Brentwood News 1.27.23

Brentwood Community Council Off to a Quick Start

Traci Park and staff on hand for BCC’s January meeting

By Jeff Hall

It’s a new year and Brentwood Community Council (BCC) held its first meeting of the year January 10. The Garden Room at Brentwood Presbyterian Church –where BCC meetings are now held on the second Wednesday of each month – was quite packed and the mood was upbeat. The highlight of the meeting was the arrival of Traci Park, newly elected city councilwoman representing CD11. She said she and her team were doing their best to get on top of things, but asked for a little patience and understanding. There is a big

backlog to work through, she said. Park reported progress with respect to homelessness: With Mayor Bass’s new emergency declaration, coupled with Bass’s new initiative, Inside Safe, approximately 100 unhoused individuals were moved from a tent encampment in Venice to a motel in Inglewood.

Betty White’s Former Brentwood Home Demolished

Home torn down after being sold for $10.5 million

By Dolores Quintana

The former home of icon Betty White in Brentwood is no more as reported by Fox Business.com. It wasn’t quite a year since the star’s death when White’s social media account on Instagram announced that her former home had been demolished. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Betty White’s personal assistant Kiersten Mikelas is in charge of running the account after White’s death and she posted the following message, “Hello all! I owe a post (or two) I know. This is such a busy time of year and coming up on the anniversary of Betty’s passing is hitting in ways I hadn’t

anticipated. Her Brentwood home is no more (save the fireplaces which will be gone in short order). I promise a wonderful tribute to our most wonderful lady very soon!!!!” and a photo showing that only a fireplace was left after the home was razed.

Fans who commented on the post were distressed, one commenter said, “Why in the world would they tear it down?” with a sad face emoji. Another fan commented, “This is terrible! Why demolish such a beautiful icons [sic] home not even a full year after her passing?!”

Unfortunately, many suspected that the home might not last because it was sold as a “tear down” and listed for sale at $10.5 million. A tear-down listing means that the new owner who buys it has permission to demolish the building if they choose to. Entertainment Tonight.com reported that Ms. White’s home sold in June for $10.678 million. It was a very

Before Park arrived, two members of Park’s new staff introduced themselves to attendees. Gabby Medina is Park’s field director, coming from Joe Buscaino’s office. Former political lobbyist Sean Silva is now Park’s representative to Westchester and Playa Del Rey.

A field representative to facilitate dialogue between Brentwood and Palisades

and Councilwoman Park, Michael Amster, had just been named to Park’s staff but wasn’t in town for this meeting of the BCC. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Brentwood Community Council. An event to mark this milestone is being planned for October 5 at the Brentwood Country Club.

short turnaround since the home was listed in April and it was the first time the single-family home had been on the market in fifty years. The home was purchased by Allen Ludden, Betty White’s husband, in 1968. White lived there until she died in December of 2021 just before what would have been her 100th

birthday.

The listing called the estate “lovingly cared for.” and said that it was a “unique opportunity to build your dream home” in a “serene country setting.” The site was described as “parklike” and is near The Getty Museum with gorgeous mountain views.

Gabby Medina and Sean Silva of the new CD11 team.

Carolyn Jordan, BCC chair, kept things humming.

Photos: Jeff Hall Traci Park, CD11 councilwoman, addresses the BCC.

Rosti Brentwood Officially Opens Plant-Based Sushi Bar Opens on Barrington

Restaurant now open for takeout and delivery at 11740 San Vicente Boulevard

By Dolores Quintana

Rosti Tuscan Kitchen in Brentwood, located at 11740 San Vicente Boulevard, is officially open. It made the announcement via a post on its Instagram page.

The post says, “HELLO, BRENTWOOD! #RostiBrentwood is now OPEN for Takeout & Delivery! Order Online NOW – LINK IN BIO!” You can order those tasty Tuscan dishes

here. They are open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and Sunday, the restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. At Rosti, their happy hour is from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The restaurant serves many classic Italian dishes but has a large selection of 20 salads, 16 panini sandwiches, 21 pizzas, 13 entrees, 25 pasta dishes and five calzones. Within many of the categories, Rosti has a “Build your own” option that will please picky eaters. They also have a hefty selection of classic Italian desserts. Patrons who love Rosti and would like to recreate the food while cooking at home can pick up homemade dressings and sauces to go.

Kusaki up and running at 2535 South Barrington Avenue

By Dolores Quintana

West LA is now home to a new plant-based sushi restaurant and Omakase bar called Kusaki at 2535 S. Barrington Ave. Their website talks extensively about the concept of Kusaki and first says, “Kusaki (plants) is the vision that there are

NO limits to what we can do with plant-based cuisine. We truly believe that we have just scratched the surface, and we are committed to taking what most people know as traditional Japanese cuisine to the next level.”

The restaurant states, “Every plate achieves that elusive, cuisine-defining balance that will leave you asking yourself, “is this plant-based?” and notes that the restaurant is the first of its kind. This is very interesting because sushi is usually made of raw and lightly cooked fish and seafood. Exactly how the restaurant can make all the dishes plant-based is an intriguing mystery.

Brentwood Student Saba Nia Writes a Book, Carpe Diem

The crux of the story is that all of a sudden, for no apparent reason, the entire human race becomes infertile. Nobody’s having babies anymore.

dialogue and poetry in a most interesting and unusual way.

It’s always a pleasure hearing from former Brentwood News student interns.

We’ve had quite a few interns over the years, and many drop me a note now and then. That’s nice.

I heard from Saba Nia recently. She’s a Brentwood resident and attended HarvardWestlake when she interned for the Brentwood News. She’s now a senior at Georgetown.

She recently wrote a book, Carpe Diem. I of course offered to review Saba’s book for the Brentwood News.

Carpe Diem is set in the future, on a different planet, Gaia.

Gaia is very much like the Earth we know today. The characters are humans, and the humans of Gaia act and sound and think like the humans of Earth (for better or worse). There are no aliens in Carpe Diem. There is a god-like spirit, also called Gaia, to which all the planet’s inhabitants pay attention.

It seems odd at first, but not something to panic about. Surely this is a temporary condition.

But then it drags on, and people become worried. At some point panic sets in, and massive resources are thrown at finding a cure for “Aphrodite’s Curse.” The medical technology of Gaia is quite advanced.

I don’t want to reveal much more. Suffice it to say, just about everything changes as a result of humankind no longer being able to reproduce. A “live for today” mentality takes over, which then gives way to hopelessness. Relations become important. What’s really a priority when there is no future?

Business, science, relationships – slowly but surely, everything is affected. It doesn’t feel like a coincidence this book was written in the middle of the COVID pandemic.

Carpe Diem is beautifully written. I don’t know how Saba does it, but every word seems perfectly hand-picked. Everything simply flows. She weaves together prose,

The book is part science fiction, part poetry, part mythology. It’s almost hard to believe someone as young as Saba can write so magically.

Or maybe she can do this because she is young. Saba certainly isn’t inhibited by any notion of what a “normal” book should be. The style of Carpe Diem seems completely original.

I continue to work with student interns on different projects. They are talented, eager to please – and really good with technology.

But I can tell: Today’s young people are concerned – fearful, even – about the future. They can’t be blamed; they are inheriting a rather messed-up world. I can see how Carpe Diem would have great appeal to those in their teens and twenties. Carpe Diem speaks to their uncertainties.

Is there hope for Planet Earth? We’ll see.

Is there hope for Gaia? Do they pull it out in the end? To find the answer, you will have to go to Amazon and buy a copy of Carpe Diem.

Founding Publisher

Tiger Woods Names Marcus Byrd for 2023 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club

Established in 2009, this exemption promotes diversity in golf

Tiger Woods has named Marcus Byrd recipient of the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption into 2023’s Genesis Invitational, joining the field at The Riviera Country Club Feb 16-19. Established in 2009, this exemption promotes diversity in golf.

“Marcus has shown resiliency and perseverance in pursuit of a professional playing career,” Woods said. “These are qualities that remind me of Charlie and his journey. I look forward to watching Marcus compete at Riviera.”

Byrd competes on the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour, where his success during the fall season earned him first place in the Farmers Insurance Fall Series standings. This was not the only triumph for Byrd during this time; he also won the APGA Valley Forge Championship in September and his first APGA Tour victory at TPC Louisiana in June 2021. His upcoming start at Riviera will be Byrd’s second PGA TOUR event, following his debut at the 2022 Corales

Puntacana Championship.

“It’s a true honor to receive the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption into the 2023 Genesis Invitational,” Byrd said.

“To think that I’ll forever be a part of this tournament’s storied history means a lot.

I cannot wait to compete at Riviera and represent Mr. Sifford with my play.”

A native of Washington D.C., Byrd was introduced to golf by his father, Larry Byrd Sr. at the historic Langston Golf Course. This allowed him to grow and foster a love of the game, leading to a promising junior career which included winning the 2013 Georgia State Junior Championship and competing in the 2014 Sage Valley Junior Invitational and U.S. Junior Amateur.

In college at Middle Tennessee State University, he led the Blue Raiders to back-to-back conference championships in 2018 and 2019: between these victories he suffered an injury in a car accident during the fall season of 2018, but still managed an impressive return to competition in spring 2019 with individual wins at the Puerto Rico Classic and Old Waverly Collegiate Championship, as well as helping his team achieve a conference championship and NCAA Regionals appearance. This marked

his selection as the 2019 Conference USA Golfer of the Year.

Shortly after beginning his professional career in 2020, Byrd’s father passed away. As he gets set to make his second start on the PGA TOUR, Byrd knows his father is with him.

“My dad was my best friend,” Byrd said. “Golf was one of those sports that he always played so I knew I had to play. I’m living the life we always dreamed of. It hurts doing it on my own, but I know he is super proud.”

Since 2009, an exemption has been given to a golfer representing a minority background to play in the annual PGA

TOUR event at Riviera and was re-named in 2017 to honor Charlie Sifford, the first African-American PGA TOUR player and winner of the 1969 Los Angeles Open at Rancho Park. Last year’s Sifford Exemption recipients have achieved success on the golf course; J.J. Spaun (2016) has won his first PGA TOUR victory at the 2022 Valero Texas Open, while Cameron Champ (2018) has also won on TOUR; Willie Mack III (2021) earned status on the Korn Ferry Tour for 2023 and Tim O’Neal (2019) earned status on the PGA TOUR Champions for 2023.

Photo: USGA

Marcus Byrd.

Two Brentwood Apartment Complexes Sell

809 S. Gretna Green Way and 12221 San Vicente Boulevard properties sell

By Dolores Quintana

Two of Brentwood’s most high-profile apartment complexes have recently sold as reported by The Los Angeles Business Journal. Both sales were handled by Taksa Investment Group at Re/Max. Taksa Principal Jon Taksa said, as quoted by The Los Angeles Business Journal, “I can’t emphasize how high-profile these buildings are. The properties are two of the most recognizable properties on the Westside.”

The first building is located at 809 S. Gretna Green Way near the corner of Montana Avenue and South Gretna Green Way and is three stories tall and has 55,240 square feet of space and 32 residential units. It sits across the street from the Brentwood Country Club and sold for $26 million. This sale was off-market and sold by the family who has built the property originally and has owned it since 1967. Taksa said, as quoted by the LA Business Journal, “It was owned by several second-generation family members. They wanted to do a 1031

exchange out of state.” The building was purchased by Wiseman Residential.

The apartment units come with ceilings that are nine feet high and central air conditioning and heat. The building includes a pool, gym and underground parking lot.

Jon Taska stated, as quoted by The LA Business Journal, “We brought in an initial offer, it was countered, and the deal was done. The buyer offered great terms for the seller, including a short due-diligence period.”

The location of the second building is at 12221 San Vicente Boulevard, near the corner of South Gretna Green Way and San Vincent Boulevard and is also across the street from the Brentwood Country Club. It was owned by a different family that purchased the land in 1925 and who didn’t build anything on the property until 1961. They then allowed a developer to build the apartment complex via a 55-year lease. The lease agreement expired in 2016 and the family took over the building. It is currently in escrow.

The building contains one, two and three-bedroom apartments and has a 400foot frontage running down San Vincent Boulevard and 64,578 square feet of space. Most of the building’s apartments are occupied and are rent-controlled units.

The identity of the buyer has not been disclosed.

According to Jon Taska, as quoted by The LA Business Journal, “The secondgeneration owners passed away and the third generation took over. They decided it was time to sell.”

Transaction-wise, we got 10 offers on the

property.”

Taksa added, “From the second and thirdfloor units, you get incredible golf course views. Six of the units are vacant, which will enable the buyer to renovate those units and get top-dollar rent. It’s rare for properties this large to become available. In Brentwood, a lot of buildings don’t turn.”

Co-living Apartments Underway Just South of Brentwood

Project underway at 1503 Barrington will bring 18 apartments to the neighborhood

By Dolores Quintana

Construction company Integrare Group has issued a press release that construction has begun on a new co-living complex at 1503 Barrington as reported by Urbanize Los Angeles.

The complex is being developed by a Canadian developer Rize Alliance out of Vancouver and is their first development in Los Angeles. The building is planned as a four-story building with 18 units divided between four and five-bedroom apartments.

The address used to be the site of a triplex and a single-family home.

This new co-living structure is being designed by LOHA and will also include amenities such as patios and a clubhouse as well as open stairwells that rise around the central courtyard.

This new project is very close to the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Barrington Avenue where another developer Markwood is currently building a sizable new mixed-use complex with 51 units and commercial space on the first floor. The area already has several other mixed-use and multifamily projects in the works just west of the 405 Freeway.

Nonprofit Initiates Winter Program to Foster Intergenerational Relationships

Sage and Seekers are slated to begin their winter session at Palisades High School on January 30

By Keemia Zhang

Local nonprofit Sage and Seekers are slated to begin their winter session at Palisades High School on January 30. Aiming to build relationships between older adults and teenagers, participants will meet from 3:00pm to 4:15pm weekly for an eight-week program.

The group encourages senior citizens (60+) to form meaningful bonds with high school students (15-24), and aims to “build empathy, diminish ageism and social isolation”, according to program director Rachel Shader. Founded in Boston in 2009 by Elly Katz, the charity has been headquartered in Los Angeles since 2014.

“It gives both generations a sense of purpose and a sense of relevance. We bring older adults with younger students who really value the stories that they tell and they feel pride in what they’re sharing.” Shader says. “At this time, students are wondering, ‘what am I doing in life?’, and their Sage really gives them a sense of confidence and reassurance.”

The organization’s website states that the program seeks to bolster and improve the mental health of both youth and older adults, alongside promoting communication skills for students “so they can actually learn to hold a conversation”, explains Shader. Sage and Seekers have reached 6000 participants since its founding, and hosted 1000 teens and seniors in their program just last year, both online and in-person.

Sage and Seekers has a global program entirely online, with participants in Australia, Argentina, and Colombia. In Los Angeles, students and seniors can choose between hybrid Zoom and in-person sessions in the city to accommodate their preferences, following the COVID-19 pandemic. The first initial meeting centers around community building and

introduction, with “icebreakers and serious questions”, followed by a second “speeddating” session the next week. Students then get to select who they want to be paired with for further classes.

“From then on, they’re meeting oneon-one with a Sage. It’s about telling life stories.” Shader states. After their seventh meeting, students are required to present a tribute to their Sage, or write a reflection on the program, in front of their class. Following the program’s conclusion, students are given the contact information for their Sage, and often choose to keep in touch. “Many of them meet monthly for coffee, or have chats on Zoom or FaceTime.”

“We did a program a number of years ago where we had a student having a really hard time in school and actually got suspended.” The director shares. “He couldn’t go to his classes but he showed up to our program and asked to still join, just because he found it to be so valuable. It just shows the impact that this program like this had on a kid like that.”

Sage and Seekers will have further sessions beginning this April and September, with 3-4 participating high schools each term across the city. Participating schools

SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Dr. Louise Jaffe, Chair; Barry Snell, Vice Chair; Dr. Susan Aminoff; Dr. Nancy Greenstein; Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez; Rob Rader; Dr. Sion Roy; Catalina Fuentes Aguirre, Student Trustee; Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent/President Santa Monica College | 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 | smc.edu