Santa Monica Mirror / Yo! Venice: April 26 - May 02, 2024

Man Arrested After Grilling Barbecue in Shopping Cart, Used Sword as a Skewer

Barbecue Sauce and Bud Light

Were Also Seen in the Cart

By Zach Armstrong

Authorities arrested a man who was seen grilling barbecue in a shopping cart while using a sword to hold the meat while in public, SMPD confirmed.

On April 21, officers responded to a call for an open flame in the suspect’s cart/bbq set-up along Ocean Avenue. The man fled

from authorities, fleeing down to the beach with his cart, and was eventually stopped in the 2000 block of the beach where the fire was extinguished.

According to Fox 11, the cart’s main compartment was filled with flaming wood, while the man used a sword as a skewer to hold meat over the fire. Barbecue sauce and Bud Light were also seen in the cart.

“Shopping carts are considered the property of the store they are taken from, and possession of one is a misdemeanor theft offense.” an SMPD spokesperson stated in an email. “Additionally, the individual is being charged with resisting arrest and reckless burning (basically misdemeanor arson).”

10th Annual Arts & Literacy Festival Coming to Virginia Avenue Park

Themed “The Robots Are Here,”

This Year’s Event Will Feature over 30 Community Organizations

Santa Monica, in partnership with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, invites families to the free 10th annual Arts & Literacy Festival on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Virginia Avenue Park.

Themed “The robots are here,” this year’s event will feature over 30 community organizations offering games and activities aligned with the Santa Monica Cradle to Career Building Blocks for Kindergarten campaign. The initiative aims to ensure all Santa Monica children are prepared for kindergarten, both academically and socially.

Activities include the reDiscover Center’s

Robot Dance Party, robotic demonstrations by the SaMo Tech Robotics Team, and a Storytime Stage by the Santa Monica Public Library featuring robot-themed books read by local librarians and Santa Monica Fire Chief Matthew Hallock.

Other highlights include an obstacle course organized by the Santa Monica Fire Department, delivery robot Coco making special deliveries, and interactive performances by Bollypop and WeBreak dance companies. Attendees can also collect stamps from activity booths for a chance to redeem a free book at the Santa Monica Public Library booth.

The Main Stage will feature various performances, including demonstrations by the SaMo Tech Robotics Team, hip hop dance by WeBreak, and interactive dances by Bollypop, among others. Emceed by Sean Hill, the festival promises a day of educational and entertaining experiences for the whole family.

Caltrans District 7 Provides Update on Topanga Canyon Landslide Closure

Landslide More

Serious than 1940s Slide, Involves Thousands of Rocks

Caltrans District 7 has updated the situation related to the closure of Topanga Canyon after this year’s heavy rainfall and the area’s latest and most serious landslide. In a press statement, The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) projects that the extensive landslide at post mile 1.8 on State Route 27 in Topanga Canyon will be cleared by fall 2024, pending favorable conditions.

California State Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin visited Topanga Canyon with Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath to examine the landslide’s severity. The latest observations indicate ongoing water seepage beneath the dirt, mud, and rocks, suggesting the potential for further movement of the mass. Recent

rainfall during the weekend of April 13-14 exacerbated the instability of the hillside.

The landslide, which occurred on March 9, 2024, is substantially larger than a previous one in the 1940s. The visible face of the current landslide extends approximately 300 feet above the roadway and continues about 200 feet beyond the surrounding brush.

Given the present geological conditions and the slope’s instability, the removal process must proceed from the top downward. Removing material from the

base of the slope is necessary to prevent the destabilization of the earth and large boulders above as water continues to permeate beneath the surface.

Of particular concern is a sizable boulder, approximately 10 feet in height, visible from the south side of the landslide. A crack measuring 5 to 10 feet wide has formed behind the boulder, with the weight of the hillside exerting pressure on it.

Preliminary estimates indicate that the visible face of the landslide comprises about 80,000 cubic yards and weighs

approximately 9.2 million pounds, equivalent to the capacity of 5,500 dump trucks.

As a result of the closure, State Route 27 is inaccessible from Grand View Drive to State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway). During the closure, temporary signal lights have been installed at Tuna Canyon Road and State Route 1 to facilitate traffic flow for Topanga Canyon residents seeking access to the southbound Pacific Coast Highway.

Caltrans is collaborating with local authorities and elected officials to minimize the landslide’s impact on the community. Members of the public can direct inquiries to Topanga@dot.ca.gov.

THE MUSIC MINUTE Patrick’s Roadhouse Closes, Seeks Donations to Help Secure New Lease

A GoFundMe Has Been Created to Save the Dining Outpost, Which Has So Far Raised Funds by 182 Donors

By Zach Armstrong

Patrick’s Roadhouse, a dining landmark located along Pacific Coast Highway at the intersection of Entrada Drive, is at risk of permanent closure, and it’s asking for help to prevent that from happening.

“You’ve probably heard by now that Patrick’s Roadhouse is presently shut down over the last 48 hours.” the establishment stated in a Facebook post. “We’re battling with our landlord for rent due during covid. As you may remember we were only open for food to go and essentially just gave away the food we had to doctors and nurses and students who were locked up at school. The bill has now become due and we really need the help of everyone that has touched the hearts of Patrick’s Roadhouse.”

According to the post, the establishment is working with owner Anthony Fischler and his legal team to secure a new longterm lease. A GoFundMe has been created to save the dining outpost, which has so far raised funds via 182 donations at the time of this writing.

Its goal is to raise $250,000, with $200,000 allocated for back rent and the remaining funds for building improvements.

“The business has operated profitably for nearly a half century and we want to see it continue on, making great food and great memories for all who visit,” the post stated. Additionally, it also seeks to resolve its financial woes with the help of a group of private angel investors and longtime customers.

At the time of this writing, $15,430 has been raised out of its $250,000 goal.

Established in 1973, Patrick’s Roadhouse is known for its “quirky” and “retro” decor. These include dinosaurs, Native American and Albert Einstein statues and unique rooftop sculptures. It has been featured in episodes of Guy Fieri’s “Diners, DriveIns, and Dives” and has been awarded several accolades including “Best Diner in California” and “Best Banana Cream Pie in the USA”, according to the GoFundMe.

All funds raised will be returned to donors if a new lease is not negotiated. Patrick’s Roadhouse is indefinitely closed until then. The GoFundMe can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-savepatricks-roadhouse-a-california-icon?utm_ campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_ medium=social&utm_source=facebook.

Luca Guadagnino’s New Film Challengers Serves Up a Sexy Tennis Drama

Zendaya Stars in a Love Triangle for the Ages in this Must-See Film

By Dolores Quintana

Academy Award and BAFTA nominated director Luca Guadagnino’s newest film, Challengers , will open this Friday, April 26. It is a sexy mix of top-tier tennis, game playing, and a love triangle for the ages. Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Tickets are available here. Challengers is a film that is not to be missed whether or not you are a tennis fan.

Tashi is married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist – West Side Story ); Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor – The Crown ) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself what it will cost to win.

The film, written by playwright Justin Enkuritz, features a propulsive and danceable score by the Academy Awardwinning team of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. It is produced by Amy Pascal,

Guadagnino’s daring and innovative filmmaking and Thai director of photography Sayombhu Mukdeeprom’s fascinating shots make Challengers one of the most exciting films ever made about the game of tennis and the games that make up relationships, on and off the court.

Zendaya said, “Luca has such a great way of looking at each character in Challengers through such an empathetic lens, seeing them as human. He is so good at pulling nuances and human aspects of a character out so that they’re vulnerable and relatable.”

Guadagnino said, about Zendaya, “Years before shooting this movie, I met Zendaya at an event, and I spent the evening sitting beside her and was fascinated by this young woman who could command the gaze of multitudes and yet be so completely real and graceful. It would be very easy to make Tashi into a one-sided character, simply a woman of strong will, but Zendaya does the opposite — she brings a sense of control and a sense of power while at the same time, she develops a lot of sense of fragility within that strength that Tashi exhibits.”

The film’s worldwide press conference was held at The Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills. Challengers will challenge your view of sports films and is a sensual feast for the senses.

Luca Guadagnino, Zendaya, and Rachel O’Connor.

Two Prominent Lists Rank SMMUSD

Highly Among L.A. and California Districts

The High Rankings Come Amid Efforts to Separate SMMUSD and Establish an Independent Malibu Unified School District

By Zach Armstrong

Two prominent rankings have put the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District near the top as one of the best education networks across L.A. and California.

Last week, academic ranking service Niche put out its 2024 Best School Districts in California. The list ranked 504 school districts based on state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT and ACT scores, teacher quality, and public school district ratings, among other factors. SMMUSD ranked 6th on that list among L.A. County districts and 13th across California. Niche also ranked SMMUSD

15th in the best places to teach in California and 10th for best teachers in the state.

Around the same time, another significant list put some of SMMUSD’s schools above many others in California, and even across the U.S.

In its 2024 Best High Schools list, U.S. News & World Report ranked Santa Monica High School 48th among all Los Angeles and Orange County high schools, 120th in California and 850th in the country. Malibu High School also scored prominently. It ranked 26th among L.A. metro schools, 77th in California and 573rd nationally.

“As we look ahead, our focus remains on prioritizing the well-being and academic success of our students, while nurturing an environment conducive to their socialemotional growth,” Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton said in a news release. “Our dedication to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, and cultivating a sense of belonging, curiosity and empowerment for all within SMMUSD, will continue to shape a vibrant and inclusive educational environment.”

The high rankings come amid efforts to separate SMMUSD and establish an independent Malibu Unified School District. Earlier this month, those efforts reached a pivotal milestone when a tentative agreement on revenue sharing was reached. As of April 17, the agreement awaits approval by both the Malibu City Council and the SMMUSD Board of Education.

Supreme Court Debates Legality of Ticketing Homeless Individuals, Hears Grants Pass Case

Landmark Case

Raises Questions of Cruel and Unusual Punishment

The Supreme Court engaged in a lengthy debate on Monday, lasting more than two and a half hours, over whether ticketing homeless individuals constitutes “cruel and unusual” punishment, potentially violating the Eighth Amendment, as reported by CNN.

Several justices expressed concerns regarding the criminalization of homelessness while also acknowledging the necessity for cities to address public health and fire hazards in homeless encampments nationwide.

In an exchange, Justice Sotomayor asked, “Where do we put them if every city, every village, every town lacks compassion?”

The attorney representing Grants Pass, Ms. Theane D. Evangelis, started to answer and said, We,” but Justice Sotomayor continued and said, “and passes a law identical to this? Where are they supposed to sleep? Are they supposed to kill themselves, not sleeping?

Justice Elena Kagan highlighted the fundamental need for sleep, comparing it to breathing, and questioned the ethical implications of penalizing individuals for sleeping in public spaces when they have nowhere else to go.

The focus of the argument centered on whether the “anti-camping” ordinances in Grants Pass, Oregon, targeted specific conduct, such as sleeping with bedding in public areas or the state of being homeless. The city contends that the ordinances primarily address conduct, whereas plaintiffs argue that enforcement disproportionately targets unhoused individuals.

Under these ordinances, police regularly issue citations to individuals sleeping in parks and other public spaces. Violations incur a $295 fine, which escalates to over $500 if left unpaid.

This case marks a significant appeal concerning unhoused Americans to reach the Supreme Court in decades, garnering

close attention from municipalities and states grappling with rising homelessness rates.

According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, over 650,000 people experience homelessness in the United States on any given night, reflecting a 12% increase from 2022 to 2023.

Chief Justice John Roberts and other conservative justices raised questions about the ordinance’s explicit language, noting its silence on prohibiting homelessness and the challenge of defining someone’s status as “homeless,” which can fluctuate nightly.

The court contemplated the distinction between status and conduct, a pivotal consideration due to a 1962 Supreme Court ruling that found criminalizing drug

addiction – a status – amounted to “cruel and unusual” punishment under the Eighth Amendment.

Residents experiencing homelessness in Grants Pass initiated the lawsuit. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in their favor, asserting that the city could not enforce anticamping ordinances against homeless individuals for sleeping outside or in their cars when no alternative shelter was available.

Grants Pass officials argue that the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on “cruel and unusual” punishment pertains to torture or hard labor sentences, not citations.

A verdict in the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson case is anticipated before the end of June.

Nicolas Cage Stars in Arcadian: A Bewitching Apocalypse

New Horror Film

Delivers Solid Monster Movie Experience

The Supreme Court engaged in a lengthy dArcadian is a new horror film starring Nicolas Cage (Dream Scenario, Mandy), Jaeden Martell (It, Knives Out), Maxwell Jenkins (Lost In Space), and Sadie Soverall (Saltburn). It was written by Michael Nilon and directed by Ben Brewer, who was the lead visual effects artist for Everything Everywhere All at Once. It’s a very solid monster movie and a bewitching apocalypse. It is now playing in theatres, including Lumiere Music Hall in Beverly Hills, and you can purchase tickets at https://www. fandango.com/arcadian-2024-235408/ movie-overview

The synopsis for the film is as follows: In the near future, normal life on Earth has been decimated. Paul and his two sons, Thomas and Joseph, have been living a half-life – tranquility by day and torment by night. Every night, after the sun sets, they face the unrelenting attacks of a mysterious

and violent evil. One day, when Thomas doesn’t return home before sundown, Paul must leave the safety of their fortified farm to find him. A nightmarish battle ensues that forces the family to execute a desperate plan to survive.

While some have compared the film to A Quiet Place, I think it is more of a throwback to the natural horror film Day of the Triffids from 1963. The monsters responsible for the destruction of civilization are mostly kept off-screen in a wise move to increase tension, but when they arrive, with sneaky

tentacles and a horrific clacking sound, they make their mark.

The film’s cast is one of Arcadian’s biggest assets; with Nicolas Cage, you’ve always got a great performance, and his two sons, played by Martell and Jenkins, work well together and with Cage as their father. The two sons create most of the conflict between each other, with one son, Joseph, a quiet genius who always uses his head, and the other, Paul, a more fiery and rebellious type who brings misfortune upon the family because of his love for Charlotte

Rose (Soverall).

The film’s color palette and style are visceral and striking. While the images tend to be dark, Frank Mobilio’s cinematography is well-lit and gives the film the feel of damp earth. It’s not unpleasant, but it adds to Ben Brewer’s world-building.

With beautiful imagery, scary monsters, and strong performances, Arcadian is a winner as an individualistic kind of humanistic horror film that leans into the relationships between the survivors and their quirks rather than huge amounts of gore. Not to say that there isn’t blood and violence, but it concentrates on the all too human failings that might have led to our destruction.

SMCLC SPEAKS

SMa.r.t.

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

SMart (Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow) periodically invites guest columnists who have made a significant contribution to the public discourse to its weekly SM Mirror OP-Ed page. Today, we invite SMCLC (Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City), an organization of years of advocacy for the public benefit, to speak to two issues facing our community.

The first issue is the disastrous Gelson’s project headed for the corner of Ocean Park and Lincoln Boulevards. Those 521 undersized units wedged into 12 boring towers with insufficient open space, a pitiful 10% affordable units, and of course no three-bedroom units; is typical of what our City faces in the future buildout of our seaside town by Sacramento’s unleashed developers. SMCLC met with the developer of that project to see if they would agree to at least slightly scale it down to mitigate its oversize impact on traffic, water, power, streetscape, adjacent neighbors, livability, views, etc., etc. The result of their conversation with the developer, Cypress Equity, are described below in SMCLC’s letter to the public:

April 15, 2024,

Dear SMCLC Supporter,

Recently, representatives from SMCLC along with residents from Ocean Park and Sunset Park neighborhoods met with Cypress Equity, the developer behind the massive 521unit project at Lincoln and Ocean Park Blvds. The tone of the meeting was friendly and professional. Cypress representatives listened courteously as we outlined the myriad issues residents have with their project: it’s too big and out-of-scale with the existing neighborhood; it doesn’t have enough affordable housing; it wasn’t required to do a traffic study; it will have almost no units for families, and is mostly comprised of small, one-bedroom apartments -- more like dorms than long-term housing. We also expressed how reducing their plans could turn a bad project into a good one, and since Cypress has other projects slated for Santa Monica, some compromise with residents might serve their long-term interests. Wouldn’t being a company that works with a community be a better business model than one

that ignores residents’ meaningful concerns?

Cypress didn’t disagree or pushback on any of our points.

After we finished our presentation, we were told that their investor will back out if the number of units is scaled back, so there is nothing they can do. They were unwilling to reduce their project by even one unit.

They also pointed out that the State Legislature has passed laws largely overriding local control over zoning, so they are within their rights to build without meaningful City or resident input. They expressed that they’re only doing what the legislature intended developers to do, and if they didn’t do it, someone else would.

As our lawyer later told us, the California Legislature has been taken over by real estate interests and has gutted local City planning.

We will continue to look for leverage residents can use to have input into major development decisions that affect our lives. Certainly, a state-wide initiative for the 2026 ballot, sponsored by Livable California, could help restore local control and will be an important battle. In the meantime, we will always be exploring ways stakeholders can push back against corporate power and greed at the expense of local communities. Stay tuned.

Victor, Diana, Sherrill, and Jeff

In other words, the spin of the Gelson’s developer, Cypress Equity, is that they don’t have to listen to anyone since Sacramento has given them unbridled freedom to do whatever they want regardless of what the community wants or needs. They claim they are “just following orders” from Sacramento. Whenever someone uses the defense of “just following” orders,” you know they are just avoiding responsibility. Their final defense that if they didn’t do it, someone else would is also a complete abrogation of responsibility, which does not bode well for a developer that has many properties in Santa Monica.

The second issue SMCLC raised is their public warning to not sign any petition asking

to voters to void Proposition GS. You may have already encountered signature gatherers, paid by developers of large projects who are trying to weasel out of paying the 5.6% sales tax on properties over $8 million approved in 2022 by Santa Monica voters. The signature gatherers of course, don’t describe it that way during their misleading spin to you when you encounter them. While you may not agree with that (socalled transfer) tax as it is structured, and while the income from that tax has been substantially less than expected by its advocates, it is still a useful contribution for solving the homelessness and affordable housing crisis. Any money earmarked for affordable housing is helpful. Large developers, which now have a major impact in Santa Monica, naturally want to build and sell their buildings for top dollar. The same way they want to avoid any responsibility to the community, not paying that sales tax is one of their ways of maximizing profits, along with not doing, say, a traffic study, or not building net zero buildings, or not providing three bedroom units needed for families. Hence, SMCLC’s public warning to not fall for this developer’s scam:

April 23, 2024,

Dear Friends of SMCLC,

Paid signature gatherers will soon be asking Santa Monica residents to help qualify an initiative that will carve out special tax savings for developers.

In 2022, Santa Monica voters passed Measure GS, which added a new transfer tax to Santa Monica properties sold for over eight million dollars. This tax provides funding for homeless services, affordable housing, and schools.

Their chutzpah knows no bounds. Please do not sign their petition.

Victor, Diana, Sherrill, and Jeff

There you have it. Two issues that SMCLC and SMart feel are of significant public impact. Your support for these positions is greatly appreciated.

By Mario Fonda-Bonardi for

S.M.a.r.t Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

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

For previous articles, see www.santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/writing

Whether you voted for Measure GS or not, we can all agree it should be applied equally.

Developers are sponsoring an initiative that would give them an exemption so they won’t have to pay this transfer fee on their multimillion dollar projects.

Developers are already running wild over Santa Monica. Statewide laws have largely overridden local zoning, allowing them to build their projects without meaningful input from local residents or City Council. The neighborhood-busting project on the Gelson’s site at Ocean Park and Lincoln Blvds is an example of their arrogance.

Now, they not only want to build without constraints, they don’t even want to pay their fair share.

SMC to Host Free Talk by Inspirational Speaker Dee Hankins

Drawing from Personal Experience, Hankins Emphasizes Transformative Power of Resilience to Overcome Adversity

Santa Monica College is set to host an engaging talk featuring renowned inspirational speaker Dee Hankins.

The presentation, titled “Life. Curveball. Homeruns. Helping Students Focus on Their Resilience,” will include an audience Q&A session.

Scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, at 11:15

a.m., the free event will take place at the SMC Student Services Center, Orientation Hall (SSC 183), situated on the main SMC campus at 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica.

Hankins, driven by a mission to convey the importance of resilience, aims to empower students to navigate life’s challenges with strength and optimism. Drawing from his personal experiences, including 18 years in foster care and supporting his daughter through a battle with brain cancer, Hankins emphasizes the transformative power of resilience in overcoming adversity.

For further details, individuals can contact the SMC Office of Public Programs at 310-434-4100.

District Attorney Announces Charges In Venice Sexual Assaults

Charges Filed Against Suspect in Venice Canals Case by LADA George

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.

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.

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.

Marina del Rey Apartment Shooter Faces 20 Felony Charges, Could Spend Life in Prison

The Self-Employed Chef Is Being Held in Lieu of Over $5M Bail

By Zach Armstrong

A man accused of firing over 90 rounds from the roof and throughout a Marina del Rey apartment complex could spend the rest of his life in jail after being charged with multiple felony counts, authorities announced Tuesday.

Victoryloc Nguyen, a 41-year-old selfemployed chef who was a resident of the complex, went on a three-hour shooting spree Saturday night from within the Pearl Apartments on the 4100 block of Via Marina. During this episode, Nguyen wore a tactical vest and was armed with two assault weapons, a handgun and carried multiple loaded magazines, L.A. County District Attorney George Gascon said in a press conference.

Upon the arrival of L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputies, the shooter allegedly shot at the authorities multiple times with a rifle. The suspect then broke into an apartment by shooting off its door handle and continued his

shooting spree from the balcony of that unit. It was around this time the suspect also shot through the floor, nearly striking a woman who lived below. No one was struck or injured, Gascon stated.

The charges Nguyen now faces include two counts of attempted murder of a police officer, one count of attempted murder of a civilian, ten counts of assault with a machine gun on police officers, four counts of assault with a machine gun on civilians, one count of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, one count of first-degree residential burglary and one count of possession of an assault weapon.

The suspect is currently being held in lieu of $5.27 million bail; an increase of his previously reported bail of $2 million. If convicted of his charges, Nguyen faces a maximum of life in prison, Gascon stated.

Nguyen pleaded not guilty to all charges.

A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for May 13 at the Airport Courthouse.

An investigation into further details on Nguyen and the nature of the shooting is ongoing. Authorities said he has no criminal history, and that they’re still trying to ascertain the legality of his possession of the weapons.

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Tropical Bar & Grille Opening Soon in Venice’s Washington Square

The President of Venice Duck Brewery and CEO of Casa Rica Tequila Have Teamed up to Take the Place of the Venice Pier House

By Zach Armstrong

Several months after The Venice Pier House, one of Washington Square’s anchor restaurants, closed its doors, a new tropicalthemed establishment is getting ready to take its place.

Nalu Vida is an upcoming bar & grille that will incorporate elements of Polynesian and Central American culture. The array of dishes to be presented on the menu include the Piña Colada Calamari (Tender calamari protected in a coconut breading), Caribbean Shrimp (Blue masarepa filled with sautéed Caribbeanspiced shrimp) and the Fried Adobo Chicken Sandwich (Panko & corn flake crusted adobo chicken with tropical jicama slaw), while drinks include tiki-style or shaved ice cocktails.

The bustle and aesthetic of its interior aligns with the spirit of its dining options. The walls are painted in teal, orange, bright pink and other tropical colors. A dark walnut top is up above while the back of the bar is trimmed with wooden thatching. Weekend musical performances are set to feature local bands, ukulele players and DJs spinning various genres including reggae.

The story of Nalu Vida starts in 1992, when its future co-founder Christian Warren moved to Venice.

It was in those days when Warren met Nalu’s other founder Justin Urich and got his hospitality career started by working at Baja Cantina. Both men, while remaining close friends, would go on to make their mark in Los Angeles’ food scene.

In his multi-decade career, Warren’s roles include being the co-owner of Santa Monica’s Makai Lounge and the Melody Bar and Grill in Westchester, as well as the Founding President of Venice Duck Brewery. Urich has had his share of success in L.A.’s dining and nightlife business sector; he spent nearly a decade as the owner of Sherman Oaks’ On The Thirty restaurant before working as CEO of Casa Rica Tequila.

One day, Christian asked Justin to take a look at the place which once housed the Pier House. Although he was hesitant at first, the spot conjured up good memories for Justin: this was where he would underage drink back when he and Christian were surf-loving youngins in Venice Beach.

He was all in!

While spiffing ideas for dishes and themes, the pair found they were completely in sync. They presented each other with their own takes on various dishes from South America, Costa Rica and Hawaii. After some tweaks to each other’s cuisines, what is now Nalu Vida’s menu began to manifest.

Located at 1 Washington Blvd., Nalu Vida replaces The Venice Pier House which halted operations in October. The re-shuffling is one of many that have recently taken place around the popular beach-adjacent square. Last year, Casa-12 re-opened while Coco Beach as well as Divani set up shop on Washington Blvd.

An official opening date is expected to be announced soon. For more information, go to https://naluvida.com/.

Venice Shorts: Closed and Empty Storefronts Populate Oceanfront Walk

The Road to Recovery Has Been Slow and Steady for This Resilient International Tourist Destination

By Nick Antonicello

Is the Venice Boardwalk back on a road to recovery?

A cursory review of the vacancy rate along Oceanfront Walk (OFW) here in Venice is quite high, with at least three dozen or so storefronts and retailers closed as of Tuesday, April 2nd.

With It’s Sugar about to close its doors, it will join Ben & Jerry’s as just another vacant retailer along the beach that is becoming more the norm than the exception.

While sources tell Yo! Venice there has been a considerable spike in rents along Oceanfront

Walk, in all the time I have lived in Venice I have never seen the vacancies at these levels.

However when compared to the Third Street Promenade of Santa Monica, Venice seems to be holding it’s own from an economic standpoint.

Many believe the pandemic had a considerable impact at the beach coupled with an out-of-control homeless crisis that seems to have subsided, and with things coming back to some degree as to the crowds and tourists here in Venice, the vacancy rate has clearly spiked.

As I strolled along the boardwalk Tuesday afternoon and several prominent locales remained for lease, the volume of visitors seemed higher than usual as this week was Spring Break for many high schools, colleges and universities.

Approximately 28,000 people visit Venice on an annual basis.

Venice Beach currently has a population of some 40,000 people since 2021 and Venice is ranked as the #3 most walkable neighborhood in Los Angeles. Muscle Beach, the popular outdoor gym on the boardwalk, has over 100 years of history and was recently restored and renovated during the pandemic.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF HARRY G. GRANKFURT

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: HARRY G. FRANKFURT

A Petition for Probate has been filed by Joan Gilbert in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 24STPB02344

The Petition for Probate requests that JOAN GILBERT 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: April 14, 2024, Time: 8:30 am. Dept.: D2 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 inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for

Notice form is available from the court clerk.