Santa Monica Mirror: Apr 19 - Apr 25, 2024

Agreement Between SMMUSD and Malibu Moves District Separation Efforts Forward

The Agreement Awaits Approval by Both the Malibu City Council and the SMMUSD Board of Education

The City of Malibu and the Santa Monica-Malibu School District have achieved a significant breakthrough in their ongoing efforts to separate the school district.

A tentative agreement on revenue sharing has been reached after extensive discussions and collaborative efforts, marking a pivotal advancement towards establishing an independent Malibu Unified School District, according to a news release from SMMUSD.

The agreement awaits approval by both the Malibu City Council and the SMMUSD Board of Education.

This milestone underscores the commitment of both entities to uphold principles of equity, fairness, and local control in education. Through joint

efforts, they aim to ensure that every student, regardless of residence in Santa Monica or Malibu, receives access to quality education, with decisions reflecting the community’s best interests. Throughout negotiations, these guiding principles have steered discussions and decision-making processes.

The tentative agreement on revenue sharing exemplifies the collaborative spirit and shared vision between the City

of Malibu and SMMUSD. It signifies a significant stride towards establishing an independent Malibu Unified School District, granting the community greater autonomy and authority over educational policies.

Community workshops will be conducted by the City of Malibu and SMMUSD to disseminate details of the revenue sharing agreement and its implications to residents. Dates and

locations for these workshops will be announced in the forthcoming weeks.

For more information regarding the City of Malibu’s school separation efforts, please contact Deputy City Manager Alexis Brown at 310-456-2489, ext. 300, email abrown@malibucity.org, visit www.MalibuCity.org/MUSD, or access SMMUSD’s webpage at www. smmusd.org/MalibuUnification.

Measles Infected Traveler Visited Santa Monica

Pier,

Authorities Urge Individuals Who Were at The Specified Venues to Monitor Their Health

The California Department of Public Health notified authorities of a measles case after a non-resident recently traveled throughout L.A. County, including spots on the Westside.

The individual traversed within the city from March 30 to April 1. On Sunday March 31, this person was present at the Santa Monica Pier and

Public Health Officials Warn

at Pier Gear — 380 Santa Monica Pier #1. Later that same day, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., they were at the El Torito Mexican Restaurant at 13715 Fiji Way in Marina Del Rey.

Authorities urge individuals who were present at these venues during the aforementioned time periods to monitor their health, as they may be at risk of contracting measles within 21 days of exposure.

Authorities also advise those potentially exposed to confirm their measles vaccination status and seek medical guidance if unvaccinated or unsure of their immunization history.

Measles, a highly contagious airborne disease, presents symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinctive rash.

Complications can be severe, particularly for vulnerable populations like young children and individuals with compromised immune systems.

THE MUSIC MINUTE

Michael’s Santa Monica Celebrates 45 Years with Culinary Extravaganza With Famous Chefs

Iconic Restaurant Hosts “Great Party!!”

Benefitting No Kid Hungry Campaign

Michael’s Santa Monica is set to commemorate its 45th anniversary with a “Great Party!!” slated for April 21 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The event, held at the restaurant, aims to benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign. Renowned chefs who have left their mark on Michael’s over the years will grace the occasion, showcasing their culinary prowess and

contributions to California cuisine. Attendees will embark on a gastronomic journey, sampling dishes prepared by these celebrated chefs stationed across the restaurant’s enchanting garden and bar.

The menu will feature a blend of Michael’s classic dishes alongside innovative creations inspired by the chefs’ experiences at the iconic establishment. Tickets for the event are priced at $250, with proceeds directed towards No Kid Hungry’s mission of eradicating childhood hunger. Tickets for the event are available here.

Following the festivities in Santa Monica, Michael’s will also mark the 35th anniversary of its New York location on November 13th, presenting a dual celebration spanning both coasts.

When your loved one has Alzheimer’s, dementia, early stage memory loss, Parkinson’s or is recovering from a stroke:

Council Advances Plans for 120+ Affordable Apartments

The Development Aims to Serve Individuals and Families Earning Between 30 to 80% of the Area Median Income

The City Council advanced plans on Tuesday for the development of over 120 affordable apartments, including 50 with supportive services, on the cityowned site located on 4th Street.

The approved design concept for the development comprises a variety of apartment sizes, from studios to threebedroom units, along with ground floor retail spaces and both residential and

commercial parking facilities, according to a City government post. Further exploration into the feasibility of adding an additional floor of apartments is underway, pending final approval from the council for a ground lease and a development and disposition agreement.

The development aims to serve individuals and families earning between 30 to 80% of the Area Median Income, including those experiencing homelessness.

The project received funding support from various sources, including $2 million secured by Rep. Lieu as part of the 2022 House Appropriations Bill, underscoring its significance in advancing key strategic priorities such as Addressing Homelessness and promoting Justice, Equity & Diversity. For more information, see the staff report.

Ulta Beauty Burglary Suspects Apprehended Detectives

Suspect These Individuals Are Part of a Larger Organized Retail Theft Ring

Several suspects in a recent burglary at a Ulta Beauty store in Santa Monica have been apprehended, according to SMPD.

On March 23 around 4 a.m., six individuals armed with sledgehammers shattered the front window of the Ulta Beauty store at 1234 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. The suspects, donning hoodies and masks, raided glass display cases, stealing over $23,000 worth of high-end fragrances before fleeing in two dark vehicles.

After an investigation, law enforcement tracked the suspects to South Los Angeles. On April 11, SMPD detectives, in collaboration with

LAPD’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force, executed a search warrant on 90th Place in Los Angeles.

The operation, involving SMPD SWAT, UAS, Patrol, Criminal Investigations Division personnel, and LAPD’s ORCTF, resulted in the recovery of firearms and stolen merchandise from

the Ulta burglary. Three individuals linked to the burglary were arrested and taken into custody, including Caleed Jamari Mouton, Eelayia Christine Walker, and Mekhai Taveon Ray.

Detectives suspect these individuals are part of a larger organized retail theft

ring with possible gang affiliations, according to SMPD.

While the arrested suspects were released with citations according to LA County’s bail schedule, law enforcement remains optimistic about apprehending the remaining three perpetrators involved in the Ulta store burglary.

Nationwide Retail Theft Scheme Leads to FiveYear Prison Sentence for Santa Monica Man

The Man Led a Group That Hoodwinked Department Stores Across 23 States

By Zach Armstrong

A Santa Monica man was sentenced to five years in prison for a robbery scheme that spanned 23 states and resulted in over $664,000 in damage, according to an announcement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Western District of Washington.

Jaylan Amir Thomas, 27, was the leader of a group that used fake IDs and telephone numbers to rent jumping jack tampers and vibratory plate compactors from department stores. The pieces of equipment were valued up to $2,000 each. After making small rental deposits with debit cards, he and a co-conspirator

locked the accounts to shut off further charges.

The group used rental vans to transport the stolen items which were sold online at $700 per machine. Ultimately, Thomas and his gang stole over 480 pieces of equipment from 190 stores across 23 states. He was eventually ordered to pay $664,161.50 in restitution to the victim home improvement store.

“Mr. Thomas recruited others to his criminal scheme, and thus altered the trajectory of their lives with criminal charges in various states,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman in a statement. “Despite advantages such as a stable home and college studies, Mr. Thomas chose fraud as his path and in the process created higher prices for consumers everywhere.”

Although Thomas was arrested four times in three separate jurisdictions for his scheme, he bailed out of prison and continued his robbery efforts. At his sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez stated Thomas “persisted in this crime spree after

being arrested and charged in multiple jurisdictions.”

Seven months after his arrest in May of last year, Thomas pleaded guilty to wire fraud. His five-year sentence was announced on March 29.

Judge Martinez noted that organized retail theft has been on the rise since the pandemic and costs U.S. residents some $30 billion a year.

Accents Owner Steven Hanna Reflects on Decades Long Legacy

For 37 years, Accents Jewelry has transcended mere commerce, evolving into a vibrant community, a crucible of creativity, and a sanctuary for cherished moments.

Founder Steven Hanna’s legacy resonates far beyond the store’s physical space, as his commitment to mentoring and nurturing aspiring designers has seeded dreams and shared wisdom spanning decades.

With mixed emotions, the store announced its closure in February. Beloved Accents clientele have until April 30th to acquire exquisite pieces at unbeatable prices as a token of their appreciation.

Hanna was born in a nurturing family surrounded by old country relatives. From the age of 12, surfing encapsulated his childhood and in the 60s, he went to college to major in art, all of which laid the groundwork for idealistic values that stayed true to him throughout his life. With his sculpting background, he acquired an apprenticeship position at Venice Lapidary Guild where he learned how to carve wax that would be cast in silver and gold, and to carve the stones that he would set into jewelry designs.

Hanna started his own business in 1973 by taking in special order rings, doing craft shows, and wholesaling to boutiques and department stores. He found working alongside other creative minds rewarding, so he proceeded to conceptualize an idea for a communitybased retail store.

“Not that much different from the family of neighbors and friends that gravitated to my home in the canals where I lived throughout the 70s,” he said. Hanna started taking business courses at UCLA in the 80s while looking for the right location for a unique retail store that catered to his target market.

“It was interesting in being exposed

to the basic principles of business, especially how they related to my personal struggles working with larger companies, and how much of it did not relate with my own values. I found my longtime interest in the philosophies and religions from the east and enlightened authors who integrated ancient wisdom with modern living in the west, to be more relevant to my creative business practices,” he said.

In 1987, Hanna opened Accents Jewelry Design on Main Street near the Venice and Santa Monica boundary line where he featured his work alongside other designers, some of which he knew from his early craft fair circuit and trade shows.

“The unique handmade jewelry, personal services offered and affordable prices kept people coming back,” he said. “I was so passionate about bringing together my purpose and everything I had learned toward establishing relationships and taking care of all their jewelry needs … even if it meant going downtown or to my bench workers shop before I opened the store in the morning.”

Three years later, Hanna started a weekly workshop teaching the lost

wax jewelry making technique and the workshops have continued to this day. He eventually moved Accents to the corner of Ashland and Main Street in 1993, a location that favored more foot traffic.

“I started recruiting like minded students from my weekly workshop to work as apprentice designers and today my dream has come true as the store supports six of us jewelry designers,” Hanna said.

With training help from Accents Supervising Manager Johanna Torell, Hanna said they instill in each designer the importance of personal service and community by which Accents is known.

“We all honor the creative apprentice designers that came before them, who are now successful designers,” Hanna said.

As the store is embarking to close soon, Hanna will deeply miss the sense of community that has surrounded Accents since its inception.

Building Modern Boxes Lacks Identity

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

In the relentless pursuit of modernity, cities worldwide have witnessed the rise of so-called architectural marvels in the form of sleek apartment buildings and commercial structures. Many are often celebrated for their avant-garde designs and state-of-the-art amenities, but they are not immune to criticism and need improvement. This is about wanting our local and state governments to require better-balanced and open space design with the same vigor and enthusiasm as their mandated increased density to better serve the community at large and the increased impacts on the surrounding environment.

In its infinite wisdom, the State of California has ordained that these developments are the best way to serve our future housing and mixed-use commercial needs. Many are convinced that these projects represent enlightened progress, implemented in the name of social and economic diversity, and are the solution to our State’s growth requirements and demands. But beyond the myopic pursuit of these futuristic homogenous developments, with their similar shapes and shiny facades, lies a dark shadow of adverse effects and compromises, including, in some cases, excessive builder and developer profits. Unfortunately, greed, like a weed, finds its way to root in the cracks of our troubled bureaucratic system, but today, we are going to focus on the design and build part of the equation.

Urban landscapes, including our beautiful beach city of Santa Monica, have recently witnessed a proliferation of both completed and planned large, monolithic buildings that mostly lack original and creative inspiration or character and not only fail to provide a more livable environment by integrating with their surroundings but are in stark contrast; it’s like a visual war of design in contradiction to what made our city unique, to begin with. By prioritizing standardized designs that could belong to any city or country, specifically in our City of Santa Monica, these buildings are missing our beachfront location’s distinctive character and history. As a result, these “Cookie Cutter” projects create indistinguishable neighborhoods and surrounding commercial centers, losing any opportunity for local individualism. Preserving, integrating, and creatively celebrating local architectural styles and traditions in new buildings enriches our unique

environment, creates higher property values, and strengthens a sense of community pride and identity.

Many new and proposed developments prioritize density, functionality, and cost-efficiency over creative, attractive aesthetics and human-centric design. While, at first glance, some of these projects may appear to exude an aura of luxury, the reality is far from glamorous. Yes, they may provide “costeffective” housing and commercial solutions on paper, squeezing out more profits for investors in the short run, but at the typical 90% market rate to 10% ‘affordable’ ratio, this is hardly resolving the need for affordable housing. Still, they are getting built, and it is imperative that the long-term effects on individuals and communities be balanced and environmentally responsible, especially for larger development projects! The monotone stacked and then modified cookie-cutter approach strips away neighborhoods’ unique identity. Also, the glossy veneers often used in these buildings can mask underlying issues such as poor building quality, including but not limited to insufficient soundproofing and lack of adequate sunlight. Let’s also not forget the scarcity of true, usable, larger outdoor rest, play, and open areas.

So, in the new world vision unfolding

before us, residents are becoming mere tenants in a modern sea of virtually identical units, mostly disconnected from each other except by the internet. This loss of community fabric has been shown to diminish social interactions and contribute to feelings of alienation, isolation, and depression among residents and society in general, which can affect productivity and creativity. The opportunity and respect for prioritizing the importance of creating inspirational spaces with warm and inviting architectural design, including interiors using materials that foster a feeling of well-being and a sense of place, is becoming lost and even ignored by both government and many large developers and, sadly, their architects bend the knee to their corporate and investor profitability motives and agenda instead of standing firmly by better design and ethical principles. With respect to higher cost concerns, it is unfortunate that many developers either don’t care to realize or even understand that with specific creative improvements, materials, and unique innovations incorporating more light, space per unit, and much larger usable green open spaces, for example, the value of these structures will grow more over time in numerous ways to be appreciated by generations to come.

A relatively small short-term sacrifice will abundantly return more over time if done correctly, and that’s the magic that a good planner and architect can bring to the table.

Architects and Urban planners, in conjunction with Developers, must prioritize human-centric design principles and create spaces that inspire connection, well-being, and a sense of belonging. Only by embracing this approach to planning and architecture can we build communities that enrich the lives of all residents. By doing so, we can make cities that evolve to be not only functional and efficient but also vibrant, creative, positive, and soulful—a city not only for living in but one you would want to visit.

Send comments to santamonicasmart@ gmail.com

By Michael Jolly

S.M.a.r.t Santa

Monica

Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

Thane Roberts, Architect; Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA; Robert H. Taylor AIA, Architect; Dan Jansenson, Architect & Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission; Samuel Tolkin, Architect & Planning Commissioner; Michael Jolly AIR-CRE, Marie Standing; Jack Hillbrand AIA

Los Angeles County District Attorney Announces Charges In Brutal Venice Sexual Assaults

Charges Filed Against Suspect in Venice Canals Case by LADA George Gascon

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has announced charges against Anthony Francisco Jones for allegedly sexually assaulting two women in the Venice Canals neighborhood on April 6.

District Attorney Gascón expressed deep outrage and condemnation for the brutal sexual assaults, stating that such acts have no place in society and will not be tolerated.

He reassured the public that his office is fully committed to vigorously prosecuting the individual responsible for these crimes to ensure justice for the victims. He added that these crimes were the most brutal rapes that he had ever seen.

Lindsey P. Horvath, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, also condemned sexual assault, commending the Los Angeles Police Department and District Attorney Gascón’s office for their swift and diligent efforts in investigating the matter and bringing forth charges. She expressed sympathy for the survivors whose lives have been forever altered by the trauma they endured.

Los Angeles Police Chief Dominic Choi praised the officers and specialized detectives involved in the case for their dedication to public safety. He also thanked the Venice community for their participation in helping to apprehend the perpetrator.

Anthony Francisco Jones, born on September 12, 1994, faces multiple

charges, including forcible rape, sexual penetration by use of force, mayhem, torture, attempted murder, and sodomy by use of force. It is alleged that Jones committed the sexual assaults during the course of a kidnapping against multiple victims and inflicted great bodily injury on them.

Jones is scheduled to be arraigned today in Dept. 30 at the Airport Courthouse. The People are recommending that Jones be held on no bail. If convicted as charged, he could face life in prison. The case is currently under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF JEFERY ZAFARULLAH FAIZ

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

A Petition for Probate has been filed by Rosa Ileana Faiz in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 24STPB0730

The Petition for Probate requests that Rosa Ileana Faiz be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A hearing on the petition will be held in Los Angeles County Superior Court as follows: Date: May 06, 2024, Time: 8:30 am. Dept.: D9 The address of the court: 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

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

Other California statues and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an