Santa Monica Mirror December 4, 2020

S A N TA M O N I C A

INSIDE SECURITY GUARD USES UNNECESSARY FORCE ON A HOMELESS MAN

REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY

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December 04 – December 10, 2020 Volume LXV, Issue 70

Supervisor Sheila Kuehl Eats at Santa Monica Restaurant Hours After Voting to Ban Outdoor Dining LA County Supervisor dines at Il Forno in Santa Monica last Tuesday

By Sam Catanzaro

LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who represents Santa Monica, ate at a local restaurant just hours after voting to ban outdoor dining and saying doing so is “probably more dangerous in terms of contagion than any other kind of business.”

On Tuesday, November, 24 Kuehl along with two other Supervisors voted to suspend outdoor dining for three weeks in Los Angeles County due to rising COVID-19 cases. The ban passed with a 3-2 vote.

“Outdoor dining is probably more dangerous in terms of contagion than any other kind of business,” Kuehl, a Santa Monica resident, said at the Tuesday meeting. “The servers are not protected from us, and they’re not protected from their other tables that they’re serving at that particular time, plus all the hours in which they’re working.”

That evening, however, Kuehl ate outside at Santa Monica restaurant Il Forno, as confirmed by Barbara Osborn, Director of Communications for the Supervisor.

“Supervisor Kuehl did dine al fresco at Il Forno on the very last day it was permissible.

She loves Il Forno, has been saddened to see it, like so many restaurants, suffer from a decline in revenue. She ate there, taking appropriate precautions, and sadly will not dine there again until our Public Health Orders permit,” Osborn said.

Photo: Facebook

LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl.

Under the Board of Supervisors vote– in effect until December 17–restaurants, breweries and wineries may only offer food and beverage via take-out, drive-thru or delivery. This comes as a blow to many restaurants who found outdoor dining a saving

grace. For some restauranteurs, like the owner of The Farm of Beverly Hills Kelli Cotton, the end to outdoor dining has forced layoffs.

“We are laying off about 70 percent of our staff,” Cotton said. “It will mean we will lose money but we just want to make it through.”

“We are very disappointed in the fact that there is not some sort of stimulus or assistance coming through from our government to help us weather the storm. We want to do our part,

Kuehl, see page 10

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December 04 – December 10, 2020

City of Santa Monica Security Guard Uses Closes Playgrounds Unnecessary Force Public playgrounds on a Homeless Man close, farmers market occupancy limited

By Sam Catanzaro Santa Monica officials have closed public playgrounds as COVID-19 spread in the region remains high.

On November 30, the City of Santa Monica updated rules surrounding recreational activities to align with new LA County restrictions. Included in the health order is the closure of all City of Santa Monica playground equipment, effective Monday, November 30 through December 20. This comes after in early October Santa Monica playgrounds reopened after months of closure.

In addition to the playground closure, the order limits swimming to one person per lane at public pools, and reduces farmers market customer occupancy by 50 percent.

“To ensure we align with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the City is working with the County to obtain further clarification for outdoor recreation activities and will share updates when available,” the City said in a press release.

Team sports games remain prohibited, both

Photo: Sam Catanzaro

The playground at Reed Park in Santa Monica.

for adults and youth.

In the new LA County order that went into effect on Monday, “all public and private gatherings with individuals not in your household are prohibited, except for faith based services and protests, which are constitutionally protected rights.”

In addition, the county has placed the following occupancy limits in various sectors: essential retail – 35 percent, non-essential retail (includes indoor malls) – 20 percent, personal care services – 20 percent, libraries – 20 percent, outdoor fitness centers – 50 percent, museums galleries, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens – 50 percent, mini-golf, batting cages, outdoor go-kart racing operating outdoors – 50 percent.

All schools and day camps that have obtained waivers remain open adhering to re-opening protocols.

Los Angeles police still searching for suspect in Santa Monica Canyon-area incident

By Sam Catanzaro

Police say a private security guard used unnecessary force on a homeless man in Pacific Palisades last week.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), on Wednesday, November 25, around 4:15 p.m. a private security guard used a taser baton and pepper spray to strike the victim, a homeless man, in the area of 14800 Pacific Coast Highway.

“It appears a security guard was using unnecessary force on a homeless man,” said LAPD Senior Lead Officer Michael Moore.

“Injuries were minor and the victim declined medical treatment.

Moore added that there is no information

Photo: Sam Catanzaro

The area of 14800 Pacific Coast Highway where police say a security guard used unnecessary force on a homeless man recently.

on what the victim was doing at the time but said: “there are reports of the victim creating disturbances in the area on past occasions.”

In addition, Moore said that the entity

the security guard was representing is not presently available to the public, pending an investigation by detectives.

Police have yet to identify the suspect,

described as a white male, 5’8” around 185 lbs and 40-45 years-old.

December 04 – December 10, 2020

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December 04 – December 10, 2020

Multiple Suspects at-Large Following Fatal Venice Boardwalk Shooting

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Woman dead after Tuesday evening shooting, four suspects at-large

By Sam Catanzaro Four suspects remain at-large connected to a Venice Beach Boardwalk shooting that left a woman dead and was partially caught in the background of a live video.

Accoridng to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), on Tuesday, December 1 at 5:24 p.m. beach patrol officers responded to a call of a shooting with a woman down at Ocean Front Walk, south of Windward Avenue.

“The officers arrived and were directed to a female adult victim. She was unconscious and not breathing,” the LAPD said.

According to the LAPD, officers provided medical aid and requested the Los Angeles Fire Department, who transported the victim to a local hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical ExaminerCoroner has not yet released information surrounding the identity of the victim.

The LAPD notes the incident is possibly gang-related, saying “a dispute had occurred between the victim, her boyfriend and three unidentified male Blacks, possibly wearing hoodies. The suspects fled the location on foot.”

A man who witnessed the crime says the person who fired the gun was a Black male.

“There [were] two dudes coming by.

They just came by and shot her four times in the chest,” the eyewitness told a man filming on the Citizen App. “It was a Black man. He pulled the gun out of his hip right here [gesturing]: ‘pop’ ‘pop’ shot her four times in the chest.”

The incident was captured in the background a live YouTube video from user Wanderer Nirvana that began just before the homicide. Six gunshots can be heard just after the video starts.

“I was doing a live stream just walking up the boardwalk and heard the gunshots,” reads the video description. “The man repeatedly said, ‘they shot my wife.’”

Anyone with information on this shooting should contact LAPD West Bureau Homicide investigators at (213) 382-9470.

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The scene of a Venice Beach Boardwalk shooting that left a woman dead Tuesday.

Photo: Citizen

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December 04 – December 10, 2020

OPINION

A Better Ship of State SMa.r.t.

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

On Tuesday, December 8th, shortly after 5:30 PM, Oscar de la Torre, Christine Parra, and I will be among the Council Members sworn in to make decisions on your behalf as we try to right the SS Santa Monica. We are all on this voyage together.

Together, you’re the captains, and Oscar, Christine, and I are among the sailors, hoping to make the rigging stronger and the boat more resilient. Above all, we want our ship to stop taking on water. We need to act with the utmost urgency as we bring residents back to the seat of power in the City of Santa Monica.

For those of you who followed my campaign, you know that I talked a lot about restoring a real sense of community, using all residents to form a new quilt from the thread and the fabric that make up our city.

The first step must be to respect our neighborhood associations and involve them in the decisions the City Council makes. Our city’s Boards and Commissions form the next layer of advice, counsel, and the development of fresh ideas to help the city’s administrative staff and City Council implement plans that will serve our residents. Above all, the members of the City Council must reflect the will of our city’s residents. At the end of this hard-fought campaign, I stated that “our residents now have a seat at the table.” I mean this.

The residents of Santa Monica and our business community know that our streets, alleys, and parks must be safe and clean. It doesn’t matter where you live in Santa Monica - you should have a reasonable expectation of safety for you, your loved ones, and your personal property. Residents, public safety personnel, and all City Council members must work together to achieve this. Our statistics have been ugly.

I promise you that I will work with other City Council members and our entire community to improve these statistics. By the way, they are not just statistics.

They reflect the lives of your neighbors, friends, and families affected by crime and the extreme impact of homelessness on our city.

Santa Monica’s rebirth will take time, but we do have the opportunity to create a better Santa Monica.

We will need your creative input and your passion to “build back better.” All of our community’s stakeholders need to join together and share a seat at the table. As my fellow council member, Oscar de la Torre, often says, “If you’re not at the table, then you’re on the menu.”

I’m honored that more of you voted for me than any other candidate, and I’m incredibly proud that you also voted for Oscar and Christine to join me on the dais. We hope to retain the trust you have shown in us.

It’s a holiday season like no other. COVID-19 is rampaging through our population. While vaccines are on the way, they won’t arrive in bulk until 2021.

It is incumbent on each of us to wear a mask to keep ALL of us safe. I’ll miss visiting with my relatives on my Christmas Day birthday, but the best present for all will be to keep each of us as safe as possible during this historic pandemic.

Former California State Senator Richard Polanco weighed in this week on the ongoing voting rights lawsuit in Santa Monica. I think it is useful to read the California Voting Rights Act author’s words today: “Nearly twenty years ago, I introduced Senate Bill 976, which later became known as the California

Photo: Sam Catanzaro

Santa Monica City Hall.

Voting Rights Act (CVRA), because I recognized how at-large elections stifle minority voices in municipal government. Supported by nearly all of my Democratic colleagues in the Assembly and Senate, the CVRA became law in 2002, and today it is among my proudest legislative accomplishments.

I have watched with pride as hundreds of cities, school districts, and other political subdivisions have adopted district-based elections to comply with the CVRA. Since the CVRA was enacted, minority representation on California’s city councils and school boards has nearly doubled. Recent academic studies confirm much of that increase is due to the CVRA. In my 12 years as Chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus, its ranks grew from 7 to 24 members, and no doubt the increased minority representation in municipal elected offices due to the CVRA will continue the growth of minorities in statewide and legislative offices as well.

I have also watched with bewilderment as the City of Santa Monica has paid millions of dollars to a Republican law firm to attack the CVRA and the voting rights of minorities in California. While claiming to be a “famously liberal city,” the City has taken the most reactionary positions in fighting against the voting rights of its residents and minorities throughout California. If the City were to somehow win the case, it would set back Californians’ voting rights by decades.

That is, no doubt, the reason why an army of Democratic elected officials and civil rights groups expressed their support for the plaintiffs in letters to the California Supreme Court, including: • Secretary of State Alex Padilla • A coalition of 18 members of the 2002 California Legislature that passed the CVRA, including three current members of Congress (Judy Chu, Lou Correa and Tony Cardenas); • The Latino, Black and Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucuses representing 49 current members of the California Legislature; • MALDEF; LULAC; NALEO; • Southwest Voter Registration Education Project; • Southern Christian Leadership Conference of

Southern California; • Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights; • California Association of Black School Educators; • California Latino School Board Association; • Latino Caucus of the California Association of Counties; • FairVote; andAsian Americans Advancing Justice.

Other progressive groups, such as the California Democratic Party, the Los Angeles County Democratic Party and the NAACP have likewise expressed their support for district-based elections to replace the inherently discriminatory at-large elections imposed in Santa Monica. In fact, the late Chairman of the African American Caucus of the California Democratic Party penned an op-ed in 2017 imploring Santa Monica to adopt district-based elections.

Despite all of that, opponents of fair districtbased elections in Santa Monica – mainly some of the at-large elected councilmembers themselves – insist that district elections would make the resulting council more divisive. But what could be more divisive than a five-years-long court battle about whether the City’s election system is racially discriminatory? The fear of a divisive city council is not based in reality. The cities that have adopted district-based elections, even those forced to do so by the courts, have uniformly come to recognize that district elections make for a more responsive and responsible city government. Just ask the councilmembers in Palmdale or Watsonville –- both cities forced to implement district-based elections after losing lengthy court battles -– or the councilmembers in Pasadena, who adopted district elections in response to a movement led by former Santa Monica city manager Rick Cole. They will all tell you that the district elections they once fought against, are more diverse, more representative and so much better than the at-large elections they clung to.

In this November’s election, Santa Monica voters selected three new councilmembers who campaigned on, among other things, their support

for district elections, and unseated three incumbents who professed their continuing opposition to fair district-based elections. That outcome is remarkable in that incumbents had almost never lost their bids for re-election in Santa Monica; but it was predictable in light of the growing anti-incumbent sentiment fostered by a disconnect between the city council and the residents’ wishes. At trial, the Los Angeles Superior Court was presented with a survey that demonstrated Santa Monica voters, by a margin of more than 2 to 1, favored district elections over atlarge elections; still, the then-city council members were steadfast in their opposite position and in their desire to keep fighting what Santa Monica voters prefer: district elections.

With its new composition, the Santa Monica City Council has an opportunity to now put the mistakes of its predecessors behind it, end the divisiveness of a five-year legal battle that is now pending before the California Supreme Court, and put itself back on the right side of history. Ultimately, the members of the City Council will be known not for how much affordable housing they facilitated or the environmentally-friendly city buildings they commissioned, but whether they stood in the proverbial schoolhouse door by opposing minority voting rights.

Hon. Senator Richard Polanco (Ret.) Chair, Latino Legislative Caucus 1990-2002 Senate Majority Leader 1998-2002 State Senate, 22nd District, 1994-2002 State Assembly, 55th/45th Districts, 1986-1994”

By Phil Brock for SMart (Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow) Thane Roberts, Architect, Robert H. Taylor AIA, Ron Goldman FAIA, Architect, Dan Jansenson, Architect, Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission, Samuel Tolkin Architect, Mario Fonda-Bonardi, AIA, Planning Commissioner, Phil Brock, Santa Monica City Council Member Elect, Marc L. Verville, CPA (inactive) For previous articles see www.santamonicaarch. wordpress.com/writing.

December 04 – December 10, 2020

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December 04 – December 10, 2020

Captain of Dive Boat That Killed 2 Santa Monicans and 32 Other People Indicted Jerry Nehl Boylan indicted by a federal grand jury on 34 counts of seaman’s manslaughter

By Sam Catanzaro The captain of a dive boat that caught fire last year near Santa Cruz Island, resulting in the deaths of 34 people including two Santa Monica residents, was indicted this week by a federal grand jury on 34 counts of seaman’s manslaughter.

Jerry Nehl Boylan, 67, of Santa Barbara, was named in the indictment returned Tuesday afternoon by a federal grand jury that alleges Boylan, as the captain and master of the vessel “was responsible for the safety and security of the vessel, its crew, and its passengers.” The vessel, P/V Conception, was a 75-foot, woodand-fiberglass passenger vessel based out of Santa Barbara.

During a Labor Day weekend dive trip last year, the boat carried 33 passengers and six crew members, including Boylan. During the early morning hours of September 2, 2019, a fire broke out while the boat was anchored in Platt’s Harbor near Santa Cruz Island. The fire, which engulfed the boat and led to its sinking, resulted in the deaths of 34 people who had been sleeping below deck. Five crewmembers, including Boylan, were able to escape and survived. Among those who died were Santa Monica residents Charles Mcllvain and Marybeth Guiney.

Federal prosecutors informed Boylan’s attorneys of the indictment after it was filed, and the defendant is expected to self-surrender

to federal authorities in the coming weeks, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.

The indictment alleges that Boylan caused the deaths of 33 passengers and one crewmember “by his misconduct, negligence, and inattention to his duties.”

“As a result of the alleged failures of Captain Boylan to follow well-established safety rules, a pleasant holiday dive trip turned into a hellish nightmare as passengers and one

crew member found themselves trapped in a fiery bunkroom with no means of escape,” said United States Attorney Nick Hanna. “The loss of life that day will forever impact the families of the 34 victims.

The indictment cites three specific safety violations: failing to have a night watch or roving patrol, which was required by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and for over 20 years was a requirement in the Conception’s Certificate of Inspection issued by the United

States Coast Guard; failing to conduct sufficient fire drills, which are mandated in the CFR; and failing to conduct sufficient crew training, which was also required by the CFR. Federal authorities have been investigating the cause of the fire for over a year.

Each charge of seaman’s manslaughter carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.

Budget Cuts Leading to More Beach Pollution PPE on top-10 list of trash items found on the beach

By Toi Creel Local budget cuts are leading to more trash and pollution on Westside beaches environmental experts say.

While there are trash cans on the beach, budget cuts due to Covid-19 have led to less funding in municipal services which means less staff.

With less city-funded employees working to clean up the beaches, trash has been piling up.

In addition, the state’s zero waste program development and funding for Coastal Clean

Up Day has been eliminated.

The coronavirus response has also led to a rollback of several environmental policies in the state of California— this includes the statewide plastic bag ban.

At the local level, Santa Monica previously rolled back stipulations on restaurants for single use plastic bags and single use takeout food containers.

Now that the ban is back in place but many restaurant and business owners are confused and continue to use plastic bags Research shows even if plastic isn’t thrown away near the beach, 80 percent of marine plastic pollution comes from onshore sources.

Due to the pandemic, this year Santa Monica’s Heal the Bay Foundation put PPE in the top 10 list of trash items found on the beach. The top-item? Cigarette butts.

December 04 – December 10, 2020

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Help Those in Need in The Salvation Army Santa Monica’s Holiday Auction Bid on a range of locally curated goods until December 6

By Sam Catanzaro Help those in need on the Westside while bidding on locally curated goods, from restaurant certificates to artwork, in The Salvation Army Santa Monica Corps’ online holiday auction, an organization that has helped tens of thousands of people since the pandemic began.

This year, The Salvation Army is facing an unprecedented season of fundraising due to COVID-19 and until December. Since COVID-19 reached the Westside community in March, the organization has helped over 5,000 “first-time” clients, provided over 35,000 meals and over 1,000 hours of device charging to individuals experiencing homelessness. In addition, the organization has packed and delivered over 5,000 food boxes to families and homebound seniors, assisted over 50 struggling families with utility assistance and spent countless hours encouraging those who have experienced the effects of the economic downturn, isolation and pandemic itself. During a time where hardship has only increased, The Salvation Army has responded with readiness to help anyone in need, without discrimination, says Lieutenant Erin L. Wikle Corps Officer & Silvercrest Coordinator.

“Everyone has been impacted by COVID-19. Everyone. During a time when many have lost their job or small business, have become sick, known someone who has lost their life, or have experienced isolation, depression, or loneliness due to COVID – everyone has been impacted. The Salvation Army is here to help those in need and remind our community that hope is greater than fear.

It is our mission to meet human needs without discrimination and provide for those hurting and alone, or struggling to make ends meet,” Lt. ieutenant. Wikle said. “The Salvation Army is committed to help families and homeless individuals combat food insecurity, pay their utility bills, and receive case management to help access resources to prevent and combat homelessness in our community.”

Commercial and Residential Servicing Southern California since 1996 Together with its Advisory Board, The Salvation Army Santa Monica Corps invites the public to help further its mission by participating in an online holiday auction.

Bid on locally sourced and curated goods from the comfort of the couch knowing every dollar stays local to bring help to the local community during times of crisis. In support of many Westside businesses such as The Albright, Gilbert’s El Indio, Shutters on the Beach, Casa Martin – the auction boast great finds from restaurant certificates, health coaching sessions, professional boxing and bass lessons, to upcycled designer jewelry, and even artwork from the film set Mad Men… and much, much more.

“Our Online Auction features a number of luxury stays at some of Santa Monica’s favorite hotels such as Shutters, The Shore Hotel, Casa del Mar, and the Fairmont Miramar. We are also featuring artwork used on the film set of American period drama, Mad Men courtesy of Lionsgate. You can shop sustainable from a collection of upcycled designer jewelry pieces, choose from a number of local eateries such as The Polo Club, Heroic Italian, or The Albright, or place your bid on a truly creative gift idea such as Bike Fit by tri-athlete, Ian Murray, or series of health coaching session by actress and local celebrity, Alexandra Paul,” Lt. Wikle said.

The auction is now open and will conclude on Sunday, December 6 at 5:00 p.m. To participate or make a donation, visit www. rescuechristmassantamonica.org to register and gain access to the bidding site.

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December 04 – December 10, 2020

Newsom Curfew Protest at Santa Monica Pier Around 80 people protest at Santa Monica Pier over the weekend

By Sam Catanzaro

Around 80 people gathered at Santa Monica Pier over the weekend protesting California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new stayat-home order that sets a 10 p.m. curfew.

On Saturday, around 80 people gathered near the Santa Monica Pier, according to SMPD Sgt. B. Cooper. The protest began at around 8 p.m. and lasted until a little before midnight.

Protestors moved around the pier and the downtown Santa Monica area, Cooper says.

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arrests were made.

Newsom’s limited Stay at Home Order says non-essential work, movement and gatherings must stop between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. in counties in the purple tier, which includes Los Angeles County. The order took effect at 10 p.m. Saturday, November 21 and will remain in effect until 5 a.m.

December 21.

Kuehl, from page 1 we don’t want to be bad citizens to each other, but it is going to make it really really hard,” Cotton added.

In a gesture that acknowledges the hardship faced by many of their constituents, several local lawmakers have volunteered to take pay cuts throughout the pandemic. On the Westside, these include Santa Monica City Councilmember Sue Himmelrich who forgave her $29,000 salary, Santa Monica City Manager Lane Dilg who is taking a 20 percent reduction from her over $300,000 salary and Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin who took a 10 percent pay cut from his roughly $200,000 salary. Supervisor Kuehl, when asked if she took a pay cut from her $210,00 salary, said no citing the county’s budget and lack of control over her pay.

“Unlike many cities in the County, the county budget position is relatively strong,” Kuehl said. “The County had a very healthy rainy day fund that helped us close the deficit in 19-20 and hopefully again in 2021. We have not had to require layoffs or pay cuts from any of our staff, all of whom are working many extra hours to meet this health crisis, as am I. County budget allocations are determined through our annual budget process and cuts are made equitably and thoughtfully.

Supervisors’ salaries are set by the state, not the County.”

December 04 – December 10, 2020

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FILM REVIEW: “JINGLE JANGLE: A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY”

BEHIND THE SCREEN

By Kathryn Whitney Boole Jingle Jangle was a joyful surprise for me – a creative, imaginative approach to a holiday movie using a musical theatre style that doesn’t follow the usual formula. The story itself is a strong narrative following three generations of a family through the years, each character with their own strengths and flaws.

Around this story the style blends fluidly from classic musical theatre to incredibly detailed 3D animation. Making this all come together is an extraordinarily talented cast, lushly vibrant costumes and sets, and a fabulous job

by British casting directors Reg PoerscoutEdgerton and Lillie Jeffrey. They previously cast Rocketman, by the way. The teamwork of the incredibly talented cast seamlessly pulls your focus from one to the next member of multiple generations of a family. Michael Keegan-Key, who is not member of the family, is the best, most boisterous villain ever.

Keep your eye on the career of young Madalen Mills who plays “Journey Jangle.”

She was only 11 when this film was shot, and is just turning 12 this month. She is a soaring talent from Alabama who has already paid her

dues on Broadway and in the 2017 Grinch National Tour. And “who knew” that before he switched his major to acting performance, the great Forest Whitaker trained as an operatic tenor. As the older Jeronicus Jangle, he provides emotional depth on top of vocal skill in his singing. Phylicia Rashad is the storyteller/narrator.

Every cast member turns in a stunning job on this project. The genius behind this holiday masterpiece is David E. Talbert. Here is a creator/writer/director who takes his inspirations from the life he sees around him, rather than replicating past works. Talbert has been writing since his days at Morgan State University and NYU’s film program. He has learned from practicing his craft and following his creative instincts. He has written numerous plays, films and books that often reflect his childhood, growing up in a family of pastors and preachers whose sermons inspired through the power of their words. He understands that comedy and drama come from the same root – kudos to him for that! Talbert has written and produced 14 national tours. He wrote, directed and produced his first film, First Sunday, in 2008. Jingle Jangle is his passion project that has finally been realized after 20 years of effort.

On top of astounding visuals, Talbert’s triumph boasts amazing musical numbers and a

Rated PG 122 Minutes Released November 13th on Netflix

superb sound track, by composers John Debney and Michael Diskint and songwriters Phillip Lawrence and John Legend. The incredibly rich, colorful and detailed sets by production designer Gavin Bocquet are color keyed to endow each scene with emotional value. Great camera work by Remy Adefarasin, and skilled editing, blend the musical performances with the narrative, focusing on faces at just the right time and expertly blending of the dance routines without missing a beat.

Jingle Jangle is now my favorite holiday

movie. It touches on love, loss, insecurity, selfdoubt, family and friends – all the realms that make our lives rich. The first time you watch it you will be touched. Then you could watch it a second time, just to drink in the costumes, the singing and the sets.

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

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