S A N TA M O N I C A
REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY
smmirror.com
INSIDE COUNTY WALKS BACK TRICK OR TREATING BAN PAGE 4
September 11 – September 17, 2020 Volume XLXIII, Issue 58
California Secretary of State Backs Plaintiffs’ Appeal Against Santa Monica’s Election System California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, 18 state legislators file amicus curiae briefs By SaM CaTaNZaro
The California Secretary of State and 18 state legislators who contributed to the enactment of the California Voting Rights Act have filed letters on behalf of plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the City of Santa Monica that contends the city’s at-large election system violates the CRVA. The case filed by plaintiffs Pico Neighborhood Association, Maria Loya and Advocates for Malibu Public Schools alleges that Santa Monica’s at-large election system dilutes Latino voting power in violation of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and discriminates against Latino voters in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the California Constitution. In a ruling released February 15, 2019, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos ordered that all future elections for seats on the Santa Monica City Council be based on a seven-district map drawn by an expert for the plaintiffs, including a 30 percent Latino district. The City then appealed this decision. On July 9, a three-judge panel from the California 2nd District Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the city saying that Latinos, who account for 14 percent of Santa Monica’s electorate, lack the numbers to win an election in the 30 percent Latino district ordered by Judge Palazuelos. On August 18, the plaintiffs asked the Supreme Court to review the appellate court’s decision. California Secretary of State Alex Padilla on Tuesday, September 7 submitted an amicus curiae brief challenging the appellate court’s
Photo: Sam Catanzaro
Santa Monica City Hall.
ruling that Latino voters in Santa Monica are not concentrated enough to constitute a district with a majority needed for Latino candidates to win. “The Court of Appeal’s opinion, however, threatens to interfere with the ability of aggrieved plaintiffs to obtain relief from voting rights violations the CRVA was specifically intended to remedy,” Padilla wrote. “Contrary to the Court of Appeal’s characterization of evidence – or lack thereof – that an influence
district could translate into electoral success, the trial court highlighted such evidence in its Statement of Decision, including reference to a study that found in districts with a minority population of even less than 30% of a district’s electorate, previously unsuccessful candidates in at-large elections, won in district elections.” “The trial court found that Plaintiff’s expert witness David Ely’s seven-district plan would increase the ability of Latinos to influence the election, or elect their candidate of choice,”
Padilla added. Padilla’s letter comes after an amicus curiae brief was submitted by 18 California legislators, all of whom served in the California Legislature in 2002 and contributed to the enactment of the CVRA. Among these legislators include the principal legislative author and sponsor of the CVRA, retired Senator Richard Polanco, as well as five members of the Elections and Judiciary
Voting Rights, see page 7
Sweet Home Santa Monica Dan & Charlee Nessel | 310.365.0195 | 310.755.8180 Dan@NesselHomes.com | Charlee@NesselHomes.com | NesselHomes.com Lic# 01349526 ©2018 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC.
Lic# 01309674
01349526
TAX
Open as an essential service for: • Taxes, consulting, help with all the new programs and problems, etc • Can work long distance, with email or the U.S. mail
Samuel Moses, CPA 100 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica • 310.395.9922
2
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
September 11 – September 17, 2020
Steak ‘n Shake Closes on Promenade: Westside Food Scene Also: Jerry’s Deli returns to Westside By Toi Creel Steak ‘n Shake closing its Third Street Promenade location. Jerry’s Deli returns to the Westside. A new restaurant opening in a Venice parking lot. Learn more in the latest Westside Food Scene. Santa Monica: Steak ‘n Shake Closes on Promenade The Steak ‘n Shake in Santa Monica is no longer. The location at 1455 3rd Sreet Promenade no longer contains the former restaurant’s branding and has a large for lease sign posted. The popular chain opened in October 2014 on the Promenade, spending six years giving diners traditional burgers and fries as well as milkshakes and classic American cuisine. Venice: Yours Truly Crew Opening in Brig Parking Lot In Venice, a new all-outdoors restaurant will soon be open. Put together by Chef Vartan Abgaryan, Dave Reiss and partners at Yours Truly Venice, the restaurant will be located in the parking lot of Reiss’ bar The Brig. The menu will be rotating including mostly grilled meats and salads. Restaurant goers can also expect live-fire cooking by a wood-fired grill. Pruitt told Eater Los Angeles the decor will consist of a painted wood floor and multiple plants all under a large tent.
Marina del Rey: Jerry’s Deli Making a Return Jerry’s Deli has returned to Marina Del Rey with patio seating and pastrami sandwiches, after closing in 2017. The old-school Jewish deli has now been turned into Jerry’s Patio Café & Bar, located at 13181 Mindanao Way, with several takeout options. The ownership of the building has changed with new owners bring Jonathan Mitchell and his daughter Mandy Mitchell. Diners can expect deli classics like the pastrami, matzo ball soup and potato latkes alongside new additions including vegan tortilla soup and Impossible burgers. Sawtelle: Taiwanese Tea Shop Opens on Sawtelle In the Sawtelle neighborhood, a Taiwan fruit tea restaurant has recently opened at 2010 Sawtelle Boulevard. Yi Fang fruit tea, as its namesake suggests, serves an array of fruit and milk teas, made from fresh fruits, organic milk, handmade pearls and imported brown sugar straight from Taiwan. Topanga: New Pizza Joint Opens in Topanga If you’re rolling through Topanga Canyon and want to try something new, a pizzeria called Endless Color is now open. It currently occupies the former Rocco’s in the Canyon at 123 S. Topanga Canyon Boulevard. While they serve thin-crust pizzas, the menu also includes salads as well as a variety of drinks. Those of age will be able to choose from a wide selection of alcoholic beverages including hard kombucha as well as beer and wine.
Cheeseburger glory at Steak and Shake
The Brig on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Santa Monica
Photo: Steak ‘n Shake (Facebook)
Photo: Sam Catanzaro
Get your business SEEN in one of our publications!
Sweet tea at Yi Fang on Sawtelle
Photo: Yi Fang (Facebook)
Photo: endlesscolortopanga.com
Did someone say “Pizza”?
CALL TODAY 310.310.2637
September 11 – September 17, 2020
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
3
Delivery Hours: 7am – 3pm Call or E-mail before 2pm for same day delivery! Not Available Sundays Curbside pick-up available 9am-5pm Daily • (310) 452-2493
Store Hours: 8am-9pm. Prices valid while supplies last. Prices Valid September 10th – September 16th, 2020
FEATURED THIS WEEK!
DREYER’S ICE CREAM
MESQUITE SMOKED TURKEY $ .99
4
BLACK WAX CHEDDAR CHEESE
.99 each
1
79¢
$ .49 lb.
2
Wild Caught
Catch of the Week!
4
$ .99
19.99
$
USDA Prime LEAN GROUND TRI-TIP ROAST TURKEY
DOVE
12 fl. oz. Assorted Varieties
3
.99 +Tax
$
4
2019 ROSÉ DE NYMPH EMUE
12.99
$
lb.
750ml.
lb.
KRAFT
SPECIAL K
ANTHONY’S
8 oz. Assorted Varieties
10.5 oz. Assorted Varieties
16 oz. Assorted Varieties
Shredded Cheese
3
$
.99
Cereal
3
$
.99
3
$ .99
Pasta
1
$ .99
BACK RIBS
9
$ .99
+tax and +CRV
Save $3
14.99
$
each
HOT FOODS
16.99
Maris
LOW PRICES FOR YOUR EVERYDAY NEEDS
Shampoo & Conditioner
$
White Claw Seltzer
Hand Trimmed
$ .99
lb.
5 oz. Package
Pork Baby
PICK OF THE WEEK WINE & BEER 12/12 oz. Cans Assorted Varieties
Freshly Ground
ORGANIC GIRL BABY SPINACH
26 oz.
lb.
FULL SERVICE MEATS
SWORDFISH STEAK
lb.
TRIPLE CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE
$ .59
each
9
Café Valley
Product of USA
89¢ lb.
BAKERY
GREEN BELL RED RADISH RED SEEDLESS Product of USA PEPPERS GRAPES
BANANAS
lb.
$ .99
Sliced to Order
FARM FRESH PRODUCE
Product of USA
9
Sliced to Order
1.5 Quarts Assorted Flavors
$
NATURAL ORGANIC SPECIALTY
SERVICE DELI
+tax
lb. +tax Hot and Ready to Serve!
Bob’s Own
ORANGE CHICKEN
CLASSICO
Pasta Sauce
24 oz. Assorted Varieties
2
$
.99
6
$ .99
lb. +tax Hot and Ready to Serve!
1650 Ocean Park Blvd. Santa Monica 90405
Corner of 17th St. & Ocean Park Blvd. • www.bobsmkt.com
4
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
September 11 – September 17, 2020
County Walks Back Trick or Treating Ban Department of Public Health now says trick or treating not recommended By SaM CaTaNZaro County health officials have walked back previous guidelines prohibiting trick or treating. Earlier this week the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health released guidelines prohibiting trick or treating, among other activities, this upcoming Halloween. On Wednesday, Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer announced a revision to these guidelines recommending, not banning, trick or treating. “Our guidelines have been slightly revised,” Ferrer said during the daily COVID-19 briefing. “Trick or treating: we are highly recommending that it not happen. We don’t think it’s an appropriate activity during a pandemic.” The change of course comes following an announcement by LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva that his department would not enforce a ban on trick or treating and also in the wake of mixed reactions from residents. At the press conference Wednesday Ferrer noted that despite the revision, it is “simply
not safe” to celebrate Halloween in the usual fashion. “There is no guarantee that when you go trick or treating your child goes up to a house where the person who opened the door is wearing a face covering and when you don’t know the person opening the door there is no guarantee that the person is not sick and that
Now is the perfect time!
the candy they are passing out they have not touched,” Ferrer said. “We are recommending that trick or treating not happen this year and that gatherings, events, parties, carnivals, festivals, haunted house attractions: these are already prohibited under the Health Officer Order and should not be part of our Halloween celebrations.”
Be valued. Be inspired. Be you.
Learn more about reverse mortgage loans from AAG.
Brad Dela Cruz AAG Top Producer NMLS ID: 582941 Reverse Mortgage Professional bdelacruz@aag.com
Call today for your FREE phone consultation!
(310) 920-7610
NMLS# 9392 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). American Advisors Group (AAG) is headquartered at 3800 W. Chapman Ave., 3rd & 7th Floors, Orange CA, 92868. AAG conducts business in CA (CA Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license (603F324) and Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act (4131144)). AAG is an equal housing lender. These materials are not from HUD or FHA and were not approved by HUD or a government agency. For full legal disclosure, please visit: www.americanadvisorsgroup.com/disclosure
Ferrer did mention Halloween activities deemed safer by county health officials, including car parades and drive-in events where individuals can receive a treat bag limited to commercially packaged nonperishable treat and Halloween themed art installations at an outdoor museum.
Elias Housing Bills, see page 6
JOIN US AT A VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE October 24, December 12, January 9
Contact us at admissions@vistamarschool for more information
@vistamarschool We believe there’s a better way to do high school. Vistamar is a private independent high school in the South Bay. VM 2020 ad 4.917x5.75 Mirror media v2.indd 1
8/19/20 9:15 AM
September 11 – September 17, 2020
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
5
Worst Housing Bills Fail; Solution via Market Forces Now Possible
THE BEST CANCER THERAPY Photo: Getty Images
OPINION
“If legislators are really interested in solving the housing problem, and not merely in self-aggrandizement or feathering the nests of their campaign donors, they will leave well enough alone, allowing the market forces to play out over the next two to three years,” writes Tom Elias in his latest column.
TOM ELIAS Mirror Columnist
Evidence keeps mounting that California’s longtime housing shortage can be solved by market forces set loose by the lifestyle and workplace changes created by the coronavirus pandemic. Now the failure of the worst parts of a sweeping housing package in the state Legislature leaves the path clear for those market forces to work themselves out. Had the most wide-ranging of the bills passed, there could have been far less motivation for developers and local governments to heed the accelerating non-political forces. Potential housing effects of the viral crisis became noticeable almost immediately after “shelter-at-home” orders first came from county governments in the San Francisco Bay area, quickly followed by similar statewide decrees by Gov. Gavin Newsom. White collar workers for companies large and small were suddenly ordered to work from home, as companies from Internet giants like Twitter and Facebook to law firms, insurance companies, stock brokerages and many more provided technology for workers to work wherever they like. Soon, television broadcasters were shown in living rooms and backyards viewers had never before seen. Vacancy signs proliferated in the densest of business districts from San Francisco to Santa Monica to Fresno, San Diego, Orange County and beyond. Said a stock brokerage vice president in Pasadena, “We spent $2 million
over the last two years refurbishing our offices to accommodate more than 100 workers. Now we get five people a day working there. We don’t need all that space. Our people are as productive as ever; they’re just not in the office very often.” Realtors report record levels of vacancies, but a building boom propelled by previous state demands for more and more mixeduse office and commercial buildings has continued. As empty space appeared within existing buildings, spurred strictly by non-political events, state lawmakers kept pushing the most ambitious housing construction plan the Legislature ever saw. Pushed by Democrats like San Francisco state Sen. Scott Wiener, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins of San Diego and Santa Monica Assemblyman Richard Bloom, this package included SB 902, allowing up to 10 units on any lot zoned for a single home; two other bills allowing developers to build more high-end units on one site if they constructed enough affordable ones on others; a fourth letting city councils overturn without a new popular vote all height-limit laws passed by local voters – and much more. But the 10-unit bill died in a committee, along with the prospect of developers trolling established low-rise neighborhoods with fat bankrolls to tempt homeowners sitting on large amounts of equity. So did several other major proposals in the package. If the lawmakers behind these measures paid any heed to what’s going on in their own districts, they might not have proposed these things, despite the strong support they quite
Elias, see page 9
YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF
• Hyperthermia Naturally Heats Tumors • Studies Show Significantly Increased Survival Rates and Response to Treatment • Typically Minimal or No Side Effects • FDA-Approved for all Solid Tumors • Covered by Medicare and Many Insurances
(888) 580-5900 www.HCIoncology.com
2001 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 1190W, Santa Monica, CA 90404
6
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
September 11 – September 17, 2020
A Clean Slate
Photo: Ocean Avenue, LLC
OPINION
A rendering of the Mirimar redevelopment.
SMa.r.t. Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow
So there you have it! Maybe. Another win for the rich guys as the Planning Commission voted 6 to 1 to approve the design of that cruise ship sunk on Ocean Ave and Wilshire, and euphemistically referred to as the Miramar Hotel. In case you are among those who may not follow the over-development that is devastating our town, the Miramar project will create what is essentially a 900 ft long condominium (they say hotel) that starts along Wilshire, wrapping around the corner onto 2nd street and creating a “great wall” the entire length to California, and then turns the corner towards Ocean Ave. Why is it that the City, i.e. the council, and various commissioners, continue to approve these very large projects that are so out of scale with the “character” of our beach community. One is hard pressed to believe that our Planning Commission, Architectural Review Board (ARB), and ultimately our City Council, charged with following the LUCE (Land Use Circulation Element), which states “It is a conservation plan that provides for an overall reduction in building height.” would give serious consideration to its approval of the Miramar, let alone actually approve it, but,
here we are. It seems this council has a thing for ‘great walls’ with another great wall on Lincoln, and the distinct possibility of another along 5th St at Arizona as this council just approved continuing “negotiations” with that developer. There is so much that is bad about the scale of the Miramar, and it will forever have a negative impact on the immediate neighborhood and the downtown. It also adds significantly to this councils ‘portfolio’ and primer of “how to destroy a beachfront community”. Zoning allowed for a 45ft height limit when the first Miramar design submission was presented to the council, then came the updated zoning plan, which pushed the height along Ocean Ave up to 50ft. Subsequently a Downtown Specific Plan was developed, having been nicely carved out of the LUCE for ‘future planning’, and some ‘spots’ were identified as ‘special’ opportunity sites, with heights allowed to 146ft. One just happens to be the Miramar site, and another the Gehry Hotel site, also on Ocean Ave at Santa Monica Blvd., and the last one being the 4th/5th & Arizona site. All three developments having been in long time “negotiations” that preceded the zoning changes, with, no surprise, the same majority of council members. The expected impact on our community, if approved by this council, will be thousands of added daily car trips, a severely overburdened water supply and increased infrastructure demand. They have further increased the jobs/
housing imbalance and, in turn, use that as an argument that there is a “housing shortage” to justify additional mixed-use development that ultimately ends up displacing lower-income families and increases gentrification. It’s time for a change. This council needs to be replaced. We at SMa.r.t. have been writing and advocating for responsible and controlled, rational, growth for the last seven years. Early on we laid out five critical points that defined what we knew would be necessary goals if we were to help create and shape a livable, balanced, viable, functional, and economically responsible community that would be inclusive not exclusive. Those five goals are: 1. To preserve Santa Monica’s beach culture The City’s “beach” style differentiates it from neighboring cities to the east and should be preserved- both for its residents as well as for those who visit each year to escape “the hustle and bustle” of urban life. 2. To maximize light, air, views and green space We should continue to provide more open space and keep new construction in scale with the existing building stock. New parks and open space should be a priority. 3. To build at a human scale and for family life The City’s seaside character and human scale plays an important role in its allure. The low-rise residential buildings, that are better
suited for families, are being replaced by multi-story projects with fewer bedrooms and little connection to life at ground level. 4. To create a walkable, bikeable and drivable city In the great European cities, the pedestrian experience is enhanced with large sidewalks, outdoor cafes and unique shopping opportunities. If the currently proposed developments move forward, the circulation within the City will continue to deteriorate. 5. To be a smart, connected and sustainable community It is incumbent upon the City to make sure that our resources and facilities are adequate for the current population before allowing more growth. It is absolutely vital that sustainable technologies become part of the City’s energy plan as it prepares for its future. It seems clear that SMa.r.t.’s warnings have fallen on the deaf ears of this city council, as we see one large project after another approved and under construction. It is time to replace the current council members, and with five of the seven seats up for election this November we need to wipe the slate clean. Phil Brock and Mario Fonda-Bonardi have been a part of SMa.r.t. for the past seven years, and as such, SMa.r.t. endorses Phil, Mario, Christine Parra, and Oscar de la Torre, to replace the four council-appointed incumbents. SMa.r.t. proudly joins neighborhood organizations,
SMart, see page 7
September 11 – September 17, 2020
SMart,
from page 6
and SMCLC (Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City) in this important effort to bring our city government back into responsible focus, and we do so by supporting Mario, Oscar, Christine and Phil for City Council.. Phil Brock: “I have had enough of the lack of listening and responding to the needs of our residents by this City Council. It’s time for a change! As a lifelong resident of Santa Monica, we must restore its soul. I am an independent voice with decades of experience in our town. I am committed to reducing crime, restoring public safety, and using common sense in governing Santa Monica. Growth must always be slow and responsible without negative impacts on our community, or it will receive a NO vote from me every time. Oscar de la Torre: “The City of Santa Monica needs a champion on City Council who cares about local businesses, homeowners, and renters alike. As a lifelong resident of Santa Monica, “I’m running for City Council to restore public trust in our government by restoring public safety to our streets!” and I have spent decades advocating for the disadvantaged youth of our city. He is a father, 18-year member of the SMMUSD Board of Education and Chair of the Pico Neighborhood Association. Christine Parra: “It’s time for CHANGE in Santa Monica. If elected, I will bring to the City Council a commitment to the residents that goes beyond lip service. I will bring the experience I have gained as a career public servant working in fire
Voting Rights, from page 1 committees that reviewed and approved the CVRA before it was approved by the full Senate and Assembly. “The electoral history and political dynamic in Santa Monica perfectly demonstrate why a majority-minority district requirement makes no sense in California. The Superior Court adopted a seven-district map, with a remedial influence district, centered on the Pico Neighborhood, in which Latinos comprise 30% of the eligible voters. Latino candidates, strongly preferred by Latino voters, received the most votes in the Pico Neighborhood District but lost in the at-large elections. The Superior Court considered this election history, as well as the strong political organization of Latinos in the Pico Neighborhood, the extraordinary cost of citywide council campaigns in Santa Monica, the wide disparity in wealth between Latinos and non-Hispanic whites in Santa Monica, and the results of similar influence districts in other cities, concluding that Latinos could elect candidates of their choice in the Pico Neighborhood district, or at least influence the outcome of the elections,” reads the letter. “Yet, the Court of Appeal...ignored all of this, and held that without the potential for a majority-minority district there can be no ‘dilution.’” In the City’s response to the Plaintiffs’ request for review by the California Supreme Court filed September 4, defense attorneys argued that Latinos are already electing
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
safety and emergency preparedness. I know how to balance a budget. My educational background in City Planning equips me to understand the complexities of zoning and city planning”. Mario Fonda-Bonardi: A 40-yearresident, architect, and a City Planning Commissioner, Mario is intimately familiar with the workings of our City government. He supports responsible development that recognizes the impact of limited water and infrastructure, and a beach community that is going to be facing a rising sea level and its subsequent impact on our environment. The One commissioner, vs. 6, that is looking out for residents and voted against the Miramar. He has fought for historic preservation, adaptive re-use, and increased open space for our residents. Join with SMa.r.t. in our support for Christine, Mario, Phil and Oscar for City Council, and vote for A CLEAN SLATE this November. Bob Taylor, Architect, AIA for SMa.r.t (Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow) Ron Goldman, Architect FAIA; Dan Jansenson, Architect, Building & Fire-Life Safety Commissioner; Robert H. Taylor, Architect AIA: Thane Roberts, Architect; Mario Fonda-Bonardi, Architect AIA, Planning Commissioner; Sam Tolkin, Architect; Phil Brock, Arts Commissioner For previous articles see www.santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/ writings.
candidates of their choice, bringing up the surnames of candidates. “In focusing solely on Latino-surnamed candidates, the trial court disregarded the vast majority of candidates in Santa Monica’s elections over the past quarter century—even when those candidates received virtually unanimous support from the City’s Latino voters and won. This artificially narrow focus on candidates with Spanish surnames reflected plaintiffs’ reverse engineered and result-oriented presentation of the data,” the response reads. “These errors, among others, independently required reversal. When the undisputed facts are analyzed under the federal standards for racially polarized voting that the CVRA adopts, they confirm that Latino-preferred candidates usually win in Santa Monica.” According to the City, in elections analyzed by experts, 73 percent of Latino-preferred candidates won—and of those who lost, only three were “even arguably defeated by white bloc voting,” the City argues. “The same holds true if the analysis is limited, as plaintiffs argued, to only those eight Council elections in which a Latino-surnamed candidate ran—12 of the 18 Latino-preferred candidates (67%) won, and of the few who lost, only three were even arguably defeated by white bloc voting,” the City said. “Latino voters are already electing candidates of their choice. There is no cause to abandon the City’s well-functioning electoral system in favor of a districting plan that would limit rather than expand Latino voting power.”
7
Commercial and Residential Servicing Southern California since 1996
NEW CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIRS WATERPROOFING GUTTERS
Over 20 years of Experience!
Factory Certified Installers All work is done safely and under state COVID 19 Regulations 5843 Fallbrook Ave. Woodland Hills, CA. 91367
818.518.3131
8
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
September 11 – September 17, 2020
“Project Power” – An Exercise in Clichés Now Streaming on Netflix CENTER STAGE
With Beverly Cohn, Editor-At-Large
With Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jamie Foxx in lead roles, how could anything go wrong in this action, sci-fi thriller written by first-time screenwriter Mattson Tomlin and directed by Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost? In a word – plenty. It’s 3:00 am in New Orleans, nicely captured by cinematographer Michael Simmonds. The drug dealers are hard at work selling a shiny new pill which, when taken, endows the recipient with super powers. At $500 a pop, this magic bullet is not stable and while it could gift you with super human strength allowing you to lift a car up over your head, or turn you into a super hero where bullets bounce off your cheeks, or render you invisible, or enable you to sprint at almost 50 miles per hour, the pill is unstable and, as Colson Baker, a.k.a. Rapper Machine Gun Kelly, demonstrates, after taking the pill he turns into a flaming torch. I guess you could say you pays the price and you takes your chances. Frank, a LAPD officer played by Gordon-Levitt, arrives on the scene and busts a young girl named Robin, who is a drug pusher/wannabe Rapper, played by Dominique Fishback. They then become partners in the pursuit of the major supplier. Every once in a while throughout the film, she breaks out in a rap riff germane to a particular situation and becomes a pivotal character in the ensuing silly action. In order to level the playing field with the bad guys, Frank takes a pill and taps into his hidden strength. Yes, there are shades of Bradley Cooper’s starring role in the well-done Limitless, which also involved taking a pill – giving new meaning to “on the pill.” Sorry. Couldn’t resist that. There are also vague, superficial similarities to Marvel and DC Comics super heroes. Enter now Jamie Foxx as Art, a
The Power Pill is unstable and you could wind up being a human torch.
former army major whose daughter has been kidnapped by the sinister, cartoonish bad guys played by Rodrigo Santoro and Amy Landecker, leaders in Teleios, the outfit peddling Power. Their creepy plan is to mass produce the Power Pill and create an indestructible militia that could take over the world. It seems that Art’s daughter Tracy, played by Kyanna Simone Simpson, has special antibodies in her blood that allows her to achieve the same effects of the Power pill without actually taking it. She is currently being held captive on a cavernous cargo ship turned into a massive floating laboratory with endless winding corridors and secret hatches controlled by a highly intricate set of computers, let’s say on the scale of NASA or the CIA. Art is determined to rescue his daughter and in a
Having ingested the pill, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s LAPD officer Frank is impervious to any serious side effects to being shot in the face.
flashback remembers the two of them in a car when his daughter is dragged away by the bad guys thus beginning his unrelenting determination to rescue her. So, the three of them – Frank, Art, and Robin make their way to the ship and lo and behold, she figures out how to work the unbelievably intricate computer system controlling the doors and hatches, giving Frank and Art blow-byblow instructions on how to retrieve Tracy without getting caught. Having rescued her, now the four of them have to get off the ship alive and thus, popping a pill, Art becomes a version of the Hulk and a big punch-out ensues. And, like any good fairytale, the good guys win, the bad guys are dead, and Robin, the former drug dealer, gets to cut her first Rap single. Other members of the supporting cast include, Allen Maldonado,
Photos: Courtesy of Netflix
Casey Neistat, Colson Baker, Michael Thomas, Andrene Ward-Hammond, Yoshi Sudarso, Tait Fletcher, and a cameo guest performance by Courtney B. Vance, who delivers one of the most believable moments in the film. While it might sound good on paper, the film is weighted down by predictable clichés, and rather absurd plot points. It’s a wonder that despite the poor script, and intermittent unfocused direction, that the three principal characters gave creditable performances – especially Fox and Fishback. GordonLevitt, who is usually solid in creating characters, did have a bit of a challenge in maintaining consistency throughout the R Rated, 1 hour and 51 minutes of an action film that ultimately falls flat.
Having been captured by the bad guys, Jamie Foxx as Art takes a Power pill to achieve superhuman strength.
September 11 – September 17, 2020
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
9
Marina Del Rey Accountant Pleads Guilty to MultiMultimillion-dollar Ponzi Scheme Steven F. Brown faces up to 20 years in federal prison By Staff Writer A Marina del Rey accountant faces up to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to running a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. On September 3, the Justice Department announced an accountant has agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge that he ran a $3.3 million Ponzi scheme that falsely promised generous returns for foreign exchange currency investors, and he facilitated the scheme in part with money he embezzled from his former employer. Steven F. Brown, 52, of Marina del Rey, agreed to plead guilty to a one-count criminal information charging him with wire fraud. The criminal information and a related plea agreement were filed on August 28in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles, where Brown is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on September 15. According to his plea agreement, Brown controlled and operated Alpha Trade Analytics, Inc., a financial consulting and investment company he largely ran out of his home. Neither Brown nor Alpha Trade was a registered broker or dealer in securities. Brown also served as the accountant for a non-profit organization providing dance and theater arts education to children and young adults in Los Angeles, and had access to its bank accounts. From April 2014 to May 2018, Brown solicited investments in Alpha Trade, including from people he encountered through his position with his employer, and through his relationship with its executives and employees, which afforded
Elias, from page 5 predictably got from developers and building trade unions. For Twitter’s building in Wiener’s district now stands mostly empty. Office towers in Atkins’ San Diego district are nowhere near filled and “for-lease” signs abound in downtown Santa Monica, barely a mile from Bloom’s home. These empty spaces and many more like them will likely produce more than 1 billion vacant square feet that can be turned into apartments and condominiums in all price ranges with far less work, in far less time and with far fewer lawsuits to fight them than pushing for new construction. Building trades workers will be kept busy doing the electric, plumbing, elevator, carpentry and drywall work needed to convert commercial space into residences. Established neighborhoods will remain intact.
him access to high-net-worth individuals. To encourage those individuals to invest with Alpha Trade, Brown falsely promised that their investments would only be used for foreign exchange (Forex) currency trading and that they would receive guaranteed monthly payouts of around 10%. He also falsely represented that he had extensive experience in Forex investing, regularly made profitable trades, and achieved substantial and growing rates of return that exceeded the industry average. Contrary to his representations to investors, Brown only used a small portion of the total amount invested in Alpha Trade for Forex trading, mostly in 2015. Instead, he routinely used investor funds for other purposes, including his rent, car payments, restaurant and retail expenses, and lulling payments to other investors, the plea agreement states. In order to induce investors to maintain or supplement their investments with Alpha Trade and to conceal his scheme, Brown periodically provided investors with account statements that reflected fabricated investment returns that often showed steady, significant gains. Brown admitted he made some of the promised recurring payouts and provided demanded refunds, not based on any Forex investment returns, but instead from money stolen from new investors and through funds he embezzled from the dance academy through unauthorized wire transfers, credit card advances, and cash withdrawals he was able to make by virtue of his position as the dance academy’s accountant. In total, Brown caused losses of approximately $3,313,346 to more than 10 victims, including nearly $700,000 in losses to his former employer based on the money he embezzled from it, according to the plea agreement. When Brown enters his guilty plea, he will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Yes, it will take some rezoning to accomplish this. But those changes are inevitable: cities and counties would otherwise stand to lose large amounts of property tax money as massive vacancies reduce the value of commercial buildings. If legislators are really interested in solving the housing problem, and not merely in selfaggrandizement or feathering the nests of their campaign donors, they will leave well enough alone, allowing the market forces to play out over the next two to three years. That way, California will see the millions of new housing units it needs far faster than it could have under any of the failed new laws. Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com. His book, “The Burzynski Breakthrough, The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Government’s Campaign to Squelch It” is now available in a soft cover fourth edition. For more Elias columns, visit www. californiafocus.net.
Serving Area since 1996 Locally Owned Business
Specializing in:
• Garage Conversion/ADU • Bathroom Remodel • Kitchen Remodel • Interior and Exterior Design • With you from Concept to Completion, 100% of the way • All work is done safely and under state COVID 19 Regulations • Superior Quality and Craftsmanship, Attention to Detail, Integrity and Care
818-292-3916
10
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
Rated TV-14 Season 1 – 10 One-Hour Episodes Released September 4th on Netflix
FILM REVIEW: “AWAY”
BEHIND THE SCREEN By Kathryn Whitney Boole In 2014 Esquire Magazine published a detailed, thorough article by Chris Jones - an interview with Astronaut Mark Kelly that covered the time leading up to his departure for a full year aboard the International Space Station. The article covers all the aspects of preparation for space travel and long time periods spent outside the Earth’s atmosphere - things we don’t think about when we romanticize outer space - like use of toilets, what happens when a flammable chemical spills in zero gravity, and what worldly tasks need to be handled before departing for a whole year from this planet. Chris Jones is now a producer on the Netfilx series Away, which was inspired by this in-depth interview. As in the article, the series gets real about the environmental anomalies of lengthy space travel, because in this story, the crew departs on the first human journey to Mars and back, a threeyear expedition.
September 11 – September 17, 2020
The series gets off to a slightly laborious start. The first episodes cover the backstories of the crew and their family at home. However, It’s worth giving patience to these formative episodes. The show soon develops into an impactful drama. Since Away approaches space travel from a realistic point of view, the travelers in this series cannot stop at exotic imaginary planets as did the Star Trek crew. This series takes a hard look at issues we have in our daily lives on this earth. This is also where Away departs from the usual space adventure. The loved ones of the crew who are back on earth have equally important roles in the development of the narrative. In the beginning it seemed that the series was framed like a procedural set within an extraordinarily detailed rocket ship environment. However, around episode 4 or 5, the stories become much more complex and deep, set in a unique milieu formed around the complexities specific to space travel. The characters represent a wonderfully inclusive array of existences – people from all over the world, all walks of life, and different races. And, disabilities are an identifying trait here, not an impediment.
In business since 1984
Keeping your house beautiful for over 30 year!
• RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • Family Owned • Los Angeles and Santa Monica
Everyone blends seamlessly together, precisely through their differences with one another. The advantage of a show like this is that we get to experience more variances than we possibly could within the boundaries of our own lives. The actors are not “shiny” stars. They are all brilliant character actors, the kind whose faces you know better than their names, with extensive experience on stage and in front of the camera. Even Hilary Swank is not your usual “beautyinfluencer” ingénue. She won her two Best Actress Oscars for portraying a transgender person and a fierce female boxer! Swank has the perfect background to bring realism to crew commander “Emma Green.” In her teens she was a Junior Olympic champion swimmer and a ranked gymnast, so “elite astronaut” is not a stretch for her. Talitha Bateman is extraordinary as Green’s daughter, “Lex.”
I applaud that the characters often speak in their own languages with subtitles. So much of the grace and emotion of a language is carried in its own words. Away started shooting in Vancouver on 8/26/19 and finished just under the wire before lockdown on 2/5/20. This first season features characters from a great swath of world cultures, addresses their flaws and challenges, and goes beyond their personal trials to the existential dilemma of being human. Philosophical contemplation pervades. Watch Away. You won’t be disappointed. 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
Bob Gabriel Co. Insurance 310-829-0305 Professional & Personalized Service Since 1936
Immediate Phone Quotes
California’s Business It’s not just about insurance... It’s about peace of mind. of the Year (2014) TM
AUTO • HOME • BENEFITS • BUSINESS
Let Us Be Your One-Stop Shop For All Your Insurance Needs WORKERS’ COMP • EARTHQUAKE
AUTO • HOME • LIFE • HEALTH • BUSINESS • WORKERS’•COMP APARTMENTS/CONDOS E-COMMERCE • APARTMENTS/CONDOS • E-COMMERCE
SPECIAL MARKETS FOR HARD-TO-PLACE HOMEOWNERS
You Could Receive Up to a 15% Discount When You Purchase Both Homeowners & Auto Insurance Policies
CALL TODAY FOR FREE ESTIMATE!
310.569.6265
Bob Gabriel Co. Insurance Call Today!310-829-0305 310-829-0305
Receive Up to 15% Discount When You Professional & Personalized Service Since 1936 Purchase Both Homeowner and an Immediate Auto Insurance Policy!
Immediate Phone Quotes
Phone Quotes It’s not just about insurance... It’s about peace of mind.TM 2325 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD • SANTA MONICA • www.bobgabrielinsurance.com Family Owned & Operated
Let Us Be Your One-Stop Shop For All Your Insurance Needs AUTO • HOME • LIFE • HEALTH • BUSINESS • WORKERS’ COMP • APARTMENTS/CONDOS • E-COMMERCE
LIC #OF82074
September 11 – September 17, 2020
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
11
12
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
September 11 – September 17, 2020
S ANT A MONI CA COL L EG E
Exciting events happening this fall! Santa Monica College is offering a variety of events online. Most events are free. Come join us for: • Dance Performances & Master Classes • Theatre Arts Performances • Music Concerts • Business & Entrepreneurship Series • Santa Monica Review Issue Launch Party
• Planetarium Shows • Sustainability Week • Art Exhibition Receptions • Green Screen Series • and much more! Visit smc.edu/calendar for more information.
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; Joshua Elizondo, Student Trustee; Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent/President Santa Monica College | 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 | smc.edu