Welcome Back To School BHUSD Students!
BEVERLY HILLS VOLUME: LIV
NUMBER 32
www.bhcourier.com
SINCE 1965
August 10, 2018
Planning Commission Paves Way For Approval Of Friars Club Project
THIS ISSUE
Beverly Hills held its annual Picklefest celebration last Sunday. 4
The City came together Tuesday with police and fire personnel for National Night Out. 5
Jojo, this issue’s Adoptable Pet of the Week, is looking for his forever home. 5 •Real Estate •Birthdays •Letters to the Editor
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George Christy, Page 6 Online Reports Suggest That Celery Juice May Benefit Lowering Blood Pressure And Cholesterol ... Is A Natural Laxative And A Natural Diuretic ... Flushes The Liver Of Toxins, etc.
CLASSIFIEDS
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School Board Hires Temporary Armed Private Security For Beverly Hills Schools By Laura Coleman On Tuesday, the Board of Education voted 4-1 to enter into an eight-week temporary contract with Calabasas-based Nastec International, Inc. to provide armed security at Beverly Hills Unified School District starting Monday when classes resume. Boardmember Noah Margo was the lone no vote. “As a trustee of the school district, I have an obligation to protect students and staff,” said Board VP Howard Goldstein. “We want to make a safe learning environment and in this day and age, this is part of it.” In May, the board inked an
exploratory five-week contract with Nastec to provide armed guards through the end of the previous academic year. Subsequently, the school district issued an a Request for Proposals (RFP) to secure proposals to provide armed security on a long-term basis. Proposals are due this week. The new eight-week temporary contract with Nastec authorizes the fully licensed private patrol operator to provide six armed security officers throughout the district (two at the high school and one at each of the K-8 schools) at an estimated total cost of (see ‘ARMED SECURITY’ page 11)
Beverly Hills Students Head Back To School Monday By Laura Coleman While summer vibes continue strong throughout the southland, roughly 3,844 students are set to resume classes once again this Monday throughout Beverly Hills Unified School District. With recent Beverly Hills High School graduates heading to prestigious schools including Stanford University, Princeton University and UC Berkeley, to name a few, the upcoming 2018/19 academic year is poised to be a positive one. “I know that an exemplary school district is one that demonstrates high-level educational programming and rigorous and relevant teaching and learning experiences in state of the art classrooms, performing arts theaters and athlet-
ic facilities,” stated BHUSD Superintendent Michael Bregy, who is scheduled to address the district’s employees this morning at the Saban Theatre as part of staff opening day. “It's an ideal time to celebrate our students' accomplishments and ensure we lay the foundation for a smooth transition into next year.” With multiple new leadership teams in place throughout the district, engaged PTA leaders and scores of talented educators, students can certainly look forward to a dynamic year. Myriad academic accomplishments from the 2017-18 year included: El Rodeo received the (see ‘BHUSD’ page 11)
a mixed-use designation. Two mixed-use projects at 8600 Wilshire Blvd and 9200 Wilshire Blvd. approved in 2007, are currently under construction or in plan check. Located at 9908 South Santa Monica Blvd, in an area that vigorously enforced the three-story limit when The Peninsula Beverly Hills was proposed, Commissioner Joe Shooshani, Vice Chair Robert Block and Chair Andy Licht heartily endorsed the project. Yet, The Peninsula, which hosts some of the world’s most discriminating guests, could be deeply impacted by the building. In a letter from Peninsula (see ‘FRIARS CLUB SITE’ page 17)
Apartment Owners Sue Beverly Hills Over City’s Rental Registry By Victoria Talbot The Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA) is suing the City of Beverly Hills by challenging the City’s Rental Registry “on behalf of apartment tenants and owners,” according to a press release from AAGLA. Also a named plaintiff, Orit Blau, is allegedly a longtime Beverly Hills resident and owner “of a ‘mom-and-pop’ apartment building,” according to the press release. The City adopted the Rental Registry as part of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) in response to a demand from residents and apartment owners that the City establish a database of factual information to make informed decisions
Lilly Fallah Lawrence archives
BHFD AIDING NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FIREFIGHTERS – Beverly Hills Fire Units are still assigned to the Mendocino Complex Fire north of San Francisco. This is now the largest fire in California’s recorded history. On Wednesday, BHFD sent nine members on a chartered bus to relieve the personnel who have been fighting California wildfires since July 25. “All members are in good health and spirits and look forward to coming home,” said BHFD Fire Chief Greg Barton “We will continue to monitor the fire’s progress and keep everyone updated of any changes as we continue to battle these fires throughout the state.” Pictured (from left): Firefighter Tanner Greeley, Captain Mike Cherry, Engineer Austin Hain, Engineer Amy Horst, Firefighter/Paramedic James Charron, Captain Kevin Reed, Firefighter/Paramedic James Weinstein, B/C Mike Hand and Firefighter Mike Weidl. Due to the need for continued resources, Beverly Hills Firefighters will continue to assist with the devastating fires. Through the Master Mutual Aid Program, states from all across the country are assisting in Mendocino including Maine, Florida, Alaska and even internationally from Australia and New Zealand.
By Victoria Talbot In a move that could have consequences that will change the City forever, the Planning Commission, in a 3-2 decision, voted to allow a proposal for a mixed-use condominium building to proceed in the South Santa Monica business district, with the developer promising to return on Sept. 13 with a redesign that removes one story of the five-story building. “The proposed change in land use from commercial to mixed-use would result in lasting changes to the character of this existing commercial corridor,” according to the staff report. Beverly Hills does not have
about the RSO. The Rental Registry was instituted in 2017. Through the registry, the City verifies rents and rent increases, which are regulated by the RSO. Currently, landlords cannot use no-fault eviction to remove a tenant to raise rents or for Airbnb; tenants must verify rental rates reported by landlords or enter a dispute. Registration of units are required within 30 days of rerental, change of ownership, change of owner’s or manager’s contact information and when there is a termination of a rental unit’s exempt status. Information includes address and unit number, number of bedrooms and (see ‘BEVERLY HILLS RENT’ page 13)
NATURAL HEALING — Princess Lilly Fallah Lawrence advises that we must always listen to our doctors, she finds that Mother Earth also offers some natural healing.
For more photos, see George Christy’s column on page 6.