Veterans Collective Gets State Backing to Transform West LA Campus
State Funds
Jumpstart
Construction of 250 Homes and More
Construction of new housing and a long-envisioned town center at the north campus of the West Los Angeles VA complex is set to accelerate, thanks to a new infusion of state funding.
The Veterans Collective, a collaboration between Century Housing Corp., Thomas Safran & Associates, and U.S. Vets, has secured $105 million in taxexempt bonds and low-income housing tax credits from the State of California, as reported by Urbanize Los Angeles. The newly announced funds will support the development of 250 additional homes for veterans and their families, as well as the creation of a Town Center intended to serve the community.
“Our commitment to Veterans is steadfast,” said Parisa Roshan of Thomas Safran & Associates. “This financing ensures we can continue providing housing, support, and a sense of community to those who served.”
The Veterans Collective’s larger plan involves the creation of more than 1,200 affordable housing units on the campus, ultimately accommodating up to 3,000 residents. The latest funding round will be allocated to Buildings 256, 408, and
409, adding to the 325 units currently under construction and the more than 450 that have already been completed, according to Paige O’Donnell of Century Housing.
To date, over $1 billion in public and
private investment has been committed to revitalizing the north campus. Additional funding will likely be required to meet the housing needs of the estimated 3,000 homeless veterans living in Los Angeles County.
How About a Brentwood Podcast?
I am hoping you can help me with a little experiment.
In addition to writing a column for the Brentwood News, a paper I founded in 1991, I am involved with some digital news ventures, including something called Our National Conversation, or ONC for short.
The idea behind ONC is to reduce toxic partisanship and get America talking again. We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, staffed mostly by student interns. Some experienced mentors and I work closely with our students. Our team includes Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and more. We write articles, host podcasts, and post on social media. We all get along great. You can find us at OurNationalConversation.org.
We now want to see if there’s an appetite for a monthly Brentwood-based
podcast. I’d be the main host, but others would be welcome to join in.
Every month, we’d interview one or more Brentwood residents doing something interesting we think all Brentwood residents should know about.
We recently recorded a podcast about the idea of using salt water to fight fires in places like the Palisades and Brentwood.
I wrote about this idea recently, and got quite a response. Here’s the article: https://brentwoodnewsla.com/ brentwood-beat-before-the-next-firelets-build-a-water-pipeline-from-theocean/
I found two world-class experts on this topic to join a recording session with: Carolyn Jordan, former head of the Brentwood Community Council; Teri Redman Kahn, who has headed up fire safety programs in Mandeville Canyon for decades; and me.
Our first expert guest was Sal Mercogliana, a professor at Campbell
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Our neurosurgery virtuoso is now offering consultations in West LA.
As a professor and the associate chair of neurosurgical innovation at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, Dr. Cohen is often consulted for his second opinion by patients and other neurosurgeons alike. His experience is unparalleled as he has performed over 7,000 complex brain surgeries. His pioneering expertise and compassion is now closer than ever, in West LA.
Aaron Cohen-Gadol MD, MSc, MBA
Brentwood Farmers Market Responds to Traffic Complaints with New Safety Steps
Farmers Market Takes Action to Support New Palisades Vendors
In response to growing concerns over Sunday traffic congestion caused by the temporary expansion of the Brentwood Farmers Market, organizers have implemented new safety and traffic control measures aimed at improving the experience for both residents and marketgoers.
The market, which extended onto San Vicente Boulevard to accommodate displaced vendors from the closed Pacific Palisades Farmers Market, has received pushback from some residents north of San Vicente regarding the resulting lane closure. Community representatives from the South Brentwood Residents Association (SBRA) and other local groups recently met with Farmers Market organizers to discuss complaints and potential solutions.
Despite the concerns, SBRA announced its support for allowing the Palisades vendors to continue operating
at the Brentwood location until their home market reopens. The organization cited strong support from residents who expressed a willingness to adjust their Sunday driving routes in exchange for helping the displaced vendors maintain their livelihoods.
“South Brentwood residents sent a clear message: supporting local vendors matters, even if it means a minor inconvenience on Sundays,” the SBRA said in a statement.
In response, Farmers Market officials have introduced a series of safety improvements. A crossing guard has been stationed at Gretna Green Way to assist pedestrians and prevent vehicles from blocking the remaining open lane on San Vicente while dropping off passengers. Market staff are also directing drop-offs to the nearby Montana Avenue and Gretna Green intersection, where traffic can flow more safely.
Additionally, signage has been placed west of the golf course along San Vicente to alert drivers to the lane closure in advance. The signs encourage drivers to divert onto Burlingame or alternative streets to avoid congestion near the market entrance.
Join UCLA's Innovative Memory Research Study!
Are you ready to contribute to groundbreaking research and help shape the future of memory treatments?
Do you sometimes find yourself grappling with memory challenges? If you are right-handed and between 55 and 100 years old, UCLA invites you to be part of our cutting-edge Memory Research Study.
Why Participate?
This clinical trial aims to utilize Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) as a treatment to enhance memory and improve overall brain function. Whether you're experiencing memory problems or have been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, your participation can make a significant impact towards finding new treatments for memory loss.
What to expect?
Participants will undergo neuropsychological (memory and cognitive) testing, two functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) brain scans, and 15 stimulation sessions. Participants will receive either active TMS treatment or receive a sham (placebo) TMS. Those receiving sham TMS may be eligible for active treatment upon study completion. Participation in the study requires a time commitment of 20 days over the course of approximately 3 months.
Your contribution to advancing memory treatments:
Memory loss is a pervasive challenge for people suffering from neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD) or amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI). Alzheimer’s disease affects
about 11% of people over the age of 65, with an estimated 6.7 million Americans affected overall. Unless new treatments or a cure are discovered, the number of people with AD is expected to grow to 13.8 million by 2060. Amnestic MCI is a milder form of memory loss that is twice as prevalent as AD. People with aMCI often experience worsening memory loss and develop AD at the rate of 10 to 15% per year. Currently, there are only a limited number of FDA approved treatments for AD, which only temporarily slow the disease’s progression rather than cure or reverse it. For people with aMCI, new and effective treatments are desperately needed to slow or prevent further memory loss and stave off the debilitating effects of AD. Our research combines advanced technologies, including structural and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), electroencephalogram (EEG) EEG, and TMS stimulation to enhance memory function in aMCI and non-aMCI individuals with subjective memory complaints. The techniques used in the study involve no invasive procedures or radiation. Functional MRI produces detailed images of brain structure and activity. Transcranial Magnetic
Stimulation uses gentle magnetic energy to affect brain activity. EEG measures brain waves. The knowledge gained from the study will contribute to the development of personalized, non-invasive therapies for memory restoration.
Compensation:
Apart from the satisfaction of contributing to groundbreaking research, participants will receive financial compensation of $600 for completing the study, covering participation expenses and parking costs. Additionally, you will receive neuropsychological testing results and a picture of your brain! Join Us: For more information, contact the Dr. Nanthia Suthana Lab at UCLA via email at tmsmemorystudy@mednet.ucla.edu or call (310) 210-6978.
Oscar Winner Helen Hunt Puts Former Greta Garbo Home on the Market
Actress Is Saying Goodbye to Her Classic Brentwood Estate
Actress Helen Hunt is parting ways with her longtime Brentwood Park residence, a Spanish-style estate steeped in Old Hollywood history, after more than two decades of ownership, as reported by Realtor.com. The Oscar winner purchased the home in 2001 for $4.62 million and has now listed it for $14.995 million.
Before settling on the 1930s-built residence, Hunt considered a number of newer homes with sweeping staircases and grand entrances. But they didn’t appeal to her. “I wanted a house with history and architectural integrity,” Hunt, 61, said. What she found was a roughly 6,000-square-foot architectural gem originally constructed in 1931, complete with stone flooring imported from France, classic stucco and plaster finishes, and distinctive arched doorways.
Nestled on a gated, 0.38-acre lot
in one of West Los Angeles’ most exclusive neighborhoods, the property comes with notable provenance: it was once home to film legend Greta Garbo, according to the 2015 book The Movieland Directory. Hunt acquired the residence from film editor and producer George Folsey Jr., whose credits include Coming to America.
“For someone looking to live in a house that announces itself as a ‘mansion’—this is not the house for you.”
Over the years, the actress has made several thoughtful upgrades, including installing a glass staircase to maximize natural light. She converted a former studio into a home office with garden views and renovated the poolhouse into a full guest residence. The grounds feature mature landscaping, courtyards, a koi pond, vegetable gardens, and alfresco dining areas that have hosted everything from birthday celebrations to Tuscan-style holiday dinners.
The five-bedroom, six-bathroom main house retains many original architectural elements, such as handfinished stucco walls, wood-beamed ceilings, ironwork accents, and artisanal tilework. A detached guesthouse offers
an additional two rooms, and a private pool and spa are tucked amid lush plantings.
Hunt won an Academy Award in 1998
for As Good as It Gets Drew Fenton and Stephen Sigoloff of Carolwood Estates represent the property.
Spring Brewery Artwalk & Open Art Studios
Where Art Lives.
If you’re looking for something fun and different to do, the Brewery Artwalk is holding its Spring Artwalk on May 3rd and 4th, with two days of open studios on Main Street in Lincoln Heights, just east of the LA River.
A venerable institution, the Brewery Artwalk is in its 41st year of welcoming the public to this twice-yearly event. It is a truly unique opportunity to explore the campus – a fascinating jumble of former industrial buildings which were once home to East Side Tap Brewery, and later Pabst Blue Ribbon – now home to hundreds of artists and creatives, many of whom will be opening their studios during the weekend.
You’ll find nearly every discipline represented here, and the pleasure of meeting the artist in their studio is a wonderful way to fall in love with original art. Start your collection with a connection to the person who made it, and you will have a story to go with the artwork that adds layers of meaning to the experience and your memories of your visit.
This event is for everyone! From families to first time buyers, collectors to curators, experienced art denizens to young kids experiencing the art world for the first time.
Get a jump on starting your art collection, or add to it with new work, by
visiting the Brewery Artwalk. It’s a free event, and is sure to be a great day of exploring and seeing!
There will be a beer garden in the middle of the complex with a menu of onthe-go food, plus an array of food trucks on Moulton and Avenue 21. Free parking
is available at the UPS facility on Moulton Avenue. Open Saturday and Sunday, May 3rd & 4th, from 11am to 6pm. 1920 N. Main Street, Los Angeles 90031 www.breweryartwalk.com info@ breweryartwalk.com
Immerse yourself in a sanctuary where nature’s tranquility meets the vibrancy of city life. Urban Jungle is more than a plant store it’s a communitycentered oasis bringing a lush slice of paradise to your urban lifestyle. Here, we passionately believe in the power of plants to transform spaces and elevate well-being.
‘A Wonderful Place for the Community’: Urban Jungle Celebrates One Year Anniversary
From soil to sanctuary, Urban Jungle, an indoor and tropical plants nursery, is celebrating one year of business this spring.
Sprouting from a deep-seated love for horticulture shared by founders Tracey and Mark Marriott, this community-centered oasis brings a lush slice of paradise to urban lifestyle.
Hosting a unique variety of indoor and outdoor plants, in addition to a collection of globally sourced pottery, Urban Jungle is a place where plant lovers gather to share stories, tips and their love for all things green.
Most of the outdoor plants found at Urban Jungle started from the soil of the couple’s 14-acre farm in Los Angeles. An unrivaled selection from exotic rarities to familiar favorites, Urban Jungle’s collection is diverse and hand-picked for its health and vibrancy.
“My husband grows a large selection of the plants we carry. We opened this brick-and-mortar to house the plants and
share them with the community. We gutted the previous nursery design and made it our own with a lot of hard work. We’re confident Urban Jungle has turned into a wonderful place for the community,” Tracey said.
GREEN AND GORGEOUS SELECTION
Beautify your balcony, terrace or garden with Urban Jungle’s curated selection of outdoor plants tailored for urban environments and green retreats in the heart of the city.
Succulents, perfect for the urban dweller, offer beauty with minimal maintenance while filtering air quality, ideal for adding a touch of green to both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Low watering plants, designed for the eco conscious urbanite, add a beautiful touch of greenery while saving water.
Pairing perfectly with plants, Urban Jungle offers unique and stylish pottery ranging from sleek modern designs to timeless classics, globally and locally sourced.
EVENTS
Urban Jungle welcomes customers traveling near and far for its selection, but also for its monthly events, such as Earthly Elixirs on Thursday, April 24. From 6 to 7:30 p.m., attendees are invited to enjoy
garden-inspired cocktails or mocktails and plant their own windowsill herb garden.
“Lavender infused mojito, or mint mojitos, we are excited to open the space for more events like this in the future, bringing people together to share their love for green,” Tracey said. “These events are all inclusive, and people will walk away with a plant or succulent or something they will craft with their hands.”
Urban Jungle plans to host monthly events throughout the summer for everyone to experience the sanctuary — a thriving community of nature enthusiasts, urban gardeners, and advocates for a greener, more sustainable world.
Going into its second year of business, Tracey said Urban Jungle would like to explore helping businesses flourish with plants and creating good energy in workspaces.
“We’re looking forward to more growth, more customers and continuing what we have for years to come,” Tracey said.
To learn more about Urban Jungle and follow its journey, follow @ urbanjungleplantsandpottery on Instagram.
Visit the nursery at 3113 Lincoln Boulevard, Santa Monica, open Monday through Friday 11 to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 6 p.m.
A vocal flower blooms in Beverly Canon Gardens
Soprano Golda Zahra comes home to put on a free concert in her old neighborhood
By Linda Chase
“Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa…”
The young couple was driving home after attending a performance of “The Magic Flute.” Their 4-year-old daughter, Golda, was in the back seat singing the sounds over and over.
“Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa…”
Little Golda was imitating the famous aria she had just heard sung by the character Papageno. Mozart’s colorful fairy-tale opera had awakened something inside her. The car engine had barely cooled when her parents signed her up for piano lessons.
Today, the 25-year-old Golda Zahra is a rising opera star. She chose her middle name for her stage name to honor her Persian heritage. Zahra can mean flower, beauty or princess in Farsi.
Zahra views herself as not only a singer but also a woman on a mission. In many of her performances, such as her free outdoor concert on May 24 in the Beverly Canon Gardens in Beverly Hills, she wants to win over listeners who may think opera is too
highbrow and “not for them.” Her strategy is to let the beauty of the music speak for itself.
Zahra’s mantra is “Put your heart in your hand.” “Emotion is something that a lot of young singers are lacking in, so I really try to move my audience,” she said in a Zoom interview.
Backed up by a six-musician jazz ensemble, she will perform mostly popular Italian-Neapolitan songs, jazz classics and hits from Broadway and film. But in the middle of the show, she’s presenting one of her favorite arias, “Quando me’n vo,” from Puccini’s “La Boheme.”
Sung by the character Musetta in the opera, the lyrics speak of her reveling in the admiring stares of others, particularly men, as she walks down the street. “The scent of desire is all around me, it makes me happy!” she sings. Written in waltz time, the aria ends in a high B flat with a diminuendo — a high-wire act requiring superb vocal command and range. It's not a problem for Zahra, whose upper range reaches F and beyond (octaves above high C).
Linda Chase is a freelance writer based in Santa Barbara specializing in the arts, travel and lifestyle. This feature is produced by the Journalism Arts Initiative, which is underwritten by donations from arts organizations and others interested in supporting excellence in arts journalism.
Golda Zahra sings pop, jazz, and opera at a free outdoor concert May 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Beverly Canon Gardens, adjacent to the Maybourne Hotel, 241 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills. Guests are encouraged to arrive early with blankets and low chairs for seating on the lawn (first-come, first-served) and are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy during the show.
The park has two large public parking lots, and there is valet parking at the Maybourne
Q&A: No Age Limit on Home Care Management & Home Safety, Tips from a Care Manager
In-home safety issues that go unnoticed — cracked sidewalks, broken railings or uneven flooring for example — are often the root cause of trips, slips or falls that can cause serious damage and injuries.
A witness to many of these preventable safety hazards, Madeline Fry, MHA, NHA, SHSS, founder of Safely Home Again, says seniors are a primary concern for in-home safety issues, but younger individuals recovering from athletic injuries, car accidents or elective procedures are also at risk.
Despite their age differences, these two groups share a common aspiration: the desire to live independently, safely, and
comfortably in their home, for as long as possible.
What if you could prevent a fall before it happens? Having a certified safety expert assess you or your loved ones’ home for hazards is the best prevention for serious injuries like broken hips, dislocated shoulders or concussions. Prevention can make a big difference, especially, if your loved one desires to age in place.
Here are some of the most common questions in Madeline’s line of work:
Q: My mom wants to stay in her home as she ages, but I worry about her safety since she lives alone. As part of the sandwich generation caring for loved ones, what are my options?
A: You’re not alone — many caregivers in the sandwich generation face the same concerns. There are two great options offered through Safely Home Again. One way to support your mom is to have a care manager visit her weekly who can assist with needs such as finding caregivers, delivery of medical equipment, keeping track of her health, safety, and overall well-being; giving you peace of mind and better rest at night.
The second way is to avoid potential
accidents from happening by scheduling a Fall and Home Safety Assessment. Taking care of small hazards like missing bathroom grab bars, or unsecured floor throw rugs can prevent major falls and injuries. A few simple changes can make all the difference in keeping you and your loved one safe and independent at home.
Q: I’ve heard that home modifications can be expensive, and I’m worried about the cost of making changes to my parents’ home. Can you give me an idea of what to expect?
A: Absolutely! That’s a common concern, but you might be surprised at how affordable most modifications can be. We’re not talking about major renovations — just practical updates to improve safety. The typical modifications recommended by Safely Home Again are much more budget friendly. In fact, most suggested improvements cost less than $200 per modification, with many coming in under $100.
Q: What indicators should I be aware of in my parents’ daily routine that suggest a home safety assessment would be beneficial?
A: Pay attention to signs, like your
loved one holding on to furniture for support or struggling with balance when walking outside. Also, check if they are consistently wearing their hearing aids, as hearing loss can contribute to imbalance. Are they taking their medications consistently? Other red flags include using towel bars for support instead of proper grab bars or isolation, such as avoiding social outings. These behaviors may indicate an increased risk of falls, making hiring a care manager and having a fall and home safety assessment conducted from Safely Home Again a valuable step in ensuring their safety.
I have the education, professional experience, licenses, certifications, and commitment to keeping you safe at home, so you can age in place and remain independent for the long run.
Go to SafelyHomeAgain.com or call 310-405-5758 for more information.
“We’re Better Than This”: Tour Business Owner Pleads for Protection After Third Burglary
Thieves hit Again, Stealing E-Bikes and Leaving a Wake of Damage in South La Cienega
The frustrated owner of a South Carthay tour company is calling for action after burglars hit his business for the third time since 2023. The most recent incident resulted in the theft of several electric bikes and thousands of dollars in damages.
Kenneth Lippman, the owner of Another Side of Los Angeles Tours, said the break-in occurred early Friday morning at his storefront on South La Cienega Boulevard. Surveillance footage shows two suspects smashing the front window with what appears to be a brick before entering and stealing three E-bikes, each valued at approximately $2,500.
“My Good Friday started with a phone call from the police department saying my office had been broken into,” said owner Kenneth Lippman. “Not a good Friday for me.”
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University in North Carolina. He has also served as a professional firefighter with the Merchant Marines and other volunteer firefighting organizations. He’s been doing this for 25 years, and much of that time, he worked with saltwater firefighting systems. They are real.
Steve Ritchie, our second expert guest, is with the San Francisco Department of Water, Power & Sewer. San Francisco started a saltwater pumping and storage operation back in 1909, after the 1906 earthquake.
It wasn’t the earthquake that destroyed San Francisco, said Ritchie; it was the fire that followed.
I urge you to listen to this one-hour podcast called “Preparing for the Next Fire: Can Salt Water Help?” Watch and/ or listen, and you will learn something interesting, I can assure you. Teri Kahn called our recording session “a big wow.”
Since Palisades is being forced to pretty much start over from scratch – as San Francisco had to do over a century ago – this might be the time to install a saltwater pumping and maybe even saltwater storage system.
Sal Mercogliano makes an excellent suggestion for how this could be done relatively inexpensively. You’ll have to watch or listen to find out what he proposes for the Palisades. So, with all
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed officers responded to the scene around 7 a.m. on April 18. This is the second time in less than a month the business has been burglarized, with a previous break-in occurring on March 21 under similar circumstances. In that case, another set of E-bikes was stolen.
“I’m heartbroken by it because it’s a city that I love. It’s where I make my living,” said Lippman, as quoted by NBC Los Angeles, “And it’s where I show off
that as background, if you just want to sit back, watch, and listen, go to YouTube, here:
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?app=desktop&v=5IOsXPkB3HA
At our YouTube channel, you get to see the visuals – and there are some good ones. If you want to simply listen, here are the links to various podcast channels:
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/ episode/0QORamUoOI15g 1dGwaKndA?si=vWRAZu6rQvS U6eOtV7h_yA&nd=1&dlsi=fb763 43ab2f0405a
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ us/podcast/preparing-for-thenext-fire-can-salt-water-help/ id1702942142?i=1000699579385
Audacy (no account needed): https://www.audacy.com/podcast/ournational-conversation-b28df/episodes/ preparing-for-the-next-fire-can-saltwater-help-3792a
Now, let me ask you a favor. After you listen, please send me an email. Tell me what you thought of this first podcast. Was our format OK? Did we run too long? Any suggestions? Do you want to see us do more of these podcasts? If you have a Brentwood-based topic you’d like to see us cover – maybe
to every person all over the world, I’m so proud of LA. And we’re better than this.”
Another Side of Los Angeles Tours specializes in guided sightseeing tours via E-bikes and Segways. Lippman said the repeated losses and damages have cost his company thousands of dollars— money he says the business can scarcely afford amid a slow start to the tourist season.
To deter future break-ins, Lippman is investing in new security infrastructure,
something you’re working on or know about – let me know.
Next up: Nancy Freedman, Brentwood’s guardian angel, is working on a big plan she has been working on to completely revamp Barrington Recreation Center. I’ve seen the plans; they are amazing. We’ll do that podcast next.
If people like our podcasts, we’ll keep going. If not, we’ll pull the plug. If you have an idea for a name for our Brentwood podcast, let me know that, as well.
There are two things in particular I like about the podcasting format: 1) There is time to go into depth on a topic; 2) You get to see and hear it all directly from the source (or sources); and 3) Podcasting, in many respects, is easier than writing. Writing is hard. Talking is easy.
My student intern team at Our National Conversation recorded, edited, and posted this first podcast. If you know of any Brentwood students who might like to get involved, please have that student contact me.
I can be reached at: jeffhall@ mirrormediagroupla.com.
including a floor-to-ceiling gate expected to cost about $4,000. “It’s the only way I can protect what I have left,” he said. Lippman, who has owned and operated the business for years, hopes city officials and law enforcement can take stronger measures to protect small businesses facing repeated thefts. LAPD continues to investigate the burglaries. No arrests have been announced.
Are you sometimes forgetting things?
Are you between 55 and 100 years old?
Join our innovative UCLA Memory Research Study!
We are looking for right-handed adults 55-100 years of age with memory problems or Mild Cognitive Impairment. This clinical trial uses Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment for improving memory and brain function. Participants will receive either active TMS treatment or sham (placebo) TMS and undergo functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) brain scanning and neuropsychological testing. Those who receive sham TMS may be eligible to receive active treatment after the completion of the study.
You will receive financial compensation of $600 for participation in addition to parking costs. You will receive neuropsychological testing results and a picture of your brain! Do you want to help develop a new treatment for memory? For more information, please contact the
Westwood Hit-and-Run Leaves Pedestrian
Dead, Driver Still at Large
Police Seek Public’s Help Identifying Driver of Car That Fled
the Scene
Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Traffic Division are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the driver involved in a deadly hit-and-run that claimed the life of a 70-year-old man in Westwood on Monday night.
According to LAPD officials, the collision occurred around 10:35 p.m. on April 14 when the victim was attempting to cross Westwood Boulevard just north
of Exposition Boulevard. He was outside of a marked crosswalk when he was struck by a dark blue Mazda hatchback, traveling at a high rate of speed.
The driver did not stop to assist the man or provide identification, fleeing the scene in violation of California law.
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and attempted to administer life-saving measures, but the man died at the scene. His identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Authorities are urging drivers to stop and render aid if involved in a collision, as required by law. The LAPD also reminded pedestrians to use caution when crossing streets, to utilize marked crosswalks, and to obey all traffic
signals.
The Los Angeles City Council has established a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction— or civil resolution—of the suspect in this case, under the Hit-and-Run Reward Program Trust Fund.
Anyone with information about the
Pepper Spray and Panic:
LA
incident is urged to contact West Traffic Division detectives at (213) 473-0234. Tipsters can also call 1-877-LAPD24-7 (877-527-3247) outside regular business hours. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 800222-TIPS or www.lacrimestoppers.org. Information can also be shared via the “P3 Tips” mobile app.
Homeowners
Targeted in Nighttime Burglaries
LAPD Hunts
Suspects After One Resident Attacked in Beverly Grove
Two separate home invasions late Friday night in Beverly Grove and Sherman Oaks have left residents shaken as police continue to search for multiple suspects involved in the brazen break-ins.
In Beverly Grove, a man was attacked inside his home on the 300 block of Laurel Avenue around 10 p.m. after hearing his alarm system go off. When
he went to investigate, the suspects pepper-sprayed him, struck him in the mouth, and forced him into a closet, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Authorities say the masked intruders then rifled through the closet and made off with valuable items, including watches and jewelry. No suspect descriptions have been released. Roughly an hour later, a second home invasion occurred nearly nine miles away in Sherman Oaks. Police responded to a residence on the 13100 block of Otsego Street shortly after midnight, where a couple and their toddler took cover in a room while burglars ransacked their home. LAPD believes two suspects broke into the
house while a third waited outside in a silver Toyota Corolla, serving as the getaway driver. It remains unclear what was stolen during the break-in.
At this time, LAPD has not confirmed
whether the two incidents are connected. The investigations remain ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.
San Fernando Valley Man Gets 5 Years for Beverly Hills Bank Fraud and Identity Theft
Federal Prison for ID Thief Who Raided Beverly Hills Mailboxes for Millions
A North Hills man was sentenced Monday to more than five years in federal prison for orchestrating a wide-reaching identity theft scheme that targeted dozens of victims in Beverly Hills, including elderly residents, by stealing mail and exploiting personal information to siphon more than $1.8 million from their bank accounts.
Oren David Sela, 36, received a 61-month prison sentence from U.S. District Judge Dolly M. Gee, who also ordered him to pay $1,818,369 in restitution to his victims. Sela pleaded guilty in October 2024 to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He has been held in federal custody since his arrest in October 2023. The Beverly Hills Police Department and the Secret Service investigated the case.
Federal prosecutors say Sela operated the fraud between November 2021 and October 2023, stealing mail and packages from homes in and around Beverly Hills to obtain sensitive personal and financial information. He used this data, including Social Security numbers, bank account credentials, and debit cards, to access victims’ online financial accounts. To bypass two-factor authentication security, he also used “SIM-swapping,” a technique that allowed him to control victims’ phone numbers and intercept verification codes.
Once he gained access, Sela created fraudulent intermediary accounts in the names of his victims, transferring money from their original accounts and using it to fund purchases and cash withdrawals. In some cases, he had debit or credit cards issued in the victims’ names, which he used for direct spending.
In total, prosecutors said Sela attempted to steal nearly $2.6 million and successfully stole over $1.8 million from more than 60 individuals and numerous financial institutions. He reportedly used the stolen funds to purchase luxury goods, including a watch valued at nearly
$17,000.
During a 2022 arrest in Beverly Hills, Sela was found in possession of nearly $25,000 in cash, high-end jewelry, and fraudulent debit and credit cards linked to four elderly victims. Although he was released at the time, his criminal conduct continued. Federal agents later executed search warrants at his properties in 2022 and 2023, seizing more than $70,000 in cash, stolen mail, luxury goods, and financial documents belonging to dozens of victims.
Support Services Lead to Reduction in Frequent Emergency Calls
A collaborative effort between the Santa Monica Fire Department and Wise & Healthy Aging to combat the growing challenge of non-emergency 9-1-1 calls from aging residents has proven successful since its pilot launch in 2023.
Now in full bloom, the goal of the program is to reduce strain on emergency services and improve the quality of life for older adults with chronic health issues, social isolation and other complex needs.
By co-locating a part-time WISE care manager at the fire department, emergency responders can identify and refer adults that need short or long-term health management services; to proactively manage the frequency these individuals need to call emergency responders.
“During the pilot, we found our
‘Missing Puzzle Piece’: Santa Monica Fire Department Partners with Wise & Healthy Aging Former UCLA Preschool Teacher Convicted of
paramedics who were engaging with these folks needed services from our community partners,” said Patrick Nulty, SMFD’s Emergency Medical Services Battalion Chief, “WISE became a very strong partner of ours to provide dedicated, nuanced services that connect folks with services they need.”
To measure success, SMFD identified a group of 40 people in need of support services that frequently called 9-1-1 over a six-month period. They found that six months after receiving direct case management from WISE, there was an 86% reduction in calls from those individuals.
“This has been a missing piece of the puzzle for us at the fire department providing emergency medical services in our community. This tool is widely accepted by our paramedics who especially appreciate that they can go into a person’s home and have a solution for them,” Nulty said.
The reduction in non-emergency 9-1-1 calls is a big win. Dr. Anat Louis, PsyD, Vice President of Care Management at WISE says that collaborating with the Santa Monica Fire Department has helped
Child Sexual Abuse
City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto
Announces Guilty Verdicts
A former preschool teacher at UCLA’s Early Care and Education department has been found guilty on nine criminal counts related to the sexual abuse of multiple children, Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced Monday.
Christopher Rodriguez, 51, was convicted of several offenses, including multiple counts of sexual battery with restraint, sexual penetration with a foreign object, and willful cruelty to a child. The crimes took place between July 1 and December 15, 2023, while Rodriguez was employed at the Krieger Center, which is affiliated with UCLA.
Rodriguez worked at two UCLA ECE centers, including the Krieger Center and University Village Center, for nearly 25 years.
identify and find the right services for vulnerable individuals before their living situation becomes unsustainable.
Other core objectives of this program include preventing homelessness by addressing the root causes that lead to housing instability such as chronic health issues and safety at home to avoid hospitalization, as well as hoarding that can lead to eviction, which ultimately reduces health and medical costs.
“With this partnership, we connect people to proper support within WISE and the community and help them maintain aging in place independently for as long as possible without them getting hurt,” Louis said.
As the partnership continues, positive results have driven vulnerable people to receive support, sometimes in ways they didn’t know they needed it.
“Sometimes people aren’t aware they are depressed or anxious or have isolated for as long as they have. Whether that be because their spouse passed away, or because they are having mobility issues. Through WISE, they’re able to receive support and socially engage through activities, boosting their
overall mental and physical state,” Louis said.
In the future, the fire department and WISE hopes others adapt this model to help support aging and improve the quality of life for vulnerable older adults.
“I hope this becomes a standard of care in more communities because you can really bridge the gap for a lot of people in need,” Nulty said.
Wise & Healthy Aging serves more than 20,000 older adults per year and is committed to improving the quality of life for seniors through services such as its Adult Day Center for older adults with memory loss and The Club, their senior center that provides a variety of social activities and classes to help older adults stay engaged and connected – and more.
To learn more about WISE, visit wiseandhealthyaging.org.
“Sexual abuse is among the most horrific violations to be committed upon anyone, especially children,” said Feldstein Soto in a statement. “The acts that the defendant inflicted upon multiple children are unthinkable and reprehensible. My office will always work to hold accountable sex offenders and protect our children.” Rodriguez now faces up to seven and a half years in county jail, in addition to fines and mandatory registration as a sex offender. His sentencing is scheduled for May 9 at the Airport Courthouse. The full list of charges includes:
counts of
