Brentwood News - Century City Westwood News 2.24.23

February 24 - March 31, 2023

Construction Commences on New Supportive Housing Complex at Los Angeles VA Campus

Engineering, is slated to open in late 2024.

The $46 million Building 404 apartments will replace a surface parking lot at the corner of Bonsall and Nimitz Avenues across the street from Jackie Robinson Stadium. Upon completion, it will feature 73 units reserved for formerly unhoused veterans, with monthly rents ranging from $621 to $1,108 per month.

Construction has officially begun on a new supportive housing complex at the sprawling Veterans Affairs campus in Los Angeles.

The project, led by the Veterans Collective consortium and including KFA Architecture, Primus Building Solutions, Walton Construction and Engelkirk

Rendering of the building depicts it in Mission Revival style – one of the hallmarks of the VA Campus – and be part of an overall $1.1 billion redevelopment plan that aims to provide nearly 1,700 homes across its grounds just west of the 405 freeway. New open spaces and trails are also planned as part of this endeavor, connecting the campus with the future western terminus of LA’s D Line.

Brentwood’s New Congressman Brad Sherman Hosts First Town Hall After Redistricting

Estimated 5,000 constituents attend event earlier this month

By Sam Catanzaro

Brentwood’s new congressman Brad Sherman, representing California’s 32nd District, hosted his first town hall for an estimated 5,000 constituents earlier this month. Following recent redistricting, Sherman became the Congressman for Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Bel Air and parts of Westwood for constituencies that previously were represented by Congressman Ted Lieu.

Drawn from the San Fernando Valley and new neighbors from parts of the Westside of Los Angeles, attendees heard details about the Congressman’s Congressional record on domestic and foreign policy. It was also a chance to get up to date on recent negotiations surrounding the impending debt ceiling and government shutdown as well as discuss the Republican majority’s extreme agenda.

“I was pleased to hear from so many Valley residents, who for years I’ve proudly represented, and from so many new constituents from parts of the Westside, who all came together and helped foster another productive

discussion on all the critical issues we face together,” Congressman Sherman said. “Town Halls have always been an integral feature in my overall efforts to hear and learn what’s on the minds and hearts of my constituents, and to keep them informed on critical matters facing our nation and community. I look forward to continuing this tradition for residents of California’s 32nd district.”

Congressman Sherman kicked off the event by introducing himself to the many new residents on the line for their first Sherman Town Hall. “I started my career many years ago as a CPA,” Sherman said as he began to discuss his journey as a graduate of Harvard Law, Chairman of the California State Board of Equalization, and now as a Member of Congress with senior positions on the House Foreign Affairs and Financial Service Committees.

The new constituents heard the Congressman detail his Congressional record on a vast array of domestic and foreign policy priorities and provided an update for all on the current pressing matters facing a new session of Congress. Sherman discussed the status of the debt ceiling negotiations, efforts to help avert a government shutdown, and dealing with the new chaotic Republican majority’s extreme agenda.

A senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Sherman also touched on many

crucial foreign policy-related issues – from his work to assist Ukraine to repel the brutal Russian invasion, to his efforts supporting the Iranian people demanding basic human rights from the Ayatollah’s oppressive regime.

The Congressman answered questions on his work protecting veterans’ rights and benefits, expanding the National Recreation Area for the Santa Monica Mountains, fighting against Republican attempts to gut crucial programs like Medicare and Social Security, on transportation projects like the Sepulveda pass transit corridor project, and on many other vital

matters.

Towards the end of the event, constituents were asked to respond to several survey questions regarding pressing issues facing our nation. Most notably, residents were asked to reflect on President Biden’s performance thus far with 72 percent approving, 17 percent disapproving and 11 percent unsure. Additionally, 38 percent supported sending only Abrams tanks while another 38 percent said they would send both tanks and F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine; however 12 percent chose neither with 12 percent feeling unsure.

Project to include 73 units reserved for formerly unhoused veterans, with monthly rents ranging from $621 to $1,108 per month.

Rendering: Century Housing

Photo: Official Congressman Brad Sherman.

Los Angeles City Council Imposes AntiCamping Law at 9 Westside Locations

Ordinance will ban camping at 9 Westside locations including 4 in Venice

By Sam Catanzaro

The Los Angeles City Council voted on Wednesday to impose its anti-camping law at a nine of Westside locations, including Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library, Venice Beach Recreation Center and around the Venice A Bridge Home homeless shelter.

The move was largely made possible with the election of Traci Park as the new 11th District council member. Park said her office “has the beds” for those who will be impacted by the law and promised to meet both their legal and moral obligations by offering services and housing. Her predecessor, Mike Bonin, had opposed the 41.18 ordinance and its expansion claiming that it criminalized homelessness, disconnected people from services, and forced them to move from block to block.

Under the ordinance, originally presented by Park, Council designated the following locations “for enforcement against sitting,

lying, sleeping, or storing, using, maintaining, or placing personal property, or otherwise obstructing the public right-of-way, up to the maximum distance and effective for the maximum period of time prescribed, and as further detailed in the Code:

• Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library501 S. Venice Boulevard- Library

• Linnie Canal Park- 200 Linnie Canal -Public Park

• Venice Beach Recreation Center and Boardwalk- 1800 Ocean Front Walk- Public Park

• Bill Rosendahl Del Rey Park- 4601 Alla Road- Public Park

• Westchester Recreation Center and Park7000W.ManchesterAvenue -Public Park

• Venice A Bridge Home -100 Sunset Avenue- Designated Facility

• Iowa Safe Parking- 11339 Iowa AvenueDesignated Facility

• Super 8 Homekey- 9250 AirportDesignated Facility

• Extended Stay Homekey- 6531 S. Sepulveda Boulevard -Designated Facility”

• In a newsletter announcing the ordinance’s passage Park touched on the controversial nature of the legislation but argued she believed it was the right course of action.

“I recognize this action is not without

controversy, and I understand that not everyone supports the City’s no-camping ordinance. To those who have concerns about this, I hear you. I want to underscore that we will lead with engagement and offers of services and housing before we begin enforcement. As I stated on the Council floor, my team and I will not rest until everyone living on the streets in our District has been offered the opportunity to move indoors,” Park said. “Ultimately, there is nothing compassionate about allowing people to live in unsafe conditions while we wait for long-term solutions. Wednesday’s vote was an important step forward in moving our unhoused population inside, restoring public safety and access for all community members, especially our youth and elderly, and restoring the public’s trust in how local government responds to the homelessness crisis in our City.”

Since taking office she has worked with Mayor Karen Bass on Inside Safe programs which help move residents of encampments inside. During her campaign, Park had also promised to expand the ordinance to apply to high fire-risk areas such as canyons and hillsides, and environmentally sensitive habitat areas such as the Ballona Wetlands.

Five 41.18 zones were also approved in North Hollywood, represented by Council

President Paul Krekorian whose district he claims has sufficient capacity to accommodate anyone impacted by the decision.

The public comment period was dominated by supporters of the anti-camping law with Westside residents expressing concern about the number of encampments around them. The council voted 9-4 in favor with Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky joining colleagues Nithya Raman, Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Hugo Soto-Martinez in dissent. Yaroslavsky requested more information on how the city is enforcing this law including reports on its effectiveness across LA, a list of locations where it is being enforced, the cost associated with it and the number of people provided housing through 41.18 enforcement remaining houses.

Brentwood’s Former Bru Haus to be Replaced by Auld Fella

ABC application posted to the building’s window sheds light on new tenant for Wilshire Boulevard space

By Dolores Quintana

Auld Fella, the Irish pronunciation of Old Fella, is coming to 11831 Wilshire Blvd, as reported by What Now Los Angeles. We did not receive a response by press time from Auld Fella’s management team, but this news is based on an ABC application spotted in the window at the site. The previous restaurant/bar at this address was called BRÜ HAUS, which sadly didn’t survive the pandemic. Another restaurant called Morabeza was supposed to take over the space but never opened.

The Irish pub states its aesthetic on its website, “We’re an Irish joint in the heart of Culver City. Since taking residence in the fall of 2019 we have become the standard bearer for legendary Irish hospitality and

Proposed LA Outdoor Dining Ordinance Provokes Outrage from Restaurant Owners

Proposal could leave restaurants with thousands of dollars in losses from wading through the city’s paperwork

By Dolores Quintana

friendly service in Los Angeles. We’ve reimagined the Irish pub experience for today. While tipping a respectful cap to those that have gone before us, we’ve created an authentically loved place that is enjoyed by everyone. We are very proud of our team who operates as a loving family to provide our guests with the best possible experience every time.”

No one is sure if this will be a new location or if the pub is moving to a different space, but we have asked the restaurant’s management team for clarification. We will update you when we learn more.

After three years of the pandemic, restaurants are still struggling to deal with the ever-changing economic challenges and stay afloat in troubled times. The Los Angeles City Council is clearly starting to rethink the special rules that gave businesses some help during the toughest times. They are thinking more about “getting back to normal” than trying to find innovative ways to work with local restaurants.

The Al Fresco Program is a successful and popular program where restaurants were allowed to build parklets in the open air outside of their normal restaurant space to bring more customers to dine in rather than use take-out options which could increase their profits. Open air is considered a safer place to avoid Covid infection so the logic is that open-air dining could bring customers back and it worked. However, now that most Covid assistance programs are winding down whether or not the pandemic is truly over, businesses will have to deal with changes to those programs that have been a godsend to them for years.

The Los Angeles City Council is now considering an ordinance that would roll back the special conditions related to the construction of parklets for open-air dining

as reported by The Robb Report. Restaurant owners with outdoor dining areas or parklets would be obligated to obtain permits and licensing that they have not previously been required to do during the pandemic and adhere to new restrictions and be subject to building codes and restrictions on operating hours.

We spoke to a representative from Teddy’s Red Tacos in Venice and their representative said, “They won’t affect our business, but it will affect how much we pay for it in permits and unnecessary fees that we didn’t have before. We’re still recovering from the pandemic, right,? Three years of damage, we don’t know when it ends. They haven’t given us any grace or mercy. It’s extremely disappointing, considering restaurants usually have a hard time. They don’t even give us any recovery time or any way to help us recover. We thought this was a nice gesture that they gave us with the Al Fresco program and now they want to tax it with payments and permits.”

The representative added, “Maybe they need to put an effort to show that they want to keep restaurants open or make it easier for restaurants to make money year-round. Where they all come around in summer and say, oh, it’s summer, you kind of busy you are. It’s not every day that you do well. What am I supposed to do? Send my crew home and have them cut hours?”

Photo: Official Auld Fel in Culver City.

Irene Dunne Guild Think Pink for Women’s Wellness Event

This year’s event will take place on May 10 at the Upper Bel Air Bay Club

“Think Pink for Women’s Wellness” is an Irene Dunne Guild annual event that focuses on health education and awareness for women and their families. The Irene Dunne Guild, a support group of Saint John’s Health Center Foundation, created Think Pink over 18 years ago as a gathering meant to educate women on important health issues.

This year’s event is Wednesday, May 10th, 2023, 8:30am-3:00 pm at the Upper Bel Air Bay Club.

Featuring break through lectures with notable physicians and speakers. Over the years, topics have included healthy brain aging, addiction, urology, dermatology,

and breast health. The event culminates with a wonderful luncheon held in the beautiful dining room of the Upper Bel Air Bay Club overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Boutique shopping is available throughout the event with net proceeds benefiting programs, equipment and services at Providence Saint John’s Health Center.

Tickets are $175.00 per person. Think Pink Co-Chairs are Lorena Craven and Susie DeWeese. For more information, contact Saint John’s Foundation at 310.829.8424. We would be thrilled to welcome you to Think Pink 2023.

The Irene Dunne Guild is celebrating its thirty-sixth year as a major support group of Saint John’s Health Center Foundation in Santa Monica, California. The guild is comprised of over 100 members committed to putting their hearts forward to find innovative ways to fundraise, comfort patients, educate their community and nurture the mission of providing compassionate care. www. irenedunneguild.org

Dr. Lisa Damour, Clinical Psychologist, the New York Times bestselling author of Untangled and Under Pressure, New York Times Monthly Columnist & CBS News Contributor talks about her new book The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents.

Convert Your Analog Memories Into Digital With Westside Video Services

Convert Your Analog Memories Into Digital With Westside Video Services

By Susan Payne

The boxes of 8mm and 16mm film, comprised of childhood memories, moments with your siblings and friends captured before the digital era, are likely in your closet or tucked away for another time.

But, when will that time be? When will you take the boxes out, and convert the footage to an easily accessible and safe format, free from possible damage beyond repair?

The time is now, said Westside Video Services owner Sam Najah.

“Your memories are priceless and irreplaceable. Fire or flooding, there are all kinds of ways you can lose those photos or videos, lose the memories of your childhood forever. I always encourage people not to put it off,” he said.

Najah, who has nearly 30 years of production experience, local to Topanga and West Los Angeles, provides a service that makes the digital conversion and organization of those files seamless for the customer,

helping preserve, restore and showcase your cherished memories.

“Sometimes people get overwhelmed with the technology and put it off, but I really say, leave it up to us,” Najah said. “There’s not much you have to do besides pulling it out of the closet.”

Najah, equipped with a state-of-the-art system that transfers film to high definition, has been in business for three years, bringing those memories back to life.

“My customers well up in tears after they’ve rewatched the footage they haven’t seen in years,” Najah said.

In addition to converting analog film and photos to digital, Westside Video Service offers the following services:

DIGITAL TRANSFER

For memories stuck in an analog format, Westside Video Services transfers them into a DVD or a digital file. Photos slides and negatives are scanned at an archival quality, and 8mm film reels are converted to a highdefinition format that can be easily viewed, shared and enjoyed on any modern device.

Westside Video also offers free pick-up and delivery to ensure memories remain safe from potential shipping issues.

VIDEO SLIDESHOW

Remembering special events such as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, memorials and more is easy with Westside Video Service’s customized projects which combine your photos, video clips, music and special effects for your keepsake.

COMPLETE HOME ARCHIVAL SOLUTION

Westside Video has four steps in creating a home archival solution for your cherished memories. Step one is to digitize and take inventory of the photos, slides, negatives, videos, audio and more. In step two, Westside Video will organize and create folders and subfolders by date, events and holidays. After the organization step is complete, Westside Video will manually restore each image that can benefit from restoration by removing stains and blemishes and restoring the faded colors. Finally, step four, showcases the best photos, slides, video and film clips into a montage of your life set to music.

“We digitize and organize everything. We go through footage and slides and restore it to optimal colors and tones, then I showcase pieces highlighting the memories into one with music. You can narrow it down to an hour it tells their life story completely,” said Najah.

LEGACY VIDEO

Westside’s Legacy Video service connects family members across generations with a unique and tangible legacy, capturing the stories you and your family has to share. Westside will film an interview with the family member and support the stories they share with photos and videos from the past.

VIDEO PRODUCTION

Westside Video Services also provides costeffective production and specializes in online ads, web videos, commercial or corporate videos.

For more information on these services, or if you’d like to speak with Najah about the process of converting your analog inventory, go to www.westsidevideoservice.com.

“All my prices are listed on my website, but we do quantity discounts for people who have multiple tapes and albums, so it helps,” Najah said. “You do this once, you’re not going to have to do it again.”

Jim Carrey Lists Brentwood Mansion TIncludes Art Deco Theatre, Tennis Court and Yoga Pavilion

$28.9 million price tag on 1951 mansion

By Dolores Quintana

Comedian and artist Jim Carrey has decided to part with his Brentwood mansion of 30 years as reported by Realtor. com. Carrey bought the home in 1994 for $3.8 million and now has put a price tag of $28.9 million on the estate. The 1951 home comes with a custom Art Deco-style theatre, tennis court and yoga pavilion in 12,704 square feet of space.

Listing agent Janelle Friedman of Sotheby’s International Realty–Santa Monica-Venice Brokerage said, as quoted by Realtor.com, “This home provides a setting for those wishing to enjoy sophisticated entertaining or … plenty of room for children to play and explore in a magical setting. Brentwood is one of the top neighborhoods in Los Angeles,” Friedman

notes. “It’s just far enough from the bustle of the city while still enjoying easy access everywhere, from downtown to the beach.” The home has tons of natural light, brick and hardwood floors, and five fireplaces.

The mansion’s grounds are screened by a 280-foot hedge and within the home, you will find five bedrooms and six full bathrooms and another three and a half baths. All of the bedrooms are ensuite. The master suite has wood paneling, a fireplace, leadedglass windows and a soaking tub and a bay window, a covered balcony, a sitting area, and one of the home’s five fireplaces.

Friedman says the custom movie theatre is, as quoted by Realtor.com, “as striking as the famous movie palaces of Hollywood, featuring mohair-covered sofas, burl-wood columns and snack area, and a lavish marble bath.” Inside the theatre, you can find costumes from some of Carrey’s films, displayed in glass cases along with other movie memorabilia. The theatre and the

gym are on separate levels outside of the one-story ranch home’s main area.

In the backyard, there is a gazebo, pool house, pool and spa with a waterfall and a platform meant to be used in the practice of yoga and meditation and a vegetable garden with tomato plants. A three-car garage awaits the owner’s prized vehicles. Additionally, the luxury mansion has a chef’s kitchen with all of the top appliances and an indoor barbeque. Glass doors open out into a huge courtyard and Friedman

says, as quoted by Realtor.com, “To have two verdant acres, strewn with mature trees; large, grassy areas; and meandering paths is a rare and prized commodity,”

Photo: Realtor.com

Brentwood Beat - Westside Urban Forum: Small Can Be Good

its businesses so as to reduce commutes, she said. It is also morally repugnant, she added, to put Santa Monica’s homeless “out of sight and out of mind.”

I was invited by fellow Brentwood resident Josh Stephens to moderate a recent panel conversation conducted by the Westside Urban Forum, a group that meets regularly to talk about housing, transportation and infrastructure issues.

Mayors Gleam Davis of Santa Monica, James T. Butts of Inglewood, and Sepi Shyne of West Hollywood were on the panel. Mayor Albert Vera of Culver City had to pull out at the last minute because of a business emergency.

The Mayor of Los Angeles was left out of this conference by design, according to Josh Stephens, in order to give these smaller cities more of a chance to shine. LA gets its own Westside Urban Forum event later in the year, he said.

Westside Urban Forum is made up mostly of architects, city planners and builders. About 70 attended. Here are some highlights of that meeting.

I opened with some breaking news: a recent article in the Antelope Valley Press indicated Santa Monica was in discussions with the City of Palmdale for the purpose of building housing in Palmdale that would help Santa Monica fulfill its housing target goals.

In this article, Palmdale City Manager Ronda Perez is quoted as saying a financial deal might be arrived at, whereby Palmdale could benefit from helping Santa Monica.

Palmdale Mayor Laura Bettencourt was quoted in the same article as being opposed to the idea, out of concern Santa Monica might try and ship its unhoused population up to Palmdale.

Mayor Davis of Santa Monica immediately shot this idea down, saying she didn’t authorize these conversations and she’s opposed to the idea anyway.

Santa Monica needs housing close to

I have actually written articles in the Brentwood News in favor of exploring a Palmdale option, because to house and provide services to 66,000 homeless individuals across LA County is going to require considerable land.

LAX owns 17,000 acres up in Palmdale, bought in 1968 to build an airport that never got built. Maybe a “world class” village for homeless, including shelter, services and job training could be built there, I suggested. I don’t think I persuaded Mayor Davis.

Mayor James T. Butts questioned the idea of just shifting homeless individuals from place to place. During Project Room Key, a motel in Inglewood was filled with 107 formerly homeless occupants, all paid for by the City and County of Los Angeles.

Mayor Butts said he wonders how long the City and County of Los Angeles will pay for this – and what will happen to the motel’s occupants if and when they are asked to leave. He suggested they could very well end up back on the streets.

In addition to building an arena in Inglewood, Inglewood is also building 2,000 units of affordable housing, according to Butts. He thinks Inglewood is doing about as much as it can do to provide housing, as there is very little available land.

Mayor Shyne said West Hollywood had reduced its homeless population by 60% in the last two years, the result of a combination of assertive outreach, services and shelter. West Hollywood is looking into using vacant city properties for housing. LA has discussed this, as well.

All three mayors agreed a regional solution will be required, and that small cities on their own can only do so much, and only for small pieces of the puzzle that is Greater LA.

Santa Monica Mayor Davis noted that

the Santa Monica Airport – 227 acres – will close in 2028. She said there are a lot of competing interests who would love to get their hands on the land.

Some think it should all go to housing, she said; others think the entire property should be turned into a big park; Mayor Davis said it is likely some combination of these ideas will be employed, adding she didn’t want to say too much at this time.

Davis said the City of Santa Monica will likely hire an outside consultant that will seek out inputs from everyday citizens who might otherwise not be known to Santa Monica City Hall insiders. She said “often it’s the same 15 people” who voice opinions at City Hall meetings.

Santa Monica wants to get this right, she said, noting that these “citizen panels” have worked in other places. I told her after the panel concluded I’d like to see a zoo and an aquarium there.

There was a notable difference between listening to these mayors of smaller cities and City of Los Angeles officials.

Because Brentwood is part of LA, discussions about what LA should do as a city often become long, drawn-out talks that include mention of how hard it is to get things done because of all the bureaucracy.

I got the sense from this panel discussion that these smaller cities have a lot more leeway when it comes to trying new things. Small can be good.

Pictured: Jeff Hall, Brentwood News; Mayor Gleam Davis, Santa Monica; Mayor James T. Butts, Inglewood; and Mayor Sepi Shyne, West Hollywood.

LA City Council Moves Ahead With Controversial $800 Million Plan for Green Hydrogen Power Plant

Despite the vote passing 12-0, some council members raised concerns about the project’s environmental impact

By Sam Catanzaro

The Los Angeles City Council voted on Wednesday to move forward with a controversial $800 million plan to shift the Scattergood Generating Station in Playa del Rey from natural gas to green hydrogen.

Despite the vote passing 12-0, some council members raised concerns about the project’s environmental impact and lack of transparency from city officials. Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, chair of the council’s energy committee, expressed skepticism, saying that there had been no analysis of alternatives or robust community engagement process.

“While I completely understand and agree that our power system needs to be reliable and resilient, I am still not convinced that burning

hydrogen is the best way to achieve that end,” Yaroslavsky said, adding that she did not take “great comfort in the responses” from LADWP officials during the meeting.

In an effort to ensure the project does not present a public health or safety risks from the production, storage, transportation or use of green hydrogen, several guidelines were put in place including regular reports from LADWP and hydrogen leak prevention and monitoring. The council also directed LADWP to assess non-combustion alternatives to green hydrogen and conduct outreach with local councils and organizations.

The Board of Water and Power Commissioners approved a resolution in August saying that transitioning to hydrogen could help reach its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2035. However, environmental groups have voiced their opposition arguing that hydrogen still produces emissions that can threaten the climate and is more costly than other alternatives like solar, wind or battery storage.

Alex Jasset of Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles warned in a statement to City News Service that this step could set off a “massive hydrogen build-out” across Los Angeles which could perpetuate

health and environmental injustices for communities living near power plants.

During a prior committee meeting LADWP’s director of resource planning Jason Rondou says while $800 seems significant, it is expected to account for less than one percent of LA’s energy portfolio by 2030.

“If we have wildfires, if we have earthquakes, it is that less than 1% that will keep the grid reliable and stable so that we can continue to charge our electric vehicles, and we can continue to power our homes and businesses — which will be fully electrified in

the future,” Rondou said.

Councilwoman Traci Park said she was prepared to use Section 245 of the City Charter as a veto if she finds too many risks associated with the project. Section 245 gives City Council the power to override actions by local boards with a two-thirds vote.

“If this project ultimately breaks ground, I have to be able to tell my constituents — without a hint of doubt — that our actions will not come at the expense of their health and well-being,” Park said.

American Youth Symphony Returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall This Weekend

Nearly 400 of the finest young orchestral and choral musicians from AYS and National Children’s Chorus will perform Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem on Saturday

By Susan Payne

In its 58th season, the American Youth Symphony (AYS) is returning to Walt Disney Concert Hall this week for LA Phil’s “Sounds About Town” series.

Nearly 400 of the finest young orchestral and choral musicians from AYS and National Children’s Chorus will perform Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m., a deeply moving performance depicting the haunting atrocities of warfare in the hopes of signifying the importance of global unity.

“Maestro Carlos Izcaray has been our music director since 2016 and he continues to inspire the aspiring musicians of AYS with a socially

conscious approach to music and advocate for showcasing and supporting today’s living composers and underrepresented voices,” said Isabel Thiroux, interim executive director at AYS.

With its year coming to a close in April, AYS is planning two community events with partners A Place Called Home and Inner-City Arts, in addition to its 58th Annual Gala at Royce Hall with works by Samuel Barber, EsePekka Salonen, Gabriela Ortiz and Richard Strauss. After the gala, a private post-concert wine reception will be held for donors and AYS members.

“AYS has been providing landmark fellowships and training to virtuosic young musicians for the past 58 years through incredible performance opportunities and meaningful community partnerships. We train musicians, build audiences and provide community education,” Thiroux said.

AYS orchestra fellows are ages 15 and up and most concerts are free to the public.

In addition to the orchestra, AYS offers the following programs:

• Fellowship program — four fellowships that provide professional development training above and beyond the rigorous performance opportunities available to all orchestra members. In recognition of the broad range of skills needed to succeed as professionals, each

program provides career-specific elements of education, responsibility and leadership experience in a paid, season-long fellowship.

• Share-A-Stand (SAS) — musicians visit partner schools as instrument-specific “String Coaches” leading sectionals, rehearsing sideby-side with students and mentoring students in creative and personal growth. SAS is currently partnered with Markham Middle School in Watts, Griffith STEAM Magnet Middle School in East Los Angeles and Robert Frost Middle School in Granada Hills. Transportation and tickets are provided to all three partner schools to the annual Hollywood Project concert at UCLA’s Royce Hall.

“We will always have different segments of our audience in mind when planning and programming, including families, fans of live-to-film performances, and we also have presented world premieres of new music every season,” said Thiroux.

Thiroux has been a part of AYS for over half of her life, starting her journey with the organization as a member of the viola section from 2001 to 2007.

“My last concert with AYS was playing Mahler’s Fifth Symphony at Walt Disney Concert Hall. I thought that was a good way to end my tenure at AYS, but little did I know, that was just the beginning,” she said.

In 2007, Thiroux joined the organization as a

part-time administrative assistant, then became the orchestra manager in 2010. In 2015, she moved her way up and became the director of orchestra operations.

Currently, Thiroux still holds that role but is the interim executive director while AYS searches for the next executive director.

“I look forward to enthusiastically supporting the new executive director with all of my organizational knowledge and institutional history,” she said.

For its 59th season that will be announced later this year, AYS is including performances at its home venues, Royce Hall and Wal Disney Concert Hall, and in the local community.

To learn more about AYS, or to attend a local or community performance, visit www. aysymphony.org.

Tickets for the upcoming Sounds About Town concert range from $16 to $50 and can be purchased here.

Man Charged With Two Counts of Hate Crimes for Targeting Jewish Men in PicoRobertson Shootings

Jaime Tran faces up to life in prison for recent shootings

By Sam Catanzaro

Federal prosecutors last week charged a former Riverside resident with two counts of committing hate crimes for allegedly targeting and shooting two Jewish men as they departed religious services outside two Pico-Robertson synagogues over two days. Jaime Tran, 28, made his first court appearance Feb. 17 after being arrested the day before.

“Over the past two days, our community experienced two horrific acts we believe were motivated by antisemitic ideology that caused him to target the Jewish community,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada on Friday. “It is important, especially in one of the most diverse areas in the world, that we celebrate our differences, and stand together to oppose acts of hate.”

The complaint alleges that Tran targeted the two victims because they were Jewish or because he believed them to be Jewish. Both shootings occurred in the same predominantly Jewish neighborhood and both victims were

dressed in clothing that visibly identified their Jewish faith, including black jackets and head coverings.

“In addition to targeting innocent people with violent physical attacks, these crimes instill fear in the community. There is no place in Los Angeles and, indeed, the United States of America, for fear to control communities and to intimidate people of faith,” said Donald Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Law enforcement will work together to prevent hate crimes, whether they be civil liberties violations or acts of terror. On behalf of the FBI, I wish a full recovery to the victims who were senselessly attacked for their faith, as well as peace to the Jewish community.”

Because the complaint contains allegations that Tran attempted to murder the two victims, the maximum statutory penalty for each of the two hate crimes is life without parole in federal prison.

Tran allegedly located the Jewish neighborhood by searching a popular business review app for a kosher market in the PicoRobertson district. After locating the market, Tran allegedly drove to the area, where the first shooting occurred on Wednesday at approximately 9:45 a.m., resulting in a gunshot wound to one victim’s lower back. The second shooting took place on Thursday

at approximately 8 a.m., with another victim sustaining a gunshot wound to his upper arm.

The Department of Justice says investigators acted quickly to identify Tran’s vehicle, collect witness statements, and obtain background information used in building the criminal case against him outlined in the criminal complaint.

According to LA City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky who represents the area, the suspect had a history of hostility towards Jews.

“This has been an incredibly difficult and painful week for many in the Jewish community. As many of you know, the Los Angeles Police arrested a man late Thursday night who has been charged in the shooting of two Jewish men as they were leaving shul this week. We now know that the suspect has a history of animus towards Jews, and it is clear that this crime was motivated by hate. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged the suspect with two hate crimes. If convicted on both, he could face up to life in prison,” Yaroslavsky wrote in a newsletter. “These shootings come as antisemitic incidents in Los Angeles rose 29% in 2021, and 217% from 2017 to 2021.

According to the Anti-Defamation League of Los Angeles, the number of hate incidents in the city is on pace to surpass last year’s record high. Let me be clear, hate has absolutely no place in Los Angeles, and Jewish people deserve to live our lives free from the threat

of violence and anti-semitism. I am committed to rooting out hate in all forms across Council District 5 and our city. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a hate crime, please report it by calling 911, 311 or 211.”

Westfield Century City Tells LA Metro it Does Not Want Direction Connection to Mall for Purple Line Extension

Rodamco-Westfield have now informed Metro that they are no longer interested in an underground mall entrance to the station. Therefore, Metro has determined an alternate location for the UPE Plenum in the public right-of-way along Constellation Boulevard to avoid the need for a real-estate easement agreement with Westfield management.

entrance from public transportation

By Sam Catanzaro

The owner of Westfield Century City, Unibail, has told LA Metro it does not want to directly connect the future Purple Line extension under construction to the mall.

A UPE Plenum – a portion of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning – was to be located on the property of the Westfield Mall to allow for an underground entrance from the Century City Constellation Station into the Mall. Westfield Mall owners Unibail-

“…an alternate entrance at the intersection of Constellation Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars would be just as easily accessible by riders and would eliminate the need for disruptive construction at our center,” Westfield Century City owners told CoStar News.

One of Metro’s priority projects, the Purple Line Extension will provide a high-capacity, high-speed and, dependable alternative for commuters to travel between downtown Los Angeles, the Miracle Mile, Beverly Hills and Westwood.

From the current terminus at Wilshire/ Western, the Purple Line Extension will extend westward for about nine miles and add seven new stations providing easy access to the Westside, the region’s second-largest job

center. Travel time between downtown Los Angeles and Westwood is expected to be about 25 minutes.

The project is being built in three sections. The first section between Wilshire/Western and Wilshire/La Cienega is now under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2023.

Section 2 of the Purple Line Extension Project will extend the subway to downtown Beverly Hills and Century City. Section 2 is also currently under construction and is

scheduled for completion in 2025. Sections 1 and 2 are funded primarily by Measure R — the sales tax Los Angeles County voters approved in 2008 — and with a pair of federal grants.

Section 3 will then extend the project to two stations in Westwood. The passage of the Measure M sales tax ballot measure by county voters in 2016 will allow this section to be accelerated. Construction began in 2019. Metro has secured federal funds for the last section of the Purple Line Extension Project.

Unibail-RodamcoWestfield have informed Metro that they are no longer interested in an underground mall

Six-Story Apartment Complex Proposed Near Metro’s Expo/Sepulveda Station in Rancho Park

Mixed-Use Development Reaches Full Height in Sawtelle

20 units planned for Ranco Park

A six-story, 20-unit residential complex is proposed to replace two existing homes just south of Metro’s Expo/Sepulveda Station in Rancho Park.

Los Angeles-based Tripalink, best known for co-living apartments catering to students near USC, is the applicant behind the project at 2580 S. Sepulveda Boulevard.

The proposed edifice will feature large apartments with at least six bedrooms, similar to other Tripalink developments. The

developer has requested entitlements that would allow for taller, denser construction than zoning rules would typically permit as part of the Transit Oriented Communities incentives program. In exchange, three units will be set aside for rent as affordable housing at the extremely low-income level for a period of 55 years.

JPark Architects has designed a contemporary podium-type building named “Mira”, which will feature smooth plaster on its exterior and amenities such as recreation rooms, a gym and a rooftop deck. The ground floor includes parking for 19 vehicles.

The five-story building will feature 51 apartments above 939 square feet of ground-floor retail

Just six months after construction

began, a mixed-use project from developer Markwood has reached its full height at 11701 W. Santa Monica Boulevard in Sawtelle.

The five-story building will feature 51 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments above 939 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. There will also be several street-fronting live/work units along the Barrington side of the building, as well as a two-level parking garage below.

Lavish Century City Condo Listed by Company Tied to Larry Ellison’s Girlfriend

$14 million price tag on Century tower condo

By

Dolores Quintana

There is another opening in the Century towers in Century City since a condo has been listed for sale as reported by The Dirt.com. The address is 1 West Century Drive, Unit 35A. The price is $13.95 million and is a property owned by Nikita Khan, a Ukrainian actress, model, animal advocate, real estate investor and interior designer. She is the long-time girlfriend of Oracle CEO Larry Ellison. The listing is held by Geoffrey Frid of Compass Real Estate. Khan lists one of Ellison’s mansions in Malibu as her home address and refers to herself as Nikita Khan Ellison in various public records according to The Dirt.com even though the couple is not known to have married.

In her bio on her website, Khan states that her personal beliefs in interior design are that she has a “passion for remodeling homes with classic pieces, neutral color palettes, and touches of timeless sophistication. She loves creating

spaces that are warm, inviting, and comfortable.”

In addition, Khan states in her bio that she is an animal activist who has “worked closely with the California Wildlife Center, participating in fundraisers to protect, rescue, and rehabilitate sick, injured, or orphaned animals. She is also a Peninsula Humane Society & SPCABoard Member, assisting in the organization’s events and fundraisers to help find homes for animals in need of loving caretakers. Kahn also supports the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Rhino Rescue Center, which is helping to bring the species back from the brink of extinction through new reproductive technologies and innovations.”

The listing for the condo states that the generously appointed property is “set within the coveted Century is one of the finest penthouses in Los Angeles, spanning just under 4,500 square feet. Live amongst the clouds with an abundance of natural light throughout, the epitome of estate living in the sky. This penthouse features 4 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, 3 balconies and breathtaking views from every angle. The residence underwent designer renovation retaining its elegance and timeless design exuding a modern flair. With crisp,

clean lines and a natural palette, this home embodies sophistication at its finest. Appointed with a gourmet kitchen with Miele appliances, Restoration Hardware furnishings throughout and dressed with custom cashmere automated shades.” which follows the ideas that Khan espouses in her bio on interior design.

The listing goes on to relate the amenities that condo owners have access to at the Century, “Residence features include a primary suite equipped with a private balcony, dual walkin closets with separate marble bathrooms, 3 additional ensuite guest bedrooms, a formal dining room, an eat-in breakfast nook and a laundry room with storage. Designed by worldrenowned Robert A.M. Stern, and landscaped by Pamela Burton, The Century residents are pampered by an unparalleled array of amenities and services that rival the world’s finest hotels. Amenities include nearly 4 acres of property with spectacular gardens, 24-hour guard gated security, full-service concierge, valet parking, a 75-foot pool with private cabanas, state-ofthe-art gym, Pilates studio, Spa, Yoga studio, screening room, library and private wine storage.”

The HOA fee for the condo is set at $4,726 per month and it is likely, according to The Dirt, that Khan did not live in the condo herself, because it was listed as a rental property for most of the time that Khan has owned it. Other residents of the Tower include choreographer and dancer Paula Abdul, restaurant owner Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Matthew Perry, singer, actress and entrepreneur Rihanna and Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington. Candy Spelling, wife of the late Aaron Spelling has owned the penthouse apartment since the Century tower opened its doors

Rendering: JPark Architects

Photo: ZenHouse Collective

Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky Outlines Vision for Westwood Village Revitalization at WVIA Board Meeting

WVIA holds first in-person meeting in nearly three years

Last month, the Westwood Village Improvement Association (WVIA) welcomed newly-elected CD-5 Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky to their first in-person Board meeting in nearly three years. During the meeting, the Councilwoman outlined her vision for the future of Westwood Village and her steadfast commitment to collaboratively working with all stakeholders to help revitalize the area.

“The conversation highlighted the need to invest in transportation projects to make visiting Westwood and the entire Westside easier,” WVIA said in a newsletter recapping the meeting.

These projects include two planned Metro rail projects, bicycle infrastructure, a new

Multiple Injured in TwoVehicle Crash in Front of Sawtelle Restaurant

Sunday incident takes place in front of Killer Noodle on Sawtelle

Multiple people were injured in Sawtelle following a two-vehicle crash in front of a restaurant over the weekend.

Westwood Village Parking Program with wayfinding signage designed to improve parking accessibility along with advertisement of affordable parking rates in the Village, and an initiative called ‘Broxton at Westwood Village’, which will convert a one-way portion of Broxton Avenue into a pedestrian-only space.

Michelle Schwartz, Chief External Affairs Officer for LA28, joined the meeting via special presentation to discuss Los Angeles’ upcoming 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the crash happened Sunday around 12:35 p.m. at 2030 S. Sawtelle Blvd., when a vehicle crashed into a parked car and a dumpster near the restaurant. Four people were transported to the hospital as a result: a 23-year-old woman listed in critical condition, a 74-year-old man listed in “moderate” condition and two others transported in fair condition.

It’s unclear if any of those hospitalized were passengers of either vehicle involved in the crash.

Photos from the scene showed police officers and firefighters blocking off the area as a doctor began assisting those injured in front of Killer Noodle ramen restaurant.

The cause of the collision is currently under investigation with no additional details made available at this time.

LA City Council District Five Representative Pushes for Purchase of Last Major Undeveloped Area in Bel-Air

90% of the available land is undevelopable, and would require massive investment to build on. So, after years of massive price cuts, the land is finally going up for auction. Preserving this land for permanent open space would be a massive win for our city. If properly preserved and managed, the property has an opportunity to present benefits for nearby neighborhoods in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.”

By Dolores Quintana

LA City Council District Five representative Katy Yaroslavsky has made the case that the city of Los Angeles should purchase the 260acre Senderos Canyon, one of the last major undeveloped areas in the city located in BelAir as reported by 2Urban Girls.Com and introduced a motion before the City Council to explore a purchase.

Yaroslavsky made the case on her official CD5 Twitter page and said, “The owners of Senderos Canyon have attempted to sell the land for over a decade. The problem is that

She added, stressing the importance of open spaces in the city, “It would also mean additional open space for recreational activities and habitat for wildlife. The land borders several large parcels of public land and could expand the Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park on the other side of the 405. Over the decades, we have seen so much of our open space lost to development. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save what little we have left.”

We reported on the sale on January 27 here and the press release noted that it is “the single most monumental land opportunity in Los Angeles comprising approximately 260 sweeping, pristine acres in the heart of Bel Air,

is now listed for sale by auction via Paramount Realty USA, a prominent national auction firm. Bidding is set to begin today, January 24, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time, through the auction deadline of 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time

on March 15, 2023.” and that the owners have been trying to sell the 260 acres since 2013 without success. Senderos Canyon is 6% of Bel-Air’s total landmass so it is a significant part of the area within the city.

“Preserving this land for permanent open space would be a massive win for our city,” Katy Yaroslavsky says in regards to Senderos Canyon

Photo: Compass Senderos Canyon

Photo: Citizen App.

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