Santa Monica Mirror / Yo! Venice: Sep 01 - Sep 07, 2023

California Supreme Court Upholds Key Provisions of State’s Voting Rights Law in Santa Monica Case

Ruling Clarifies Requirements for District-Based Voting, Reaffirms Protections for Minority Voters

By Dolores Quintana

In a ruling that has significant implications for California’s voting rights law, the state’s Supreme Court delivered a decision on Thursday that serves to reaffirm certain protections in the law, but how long those protections will remain isn’t clear.

The case in question, initiated by the Pico Neighborhood Association and others in 2016, alleged that Santa Monica’s at-large voting system for city council elections violated the California Voting Rights Act by diminishing the voting influence of the Latino community, which constituted 14% of the city’s voting-age population at the time. Rather than electing

council members citywide, the plaintiffs sought a shift to district-based voting, where voters in each district would choose their representative.

A trial court issued the first decision, and the court ruled for the Pico Association. The court’s ruling ordered the city to transition to district-based voting. However, in July 2020, the decision was reversed in a state appeals court.

On August 24, California’s Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling, asserting that the appeals court had made an error by “misconstruing” the California Voting Rights Act. The ruling, written by Justice Kelli Evans, who wrote on behalf of the court, clarified that plaintiffs need only establish racially polarized voting in an at-large system and are not required to demonstrate that minority voters would constitute a majority or near-majority in a hypothetical district.

The Pico Neighborhood Association expressed their perspective, stating, “The atlarge election system in Santa Monica has marginalized the Pico Neighborhood and its diverse residents for far too long.”

While U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla of California supported the association, the League of California Cities and the Special Districts

Association, along with a coalition including the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica and the Alliance of Santa Monica Latino and Black Voters, filed briefs in support of the city. They argued that Santa Monica had made significant strides in ensuring voting power for Latino and Black voters under the at-large system.

The case has not been completely settled since the next step is for the case to go to the appeals court. Santa Monica’s statement on the ruling said briefly, “The City is reviewing the Supreme Court’s opinion and working to assess the path forward.”

Violent Hate Crimes Suspect Apprehended in Santa Monica

Arrest of Suspect Follows Series of Hate-Related Assaults

By Dolores Quintana

In an unfortunate incident on August 20, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., an unidentified male assailant violently attacked a worker outside a Main Street business. Utilizing a substantial wooden dowel, the assailant struck the victim in the back of the head, resulting in the victim sustaining a concussion and necessitating stitches for his injuries. The perpetrator managed to evade being captured at the time. In response, the Santa Monica Police Department issued an arrest bulletin, shared with law enforcement agencies in the vicinity, intending to capture the assailant.

On August 22, 2023, the same unidentified

suspect targeted two City of Santa Monica employees in a hate-motivated incident. During this assault, the suspect threw a glass bottle toward the employees before fleeing the scene, evading law enforcement intervention. Further investigations have confirmed that both incidents were driven by hate.

Coincidentally, on that same day, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) released an arrest bulletin for Kevin Aamir Mumin, born on June 17, 1987. Mumin was sought in connection with a series of hate crimes against Hispanic/Latino individuals in Los Angeles, similar to the Santa Monica cases. Follow-up investigations subsequently enabled detectives from the Santa Monica Police Department to identify Mumin as the perpetrator behind the Santa Monica assaults.

On August 23, 2023, LAPD’s 77th Division officers took Kevin Aamir Mumin into custody due to his involvement in the Los Angeles crimes. Mumin was experiencing homelessness at the time. LAPD collaborated

with SMPD detectives to facilitate the joint filing of charges with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for cases in both cities.

Authorities fervently appeal to the public for information about these incidents or the suspect involved. Those with pertinent information are strongly encouraged to contact

The association urged city officials to “settle the case quickly” and avoid expending taxpayer resources on additional litigation, suggesting that these funds would be better directed toward addressing the city’s public safety and community service needs.

The 2001 State Voting Rights Act granted minority groups increased capacity to challenge at-large elections that might undermine their voting influence. According to the League of California Cities, at least 185 cities and nearly 400 other jurisdictions in California have shifted to district-based elections.

Goodwin at 310-458-8931, or communicate with the Watch Commander, available 24 hours a day, at 310-458-8427.

Florida Man Tries to Steal $40K Watch

The 26-year-old male was subject in a Georgia robbery

A response by the Santa Monica Police Department led to the arrest of an individual after an unsuccessful attempt to steal a Rolex watch valued at $40,000.

On Monday, Aug. 21, officers converged on the 159 Santa Monica Place, the site of the Rolex store, in response to an ongoing robbery. Upon their arrival, officers took Terrence Allen, a 26-year-old male hailing from Florida, into custody. Preliminary inquiries in the investigation revealed that Allen entered the establishment and specifically requested access to a timepiece valued at $40,000. However, upon obtaining possession of the valuable item, he tried to leave. Allen’s flight was thwarted by armed security personnel stationed outside the premises, resulting in a brief altercation and retrieval of the property.

Following the arrest, Terrence Allen was

subsequently booked into the Santa Monica Jail. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office formally charged Allen with armed robbery (211PC) and Grand Theft (487PC). A bail amount of $125,000 was established for Allen’s release. Notably, Allen was also discovered to be a subject of interest in relation to a separate robbery case in the state of Georgia.

Real Estate Firm Sells ZipRecruiter’s Santa Monica

Hudson Pacific Put the Three-Story, 44,260-Square-Foot Property for Sale

By Zach Armstrong

Hudson Pacific Properties Inc., divested two Los Angeles office properties including ZipRecruiter’s headquarters located at 604 Arizona Ave. about four months after putting the property on the market.

It is not immediately clear who the buyer of the property is. Santa Monica Mirror will follow this story for updates.

In April, Hudson Pacific put the threestory, 44,260-square-foot headquarters of employment marketplace ZipRecruiter for sale amidst an uncertain office market.

ZipRecruiter’s lease is set to expire in May 2025. Other recent divestments for Hudson Pacific include the sale of its Skyway Landing

property in San Carlos, CA for $102 million in February.

The real estate investment trust said the separate transactions, that also included a property at 3401 Exposition, amounted to gross proceeds of $72.5 million before prorations and closing costs. The transactions will result in around $22 million to be recognized in the third quarter, according to the firm.

Photo Cred. Rich Schmitt

Savida’s Chef, Dan Smulovitz, Opens Up About Restaurant’s Closure and His Culinary Future

MichelinRecommended Restaurant Shuts Down, Leaving a Void in the Culinary Scene

Savida was a restaurant that made a great impression on the Montana Avenue neighborhood and the cities of Santa Monica and Los Angeles in a very short period of time. The Israeli seafood restaurant garnered a Michelin recommendation within six months of opening in June of 2022. When the restaurant closed suddenly and without any explanation on April 27, 2023, people in the neighborhood and fans all over Los Angeles were puzzled, as we reported earlier this year.

We spoke with chef Dan Smulovitz after the publication of the story, and here’s his explanation of why the restaurant closed.

Dolores Quintana: You are Dan Smulovitz, chef of Savida.

Dan Smulovitz: Yeah, I am. My partner and investor was basically the owner. I was the chef and the face of the restaurant.

But yeah, basically, the partner didn’t want to continue to keep the restaurant open. Basically, it’s the same story when someone has the money and the dream of opening a restaurant. They’re very good business people but don’t understand that the restaurant business is very different.

So it’s something that, from the outside, looks fun, and you can make money when places are busy, but basically, it takes a lot of time. Investors usually don’t have the patience or endurance to do that. We did very well, and our reputation was amazing. Everybody really loved it. After six months of getting recommended by Michelin, it was the perfect kind of growth for a restaurant. But on the other side, the business people didn’t want to continue or spend more money. So that’s the reason, sadly, why we closed.

Dolores Quintana: Okay, you’re saying that the partner had an expectation of what opening a restaurant is like and the time and money you have to put into it that was not the same as what a restaurant needs.

DS: Yes, the expectations in a restaurant, a new place on Montana. It takes time to get to know the people. It takes time to get to know for the community to know the place.

It’s all about expectation, business-wise. You put all your effort and energy into creating something pretty amazing because I still get phone calls from customers and emails and everything.

Dolores Quintana: People are still asking what’s going on, right?

DS: Exactly, and the way that it was closed was very dramatic. We wanted to close nicely. Then someone showed me your article. It doesn’t need to be a mystery. I put up a note on Facebook, and it was taken down. But they prefer to let it die like that. People still come over there. There isn’t even a sign that says it has been closed since April.

Dolores Quintana: I appreciate you

reaching out. I really do. I’m so sorry to hear that. Because getting a Michelin recommendation can be challenging. So you’re obviously doing good work.

DS: Yeah, it’s difficult for that to happen in a place with a tiny kitchen, a new place, a new concept…

Dolores Quintana: Do you have anything on the horizon? Are you working on something new?

DS: Right now. I’m trying to do private events with Savida food. With my concept. You know. I’m working on a Kiwi Aguachile now.

The owner of the restaurant did not respond to attempts to contact them for comment.

Deceased Man Found in Palisades Park

Local Bodega Selling HalfOff Wines on Wednesdays

The Incident Site Is Located Proximate to Ocean Avenue and Broadway

The Santa Monica Police Department launched an active inquiry into a death that happened within Palisades Park. The incident site is located proximate to the juncture of Ocean Avenue and Broadway, in close proximity to the Broadway stairs.

The decedent, whose gender remains

unidentified but is presumed to be a male in his 40s, was found at the scene. While indications point towards potential homelessness, there exists an associated address in Los Angeles linked to the deceased.

In response to the situation, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office has been engaged and is rendering support for aspects of the investigation. This assistance incorporates identification of the victim, as well as determination of the specific manner in which the fatality occurred.

The Santa Monica Police Department will release additional information as the investigation progresses.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Robert Potash

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: Robert Potash

A Petition for Probate has been filed by Jesse Potash in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 23STPB09089

The Petition for Probate requests that Jesse Potash be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. 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 Los Angeles County Superior Court as follows: Date: October 31, 2023, Time: 8:30 am. Dept.: 44 The address of the court: 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 deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail 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 statues 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 Jesse Potash 22 Haide Pl. East Islip, NY 11730

Published

The

By Zach Armstrong

Taking place from 3 p.m. to close, the bodega will sell $25 bottles of wine. According to its website, the bar comparatively sells bottles with prices around $35 to $50. Bodega Wine Bar is a Santa Monica neighborhood bar that offers coffee, beer, wine and food from its bar dining, take-out options and wine bar.

Great Minds Grow at The Willows Community School

By SuSan Payne

Great minds are growing at The Willows Community School in Los Angeles. Rooted in experiential learning and social values, The Willows believes each child brings the community an extraordinary gift: a curious mind, ready to explore and eager to learn.

To grow that gift, the school challenges students to uncover meaning and significance in the world around them, and to become capable, confident individuals who demonstrate character, engagement and a joyful passion for creative inquiry across a lifetime.

Willows students are a diverse group with unique backgrounds, commuting from 57 zip codes in the Los Angeles area for a robust and meaningful educational experience. They are actively engaged in learning and intellectually curious from developmental kindergarten through eighth grade.

Scientific studies indicate significant benefits to the DK-8 structure. The Willows has three divisions of students with an academic program tailored specifically to the needs of each group: primary (DK through Grade 2), upper elementary (Grades 3-5) and middle school (Grades 6-8).

At every level, students are active and engaged learners who are encouraged to problem solve, think critically, ask questions and take

intellectual and creative risks. At The Willows, students begin to understand the most important lesson of all: as a learner, anything is possible.

“Our campus is open by design, so there’s a lot of space for collaboration and cooperation and creativity. When parents visit, they see how unique the campus is and love it for their children. It’s a very dynamic place where minds grow,” said Lisa Rosenstein, head of school. “As they grow, they develop a sense of connection to the school and community. Having begun education in a place where they feel safe, cared for and connected, helps them later transition to high school and the world beyond.”

Parents choose The Willows for its balanced progressive curriculum that’s adaptable to change and vital in a modern, ever-changing world. Learning is a constantly evolving dialogue between student and teacher, not a predetermined path.

In its 29 years of operation, The Willows has achieved a reputation as one of the pre-eminent independent schools in Los Angeles, known for its highly regarded technology program and educational innovations. In 2014 and 2015, The Willows received the 2014 and 2015 Culver City Private School Award for Excellence.

The Willows boasts 100% digitally active classrooms on campus with teachers who have long tenures of teaching at the school: 32% of teachers have taught at The Willows for 20 years

or more, and 49% of teachers have taught at the school for more than 15.

“Administrators, staff and faculty are accessible to the community and are constantly evaluating our educational programming, working together to create an environment and experience ideal for discovery, inquiry and growth,” Rosenstein said.

Core values of the school include creative inquiry at core, challenging academics in balance and character and community. Each of these core values are deeply embedded into a structured curriculum that allows children to fulfill their intellectual, creative, physical and social-emotional potential.

Willows students learn to build bridges

to the community and learn they are part of a larger world. Through a schoolwide theme each year, Willows students are challenged to think critically and implement their talents to explore that theme into school projects and events. This year, the theme is strength.

Overall, academic programming at The Willows is complemented by an exemplary performing and fine arts curriculum, a full range of athletic teams, a rich and thoughtful social emotional learning and life skills curriculum, and extracurricular activities. For more information on the school, or to plan a visit, go to thewillows.org.

Rock 101 Helps Young Rockers Develop Passion for Learning

By SuSan Payne

Inside the School of Rock West LA is ample opportunity for kids and beginners to learn and experience playing music. From beginning to advance levels of students, School of Rock has a place for every skill level, including adults. The school, devoted to helping aspiring musicians master skills, unleash creativity and develop tools they need to thrive in life, introduces kids to music as young as 3 years old.

Little Wing, for preschoolers and toddlers ages 3 to 5, teaches foundational music skills such as rhythm, song strong structure, melody and dynamics through play. Rookies, for ages 6 to 7 years old, learn fundamentals like chords, rhythm and song structure while exploring different instruments.

At ages 8 to 13, School of Rock offers a Rock 101 Program with continuous open enrollment. Students start learning classic rock on an instrument of choice in a low pressure environment and are introduced to a class of other students who are learning how to have musical conversations with each other. Rock 101’s programming helps young students build

strong musical proficiency before moving to the next level.

School of Rock West LA’s general manager Justin Salmons says kids start to develop their own taste around that age and that learning is critical for developing a passion for music.

“It’s the motor skills, interest and arts, everything comes together right around that age. Kids start finding their own musical taste and experience, and parents usually get a kick when those things align,” Salmons said.

Rock 101’s approach to teaching kids is simple, but approachable starting with weekly private instruction to learn concepts and develop skills and a weekly group rehearsal with other students.

“We get them playing something that rocks, that they are familiar with, and something that they can accomplish right away. Knowing how to play a real song is exciting and that’s a confidence booster for them,” Salmons said.

Salmons, who has been with School of Rock West LA for 12 years, said they’ve built Rock 101 from the ground up and have watched young kids continue programming and advance into musical careers.

While Rock 101 students are usually at the

beginning of their potential for music growth, they also get to experience what advancing in the program looks like as openers for some inschool events.

“We give them a safe comfortable environment and have instructors by their side to give them courage. Parents really get to see how far they’ve come in these environments,” Salmons said. “We put every ounce of passion and love into everything we do. Playing live music is one of my happiest states of being and I want other people to know what that feels like.”

For ages 8 to 18, Performance is the hallmark music program at School of Rock, a weekly rehearsal learning rock music’s iconic songs in a band composed of their peers. Students are assigned songs and parts based on their age, experience and ability to learn new skills and concepts, and get to perform multiple times in front of a live audience. Older teens play at a near professional level.

While some kids choose sports or theatre as an extracurricular, there are many who choose music because of the community — they’ve found their tribe, other kids who love music as much as them.

“For some of those creative, introverted kids, it can be a harder ask to get them to try sports, but if you introduce them to keys or guitar, or singing, their whole social world opens up and they blossom into creative young kids with a passion for music,” Salmons said. “Our older teens play at a near professional level. Whether music is something fun or your passion, School of Rock can help you achieve your musical goals and dreams.”

For more information on enrolling into Rock 101, or to explore other programs for kids or adults in West Los Angeles, visit schoolofrock.com/locations/westla,

St. Matthew’s Parish School Continues Legacy of Excellence

Nestled among the Santa Monica mountains on a 28-acre campus near the Pacific Ocean, St. Matthew’s Parish School believes real excellence happens through rich, immersive lived experiences, and exciting, creative interdisciplinary learning opportunities. Students safely and adventurously explore every day, and learn together through diverse, shared learning opportunities both on campus and in the communities and environments beyond — trying new things, discovering the world around them, and discovering themselves.

New this year is alumna Alley Michaelson, returning to her Pacific Palisades roots as St. Matthew’s Parish School’s Head of School. With an extensive background in education and love for the community, Michaelson started this role in July of 2023.

Top tier faculty provide students with individualized, loving guidance and genuine respect that allows them to reach much farther both safely and confidently, in the pursuit of ideas, answers, and a more fulfilling, deeper sense of understanding and learning.

“What’s most important to me is the focus that St. Matthew’s has on the whole child — the development of the child academically, spiritually, ethically and morally. Their values

and what they believe to be important is what makes this school truly unique,” Michaelson says.

Along with their families, St. Matthew’s students find strong connections and a real feeling of home within a warm, welcoming, inclusive community, united by a sense of belonging and a shared mission of learning, collaboration, and outreach.

“Parents and families choose St. Matthew’s because of our strong values that coexist simultaneously with the future of education that’s been integrated into the curriculum over the years: teaching and learning in a space that has been transformed to adapt to the most recent needs of student brains and effective learning environments in the 21st century,” Michaelson says.

St. Matthew’s educational philosophy is to temper their students’ strong capability with compassion and balance their well-deserved self-assurance with authentic empathy and kindness. Students gain the flexibility to adapt easily and naturally to meet both challenges and opportunities with enthusiasm and in return, look for every chance to give back.

Currently, St. Matthew’s houses 28 classrooms, including an art studio, two music and performing arts classrooms, two science

labs, in addition to two maker/innovation spaces, a 13,000-volume library, a student center, sports and performing arts center with a gym and stage for student productions, a swimming pool, playing field, playgrounds and the church.

“We often hear from high schools that St. Matthew’s students are the most prepared for high school and that reputation is important to us because we believe that what children go on to achieve and what they bring back to their communities is important,” Michaelson says.

Many successful St. Matthew’s School alumni have gone on to accomplish incredible feats including James Kanoff, founder of The

Farmlink Project, which rescues surplus food from farmers and delivers it to food banks and families in need; Ali Riley, an Americanborn New Zealand professional footballer, who plays as a defender for Angel City of the American National Women’s Soccer League; and Katy Tur, an MSNBC anchor, author, and broadcast journalist.

“Children spend a good portion of their developmental and transformative years at our School, and it is important to uncover and realize the potential that buds out of the St. Matthew’s experience,” Michaelson added.

To learn more about the school and its offerings, go to www.stmatthewsschool.com.

Notre Dame Academy Invites Girls to Fearlessly Pursue Passions

In a transformative, nurturing

environment, the potential for young woman to grow as they strive for excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts is endless

at Notre Dame Academy, a Catholic, allgirl high school in Los Angeles. Notre Dame, see page 15

Notre Dame, from page 14

In its value-centered culture of learning, NDA provides an engaging, transformative high school experience in which girls develop confidence, growth mindset and faith as they are empowered to rise to their purpose and change the world.

“We empower young women to fearlessly pursue their passions and carve their own path even in traditionally male-dominated fields. Through mentorships and exposure to the outside world, we equip them to break barriers and challenge stereotypes fighting stigmas that may hold them back,” said Lilliam Paetzold, President and Head of Schools at Notre Dame Academy.

“There is a strong and intentional social emotional learning component at NDA to address the needs of girls and teens in today’s society. We believe that education should be a journey of discovery, curiosity and limitless growth,” Paetzold said.

To stay ahead of the evolving world, NDA continuously expands its offerings to be hyper-relevant, embracing new technologies, incorporating cutting-edge topics and forming partnerships with leading organizations in Los Angeles. NDA’s commitment to adaptability ensures that its students are well-prepared to thrive in an ever-changing landscape.

“Our curriculum is built to include experiential learning, signature programs, innovative teaching methods, real-world experiences and a wide range of student clubs — strengthening your child’s

educational journey,” Paetzold said.

While academic standards are set high at NDA, the school nurtures critical thinking, problem-solving and a thirst for knowledge. Dedicated faculty create a dynamic learning environment that goes beyond the classroom. From sports to arts, STEM clubs and community service opportunities, NDA ensures comprehensive development for each of its students.

NDA’s strong athletic program draws students from across Los Angeles with elite coaches and notable highlights:

• Indoor volleyball — three CIF SS Championships, seven league championships, over 50 student athletes have gone on to play at the collegiate level

• Beach volleyball — two IBVL Championships, one Mission League Championship, ranked #6 in Division 1 CIF SS Beach Volleyball Ranking, qualified two pairs for the CIF SS Beach Pairs Championships

• Basketball — 2023 CIF SS Champions, 2023 CIF SS Player of the Year is currently on roster, NDA is returning all starts from the 2023 Championship season, strong college acceptances and scholarships

NDA’s exceptional academic highlights include:

• Rocketry — placed 9th in the National Rocketry Competition, one of only a few all girls’ schools to place in recent years

• Silver medalist for Academic Decathlon team and many individual medals

• DTASC — Drama and Theatre awards throughout the years

High school graduates of NDA are accepted to highly selective colleges, including ivy league schools studying majors in STEM, computer science, artificial intelligence and architecture, to name a few. After four years of exposure to innovation programs, college prep, academic rigor, quality education, performing arts and sports teams, NDA girls are ready to explore opportunities into adulthood.

Enrollment into the school is simple and seamless. Girls submit an application, take a high school entrance exam, are invited to an interactive interview, and are asked to provide letters of recommendation. Although NDA girls are mostly from Catholic backgrounds, the school has students from many faiths and spiritual

backgrounds.

“At NDA, we provide a collegepreparatory education that equips young women with the knowledge, skills and confidence to excel in higher education and beyond. Our rigorous academic programs, personalized guidance and college counseling empower each of them to embrace their academic potential and become accomplished, well-rounded leaders prepared to thrive in the collegiate world and make a positive impact in society,” Paetzold said.

To learn more about Notre Dame Academy, or to pursue enrollment for your child, visit academy.ndasla.org.

2851 Overland Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90064 310-839-5289

Visit us at academy.ndasla.org

D I S C O V E R N D A

E M P O W E R E D

T O R I S E W I T H P U R P O S E

UPCOMING EVENTS

S H A D O W D A Y S - 8 t h g r a d e r s .

S e p t e mb e r 7 & 2 1 , O c t o b e r 1 2 & 1 9 , N o v e mb e r 1 4 , a n d D e c e mb e r 7

HOME RECEPTIONS - 6, 7, & 8th graders.

S e p t e mb e r 9 ( S o u t h B a y ) , S e p t e mb e r 2 9 ( We s t c h e s t e r ) & O c t o b e r 1 1 ( We s t L A ) L a d e r a H e i g h t s T B D , a n d S a n t a M o n i c a T B D

ADMISSIONS TOURS 9 a.m. - 6, 7, & 8th graders.

S e p t e mb e r 1 5 & 2 9 , O c t o b e r 1 3 & 2 0 , a n d N o v e mb e r 3

BOYS & GIRLS LEARN DIFFERENTLY SYMPOSIUM - All ages.

A p r e s e n t a t i o n f r o m t h e G u r i a n I n s t i t u t e o n l e a r n i n g t h r o u g h g e n d e r l e n s e s

S e p t e mb e r 1 4 : 7 - 8 : 3 0 p m

AUTHOR EVENT WITH CHILDREN'S BOOK WORLD - 2nd-6th graders.

J u l i e B u x b a u m N e w Y o r k T i me s b e s t s e l l i n g a u t h o r o f y o u n g a d u l t n o v e l s

S e p t e mb e r 2 3 : 9 : 3 0 a m

D I G P I N K - 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 t h g r a d e r s i n v i t e d .

A n e v e n i n g o f v o l l e y b a l l , c o m m u n i t y a n d s c h o o l s p i r i t !

O c t o b e r 9 : 4 - 8 p . m.

M I D D L E S C H O O L A N D H I G H S C H O O L O P E N H O U S E - A l l a g e s .

S e e N D A i n a c t i o n ! T o u r t h e s c h o o l a n d m e e t o u r v i b r a n t c o m m u n i t y !

O c t o b e r 2 8 : 9 a m o r 1 p m

Month-Long Music Festival Coming to Santa Monica

Food Trucks Will Serve Funnel Cake, Barbeque and Burgers

By Zach Armstrong

The end-of-summer-series “Americana in the Park 2023” will showcase various styles of Americana music with Southern California acts, while an array of food trucks and a McCabe’s Guitar Pop-Up Shop will be present.

The event, taking place at Gandara Park at 1819 Stewart St., will happen each Sunday of September from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

On Sept. 3, folk duo Eleni & Milo and alt-country rock band Dead Rock West will perform while food trucks will include Drizzle Funnel Cakes, Messi Burgers and Salt n Pepper.

On Sept. 10, blues/jazz singer Mara Kaye and Dr SoundGood featuring Doug Legacy will perform while food trucks will

include Drizzle Funnel Cakes, The Tropic Truck and Bison Burger.

On Sept. 17, a folk/pop singalong with McCabe’s Hootenanny Collective will perform before The Delirians while food trucks will include Creamy Boyz Ice Cream, Pacifico Charbroiled Fish and Cerda Vega.

On Sept. 24, singer/songwriter Dan Navarro will perform before roots eclectic folk rock Steve Postell’s Night Train Music Club while food trucks will include Drizzle Funnel Cakes, Bison Burger and Eagle Rock BBQ.

Rates shown are per person, land and round-trip economy-class airfare from the featured gateway (other gateways available, rates may vary), based on double occupancy for check-in on December 7, 2023. Rates include taxes, fees and surcharges collected by seller at time of booking using the AAA.com website. If booking with a AAA Travel Advisor, a $25 service fee will be collected at time of booking. Airfare is nonrefundable. Itinerary changes/cancellations are subject to Pleasant Holidays®, airline and/or other supplier-imposed fees from $25 (for Canada or contiguous U.S. travel) or from $50 (for all other travel) per person, plus applicable fare differential (certain changes involve prenotification deadlines). See General Disclaimer for additional information regarding air. *The value listed is per booking and equals the total of the Tropical Days offer plus the AAA Member Benefit2 Tropical Days Offer: Valid on new Hawai‘i, Mexico, Caribbean, and Continental United States bookings made July 23, 2023 – September 22, 2023, for travel July 23, 2023 – June 30, 2024. Minimum five nights’ accommodations at a participating Hawai‘i Mexico or Caribbean resort or hotel and round-trip airfare required (excludes Hawai‘i inter-island flights). Minimum two nights’ accommodations at a participating Continental United States resort or hotel and round-trip airfare required (excludes Hawai‘i inter-island flights). Savings of $150 is not reflected in rates shown and applies to Hawai‘i, Mexico, and Caribbean destinations with participating resorts. Savings of up to $100 is not reflected in rates shown and applies to Continental United States destinations with participating resorts as follows: $50 off 2–3-night stays; $75 off 4-night stays; $100 off 5-night stays or longer. AAA Member Benefit: Valid on new bookings made between July 23, 2023 – December 31, 2024, for travel through December 31, 2024. Minimum five-night stay at participating AAA Vacations® properties required. $50 activity voucher is nonrefundable, nontransferable, has no cash value and applies to the following destinations: Hawai‘i, Mexico, Central & South America and select Caribbean destinations. Savings not reflected in rates shown and applies to the following destinations: USA (excluding Hawai‘i), Canada – $25 savings; Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia, South Africa, select Caribbean destinations (Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Grand Cayman, Grenada, Martinique, St. Barts, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Martin & St. Maarten, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Turks & Caicos, and U.S. Virgin Islands), Tahiti (French Polynesia), Fiji and Cook Islands – $50 savings. 3Rate based on city view king room accommodations at Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on O‘ahu. Rate based on superior select club room accommodations at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort All-Inclusive in Playa del Carmen. Environmental Sanitation Tax of $27 Pesos per room per night will be collected by the hotel at check-out. Rate based on double room accommodations at Riu Bambu All-Inclusive in Punta Cana. 6Rate based on classic queen room accommodations at The LINQ Hotel + Experience in Las Vegas. 7Kids stay free in same room as adults using existing bedding at Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Occupancy limits apply. Riu Bambu resort credit is as follows: Valid on new bookings for travel through December 23, 2024. Includes a resort credit per room, per stay for guests 21 and older to be used towards Renova Spa (2 $20 coupons for 80 minute Renova Combination massage, 2 $25 coupons for 80 minute Ritual Punta Cana, 2 $10 coupons for 80 minute Stress Cure massage, 2 $20 coupons for Beauty Ritual, 2 $35 coupons for Ocean Harmony, 2 $10 coupons for Spa pedicure; limited to coupon per service, per person; Scuba Caribe (2 $15 coupons for sailing lesson, 2 $45 coupons for PADI Open Water Diver Course, 2 $20 coupons for PADI Scuba Diver Course, 2 $15 coupons for PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience; limited to 1 coupon per service, per person), Punta Blanca Golf (1 $85 coupon per golf round per person and includes: transfer from hotel to Punta Blanca Hotel, 18 hole golf round, practice balls, electric golf car, water, soda and cold tower at the end of the T-time. Extra discount in additional tee times: 5% on the second round, 10% on the third and fourth round and 15% on the fifth round onwards); Weddings by RIU ($100 coupon towards Royal & Caprice Collections), Photoventura ($50 coupon by purchasing Sea Photo Package), Europcar Rent-a-car (up to $105 coupons); Chocolateria (1 $4 coupon towards $25 purchase, 1 $8 coupon towards $50 purchase, 1 $15 coupon towards $100 purchase and applies only for products signed with red code); Diamante Casino (1 $10 coupon; limited to 1 coupon per person, per night). A 3 – 6 night stay is required. Resort credits are contactless and accessible through the RIU app. Resort credits are nontransferable, nonrefundable, non-combinable and cannot be used for future stays. Subject to change or may be discontinued without prior notice. Certain restrictions may apply. Based on double occupancy. The LINQ Hotel + Experience up to 20% savings is as follows: Save on stays of 1+ night. Blackout dates may apply. Not combinable with any other offer, unless otherwise indicated. For all offers, unless otherwise indicated: Rates quoted are accurate at time of publication & are per person, based on double occupancy. Gratuities, transfers, excursions and, for non-air-inclusive offers, airfare, taxes, fees & surcharges, are additional. Advertised rates do not include any applicable daily resort or facility fees payable directly to the hotel at check-out; such fee amounts will be advised at the time of booking. Rates, terms, conditions, availability, itinerary, taxes, fees, surcharges, deposit, payment, cancellation terms/conditions & policies subject to change without notice at any time. Cruise rates capacity-controlled. Advance reservations through AAA Travel required to obtain Member Benefits & savings which may vary based on departure date. Rates may be subject to increase after full payment for increases in government-imposed taxes or fees and, except for air-inclusive offers, for supplier-imposed fees. Blackout dates & other restrictions may apply. As to Air-Inclusive Offers Only: Other restrictions may apply, including, but not limited to, baggage limitations & charges for first & second checked bag, standby policies & fees, nonrefundable airfare/airline tickets, advance purchase requirements & supplier & airline-imposed change/cancellation fees up to & including the price of the fare plus any applicable fare differential (which may involve pre-notification deadlines). Air component of packaged offers may be nonrefundable; refunds are subject to supplier & airline terms & conditions.

Lionsgate Reinstitutes Mask Mandate Amidst Rising Covid Cases in Los Angeles

Studio Takes Action to Prevent The Spread of Covid-19 Among Employees

By Dolores Quintana

In response to a recent surge in Covid cases in Los Angeles, Lionsgate has reinstated its mask mandate for nearly half of its workforce at the company’s flagship office, as reported by Deadline. The office is located at 2700 Colorado Ave. in Santa Monica. According to an internal email announcement from Sommer McElroy, Response Manager for Lionsgate/Starz, masking requirements are being reinstated. The mandate is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

The policy change comes in light of several employees testing positive for Covid, prompting the company to enforce Covid protocols that were abandoned last year. Under the new mandate, employees on the 3rd and 5th floors of the five-story building are now required to wear medical-grade face coverings, such as surgical masks, KN95, or N95 masks, when indoors. Exceptions to this rule include moments when employees are alone in a closed office, actively eating, drinking at their desk, or if they are the sole occupant of a spacious open workspace.

In a return to protocols used earlier in the pandemic, all Lionsgate employees must conduct a daily self-screening before entering the office. Those who exhibit any symptoms or have recently traveled internationally within the past 10 days are mandated to stay home and notify McElroy. This precautionary measure may impact some individuals during the height of the summer vacation season.

Additionally, Lionsgate is actively engaged in contact tracing and offers at-home Covid test kits upon request to further mitigate the spread of the virus.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has reported recent “small increases in COVID-19 indicators over the past four weeks, indicating increased transmission.” However, the statement also underscores that “overall metrics remain at a low level of concern.” Nevertheless, there has been a noticeable uptick in local cases, with reports of infections, including those who attended Taylor Swift’s sold-out concerts at So-Fi Stadium and individuals returning from overseas trips.

This move by Lionsgate may set an example for other entertainment companies, given Hollywood studios’ initial implementation of strict Covid mandates when bringing employees back to their offices in 2021. Lionsgate began its phased return in October 2021 and expanded in-person requirements to four days a week in January of this year.

The 30 MPH City Part 2

SMa.r.t.

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

Last week’s article discussed why we need to continue our program to slow down our streets to save lives, given the increasing traffic pressures on our existing streetscape (see https:// smmirror.com/2023/08/s-m-a-r-t-column-the30-mph-city-part-one/ ). This week, we will discuss the secondary but valuable benefits of a slower City.

Benefits galore:

1. It’s quite simple: speed kills. A collision of a car with a pedestrian, bicycle, or motorcycle typically has the following likelihood of death depending on speed: 19mph=10%, 25mph=30%, 31mph=85%. So even if a City’s driving speed limit was actually 30 mph, a pedestrian’s chance of surviving a collision at that speed is still, unfortunately, very small. The slower our streets become, the safer our residents, workers, and visitors are.

2. Lowering speeds reduces the probability of even having a collision by reducing typical braking distances: 19mph=44’, 25mph=81’, and 31mph= shocking 130’. Even if an unfortunate collision does occur, the shortened braking distance means the actual collision will be at a lower speed because, in all probability, some braking will have already hopefully occurred prior to the actual impact.

3. Slower streets consume less fuel, thus reducing air pollution (read global warming). These reductions are available to electric and gas-powered cars, especially when the electric vehicles get their recharge from fossil fuel sources. Finally, slower speeds produce less particulate matter (brake shoe wear, tire wear, clutch wear, etc.). In the LA metropolitan area, excessive deaths (asthma, lung cancer, etc.) from the smog and particulate pollution of vehicles of all kinds exceed the death toll of collisions. The long-term health effects of combined smog and particulate matter shorten more lives per year than actual collisions.

4. Slower streets are quieter streets. Our new Housing Element demands packing thousands of new residents in 7-10 story buildings along our major boulevards. Essentially, we are putting our newest residents on what will become our noisiest streets. It would be best for those residents to have quieter streets like those experienced on the side streets since excessive noise has well-known health impacts. People love active streets and places, but no one wants to live on a noisy street.

5. Slower streets encourage people to feel safe walking and riding bicycles. Our relatively flat city, with relatively (so far) open streets and a mild climate, is perfect for year-round bicycling. But the vast majority of people do not use bikes, even for short trips, because they simply do not feel safe. When the actual travel time difference between cars and bicycles decreases via slower posted speeds, more people may be encouraged to take a bike. Likewise, our needed adoption of smaller and more efficient cars would be encouraged by slower streets. People do not feel safe in small cars at high speeds, so big cars predominate. But a slower City can speed

the inevitable adoption of smaller cars because their statistical safety is maintained by slower speeds. Finally, more of these smaller cars can fit into a given parking area.

6. Slower streets are better for the local economy. When drivers slow down, they can read business signs and become more aware of other pedestrians and street art. Finally, Covid showed us we can push open-air restaurants out into the street parking lanes, but the scariest thing, even with the protection of K rails, is when you are sitting just feet away from a bus or truck rushing by at 35 miles per hour. It’s always a better meal if the traffic is slower. People linger more at sidewalk cafes and storefronts when traffic is slower.

7. Parents feel safer letting their kids walk/ ride to school, knowing that the streets overall are slower and speed limits are strictly enforced. This is particularly true when young kids have to cross big boulevards alone.

8. Slower streets will make self-driving cars (whose safety is still dubious) even safer since they are programmed to stay within the posted speed limit. This is particularly advantageous for self-driving vehicles, which struggle when trying to decipher and respond appropriately to ambiguous traffic situations.

9. Law enforcement is easier on slower streets because speeding scofflaws stand out more.

10. Traffic signal timing, to create a continuous green light driving experience, can be done equally well or better with slower overall traffic.

11. Slower traffic can use slightly narrower lanes, enhancing the space available for bike paths, sidewalks, etc. This is useful when inserting valuable right and left turn lanes into existing roadway widths.

12. Finally, slower streets reduce not only fatalities but also reduce serious traffic injuries, which typically exceed fatalities. Do we really need to slow down our gridlocked City?

Of course, cynics will argue that we have already achieved this speed reduction through the perverse and worsening effects of gridlock. Unfortunately, this gridlock “safety” bonus, if real, only occurs, for now, during the nominal 4 hours a day, only five days a week of rush hour. The other 88% of the time, some of our streets are typically faster than they need to be for increased safety.

The discussion above seems car-centric, but it does not to imply that the unsafe behavior of bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, and pedestrians, which is increasingly flagrant, does not contribute to traffic fatalities. It’s just that cars are bigger and faster than those other transit modes, so they have an outsize effect on traffic deaths.

Will posting slower speed limits on just three streets work?

Clearly, it will not be enough alone in the overall traffic death count because it needs to be buttressed by all the other existing traffic safety efforts: traffic demand management, strict speed enforcement, driver and bicycle training, and drunk driving checkpoints etc., etc., to name just a few. Those are still essential, and

see page 20

Flower Avenue Interview With Property Owner Daniel Saparzadeh

While Cautiously Optimistic, Conditions at Flower Have Vastly Improved With Bonin & Garcetti Out and Park and Bass In!

By Nick Antonicello

I interviewed local property owner Daniel Saparzadeh last fall at the peak of the homeless chaos that had held Flower Avenue hostage as residents were at wit’s end as dozens of tents and structures made passage on Lincoln or Flower virtually impossible. A native of Iran, Saparzadeh heads Hypericum Companies of Los Angeles and has since worked hard helping the clean-up of that corner with the planting of trees and the installation of fencing that prevented encampments after the initial cleanup by city officials.

Things were going fine until as reported here that new encampments had returned after the fencing was removed causing concern with residents as they have launched a petition drive seeking assistance from the Venice Neighborhood Council (www.venicenc. org) as well as CD-11 Councilwoman Traci Park to deter any further backslide to the old conditions that plagued Flower for years.

VNC Community Officer Clark Brown has worked closely with the neighborhood in securing the initial clean-up and like many others fear a potential “back slide” of new squatters and transients on this newly rehabilitated street.

I thought it would be a good idea to speak with Mr. Saparzadeh again in wake of the clean-up and his take on the current conditions

and the overall future of Flower Avenue.

Here is my follow-up interview and his frank and blunt assessment of where things on Flower stand as of August 9th:

• What is your assessment of the conditions at Flower currently?

I think despite everyone’s constant nagging, the current situation on Flower Street is okay. There is one lady that has been camping on the sidewalk and we have tried to remove her without success . Although we do not wish to have any encampments on the street, having only one is a manageable situation and we are doing our best to get her out.

• Do you fear a “backslide” of encampments returning, and how will that affect your tenant from opening his doors?

I hope not. Our tenant is very close to getting his final permits, but again he has to deal with the bureaucratic nightmare that he has been enduring for the past three years!

• What is the timeline to open this space on Lincoln and will the city be responsible for power-washing and the general maintenance of the sidewalks in front on Lincoln?

Once he is open, he is going to keep the street and sidewalk clean and maintained and the Police would have to remove anyone that may be blocking access to his business.

• Is it true the city wants to remove or did remove the trees that were planted?

For the past 4 years, Flower looked like a skid row with people camping on the parkway, sidewalk and even one lane on the street. No city inspectors showed up to hand a ticket to any one for breaking every law on the City’s Ordinance Code. But when we spent over $5,000.00 planting trees on the parkway, they showed up the next day and he got his tape measure and decided that the trees planted a few inches off from the official guideline. What (expletive) planet was this guy dropped off from? This is exactly what is wrong with this corrupt city. If it generates revenue, the

city’s very good at finding infractions so they can fill up the coffers and hand out pensions to each other!

• Do you support keeping the fencing on Flower?

I did and I spent over $5,000.00 and once the contract was over, the fence company picked up the fence without discussing the matter with me. . Although, this is not a long term solution as you can not find enough fences to cover every parkway and every side walk. A few neighbors want every bell and whistle as long as someone else is paying for it and if they don’t get it right away, they lose their marbles and scapegoat the only person that is doing something about it.

Yo! Venice will continue to monitor the Flower Avenue conditions and we’re hopeful a successful launch of that new business is forthcoming. It’s been a long and frustrating struggle to get things back on track, but light seems to be shining at the end of this bureaucratic tunnel.

they could be amped up by other technologies, such as car license readers that send the car owner a ticket when filmed at excessive speed or during illegal maneuvers. The public’s perception of speed cameras and their impact on safety can also influence their effectiveness. If people believe that speed cameras enhance road safety, they might be more likely to comply with speed limits. There will be public resistance to traffic cameras, which inevitably raise privacy/ security issues, so lowering posted speed limits coupled with consistent enforcement is just the first step to possibly avoid the need for traffic cameras.

The only downside of slower streets is that it takes longer to get where you want to go. Fortunately, the time “penalty” for safer streets is remarkably small. For example, it takes about 8 minutes and 40 seconds to drive at current speeds (e.g., keeping up with existing traffic) the 2.8 miles along Pico from the east city border to Appian Way at noon on a typical Saturday. That’s an average speed of 19.5 mph. Doing the same drive, always staying under 30mph in this 35mph posted street, takes about 40 seconds longer or only a 7.5 % increase in travel time. The percent difference would be even smaller if the same test were done at rush hour since more time would be spent by each driver stopped in gridlock.

The City should continue to improve its nuanced program of traffic calming, particularly on the streets that are still over 30mph (e.g., Pico, East Ocean Park, Olympic, etc.). The safety of these currently 35mph streets will particularly benefit when reduced to 30mph during their upcoming multistory buildout. The idea is to make 30mph the default maximum speed for all urban drivers. Just their awareness of this limit will help our increasingly crowded City. The time penalties are very small, and the number of lives saved and serious injuries avoided makes this worth pursuing, not to mention all the other secondary benefits of slower streets.

S.M.a.r.t, from page 19

Comedic PlantBased Version of McDonald’s Opens on Venice Boardwalk

The Chain Employs Those Who Have Been “Overlooked by a Broken System.”

By Zach Armstrong

Imagine a McDonald’s that was 100% meat-free, dairy-free and sustainability-driven all while having a sense of humor about itself. Mr. Charlie’s, which has opened a new Venice location at 1827 Ocean Front Walk, is just that.

With two other locations in San Francisco and Los Angeles, Mr. Charlie’s is trying to “redefine fast food” by addressing serious issues in a not-so-serious and sarcastic fashion. Menu items mock those of McDonald’s with menu items including the “Big Chuck”, the “Not a Hamburger”, the “Not a Cheeseburger”, the “Double Not”, the “Not a Chicken Sandwich”, the “Not Chicken Nuggets”, and the “British Chips (Just fries)”. Its take on the Happy Meal is the “Frowny”, a choice of Not a Hamburger, Not a Cheeseburger, Double Not, Not a Chicken Sandwich or BigChuck, with 4 nuggets, fries & drink; or the “Mini Frowny”, a choice of Not a Hamburger, Not a Cheeseburger, with 2 nuggets, mini fries and

drink.

The chain aims to employ people who need a second chance but have been “overlooked by a broken system.” It partnered with the Dream Center to give opportunities to those transitioning from homelessness, incarceration or addiction.

“We’re three weird dudes, a lovable Korean chef, a manifesting Brit and a creative, who’s honestly an alien. Brave misfits, creators, disrupters and Dada’s (!!!), who give a sh*t about the world and the people we share it with.” the founders write of themselves on its website. “We are the future, the new wave of experiencing fast food, the kinder and cleaner alternative, powered by the people for the people.”

Mr. Charlie’s Venice location is open everyday from 11:11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Its other L.A. spot is located at 612 N. La Brea Ave.

Hinano Cafe’s First Bartender Passes Away

He Restored the Original Hinano Sign Before Passing

By Zach Armstrong

Bud Harris, the first bartender to work at the classic Hinano Cafe and the man who painted its outdoor sign, has passed away.

Harris was an Inglewood-born local artist who designed the original Hinano sign in ‘62 and then did the redesign earlier this year. Local stalwarts including Gold’s Gym have also had their lettering designed by Harris. The letter covering of the redesign has sides made of 23-karat gold leaf, reading ‘Hinano Cafe, est. 1962’, against a neatly-plaited brown backdrop.

Harris previously told Yo Venice that “when

[he] worked here, a pitcher of beer was $1, a bottle was 25¢, and an imported bottle of Hinano Beer was 65¢ a bottle.” He also remarked “When I was working here, I learned how to make any kind of hamburger or hot dog – I survived here.”

“Amazing person, he helped open/build Hinano Cafe and was the first bartender to work at the bar. He had such great stories. So happy that we were able to have him restore the original sign he made just a few months ago.” the bar wrote in a Facebook post.

The Facebook post on Harris’ passing was met with numerous comments from people sending condolences to the restaurant and his family. One comment read “A good friend who will be missed by so many. He introduced us to the Hinano when we visited him from the UK. (The sign) is a little piece of him still in Venice.”

How a Venice Filmmaker Became the Man Behind America’s Top Aerospace Statues

Before the Monument Business, Steven Barber Was an Entertainer, an Actor, a Novelist, and a Documentarian.

By Zach Armstrong

Forty years after Sally Ride lifted off to become the first American woman in space, a life-size statue of her was unveiled at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library last month in Simi Valley, California. The ceremony was witnessed by a crowd of 4,000. In the crowd was Ride’s sister along with her 99-year-old mother.

Also in the crowd was Steven C. Barber, the man who envisioned the monument and made sure its creation became reality. Before Sally, he did the same for the Apollo 11 monument at the Kennedy Space Center and the Apollo 13 monument at Space Center Houston.

During construction of the Ride monument,

Barber visited her grave at Woodlawn Cemetery, speaking to her and cleaning off the grave. “What hit home for me was the picture of Sally Ride’s mom looking up at her daughter. It just moved me to tears. I thought, ‘Oh my God, look what I was able to do for this woman whose daughter died of horrific cancer 12 years ago.’”

But Barber’s journey to this moment is not a life full of sculpting and aerospace dedication. He was an entertainer, an actor, a novelist, a documentarian. It was a series of serendipitous circumstances and events that have turned him into the man behind some of the most preeminent and impressive statues honoring America’s aviation heroes.

Barber came to Los Angeles in the early 1980s for a career in radio, but instead had a brief stint working on several films and television shows. From there, he would spend the rest of that decade and into the early 1990s traveling 10 million nautical miles on 19 cruise ships as a disc jockey. This inspired him to write a novel, “Below the Waterline,” which was published in 2007.

After life on the sea, Barber returned to California and bankrolled everything he had with $50,000 in camera equipment for a new chapter as a documentary filmmaker. In 2009,

he released his first documentary “Return to Tarawa: The Leon Cooper Story”, about a World War II veteran returning to the site of a battle he fought in. Shortly after, Barber’s apartment neighbor Jeff, a man in a wheelchair “with an upper body like Schwarzenegger”, told him about a 300-mile race between Anchorage and Fairbanks. What happened next? Barber documented 31 paraplegics taking part in this race over the course of six days to make his second documentary “Unbeaten”. The film was narrated by Dan Aykroyd and made the 2010 Oscar shortlist.

This drive for documentary filmmaking that highlights those that are brave and admirable led Barber and his wife to launch Vanilla Fire Productions in 2007, a fullservice documentary and commercial video production house.

While working on a documentary about Buzz Aldrin’s life, what seemed like an unfortunate event turned out to be the catalyst for Barber’s new chapter as the man behind monuments. By the time Barber raised $50,000 for the film, Aldrin was in the middle of a lawsuit which grinded those plans to a halt. Livid and frustrated, Barber went for a bike ride during which he envisioned statues of the astronauts he admired as a kid.

In 2018, Barber got a call from the Kennedy Space Center after he pitched NASA the idea of 12 moonwalker monuments. KSC couldn’t do a dozen monuments, but it was up for an Apollo 11 statue to accommodate its Moon Tree Garden. There was one condition: Barber had to fundraise the money. Before he convinced Rocket Mortgage to provide $750,000, he contacted the acclaimed Lundeen Sculpture group which agreed to sculpt Apollo 11 as long as Barber found the funds.

A similar trajectory happened for Barber to manifest his hope for the Apollo 13 monument. He raised another $750,000, then called up the Lundeens to get the job done. Now, a seven-foot bronze statue depicting Apollo 13 astronauts, Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise, stepping down from

the recovery helicopter onto the USS Iwo Jima stands at Space Center Houston. “Through our new Apollo 13 sculpture, we are educating the public how innovation, perseverance and true teamwork can achieve incredible success,” William T. Harris, president and CEO of Space Center Houston, states on its website.

With these prominent aerospace statue projects under his belt, Barber had a thought: Where’s the women? The 40th anniversary of the mission that made Sally Ride the first American woman in space was approaching, so he contacted her family and soon helped create the Lundeen’s Sally Ride monument now at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City on Long Island, unveiled in 2022. Barber subsequently contacted the Ronald Reagan Library for a similar project of Ride. Barber’s diverse body of work isn’t over. He anticipates his tenth documentary to release next year, while he also has plans in motion for sculptures of the first Hispanic woman in space Ellen Ochoa and the first Black man in space Guion Bluford. As someone who admits he was once not so humble, Barber says the monument business has humbled him greatly.

“Nobody wakes up in the morning and says ‘I gotta have a monument.’ This is a real tough sell. You have to really take the idea to somebody, then you have to explain to them why it’s a good idea, then it takes time to mature.” said Barber. “The monument business is not for the faint of heart.”

Planning Commision Approves 74-Unit Apartment Complex on Pacific Avenue

New Surf-Themed Coffee Shop Opens on Main Street

Menu Includes the “Horchata Latte”: Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Rice Milk

By Zach Armstrong

Manana Coffee, a Los Angeles-based coffee shop brand, has expanded in Venice with a location at 1378 Main Street open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Scheme Entails Demolition of Edifices From the 1920s and 1960s

Housing initiatives at the former Vista del Rey Church were approved during the Aug. 10 session of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission, LA Urbanize reported. This brings progress to a six story, 74-unit development planned for Pacific Avenue.

In 2022, developer Robert Green submitted an application to the Department of City Planning for authorization of residential structures on an approximate 30,000-squarefoot parcel situated at 12124 W. Pacific Avenue. This site stands positioned one block south of Venice Boulevard. The proposed scheme entails the demolition of extant edifices

from the 1920s and 1960s, thereby paving the path for the construction of a novel six-story establishment, LA Urbanize reported.

This forthcoming structure is envisaged to comprise 74 apartments encompassing one, two, and three-bedroom configurations, alongside provisions for parking accommodating 122 vehicles. 11 of these units are designated very low-income affordable housing.

Guiding the design aspirations of 12124 Pacific is a collaborative endeavor led by Mika Design Group and Robert James Taylor Architects. While commercial spaces are not part of the scheme, the property is earmarked to host communal areas suitable for human habitation, positioned on the ground level facing Pacific Avenue. Additionally, the plan incorporates communal spaces in the form of amenity decks, located on the rooftop and above the second floor, thereby enhancing the provision of open areas for residents.

With another L.A. location at 11469 Washington Blvd, the shop’s coffee options include the “New Orleans”, Chicory infused cold brew with simple syrup and milk; the “Horchata Latte”, Cinnamon, nutmeg, rice milk; the “Tiki Time Latte, a coconut macadamia latte; and more.

Food options include the “Call Your Mother Bagel”, a bagel with homemade cream cheese, heirloom tomato or cucumber and lemon pepper seasoning; and the “Attack Burrito”,

smoked Louisiana sausage, tater tots, free range eggs, cheddar, cotija and green chile pepper.

To find out more about Manana Coffee, visit its website at https://mananacoffee.co/.