Volume 26 No. 8 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park and … · 2016-02-02 · ordered Apple to...
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On Feb. 16, a federal judge ordered Apple to assist the FBI in unlocking the iPhone that belonged to San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook. Demonstrators rallied in front of the Apple store at The Grove on Tuesday to support Apple’s deci- sion to deny the court order. While the group of supporters was small, individuals felt strongly about what they called a fight for securi- ty and privacy. “Privacy is important to me, and I want to thank Apple for standing up for my privacy,” said Cheryl Caskill, one of the deomonstrators. “Once [privacy is] gone, it’s hard to get it back. It’s like what Benjamin Franklin said, ‘Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.’” The demonstration was part of a global protest organized by Fight For the Future, a nonprofit organization. Tiffiny Cheng, co-founder of Fight For the Future, said Tuesday’s protests were to implore the FBI to reflect on their actions. “It’s people coming together to fight and voice our opinions,” Cheng said. “We’re trying to tell the FBI not to go forward with their order because it’s not just about Apple or our iPhones. I don’t think [the FBI] understands what they’re asking for.” The FBI’s demands, Cheng said, could lead the government down a slippery slope that limits individual freedom and rights to privacy. Nicholas Linindoll said he sup- ports Apple because the FBI’s demands are a step in the wrong direction for individual privacy. “We live in a digital age. We all have so much information on our phones and it’s so important that we have strong encryption and security and no back doors,” Linindoll said. “I’m just here to support this fight because unfortunately I think the FBI is not defending our rights.” Support of the tech company’s stance spans further than street The battle over how to deal with growth in Los Angeles continues after a new initiative aimed at devel- opment and affordable housing was introduced last week. A coalition of labor unions and housing advocates launched the Build Better Los Angeles (BBLA) initiative last week that would require affordable units be included with residential projects that require zone changes and General Plan amendments. If approved, the initia- tive would also ensure that con- struction jobs go to residents through a local hire provision. “It simply says, developers who build affordable housing will move quicker … as long as they hire local people,” said Rusty Hicks, secre- tary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and spokesman for Build Better LA. “It is through this initiative that Los The Fairfax High School Lions are known for their powerhouse football team and their award- winning basketball team. Their soccer team, however, has not seen as much limelight. But after this season, that might change. “And we plan to keep chang- ing that during the playoffs,” said Gustavo Arellano, a senior on Fairfax High School’s boys varsi- ty soccer team. Over the past few years, Arellano explained he and his teammates have worked hard to improve the team’s reputation. With the help of their new coach Salvador Rosales, the team has come together in a way it never has before and made it to the sec- ond round of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) A quiet intersection in Hancock Park transformed into a Hillary Clinton campaign site Monday night. Police, valet, media crews, delighted neighbors and opportunistic protest- ers buzzed around the corner of Las Palmas Avenue and First Street where Clinton stopped to fundraise for her campaign to become President of the United States. Hundreds of guests arrived at the home of Jon Vein – the co-founder of MarketShare – who hosted the fundraiser for the former First Lady of the United States, New York Senator and U.S. Secretary of State. The cost to attend started at $2,700, and a donation of $27,000 allowed guests to take a photo with Clinton, who is fresh off a victory in the Nevada Democratic caucus. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, City Councilman David Ryu, 4th District, and West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey Horvath joined the party and are all Clinton supporters. Horvath has been a long-time Clinton supporter and met with her last week. Horvath went to high school near Las Vegas and helped Clinton secure victory in Nevada last week. Horvath remembered when she was going to meet Clinton for the first time in 2007. Horvath said she was waiting with a group of people to meet Clinton when she noticed a little girl with her mother. When Clinton got closer, the young girl ran past Horvath to greet the presidential nominee. When the girl returned to her mother’s side, Horvath heard her say, “I want to be president just like her one day.” Horvath shared that story with Clinton when their paths crossed again in 2012. Clinton encouraged Horvath to run for city council again after a failed election campaign, and Horvath told Clinton the same. Now that Horvath is mayor, her encounters with Clinton mean a little more. After her victory speech in Nevada, Clinton walked backstage, noticed Horvath and said, “Oh, mayor.” Horvath said she told Clinton how important her example has been to a young woman working in a political See Hillary page 21 See Fairfax page 22 See initiatives page 21 By PAtriciA SAnchez Volume 26 No. 8 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities February 25, 2016 INSIDE • New Wilshire Division capt. starts in March p. 4 • LAPD begins new recruitment plan p. 3 Sunny with temps reaching the 80s WWW.BEVERLYPRESS.COM n Elected officials call for FBI to pull request photo by Patricia Sanchez About a dozen demonstrators showed up Tuesday night to show their support for Apple. n Hundreds arrive for Clinton fundraiser n Union coalition working to put a new initiative on the ballot photo by Gregory Cornfield Community members packed a conference room at Emerson College to hear the town hall on the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative on Tuesday. Dueling initiatives – shaping L.A. in the voting booth iPhone ‘back door’ debate lands at The Grove Hillary hits Hancock Park n Lions make a new name for themselves Fairfax High School’s soccer team goes for new glory By GreGory cornfield By GreGory cornfield See Apple page 21 By PAtriciA SAnchez photo by Patricia Sanchez Fairfax High School has been improving all season and made it to the second round of the playoffs. The team plays today at 3 p.m. photo by Gregory Cornfield Protesters and neighbors begin to line up across the street at Hillary Clinton’s fundraiser in Hancock Park.
Transcript of Volume 26 No. 8 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park and … · 2016-02-02 · ordered Apple to...
On Feb. 16, a federal judgeordered Apple to assist the FBI inunlocking the iPhone thatbelonged to San Bernardinoshooter Syed Rizwan Farook.
Demonstrators rallied in frontof the Apple store at The Grove onTuesday to support Apple’s deci-sion to deny the court order. Whilethe group of supporters was small,individuals felt strongly aboutwhat they called a fight for securi-ty and privacy.
“Privacy is important to me, and Iwant to thank Apple for standing upfor my privacy,” said Cheryl Caskill,one of the deomonstrators. “Once[privacy is] gone, it’s hard to get itback. It’s like what BenjaminFranklin said, ‘Those who surrenderfreedom for security will not have,nor do they deserve, either one.’”
The demonstration was part of aglobal protest organized by Fight Forthe Future, a nonprofit organization.
Tiffiny Cheng, co-founder ofFight For the Future, said Tuesday’sprotests were to implore the FBI toreflect on their actions.
“It’s people coming together tofight and voice our opinions,” Chengsaid. “We’re trying to tell the FBI notto go forward with their orderbecause it’s not just about Apple orour iPhones. I don’t think [the FBI]understands what they’re askingfor.”
The FBI’s demands, Cheng said,could lead the government down aslippery slope that limits individualfreedom and rights to privacy.
Nicholas Linindoll said he sup-ports Apple because the FBI’s
demands are a step in the wrongdirection for individual privacy.
“We live in a digital age. We allhave so much information on ourphones and it’s so important that wehave strong encryption and securityand no back doors,” Linindoll said.“I’m just here to support this fightbecause unfortunately I think the FBIis not defending our rights.”
Support of the tech company’sstance spans further than street
The battle over how to deal withgrowth in Los Angeles continuesafter a new initiative aimed at devel-opment and affordable housing wasintroduced last week.
A coalition of labor unions andhousing advocates launched theBuild Better Los Angeles (BBLA)initiative last week that would
require affordable units be includedwith residential projects that requirezone changes and General Planamendments. If approved, the initia-tive would also ensure that con-struction jobs go to residentsthrough a local hire provision.
“It simply says, developers whobuild affordable housing will movequicker … as long as they hire localpeople,” said Rusty Hicks, secre-tary-treasurer of the Los AngelesCounty Federation of Labor andspokesman for Build Better LA. “Itis through this initiative that Los
The Fairfax High School Lionsare known for their powerhousefootball team and their award-winning basketball team. Theirsoccer team, however, has notseen as much limelight. But afterthis season, that might change.
“And we plan to keep chang-ing that during the playoffs,” said
Gustavo Arellano, a senior onFairfax High School’s boys varsi-ty soccer team.
Over the past few years,Arellano explained he and histeammates have worked hard toimprove the team’s reputation.With the help of their new coachSalvador Rosales, the team hascome together in a way it neverhas before and made it to the sec-ond round of the CaliforniaInterscholastic Federation (CIF)
A quiet intersection in HancockPark transformed into a HillaryClinton campaign site Monday night.Police, valet, media crews, delightedneighbors and opportunistic protest-ers buzzed around the corner of LasPalmas Avenue and First Streetwhere Clinton stopped to fundraisefor her campaign to becomePresident of the United States.
Hundreds of guests arrived at thehome of Jon Vein – the co-founder ofMarketShare – who hosted thefundraiser for the former First Ladyof the United States, New YorkSenator and U.S. Secretary of State.The cost to attend started at $2,700,and a donation of $27,000 allowedguests to take a photo with Clinton,who is fresh off a victory in theNevada Democratic caucus.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti,City Councilman David Ryu, 4thDistrict, and West Hollywood MayorLindsey Horvath joined the party andare all Clinton supporters.
Horvath has been a long-timeClinton supporter and met with her
last week. Horvath went to highschool near Las Vegas and helpedClinton secure victory in Nevada lastweek.
Horvath remembered when shewas going to meet Clinton for thefirst time in 2007. Horvath said shewas waiting with a group of peopleto meet Clinton when she noticed alittle girl with her mother. WhenClinton got closer, the young girl ranpast Horvath to greet the presidentialnominee. When the girl returned toher mother’s side, Horvath heard hersay, “I want to be president just likeher one day.”
Horvath shared that story withClinton when their paths crossedagain in 2012. Clinton encouragedHorvath to run for city council againafter a failed election campaign, andHorvath told Clinton the same.
Now that Horvath is mayor, herencounters with Clinton mean a littlemore. After her victory speech inNevada, Clinton walked backstage,noticed Horvath and said, “Oh,mayor.”
Horvath said she told Clinton howimportant her example has been to ayoung woman working in a political
See Hillary page 21
See Fairfax page 22
See initiatives page 21
By PAtriciA SAnchez
Volume 26 No. 8 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities February 25, 2016
INSIDE• New Wilshire
Division capt. startsin March p. 4
• LAPD begins newrecruitment plan p. 3
Sunny withtemps reachingthe 80s
WWW.BEVERLYPRESS.COM
n Elected officials callfor FBI to pull request
photo by Patricia Sanchez About a dozen demonstrators showed up Tuesday night to show theirsupport for Apple.
n Hundreds arrivefor Clinton fundraisern Union coalition
working to put a newinitiative on the ballot
photo by Gregory Cornfield Community members packed a conference room at Emerson College tohear the town hall on the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative on Tuesday.
Dueling initiatives – shapingL.A. in the voting booth
iPhone ‘back door’ debate lands at The Grove
Hillary hits Hancock Park
n Lions make a newname for themselves
Fairfax High School’s soccerteam goes for new glory
By GreGory cornfield
By GreGory cornfield
See Apple page 21
By PAtriciA SAnchez
photo by Patricia SanchezFairfax High School has been improving all season and made it tothe second round of the playoffs. The team plays today at 3 p.m.
photo by Gregory Cornfield Protesters and neighbors begin to line up across the street at HillaryClinton’s fundraiser in Hancock Park.
25 Book SigningChevalier’s Books is holding adiscussion and signing with
author and psychotherapist DouglasGreen for his book “The Teachingsof Shirelle” on Thursday, Feb. 25from 7 to 9 p.m. The sometimeshumorous, sometimes serious bookfocuses on the psychological, philo-sophical and spiritual lessons Greenlearned from his dog. 126 N.Larchmont Blvd. (323)465-1334, www.chevaliersbooks.com.
26 ‘King Georges’Arena Cinema presents ErikaFrankel ‘s “King Georges” run-
ning Friday, Feb. 26 through March 3.The film about passion, aging and artfollows French chef Georges Perrieron a crusade to keep his 40-year-oldPhiladelphia restaurant Le Bec-Finrelevant in the modern culinary worldof new stars and shifting tastes.Showtimes on Feb. 26 are 5:15 and6:45 p.m.; see schedule for additionalshowtimes. Admission is $12. 1625 N.Las Palmas Blvd. (323)306-0676,www.arenascreen.com.
‘Utopia’City Players is holding the worldpremiere of “Utopia” by David
Douglas and Martin Head runningFriday, Feb. 26 and Saturday, Feb. 27at 7:30 p.m. at the Bootleg Theater.Douglas and Head star in the produc-tion, which includes voiceovers byWillie Mack Daniels, ReggieDeMorton, Robert Flores, GuebriJ’aigle VanOver, Pamela Starks andGilbert Glenn Brown. Additionalshowtimes are 2 p.m., Feb. 28; 7:30p.m., March 3 through 5. Tickets are$25. 2220 Beverly Blvd.www.bootlegtheatre.org.
Regina CarterJazz violinist Regina Carter will per-form songs from her newest album
“Southern Comfort” on Friday, Feb. 26at 8 p.m. in Royce Hall. Carter’s record-ing is a journey through the musical his-tory of the southern United States.Tickets start at $29. 340 Royce Drive.(310)825-2101, www.cap.ucla.edu.
Classical ConcertClassical music fans are invited to aSalastina Music Society perfor-
mance featuring violinist MartinChalifour on Friday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. atthe Calvary Presbyterian Church inSouth Pasadena. The musicians willperform works by Schumann, Ravel,Ridout and Chausson. Chalifour is prin-cipal concertmaster for the LA Phil.Tickets are $28. 1050 Fremont Ave. www.salastinasociety.org.
Piano RecitalPianist Daniil Trifonov returns to theWalt Disney Concert Hall in his first
solo recital in L.A. on Friday, Feb. 26 at8 p.m. The program includes works byBrahms, Schubert and Rachmaninoff.Tickets start at $52.50. 111 S. GrandAve. (323)850-2000, www.laphil.com.
27 Dementia ForumLearn options for caring for some-one with dementia during a semi-
nar hosted by UCLA Health onSaturday, Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12:30p.m. at the Ken Edwards Center inSanta Monica. The seminar is beingheld in conjunction with Wise &Healthy Aging and the Alzheimer’sAssociation of Greater Los Angeles.Participants will learn about the latestresearch on Alzheimer’s disease;training, resources and referral ser-vices; and meditation, massage andholistic approaches to health. Advanceregistration required. 1527 Fourth St.,Santa Monica. (800)516-5323.
Health FestivalJoin actor and comedian Kevin Hartat a free community health festival
on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. at The Grove. Hart is a healthambassador for Rally Health, a compa-ny offering online tools to help individ-uals manage their healthcare needs. Thefestival includes yoga, cycling and achance to work out with Hart.Participants can also win prizes andjoin Rally Health partner DiamondbackBicycles and Hart in building 200 bikesto be donated to the Los Angeles Boys& Girls Clubs. 189 The Grove Drive. www.rallyhealth.com/lahealthfest.
The Amazing Bubble ManLouis Pearl, also know as the
“Amazing Bubble Man,” returnsfor performances on Saturday, Feb.27 and Sunday, Feb. 28 at 11 a.m.and 1 p.m. at the Edgemar Center forthe Arts in Santa Monica. Pearl hasbeen has been thrilling audiences formore than 30 years with the art,magic, science and fun of bubbles.Adult tickets are $25; $20 for chil-dren 12 and under. 2437 Main St.,Santa Monica. (310)392-7327, www.edgemarcenter.org.
‘The Black Doctor’In observation of African AmericanHistory Month, West Hollywood
presents a free performance of “TheBlack Doctor,” Ira Aldridge’s storyof interracial love in revolution-eraFrance, on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 2p.m. in the West Hollywood LibraryCommunity Meeting Room. Theproduction is part of the city’s “FreeTheatre in the Parks” program. 625N. San Vicente Blvd. (323)960-5691, www.classicaltheatrelab.org.
Banda MagdaThe Eli and Edythe Broad Stage inSanta Monica presents Banda
Magda in concert on Saturday Feb. 27at 7:30 p.m. Founded by Greek-bornsinger and composer MagdaGiannikou, Banda Magda performsmusic ranging from samba to Frenchchanson and Greek folk tunes toColombian cumbia and Afro-Peruvianlando. Tickets start at $30. 1310 11thSt., Santa Monica. (310)434-3200,www.thebroadstage.com.
29 WeHo Traffic West Hollywood invites commu-nity members to a meeting on
eastside traffic measures on Monday,Feb. 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in theWest Hollywood Community Centerat Plummer Park. 7377 Santa MonicaBoulevard, Room 1. (323)848-6328,or email [email protected].
David Bowie TributeDavid Bowie fans are invited topay tribute to the late artist on
Monday, Feb. 29 at 8:30 p.m. at TheEcho. The lineup of artists payingtribute to Bowie includes Caught AGhost, Ryan Beatty, Tearist,
Hammered Satin, Vum, yOya, BartDavenport, Globelamp, The BandThat Fell To Earth: A David BowieOdyssey and more. Tickets are $5.1822 W. Sunset Blvd.www.theecho.com.
March1 ‘Sex WithStrangers’Laura Eason’s “Sex With
Strangers” runs Tuesday, March1 through Sunday, April 10 at theGeffen Playhouse. When frustratednovelist Olivia meets fast-talkingblogger Ethan – better known for hissexual prowess than his prose – sheworries she will become just anotherentry in his little black book. Theirunion blurs the lines betweenrewrites, romance and royalties,proving a book can’t be judged by itsauthor. Showtimes are at 8 p.m.,Tuesday through Friday; 3 and 8p.m., Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m.,Sunday. Tickets start at $60. 10886Le Conte Ave. (310)208-5454, www.geffenplayhouse.com.
3 Rock PhotographyMr. Musichead Gallery is hold-ing a reception for the new
exhibit “Jack Robinson: FromMemphis to L.A.” on Thursday,March 3 from 7 to 10 p.m. The exhi-bition features photographs of JoniMitchell, Nina Simone, LeonardCohen, The Who, Iggy Pop, JamesTaylor, Tina Turner and many otherartists. The photographs are fromthe Jack Robinson Archive. 7420 WSunset Blvd. (888)242-ROCK, www.mrmusichead.com.
Latino RightsExplore the emergence of theChicano Movement in the 1960s
and 1970s at a free screening of“Prejudice and Pride,” an episode ofthe PBS series “Latino Americans,”on Thursday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. atthe Fowler Museum at UCLA. Thescreening will be followed by a paneldiscussion on how the movementinspired cultural and political nation-alism. The program is presented inconjunction with the exhibition “JoséMontoya’s Abundant Harvest.” 308Charles E. Young Drive North,UCLA. (310)825-4361,www.fowler.ucla.edu.
6 TREE AcademyOpen HousesTREE Academy, a new school
opening this fall on OlympicBoulevard, is holding open houses onSundays, March 6 and 13 from 2 to 3p.m. Parents of prospective studentscan meet with the school’s foundersand learn more about the academy’sinnovative approach. TREE Academyserves high achievers and studentswho feel disengaged in traditionalacademic settings. The school is cur-rently enrolling students in the 6th-9th grades, with 10th-12th grades tocome. Financial aid is available. 5555W. Olympic Blvd. (424)204-5165,www.treeacademy.org.
9 Job FairHireLive is hosting the “LosAngeles Job Fair” on
Wednesday, March 9 from 9 a.m.to12:30 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel-Downtown. Positions for inside andoutside sales reps, account execu-tives, retail managers, account man-agers, customer service technicians,technical sales managers, pharma-ceutical sales reps, sales trainers,merchandisers, mortgage brokers,financial planners, route sales repsinsurance sales reps, retail managersand many other occupations areavailable. The companies representedoffer competitive benefits and train-ing. 120 S. Los Angeles St.www.HireLive.com.
2 February 25, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
C a l e n d a r
photo courtesy of LACOYoung Artists Symphony Orchestra (YASO) presents 22-year-old princi-pal horn player Julian Zheng in concert on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. inUCLA’s Royce Hall. Zheng is a rising talent and finalist at the recentBerlin Philharmonic Academy of Music audition. He will perform music byStrauss, Ginastera and Sibelius. Tickets are free; reservations required.340 Royce Drive. (310)905-3496, www.YASOLA.org.
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California Secretary of State Alex Padillathis week released the first of three voter regis-tration reports for the June 7, PresidentialPrimary Election.
The report shows that 17,259,413Californians are currently registered to vote –up 231,123 from 2012.
The latest report includes voter registrationnumbers for California’s 58 counties on Jan. 5,which is 154 days prior to the primary elec-tion. Reports will also be issued 60 days and 15days in advance of the primary election.
“While registration has increased sinceJanuary 2012, so has the population.Registration is not keeping pace,” said Padilla.“Only 70.2 percent of eligible Californians arecurrently registered. If the election were heldtoday, over 7 million otherwise eligibleCalifornians would be left on the sidelines.”
Padilla explained that there is still time to
register to vote in the June 7 presidential prima-ry election.
“Whether you’ve recently turned 18,become a new U.S. citizen, or just want tovote for the first time – I urge Californiansto register today,” Padilla said.
Californians who have moved or changedtheir name since the last election will alsoneed to update their registration.Californians can register or update theirregistration information online at register-tovote.ca.gov. While registration typicallyincreases as Election Day approaches,Padilla urged citizens to remind friends andneighbors to register.
“Talk to friends and neighbors andencourage them to register. Use socialmedia to encourage others. The deadline toregister is May 23,” Padilla added.
Los Angeles County had the largest
increase in registered voters since 2012, upby 455,980.
The complete Report of Registration isavailable online at sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/june-7-2016-presiden-tial-primary-election/154day-presprim-16/
“Only 70.2 percent of eligible Californians are
currently registered. If theelection were held today,over 7 million otherwise
eligible Californians wouldbe left on the sidelines.”
- Alex PadillaCA Secretary of State
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 3 February 25, 2016
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The city of West Hollywoodagreed last week to pay formerdeputy Ian Owens and his attorneys$500,000 to settle his lawsuitagainst the city and his former boss,Councilman John Duran.
Owens filed a lawsuit last Mayalleging sexual harassment, dis-crimination, retaliation, wrongfultermination and defamation. Theagreement states that it should not“in any way be construed as anadmission” by the city or Duran,“or any admission of any unlawfulacts or other liability whatsoever...”
Part of the settlement includesthat all parties agreed to say, “The
lawsuit filed by Ian Owens againstthe city of West Hollywood andCouncilmember John Duran hasbeen resolved.” Thus, Duran andOwens declined to comment.
“Mr. Owens has received a sig-nificant number of press inquiriesrelating to the settlement,” saidOwen’s attorney, Aanand Ghods-Mehtani, in an email. “At thispoint, Mr. Owens is looking tomove on with his life. With regardto assertions that there was nowrongdoing on the part of thedefendants in this case, we obvi-ously disagree, and we believe thesettlement speaks for itself. It sim-ply makes little sense for anydefendant to pay half a million dol-
lars to settlelegal claimsthat do not havemerit.”
City AttorneyMike Jenkinsexplained thatthe city’s insur-ance organiza-tion played asignificant rolein the decisionto settle.
Also as a part of the agreement,Owens and his attorneys will returnall copies of Duran’s email contactinformation.
Owens was put on administrativeleave in January 2015 after he
allegedly eavesdropped onCouncilman John Heilman’sdeputy Fran Solomon and accusedher of working on Heilman’sreelection campaign on city time.Owens claimed he informed Duranand City Manager Paul Arevaloseveral times of Solomon’s allegedwrongdoing and was ignored.
After he was suspended pendingan investigation, Owens allegedsexual harassment by his boss,Duran. Owens claimed he refusedrepeated sexual advances fromDuran “well over” 100 times dur-ing his employment since 2012.
Duran and Owens initially met in2012 using a dating phone app.After a brief relationship, Duranhired Owens as his council deputy.
“Mr. Owens never accused me ofsexual harassment until he was
caught and walked out of city hallfor his wrongdoing,” Duran said ina statement last year. “This sexualharassment claim against me ismeant to deflect attention awayfrom his own misconduct at cityhall.”
Owens waives any claims he hasto rights or benefits as a result ofthe Memorandum ofUnderstanding between the cityand the Association of CouncilDeputies (ACD). Owens also for-feits any claims to his former posi-tion and agrees he will not seek anyfuture employment or businessrelationship with the city.
A court date has not been set yetfor the case ACD has against thecity for dissolving the councildeputy system earlier this year.
West Hollywood settles with Ian Owens
John Duran
By GreGory Cornfield
Los Angeles City Attorney MikeFeuer is hosting Ethiopian CommunityForum at 6 p.m. tomorrow at St.Mary’s Ethiopian Orthodox TewahedoChurch.
Attendees will get to meet Feuer andmembers of the City Attorney’s Officeto learn about their work and connectwith local police officers from theLAPD Wilshire Division. Communitymembers are encouraged to “bringquestions, ideas and concerns.”
The event will be held in Aba WoldeGiorgis Hall at the church at 5707Shenandoah Ave. Parking will be free.
For information, call (213)978-3347.
Feuer to hostEthiopian town hall
CA Secretary of State publishes voter data for June 7 primary
4 February 25, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
Los Angeles City Attorney MikeFeuer’s office has filed a lawsuitseeking an injunction to halt SpeedWeed, a marijuana delivery and dis-tribution business, alleging it vio-lates Proposition D.
“Marijuana delivery services cir-cumvent the will of the voters whopassed Proposition D,” Feuer said.“My office will continue to ensurethat only qualified patients and pri-mary caregivers can transport med-ical marijuana.”
The lawsuit alleges that CosmicMind, a corporation doing businessas Speed Weed, has attempted toevade the restrictions imposed byProposition D. The lawsuit alsonames Cosmic Mind corporate offi-cers Andrew Gentile and JenniferCosta, and an individual, EugeneGentile.
Since at least July 2014, Speed
Weed allegedly has operated awide-ranging marijuana distributionand delivery service throughout LosAngeles. Customers order marijua-na online or by telephone and haveit delivered in approximately onehour from one of seven deliverycenters throughout the city.
Voter-approved Proposition Ddoes not provide immunity fromenforcement for a medical marijua-na delivery business, according toFeuer. Medical marijuana deliverycenters are not allowed underProposition D.
The lawsuit seeks an injunctionprohibiting the further operation ofthe business. It calls for medicalmarijuana deliveries to be stoppedand Speed Weed to be blocked fromusing locations in the city to culti-vate, process, store, distribute,deliver or give away marijuana.
Civil penalties of up to $5,000 foreach day of violation are also beingsought.
Since Feuer took office, 716 ille-gal medical marijuana businesseshave been closed in Los Angeles.The Los Angeles City Attorney’sOffice has also filed 365 criminalcases against 1,444 defendants.
Criminal cases are filed againstboth business operators and proper-ty owners. The city attorney hasalso taken civil action to halt theproliferation of medical marijuanabusinesses, including securing aninjunction to close a medical mari-juana farmers market, and anotheragainst the Nestdrop smartphonemedical marijuana delivery app.Feuer is also including businessesthat contribute to Proposition D vio-lations, including a firm that provid-ed security gaurds for dispensaries.
City attorney lawsuit targets pot delivery service
Wilshire Division captain to depart for new post
The Los Angeles City Councilvoted Wednesday to revoke aHollywood nightclub’s conditionaluse permit (CUP) because of multi-ple code violations and criminalactivity.
The council upheld a recommen-dation by the Los AngelesDepartment of City Planning(DCP) to close Cashmere, locatedat 6757 Hollywood Blvd. Thenightclub was also referred to bythe name The Day After. LosAngeles City CouncilmemberMitch O’Farrell, 13th District, rec-ommended the closure.
The nightclub, which has anentrance off McCadden Place justnorth of Hollywood Boulevard,was the focus of numerous LosAngeles Police Department andLos Angeles Department of
Building and Safety (LADBS)investigations.
“The incidents at Cashmere pre-sented the city with an opportunityto streamline the process of bring-ing rogue nightclubs into compli-ance,” O’Farrell said. “Theseevents serve as an example of thebrazenness of some club operatorsto thumb their nose at the law andtheir utter disregard for the safetyand security of their employees andpatrons.”
Bars and nightclubs must receivea CUP from the city to operate. Thepermit regulates hours of operation,age restrictions, alcohol and foodsales, capacity and promotions.O’Farrell said revoking Cashmere’sCUP is part of a larger effort to reg-ulate nightclubs in Hollywood.
“My office has created a task
force consisting of the city attor-ney’s office, LAPD, DCP, LADBS,the Los Angeles Fire Departmentand Alcohol and Beverage Controlto make sure scofflaw clubs likeCashmere comply with city per-mits,” O’Farrell added. “If they donot, we will shut down them downas expeditiously as possible. Letthis send a strong message.”
Revoking the CUP meansCashmere must close immediately.If the owners continue to operate,law enforcement will take action toclose the club.
The city council’s decision cameon the heels of the closure of anoth-er Hollywood nightclub,Supperclub, which had been citedfor multiple violations and whoseconditional use permit expired lastweek.
Nightclub closed for alleged code violations and crime
A transient who stabbed anoth-er man to death during a fightover $20 on Feb. 17 nearHollywood Boulevard and LasPalmas Avenue will not becharged because authoritiesdeemed the incident self defense.
The stabbing occurred atapproximately 11:15 p.m. andwas recorded by surveillancevideo. Police arrested DavidBrooks, 31, for allegedly stabbingthe other man, who was identifiedas Darren Little, 43. Authoritiesdescribed Brooks as a transientwho frequents the area aroundHollywood Boulevard and saidLittle lived in an apartment inHollywood and was in theprocess of being evicted.
Det. Scott Masterson, with theLos Angeles Police Department’sWest Bureau Homicide Unit, saidBrooks owed $20 to Little.Investigators learned about thedebt during interviews withfriends of the two men who werepresent when the fight occurred,Masterson added.
The detective said the surveil-lance video shows Little wieldinga metal steering wheel lockingdevice. He confronted Brooksand struck him with the lockingdevice. The two men fell to the
ground while fighting, at whichtime Brooks allegedly stabbedLittle multiple times.
Little stood up and walked ashort distance before collapsing.Paramedics took him to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where hewas pronounced dead.
“It’s a tragedy,” Mastersonsaid. “It was all over $20.”
Masterson added that Littlewas identified as the aggressor inthe incident and he was physical-ly larger than Brooks. The detec-tive said Little was 6-foot-6 inch-es tall and 250 pounds, whileBrooks is 5-foot-6 inches tall and130 pounds.
“The D.A.’s office felt hepulled the knife after being con-fronted and that it was a reason-able act. There was quite a sizedisparity,” Masterson said. “Wetalked to four witnesses andreviewed video of the incidentand it was determined to be selfdefense.”
Masterson said officers recov-ered the knife and arrestedBrooks, but he was released lastFriday after the district attorney’soffice declined to file charges. Headded that although it is illegal tocarry a concealed knife, police arenot pursuing any further chargesagainst Brooks.
Anyone with further informa-tion is asked to call detectiveswith the Los Angeles PoliceDepartment’s West BureauHomicide Unit at (213)382-9470.
n Man dies after fight over $20 debt
Fatal Hollywood stabbing ruled to be self defense
photo by Edwin FolvenNo charges were filed after a stabbing occurred at the corner ofHollywood Boulevard and Las Palmas Avenue on Feb. 17.
By edwin folven
Capt. Howard Leslie, the com-manding officer of the Los AngelesPolice Department’s WilshireDivision, will leave the stationMarch 20 to take a position as cap-tain at the LAPD’s CentralDivision.
Leslie has served at the WilshireDivision since August 2013, firstbeing assigned as the division’spatrol captain. In Sept. 2014, Lesliebecame the division’s commandingofficer after Capt. Eric Davisretired.
Leslie said he enjoyed workingat the Wilshire Division and one ofthe best parts was meeting peoplein the community and buildingrelationships. He said his focus wasalways maintaining public safetyand he is proud of his accomplish-ments.
“We established a very effectivefoot beat program at The Groveand throughout the division. Whilecrime is up, our crime numbers atthe Wilshire Division are verygood,” Leslie said. “I certainly fol-lowed the tradition of building rela-tionships. It’s been absolutely won-derful.”
The Wilshire Division had thesecond lowest increase in overallcrime in 2015 in all of LAPD.Leslie said he stressed a proactive
approach to policing in which offi-cers work with community mem-bers to identify concerns and loca-tions where crimes are occurring.
Leslie said he will follow thesame approach at the CentralDivision, which covers downtownLos Angeles and the surroundingarea. Before coming to the WilshireDivision, the 29-year veteranworked at the LAPD’s PacificDivision.
Capt. Rolando Solano has beenassigned as the Wilshire Division’snew commanding officer, effectiveMarch 20. He is currently captain
of the LAPD’s EmergencyServices Division, and previouslyserved as the commanding officerat the West Los Angeles Division.A 26-year veteran of the LAPD,Solano also previously worked as adetective at the Wilshire Divisionearly in his career.
Leslie said he expects a seamlesstransition. He added that althoughhe is excited about his new job atthe Central Division, leaving theWilshire area is bittersweet.
“The officers here are fantastic,”Leslie said. “I’ve made a lot ofreally good friends here.”
California State Assemblymembers Mike Gatto (D-LosAngeles), Melissa Melendez (R-Lake Elsinore) and LorenaGonzalez (D-San Diego) haveproposed new student privacyprotections to ensure personalinformation, such as social secu-rity numbers, are appropriatelyprotected by school districts.
The legislation was promptedby a recent decision to turn overthe records of 10 millionCalifornia public school studentsto a private organization. Therecent ruling that resulted fromMorgan Hill Concerned ParentsAssociation, et al. v. CaliforniaDepartment of Education com-pelled the school system to pro-
vide sensitive information –including social security num-bers, mental health and medicalinformation – for students datingback to 2008 to a parents groupin Santa Clara County. AssemblyBill 2097 would prohibit schooldistricts from gathering socialsecurity numbers and other sensi-tive information for studentsexcept where required by federallaw.
“During an era of omnipresentintrusion in our lives and increas-ingly frequent data breaches, alllevels of government should betaking steps to safeguard our sen-sitive, personal information,especially where it involves ourchildren,” Gatto said.
n Capt. Howard Lesliewill be assigned toLAPD’s Central Division
Assembly members call for student privacy protections
By edwin folven
photo by Edwin FolvenCapt. Howard Leslie, who has been with the LAPD’s Wilshire Divisionsince 2013, will be re-assigned as commanding officer of the CentralDivision in March.
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 5 February 25, 2016
The Los Angeles City Councilon Wednesday unanimouslyapproved Councilman DavidRyu’s motion to form a “standard-ized transition plan” betweenincoming councilmembers andtheir predecessors. Ryu introduced the motion inDecember after he started his termwithout any documents from hispredecessor, former CouncilmanTom LaBonge. LaBonge chose todestroy more than 100 boxes ofdocuments from his 14 years inoffice. Thirty-six of the boxeswere retained by city and returnedto Ryu’s office, but the city clerk’soffice and LaBonge have support-
ed Ryu’s pro-posal for a more“seamless tran-sition.”“As has beenwidely reported,my office start-ed with no doc-umentation orp a p e r w o r krelated to openland use cases,c o n s t i t u e n tinquires, orinformation on outstanding com-mitments of discretionary funds,”Ryu said in a letter. “Backgroundmaterial could have been usefulfor service delivery to our con-stituents but more importantlycould provide information neces-sary for important issues facingthe district and city.”Ryu said without transitionrules, departing officials can leave
nothing behind. “Council districts deserve aseamless transition between elect-ed leaders so that current casesand projects are not delayed whenoffices turn over,” he said. The city council instructed theLos Angeles Chief LegislativeAnalyst (CLA) and CityAttorney’s Office to report to theRules, Elections, Inter-governmental Relations, andNeighborhoods (REIRN)Committee in 30 days with anupdate on the progress of formingtransition protocols. At the REIRN committee meet-ing on Feb. 16, an assistant CLAconfirmed that there are currentlytransition procedures for counciloffices, although, those proce-dures are unwritten. Councilman Herb Wesson, 10thDistrict, seconded Ryu’s motion
and is the committee chairman.He said it is necessary to have awritten set of step-by-step stan-dardized procedures for transitionbetween council offices.Councilmen Paul Koretz, 5thDistrict, and Marqueece Harris-Dawson, 8th District, agreed afterexperiencing similar issues as Ryuwhen they took office. The Los Feliz NeighborhoodCouncil (LFNC) unanimouslyadopted a resolution to supportRyu’s motion after they learnedthat LaBonge ordered the destruc-tion of the documents that “morethan likely included valuable, andperhaps irreplaceable informationregarding ongoing projects, log ofconstituent service requests, andrecords of financial expenditures.”“Communication, clearlydefined rules and continuity arethree known hallmarks of effec-tive organizational managementand leadership,” LFNC said in astatement. “[The motion] would
not only be to the public’s benefit,but the current lack of a clear pol-icy has proven to be an onerouspublic detriment and cause forderision.”Ryu suggested that recordsretention protocols, similar tothose that apply to the mayor’soffice and state and federal offi-cials, could be good models forthe city council offices. Holly Wolcott, Los AngelesCity Clerk, said her office willalso continue to work with boththe mayor’s office and city coun-cil offices on transition andrecords retention protocol andschedules.Ryu added that he is open to allrecommendations “as long asthere is a seamless transition.” Hedeclined to comment on specificrecommendations that he hopesthe city implements, but said hehopes they become a new tem-plate.
City council approves motion for smoother transitions
David Ryu
n City departments towork with district officeson better protocol By GreGory Cornfield
Councilman David Ryu, 4thDistrict, initiated the first step toestablish a Construction OverlayZone for the Hollywood Hills andother neighborhoods experiencinga recent influx of home construc-tion and renovations. Ryu directed the departments oftransportation and planning to pre-pare a map highlighting all“Substandard Hillside LimitedStreets” and report back to theplanning and land use manage-ment committee with recommen-dations to mitigate the impacts ofconstruction. “In the past decade, an increasein single-family home construc-tion in the hillside, particularly onsubstandard streets, has exacerbat-ed construction impacts to neigh-borhoods including … traffic con-gestion, parking availability, road-way degradation, and public safe-ty due to construction vehicles andmachinery forced to park on nar-row hillside streets,” Ryu’s motionread. It calls for the city to implementguidelines and standards that willmitigate the effects of construc-tion.“Developers and neighborhoodresidents should have a clearunderstanding of what oversightand regulation the city deemsappropriate for development pro-jects and their associatedimpacts,” the motion read.An overlay district map thatmarks the streets that are less than20 feet wide could be the founda-tion for a Construction OverlayZone. Ryu explained that the mapwill be used citywide, but for nowthe focus is on areas such as theHollywood Hills.“If I’m having these problems, Iknow my colleagues are as well,”Ryu said.Ryu said his office has beenreceiving complaints about over-whelming construction for thepast six months. He explained thatthe trouble started because permitsare not needed for minor remodelsor redevelopments on residentialproperties. The concerns do notarise when one
L.A. to map outsubstandardstreetsBy GreGory Cornfield
See map page 22
The Los Angeles PoliceDepartment unveiled a new pro-gram Monday to recruit moremembers of the Jewish communityas reserve police officers.The announcement was made at
a press conference at LAPD head-quarters in partnership with theJewish Federation of Greater LosAngeles, which is spreading infor-mation about the program. Reserveofficers are trained at the policeacademy and undergo other spe-cialized training required of full-time police officers, but they are notpaid. Reserve officers generallywork part-time for the LAPD andare required to work a minimum of16 hours per month.Lt. Darnell Davenport, of the
LAPD’s Training Division, said thegoal is to bolster the department’sranks and provide an opportunityfor people who want to getinvolved in law enforcement.Reserve officers are a valuable partof the department and perform cler-ical and administrative duties,patrol and security at special events.The department currently has 385reserve officers. The goal is toeventually increase the ranks city-wide to 2,000 reserve officers.,Davenport said.“There is an opportunity immedi-
ately for them to join,” Davenportsaid. “We want 60 people per[police academy] class.”Davenport said reserve officers
are screened the same way as full-time paid police officers.Prospective reserve officers mustundergo background investigations,a polygraph test, and medical andphysical fitness evaluations beforebeing accepted into the police acad-emy.Three different classifications
exist for reserve officers. Level IIIreserve officers – those who worksolely at police stations and per-form clerical and administrativeduties – must undergo 12 weeks ofpolice academy training. Level IIand Level I reserve officers patrolneighborhoods and perform all thefunctions of regular officers, andmust undergo 28 weeks of policeacademy training. Full-time policeofficers undergo seven months ofpolice academy training.Sgt. John Martinez, with the
LAPD’s Training Division, said theJewish Federation of Greater LosAngeles approached the depart-ment with the idea of a special pro-gram for recruiting members of theJewish community. He said thedepartment tracks officers by eth-
nicity but not religion, so the num-ber of Jewish officers – both full-time and reserve officers – is unde-termined.Prospective Jewish reserve offi-
cers will be assimilated into the reg-ular reserve officer program, so itwon’t cost the city any additionalmoney. A new component of thetraining covers Jewish customssuch as not working or using elec-tronic devices on the Sabbath.Ivan Wolkind, chief operating
officer for the Jewish Federation ofGreater Los Angeles, is spearhead-ing the recruitment project.Wolkind became a Level II LAPDreserve officer in 2014 and isassigned to the Wilshire Division.He regularly patrols neighborhoodsand serves as a liaison to the Jewishcommunity.He said he was inspired to
become a reserve officer by formerWilshire Division commandingofficer, Capt. Eric Davis. The expe-rience has been rewarding, headded.“It’s been so fulfilling for me. It’s
been a real eye-opener,” Wolkindsaid. “I divide my time betweencommunity outreach programs anddriving around with different offi-cers. You see how hard it is to be acop in Los Angeles and howstretched the department is. I’venever been out without beinginspired by how officers handle sit-uations in the community.”Wolkind said he recognized the
need for a special recruitment pro-gram because he is oftenapproached by Jewish neighborsseeking information about thedepartment and his job as a reserveofficer. He said the new recruitingprogram is an ideal way for the
department to spread information,because once people becomereserve officers they can dissemi-nate information to others.“We are one of the few commu-
nities that is in the gun sights ofeveryone from Islamic and domes-tic extremists to neo-Nazis,”Wolkind said. “A lot of people feelextremely vulnerable. I felt thecommunity wasn’t doing enough tocontrol our own security. Myresponse was ‘We need to takeresponsibility for our own security,’and the department has recognizedthis.”Capt. Howard Leslie, command-
ing officer from the WilshireDivision, said he supports the newrecruitment program for the Jewishcommunity. Wolkind is one of twoJewish reserve officers in the divi-sion with a direct connection to theJewish population.“We are the largest Orthodox
Jewish community this side ofBrooklyn. [The new program is]fantastic,” Leslie added. “The ideahad been floating around for a longtime. Every time we have new offi-cers coming in, we have to explainto them the customs of the Jewishcommunity. This will make it somuch easier.”Davenport said the department
will hold a series of recruitmentforums. A meeting will be heldtonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. atthe Wilshire Division, 4849 W.Venice Blvd.Anyone seeking information
about the reserve officer program isasked to call the LAPD’s TrainingDivision, Reserve Officer andVolunteer Unit at (310)342-3160,or visit joinlapd.com.
n Recruitment effortlaunched for Jewishreserve officers
The Hancock ParkHomeowners Association(HPHA) has taken the lead inreplanting trees after approxi-mately 20 dead or dying elmswere removed along Rossmoreand Las Palmas Avenues, andMuirfield Road.HPHA president Cindy
Chvatal said the homeownersassociation is helping withreplanting because the city haslimited funding.“The trees have been there for
a long time and some of themwere dying. The drought fin-ished them off,” Chvatal said.“The homeowners associationpaid for the stump removal andwe are planting new libertyelms. At least a dozen have beenplanted already.”Chvatal said the association is
also working with CouncilmanDavid Ryu’s office to have theremaining trees trimmed. Ryu iscoordinating with the city’surban forestry division andChvatal hopes the remainingtrees on Rossmore Avenuebetween Wilshire Boulevard andMelrose Avenue can be saved.
“We hope the ones that arestill alive can be salvaged,”Chvatal added. “We are workingwith urban forestry and hope thetrimming will happen thisspring. Our hope is we can keepthem alive another seven to 10years.”Chvatal said the cost of stump
removal ranges from $150 to$600 per tree, and the associa-tion has also hired an arborist tohelp with the replanting. Thecosts were covered by fees col-lected by the association. HPHAmember Gary Nelson nurturedthe liberty elm saplings in hisback yard until they were readyfor planting over the past twoweeks.Chvatal said she is optimistic
the remaining elms alongRossmore Avenue can be savedand stressed the importance ofwatering, even if it is only onetime a week.These trees are 50 to 60 years
old and after four years ofdrought some are in bad shape,”Chvatal said. “The big maturetrees aren’t getting water, whichmakes them susceptible to dis-ease. It was a double-whammyfor these trees.”
6 February 25, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
By edwin folven
By edwin folven
photo by Gregory Cornfield Landscapers plant one of about a dozen trees on Rossmore Avenue.
Homeowners dig in to replacedead trees in Hancock Park
photo courtesy of Ivan WolkindLAPD Chief Charlie Beck announced the creation of a new recruitmentprogram for Jewish reserve officers during a press conference onMonday. He was joined by Michoel Bloom, of the South RobertsonCouncil; Ivan Wolkind, an LAPD reserve officer assigned to the WilshireDivision and chief operating officer for the Jewish Federation of GreaterLos Angeles; and LAPD Chaplain Sam Newman.
LAPD wants Jewish community to wear the badge
The Los Angeles EthicsCommission conducted an adminis-trative enforcement hearing lastweek and unanimously assessed a$15,900 penalty for violations of thecity’s campaign finance laws. Kelly M. Lord was a candidate for
city office during the 2011 elections.He and his campaign committee,Lord for City Council District 122011, were charged with accepting acampaign contribution in excess ofthe $500 per-person limit, failing tomaintain campaign records, and fail-ing to file a pre-election campaigndisclosure statement.
At the time, Lord was serving astreasurer of the Northridge EastNeighborhood Council (NENC) andhad a city purchase card issued in hisname. Lord allowed a campaign con-sultant to charge $4,700 to theNENC card to pay for creatingLord’s campaign website. Whenthose charges were questioned, theconsultant refunded the total amountto the city. However, Lord and his committee
did not pay the consultant for his ser-vices resulting in an excess contribu-tion of $4,200 made to the commit-tee.
Ethics Commission issues $15,900 penalty
Pilgrim School students com-peted in math and science compe-tition against 24 other schools in aregional qualifying contest for theNational Science Bowl (NSB).Pilgrim School won two match-
es and competed in a physics chal-lenge. The regional title went toNorth Hollywood High School,the defending champions.It was the second year Pilgrim
School competed in the event, ahuge accomplishment said BryanCardella, the team’s coach andscience teacher at Pilgrim School.With a little over 100 students at
the school, Cardella said recruit-ing 10 students to join was great.The team faced schools with amuch larger student population ina competition that hosts more than9,000 students each year.“If you think about it, 10 stu-
dents make up 10 percent of theschool, so just generating interestwas difficult,” Cardella said. “It’salso hard because most of our stu-dents are involved with multipleafter-school activities, so gettingthem to commit to the sciencebowl team was also a challenge.The students that participatedthough were all fantastic.”Cardella, who previously
coached a NSB team atImmaculate Heart High School,
said he wanted to offer students atPilgrim School the same opportu-nity.“The students hadn’t even heard
of the National Science Bowl,”Cardella said. “But I reached outto students who were doing wellin my science classes, and wewere able to put a small teamtogether.”Senior Jonathan Lee, the team’s
captain, said during their first yearat the NSB, the team wasn’t surewhat to expect and the new expe-rience shocked them.“The other teams had been
competing for a long time, and weweren’t too familiar with the rulesor as fast to the buzzer, but it wasstill a good experience,” Lee said.The team practiced every week
starting in September. Lee said thepractices were intense but reward-ing.“We learned so much. We didn’t
just study science, but had mock
competitions and learned all therules,” Lee said. “It was hard, butthe good kind of hard.”In January, the team participat-
ed in a mandatory scrimmage daysimulating the regional competi-tion.“They realized through the
scrimmage how polished andadvanced the other teams were,”Cardella said. “It was great forthem because it made them moreaware about what they needed towork on.”When they competed in the
regional competition, the teamwas better prepared. Lee said theywere determined to do well.“We didn’t let our size bring us
down, and we just focused onwinning as many matches as wecould,” Lee said.Competing against more sea-
soned teams was tough, but Leesaid he and his teammates learnedfrom it and enjoyed competing.“My favorite moment was
every single time I or my team-mates buzzed in and got the rightanswer,” Lee said. “Last year wewere intimidated by the otherteams, but this year we felt moreup to the challenge.”Junior Chanon Boonyindee said
he built relationships with otherschools during Saturday’s compe-tition, and he was excited to showoff what he learned.“It was great to interact with
other teams and learn from them,”Boonyindee said. “It’s importantbecause it gave us a chance to net-work with students from other
schools, and you get to use yourknowledge in a different way out-side of class.”Cardella said he enjoyed watch-
ing the team compete, especiallyduring the physics challengewhere they created a catapult fromscratch.“They were more confident,
more cohesive and they weremuch quicker to the buzzer. Theyalso displayed a lot of teamworkduring the physics challenge.”Cardella said. “It was really funseeing them interact with eachother to pull off a task they had notime to prepare for beforehand.Last year we were complete rook-ies. This year, I expected more,
and they gave it their all. I’mhappy with that.”Pilgrim School’s NSB team will
include five returning membersnext year. Lee said although he isa senior, he will remain activewith the science bowl team andhelp recruit future members.Expanding the program,
Cardella said, will be easier aftertheir two years of experience.“We encourage anyone who
wants to join to reach out to us,”Cardella said. “It’s a fulfillingexperience, and it’s exciting to dosomething science related outsideof class. Our team lets the studentsrejoice in their nerdiness with fel-low science lovers.”
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 7 February 25, 2016
By Patricia Sanchez
Pilgrim School makes strides with science team
photo by Patricia SanchezStudents from Pilgrim High School competed in the National ScienceBowl on Saturday, Feb. 20. The team won two matches and participatedin a physics challenge.
n Recruitment effortlaunched for Jewishreserve officers
“We learned somuch. We didn’t
just study science,but had mock
competitions andlearned all the
rules. It was hard,but the good kind
of hard.”
-Jonathan Leesenior
8 February 25, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
Didi Hirsch Mental HealthServices, an organization providingmental health and substance use ser-vices, has received a $300,000 grantfrom the W. M. Keck Foundation.The grant will be used complete ren-ovations of Via Avanta, a communityfor women with mental illness andsubstance use disorders who oftenhave children living with family or infoster care.
The Keck grant supports the finalphase of a $2.3 million project to fin-ish renovating the 22,000-square-foot complex in the San FernandoValley. Usually homeless when theyenter Via Avanta, mothers and chil-
dren up to six years old participate inprograms that promote healthy bondsand aid the women in recovery.
Since the 1970s, Via Avanta hasbeen a haven for women with drugand alcohol problems and was one ofthe first programs in California toaccept women for substance usetreatment without requiring them toseparate from their children.
As more and more seriously men-tally ill and homeless women beganentering the residential program, DidiHirsch won the support of formerLos Angeles County Supervisor ZevYaroslavsky, whose district includedVia Avanta. Yaroslavsky helped
secure funding to convert the facilityinto a dual-diagnosis treatment cen-ter. Didi Hirsch also launched Project60 Women & Children, a Via Avantaprogram to reduce family homeless-ness by addressing untreated mentalillness in mothers.
With Yaroslavsky’s help, DidiHirsch Mental Health Servicesreceived more than $4.1 million tocomplete the project. Didi Hirschwill celebrate the completion of ren-ovations on March 4. Yaroslavskyand current Los Angeles CountySupervisor Sheila Kuehl, 3rd District,are expected to attend. For informa-tion, visit www.didihirsch.org.
Grant helps organization expand center for womenLACO benefit transportsguests to the City of Lights
photo by Jamie PhamThe Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) held its annual
fundraiser “La Vie En Rose: An Evening in Paris” on Feb. 13 at theMillennium Biltmore Hotel. The gala raised $475,000 for LACO’sartistic and education activities. Pictured are gala co-chairs Sandy andPat Gage, honoree K. Eugene Shutler and LACO executive directorScott Harrison. Shutler, a philanthropist and LACO Board chairman,was honored for his dedication to the arts and civic engagement. Morethan 300 guests attended the gala celebrating French music, cultureand cuisine. Guests were transported to the City of Lights with a con-cert, auctions and dining, as well as can-can dancers. For information,visit www.laco.org.
The Jewish Federation ofGreater Los Angeles held its annualSuper Sunday phone-a-thonfundraiser on Feb. 21 and raisedmore than $1.3 million for commu-nity services.
Approximately 400 volunteerscalled people throughout LosAngeles seeking donations forFederation programs helping elder-ly survivors of the Holocaust andpeople with special needs. Thefunding is also used for educationaltrips to Israel for young people andthe Jewish Federation’s securityinitiatives.
“It’s certainly our biggestfundraising day,” said MitchHamerman, senior vice president
of the Jewish Federation of GreaterLos Angeles. “It’s a day for thecommunity to come together andgive back by volunteering theirtime and making a difference.”
Hamerman said many local civicleaders volunteered at SuperSunday, including Los AngelesCity Attorney Mike Feuer; LosAngeles City Controller RonGalperin; Los Angeles CityCouncilmen Paul Koretz, DavidRyu and Bob Blumenfield; andState Assemblyman RichardBloom. Super Sunday is an annualfundraiser that has been held formore than 30 years, Hamermanadded. For information, visitwww.jewishla.org.
‘Super Sunday’ gives financial boostto Jewish Federation programs
California Senate President proTempore Kevin de León (D-LosAngeles), chair of the Senate RulesCommittee, has appointed formersenator Dean Florez to the AirResources Board (ARB). The posi-tion was created by AB 1288 andadvocates for environmental jus-tice.
Florez, a Democrat from LosAngeles, served in the CaliforniaSenate from 2002 to 2010, and inthe California Assembly from 1998to 2002. He represented the cities ofBakersfield and Shafter.
Florez is currently president andCEO of Balance Public Relationsand was formerly CEO of the 20Million Minds Fund.Compensation for the position is$41,889 per year.
The Air Resources Board isresponsible for controlling emis-sions from motor vehicles and sta-tionary sources and for coordinat-ing and reviewing all governmentprograms affecting air quality.
“Senator Florez will be a distin-guished addition to the ARB with
the experience to fight for kidsstruggling to breathe in our commu-nities and the resolve to stand up tothe oil lobby who want to keep thestatus quo,” De León said. “Deangrew up in the Central Valley andknows more than most what it’s liketo breathe polluted air. As a Senator,he wrote the landmark law to elim-inate the 63-year old agricultureexemption from clean air laws andhe created the program to get dirtydiesel school buses off the road sokids didn’t develop asthma.” Florezadded that he is eager to begin thework.
“Today’s ground zero on air pol-lution is located in communities ofcolor in Los Angeles, CentralValley and the Inland Empire.People there don’t drive high-endcars, but they breathe dirty air andsuffer from pollution more thanothers,” Florez said. “I spent mycareer in the Senate working to pro-tect these communities and am hon-ored to be chosen by Senate proTem De León and his colleagues forthis important assignment.”
Former senator appointed to state Air Resources Board
The Board of Directors ofHollywood Community HousingCorporation (HCHC) hasannounced that Sarah Letts will bethe corporation’s new executivedirector. Letts brings over 25 yearsof affordable housing experience toHCHC. She has held positions with
community-based nonprofits in-cluding the Community Cor-pora-tion of Santa Monica. She will offi-cially take the position on a part-time basis on March 21, and willremain at Community Corporationof Santa Monica part-time to helpmanage the leadership transition.
HCHC is a community-basednonprofit corporation preservingand expanding the supply of afford-able housing for low-incomehouseholds. For information onHollywood Community HousingCorporation, visit www.holly-woodhousing.org.
Housing corporation appoints new director
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 9 February 25, 2016
Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.),Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) andAmy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) haveintroduced legislation to clarify the“level of intent” required for a juryto convict an individual of threat-ening to injure, kill or kidnapanother individual. The legislationwas introduced in response to theSupreme Court’s decision in Elonisv. United States. With the prolifer-ation of online communicationsplatforms and the court’s ruling inthe Elonis case, the statute requiresan update, according to Feinstein.In Elonis v. United States, the
U.S. Supreme Court overturnedAnthony Elonis’ conviction forthreats made against his wife, co-workers, law enforcement andschool children in violation of thefederal code, which prohibits “anycommunication containing anythreat to kidnap any person or anythreat to injure the person of anoth-er.”Elonis posted threats on
Facebook. After his wife filed for a
restraining order, he threatened toshoot her. He subsequentlydescribed slitting an FBI agent’sthroat following a visit from lawenforcement and shooting a class-room of kindergarteners.Elonis argued that the threats
should not have been taken seri-ously because he indicated theywere song lyrics and he was exer-cising his free speech rights. Thecourt overturned the convictionbecause the jury in the case did notconsider whether Elonis demon-strated the requisite wrongful crim-inal intent. However, the court’sdecision did not specify the level ofintent required to sustain a convic-tion under the statute.Under the proposed legislation,
the government will be required toprove that a defendant intended,had knowledge of or recklessly dis-regarded the risk that the commu-nication would be reasonably inter-preted as a threat.“With just a few clicks, individ-
uals today can use social mediaplatforms to widely broadcast a
threat to kill someone. Thesethreats should be taken seriouslyby law enforcement,” Feinsteinsaid. “Our bill would make it clearthat someone who threatens to killhis wife or shoot a classroom ofkindergarteners is responsible forthose words and can be heldaccountable.”The bill has been endorsed by
the American Association ofUniversity Women, NationalAlliance to End Sexual Violence,National Center for Victims ofCrime, and the National CoalitionAgainst Domestic Violence,among other organizations.“If a criminal offense has an
unclear intent requirement,Congress should respond with abill like the Interstate ThreatsClarification Act, which I’m proudto cosponsor,” Durbin said. “Thisbill will establish an explicit intentrequirement for the federal threatsstatute, eliminating ambiguitiesthat make it harder for prosecutors,victims, and defendants alike toknow what conduct is criminal.”
Senators author bill to clarify law on threatsBeverly Hills City Councilelects Mirisch as mayor
photo courtesy of the city of Beverly HillsThe Beverly Hills City Council elected the next mayor and vice
mayor in unanimous votes last week. At the installation ceremonynext month, Vice Mayor John A. Mirisch (center) will become mayorand Councilwoman Nancy H. Krasne (second from right) willbecome vice mayor, serving one-year terms. They are pictured withCouncilmembers Lili Bosse (left), William W. Brien and Julian A.Gold.The installation ceremony is free and open to the public and will
be held March 16 at 6 p.m. at the Academy of Motion Picture Artsand Sciences Samuel Goldwyn Theater, 8949 Wilshire Blvd. Free parking is available at the City Hall Crescent Drive structure,
and a shuttle will provide transportation to the theater. Mirisch waselected in 2009 and 2013. He served as mayor in 2013. Krasne was elected to the city council in 2007 and 2013. She
served as mayor in 2010. The five members of the city council areelected at-large to four-year terms, and the mayor and vice mayor areelected annually by the council members. The mayor serves as the presiding officer and acts as chair at all
city council meetings. He or she is the spokesperson for the citycouncil and is the city’s ceremonial representative at public eventsand functions.
Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-VanNuys) has introduced legislation tohelp protect computer users by out-lawing the practice of infectingcomputers with ransomware, mak-ing it the criminal equivalent ofextortion.Ransomware is software that
allows a computer hacker to accesscomputers, hold them hostage anddemand payment in exchange forrelinquishing the attack. Under thebill, a person engaged in the activi-ty could be convicted of a felonyand sentenced to up to four years inprison.Ransomware can often go
beyond the extortion of money. Itcan allow hackers to steal pass-words and obtain access to bankaccounts and other private or sensi-tive information. It can also lead toidentity theft and the exorbitantcosts and damages involved.Even if ransom is paid, attackers
rarely unlock the victim’s comput-er. For those who don’t fall for thescam but instead try to regain con-trol of their computer, it oftenrequires the costly assistance of aprofessional computer technician.
Ransomware is just one type ofelectronic criminal activity that hasrisen associated with the wide-spread use of computers, cellphones and the Internet. Accordingto a recent report, 43 percent ofcompanies in 2014 experienceddata breach, including highly visi-ble and damaging attacks that hitSony, Home Depot, Target and JPMorgan Chase. Last week, it wasannounced that HollywoodPresbyterian Medical Center hadbeen targeted and paid the ransom.The legislation is sponsored by
TechNet, a bipartisan trade organi-zation that advocates for technolo-gy companies.“Ransomware is the latest and
most insidious tactic of hackers,”said Andrea Deveau, Californiaexecutive director of TechNet.“Simply put, hackers are holdingthe networks of major institutionsand business hostage until theyreceive a financial payoff. Thispractice has to be stopped immedi-ately or we will see ransomwareproliferate, putting major institu-tions and businesses at extremerisk.”
Bill will protect users against computer ransomware
Clergy and Laity United forEconomic Justice (CLUE) is hold-ing a forum titled “Women in theEconomy” on Thursday, March 3from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at theWilshire Boulevard Temple-Glazer Campus.The forum will explore work-
place challenges women face, andparticipants will learn how faithtraditions confront gender inequal-ity. Attendees will also discuss thelatest approaches to addressing thesystemic inequality of women in
the economy.NCJW/LA’s director of legisla-
tive and community engagementMaya Paley and NCJW/LA Boardmember Sandra Fluke will speakat the event. Other topics includeending human trafficking, closingthe gender pay gap and stoppingworkplace harassment and assault.Tickets are $5; lunch is provid-
ed. 3663 Wilshire Blvd. For infor-mation, call (213)481-3740, orvisit www.cluejustice.org/ingath-ering_2016.
Forum focuses on women’s issues
10 February 25, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
Los Angeles Unified SchoolDistrict (LAUSD) Board ofEducation has unanimouslyapproved a resolution to ensurethat the nearly 200,000 LosAngeles middle-grades studentsare on the path to high school grad-uation.
The resolution titled “Creating aCollaborative to Focus on theMiddle Grades” brings together ateam of parents, students, educa-tors, school leaders, researchers,district staff and other experts whowill create a framework to reimag-ine the middle grades. The team’sreport will be presented to theBoard of Education in June. The
group will be a collaborationbetween Learning Group andWorking Group members.
The Learning Group representscommunity members and stake-holders. During their sessions,experts will present information ontopics and issues affecting middlegrade students. The public is invit-ed to attend the sessions, and therewill be time at the end for publiccomment.
The Working Group is defined inthe resolution and includes a mid-dle school parent; middle schoolstudent; representation fromUTLA, AALA and SEIU Local 99unions, the Division of Student
Health and Human Services, theDivision of Instruction and theOffice of Educational Services;and academic researchers. Thegroup will analyze and prioritizeinput collected at the LearningGroup sessions and create a collec-tive vision.
The first Learning Group sessionwill take place on Thursday, Feb.25 at 4 p.m. at Nightingale MiddleSchool, 3311 N Figueroa St.Additional Learning Group ses-sions will be held on March 17 and31, and April 14.
For information and a LaerningGroup meeting schedule, visitwww.lausd.net.
District focuses on improving middle grades
The Los Angeles Unified SchoolDistrict (LAUSD) and Healthvanahave collaborated to enable highschool students obtain free HIV andSTD testing by using an app.
Last month, the Centers forDisease Control published a studyshowing that only 22 percent ofhigh school students who have hadsex have been tested for HIV.
“I am really proud of our relation-ships with numerous health agen-cies and partners that have devel-oped products to help our teens inLAUSD,” said Timothy Kordic, ofthe LAUSD Health EducationPrograms and HIV/AIDSPrevention Unit. “The students cannow find health services they needin their local areas with ease and
trust. Healthvana continues to inno-vate and improve their product tomake it better for the user, which is
why they are attracting new collab-orations with diverse groups such aspopular online dating applications.Since we know that young peopleare turning to online spaces to findrelationships, it is important to usthat these spaces also have links topositive health information and ser-vices.”
Healthvana is a cloud-based tech-nology platform that improves com-munication between healthcareproviders and patients. The compa-ny offers electronic patient intake,electronic test results delivery andan HIV/STD testing locator. Sinceits launch in 2014, Healthvana hasdelivered more than 200,000 testresults to patients throughout theUnited States.
LAUSD and healthcare app partner to fight HIVChildren learn new movesat The Music Center
photo courtesy of the Music CenterThe Music Center recently held its 46th annual “Blue Ribbon
Children’s Festival” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The festival,which is specifically for fifth grade students, is an annual free pro-gram at the Music Center exposing students to professional danceperformances. The students view a dance production and perform ashort choreographed dance inspired by the show. More than 18,000participants joined the event, including students from Hancock Parkelementary school (pictured).
The event is supported by the Blue Ribbon Ladies, an organizationsupporting programs at the Music Center. For information, visitwww.musiccenter.org.
“I am really proud ofour relationshipswith numerous
health agencies andpartners that have
developed products to help our
teens in LAUSD.”-Timothy Kordic, LAUSD
Health Education Programsand HIV/AIDS Prevention Unit
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 11 February 25, 2016
Your teeth arecrooked or crowded,
what does thatmean to you.
If your teeth are crowded itmakes it harder to keepthem clean, which, in turn,leaves you at a greater risk ofgum disease. Gum diseaseis considered to be the samerisk as smoking is for heartdisease….this isn’t good.
If your teeth are not alignedproperly you can wear yourteeth down quicker. Andsometimes (and probablyway more often than youthink) a poor alignmentcauses one to clench andgrind their teeth (whichleads to even more wear)which in turn can lead toheadaches and/or TMJ dys-function. Do you see anyshiny spots on the biting sur-faces of your teeth..thismight be a sign of clenchingand/or grinding.
Ways of treating these issuesinclude orthodontics andother oral appliances.
At Southern California Dental Health Associates ourdoctors know how importantthe alignment of your teethis for your overall health.
Jonathan Engel, DDSEstella Goldman, DDS
5901 W. Olympic Blvd. Suite 205Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.934.3341www.socaldentalhealth.com
MAJESTIC JEWELRYExpert Jewelry & Watch Repairs • Batteries
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Letters to the EditorLaws on service dogsand emotional supportanimals need moreenforcement
RE “Service dogs may be yourbest friend, but not others,’” Feb.18 issue
I think all service dogs should berequired by law to wear somethingclearly visible that denotes them asregistered service dogs. I amguessing that would require achange to the ADA, which is a fed-eral law.
I grew up with dogs and lovethem but don’t like them at restau-rants and public shopping areas.I’m guessing there are more lonelyand dysfunctional people out therethese days because they can’t seemto survive without their dog, whichseems like a surrogate for a humanfriend or companion.Frank Weng Los Angeles
The ADA is a federal law put inplace to protect the rights of thoseof us who are disabled. It gives uslegal right to be accompanied byour specially trained service dogs.
If people/businesses would readand abide by the law there wouldbe far fewer problems with fakeservice dogs and [people] withemotional support animals wouldnot be running rampant in publicvenues. The law is clear, it statesdogs that provide emotional sup-port are not service dogs, thusthese pets are not allowed in publicplaces.
Emotional service animals areallowed only in no-pet housing andon flights when prescribed by amental health professional. Verysimple: service dogs are trained toperform work and tasks to mitigatean individual’s disability.
An emotional service animal is apet that provides comfort at homeor on flights. Businesses, learn thelaw and don’t be afraid to assertyour right to tell people with emo-tional service animals they have toleave. Businesses have the right totell a disabled person with an out ofcontrol service dog to remove thedog as well.
Karen Ann YoungAmsterdam, New York
The biggest problem I’ve beenseeing in the service dog commu-nity these days is not people whoare deliberately faking their dog asa service dog. Rather, the biggestproblem seems to be people withemotional support dogs who trulybelieve they have all the samerights as service dog handlers.
These people are causing untoldconfusion with store and restaurantowners by misinforming themabout where emotional service ani-mals are allowed to go. The ADAclearly states, “Dogs whose solefunction is to provide comfort oremotional support do not qualify asservice animals under the ADA.”Don FinleyRed Deer, Alberta, Canada
Projects near Metrostations should havemore residents
RE “100 affordable units addedto 13th District,” Feb. 18 issue
One hundred affordable unitssounds like a lot, but when you con-sider it’s only a half block from aMetro station, this is way too low.Good infill but underutilized spacefor its mass-transit accessibility.
The city of Los Angeles needs tothink smarter and not just be proudof building something affordable.One day, develop-able infill loca-tions will be gone or not so easilyavailable. Then what? This four-story development could have easi-ly been double the height and densi-ty but, then again, would NIMBYshave complained of too much foottraffic to and from this site? If year-ly transit passes are to be given freeto residents, why not place morepeople there to enjoy that benefitwithout the burden of having toaddress vehicular traffic on an envi-ronmental impact report (EIR)
Perhaps the city could focus moreon the project’s mass transit accessi-bility for low-income folks andpush for a denser project on a miti-gated negative-declaration whileforegoing a full EIR entirely.Outdated community plans,NIMBYs, zoning, etc. These are allfactors contributing to this projectthat could have been so much more.
John GacisAlhambra
New solutions neededto solve gun problems
RE “Feuer calls for changes toreduce gun violence,” Feb. 18 issue
Ongoing debates about theSecond Amendment have focusedon whether it protects a privateright of individuals to keep andbear arms, or a right that can beexercised only through militia orga-nizations like the armed forces, theNational Guard and police forces.
In the meantime, our country hasenough guns in circulation to armevery person living here. Let’s facereality. Like it or not, the NRA – bywhatever means – has succeeded inarming our nation despite all thedeaths and injuries due toguns.Now, we learn that concealedguns will be allowed in classroomsat the University of Texas. Egad!
We welcome our City AttorneyMike Feuer’s leadership and effortsto find ways to reduce gun vio-lence. Certainly, keeping guns outof the hands of persons found guiltyof domestic violence can only help.
Meanwhile, I keep reading aboutpolicemen using guns to kill andmaim suspects, often unarmed. Inthis case, if we think about it, thereis a solution: be more selective inhiring and training candidates forthe police forces throughout thecountry.
Some people just cannot handlethe “power” of being a policemanand are more liable to resort tousing deadly weapons whenembroiled in a police action. AsLos Angeles Police Chief CharlieBeck seeks to add 2,500 to ourpolice force. I hope he will bear inmind my suggestion.
George EpsteinDetroit Street
An annual report and commitment
I’m a retired city employee and
a roving columnist on city issues.My job is to pester city officialsuntil problems in city governmentget fixed.
During 2015, I pestered themayor and council for changingthe civil service provisions of theCity Charter and for not lettingthe people vote on those changes.
I pestered the mayor and coun-cil for hand-cuffing the Board ofCivil Service Commissioners andfor assigning its powers to themayor’s office. I pestered themayor and council for giving thecity’s department heads powersthe Charter vests in the Board ofCivil Service Commissioners –powers which make the depart-ment heads less accountable tothe public.
I also pestered the mayor, coun-cil and department heads for low-ering the standards used in man-aging employee performance. As2015 came to an end, I publisheda brochure, “City GovernmentNeeds An Upgrade.” It included10 of the pieces I’d written; mostof them had not been published.
I close this annual report withthe hope that by its brevity, it willencourage city officials to submittheir own annual reports.
During the past six months, Ihave repeatedly asked Mayor EricGarcetti for information on theenforcement of the CharterSection that requires officers andboards to submit to the mayor andcouncil annual reports related totheir work. Despite the fact thatmy requests were made under theCalifornia Public Records Act,they were consistently denied bythe mayor.
Now, as Garcetti is starting toact like a candidate for re-elec-tion, he’s apparently planning tosmack me down for not beingfamiliar with the information herefused to send me. I’d call thatdirty politics and I hope hedoesn’t do that.
Samuel M. SperlingMonterey Park
Mayor Eric Garcetti this weekannounced this year’s participantsin his Entrepreneur in Residence(EIR) program, which waslaunched in 2014 to connect themost accomplished entrepreneursin the city with L.A.’s future busi-ness leaders and job creators.
This year’s EIRs are Eva Hoand Jason Nazar, two profession-als with decades of experiencebuilding startups into strong, suc-cessful businesses.
The EIR program enlists twoexpert entrepreneurs each year towork with the city to create initia-tives aimed at supporting entre-preneurs in L.A.
During their year with the EIRprogram, Ho and Nazar will helpto shape city policy and create ini-tiatives that help entrepreneursacross L.A. They will also workwith local non-profit organiza-
tions and institutions to help fos-ter more entrepreneurship andbusiness growth across LosAngeles.
The new EIRs will build on theprogram’s first year, which wasled by Krisztina “Z” Holly andAmir Tehrani. Holly studied thelocal entrepreneurial manufactur-ing ecosystem, surveying morethan 1,600 different L.A. busi-nesses. The survey uncovered avariety of opportunities forstrengthening the local manufac-turing community in L.A., a goalshe is now pursuing furtherthrough her new initiative, “Makeit in L.A.” Tehrani focused ondigital divides in L.A.’s startupeconomy. He launched themayor’s Sharing Economy JobFair in South L.A. last August tohelp bring tech opportunity tounderserved neighborhoods.
The U.S. Department ofTransportation awarded $300 mil-lion to the Los Angeles CountyMetropolitan TransportationAuthority (Metro) for two majorsubway projects.
The federal funding will benefitboth the Regional Connector andWestside Purple Line Extensiontransit projects.
$200 million will go toward theWestside Purple Line Extension(Sections 1 and 2) for the Federalfiscal year.
“We are deeply appreciative ofPresident Obama, U.S. Secretary ofTransportation Anthony Foxx andthe U.S. Congress for this invest-ment in Los Angeles County. This$300 million will allow us to con-tinue our mission to better servemillions of Angelinos with expand-ed and improved transit services,”said Metro Board Chair MarkRidley-Thomas. “I am especiallyappreciative of U.S. SenatorDianne Feinstein, who as a senior
member of the Senate appropria-tions committee worked hard tosecure these important federalfunds for Los Angeles. .”
In May 2014, the U.S.Department of Transportation pro-vided and Full Funding GrantAgreement (FFGA) in the amount
of $1.2 billion for the WestsidePurple Line Extension (Section 1)transit project. It was later accom-panied by an $856 million lowinterest federal TransportationInfrastructure Finance andInnovation Act (TIFIA) loan.
The Westside Purple LineExtension transit project, which iscurrently under construction, is willprovide a high-capacity, high-speed, dependable alternative forcommuters to travel betweendowntown Los Angeles andWestwood in 25 minutes. The pro-ject, which will be built in threephases, will continue from the cur-rent station at Wilshire/Westernextending westward for about ninemiles along Wilshire Boulevardwith seven new stations atWilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax,Wilshire/La Cienega, Wil-shire/Rodeo, Century City/Con-stellation, Westwood/UCLA, andWestwood/VA Hospital. For infor-mation, visit metro.net.
Feds provide $300 million for subway projectsMayor Garcetti announcesentrepreneurs in residence We are deeply
appreciative ofPresident Obama,U.S. Secretary ofTransportation
Anthony Foxx andthe U.S. Congressfor this investmentin Los Angeles
County.”-Metro Board Chair
Mark Ridley-Thomas
12 February 25, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
Farmers MarketLAX
Santa Monica
www.mrmarcel.com323.939.7792
Free chef cookingand tastingDine Out Long Beach
Restaurant Week 2.0 presentsa free cooking and tasting series onSaturday, Feb. 27 from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. at Friedman’s Appliances inLong Beach. Four chefs, a mixolo-gist, sommelier and beer expertsfrom Stella Artois will lead the freeclasses. The first class starts at 11a.m. with chef Janine Falvo of Sip
Bar + Lounge at the RenaissanceHotel. Chef Pete Lehmer ofGladstone’s will entertain guests ina state-of-the-art kitchen at noon.Mixologist Michael Rausa of E.J.Malloy’s will lead a class at 1 p.m.Participants will learn tips fromchef David Coleman of Michael’sRestaurant Group (Chianina,Michael’s On Naples and Michael’sPizzeria) at 2 p.m. Jim Tate ofParkers’ Lighthouse andQueensview Steakhouse will pre-pare signature dishes at 3 p.m. For
wine and beer lovers, sommelierAlicia Ajolo of Taste Wine-Beer-Kitchen will pour a tasting of herfavorite wine selections, andexperts from Stella Artois willserve signature Belgium beer toguests in a keepsake chalice. LongBeach Restaurant Week 2.0 runsthrough March 5 at nearly 50restaurants. Lunch menus start at$10 and three-course dinners startat $20 with optional wine and beerpairings. Visit www.dineoutlong-beach.com for a list of participatingrestaurants, to view menus andmake reservations. Friedman’sAppliances is located at 1827 E.Spring St., Long Beach. (562)989-7756.
Oscar Night viewing party Dress up and head to Upper
West Restaurant to watch the88th annual Academy Awards onSunday, Feb. 28. The Oscar view-ing party begins at 4:30 p.m. Guestscan vote for their favorite Oscarcontenders and win prizes. UpperWest will donate 25 percent of theevening’s proceeds to theLeukemia & Lymphoma SocietyTeam in Training. The suggesteddonation is $20. Reservations arerecommended. 3321 Pico Blvd.,Santa Monica. (310)586-1111.
E.P. & L.P. specialChinese banquetThree chefs from opposite coasts
come together on Monday, Feb.29 for an evening celebrating mod-ern Asian flavors and contemporaryChinese cuisine at E.P. & L.P.Restaurant. E.P. & L.P. executivechef Louis Tikaram will partnerwith Jeremiah Stone and Fabianvon Hauske, an internationally rec-ognized chef duo from Contra inNew York City. Enjoy the flavors ofFiji, the South Pacific, Vietnam,France and Southeast Asia. Dishesinclude oyster with Lapsang tea
RREESSTTAAUURRAANNTT NNEEWWSSBy Jill Weinlein
See Restaurant News page 13
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Strolling along the canals inVenice, built in 1905 bydeveloper Abbott Kinney, is a
relaxing experience. It’s a charmingarea with its eclectic architecture,the bridges tha span the canals andthe graceful white egrets that flyoverhead.Located next to a canal and just
a block from the Pacific Ocean isLeona restaurant. Owners Kristianand Breegan Vallas brought the for-mer bakery and cafe back to lifewith the help of Scott MorrisArchitects. Executive Chef Nyesha J.
Arrington’s dynamic menu offersprogressive California cuisine.Arrington started cooking when
she was five years old at the side ofher beloved Korean grandmother.They rolled wontons together andmade interesting dishes with bulgo-
gi, octopus and homemade kimchi.This talented chef integrates flavorsfrom around the world into appeal-ing dishes at Leona.Arrington previously worked at
nearby at the Jonathan Beach Clubin Santa Monica and with the clas-sically French trained Josiah Citrinat Mélisse. She appeared onBravo’s “Top Chef: Texas” andFood Network’s series, “ChefHunter,” where she won. At Leona, her menu focuses on
California cuisine with someKorean influences. She is wellknown at the Santa MonicaFarmers Market, where she selectsethically harvested produce.My niece Karina joined me for
lunch recently and we opted to siton the patio to enjoy the beautiful,warm weather. The interior diningroom has a modern Restoration
Hardware décor with orb lights,white brick walls, dark wood andcaramel leather colored banquettes.
Photographs from the VeniceHistorical Society are displayed inthe dining room and large bar areaserving beer, wine and mixed cock-tails. Our server recommended we
order the freshly made cucumberpassion fruit agua fresca. It wasrefreshing and not too sweet. Theflavors change throughout the weekand include blood orange catctus,sugar cane verbena and hibiscuspomegranate. The cool cucumber passion fruit
beverage paired nicely with the bul-gogi chicken wings. She must havebeen inspired to put these on themenu from her days cooking in thekitchen with her grandmother. Theglossy wings offered the essence ofsoy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic,pepper, scallions, and ginger. In theevening she dresses up her shortribs in this sensational sauce.My favorite dish of the day was
the heirloom squash soup with flashfried sage leaves, bright red pome-granate and pepita seeds in the cen-ter. It was a gorgeous combinationof colors, textures and flavors. Theearthy squash was bedazzled withthe sweetness of the pomegranateseeds. The pepitas squash seedsadded a delightful crunch to thesmooth pureed soup. Sunflowerand grain bread accompanied thesoup, perfect for dipping.A foodie friend sitting next to us
declared Arrington’s burger is thebest in L.A. It’s served on a grilledbrioche bun with white cheese anda side of arugula, sliced red peppersand a house-brined pickle.I ordered the turkey meatloaf
sandwich and wished I had ordered
the lighter roasted turkey sandwich.The meatloaf was very dense, yet Idid like Arrington’s housemadechips. The turkey sandwich lookedappetizing on grilled grain and nutbread with pickled shallots, cran-
berry mayo and butter lettuce.My niece ordered the Cali quinoa
salad mixed with wild arugula,sliced apples, crunchy almonds, andcubes of avocado and dressed withhousemade apple cider vinegar.Chef Arrington elevates a
Reuben sandwich by wrapping itwith melted Swiss cheese, spinach,and her housemade fennel kefirkraut. She spices it up with her ownGochjang Island dressing madewith Korean red pepper paste. Itsdazzling zip tingles your tongue.The smoked salmon pizza was
piled high with watercress leavesand crumbled hard boiled egg andhad a sprinkling of black sesameseeds along the crust.
A few of these items are servedon Leona’s brunch menu. I willneed to come back one weekend totry her brown butter pancakes withwhipped coconut and a sea salt-vanilla butter. She also makes aKorean latka with creme fraicheand sliced scallions. It’s a tantaliz-ing fusion of traditional potato pan-cakes with house-made kimchiserved on a wooden board. Locals bring their kids for lunch,
brunch and an early dinner from thechildren’s menu featuring a veg-etable plate, turkey Sloppy Joe, fishsticks, and cheeseburger.The day we dined, Arrington had
just opened a new cookie windowwhich opens onto the sidewalk andattracts pedestrians on their way tothe beach. Chef Arrington’s sweetcookies include a crunchy misobrown butter chocolate chip, zippyginger macadamia nut and coconutmacaroon. They are an ideal snackto pick up before or after a day atthe beach or to nibble on whileexploring the Venice canals. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to
2:30 p.m., weekend brunch is 10a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner is servedfrom 5:30 to 10 p.m. every Tuesdaythrough Sundays. The cookie win-dow is open from 11 a.m. to clos-ing. Leona’s is closed on Mondays.$$ 123 Washington Blvd.(310)822-5379.
Venice’s
LEONACalifornia flavors with a hint of Korean pizzazz
By Jill Weinlein
photo by Jill WeinleinHeirloom squash soup with flash fried sage leaves, pepita and pome-granate seeds is a terrific combination of flavors and colors.
photo by Jill WeinleinThe juicy burger at Leona comes on a grilled brioche bun with cheeseand Kennebec potato fries.
geleé, bitter almond milk andcaviar; crispy skin chicken withginger and green onions; and porkspare ribs with sweet potato, toast-ed rice, maple and mirin sauce. Theseven-course dinner is $80. Spaceis limited; reservations and pre-payment required. 603 N. LaCienega Blvd., (310)855-9955.
Love & Salt offerslate night love menu Leap Year falls on Monday, Feb.29, and Love & Salt will cele-brate with its “Late Night Love”bar menu specials from 5:30 to 10p.m. Diners can order chef MichaelFiorelli’s two-patty “downlow”burger with aged promontorycheese, caramelized onions andtomato aioli, or choose from sixpizzas for $20. A glass of red orwhite wine or craft beer is servedwith the meal. The menu is avail-able at the bar and chef’s counteronly. 317 Manhattan Beach Blvd.,(310)545-5252.
Extra patty on LeapDay at Dog HausGuests who order a burger at
Dog Haus on Leap Day,Monday, Feb. 29 can upgrade to adouble burger for free. Optionsinclude the Ringer, Holy Aioli, TheFreiburger, Little Mule, TheHangover and Dog Haus’ tradition-al cheeseburger. 3335 S. FigueroaSt., Ste. D, (213)748-4287; 3817W. Olive Ave., Burbank, (626)796-4287; 105 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena,(626)577-4287; 93 E. Green St,Pasadena, (626)683-0808.
Hollywood Hotelcelebrates LeapYearThe Hollywood Hotel offers spe-cial packages for stays onMonday, Feb. 29, including 29 per-cent discounts on rooms andupgrades from deluxe rooms tosuperior rooms for $29, subject toavailability. The packages are onlyavailable to guests on Feb. 29.
Room rates start at $99 and pack-ages range from $125 to $235.Guests can start their day with acomplimentary hot breakfast buf-fet, sit by a pool surrounded by gar-dens and enjoy a cocktail in thestylish outdoor bar and lounge.1160 Vermont Ave., (323)315-1800.
Planned ParenthoodLA ‘Food Fare’Founded in 1965, PlannedParenthood Los Angeles willcelebrate its 50 anniversary onThursday, March 3 with a lunchand dinner “food fare.” The day-time session runs from 11 a.m. to 2p.m. and the evening session runsfrom 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sampleunlimited gourmet food by morethan 100 of Southern California’sbest chefs, restaurants and caterers.Over 35 participants will servecocktails, beer, wine, spirits, coffeeand tea. Meet former “Food Fare”Chefs of the Year BrookeWilliamson, Nick Roberts,
Restaurant Newsfrom page 12
The smoked salmonpizza was piled high with
watercress leaves andcrumbled hard boiled
egg and had a sprinklingof black sesame seeds
along the crust.
See Restaurant News page 15
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PIZZA • PASTA • SALAD •SANDWICHES & MORE
14 February 25, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
POLICE BLOTTERThe following crimes occurred in West Hollywood and the areas patrolledby the LAPD’s Wilshire and Hollywood divisions between Feb. 15 and Feb.21, and were compiled from www.crimemapping.com. To report a crime,call local law enforcement agencies: Los Angeles Police Department,Wilshire Division (213)473-0489 and Los Angeles County Sheriff’sDepartment West Hollywood Station (310)855-8850.
Feb. 15At 12:01 a.m., an unknown sus-pect stole a vehicle parked nearthe corner of Sunset andSchrader.
An unknown suspect assaulted avictim in the 1200 block ofSweetzer at 12:02 a.m.
At 1 a.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a grand theft in the7500 block of Hampton.
An unknown suspect committed apetty theft in the 1600 block ofSchrader at 4 a.m.
At 6:20 a.m., an attempted bur-glary was reported in the 6400block of La Mirada.
An unknown suspect committed atheft in the 300 block of N. La Breaat 7 a.m.
At 7:45 a.m., a suspect assaulteda victim during a domestic vio-lence incident near the corner ofWestern and Lexington.
An unknown suspect committed apetty theft in the 7200 block of W.Sunset at noon.
At 12:10 p.m., an unknown sus-pect committed a petty theft nearthe corner of McCadden andSunset.
An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked in the 6300 block ofW. Third at 1:30 p.m.
At 2:45 p.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a burglary in the 900block of S. Rimpau.
An unknown suspect committed atheft in the 6300 block of W. Thirdat 5 p.m.
At 5:11 p.m., a suspect assaulteda victim during a domestic vio-lence incident in the 800 block ofWestmount.
An unknown suspect committed apetty theft in the 5800 block of W.Third at 5:20 p.m.
At 5:30 p.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked in the400 block of S. Oxford.
An unknown suspect committed atheft in the 600 block of S.Western at 7 p.m.
At 7:30 p.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked nearthe corner of Second and SaintAndrews.
An unknown suspect stole a vehi-cle parked in the 700 block ofKings at 9 p.m.
At 9 p.m., an unknown suspectassaulted a victim near the cornerof Beverly and Crescent Heights.
An unknown suspect stole a vehi-cle parked in the 5300 block ofEdgewood at 11:30 p.m.
Feb. 16At 2 a.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked nearthe corner of Wilton and Eighth.
An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked in the 1000 block of
Ogden at 8 a.m.
At 9 a.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a grand theft in the8200 block of Sunset.
An unknown suspect committed apetty theft in the 6100 block of W.Sunset at 9:30 a.m.
At 9:45 a.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a burglary in the 400block of Edinburgh.
An unknown suspect committed aburglary in the 900 block of S.Sycamore at 9:45 a.m.
At 11 a.m., a grand theft wasreported in the 100 block of SaintAndrews.
An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked in the 6800 block ofHollywood at noon.
At 1:10 p.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked in the600 block of Ridgeley.
A suspect assaulted a victim nearthe corner of Fountain and Vista at4:20 p.m.
At 5 p.m., an unknown suspectstole a vehicle parked near thecorner of Clinton and La Brea.
A petty theft was reported in the8700 block of Santa Monica at5:30 p.m.
At 6 p.m., an unknown suspectstole a bicycle in the 4100 block ofWilshire.
An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked near the corner ofSelma and Cherokee at 9 p.m.
At 10 p.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a petty theft in the 6400block of Santa Monica.
An unknown suspect stole a vehi-cle parked near the corner ofNorton and Third at 10 p.m.
Feb. 17At 1:10 a.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a petty theft near thecorner of Yucca and Wilcox.
An unknown suspect committed aburglary in the 9000 block ofMelrose at 4:04 a.m.
At 4:20 a.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a petty theft in the 1400block of N. Detroit.
An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked near the corner ofOrlando and San Vicente at 6:15a.m.
At 12:02 p.m., an unknown sus-pect robbed a victim in the 8500block of W. Sunset.
An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked in the 7400 block ofFranklin at 12:10 p.m.
At 2:50 p.m., an unknown suspectrobbed a victim in the 1000 blockof La Brea.
An unknown suspect committed atheft in the 300 block of S.Western at 3 p.m.
At 3:30 p.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a petty theft in the 800block of Sweetzer.
An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked in the 1800 block ofOutpost at 4 p.m.
At 4:15 p.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a burglary in the 400block of S. San Vicente.
A petty theft was reported in the6500 block of Hollywood at 4:20p.m.
At 4:30 p.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a burglary in the 300block of Crescent Heights.
An unknown suspect committed aburglary in the 1200 block of N.Cherokee at 4:30 p.m.
At 4:55 p.m., an unknown suspectrobbed a victim in the 5500 blockof Santa Monica.
An unknown suspect robbed a vic-tim in the 5200 block of W.Olympic at 7:45 p.m.
At 9 p.m., an unknown suspectstole a vehicle parked in the 2000block of Vine.
An unknown suspect committed apetty theft in the 400 block of N.Gardner at 10 p.m.
At 11 p.m., an unknown suspectstole a vehicle parked in the 8700block of Burton Way.
Feb. 18At 2:23 a.m., a suspect assaulteda victim during a domestic vio-lence incident in the 1300 block ofHayworth.
An unknown suspect committed agrand theft in the 1200 block ofVine at 3:15 a.m.
At 4 a.m., an unknown suspectstole a vehicle parked in the 300block of N. Orange Grove.
An unknown suspect committed apetty theft in the 100 block of N. LaCienega at 3:10 p.m.
At 4 p.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked in the1300 block of N. Wilton.
An unknown suspect committed agrand theft in the 8400 block of W.Third at 5 p.m.
At 6 p.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a theft in the 6600 blockof Sunset.
A suspect assaulted a victim nearthe corner of Las Palmas andSanta Monica at 9 p.m.
At 11:10 p.m., an unknown sus-pect robbed a victim in the 600block of Robertson.
Feb. 19At 2:05 a.m., an unknown suspectburglarized a vehicle parked nearthe corner of Colgate and LeDoux.
An unknown suspect assaulted avictim in the 8400 block of SantaMonica at 2:10 a.m.
At 8 a.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a grand theft in the3800 block of Ingraham.
An unknown suspect committed aburglary in the 1200 block ofFormosa at 8:30 a.m.
At 1 p.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a burglary in the 1000block of Queen Anne.
An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked in the 100 block ofN. Clark at 4 p.m.
At 6:30 p.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a petty theft in the 8600block of Santa Monica.
An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked in the 6200 block ofDeLongpre at 7 p.m.
At 9 p.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a petty theft in the 5500block of Hollywood.
Feb. 20At 12:05 a.m., an unknown sus-pect burglarized a vehicle parkedin the 500 block of N. Western.
An unknown suspect assaulted avictim in the 8800 block of SantaMonica at 1:55 a.m.
At 2:15 a.m., an unknown suspectrobbed a victim near the corner ofLexington and El Centro.
An unknown suspect robbed a vic-tim in the 200 block of N.Gramercy at 2:30 a.m.
At 4:13 a.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a burglary in the 6200block of Wilshire.
An unknown suspect stole a vehi-cle parked in the 500 block of N.Windsor at 8 a.m.
At 1:20 p.m., an unknown suspectcommitted a petty theft in the 800block of S. Norton.
An unknown suspect burglarized avehicle parked in the 100 block ofClark at 11 p.m.
At 11:30 p.m., a suspect assaulteda victim during a domestic vio-lence incident near the corner ofHawthorn and La Brea.
Feb. 21At 6:55 a.m., a robbery orcurrednear Barton and Saint Andrews.
A burglary was reported in the 900block of Spaulding at 7:20 a.m.
Detectives with the Los AngelesPolice Department’s NortheastDivision are seeking two suspectswho alegedly killed a victim onFeb. 26 in the 3000 block ofGriffith Park Blvd.
A man flagged down NortheastDivision patrol officers at approxi-mately 6:55 p.m. and told them thata victim had been stabbed. Theylocated the victim, Omar RubenNorato, 22, sitting in the back seatof his parked vehicle. Officers also
saw a man nearby suffering from acut to his hand.
Investigators discovered thatboth victims had been involved in aconfrontation with two suspects.During the altercation, one suspectstabbed Norato in the upper torso.A second suspect stabbed the sec-ond unidentified victim in the lefthand. Paramedics took both victimsto a hospital where Norato laterdied from his injuries. The secondvictim was treated and released.
One suspect was described as aCaucasian man, 20-25 years oldwith a white shirt or sweater and ablack baseball cap. The other sus-pect was an African Americanwoman, 20-25 years old with longblack hair, possibly dreadlocks. Shewas wearing parachute-type pantsand a sleeveless shirt. They weredriving a Toyota 4-Runner.
Anyone with information isasked to call Dets. Governo orDiCroc at (323)561-3421.
Two suspects sought in fatal stabbing
An Oregon resident has pleadedguilty to a felony computer hackingcharge connected to a phishingscheme that gave him illegal accessto 363 Apple and Google e-mailaccounts, including those belongingto people in the entertainmentindustry in Los Angeles.
Andrew Helton, 29, of Portland,pleaded guilty on Feb. 19 to afelony violation of the ComputerFraud and Abuse Act. Helton wasspecifically charged with one countof unauthorized access to a protect-ed computer to obtain information.He pleaded guilty before UnitedStates District Judge John A.Kronstadt, who scheduled a sen-tencing hearing for June 2. Heltonfaces a statutory maximum sentenceof five years in federal prison.
“In today’s digital world, peopleuse their e-mail and online accountsto store photos, music, notes, calen-dars, contacts, financial and healthinformation,” said United StatesAttorney Eileen M. Decker.“Through prosecutions such as the
one announced here today, theUnited States Attorney’s Office iscommitted to assisting the continu-ing efforts of private companies toprotect this sensitive and personalinformation from the maliciousactions of sophisticated hackers andcyber criminals.”
According to a plea agreement,from March 2011 to May 2013,Helton engaged in a phishingscheme to obtain usernames andpasswords of his victims. He sent e-mails to victims that appeared to befrom Apple or Google and askedthem to verify their accounts byclicking on a link. Once the victimsclicked on the link, they were takento a website that looked like anApple or Google login page. Whenthe victims entered usernames andpasswords on the website, Heltoncould then access the victims’ e-mail accounts.
Helton obtained approximately450 usernames and passwords forapproximately 360 e-mail accounts.He used the information to access
and view the contents of the e-mailaccounts.
Many of Helton’s victims wereunidentified members of the enter-tainment industry in Los Angeles.By illegally accessing the e-mailaccounts, Helton obtained 161 sex-ually explicit, nude and partiallynude images of approximately 13victims, some of whom werecelebrities.
“The thought of a strangeraccessing your private communica-tions for sport or monetary gain canbe devastating,” said DavidBowdich, assistant director incharge of the FBI’s Los AngelesField Office. “This insidious crimehas distressed scores of averageindividuals as well as celebrity vic-tims. The FBI is committed to hold-ing accountable those who illegallyintrude upon the cyber landscape,and to educating consumers aboutstrengthening passwords andemploying two-factor authentica-tion, among other safeguards.”
The FBI investigated the case.
Suspect convicted of illegally accessing e-mails
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 15 February 25, 2016
Celebrating 70 years of
Our People, Our Places
SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUEAPRIL 21, 2016
70Founded 1946
Call (323)933-5518 for advertising rates and information. Visit beverlypress.com and click the 70th Anniversary icon.
Celestino Drago, Suzanne Goin,Joe Miller, Susan Feniger, MarySue Milliken, Alain Giraud andJenny Rush of Blue Plate Group.Advance tickets are $150 for theearly session; $250 for the eveningsession. 3021 Airport Ave., SantaMonica. (213)284-3300,www.pplafoodfare.com.
dineLA benefits TheMidnight MissionDuring the recent dineL.A.
Restaurant Week in January,$1 from every reservation bookedthrough the OpenTable website wasdonated to The Midnight Mission.Approximately $13,650 was raised,and the money will provide nearly14,000 nutritious meals to people inneed. The dineLA restaurant week-will return this summer. www.dis-coverlosangeles.com.
Happy hour at MaruMaru, chef Jaso Park’s westside
omakase steakhouse, offershappy hour Tuesday through Fridayfrom 5 to 7 p.m. Enjoy farmers’market-to-table bites like grilledlamb tacos and marinated skirt steaknachos as well as pulled pork sand-wiches. Cocktails from mastermixologist Matthew Biancanielloand draft beer are 50 percent off,and select wines by the glass are $6.12400 Wilshire Blvd. #150,(424)832-7118.
Brunch at BaltaireBaltaire executive chef Travis
Strickland prepares brunchevery weekend from 10 a.m. to 3p.m. on the restaurant’s expansiveoutdoor terrace with a retractableroof, Eames-style chairs, plushcouches, and herb and citrus trees.New menu items include primeNew York steak and eggs withchimichurri, béarnaise and duck fat
potatoes; King crab biscuits andgravy with pork sausage andpoached egg; croque madames withapplewood smoked ham, gruyerecheese and truffle mornay; chi-laquiles verde with fried eggs,queso cotija and shaved cauli-flower; and whole wheat pancakeswith Fuyu persimmons, toastedcoconut and almond honey butter.Guests can enjoy Baltaire bloodyMarys made with Tito’s vodka andhousemade bloody Mary mix;lavender gin fizzes with Bombaygin, lemon, cream and egg white;and mezcal sours with Ilegal mez-cal, lemon, agave and egg white.11647 San Vicente Blvd.,(424)273-1660.
New coffee café in HollywoodDemitasse Roastery & Kitchen
serves farm-to-roasting coffeesfrom Columbia, El Salvador andGuatemala. Coffee lover/ownerBobby Roshan, a former corporatelawyer, opened the first Demitassein Little Tokyo in downtown L.A.,followed by two more locations at1149 Third St. in Santa Monica and6363 Wilshire Blvd. DemitasseRoastery & Kitchen in Hollywoodis expanding beyond coffee byextending the same passion anddetailed focus to food, wine, beerand its new signature shims – low-alcohol cocktails made with sake orsherry. Sit in cushy banquettes,order at the walk-up counter andenjoy the outdoor fire pit. The caféserves espressos and teas, includinghousemade chai tea. Four brewedcoffees are available, each groundand brewed to order on CurtisSeraphim, Nitro and Kyoto-StyleCold Brew systems. The café isalso famous for its lavender liquidhot chocolate with a torched jumbomarshmallow. Executive chef JeffLustre, who worked with formerWhite House executive chef andJames Beard Award-winner FrankRuta of Palena restaurant inWashington D.C., prepares a glob-ally-inspired breakfast, lunch anddinner menu with small and large
plates. Demitasse Roastery &Kitchen is open daily from 7 to10:30 a.m. for breakfast, 11:30 a.m.to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5:30 to10 p.m. for dinner. 1542 N.Cahuenga Blvd., (323)498-5155.
‘Zootopia’ is wild fun
The El Capitan Theatre inHollywood presents a specialengagement of Disney’s“Zootopia” running Friday, March4 through Sunday, April 10. Beforeeach screening, guests can view thenew interactive “Wild AnimalEncounter” show featuring Lola theSloth and her animal friends fromthe Wildlife Learning Center. Judy
Hopps and Nick Wilde, Disney’snew characters from “Zootopia,”will also make their live stage debutat the El Capitan.
Opening night of “Zootopia” ison March 3 at 7 p.m. The ElCapitan Theatre is located at 6838Hollywood Blvd. For information,call (800)DISNEY6, or visitwww.elcapitantickets.com.
photo ©2015 Disney
The city of Beverly Hills is invit-ing dog owners to its annual“Woofstock90210” on Sunday,March 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. onRoxbury Park’s “Wiggly Field.”
The festival for dogs and theirowners features a pet parade, con-tests, pet-related goods and ser-vices, adoptions and family enter-tainment.
More than 35 pet vendors will bepresent at specialty booths, includ-ing “The Dog Wedding” boothwhere photos can be taken of pets inwedding costumes. Face paintingand body art for pets and their own-ers is also available. Other events arethe “Pet Parade Costume Contest”with categories for Su “Paw”Heroes, Most Creative and FunniestPet and Pet Talent Show. The festi-val also includes Zoom Room agili-ty demonstrations and the “DiscDogs Pet Show.” The Pet CareFoundation will offer dogs for adop-tion. Food trucks will sell snacks.
Free parking is available atBeverly Hills High School, 241 S.Moreno Dr., and pet-friendlyshuttles run to the park from 10:45a.m. to 5 p.m. Approximately3,000 people and 250 furry
friends are expected at the festi-val. Roxbury Park is located at471 S. Roxbury Dr. For informa-
tion, call (310)285-6831, or visitwww.beverlyhills.org/woofs-tock90210.
Dog owners and their furry friends party at ‘Woofstock’
photo courtesy of The City of Beverly HillsOlivia is ready to enjoy the day at “Woofstock.”
Restaurant Newsfrom page 13
All the local news you need www.beverlypress.com
Community Disaster Preparedness Fair Volunteer Ministers of Southern California will hold its second annual
Hollywood Community Disaster Preparedness Fair on Saturday, Feb. 27from noon to 5 p.m. in the parking lot of the Church of Scientology LosAngeles.
Information and free workshops on emergency preparedness, first aid,CPR and self defense will be offered. The family-oriented fair will have abounce house, petting zoo and a photo booth. Local restaurants will partic-ipate. Raffle drawings will be held in which attendees can win home emer-gency kits, backpacks and an iPad Mini 4. Proceeds from the raffle supportFamily Promise, a nonprofit organization helping get homeless families.
The fair will be held at 4810 Sunset Blvd. For information, email [email protected].
16 February 25, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
Across1. Yard sign8. Instigation15. Leaked, in a way16. ___ gun
17. Fear of noise19. Trojan War figure20. Small bands21. It can be cheap24. Crude group?
26. Sheet of stamps27. Lab eggs28. Melody30. Further32. Lysergic acid33. Blue-pencil35. Sharpener37. Fear of glass42. Like Swiss cheese43. Unruffled44. Moisten flax47. Fix48. McCarthy quarry49. Denebola’s constellation50. Arden and Plumb52. ___ noir54. Draw55. Move furtively57. Plant native to South America60. Fear of freedom65. Graduates66. Afternoon services?67. Some drums68. Elongates
Down1. Kind of approval2. Tolkien beast3. Earth Summit site4. Grit5. Concha6. Answer to “Shall we?”7. Copy ___8. Valentine figure9. Protestant denom.10. Authentic
11. Town in Wisconsin12. Relating to a shinbone13. Negative particles14. Like some apartments18. One with a beat21. Twisting force22. State categorically23. Gaga intro25. Body28. Stage presence?29. Leaning to the right31. Marveled aloud34. Volcanic fallout35. On the ___36. Detachable container38. Beneficiaries39. Java neighbor40. Particular41. Interminable time44. Move audience members45. With malice46. Ancient hymn48. Slight51. Drop-off53. ___ instance54. Baggy56. Bunsen58. Height59. “Take ___!”61. Chinese dynasty62. Affleck or Stiller63. Contraction64. Bubblehead
Answers on page 22
Crossword Puzzle by Myles Mellor
Fairfax High School’s boys andgirls basketball teams are playingin playoff games this weekend forthe California InterscholasticFederation (CIF) playoffs.
The girls team plays Friday at 7p.m. against Middle College atFairfax High School located at7850 Melrose Ave., and the boysteam plays Saturday at 6 p.m.against Narbonne High School atEdward Roybal Learning Centerlocated at 1200 Colton St.
The girls team took second in theWestern League with a record of
10-2. After losing their first matchin playoffs against El Camino RealHigh School, the team needs to winFriday’s game to have a chance atmaking it to the state competition.
The boys team finished their sea-son tied for first with WestchesterHigh School. Both teams haverecords of 11-1 in the WesternLeague. The Lions are coming off a38-36 win against GeorgeWashington Prep School. If theywin Saturday’s game, they willadvance to the championship in theCIF playoffs.
Fairfax High School basketballteams dribbles to CIF playoffs
The Hollywood Bowl wasnamed the “Best Major OutdoorConcert Venue” at the 27th AnnualPollstar Concert Industry Awards.
This distinction is the 12th con-secutive nomination and award forthe Hollywood Bowl, reaffirmingit as a premiere destination for per-formers and audiences alike.
Known for its outdoor setting,the Hollywood Bowl hosts a greatvariety of artists from classical andpops to jazz, rock and world music.
It has a capacity of 18,000 andhas been the summer home of theLos Angeles Philharmonic since itsofficial opening in 1922.
During the 2015 season, theHollywood Bowl concert seriesincluded performances by GustavoDudamel and the Los AngelesPhilharmonic, the HollywoodBowl Orchestra, Journey, EdSheeran, Smokey Robinson, HarryConnick Jr., Yuja Wang, ZiggyMarley, Death Cab for Cutie andmany more.
“It’s an honor for the HollywoodBowl to be recognized by Pollstaras the best major outdoor concertvenue for the 12th consecutiveyear,” said Gail Samuel, executivedirector of the Los Angeles
Philharmonic Association. “Welove this wonderful venue, and weare always thrilled to have confir-mation that our industry colleagueslove it too. So much goes into aBowl season, and with our present-ing partners and the ongoing sup-port of the County of Los Angeles,we look forward to another excit-ing summer season in 2016.”
The Pollstar Concert IndustryAwards honor the best of the con-cert industry for their accomplish-ments.
Nominees were selected by across section of international musicbusiness professionals, and win-ners were determined by the inter-national readership of Pollstar.
The Hollywood Bowl alsoannounced the line-up for its 96thseason.
New subscriptions for theHollywood Bowl are on sale now.“Five or More” packages will beavailable March 15 and generalbox office tickets will be availableMay 1.
Tickets for the Hollywood Bowl2016 summer season will be avail-able online atHollywoodBowl.com or via phoneat (323)850-2000.
Hollywood Bowl named ‘BestMajor Outdoor Concert Venue’
The Grammy Museum’s trav-eling photo exhibit, “Bob Dylan:Photographs by DanielKramer,” will come to LosAngeles from Feb. 29-May 15.
The exhibit documentsDylan’s transformation fromfolk musician to rock ‘n’ rollicon in more than 50 pho-tographs taken by New York-based photographer and filmdirector Daniel Kramer.
In the 1960s, Dylan wrotesongs about serious social, polit-ical and cultural issues. Hismusic blended elements ofAmerican folk music, blues androck.
“The unique photographsDaniel Kramer captured whileworking with Bob Dylan duringone of the most pivotal momentsof his career sheds a never-before-seen light on one ofAmerica’s greatest songwriters,”said Bob Santelli, the GrammyMuseum’s executive director.“We first opened this exhibit inDylan’s hometown of Hibbing,Minnesota. Now, we are thrilledto showcase the incredible workof Daniel Kramer at our home inLos Angeles just in time forDylan’s 75th birthday.”
Kramer is one of America’s
most noted music and portraitphotographers.
He taught himself photogra-phy and worked as an assistantto Philippe Halsman and Allanand Diane Arbus before earningan international reputation of hisown. His 1967 book, “BobDylan,” was criticallyacclaimed.
“Very often a photographer isa historian with a camera,”Kramer said. “So, if I was suc-cessful, then, yes, there are a lotof pictures. But, that’s not theonly thing you come away with.What you come away with isinformation, and somethingabout Bob Dylan and somethingabout the time. You can see thechange in the music, from theone microphone and acousticalguitar in a simple setting to avast stadium, hundreds of feet ofcable, huge speakers that arebigger than a person. So I thinkall of that, if you get that out ofit, then the pictures did theirjob.”
The exhibit will be on displayin the Museum’s SpecialExhibits Gallery. The GrammyMuseum is located at 800 W.Olympic Blvd. For information,visit grammymuseum.org.
photo courtesy of Grammy Museum
Bob Dylan exhibit comes to theGrammy Museum for limited time
The inaugural fundraiser forthe Trans Chorus of LosAngeles (TCLA) was held inFebruary at the home of AlanUphold and his husband JeffOlde, executive vice presidentof programming for “E!Entertainment.”
“Never before has such alarge group of Trans allies gath-ered to support a Trans chorus inthe United States,” said TCLAFounding Artistic DirectorLindsey Deaton.
Among the 200 guests weretrans leaders & activists, as wellstars of the two highest ratedtrans shows on TV,“Transparent” and “I Am Cait.”
TCLA will make its formaldebut on May 7 with a concertat UCLA featuring perfor-mances by The Gay Men’sChorus of Los Angeles and VoxFemina at Schoenberg Hall willperform.
For information, visittranschorusLA.org
TCLA holdsfundraiser
Here we are. Awards seasoncomes to a climax with the mainevent. And never has the backlashbeen so great. But the show mustgo on, despite boycotts and anyoneelse who saw the film “Brooklyn”and had no idea what that was.
Best PictureIn a world that believes in the
ideals of truth, beauty and love,“Mad Max: Fury Road” is the onlyoption. In this reality, I honestlydon’t know. Going into awards sea-son, “Spotlight” is the Jeb Bush ofthe nominations; everyone justexpected it to sweep. Then thatpesky Foreign Press took the Oscarbait and picked “The Revenant.” (Istill don’t understand how “TheMartian” was in the comedy cate-gory.)
But then we all learned howvotes are determined – a freak algo-rithm. It’s convoluted enough toallow a more forgettable nomineelike “Bridge of Spies” to sneak in.Or maybe one of the year’s most
delightful films, “The Martian,”might just take it all. It’s a crapshoot.
Best ActressCate Blanchett is the clear
favorite for her role in “Carol,” one,if not the most, important pieces oflesbian literature. But her perfor-mance, stunning at it is, seems toborrow quite a bit from her charac-ter in “Blue Jasmine.” The real win-ner of 2015 is Brie Larson for“Room.”
Best ActorThe time has finally come. Leo
can finally go home a happy manand put that golden trophy next tohis AFI, BAFTA and three GoldenGlobe awards.
Best Supporting ActressIt’s difficult to care about this cat-
egory since Alicia Vikander wassnubbed for her role in “ExMachina.” Sure, she’s nominatedhere for “The Danish Girl,” but that
move simply opens the door forRooney Mara to win without muchcompetition.
Best Supporting ActorWithout Steve Carrell for “The
Big Short” listed, only Sly Stallone(“Creed”) and Christian Bale (“TheBig Short”) are in this ring. Temperaside, Bale proves once more he’sone of the best actors in town, butthe idea of Rocky going home with-out the belt is unconscionable.
Best DirectorIt’s George Miller (“Mad Max”)
or Todd McCarthy (“Spotlight”). Idoubt “Max” wins it all, but theAcademy might choose Miller forhis long history in the industryalone. Then again, Adam McKay,the man behind “Anchorman” and“Step Brothers,” will likely neverbe on this list again. I must meditatefurther on this one.
Original ScreenplayI’m so thankful “The Hateful
Eight” didn’t make this list. Rantover. “Inside Out” is the most orig-inal film of the year. But if “ExMachina” wins, the world wouldstill be on the right path.
Adapted ScreenplayDrew Goddard made a survival
film on Mars something delightfuland suspenseful in “The Martian.”That said, this one could go anydirection except to “Brooklyn.”That’s one film going home emptyhanded.
SnubsI’m not sure I want to live in a
world where “Avatar” gets a bestpic nom and “Star Wars: The Force
Awakens” isn’t good enough. Thenagain, this wretched planet alsoaccepted “The Curious Case ofBenjamin Button” over “The DarkKnight.”
In 2011, the Academy placed“Toy Story 3” on the same list as“The King’s Speech,” “BlackSwan” and “The Social Network.”“Inside Out” is twice as good as“TS3,” and far better than half thebest pic choices.
#OscarSoWhite raises legitimate,albeit not shocking concerns aboutthe Academy as a whole. It’s still awhite boys club just like the entirefilm industry. This doesn’t evenconsider the old guard’s asininestance on women, no more clearlyvisible than in a wildly sexist quoteby Disney CEO Michael Eisner.
“In the history of the motion pic-ture business, the number of beauti-ful, really beautiful women – aLucille Ball – that are funny, isimpossible to find,” he said at theAspen Ideas Festival in 2015.
At least the white guys nominat-ed three out of eight films withprominent women’s roles
(“Brooklyn,” “Room,” “MadMax”). But holy whitewashed,Oscar. And 2015 was hardly afamine. Michael B. Jordan gotsnubbed again for “Creed.” Beniciodel Toro provided one of the mostcompelling performances this sea-son in “Sicario.”
And I highly doubt most voterseven saw films like “Tangerine,”completely missing Mya Taylor’ssplendid performance. Their loss.And while I don’t believe “StraightOutta Compton” deserves a best picnom since it selectively tells thewhole story, Jason Mitchell asEazy-E won’t be forgotten any timesoon.
Sound Off“Inside Out” wins best animated
feature. “Star Wars” and “MadMax” have their picks of technicalawards. “Mad Max” for makeupand hairstyle. “Sicario” might havea shot at music. Host Chris Rockmakes a series of jabs at theAcademy’s diversity problem, butno real changes result from any-thing that transpired this season.
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 17 February 25, 2016
Oscar predictions 2016
photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures“Mad Max: Fury Road” is a top contender for best picture at the 88thAcademy Awards on Sunday.
photo courtesy of Open Road Films“Spotlight,” a film about the Boston Globe’s investigation into child abusein the Catholic Church, is expected to be a favorite among Academy vot-ers.
The Los Angeles Museum of theHolocaust (LAMOTH) will host ascreening of the animated short film“When Man to Man Is a Wolf” onFeb. 28 at 11 a.m.
After the screening, there will bean exhibition of student workinspired by the film.
“When Man to Man Is a Wolf” isa short film based on LAMOTHSurvivor Advisory Board memberLidia Budgor’s experiences duringthe Holocaust. It was created by theAdvanced Animation class atCollege of the Canyons.
LAMOTH is located at 100 TheGrove Dr. For information, visitlamoth.org.
LAMOTH screensshort animatedfilm ‘When Manto Man Is a Wolf’
photo courtesy LAMOTH
18 February 25, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
Brazilian Nites Productions andGoldenvoice are hosting the 16thannual “Brazilian Carnaval of Axé& Samba” on Friday, Feb. 26 at theEl Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.
The event features Carla Visi, theformer leader singer of the Brazilianband Cheiro De Amor. BrazilianNites Productions brings the energyof Brazil to California with music,dancing, Samba drummers, masks,authentic Brazilian food and elabo-rately dressed Samba dancers. Theevent is open to all ages, and cos-tumes are encouraged. Carnaval’sspecial charity partner is TheMidnight Mission, a human ser-vices organization in downtown LosAngeles. The Midnight Mission willhave a booth at the event.
Tickets are on sale at brazilian-nites.com or goldenvoice.com. TheEl Rey Theatre is located at 5515Wilshire Blvd. For information,visit theelrey.com.photo courtesy Energia Do Samba
El Rey Theatre gets a taste of Brazilian culture
A photograph in the June 26, 2014 issue of the Park LabreaNews and Beverly Press showed Democratic presidential candi-date Hillary Rodham Clinton at a public book signing at the Barnes& Noble bookstore at The Grove. The former first lady, senatorand U.S. secretary of state was promoting her book “HardChoices,” and thousands of people waited in line for a chance tomeet Clinton and have their books signed. On Monday, Clintonvisited Hancock Park for a fundraiser at the home of EllenGoldsmith-Vein and Jon Vein. For information, see page 1.
Cuban painter, sculptor and pho-tographer Aimée Garcia returns toCouturier Gallery with a new bodyof work titled “SuprematistSpeech” on display now throughMarch 26.
The exhibition is made up ofmixed media collages.
The collages use articles fromnewspapers and magazines thathave been applied to the interiorsof unassembled cardboard boxes.
In addition to these works, theexhibit will include self-portraitsprinted on canvas with embroidery.All the text and images have beenobscured with embroidered coloredthread creating blocks of color ofvarious shapes and sizes.
García was born in Matanzas,Cuba and currently resides inHavana, Cuba. She studied at theVocational School of Art,Matanzas, the Professional Schoolof Art and at the Superior Instituteof Art.
She began her career as a painterin the 1990s. When digital camerasbecame commonly available, shebegan practicing photography.
Her work can be found in publiccollections such as the ArizonaState University Art Museum;
Museo del Barrio in New York, andthe Museo Nacional de BellasArtes in La Habana, Cuba.
The Couturier Gallery is locatedat 166 N. La Brea Ave. For infor-mation, visit couturiergallery.com.
photo courtesy Couturier Gallery
Couturier Gallery welcomes a new exhibition
Coagula Curatorial presents“Self-Portrait,” the first solo showby New York based artist EmmaSulkowicz on display from Feb. 27-March 13 with an opening recep-tion on Feb. 27 from 7-11 p.m.
A screening of “PerformanceWith Object” will run during regu-lar gallery hours during the threeweeks following the exhibit.
Sulkowicz is known for her 2014artwork performance “Carry ThatWeight.”
Sulkowicz will show two newworks in the exhibit. The first is“Self-Portrait” where the artist willbe on a platform in the gallery dur-ing regular gallery hours.Participants are invited to interactwith her. On another set of sculptur-al platforms, viewers can interactwith “Emmatron,” a life-sizedreplica of Sulkowicz, using an appto enable the replica to answer aseries of pre-determined questions.
The Coagula Curatorial gallery islocated at 974 Chung King. Forinformation, visit coagulacuratori-al.com.
Artist on display
Democratic presidentialcandidate visits local mall
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 19 February 25, 2016
Metro Art Presents is partneringwith dublab, a nonprofit onlineradio station, to host “Music ForTrain Stations,” a series of events inMarch at Union Station in down-town Los Angeles.
“Music For Train Stations” isinspired by Brian Eno’s album“Music for Airports” which wasdesigned to defuse the tense atmos-phere of an airport terminal.
Song selections for “Music For
Train Stations” have been thought-fully curated by dublab, an onlineradio station dedicated to thegrowth of music, arts and culture,and will pair original music fromfour local performers with sets byL.A. DJs.
“Delivered via a state-of the artsix speaker surround sound system,the series is intended to be a calm-ing and disarming auditoryencounter amongst the chaos, fre-netic energy and architectural splen-dor of Union Station’s grand wait-ing room,” said dublab ExecutiveDirector Alejandro Cohen. “Ourgoal is for station guests to experi-ence the space in an imaginativenew way.”
Metro Art Presents showcases avibrant mix of arts and cultural pro-grams at Union Station.
The diverse, all ages program-ming is designed to creatively acti-vate the landmark station, engagethe Los Angeles community andattract new riders.
The music will play every Fridayin March from 4-6 p.m. at UnionStation’s waiting room located at800 N. Alameda St.
Visit metro.net/about/union-sta-tion/events for information.
photo courtesy of L.A. Metro
‘Music For Train Stations’ arrives at Union Station
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Televisionand Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)has named performers MorganFairchild and Anne-Marie Johnsonas the recipients of the 2016 RalphMorgan Award.
“I am delighted with the Honorsand Tributes Committee’s recogni-tion of both Anne-Marie Johnsonand Morgan Fairchild as recipientsof the 2016 Ralph Morgan Award,”said SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer and L.A. Local PresidentJane Austin. “Both of these accom-plished women embody theaward’s spirit of self-sacrificethrough their countless hours ofcommittee and board service forboth SAG andAFTRA. Additionally, thesewomen have made significant con-
tributions outside the boardroomfor the betterment of all performersand have worked tirelessly onnumerous social issues.”
The Ralph Morgan Award recog-nizes SAG-AFTRA membersand/or union staff for their devotionto serving members.
Fairchild is a performer whosecareer spans 53 years on stage andscreen and in film.
She made a name for herself asan activist who supports AIDSresearch, women’s rights and theenvironment. She also encouragedentertainment industry profession-als to become better educated andmore active on environmentalissues.
Fairchild’s career is extensive,with work ranging from featurefilms to regular television series
roles.Johnson was active for more than
15 years as a Screen Actors GuildNational Board member and offi-cer. For four years, she served as asenior advisor to the president andhas completed four terms as a firstvice president. Johnson also servedas an AFTRA National Boardmember from 2009 to 2012.Throughout her career, she starredin several successful televisionseries and has guest starred in mul-tiple hit shows.
An award ceremony will be heldfor Johnson and Fairchild at theSAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Localmeeting on March 6 for L.A. localmembers only at the Sportsmen’sLodge located at 12833 VenturaBlvd. For information, visitsagaftra.org.
SAG-AFTRA honors actors with prestigious awardThe Korean Cultural Center
Los Angeles (KCCLA) andKokkos Korean Comics areholding an exhibit titled“Looking to the Future ofKorean Comics” runningFriday, Feb. 26 through Friday,March 11.
The exhibition will showcasethe past, present and future ofKorean cartoons. In the exhib-it’s “Future Area,” guests canwatch digital comics with audi-ble and sensory effects that canbe seen on smart phones,tablets and personal computers.
The original musical “Great
Country (Daeguk),” based oncartoon books of the samename, will also be recreated inthe exhibit. KCCLA is usingthat exhibit to promote Koreananimation culture.
It includes works by famousartists and illustrators, as wellas their comics.
An opening reception will beheld Friday, Feb. 26 from 7 to 9p.m. KCCLA is located at 5505Wilshire Blvd.
For information and toRSVP for the reception, call(323)936-3014 or [email protected].
KCCLA exhibit exploresthe future of Korean comics
EnCorps received a $250,000grant from the W.M. KeckFoundation.
The money will fund EnCorpsScience, Technology,Engineering and Math (STEM)Teachers L.A., a recruiting andtraining program that will serve138 new Los Angeles STEM pro-fessionals and military veteransas they transition to STEMteacher leaders.
The foundation’s supportenables the program to deliverhigh quality science, technology,engineering and math educationimpacting more than 17,000additional underrepresented LosAngeles middle and high schoolstudents per year by 2019.
“We are honored that our workis recognized as being worthy ofsupport by the W.M. KeckFoundation,” said KatherineWilcox, EnCorps’ ExecutiveDirector. “Every new EnCorpsSTEM teacher will impact 125students per year in under servedcommunities, demonstrating thereal-world application of mathand science and how it is essen-
tial to their future.”Since 2007, EnCorps STEM
Teachers Program has beenrecruiting STEM professionalsand military veterans to addressthe shortage of quality educatorsin high need communities.
The W.M. Keck Foundation’sinvestment helps EnCorps STEM
Teachers to encourage andinspire the next generation ofinnovators and scientists, result-ing in further STEM study andcareers, as well as elevatedAmerican K-12 learning andcompetitiveness.
For information, visitencorps.org.
EnCorps eaching program receives $250,000 grant
photo courtesy of EnCorps
The Wallis Annenberg Center forthe Performing Arts is partneringwith the Los Angeles Drama CriticsCircle (LADCC) to offer the WallisStudent Arts Reporters program, aneducation program designed forstudents ages 12-18 who are inter-ested in journalism and arts criti-cism.
The program is part of an initia-tive of “GRoW @ The Wallis,” thecenter’s education department thatimmerses participating students inperforming arts reporting.
Students will learn special writ-ing skills at an introductory work-shop, led by top arts and culturereporters and critics from the LosAngeles Drama Critics Circle, andthey will have the opportunity toattend and report on select perfor-mances at The Wallis.
The program starts on Saturday,March 19 with a mandatory work-shop from 10:30 a.m. to noon atThe Wallis.
Following the introductory work-shop, participating students will beexpected to review at least threeperformances per season in at leasttwo genres in theater, dance and/ormusic.
“We are extremely proud ofGRoW @ the Wallis and the variety
of classes offered for arts learnersof all ages,” said Rachel Fine, TheWallis’ managing director. “TheWallis Students Arts Reporters pro-gram is a great example of how theperforming arts world extendsbeyond the performers on stage,and we are thrilled to support thenext generation of arts reporters.”
A one-time administrative fee of$50 is required. The Wallis offersfinancial aid to students in need ofassistance.
For more information aboutscholarships or financial aid, con-tact Debra Pasqueretteat [email protected].
The Wallis, along with ASCAPand DreamWorks Animation, alsoawarded scholarships to six aspir-ing student songwriters.
Mina Bloom, Rachel Gilbert,Tristan McIntyre, Dylan Schifrin,Bailey Share-Aizic and Juan Solisreceived a combined $5,000 inscholarship funds to be applied tofurthering their studies in musicaltheater and songwriting.
The scholarship funds were gift-ed by DreamWorks Animation.
The Wallis Annenberg Center forthe Performing Arts is located at9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd. Forinformation, visit thewallis.org.
The Wallis Annenberg Centerhelps students achieve dreams
photo courtesy of Grammy Museum
20 February 25, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
The Hollywood Museum presentsthe annual “Celebration ofEntertainment Awards” exhibit run-ning through May 1.The exhibit will include cos-
tumes, props, images and memora-bilia from nominated movies in thisyear’s 88th Academy Awards pre-sentation, as well as winners fromother entertainment awards shows.The exhibit will feature pieces from“The Big Short,” “The Danish Girl,”“Brooklyn,” “Trumbo,” “InsideOut” and “Peanuts,” as well as“Orange is the New Black,” “TheGood Wife,” “Bessie,” “WalkingDead,” “Mad Men,” “Transparent”and “House of Lies,” among otherprograms.The exhibit brings to life scenes
from film and television as theyappeared in the movies and shows.The Hollywood Museum will alsoshowcase statuettes from the Oscars,Golden Globes, Screen Actors GuildAwards, People’s Choice Awardsand Independent Spirit Awards. Themuseum will highlight red carpetfashions over the years with dressesworn by Marilyn Monroe, SharonStone, Cate Blanchett, Lucille Ball,Barbara Stanwyck and others.“Hollywood is the center of the
entertainment world, and theHollywood Museum, located in theheart of Hollywood, has the perfectopportunity to showcase the best ofthis year’s films and TV shows, pay-
ing tribute to the stars, the studiosand the contributing guilds,” saidmuseum founder and presidentDonelle Dadigan. The Hollywood
Museum is located at 1660 N.Highland Ave. For information, call(323)464-7776, or visitwww.TheHollywoodMuseum.com.
Film and TV nominees come to life at museum
photo courtesy of Bill DowThe Hollywood Museum exhibit includes statuettes from the Oscars, andinformation about recipients.
Center presents retrospectiveof works by Cederquist
photo courtesy of the Craft in America Center The Craft in America Center presents a retrospective of recent work
by furniture artist John Cederquist running Saturday, Feb. 27 throughSaturday, April 23.Cederquist’s work is known for its visual complexity. His sculptural
forms blur the boundaries between reality and illusion and ask viewersto think about the significance of furniture and the meaning of art.Cederquist studied art and craft at California State University Long
Beach and taught design at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo in1976. Since the late 1970s, he has explored the relationship betweenperspective drawings and fully constructed finished works.Cederquist is inspired by historic stylistic periods, Japanese wood
block prints and mid-20th century cartoons. The imprint of the image-laden world is also of interest, particularly as images proliferatethrough new media technology and people experience the worldthrough snapshots and Instagram.An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Feb. 27 from 4
to 6 p.m.The Craft in America Center is located at 8415 W. Third St. For
information, call (323)951-0610, or email [email protected].
The Music Center has named111 high school students as semi-finalists in the 28th annual“Spotlight” program, a free schol-arship and arts training programfor teens.An important part of The Music
Center’s support for arts educa-tion, “Spotlight” provides oppor-tunities for high school students toacquire the skills they need to pur-sue careers in the performing artsas well as valuable workforcereadiness skills. Semifinalistswere named in seven categoriesincluding acting, ballet, non-clas-sical dance, classical voice, non-classical voice, classical instru-mental and jazz instrumental.“The young participants will
experience what it is like to takerisks and learn how to prepare forimportant transitions in life,” saidJeri Gaile, director of The MusicCenter’s Spotlight program.“While students compete in this
program, they are mostly compet-ing with themselves as they buildself-esteem and learn how to per-severe to achieve their goals,”Gaile added.Approximately 1,100 partici-
pants auditioned for “Spotlight”this year. Semifinalists attend spe-cial master classes with accom-plished artists who share theirexpertise on performance tech-nique, training and professionalcareers. Students receive feedbackon their performances, makingtheir involvement a learning expe-rience.Each semifinalist will audition
again before a new panel of judges
who will select the top two final-ists in each category. Judges willalso identify an honorable mentionwinner in each category. The win-ning students will perform in theSpotlight Grand Finale on June 11at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.The Spotlight program awards
more than $100,000 in cash schol-arships annually. Grand prizefinalists in each category receive$5,000 scholarships and honorablemention recipients receive $1,000.Semifinalists each receive $300.The Music Center also celebratesfive students in each preliminarycategory with the Promise Award,which acknowledges individualswho inspire the judges by theircommitment and dedication totheir art form. Spotlight PromiseAward recipients receive $100.For information visit www.mus-
iccenter.org/spotlight.
U.S. Holocaust Museum honors supporters at gala
Lawyers Philharmonic concertbenefits veterans and families
photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Lawyers PhilharmonicThe Los Angeles Lawyers Philharmonic, under the baton of
founder and conductor Gary S. Greene, will perform a benefit concertfor veterans and homeless families on Thursday, March 3 at UCLA’sRoyce Hall. Greene (left) will be joined by celebrity guest actress JuneLockhart. They are pictured with Thomas Girardi, founder of the lawfirm Girardi & Keese and sponsor of the Los Angeles LawyersPhilharmonic.The performance will include songs from “South Pacific” and
“Guys & Dolls.” Additional celebrity guests include actor Ed Asner,who will narrate “The Impossible Dream.” Singer and dancer CarolLawrence will also entertain, along with singer and songwriter RozziCrane, 16-year-old soprano Golda Berkman and the Honorable ArthurGilbert, who will perform Leroy Anderson’s “The Typewriter” withthe orchestra. KNBC 4 weathercaster and comedian Fritz Colemanwill serve as master of ceremonies. Proceeds will be donated to Salvation Army programs for veterans
and homeless families including the Westwood Transitional Village,the Bessie & David Pregerson Child Development Center and theGrowGood urban farm. Tickets start at $25; $10 for students and freefor veterans and active military members. Veterans and military mem-bers can pick up free tickets at the VA will call table at Royce Hallbeginning at 6:30 p.m., or can obtain them by emailing [email protected]. Royce Hall is located at 340 Royce Drive onthe UCLA campus. For information and tickets, visitwww.HarmonyHelps.org.
The United States HolocaustMemorial Museum is hosting its“2016 Los Angeles Dinner: WhatYou Do Matters” on Wednesday,March 2 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.Actress Rosanna Arquette and
Todd Morgan, senior managingdirector at Bel Air InvestmentAdvisors, will be honored with theNational Leadership Award for theircontributions to preserving the histo-ry of the Holocaust.“This is work that I’m very pas-
sionate about and, together withRosanna, we strive to remind family,friends and colleagues about theurgency in preserving this history,”Morgan said. “The museum’s workin Los Angeles and nationally is crit-ical in combating rising anti-Semitism, ongoing genocide andintolerable hate around the world.”Jeffrey Goldberg, a journalist,
author and national correspondentfor The Atlantic and a columnist forBloomberg View, will speak at thedinner. The evening will also include“Pledge To The Future,” a segmentthat recognizes the museum’s effortsto preserve Holocaust history inlight of a rise in Holocaust denial inthe United States and around theworld. Daniela Ruah will introducethe segment with a local survivor’sstory, and violinist Lili Haydn willperform. Survivor David Wienerand his family will lead a candle-lighting intergenerational pledge.The United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum, located inWashington, D.C., has hosted morethan 38 million visitors. It remindsvisitors of what can occur when theworld fails to take action andinspires citizens and leaders to con-front hate and indifference, endgenocide and promote human digni-ty. The museum trains hundreds of
Los Angeles area teachers each yearhow to make the Holocaust relevantand meaningful to young people.The museum also presents “State ofDeception: The Power of NaziPropaganda,” a traveling exhibition
Music Center ‘Spotlights’ teenartists with scholarships
running March 10 through Aug. 31at the Los Angeles Central Library,630 W. Fifth St.Tickets for the dinner are $500.
RSVP required by visiting
www.ushmm.org/events/los-ange-les-dinner. The Beverly Hilton Hotelis located at 9876 Wilshire Blvd. Forinformation, call (310)556-3222 oremail [email protected].
“While studentscompete in this
program, they aremostly competingwith themselves
as they build self-esteem and learnhow to persevereto achieve their
goals.” -Jeri Gaile, director of
The Music Center’s Spotlight program
protests, however, and politiciansfrom Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)to Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) are propos-ing bills to keep the governmentfrom forcing technology companiesto comply with digital surveillancetactics.
The Encrypt Act of 2016 intro-duced earlier this month by Lieu dic-tates that a state or political subdivi-sion should not mandate or requestmanufacture’s, developers, sellers orproviders of covered products or ser-vices, such as cell phones, to altersecurity functions in its products toallow surveillance, decrypt or renderintelligible information.
Lieu said in a statement that whileprotecting national security is impor-tant, Americans and American busi-nesses shouldn’t have to suffer as a
result.“The terrorist attack in San
Bernardino was horrific and the trag-ic loss of innocent lives demands astrong response,” Lieu said. “I haveseveral deep concerns, however,about the unprecedented court orderthat forces Apple to create software itdoes not have in order to provide a‘back door’ way to weaken its smart-phone encryption system.”
In a letter to the FBI on Tuesday,Lieu further expressed his concernsover the department’s decision.While he said he appreciates theFBI’s dedication to protecting thecountry, he urges them to come to adifferent decision with Apple.
“The FBI’s demand that Applewrite new code to weaken encryp-tion defenses has generated passion-
ate responses from manyAmericans,” Lieu said. “I read yourrecent open letter in which you urgefolks to ‘take a deep breath’ and ‘usethat breath to talk to each other.’ Youalso argue that the two values of pri-vacy and safety should be ‘resolvedby the American people.’ I complete-ly agree with you. That is why Irequest the FBI’s demand of Appleand the motion to compel be with-drawn.”
Lieu explained that the FBI shouldnot use the All Writs Act of 1789 tojustify their actions.
“As a computer science major, Ihave seen far-reaching unintendedconsequences when governmentapplies outmoded concepts to ourfast-changing technological world,”Lieu said. “Trying to apply an 18th
century law to a 21st century tech-nology company should not giveanyone any confidence in the result.”
On Feb. 17, Adam Schiff (D-CA),ranking member of the HousePermanent Select Committee onIntelligence, released a statementwith concerns about the precedentthat could be set with the FBI’s courtorder.
“These complex issues will ulti-mately need to be resolved byCongress, the (Obama)Administration and industry, ratherthan the courts alone, since theyinvolve important matters of publicpolicy,” Schiff said. “At the moment,we are far from any consensus, butthe court’s decision will likely accel-erate our consideration of how toweigh the competing privacy, securi-ty and competitiveness issues.”
FBI Director James Comey said ina statement Sunday night that theFBI isn’t trying to set any precedents,but rather is seeking justice for the
victims of the San Bernardino shoot-ings.
“Fourteen people were slaugh-tered and many more had their livesand bodies ruined,” Comey said.“We owe them a thorough and pro-fessional investigation under law.That’s what this is. The Americanpeople should expect nothing lessfrom the FBI.”
Linindoll said he is concernedbecause he believes the governmentand the FBI have used the samearguments to infringe on peoples’rights before.
“We absolutely want the FBI to dotheir job. We want them to prosecuteto the fullest extent. We want them tohave the evidence they need,”Linindoll said. “But secure phonessave lives. What if you were in Chinaand accused of spying and theChinese government told Apple theywanted to break into your phone?This could set a precedent not onlyfor United States, but for the world.”
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 21 February 25, 2016
U.S. Reps join fight for privacy against FBIFrom Apple page 1
office.“She is changing the world for
young women,” Horvath said. “Sheis making a huge difference in theway our country views women inleadership. Every time I meet her it’sbeen more and more inspiring to me.I can’t say enough about how impor-tant her example is.”
Horvath added that a win forClinton is a win for West Hollywood.Horvath applauded Clinton for beingthe only candidate to talk aboutissues facing local government,including the affordable housing cri-sis that cities across California aregrappling with.
Ryu wasn’t able to speak withClinton much this time, he said. Buta couple months ago he met her and
took some photos when he initiallyendorsed her.
Ryu, a leader in the Asian PacificIslander community for Clinton, is amember and supporter of theDemocratic Party. He explained hehas been a Hillary supporter sinceher first bid in 2008, and a Clintonsupporter since Bill was president.
“I think she’s more than quali-fied,” Ryu said. “It’s time to have awoman President of the UnitedStates. I am just awed by her.”
Ryu said that as the son of animmigrant mother who made thejourney to the U.S., he learned longago to appreciate the leadership of astrong woman.
“There’s no denying she has astrong connection with Los Angeles
and Hancock Park,” Ryu said,explaining how California has histor-ically supported the Clinton familyand the Democratic Party. “It’s a winevery which way.”
Several protestors also took theopportunity to voice their oppositionto Clinton and Garcetti.
“Twenty-seven thousand, we can’tpay. Average citizens need a say,”one group chanted. “No more of thestatus quo, money in politics has togo.”
Holly Mosher, with Money OutVoters In, said she was there to raiseawareness about the power thatmoney has over politics.
“Money has overtaken our democ-racy and we have become an oli-garchy. That results in policies that
benefit the 1 percent, and not whatthe majority of people want. You cansee why we don’t have sensible gunlaws and why we have mass incar-ceration. I’m here to point out thatHillary should not be taking thesegiant donations and having a superPAC, because how is she going toclean up Wall Street if she’s in theirpocket?”
Members of CODEPINK, a grass-roots women’s organization workingto end U.S. wars and militarismcalled out ties that Clinton has to “thewar machine.”
“She’s taken more money thanany candidate has from arms dealersand weapons manufacturers,” saidChelsea Byers. “We know that whenthey are investing that much into theelection that we can expect a futurefull of war. This candidate has takenthat money willingly.”
The Coalition for a Human Los
Angeles (CHULA) was not con-cerned with Clinton, but wanted toget Garcetti’s attention.
“It’s the fact that we have thelargest animal shelter in the world,and it’s still logged in the 18th centu-ry,” said Michael Bell, leader ofCHULA. “It’s ugly. Animals arekilled wholesale, or given away toanybody that comes into the shelterto take them and they don’t do anycheck ups on them. The numbers areskewed by the general manager. Webrought this to the mayor’s attentionand he’s pretty much turned his backon the humane community and theanimals in the shelters.”
Bell said the group made a dealwith the mayor to stop protesting hisevents in exchange for working onfive issues to improve the shelters,but that it never came to fruition.
“He promised us the moon, and hedelivered Des Moines,” Bell said.
Ryu: America is ready for female presidentFrom Apple page 1
An article on the Feb. 18 issueabout service dogs it was stated thatthe definitions of service animals areunclear. Two sources also referred totheir dogs as emotional support ani-mals that helped them with stress.
Under the Americans withDisabilities Act (ADA), a serviceanimal is defined as specificallytrained to do work or perform tasksfor a person with a disability includ-ing tasks such as guiding a personwho is blind, reminding an individ-ual to take prescribed medication orcalming a person with PTSD during
an anxiety attack.Emotional support animals are
pets that provide comfort to theirowners and are not protected underADA laws.
Service animals, but not emotionalsupport animals, are allowed inrestaurants and other public facilitiesbut must be leashed, house broken
and well-behaved. While ADA lawsare clear about service animalrequirements, there is no officialpaperwork needed to accredit a ser-vice animal, although some statesoffer programs to certify service ani-mals. Dogs are allowed on outdoorpatios.
Business owners are allowed to
ask a person only if the animal is aservice animal and what tasks it per-forms for the person. They cannotinsist on further proof or state certifi-cation.
Business owners have the right toremove a service animal if its behav-ior poses a direct threat to the healthor safety of customers.
Correction:
Angeles will be able to close the gapon the affordable housing and good-job shortage.”
Representatives for BBLA said the“bold plan” will align the city’s landuse policies and funding to buildmore housing and create more jobs.
“When the city of L.A. approves anew building, we want it built by thepeople who live and pay taxes here,by your neighbors, by your commu-nity, by the men and women who goto school right here,” said RonMiller, executive secretary of the LosAngeles/Orange Counties Buildingand Construction Trades Council.“Build Better LA will help us open apipeline for jobs and housing. It willbring more jobs to the neighbor-hoods of Los Angeles, and morehousing to those in need. It builds abetter city.”
The Coalition to Preserve L.A.(CPLA) – the group that introducedthe Neighborhood Integrity Initiative(NII) – called the Build Better L.A.initiative a “misguided plan” and a“remarkably bad idea” for “puttingoverdevelopment on steroids.”
“This proposal is not the medicineL.A. needs. It just doubles down onspreading the disease,” said Jill
Stewart, campaign director forCPLA. “If you want more conges-tion, more traffic misery, more con-crete, more air pollution, more noise,more attacks on L.A.’s quality of life,then you should support this specialinterest plan. But that’s not what thepublic wants. They want relief fromdevelopment – not more develop-ment.”
The NII calls for a two-year mora-torium on development projects thatneed zone changes and General Planamendments. Opponents of the NIIinstead call for updates to the outdat-ed General Plan.
On Tuesday, four Hollywoodneighborhood councils hosted atown hall on the NII at EmersonCollege. Jack Humphreville, a mem-ber of the Greater WilshireNeighborhood Council and colum-nist for CityWatch, and Grace Woo, asocial justice activist, spoke in favorof the NII.
Humphreville and Woo explainedthat “spot zoning,” which the NIIwould eliminate, encourages “softcorruption” among city planners andelected officials when developersand lobbyists can incentivize zonechanges with political donations.
They also said “mega develop-ments” will worsen the affordablehousing crisis and congestion in thecity.
“The buildings that they’re build-ing up here in Hollywood … they’re‘affordable’ if you’re a single guymaking $100,000,” Humphrevillesaid. “But they’re not affordable inthe way that the city likes us to think.The other thing that bugged me isthat they say they’re building ‘tran-sit-oriented development.’Somebody who is renting an apart-ment at $3,000 or $4,000 a month,they ain’t taking the bus and theyain’t taking the Red Line. This is nottransit-oriented development by anymatter of means.”
Woo explained that the city can’ttake the influx of development with-out updating water infrastructurewhen some pipes are 50-100 yearsold. She said it would make sense tothink about how many units they areadding to the same pipeline. Theadded population also requires morepolice, she said.
“With city hall, they don’t seem tocare about what makes sense andwhat’s logical,” Woo said.
Humphreville pointed to OldTown Pasadena as an example ofhow the city’s plans should work.
“That place is a gold mine. It’s fan-tastic. It’s not overwhelming. Theyput together a plan and they live by it,
they enforced it, and now you have ahelluva operation over there,” hesaid.
Leron Gubler, president and CEOof the Hollywood Chamber ofCommerce, spoke in opposition.
“Twenty-three years ago, when Icame to Hollywood it was very dif-ferent than it is today,” Gubler said.“We were kind of down and out. Alot of people had given up onHollywood. Businesses were mov-ing out right and left. We workedvery hard in the ensuing period toturn this community around, andwith much success. The reason wewere able to succeed is because ofnew development. The developershave been our partners in revitalizingHollywood, they are not the enemy.”
Gubler said he agrees that theGeneral Plan and community plansneed to be updated, and said devel-opers “would be thrilled” if that hap-pened because then they would nothave to apply for General Planamendments.
“But I also know you cannot wavea magic wand and change theworld,” he said. “The problem withinitiatives like this is they often cre-ate more problems than they solve.And they often promise more thanthey can deliver. The problem withthe Neighborhood Integrity Initiativeis that it simply goes too far.”
Gubler explained that if the NII
was in place, Emerson College,which hosted the town hall, wouldnot exist because it required aGeneral Plan amendment and spotzoning.
He explained that the two-yearmoratorium wouldn’t just apply toresidential developments; it couldalso affect schools, hospitals, Metroexpansions, LAX expansions, themaster plan for Union Station andthe city’s plans for the Olympics.Also, smaller renovations such asfencing or plumbing repairs could bestopped by an appeal if NII passes.
Luke Klipp, an affordable housingactivist with the Los FelizNeighborhood Council, explainedthat if the NII is passed, it doesn’t justmean large buildings in Hollywoodwould be stopped. He said that allneighborhoods would remain thesame as they are today becausedevelopments would be restricted tothe same heights as surroundingbuildings.
“That’s why I am so upset aboutthis, because I refuse to allow a fewfolks with a lot of money to get thismeasure on the ballot because theyhave a few concerns about a fewdevelopments in a couple communi-ties – which frankly, I think theyhave very fair concerns – but they arelimited to very particular parts of LosAngeles and this initiative is for all ofLos Angeles.”
L.A. debates developmentFrom innitiatives page 1
Los Angeles finalized the streetclosures and restricted parking toaccommodate the 88th annualAcademy Awards on Sunday.Numerous agencies, including
the Los Angeles Department ofTransportation (LADOT),California State Department ofTransportation (CALTRANS) andthe Los Angeles Police and FireDepartments were consulted in theplanning process. LADOT will begin to strictly
enforce the no-parking policy forthe Academy Awards on the datesand times listed below. This willinclude citing and impoundingvehicles parked on these temporar-ily restricted no-parking streets.Vehicles parked on the following
streets will be towed to the OfficialPolice Garage, Hollywood Tow at1015 N. Mansfield Ave. inHollywood when cited by LADOT.Motorists are advised to check theOfficial Police Garages (OPG)website, opglaviic.com, to findtheir vehicle. Alternatively, theycan call 311 or Hollywood Tow,(323)466-8583, for informationabout how to redeem their vehicles.Additional streets will be closed
Sunday beginning at about 10 a.m.,to assist with the circulation ofevent arrivals. The southboundHighland Avenue off-ramp fromthe 101 Freeway will also closed onthe day of the show. Details of the closures and maps
of affected areas are available from
the Hollywood Chamber ofCommerce and 13th District fieldoffices and they are posted on theAcademy’s website, oscars.org/clo-suresArea residents are urged to use
public transit. For more informa-tion call Metro at (323)466-3876 orvisitmetro.net. Drivers, bus riders, bicyclists and
pedestrians are encouraged to visitLADOT’s website atladot.lacity.org for informationabout DASH, Commuter Express,bicycling in the city of Los Angelesand an array of transportation ser-vices.Area commuters can visit the
LADOT’s website, trafficinfo.lac-ity.org, for real-time traffic and
parking facilities information.Real-time traffic reports are a prod-uct of LADOT, innovators of the
Automated Traffic Surveillanceand Control System (ATSAC) tech-nology.
playoffs. They play at 3 p.m.“We set a goal for ourselves,
and we’re in a position where wecan accomplish that,” Rosalessaid. “We’ve worked on our phys-ical strength, endurance, technicalskills and mental strength. We’veput all that together this year tobuild a better team.”Fairfax finished the regular sea-
son in second place behind PacificPalisades High School after a longjourney.When they faced Pacific
Palisades, last year’s league cham-pions, the team struggled and lost3-1 early in the season.Senior Jose Mancia said it was a
tough defeat but it was also aneye-opener. The second timearound, they were ready forPacific Palisades and clinched a 1-0 victory.“We knew we had to step it up
against Palisades,” Mancia said.“The second time we faced them
was on our home field, so weknew we had to win. It was a greatfeeling. To win on our home fieldagainst such a tough team reallyshows how much better we’vegotten.”Rosales said although it was his
first year as the team’s coach, hepushed the players to a higherstandard. He said it was importantto teach them more than just tech-nical skills.“I like to stress individual
responsibility among the playersbecause that turns into collectiveresponsibility throughout theteam,” Rosales said. “I push themhard because I want them to playwith a high level of competitive-ness, but I also want to make it funfor them. If it’s not fun, they’renot going to want to play.”Arellano and Mancia said
because their coach is a formerFairfax High soccer player, hemotivates them more because he
relates to the team.“At the beginning of the year he
told us about when he played forFairfax and how his team went to[the] CIF [playoffs] and lost,”Arellano said. “He wants us to doeven better than his team, and heknows how important it is to us. Itreally helped us build our chem-istry over the season.”Now that the team is in the sec-
ond round of the playoffs,Arellano and Mancia said theteam has picked up its intensity,which showed during their firstplayoff game last Friday whenthey defeated Contreras HighSchool after two rounds of penaltykicks.“It was a little nerve-racking
because we hadn’t participated in[penalty kicks] in a while,”Mancia said. “It was even scarierbecause there were so many peo-ple watching us, but in a way thatmotivated us as well.”
Junior Oscar Gonzalez said hefeels like he and his teammates arebetter prepared for the playoffs.Last year, the team relied toomuch on certain players to getthem through the season, but thisyear they’re a more completeteam.“It’s all about what we’ve
accomplished this year,” Gonzalezsaid. “We’ve worked a lot on ourtouch, finishing plays and com-municating with each other on thefield.”Arellano said their next playoff
game is crucial because it’s thesame round they were eliminatedin during last year’s playoffs. Thefeelings from last year’s defeat, hesaid, are still on his mind.“I was heartbroken to know the
season had ended. We workedhard, but just couldn’t close thatgame,” Arellano said. “As asenior, I’m determined to pusheven harder and get past thisround. I want to make it to thefinals because it’s my last chanceto get there.”Fairfax High School plays today
at 3 p.m. against Robert F.Kennedy Community High
School at 701 S. Catalina St. Bothteams finished in second place intheir respective leagues, andRosales said he expects to face atough opponent.“To be pushed against the ropes
in our first CIF game was tough,”Rosales said. “It’s something wehaven’t seen all season, but it wasgood for [the team], and it showedwhat kind of character they have.We’re not going to give up so eas-ily. I know it’s only going to getharder from here, but we’re up forthe challenge.”
22 February 25, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
Lions take on Kennedy in second round todayFrom Fairfax page 1
Answers From Page 16
photo by Gregory Cornfield
L.A. announces closures for the Academy Awards
Tow-away no stopping any-time, Sunday only — 6 a.m. tomidnight• Franklin Avenue between LaBrea Avenue & CahuengaBoulevard — both sides • Hollywood Boulevard betweenCahuenga Boulevard & VineStreet — north side • Hollywood Boulevard betweenHighland Avenue & CahuengaBoulevard — both sides• Hollywood Boulevard betweenHighland Avenue & La BreaAvenue — both sides • Highland Avenue betweenFranklin Avenue & SunsetBoulevard — both sides • Hawthorn Avenue between LaBrea Avenue & Highland Avenue— both sides• Orange Drive betweenHollywood Boulevard & SunsetBoulevard — both sides• Sunset Boulevard betweenDetroit Street & Vine Street —both sides
• Wilcox Avenue between SunsetBoulevard & Franklin Avenue —both sides• McCadden Place betweenYucca Street & HollywoodBoulevard — both sides• Yucca Street between HighlandAvenue & Las Palmas Avenue —both sides• Highland Avenue betweenSunset Boulevard & SantaMonica Boulevard — east side• Wilcox Avenue betweenFountain Avenue & SunsetBoulevard — both sides• De Longpre Avenue betweenWilcox Avenue & CahuengaBoulevard — both sides • Cole Place between CahuengaBoulevard & Fountain Avenue —both sides• Fountain Avenue betweenWilcox Avenue & Cole Place —both sides• Hollywood Boulevard betweenVine St & Argyle Ave — southside
• Argyle Avenue between YuccaSt & Hollywood Blvd. — east side
Tow-away no stopping anytime,Sunday only — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.• Santa Monica Boulevard betweenHighland Avenue & McCaddenPlace — north side• Santa Monica Boulevard betweenHighland Avenue & MansfieldAvenue — south side• Highland Avenue between SantaMonica Boulevard & SunsetBoulevard — east side• Highland Avenue between SunsetBoulevard & De Longpre Avenue —east side• Cahuenga Boulevard betweenSunset Boulevard & HollywoodBoulevard — both sides• Cahuenga Boulevard betweenHollywood Boulevard & 101Freeway — west side• Vine Street between 101Southbound Freeway & SunsetBoulevard — west side• Vine Street between Homewood
Avenue & Fountain Avenue — westside• Vine Street between LexingtonAvenue & Santa Monica Boulevard— west side• Fountain Avenue between VineStreet & Highland Avenue — northside• La Brea Avenue betweenLexington Avenue & Santa MonicaBoulevard — both sides• La Brea Avenue between SunsetBoulevard & Franklin Avenue —both sides
Tow-away no stopping anytime— 6 a.m. to midnight• Outpost Drive between FranklinAvenue & La Pressa Drive — bothsides• Outpost Circle between OutpostDrive & Hillside Avenue — bothsides• El Cerrito Place between OutpostDrive & Hillside Avenue — bothsidesIn conjunction with the parking
restrictions, drivers should also beaware of street closures that willimpact travel in the Hollywood areathrough Tuesday, March 1. • Hollywood Boulevard betweenHighland Avenue & Orange Drive Sunday — beginning at 4 a.m.• Hollywood Boulevard between LaBrea Avenue & CahuengaBoulevard• Highland Avenue betweenFranklin Avenue & SunsetBoulevardSunday to TuesdayTow-away no stopping anytime— 6 a.m. Sunday to 3 a.m.Tuesday• Ivar Avenue between De LongpreAvenue & Sunset Boulevard —west side• De Longpre Avenue between IvarAvenue & Vine Street — south side• Gordon Avenue between FountainAvenue & Sunset Boulevard —west side
neighbor is remodeling. But whenfour or five neighbors are remodel-ing and another is building a new
home on the same street, Ryu said ithas been a growing public safetyconcern.
Ryu explained that he does notwant to impede the rights of individ-uals to remodel their homes, but
some protocols are needed to “spaceit out” and give neighbors somerelief and safety assurances.The city will wait for the planning
and transportation departments todevelop the map and make recom-mendations for construction ordi-
nances, Ryu explained. “I’m not trying to make the city
more bureaucratic or the processmore cumbersome,” he said. “Somepeople see the city with too much redtape, but my main concern is publicsafety.”
Ryu picks public safety over house renovationsFrom map page 6
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