What is It? Special Edition – Summers Past:

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Sue

Howard Yonet explained that this “What Is It?” story is bit complicated because it spans a thousand years.

In the year 1007 AD the Chinese Qingming Emperor sponsored summer festivities for his citizens on a river. He was so pleased that he had the best artists in China paint a huge scroll of the event. That scroll today hangs in the Forbidden Palace and is considered one of the most valuable paintings in the world.

Over the centuries other paintings of “A Summer Day on the River in Cathay” have been commissioned by various emperors.

The one I like best is the Yongzheng version of 1730 AD because all the figures and structures and nature ..and there are thousands….are outlined in ink and this gives it incredible detail.

This scroll was smuggled out of China by Chiang Kai-Shek when his Government and Army fled to Taiwan after World War II. It resides today in the National Museum of Taiwan in Taipei.

In the 1950’s the museum, in order to raise money, created wonderful quality photo copies of about 25% size (12 ft. x 1 ft.) of the original and sold them in their gift shop.

Somehow one of these scrolls found its way to the Santa Monica Salvation Army Store and I bought it for $10. These are photos that I took of sections of it.

WHAT IS IT?

(Editor’s note: Palisades resident Howard Yonet has an interesting collection of curios from around the world and with his permission, Circling the News is publishing one a week. About the collector: Dr. Howard Yonet was born in Brooklyn in 1934 and attended Brooklyn College. He went to Baylor Medical School and then returned to do an internship at Bellevue Hospital. Yonet completed his residency at the Manhattan V.A. and the Montefiore Hospital. During this time he went skiing in Vermont and the Catskills, and while traveling found barns filled with early American pieces. This led to his interest in American Antiques.

In 1965, he married Daniele, who was originally from Nancy, France. During the Vietnam War, Yonet was drafted as a medical officer and stationed in Landstuhl, Germany (1966-1969). This was close to the French border, which meant he and Daniele could visit her family.

While abroad, the Yonets took weekend trips through France and Italy, purchasing many interesting pieces at flea markets.

The family settled in Pacific Palisades in 1970 and Yonet practiced general radiology until 2006. He continued to acquire antiques and collectables at estate and garage sales and the Salvation Army Store. He also enjoyed looking for collectibles while traveling in Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Massachusetts. Daniele’s family helped add to his collection.)

Posted in What is it? | 3 Comments

Looking Back at a Four-Year Journey

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Sue

Ronald Reagan Post 283 is one of the major sponsors/donors for the Palisades 4th of July parade.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT

 When Jim Cragg was elected commander of the Ronald Reagan American Legion Post 238 in Pacific Palisades in 2020, the Post was a hidden-away gem, with little or no community interaction.

Cragg over the next four years opened the doors, figuratively and literally, to ensure this Post and its values would become a cornerstone in one of the most influential communities in the United States. Cragg’s mission was to improve the standing and perception of veterans.

First his team would undertake a multi-million-dollar remodel to the Post headquarters, which was built in 1967 and was in desperate need of renovations to make it ADA accessible.

Next, he would restructure the Post’s operating processes to promote equity and transparency and establish a separate grant-making foundation to regulate its financial gifting. 

 Finally, under Cragg’s leadership, the post members invested in developing programs and events to bond Veteran families, support Veteran career enhancement, and provide Post members with opportunities to continue to serve the community and their nation. 

 But first Cragg needed to establish this American Legion as family-friendly center as it had been when it was founded in 1927.

 He was tasked with changing the perception in town that the Legion was only for a few war-weary veterans. He made it okay for people to stop by and discover the programs – and in the process membership went up because there were many more people in town who were eligible to join but hadn’t because of the perception. 

 Although the Legion Hall was serviceable, the joke around town was that the building resembled the Post Office next door and that people frequently walked into the Legion to drop off their mail. 

The reopening of the Post after the remodel had several dignitaries (left to right ) Councilmember Traci Park, actor Joe Mantenga, Ronald Reagan Foundation Representative John Lehne, Commander Jim Cragg and Past 283 Commander Eric Measles.

 Cragg and his team wanted to create the look and feel of an exclusive club worthy of the Pacific Palisades.  A wooden exterior resembling old Navy sailing ships with military brass lettering greets visitors as they approach a lobby adorned with a mural dedicated to the diversity of American Veterans. 

 Visitors are also greeted by a modern painting of Ronald Reagan, who belonged to Post 283, or “Comrade Reagan” in Legion terminology. Reagan serves as an inspiration that any Veteran can achieve great heights. 

 The decor of the main hall resembles a military museum with a subtle effort to show that veterans of all generations served and sacrificed similarly no matter their role or standing. 

 Once the remodel was done, the fun and camaraderie returned with this Post’s legendary dances, comedy events and lounge nights.  A relaxed dining and lounge area are supported by a modern bar and kitchen facility. 

 This helped create the setting for the community-engaging events envisioned by Cragg and was epitomized in a Grand Re-Opening Ceremony in January 2023. 

 Shutting down the street, the community came together for a ceremony emceed by actor Joe Mantegna, attended by local politicians and dignitaries, and with music provided by the University of Southern California’s marching band. The opening fulfilled the vision of its coordinators, Cragg, Jay McCann (Judge Advocate) and Kevin Niles (Adjutant).

American Legion Commander Jim Cragg shows the postcard, which was delivered to Palisadians.

 Once the building was reopened, Cragg saw the Legion as a place of leadership. He worked with community leaders, police and firefighters.  He created a postcard with a phone directory of emergency numbers “Who to Call for Help in the Palisades” and it was mailed to every address in Pacific Palisades. 

 Cragg, through the Legion, hosted briefings by the West LA Division LAPD, LA Sheriff’s Department the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness, Station 69 LAFD, and an LASD briefing on Active Shooter Response, and invited the community to attend. These town hall meetings were free to the public. 

A Navy Seal medic teaches First Aid, while Jim Cragg observes.

 During the COVID shutdowns, Cragg and Post members Kurt Heite and Peng Vang distributed face masks in the community and to hospitals. The masks were sewn by Cragg’s company, S.O.Tech Inc. 

 Once everything reopened, Cragg organized classes for members and local educators in First Aid, Stop the Bleed, CPR and Tactical Emergency Casualty Care that was taught by himself and other Veteran medics. 

 The Post, which already had a robust HAM radio program dedicated to supporting community emergencies, was revitalized.

 This Legion sent chaplains, funding and personnel to assist the homeless veteran issues developing at the West LA Veterans Administration.

 Cragg even instituted a program called “Friends of Post 283” to embrace veteran-friendly citizens who didn’t meet the membership requirement of having served in the US military or having a close relative who has served, but who wanted to support veterans. “Friends” can attend events but do not have a vote in membership meetings.

In parallel, the Post’s Chapter of the American Legion Auxiliary launched a women’s self-defense class and are planning a young people’s etiquette and leadership class based on the West Point model.

 As a successful businessman and retiring Army Reserve Officer, who is completing a 30-year career in Special Operations, Jim Cragg wanted to institute projects that enhanced the careers of Veterans. He knew that veterans are ingrained with leadership, teamwork, organizational skills and perform well under pressure. He invited speakers, trainers, and hosted networking opportunities. 

 The highpoint of this effort was a business leadership discussion led by Medal of Honor Recipients Gary Littrell and Jim McCloughan that attended by veterans and public servants from across Southern California. 

The Post has also supported events with Toastmasters, the Heroes Linked Veterans professional networking site, the Polk Institute’s Veterans Shark Tank, the West Point Society and the Association of the US Army. In conjunction with the Sons of the American Legion, the Post has hosted speaking presentations and networking events.

 As the father of a nine-year-old he also wanted to promote family programs at the American Legion.

 “Veterans aren’t just struggling to improve their jobs, they are struggling to get quality time with their families, too,” Cragg said, and established the Veteran Family Weekend at Emerald Bay.

Members of the American Legion family and their families camped at Emerald Bay.

 More than 100 veterans and their families went on the first trip to Catalina Island and stayed at the Scout Camp. Events include using night-vision goggles, an emergency radio, survival field craft, drones and SCUBA . Last year guest speaker Medal of Honor winner, Gary Littrell spoke to kids about values. 

 Another event hosted at the Post this past year included five Medal of Honor Recipients on stage talking to young people about the actions that prompted the award. 

 “Watching my daughter stand up and say what freedom meant to her in answer to a question from a man who received the Medal of Honor was one of my highpoints as a Legionnaire and as a parent,” Cragg said. 

 Post 283 has multiple kids’ programs that include leadership classes, picnics, and camping, and in the future, there may also be drone, SCUBA and HAM Radio classes.

Veterans teaching youth map reading at Emerald Bay.

 Cragg asked Chaplain Joe Ramirez to establish a non-denominational spiritual support program that has evolved into Sunday services at the Post 283.

 “My hope is that this all comes together to form a place in the Palisades that attracts Veterans and non-Veterans alike to share in camaraderie, enhance our families’ lives, and engage our skills to support our community,” Cragg said. 

 His vision is exciting, his enthusiasm contagious, and in the past four years, this Legion has attracted a large number of new members.

 Now that Ramirez is the new Post 283 Commander, what’s next for Cragg?

“We’ve provided a fulsome image of the successful veteran family in the community, but now we need to change the way society perceives and treats its veterans,” said Cragg, who with McCann and Legionnaire Jason Mayo have crafted a resolution “Restore Respect for the Military and Veterans,” which has been approved by the Post 283 and now needs approval by the California and National Legion organizations.

If passed, Legionnaires would go to schools and provide a positive role model to help change the way young people currently regard veterans. 

 “Locally, we intend to approach the media to discuss improving the way veterans and active duty are portrayed and to diminish the stigma that has been put on those who have worn the uniform,” said Cragg, who will speak at the Pentagon this month to provide awareness of the efforts at the Legion to change the way American society has stigmatized military and veterans.

Lt. Colonel Jim Cragg, shown with his partner Dr. Susan Marusak and their daughter Charley, accepted the Veteran of the Year award at the UCLA November 8, 2021 game.

Posted in Community | 1 Comment

Borgeson Family Wins 4th of July Home Decorating Title

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Sue

This home won the 2024 Home Decorating contest.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN

When judges stopped to look at the decorations at the Borgesons’ home on Ocampo, Judge Steve Guttenberg (actor, author and former honorary mayor) said, “It’s so festive. It has such joy and happiness and it’s patriotic.”

There was bunting, flags, a festive Uncle Sam lawn ornament, red and white ball lights and a little sign in the front.

“The sign says America, so I know where I am,” Guttenberg said. “This a very nice one.”

And after the votes were tallied, Guttenberg said about Ocampo, “It’s great, it was my first choice.”

David, Pat and Bentleigh Borgeson’s residence on Ocampo is decorated every Christmas and 4th of July. The decorations are always done in a tasteful manner, but also joyous and capture the spirit of the season, but this is the first time they’ve ever entered their home in a contest.

“We’re not really into contests,” said Pat who is from Canada. “We’re just into the 4th of July. Dave loves this country and taught us to love the country.”

Dave, who is originally from New Jersey, served in Vietnam. He is a member of the Ronald Reagan American Legion Post 283. Pat and daughter Bentleigh, are members of Post 283 Auxiliary.

She said that Joan Sather [the late and former sponsor of the contest] always wanted the family to enter. Palisades Americanism Parade Association Board member Rob Weber wanted them to enter.

So, this year to help support the annual contest, Pat said, “Sure, we’ll enter.”

Decorating is a family affair, with adult children Greg and Bentleigh helping. “My brother helped hang the bunting,” Bentleigh said. “I did the flags around the house.”

Perhaps the only dispute in the family about decorating is the timing. “Dave likes to put up the decorations early,” Pat said. Christmas decorations go up in the beginning of December and the 4th decorations were up about three weeks early.

The couple will celebrate their 53rd anniversary in November.

Initially Pat was engaged to a doctor who was doing a residency in L.A. County, and she began teaching special education at a private school in the valley.

When the engagement broke off, she met Dave at a party he was giving in his West L.A. apartment – “his parties were legendary,” Pat said.

He must have been shocked when at the party, Pat asked if she could borrow a book on ecology. “The next night he asked me out,” she said.

They were married in 1971, purchasing a home on Iliff in 1972 for $49,000.

“I was looking for a house before we were married,” Dave said, and discovered Pacific Palisades because “a friend from New Jersey live in the Palisades.”

Their two children were born while they lived on the Alphabet Streets: the family moved to the Huntington Palisades in 1976.

While in the Army, Dave was an aerial rocket artillery pilot and earned a Distinguished Flying Cross during his tour of duty (1965-1968). He was shot down and escaped as the sole survivor from the wreck. He spent six weeks in a hospital in Okinawa, before returning to fly with the Black Cats of Phu Loi for the remainder of his tour click here.

After his service with the Army, Dave worked in sales for several companies including IBM, Science Dynamics and Memorex.

Pat transferred from teaching to sales. She started with Waterford crystals, then went to work for Lalique, a French luxury glassmaker, founded in 1888. She was the regional manager when she retired.

Pat, Dave and Bentleigh play bocce on the Pompeii team and Pat is a pickleball aficionado.

When asked if they have any decorating tips, Dave said “start early, and bunting is kind of easy.”

Pat added, “Have decorations that represent America’s freedoms.”

Bentleigh, who was the number one tennis player at Palisades High School when she attended, added that everyone should decorate because, “the more competition, the more exciting!”

The Borgeson family captured first.

Posted in Community, Holidays | 1 Comment

Home Decorating Contest Explained by Judges

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Sue

Judges and sponsors posted after the house on Ocampo was declared the winner (left to right) Rich Wilken, Susan Montgomery, Violetta Hargitay, Steve Guttenberg, Rob Weber and Daphne Gronich.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN

The contest, which started in 2008, was seen as a way to encourage people to decorate homes in a patriotic manner for the 4th of July. The process is easy, one decorates a residence prior to July 2 and submits a photo on the Palisades4th.com website.

Photos are examined and the top houses are selected for a final viewing on the afternoon of July 3. A band of merry judges hop in golf carts and tour the homes before voting on who should receive first and second place and honorable mention.  There is also the Joan Sather award given to the home for its outstanding use of homemade decorations.

In conjunction with the Palisades Americanism Parade Association (PAPA), a local realtor helped host the contest. Until her passing in 2022, Sotherby’s Joan Sather was accompanied by Susan Montgomery in judging perspective residences.

This year Montgomery and colleague Violetta Hargitay were joined by Kent Sather, Parade Marshal Rich Wilken and Grand Marshal Steve Guttenberg in the 2024 contest. They were accompanied by non-voting guests PAPA President Matt Rodman, treasurer Daphne Gronich and board member Rob Weber.

Little did homeowners know that they faced judges with critical expertise. Despite the fact that Guttenberg is a well-known actor and an author of three books and a former Palisades Honorary Mayor, he also has significant judging experience. He was part of a panel for two Halloween home decorating contests in New York City, in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

This was to be his third July 4th decorating contest, having previously served as a judge in Massapequa and Sag Habor, New York.

Asked what major qualities were needed to be a judge, Guttenberg said, “discernment. One has to have a great amount of design excellence, but most importantly you have to be able to be bribed.” He claimed to have received a Bulova watch as payment from a prior contest.

Judge Steve Guttenberg takes a break from the arduous job of judging.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN

Wilken, an architect, chimed in with characteristics of a good judge, “You have to have a fantastic eye and there has to be proportional dynamics with the decorations.”

He added, “Any house I once designed that’s entered in the contest, gets extra points.”

Judge Rich Wilken tallying points.
Photo; RICH SCHMITT/CTN

The prizes were significant and included two gift cards to Casa Nostra, to Pearl Dragon and Garden Café; a gift card to Taj Palace and Café Vida: a pizza party to Flour Pizza; three gift cards to Viktor Benes Bakery; four classes with Neighborhood Pilates; three gift cards to Ogden’s Cleaners; three gift cards to Anawalt; two gift cards to Palisades Barber; and a card for Black Ink.

Golf carts went up and down the streets of Pacific Palisades, before judges tallied their choices.

First place this year went to the Borgesons on Ocampo (see story). Second went to Cali Senkpiel and her husband Paul Ben-Victor in the Highlands. They promised they were going to try for first place in 2025.

This home in the Highlands took second place.

The Joan Sather Memorial Sponsor’s Award went to Ann Vitti and Don Bragen for the “patriotic” joke tree. Located on Fiske one can walk by daily to see the joke of the day, a tradition that Vitti started during Covid and has continued.

The decorating around the joke tree, won the Joan Sather Award.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN

The two honorable mentions this year went to the Taper family (Almar) and Cindy Kirven (Radcliffe).

 

Home Decorating Winners:

2008 Hoffman family (Via de la Paz)

2009 No contest held

2010 Mercer family (Toyopa)

2011 Almaraz family (Sunset)

2012 Hassett family (De Pauw)

2013 Mercer family (Toyopa)

2014 John Riley and Bev Lowe (Kagawa)

2015 Sutton Family (Galloway)

2016 Hassett family (De Pauw)

2017 Simon family (Toyopa)

2018 Trott/Connolly (Haverford)

2019 Farnham/Robletto (Via de la Paz)

2020 Simon Family (Toyopa)

2021 Mercer Family (Toyopa)

2022 Marschall Family (Altata)

2023 Mass Family (Alma Real)

2024 Borgeson Family (Ocampo)

 

Posted in Holidays | Leave a comment

Park Board Seeks Resident Input on New Playground Design

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Sue

Former Park Advisory Board (PAB) Member Susan McInerney argued in 2014 that an inclusive playground would be an opportunity to build something exciting to replace the 20-year-old non-ADA compliant playground at the Palisades Recreation Center.

Over the next 10 years, board members came and went, and at least annually, the PAB would request a new ADA playground and bathrooms at 851 Alma Real. Nothing.

In June of 2022, the City Council passed a motion that all playgrounds receive funding to ensure every playground is modernized and has resilient surfacing and shade.

A month later the Pacific Palisades PAB sent a letter to Jimmy Kim, Rec and Parks acting general manager, stating “the condition of our ADA noncompliant playground and bathrooms are dangerous and unsuited to the standards of the LA City Department of Recreation and Parks. These conditions pose an immediate safety risk to users, as well as an ongoing liability risk to the City of Los Angeles.

“We have brought this matter to the attention of city elected officials and park management for years. In fact, on October 17, 2019, we wrote a letter to RAP listing our priorities, and the ADA violations were clearly delineated. While other priorities were addressed and we appreciate that, nothing has been done regarding the playground and the bathrooms.”

 It is 2024 and the playground at the Rec Center is now 30 years old and still not ADA compliant . . . and there is no shade at the playground.

But, with help from the City Councilmember’s office and RAP, it appears a new playground is imminent. Three playground designs have been given to the Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) and residents are asked to weigh in on their favorite. https://pacpalicc.org/

The PPCC asks you to send your feedback by email info@pacpalicc.org and those results will be shared with the PAB, which will hold its meeting on July 18.

 

 

 

PLAYGROUND LEVELS:

 

ADA compliant, now L.A. City’s standard allows a child in a wheelchair to get in and around on the playground, but does not necessarily allow the child to use the equipment.

 

Accessible playgrounds are built so that a person using a wheelchair may use the equipment. It may have pieces that move or make music, and there may be an accessible swing seat and quiet places for children.

 

Inclusive or universally accessible playground goes a step further than accessible by challenging every child at his or her level and encouraging children of all abilities to play.

Posted in City Councilmember Traci Park, Kids/Parenting, Parks | 5 Comments

Homelessness in L.A.: Big Ship, No Rudder

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Sue

(Editor’s note: The following article appeared in CityWatch on July 8 and is reprinted with permission.)

TIM CAMPBELL

When, LAHSA announced a nearly imperceptible reduction in homelessness at a public relations event on June 28, leaders from Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum, LAHSA’s CEO, to Mayor Bass claimed it was a sign L.A. was “turning a corner,” but much work needed to be done.

The small decrease, if it exists, has come after years of promises of “bold action” from LAHSA and other agencies, yet, structurally, very little has changed. As I explained in my last column, the supposed reduction has come at a huge cost, with massive budget increases poured into the same programs we’ve seen in previous years.  So, we really need to ask ourselves what has changed, and who’s in charge?

The answer to the first question is easy: Not much. Other than the City’s Inside Safe program, which is really just a shelter program on steroids, there has been no structural change in most homelessness programs.

LAHSA still doles out millions to providers for street outreach, achieving nowhere near the anemic 20 percent shelter/housing targets in their contracts.

Hundreds of millions are paid to the same small cadre of nonprofits like St. Joseph Center, PATH, and HOPICS; there are no new players on the field.

The majority of the performance measures one finds on the City’s homelessness programs website are merely workload statistics, and not necessarily related to getting people off the streets.

For example, on the website’s LAHSA metrics report page, the performance target for street outreach is getting 20 percent of contacted clients into interim housing.  However, the top three services provided are: 1) providing basic hygiene items; 2) providing food and drink; 3) distributing service information or brochures.

None of these are performance measures—they barely qualify as workload indicators. Nor do they show how they helped get people housed. Distributing service information is not the same as a housing intake action.  In truth, there is little new to be found in homelessness programs; merely the infusion of huge sums of money to produce negligible gains.

The answer to the second question is more vexing: who’s in charge? Who is steering this $4 billion ship and monitoring the performance of thousands of employees?  The short answer is nobody.

Lindsey Horvath

It is rudderless, or at best on autopilot. Let’s look at the June 28 PIT count presentation. The top three leaders bragging about “turning the corner” were Dr. Adams Kellum, Mayor Bass, and Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.

Each of these three head agencies that neither answer to, nor have authority over the others. Indeed, the relationship among the three is so cozy, it is highly unlikely any accountability will be imposed.

Mayor Bass sits on LAHSA’s Board, of which Supervisor Horvath is chair. Dr. Adams Kellum is the former head of St. Joseph Center and was Mayor Bass’ first advisor on homelessness before taking the LAHSA job. Besides being chair of LAHSA, Horvath heads the County Board of Supervisors.

LAHSA CEO Valecia Adams Kellum and l.A. Mayor Karen Bass believe in housing first.
(X-formerly Twitter)

In theory, these relationships could foster mutual accountability and coordination, but in reality they do little more than cement the siloed, process-based approach that has defined homelessness programs for decades.

Isn’t LAHSA supposed to captain the behemoth homelessness ship? According to its mission statement, LAHSA, a joint powers authority created by the City and County, exists to “To drive the collaborative strategic vision to create solutions for the crisis of homelessness grounded in compassion, equity, and inclusion.”  The verb “drive” suggests a leading role, of guiding homelessness interventions throughout the County.

The reality is quite different.  On November 14, 2023, LAHSA’s Director of Government Affairs, Sally Malone, made a presentation to the Malibu-Los Virgenes Council of Governments (COG).

The COG is a joint powers authority of northwestern L.A. County city governments intended to provide regional coordination to address common problems like homelessness. During the Q&A session following the presentation, Malone admitted LAHSA has been primarily a pass-through agency that writes checks to other agencies and has never had nor imposed performance measures on its contractors.

This is hardly the agency driving a homelessness strategy that is supposed to help more than 75,000 people.

Each agency: the City, County, and LAHSA, have mission statements regarding homelessness, as do the myriad programs under their authority. What is missing is an overarching strategic plan to coordinate all these activities.

Everyone agrees homelessness needs to be reduced, but nobody seems to have a clear path to that goal. You can search the City, County and LAHSA websites and not find a unified plan to address homelessness.

The vague precepts of “Housing First” permeate policy statements, but there are no clear short- or long-term goals associated with them.  The narrative, such as it is, seems to be: “To reduce homelessness, we need to house people. To keep people housed, we need to provide many of them support services like mental health and addiction recovery.”

Towards that end, LAHSA should handle most street outreach through its provider network; the City should provide housing; the County should provide support services, and LAHSA once again steps in the coordinate all of this activity.

As we know, the reality is disappointingly different. LAHSA’s outreach efforts are often so scattershot, individual City Councilmembers contract with their own set of providers to deliver the same services in their districts, (hence the multi-million-dollar contracts with CIRCLE team providers like Urban Alchemy).

We also know the County rarely delivers on its promise to provide consistent services to those in need. The City has fallen far behind its housing creation goals and seems to have trouble opening the housing it does have, as evidenced by leaving 1,200 Project Homekey units vacant for as much as two years.

There are many reasons why homelessness programs have produced few positive outcomes. One is that the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) that is supposed to provide client information across jurisdictions is underused and contains incomplete information.

If the City and County can’t share client information, they cannot coordinate services.

Another reason is the focus on process instead of outcomes in most performance measures.  For example, many reports on the City’s website refer to shelter or housing “placements” rather than unique individuals housed.  A placement is an action, not a person, and as the reports often mention, multiple placements may be made for the same person.

But the overriding reason homelessness programs have failed is because no one is steering the ship.  There is no single central authority or person who can tell LAHSA, the City, and the County to work together toward a commonly shared goal.

Even within these agencies, there is no single point of control.  The County’s Homeless Initiative office is supposed to coordinate County programs, but it has no authority over the jigsaw puzzle of departments providing services.

Mayor Bass recently announced the creation of a Deputy Mayor for Homelessness and a new Homeless Department, but unless the position is given operational authority over departments, nothing will change. And that authority will be difficult to attain, since LA has a weak mayor form of government.

The Mayor has little authority over operations now, so there’s no reason to think it will magically be granted to a new deputy. LAHSA, despite its lofty mission statement, has no authority over City and County operations.

Rather than admit the current structure doesn’t work, and commit to focusing on a unified approach, leaders continue supporting a failed system. 

Since 2016, the budgets and staffing of many of LA’s homelessness programs have ballooned as much as tenfold, yet the best they can claim is a two percent decrease in homelessness after six years of major increases.  That is not success; that is not “turning a corner.”  “Locking arms” simply isn’t enough.

The only way to achieve success will be to create a unified structure with one lead agency, and to have that agency develop realistic and meaningful goals for its subordinate agencies.  Until then, we can expect more of the same.

(Tim Campbell is a resident of Westchester who spent a career in the public service and managed a municipal performance audit program.  He focuses on outcomes instead of process.)

 

Posted in Homelessness | 2 Comments

Beware of CVS Caller Scam

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Sue

 

A reader wanted to alert people who use the CVS Pharmacy in Pacific Palisades of a scam. He said, “I received four phone calls in the last 24 hours from someone claiming to be from the CVS Pharmacy in Pacific Palisades.

“The female caller has my last name and asks to update my ‘Medicare’ information.”

He said the voice has an accent, possibly from the Philippines. The caller identification area codes for two of the calls were from Orange and Santa Ana, California.

“I spoke to a pharmacist at CVS Palisades who assured me the calls were not made by anyone at the Palisades Pharmacy, especially because one of the calls was before 8 a.m.” the reader said and added that the pharmacist was not aware of any other Palisades CVS Pharmacy clients who had received similar calls.

The pharmacist felt the calls were attempts by someone to obtain information for illicit purposes.

The reader said, “I hope anyone else receiving such calls will avoid providing any personal information and becoming a victim of this scam operation.”

Another reader also said she had received the calls and said, “They are trying to get people to give them their Medicare card numbers. Be careful.” The reader said they had her personal information, including her name, address, even her primary care doctor’s name.

Remember never give personal information, including social security numbers, Medicare info, birthdates or other information to anyone over the phone.

If you are not sure if it is a scam, hang up and call CVS back – or whoever claims be calling you.

Posted in Crime/Police | 5 Comments

The 2024 Will Rogers 5/10K  Run Saw Fast Times . . . and Fun

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Sue

Almost 3,000 runners were on the course.                                                                                                   Photo: RICH SCHMITT

Many runners had best times when they crossed the  finish lines at the 2024 July 4th 5/10K Will Rogers Race. While the rest of the southland was under an extreme heat wave, there was cloud cover and even a light mist, at the start of the race by the Palisades Library.

Photo: RICH SCHMITT

More than 2,864 runners, walkers and people pushing strollers traveled on the course through the Huntington Palisades. As the 5K runners (2,097) made a turn on Sunset, the 10K runners (742) continued past Chautauqua and onto the switch backs on the back side of Will Rogers State Park, before doubling back into the Village.

Prior to the race, long-time resident and the stadium voice of the L.A. Rams Sam Lagana served as emcee with fellow host and former Citizen of the Year Jimmy Dunne.

Mia Ruhman sang the National Anthem.

Palisadian Mia Ruhman received applause and cheers for her stirring rendition (and high notes) of the National Anthem. A UCLA student studying musical composition, this classically trained singer, also sings every Sunday at the United Methodist Church.

Then race starter, President and CEO of Saint John’s Health Center Foundation Sheryl Bourgeois, welcomed the runners to the starting line, before sounding the horn to start the race.

The pace car was a sleek, white Lexus LC500 convertible special edition, provided by Santa Monica Lexus, one of the race sponsors. Driving the car was American Legion Post 283 Commander Joe Ramirez.

In 2015, it was discovered that the 5K was 427 yards short and the course was corrected and now meets USATF standards. Prior to that time Peter Gilmore had the fastest time with 14:10, but after the added yardage, Jake Ratkovich with a time of 15:41 set the new course record in 2022.

5K RACE:

Brentwood’s Augustus (Gus) Marshall, 22, who crossed the finish line in 15:40 trimmed a second off and now has the course record. Second place went to Blake Sigworth, with a time of 15:54 and third was Aaron Pavon, 16:02.

Augustus (Gus) Marshall was the winner of the 5K.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT

The last time Marshall, a runner for UC Santa Barbara, ran the course was “when I was little.” He attended Loyola High School and after crossing the finish line in 2024 said, “It’s a lot harder than how you remember it.” He said he probably went out too fast, because the first mile is downhill and “tempting,” and added “The competition was really great.”

A student athlete on the University of Santa Barbara Track and Cross-Country teams, Marshall is a senior majoring in economics and accounting and was elected as the secretary and treasurer of UCSB’s Student Athletic Advisory.

Finishing first in the woman’s 5K was Phoebe Benun, 17, (19:15). Second was Caitlin Chrisman, 38, (19:43) and third went to Mallory Weddle, 39 (19:46).

Phoebe Benun won the 5k.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT

Grace Zamudio has the course record 18:36, which was set 2015 with 18:36, and prior to that in 1995 Annetta Luevano went 16:29.

Benun is interesting because she didn’t start running track or cross country until she was a freshman in high school.

“I played soccer,” she said, and realized one of the reasons she liked soccer was because of the running. Last year she gave up soccer to focus solely on running and already last year as a junior at Santa Monica High School was being recruited by colleges.

“I was second in the women’s division last year, so I came back for redemption,” Benun said. In June, she ran in the Nike Outdoor Nationals in the 3000-, 3200- and 2-mile races.

Her mom Sue, 58, was first in her division (21:35) and seventh overall. She said the family has done the Will Rogers Race before and that Phoebe’s first race was probably when she was pushed in a stroller. When Phoebe was four, she was in the Kid’s Fun Run, and by the time she was 9 or 10 she was running the 5K.

“In her sophomore year, she was sixth in the state in cross country,” Sue said. “I ran the same events in high school, but she’s faster than I ever was. I’m proud of her.”

10K RACE:

This year was a two-peat in the 10K, with last year’s winners Henry Didden and Laura Osman successfully defending their titles.

Henry Didden won the 10K.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT

Didden, 20, who won in 2023 (34:04), shaved about a minute off his time, winning in 32:46. He was followed by Matthew Walker, 24, with a 33:05 and Mitchell Majors, 14, ran a 36:07.

It was unclear whether Didden would be able to run in this race on July 4. Three days earlier, he was skateboarding and broke his jaw. The stitches were still apparent under his chin. His proud grandmother Gail Didden was the first to welcome him over the finish line.

After attending Viewpoint High School, he went to Bucknell University where he runs track and cross country at the Division I school. This past year the junior took first at an invitational in the 1500 (3:59.78) and at the 2024 IC4A/ECAC Outdoor track and field Championships he took 8th in the 5000 (14:32.15). His mile time is 4:16.88.

Parents Craig and Lara were also on hand at the finish line to congratulate him. Lara said, “We used to run together, but he’s too fast now.”

Laura Osman took first in the female 10K race.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT

Osman, 43, also bettered her 2023 time (38:59) by more than 20 seconds, winning in 38:36. Kate Beach, 30, finished second with 42:10 and Katie Vales, 49, had 42:17).

“I think my training is better and know the course better,” Osman said about her second time on the course.

She was an All-American cross country and track runner at UC Davis and is now a Cal Coast Masters runner. The mother of three, she works as a part-time English professor at Valley College. Osman did not start running until high school, when her physical education teacher, who was also the track coach, recruited her to be on the team.

In 2018, she discovered she had a BRCA1 gene mutation (read the story:click here ‎) and after multiple surgeries she started running again. She joined the Cal Coast Masters and in 2023, her club took third at the national cross-country women masters in Tallahassee, Florida.

The 10K course also had to be recalibrated in 2012 because it was 427 ft. short of an official 10K. Kara Barnard has the woman’s record of 38:34, set in 2012, and Tonny Okello has men’s record 31:21 set in 2014.

DICK LEMEN TROPHY:

The winner of the 2024 Dick Lemen Perpetual Trophy was Loyola.

This race, which started in 2019, pits high school students against each other and coincides with the 5K race. Student runners from local high schools run under their school’s name and compete for the team trophy. The fastest three individual times are added to determine the winner.

The first year of the competition Palisades High edged out Loyola by just 53 total seconds. In 2022, Loyola claimed the trophy. The following year, Oak Park claimed the title.

The late Lemen was a longtime Palisadian and a track coach at Palisades High for many years. He was also a member of the Ridge Runners, the band of about 20 local runners who originated the Will Rogers Run in 1978.

Race outfits varied, but this was probably the most stylish.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT

KIDS FUN RUN:

The Kids Fun Run is about a half mile race.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT

About 9:30, nearly 400 kids lined up to do the half mile fun run that starts and finishes at the entrance to the Palisades Park on the corner of Alma Real and Toyopa.

When people say that the National Anthem is a difficult song to sing, they only needed to listen to the 11 anthem singers Aurora Klein, Elliot and Parker MacFarland, Lainey Berman, Hannah Shockley, Caroline Ouellette, Dylan and Liv Ellison, Calyssa and Amalia Abanto-Mortimer, Syrus Mortimer, Lily Malin and Quinn Wellman to realize how easy these kids made it seem.

 

There was a chorus of anthem singers for the Kid’s Run.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT

Race Sponsors this year included: Title Sponsor – Saint John’s Health Center and Valued Sponsors were Cynthia and William Simon Jr. Foundation, Kennedy Wilson, Laura Braus Estates, Lexus Santa Monica, the Jordan Kaplan Family, Ariola Group, American Legion and Farmers Insurance. The Kids Fun Run was sponsored by Laura Brau.

Look at me, I’m winning!
Photo: RICH SCHMITT

Posted in Holidays, Sports | 2 Comments

Reader Warns Against Boarding Pets at Wag Hotels

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Sue

When you go away for the holidays, finding a reputable place to board a pet or even finding a great pet sitter is a challenge, but for one family the experience turned into a nightmare. They went to what they thought was an upscale facility, Wag Hotels, but when they came back from vacation, the dog was sick and died within an hour.

CTN was alerted to the story posted on Nextdoor by a reader who wrote “I happen to have some experiences with Wag Hotels because we were going to board our dog there until I toured the facility and got a hinky feeling.”

If one looks at the Yelp reviews, the Wag Hotel in Santa Monica has a 4.4 star rating, out of five, with 200 reviews.

The reader told CTN, “I researched them and discovered they are defendants in a class-action lawsuit.”

The reader had posted at the end of the gut-wrenching story on Nextdoor on July 7 that “I am so sorry for your loss, you are not alone in experiencing criminal misconduct, negligence and abuse from Wag Hotels. The company is a pet chain ‘hotel’ that has been cited numerous times in the San Francisco area, the Los Angeles area and others.

“Wag Hotels is currently in the middle of a class-action lawsuit due to their negligence, dangerous practices and their policy of hiring inexperienced personnel whom they do not train to care for their clients’ pets.” The San Francisco Chronicle ran a February story about the pet hotel click here.

Fox TV in August 2023 reported on issues with Wag Hotels in a story click here.

The lawsuit is ongoing, and plaintiff’s’ lawyer will be seeking changes to the company’s practices along with damages for pet owners who boarded their dogs. They are encouraging dog owners who use Wag to contact the law firm to share their experiences.

The Nextdoor Post is heartbreaking.  The pet owner wrote: “Wag Hotel on Colorado and 19th is a horror story. Please do not use this horrible boarding facility. We dropped off a healthy, vibrant and loving Bernese Mountain dog. Picked up a very sick dog who was DEAD within the hour!

“If you love your pet at all, PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS BOARDING FACILITY. At pickup Lincoln was clearly sick. You didn’t need to be a veterinarian or even know about dogs to tell. His tongue was hanging out his mouth WHITE, head tucked in, gagging, weak, had trouble walking, drooling, and not responding well.

The Santa Monica resident asked Wags staff what was wrong with their dog because he looked sick. Staff responded, “Yah, you are right. He does look sick.”

The veterinarian said he was bloated, had been ill for likely a couple days, suffered, and was clearly ignored.

The pets owners found out later that the dog was whimpering, anxious, and couldn’t sleep for two days and the staff did nothing.

“This is a supposedly upscale boarding facility in a very wealthy area,” Lincoln’s owners said. “Why didn’t they take him to a vet? The money for healthcare wasn’t an issue. The neglect is totally inexcusable. He was in pain and wildly dehydrated.

“The staff left him alone in a room and ignored him. Please, no matter what excuses or insincere condolences they offer to this review, please board your pet someplace else. I will never forget having to do CPR on Lincoln and watch him slip away.”

Numerous people responded to the post and one man summed up many people’s thoughts:

“Heartbreaking experience! So sad. I can’t imagine what it was like for you to find your fur baby in this condition and have them die within the hour. I hope you and our community are able to stop it. This must never happen again!!!!!”

Posted in Animals/Pets | Leave a comment

Found Linens, Are They Yours?

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Sue

 

This editor found these high-quality linens by Palisades Elementary School on June 30. There is a lovely tablecloth with matching napkins, a second intricately embroidered piece and what appears to be a small, fringed tablecloth.

From the tags on the linens, and using the translator app, they are Ukrainian and look like they have never been used. Maybe they were a gift or souvenir that someone picked up when traveling to that country, prior to the war.

If you recognize them, please contact editor@circlingthenews.com because I would like to return them to their rightful owner.

Posted in General | Leave a comment