Brentwood News / Century City - Westwood News: June 2024 by Mirror Media Group

Los Angeles City Council Designates Marilyn Monroe House as Historic Cultural Landmark

Unanimous Vote Preserves Brentwood Home Where Iconic

Actress Marilyn Monroe Lived and Died

The Los Angeles City Council has approved the resolution to designate the Marilyn Monroe House in Brentwood as a historic cultural landmark. This vote will preserve the home and prevent the current owner from demolishing it, where Monroe died.

The Council had already held public

comment on the matter in a previous meeting, ensuring that the community’s voice was heard. The only person who spoke on the matter was Council District 11 City Councilmember Traci Park who was the author of the resolution.

Park stated that no person or place was as iconic as Marilyn Monroe and that the designation to preserve the home should have occurred 60 years ago. She stressed the fact that it was the only home that Monroe ever owned, that many of the actress’ most celebrated photographs were taken there, and that the percentage of the city’s historic designations that honor women is only three percent as reasons why the house should be preserved.

She also introduced a motion to evaluate tour bus restrictions on Fifth Helena Drive and nearby streets to address local Brentwood constituents’ concerns about traffic congestion and

safety. She assured residents that she and her team would listen to any other concerns that could become an issue in the future. Park added that she had been working with the owners of the property

to see if it was feasible to move the home to another location so that the public could have access to the beloved actress’ home.

The vote was unanimous.

Former Melissa Etheridge and Ben Affleck Estate Hits Market for $15.9 Million

Brentwood Mansion

Known for Its Celebrity History

Now for Sale

One very secluded Brentwood estate, on a property previously owned by celebrities Melissa Etheridge and Ben Affleck, is set to hit the market on May 31 for $15.9 million, according to Mansion Global.

The home, located on Westridge Road in Brentwood, has six bedrooms and is nestled among mature sycamore and oak trees. The estate was built in 2018 by Harrison Design Associates, the property offers a secluded and serene setting, as described by the listing agents. Etheridge and Affleck lived at the address at different times during the 2000s when a 1930s house stood on the property. The current owners demolished the old structure and constructed a 7,942-square-foot residence in an American traditional style. Enhancing

the park-like ambiance, the owners added a sycamore-lined lane, landscaped gardens, a fountain with a koi pond, and a 41-foot pool, all visible from the home’s interior through numerous shutter windows and French doors.

Ernie Carswell of Douglas Elliman said, via Mansion Global, “When you enter off of Westridge Road, there is a straight alley of young sycamores that have been planted by the owners leading to the motor court and front of the house.” He added that celebrities, “are attracted by the incredible, surprising privacy of the lot”

While the property was once owned by Etheridge and Affleck, neither lived there for an extended period. Etheridge bought the property in early 2002 for $3.6 million and sold it several years later for $4 million, according to public records.

A trust associated with Affleck purchased the home in late 2004, during his relationship with Jennifer Garner. The trust, managed by Gary Kress, Affleck’s longtime business manager, sold the property before the end of that year.

Experience the angelic voice of award-winning soprano Golda Zahra during mass at St. Monica Church this Monday, July 1st. at 12 noon. All are welcome!

Peerless

Pedestrian Fatally Struck While Crossing the 405 Freeway in Brentwood

Victim Hit While Crossing Southbound Lanes; Investigation Underway

A pedestrian was fatally struck by a vehicle on the I-405 southbound near Skirball Center Drive on Sunday evening, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The incident occurred at approximately 8:17 p.m.

The Los Angeles Communication Center received the call and dispatched CHP West Los Angeles units to the scene. Upon arrival, they found Los Angeles City Fire Department personnel performing CPR on the pedestrian,

who was lying in the #1 lane of the I-405 southbound, south of Bel Air Crest Road.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the pedestrian was crossing the southbound lanes when they were hit by a gray Toyota Prius in the #2 lane. The driver of the Prius remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.

The pedestrian was transported to UCLA Medical Center, where they were pronounced dead at 9:05 p.m. by Dr. Christy. The incident is currently under investigation by the CHP West Los Angeles Area.

For further information regarding the deceased, please contact the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office at (323) 343-0512.

Anyone with information about this collision is urged to contact Officer E. Quintero at the CHP West Los Angeles Office at (310) 642-3939. After business hours, please reach out to the Los Angeles Communication Center at (323) 259-3200.

Golda Zahra In Concert Golda Zahra In

Join an unforgettable evening and the Dream Orchestra perform the opera music of Puccini, Verdi, Rossini, as well as Broadway classics including The Sound of Music, West Side Story, and so much more! “A promising young opera singer.” -The Los Angeles Times

Join us for an unforgettable evening as Golda and the Dream Orchestra perform the opera music of Puccini, Verdi, Rossini, as well as Broadway classics including The Sound of Music, West Side Story, and so much more!

West Hollywood City Council Votes for Plant-Based Foods at City Events

City Council Passes Resolution to Promote

Sustainability, Animal Welfare

The West Hollywood City Council passed a resolution on Monday mandating that plantbased foods be the default option at city events. Vice Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers championed this motion, which aims to promote environmental sustainability and animal welfare.

Mercy For Animals, a West Hollywoodbased organization dedicated to ending industrial animal agriculture, celebrated the decision. “In a huge win for animals, human health, and the planet, the City of West Hollywood just passed a resolution requiring that food and other refreshments offered at city-sponsored events and meetings be plantbased by default!” the organization stated.

Animal products will still be available upon request.”

The press release added, “The resolution is the result of several months of collaboration between Mercy For Animals and the city. The policy aims to help mitigate climate change and reduce animal suffering. Public support for the resolution was strong, with many volunteers and organizations, including the Center for Biological Diversity and Greener by Default, submitting comments in favor.”

Mercy For Animals expressed gratitude to Vice Mayor Byers for her leadership in championing this policy. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has also voted to reduce the amount of animal products served at their events in the interest of reducing carbon emissions.

Award-Winning Soprano to Offer FREE Community Performance Ahead of Broad Stage Debut

Los Angeles Music Center’s Spotlight Award-Winner

Golda Zahra will showcase her angelic voice for all to enjoy at Santa Monica Catholic Church on July 1

SANTA MONICA, Calif. —Soprano Golda Zahra is excited to extend an open invite to the community as she thrills with trills to bring opera and classical music to the masses and young generations!

Hailed as “One of the rising starts of her generation” and “A promising young opera singer” by the Los Angeles Times, Golda recently returned from Italy to headline her homecoming debut concert

at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica alongside the Dream Orchestra, on Saturday, July 13.

Now, at the invitation of Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson, Golda will perform live with members of the Dream Orchestra during St. Monica’s noon mass on Monday, July 1.

Media are invited to preview and attend the event, as well as speak with Golda about the community impact of the arts and her upcoming concert at Broad Stage.

WHEN: Monday, July 1 at 12:00pm

WHERE: Santa Monica Catholic Community, 725 California Ave, Santa Monica, CA

RSVP: Please contact Shallom Berkman at 310-749-8879, or email sberkman@ urthcaffee.com for media inquiries and to RSVP for the event.

Golda has performed in famed Southern California venues like Walt Disney Hall, Royce Hall, and the Saban Theatre. She is a 2015 LA Spotlight Award Winner and currently studies with world-renowned Soprano Barbara Frittoli in Milan.

To learn more visit GoldaInConcert. com.

Electric Lodge Hosts Summer Empowerment Fair

Performing Arts Center Partners with LADWP

By Susan Payne

Performance. Sustainability. Community.

These are three virtues leading the charge for Electric Lodge Performing and Visual Arts Center’s upcoming Summer Empowerment Fair in partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).

Taking place on July 20th, the fair is a fun, informative neighborhood event featuring music, local vendors and sustainable education that celebrates the vibrant and artistic Venice community. Made possible through a LADWP community grant, the Summer Empowerment Fair wishes to educate and inform attendees on topics such as energy efficiency, being water wise, understanding your utility bill and native landscaping.

Electric Lodge is an incubator for the arts and the environment, serving Venice and surrounding communities by hosting multi-disciplinary cultural arts, specialized arts workshops, health and fitness classes and opportunities for civic engagement.

The premier multi-use facility was the first 100% renewable energy powered space in California, according to Justin Yoffe, Electric Lodge president.

“Our campus in Venice on Electric Ave includes a 99-seat theatre, a 1700 square foot dance studio, classroom and kitchen. It’s a lovely spot,” Yoffe added. “We’ve been committed to sustainability since we were founded, being awarded this grant for the 11th district, it gave us the opportunity to showcase our commitment to sustainability and the community,” Yoffe said.

The Summer Empowerment Fair is free and will showcase Electric Lodge programming, classes and mission, and will feature a bagel and coffee station, snacks and beverages, face painting, bike valet, sustainable giveaways (aerators, shower heads, a Fuso custom road bicycle), corn hole games, picnic tables and more.

Live music and entertainment ranging from local singer-songwriters to dance groups, Snubby J’s RimbaTubes, will sound the afternoon.

Activities include an eclectic line-up of live entertainment, carnival games, such as a waterless sustainable dunk tank, local food vendors, City Plants, who will offer free trees and advice on native landscaping, non-toxic clothing line vendors and more — all centered on healthy living.

“Empowerment Fair is just that — a real fun, family-friendly, free summer festival with games, snacks and drinks, local vendors, and a chance to learn more about sustainability through DWP and have a good time,” Yoffe said.

The LADWP booth is open for attendees to learn about how to access programs, rebates and services, and learn about how to save water, energy and money on their bill.

Mark your calendars for July 20,

from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the Summer Empowerment Fair located at Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave in Venice, one block east of Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Parking is available. Biking, scooting, unicycling is encouraged for the use of the fair’s free bike valet.

For full details on the Summer Empowerment Fair’s vendors, partners, musicians and programs, and to RSVP and sign up for the raffle, visit EmpowermentFair.org.

NEW to Santa Monica: Enjoy Your Favorite Hurry Curry Dishes on Ocean Park

By Susan Payne

This summer, enjoy your favorite authentic Japanese curry and Yoshoku cuisine at Hurry Curry of Tokyo’s new location in Santa Monica.

The restaurant, known for its original blend of spices and its longtime presence in Japantown, closed its doors on Sawtelle during the COVID-19 pandemic. With uncertainty at bay, Hurry Curry owner Frederick Serra said his business partners made a pact to reopen.

Now located on Ocean Park Boulevard and 29th street, the new location offers free backside parking and more outdoor seating near the Santa Monica Business Park.

“Although we’ve been around since 1989, we are new to Santa Monica. We’ve been here for about two years,” Serra said.

Hurry Curry customers love the consistency the restaurant has provided over the last three decades, everything from its authentic recipes and dishes to its employees that give new and returning customers warm welcomes and friendly service.

“As a restaurant, that’s probably the hardest thing to pin down. But we’ve done it. We’ve had the same team for 10+ plus years, we take care of our employees, and they feel something special here. We

couldn’t stay closed for too long,” Serra said.

Hurry Curry’s history runs deep and its recipes — curated from its original Japanese chef in 1998 — have long been a favorite in Los Angeles. The signature curry sauce features a blend of 21 spices.

“We’ve used that same recipe for so long, it’s not a general curry you might see at a restaurant,” Serra said. “I’ve seen customers drive here from San Diego and

Santa Barbara to try our food.”

A number one dish at Hurry Curry is the chicken cutlet curry – a tender breast meat filet lightly breaded in panko flakes, fried to golden brown and served with the restaurant’s authentic Japanese curry.

“That dish carries 60% of our menu sales. You can order the curry at varying spice levels of mild, medium, hot or extra hot. We use a Capsicum chili oil, the same oil we’ve used for the 35 plus years we’ve been open,” Serra said.

Another fan favorite is the chicken pasta — sauteed mushrooms, onions, bell peppers and corn surrounded by Hurry Curry’s fried chicken karaage, served with a generous side of the secret white sauce.

“Curry is one of those items, not as popular as pizza, but you get a craving

for it. Once you try Hurry Curry, it’s one of those recurring cravings you’ll get. We have such a unique flavor, and it is so well loved,” Serra added.

Hurry Curry serves a wide range of beverages, some Japanese specific and homemade.

“We serve some Japanese favorites like Ramune Marble Soda, which in Western culture, equivalent to colas or fountain beverages,” Serra added.

The scratch kitchen offers online orders, dine-in and catering. Hurry Curry is open Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 2901 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, California, 90405.

For more information and a look at the menu, visit HurryCurryofTokyo.com.