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Santa Monica Mirror November 27, 2020

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S A N TA M O N I C A

INSIDE PASSENGER PARKED ALONG PCH DIES AFTER TRAFFIC COLLISION

REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY

smmirror.com

PAGE 9

November 27 – December 03, 2020 Volume LXIV, Issue 69

Santa Monica City Council Incumbents Concede Terry O’Day, Ted Winterer and Ana Jara issue statements after challengers pick up three seats By SaM CaTanZaro

Over the past few weeks, three Santa Monica City Council incumbents issued concession statements after failing to hold onto their seats. As of November 20, challenger Brock leads the field with 19,283 votes. “I am humbled by the confidence our residents have shown in me and honored to be able to work on their behalf. Together with all of you I look forward to restoring the safety and soul of our city. Most importantly, residents now have a seat at the table in City Hall,” Brock told the Mirror. “I am overjoyed that Christine Parra and Oscar de la Torre will be working alongside me to support all Santa Monicans.” Incumbent Gleam Davis is in second with 18,113 votes, challenger Christine Parra is in third place with 17,992 votes and challenger Oscar De La Torre is in fourth place with 17,529 votes. The top four candidates—out of the field of more than 20 contesters—will win a seat on City Council. Incumbent Terry O’Day, who was appointed to Santa Monica City Council in 2010 to fill a vacancy left by the death of Ken Genser, trails de la Torre

Photos: Sam Catanzaro

Santa Monica City Hall.

by 1,196. “It appears our campaign fell narrowly short,” O’Day wrote in an email. “Each elected candidate will need and deserve

our support as the city navigates this winter’s Covid peak, the economic fallout from Covid, the state housing crisis and Santa Monica’s appropriate

role, the selection of a new police chief

Incumbents Concede, see page 11

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November 27 – December 03, 2020

Early 20th Century Santa Monica Home Could Be replaced By Apartments Plans submitted to City to convert 1546 9th Street in Santa Monica into more housing By Toi Creel

A 100-year-old home in Santa Monica may be on the chopping block.

There are plans on the table for an early 20th century home located at 1546 9th Street in Santa Monica to be replaced by apartments. The project site is a mid-block parcel located on the west side of 9th Street between Colorado Avenue and Broadway. The site is currently developed with a single-unit dwelling built in 1909. Despite the age of the home, the property is not listed on the City’s Historic Resources

Photo: Envirotechno Architecture

A rendering of a development that could replace an early 20th-century home in Santa Monica

1546 9th Street in Santa Monica.

Photo: Sam Catanzaro

Inventory. Based on a presentation to the City’s Architectural Review Board, the 40foot tall, three-story nine-unit apartment building would also have underground parking for 15 vehicles. Three apartments would also be designated as affordable housing. Landscaping is proposed along the perimeter of the parcel with a fair amount provided within the front yard setback. Additional landscaping is proposed on the roof deck terrace level in the form of planters that provide a buffer/privacy to

these areas and a green wall vine system at the rear façade.

The project designer is Envirotechno

Architecture, though the design concept is still under consideration.

According to records from the city, the

property owner and developer is listed as Ave I Group, LLC, which is managed by Fred Mir. The company is based in Los Angeles.

It’s unclear as far as the timeline for a

final vote on the project.

Santa Monica Office Campus Bought for $166M by Northwestern Mutual Four-building complex leased to Universal Music Group & Illumination Entertainment By Toi Creel

Northwestern Mutual, a financial services mutual organization, will be taking up more space in California. As reported by The Real Deal, the group will open up a four-building complex in Santa Monica. According to a source close to the deal, the building, located at 2041-2115 Colorado Avenue. was purchased for $166 million.

The industrial buildings currently at the property were converted into creative office space in 2018. Currently, the campus (consisting of 92,000 square feet) is leased by two tenants: Universal Music Group and an animation studio called “Illumination”. Northwestern had bought a variety of properties across Southern California focusing on industrial spaces. In 2019 the company purchased a $214 million warehouse in the Inland Empire. Just a

Photos: Morley Builders

couple of months later they sold an industrial

structure in Orange County for $129 million.


November 27 – December 03, 2020

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Pasta ‘Laboratory’ Opens in Westwood Village

November 27 – December 03, 2020

David Myers Burger Pop up Comes to Venice Restaurant expected to last through 2020 By Toi Creel

Price of Pasta grand opening with free tasting By Kerry Slater ­A self-described “pasta laboratory” is opened recently in Westwood Village where guests will be able to watch hand-crafted pasta being made right before their eyes. On Friday, November 13 Prince of Venice will open their first physical location at 1091 Broxton Avenue in Westwood Village. After four years of successful service with

the Prince of Venice food truck, chef Emanuele Filiberto from Napoli has decided to bring a Prince of Venice fast-casual restaurant to Westwood, complete with a pasta laboratory where guests will be able to watch hand-crafted, authentic Italian pasta being made right before their eyes. “The idea is to have the best ingredients from Italy and Southern California – locally sourced organic vegetables, cage-free eggs, and free-range meats from California farms, paired with Italian flour, olive oils, and truffles,” Emanuele said. In addition, the restaurant will serve fresh Roman-style pizza, Arancini – roman-inspired rice and pasta balls stuffed with cheeses and meats. For more info, visit https://princeofvenice.us/

Chef David Myers, who previously worked at Comme Ça and Hinoki + the Bird, has brought a burger experience to Venice. On November 11, Myers has opened Adrift Burger Bar, a pop-up restaurant at 1025 Abbot Kinney Boulevard. According to his website, the Gypsy chef, the restaurant is “serving David’s signature burgers and classics with all the fixings alongside grown-up shakes and fries. ADRIFT Burger Bar embraces David’s Californian roots with hints of his global sojourns etched across the menu.” On the menu will also be Myer’s famous Comme Ça burger, under the name DM Burger, which gained him accolades in the LA-area more than 5 years ago. Diners will also be able to enjoy several other types of burgers with completely

customizable options including more patties,

adding vegetables like fried mushrooms. In

addition, there’s also a “charitable topping” option on the menu, where diners add a

financial donation that goes directly to the St. Joseph Center in Venice.

As far as how long diners can expect the

burger joint to be there, Myers expects at least through the end of 2020.

A burger at Adrift Burger Bar.

Photo: Gypsychef.com

New Santa Monica Wood-Fired Pizza Restaurant Closes RIght After Opening Ghisallo’s wood-fired pizza closes due to plumbing issue after less than 24 hours open By Toi Creel A Santa Monica Eatery has had to close after just one day of being open. Ghisallo wood-fired pizza by Chef David Rodriguez of Pizzana, opened last Wednesday but had to shut down shortly afterward due to plumbing issues. As far as the extent of the damage, the timeline of reopening, or when customers will be able to do takeout is all unclear. The company posted this message on their website: “Dear customers and neighbors, Due to a plumbing situation we encountered, Ghisallo will be closed until further notice.

We apologize for any inconvenience and will be back soon. Thank you!” Chef David Rodriguez, previously of Pizzana in Brentwood, will run the kitchen once Ghisallo reopens. Owners Horwitz and Meyuhas known for Venice restaurant the Tasting Kitchen on Abbot Kinney. In addition, Horwitz is also a partner in American Beauty, the steakhouse and burger stand on Rose Avenue in Venice.

Photo: Ghisallo.la


November 27 – December 03, 2020

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One Specific Car Targeted as Catalytic Converter Theft Spikes in Santa Monica Santa Monica Police Department says city has experienced spike the past few weeks By Chad Winthrop

Over the past few weeks, Santa Monica has experienced a spike in catalytic converter theft, with thieves targeting one specific make of car. Last week the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) circulated a notice saying over the past few weeks Santa Monica and other surrounding communities are experiencing a spike in catalytic converter theft. According to the SMPD, the latest target continues to be the Toyota Prius, though all vehicles made after 1975 are required by law to have a cat converter. To decrease the likelihood of catalytic converter theft, the SMPD says to please follow these tips: • Always park in well-lit areas or within your garage if possible.

• At shopping centers and other similar parking lots, park close to the entrance of the building or where there’s a lot of traffic. • Visit a local muffler shop and have the converter secured to the vehicle’s frame with a couple of pieces of hardened steel welded to the frame. • Check out the different types of catalytic converter theft deterrent systems at your local auto parts store or online. • The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) West Los Angeles Division and the Culver City Police Department (CCPD) have also both announced their respective communities are experiencing spikes in catalytic converter theft as well. “The City of Los Angeles has experienced a dramatic increase in the theft of catalytic converters from motor vehicles countywide,” the LAPD West Los Angeles Division noted recently.

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November 27 – December 03, 2020

OPINION

Our Brave New World: How the Residents Can Help Realize Their Goals SMa.r.t. Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

As the weather chills, we enter a Holiday Season like no other that the City of Santa Monica has seen in the last 40 years. For the first time in that long period, the residents have achieved true representation focused on their well-being. That knowledge is surely a cause for additional Holiday cheer with eggnog, at least as a start. Where do the residents stand? But all is not all smooth sailing. The residents cannot place their concern for the future of their city on autopilot. Now is not the time for the residents to rest on their recent ballot box accomplishments. The residents did not elect the entire change slate. The reasons are unclear but the implications are. Being short of a majority means that the residents’ interests remain in conflict with the incumbent group, which retains the power to decide. That said, the message to the incumbent majority is clear – they can no longer take their positions for granted. Other uncertainties face the incumbent majority. The most significant is the upcoming district election decision in the California Supreme Court. Should that decision be favorable to the residents, the historic November upset would receive yet another boost. In this newly altered world, what can we expect? The slate’s objectives were summarized in this column last month in our piece “The Opportunity to Re-unite the Residents with their City”. Achievement of these objectives will not be easily realized. • We should be prepared for a hardening of voting blocks. The nominal dissentions we had seen in the past never actually changed the trajectory of the Council’s decisions. Dissenter votes were cast in the knowledge that the majority’s favored outcome was never in doubt. Dissentions from the majority will be far fewer. • We should also be prepared for attempted accelerated approvals of irreversible large development projects that are central to the incumbent majority agenda. The window for unrestricted incumbent block action is uncertain. Locking in as many decisions as possible while the block exists will be a top priority. The level of public outreach will remain at the required minimum, which in most cases will continues to be invisible to the average resident. • We should also not expect a quick restoration of resident services as the Covid budget squeeze eases. The uncertain rebound to a “new normal” in the travel and tourism industry will not be achieved for some time, with an unknown value compared against prior years. But, as this column has previously noted, the City has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. The Covid revenue budget is at roughly 100% of the City’s 2013 actual results. In tackling the Covid-driven financial emergency, the City chose expediency over permanent savings by eliminating externally-facing resident and business services. It chose not to achieve permanent savings by streamlining internal operations.

Photo: Sam Catanzaro

“As the weather chills, we enter a Holiday Season like no other that the City of Santa Monica has seen in the last 40 years. For the first time in that long period, the residents have achieved true representation focused on their well-being,” writes SMa.r.t in their latest column. “But all is not all smooth sailing. The residents cannot place their concern for the future of their city on autopilot.”

Significant structural savings opportunities were left untapped. Areas such as legal, accounting, consultants and outsourcing were not investigated. The City has yet to announce the cancellation of its May of 2019 Climate Change plan to spend $800M over 10-years ($80M per year). This spend will be invisible to residents, while displacing badlyneeded services. The increase in pension liabilities from delayed payments may offset the accelerated payments made before the Covid emergency. Reprioritization of future spending will likely occur to mitigate the building risk. Combined, these factors could lead to significant delay in restoring resident-facing services funding. • We can expect some improvement on public safety. The residents will have three dedicated voices on the council to add visibility to ongoing issues. Their voice will help move prioritization to a more proactive public safety approach. We are on a path to reunite the residents and their families with their public spaces. While not having a majority, the residents need to take advantage of unprecedented representation. Residents have the new ability to be heard, for the first time in decades. This is the reason to become even more engaged than ever. That is how

we will make the most of our new representation. The residents need to be clear about their priorities. Incumbent council members need to be encouraged by resident voices to join the new council members on issues critical to restoring balance and improving our quality of life. Residents also need to expand their relationship with their newly elected representatives to understand where and when our new representatives most need our vocal support. Clear and active resident support can be accomplished through emails to council, participation in meetings (virtual and live) and submission of materials to council meetings. Until the new members have their email addresses assigned, the entire council can be reached at council@smgov.net. Submissions can be made at councilmtgitems@smgov.net. A key time to get involved is now, during this Holiday season! It is during this otherwise quiet time that significant decisions are likely to be made at the council meetings. In December, we will have two Council meetings, held on December 8 and December 15. The December 8 meeting will see our new Council members sworn into office and the new mayor and mayor pro tem selected. Why is this important?

These two positions determine the city council’s meeting agendas. As one of the two elected members with the highest vote count, Phil Brock should be in one of those two positions but he could be excluded by the incumbents. The December 15 meeting will feature a Study Session on the Housing Element Update for 2021 – 2029. This session will contemplate massive new building and rezoning throughout the city. These critical decisions will impact our lives for years to come. Our new council members will need your full support to make your voices heard. We can achieve results beyond what a minority position might otherwise suggest. Now is the time to get involved, to help realize your goals in your city. By Marc L. Verville for SMart: Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow Thane Roberts, Architect, Robert H. Taylor AIA, Ron Goldman FAIA, Architect, Dan Jansenson, Architect, Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission, Samuel Tolkin Architect, Mario Fonda-Bonardi, AIA, Planning Commissioner, Marc L. Verville, CPA (Inactive) For previous articles see www.santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/writing


November 27 – December 03, 2020

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November 27 – December 03, 2020

OPINION

Column: Defying the Hype: State’s Voters Smarter Than ‘Experts’ Think TOM ELIAS Mirror Columnist

For more than two months, California airwaves were filled with political hype, in large part because of the unprecedented push for early voting caused by the coronavirus pandemic and threats of a deliberate U.S. Postal Service slowdown. Not much was spent here on the presidential race, because its outcome in California was never in doubt. Not even Donald Trump thought he had the slightest chance to beat Democrat Joe Biden in this deeply blue state. Rather, most radio, television and social media advertising here was about the 12 initiative propositions voters were asked to vote up or down. For the most part, as usual, these were voted down, as was predictable under the old adage that if voters don’t understand a ballot measure, they generally say no. In the meantime, hundreds of millions of dollars were spent on initiatives, perhaps the largest expenditures aiming to defeat Proposition 23, which would have required the state’s 550 outpatient dialysis clinics to keep a physician specialist on duty at all times, adding greatly to expenses but little, if anything to quality of care. Voters had already rejected a very similar proposition two years ago, and handily did the same this time. On that one, they went along with most of the ads that were aired, rejecting the few that insisted this change would greatly improve care for the 80,000 Californians on kidney dialysis.

But voters rejected the hype on most other highly contested propositions. There was a common theme in the ads and arguments backing several initiatives this fall: pass this, the arguments went, and there will be billions of dollars more for schools, roads, firefighting and just about anything else a voter might like. Nowhere was that claim stronger than in the messages backing Proposition 15, the so-called Split Roll initiative aiming to tax commercial property at higher rates than residential land and buildings. Backers promised $12 billion in new money, mostly for local governments, and never backed off that figure even when thousands of office buildings and store went largely vacant after the coronavirus pandemic struck. Trouble was, nothing in the measure spelled out where the new money would be spent. So it could have gone anywhere, including into higher salaries and pensions for public employees. Voters realized that by the end of election season, and with most votes counted, they apparently were rejecting 15 narrowly, probably not by enough to prevent sponsors from trying again. Things were a bit different with Proposition 19, a hodge-podge of tax changes allowing senior citizens more opportunities to sell their homes and move without losing the property tax benefits of the 1978 Proposition 13. Opponents argued it also would cause problems for anyone who inherited a home from parents or other relatives. Backers claimed it would deprive the wealthy and “trust fund heirs” of current privileges and voters narrowly passed it, going for current benefits over possible future deficits. Most voters apparently did not believe loud

and frequent claims that Proposition 16, aiming to end a 24-year ban on affirmative action hiring and college admissions in California, would mean “equal opportunity for all…” They soundly rejected this measure, which essentially would have made merit a secondary factor for both hiring and admissions. Voters also passed Proposition 24, giving themselves more privacy rights over their electronic information and geographic locations. They did this despite loud arguments from purists contending the additional rights still are not good enough. They may not be perfect, but they certainly represent improvement, and voters figured that’s better than nothing. And voters essentially laughed off frequent claims by advocates for Proposition 21 that its statewide mandate for rent controls would

somehow alleviate the state’s very serious and growing problem with homelessness. They saw that nothing in the proposition would have allowed tenants to remain in houses and apartments without paying rent. They apparently saw it did nothing to make housing more affordable, as some ads prominently claimed. The bottom line: For the most part, loud messages did not fool the majority of California voters. At least not this time. 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

Tongva Exhibit for Native American Heritage Month Virtual program can be accessed via the Library’s Facebook page By Staff Writer Santa Monica Public Library presented a free family-friendly program for Native American Heritage Month, “Tongva Exhibit at the Santa Monica History Museum,” on Tuesday, November 24 at 3:00 p.m. The virtual program can be accessed via the Library’s Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/smpublib. The Santa Monica History Museum is honored to help tell the story of the Tongva people, who were the first inhabitants of

Santa Monica and who continue to live on this land, acting as stewards of sites such as Kuruvunga Springs. As one of the richest and most culturally sophisticated societies in California, Tongva influence extended well beyond their borders. Do you know which Santa Monica street is named for an important Tongva ceremony? Can you identify the female Tongva leader who appears in murals throughout Los Angeles? Join us to learn this and more about the history of the Tongva people. Families are also invited to explore the Santa Monica Public Library’s collection featuring Native American Heritage and authors: Native American Heritage Month for Kids While the Library buildings remain closed to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 we are here to assist you. Contactless curbside pickup service is available at Santa Monica

Photo: City of Santa Monica

Raul González, Ricardo Estrada, and Joséph “Nuke” Montalvo, Conoce Tus Raices (2009), 60‘ x 20‘, Ramona Gardens, East Los Angeles, CA.

Public Library. We encourage you to visit our Online Library and access the Library’s many digital services that are available 24/7. Questions? Call us at (310) 458-8600

or email reference@smgov.net. Staff are available Monday through Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm, and look forward to connecting with you.


November 27 – December 03, 2020

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Seniors Now Eligible to Renew Driver’s Licenses Online

Temporary waiver allows licenses for drivers 70 and older to be renewed without an office visit By STaff WriTer

Sacramento-Californians age 70 and older with a noncommercial driver’s license are now eligible to renew online or by mail, eliminating the need to visit a California Department of Motor Vehicles office. Licenses with an expiration date between March 1, 2020, throughout the COVID-19 emergency are eligible. Through Executive Order, Governor Gavin Newsom has temporarily waived the California law requiring drivers age 70 and older to visit

a DMV field office to renew their license for the length of California’s State of Emergency or until modified. The DMV is completing the programming necessary so customers who meet the criteria will be able to complete their renewal online beginning December 6. Nearly all California drivers are now eligible to renew their license online or by mail even if their renewal notice states an office visit is required. The DMV previously provided yearlong extensions to senior drivers with noncommercial licenses expiring in March through December 2020. Those who received the extensions are eligible to renew online. Commercial licenses, including those for drivers 70 and older, expiring between March and December are extended through December 2020, to align with federal guidelines. The DMV previously expanded eligibility for drivers 69 and under to renew online, even if their DMV notification states they must come to an office.

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Passenger Parked Along PCH Dies After Traffic Collision Three-car crash occurs over the weekend in Pacific Palisades By SaM CaTanZaro A man died after the car he was sitting in was rear-ended while parked in Pacific Palisades. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the incident occurred Saturday at 3:38 a.m. on Pacific Coast Highway between Coastline Drive and Porto Marina when a southbound driver rear-ended a car parked alongside the highway. Officials say the two people sitting in the vehicle were ejected onto the beach. The driver of the parked vehicle, a male in his 30s, suffered minor injuries. The passenger, also a male in his 30s, died on the scene. The driver of the first car, a male in his 20s and the passenger, a 29-year-old female, both suffered minor injuries.

In addition, the second vehicle when rearended crash into a third vehicle that was also parked alongside PCH. The driver of the third vehicle, a male, was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. As reported by Circling the News, it is unclear if alcohol or narcotics were involved in the crash. A blood test warrant was issued at the scene of the cash, it was reported. The Los Angeles Police Department was not immediately available when contacted for more information.

Photo: Abraham Mohammed (Facebook)

The scene of a fatal car crash in Pacific Palisades over the weekend.


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Venice Family Clinic Raises $1 Million for 50th Anniversary Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Jennifer Hudson, Blake Shelton among celebrities supporting weeklong celebration and fundraiser By Kerry Slater

With support from celebrities including Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg, Venice Family Clinic says it met its $1 million fundraising goal as part of its 50th-anniversary celebration. “From the big to the small, the show of support from of our community touched our hearts. We had participants from all walks of life take action, from college students to retirees, and clubs to church groups, to help our patients live better lives,” Venice Family Clinic said in a blog post recapping the event. October 12 marked the 50th anniversary of when Venice Family Clinic first opened its doors. To mark the milestone, the non-profit held a weeklong celebration. Festivities began on October 11 with a star-studded celebration hosted by Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg in a virtual live stream event. In addition, Jennifer Hudson and

Blake Shelton treated the event with music, and several other celebrities showed their support as well, including Jason Alexander, Anjelica Huston, Molly Shannon and Ray Romano. The Clinic then hosted a Week of Action to encourage supporters and advocates to help celebrate the 50th anniversary by giving back to the community. The clinic created an Action Pack as a guide for simple, fun and inspiring ways for people to volunteer their time, donate to fund and provide essential items for programs and services and to engage in issues important to patients. Venice Family Clinic says it received nearly 100 pledges to take action, about 450 donated personal hygiene kits and almost 200 items were purchased off its Amazon Wishlist – benefitting several programs, including Pediatric Literacy, Homeless Health Care and Dental. Hundreds of supporters also generously made donations, helping the clinic successfully meet a $1 million goal that will be matched. “During the pandemic, it is so important to take action and give back to the community,” said UCLA student Joyce Zhang, who organized the university’s Students vs Pandemics and Association of Chinese Americans organizations to assemble and donate 400 personal hygiene packs for our patients experiencing homelessness. “We are stronger when we work together.”

Photos: : Students vs. Pandemics at UCLA (Facebook)

Student group Students vs. Pandemics at UCLA help put together over 400 hygiene kits ahead of VFC’s 50th Anniversary.

November 27 – December 03, 2020

Eflyn Launches Shopify Self Serve Checkout Kiosk to Help Businesses Stay Open With Contactless Purchasing Digital display and software company Eflyn rolls out Shopify kiosk to help local businesses stay open with contactless purchasing By Staff Writer

Eflyn has launched a self-order kiosk with full integration to Shopify’s eCommerce platform. Shopify – one of the largest eCommerce platforms in the world powering over half a million businesses in 175 different countries [1] – is used by many small and medium-sized businesses exclusively to take payments in their stores. However, one thing that was missing from the Shopify experience was contactless in-store purchasing. Eflyn will provide a robust solution based on years of experience developing self-checkout systems. The Shopify Kiosk solution, which has been under development for 2 years and only available to a select few businesses is now available for general retailers to use. According to Main Street America, at least 7.5 million small businesses in the United States will shut permanently if business disruption caused by Covid-19 continues unabated [2]. Contactless selfserve technology can significantly limit the interactions between employee and customer, making it an effective and safe way to keep businesses open during the pandemic. “There have been many businesses across the country that have suffered great losses during COVID-19. I firmly believe automation is one way of increasing long-term revenue for small and medium-sized businesses,” said Rashid Qadri, Founder & CEO of Eflyn. “For this reason, we have worked long and hard to build this kiosk into a long-term solution with a swift integration process into the retailer’s existing system.” With Eflyn’s Shopify Kiosk solution, business owners are now able to integrate self order technology into their everyday retail operations without having to go through any formal integration process. This means that all reporting, products and inventory is centralized into one system for both online and in-person sales. In addition, a Shopify Kiosk can be installed into a retail store virtually overnight, according to Eflyn. For more information on the Shopify Kiosk or any of Eflyn’s other products or services, please visit www.eflyn.com. Eflyn’s Mississauga, Ontario and Orange,

California showrooms are currently open by

appointment-only. Please email info@eflyn. com if you have any questions or would like

to book an appointment. To checkout features

list of Shopify Kiosk please visit https:// tinyurl.com/yxkh4z9k Media Contact

Aamna Qureshi

aamna@eflyn.com

For Interview and Technical Details contact

Product Specialist Dawar Rashid

dawar@eflyn.com


November 27 – December 03, 2020

Incumbents Concede, from page 1 and its implications, and more.” Ted Winterer, also an incumbent who was running for his third term, trails de la Torre 1,156 votes. “I am grateful the voters of Santa Monica granted me the honor and privilege of serving our community for eight years. And I’m proud of our many accomplishments during my tenure,” Winterer wrote in a statement.”I wish the newly-elected Councilmembers the best with the challenges ahead.” Incumbent Ana Maria Jara, appointed in 2019 to serve the rest of former Councilmember Tony Vazquez’s term, is 2,371 votes behind de la Torre for the final seat. “Our City, I believe, is currently on the right path for equity, accountability, safety, engagement as we move further into the 21st Century,” Jara wrote. “I wish my new councilmembers the patience to listen to all members of the community and stay on this new path we have forged over the last two years.” In their statements, O’Day and Winterer touted the Council’s accomplishments during their time in office. These included bringing the Expo line to Santa Monica, taking action to close Santa Monica Airport by 2028 and reducing the City’s carbon footprint on the path to water self-sufficiency. Jara in her statement touted overseeing Santa Monica’s response to

TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER 20SMRO00197 Name of Protected Person Yelena Koldobskaya Representing Self Name of Restrained Person Steve Pisa Male, White, 46 years old Address unknown Court Hearing This order expires at the end of the hearing stated below 12/29/20, 8:30 am. Superior Court of California County of Los Angeles 1725 Main St., Sant Monica Ca. 90401 Dept. F Printed in Santa Monica Mirror on 11/27/20, 12/4/20, 12/11/20 and 12/18/20 Criminal Protective Order

WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

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the COVID-19 pandemic and passing an ordinance protecting hotel employees. As reported by the Santa Monica Lookout there have been only three incumbents ousted since 1994 on Santa Monica City Council.

Serving Area since 1996 Locally Owned Business

Terry O’Day

Photos: City of Santa Monica

SPECIALIZING IN: Ted Winterer

• 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

818-518-3131 Ana Jara


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WWW.SMMIRROR.COM

November 27 – December 03, 2020

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

Get ahead this 2021 Complete a full-credit class in just 6 weeks. Winter classes start Jan 4 smc.edu/winter

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


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