features 40 rooms, ranging from 1,883 to 12,163 square feet, a spa with four treatment rooms and two Turkish hammams, two clay tennis courts, and access to the adjacent Amelkis golf course and two additional nearby golf courses. There are also two signature restaurants, one serving traditional Moroccan cuisine in an intimate area centered around a marble fountain, and one serving informal Japanese fare for three meals daily.

“Right now, Amanjena is this hidden gem of a property, and we had the fortune of there not being much directly around it,” says Antoni. “The unused land next to it was the perfect opportunity to create something truly special.”

The homes that Aman is creating will consist of elegantly and harmoniously designed three- to six-bedroom villas, staying true to the brand’s ethos. “So many of the hotels in Marrakech are elaborate and over the top, but Aman is more Zen. The DNA of the brand is very unique, so to that end, we’re carrying on with a subdued feel,” says Antoni. “From what I’ve experienced at the other Amans around the world, there’s always a quietness and sense of balance and symmetry. The architecture is very considered, so that you can feel calm and really let go.”

The residences at Amanjena include three villa layouts, ranging from 16,400 to 24,300 square meters in size, all with private gardens, swimming pools and open walls to immerse the owner in the surroundings.

“When you’re in the city center [of Marrakech], you see these tall walls, which are made of local mud with the texture of straw and grass in them. They have these smallish openings, where you’ll get a glimpse of some incredible oases inside,” says Antoni. “For us to extract that essence, what Marrakech architecture is all about, was really important, but without being a pastiche or copy of the traditional—it’s our interpretation of that.”

The residences will feature similar architectural walls that are found throughout Marrakech, as well as a dusty design palette with accents of lime-washed oak, stone and patinated bronze, which complement honed travertine tiles and Tadelakt plaster walls.  The resulting homes honor the region with traditional materials but contemporary layouts, with indoor spaces that flow seamlessly onto private terraces and roof gardens by way of pools and courtyards.

“We spent a lot of time studying other Aman hotels, specifically their layouts and connections and the sequencing of spaces,” says Antoni. “As you enter the villas, you will experience the unraveling of the mystery in the design from the arrival, the layering of the internal spaces and then the garden and water elements … each is laid out like a palace, so that they can condense and expand as needed, never feeling too big or too small for the site.”

Although Marrakech dates back to 1070 and is steeped in history and authentic charm, it’s also constantly evolving, whether with new museums, restaurants or an increasing number of international visitors who come each year to discover its charms. “Marrakech is so central and close to Europe, but it’s also just one step away from America and one step from Asia,” says Antoni. “It’s a very well-positioned city and very multicultural. Not to mention, it will have the World Cup in 2030, and there’s even an area where you can ski. The region offers so much, but there’s no place better to experience it than at Amanjena.”  

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A visit to Oaxaca, Mexico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, anytime from October to May is ideal. The temperature is always pleasant and the rains are yet to come. But if I had a preference, it would be in early November. For the adventurous, the Day of the Dead (Nov. 1-2), combining pagan and Catholic rituals, is exciting, vibrant and full of activity. For me, the perfect time is always the day after the day after the Day of the Dead. The chaos, noise and mayhem have calmed, leaving the colors, statues and joy behind. Already one of the most brilliantly glowing cities in Mexico, a country full of color and beauty, Oaxaca is bathed in the bright primary colors of its buildings and the intense ornamentation of its many churches. A very approachable city, ideally you should reserve at least four days for your visit. Besides the city itself, not-to-miss sights are Monte Albán and, time permitting, Mitla, both important archaeological sites and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, full of Zapotec and Mixtec history. 

Historically, the rugged topography of the Oaxaca region was both a curse and a blessing. The curse was in the difficulty of growing crops, but its blessing was its isolation and mineral and gemstone-rich land. The two primary Indigenous cultures, Mixtec and Zapotec, were in constant conflict, with the Mixtecs predominating until the arrival of the Aztecs in the 15th century. Their dominance was short-lived, however. Misjudging conquistador Hernán Cortés for a god, the Aztecs almost immediately lost their stronghold and influence to the Spaniards. It was an ideal location for the conquerors to set up headquarters as they stripped the region of its gold, silver and jade. It is rare to find so much history, Indigenous culture, art and craft in one location. 

Hotels of every level of luxury and sophistication are found throughout the city center. We chose the historic Quinta Real, a stone’s throw from the famous Templo de Santo Domingo and one of the many blocks with long open-air markets selling everything from jewelry to gelato. Like so much of Oaxaca, the Quinta Real is tied to the conquest by the Spanish and its post-colonial history. Originally built as the Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena by Benedictine monks, it was inhabited by Dominican nuns. Steep stone steps lead to the rooms on the upper levels, all built around courtyards, as are most buildings and houses in the area. Many of the 16th-century paintings originally belonging to the Dominican order still hang on the walls. But as tied into the religious history of the city, it is even more connected to its political profile. The Revolution of 1859 by local hero Benito Juárez changed everything, at least for a time. Juárez, the first elected Zapotec president, nationalized the church and seized its many properties, including the convent, turning it first into government offices and then a jail. Later it was a school, a warehouse and eventually a luxury hotel. The old chapel was even used as a movie theater. Yes there are more modern accommodations with greater degrees of luxury, but there is nothing to compare with the history and flower gardens that make up the Quinta Real. That, and the grasshopper omelet they serve at breakfast. 

Walking to the Templo de Santo Domingo, we were immediately immersed in the design and meaning of Baroque architecture. Almost Gothic on the outside, it has two tiled bell towers and a central fascia of tablets depicting lives of the saints with a few conquistadors and contemporaneous citizens thrown in for good measure. But it is the lavish interior that brings the definition of Baroque clearly into focus. Excessive decoration leaving no tile unturned, the Templo has a lavish gold-leafed nave with an arched ceiling of saint portraits encased in ornate gold frames, accented by arched lapis blue ceiling tiles. Each column is bejeweled with statues of saints, some known, mostly not. There is even an elaborate “Tree of Life” with various “sainted” Spanish knights occupying the branches. This is the architectural style for which more is never enough, and an empty inch is a design flaw. Dazzling when entered, it only expands in extravagance. 

Combining the sacred with the irreverent, symbols and statues of the “dead” surround the grounds of the church where vendors hawk their miniature skeletons and totemic animals. Oaxaca is a city of contrasts, historical and artistic. It is home to many churches and a cathedral, many adjacent to one another. But it is also the birthplace of Benito Juárez, who, schooled originally in a seminary to enter the priesthood, became the first democratically elected Indigenous (Zapotec) president of Mexico who established, at least for a time, a clear boundary between church and state, something the conservative party and the church were determined to recoup. Oaxaca is also home to Juárez’s acolyte and later bitter rival, Porfirio Díaz, who replaced the democracy of Juárez with his own autocratic rule, a rule that spurred the Mexican Revolution of Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa. In so many ways, Oaxaca is the center of everything. 

Parallel to the political history is the art history of the region. Rufino Tamayo, a contemporary of the muralists Rivera, Orozco and Siqueiros, was a modernist painter, born in Oaxaca of Zapotec origin. A Mexico City resident in adulthood, he returned to Oaxaca to build an art museum that featured his personal collection of pre-Columbian art. Choosing different colors for each room, highlighting a different era of the archaeological history of Mexico, the shades bring out nuance in the pieces that might otherwise blend into a beige or gray background. In its own approachable way, the relatively few, colorful rooms contain artifacts of the highest quality, rivaling the much larger and more famous National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. The Rufino Tamayo Museum of Pre-Hispanic Art is must-see. 

The artistic thread continued when Tamayo mentored his protégé Francisco Toledo, a Zapotec artist whose influence in Oaxaca may be even greater. Already an internationally recognized artist at the age of 19, he studied and worked in Paris and New York but returned to his home state where his commitment was immediately felt.  

Our first stop was Toledo’s Art Library and school (Instituto de Artes Gráficas de Oaxaca – IAGO). Built around a bougainvillea-shaded patio, rooms of art-related books, most from Toledo’s personal collection, form the body of a cultural center that includes the Manuel Álvarez Bravo Photography Center and the Eduardo Mata Music Library, all part of the art school he founded. Artwork is hung everywhere, but it was the Day of the Dead altar set up at the exit celebrating Toledo, who died in 2019, that resonated the most. Orange and red streamers hung near his portrait, with candles and celebratory bread loaves, decorated with skulls lining the shelves below his picture. We were in the perfect mood to walk some more along the avenues populated with giant skeletons in party dresses under multicolored flags that created an umbrella over the temporary “Dead” sculptures. Many of the buildings, all painted in various hues, sported skulls or ceramic animal heads. Walking toward the  Zócalo, the large courtyard in the city center, we passed the Catedral Metropolitana, Oaxaca’s only consecrated cathedral, flanked by giant, Rodinesque sculptures of downtrodden men and women carrying the load of the world. Created by Oaxacan artist Alberto Aragon Reyes, “Procession: Time of Giants” is striking in its use of metal. The poverty it portrays is, to a certain extent, an honor to the cathedral behind it, a more modest structure than many of the other churches.  

A return to the hotel meant a return to the bar and one of the excellent mezcal-laced cocktails. Tequila, in all its permutations, may be the national liquor of Mexico, but mezcal has a distinct smoky taste and is a specialty of the Oaxaca region. A cocktail is always a great beginning to one of Oaxaca’s renowned restaurants. Now a foodie paradise, Oaxaca boasts many starred restaurants, all with a distinct Mexican flavor, highlighted by molé. Fear not. Molé, a sauce made from dried chiles and any combination of various ingredients, but always chocolate, is definitely not the black, gelatinous glop so often passed off as a Oaxacan specialty. Mole comes in many flavors and colors and can range from delicate to strong, depending on the amount of spice and chocolate. Not being a fan, it took a lot to convince me to try, but after my first taste of red mole (coloradito), followed by green and then pink, I was a fan. The delicacy of the sauce enhances the flavor of the meat and does not overpower.  

Monte Albán is a must-see, regardless of the time allotted for a visit to the region. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this pre-Columbian archaeological site is not quite an hour outside the city center. Monte Albán was the preeminent Zapotec city for almost a thousand years, founded around 500 B.C. and totally abandoned in 800 A.D. Situated on top of a plateau in the mountains above the valley floor, its elevated location provided an ideal view of invading armies. Terraces of varying levels were designated for the important religious and political leaders, with the workers, tradesmen and farmers living on the lower levels. Although rediscovered in the late 19th century, it remained almost untouched, covered with vegetation, until large-scale excavation began in 1931. A main plaza occupies the center where religious rituals were held. Temples surrounded the plaza where many stone monuments are found (Las Danzantes) depicting the brutal fate of captured soldiers. Large, monumental stairways, like those found in Teotihuacan outside Mexico City, lead to platforms, possibly sacrificial. The remains of white “plaster” can still be seen on some of the buildings. There is, of course, a ballcourt, one of two thought to have occupied the edge of the plaza. It was a game played with life-and-death consequences. Some artifacts can be found in the adjacent museum, next to the gift store selling hats (you’ll need one); but most of the artifacts discovered during the original excavations can be seen in the wonderful Museum of Oaxacan Cultures next to the Church of Santo Domingo, another must-see (but more on that later). 

While not a must-do when on a limited schedule, Mitla, the other archaeological site outside Oaxaca City, offers a look into the architecture and design of the Zapotec culture, still thriving when the Spanish invaded. Inhabited around the turn of the first millennium, Mitla was a thriving city of Mixtec and Zapotec population in an area that supported more than 500,000. Much of the site was devoted to the dead, believed to be a burial site for the rich and ennobled. The construction was very sophisticated, using blocks that fit together seamlessly like those built by the Incas in Peru. Adorned with carvings along the building cornices, creating a crown molding whose decoration was often enhanced by fresco-like painting and fretwork on the walls, these funerary properties were built around courtyards, not unlike the modern architecture of Oaxaca. Smaller and more manageable than Monte  Albán, a trip to Mitla can easily be combined with a trip to Santa Maria del Tule to visit the massive 1500-year-old Tule Tree. Its size and scope make it one of the wonders of the world. At 130 feet tall and 145 feet in circumference, it defies logic.  

Many tourist agencies encourage trips to the outskirts to visit San Bartolo Coyotepec, famous for its black pottery, made here for hundreds of years. The town of San Martín Tilcajete is famous for alebrijes, those animal figurines made from copal wood, hand painted with natural dyes and decorated in dots, stripes and geometric shapes, often sprouting spines of thin wood. Heresy, perhaps, but unless you are determined to see how these crafts are made, your time is better spent in Oaxaca City Center where literally hundreds of shops feature these arts. Be judicious, look carefully at the art, compare the products of the innumerable shops and then fill your luggage with your treasures. 

The Centro de Artes de San Agustin (CaSa), not far from the city, is an art complex started and funded by Francisco Toledo on the grounds of a huge, converted textile factory. Part art gallery, there was a fantastic comprehensive exhibit of Toledo’s art on view at the time, part workshop and part art school, it is worth the short trip to experience the campus that also includes a paper factory, again, started by Toledo.  

Another must-see in the city center is the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures, located in the former convent attached to the Templo de Santo Domingo. An incredible museum, built around a courtyard surrounded by columns and arched walkways, it is almost encyclopedic in its holdings. Many of the artifacts discovered at both Mitla and Monte  Albán found their way into these collections. Intricate jewelry in gold and jade is found next to ritualistic carvings and ceramics of the skulls of men and animals. The library of Francisco Burgoa, also part of the complex, contains over 30,000 works, including incunabula, bibles in Latin, Greek, Syriac and Hebrew, as well as 16th-century books printed in Mexico. A bronze death mask of Juárez is prominently displayed. It is here, on the grounds outside, that Francisco Toledo presented another gift to his hometown, creating the Ethnobotanical Garden on land behind the Templo de Santo Domingo. It highlights the many plant species used by the Indigenous population for cultural rituals, food and medicine. It is also because of Toledo-led protests that the garden was created when the government was trying to use the space for a parking lot. 

This just scratches the surface of a marvelous city. So much can be discovered on your own including the Mercado Benito Juárez and its endless booths of food, spices, clothes and decorations. There’s so much more to explore from the many other museums, world-class restaurants and village markets. But that’s for my next trip, and there will be one. 

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The Resort 

Amangiri debuted in 2009 with just 34 suites. Its luxury tented resort, Camp Sarika, opened in 2020 with 10 spacious accommodations to further immerse guests into the stunning setting of the 900-acre resort. The property also includes a 25,000-square-foot wellness center, restaurant and access to the nearby Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and Lake Powell. 

The Residences 

Each of the private homes at Amangiri will be situated on five to 19 acres. Homeowners will have access to all the hotel amenities at the adjacent Amangiri resort, as well as the Aman Private Office, which coordinates access to global services across the entire Aman portfolio of properties. 

The Location 

Amangiri is located in Canyon Point, Utah, about 550 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The closest airport is Page Municipal Airport (PGA), just 25 minutes from the property. 

The Architect 

Based in Los Angeles since 2012, Masastudio was founded in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1997 by Marwan Al-Sayed and Mies Anderson. In addition to being one of the original architects of Amangiri, the firm has created homes for private clients and institutions across the world. Recent projects include everything from a modern estate in Dallas on four acres with a creek running through it, to custom residences in Bel-Air and Brentwood, as well as international work that includes private homes in Dubai and a tea museum in Southern China.

When Amangiri opened in 2009, on 900 acres of pristine desert landscape, it not only helped introduce an American audience to the previously Asia-centric Aman brand, but it also helped introduce a worldwide audience to a unique landscape in the American Southwest. Arriving at the property feels like entering one of the world’s most exclusive luxury resorts, and the beginning of a restorative stay, thanks to its unique surroundings.

Miles of sandstone terrain, undulating mountains, crisp clear skies and an abundance of silence are just some of the most distinguishing aspects of the property. Its striking architecture and legendary Aman services and amenities have made it a bucket-list destination, even from its early days.

Over the years, the resort has continued to evolve to accommodate the needs of a more globally inspired traveler. With the 2020 opening of Camp Sarika, the 10-key luxury tented experience at Amangiri, private, safari-like accommodations reach up to 2,820 square feet and feature glass walls, fire pits and private plunge pools. The resort’s expansion speaks to a more nature-loving traveler, eager to be further immersed in the landscape, while still within reach of the finest services and amenities from one of the world’s leading hospitality brands. 

Now, the Aman Residences at Amangiri offer a unique opportunity to live at one of the most acclaimed resorts in the world, in an organically designed home that blends seamlessly with its surroundings, courtesy of the resort’s original architect, Marwan Al-Sayed of Masastudio. 

The Resort: From Idyll to Iconic

With 34 rooms, a 25,000-square-foot spa, signature restaurant and iconic views—from endless landscapes of the plains to the monolithic rock formation appearing to erupt from the swimming pool—Amangiri has been wowing guests for more than 15 years. “There are few hotels in the world as unique as Amangiri,” says the resort’s General Manager Kerry Hing. “Many guests are often lost for words when discovering the property for the first time. They may mention that it feels like going to another planet. The scale of the desert scenery—where you can see miles away—combined with the colors and textures of the million-year-old rock formations invites reflection and wonder.”

Hing also says that the rugged wilderness and mineral design of Amangiri are usually appreciated in layers. The pace of the desert encourages guests to slow down and take the time to notice more details, whether it is a specific feature or opening in the concrete design, or the subtle variations of the light on the sand dunes and towering mesas throughout the day. 

Because the inherent landscape of the surroundings encourages visitors to pause and absorb the calming energy of the region, it was a natural fit for Aman to create a residential component to the property so that guests could linger in the setting for extended amounts of time. Although an initial concept for residences at Amangiri was drafted at the time of the property’s opening, Aman chose to focus on cementing the resort and the brand before turning its attention to residences. Now, after Amangiri has become one of the most recognizable destinations in the world, the timing has been right to focus on the residential plan, which was conceived by the resort’s original architect, Marwan Al-Sayed. 

The Architecture: A Seamless Union Between Nature and Man  

Los Angeles–based architect Marwan Al-Sayed of Masastudio first set foot on the land that now holds Amangiri in 1999. “Creating Amangiri was a completely unique project,” he says. “I was based in Phoenix at the time, and the developers were interviewing different firms in the area. When they realized that their top picks, Rick Joy [of Studio Rick Joy], Wendell Burnette [of Wendell Burnette Architects], and I all knew each other, they asked us to collaborate on the project.” 

Al-Sayed admits a collaboration of such established firms is rare, but the site was so spectacular and the project so intriguing that all three firms eagerly signed on. They formed their own joint firm for the project, ITEN Studio, and had a completely open collaboration. “There was no competition between us—we all put our egos aside and decided that the best idea on the table wins,” says Al-Sayed. 

The design team traveled to numerous Aman properties, mostly in Asia, to immerse themselves in the brand’s ethos and DNA. Upon returning to the site and developing a plan, they were predominantly inspired by the light and surrounding environment. “So many of the surrounding places to stay in the region are built right next to the highway, like an old roadside American motel,” says Al-Sayed. “But here, we built entirely into the landscape—not just on top of it. Our mission became to create something that would resonate but not detract from what’s already there. Because there was nothing else like this in the area, it put the region on the map in a way that had never been done before.”  

For the property’s next chapter, Al-Sayed, who has frequently traveled back to Amangiri since its opening, observing how the property has matured and evolved, has created a new residential plan for a collection of villas, which will have unique characteristics prescribed by their individual settings. 

“The way I look at it, is that there is the main area with the hotel, with a valley above it, which will have some villas, and then two other valleys will each have a handful more,” says Al-Sayed. “It’s as if Amangiri is the trunk of the tree and these villas are the branches and leaves that extend from it.”

Featuring many of the same materials found at the main resort, the new villas will each have a living room, dining room, loggia pavilion that opens to outdoor spaces and a swimming pool with its own unique rock feature. “The rooms are like a series of blocks that get adapted to the landscape,” says Al-Sayed. “Although each residence is made from the same materials, they will all feel different because of the way they engage the rock and the land. If you’re visiting someone else’s residence, it will be familiar but different.”  

The Environment: Nature Makes for the Best Neighbor 

Amangiri is surrounded by 900 acres of sand dunes and sandstone cliffs, making it a unique playground for hiking, rock climbing, exploring the nearby national parks or just luxuriating in the tranquility the property exudes. From the air, most of the land around the resort appears flat, but Al-Sayed explains that there’s actually quite a bit of undulation in the landscape that allows for not only a variety of outdoor pursuits but also for the architecture of new residences to be tucked into the folds of the landscape. The natural terrain provides organic privacy, as well as an intertwined experience with the outdoors, intrinsically linking the homes with the landscape. 

“The location in the high desert is a completely unique setting to experience nature year-round,” says Hing. “Amangiri experiences all of the four seasons, each with their own charm. Spring and fall enjoy balmy temperatures during the day with cooler mornings and evenings—they are the ideal seasons for outdoor adventures. The dry heat in the summer is the perfect companion for a day lounging at the pool or exploring the picturesque Lake Powell. Winter is usually colder with clear blue skies and therefore the best time of the year to retreat to the spa or go and discover the surrounding national parks.”

Indeed, the natural landscape of the resort is one of the biggest draws, with Amangiri offering an incomparable way to experience it. “I went to boarding school in Colorado and spent every spring break in Utah,” says Al-Sayed. “I have memories of hiking and biking there in spring, and the main swimming pool at Amangiri reminds me of how I’d see natural pools in the area fill up from the seasonal rains. The region is like the American version of the Greek Islands to me—a wonderland of rock and water. People coming from Europe have never experienced those expanses and scale and sense of space. It’s a magical playground in itself.” 

Among some of the unique experiences to be had in the property’s “magical playground” is Via Ferrata, a series of cables and ladder rungs fixed to rock faces, allowing climbers to ascend on the property’s steep mountain routes. “This is popular with our guests as they offer both a physical and mental challenge with the reward of breathtaking views on top of the mesas,” says Hing.

After exploring the nearby terrain, guests often understand the more subtle connections between the resort’s architecture and surroundings. “When we were developing the original materials of the resort, we decided to make it out of concrete, which was made from the existing sandstone around the property,” says Al-Sayed. “By using materials from the site, which have minerals in it, over time the walls have come to reflect what happens in the nearby rocks. They’ve aged in a natural way, just like the landscape around it.” 

Wellness: Beyond the Gym 

Much like the Japanese art of Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, spending time in the natural landscape around Amangiri is inherently relaxing. “We used to always say that just being at the property feels spa-like,” says Al-Sayed. “The rocks there are 165 million years old. My daughter [who has visited with me many times over the years] said that the energy they give off is palpable. With the residences, we tried to create a spa-like ambiance, so that you feel like you’re in harmony with what’s there.” All of the residences Al-Sayed has created are meant to settle into their site, without being overdesigned or overimagined. 

Nearby, at the property’s 25,000-square-foot wellness center and throughout its grounds, Amangiri offers a variety of movement sessions to encourage a reconnection of body, mind and spirit, using the power of the natural elements to rejuvenate and rebalance. “Some of the most unique experiences here are yoga at sunrise on the top of Tower Butte [after a short helicopter flight, guests enjoy their own private, open-air yoga studio 1,000 feet above Lake Powell], as well as our Longevity Fitness, a combination of balance, stability and mobility-oriented routines, and Ai Chi, a total water-based body relaxation and strengthening process based on Tai Chi and Qi Gong,” says Hing. 

Al-Sayed points out that living in a resort should be adaptable to everyday life, with the serene setting enhancing the lifestyle and daily routines. “When we created the residences, we utilized the palette in nature as much as possible. We often say that light is the final finish,” he says. “We typically build custom homes, which we fit to our clients like a tailored suit. Here, we used the site as the client, tailoring each structure into the site for a holistic living experience that not only looks good,  but also feels good.”   

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Much of the dialogue centered around cutting costs and providing more detailed information to board members about spending plans. 

Following a discussion about approving an agreement with a vendor to provide audiovisual upgrades to the theater technology systems at Horace Mann Elementary School and Beverly Vista Middle School, board members decided to table the issue until more proposals were sought. A recent request for proposals yielded only one bid.   

The project is estimated to cost over $1 million for both schools combined. During discussion, board members expressed concern over not seeing an itemized spending breakdown. 

“What are the details?” said Sabag. “What are they fixing, what is destroyed and what are the prices for everything? I think we have a right to see the details if it’s a million dollars going on two schools.”

Board members also expressed uneasiness over receiving just one bid for the project, as reported by city staff.

“I know of plenty of companies in Los Angeles who do this kind of work,” said Stuart. “To believe that for a half-million-dollar job or million-dollar job, there’s no one else who’s interested in doing the work, I find that almost impossible to believe, especially when it’s staging sound systems. This is Hollywood, there’s 300 companies that do that kind of work.”

Interim Superintendent Dr. Jason Hasty received direction to repost the request for proposals on the district’s website, send the request to companies who might be interested and provide the complete scope of the proposed contract in the agenda the next time it comes in front of the board. 

In other business, the board voted to approve the resignation of 33 employees under a retirement incentive plan for which 146 district employees were eligible. The plan was developed by the district along with Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS), and those submitting their resignations at the end of the school year will include some certificated teachers and some classified staff, according to Board President Rachelle Marcus. 

Retiring employees will receive 80% of their last salary on a payment plan of their choosing. If approximately nine positions remain unfilled, PARS predicts the district could save an estimated $6.6 million over five years. 

Continuing their focus on spending, the board reviewed and approved funding for teachers’ attendance at several upcoming conferences and workshops. During discussion, Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri aired her concern that teachers may miss classroom time for the conferences, particularly just before statewide student testing. 

“I 100% support our teachers bettering themselves, going out, learning, being inspired, refreshing, coming back and sharing that with their colleagues and their students,” she said. “But I’m very, very protective of instructional time.”  

As other board members agreed with Manouchehri, Dr. Dustin Seemann, the district’s assistant superintendent of education services voiced irritation. 

“I’m going to get slightly frustrated in this conversation,” he said. “We can’t talk out of both sides of our mouths and say things like, ‘We want to ensure that we increase our AP scores, yet we’ll think about whether we’re going to allow our teachers to go, yet we are sitting on a million dollars’ worth of professional development funds.'”

At the end of the meeting, the board discussed several potential new initiatives. The first, proposed by Stuart, would allow the district to secure intellectual property rights relating to BHUSD and its assets to “work with potential sponsors and endorsement partners to identify and pursue branding opportunities … [and protect] the integrity of our brand,” Stuart said.

Board members informally green-lit the project, which Stuart will work on along with Manouchehri and Hasty. 

The second, proposed by Manouchehri, would upgrade uniforms and other gear for student athletes and participants in extracurricular teams such as robotics and orchestra. 

“The students want consistent, fresh uniforms,” she said. “The students want gym bags that reflect that they come from BHUSD. They want to look uniform; they want to be presentable.” 

During the public comment portion of the meeting, which took place early in the evening, district parent Jackie Kruger gave an update on the effort to recall Stuart and Sigalie. 

The two board members were served with notifications of an intent to circulate recall petitions against them at the board’s March 11 meeting. However, in order to proceed, proponents of the recall must serve the initial paperwork again. The petitions were filed too soon after the start of Sabag and Stuart’s term, under California law. 

Chief among the concerns of those participating in the recall effort, said Kruger, is a lack of transparency on the part of the district. 

Kruger acknowledged that, following a meeting between herself, Manouchehri, Sabag and two other individuals, the district sent a survey to members of the community about the search for a new superintendent. 

“If the meeting and survey are just the first steps toward greater transparency and inclusiveness and committing to listening and working on behalf of the entire community, then there will be no need for recall,” she said. “We hope that that is the case.” 

The post Spending and Transparency Top Issues at BHUSD Board Meeting appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

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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Whether luxury travelers desire to savor Singapore’s eclectic tastes, delve into Japan’s geisha heritage, stroll through captivating UNESCO World Heritage sites, soak in Thailand’s eco-beauty or shop till they drop in Hong Kong, one fact is clear for 2025 and beyond—Asia travel, including luxury cruising, is booming.

No longer are consumers taking just one big annual vacation. Instead, they’re heading out on two, three or even more robust trips a year. Virtuoso, a network of top luxury travel advisors, recently revealed that its 2025 travel sales to Tokyo are up 116% year-over-year. From the luxury cruise side, “Japan is Asia’s hottest destination,” says Shawn Tubman, senior vice president of sales and trade marketing, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, with Southeast Asia another big draw.

Helping to fuel demand for Thailand is Season 3 of “The White Lotus,” now airing weekly on HBO and Max. The storylines focus on interactions between global travelers and hotel staffers at a luxurious Thailand resort. But while the tales are pure fiction, the settings are authentic. Many scenes were filmed on location at sumptuous resorts in Phuket, Bangkok and Koh Samui, Thailand, as well as at Thai beaches and eco-preserves.

As a result, “Koh Samui is getting tremendous exposure of its natural beauty,” says Tubman. “That will generate demand for not only Thailand, but also the rest of Asia.” From his perspective, “Luxury cruising will benefit, particularly as people realize how accessible the exotic Asia destinations are via cruising.” Simply put, I totally concur, based on my personal experiences from multiple Asia ocean voyages, most recently a two-week voyage from Tokyo, Japan, to Singapore on Silversea’s ultra-luxury Silver Nova.

Over the years, I’ve traveled within Asia on escorted land tours, city stays and extensive independent trips. I love it all, but luxury ocean cruising is a hassle-free way to travel in comfort and style, plus touch many cultures in multiple Asian countries. For example, while sailing on Seabourn a few years ago, I enjoyed a great night’s sleep and room service breakfast delivered by my suite’s butler while sailing in Southeast Asia.

Less than 90 minutes later, I was off the ship and exploring Sihanoukville, the second-largest city in Cambodia. At a local market, I watched locals haggle loudly with vendors to get the best price on fresh fruits and veggies piled high on produce stalls. Seated on the floor, a fish seller sloshed his hands inside a tub of water, causing the live fish to splash and leap. His convincing performance resulted in a female onlooker nodding and quickly buying a fresh catch. It was a rewarding cultural snapshot of the local lifestyle.

Another two hours later—after a stroll through an ancient temple—I was ensconced back aboard Seabourn Ovation. After a luscious dinner and a great night’s rest, another exotic locale beckoned me in the morning.

Japan and Southeast Asia Soaring

When planning an Asian luxury cruise, booking early allows travelers to savor the pre-cruise anticipation, research “must see/must do” shore activities including any private arrangements, and have the best choice of snagging their preferred stateroom or suite on a luxury ship.

Many cruise lines have already opened Asia sales through spring 2027. For example, on Feb. 16, 2027, Regent Seven Seas Cruises will offer a 14-night “Cities of Mystery and Magic” itinerary from Bali (Benoa), Indonesia, to Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand. The 746-passenger Seven Seas Explorer will sail into Surabaya, Semarang and Jakarta, Indonesia; Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Malaysia; and Singapore (with an overnight stay).

One plus is that this itinerary also visits Borneo and Brunei. Arriving at Kota Kinabalu (Borneo), Malaysia, travelers might head out on Regent Seven Seas’ five-hour “Lok Kawi Wildlife & Handicraft Market” excursion. It’s a great way to view exotic, native animals at a wildlife park, learn about medicinal, endemic and exotic plants, including carnivorous pitcher plants, and stroll through a local handicraft market.

Never been to Muara, Brunei? I recommend Regent Seven Seas’ four-hour “Splendor of the Sultan” excursion. Guests will peruse the Royal Polo Grounds, opulent Empire Hotel and the Sultan of Brunei’s magnificent 1,788-room palace. They will also gaze at the monarchy’s Royal Regalia exhibits.

This voyage will also offer a call at Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City) before concluding at Bangkok (Laem Chabang). “Bangkok is a fantastic city with access to Siem Reap, Cambodia,” Tubman explains. So, by booking a pre- or post-cruise land package, cruisers can also see and do more in Thailand’s capital city and the countryside, as well as head to Cambodia to explore Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

More New Options

Between September 2026 and May 2027, Silversea’s 596-passenger, ultra-luxury Silver Muse and Silver Moon will operate 17 Asia voyages. Targeted at Southeast Asia, Silver Muse will sail to both marquee ports and less-visited gems, such as Vietnam’s stunningly gorgeous Ha Long Bay. It’s home to limestone karsts, islets, fishing villages and ancient caves.

On certain voyages, luxury travelers will also go ashore at Chan May, a gateway for excursions to Hue’s Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Coron on the Philippines’ Palawan Island with beaches and scuba diving sites. Silver Muse’s itineraries are also combinable for travelers to create a 28-day Southeast Asia vacation.

Silver Moon will, in turn, operate in-depth Japan itineraries. Two voyages during the 2027 spring Cherry Blossom season will include an overnight in Osaka, Japan. In just one of many touring options, guests might book Silversea’s exclusive S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) shore excursion to celebrate the science of umami with an acclaimed Japanese chef. Some Silver Moon voyages will offer later-than-typical departures from Busan, South Korea and Kanazawa, Japan, so that guests can spend more time ashore.

On March 1, 2026, ultra-luxury Seabourn’s 600-passenger Seabourn Encore will set sail from Singapore to Yokohama, Japan. One perk for those planning a big Asia trip is “voyage length flexibility.” For example, they might book the 15-day “Southeast Asia: Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan” itinerary. It visits Ho Chi Minh City (overnight) and Danang, Vietnam; Hong Kong (overnight); Keelung (Taipei); and Tokushima, Japan.

Two other options for that same departure date—both entitled “Southeast Asia and Japan’s Crafts & Spring Blossoms” sailings—will alternatively create a 29-day or 43-day vacation. All three options begin with the two-week sailing, but guests booked on the longer trips stay aboard for more cruising and many other ports of call, among them Beppu, Japan, famed for its “hells” or bubbling hot springs.

For those who love leisurely “days at sea,” one Asia and Australia option is Cunard Line’s 23-night voyage from Singapore to Sydney on Feb. 22, 2026. Before setting sail, though, travelers might venture atop Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands for incredible views from its observation deck. Alternatively, perhaps stroll through the Singapore Botanic Gardens; its National Orchid Garden sports 1,000 species of orchids plus 2,000 hybrids.

As for the cruise itself, Cunard’s 2,996-passenger Queen Anne will spend three days at sea, then two full days in Hong Kong, another two days at sea, one day in Manila, the Philippines, before two more days at sea and a day in Bitung, Indonesia. Well, you get the picture. More sea days follow, interspersed with visits to Darwin, Airlie Beach and Brisbane, Australia, before an overnight in Sydney.  

New this year fleet-wide, Cunard has introduced holistic “Harper’s Bazaar” Wellness at Sea programs. Spanning three days each, three optional curated wellness programs—“Relax,” “Recover” or “Energize”—include a selection of spa treatments, some premium ELEMIS products and unique, nutritionally balanced dining options.

In early 2027, Crystal’s “World Cruise” will depart from San Diego, Calif. As the 740-passenger, ultra-luxury Crystal Serenity sails across the Pacific, several April 2027 segments will explore Southeast and East Asia. Guests can learn about Indonesian culture at Semarang’s temples, explore attractions in Singapore and Bangkok, visit the Great Wall of China and chow down on dim sum in Hong Kong.

Crystal Serenity will then continue to South Korea and Japan. There, guests will visit multiple destinations including Busan, South Korea. One destination highlight is the Gyeongju National Museum, displaying ancient Silla Kingdom artifacts.

Returning to China in 2026-2027 is upper premium Azamara. For example, on Oct. 16, 2026, Azamara Pursuit will operate a 15-night “China Intensive: Beijing, Shanghai & Hong Kong” voyage. One plus is that this 702-passenger ship is right-sized for sailing directly into the heart of Shanghai. Another itinerary hook is the unusual embarkation point of Incheon, South Korea, not far from Seoul, the nation’s capital. So, guests who desire to explore more of South Korea can do so pre-cruise.

In Incheon itself, military history buffs should head to the Memorial Hall for the Incheon Landing Operation. Built to commemorate the 1950 Korean War landing led by U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, it displays copious military equipment (both inside and outside) from North and South Korea plus other artifacts, photos and flags of 16 war participants. 

Upscale foodies might board Oceania Cruises’ 670-passenger Regatta on April 3, 2026, for a “Cherry Blossom Splendor” voyage round trip from Tokyo. Highlights will include top-notch cuisine and culinary activities on board, plus cultural experiences ashore at nine Japanese ports and Busan, South Korea.

More in Asia

Expanding in Asia, Viking now offers enticing new China itineraries that include a voyage on the 930-passenger Viking Yi Dun, combined with overland stays in China, including Tibet. Separately, Japanese cruise line Mitsui Ocean Cruises, part of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, has opened sales for its cruise vacations in North America. As a first step, Architects of Travel will support sales of the new-to-fleet, 458-guest Mitsui Ocean Fuji (the former Seabourn Odyssey) by promoting it to North American travel advisors. Another former Seabourn ship will arrive in 2026. This is one development to watch.

Many premium lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Disney Cruise Line also sail in Asia, as do such small-ship operators as Scenic, Aqua Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions, Ponant, Windstar Cruises and others. For instance, Ponant’s 184-passenger Le Jacques Cartier operates a 14-day “Islands, Cities and Volcanoes of Indonesia” voyage, departing Jan. 7, 2026. While sailing between Bali and Singapore, guests can sip a cocktail at the ship’s underwater Blue Eye lounge and gaze out whale-eye-shaped windows to look for marine life. 

Aurora Expeditions’ 130-passenger Greg Mortimer will operate a new 16-day “In the Wake of Wallace: Indonesia & Borneo” itinerary from Denpasar (Bali), Indonesia, to Singapore on Oct. 24, 2026. And between September 2026 and May 2027, Windstar Cruises’ new 224-passenger Star Seeker will offer 12 departures of a 10-night “Grand Japan” itinerary between Tokyo and Kobe in Japan, plus other Asia itineraries. 

Another option for Asia travelers is a river cruise on the Mekong, Yangtze or Ganges rivers. Experienced river operators include AmaWaterways, Scenic, Viking, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, Pandaw and others. This fall, Pandaw’s new 10-cabin Kochi Pandaw will debut on a new “Kerala Backwaters” itinerary round trip from Kochi, India. And in October 2025, Viking’s new 80-passenger Viking Tonle will begin sailing the Mekong River. 

If you’re wondering if there is still time to book an Asian cruise for this year, the answer is “yes.” Tubman stresses that “It’s possible to still book some space this year and next winter.” 

Whenever or wherever one travels in Asia, be sure to relax and cherish the moments. After a long day of Hong Kong touring late last year, I ordered room service in my luxurious suite on Silver Nova and then nestled into a chair on my private veranda to admire the up-close skyline views. But I had forgotten that each evening the city puts on “A Symphony of Lights,” the world’s largest permanent light-and-sound show. Suddenly, dramatic music enveloped the waterfront, and colored light beams danced and twirled across the skyscraper facades. It was pure magic. Best of all, those moments of visual splendor unfolded on my private perch on an ultra-luxury ship. 

The post Asia’s Allure appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

By reputation, the perpetually lemon-scented Amalfi Coast is almost peerless in its stunning beauty and sophistication. Just take a dip in the languid waters of the Netflix series “Ripley.” It fully captures the slow-motion riot of the treacherous roads, the decaying decadence of the crumbling buildings and the linen-clad beautiful people who still call it home. Built into the rocky hills, the houses tumble down the cliffs, seeming to float or be attached by invisible wires holding them up like alert puppets. The white of the buildings reflects almost blindingly off the blueness of the water. When a close friend rented a villa on the Amalfi Coast and invited us to come, the answer was a very quick YES!

Our villa, actually two country houses, was on a hill in Piano di Sorrento, off the beaten track but overlooking Sorrento, the coast and Capri. We settled in comfortably, meandering around the grounds filled with trees laden with apricots, oranges and, of course, the ever-present lemons. Our tiny neighborhood was populated by two cafes and a mini market whose hours of operation were at the owner’s caprice. There was even a tiny clothing-souvenir shop specializing in homemade linen shirts, dresses and pants. The sewing machines were in constant use producing brightly colored shirts and (alas) pants with lemon motifs.

Sorrento was our first eagerly awaited foray. Devoid of some of the harrowing hairpin turns that would await us on our trips to Positano and Amalfi, it was an introduction to driving in Italy where lane markings are mere suggestions, and the game of “Chicken” seems to be embedded in the DNA of anyone with a driver’s license; truly a case of “he who hesitates” loses. If roundabouts didn’t have stop signs, tourists would wait until the inevitable two-hour lunch break before they could progress.

Sorrento, the tip of a peninsula in the Gulf of Naples, is not technically part of the Amalfi Coast but shares some of its physical beauty. From the Sorrento harbor, boats and ferries leave for the islands and the cities of the Amalfi Coast. Mount Vesuvius with its dual peaks is an easily identifiable landmark, and Pompeii is halfway between Naples and Sorrento. It’s ironic, or at least disingenuous, of a tourist to complain about tourists but Sorrento, even in May, is nigh unto unmanageable. Rife with accommodations from the five-star variety to suspect B&Bs, the shops along the main pedestrian street sell tacky souvenirs and brag of so-called handcrafted wood inlay works of art but are just factory showrooms churning out ashtrays and plaques. Contributing to the claustrophobia were the hundreds of Bermuda short-clad men, women and children lined up behind flag-waving guides dashing through the stores and monuments before being herded back to one of the megaliners (4,500 passengers and more) docked in Naples. That it was Sunday may have been a contributing factor, something we would be able to judge when we returned.

Sorrento, on Tuesday after the hordes had departed, was much more pleasant because our host treated us to a boat ride, “yachting” luxuriously from Sorrento to Amalfi with the young, charming and gorgeous Capitano Antonio, viewing all the coastal towns along the way. He skirted the working fishing villages and less-traveled harbors like Nerano, one of his favorites, and brought us into the three-island Gallos archipelago for a close view of this famous property. Craggy, lacking vegetation, it was Léonide Massine, the famed Russian choreographer and dancer of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, who fell in love with the island and its medieval tower, converting it into a villa and dance studio. No wonder Rudolf Nureyev felt an attachment, buying it in the early ’80s, further renovating it and living there until his death. It has since been refashioned into a luxury villa where visitors may swim in the waters but, unless they can ante up the €250,000 per week rental (including servants, cook and boat), they are forbidden to set foot on the island.

Pacing the trip perfectly, we gazed up at the road, one we would repeatedly take in the next few days, winding through the imposing mountainous rock facings on one side and the little protected cliffside leading to the water far below on the other. Built into the rock are the towns and villages that dot the coast. Colorful pebble beaches abound, accessed by stairways carved into the rocks descending unimaginable heights. The barely-clad bathers were young and hardy, unless they had arrived by one of the anchored boats.

Positano is world-famous for its beauty and rightfully so. Gazing at it from the sea, it appears like a many-layered wedding cake, elaborately iced and inviting. Many of the boats anchored off the shore were on a grander scale than ours, equipped with motorized rafts or dinghies to transport their passengers to shore where they can dine, drink and frolic. The beach is crowded and the pastel buildings overlooking the sea (they all overlook the sea) have vast terraces and balconies. The exclusive properties are either near the bottom of this cliffside town or at the very top. I must confess that in all our trips past Positano, we did not venture into the town. Theoretically, it would have been possible to traverse the tiny streets, but it appeared that the vast majority of people visiting the actual town parked haphazardly, with the emphasis on hazard, along the upper road and walked down, a rather daunting prospect at any age. Still, the pastel combinations of Positano need to be seen to be believed. It is the very definition of a jet-set hamlet where it’s easy to imagine the linen-clad visitors, cocktail in hand, trotting from party to party and then back to the yacht.

Continuing through the bay, Antonio led us into the Fiordo di Furore, a pristine beach in an inlet accessed from the tiny town by 3,000 steps. Furore is home to an 11th-century church containing frescoes by Giotto and his students. How, one must ask, did they get there in the first place, let alone why? It’s one of many puzzles to be contemplated all over the Amalfi coastline. It is the arched brick bridge, 28 meters high, traversing the fjord, from which there is a high diving contest every year, that provides its unique feel.

We were able to dock in Amalfi, larger, more bustling than any of the other towns, allowing us the time only for a purchase at the pasticceria and a few lemon-scented souvenirs. Our lunch was at the Torre Saracena, a 16th-century tower that was part of the city’s defense system. The views to the northwest are of Amalfi, and to the southeast, Atrani of “Ripley” fame. We’ll get a closer view of Atrani, Amalfi’s poor relation, when we drive to Ravello. The food was wonderful but the views were better. But then, all of the views have been panoramic and stunning. Our trip back to Sorrento was at a faster pace and we enjoyed a crisp breeze as we retraced our earlier steps, making sure to renew our sunscreen.

We would return to Amalfi the next day, taking the treacherous SS163 with its serpentine curves, hairpin turns, series of long tunnels and blind mirrored corners dreading the sound of a bus honking its arrival. The lanes, marginal under the best of circumstances, are often further constricted by parked cars along one edge or the other. Even worse are the sightseeing viewpoints where cars spill out onto the roadway waiting for a place to stop, competing with the ever-present vans selling fresh juice, lemon granita and T-shirts. The trip never got easier and the anxiety never lessened; but in each case, we lived to tell about it. Arriving again in Amalfi, our small group split up, the more intellectual choosing to climb up to the Duomo and its Byzantine facade of inlaid striped marble and stone. The 63 wide stone steps lead to a vast porch, semi-enclosed by a series of arched window-like openings giving it a Moorish flavor. Others of us, the more superficial members of the group, myself included, went in search of artisanal souvenirs. The shops closest to the harbor are crowded with the same lemon-themed souvenirs found in every other town in Southern Italy. Walking slightly off the beaten track are the more interesting stores of inlaid wood furniture, handmade paper and ceramics of more unique design. After lunching on garlic-flavored focaccia, myriad antipasto and fish, we returned to the car and wound our way slowly back across the hills and treacherous roads.

For our next excursion, we chose the small town of Nerano with its seafood restaurants on the water. Lo Scoglio was a trip to the rarefied air of the jet set. Although we arrived by car, most of the guests in this terraced restaurant were ferried from their private yachts by Lo Scoglio’s motorboat, arriving at the restaurant’s landing platform. Stanley Tucci, in his series “Searching for Italy,” declared their Spaghetti alla Nerano with zucchini and provolone to be his favorite pasta. The food was sumptuous, the service attentive and the local wine delicious. Lingering on the multicolored pebble beach for a few moments, we made a last stop at the mini market to buy vodka and crackers, indispensable for our evening cocktails. Lemon twists were in abundant supply from the villa’s trees.

We left early the next morning for our trip to Ravello, east of Amalfi and north of Salerno. It’s famous for its hilly location and view of the blue coastline to the west; and east, the grassy highlands of its rival city Scala with its vineyards and olive groves. Ravello is known for its two exquisite botanical gardens, the Villa Cimbrone and the Villa Rufolo. Villa Cimbrone is a long walk uphill, far from the city center; not the option we took. Instead, we headed straight for the Villa Ruffalo, a palace built originally in the 13th century but rescued and renovated in the 19th century by Francis Neville Reid who bought the villa in 1851 and installed the elegant gardens that can be seen today. Its pavilions are terraced such that each looks down onto the next, all with a view of the bay far below. In spring it is a riot of neon-colored flowers and green sculpted hedges. Excavations in recent years have uncovered artifacts and foundations from its 13th-century origins. Towers and courtyard columns attest to the Moorish influence of the times. One can easily see why this garden has enchanted so many over the years, including Richard Wagner and Maurits Cornelis Escher, who may have been inspired by the Torre Maggiore’s staircase.

Although Ravello is also on the list of tourist must-sees, our early start avoided most of the crowds. Much to our dismay, the restaurant we wanted was closed, but the shop owner next door suggested we try Osteria Ravello, a family-run restaurant at the far end of town. With its outdoor terrace and excellent food, we were well cared for, especially when the owner’s mother adopted one of our group showering her and us with extra attention and treats. Returning to the center and the shopkeeper who had made the original recommendation and reservation, we found lots of souvenirs to take home and even some to keep. It was now mid-afternoon; the tour groups had begun to arrive, and it was time to leave.

Our final outing to Positano was for a birthday celebration. The storied Hotel Il San Pietro is at the summit of Positano just before Praiano. It has sweeping views of the entire bay, but most importantly it has valet parking. Tiered on the hillside, there are tennis courts, a pool and deck, a spa and garden and a small private beach far below, all accessed by an elevator built into the rock. Of course, one always has the option of walking, but a glance at the stairway was one more reason to hope the elevator was operational. Cocktails were first in order at the beautiful bougainvillea-filled terrace bar where Bellinis with fresh peach almost matched the stunning views. The San Pietro’s Michelin-starred main restaurant, Zass, is open only at night so we held our celebration in the beach-adjacent Carlino, an al fresco lunch spot where they have a farm-to-table concept drawn from their garden. The pasta was as fresh as the fish, and the atmosphere was festive. Sated, we were back on the road to the villa to pack up and snack on leftovers from previous evenings.

The Amalfi Coast, land of sun and endless lemon trees—it is not surprising that each local restaurant offers its own artisanal Limoncello, and we sampled any and all put in front of us. The sharpness of the colors, the salt in the air, the hairpin turns that seem to cantilever over thin air will be memories we always keep. And to all who follow, take a boat along the coast to get the full flavor of life on those shores. So don those linens and, for a brief moment, you too can be a jet-setter. 

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While the Aman brand didn’t originate  in Indonesia, it certainly established its foundation there, with much of its hospitality heritage stemming from the Southeast Asian country’s architectural vernacular, as well as the rich Eastern philosophies of wellness. The Aman brand debuted with the opening of Amanpuri in Phuket, Thailand, in 1988, followed by the opening of Amandari in Indonesia’s Balinese cultural capital of Ubud in 1989. In the years since, Aman opened Amankila and Amanusa in 1992, Amanwana in 1993, Amanjiwo in 1997, and launched a sailing yacht, Amandira, through the area in 2015.

“Indonesia is the heritage and background of the Aman brand,” says Jann Hess, the General Manager of Amankila and Regional Director of Aman Indonesia. “The strongest DNA of the brand comes from the people here, and the ethos of how the brand always aims to blend in with local culture stems from here too.”

While these Aman properties are all well-established, the region’s increasing popularity over the years has made it prime for new development, as well as for people to rediscover the foundation and heart of the Aman brand, with the U.S. bringing more visitors to Aman’s properties than any other region. “Indonesia has more than 17,000 islands and more than 700 spoken languages, as well as breathtaking landscapes and culture,” says Hess. “It’s also 3,600 miles wide from east to west, so it takes some time to fully explore.” Here, the experienced hotelier, who has spent the last decade with Aman Resorts, guides us through what makes each property particularly unique—as well as what’s ahead for these legacy properties.

Amandari— An Enchanted Forest Haven

“In the beginning days of the Aman brand, the idea was that the resorts would feel like homes where you are welcoming friends,” says Hess. Nestled in Bali’s uplands, about 15 miles from the sea, Amandari is surrounded by Bali’s most verdant landscapes, filled with Hindu temples and shrines, rainforests, and numerous craftspeople and artisans. Here, spacious suites offer a variety of residential-inspired configurations, complete with private pools that reflect the tonal greens of their surroundings, as well as open-air rooms for seamless integration with the outdoors to let in views of the Ayung River Gorge and River Valley, rice paddies or landscaped gardens. Materials like teak, marble, as well as thatched roofs and coconut define the building palette.

“At Amandari, you can see how from the beginning, the Aman brand always developed in a way that blended in with what was already around it. It sets the standard for all the resorts to follow,” says Hess. Today, guests at the property can visit the neighboring village filled with galleries and artists; be led by an Aman guide through local markets; explore the nearby iconic temples; go on a cycle journey through rice fields; trek alongside a picturesque lake; experience Balinese spiritual counseling; or simply bask in the environment and absorb the stunning nature.

Amankila—A New Home for Aman Lovers

Historically, Bali was divided into nine kingdoms, each ruled by a different royal family. Set in the ancient kingdom of Karangasem, on the eastern side of Bali, Amankila is set among some of the island’s most culturally significant sites and compelling landscapes. “It’s hard to find a place more unique than this,” says Hess. “Bali is quite large [about 2,230 square miles], but there’s so much you can do here without going too far.” Hess points to Balinese cultural experiences like visiting one of the water palaces, Tirta Gangga, hiking along the stunning gray-sand coastline, as well as snorkeling and diving.

First built in 1992 by architect Ed Tuttle, who is responsible for other Aman resorts like Amangani and Amanzoe, the property has long inspired guests with its cliffside home featuring sweeping views of the Lombok Strait, as well as its intimate accommodations with canopied beds, soaking tubs and private terraces. Now, Amankila is creating just nine exclusive residences, designed by Singapore-based Studio NvS. The expansive properties range from 29,000 to 61,000 square feet, boasting outdoor terraces, private pools and an elevated hillside position to take in sweeping ocean views.

“Each villa is being designed to host multigenerational families and/or groups of friends,” describes Hess. “They’re created on a large scale, each comprised of elegant pavilions and seamlessly blending with the rest of the resort.”

Residences will range from three to five bedrooms, with homeowners having the option to add additional pavilions for spaces like an office, media room or meditation lounge. Owners will have full and preferred access to all hotel amenities and services, in addition to the Aman Private Office, which provides global services across the entire Aman portfolio.

Aman Villas at Nusa Dua—An All—Villa Resort for a Truly Exclusive Stay

Golden beaches, oceanside temples and frangipani-scented hillsides set the background at Aman Villas Nusa Dua, where each private, two-story villa comes with a team of two butlers and a private chef. The all-villa resort feels more like its own private residential enclave, where its seven homes, ranging from 45,552 square feet to 58,727 square feet, occupy a total of 153 private acres. Since opening in 1992, the property has been catering to guests seeking customized experiences in a unique setting. Its position on Bali’s southernmost peninsula provides proximity to the Bali National Golf Club as well as some of the island nation’s most stunning white-sand beaches. Complementing the stunning setting, the architecture of the villas comes from Kerry Hill Architects, who have designed Aman resorts across the world, including the forthcoming property in Beverly Hills. “Kerry Hill’s work, especially in these early Aman properties, really set the tone for the brand, and you can see how decades later, not only is it still relevant, but it’s also still inspiring,” says Hess.

Amanjiwo—Where History Meets a Contemporary Sense of Serenity

Overlooking the world’s largest Buddhist sanctuary, in the bucolic bliss of central Java, Amanjiwo draws guests with its tranquil setting and natural attractions. “The resort overlooks the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Borobudur, which is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple,” says Hess. “There’s a feeling of serenity when you’re here, so much so that ‘Amanjiwo’ actually translates to ‘Peaceful Soul.’” Here, the resort’s 33 rooms form a semi-circle around the central spaces, with views looking out to the cascading rice paddies, Kedu Plain, and four volcanoes. The inland setting, just 35 miles from the coast, is deeply immersed in the island’s rich culture, with guests frequently coming to experience Aman-led private visits to Borobudur, trekking into the nearby mountains, or simply resting in the tranquil landscape and lounging by the pool.

The architecture of the property deeply reflects its storied surroundings, with legendary architect Ed Tuttle designing accommodations with local stone, gracious pavilions and walled gardens. “Ed Tuttle was also the architect of the first Aman, Amanpuri in Phuket, and helped establish the brand’s design vocabulary, looking to merge modern comforts with historic and Indigenous attributes,” says Hess.

Although the options for accommodations range as large as the Dalem Jiwo Suite with two bedrooms, each in their own pavilion, a Javanese-stone swimming pool, two outdoor lounging bales and nearly 13,000 square feet of private space, those seeking to make their refuge even more personal have the option of purchasing one of the forthcoming private residences at Amanjiwo. “We’re currently in the process of creating four villas, each in the language of the current property and Ed Tuttle’s direction,” says Hess. “We’ll never create more than four, though, because it’s important that the property stays small and doesn’t impose on the protected UNESCO site.”

Construction of the villas is already underway, with options for three or four bedrooms, and designs by Sydney-based Manasara architects, who have created various residences and projects throughout Indonesia. The residences will be placed above the hotel for elevated views, and each will feature pavilions for bedrooms, living and dining, as well as expansive terraces and gardens, complete with an 18-meter private pool. Lots range from approximately 30,200 square feet to 37,700 square feet, but should owners ever feel the need to leave their environs, they have full access to all of the amenities at the Aman resort.

Amanwana—Tented Luxury on the Remote Moyo Island

There are tented camps, and then there are the tented camps that Aman creates. Those familiar with Amangiri’s Camp Sarika experience will recognize the full-nature immersion that Aman creates with its camp-style retreats. At Amanwana, instead of being surrounded by a boundless desert oasis, guests have the unique experience of waking up on Moyo Island. Measuring 135 square miles and accessible only by boat or helicopter, the island is part of the Moyo-Satonda National Park and offers calm turquoise waters, lush savannahs and rich forests. Here, just 17 tents rest in a tranquil bay on the western coast of the island. Each of the permanent tents measures 625 square feet and features plush beds, picture windows, wooden decks, full bathrooms with showers, and views of either the ocean or the jungle. “It’s unique that Aman can offer these five resorts in one country for guests to experience,” says Hess. “Each one is designed in complete harmony with its setting to offer something different to each guest. Of course, they can be experienced individually, but when a guest books stays across multiple properties, we can really create a personalized itinerary so that each retreat offers meaningful culture, memorable experiences, and the Aman-level of luxury.”

While the untouched setting of Amanwana is perfect for swimming with whale sharks in the Saleh Bay, scuba diving and snorkeling in the nearby untouched reefs, trekking through the jungle to explore hidden waterfalls, or experiencing a massage at the open-air spa set among tamarind trees, the emphasis here is always on the feeling of being a million miles away in a place still almost completely undiscovered by mainstream travelers.

Amandira and Aman By Train— Journeys Off the Beaten Path

Launched in 2015, the luxury sailing yacht Amandira is the most recent addition to the Aman Resorts portfolio in Indonesia. “This custom-built, two-masted sailing yacht is modeled after a traditional Indonesian Phinisi sailing and diving vessel,” says Hess. “It’s a fantastic complement to our properties on land because it gives our guests such a unique way to see Indonesia and its many islands from a different standpoint.”

Itineraries for Amandira include journeys to the Spice Islands, where powder-white-sand beaches merge with volcanic mountains and uninhabited shorelines, as well as the Komodo Cruise Expedition, where guests track and photograph the elusive Komodo dragon in its UNESCO-protected home of the Komodo National Park. Both journeys are offered only a few times a year due to weather, but each includes an incomparable stay aboard the 52-meter Amandira, where just five cabins ensure an intimate experience, and a crew of 14 ensures top-tier service.

“For another unique Aman experience, we have the Aman train journey,” says Hess. “It’s something we came up with during the pandemic that’s become a really special and popular experience.” Just twice a month, Aman guests arriving to Amanjiwo via Jakarta can board the luxury carriage, which seats 10 guests, for a 6.5-hour scenic ride. “We have a resident anthropologist on board who talks about Indonesian culture and sites you see along the way, which is a wonderful way to ease into and learn about the country,” says Hess. “It’s also a great reminder that some of the best ways to explore and absorb Indonesia are by sitting back and slowing down.” 

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From its inception, Aman has always pursued the creation of dynamic resorts and residences in incomparable settings. Never compromising on location or architectural integrity, the brand portfolio now includes 35 hotels, resorts and residences across 20 countries, reaching storied destinations such as Bhutan and Marrakech and global metropolises including New York and Tokyo. 

As the first Aman to be located on the West Coast, Aman Beverly Hills will combine the cherished brand’s ability to craft captivating retreats in an unparalleled setting. The project, designed by Kerry Hill Architects (KHA) from Singapore, will be the crown jewel of One Beverly Hills, a multibillion-dollar, 17.5-acre oasis set at the most iconic intersection in Los Angeles, where Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevards meet. Aman will join the preexisting Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills and the Beverly Hilton to create a unified development that will include 10 acres of public and private botanical gardens featuring more than 200 species of California native and water-wise plants and trees. Aman Beverly Hills will raise the bar of luxury in the area, offering a 78-key Aman hotel, two residential towers and a members-only Aman Club, all set on a private parcel with botanical gardens and secluded pathways reserved exclusively for the owners of Aman residences.

What is Aman?

Aman, the Sanskrit word for “peace,” has spent the last three decades cementing itself as a global leader in luxury hospitality. The first Aman Resort was created in Phuket in 1988 to replicate the feeling of being in a private home, with just a handful of rooms. Although the brand has since evolved, its main ethos of making guests always feel at home has long been the common thread running through the brand’s history. 

“Our studio was founded in Singapore 45 years ago, and we’ve spent the last 35 of them working with Aman,” says Tanuj Goenka, Director of KHA. “Our brands started their journeys together, and we’ve been proud to complete 13 Amans around the world. Over that time, Aman has always valued an environment that sets the properties apart, but the brand is not static—it has had a tremendous ability to move with the times, but without ever losing its soul.” 

The now Switzerland-based hospitality brand has always been synonymous with thoughtful design, peerless service and refined taste—qualities it will be bringing to Los Angeles, where it will introduce the city to a new level of luxury. At the recent World’s 50 Best Hotels awards, Aman was recognized as the first-ever winner of the “Most Admired Hotel Group Award,” where it was called out as a “pioneering purveyor of ultra-luxe, wellness-forward stays.” Indeed, Aman Tokyo, which was also designed by KHA, landed as the #7 hotel in the world, while Aman New York landed spot #37, wowing guests with its spacious suites, stunning three-story spa and peaceful atmosphere, all while being located in one of the busiest cities in the world. The New York property was the third U.S. project for the brand, following the landmark 2007 opening of Amangani in Jackson Hole, where the 40-key resort overlooks the Grand Tetons, and the spectacular 2009 debut of Amangiri in Utah, set among red-rock canyons and 900 acres of the Colorado Plateau. Also in North America, the brand features properties in the Dominican Republic (Amanera) and Turks and Caicos (Amanyara), where guests are just a stone’s throw from the U.S. but feel transported to a world away by the captivating environments Aman so thoughtfully designs. 

A Setting Like No Other 

Beverly Hills may consist of just 5.71 square miles, but the tiny enclave has reached world-renowned status as one of the most elite and sought-after luxury destinations in the world. In the early 1800s, the city began as an agricultural community. By 1912, it was welcoming its first hotel, The Beverly Hills Hotel; by the 1920s, historic mansions as Pickfair (the home of Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford) were being constructed; by the 1960s, Fred Hayman and Aldo Gucci were turning Rodeo Drive into a glamorous luxury retail destination with the openings of Giorgio Beverly Hills and Gucci; by the 1990s, the city’s zip code was immortalized by the series “Beverly Hills 90210”; and in 2027, the city will become even more elevated with the launch of Aman Beverly Hills. 

“I’ve been to California many times and was already familiar with Beverly Hills before we came onto this project,” says Goenka. “[Another world-renowned architectural firm] Foster and Partners had already put plans in with the city and gained approval for a project that included a botanical garden that would drape around the master plan. The idea of living in a garden in the middle of a busy city, which is predominantly a car city, meant that the Aman resident would have the opportunity to live in a truly special space.” Goenka adds that as he and his colleagues visited private homes around the city, they always noted the generosity of the landscape and the vistas. “We observed how private homes in L.A. take in the natural landscapes, the views, the surrounding nature, the sky … it was important that we brought that all into this vertical project,” says the architect. 

Now, the residences will occupy the two towers at Aman Beverly Hills, allowing for ample space to be dedicated to outdoor gardens that will make each unit feel like a private retreat that embraces the outdoors instead of hiding from them behind walls of glass and steel. But Aman Beverly Hills is not only a lush oasis for residents—its accompanying hotel will offer a new level of vertical luxury the city has never seen before. As the first new luxury hotel in the region in nearly a decade, it will raise the bar by offering guests a new way to experience Beverly Hills, complete with unparalleled design, top-tier service and exclusive amenities. 

Incomparable Design

Deep overhangs, lush, verdant gardens on every level, an abundance of natural wood—there is nothing typical about Aman’s plan to bring vertical living to the heart of Beverly Hills. “This is not your ubiquitous glass-and-steel high-rise,” says Goenka. “We considered how the building would be viewed and lived in from every angle and at different times of the day.” To that end, the glazing of each floor is set back from the edges of the building, with space for plantings, private pools, and undersides of timber that allow both residents and passersby to feel as if they’re immersed in lush landscaping. 

“We’ve created five Amans in Bhutan, which is one of the only carbon-negative countries in the world, and we created the Aman in Kyoto, which rests within a forest, near several UNESCO World Heritage Sites,” says Goenka. “We took the same propensity towards nature with this project, immersing the residents in a beautiful garden setting not on just the ground plane, but on every level.” Natural materials like limestone and natural woods will be used throughout, with the line between interiors and exteriors intentionally being blurred. “We only take on projects where we can be responsible for both the architecture and the interiors. We never want someone in one of our environments to distinguish where the architecture starts and stops. Instead, the indoors and outdoors should flow seamlessly,” he continues. 

KHA is collaborating with Los Angeles–based RIOS for the landscape architecture, whose work can be seen at some of the city’s most prestigious private residences, as well as at larger corporate projects for clients like NBC Universal, Paramount Pictures and Larry Ellison. “We didn’t want the landscape to be secondary; we wanted it to be substantial,” says Goenka. “Trees and plants are set within and all around the buildings—not just in an isolated planter box—so it breaks the illusion that you’re even in a building and instead feels like you’re living within nature. There are also multiple swimming pools and water features, so you truly feel like you’re in an oasis.” Adding to the residential feel of the project, a series of walking paths throughout the property will allow both hotel guests and residents to feel like they’re in their own refined neighborhood, immersed in fresh air. 

Units at Aman Beverly Hills start with two-bedroom homes of 3,100 square feet and extend to five-bedroom units that command 10,500 square feet. Penthouses will offer 25,000 square feet of private space, as well as bird’s-eye views across the city, taking in the ocean, the glittering city below and the verdant Los Angeles Country Club located just west of the site. Every residence of three bedrooms and up has a private pool, and even the smaller two-bedroom units have outdoor onsens.  

“Almost 30 years ago, Aman was one of the first hotel brands to allocate as much space to their bathrooms as their bedrooms,” says Goenka. “We’ve been a pioneer in celebrating the bathing experience as a ritual, and the bathing and dressing areas we’ve created in the homes here are equal to if not larger than the sleeping areas.” In the primary bedrooms, wet areas in the bathrooms extend to the outdoor terrace and pool. The sleeping, bathing and dressing areas have the option of being opened as one free-flowing space or partitioned off at times, so as not to disturb a sleeping partner. 

Each primary suite will contain a double vanity, a WC, a shower with steam option and a freestanding tub oriented to the views. “Typically, bathrooms are designed with lower ceilings than in the bedrooms, but we worked hard to make sure it was the same,” says Goenka. “Once everything is open and slid away, it will feel like one continuous open plan.” 

KHA’s design draws inspiration from American mid-century culture, yet as an international hotel with bespoke solutions, the project incorporates the finest products from around the globe to create a contemporary, exclusive and state-of-the-art destination. 

Life at Aman Beverly Hills

Much like one of the nearby exclusive estates, the approach to Aman Beverly Hills is considered the moment a resident crosses the property. Entry for the residents comes from either Santa Monica or Wilshire Boulevard along a private, secured drive. From there, residents can park in the thoughtfully designed subterranean garage or leave their car with the valet. As residents walk into the lobby, they’re met with a concierge team and staff to help assist with bags and groceries. 

The ground floor includes common areas for residents to greet visitors or hold meetings. From there, three elevator banks host private lifts that take residents directly into their homes. 

While the units at Aman Beverly Hills are truly a special opportunity, the Aman Club is another unique offering. As the social hub of the project, the space will include an entertainment zone, a screening room and jazz club, multiple food and beverage outlets, as well as wellness and fitness facilities. The members-only club is open to all residents of the Aman Beverly Hills, as well as other Aman aficionados who have applied for membership, creating a collective of like-minded individuals. 

Indeed, a sense of community is important to Aman Beverly Hills, with the project feeling like its own master-planned neighborhood. “What we’ve seen in our other residential projects like Amanpuri in Thailand, is that the homeowners at Aman properties are quite compatible and enjoy getting to know each other,” says Goenka. “Especially around certain times of the year or around holidays, they’ll all be there and celebrate together.” With the Aman Club and generous outdoor spaces acting as central gathering spaces, residents are meant to meet, interact and build bonds over the prestigious community that they’re all now a part of.  

“When you look at our other projects, there’s always a clear reference to the property reflecting its location. For instance, in Tokyo, in terms of materials and aesthetics, there’s a clear reference to it being in Japan, but it’s not inherently or too literally Japanese,” says Goenka. “Instead, we prefer subtle references to where the project is. We’re influenced and inspired by the local vernacular, but we aren’t copying it. We’re always looking to distill design to its most essential elements, allowing it to sit lightly within the setting.” 

Upon its completion in 2027, Aman Beverly Hills won’t just wow guests and residents with its striking architecture; it will envelop its guests and homeowners with a sense of calm, peace, and an appreciation for the setting and environment never offered in Southern California. 

The post A Piece of History appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Wells told the Courier that in hosting the gathering, she was acting in her capacity as a private citizen, not as a representative of the City Council. 

The recall petition must be re-served due to a procedural error; however the goal of the meeting, Wells said, was to address both sides’ concerns through a less formal dialogue.

“I felt the most important thing was … they could start a conversation and a dialogue outside of the formality of the boardroom, where they could just chat and find their common ground,” she said. 

District parents Jackie Kruger and Tasha Turner, both of whom were involved in the recall effort, attended along with board member Sigalie Sabag and board Vice President Judy Manouchehri. 

Sabag and fellow board member Russell Stuart are the targets of the recall effort. 

According to Kruger, over the course of three hours, the five women discussed matters including the district’s search for a new superintendent, the perceived lack of transparency in the board’s decision-making process and the recent release and reassignment of several elementary school administrators. 

“There were some moments in which there was, you know, some significant tension,” Kruger said. “It ended with this hope that we could resolve in this collaborative feeling … at the very minimum, there is a pathway for communication.”

Tensions between the BHUSD board and district parents have been high since the latter part of 2024. In November, students participating in a post-election pro-Trump rally allegedly used racial slurs against faculty and other students. Shortly thereafter, longtime Media Director Romeo Carey was placed on administrative leave for reasons that were not immediately clear. 

Beginning in early December, parents and students began showing up to board meetings and flooding the public comment period, accusing the board of a lack of transparency in its handling of those issues. 

The situation became even more tense in February when the board announced that Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy had resigned. Then, earlier this month, the district released and reassigned El Rodeo Elementary School Principal Sarah Kaber and Vice Principal Kevin Painter along with other administrative personnel. 

At the Board’s March 11 meeting, Kruger served Sabag and Stuart with notifications of an intent to circulate recall petitions against them. 

Wells said she believed an in-person meeting was the best approach to starting a dialogue. 

“The best way to clear things up is to have a conversation,” she said.  

In a written statement, Manouchehri said her intention in attending the meeting was to offer increased transparency. 

“I met with community members in good faith to clarify ongoing changes at BHUSD, which are aimed at providing the best education for our students,” she said.

According to Kruger, she and Turner presented five primary issues to Manouchehri and Sabag: the lack of parent involvement in the search for a new superintendent, a desire for the board to hold town halls where parents can ask questions, the board’s participation in governance training, a request for the reinstatement of recently reassigned elementary school administrators and a request for the resignation or censure of Stuart, who has come under fire for a recent social media post that some claim appears politically motivated. 

Manouchehri and Sabag are not able to make binding decisions without the rest of the board, however according to several people present, ideas were discussed as to how the board and the community might meet in the middle to address each groups’ interests.  

Kruger said she and Turner pushed hard for them to “reconsider and reinstate” administrators at both El Rodeo and Horace Mann elementary schools. 

“That is a very hot plate of contention,” Kruger said. “There is lines and lines of people knocking at my door regarding their eliminations.”

If the recall effort is to proceed, those behind it will need to serve the initial paperwork again. Under California law, to launch a recall effort against an elected official, the official must have held their office during the current term for more than 90 days. 

Sabag and Stuart began their terms on Dec. 17, 2024, and were served with notifications of intention on March 11. 

As of press time it is not entirely clear whether the effort will continue. Turner said that there are still mixed feelings among parents following the March 17 meeting.

“Jackie and I did go back to the group and discuss what we discussed with Judy and Sigalie, and most members of the group were encouraged,” she said. “We do have some members of the group who are still, you know, suspicious.”

Kruger added that the decision was not hers and Turner’s to make. 

“We have yet to file,” she said. “We wanted to appear … at that conversation in good faith, not serving them notice. So, we’re going to let this, you know, air a little bit and hear what happens, see how people are behaving, and then make a decision about how to move next.”

Wells does not have plans to host additional conversations of this nature. 

On Wednesday, multiple parents confirmed receiving a survey from the district requesting input on what is most important in a superintendent’s role.

“That was amazing to see,” said Turner. “I feel like, OK, that’s a step in the right direction.” 

The post School Board Members Meet with Recall Participants appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Additionally, Interim Superintendent Dr. Jason Hasty read out actions that took place earlier in closed session, in which the district was authorized to provide specific employees with notices. Those notices include release and reassignment and non-reelection. 

Board members said the decision to reduce administrative staff was based on a combination of budgetary and performance concerns. 

Referencing a recent audit of the district conducted by the state of California and the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri said the district has been found to have “too much management,” and alluded to nearby elementary schools having better test scores than El Rodeo Elementary School. 

Shortly after the board meeting, BHUSD released a statement that said the staff changes are “aimed at strengthening academic excellence while maintaining fiscal responsibility and compliance with state funding requirements.” 

In the same statement, Board President Rachelle Marcus said the board’s focus is on the students. 

“We are committed to providing our students with the highest quality education while ensuring that our financial resources are allocated in a way that directly benefits their learning experience,” she said. “These changes allow us to prioritize academic excellence while maintaining a strong and sustainable district.”

Among those individuals being released and reassigned from their current positions are El Rodeo Elementary School Principal Sarah Kaber and Assistant Principal Kevin Painter. El Rodeo staff were informed by Kaber and Painter of the district’s decision at a March 12 staff meeting. Both Kaber and Painter said they will be removed from administrative positions effective at the end of the current school year. Since both have tenure, they were given the option to return as classroom teachers.
“Every Wednesday morning, we have a staff meeting,” said an individual who attended the meeting.  “Sarah and Kevin told us, ‘We’ve been released and reassigned. They’re offering us positions as classroom teachers.’ Nobody has been told any reasons.”

 Staff from El Rodeo attended the March 11 board meeting to express their support for Kaber and Painter. Most wore all black. 

 “We had 35, 40 members of our staff, almost every teacher at the board meeting for two and a half hours,” said the same individual who attended the meeting. “We were showing up in support for [Kaber and Painter].” 

 She added that many staff members wore orange ribbons to school the following day. 

“If kids ask us [about the ribbons], we’re just saying that Ms. Kaber’s favorite color is orange, and we’re showing that we love and respect her,” they said. 

Community members also spoke at the March 11 meeting in support of administrative staff and against the manner in which the board made its restructuring decisions. Jonathan Goldfinger, M.D., a local parent and pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles with expertise in trauma-informed care, said removing leadership could result in serious harm to students. 

“We know there’s a lot more to education than just test scores,” he said. “When we uproot leaders from our schools … perhaps without sufficient concern for growth, we are perpetuating environments and social climates that have led young generations to be among the most anxious, depressed and tragically suicidal and at risk for overdose, bullying and other forms of school violence.” 

On March 13, Kaber addressed her situation in the school’s online newsletter, “The El Rodeo Roundup.” 

“At Tuesday evening’s Board of Education meeting, Dr. Hasty reported that the board voted 5-0 to reassign several administrators, including Mr. Painter and me,” she wrote. “At this time, we have not yet received further details regarding our next roles … Through our collective efforts, we have created the highest-performing school in the district, a testament to the dedication of our extraordinary teachers, the enthusiasm of our students, and the unwavering support of our parents and guardians. As we move forward, please know that you have our unwavering dedication to your children and the future of this school.”

When reached by the Courier about the resolutions passed by the board and the public’s reaction thereto, Hasty had this observation:

 “I will be the first to acknowledge the emotional toll this takes on a community. I’m going to do my best to be visible, to listen to feedback and make sure that I’m a conduit for the board and support the board.” 

Hasty also noted that the notices voted upon by the board resolutions “are required by law” to be given by March 15 each year. “They are not effective until June 30, but it gives us a space of time as a leadership group to make necessary decisions,” said Hasty.

He added, “The facts are the facts. We were seeing a deficit. We have to make some tough decisions.” 

The post BHUSD Board Modifies District’s Staffing Structure appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Speaking during public comment, Kruger said that she was there on behalf of “a lot of upset parents and members of the community” who have grown increasingly displeased with the actions of the board. Those actions include an alleged lack of transparency surrounding the Feb. 21 resignation of former Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy and the more recent decision to restructure the administration at El Rodeo and Horace Mann Elementary Schools. 

“I hope that you understand that you are under the eye and scrutiny of the community,” said Kruger before serving Stuart and Sabag, “and that you change your course.”

The notices list reasons for initiating the recall, including “clear violations of district code of conduct and bylaws, directly undermining the board’s educational excellence mission and failing to uphold BHUSD governance core values and commitments.”

Stuart is additionally accused of “compromising board impartiality by publicly expressing personal political views in an official capacity,” and Sabag faces an allegation of “demonstrating a conflict of interest by participating in district decisions potentially influenced by personal business interests and considerations.”

According to Kruger, the group collected nearly 100 signatures in 12 hours. 

In personally serving Stuart and Sabag with the notifications, recall proponents fulfilled the first step in initiating a recall. They must now prepare a recall petition for circulation, according to procedures set forth by the California Secretary of State. 

Those procedures state that proponents of the recall effort must collect approximately 4,560 signatures, and if the petition is deemed sufficient by elections officials, an election will be held within approximately 100 and 140 days. The election may be held later if it coincides closely with a regularly scheduled election.

Should they be recalled, there would be no vote to replace Stuart or Sabag. The positions would remain vacant until the next regularly scheduled election. 

Stuart and Sabag were elected to the board in November 2024. Reached by phone, Stuart said he did not know the recall petition was coming. 

“The number one thing that I can say is, it’s just disappointing,” he said.

Stuart added that the changes being made to Beverly Hills’ elementary schools administration teams were based on budgetary concerns. 

“I really do not believe that the voters who voted me in are against me, because this is what they voted us in for … to fix the books, and to turn these [school’s test] scores around.”

Recently, Stuart has faced controversy over a social media post. On Feb. 24, he posted an image featuring the “D” in BHUSD overlapping with the letters “DOGE.” DOGE is commonly understood to be an acronym for the federal government’s recently created Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk.

When announcing the creation of the office, President Donald Trump indicated that its stated goal would be streamlining government and bringing savings to taxpayers.

Stuart continues to defend his social media post, saying it represents his intention to be fiscally responsible during his tenure on the board and suggesting that there is a “politically charged” element to the recall effort. 

“I don’t have a Donald Trump post on my Instagram, but I promise you, if you followed any one of those people who are recalling me, you would think that they work for the Harris campaign,” he said. “[My post] was supposed to say that my focus is on efficiency.”

In an exclusive comment provided to the Courier via email, Sabag said the notice of intention to recall is “vague, lacks specificity, and borders on slander.”

“At its core, this recall effort is not about governance; it is about preserving the status quo for a select few,” she wrote. “It is a misguided and divisive attempt that distracts from what truly matters—our students’ education. No matter the noise, my focus will remain steadfast on ensuring that Beverly Hills Unified School District reclaims its status as a National Blue Ribbon School District and pride of our community.”

Romi Azevedo, a local parent and former BHUSD employee, spoke at the March 11 meeting in support of the recall effort. In a later email to the Courier, Azevedo noted that her concern revolved around the board’s allegedly opaque decision-making process.  

“The issue here is that the board is making major, destabilizing decisions without providing any transparency, justification, or a strategic plan,” she wrote. “What is the board’s long-term vision, and why haven’t they shared it with the community?”

Kruger echoed Azevedo’s alarm over a perceived lack of transparency in the board’s actions. 

“Perhaps there’s too much admin in our schools, I don’t know,” Kruger said in a phone call with the Courier prior to the March 11 meeting. “I’m not saying that some of these cuts aren’t justified. It’s just the transparency and the methodology are problematic … These are people that are dismantling our school in a very haphazard fashion.” 

The post Recall Efforts Launched Against Two BHUSD Board Members appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

In times of stress, the human body releases a hormone called cortisol. This biological response, evolved over millions of years, prepares us to stay alert in the face of perceived danger. While cortisol is vital, prolonged exposure can lead to digestive issues, muscle tension and pain, cardiovascular problems, sleep disturbances and cognitive difficulties. Chronic stress can also contribute to immune system dysfunction, making individuals more susceptible to infections and inflammatory conditions. The cumulative effects of stress on the body extend beyond mere discomfort, impacting overall health and quality of life.

As an ophthalmologist and retina specialist, I diagnose and treat the ocular effects of chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels, known as Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR). Prolonged cortisol exposure causes leakage from small blood vessels at the back of the eye. This leads to abnormal fluid accumulation under the retina, disrupting photoreceptor function and causing painless blurring of central vision. The amount of fluid correlates directly with the degree of vision loss and the patient’s stress levels: the greater the stress, the higher the cortisol levels, the more fluid accumulates under the retina and the worse the vision becomes. If left untreated or unrecognized, recurrent episodes of CSR can lead to permanent retinal damage and long-term visual impairment.

Since March 2020, I have seen an average of five patients per week with this condition, spanning a wide range of demographics. Despite their differences, these patients share one commonality: overwhelming stress. What has been particularly striking over the past eight years is that many patients are unaware of their own stress levels. It is often only after careful discussion and self-reflection that they recognize how much chronic stress has impacted their health.

In early March 2020, a husband and wife visited my Los Angeles office. While discussing the husband’s diagnosis of Central Serous Retinopathy, he denied experiencing stress, much to his wife’s disbelief. She reminded him of his recent emergency room visit, where he had been diagnosed with a panic attack—a clear indication of stress overload. This scenario is not uncommon; many patients initially dismiss stress as a contributing factor, only to later acknowledge its pervasive influence on their well-being.

One of the most gratifying aspects of treating CSR is that, in 90% of cases, no medical or surgical intervention is necessary beyond stress reduction. As stress diminishes, cortisol levels decrease and the retinal fluid resolves. While researchers have yet to identify the most effective stress-reduction methods, I commonly recommend exercise, adequate sleep, meditation or even listening to music. Spending time in nature, engaging in creative activities and fostering social connections can also help alleviate stress. It is incredibly rewarding to see patients at follow-up appointments where I can show them, through advanced eye imaging, the resolution of retinal fluid as their stress levels decrease. Witnessing this tangible improvement reinforces the profound impact that stress management can have on both ocular and overall health.

CSR is frequently misdiagnosed as other retinal conditions, such as macular degeneration. I often see referred patients arrive in my office in tears, having been told they were going blind due to macular degeneration. It is profoundly uplifting to inform them that they do not have macular degeneration, and that stress reduction can resolve their vision problems. This highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and increased awareness about CSR, ensuring that patients receive the appropriate guidance and reassurance.

We all lead stressful lives, and the global pandemic has only amplified this reality. Recognizing the toll stress takes on our bodies and relationships is crucial. While many people understand the connection between stress and conditions like heart disease, few realize that stress can also affect vision. I hope this piece has shed light on the importance of addressing stress for our overall well-being. By prioritizing stress management and self-care, we can take meaningful steps toward preserving both our vision and long-term health. 

David Lazar, M.D., is a board-certified ophthalmologist with subspecialty training in medical and surgical diseases of the retina. Dr. Lazar completed fellowship training in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery at the Lahey Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. While there, he also served as Clinical Associate at Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. Prior to his fellowship, he was Chief Resident at the LSU/Ochsner Clinic Foundation program in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Lazar serves the Southern California community from his practice, Lazar Retina, in West Los Angeles.

The post Stress Can Cause Vision Loss appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The district is currently facing lawsuits and administrative claims alleging racism, wrongful termination, sexual harassment and more. It has also fielded ongoing complaints from parents and students who say there is a lack of transparency on the part of the district. 

At the March 4 meeting, the board reviewed a contract with Corder Creative, LLC, titled “Crisis Communication Proposal.” Under the contract, the company’s scope of work includes communications policies, media coverage, key messages and talking points. 

The contract states that key messages and talking points would address “immediate concerns, including the journalism instructor’s leave, litigation against the district, allegations of racism, and allegations of staff member misconduct in student interviews/investigations.”

The proposal to bring on a crisis communications team came from Acting Superintendent Dr. Jason Hasty, who also identified Corder Creative. 

“Corder Creative provides a multitude of communication services [and] has a background with working with school districts,” he said. “The need is great, and this is a great company to bring in to help support this need.”

During discussion, most board members agreed that the district is facing a number of communication concerns. 

“I can think of at least three [issues facing the district] that have not been properly and transparently communicated,” said Board Member Dr. Amanda Stern. “There are some choppy waters right now, and some real specific needs.”

Board President Rachelle Marcus expressed similar concerns. 

“I do agree with my colleagues about the fact that we need someone who can handle the communications right now, because we are up a creek without a paddle, as far as I’m concerned,” she said. “I would love to be able to find somebody that can handle the crisis that we’re in right this moment.”

Board Member Russell Stuart agreed that more transparency is needed, as well as more honest communication with the community, but took issue with the word “crisis.” 

“What’s something that’s really bothering me immensely is, Dr. Stern and Mrs. Marcus, you both referenced the community and how they’re feeling, and that we’re in a crisis,” he said. “We’re not in a crisis at all. There is no crisis here. If you look at school districts up and down the state of California, they have lawsuits, they have problems. They hire and fire people. Things happen. We’re not in a crisis at all.”

The contract included in the March 4 agenda proposed a maximum of $25,000 for 83 hours of work by Corder Creative. The board agreed that the figure was too high and approved the contract 4-1 at $15,000. Stuart was the sole “no” vote.  

The post BHUSD Hires Crisis Communications Firm appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

An exclusive statement to the Courier from BHUSD indicates, “While [Carey’s] reinstatement comes after a period of administrative review, the district’s primary focus remains on supporting students and fostering a productive learning environment.”

“We are committed to ensuring the continued success of our students in all academic and extracurricular programs,” said BHUSD Board President Rachelle Marcus in the statement. “KBEV has a long history of excellence, and we look forward to seeing our students thrive as they continue their work in journalism, media production, and broadcasting.”

The statement continues, “Moving forward, BHUSD will continue to work with all faculty, students, and stakeholders to maintain a structured, professional, and student-focused learning environment. Our goal is to provide KBEV students with the resources, mentorship, and educational integrity necessary to prepare them for careers in media and beyond.” 

The post BHUSD Confirms Return of KBEV Instructor appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The actions came during an evening that became tense when members of the public continued to express dissatisfaction with the suspension of Romeo Carey, the district’s media director. Carey is currently on paid leave. 

Among the agendized items before the board was a discussion of a proposed contract with Swing Education, Inc., an online platform for hiring vetted substitute teachers. Board members reviewed the proposed agreement and posed questions to Dr. Jason Hasty, the acting superintendent in the wake of the resignation last week of Dr. Michael Bregy. 

Several board members sought confirmation that substitutes would be capable of teaching the subjects in the classrooms to which they are assigned.

“We do have a lot of issues with when we do have a substitute that goes into a specific classroom, [the students] are basically getting babysat,” said Board Member Sigalie Sabag. “So, we don’t want that. We want them to continue the curriculum.” 

The board moved to approve the contract as Hasty assured members of his faith in the company’s ability to meet the district’s needs. 

In other business, the board heard progress updates on the district’s state-led Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) as well as the strategic plan. Principals from all BHUSD schools provided reports on student achievement in three areas: engaging students in learning, supporting positive student behavior, and growing and developing professionally. 

In explaining why LCAP updates were combined with strategic plan updates, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Dustin Seemann noted that the district’s strategic plan sets benchmarks higher than the LCAP. 

“Our strategic plan is more robust than what is required by the state for reporting purposes,” he said. “We expect more out of ourselves than what is expected by the county and state.” 

The reports were largely positive, with all schools demonstrating improvement in student achievement in math and reading. However, Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri pressed Sarah Kaber, the principal of El Rodeo Elementary School, on student achievement in those two areas.  

Kaber reported that students demonstrated improvement on diagnostic tests, but Manouchehri noted that the percentage of children reaching the district’s target goals was below the established benchmark.  

“We’re on our way, we’re doing our best, but we have a way to go,” said Manouchehri. “These numbers are not meeting our standards, and I encourage you to come to the board and tell us what you need to make it happen.” 

The board recently made the decision to move the public comment period to the end of the meeting. The move was met at the time with anger and resistance from residents who decried the “lack of warning” about moving a portion of the meeting that had traditionally taken place much earlier. 

That frustration continued at this week’s meeting. Speakers’ time was limited to two minutes and the entire public comment period was limited to 20 minutes. Beginning with the first speaker, Michael Risoli, many commenters ignored time limits or expressed anger about them.  

Risoli, who criticized the behavior of BHUSD Assistant Superintendent Matthew Horvath during the district’s investigation into Carey, continued speaking over Board President Rachelle Marcus as she called the end of his time. 

“I’m sorry Horvath was given the power to interrogate and privately bully you in his office,” said Risoli, addressing his comments to students. 

As Risoli continued speaking beyond his time limit, three security guards approached him and began encircling him, at which point he concluded his comments. 

The post BHUSD Board Discusses Student Achievement at Tense Meeting appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

DOGE was established via executive order by President Donald Trump. When announcing the creation of the office, led by Elon Musk, Trump indicated that it would “provide advice and guidance from outside of government,” with a stated goal of streamlining government and bringing savings to taxpayers.

At the Feb 25 board meeting, community member Romi Azevedo expressed concern about the manner in which the Bregy resignation was handled. She also had this to say about Stuart’s post. “The actions of newly elected Board Member Russell Stuart are deeply troubling,” said Azevedo. She continued, “His posting of the BHUSD logo with ‘DOGE’ written next to the letter ‘D’ on social media is not only inappropriate and disrespectful, but it also appears to align with a political agenda that has no place in a public school district.” 

Azevedo also opined that the post violated board bylaws, including those pertaining to personal viewpoints not shared by the entire board. She said that her child, a student within BHUSD, told her, “It is insensitive and disrespectful that we have a leader so immature that connects personal politics to the education of growing children.”

Later in the meeting, Stuart addressed Azevedo’s comments, clarifying his intention with the post. “What [it] means is that it’s an ideological stance that we believe that we’re wasting money on things federally, statewide and especially here.”

He added, “It’s unfortunate that certain people had such intense feelings about my social media post … So, for those that don’t like my post personally, and your emotions take over, I’m sorry. But my job is still the same, and our job is still the same. It’s to effectively and properly spend your tax dollars for the benefit of every single student, and that is exactly what we’re doing.”

The morning after the board meeting, Stuart made additional comments on social media. “At last night’s board meeting, some tried to distort my message and create unnecessary controversy over a lighthearted post. Trying to bully me will NEVER work. Let’s be clear: my priority has always been transparency, accountability, and ensuring that every tax dollar is spent wisely for the benefit of our students. #BHUSDoge.” He also clarified in the post that he was speaking his own views, and not the views of the board.”

On Feb. 27, Stuart provided the Courier with some additional remarks on the matter. 

“I stand by every word I say and that’s what different about me … If you have the type of mindset that believes in the mission of DOGE, which means government efficiency to be efficient with finances, then you’re going to see what it is. If you’re someone who disagrees with that mission, then it expands into any other political ideology that you want to make up in your head. That’s not what the post was. My mission is to uncover spending that I believe is not done properly,” he said. 

Stuart also singled out Tina Wiener, President of the Beverly Hills Education Foundation (BHEF). Wiener attended the Feb. 25 board meeting and was listed as one of the speakers during public comment. However, noting that there was very little time left in that portion of the meeting, Wiener ceded her time to Azevedo, who made the statements pertaining to Stuart’s social media post, set forth above. 

“I think the biggest disappointment for me was seeing Tina Wiener, the President of BHEF, which is our funding raising arm, going against financial efficiency,” Stuart told the Courier. 

When reached by the Courier, Wiener had this response. “I am very supportive of efficiency in government but was not happy with the manner in which the resignation of Dr. Bregy was handled. As for the social media post using the BHUSD letters and colors, I did not feel it was the appropriate messaging to explain the board’s position on their decisions.” 

The post BHUSD Board Member Stuart Defends Social Media Post appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The resignation was announced in a Feb. 21 email to parents and teachers from the BHUSD board. The email referred to Bregy’s “dedication and leadership over the past eight and a half years.” It continued, “His impact on BHUSD has been profound, starting with leading the district’s reconfiguration which allowed for a significant expansion of elective offerings and enriching students’ educational experiences, to prioritizing professional development opportunities for staff and fostering key partnerships within the Beverly Hills community, including the Beverly Hills City Council, the Beverly Hills Education Foundation and our PTAs.”

In an email statement to the Courier, BHUSD Board President Rachelle Marcus said, “Michael’s community involvement was also always evident, and he availed himself in joining many local organizations. His tenure with Beverly Hills Unified has and will going forward make a lasting impact, and I wish him nothing but success in all future endeavors.

At the BHUSD board meeting of Feb. 25, Bregy was mentioned only briefly. Board Member Dr. Amanda Stern said at the close of the meeting, “I just wanted to take a moment to thank Dr. Bregy for his eight years of extremely hard work and a very open-door policy to all teachers, staff, parents and students. I just want to say I’m grateful for his service.”

During public comment, district parent Romi Azevedo voiced frustration that the board “issued a communication on [Bregy’s] behalf, depriving him of the opportunity to personally express his departure on his own terms. The decision lacked transparency and professionalism, and it has left many in our community questioning the motives and leadership of this board.”

Some wonder if Bregy’s sudden resignation was due to pressure from the board. Jackie Kruger, who has several children in the district, told the Courier, “You don’t have the head of all the things in the school leave in the middle of the second semester without so much as a goodbye or an explanation. Something must have happened.” She added, “We as a community deserve to have some accountability as to why that happened. What was the impetus?”

Acting Superintendent Hasty has spent time before his tenure in Beverly Hills as Assistant Superintendent at Wiseburn Unified School District and Executive Director of Human Resource Services at Los Angeles County Office of Education.

At his first board meeting in his new role, Hasty said to those in attendance, “Please know that we have an exceptional team of leaders, educators and staff who have the capacity, vision and expertise to take our district into a new era of excellence.”

That first board meeting was occasionally contentious. School security had to approach a speaker who began talking over his allotted time before he went back to his seat. 

The situation also grew tense when two individuals voiced complaints about not being allowed to speak—despite waiting some five hours at that point. As the back-and-forth between the two continued, Hasty announced, “I’m going to stop there; we’re going to move forward. If we cannot move forward, we are going to need to call a recess and take a break.” 

He then instructed Board President Rachelle Marcus to “call a recess” and told the board members to “get up,” motioning for them to leave the meeting room. Hasty went on to meet with members of the audience in the hallway. He listened to frustrations for several minutes, then said, “Here’s what we’re going to do, can we go back and sit down? I’m going to go tell [the rest of the board] we have two more speakers…” and later “We’re going to get better for the next meeting, I promise you.” A few minutes later, the board reappeared and listened to the speakers. 

Inheriting a school district facing several controversies and legal actions, Hasty will face hurdles beyond merely frustrated speakers at board meetings. Last Dec 1, teacher and KBEV Executive Producer Romeo Carey was placed on administrative leave. The letter informing him of the administrative leave offered no cause for the suspension, he said. The action against Carey has resulted in an outpouring of support from students and parents, who have expressed their incredulity and displeasure at board meetings for the past few months. Additionally, the district faces claims of racial discrimination and retaliation by current and former teachers and administrators. Athletic Director Tim Ellis has also been accused of sexual harassment in a wrongful termination claim. 

The post Dr. Michael Bregy Resigns as BHUSD Superintendent appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

When global disasters strike close to home, it’s even more challenging. We want to be thoughtful when so many of our neighbors are without homes, neighborhoods or loved ones. At the same time, it’s important to allow ourselves to experience positive emotions when our own lives are going well. Understanding the difference between sympathy and empathy—and practicing each appropriately—can help us maintain joy while helping those in need.

Sympathy is, according to Merriam-Webster, “the feeling that you care about and are sorry about someone else’s trouble, grief or misfortune.” It’s a recognition of another’s pain but doesn’t necessarily invite deeper emotional involvement. For example, sending a sympathy card or making a financial donation is a kind act while maintaining emotional distance. Your investment may be minimal, yet the recipient will likely feel supported.

Empathy, however, goes further. It’s “the ability to understand and share another person’s experience and emotions.” Empathy involves stepping into someone else’s shoes and feeling their pain, which creates a deeper connection. It allows the receiver to share their feelings in a safe space, promoting healing. Dr. Gabor Maté says, “Trauma is what happens inside a person in the absence of an empathic witness.”

Mirror neurons play a vital role in how we connect emotionally. These neurons allow us to understand and feel the emotions of others by mirroring their experiences in our own brains. Essentially, when someone experiences joy, sorrow or pain, our mirror neurons help us feel those same emotions, fostering empathy and connection. This biological mechanism explains why we feel a sense of shared joy or sorrow when witnessing others’ experiences. Experience and intention shape the number of mirror neurons in our brains, affecting how in tune we are with others.

When we express sympathy, our mirror neurons may remain dormant. While sympathy can suffice in more casual relationships or in response to distant tragedies, empathy is essential for deeper human connections. But practicing empathy requires emotional resilience and healthy boundaries—without which we risk burnout. Offering empathy can feel draining, and it’s important to maintain boundaries. When many people are suffering simultaneously, as with wildfires, empathy can quickly become overwhelming, leading to counterproductive responses like survivor’s guilt.

For those whose lives were close to crisis but spared, survivor’s guilt can creep in. “Why wasn’t I stricken? Why were they?” These questions reflect a natural desire to find meaning and order in times of chaos. Survivor’s guilt is often experienced in the first month or two after a tragedy and typically resolves on its own. If it lingers or disrupts functioning, professional help may be needed. Survivor’s guilt can be reframed as an opportunity for gratitude and giving back. Instead of being paralyzed by guilt, we can channel that energy into meaningful action—volunteering, donating or offering a listening ear. When we actively give, we feel good, creating a “helper’s high” or a “giver’s gain.”

It’s not just OK to feel joy during difficult times—it’s essential. Joy doesn’t diminish the significance of the world’s pain; it offers balance, resilience and the emotional resources necessary to help others. Experiencing joy isn’t about ignoring suffering; it’s about finding moments of light amidst the darkness, helping us be better equipped to support others in need.

When we allow ourselves moments of happiness—whether through a heartfelt conversation, an inspiring show, or a joyful dinner with friends—we replenish our emotional reserves. This renewal strengthens us, allowing us to face adversity with greater clarity and purpose. Joy doesn’t have to be fleeting; it can be anchored.

Anchoring joy means intentionally choosing to hold onto good moments, to let joy root in us even when the storm rages outside. It’s about creating practices or habits that help us return to joy when we need it most—whether that’s through rituals, mindfulness or simply remembering what we are grateful for. The act of anchoring joy helps us emotionally recharge, enabling us to give and give often, staying present for both ourselves and those around us.

Resilience lies in embracing the full spectrum of human emotions—joy and sorrow alike. It’s possible to hold grief in one hand and hope in the other without invalidating either emotion. By acknowledging this duality, we honor our humanity and foster deeper connections with others. Joy and sorrow are not mutually exclusive; they coexist as part of the human experience—the yin and yang of emotions.

It’s important to recharge your emotional battery, whether you’re in a stressful situation or simply supporting someone in one. That way, you can give and give often, remaining emotionally strong for both you and others. Recognizing when you’re approaching emotional burnout and taking steps to recharge—whether through self-care, healthy boundaries or mindfulness—helps you stay equipped to offer support and empathy without exhausting yourself.

Experiencing a full range of emotions is key to living an optimal life. When we get stuck in an emotional state, disease can set in—depression, mania, prolonged grief or post-traumatic stress disorder. While we can’t always control the emotions we experience, we can regulate how we respond to them. The first step is awareness—recognizing our feelings as they arise. Mindfulness techniques like deep breathing or journaling help us gain perspective and choose how to act, rather than reacting impulsively.

So, when faced with the question, “How are you?” consider responding with depth, allowing your answer to reflect emotional complexity. Sharing both your struggles and moments of joy builds authenticity and connection. Then, turn to your neighbor, friend or family member and genuinely ask them, “How are you?” Listening with an open heart allows a unique opportunity for both of you.

“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”

— Dalai Lama 

The post Finding Light in the Dark: Why It’s Important to Feel Joy During Troubling Times appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

On Feb 5, Sures’ home was the target of a protest in the early morning. Video on social media shows protesters holding large banners reading “disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest,” and “Jonathan Sures, you will pay until you see your final day.” Los Angeles Police Department officers arrived there while protesters chanted, and some officers carried “less lethal” munitions.

Red handprints were reportedly left on Sures’ garage door at some point during the protest. According to a statement by UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk, “Individuals surrounded the vehicle of a Sures family member and prevented that family member’s free movement.” 

The student organizations, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Graduate Students for Justice in Palestine (GSJP) were suspended based on a review of initial reports about the groups’ involvement in the incident, said Frenk’s statement. 

After the protest, SJP released a now-deleted statement on Instagram that the protest was due to the UC’s Board of Regents not working with pro-Palestinian demonstrators to divest funding and investment from Israel. It read in part that university officials “have repeatedly kicked us out of their meetings, canceled forums for public comment, and criminalized our attempts to protest investment policies. We have taken our issues straight to the Regents because they have systematically militarized our campus in response. Over the last eight months, Jay Sures has led the UC’s efforts in suppressing pro-Palestine speech and expression on campus, including through increased militarization and draconian [time, place and manner] policies.”

Sures is Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Beverly Hills-based United Talent Agency, which represents the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). On Feb 5, SJP and GSJP made a statement via social media condemning Sures’ work with the ADL as well his work as a board member of the Los Angeles Police Foundation, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The post also stated that Sures “is one of the unelected officials responsible for protecting UC investments in genocide and weapons manufacturing.” 

Several days after the protest, the Jewish Federation Los Angeles (JFEDLA) released an open letter signed by hundreds of entertainment professionals, celebrities and Jewish religious leaders. Signatories included Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the ADL. The letter calls for “law enforcement and university officials to fully investigate this hateful incident and ensure that all those responsible are held accountable.” It continues, “Furthermore, we urge local elected officials and university leadership to unequivocally condemn the protesters’ unlawful and antisemitic actions and reaffirm their commitment to protecting the safety and dignity of all individuals and groups, including the Jewish community.”

Frenk announced the suspensions on Feb 12. An open letter to the Bruin community said in part, “The Office of Student Conduct is undertaking the standard process for addressing potential violations of UCLA’s student group conduct code. It is conducting an administrative review, and this suspension will remain in effect during the review. If these reports prove true as part of this review, disciplinary action may be taken.”

UCLA’s suspension of SJP follows the same action taken at UC Santa Cruz, UC Irvine and UC San Diego. SJP chapters have also been suspended by several other universities across the country. During this suspension, the organizations cannot reserve space for meetings on campus or apply for funding for the student club. 

The post UCLA Suspends Two Pro-Palestinian Student Groups appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The board discussed a new BHUSD policy drafted by the district under the guidance of the Beverly Hills Police Department that would establish safety guidelines for electric vehicles, including bicycles, scooters, skateboards and “any similar motorized or electric-powered vehicles.” 

Under the policy, which would apply to students, staff and community members, such items would be permitted only for transportation to and from school. The school would not be responsible for damage or theft. 

During the discussion period, board members expressed apprehension over appearing to promote electric vehicles to students as young as 11. 

“My first concern is we’re legitimizing people without driver’s licenses, minors—not all minors but 15 and younger—their use of a motorized vehicle,” said Board Member Judy Manouchehri. “I’m concerned that we are treating the high schoolers and the middle schoolers the same. We have middle schoolers that are 11 years old, and we have high schoolers that are 18.”

Board Member Russell Stuart expressed doubts about avoiding liability. 

“I live on Bedford, and I cannot tell you how many kids … have flown through my stop sign at Gregory at Bedford, doing a wheelie, filming themselves,” he said. “You’re going to get someone who comes on [school] property and rips through grass and possibly crashes into something, and God forbid it’s a person, there’s going to be liability. There’s no way around it.” 

The discussion ended with the decision to table the issue for further board review.

The board also examined the district’s summer school offerings during a presentation by Dustin Seemann, BHUSD assistant superintendent of education services. Seemann expressed optimism about the planned programming, but board members were less enthusiastic. 

Manouchehri drilled down on the necessity of using summer school hours to bring elementary school students underperforming on standardized tests up to speed, emphasizing that many are not meeting the standards.  

“We have a mission at BHUSD to be worthy of the dollars that our community has been giving us through taxpayers’ money,” she said. “We are missing the mark, and we need to put money towards getting our students educated,” she said. 

In response, Jason Hasty, the district’s assistant superintendent of business services, said the BHUSD  is exploring the prospect of working with a vendor to offer more summer programming. Seemann offered to bring an idea of what that might look like to a future board meeting, to which the board agreed. 

During the public comment segment of the meeting, eight parents and members of the community spoke about their deep concern for the board’s perceived lack of action surrounding allegations of racism at Beverly Hills High School (BHHS). Black high school students have spoken out publicly (including at prior board meetings) about experiencing racial slurs, bullying and feeling intimidated and unsafe.

“You’re on the school board because you care about children, I would assume,” said a speaker who identified herself only as a community member. “If a community is telling you that their children feel attacked and hurt and daily denigrated and you do nothing to change that, what is your real purpose for being on the school board? I don’t understand why it’s OK.” 

Speakers then turned the conversation to the ongoing dispute over Romeo Carey, the district’s media director who was put on leave in December 2024. Multiple speakers accused district employees of intimidating students who have spoken out in Carey’s defense. 

At least one female BHHS student referred to an investigation allegedly being conducted at the school. 

“You are dragging students into private meetings, twisting stories and making outrageous accusations that have absolutely no basis in reality,” said the student. “Asking female students if Mr. Carey has ever forced us to undress in KBEV? Do you even hear yourselves?” 
When asked by the Courier to respond to the student comments about the investigation, Superintnedent Dr. Michael Bregy said, “I listen very closely to the statements made during public comment and I am fully aware of the concerns and questions that have been raised. However, due to the confidential nature of personnel matters, we are unable to provide any details or comment at this time.

I want to emphasize that the safety and well-being of our students are our highest priorities. We remain committed to maintaining a secure and supportive environment where every student can learn, grow, and thrive.” 

The post BHUSD Board Meeting Addresses E-Vehicles, Summer School, Racism Allegations and Media Director appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Following the outbreak of the fires, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Jan. 14 allowing students whose schools were impacted by fires to enroll in other school districts. The Palisades Charter High School had a student body of 2900 students, with the main campus left in an unusable state by the fires. Although many of these students have since switched to the school’s interim online program and virtual class offerings, others prefer to continue their education in person at other school districts, including the BHUSD. 

The BHUSD is in receipt of a total of 151 requests for enrollment of students from schools in the Pacific Palisades and has already enrolled 47 at the time of writing. BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said, “We’ve been in full alignment with the executive order by accepting students … we have ensured that our enrollment remains within the capacity and resources of our school district. We do have a commitment to help our neighbors but also ensure we are providing a high-quality education for our residents as well.”

“We have 47 displaced students across all four high school levels … if we take more there will be no place to put those students,” Bregy said. The main reason for this, he said, is because teachers at Beverly Hills High School are now at maximum capacity and further staff would need to be hired to accommodate more students. 

Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri said, “I think taking 47 students is way beyond what we should’ve taken, it was very generous of us to do so. We were urged—not forced or mandated to do this and we’ve taken funds away from our resident students to give to these 47 students.”

The majority of the students requesting to enroll in the BHUSD are of high school age, with seven requests for the middle school. This has made the enrollment process more challenging as according to Bregy, high school transcripts must be reviewed and assessed on an individual basis with the help of a counselor to determine class sizes and teacher availability.

Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Laura Collins-Williams said that many of the 151 students who requested to enroll had not lost their homes in the Pacific Palisades but had lost their schools.

“To my knowledge, we do not have anyone who has listed that they’ve lost their homes. We’ve had some people enroll as residents as they have relocated to Beverly Hills but of the 151 pending requests, none of those students have lost their homes,” Collins-Williams said. 

The 47 students who have already been enrolled were decided upon before the district finalized who they would prioritize enrollment for. As nonresidents of Beverly Hills, they were enrolled under the executive order that allows the residency requirement to be waived for the 2024/25 calendar year. 

Board Member Russell Stuart raised concerns over a potentially looser prior interpretation of the word “displaced,” which could be used to include students who have not lost their homes but were affected by the fires in other ways, such as poor air quality. 

Effective immediately, new enrollments into the BHUSD from areas impacted by the fires, including those in the 90272 zip code, must provide a FEMA card or insurance claim proof to show their residence has been deemed uninhabitable. 

Displaced students will be enrolled for the remainder of the 2024/25 academic year. 

The post BHUSD Suspends Palisades Charter High School Enrollment appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

A City Council Liaison/BHUSD Committee meeting on Jan. 26, 2024, with then-Mayor Julian Gold, Councilmember Lili Bosse and former BHUSD Board Members Noah Margo and Mary Wells discussed the future joint usage of the Hawthorne campus once El Rodeo Elementary School opened in the fall of 2024. Committee members discussed centralizing all preschool programs to create an ECC at the Hawthorne campus. They also discussed moving the District Offices from the Lasky Drive site to the Hawthorne campus.

Over the last year, the city has successfully obtained state licenses for each of the operating ECC classrooms at the Hawthorne campus and is now working with the State Department of Social Services to finalize the license for a new additional preschool classroom at Horace Mann Elementary School. The BHUSD has also moved the majority of operations that took place at the Lasky Drive office to the Hawthorne campus, including holding District School Board meetings on site. 

A survey created by both the city of Beverly Hills and the BHUSD in February 2024 was distributed to community members about program offerings they would like to see at the center. 

Director of Community Services, Stephanie Harris, presented updates on these proposed programs to the committee. “We’d like to introduce Before and After care. This program would allow parents to have the ability to drop their children off prior to the start or keep them there at the conclusion of preschool, providing assistance to parents that need to go to work as well as need assistance with pick-up and drop-off of their siblings at the elementary school locations. We’d also like the opportunity to offer Parent & Me classes,” Harris said. The earliest of these programs would begin during the summer/fall period of this year. 

Harris also informed the committee that it would be beneficial to establish a welcome center staffed with city personnel, where families could learn about and register for the various programs being offered. The city is currently deciding on the best place to locate this welcome center on the school site. 

Plans for a Transitional Two program are underway, whereby students and parents would attend programming in a classroom setting. “This would allow for teachers and parents to work together to acclimate students into a classroom setting and better prepare them for entry into our preschool program and then into the district’s Transitional Kindergarten and elementary schools,” Harris said. 

The implementation of a half-day preschool program is also under consideration. If approved, staff would begin working with the Department of Social Services to license an additional preschool room and begin the hiring process for additional preschool staff. This program has a potential start date of winter/spring 2026. 

The BHUSD offices and ECC classrooms will share the same Hawthorne campus site. As a result, the committee reviewed a revised district-proposed site plan to discuss how best to segregate and secure the spaces used for the ECC programs from the district office areas. Although it was originally planned to divide the campus into distinct district and ECC spaces, the layout of the campus has posed a few challenges in achieving this. The committee is currently working on creating a secure entrance for the ECC portion of the campus. 

Friedman emphasized the importance of making the campus secure for preschool children to help achieve the ECC’s ultimate goals. “The goal is we want to create an environment at the preschool so people can enjoy our offerings and matriculate from the ECC to the school district,” he said. 

Committee members reiterated that the ECC will serve as a strong introduction to life in the BHUSD. Wells noted, “Just by coming and going, you’ll be exposed to what the culture of being at BHUSD is, and it’ll make you want to stay. Most importantly, it is a place to create community for young families that starts at preschool.”

Manouchehri added, “I think it’s very important to come back to the vision for the ECC and to show the community that the ECC is not an afterthought or an offshoot of BHUSD. It’s the starting point to BHUSD. And so, as we develop the ECC and really tap into its potential, my hope would be that parents … know this is just the beginning of their BHUSD journey.” 

The post Early Childhood Center Unfolding at Hawthorne Campus appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Many described their positive experiences with Carey, who runs Beverly Hills High School’s KBEV Channel 6. Several speakers became emotional. 

“Mr. Carey is irreplaceable,” said one student who identified themselves as a BHHS senior. “KBEV would never be the same without him. He’s the heart and soul of the program … he has given so much of himself to this program and students, and his contributions cannot be overstated.” 

In an email to the Courier regarding his suspension, Carey said he received a letter from the district dated Dec. 1, 2024, informing him that he was being put on leave. The letter offered no cause for the suspension, he said. 

However, Carey had recently refused to comply with the district’s request that he keep a student video segment off the air. 

“At the heart of this issue is the district’s retaliation against me for refusing to censor a journalism video produced by my students,” Carey wrote. “The district retaliated against me for standing up to unethical demands and protecting my students’ First Amendment rights.”

The student segment in question, which remains published on KBEV’s YouTube channel, features six students discussing an alleged incident involving Mark Mead, the district’s executive director of school safety. The students claim that during a Nov. 5 rally celebrating Donald Trump’s presidential win, Mead used unnecessary physical force on a student. 

“Everybody was enjoying themselves, and then Mark Mead came into like, the middle of the circle, and, like, tried to break everyone up,” said one student in the video. “He grabbed this kid …  I saw him grab him, like, for a second, and then just like, try to push him away.”

A representative for BHUSD said that they could not comment on the reason or reasons for Carey’s suspension because it is a personnel matter. With regards to the outpouring of support for Carey at the board meeting, Krissy Austin, the district’s executive assistant to the superintendent, acknowledged the unusual amount of public interest in the situation. 

“We want to reaffirm that Beverly Hills Unified School District is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment where students and parents can engage responsibly in the democratic process,” said Austin in an email. “We fully support thoughtful and respectful participation in public comment at Board of Education meetings and remain committed to fostering a school community where all students, parents, and staff feel heard and valued.”

The content of the video segment in question was touched on briefly at the Jan. 28 meeting, however the focus remained on Carey and his lasting impact on BHHS students and the media program. Several current students noted that since Carey’s suspension, they have been left with nothing to do during their regularly scheduled class time. 

“During the last week of school last semester, my teacher, Mr. Carey, did not show up, and we were left in the hallway without a substitute,” said one student. “Eventually, we were informed to go sit in the library doing completely nothing but staring at our phones.”

Others pointed out what they described as “bias” in the treatment of Carey as compared to the treatment of other BHHS and BHUSD employees. BHUSD is currently facing a number of administrative claims and lawsuits that include, among other things, claims of sexual harassment on the part of the athletic director and of a systemic refusal to combat racism. 

“In the past few months, many allegations have been levied against BHUSD,” said one speaker. “The administrators at the center of these allegations … are still actively working for the district while Mr. Romeo Carey, who was so well-loved by his community that in under 72 hours, over 600 people have signed a petition to bring him back, has been placed on administrative leave for over a month. Am I the only one who notices a bias there?”

The Jan. 28 meeting also included statements from members of the public requesting that BHUSD accept more students from Palisades Charter High School, many of whom have been put into online schooling in the wake of the Palisades Fire. The fire destroyed much of the school. 

One Palisades High parent expressed her anger over allegedly being told that her children would have a spot at BHHS, then being told the opposite. 

“The students of Pali High have suffered a great trauma in recent weeks,” she said. “They have watched their school burn, they have watched their community burn, and many have seen their own homes burn … I would have rather you slammed the door in my face on day one than lead me to believe and have hope that you would take them. They have already had so much taken away from them and you guys are now adding to the pain.”

Later, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy addressed the issue as part of his report to the board. Noting that helping victims of the fires has been “a high priority,” he emphasized that district officials “will continue to do everything that we can to help.” 

“That’s going to be an ongoing relationship that we have,” he said. “And not just Palisades, but other school districts as well. There have been several schools that have reached out to us and have asked for some assistance in one way or another and we are there for them, just like we would hope that they would be there for us.” 

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The emotional toll of last week’s events has been just as intense as the physical destruction for many in and around the LA area. Fear, uncertainty, grief and anger have been widespread, leaving many people feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. In times like these, it’s crucial to protect not only our physical safety but also our mental health.

Whether you’ve lost a friend or family member, your home, your neighborhood, or lived through the terror of the unknown, you are most likely experiencing a wide range of fluctuating emotions. Allowing yourself permission to fully feel these emotions can be an important first step in the healing process. Recovery will require time, patience, and support in large quantities. 

While most people gradually recover from the emotional aftershocks of a disaster, others will develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The following steps can help reduce the risk of long-term psychological sequelae:

1. Anchor Yourself in the Present Moment

Ask yourself: Am I safe right now? Are my loved ones safe right now? If the answer is yes, take a moment to fully engage with your surroundings. Notice the objects around you, listen to the sounds in your environment, feel the texture of what’s nearby, or taste the food you’re eating. By anchoring yourself in the present moment, you can calm your mind and reduce anxiety and allow for healing to begin.

2. Calm Your Nervous System

Simple activities like deep breathing, listening to soothing music, taking a warm bath or sipping tea can have a profound impact on your nervous system. These small gestures remind your body that you are safe and you can relax. Take time each day to engage in these acts of self- kindness as a powerful tool to help your nervous system recover.

3. Reestablish a Routine

Although the fires have disrupted our daily lives, finding small ways to maintain a routine can bring a sense of stability and control amid the chaos. Whether it’s mealtimes, exercise or sleep, consistency in daily activities can help ground you in the midst of uncertainty.

4. Talk About Your Experience

One of the most effective ways to process trauma is by sharing your feelings with trusted friends, family or a support group. Talking about what you’ve been through can help alleviate feelings of isolation and provide emotional relief. Remember: You are not alone in your pain.

5. Prioritize Rest

As we discussed last week, sleep is crucial for emotional and physical recovery. Aim to rest whenever possible, even if sleep proves elusive. Daytime naps can be particularly restorative if your nervous system feels frazzled. If insomnia persists, consider consulting a healthcare provider for guidance.

6. Recognize the Signs of PTSD

Trauma can harm us psychologically, not just physically. Intrusive thoughts, hyper-vigilance, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, flashbacks, and avoidance of certain situations or conversations may occur during the early days and weeks. If symptoms are debilitating or linger beyond the first month, seek guidance from a mental health professional. Like most diseases, prevention and early intervention are key. 

7. Find Professional Support

In addition to the resources mentioned last week, consider the following local services that specialize in treating people after disasters:

• California Hope: Provides crisis counseling and emotional support for disaster survivors (Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746).

• Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health: Offers 24/7 crisis intervention and referrals (Call 1-800-854-7771).

• MySafe:LA: A nonprofit focused on fire prevention and recovery resources for affected families.

• Local Support Groups: Organizations like the Red Cross and United Way offer support groups and recovery events in affected areas.

8. Volunteer 

Helping loved ones and neighbors is crucial. By reaching out to others, whether through a kind word, a listening ear, or material support, we not only help those in need but also contribute to our own healing process. Many agencies need support in areas like firefighting assistance, recovery efforts, evacuation, and providing relief to affected communities. If you’re looking to volunteer in Los Angeles, explore the following agencies:

• LAFD Volunteering

• American Red Cross LA Volunteering

• LACoFD Volunteering

• California Volunteers

• Salvation Army LA

• California Fire Foundation

• Los Angeles Disaster Response    Volunteering

• L.A. Works

9. Donations:

Monetary donations are crucial in these times, and it’s important to give wisely. Use platforms like GuideStar and Charity Navigator to ensure your donations are going to reputable organizations with proven track records.

Places to Donate:

• California Community Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund: Supports immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts.

• American Red Cross, Los Angeles Region: Provides shelter, meals and emotional support.

• Direct Relief: Supplies medical resources to healthcare providers.

• United Way of Greater Los Angeles: Aids displaced families and helps rebuild communities.

• California Fire Foundation: Offers financial support for firefighters and victims.

• LA Fire Department Foundation: Supplies equipment for first responders.

• World Central Kitchen: Delivers meals to fire-affected communities.

• GoFundMe: You can donate directly to individuals or families in need.  

As we continue to navigate the uncertainty of the upcoming days and weeks, let us prioritize self-care and treat ourselves and others with kindness and compassion. Together, we can overcome our current hardships and work together to build a safer future for all.

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”

— Albert Einstein  

Beverly Hills Courier columnist Dr. Eva Ritvo is a psychiatrist with more than 30 years’  experience practicing in Miami Beach. She is the author of “Bekindr-The Transformative Power of Kindness” and the founder of the Bekindr Global Initiative, a movement to bring more kindness in the world. She is the co-author of “The Beauty Prescription” and “The Concise Guide to Marriage and Family Therapy.” She is also the co-founder of the Bold Beauty Project, a nonprofit that pairs women with disabilities with award-winning photographers creating art exhibitions to raise awareness. Dr. Ritvo received her undergraduate and medical degrees from UCLA, and psychiatry residency training at Weill Cornell Medicine.

The post Minding Your Mental Health Amid the Flames appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

On Nov. 1, 2024, Robbin Cafagna, who served as an assistant and head coach of middle and high school tennis between June 2021 and June 2023, filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging that Tim Ellis, the district’s executive director of athletics, subjected her to ongoing harassment and retaliation.

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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.” 

The post BHHS Students Go Behind the Scenes at Golden Globes appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The fear, confusion, and numbness we’re experiencing are natural responses to such an intense crisis. Our brains are simply not equipped to handle something of this magnitude all at once. These emotional responses—feeling disconnected, uncertain, or in disbelief—serve as a protective shield to help us cope with immediate danger. It’s OK if you’re not thinking clearly or feeling detached; it’s normal to feel this way when your body is in survival mode. It can be challenging to get your nervous system out of the state of hyperarousal.  Here are some steps you can take.  

1. Get to Safety

Above all, your safety—and the safety of those around you—must be the highest priority. If you are in an evacuation zone, follow the instructions of local authorities immediately. Fire spreads unpredictably and quickly, so don’t wait until it’s too late. Whether you’re heading to a shelter, a friend’s home, or a family member’s house, the key is to get to safety as soon as possible. Once you’re safe, find a secure, calm space to sit, breathe, and work on regaining your bearings. If you are not currently under evacuation orders, pack a bag with essentials and have it by your door. 

2. Stay Connected to Friends, Family and Neighbors

Connection is our lifeline in times of crisis. Reach out to those you care about via text, phone calls or social media. Knowing that others are thinking of you and offering support can significantly ease feelings of isolation and anxiety. Consider creating a communication plan with family and friends—perhaps having one point of contact outside the area to check in on everyone. Reach out to neighbors, even if you don’t know them well—sometimes, a simple “How are you doing?” can offer profound comfort.

3. Stay Informed, but Take Breaks From the News

While staying informed is crucial, constant exposure to distressing updates can heighten anxiety. Limit your news intake and check reliable sources (such as emergency services and official city updates) at regular intervals. It’s OK to step away from the media to focus on self-care and remember that your mental health is just as important as staying updated on the fire’s progression.

4. Avoid Alcohol, Marijuana or Other Numbing Substances

In stressful times, some people may turn to substances to numb their emotions. However, using alcohol or drugs to cope can actually worsen the situation. Alcohol interferes with sleep and hinders your body’s ability to process trauma, which you need to heal. It’s important to acknowledge the fear and pain you’re feeling, and if necessary, reach out to someone who can offer support.

5. Take Care of Your Children

Children process trauma differently from adults. They may not fully understand the situation, which can leave them feeling confused or scared. Provide reassurance and stability during this uncertain time. Try to maintain familiar routines and let them know that you are there for them. It’s also important to validate their feelings—if they are frightened, acknowledge their fears. Be patient if they show signs of regression, such as wanting to stay close to you or having trouble sleeping. If possible, explain the situation in simple terms, emphasizing that they are safe.

6. Care for Your Pets

Pets, too, are impacted by the stress of the situation. Animals are highly attuned to their owners’ emotions, so if you’re anxious, they may feel that way as well. Keep them close and provide comforting items like their favorite blanket or toy. If you need to evacuate, be sure to bring a pet carrier, leash, food and water to ensure they are safe and comfortable during the journey.

7. Avoid Major Decisions Right Now

In a crisis, our brains are flooded with stress hormones, which can impair our ability to make clear decisions. For now, avoid making major choices that can wait. It’s OK not to have all the answers right away. If you must make a decision, try to do so with the support of a loved one or trusted community member. Take things one step at a time—focus on the essentials and move forward carefully and calmly.

8. Sleep: Your Brain’s First Line of Defense

Sleep might feel elusive right now, with adrenaline and anxiety running high. But it’s essential to give your body and mind time to recover. If you can, find a quiet, dark space to rest. Even if you can’t fall asleep immediately, simply lying down and closing your eyes allows your body to process the stress. If you’re struggling to sleep due to anxiety, deep breathing exercises or meditation can help calm your nervous system. If sleeplessness continues, consider seeking professional help, as short-term medication may be helpful in managing overwhelming stress. And if you’re not eating, that’s OK for a short time as cortisol dampens our appetite—but address it if it persists for more than a couple of days.

9. Get Help When You Need It

Mental health experts are available to offer support during this trying time. Professionals trained in trauma care can help you process your feelings and navigate through this crisis. If you or someone you know is affected by a fire in Los Angeles and needs counseling, you can reach out to the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990 for 24/7 crisis support. You can also text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 to connect with a trained counselor. Dial 211 to access information and referrals for emergency services, including mental health support. Local resources for the Beverly Hills community include the Maple Counseling Center, which can be reached at 310-271-9999.

The situation we face in Los Angeles is tragic and unprecedented. By taking small steps, staying connected, and showing kindness to ourselves and others, we will get through it. The road to healing will take time, but remember that even in the darkest moments, we are designed to be resilient. Together, we will rise from this crisis and rebuild our community to the vibrant place we love. The fire will be extinguished shortly, but the spirit of our community will never be. 

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Our brains are designed to keep us alive, and evolution has shaped us to be on high alert for potential dangers—this is known as the “negativity bias.” Our ancestors lived in environments filled with threats, from predators to food scarcity. Being attuned to danger helped them stay alive. A rustling in the bushes might have been the wind—or it might have been a lurking predator. Those who erred on the side of caution were more likely to survive and pass on their genes.

Today, our surroundings have drastically changed, but our brains remain wired in much the same way. We no longer face saber-toothed tigers, but our brains are still primed to focus on threats and negative events, and the news takes advantage of this natural tendency. This bias means that negative experiences and emotions tend to be processed differently than positive ones. We might receive a dozen compliments, but it’s that one criticism that lingers in our mind. This tendency can create a mental environment where stress, anxiety and worry dominate.

The good news is that while our brains have this inherent bias, they are also incredibly adaptable. Thanks to a concept known as neuroplasticity, we can reshape our neural  pathways over time. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections. It allows us to navigate our changing environment, learn new skills, alter our thought patterns and recover from brain injuries.

By consciously shifting our focus from the negative to the positive, we can counterbalance the brain’s natural inclination toward fear. This process doesn’t mean ignoring life’s challenges or adopting a blind optimism, but rather, it means cultivating a mindset that is open to noticing and appreciating the good moments when they occur. In doing so, we can gradually tip the scales in favor of joy and well-being. Some call it “pragmatic optimism,” or a humorous friend describes herself as a “terminal optimist.” 

Anchoring joy involves deliberately focusing on positive experiences and allowing ourselves to fully absorb them. It’s about making a habit of noticing small moments of pleasure—a warm cup of coffee in the morning, the sound of laughter, a beautiful sunset—and giving those moments the attention they deserve. By doing this, we can train our brains to linger on positive emotions rather than allowing them to pass by unnoticed.

Here are a few ways to start anchoring joy in your life:

1. Savor the Small Moments: Instead of rushing through your day, take time to pause and truly experience the positive moments. When something pleasant happens, like enjoying a good meal or hearing your favorite song, take a few extra seconds or minutes to lean in. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and let yourself feel the joy in that moment.

2. Practice Gratitude: Each day, make a habit of writing down three things you are grateful for. These don’t have to be major events—simple things like a kind word from a friend or a sunny day can be enough. By focusing on what you’re grateful for, you are training your brain to notice the positive aspects of your life. Making this part of your nightly ritual can also prime your brain for more positive dreams.  

3. Mindfulness: Take a few moments each day to simply observe your surroundings without judgment. Focus on the sensation of the sun on your skin, the smell of fresh flowers or the sound of birds chirping. This practice helps ground you in the present moment and appreciate the beauty that is often overlooked. You can reinforce these pleasant moments anytime you wish by closing your eyes and reviewing them in your mind’s eye. 

4. Celebrate All Wins: Don’t wait for big achievements to feel proud or happy. Acknowledge and celebrate the small wins in your life as well, whether it’s completing a task at home or work, making it through a difficult conversation, making the wise food choice or sticking to your exercise routine. By recognizing these moments, you reinforce a sense of accomplishment and positivity.

5. Plan Activities That Will Create Joy: While this may seem obvious, often times we get so caught up in day-to-day responsibilities we forget to make time for joy. Reflect on what makes you most joyful and try to integrate more of it into your routine. It can be something as simple as 10 minutes of comedy during your day or something complicated like a dinner party or vacation.  

6. Active Recall: Sharing joyful experiences with a family member, friend or journal reinforces these positive memories. Take photos of joyful moments and put them on your mantel as a visual reminder.  Buying a souvenir serves the same productive purpose so bring something home from the next joyful outing. It doesn’t need to be anything expensive just something to jog your memory. So, next time you go to a theatre or concert, grab that T-shirt and invest a few more dollars in savoring the experience. 

Anchoring joy is not only beneficial for our own well-being but also has a ripple effect on those around us. We tend to approach others with more kindness and understanding, creating a more positive atmosphere in our relationships and communities. The old phrase “When we smile, the whole world smiles with us” is scientifically accurate. We have mirror neurons in our brain that mimic what we see, so our smile directly impacts others. Thus, your practice can transform not just your emotional well-being but also your families, friends and co-workers as well. 

It’s important to remember that anchoring joy is not about achieving a constant state of bliss. Life will always have its ups and downs, and moments of sadness or frustration are a natural part of the human experience. Anchoring joy is about creating a mental habit that helps us weather the storms of life with a bit more grace.

For those of us living in a world that often seems to prioritize productivity and speed, anchoring joy can be a powerful reminder to slow down and appreciate the present. It is a way of saying to ourselves, “This moment matters. This feeling of contentment, however small, is worth holding onto.” And over time, as we continue to anchor these moments, we may find that joy becomes a more natural and lasting presence in our lives.

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”

Thich Nhat Hanh  

The post Anchoring Joy for the New Year appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Highlighting a strong partnership between the city of Beverly Hills and the district, the event was attended by several community leaders including Vice Mayor Sharona Nazarian, Councilmembers John Mirisch, Craig Corman and Mary Wells, Beverly Hills Chief of Police Mark Stainbrook and Deputy City Manager Keith Sterling.

Nazarian told the Courier, “It was an honor to swear in two strong, capable women who join a board that now includes four remarkable female leaders—a reflection of the growing trend of women stepping into leadership roles in our community. As this new board of five steps into its role, I want to acknowledge the incredible teachers, administrators and staff who form the backbone of our schools. Our community has entrusted them all with our most precious assets—their children—and I have every confidence in their ability to lead with purpose, compassion and strength as we work together to build a brighter and more united future for our district.”

The event opened on a high note, with performances by the Beverly Hills High School Madrigal Singers led by their teacher Ethan Smith and a rendition of “God Bless America” by Joy Weiser. Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy remarked upon the district’s achievements and the collaborative leadership of the outgoing and incoming board members, before the board turned their attention to a resolution honoring current President Amanda Stern.

“It’s been a real honor over the last four years,” Stern said, “And it’s an honor to continue to serve an incredible city and incredible District.” Stern will remain an active member, having recently won a second term serving on the BHUSD board.

Heartfelt gratitude was also expressed to outgoing board member Noah Margo. Margo has an extensive history in the education sector, having served as a dedicated member of the BHUSD for 13 years, making him one of the longest- serving elected officials on the Board of Education. Margo was commended by board members for his leadership and contributions to the BHUSD throughout various initiatives. With a strong focus on student growth, Margo allocated funding to raise student achievement, supported the PSAT and SAT for all high school students, expanded access to AP courses and advocated for classroom-based solutions for student success, alongside many more initiatives. After a detailed resolution was read out, several board members and community members offered tributes and expressed their thanks for Margo’s leadership, dedication and positive impact on the district and its students over the years.

Swearing in new board member Sabag, Nazarian said, “You’re no stranger to this district. You’ve been a deeply invested parent, always prioritizing the success of our students and the wellbeing of our children. I know you’re ready to lead with strength and tackle the challenges ahead with courage.”

“I do not and will never take this role as trustee for granted. I am truly honored and thrilled to accept the opportunity to serve on the Beverly Hills Unified School District Governing Board. I’m immensely grateful for the trust and support of our Beverly Hills community,” Sabag said.

Mirisch then administered the oath of office to Russell Stuart, who is assuming his new role while continuing to recover from injuries sustained in a carjacking incident last month during the Rodeo Drive holiday lighting celebrations. Stuart is looking forward to bringing private sector principles and efficiency to the school district, such that it can operate with the same level of responsibility, transparency and fiscal discipline that successful businesses do. 

Stuart told the Courier, “[The ceremony] was incredibly humbling, and I’m filled with gratitude for the trust this community has placed in me. As I step into this role, I’m excited to collaborate with parents, teachers and my fellow board members to strengthen our schools. I’m committed to applying private-sector efficiency, accountability and innovation to ensure our children receive a world-class education. Together, we can build a future where every child feels safe, supported and ready to succeed.”

After swearing in the new board members, the new board president, vice president and clerk were elected and agreed upon. Rachelle Marcus was nominated and elected unanimously as the new board president. Judy Manouchehri was nominated for the vice president role, and this nomination was seconded and approved unanimously by the board. Manouchehri’s father-in-law, Parviz Manouchehri, administered the oath of office, officially installing Judy as the new board vice president. Finally, Stern was nominated and chosen as the new board clerk. The board also discussed and assigned various liaison roles, including City Liaison, Joint Powers Agreement, Health and Safety Commission, Human Relations, Recreation and Parks, District Finance Committee, Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, Wellness Committee and CTE Committee.

When opening the floor to public comments, several students spoke about their disappointment over the suspension of Beverly Hills High School teacher Romeo Carey, who oversaw the student media platform, KBEV. Carey was recently suspended after students published a video about a controversial incident that took place at the school. Parent and graduate of BHHS, Robbie Curtis, told attendees that, “Outrage is brewing not just in the hallways of the high school, but throughout the greater Beverly Hills Community,” about Carey’s suspension. 

Describing Carey as “perhaps the most admired, impactful, popular and beloved teacher at BHHS,” Curtis urged the board to conclude their investigation into the incident and imminently reinstate Carey as a teacher in the classroom.  

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Gage announced the action at a press conference this week outside BHHS. 

Ivory has previously gone on the record with allegations of racism. As set forth in the Courier’s Nov. 15 issue, she and several members of the Black Student Union spoke out at the Nov. 12 BHUSD Board meeting. They recounted experiencing racially based harassment by students involved in a boisterous pro-Trump rally on campus. 

As described in the administrative claim, “In early November, 2024 on the day of the election students marched through the halls carrying Trump flags. They congregated in front of the a Black Student Union meeting being lead by Ms. Ivory. The mob of kids were outside her door. Some of the kids had on MAGA hats. one of the kids tried to open the door, causing fear and apprehension. Because of the assault and mob, Black students said they felt like it was the KKK trying to break into their meeting. … Bella was also called a ‘Nig**r bitch’ by a female student in her Tik Tok post after the mob came to Bella’s classroom and Black students have consistently been called the N-word face to face.”
  The claim adds, “While there have been various prior complaints about discrimination, the Administration has done nothing to stop these blatant acts of racism.”
In fact, the administrative claim singles out one member of the faculty, stating, “Athletic Director Tim Ellis often used the N-word at the school and in front of teachers/coaches.”
  The claim adds,”Harassment continues through the present. On or about April 22, 2024 Students from BHHS posted a video called ‘Normans PSA’ showing how nice beautiful and clean the cafeteria looked in the morning. The two white students then say ‘Let’s fast forward to lunch.’ The two white girls zoom in on a table where Black students are enjoying their lunch. The white girls say, ‘This is disgusting, I am repulsed’ … Obviously, the girls zooming in on Black students eating making the place ‘disgusting’ perpetrates racial stereotypes and prejudices harking back to Apartheid and ‘separate but equal’ which was anything but equal.”

At the press conference, Gage said that he has been contacted by parents in the school system with additional stories asking to be represented. 

He also noted at the press conference that Ivory is currently on leave. 

“On Dec. 9 we filed a complaint as a precursor to a lawsuit with the school. And then on Dec. 10 we received a notification that the school is now going to investigate Bella for alleged wrongdoing. We’re not stupid. When the investigation comes one day after the complaint, that’s pretty obvious retaliation,” Gage said. 

In response to these two new administrative claims, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy released a statement indicating, “We do not have evidence that suggests that there was racism at the recent spirited demonstrations however BHUSD has implemented proactive measures to ensure that any concerns related to racism and antisemitism—perceived or real—are addressed promptly and effectively.”
The statement added, “The district remains focused on ensuring that our schools remain spaces of learning, growth, and mutual respect. Allegations stemming from external events, such as political demonstrations, are taken seriously and assessed within the context of our commitment to student safety and community harmony.” 

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What’s a holiday dinner without pie?

Australian chef Curtis Stone is back with his sweet and savory pies in the old Maude space on South Beverly Drive and this time, they are here to stay.

The Pie Room by Curtis Stone has morphed from pandemic pop-up bakery into a permanent bistro-style, all-day menu with not only pies, but an assortment of pastries, puddings, tarts and sandwiches. The vast talent to help execute Stone’s vision includes Maude and Spago alum chef Serkan Çetinarslan, head pastry chef Mitzi Reyes who has worked for José Andrés and Dominique Ansel, and head baker Luis Flores, who hails from the kitchen of Thomas Keller in Las Vegas.

The Pie Room is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for gourmet sandwiches (don’t miss the duck leg confit) and bistro fare available for dine-in or to-go. In the evening, the space transforms into a romantic, European-style wine bar with charcuterie boards from Gwen, Stone’s Michelin-starred butcher shop and restaurant in Hollywood; a selection of farmhouse cheeses, and daily specials such as loup de mer and duck ragu gnocchi—and, of course, a sweet section for dessert. 

New on South Robertson Boulevard, the acclaimed Lodge Bread brings artisanal whole-grain sourdough, house-made pastries, and a menu inspired by Middle Eastern flavors to the area. Holiday offerings include pecan pie topped with whipped vanilla ganache and toasted pecan pieces, or pumpkin pie topped with whipped chai ganache ($46 each).

For even more holiday temptation, Mastro’s Steakhouse will feature a pecan pie on the menu for a limited time, as well as a special cinnamon and pecan butter cake—a twist on its famed butter cake, which is a must after any meal there. Both available now through Dec. 30.

Let them eat panettone 

Gucci Osteria is kicking off panettone season early this year. The Michelin-starred establishment on Rodeo Drive (and select locations around the globe) is partnering with legendary Italian specialty bakery Pasticceria Tiri 1957 for the traditional sweet Christmas bread. 

Typically shared with family and friends over the festive period, Gucci Osteria’s limited edition panettone reflects the Gucci brand’s spirit of ornate decadence. The bread goes through three kneading phases during a 72-hour production, before it is elegantly packaged in a limited-edition tin with historical iconography from the Gucci Archive. It’s a stunning keepsake and great gift that will keep the product soft, fragrant and flavorful for weeks to come ($140).

Gift baskets and more

The holidays are all about hosting—and being hosted by—family and friends. Thoughtful gift baskets are a always a great way to show your appreciation. Haute Mess, the market and café on Beverly Boulevard, is offering a limited-edition, pre-order gift basket that includes artisinal and imported items, such as wines, premium anchovies, imported olives and homemade biscotti. 

Now that the weather is cooler, and nights are longer, why not host an at-home movie night? It’s the perfect excuse to tuck into some famous Neiman Marcus gourmet popcorn. Holiday tins of sweet and salty favorites include honey butter, almond pecan and cashew almond toffee. Available in-store and mail order ($32).

Hanukkah sweets

Susie Cakes in Brentwood and West Hollywood offers an assortment of red velvet, good old vanilla, or chocolate with white and blue sprinkled borders in a Hanukkah-themed cupcake box (serving 4 for $23.96). Also available is a cake decorated with a Menorah, frosted star-shaped sugar cookies (also available as a platter) and gingerbread people individually wrapped with a blue ribbon. For a fun family gathering, order a Hanukkah cookie decorating kit that includes two tubs of buttercream and four different sprinkles.

Frozen finds

After a hard day of holiday shopping, why not treat yourself (and the ice cream lover in your life) to a little holiday-themed indulgence? Shake Shack’s Limited Edition Holiday Shakes have arrived at the South Santa Monica Boulevard location of the popular outpost, and they are worth the calorie splurge. Back again is the classic Christmas Cookie Shake, featuring sugar cookie frozen custard topped with whipped cream, crumbled shortbread and holiday sprinkles. The Chocolate Yule Log Shake combines chocolate frozen custard hand-spun with chocolate cake, topped with whipped cream, cake crumbles and festive sprinkles. And the Apple Cider Donut Shake features apple cider donut frozen custard topped with whipped cream and cinnamon donut crunch.

If you prefer to celebrate the “Merry Dairy” season at home, pick up some pints at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams on North Beverly Drive. The scoop shop’s Splendid Holiday Collection includes new limited-edition flavors such as Iced Molasses Gingerbread, a spiced molasses cream with gingerbread cookies and white icing swirl, and Seven-Layer Bar with bittersweet chocolate pockets and brown sugar crumble in coconut-scented toasted caramel cream. Returning favorites include White Chocolate Peppermint, with swirls of pink and white peppermint dotted with white chocolate. 

Hands-on holiday hotel experiences

Local hotels are beckoning visitors with unique holiday-themed activations. Back by popular demand, the Fairmont Century Plaza’s Swiss Chalet “après-ski” dining experience is live through New Year’s Day. The back patio off the lobby has transformed into a chic winter wonderland. Sample cheese fondue and other Alpine favorites, along with winter cocktails and an interactive make-your-own hot chocolate experience​​.

Nearby, the hotel’s Lumière restaurant will feature a different crème brûlée flavor each week for the month of December, including eggnog, Valrhona chocolate and roasted sweet potato with cranberry. 

The lobby of the Peninsula Beverly Hills is filled with holiday cheer this time of year. Highlights include carolers (Dec. 20-24), a visit from Santa (on Christmas Eve) and the Polar Bear Gift Shop (Dec. 1-26). Additional holiday activities include curated events such as cake and cookie decorating for children.

On Dec. 3 at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, little artisans can build and decorate their own gingerbread house for a chance to have their creation on display in the lobby during the month of December ($25 per person).

At the Maybourne Beverly Hills, the Gingerbread House Decorating Class is perfect for children of all ages. Led by the in-house pastry team, two sessions of the class are set for Dec. 21. Participants will receive a decorating kit, a personalized apron, hat and takeaway box for their creation ($125 per person). 

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“Providing pathways and academies at BHHS is essential to bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world career experiences,” Dr. Dustin Seemann, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services, told the Courier. “These programs offer students invaluable exposure to fields and industries that can’t be fully replicated within school walls, helping them make informed choices about their future. By immersing students in professional environments like our hospitality industry in Beverly Hills, we empower them to enter the college application process with clarity and confidence, equipped to pursue paths that align with their true interests and aspirations.”

The early success of the Career Academy is notable. One BHHS graduate who was enrolled in the program last year attended a job fair at L’Ermitage over the summer and was already familiar with the hiring staff. “They ended up hiring him out of high school, which was his dream, to work full time in the hospitality industry before going off to college,” Cindy Dubin, Coordinator of Career Technical Education at BHHS, told the Courier. 

“The host hotels are amazing,” Dubin told the Courier. The hotels feature a different department each month, ranging from food and beverage, business and marketing, finance, housekeeping, security, engineering and others. “So, it’s just to hear how people ended up doing what they’re doing, and if you’re dedicated, work hard and are open-minded, you just never know where your talents will bring you.”

After a representative from Les Roche, a leading hospitality school in Europe, came to speak to career classes at BHHS last year and learned about the new program, she wanted to get involved too. As a result, Les Roches offered one Career Academy student a scholarship to attend one of their teen business hotel hospitality programs over the summer in Switzerland and provided $1,000 toward airfare. “And now, because of that school doing it, other schools and colleges are hearing about it and wanting to support the program and encourage kids,” Dubin said. 

Students rotate so they can experience a workday at each of the hotels at least once. This year, the program features signature events for returning students. “I wanted to have something more enhanced for them, so I’ve asked the hotels to give us events. It can be an afternoon tea; it can be a wedding for 500, and they will take one to three students who can then come shadow or observe things in motion.” A few weeks ago, L’Ermitage had students working as lobby greeters for a ribbon cutting of their new restaurant, Costa Covo Osteria. 

Last year, three students had the opportunity to shadow staff at the Beverly Wilshire as they were setting up for conferences and banquets. 

Students in the Career Academy must wear a uniform that includes a black blazer with a logo and either black dress shoes, new white tennis shoes or clean black tennis shoes with no graphics. “If they show up at the bus and they’re not in the proper attire, they can’t go,” Dubin said. “There are just so many life lessons and it’s about being confident inside and out. This repetitive interaction with professionals is just such a direct way to help make that happen.” 

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Having practiced psychiatry for over 30 years, I’ve often observed that “good” news doesn’t always bring the anticipated outcome, while “bad” news often improves with time or reveals unexpected silver linings. I anticipate the same will be true as we move forward with Trump’s second term. Whether this moment feels exhilarating or deflating, the true impact—positive and negative—will become clear with time. 

For those riding the wave of euphoria, savor the victory, while remaining cognizant that much work lies ahead and many in our country are suffering. For those grappling with the lows of post-election disappointment, consider the Japanese word for crisis, “kiki (危機).” The first character means “danger (危),” and the second, “opportunity (機).” Take time to care for yourself, lean on family and friends, and find strength in your community. 

As we move beyond the initial excitement or shock, what steps can we take to reunite as a country? Our forefathers chose our nation’s name wisely. We must honor their intent if we are to thrive as the United States of America. 

We can all start by practicing understanding, empathy, and collaboration across political divides. We face significant challenges on multiple fronts and overcoming them will require creative solutions from all of us.

Here in Beverly Hills, in these days following World Kindness Day on Nov. 13, we can agree on a few fundamentals. We all wish to live in a peaceful and just society. We are ready to work together to build it. Kindness and cooperation hold immense power, creating ripples far beyond what we can see. We must choose our actions thoughtfully and responsibly. 

Once emotions have settled, here are a few steps to consider as you move forward:

1.    Humanize the other side: Those who differ politically are complex individuals who made their choices based on unique experiences. Avoiding demonization is crucial to maintaining civility.

2.    Engage with others: Speaking with people holding different views can foster understanding. Truly listening and considering other perspectives can teach us and may help ease our fears.

3.    Listen attentively: Empathy grows when we listen patiently and seek to understand others viewpoints. You don’t have to agree to appreciate their experiences. Remember, “Silence is golden, and duct tape is silver.”

4.    Agree to disagree: Political differences don’t have to end relationships. You can respect others without sharing their views.

5.    Find common ground: Look for shared values. Most people, regardless of political stance, are well-intentioned and want a better world. I found solace attending a Rotary Club meeting last Thursday evening. Despite our dramatically different post-election moods, we came together to plan a Thanksgiving food drive for those in need in our community.

6.    Identify real threats: Not everyone has the best intentions, and it’s important to set boundaries when necessary. Remember that excessive and prolonged fear can lead to paranoia, causing us to see danger where none exists. Remain alert and grounded in reality.

7.    Avoid complacency: Continued engagement in the civic process is important for those feeling victorious. Resilience is key for those feeling disappointed. Remember with focus and dedication oftentimes, “The comeback is greater than the setback.”

As we move forward, let’s remember that healing the hurt and division will take time and progress is rarely linear. In my years of practice, and among family and friends, I have watched people overcome challenges that seemed insurmountable. Our nation possesses this same resilience. Whether the election left you energized or deflated, we all have a role in shaping our future. By focusing on our shared humanity, practicing empathy, and engaging in constructive dialogue, we can bridge divides and foster a more resilient, united society.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking.” We are at that moment. With the election behind us, we can choose to come together with open hearts and a willingness to build a brighter future for all and honor the intent of our founders. 

The post The Election Results Are In: How Do We Move Forward? appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The holidays are here, and the wish list of some of the city’s younger residents may have a surprising addition. That’s because an increasing number are considering Botox and other age-defying injectable treatments in an attempt to freeze the clock. 

It’s been over two decades since Botulinum toxin, or Botox as it’s more commonly known, was first approved for cosmetic use by the FDA.  Traditionally reserved for patients in their 30s and above, Botox is a neuromodulator that works by temporarily paralyzing muscle movement to reduce visible expression lines and wrinkles. 

But now, Botox is catching on with a younger crowd. Millennials and Generation Z have fast become proponents of preventative Botox, or “Baby Botox,” as it’s often referred to.

Carl M. Truesdale, M.D., is a facial plastic surgeon based on Rodeo Drive. He explained that Botox can be administered on a spectrum, from “treatment to preventative.” 

“As a prevention, Botox can be used if someone doesn’t have resting lines or signs of aging. The neurotoxin can weaken the muscle before lines develop. This is given over time, usually over the course of several years, so wrinkles do not form,” Truesdale said.

Such prevention typically involves using smaller doses on smaller muscle groups for a more subtle treatment effect. 

Natalia Guzman, a Beverly Hills-based aesthetic nurse practitioner, explained, “The FDA-approved average is 20 units of Botox in between the eyes or for the forehead, and then 12 units per side for the crow’s feet. But with Baby Botox, we’re only talking about something between 5 or 10 units, so it’s about one-third of the regular dosage.”

The smaller doses don’t tend to last as long as traditional Botox injections either. Guzman likes to remind her patients that “dosage equals duration.” This means the effects of Baby Botox generally wear off much more quickly.

The Rising Popularity of Cosmetic Interventions

Although the “baby” in “Baby Botox” often refers to the nature of micro-dosing (using smaller amounts), social media has also adopted the term to describe the increasingly younger age of patients seeking out this treatment. Last year, over 137,000 patients aged between 20-29 received Botox injections, according to figures from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). 

Botox wasn’t always as commonplace for this age group. 

In fact, research by the ASPS found a 71% increase in Botox treatments administered to individuals in their 20s between 2019 and 2022.

So, what’s behind the sudden ascent in popularity? 

“The rise of social media, particularly Instagram and TikTok, have meant awareness of Botox has grown exponentially,” said Urmen Desai, M.D., a Harvard-educated, double-board certified plastic surgeon based on Roxbury Drive. He has noticed a significant increase in younger patients requesting this treatment in recent years.

One such patient is Thomas Legrand, a 24-year-old who first started Botox and dermal fillers at 21. While he isn’t sure his parents would be accepting of a fresh round of Botox injections on his holiday wish list, he cites the pressure faced by his generation as a major influence in his decision. 

“Yes, I do feel like I’m too young, but I see it as something I’m doing for aesthetic purposes,” he told the Courier. “I’ll admit I am influenced by social media—TikTok and Instagram are full of people who look ‘perfect.’ It’s no secret that those who are aesthetically good-looking have a massive following. So, those are the people you naturally end up wanting to emulate and pay so much money to try and look like in some way.” 

There is no evidence to show the trend will die down any time soon either, with Botox also growing in prevalence for patients even younger than their 20s. The ASPS reported a 9% rise in Botox use for those aged 19 and under in the last year alone—a statistic evidenced across many of Beverly Hills’ top clinics. For instance, celebrity plastic surgeon Raj Kanodia, M.D., has patients as young as 16 years old visit him asking for Botox and other cosmetic procedures.

For Ben Talei, M.D., the increase in Baby Botox treatments is symptomatic of a wider overall trend of people opting for cosmetic procedures younger than ever nowadays. Talei, a dual board-certified plastic surgeon, sees many young people in his clinic, the Beverly Hills Center for Plastic and Laser Surgery, where he refers to Baby Botox as “MicroTox.” 

“Younger patients are trying to intervene early, whether it’s girls coming in for their lips or guys doing treatments like PRP to help prevent hair loss,” Talei said.

“They ask a lot sooner about Botox, starting from about 21 or 22 years old, in the hope of preventing aging around the forehead and eyes,” he added. This contrasts with a decade ago, when his youngest patients at the time tended to be in their late 20s. 

An Unnecessary Intervention?

“We tell most of the young patients who come in that no, you don’t need Botox yet. It’s not going to prevent any aging if you start so young,” Talei said.

In fact, early intervention may risk more harm than good for young people. While the short-term effects of Botox only last for two to six months, depending on the individual, facial muscles naturally weaken over time. As a result, starting early could lead to unintended consequences later down the line.

According to Kanodia, doing too much too soon may have a reverse effect and accelerate the aging process instead.  

“Repeated heavy Botox injections can make muscles become less active, resulting in a flatter or less dynamic appearance,” he said. “This leads to a lack of natural expression … which can make patients look older over time.”

Talei also warned about the risks of injecting a face that is still growing. “The skeletal growth around the jaw can change if someone, for example, botoxes the masseter [jaw] muscle too early in life.”

Many young people fall under the illusion that repeated Botox treatments when young are simply “maintenance” procedures and cause no harm.

“I don’t worry about [Botox] no longer working once I get older,” Legrand said. He plans to continue with repeated injectable treatments as a routine procedure now.

But Truesdale warned that overdoing it when you’re younger might impede how well Botox can work when patients reach an older age.

“It is always possible that you can develop antibodies to Botox that can cause it to become less effective. This usually happens over many years, but not always. If it does happen, you can take a break from Botox or switch neurotoxins,” he explained. 

When an individual builds up resistance to one neurotoxin like Botox, it stops working as well. In this case, it’s standard practice for these patients to switch to an alternative like Dysport, Jeuveau or Xeomin. 

However, with the long-term effects of Botox and similar procedures still generally unknown due to their relative novelty, it’s important to note that risks like building tolerance are very much dependent on the individual.

“I have many patients who started receiving Botox when it first came onto the market, and we haven’t seen any loss in efficacy over the years. If administered correctly, Botox can dramatically slow the signs of aging,” Desai said.

It’s not just Botox, though—many forms of cosmetic procedures carry greater risks for young people than they realize. According to Talei, lasers and radio frequency devices, which are also used as preventative treatments, can inadvertently speed up the aging process for younger faces.

“Young people are taking their beautiful, healthy, youthful skin and definitely aging it more rapidly by using lasers when they absolutely don’t need them,” he said. “Those are all devices that damage your skin in order for your body to repair, but the damage that you’re doing has to be worse than the damage you’ve already incurred in life, from sun exposure, aging, anything like that. And for a young person, that’s almost never the case.”

Baby Botox in Beverly Hills

Baby Botox is not a uniquely Beverly Hills phenomenon, but the city was amongst the first to catch onto the trend. 

The Motykie Med Spa, spearheaded by the renowned Gary Motykie, M.D., who featured on E!’s “Dr. 90210,” began offering Baby Botox several years ago in response to growing demand in the community. “Beverly Hills and West Hollywood are definitely at the forefront of this trend,” he told the Courier.

Motykie believes there’s less of a stigma around cosmetic treatments now in part due to social media, but also because of a growing emphasis on self-care in the city. “Younger individuals view these treatments as part of their overall wellness regimen rather than something to fix a problem later on,” he said. “There’s a culture of prevention when it comes to aging here.”

Many clinicians agree that Beverly Hills’ image-conscious reputation has a big role to play in explaining why the city’s younger residents feel the need to start cosmetic procedures so early. 

For Guzman, young people here feel the pressures of appearance not just from social media but also because of how normalized it is in their local environment. “I feel like younger girls are more worried about their appearance here because their friends or their moms are doing things like Botox, so there’s more exposure to it in Beverly Hills compared to Wisconsin or Tennessee, for example,” she said. “The environment here does push girls to do things younger and younger.”

And with the holiday season fast approaching, the injectors of Beverly Hills are now busier than ever.

“The holidays are the busiest time of the year!” Guzman said. “It’s a whirlwind of patients having emergency Botox because they have so many parties to attend, and all want to look their best.”

If you’re planning on some Botox to look party-ready this year though, remember to factor in recovery time. Most doctors advise giving yourself about two-and-a-half to three weeks before a big event to heal and allow any bruising or swelling to resolve.

Social calendar aside, the festive season also sees a rise in demand for Botox because it’s one of the only times of year when people can recover from such procedures in private.

“A lot of people have downtime where they’re off work or school, so they choose to do more involved procedures now in the hopes that nobody will notice,” Guzman said.

When to Start?

If you want to use the holiday down period to indulge in Botox injections for the first time, there are a few things to keep in mind.

While many doctors agree that the early 20s is far too young to begin receiving regular Botox injections, the matter of when to start if you want to slow down the signs of aging depends entirely on the individual. 

“If you’re somebody with darker, thicker skin, in general, you don’t need to worry about it until your 40s,” Talei said. 

Motykie believes there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to cosmetic procedures. “For most patients, I suggest considering Botox in their mid to late 20s if someone starts to notice fine lines or if they’re looking to prevent wrinkles from forming.” 

But as each treatment is personalized to the individual, the best way to know if you’d benefit from Botox is to schedule a consultation with an accredited doctor.

Josef Hadeed, M.D., Chair of the Patient Safety Committee at the ASPS, advises the following: “Always research the credentials of your practitioner and ensure they are board-certified, as well as having the requisite training and experience. Looking at before and after photos can be helpful to see what kind of results you can expect.”

According to Hadeed, there is no standard recommended age at which to begin Botox injections. “Every person ages differently, and everyone has their own specific aesthetic goals,” he said.

The ASPS also cautioned that it’s important to remember we still don’t know the long-term effects on people who start Botox at a younger age.

Regardless of the age one may start Botox injections, all medical treatments carry risks of which patients must be made aware. 

“Botox is relatively safe, but [there are] risks such as allergic reactions, over-weakening of muscles and headaches. The most common complication is ptosis, where the muscle is severely weakened causing a fallen eyebrow or eyelid,” Truesdale said.

According to Motykie, “Overuse or incorrect placement can lead to unnatural results, such as drooping or an overly stiff appearance.” 

But the doctors of Beverly Hills are unanimous that the best thing you can do for anti-aging isn’t an intervention found in any of their offices.

Rather, it’s simply giving your skin adequate sun protection and being consistent with applying a daily SPF. So, maybe a good-quality sunscreen might be a better holiday gift than Botox for the Gen Zers in your life. 

The post The Rise of Baby Botox in Beverly Hills appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The Peninsula Beverly Hills

Considered by many to be the crème de la crème of afternoon teas, the luxurious service in the Living Room at the Peninsula Beverly Hills is not to be missed. Indeed, attendees will feel positively royal while sipping Dom Pérignon on plush velvet sofas and listening to a classical harpist perform. The Peninsula offers a selection of 20 loose-leaf teas ranging from Earl Grey to a tropical fruity green tea to a buttery smooth Tahitian vanilla tea. Its world-class pastry chefs come up with a different selection of baked delights every month, but guests can always be certain to enjoy the finest finger sandwiches and scones. In the winter, the opulent living room has a wood fireplace offering the perfect place to cozy up with friends and family. Reservations are required and seatings are offered on Wednesday through Sunday at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

On Saturdays and Sundays, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills boasts an exquisite afternoon tea experience with all the trimmings. Located in the historic hotel’s chic, three-story, Art Deco lobby, the afternoon tea offers the perfect blend of relaxation, indulgence and people-watching. Tea selections include a monsoon chai, vanilla rooibos, lavender Earl Grey and organic peppermint. And, of course, there is an ample supply of Champagne and fine wine on offer, as well as a live harpist. On Nov. 23 and 24, the Lobby Lounge will host its annual Nutcracker Tea in partnership with the Los Angeles Ballet. The event serves as a fundraiser for the ballet and a delightfully whimsical event where young sippers can meet Clara and her doll friends, take photos with Santa and shop at the pop-up L.A. Nutcracker Boutique. 

The Maybourne Beverly Hills

Located in the stunning indoor-outdoor Terrace restaurant, the Maybourne’s afternoon tea service offers a California twist on the classic British tradition. Patrons will sip on Laurent-Perrier Champagne while listening to the cascading fountain under the golden afternoon sun. The Maybourne offers a unique black tea blend created exclusively for their sister hotel, Claridge’s in London, which is home to one of the world’s most iconic afternoon teas. They also serve an exquisite selection of sweets, including an exotic baba with passion fruit and mango chutney, dark chocolate pot de crème with hazelnut rocher, pavlova with strawberry and toasted pistachio and a coconut religieuse with lemon curd and baked meringue. The tea service is offered from 2-4 p.m. on weekends.

The London 

If you are searching for a classic British afternoon tea, look no further than the London Hotel just over the border from Beverly Hills in West Hollywood. The hotel is proud to honor its English roots by working closely with the world-renowned Henrietta Lovell, founder of the Rare Tea Company, to serve a selection of sustainably sourced tea from producers all over the world. Reservations are required for the tea service, which is served from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on the weekends. Tea sandwiches include a matcha green tea crêpe with smoked salmon and crème fraîche and a peach molasses sandwich with chicken and onion profiterole. Sweet treat highlights include white chocolate dipped strawberries, Battenburg pistachio cake and a lemon verbena meringue tart. 

The Getty Villa or Center

Take a step back in time and enjoy afternoon tea by the sea at the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. The tea service was inspired by the Getty Villa’s authentically recreated, first-century Roman gardens and by visitors’ fond memories of the beloved Tea Room, which closed in 1997. The sandwiches and pastries feature flavors of the Mediterranean herbs, vegetables and fruits that grow at the Villa. Tea is served at the Villa every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1-3 p.m. If you are searching for something a little closer to home, The Getty Center in Brentwood also offers a tea service from 2-3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays on the restaurant terrace. Enjoy a selection of savory and sweet snacks as you gaze at the panoramic view. Reservations are required for both services. 

The post Celebrate the Holidays at the Finest Afternoon Teas in Town appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Many, if not most films that aim for an end-of-year release have Oscar aspirations. Although there have been many Oscar-quality films that opened earlier in the year, too many are forgotten when nominations come around; hence, the desire for a late fall opening. To qualify for an Oscar, films must have a run of seven days in a commercial theater in a qualifying U.S. metropolitan area. They may, however, open simultaneously in a theater and on a streaming network. A streaming release prior to commercial theatrical release disqualifies the film from Oscar consideration. More and more, stars have been demanding a theatrical release of their films, even if they are ultimately meant to be streamed.

Opening dates for the late fall were in constant flux as distributors were still picking up films from festivals, the Toronto International Film Festival being the most influential. I’m definitely bullish on the upcoming movies. So, on with the show:

Nov. 15

“All We Imagine as Light” won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. It is a poetic ode to the lives of two nurses and roommates from Mumbai, one of whom is estranged from her husband and the other in a forbidden romance with a Muslim, as they explore their lives, loves and disappointments. Ironically, India has chosen a different movie as their Oscar submission, something almost guaranteed to backfire.

“Red One” is Santa, and Santa has been kidnapped. Getting him back will be the trick as the security staff at the North Pole must battle monsters, bad guys and themselves to succeed or, gasp, there will be no Christmas. Full to brimming with comedy stars like Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, this Jake Kasdan-directed holiday film is sure to be a family pleaser.

Nov. 22

“Gladiator II” is Ridley Scott’s return to the arena, this time with the nephew of Maximus out to avenge his father’s death and return glory to Rome. Starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal, there will be blood and some unlikely fighting animals.

“Wicked Part I” finally makes its way to the big screen after years as a hit on Broadway, with no end in sight. Divided into two parts, this novel take on the “Wizard of Oz” stars Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. Part II premieres on Nov. 26, making it a total Thanksgiving experience.

Nov. 27

“September 5” follows the massacre of Israeli athletes by the Palestinian terrorist group, Black September, at the 1972 Munich Olympics as covered by the ABC sports correspondents who were there broadcasting the games. It is a heart-stopping reminder of an event seen through the prism of the sportscasters with Peter Sarsgaard starring as Roone Arledge.

“Moana 2” is a journey across the seas and Moana, accompanied by Maui, must answer a call from her ancestors. There are rifts to heal and people to bring together. The animation shines in this sequel.

“Maria” is director Pablo Larain’s biopic of Maria Callas in her final years in Paris. Angelina Jolie stars.

“Queer” has made almost as many waves for its story as it has for its star. It is based on a semi-autobiographical novel by William S. Burroughs, part of the Beat Generation of poets and novelists in the 1950s. Lee, a gay man in thrall to drugs and younger conquests, finds love, romance and sex in Mexico City in the 1940s. Daniel Craig stars as Lee in a much-talked-about performance.

Dec. 6

“Hard Truths” is a return to form for Mike Leigh, here reuniting with the superb Marie Jean-Baptiste as a bitter dysfunctional British Jamaican who lashes out at everyone and everything including her preternaturally optimistic sister, her exact opposite.

“The Order” is a stunning depiction of a true 1983-84 drama about a white supremacist who decides to take action and foment a rebellion and the FBI agent on his trail. Starring Nicholas Hoult and Jude Law, the events are reenacted chillingly, a harbinger of what happened on Jan. 6.

“The Return” is director Uberto Pasolini’s take on Homer’s tale of the Odyssey with Ralph Fiennes as Odysseus and Juliette Binoche as his long-suffering wife, Penelope. Expect Pasolini to exhibit the quiet depth he showed earlier this year in his masterpiece, “Nowhere Special.” This film marks the first time Fiennes and Binoche have acted together since their breakout roles in “The English Patient.”

“The Six Triple Eights” gives us the story of the Black women who joined the war and were assigned the task of sorting, delivering and tracking the mail sent to soldiers during World War II. Directed by Tyler Perry and starring Kerry Washington, this is the story told by Romay Johnson Davis in “Black Uniform,” the outstanding documentary made by Beverly Hills’ own Robert Darwell. As Davis pointed out and Perry’s film emphasizes, mail is communication, hope and information, something supplied by this all-female, all-Black and all-disregarded unit who played the major role that everyone seems to have forgotten. Streaming on Netflix on Dec. 20.

“Nightbitch” is a horror/black comedy starring Amy Adams as a stay-at-home mother whose frustrations manifest themselves at nighttime when she turns into a dog, or does she? Motherhood is complicated.

In “Oh Canada,” based on the book by Russell Banks, director Paul Schrader reunites with “American Gigolo” Richard Gere to tell the story about a man who fled to Canada to avoid the draft and now wants to tell his story.

“Get Away” has it all—remote island location, dysfunctional family vacation, serial killer—what could possibly go wrong? Billed as horror, but with British funnyman Nick Frost in the lead, black humor has to be on the menu.

Dec. 13

“Kraven the Hunter,” plucked from the Spiderverse, is the villain with daddy issues. Kraven follows his ruthless father down a path of vengeance and mayhem against his purported enemies. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose and Russell Crowe, it won’t be pretty, and there will be blood.

“Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” is a stylish anime film based on the characters from the J.R.R. Tolkien fantasy novels. A prequel to the trilogy, it tells the tale of the King of Rohan.

“The Last Showgirl” has created buzz both for the subject and its stars, particularly Pamela Anderson, starring as Shelley. Having been a showgirl for over 30 years in Vegas, she and the other dancers are rocked when the closing show is announced. Shelley and her friends, including Annette, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, are upended. What is left for these women, all over 50, when the only life they knew as dancers has now ended? Directed by Gia Coppola, granddaughter of Francis Ford, this signals the arrival of another talented member of that family.

Dec. 20

“The Room Next Door” is Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language film and stars Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. After being estranged for many years, a daughter reconnects with her mother, trying hard to piece together what pulled them apart. It won the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival.

“Mufasa: The Lion King” is both a prequel and sequel to “The Lion King,” telling the origin story of Mufasa and Prince Taka. Using photorealistic animation, this film, with its amazing voice cast, will be a sight to behold —a family film to unwrap during the holidays and savor.

“Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” based on the video game series, is the box office gift that keeps on giving. Like “Despicable Me 4,” this year’s hit rerun, “Sonic” should appeal to families looking for fun during the holidays as the furry creatures combine with their human friends to battle the evil Shadow.

Dec. 25

“The Fire Inside” was originally scheduled to open last summer. It is the inspirational story based on the journey of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields who wants to be the first American woman to win a gold medal in boxing at the Olympics. Directed by Rachel Morrison and written by Barry Jenkins, the Oscar-winning writer/director of “Moonlight,” it features a very strong cast led by Brian Tyree Henry.

“A Complete Unknown” is the highly anticipated biopic of Bob Dylan starring Timothée Chalamet. Focusing on the moment at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 when Dylan decided to go electric, Chalamet will sing. Directed and written by James Mangold who knows his way around biography, having directed “Ford v Ferrari” and “Walk the Line” about Johnny Cash, this is one of the most anticipated films of the season.

“Babygirl” is a story of a powerful CEO who embarks on a passionate affair with an intern. But in this erotic story, the CEO is a woman (Nicole Kidman) and the intern is a young man. Kidman won the Best Actress Award at the Venice International Film Festival, and she has turned heads everywhere the film has been shown.

“Nosferatu” is a starry revisit of the legend of Dracula. A remake of the famous and still scary German Expressionist silent film made in 1922, it is the story of a young woman’s hypnotic obsession with Count Orlok who turns into a vampire at night, searching for blood to keep him alive. Many will try to save her from his spell. It stars Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult and Lily-Rose Depp. Hoult is fast becoming the villain you love to hate. The magnetism of this story seems to be limitless.

“Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl” brings back that favorite stop-motion, animated duo. This time around it’s up to Gromit to save his master from an evil figure from his past, who may just have been released through Wallace’s latest invention. 

Happy Holidays and Happy Viewing. 

The post STYLE’s Fall/Winter Film Preview appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

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Valmont

Luxury Swiss skincare brand Valmont and French co-founders Sophie and Didier Guillon have opened the brand’s first freestanding boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. La Maison Valmont specializes in The Rodeo Drive Red Carpet Treatment with a serious celebrity following and is exclusive to this location. It includes 90 minutes of IonixLight, Diamond Micro-Abrasion, Oxygen Therapy Infusion, Light Therapy, Microcurrent and Ultrasound, along with a sequence of targeted massages. Lamaisonvalmont.com/en/la-maison-valmont-beverlyhills

NEW Lounge

On the lower level of the Rodeo Collection, a fan-favorite Filipino beauty salon with over 17 locations has opened its first U.S. outpost in Beverly Hills. NEW Lounge is the spot for brow lamination, lash perms and tinting. “Beverly Hills represents the pinnacle of high-end beauty and wellness. Our top-notch service makes clients feel that elevated luxury experience,” owner Rachelle Bravo told the Courier. If you do not have time to visit the salon, the signature Filipino hospitality will come to you via their mobile services. Newloungeus.com

D’Lashes Lash & Wellness Spa

Dionne Phillips has been a driving force in celebrity eyelash extensions and faux lashes for almost two decades while working with clients from Victoria Beckham to Naomi Campbell, Renee Zellweger, Mary J. Blige and a host of others. Her retail brand D’Lashes is a collection of luxury lash products and DIY lash kits, which has won several awards.

Phillips has recently opened D’Lashes Lash & Wellness Spa on Wilshire Boulevard, just east of La Cienega Boulevard, to provide her lash expertise and in-house products with a full menu of wellness services. This approach is deeply personal for Phillips, who is a proud breast cancer survivor, and is hoping her journey can both inform and inspire other women to prioritize their health and well-being. Mention the Beverly Hills Courier to receive a 20% discount on a lash service. Dlashes.com

Pellequr

Korean body scrubs are not necessarily for the faint of heart. They typically require vigorous scrubbing followed by a water bucket poured over you in a communal setting. This isn’t the case at Pellequr in Beverly Hills, the Westside’s only upscale Korean scrub spa exclusively for women. You have probably driven by the blacked-out windows on South Beverly Drive, but never knew what goes on beyond the smokey glass. Pellequr offers a personalized, three-step treatment to unclog pores and excrete toxins, with a lymphatic drainage massage for relaxation and smooth glowing skin. The 75-minute combination starts with a French Vichy shower followed by a Korean full body scrub and wash, and a blissful CBD oil massage. For additional pampering, Japanese head spa services by a trichologist have been added to the menu. 

Owner Anna Margaryan has been in the beauty and wellness business for over 20 years and started frequenting Korean spas as a release for postpartum depression. She feels the Korean beauty trend started primarily because the culture takes skincare so seriously from head to toe. “It’s not about just putting on sunblock. We forget to hydrate and get rid of our dead skin—it gives you a youthful look,” she told the Courier. “It’s our largest organ and it is the first thing you see so you want a clean canvas, but you need to get rid of the buildup first.  You can slather on as many products as you want, but if your skin is not taken care of, it will not work.” Pellequr.com 

Head Spa Nagomi

Longtime local hair extension and color guru, Kazumi Morton, has opened a head spa a few doors down from her popular Salon Kazumi on South Santa Monica Boulevard. Head Spa Nagomi offers 30, 60 or 90-minute treatments, seven days a week. The procedure is recommended monthly, as the hair cell growth turnover is every 28 days. The idea is to stimulate blood flow and release buildup to promote healthy skin—just like a facial but for your scalp.

The process first involves a microscope scalp camera to examine for any buildup or troubled areas. Then the sensory journey begins, using traditional Japanese techniques such as essential oils to add a relaxing aromatherapy component with a Japanese charcoal-paste exfoliation to remove impurities. Next comes a nano steam to hydrate and remove buildup from hair follicles. A relaxing, extended scalp massage is followed by the cascading waterfall head bath, called toshinyoku. For the finishing touch, a steaming leave-in serum is applied to nourish the scalp. The 90-minute treatment includes a red-light therapy session to reduce inflammation and stimulate hair growth. A reparative, deep-conditioning hair mask add-on is also available during this process. Headspanagomi.com

Miniluxe

For new nail art offerings this winter, MiniLuxe on Canon Drive has just launched chrome services. This trend started with Hailey Bieber’s “glazed donut” nails and has skyrocketed in popularity ever since. The procedure uses a metallic chrome powder in the color of your choice to create a mirror-like, reflective or iridescent finish.

The brand’s lead designers have also added the highly sought-after “Cateye” service, which gives nails a reflective, dimensional look that resembles a cat’s eye. You can also request Blooming gel polish to spread out and create a unique watercolor or marble design and the look of a blooming flower. Transfer foils add a high-shine metallic finish to a gel manicure by placing thin, shiny sheets of foil over painted gel nails to create a full foil or broken glass style design. Other new services include ombre nails using two or more shades of powdered pigment over a chosen base color, nail jewelry in the form of rhinestones or studs or 3D gel that creates three-dimensional embellishments and decorations on the nails. Miniluxe.com/pages/beverly-hills

Soho House Holloway

For the first time, Soho House Holloway is offering facials by Australian brand RATIONALE, and non-members are welcome. The 75-minute treatment is performed by celebrity facialist Katie Matten, who focuses on hydration and repairing the skin barrier by infusing potent ingredients such as glutathione and vitamin C for a glass-like radiant skin effect. In-home treatments can also be booked. Us.rationale.com/pages/rationale-residency 

The post Get Holiday-Ready with These New Beauty Offerings in Beverly Hills appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

While most of these locations are stylishly decorated already, the right floral arrangements are key, and the first step, to setting the right tone for your gathering. The Hidden Garden is the in-house florist for many Beverly Hills institutions from the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Maybourne Beverly Hills, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills and restaurants such as Il Pastaio. 

The Courier spoke with Amy Marella, founder and CEO of the Hidden Garden, who advised letting the floral designer utilize what is best in season at the time of the dinner party. “If you don’t have a set color scheme for the table asking, ‘What looks best from Mother Nature today?’ It allows us to design something that might be uniquely in bloom that week.” 

Known for larger-scale events, weddings and bat mitzvahs for over 30 years, the Empty Vase on Doheny Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard is doing more smaller-scale events in private rooms. The family-owned business counts e. baldi Ristorante, Cecconi’s (which has a private space with a Damien Hirst painting) and Stella among its regular clients.

 “We work with so many places on a regular basis that we know what would suit the space and work with the decor, color scheme and style of the room so it’s not a blank canvas,” Manager-Designer of the Empty Vase Avva Babaeean told the Courier.

A few things to consider from both florists are the shape and style of table, side tables, and how they will be used, such as a coursed-out meal, allowing for a more elaborate floral arrangement, or  family style, which offers less room. In some cases, gifts for the guests are provided from a rosebud vase on each place setting to guest chocolates or napkin rings to take home. 

According to fine linen stylist and owner of E. Braun & Co. on Robertson Boulevard, Liz Barbatelli, the ambiance you create is very important and integral to your success. “From the linens, the room decor and ambiance, the flowers, candles, dinnerware, cutlery and other necessary accouterment set the tone. Every detail should be planned and thought through in advance.”

Barbatelli, who works with many local restaurants and hotels, advised on a few things to look out for when planning a private soiree. First of all, “Avoid a restaurant in which you have never dined, and one that will not give you firm pricing. Also, make sure they have a special event coordinator that you can work with, and be sure they will let you bring in anything that you feel is missing or important for your event. You want a collaborative experience that creates an extraordinary event with an artful, inspired and thoughtful approach.” 

The Venues

E. Baldi Ristorante

The Aperitivo Lounge on Brighton Way, which is the new addition to e. baldi Ristorante, features a stylish private dining room behind a curtain. This space can seat 49 people with different table configurations from smaller round tables to a long communal setting, or intimate parties of 10. For a corporate meeting, there is a flat-screen for presentations, but the main use so far has been for celebrations and celebrity parties. You will also have menu options from beloved chef Baldi for “Tuscan food with an accent of Emilia-Romagna,” and they offer a range of price points. privateroom@ebaldi.com

Steak 48

For a large variety of room options, Steak 48 offers a sophisticated setting, equipped with television screen capabilities. The Wine Room accommodates groups of up to 24 with sliding doors and views of the lounge. For more privacy, the Canon Room is closest in proximity to the front door and seats up to 30 guests with a variety of table configurations and dedicated volume controls for music to set the right tone for the evening.

For true gourmands who want a glimpse of the kitchen action, book the Chef’s Dining Room for a group of 34 or fewer.  You will have the audio-visual capabilities, and can combine this space with the Cannon Room, for up to 65 guests. If you are planning a reception-style soiree, the Dominick Room setup includes a mix of high-top tables and booth seating for a maximum of 40 guests. 

No matter which room you choose, prices start at just $95 per person for a “city menu” with appetizers, entrees, sides and sweets, and up to higher price points for a “chef tasting.”  guestservicesbeverlyhills@steak48.com

Novikov

Mediterranean newcomer Novikov has a private dining room that seats 16 at a gorgeous oval table. The space is adorned with a chandelier, greenery, a large mirror and a modern abstract painting, creating a homey atmosphere. The enclosed, glass-walled space provides a view of the dining action, yet with some privacy. You can also book the side or front patio, which holds about 25 in each space. A set menu is required for prix fixe or family-style service. The food and beverage minimum is $2,500. To book, call 310-300-0090.

Ocean Prime

Seafood haven Ocean Prime offers a plethora of private dining options and price ranges. Half and full buyouts are available for the Wilshire Room (36 seated, 40 reception); Dayton Room (10 seated); Camden Room (14 seated); Apex Bar (80 seated, 100 reception) or the Terrace (44 seated, 75 reception).

From holiday parties to more intimate, special moments like bridal showers and birthday celebrations, the team will accommodate special requests including floral arrangements, audio-visual support, specialty cakes and desserts. Guests can choose from an option of welcome cocktails, a Champagne toast or wine bar. Caviar service is also available, as well as food stations or sushi platters. Lunch menu options vary from $60 to $75 per person while dinner menu options range from $115 per person to $170. To book, call 310-859-4818.

Crustacean

If you’d like to dine in a private wine cellar with five of your closest friends, head upstairs to Da Lat Rose at Crustacean, which also features an open kitchen, private bathroom, private bar, audio-visual system and a private entrance. This space can hold 60 guests seated and 150 plus for cocktails. The minimum for food and beverage is $8,000 with a room rental of $1,000-$1,500. Other options are downstairs in the Santa Monica Room (25 seated or 40 plus for cocktails) and offer accordion doors, a flat-screen TV and access to a private Koi bar ($3,500 minimum spend). For more information, email the private dining director at Hannah@houseofan.com.

The Hideaway

No matter how often you sat on the patio by the wood-burning fireplace or pushed the tequila button for a table-side shot, hidden pockets remain at The Hideaway. The Mexican-themed gem is backed by celebrity investors, including Ryan Phillipe and Evan Ross.

At The Hideaway, you can book the extended patio that seats 50 or up to 100 people standing. This area also has a dedicated private bar connected to it that fits 25 people and can be booked independently, and it has a private entrance. 

Other options include the main bar, which can be booked for up to 50 people and features eight private booths and a tequila-tasting room. The side dining room closest to the bar can also be closed off for privacy with up to 30 seats.

Drinks are charged on consumption, and prix-fixe menus are offered at different price points, plus the room rental fee is waived if you fill it to capacity. To book, contact General Manager Bart Clemmer at bart@thehideawaybeverlyhills.com.

Wally’s

At Wally’s, you won’t be short of top wine options if you book a private party. Tucked away in the back of the restaurant, the main room for private events accommodates 22 guests for a sit-down gathering, which includes a prix-fixe family-style menu, or 35 people for a standing reception with tray-passed hors d’oeuvres. The food and beverage minimum ranges from $4,000 to $6,000 (depending on the day of week and season). You can also book the Barrel Room for 10 people, which is located in front of the rare wine vault and spirits room. The minimum buyout for this space is $3,000 to $5,000. To book, contact privatedining@wallywine.com.

The Cheese Store

If a wine and cheese party is more your style, The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills has a new patio that can hold 22, with 16 seats and four high-top tables that can accommodate another eight people standing. This space has a $5,000 minimum spend for a buyout. The entire shop can also be rented out for private events with a $9,000 minimum spend for both combined. To book, contact events@cheesestorebh.com.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

For a splurge, try the in-suite culinary experience in the Presidential Suite at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills hotel’s bespoke culinary dining experience. It includes a private chef, personal mixologist, special musical performances and the global cuisine of your choice for an exclusive experience for up to 12 seated and 20 for a standing-style reception (starting at $4,000). This culinary amenity is ideal for those celebrating a romantic date night for two, a private dinner party with friends and family or even a corporate event. In-suite dining experiences can be arranged by contacting the property at insuitedining@waldorfastoria.com or 310-860-6617.

MXO

New to La Cienega Boulevard, right across the street from Nobu, MXO is an upscale open-flame steakhouse with a Mexican twist by James Beard Foundation award-winning chef Wes Avila, sbe and Marc Anthony. Brought to life by celebrity designer Jae Omar, the space includes several patios with fire pits and offers not one but two private dining rooms. The larger space has a fireplace, and mid-century modern style furnishings in earthy tones, and can hold 20 people with a minimum food and beverage spend of $2,500. The smaller private dining room is $1,500 minimum and can fit 10 people with a sliding glass door for privacy. To book, visit
http://www.mxosteakhouse.com.

Funke

For a unique opportunity to experience old-world handmade pasta techniques in an intimate setting, book Evan Funke’s namesake eatery for a private bash. The dark green-hued private dining room fits up to 20 people on the mezzanine dining level with an oval table and windows down to all the action below. Expect a base rate for the room, plus per-person costs depending on the date, menus and party size. To book, contact events@funkela.com.

If you prefer an alfresco gathering overlooking Beverly Hills, the restaurant’s Bar Funke can hold 40 guests seated and 100 standing. Or, if you would rather party in Hollywood, Funke’s other acclaimed restaurant, Mother Wolf, has two private dining rooms. Remus is a more intimate room, decked out in rich woods, with a capacity of 10, and Romulus holds up to 22 guests. To book, visit www.motherwolfla.com/book.

The Mother Wolf building also offers an expansive space upstairs at Citizen News that can be modified to fit various group sizes or productions. Expect a $5,000 venue rental fee and a $30,000 minimum food and beverage spend. To book, contact events@rh-hollywood.com. 

The post Private Rooms for Holiday Events in Beverly Hills appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Several of these top stylists call Beverly Hills their home and credit the city with influencing their outlook on fashion. We’ve chronicled their journeys to discover how these stylists are exerting their fashion influence through Beverly Hills and beyond. From bold statement pieces to effortlessly chic essentials, discover the creative forces shaping Beverly Hills fashion and their must-have style tips for the holidays.

Anya Sarre

A celebrity stylist and TV fashion expert, Anya Sarre’s love for fashion started at a young age. “It must have been innate,” she told the Courier. 

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Sarre moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California before earning her graduate degree from the Parsons School of Design. Since then, Sarre has become an internationally recognized fashion tastemaker, brand influencer and celebrity stylist. Through her business “Styled by Anya Inc.,” Sarre has dressed some of the biggest names in the world for award shows such as the Emmys, Grammys, Golden Globes and Oscars, and features frequently as a style expert on KTLA5. 

Sarre’s influence on the style choices of others reaches far beyond social media. “It’s no different whether you’re influencing millions of people on TV every day, or just your neighbors—oftentimes people ask me where I got something, and to me, that suggests a certain level of influence,” she noted.

It’s this influence that shapes how Sarre styles her celebrity clients. “I look at each client like a blank slate, but I like to always keep things classic with a hint of trend,” she said. 

After decades in the fashion industry, Sarre developed a patented styling questionnaire, which means she can now dress people “sight unseen.” Regardless of who she is styling, one thing remains the same: style is as much about the emotional as it is the physical.

“If you feel great, you look great, and if you look great, you feel great. So, it’s really about me figuring out what makes people feel comfortable, and then dressing them based on that,” she said. 

One of the biggest challenges Sarre faces in her career is in styling a big event. She most recently styled for the Emmys and said clients are on “the quest for perfection,” more than ever for a televised awards ceremony—a quest that often leads to them second-guessing if they’ve found the right outfit, with decisions not made until the last moment. “It’s such a big decision. For some, this could be one of the biggest nights of their lives,” Sarre said. “It’s very different to styling someone for everyday looks.”

It’s these events that have some of the biggest names in Beverly Hills calling upon Sarre for her fashion influence and expertise.  But beyond her strong client base, Beverly Hills has influenced Sarre’s approach to fashion as much as she has influenced trends in the city.

For Sarre, Beverly Hills is incomparable to other fashion capitals like New York, Paris or London because it leads more on reputation rather than trend. “Beverly Hills is just the ultimate fashion destination,” she said. “What makes it different than other fashion capitals is simple: it’s iconic.”

“There’s no other city in the world that has as much brand recognition as Beverly Hills. There is so much significance behind what fashion in Beverly Hills means. It’s a lot to live up to, but for me and my clients, it’s always lived up to the expectation,” she said. 

The city’s reputation as an iconic fashion destination is exactly why Sarre chose to host her holiday shopping event at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills last year. It’s an event for celebrities, VIPs and Sarre’s most exclusive friends to do some holiday shopping and see the newest trends of the season. “It took months of planning and curation, but there is nowhere else I’d ever throw an event like this. It’s Beverly Hills, always,” Sarre said.

And when it comes to what’s in style this holiday season, Sarre is conclusive. “White, white and white!”

“Doing a white, cream or winter-neutrals theme is the ‘in’ thing for the holidays this year. If you’re attending a cocktail party or holiday event, show up in winter white neutrals. I guarantee you will look the chicest in the room,” she said.

For this year, Sarre encourages clients to prioritize the emotional over the physical when it comes to gifting. “It’s all about the experience rather than the tangible gift,” Sarre said. “Gifting someone a meaningful experience means so much, especially in a city like Beverly Hills where so many of us already own so many physical items as is.”

And Sarre shared some recommendations for those searching for last-minute holiday gift ideas. 

“Head over to Kitson on Beverly Drive. You can always find a unique gift there, especially for the kids in your life. For the adults, you can’t go wrong with an Erewhon gift card. I’d recommend Stefano Ricci for men; they make the best ties. And if you want to talk jewelry, I would race down to XIV Karats. They have every gift you could ever want for the holidays,” Sarre said.

Nicole Pollard Bayme

“I was always captivated by how fashion goes beyond clothing—it’s a language, a tool for self-expression and a catalyst for transformation,” said Nicole Pollard Bayme. 

Born and raised in Santa Monica, Pollard Bayme founded her styling firm Lalaluxe in Beverly Hills in 2005 and now provides fashion styling services for world leaders, visionaries and trailblazers. “Beverly Hills launched my career with stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue and other Rodeo Drive boutiques rolling out the red carpet for me. This city supported me in building Lalaluxe into what it is today,” she told the Courier.

Describing her style as “luxurious and intentional,” Pollard Bayme’s captivating and unique approach has seen her win numerous accolades. She was named “L.A.’s Best Personal Stylist” by CBS Los Angeles and frequently hosts fashion events across the globe.