Santa Monica Mirror: May 24 - May 30, 2024

Update on the Tragic Accident on Pacific Coast Highway on May 14

Authorities Seek Witnesses and Information About Crash

A fatal traffic collision occurred on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Malibu on May 14, claiming another life on this frequently dangerous stretch of road. The City of Malibu expressed its condolences to those affected by the tragedy and reiterated its commitment to improving safety on PCH in an emailed statement.

Malibu officials continue to collaborate with legislative partners, law enforcement, state agencies, and the community to address the issue. The city urged all PCH users to drive safely and help save lives.

The collision happened on the 28000 block of PCH near the intersection of West Winding Way. According to preliminary reports, the driver of a southbound gray 2008 Honda Civic, identified as Party #1, possibly experienced a medical emergency, causing the vehicle to veer abruptly into

northbound traffic. The Civic collided with a northbound white 2012 Ford E-250 van driven by Party #2.

Despite efforts by witnesses and emergency medical personnel to revive Party #1, the driver was pronounced dead

Detectives Seek Public’s Help to Locate Attilio Brillembourg, Last Seen on May 18

Stepfather

of Princess Tatiana of Greece

is Missing in Malibu

Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are seeking the public’s help in locating Attilio Brillembourg, a resident of New York, who was last seen on May 18, 2024, at 1:10 a.m. in the 6000 block of Murphy Way in Malibu. This address is close to the Escondido Canyon Trail.

Authorities are concerned for Brillembourg’s well-being and urge anyone

with information on his whereabouts to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau, Missing Persons Detail.

Attilio Brillembourg is the stepfather of Princess Tatiana Blatnik, wife of Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark, who is the son of the last king of Greece, Constantine II. Greece abolished the monarchy of their country in 1973. The Prince and Princess separated, intending to divorce, earlier this year.

Individuals wishing to provide information anonymously can contact “Crime Stoppers” by calling (800) 222TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” mobile app from Google Play or the Apple App Store, or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.

at the scene. Party #2 sustained non-lifethreatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

Authorities are seeking any witnesses or individuals with information about the incident to contact the Malibu/Lost

Hills Sheriff’s Station at (818) 878-1808, referencing Report #24-02224-10.

For more information on Malibu’s efforts to improve PCH safety, visit www. MalibuCity.org/PCHSafety.

Council Extends ‘Local Homelessness Emergency’ Proclamation Through 2025

Extending the Proclamation Enables the City to Receive Additional Resources

By Zach Armstrong

Last Tuesday, Santa Monica City Council unanimously chose to extend a proclamation which declares homelessness a local emergency through May 31, 2025.

Extending the proclamation enables the City to receive additional resources from the county, state and federal to address homelessness. These include: limiting rent increases to no more than 10% a year during the proclamation; expediting City processes for development, contracting, grant approvals, and community activities to expedite services; among other possibilities.

Santa Monica joins numerous other L.A. localities in issuing the emergency proclamation, including the City of Culver City, the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, and the City of Long Beach.

The extension comes as L.A. County is going through a workforce shortage, according to an agenda item, which has

exacerbated understaffing and retention issues due to increasing demands. “The City struggles to fill positions expeditiously, if at all, which hampers the City’s ability to create necessary organizational capacity to effectively implement programs and services needed to address and prevent homelessness,” the item stated.

The City extended the 2023 Emergency Proclamation last year as well, which was set to last through the end of this month.

The decree was used to advance several

City efforts, according to an agenda item, such as an agreement with Salvation Army to support the 3-1-1 outreach efforts, provide street team assistance to SMPD’s Homeless Liaison Team, making a loan commitment to Community Corp. of Santa Monica to construct an affordable housing development, working with L.A. County to open a Santa Monica Pathway Home program, among other initiatives.

Concurrently, Santa Monica showcased investments made in the past year to alleviate

the crisis, as laid out in a City blog post. These included: multidisciplinary outreach teams making 8,282 contacts with people experiencing homelessness, along with providing 1,059 direct medical or psychiatric services and placing 56 clients into interim or permanent housing; earning the state’s Prohousing Designation which recognizes Santa Monica’s commitment to developing affordable housing; and homeless support teams collecting 91 tons of debris from 942 calls for service.

The Victim Believes the Man Intended to Sexually Assault Her

By Zach Armstrong

A homeless man who dragged a woman several feet by the ponytail, possibly with an intention to sexually assault her, was arrested by Santa Monica police officers and charged with multiple felonies.

On Monday, May 13, at 7:14 a.m., officers responded to assault reports happening at the 2000 block of Ocean Front Walk where they found the suspect and victim near the Bicknell restrooms. According to SMPD, a young female Venice resident was jogging southbound on the beach path when the suspect grabbed her ponytail from behind and knocked her to the ground.

The man then pulled her several feet toward the bathrooms. The victim believes the man intended to sexually assault her, according to SMPD.

Witnesses on scene intervened in the

attack and contacted authorities. The victim suffered minor physical injuries. The man was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect has been identified as Malcolm Jimmy Ward, Jr., a 48-year-old man experiencing homelessness and is on parole for Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He is being held without bail.

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Ward with felony counts of Kidnapping, Assault with Intent to Commit Rape and Violation of Parole.

Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to contact Detective James McCoy at james.mccoy@santamonica. gov or CrimeTips@santamonica.gov.

THE MUSIC MINUTE Homeless Man Drags Woman by the Ponytail, Charged With Multiple Felonies Suspect Arrested After Stabbing Leaves Two Injured in Santa Monica

He Remains in Custody at the Santa Monica Jail Pending Arraignment

A suspect was arrested Sunday evening after a stabbing incident that left two people injured, one critically, on the 1500 block of 4th Street near Parking Structure No. 7, according to Santa Monica police.

Officers responded to the scene around 8 p.m. and determined that the suspect, identified as Larry Ameyal Cedeno, 29, had assaulted three individuals in an unprovoked attack. Two victims sustained stab wounds, with one in critical but stable condition. The third victim was assaulted but did not suffer major injuries.

Upon arrival, officers immediately began CPR on the critically injured victim while additional officers located and detained Cedeno, who was arrested shortly thereafter.

He remains in custody at the Santa Monica Jail pending arraignment and the official filing of charges.

Cedeno is currently on probation for larceny.

“The safety and security of our community is our top priority,” said a police spokesperson. “As we actively investigate this incident, we will continue to provide updates as they become available.”

No additional information is available at this time. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to this incident to contact Detective Burciaga at George.Burciaga@ santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427, available 24 hours a day.

We are incredibly proud of our Class of 2024 graduates, who have been admitted to more than 130 colleges and universities both nationally and internationally. Below is a sampling of the institutions to which they were accepted.

American University

Arizona State University

Bard College

Boston College

Boston University

Bryn Mawr College

Bucknell University

California State University, Long Beach

Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo

Chapman University

Claremont McKenna College

Colorado College

Davidson College

DePaul University

Drexel University

Elon University

Emerson College

Fordham University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Goldsmiths, University of London

Gonzaga University

Haverford College

Indiana University

Johns Hopkins University

Loyola Marymount University

Macquarie University

Marquette University

McGill University

New York University

North Dakota State University

Northeastern University

Parsons School of Design

Penn State University

Pepperdine University

Purdue University

San Diego

State University

Santa Clara University

Sarah Lawrence College

Scripps College

Southern

Methodist University

Syracuse University

Texas Christian University

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Texas at Austin

Trinity College

Tufts University

Tulane University

United States Naval Academy '29

University of Arizona

University of British Columbia

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Davis

University of California, Irvine

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, San Diego

University of California, Santa Barbara

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of Notre Dame

University of Oregon

University of Portland

University of Richmond

University of Rochester

University of San Diego

University of San Francisco

University of Southern California

University of St Andrews

University of Washington

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Vassar College

Villanova University

Wake Forest University

Wellesley College

For more information on this outstanding group of young women, scan the QR Code:

A Path to Affordable Ownership in Santa Monica

SMa.r.t.

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

[Note: our guest author today is Andres Drobny, a former Professor of Economics at the University of London, the former Chief Economist at Bankers Trust Company in London, and the founder of Drobny Global Advisors, a financial markets boutique based in Santa Monica. Andres resides in Santa Monica.]

We regularly hear of friends or colleagues leaving town to buy a home they can afford. After all, who wouldn’t want to switch from an ever increasing monthly rent to a fixed and stable mortgage payment? Especially when, at the end of the process, you own a tangible asset. It’s a shame, and a disadvantage to the city, that many residents feel forced out if they want to buy a home. And, what about long term renters who don’t have the funds to put a down payment anywhere?

We can start to address this. We have the units, the financial assets, the infrastructure, and even the management right here in Santa Monica! It’s all in the great public housing agencies that were developed 40 years ago to address affordability in the rental sector. They are a roaring success, have mushroomed in size and importance, and could be adapted to be at the center of the next revolution in affordable housing–affordable ownership.

Consider the largest, CCSM, Community

large and powerful nonprofit, with a net asset value that looks well north of $1bn (2000 units x $700K avg per unit – ½ the SM average condo sale in 2023 - minus $150mn debt). And, CCSM is building more properties with more units. So far, all of them rentals.

These agencies are Santa Monica assets. They are our assets! It’s our success. And, we could redirect them to help establish an affordable ownership sector.

Other municipalities and endowments show us the way; they offer a template. We often hear how they ‘sold off’ housing and land to raise funds due to financial stress, or to fund new projects. These sales would typically be gobbled up by investors and developers.

We could do something here but in Santa Monica style. Create a system where long term faithful residents are given the opportunity to purchase their units at discounted prices. Unlike asset sales by endowments or municipalities, these ‘sales’ would simply mean CCSM passes title to some tenants, with little or no money actually changing hands. The housing equity locked up in these agencies would be released to deserving tenants, who suddenly gain exposure to equity gains after years of plowing money into the system.

No developers, no investors, just regular Santa Monica folks. It would serve to diversify the affordable housing mix in Santa Monica, creating an incentive to stay here for the long term. And, it would leave agencies like CCSM at the center of an expanded mixed affordable housing sector. This process would seem a win-

sales:

part of this corporation’s income or assets shall ever inure…..to the benefit of any private individual’ (p3, Article 5A).

This means a referendum of SM stakeholders is needed to change the Charter to allow sales to tenants. Such a referendum would likely politicize the issue, which could turn into a real positive. It would allow residents–owner occupiers and renters–to visualize a common goal. Placing such a referendum on the ballot for the 2026 SM elections has the potential to spark a strong popular response, perhaps allowing new alliances to be forged in the city and break up a highly polarized political structure.

There are also financial hurdles. A first issue is that CCSM has existing mortgage obligations that may require renegotiation with lenders and a change in bylaws. There would likely have to be a workaround.

A bigger question, though, is that the current 30-year fixed mortgage rate at around 7%, makes it hard to facilitate purchases by tenants while keeping their total monthly payments roughly unchanged. That would seem crucial to making this plan work. As an example, a renter paying $1500/mo. can now only borrow around $250K at current rates. A $2500/mo. rental rate translates to roughly a $380K mortgage. One solution is for tenants to plow some capital to purchase the units. Or maybe other sources of subsidy can be found.

But, there’s a rather simple and elegant alternative. Offer purchasers different types of ownership stakes. Some senior living organizations, for example, now offer residents the choice of buying a 100% stake in their units or smaller percentage stakes (50%, 25%). This recent innovation in senior housing finance seems a perfect fit to a new affordable ownership sector. Imagine the possibilities as this new sector grows and matures. There could be rent to buy opportunities offered, so residents in affordable rentals use some of their rents as a downpayment on an eventual purchase.

There are many details to sort out, for sure. But, the equity to fund the transfers is just sitting there, locked up in the housing agencies. Much of the infrastructure is there in the same agencies. And, we can find innovative ways to make the numbers, which appear challenging, also add up.

What’s needed is the political will to make these changes happen. The starting point would be a referendum in 2026 to change these charters to allow limited sales to existing long term tenants. And, start the process towards creating a 21st-century mixed rental/owner affordable sector. The change is long overdue.

Andres Drobny

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow: Thane Roberts, Architect, Robert H. Taylor AIA, Dan Jansenson, Architect and Building, and Fire-Life Safety Commission, Samuel Tolkin Architect & Planning Commissioner, Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA & Planning Commissioner, Michael Jolly, AIRCRE

The first is the CCSM Charter, itself, which expressly prohibits

‘….no

Film Review: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

By Dolores Quintana

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA: beautiful madness and pure cinematic bliss—epic storytelling packed with fiery mayhem and so much more. It is FURIOSA; everything that makes her the titan she is in FURY ROAD explodes out of the screen— temptation and vengeance at dizzying speed. I love that the film is something different than FURY ROAD. It seamlessly integrates the story of FURIOSA with the legend of the MAD MAX series. It’s a prequel that can either stand alone or flow directly into the storytelling canon of FURY ROAD. It contemplates how much our fates depend on the tiniest choices we make each day when the lure of ripe fruit, much like the classic story of Adam and Eve, rips Furiosa away from everything she loves and her home.

George Miller wisely chooses to change things up after the slam-bang chase that is FURY ROAD. No one would be happy with a mere attempt to retread the beloved FURY ROAD, but Miller gives us a prequel and an origin story that feels like neither one of those usually dull staples and film conventions do. It has wings and becomes even more gritty and grim, and has resonances with the original films in the series, but with even more daring and uglier turns of events. But those wings have the lightest of touches, and even topics like cannibalism don’t flip over into exploitation.

It’s like he took the chassis of the original MAD MAX films and installed a 21stcentury motor capable of things that his films in the 1980s could never have dreamed of, yet retained his sense of wonder and moral code. While FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA takes more time with story and character development, it still has the adrenaline-surging and reckless abandon of FURY ROAD.

Anya Taylor-Joy is a brilliant addition to the series as the younger version of FURIOSA. She is steely with a similar, yet slightly more open vulnerability as Charlize Theron in FURY ROAD. The work of both actresses fuses as the timeline of both films rushes toward each other. Taylor-Joy is the Furiosa full of a righteous desire for revenge on the man who took away her life, but able to trust a little more than Theron’s more guarded and weary Furiosa. She has an intellectual curiosity and belief in herself that shows how her “magnificent” mother taught her skills but also taught her to have strong self-worth.

Chris Hemsworth plays Dementus as a charismatic if not very smart madman. Dementus is cruel, impatient, and cunning in comparison to Immortan Joe’s silent king. It’s like the difference between an arrogant and erratic teenager and a lion stalking the plain. Neither man is good, but Dementus is slightly more likable, because of Hemsworth’s charisma, despite his horrific deeds. Lachy Hulme, who takes over the role of Immortan Joe, is an intense presence even though he is not the main foe. He does a lot without too much screen time. He fills the room.

Tom Burke, as Praetorian Jack, makes a wonderful impression and nails an Australian

accent as an English actor. Praetorian Jack is the one man who may be worthy of trust and Burke’s performance is beautifully cadenced as he starts to understand Furiosa. He actually would make a good Max, which gives the film further resonance with the series. It has echoes of the upcoming events in FURY ROAD.

Charlee Fraser as Mary Jo Bassa glows with power and purpose as Furiosa’s beloved mother. In her performance, you can see why Furiosa is so wondrous and strong. The fearlessness and curiosity lead Furiosa to her fate, with the metaphor of ripe fruit as temptation, but it also tells you that she is who she is. No one could ever stop her and that’s exactly why she survives what few others probably could. Charlee Fraser shows the “magnificence” of her character that is always in Furiosa’s heart and drives her to best every monster in front of her, no matter what the price.

Thematically, the die is cast in the script by George Miller and Nico Lathouris, who

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Case No. 23SMCP00155

Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 1725 Main St. Santa Monica, CA 90401

Petition of: Johnothan Castellanos by and through Johnothan Castellanos for change of name. ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

To all interested persons: Johnothan Castellanos

Petitioner: filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Johnothan Castellanos to Johnothan Castellano

The court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 05/24/24 Time: 8:30AM | Dept: K A copy of this ORDER to SHOW CAUSE shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: SANTA MONICA MIRROR | Dated: April 30, 2024 Judge Lawrence Cho Published: 03/22/20224, 03/29/24, 03/05/2024, and 03/12/2024

are two of the co-writers of FURY ROAD. They wrote the characters of Furiosa and her mother Mary Jo Bassa, as women who are mighty and smart. They never accept that they are lesser than the men whom they frequently outthink and outfight.

They know that fights are not won by brawn but with the brain and thus are never cowed by male violence. It’s not a story of typical female empowerment as created by Hollywood, it simply shows you the power that women have without question. When men look at Furiosa as an object, she refuses the idea entirely and proves her worth again and again. She wins her position as a Praetorian by will alone and is accepted as an equal by men who frequently forget how they treated her earlier in the story. FURIOSA says to girls and women, you aren’t weaker. You are more powerful than you or any man has ever imagined. Take what is your birthright, the title of human being.

The cinematography by Simon Duggan (The Great Gatsby) is full of the blast furnace

of LOS

(persons) is (are) doing business as 1. Elder-Well Adult Day Program. The full name of registrant(s) is/are: The Art of Aging 2434 Pier Ave. Santa Monica, Ca. 90405. This business is conducted by A Corporation. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime). Signed Mary Anne Roberto. This Statement was filed with the County Clerk of LOS ANGELES County on March 16, 2024. NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). SANTA MONICA MIRROR to publish 05/25/2024, 05/231/2024, 06/07/2024, and 06/14/2024

of the desert landscape after an opening respite of lush greenery. In Duggan’s work, you see the grandeur of both landscapes. The soundtrack features the return of Tom Holkenborg and seamless editing by Margaret Sixel and Eliot Knapman. George Miller made many wise choices with FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA, as one of our greatest living filmmakers who has a grotesquely whimsical and fertile imagination among the members of the pantheon. FURY ROAD was a phenomenon, but FURIOSA bravely takes its own path. It gives more time to story and character and fashions a new skull-bedecked, shiny chrome chariot of breathtaking stunts, raging combat, and rip-roaring open-road pursuit sequences that will fill your wastelandloving heart with incandescent bliss. It returns to the original trilogy’s well and does it one better. FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA fires the mind and the senses with the poetic vengeance of Imperator Furiosa.