Santa Monica Mirror 6.26.20

S A N TA M O N I C A

REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY

smmirror.com

INSIDe

CITY COUNCIL VACANCY

June 26 – July 2, 2020 Volume XLII, Issue 47

PAGE 8

Santa Monica Pier Reopens

Photos: Sam Catanzaro

The Santa Monica Pier in March when it was closed. On June 24 the Pier reopened to visitors.

Pier to resume operations after three-month closure due to COVID-19

By Sam Catanzaro The Santa Monica Pier is reopening after a three-month closure despite cases of the novel

coronavirus (COVID-19) increasing in Los Angeles County, which leads now leads the nation in cases.

The City of Santa Monica–the owner of the Pier–announced that the Pier is reopened as of June 24 after being shut down in March due to COVID-19.

The Pier is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with limited and monitored access points to ensure capacity allows for proper physical distancing and safety. Visitors must enter and exit on Ocean Front Walk and

need to go through the queue line to limit the number of guests.

Guests are required to wear a face covering at all times while visiting the Santa Monica Pier. During the initial reopening phase, Pier restaurants and businesses, including Pacific Park and the historic Carousel will remain closed.

“The Santa Monica Pier’s reopening aligns with County, State and Federal reopening guidelines by prioritizing physical distancing, cleaning and disinfecting measures and safety

practices to support the health and wellness of those at the Pier,” the City said in a statement.

“Given the fluidity and nature of the situation, Santa Monica Pier is prepared to modify procedures as necessary.”

The Parking Deck and other Pier-adjacent lots will remain closed to vehicles until further notice, according to the City. Nearby parking at Beach Lot-4 South and in downtown are available.

Pier Reopens, see page 8

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June 26 – July 2, 2020

North of Montana Home Break-in Reported Sunday Night Helicopter, K-9 search Sunday night appears to yield no arrests

By Sam Catanzaro Santa Monica police responded to a reported home break-in in the North of Montana neighborhood Sunday night leading to a helicopter and K-9 assisted search.

According to a Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) Instagram post, Sunday evening the Department responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at a residence in the area of 18th Street and Carlyle Avenue.

“The person reporting the incident believed

someone might have been breaking into a home. Our officers utilized a helicopter and police K-9 to investigate. Fortunately everything turned out to be okay and the area is safe,” the SMPD wrote.

According to a post on Nextdoor, an armed suspect smashed a window to gain entry into an occupied house. The same post also says that no suspects were apprehended.

SMPD records from Sunday list only two arrests, both occurring prior to the time the suspicious circumstances were reported. The Santa Monica Mirror has reached out to the Department asking for more information surrounding the search, whether or not there are any suspects and what “everything turned out to be okay and the area is safe” means in the context of the circumstances. The Department did not respond by the time of publication.

Photos: Getty Images

Coroner Rules Park Death was Suicide Man found dead in Virginia Avenue Park Monday morning

By Sam Catanzaro The Los Angeles coroner has ruled a man found deceased in a Santa Monica park this week died by suicide.

According to the Santa Monica Police

Department (SMPD), the man was found unresponsive by public service officers at Virginia Avenue Park (2200 Virginia Ave) around 5:45 a.m. on Monday.

The SMPD and the Santa Monica Fire Department determined that the man was deceased.

According to the SMPD, a handgun was found by detectives in the vicinity of the victim.

Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner ruled that the man died by suicide to a gunshot wound to the head. The victim has been identified by the coroner as Adrian Alexander, a 38-yearold Black male.

Virginia Avenue Park.

Photos: City of Santa Monica

Second Victim Dies in Venice CVS Shooting Double homicide occurs at Lincoln Boulevard CVS Monday night

By Sam Catanzaro A second victim has died following a shooting at a Venice CVS parking lot Monday night.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on June 22 around 9:10 p.m., a double homicide occurred in the 100 block of Lincoln Boulevard. Officers responded to an Ambulance Shooting radio call. Upon arrival, officers located two male

adult victims with gunshot wounds.

“Preliminary investigation revealed both victims were standing in a parking lot when an unknown suspect approached them on foot and fired multiple rounds, striking both victims,” the LAPD said in a news release. “It is unknown if this incident is gang-related.”

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and pronounced one victim dead at scene. The other victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

According to the LAPD, the suspect fled the scene north on Lincoln Boulevard.

Venice 311 has reported that the suspect fled with an additional suspect in a four-door gold Lexus or Toyota Camry.

Officials described one suspect as a Black male around 6 feet tall and weighing around 200 pounds, wearing a blue sweatshirt, according to KTLA. No description was available for the second suspect.

The scene of a Venice shooting Monday night.

Photo: Citizen App

June 26 – July 2, 2020

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June 26 – July 2, 2020

OPINION

If It’s Not Okay…

SMa.r.t.

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

~ Fight or flight. Those of you who are acquainted with me know which choice I have always made. However, It seems that many longtime residents are choosing flight.

They have decided that the scourges of crime, overdevelopment, traffic, and a deteriorating lifestyle make it no longer worth the hassle of living in Santa Monica. One of my longterm friends arrived here when she was eight.

She attended McKinley, and then we went to Lincoln and Samohi together. She raised her family in this town, sits on at least one non-profit board, and has many friends in our community. Her daughter is a beloved, SMMUSD middle school teacher. She’s fedup and moving. Says she doesn’t even shop here anymore. Why stay in a beach town that no longer cares about being a beach town.

She’s moving to the South Bay. A bigger house in a quieter, safer community. Are our palm trees and Pier sign worth the pain? Even I am having doubts. Is our city too far gone to save? ~ The events of May 31st were a tipping point. Looting, destruction, fires, and vandalism permeated our town. The leadership of the SMPD was MIA. Our police chief

Cynthia Renaud (incoming President of the International Association of Police Chiefs), landed at SMO 1/2 hour before that day’s peaceful demonstration began. She didn’t call up enough officers, didn’t recognize the threat, seemingly didn’t have a plan, and couldn’t deal with the challenges the day presented.

As a result, peaceful protestors faced tear-gas and rubber projectiles on Ocean Avenue while looters had a field day throughout downtown and on our boulevards. Yes, there will be a report, eventually. Resident Craig Miller is picketing our public safety headquarters each Wednesday evening. He wants to know why peaceful protestors were assaulted before curfew by the SMPD and assisting agencies.

He believes there is systemic racism in our police department and is demanding a change in leadership. And, let’s not put the entire blame on the chief. The acting city manager and all seven city council members share the responsibility for this permanent stain.

Now that the Pier has reopened, please take a minute to stand under its iconic sign and imagine the smell of tear gas in the air. Gaze southeast at City Hall and wonder why the nine people who failed us on May 31st are still at their desks. ~ The Stanton MacDonald-Wright mural in the Santa Monica City Hall lobby sparked controversy several years ago. The official description includes: “A Spanish conquistador stands with a padre in a Franciscan robe

Photos: SMPL.

“As we seek to end racial injustice in our society, education is the foremost solution to combat the inequality in our land. The dramatic cuts to Santa Monica’s award-winning library system are a social justice issue, and the worst message we could send our residents,” writes Phil Brock in the latest SMa.r.t Column.

holding a walking stick. They face two Native Americans, kneeling and sitting at a stream, drinking with their hands”. In 2018, as an Arts Commissioner, I participated in meetings with representatives of the indigenous tribes and descendants of early Californians. I discussed

this piece (https://smmirror.com/2019/02/themyth-of-public-art-in-santa-monica/) in early 2019. The mural could have been a portion of a diverse art history walk through city hall and

“SMa.r.t.”, see page 5

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June 26 – July 2, 2020

“SMa.r.t.”, From page 4 the new annex, tracing the distinct reality of Santa Monica history. Instead, the city wasted over $500,000 on a private designer stairwell and a few art purchases that did nothing to memorialize our city’s history. As we now thoughtfully examine public art throughout our nation, we can see injustices personified.

I previously fought for the continued public display of the mural in our city hall. I was wrong. Let’s cover it up temporarily and have a robust open discussion about this mural. We must recognize and celebrate the diversity of our city’s people. Artwork displayed in Santa Monica should not portray anyone kneeling at the foot of another. ~ As we seek to end racial injustice in our society, education is the foremost solution to combat the inequality in our land. The dramatic cuts to Santa Monica’s award-winning library system are a social justice issue, and the worst message we could send our residents. ~ You can learn a lot about our town from reading the letters emailed to the Santa Monica City Council before every council meeting.

They are a treasure trove of information about our residents and the companies that want to invest in our city. Item 8A was controversial at this week’s council meeting. It would restart negotiations for the unfortunately named “Plaza at Santa Monica.” The building would tower at eleven stories and contain over 300,000 square feet of hotel, office, retail, and residential uses crammed into two-plus acres at 4th and Arizona. Yes, it would preserve our holiday ice skating rink and would feature minuscule greenery at strategic spots on the upper floors. But imagine a building as large as Santa Monica Place, turned on its head. The impact of over 5000 new car trips on 4th Street would be catastrophic. The city clerk’s office received hundreds of letters about this project.

Included were communications from the boards of directors of most resident groups, letters from the unions whose members would receive work from this gigantic project, both supporters and detractors. ~ One letter stands out. The Santa Monica Educational Foundation (SMEF), a beacon of hope for our public school fundraising efforts, sent an email lauding the Plaza’s developer as significant corporate donors ($75,000) to the SMEF and stated that the developer wants to be a longterm beneficial part of the community. While this donation to the SMEF is legal, a cynical conclusion arises. The developer donates a significant amount to the charity and, in return, the non-profit pens a letter to the city council, commending the developer for his charitable largesse. That’s the way it goes down—tit for tat. Wealthy corporate developers have money to throw around. Their “Plaza” would mean millions to them, and peanuts for the city’s people. That’s the way of the world, and it’s high time we

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stop that behavior here. Should SMEF’s Board of Directors have written to the city council cheerleading for a developer to control the people’s land in the heart of downtown? You know my answer. ~ Cozy relationships form between council members and those that want a vote to go their way. Influential developers spray money throughout a town as they bully their way into favor. They are the modern robber barons, and it takes a strong will to say no. Los Angeles City Council Member Jose Huizar is the latest example of a public official who forgot that he was elected to serve the public and not to make his wallet fat. The FBI just busted him. ~ The proposed “Plaza at Santa Monica” is both unwanted and detrimental to the wellness of our most treasured community asset, the residents of Santa Monica. The California Surplus Lands Act applies to this city-owned parcel. The legal counsel for the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City, Beverly Grossman Palmer, points out that the city cannot reenter into an agreement with the current developer. According to California law, the parcel at 1301 4th Street et al. must prioritize its use for public land and affordable housing before it can be sold or developed.

For almost a decade, members of SMart have demanded this land become a public plaza and green space. It is time to listen to the residents of this community. This item was postponed and will rear its ugly head at the council meeting on July 14th. Negotiations must not be allowed to resume on this unwanted development. ~ Marvelous to see the landscaping take shape at the new Civic playing field. Bel Mar was the name of the vibrant, diverse community that existed there decades ago. If there is justice, it will be the name of the field. ~ The COVID-19 pandemic has shown no signs of abating, yet we all see more and more people ignoring the simplest of measures one can take to protect our families, friends, and ourselves. Santa Monica’s grim statistics, including those in rest homes, continue to grow. Six hundred thirty-four cases of COVID-19 in Santa Monica and 64 deaths from this disease. COVID-19 can spread up to 26 feet through a sneeze. Six feet if you cough.

4.5 feet if you exhale. Please. WEAR YOUR MASK. SAVE A LIFE! “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” John Lennon

By Phil Brock for SMart (Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow) Thane Roberts, Architect, Robert H. Taylor AIA, Ron Goldman FAIA, Architect, Dan Jansenson, Architect, Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission, Samuel Tolkin Architect, Mario Fonda-Bonardi, AIA, Planning Commissioner, Phil Brock, Santa Monica Arts Commission.

For previous articles see www.santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/writing

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June 26 – July 2, 2020

Getting Rid of Armed Metro Guards?

“We cannot rely on an armed police presence for every issue,” says Councilmember Mike Bonin.

By Sam Catanzaro

Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin is calling on LA Metro to get rid of armed law enforcement officers on the nation’s third-largest transit system.

In a motion co-sponsored by County Supervisor Janice Hahn and County Supervisor Hilda Solis, also members of the board, Bonin–a member of the Board of Directors of LA Metro–urged Metro to rethink safety on the transit system, with a goal of creating alternative responses to nonviolent crimes and other offenses. Potential alternatives would include: a transit ambassador program that provides staffed presence at Metro facilities and on Metro vehicles; and social workers, mediators, or mental health professionals.

The Metro Expo Line, which runs through Culver City, has experienced two violent incidents in the past year, it should be noted.

In August 2019, a group of teenagers was attacked and robbed by another group of teenagers after getting off a Metro Expo Line train in Culver City. In March of this year, four minors were taken into custody after a Santa Monica man was stabbed in a violent confrontation on the Expo Line in West Los Angeles.

Bonin’s motion comes as jurisdictions around the country are considering similar approaches to public safety. Earlier this week, several of Bonin’s colleagues on the

Photo: Sam Catanzaro

Officers at the Metro Expo Line Westwood/Rancho Park station.

Los Angeles City Council called for a new emergency-response model that uses trained specialists, rather than LAPD officers, to

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respond to many types of calls, including those regarding homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse issues. Bonin and colleagues also proposed the creation of a City of Los Angeles Office of Violence Prevention.

“Around the country and all over Los Angeles, people are reimagining how to provide public safety,” Bonin said. “Metro needs to be at the forefront of that, and make changes that assure that all of its passengers feel safe. That starts by acknowledging that we cannot rely on an armed police presence for every issue, and we need smarter, more effective solutions.”

Bonin’s motion directs LA Metro to develop the new policies and approaches in consultation with passengers and community members representative of the agency’s ridership, including but not limited to racial, gender, income, geography, immigration status and housing status. It would do so through a Transit Public Safety Advisory Committee, working with LA Metro’s Office of Civil Rights, Executive Officer for Equity & Race, and Executive Officer for Customer

Experience.

Bonin noted it was crucial for LA Metro to make changes, given a history of complaints of racial bias in policy, particularly from younger Blacks and Latinos. “For years, Metro has heard that its system of policing was making huge segments of its passengers feel less safe and feel threatened. This is our moment to change that.”

Bonin is also submitting motions, cosponsored by Solis, in response to a decision

by LA Metro to suspend passenger service on May 30, stranding many passengers in the middle of a curfew, and a separate decision the same day to allow Metro buses to be used to transport detainees who had been arrested for curfew violations or failure to disperse during the protests. The motions call for new rules to prohibit the use of vehicles for detainee transport and new protocols regarding suspensions of service.

All three motions are expected to be considered by the full Metro Board of Directors at the Board’s June 25 meeting.

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June 26 – July 2, 2020

Applications Open to Fill Council Seat Santa Monica City Council accepts Greg Morena’s resignation

By Staff Writer At Tuesday’s meeting, the Santa Monica City Council declared Councilmember Greg Morena’s seat vacant in response to the letter of resignation he submitted on June 17.

Morena, whose family owns the Albright restaurant on the Santa Monica Pier, said a statement that he has to renegotiate the lease or close the restaurant. The Santa Monica Pier is owned by the City of Santa Monica, and therefore Morena cited a conflict of interest as the reason behind his resignation.

“Like so many small independent businesses, I have struggled over the last three months to protect my family and my employees and their families who work at my restaurant on the Pier. I have taken out loans and gone into the red to feed them, keep up their health insurance, and do everything possible to have jobs waiting for them once this crisis is over. But unless I am able to renegotiate my lease for July and onward, I will no longer be able to remain in business,” Morena said, who has lived in Santa Monica

for 37 years on the same Sunset Park street he grew up on. “While this narrative is echoed throughout restaurants in Southern California, what makes my story different is that my landlord is the City of Santa Monica and I am a Councilmember. As such, it is illegal to renegotiate ‘with myself.’”

Morena says he plans on remaining involved with civic matters and at the forefront of the City’s recovery efforts.

The City Council unanimously voted to accept applications from those who wish to be considered for appointment to the vacant seat.

Interested applicants may submit applications beginning at noon on Wednesday, June 24, to be considered for appointment to the vacant Council seat. Applications should be submitted at smgov.net/councilappoint.

Applicants must be residents and registered voters of the City of Santa Monica and cannot be employed by the City. This position is subject to the State Political Reform Act requiring disclosure of conflict of interests, and the City’s Taxpayer Protection Act (Oaks Initiative).

Applications are due by noon on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. All applications received before the deadline will be considered by the City Council at the July 14, 2020 Council meeting.

The person appointed to the vacant at-large Council seat will assume the seat upon

Greg Morena.

Council confirmation of the appointment. The seat will be up for election at the next general municipal election, currently scheduled for November 3, 2020.

“The City has pending its appeal from a judgment in a lawsuit that might require Santa Monica to transition from an at-large election system to a district-based system where each of the seven Councilmembers is

Photos: City of Santa Monica

elected by and represents the district in which the Councilmember lives and might require an election for Council seats to be held before November 3, 2020. The results of the appeal would not impact the appointment through the next election for Council seats, but could affect when that election occurs and how the seat is filled at that election,” said the City in a statement.

Pier Reopens, From page 1 According to the City, in the coming weeks, to allow for increased physical distancing, additional and expanded outdoor space will be available for those who want to enjoy to-go options from open Pier restaurants.

Increased frequency of cleaning and disinfecting public areas and surfaces will be conducted, focusing on high-touch areas, the City says.

The Pier’s opening comes as COVID-19 cases are rising in Los Angeles County.

As of Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has identified 88,262 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 3,171 deaths. In Santa Monica, there have been 366 confirmed cases and 26 deaths.

On Tuesday, Public Health confirmed 34 new deaths and 2,364 new cases of COVID-19.

Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer attributed the high case number to increased community spread.

“The recent increase in daily cases and rates of positive test results indicates that there is more community spread of COVID-19 in LA County,” Ferrer said.

According to Santa Monica’s Interim City Manager Lane Dilg, “the community has long awaited the reopening of our beloved Santa Monica Pier”. The Santa Monica Mirror has asked the City what is this claim based on.

“The Santa Monica Pier is a beloved community landmark that, like the beach, people look forward to having access to, for a stroll or to take in the views. Our decision to

Capacity will be limited on the Santa Monica Pier to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

reopen the Pier is based on County and State guidance as well as a phased reopening plan with public health and safety protocols in place for limited access to the Pier,” the City said in a statement in response to this questions.

In addition, the Mirror asked the City that if

it worries the reopening of the Pier will draw in visitors from elsewhere in the county and increase community spread in Santa Monica.

“Our top priority is community health and safety. When you are out in Santa Monica or visit the Pier, a face mask is required. We are

Photos: Getty Images

all accountable for protecting ourselves and one another. We ask everyone to be vigilant with physical distancing and to only enjoy the Pier with those in their household. Maintain space, wash your hands, and of course stay home when you are sick,” the City responded.

June 26 – July 2, 2020

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“The Private Lives of Pippa Lee” - Currently Streaming on Netflix CENTER STAGE

With Beverly Cohn, Editor-At-Large

There are films that are destined to remain in the time frame in which they were shot, as the themes do not travel well into the future. Then there are films that explore the human condition and continue to have universal relevance. One of those motion pictures is the 2009 The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, adapted from Rebecca Miller’s book, who also directed with a soft, but steady hand. The compelling story is one that speaks for women who have never found their own individual “voices.”

Pippa Lee, extraordinarily well played by Robin Wright, is a woman whose life has been defined by others resulting in her having no sense of who she is, and much like a chameleon, whose colors change to suit the demands of the environment, she becomes whatever is asked of her. She is married to the much older successful publishing giant Herb Lee, played

by Alan Arkin, an actor you can always count on to deliver a solid performance. He’s has several heart attacks and in the interest of living a longer life, he and his caretaking wife leave New York and move to the Marigold Retirement Community in Connecticut. Akin to a Stepford wife, Pippa is serene, dutiful, caring, and loving, and is outwardly perfect in every way. Herb is not happy living in the Marigold because it reminds him that he is well on his way to dying, but his wife constantly reassures him that he will be fine. It seems that Pippa is pretty content with being a wife, mother, and good friend, but there is another narrative. In a series of flashbacks, we see her as a little girl who grew up with a crazy, drug-addicted mother, Suky Sarkissian, excellently portrayed by Maria Bello. This fine actor captures the essence of a woman popping Dexedrine multiple times a day, which jet-propels her into the simplest task such as vacuuming. For a short time, as a little girl, Pippa lived with her lesbian Aunt Trish characterized by Robin Weigert and her girlfriend Kat, brought to life by the one and only Julianne Moore.

In her late teenage years, Pippa has blossomed into a stunning young woman with

absolutely no direction and an addiction of her own. Skillfully acted by beautiful Blake Lively, we see the flamboyantly dressed 19-yearold meeting Herb at a wild party at his much younger wife Gigi’s opulent beach house. He is clearly unfaithful and he and the young woman begin an affair. Eventually, he wants to marry yet another “trophy wife.” His current wife, played by Monica Bellucci, agrees to a divorce but first wants them to all have lunch together at her home. Her way of granting his wish is well, rather shocking.

Back in the first narrative, Pippa has become friends with her neighbor Dot, well played by the late Shirley Knight, whose dysfunctional son Chris has come back home to live with her.

He has no particular ambitions and works in the local Kwik-E-Mart. Like every part Keanu Reeves plays, his character is believable, steady, and fascinating to watch, as this popular actor has a very unique cadence in the way he delivers his lines. In what is probably an escalating manifestation of her rebelling sub-conscious, Pippa develops several disorders including sleepwalking, where she raids the kitchen at night leaving it in total disarray, but with no memory of the event. She meets Chris during one of those episodes where, dressed only in a nightgown, drives to his store asking for a pack of cigarettes whose brand she cannot remember.

He realizes something is terribly wrong and offers to drive her back home, and thus begins the barest traces of a new relationship. Eventually, he tells her that he’s getting a divorce, lost his job, and that his best friend is screwing his wife. Rounding out the family unit are the two children – Ben (Ryan McDonald) and his sister Grace (Zoe Kazan). A close family friend is the neurotic poet Sandra, played aptly by Winona Ryder. She turns out not to be such a good friend and just like the tale of the scorpion and the turtle, Herb is at it again because that’s who he is and that’s what he does. Except in this case, metaphorically speaking, he goes down in the middle of the lake.

As a viewer, you are watching a narrative within a narrative, and thanks to Miller’s perfect direction, and Declan Quinn’s spoton cinematography, each sub-plot is well presented. Although it takes a little adjustment

Keanu Reeves plays the directionless Chris who stops to help a wounded dog.

Photos: Courtesy of Plan B Entertainment & Screen Media Films

Maria Bellow as Pippa’s drug-addicted mother Suky Sarkissian.

The young Pippa Lee (Blake Lively) becomes infatuated with the much older Herb (Alan Arkin.)

to get into the flashbacks, the 98-minute journey through this woman’s heart and soul lifts the veil on how and why she became that woman, one without hopes and dreams of her own, and

how a new friendship becomes the spark that ignites our heroine’s determination to see what lies ahead in the new beginnings of her first real personal journey.

Wedding day for Herb (Alan Arkin) and the much younger Pippa Lee (Blake Lively.)

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June 26 – July 2, 2020

Newsom Orders Statewide Mask Wearing Los Angeles County reports highest daily COVID-19 Wednesday

By Sam Catanzaro Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered all Californians to wear masks, reinforcing measures already implemented in Los Angeles.

“Simply put, we are seeing too many people with faces uncovered – putting at risk the real progress we have made in fighting the disease. California’s strategy to restart the economy and get people back to work will only be successful if people act safely and follow health recommendations.

That means wearing a face covering, washing your hands and practicing physical distancing,” Newsom said.

While cites such as Los Angeles have already implemented mask requirements, Newsom’s order reinforces this order while mandating it for areas such as Orange County officials have only strongly suggested.

Under Newsom’s order masks must be

worn virtually everywhere outside homes, including inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space, waiting for or riding on public transportation and engaged in work, whether at the workplace or performing work off-sites. Masks will also be mandated statewide outdoors where people cannot maintain a distance of six feet from each other.

“As Californians venture into our communities more, wearing face coverings is another important way we can help protect one another,” said Dr. Sonia Angell, State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health.

Children two and under and individuals

developmental disabilities that prevent the wearing of a mask, among others including those hard of hearing and inmates, are exempt. In addition, maks are not required when people are dining or exercising outdoors if they can keep a distance of six feet or greater from individuals who are not from their homes.

As of Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has identified 88,262 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 3,171 deaths.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: VERNA REY ZANDERS CASE #20STPB00206

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has implemented a statewide mask mandate.

Photos: Facebook

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To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: VERNA REY ZANDERS A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by MARK S. ZANDERS in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests MARK S. ZANDERS be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This Authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval.

Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative wiII be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: July 16, 2020 at 8:30 am. in Dept. 11 located at 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing.

Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and maiI a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor.

You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE - 154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Petitioner MARK S. ZANDERS, pro per 7449 RESEDA BLVD. #255 RESEDA, CALIF. 91335 (818) 746-6172 Published in the Santa Monica Mirror, June 12, June 19 and June 26, 2020

June 26 – July 2, 2020

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

FILM ReVIeW: PERRY MASON

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Rated TV-MA One-hour Episodes First Episode Released June 21st on HBO

BEHIND THE SCREEN

By Kathryn Whitney Boole I have been privileged to experience our Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speak live on stage more than once over the past two years. She is whip smart, disarming and down-to-earth, a wonderful communicator who genuinely cares about the people of our country. She told us that growing up in a Puerto Rican family in The Bronx, she did not have much contact with anyone in the judicial system. Her father’s education had ended in the third grade. Her mother was a telephone operator and a nurse and they lived in a housing project. When left on her own as a child, she started watching the TV series Perry Mason with Raymond Burr – the series inspired her to make justice her life’s work. At the age of only ten, Sotomayor decided that she was going to go to college

Matthew Rhys in Chapter One.

Pankow Builders is hiring for the following positions at the 500 Broadway Construction Project - Union Laborer (Apprentice, Journeyman, and Foreman) - Union Mason (Apprentice, Journeyman, and Foreman) - Union Carpenter (Apprentice, Journeyman, and Foreman) To apply please call Timothy Gridley – Superintendent (626)720-2776

and become an attorney.

In her confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee in July 2009, Sotomayor prefaced her remarks by saying that her career choice was due to the TV show.

“I was influenced so greatly by a television show in igniting the passion that I had as being a prosecutor, and it was Perry Mason,” said Sotomayor…”In one of the episodes, at the end of the episode … Perry said to the prosecutor, ‘It must cause you some pain having expended all that effort in your case to have the charges dismissed.’ And the prosecutor looked up and said, ‘No. My job as a prosecutor is do justice and justice is served when a guilty man is convicted and when an innocent man is not.’ And I thought to myself that’s quite amazing to be able to serve that role …”

Many movies, television and radio series’ have featured Perry Mason. Most famous is that CBS series featuring Burr as Mason, which ran from 1957 to 1966. Burr reprised the character in 26 TV movies, until his death in 1993.

“Perry Mason” has a history that spans American literature from the early 1900’s to today. He seems like an unlikely hero – however that is his universal charm.

Mason was first introduced to the public as a Los Angeles attorney in the 1933 novel The Case of the Velvet Claws, as was his personal secretary, “Della Street,” also a low key, understated character with a spot-on intuition. Author Earle Stanley Gardner, an attorney himself, incorporated many of his own experiences into the Perry Mason stories.

Photos: IMDB.

He started as a trial lawyer defending poor, disenfranchised clients, many of whom were Chinese and Mexican immigrants. He thrived in representing clients who were wrongly accused, and founded an organization called The Court of the Last Resort in the 1940’s that was dedicated to helping people who were unfairly imprisoned or would not be afforded a fair trial. Gardner began writing full time in 1933 with the publication of his first Perry Mason novel, The Case of the Velvet Claws and wrote over 80 of them. At the time of his death at his Temecula ranch in 1970, he was the best selling American author of the 20th century.

If you are a fan of the Raymond Burr series, it may be a stretch to accept the outstanding Welsh actor Matthew Rhys as “Perry Mason” in the new HBO series of that name. However, give it a chance. The series creators are Ron Fitzgerald and Rollin Jones, who gave us Friday Night Lights and Weeds. The dialogue is sparse and the emotional nuances are revealed in the faces of the excellent cast, which includes the likes of John Lithgow, Tatiana Maslany, and Juliet Rylance (as “Della Street.”) The impeccable set production, lighting, and the vivid colors set a mood that most likely recreates with uncanny realism the Los Angeles setting where Gardner himself worked as an attorney in the late 1920’s to early 1930’s.

Kathryn Whitney Boole has spent most of her life in the entertainment industry, which has been the backdrop for remarkable adventures with extraordinary people. She is a Talent Manager with Studio Talent Group in Santa Monica. kboole@gmail.com

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June 26 – July 2, 2020

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

Start Smart Summer classes start June 22 smc.edu

SMC is dedicated to keeping your career and college transfer goals on track!

• Largest one-on-one student support network in California • #1 in UC transfers for 29 years straight • Over $45 million in financial aid • Free computer lending program • More than 800 low-cost or free classes this summer • Free career guidance

SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. Nancy Greenstein, Chair; Dr. Susan Aminoff, Vice Chair; Dr. Louise Jaffe; Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez; Rob Rader; Dr. Sion Roy; Barry A. Snell; Brooke Harrington, Student Trustee; Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent/President Santa Monica College | 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 | smc.edu