Donald Bruce Kaufman Brentwood Library Continues Children’s Programs Into the Future
Senior Librarian Lists Upcoming Events,
Offers
Alternatives for Storytime Fans
After the departure of Children’s Librarian Maddy Gillette at the Donald Kaufman Brentwood Branch Library, Senior Librarian Bennett Rankin expressed heartfelt thanks to the community for their support during Gillette’s final weeks. Gillette, who served as Children’s Librarian with dedication, was deeply touched by the outpouring of kind words and gestures following the announcement of their departure.
“While I could never pretend to be the Children’s Librarian that Maddy is, I am happy to continue working with all of you to provide programs, books, and enrichment
for the children of the Brentwood Branch Library,” Rankin said in a recent statement.
Although Gillette will be missed, Rankin reassured patrons that the library remains committed to delivering engaging programming for children.
The programs that will continue after 10/16:
• Every Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Caregiver & Kid Language Learning
• Every Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Brick Building Playtime
• STAR Volunteers (Tuesdays 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesdays 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturdays 10:00 a.m.to 12:00 p.m.)
Rankin also highlighted Who Framed the Big Bad Wolf? Puppet Show, scheduled for November 2 at 2 p.m. This all-ages event is sure to be a hit with the community.
However, two programs will be discontinued after October 16: Wednesday morning Storytime and Baby Music & Play. Patrons seeking similar activities
are encouraged to explore offerings at neighboring branches, including:
• West Los Angeles Regional: Baby/ Toddler Storytime on Wednesdays at 10 a.m., All Ages Storytime on Thursdays at 4:15 p.m.
• Palisades Branch: Baby/Toddler Storytime on November 13 and December 4 at 10:15 a.m., Family Storytime on November 21, and December 19 at 4:00
p.m.
• Westwood Branch: Preschool Storytime on Mondays at 10:30 a.m.
For more information, visit the Donald Bruce Kaufman Brentwood Branch Library’s website or stop by to pick up flyers from neighboring branches.
“We are grateful for your continued support of our library, and we hope to see you soon,” Rankin added.
Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission Rejects Demolition of Dutton’s Books Building
Despite Safety Concerns, the Commission Upheld the Building’s Protected
Status
According to the South Brentwood Resident’s Association Newsletter, The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission recommended certifying the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the former Dutton’s Books building but opposed its demolition after the last meeting held on September 5. The vacant building at 11973 San Vicente Boulevard is the issue and the owner wants to demolish the building but would have to get a waiver because the building has historically protected status. The commission recommended that the Department of Building and Safety certify the EIR for the site. However,
they did not support adopting a Statement of Overriding Considerations, a step that would allow the demolition of the building despite any adverse environmental impacts.
At the hearing, members of the South Brentwood Residents Association and other community residents supported demolition, arguing the structure is neither seismically sound nor ADA compliant. Engineering assessments presented by the owner indicated that retrofitting the building’s soft-story
design would exceed its value.
Councilwoman Traci Park, who supports the demolition, was represented at the meeting. Her office stated that Park had secured an agreement with the owner to retain key architectural elements in any new construction on the site.
Despite these arguments, the commission upheld the building’s protected status, citing its historic value. As a result, the former Dutton’s Books
building, which some residents view as an eyesore, will remain for the time being.
The SBRA newsletter urges supporters of demolition to contact Councilmember Traci Park and city officials to request that the Department of Building and Safety certify the EIR, adopt a Statement of Overriding Considerations, and issue the necessary demolition permit.
Home Front Build Channels Energy of Original Designer to Revive Homes
By Susan Payne
Spanish Colonial, Mission Revival, Craftsman, Mid-Century and California Bungalows are just a few of the unique home styles that can be found in Los Angeles.
Many of those homes and styles are still loved and appreciated today in the 21st century. Home Front Build, an architecture, interior design and construction firm founded by Steve Pallrand, works to channel the energy of the original architects and adapt those homes for the way we live today without compromising history.
“Instead of remodeling the home and making it something it isn’t, it’s about cherishing the original intent of that period of design without being dominated by it, so that we can add air conditioning, solar panels, remodel the kitchen, all the modern conveniences but still live in a home that feels a part of that history and community,” Pallrand said.
Homes that were built in the early 1900s, for example, might not have been insulated well, have inefficient gas appliances, or have kitchens that were meant to cook in but not to cook while entertaining or doing homework, like we do now. Home Front Build prioritizes aesthetics and details that honor the home’s original design period, keeping those aesthetic concepts but modernizing them to be of use today.
“Rather than imposing new ideas on these older homes, it’s about letting the home speak for itself and let that guide the design, so that we’re combining contemporary ideas of comfort and livability with traditional values,” Pallrand said.
Rebuilding homes, reviving and refreshing them — rather than demolishing and building new — is Home Front Build’s specialty, but there
is a sustainability factor that drives its mission: green design.
Green design is a philosophy that focuses on creating buildings that are environmentally friendly and sustainable and reducing environmental footprint. This can include things like using recycled materials, energy-efficient appliances and renewable energy sources.
Home Front Build searches for traditional buildings that are in the way of demo so that they can salvage and reuse the materials on future projects in order to reduce a building’s carbon footprint.
The team designs holistically with the environment in mind, incorporating solar techniques, natural ventilation and efficient building materials with styles that fit your budget.
“It’s actually cheaper to use stronger, historic lumber than it is to buy new lumber, so that’s one way we are reducing our carbon footprint. People don’t necessarily think of traditional homes or existing homes as being sustainable and tend to demolish them, but we can adapt them, and be part of the solution for global warming,” Pallrand said. “We have a wide variety of solutions for green design, and we are budget-conscious when doing so.”
Knowing the code is an important part of the design for Pallrand and his team at Home Front Build. After meeting the house, the team will do a feasibility study to see what the city will allow.
“Building codes in California are very complex so when we meet you and the house, we don’t do anything until we know what is possible. It’s not about the perfect design, it’s about the perfect budget and we bring beautiful design together with a beautiful budget because those are two things you can’t separate.”
To learn more about Home Front Build and founder Steve Pallrand’s mission to revive historic homes in Los Angeles, visit HomeFrontBuild.com.
Effective Dates: 10/25-11/29/2024
Serving the Community For 76 Years
Castanea Sicilian Cafe: Bringing the Sweetness of Sicily to Venice Beach
THE CAFE
Welcome to Castanea Sicilian Cafe: “Il dolce far niente – the sweetness of doing nothing” arrived at Venice Beach! Our cafe invites you to step away from the rush of daily life, whether it’s through a sip of our freshly brewed Italian coffee or a bite of our pastries, savory & gelato. The concept was founded by Nando & Rose, a couple with Sicilian roots, and it was designed to be a testament to the rich flavors and culinary traditions of the Italian island Sicily. Step into our inviting space and discover a slice of paradise or just order it to your home with our delivery & catering services.
OUR STORY
If you create something the world has never seen before, there’s probably a pretty interesting story behind it. This is ours.
We are Nando & Rose, a married couple & the founders of Castanea Sicilian Cafe. Both of us have Sicilian roots & we were lucky to have spent every summer on this beautiful Island.
A typical Sicilian lightheartedness, delicious traditional food & the Italian coffee culture is what we grew up with & what we both cherish a lot.
The idea of a cafe emerged from
the desire to preserve our precious heritage by sharing it. We want to make it accessible to all those who need a little break from everyday life & want to immerse themselves in the world of Sicilian enjoyment & the ideal of “il dolce far niente - the sweetness of doing nothing.”
With a lot of love & dedication we blended our affinity for coffee, food & Sicilian culture into an ambiance of warmth & hospitality.
Castanea means chestnut in Latin. Our name goes back to the oldest chestnut
tree in the world, “Il castagno dei cento cavalli”. It is located on the volcano Etna in Sicily and its size and shape have been a place of rest and shelter for centuries from visitors to the island to a legend of a princess and her 100 horsemen who needed protection from a sudden storm, which is the legend where the tree got its name.
Today, we proudly present our unique cafe to Venice Beach. Now our dream has become reality & we are catering to fulfill yours!
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Discover AwardWinning Urgent Care at Saint John’s Physician Partners
When life throws health surprises your way, you shouldn’t have to wait. That’s why Saint John’s Physician Partners Urgent Care in Santa Monica is here to provide fast, compassionate care when you need it most. Not every health concern requires a trip to the ER—our team is ready to treat non-life-threatening issues quickly and thoroughly.
From minor injuries like sprains and cuts to seasonal illnesses like colds, flu, and sore throats, we’ve got you covered. Our expert providers, trained in Emergency Medicine, also handle conditions such as allergies, bronchitis, asthma, and urinary tract infections. With on-site lab testing—including COVID-19, flu, strep, and pregnancy tests—you’ll get the answers you need without the wait. We even take the stress out of procedures like blood draws to make your visit as comfortable as possible.
When you choose Saint John’s Urgent Care, you’ll gain access to a broad range of services, from wound care to
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abscess treatment, plus preventive care like screenings to keep you on top of your health. Need follow-up care? Our seamless connection with Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica ensures smooth coordination of your medical records and ongoing treatment. We also collaborate with UCLA and Cedars Sinai for any further care you may need.
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Elyse Arbour – Winner of Best Real Estate Agent in Brentwood
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2021, 2022 & 2023
Thank you, Brentwood community, for voting me Winner of Best Real Estate Agent in Brentwood, again!
I truly appreciate the trust and confidence you place in me to guide you through the buying and selling process of residential real estate. Now more than ever Experience Matters as we navigate through a shifting market.
Celebrating 26 years of selling and marketing single-family homes and condominiums on the Westside, with a particular emphasis in Brentwood. I pride myself on getting the best deals for my client’s while making the process as smooth as possible.
As a consistent Top Producer, I have been awarded the Founder’s Circle, International President’s Elite and Platinum Circle designations placing me in the top 1% of all agents. In addition, I am a Real Estate All Star for Los Angeles Magazine and America’s Best Realtors nationwide for Wall Street Journal Real
Trends.
You can depend on me to be extremely diligent, ethical, and trustworthy. I am committed to providing outstanding service, attention to detail and unparalleled personal attention. I put my client’s satisfaction above all else. ward to being of service to you for all your real estate needs.
Your Trusted Neighborhood Realtor, Elyse Arbour
Elyse@ElyseArbour.com 310.893.9388 cell DRE# 01227787
Rodeo Realty 11940 San Vicente Blvd. #100 Los Angeles, CA 90049
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Brentwood Beat: Finally, Hope for a Real VA Breakthrough
By Jeff Hall
You have probably heard by now that federal judge David O. Carter has found the VA’s practice of leasing VA land to outside parties for non-veteran purposes to be illegal.
This could be hugely impactful to Brentwood School, which built some fabulous athletic facilities on land Brentwood School leased from the VA. Same for UCLA, whose Jackie Robinson baseball stadium rests on VA property.
Judge Carter also ordered an ambitious ramping up of the number of homeless veteran housing units that need to be built on the property. He is also pushing for much faster progress.
First of all, let me say, it’s about time! Hooray to Judge Carter, who made a similar ruckus with homelessness efforts in Skid Row. For some reason, our elected officials and the agencies that are supposed to tackle homelessness keep falling way short of the mark.
So Judge Carter’s cracking the whip is a good thing.
The Brentwood News has been covering the VA issue for as long as I can recall (we started the Brentwood News in 1991) and the issues facing homeless veterans existed long before we came along. But we’ve
been covering the VA since we first arrived on the scene.
But the VA was always a frustrating story to cover because so little progress got made – year after year.
The VA was oddly resistant to committing to providing housing for homeless veterans, even though the VA property was originally deeded over the U.S. government in 1888 specifically for the purpose of providing housing for disabled veterans.
Over time, West LA VA officials came to view their mission as providing medical services. Housing simply wasn’t something the VA wanted to provide.
Year after year, we saw veterans protest this situation. Brentwood residents have been very involved.
Brentwood resident Robert Rosebrock led Sunday protests outside the front gates of the VA, at Wilshire and San Vicente, for years.
Rosebrock got arrested for pinning an upside down U.S. flag to the fence of the VA; the ACLU got the case thrown out, arguing Rosebrock’s First Amendment rights had been violated.
Lawsuits filed by homeless veterans led to a deal in 2015 when Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald agreed with lawyer Ron Olson and local activist Bobby Shriver – representing homeless
veterans – that something had to give. Housing would be provided, according to the settlement, but only to the tune of 1,200 units. There were, at the time of the deal signing, an estimated 4,000 homeless veterans in Greater Los Angeles (this number has since been reduced to an estimated 3,000).
In recent years, several veterans set up an encampment outside the fence of the VA, along San Vicente. Other, non-veterans joined in, and conditions became quite grim. This sidewalk community saw violence, drug use, bicycle thefts (and resales), huge amounts of trash, human waste, and confrontations with local citizens.
One homeless individual living on the San Vicente sidewalk died of a stabbing; another got run over (and killed) by a car,
driven by another homeless individual. The sheriff came in and cleaned up the encampment. Several veterans moved into tiny homes that have been stationed on the VA property.
Brentwood resident Marcie Polier Swartz and her “Village for Vets” organization provide food and other services to veterans on campus; Brentwood resident, actor, and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger donated 25 tiny homes to the cause.
Tom Safran, another Brentwood resident, runs Tom Safran Architects, a company that’s overseeing the buildout of the new permanent housing units (which are fabulous, by the way; I’ve been there and seen the new facilities with my own eyes).
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The Brentwood Community Council –and all of Brentwood, as far as I can tell – happily supports anything that will help homeless veterans get housing. Brentwood is “all in.”
Alas, the housing that was promised in 2015 was slow in coming (just 233 units have been completed since that time, with another 535 under construction).
My sense of those at the VA is that they really do want to move more quickly, but insidious bureaucracy keeps everything tangled up in red tape. Putting together the financing for projects like this is also hideously complex. Many involved in providing permanent supportive housing for veterans lament how hard this all is.
Out of frustration with the slow pace of progress, a new group of veteran protesters, led by Robert Reynolds – who served in Iraq – filed yet another lawsuit, based on the slow implementation of the 2015 deal. That’s when Judge Carter took over.
Judge Carter has been exceedingly forceful in demanding action of City and County officials – and their various vendors – who have anything to do with providing shelter or services to the homeless.
Now the VA – a federal agency – is under Judge Carter’s microscope.
Judge Carter ordered 750 temporary shelters be built in the next year and a half and another 1,800 units of permanent housing as soon as possible. Details and timetables obviously need to be worked out.
It seems impractical to give Brentwood School and UCLA the boot overnight; maybe they can be given a 5-year, 10year, or 20-year phaseout as part of a final resolution.
These two schools do pay the VA to lease their acres, so there is some benefit to the VA in that. The VA has plenty of land elsewhere on campus that can be used for shelter.
Judge Carter demands action and gets things done. ALL our city, county, and federal agencies – and service providers –should display the same sense of urgency.
If LA suffered an earthquake and 40,000 people were thrown out into the streets, somehow the system would rise to the occasion and find shelter for all these people within a week or two. We need to treat LA’s homeless crisis as the emergency it truly is.
Maybe bureaucracy will once again keep things from moving forward the way they should.
But things feel different this time, thanks to Judge Carter.
So let’s make it official: Providing housing to homeless veterans isn’t something the VA has to do; it’s something the VA gets to do.
And Brentwood is right there with the VA and all those committed to providing the shelter and services our veterans deserve.
Thank you, Judge Carter, for providing the kick in the ass this situation has needed for decades.
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