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Holiday Wrapping Paper Contest drawn by our young readers
Wounded Warriors honored in l.B.
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Police Department makes history
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Vol. 32 No. 50
DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2021
City divided over marijuana Many want referendum on the issue to allow voters to decide elicited chuckles from the crowd of about 100 people. “Enough of this 1930s ‘Refer Madness,’” he Brooke Dowler, a Long High said, referring to a 1936 film Beach School junior, stepped hes- about drugs, which has become itantly to the microphone at a something of a joke on college Long Beach City Council public campuses. hearing Tuesday night on whethThe City Council may decide er the city should allow the retail on the issue at its next meeting sale of marijuana, but her voice on Dec. 20, although Council was strong. President John “I am a witness as Bendo said that if to how people get the council believed their substances,” another public hearshe told the council. ing was necessary, it “If it is legalized, would hold one. kids will find a way Dowler and Barto get it,” even if shock represented they are under 21. both sides of the “It’s scary for kids to argument at the City h ave s u c h e a s y Council’s second access.” She said the public hearing on council should opt JuDy ViNiNg the issue of whether out of a New York Executive Director, to authorize the legal state program that Long Beach AWARE sale of marijuana to allows municipalipeople 21 and older ties to decide whethonly. Municipalities er dispensaries can sell marijua- must opt out by the state’s Dec. 31 na within their borders. deadline, though they can opt in Meanwhile, Long Beach resi- at a later date. Once a municipaldent Jock Barshock took the ity opts in, however, the decision opposite view. “Long Beach must is permanent. The issue has genopt in,” he said. “Why? It’s fiscal- erated heated debate in municily responsible. It’s tax revenue. palities across Long Island. It’s also socially responsible. By Only hours before Tuesday opting in, we cannot only set an night’s council meeting, the example for our neighbors, we can take their money,” which Continued on page 12
By JaMES BERNStEiN jbernstein@liherald.com
W
Courtesy Michelle Kaufer
CHRiS KattaN, RigHt, plays a supporting role in “Famous,” as Lawrence Nichols.
From L.B. theater to L.A. film Producer recalls her life on the barrier island By BRENDaN CaRPENtER bcarpenter@liherald.com
A Long Beach native got her start in show business with the Long Beach Theatre Guild. Now living in Los Angeles, she is a producer of films and plays. Michelle Kaufer, who graduated from Long Beach High School in 1988 and attended Nassau Community College, joined the Theatre Guild at 16 and was involved with the organization for five years. During that time, she performed in about five musicals.
Kaufer said her years with the Theatre Guild were her “first experience in the world of entertainment,” opening her eyes to stage and film and showing her a direction in life. Kaufer lived in Long Beach until she was 32, thinking it was her forever home. “All was good. I had a condo on the water,” Kaufer, now 50, said. “I really thought I was staying for good.” That all changed when she met writer and director Michael Leoni at a social Continued on page 11
MiCHEllE KaufER, a producer of “Famous,” got her start with the Long Beach Theatre Guild.
e are not here to do anything but hit the pause button.