DUMPSTER ELIZABETH NJ

city • Board of Education briefs • Beverly Hills distressed by rudy cole • Hilton Names

Weekly
Tackles Busy Agenda Page 3 Century City Doctors Hospital closure Page 4 First Woman GM Page 6

Beverly Hills ALSO ON THE WEB
www.bhweekly.com

SERVING BEVERLY HILLS • BEVERLYWOOD • LOS ANGELES
Issue 465 • August 28 - September 3, 2008

Dumpster
Driver
A day in the life of
a Beverly Hills
trash collector

cover story • page 10

public entries, and many other items going to happen again.

& email
city briefs • Rivals agree to amend Hilton rudy cole • Did Developer

increase student achievement and test scores? Respectfully to all of my friends who sup-

letters
• CVB will split from Chamber

Before any bond measures are placed on the port Measure E in its present form.
Weekly
of Commerce Page 3 Referendum ballot statements Page 4 Miss The Signal? Page 6

Beverly Hills

ballot, the board and community should deter-
ALSO ON THE WEB
www.bhweekly.com

mine the highest and best use for the District Craig Davis
Office property (Lasky Dr.) and the Beverly Beverly Hills
SERVING BEVERLY HILLS • BEVERLYWOOD • LOS ANGELES

Vista parking lot on Gregory. The utilization
Issue 464 • August 21 - August 27, 2008

of these to valuable assets have been the sub- “Remembering Jerry Lushing” [Issue
Is the $334 Million School

ject of discussion for many years. Thanks to #464]
Bond a Blank Check?

“Is the $334 Million School Bond a Blank Fenton for bring the topic back to the table. In your obituary of Jerry Lushing, who was
Check?” [Issue #464] Revenues could be generated by these proper- a wonderful person, there was a comment that
The Weekly’s $334 million bond article ties and could be used to off-set the size of he joined the U.S. Air Force and “At his peak,
supports one board members belief that we all future capital expenditures (aka “bonds”). he ranked as a Corporal.” If that was his
need “to take the time and do our homework.” A corollary to the above topic is why $10 description of his military career at least he
Rushing to place the measure on the million is being allocated for the Annex build- had a sense of humor about it.
November ballot was unwise and was, in fact, ing? Throw a 2 x 4 at me, but wouldn’t be bet-
unnecessary. Three board members preferred ter to build a new building or wait until a deci- Herbert L. Wallerstein
Proponents, opponents weigh in on the merits of

a March date to coincide with the local City sion is made about the future if the board Beverly Hills
the November election

Council election. They should have stood property. And why are we segregating stu-
cover story • pages 8-9

their ground. Prop 39 allows, but does not dents to that building anyway? (“Non-BHHS Correction, Issue #464: In “Is the
students will be off HS campus”) $334 Million School Bond a Blank
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
require, a board of education to set the 55%
threshold as long as 2/3s of the board Instead of building more parking lots, let’s Check?” the total student population of
approves. Otherwise, two-thirds 66.7% of build bike racks! Kids get exercise and BHUSD should have read 5,300, not
You can write us at:

the voters are required to pass a bond. By reduce their “carbon footprint!” Encourage 53,000. The corrected graph should look
140 South Beverly Drive #201

forcing a November election, the board has car pooling. Provide an AM & PM student like the following: In “Is the $334 Million School Bond a Blank Check
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

shown little faith that the electorate will, shuttle running along such street as Gregory,
Correction, Issue #464:

again, approve a bond by greater than the Carmelita and Beverly drive. Comparative Districts’ Bonds
population of BHUSD should have read 5,300, not 53,000. The corrected gra
You can fax us at: the following.

66.7% majority as it has done for prior meas- Contact a board member and ask them to
310.887.0789 Comparative Districts’ Bonds

ures! rescind the November date. Separate the
email us at: 100 Stud

If the deed cannot be undone, then we move seismic upgrades from the other moderization.
90 distri
editor@bhweekly.com

on to the realities of the measure, which are Let the community vote on two bonds, seis-
80

many and lack detail. mic and everything else. Provide more detail.
70 # of s

Notwithstanding any need to implement We live in the electronic age, so information
60 in dis

seismic upgrades in order to maintain and can be made available in many forms very
50

increase safety for our children, one thing easily.
40 Bond

stood out in my mind as I read the partial list As [former Board of Education member]
30 scho

SNAPSHOT of projects (Weekly, page 9) . How are all Gerald Lunn points out, Measure K left
20 divid

many unfulfilled promised projects! It could
10 even

these parking lots, lobbies, “Facelifts,” new
0 * In thousa

BHUSD LBUSD PAUSD ** In m illio

Weekly
Beverly Hills

Issue 465 • August 28 - September 3, 2008
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Delivered in Beverly HilIs, Beverlywood, Los Angeles
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Rudy Cole

circulation for the County
of Los Angeles. Case #
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BS065841 of the Los
Patricia Massachi

Angeles Superior Court,
Advertising Representatives
on November 30, 2000.
Sandra Macabi
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Legal Advertising
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140 South Beverly Drive #201
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
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CARSON, CALIFORNIA
Beverly High senior Kit Karzen finished first, third and fifth in individual races and second in two team races in the USA Cycling Junior
Track National Championships at the ADT Event Center Velodrome in Carson. [See story page 8]

Page 2 • Beverly Hills Weekly

city & schools
Board of Education Tackles
Busy Agenda
McVeigh’s contract extension tabled, bond discussion
continued
By Jacquelyn Ryan
Discussion about BHUSD Bushée. He argued that BHUSD has the
Superintendent Kari McVeigh’s contract second highest funding per pupil in the
contracted project management firm sented before he approved the bond and
extension was tabled as one of the first of state, and the district should aim to have
Strategic Concepts, answered questions requested all information be thoroughly
a long list of agenda items the Board of the second highest salaried teachers in the
about how the Master Plan was formulat- explained to the Board henceforward.
Education debated at Tuesday’s meeting state. Bushée added that some California
ed and explained that the plan is concep- Lurie then challenged Fenton that the
in Beverly High’s Salter Family Theatre. districts pay their teachers $20,000 more
tual and open to changes and modifica- Board was not presenting a united front
McVeigh’s contract extension had been annually than BHUSD.
tions as the district grows. and was focusing on negative items while
tabled once before in November 2007 Several Horace Mann parents also
Christiansen also answered questions the Board should be focusing on the pos-
before incoming Board members Steven addressed the Board to express their
about performing another more in-depth itive to ensure the bond will pass in
Fenton and Brian Goldberg officially opposition to a portion of city’s draft
seismic study on the four K-8 schools in November.
assumed their roles but after they had General Plan that includes the possibility
the district, an agenda item that was unan- Fenton immediately took issue with the
been elected. In the end, the Board post- of rezoning 200 feet of the Horace Mann
imously approved. The study will cost the idea that “sweeping things under the car-
poned the discussion until Goldberg and campus to allow for commercial building.
district over $135,000. pet” for the sake of passing the bond was
Fenton could be included. Parents called the rezoning a “wrong-
Board members Nooshin Meshkaty, a appropriate, arguing that as a public ser-
Tuesday night, the Board agreed to dis- headed approach” and argued that Horace
Brian Goldberg and Steven Fenton were vant he feels he should “level with the
cuss McVeigh’s contract in January 2009. Mann already has the least square-footage
concerned because a seismic evaluation community” on all issues, good or bad.
McVeigh’s current contract expires Sept. of all the schools in the district. Board
of the schools was performed last year. Meshkaty supported Fenton as she
30, 2009. member Myra Lurie said the rezoning is
The Board used results of that evaluation explained that she raises questions in pub-
The superintendent’s was not the only not part of the district’s plan for the
to determine the need for the $334 million lic meetings so that the community is
salary in discussion at the meeting. school, at the end of the meeting.
general obligation bond, Measure E, informed, not necessarily because she
Beverly Hills Education Association pres- In fact, the rezoning of Horace Mann is
which will be on the November ballot. doesn’t know the answer.
ident Chris Bushée pressed the board to not included in the BHUSD Master Plan,
Fenton told Christiansen he was disap-
work diligently toward ending negotia- which was unanimously approved by the city and schools cont. on page 7
pointed all of this information wasn’t pre-
tions in connection BHUSD teacher’s Board at the meeting. The Master Plan is
salary contracts during public comment a “living document” that outlines the

REVISED NOTICE OF COMMISSION VACANCY
period. improvements and projects the district
When BHUSD teachers begin working aims to complete in its future, as Board
this week, they will be receiving the same President Myra Demeter explained.
pay they received in June 2006, said Karen Christiansen, head of BHUSD’s
PLANNING COMMISSION

NOTICE OF COMMISSION VACANCY PLEASE NOTE REVISED DEADLINE DATE TO FILE
APPLICATION:
SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
FINE ART COMMISSION
The Beverly Hills City Council is seeking qualified residents to fill one upcom- The Beverly Hills City Council is seeking qualified residents to fill one upcom-
ing vacancy on the Fine Art Commission. The initial term of office is for two ing vacancy on the Planning Commission. The initial term of office for the
years. At the discretion of the City Council, the Commissioner may be reap- position is two years. At the discretion of the City Council, the Commissioner
pointed to a second term of four years. Each appointee will be required to file may be reappointed to a second term of four years. The appointee will be
an initial and an annual “Statement of Economic Interests” financial disclo- required to file an initial and an annual “Statement of Economic Interests”
sure. financial disclosure.

In order that we may preserve the integrity of the application and interview In order that we may preserve the integrity of the application and interview
process, please direct all inquiries to the City Clerk, City Manager or the process, please direct all inquiries to the City Clerk, City Manager or the
Director of Community Services. Please DO NOT contact the City Director of Community Development. Please DO NOT contact the City
Councilmembers or members of the Fine Art Commission regarding the Fine Councilmembers or the members of the Planning Commission regarding the
Art Commission vacancy. vacancy.

Application forms for the Fine Art Commission, along with a description of the Application forms for the Planning Commission, along with a description of the
duties of a Commissioner, and filing details are available for pickup in the City duties of a Commissioner, and filing details are available for pickup in the City
Clerk’s Office, Room 190, 455 N. Rexford Drive, or call 310.285.2400 to Clerk’s Office, Room 190, 455 N. Rexford Drive, or call 310.285.2400 to
receive an application and information by mail or by e-mail. receive an application and information by mail or by email.

The deadline for filing applications for this Commission is Friday, The deadline for filing applications for this Commission is Tuesday,
October 3, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. September 30, 2008, at 5:30 p.m.

BYRON POPE, CMC BYRON POPE, CMC
City Clerk City Clerk

August 28 - September 3, 2008 • Page 3

deal with it, as we have to.”
Embrey said Beverly Hills emergency

briefs
Beverly Hills distressed by Century
paramedics typically use Cedars-Siani
Hospital and UCLA Medical Center as
their main ERs because both have trauma
centers. However, Century City Doctors
City Doctors Hospital closure Hospital offered closer and sometimes
Beverly Hills residents will lose a pri- quicker service to patients who did not
mary emergency room and hospital on need trauma care.
Saturday when Century City Doctors Beverly Hills city employees who are
Hospital closes its doors for the final injured on the job were previously taken
time. Hospital executives filed Chapter 7 to Century City Doctors Hospital, accord-
bankruptcy protection last Friday. ing to a city spokesperson. City employ-
The hospital, owned by Beverly Hills- ees will now be taken to Cedars-Sinai
based Salus Surgical Group, is estimated Hospital.
to have a debt of more than $60 million, “I’m very sad about the ER. It breaks
according to the Los Angeles Times. my heart to not have an ER on the Beverly Hills receives grant for UNITE program
The emergency room was closed on Westside of town, especially for very Beverly Hills Police Officer Julian Reyes stands with the one of the department’s
Friday and the remaining patients were small things like a child having an ear fixed site automated license plate recognition system.
moved to other hospitals, according to a ache in the middle of the night. It’s nice The City of Beverly Hills has been formally awarded an $849,631 congressionally
hospital insider who did not want to be not to have to go to Cedars or UCLA. But mandated grant for the UNITE program. This three-year grant is the direct result of the
named. I just don’t think you can have an ER congressional earmark that was supported by Congressman Waxman. It will fund the
Century City Doctors Hospital general- that’s not fully operative. You have to be following UNITE components: Data Integration and Data Sharing (DIDS) Web-based
ly fell third on the list of hospitals to bring able to do invasive procedures,” said for- Portal; Mobile Advanced Technology Control Center (MATCC); and Fixed Site
patients during emergencies because it is mer Century City Chamber of Commerce Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) Systems.
not a trauma center and did not have a board member Judie Fenton, who was on
hospital’s board of directors before it was paramedics’ time and put a small strain on ence, according to media accounts.
CAT center for heart attack victims,
taken over by Salus. Beverly Hills’ emergency services. “Mattel had originally asked for $2 bil-
according to Beverly Hills Fire
The Century City Doctors Hospital But Embrey stressed that Beverly Hills lion so this is a great victory for MGA,”
Department spokesperson Mark Embrey.
closed while it was being remodeled in has adequate ambulances and paramedics said spokesperson for MGA David Silver.
“The bottom line effect is that there are
mid-2000s. At that time, Beverly Hills for the Beverly Hills population and call However, MGA has appealed the
now fewer emergency room beds avail-
paramedics transported patients to Cedars on Los Angeles County or City for extra amount of the damages, arguing that the
able in the area. [If] it’s busy in terms of
and UCLA Medical Center as well. help if needed. total awards were duplicative. In a press
lots of people being injured or if we had a
Embrey said that occasional overcrowd- Cedars-Sinai is not anticipating any sig- release, an MGA representative said the
major disaster, there is going to be a neg-
ing at those hospitals and other factors nificant strain on its staff or facilities, total award will only total $20 million.
ative impact,” said Embrey. “But we will
sometimes absorbed extra hours of the according to Joel Geiderman, co-chair- U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson, pre-
man of the emergency department at siding judge for the case, will rule on that
Cedars-Sinai and the medical director for issue this week.
the Beverly Hills Fire Department “We are pleased to have this trial

CLASSICSFORCHARITYXV
Beverly Hills Education Foundation presents “The Century City [ER] was seeing a
low volume of patients, probably 25 to 30
behind us,” said Isaac Larian, CEO of
MGA Entertainment. “We can now con-
patients a day. [Cedars-Sinai] sees about centrate all of our energies on what we do
215 patients a day. So the number of new best - providing dolls and other toys that
patients will be relatively small,” said are the consumers’ first choice.”
Geiderman. The jury found last month that the Bratz
Cedars is planning a 25 percent expan- Dolls were conceived while Larian’s part-
sion of its current space to include an ner Carter Bryant worked for Mattel.
extra 10 to 11 inpatient beds, with con- Since Bryant sold the idea to MGA, the
struction beginning in July if all goes jury found Carter breached his intellectu-
according to plan, said Geiderman. al property contract with Mattel.
“The closing of the emergency is a However, Judge Larson instructed the
problem for the residents of Beverly Hills jury to only consider the first round of
and surrounding areas simply because Bratz Dolls that were released in 2001,
there is now one less emergency room not the following dolls, movies and mer-
available and emergency personell now chandise.
have one less option to take a patient,” In the final days of the trial, MGA’s
A car show sponsored by said former mayor Steve Webb. “There
are only so many beds and so many doc-
lawyer argued the jury should award
Mattel only $30 million since the ‘first-
tors and even if there was a segment [of generation’ dolls were the only dolls in
patients] that wouldn’t have gone to cen- consideration. The first Bratz Dolls only
Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills tury city anyway, there’s still a segment
that would and now they are limited.”
made $4 million in profits, according to
MGA.
Calls to Century City Doctors Hospital “Mattel has pursued this case first and
Over 250 ANTIQUES • CLASSICS • EXOTICS were met with hang-ups by operators. foremost as a matter of principle,” said
CUSTOMS • HOT RODS • MOTORCYCLES CEO and chairman of Mattel Robert A.
Enjoy a day of family fun, food and entertainment! Mattel wins $100 mil- Eckert in a prepared statement. “We have
lion in Bratz Doll an obligation to defend ourselves against
case competitors who choose to engage in
Sunday, September 14, 2008 • 9:00 am - 4:00 pm A months-long fed- fraudulent activities against us. We’re
eral trial in Riverside please that the jury agreed with Mattel
9250 Beverly Boulevard • Beverly Hills
that posed Bratz Dolls that what MGA did was wrong and that
(corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Civic Center Drive) creator MGA damages were awarded.”
Entertainment Inc., Larian’s lawyer Thomas Nolan was not
For registration, entries, sponsorship or additional information call
and its CEO Isaac available for comment by press time.
BHEF 310.557.0651 Larian against Barbie creator Mattel Inc.,
www.bhef.org ended Tuesday when the jury awarded Safe Rides for Normans still alive
Mattel $100 million in damages for copy- The death of a 25-year-old recently in a
right infringement and contract interfer- drunk-driving accident last month

El Rodeo
Class of 1974
Reunion
El Rodeo gradu-
ates gathered for
their 34th class
reunion on Friday,
Aug. 22 at a pri-
vate residence on
Rodeo Drive.

Diana Isaacs, Mike Richman, Alex Schroeder Aaron El Rodeo retired faculty: Jacquie Killam, for- Ketty Bergum and Alicia Saver
Schecter, Greg Nelson, Andy Isenberg, Larry Lotwin mer principal Frank Scott, Tom Garnella,
and Joanna Stingray Steve Fisher, Bob Craig

reminded many Beverly Hills residents of Wednesday night to an audience of city scored below or far below basic in geom- Despite their science scores, eighth
the dangers of drinking and driving. officials, Chamber of Commerce mem- etry. Of the 30 11th graders who took the graders didn’t do as well in mathematics,
The Maple Counseling Center encour- bers and residents. world history test, 89 percent scored far with 38 percent falling below or far below
ages students to decide not to drive if The city is “solid financial shape,” below basic. basic.
they’ve been intoxicated by offering Brucker wrote in his speech, which was However, the high school scored well Horace Mann second- through seventh-
Beverly Hills students free confidential intended to touch on three major topics: in English-language arts with 78 percent grade students performed strongly in
transportation to anywhere they need to spirit, service and success. of ninth-graders, 71 percent of tenth- mathematics, with at least 33 percent of
go within Beverly Hills city limits. The graders and 59 percent of eleventh- each class receiving an advanced score.
program specifically targets Friday and STAR 2008 testing results low for graders receiving proficient or advanced Horace Mann eighth graders didn’t do as
Saturday nights between 10 p.m. and 2 Beverly High scores. well, with only 10 percent advanced
a.m. but rides are available anytime they Compared to other schools in the Beverly Vista held very high scores for scores and 19 percent below or far below
are truly needed, according to a Beverly Hills Unified School District, English-language arts in grades two basic.
spokesperson for The Maple Counseling Beverly High had the lowest average through eight, with between 88 and 96 All test results can be found on the
Center. scores on the California Standardized percent of all classes scoring basic or California Department of Education Web
Established in 1995, the Safe Rides pro- Testing and Reporting (STAR) 2008, above. Though, 25 percent of eighth- site.
gram is provided in conjunction with based on results that came in this month. graders scored below or far below basic in
Beverly Hills Cab, which underwrites the With the exception of general mathe- General Mathematics. New library programs help kids with
program. The Maple Center provides matics test for eighth graders at Beverly El Rodeo seventh graders did well in homework
administrative services. Vista and Hawthorne, no more than 13 English-language arts, with 59 percent With school starting next week, the
A Beverly Hills student simply needs to percent of any elementary school class receiving advanced scores. However, 13 Beverly Hills Public Library is offering
call the toll-free number, identify them- scored below basic or far below basic in percent of sixth-graders fell below basic new programs aimed at helping students
selves as a student and their location and any of the seven test subjects. However, in mathematics. study.
an intern from the Maple Center will Beverly High consistently had high per- Seventy-one percent of Hawthorne’s The Homework Center program,
ensure a cab will be there to pick the stu- centages in each grade score below or far eighth-graders received advanced scores designed for elementary and middle
dent up within a few minutes. The driver below basic in the 15 test subjects. in life science and 68 percent of fourth
will not disclose the student’s identity to For example, 70 percent of 11th graders graders were advanced in mathematics. briefs cont. on page 7
parents or teachers.
There have been almost 100 calls for
this service within the first six months of
this year, according to statistics from the
Maple Center. Fifty students used the
service in 2007.
If avoiding an accident weren’t enough
motivation to stay out from behind the
wheel, the Beverly Hills Police recently
announced that they have increased their
DUI arrests by 10 percent already this
year over last year.
For a free confidential “Safe Ride,” call
(888) 654-3211.

Mayor Brucker gives State of City
address

Beverly Hills Mayor Barry Brucker
was scheduled to give the State of the
City address at Greystone Park


not really something the council can
avoid. A voter approved transient occu-

fromthehillsofbeverly long time supporters Janet and former
pancy tax specifies that much of this rev-
enue be set aside for tourist advertising –
for years a chore of the Chamber and its
CVB.
The city’s hotels act as collection vehi-
Hilton Names First Mayor Max Salter. They first met cles of the TOT and should have a contin-
Biden when their son Michael, then a stu- uing role in how the money is spent.
dent in a Delaware university, was a very Brucker, and his fellow sub-committee
Woman GM youthful volunteer in the equally young member Council member Linda
Biden’s first run for United States Senate. Briskman, will soon suggest a committee
It didn’t take Biden long to tap the fund to oversee the likely transition. Hotel
raising abilities and generosity of the gms will play a major role in coming up
And notes on politics and coffee
Salter’s and he has made their North with recommendations. The likely chair,
By Rudy Cole
Barack Obama could have made his- Murphy’s appointment should also give Linden Drive home a venue for countless and it would be a wise choice, is new
tory by making it possible for a woman to encouragement to her colleagues – that events. Peninsula managing director Offer
become our first vice president, but at there is a gender free chance of becoming Mayor Max, a proud member of the Nissenbaum. Relatively new to Beverly
least the Beverly Hilton has pierced that the boss. Nixon enemies list, may yet become Hills, Offer has no scars of past conflicts,
ceiling by becoming the first major hotel Ambassador Max. Can you imagine the is highly regarded by his colleagues and
in our city to name a female general man- *** good will of any country that samples has broad experience in the hospitality
ager. As for Obama not picking Hillary for Janet’s chicken soup? industry.
This month, Beverly Hilton owner the “dream team” the whole process There are some historical precedents:
Beny Alagem chose Sandy Murphy to seemed clumsy and self-destructive. *** Some years back, the city created an inde-
replace Denny Fitzpatrick who returned Obvious question is why Hillary didn’t Even when you don’t agree with him, pendent marketing committee. This too
to his home in the Pacific Northwest. have her moment with Obama to tell their and we frequently don’t, you have to was a move to separate the Chamber from
Murphy has had 25 years experience in supporters she was not going to be his admire Mayor Barry Brucker’s political tourist promotion. However, when it
the hospitality industry. She is very affa- choice before picking Joe Biden. skills. He took the majority of the coun- became clear the Chamber would lose
ble and told us she is eager to carry on the There is one unlikely scenario: Hillary cil with him on his campaign to take the some of its city support money, the then
tradition of Hilton managers being was consulted, did know early on that she first steps to separate the Conference and Chamber went ballistic. The council
involved in the civic, cultural and philan- would not be Obama’s choice and opted Visitor’s Bureau from the Beverly Hills caved, and eliminated the Marketing
thropic life of the community. not to go all that quietly. Chamber of Commerce. Committee.
Her most recent assignments were as Otherwise, what the Obama people did, Not quite a done deal, but remarkable Some former councilmembers claim
Hilton Corporation area vice president for and no matter how much of a love fest the nevertheless. Technically, the decision is the Marketing Committee did not prove
Southern California. Before that, she convention provides, this was not the really not up to the council. They can effective, but the reality is it never had
had a similar position in Northern party’s finest moment. vote to have the two organizations split, enough time to show what it could do. It
California where she supervised 18 Although I still feel Hillary would have but the council’s power only lies, and that did have star power: the founders includ-
Hilton properties. strengthened the ticket and helped win only is a killer for the Chamber, to with- ed such icons as Fred Hayman, Richard
The Beverly Hilton, owned by Alagem states she carried during the primaries, the hold city funds for both the CVB and the Rosenzweig, Jerry Magnin, the then
and his company, Oasis West, has choice of Joe Biden will be a plus for Chamber unless they follow the council’s Peninsula gm now managing director of
returned to Hilton management. Under Obama. There is no pretense about recommendation. the soon to open Montage Ali Kasikci
former owner Merv Griffin, the hotel Biden, no subtle meanings in what he Both the CVB and the Chamber are and the Beverly Wilshire’s Peter
carried the Hilton flag, but did not pro- believes – he carries it all out there very independent. However, they could not O’Colmain.
vide management services. Together, they honestly and openly. He does have cre- operate as they do without the big bucks Councilmember Nancy Krasne may
have added another Mobil star to the dentials in Obama’s weak areas – defense the city allocates for promotion of have had a Solomon like idea: Separate
Hilton banner – for the first time in its his- and foreign affairs and has always been tourism, economic development – which the two organizations but make the cur-
tory it is a four star property. one of Israel’s best friends in the Senate. means attracting new businesses and rent chamber ceo Dan Walsh head of
Hotels are a male dominated profes- The Biden Beverly Hills connection is keeping them here. both.
sion, in and out of Beverly Hills, but very strong and mainly because of his The funding for tourism promotion is There is one aspect of a possible end of
funding for the Chamber: It could
become truly independent and not an arm
of city government. Often, the Chamber
seems very cautious in fighting city hall –
not really willing to bite the hand that
controls the feeding.
Although I have reservations about the
effort to separate the two agencies, I think
Brucker is doing what he feels is in the
city’s best interests. However, when the
final decision is made, there will be a new
mayor.
We will see which comes first: the
opening of the Montage Beverly Hills or
the remodeled ground floor of city hall?
Reports have the hotel booking events for
later this fall and City Manager ready to
make important changes in how people
who come to the city for service are
served.
No question, we have one of the finest,
customer sensitive group of staffers to be
found anywhere. Visitors with business
at city hall are always amazed at how sen-
sitive staff is to their needs, and that runs
through almost every city agency.
What will be improved is the direct,
open contact that the physical conditions


at city hall inhibited. Look for easier The board has approximately three weeks would “streamline” the school tour
access, greater availability of city workers city and schools cont. from page 3 to find nominees. process. Fenton said he felt it was impor-
and an even friendlier kind of service. The board also unanimously approved Lurie said she wanted to “set the record tant to create a system in which potential
Congratulations to our protective serv- going out for bids (request for qualifica- straight” that many of the district’s BHUSD parents could take tours of the
ices for recently receiving a near $1 mil- tions and request for proposals) for a schools bathrooms had been renovated different campuses from parents of cur-
lion federal grant to improve city security “master architect” for the bond project. with Measure K money, referencing the rent students in the district. Current tours
and safety. Dougherty and Dougherty Architects Beverly Hills Weekly’s recent cover story are set up in clusters and are not always
Our financial partners, the city’s hotels were the recent architects for the school “Is the $334 Million School Bond a available. Fenton believes a parent
are doing extremely well despite the district. Many board members agreed that Blank Check?” [Issue #464]. Though ambassador program would help “seal the
down turn in the economy. We are still the company would be an excellent some of the bathrooms only received aes- deal” in bringing more students into
playing host to visitors from Europe and choice again but wanted to ensure they thetic renovations due to building code or BHUSD.
Asia in almost record numbers and Rodeo send “the right message” to the communi- construction constraints, Lurie said it was Daniel Yosef, a student at Beverly
Drive is also a very busy street. ty by evaluating multiple companies. simply not true to say that the bathrooms High, joined the panel as the new student
New opening worth trying: The The board unanimously approved were not completed under Measure K. member of the Board of Education.
famous Belgian chocolate, Leonidas, has establishing an oversight committee to Fenton submitted a project he called the The next Board of Education meeting
a new and beautiful venue on South identify projects for the Measure E bond. “Parent Ambassador” project, which will be held Sept. 9.
Beverly, in the Four Corners. It is clear-
ly one of the most attractive new shops to briefs cont. on from page 5 DVD player. Teens will be able to relax Education member Steven Fenton, and
open here in years. Aside from a variety school students, will provide eleven fully- in denim lounge chair rockers and sofas. Beverly Hills Weekly publisher Josh
of chocolate offerings, the shop also equipped computers with filtered Internet The Teen Zone is open Monday Gross.
serves coffee early in the a.m. and all day access capabilities for students to through Thursday 3:30 to 8:30 p.m.,
with some good treats. But the interior research information; write papers, and Friday 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday
design alone makes a stop enjoyable. work on eighth-grade standardized test 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 12:00
The four identical buildings at taking skills. The Homework Center will noon to 4:30 p.m.
Charleville and Beverly were created by be open during the Library’s regular To use any program, students must
the late former silent film star Corrine hours. have a Beverly Hills Public Library card
Griffith. She was a strong advocate for The Out-of-School-Time Online in their name.
recognition of South Beverly Drive and Homework Help Program, largely funded
her four buildings, but even she would be by a grant from the California State “30 Years After” Summer Poolside
amazed at what Leonidas has brought to Library and administered by Tutor.com, Mixer
the city. provides Web-based one-on-one home- “30 Years After” held a Summer
work help in math, science, English and Poolside Mixer on Aug. 17 at a private
Rudy Cole served for eight years as a social studies. The program runs every- home in Tarzana’s Silver Hawk Ridge.
member and chair of the city’s one everyday from 1 to 10 p.m. About 250 young professionals and com-
Recreation & Parks Commission. He was The Teen Zone is aimed at for sixth munity leaders attended, speakers includ- Jason Massaband, Elham Makabi,
also President of the Greystone through 12th graders and will feature a ed chief planning deputy for Los Angeles Debbie Farnoush, Bita Golshani, Eli
Foundation and served on three other large screen TV, gaming systems (PS3, City Councilmember Dennis Zine Pakravan
city committees. Rudy can be reached at: Wii, and Xbox), laptops, PCs, Macs and a Jonathan Brand, Beverly Hills Board of

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& scores
Anne Yelsey and Audra Cohen after Kalamazoo, Mich.
receiving wild card berths by winning the

sports U.S. Tennis Association’s girls’ 18 and
under doubles championship.
“It’s a great feeling to be back here,”
Zalameda said. “I know what to expect
here. I’m a lot more experienced.”
Southern California Summer Junior
Open and Satellite
Jackson Leipzig of Beverly Hills won
the boys’ 12 and under singles division,
defeating top-seeded Sidney Tan of
Paysinger Pleased With Zalameda was to play a first-round Lakewood, 7-6, 6-4, in the final.
mixed doubles match with partner Kaes Leipzig, who was seeded second,
Van’t Hof Wednesday after the Beverly defeated Derek Tong of Rancho Palos
Norman Football Team’s Hills Weekly’s deadline against Verdes, 6-1, 6-0, in the quarterfinals and
Vladimira Uhlirova and Martin Damm of Kawani Stanley of Lakewood, 6-2, 6-1, in
the Czech Republic. the semifinals.
The tournament was conducted July 28
Early Practice Performance
Junior Tennis through Aug. 1.
BHHS alumnus returns to tennis’ U.S. Open. U.S. Tennis Association Boys’ 16 and
Under National Championship U.S. Tennis Association Boys 18 and
Beverly High junior Daniel Ho and Under Clay Court National
By Steven Herbert
The initial practice sessions for the have participated in contact drills,
partner Joshua Tchan of Woodland Hills Championships
Beverly High football team have “gone Paysinger said.
reached the doubles quarterfinals, win- Ho defeated Jonathan Chang of
well,” coach Carter Paysinger said The Normans are scheduled to open
ning three matches, the first two in Houston, 6-2, 6-0, in the round of 256,
Monday. their season Sept. 6 against Marshfield
straight sets and Kyle Roth of New York City, 6-1, 6-
The Normans began fall practice last (Mass.) at Nickoll Field.
Ho and Tchan lost to top-seeded Evan 1, in the round of 128 before losing to
Thursday, starting a 10-day period
King of Chicago and Raymond Sarmiento Tennys Sandgren of Gallatin, Tenn., the
Paysinger described as a “vital” and will Professional Tennis
of Fontana, 6-4, 6-2, in the quarterfinals. tournament’s No. 1 seed, 6-2, 6-1, in the
have an impact on its entire season. Riza Zalameda, a 2004 Beverly High
King and Sarmiento went on to win the round of 64 in the 18 and under singles
“Things that you install during two-a- graduate, is expected to play a first-round
championship. division.
days are what you do for the rest of the women’s doubles match at the U.S. Open
Ho and Tchan were seeded fifth. Sandgren won two more matches to
season,” said Paysinger, who is beginning today in New York City against Arantxa
In singles play, Ho won two main draw reach the quarterfinals, where he was
his 19th season as the Normans’ coach. Parra Santonja and Carla Suarez Navarro,
matches, both in straight sets, after receiv- eliminated.
“Anything new that we might do during both from Spain.
ing a first-round bye, then lost to Ben The tournament was conducted July 13-
the season will all come off what we do.” Zalameda and partner Tracy Lin earned
Guthrie of Plano, Texas, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (5) 20 in Delray Beach, Fla.
The first priority for the period is to a wild card berth into the women’s dou-
in the round of 32.
“get back into football shape, meaning bles draw by winning the NCAA
Ho was seeded 18th. Guthrie, who was Cycling
hitting and tackling and wearing the gear women’s doubles championship May 26.
seeded 12th, won one more main draw Beverly High senior Kit Karzen won
and the heat,” Paysinger said. The match will be Zalameda’s third
match, then lost in the quarterfinals. the boys’ 17-18-year-old division’s points
The initial fall practice period is the women’s doubles match in the U.S. Open.
The tournament was held Aug. 1-10 in race Aug. 14 at the USA Cycling Junior
first time since last season the players She lost in 2003 and 2004 with partners


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