Don’t Forget to Meet The Mayor on Saturday at 2 p.m. at The Nosh!
BEVERLY HILLS NUMBER 16
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THIS ISSUE
Mayor Julian Gold will host his first “Meet The Mayor” Saturday at The Nosh. 4
ANTONOVICH AMPITHEATRE—L.A. County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich (pictured above with his wife Christine Hu Huiling) will be honored at the upcoming Gala Dedication of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Gala dedication of its new performance venue, Antonovich Ampitheatre. The VIP event will take place May 12 at 7 p.m.
By Laura Coleman At Tuesday’s Beverly Hills Unified School District’s formal Board of Education meeting, newly reinstated Board President Brian Goldberg voted together with newly reinstated Board VP Howard Goldstein and Boardmember Noah Margo to put the kabash on accessing funds that could be used immediately to build safer Beverly Hills schools. “You’re gambling with your children’s lives,” BHUSD’s interim Facilities Director Tim Buresh admonished the board majority who were also voting in
This year, The Courier celebrates 50 years in the community. Throughout the year, we will honor the legacy of excellence in Beverly Hills’ heritage businesses that have called the City their home since 1965 or earlier. By Matt Lopez For someone who doesn’t actually smoke, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone with more knowledge about tobacco, cigars or the hobby of smoking in general than Marsha Kramer. It shouldn’t be a surprise – it’s practically in her blood (the business that is, not the tobacco). Kramer can vividly remember being a child, hanging around her parents’ tobacco shop, or running up and down Santa Monica Boulevard with friends to visit the other local shops in the area. “It was different back then, it was like a little village, you could just walk into any store everyone knew everyone
Stan Lee and Lou Ferrigno were among the stars at the premiere of The Avengers: Age of Ultron. 17
Marsha Kramer & Jim Keller
(see ‘KRAMERS TOBACCO’ page 18)
Beverly Hills Elder: Arnold Seidel, Bond Seller, Supporter Of Causes Part 32 in a series on Beverly Hills residents who have grown with the Centennial City.
George Christy, Page 6 Co-Chairs Wendy Goldberg and Lorette Gross Raised $350,000 During The Annual Women’s Guild Cedars-Sinai Spring Luncheon ... Ann & Jim’s Annual Greek Easter Fete. Editorial from Rabbi Pressman AND MORE
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Announcements Real Estate Rentals Sales and More
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direct opposition to the recommendation made by the Board’s Financial Committee to approve the immediate acceleration of all remaining Measure E funds. The decision, which will delay the district’s school-building program, means that the school district is now risking its ability to capitalize on around $30 million in matching State of California Seismic Mitigation Program (SSMP) funds to remedy Beverly Hills’ most atrisk school buildings. Roughly six months ago, a SSMP report identified (see ‘MEASURE E’ page 18)
Kramers Tobacco & Pipe Shop – Brian Goldberg Cleared By The Perfect Blend For Beverly Hills L.A. County District Attorney
Beverly Vista first graders collected towels and blankets for the Amanda Foundation. 5
•Health & Wellness 12 •Arts & Entertainment 17 •Birthdays 20
April 17, 2015
BHUSD Board Majority Votes Not To Access Available Measure E Funds
Charlotte is one of several adoptable pets this week, presented by Freshpet. 4
Ron & Margaret Preissman will accept the St. Anne’s Angel Award. 4
SINCE 1965
By Laura Coleman Arnold Seidel who, at age 5, moved into Beverly Hills with his parents in 1931 for the phenomenal schools, still remembers the small town feel that pervaded the centennial City throughout his youth. “We all knew each other,” he recalled. ”This is a small City and I’m so happy to have grown up here rather than any other place.” Among his younger memories is going to the Beverly Hills Post Office, accompanied by his mother, to deposit money in his postal savings account and introducing himself to the teller who responded: “Yes, I know you; I used to deliver your mail.” Born at the Good Samaritan on April 17, 1926, Arnold grew up
Arnold Seidel
in the thick of the Great Depression. He recalled playing in vacant lots around his home at 451 S. Bedford Dr. He later moved to 601 N. Rodeo Dr. while in high school. In summer, he’d play baseball and checkers with friends at Roxbury Park. He recalled: “It was flat in (see ‘ARNOLD SEIDEL’ page 16)
By Laura Coleman Beverly Hills Board of Education President Brian Goldberg was cleared Wednesday by the L.A. District Attorney's Office on charges of alleged battery that resulted in his arrest on March 9 outside his Beverly Hills condominium complex. The DA's office launched an investigation into Goldberg's arrest by the Beverly Hills Police Department after the elected official spent the night in the City's jail based on the allegation by a neighbor that he physically pushed her. Goldberg has alleged that BHPD violated his Miranda Rights and that he was a "target" of BHPD Chief Dave Snowden because of statements he had made that questioned the Chief's professional integrity. Goldberg's attorney Anthony V. Salerno stated: "Brian is grateful that the DA conducted a full and fair review of all evidence and decided to clear him. Brian is also grateful to his family, friends, and supporters. I hope that this decision by the DA will undo the unfair damage done to Brian’s reputation.
Celebrity Photo Agency/Scott Downie
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Brian Goldberg
I am glad the system worked, but I also feel terrible that Brian and his family had to endure this nightmare." Following his arrest, Goldberg temporarily ceded his ceremonial leadership position as Board of Education president to Board VP Howard Goldstein. Just before he was sworn back into his role as Board President at Tuesday’s formal Board meeting, Goldberg took the opportunity to affirm his innocence and launch an attack on the Beverly Hills Police. To read the full text of Goldberg’s speech from Tuesday’s meeting, see pages 30-31. RED BECOMES BLUE — Bai Ling, Greer Grammer and Jennifer Lopez paraded on the “Blue Carpet” during the 2015 MTV Movie Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. Also participating were Bella Thorne, Paul Bettany, James Spader, Hailey Steinfeld, and others. For more photos, see George Christy’s column on page 6.