BHCourier 052915 E-edition

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Congratulations Beverly Hills Graduates!

BEVERLY HILLS NUMBER 22

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THIS ISSUE

BEVERLY HILLS BEAR — There’s a bear on the loose in Beverly Hills! Fear not, this one is just about the friendliest bear you’ll ever see. Meet Bear, The Courier’s new 3-month-old German Shepherd/Great Pyrenees mix mascot. Bear was adopted last week by Courier President/Publisher Marcia Hobbs, and has already made himself at home in his office at 499 N. Canon Dr. (Ste. 100). Bear is enjoying his flashy new life in Beverly Hills, a step up from his birthplace San Bernardino via Shelter Hope Pet Shop and Kim Sill. And keep your eyes peeled for this Beverly Hills Bear, because he loves to explore Beverly Gardens Park and beyond with stepmom Vicki. Bear’s first present was a welcome bag, generously gifted from Parisa Fowles-Pazdro at Max-Bone (www.max-bone.com).

Beverly Hills singer Golda Berkman will perform at the Hall of Liberty at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills. 13

The Petersen Auto Museum gives an update on its massive ongoing renovations. 16

Frank Gehry was named the third annual J. Paul Getty medal winner. 17 •Real Estate •Birthdays •Letters to the Editor

10 20 31

George Christy, Page 6 Charlie Annenberg Weingarten’s Explore Documents The “Zen Dens” Of Animals In Their Unusual Habitats; The Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Blancs Mystery Is Solved

CLASSIFIEDS • • • • •

Announcements Real Estate Rentals Sales and More

24

May 29, 2015

‘Concerned Citizens’ File Lawsuit Challenging Oakhurst Project’s Environmental Review

Local animal shelters have kitten overload, ask for public’s help. 2

Retiring Hawthorne principal Kathy Schaeffer reflects on her career. 4

SINCE 1965

By Victoria Talbot A group of residents calling themselves “Concerned Citizens of Beverly Hills/Beverly Grove” filed a Writ of Mandate challenging approvals by the city of Los Angeles for the project located at 332-336 N. Oakhurst Dr. At issue are three historic apartment buildings that have been slated for demolition to be replaced 31-unit condominium building in a potential historic district. The property is in both Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Last month the Los Angeles Conservancy threw their con-

siderable weight behind the project opposition, listing the preservation of the Oakhurst buildings as “urgent.” Demolition of the buildings would eliminate the cohesion needed to create an historic district. The Writ of Mandate seeks to direct the developers to vacate all project approvals from the March 10 meeting of the Los Angeles Planning Commission and the L.A. City Council on April 22. The lawsuit claims that the developer did not follow provisions set forth under the California Environmental Quality (see ‘OAKHURST LAWSUIT’ page 17)

Beverly Hills Elder: Angel Castelo – Tango Champion, Celebrity Jeweler Part 37 in a series on Beverly Hills residents who have grown with the Centennial City

Beverly Loan Company: ‘Pawn Shop To The Stars’ Since 1938 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. served Beverly Hills since 1938 By Matt Lopez Who would ever think the dif- and was no stranger to situations ference between owning or miss- like this. The family was looking to ing out on a multi-million dollar home could come down to a sim- close on a house and had to come ple interaction with a local pawn up with an all-cash offer. Combining their own funds, and borrowshop? For one local Beverly Hills ing from friends and family, they family, that became a reality re- still came about $150,000 short. cently when they came, hat in So, they went to see Tabach-Bank. “With about three seconds left hand, to Jordan Tabach-Bank’s Beverly Loan Company at 9440 S. on the shot clock, we were basically able to wire money to their Santa Monica Blvd., No. 301. Beverly Loan Company has (see ‘BEVERLY LOAN COMPANY’ page 11)

By Laura Coleman As a young man growing up in Montevideo, Uruguay, Angel Castelo yearned for two things: to sculpt art with his hands and poetry through his body. Those dreams led him to Buenos Aires, where he became a professional tango dancer, earning more awards and competitions than he can recall; and, all the while, he worked as a jeweler. He still recalls his most famous patron of that era: Eva Peron, the first lady of Argentina. “She was a beautiful woman, very soft, very pleasant; very contrary of what people said,” Angel described the passionate leader. “She went

Kessler Takes Over As Interim BHUSD Superintendent June 1 By Laura Coleman After 39 years as an employee with the Beverly Hills Unified School District–which makes him the most senior–Steve Kessler said he still wakes up with a bounce in his step, excited to make a difference and impact lives. Come June 1, Kessler will take on the role of a lifetime when he transitions from Horace Mann principal to interim superintendent. He will officially become Su-

Steve Kessler

perintendet Kessler on July 1. “I’m not afraid for I know what (see ‘STEVE KESSLER’ page 12)

Celebrity Photo Agency/Scott Downie

VOLUME: L

Angel Castelo

around the world and got a lot of gifts,” he continued. And it was often Angel who’d take the stones and pearls that Peron acquired and craft them into modern designs. (see ‘ANGEL CASTELO’ page 17)

SUPER SATURDAY SUPPORTERS — Included stylist Rachel Zoe with family: Kaius “Kai” Jagger Berman, Skyler Morrison Berman, Rodger Berman This was the 2nd Annual Super Saturday LA, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund’s Super Saturday LA!, at Barker Hangar at Santa Monica Airport For more photos, see George Christy’s column on page 6.


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