Happy 67th Birthday Israel!
BEVERLY HILLS NUMBER 17
THIS ISSUE
Rec & Parks Commissioner Frances Bilak took The Courier to Hawaii. 4
Beverly Hills High School held its senior prom last weekend. 4
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The Nazarian Center for Israeli studies will honor Amos Moz, Nazarians. •Health & Wellness •Birthdays •Letters to the Editor
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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 Certainly, growing up in a family business that specializes in delicious cakes and pastries has its benefits. After all, what kid wouldn’t want to be surrounded by every flavor of cake imaginable? For Patrick Hansen, owner of Hansen’s Cakes on 193 S. Beverly Dr., the benefits went far beyond just filling his stomach with tasty treats. How far? Try lunch with President Ronald Reagan.
By Victoria Talbot In response to the Governor’s statewide water conservation mandates, the City Council has approved measures that will result in drastic cuts to water use City-wide, including consequences for violations that could result in fines up to $1,000. A somber city council faced the problems head on, and listened intently to Assistant Director of Public Works Trish Rhay explain the Governor’s cuts. The City Council agreed Tuesday to implement a modified “Stage D” version of the City’s emergency water conservation plan. The drought, one of the worst in California’s history, means that the Metropolitan Water District that supplies 90 percent of the City’s water is projected to cut back delivery 15 percent. “This is a very serious drought and there is no question that meeting the new state requirements will be challenging for all of us. However, the City is here to help residents and businesses. We will be sending out materials explaining the new requirements in detail. We will be offering tips
Patrick Hansen
Beverly Hills Elder: Mumsey Nemiroff, Art Historian, Equestrian
Why Audrey Hepburn Ended Her Fanatical Affair With Bill Holden During The Filming Of Their 1954 Sabrina – Co-star Humphrey Bogart Was Not A Happy Camper With Them Editorial from Rabbi Pressman AND MORE
CLASSIFIEDS • • • • •
Announcements Real Estate Rentals Sales and More
By Laura Coleman Mumsey Nemiroff, president of the Beverly Hills Women’s Club and one of the City’s foremost art historians, celebrated her 80th birthday in January with a machete in her hand while taking part in a Masai ceremony for Elders in Tanzania. Next month, she’s leading a group to Cuba. Born Feb 11, 1935 in Chicago, Mumsey moved into Beverly Hills 70 years ago, as a 10-year-old only child, who’d come West with her parents at the suggestion of Mumsey’s aunt and uncle. “They always said it was God’s country,” she recalled. Her father, a pharmacist, had a shop in Chicago that her “very beautiful” mother used to help out in, when she wasn’t maintaining
OUT OF AFRICA – Mumsey & Allan Nemiroff at the Natural History Museum of L.A. County’s Age of Mammals exhibit, for which they donated “Turkana Boy.”
the household and looking after Mumsey. Once in California, however, her father began to focus on more on horse-racing, which he started to become involved with in Chicago, and the success of several thoroughbreds he owned. (see ‘MUMSEY NEMIROFF’ page 17)
Beverly Hills Police Chief Dave Snowden Announces Retirement
George Christy, Page 6
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April 24, 2015
City Council Approves 36 Percent Cut In Water Use
Part 33 in a series on Beverly Hills residents who have grown with the Centennial City.
Another constructionrelated traffic accident hit Bel-Air this week. 5
SINCE 1965
Hansen’s Takes The Cake In Beverly Hills Since 1950
(see ‘HANSEN’S CAKES’ page 13) Lori Greene Gordon & Annette Saleh were celebrated as new Beverly Hills commissioners. 5
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By Victoria Talbot Police Chief Dave Snowden announced Monday that he will retire, effective June 13, after 11 years with BHPD. He came to Beverly Hills in 2004 after serving as chief of the Costa Mesa Police Department from 1986-2003, and of the Baldwin Park Police Department 19801986. Chief Snowden has spent nearly 50 years in law enforcement. Snowden has announced that he will begin his retirement several months earlier than planned due to an upcoming back surgery. “We wish him well in his re-
Dave Snowden
tirement and thank him for his years of service,” said Mayor Julian Gold. The City will begin a process of recruitment to replace Chief Snowden soon.
and advice for cutting back on water consumption and City staff will be available to answer any other questions you may have,” said Mayor Julian Gold. A resolution will be presented at the May 5 City Council meeting. The City will begin to engage an extensive outreach plan to educate and inform residents of resources available to them that can help. The drought has made water conservation a critical issue. Reduction will be based on a 2014 actual usage baseline for the same billing period, year over year. Residents are being asked to cut their usage by 30 percent. Irrigation counts for 60-70 percent of water usage in residential homes, where the most savings can be achieved. Residents are asked to cut watering from three times per week to two times per week. Any leaks in plumbing or irrigation must be repaired as soon as possible. The City may issue notices to repair visible leaks. No exterior wash-down of buildings or vehicles will be permitted unless it is a commercial car wash with re(see ‘WATER CUTS’ page 15)
Odysee Charter School Prepares Move Into Beverly Hills Amidst Controversy By Laura Coleman Beverly Hills may soon be home to an Albert Einstein Academy for Letters, Arts and Sciences, known as the Odysee Charter school, which is already taking applications
Celebrity Photo Agency/Scott Downie
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for its soon-to-be home at Temple Emanuel. However, Beverly Hills Unified School District leaders are far from elated about the prospect of the school coming into the City (see ‘CHARTER SCHOOL’ page 18)
COUNTRY TIME IN TEXAS — Miranda Lambert, Steven Tyler and Sofia Vergara turned the 50th Academy Of Country Music Awards in Arlington, Texas into a night of fashion, music, and celebrations. Also there: Reba McEntire, Luke Bryan, Martina McBride, Kacey Musgraves, Garth Brooks, Clint Black and more. For more photos, see George Christy’s column on page 6.