Stradora L.A. clothing will be available at a wine tasting, fashion event at Enoteca 5.
This opportunity does not present itself often in Pacific Palisades, but if one loves fashion and champagne, put Bubbles & Blooms on your calendar.
This perfect hump-day activity will occur on Wednesday, May 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Enoteca 5 (Cinque Terre West), 970 Monument St. #110.
Wine tasting will include a variety of Franciorta and Champagne.
Chef Gianba Vinzoni will also offer small plates of his signature leek, asparagus and champagne risotto finished in a Parmesan wheel.
The event will include a mobile fashion pop-up with Stradora Los Angeles (stradorala.com), with 15 percent off the clothing purchased.
Stradora L.A. Moda Italiana is described as “two Italian girls expressing their voice through fashion consultations and looks. All products are 100 percent made in Italy, with the concept of ready-to-wear clothing, but timeless and high end.” There is limited availability because each piece is unique. New items are imported monthly.
The cost Bubbles & Bloom is free for an Enoteca member and one guest. For non-members, the cost is $39.
Space is limited, call (310) 454-0709 to reserve.
Several clothing styles by Stradora L.A. will be available.
Seven of the eight candidates participated in the forum held by Westside Current and Circling the News. (Left to right) Mat Smith, Allison Holdorff Polhill, Soni Lloyd, Traci Park, Mike Newhouse, Greg Good and Jim Murez. (Not pictured: Erin Darling.)
In case you missed Circling the News and Westside Current’s Councilmember District 11 candidate forum on April 6 and haven’t had time to view it, click here.
Eight of the seven candidates attended the event (Erin Darling had a conflict and was unable to attend). The forum included a live audience and was also streamed. Candidates answered some tough questions about public safety and homelessness.
If a person is still undecided there are at least three other opportunities to listen to a CD 11 forum – on April 25, April 28 and May 3.
Additionally, a candidate forum to replace L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who is retiring, will be held on April 27. A Los Angeles City Attorney forum will be held on April 28.
Westside Regional Alliance of Councils will hold a Council District 11 candidate forum from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, April 25. All events will be via Zoom webinar (westsidecouncils.com) or can be watched on YouTube.
Only six of the eight candidates were invited: Erin Darling, Greg Good, Jim Murez, Mike Newhouse, Traci Park and Allison Holdorff Polhill.
Candidates Mathew Smith, a Westchester resident and businessmen, and Venice High School teacher Soni Lloyd were not included.
Circling the News reached out to organizer Matt Wersinger, who is the president of the Del Rey Neighborhood Counsel and Chair of the Westside Regional Alliance of Councils [WRAC], and asked why two people were excluded.
Wersinger said, “Our Forum Committee made the decision based on a number of factors, including polls, endorsements, fundraising and name recognition. Unfortunately, that decision is final.”
CTN responded “I have not seen any polls, can you send them to me? I’m curious who it says is most likely to make the runoff.”
To gain endorsements, is usually a time-intensive project to fill out the pages and pages of material that is generally required. CTN wrote Wersinger “Soni is a high school teacher and most likely doesn’t have time to spend on answering the pages and pages of questions in order to obtain endorsements. At least two of the candidates are not working right now and would have more time to work on gaining endorsements.”
Additionally, CTN is not convinced that name recognition should be a deciding factor. For example, Paul Koretz, who has high name recognition as a L.A. City Councilmember, is running for controller. Having a name that people know, might have no basis in the skill set needed for an office.
Wersinger had not responded with additional information by press time.
Since Lloyd and Smith are being left out, CTN and the Westside Current has offered to allow them to answer the questions asked at the forum in a separate story in these publications.
WRAC will also host a County Supervisor forum for L.A. County District 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 27. The panel will include State Senator Bob Hertzberg, West Hollywood City Council member Lindsey Horvath and State Senator Henry Stern.
Left out of the forum will be Jeffi Girgenti (jeffiforsupervisor.com), Craig Brill (craigforsupervisorla.com) and Roxanne Beckford Hoge (superroxanne.com).
WRAC seems to be following the Spectrum and LA Business Council’s lead in only hearing three candidates. LABC selected the three candidates, Hertzberg, Horvath and Stern for their February 28 forum based on two criteria: the ability to garner support and name recognition.
On Thursday, April 28, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Palisades Podcast hosts Maryam Zar and Steve Cron, in conjunction with the Palisadian-Post, will have a virtual forum, featuring seven of the eight candidates: Mathew Smith, Jim Murez, Erin Darling, Greg Good, Mike Newhouse, Traci Park and Allison Holdorff Polihill. As of April 17, Soni Lloyd had not committed, yet.
To register for this forum, visit palipost.com/?p=92531. The Post notes “Community members are encouraged to submit questions in advance by visiting the registration link, or by emailing [email protected].
WRAC will also host a City Attorney forum from 7 to 9 p.m. on April 28, with only three of the seven candidates featured: Kevin James (appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti to the Board of Public Works), Hydee Feldstein Soto (financial law attorney) and Marina Torres (federal prosecutor).
Left out of the WRAC City Attorney forum are Richard Kim (deputy city attorney), Teddy Kapur (California Democratic Party Treasurer), Faisal M. Gill (former policy director for the Department of Homeland Security) and Sherri Onica Valle Cole (deputy city attorney).
The Brentwood and Pacific Palisades Community Council will also host a CD11 candidate forum at 7 p.m. on Many 3, via zoom. All eight candidates have been asked to participate.
The forum moderator is Daniel Abramson, who is the assistant general counsel and chief privacy officer at the RAND Corporation. Abramson is an experience attorney in government and election law and has served as a BCC vice-chair and resides in Pacific Palisades. All candidates have been invited to this forum.
(Editor’s note: Palisadian Alan Eisenstock’s 20th book, come out on May 3. He wrote it with Sonya Curry, Stephen’s mom, click here.
When Eisenstock is not writing, he pursues what he calls “a crazy labor of love side project” that he started in March 2020: sending a weekly Covid-themed playlist of songs to his family and friends. These playlists, which can be downloaded on Spotify (click here.) span rock ‘n’ roll and pop music from the 1950s to 2020, and Eisenstock adds one or two lines of commentary about each song that is clever, amusing and informative.)
Hi, Everybody,
According to a Pew Research study, COVID has caused a serious upheaval in the U.S. labor market. So many people have quit their jobs that the study has given the phenomenon a name: “The Great Resignation.” What to do? Idea. Here are 20 “quitting,” “going,” “holding on” songs. Listen up!
“Proud Mary” Creedence Clearwater Revival. CCR, one of my favorite bands, recorded this big hit in 1969, written by their main man, John Fogerty. Fogerty said that he wrote this song about a guy with a dead end job, quitting to see the world, after he returned from the National Guard.
“We Gotta Get Out Of This Place” The Animals. British R&B and funk band fronted by Eric Burdon. This 1965 smash was written by the husband-wife songwriting team, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. The song has been covered often by, among others, The Partridge Family. Sorry. I just shuddered.
“That’s It–I Quit–I’m Movin’ On” Sam Cooke. Called “The King of Soul,” Sam recorded this hit in 1962, written by Roy Alfred and Del Serino. Sam was born Sam Cook and added the “e” for some reason. In 1964, Sam was shot and killed in a hotel room. It was called “justifiable homicide.” Hmm.
“Go Your Own Way” Fleetwood Mac. Lindsey Buckingham wrote and sang this signature Fleetwood song, which could be an anthem for “The Great Resignation.” I once saw Lindsey solo at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in L.A. back in the day. He tore the place up.
“I’ve Had It” The Bell Notes. Early rock singing group formed in East Meadow, Long Island. This was pretty much their one hit, from 1958, the title expressing the motivation for quitting one’s job. A group called Fabulous Poodles covered the song a few years ago.
“Hold On” Alabama Shakes. Brittany Howard, a legend in my mind, wrote and sings lead on this modern R&B classic from 2012 and the album Boys & Girls. LOVE. I’m playing it again.
“Stay” Maurice Williams, The Zodiacs. “Stay, don’t quit your job!” I know. Not the lyrics. Maurice wrote this hit in 1960, later covered by Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, The Four Seasons, and basically everyone, even Alvin and the Chipmunks.
“Shut Up And Let Me Go” The Ting Tings. British duo Katie White and Jules De Martino wrote and sang this big 2008 hit. Turn it up–dare you not to dance!
“Quitting Time” The Roches. Three folk singing sisters–Maggie, Terre, and Suzzy–from Park Ridge, NJ released this, their signature song, in 1979. Love their harmonies and these lyrics–“Talks have been terminated; payments have been stopped.” Man.
“Should I Stay Or Should I Go” The Clash. Joe Strummer and Mick Jones lead my British punk/reggae favorites, called “The Only Band That Matters.” This terrific 1981 song suggests hesitation before one decides on “The Great Resignation.”
“Already Gone” Eagles. 1974 hard-rocking song written by Jack Tempchin and Robb Strandlund. This was the opening tune on the band’s On The Borderalbum. Some people quit their jobs but have left mentally long before. That’s not what the song’s about, but…
“Gone, Gone, Gone” Robert Plant, Alison Krauss. Led Zeppelin frontman Plant and bluegrass goddess Krauss combine for a killer album, Raising Sand. Their harmonies soar on this cover of a 1964 Everly Brothers song. And, yes, they were romantically involved, according to my sources.
“9 to 5” Dolly Parton. Country legend Parton wrote this song for the movie 9 to 5, in which she appeared. Any playlist about quitting jobs must have this one. And P.S. Dolly is a tremendous songwriter.
“Take This Job and Shove It” Johnny Paycheck. Ohioan Paycheck had his biggest payday with this 1977 anti-job ditty written by David Allan Coe. His real name was Donald Eugene Lytle and he changed it to the catchier Johnny Paycheck.
“Hold On, I’m Comin’ ” Sam & Dave. Sam Moore (tenor) and Dave Prater (bass), R&B singers supreme, were given my favorite nickname: the “Sultans of Sweat.” This monster 1966 hit, written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter, made them shvitz like crazy when they saw their massive sales.
“I Will Survive” Gloria Gaynor. Gloria, from Newark, was originally a singer with the jazz and R&B group, the Soul Satisfiers. She hit it big when disco came along, this 1978 tune becoming a smash. The song was written by Dino Fekaris and Freddie Perren. Any relation to Dave, our friend and accountant?
“I Want to Break Free” Queen. This 1984 oddity, written by the group’s bassist, John Deacon, is really about breaking free–becoming the person you are meant to be, possibly trapped inside you. In Queen’s famous music video, all the guys perform in drag.
“Grass Is Greener” St. Paul & The Broken Bones. Soul ensemble from Birmingham, Alabama, led by vocalist Paul Janeway. I’ve been trying to find an excuse to slip one of their songs into the playlist and here we are! You quit, you believe the grass is greener. The song will grab your gut. LOVE.
“I’m Movin’ On” Ray Charles. Brother Ray recorded this country song by Hank Snow in 1959. Snow released his version in 1950 and many have covered the song, but you got to go with The Genius.
“Proud Mary” Tina Turner. We end where we began with “Proud Mary.” Tina’s version topped the charts and won Tina a Grammy. I love both versions. So, you decide.
And that’s it for this week–20 songs about “quitting your job due to Covid.” Some advice:
Captain Jonathon Tom (left) onsite where the robbery occurred on March 28 in the Methodist Church parking lot/alley. A suspect has been arrested.
LAPD West L.A. Commanding Officer Captain Jonathan Tom sent the following information to several residents and Circling the News today, April 14.
A suspect involved in the March 28 robbery of the Palisades High School students in the Methodist Church alley off Bowdoin was identified. The person was taken into custody on April 12 in Glendale during an unrelated carjacking investigation.
According to Tom, West Los Angeles Detectives were able to connect the suspect to the robbery and were also able to obtain a confession from him. The investigation will continue in an attempt to identify the other suspects involved in the case. Detectives will present the case to the District Attorney for filing consideration.
On March 31, WLA (West Los Angeles Police Department) received information that the Crossroads School in Santa Monica had sent an email to middle school parents, warning them that there was an individual that was believed to be selling drugs and vape pens to minors. The email went on to describe the suspect and indicated that he was also believed to be selling to minors in the Palisades and Century City.
Tom immediately reached out to the Crossroads School and Santa Monica Police Department and obtained information that he provided to the WLA Narcotics Enforcement Detail.
“Our narcotics detectives immediately started working the case which included surveillance and an undercover operation,” Tom said. “Fortunately, they were able to arrest the suspect last night and he was booked for furnishing narcotics to a minor.”
He also alerted the community that “You will be happy to know that I was able to move the beach detail back to the beach/hillsides full time [the beach detail is two officers who are specifically designed to assist the Pacific Palisades Homeless Task Force Homelessness in keeping transients out of the brush in the Very High Fire Severity Zone].
“I will continue to prioritize their deployment there but please understand LAPD and WLA specifically are severely understaffed, and we are doing the best we can,” Tom said. “Have a wonderful day and I hope you enjoy all the beauty of the Palisades.”
Sharon Kilbride, who is a co-chair of the PPTFH, and volunteers her time canvassing the beaches and the hillsides, wrote back to Captain Tom: “Great news and kudos to your staff.
“The beach detail has been doing a fantastic job the past two days,” she said. “We have getting great data from them, and the predatory individuals seem to be leaving the area. Thank you.”
A cooking stove and tent were found in the dry brush in the parkland above PCH.
In prior years, the Palisades Recreation Center sponsored Easter Egg Hunts, such as one enjoyed by these toddlers. Photo: Shelby Pascoe
With the start of Passover, Christian’s Holy Week and Ramadan, the month of April includes three major religious observances.
CHRISTIAN HOLY WEEK – APRIL 10 to 17
Holy Week, one of the most sacred dates in the Christian calendar started this year on April 10 with Palm Sunday.
Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding a donkey, where palm branches were strewn in his path.
Maunday Thursday commemorates the Last Supper (Passover feast). Jesus explains to his disciples during dinner that he will be betrayed, he will die and subsequently rise from the dead.
Following his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was then disavowed by Peter, betrayed by Judas, arrested and taken to the authorities.
Good Friday is the story of Jesus crucifixion and his subsequent death.
Easter Sunday celebrates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
Christians believe that Jesus came to earth to save humanity. People are born with a sinful nature because of Adam and Eve’s fall in the garden of Eden. That means it’s impossible for us to be “good enough” to be in the presence of God and forgiven for our sins. Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice for all people’s sins.
Easter falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25, and typically is the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the spring equinox.
According to Britannica, the English word Easter, which parallels the German word Ostern, is of uncertain origin. One speculation is that Easter is derived from Eostre, or Eostrae, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility.
Quite often there are Easter Egg hunts for the children, and generally large family dinners and celebrations.
PASSOVER APRIL 15 to 23:
Passover begins on the evening of April 15 this year and will last eight days. The festival always starts on the 15th day of Nisan in the Jewish calendar which means that the date changes every year.
Passover comes from the biblical story in Exodus, in which the Jewish people and their leader Moses flee slavery in Egypt.
God told Moses that he planned to strike down the Egyptians and told him that the Israelites should slaughter lambs at a certain time and put the blood on the door frames of their homes. He would than know to “Passover” that home and that family, sparring them from death.
During the first night of Passover, a meal, a Seder is held. The story of the exodus from slavery in Egypt on Passover is read/told.
Seder plates hold the ceremonial foods, and each has a special meaning:
Karpas: A green vegetable, most often parsley, represents the initial flourishing of the Israelites during their first years in Egypt. A second cup is filled with saltwater, which the parsley is dipped into as a reminder of the tears shed during Egyptian slavery.
Charoset: Traditionally a ground mixture of apple, nuts and cinnamon bound together with wine or honey, charoset symbolizes the mortar used by Hebrew slaves to build Egyptian structures.
Maror: A bitter herb, usually horseradish, is used to represent the bitterness of slavery.
Zeroa: The shank bone, or zeroa, symbolizes the lamb offered as the Passover sacrifice in Biblical times.
Beitzah: A hard-boiled egg symbolizes sacrifices, spring and the renewal of life.
RAMADAN – APRIL 2 to MAY 2
Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar and this year it started on April 2 and will end on May 2. According to tradition, the holy book of the Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad during Ramadan. Muslims also believe that during this month the gates to heaven are open and the doors to hell are closed.
Ramadan is known as the holy month of fasting, with Muslims abstaining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. Drinking liquids, smoking and engaging in sexual activity are all prohibited during the fast as well. In the Islam faith, the fast teaches discipline, sacrifice, mindfulness, reflection and empathy for those who are less fortunate.
It’s widely accepted by many Muslims that Ramadan it s time of hope, renewal and fresh starts.
On the evening on May 2, and for the three days following, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, or the “Festival of Breaking the Fast.” Eid al-Fitr includes prayer, gifts and feasts.
Homeless Task volunteer Nancy Klopper receives a check from Michael Edlen.
Michael Edlen, one of the most philanthropic Pacific Palisades residents, just gave a check for $10,500 to the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness (PPTFH).
PPTFH volunteer Nancy Klopper wrote in an email to CTN that “Michael represents more than buyers and sellers of homes in Pacific Palisades—he represents the best of our community.”
This isn’t the first time he has supported this vital nonprofit. When the homeless task force was first formed, Edlen and the Edlen Team were among the first to donate to help pay the salaries of two social workers.
Klopper said that Edlen also paid for the cost of ads in local newspapers to create awareness of the nonprofit. And when the group decided to support “Real change, not spare charge,” to discourage panhandlers, he paid for banners that were strategically placed in the community.
Each year Michael and The Edlen Team give a certain percentage of the commission from the sale or purchase of homes he represents to the charity of the client’s choosing. Though he prefers to keep it local, the decision is his client’s.
An anonymous client asked that a donation go to PPTFH recently, and volunteers at that nonprofit asked if Edlen would consider matching it.
Klopper wrote: “The timing was critical, as PPTFH had received a Matching Grant Challenge with a June 1st deadline in its quest to raise the funds to pay for a Clinical Case Manager.”
Edlen, who became a realtor in 1986, agreed.
Before the Business Improvement District was formed, Edlen helped pay for the Chrysalis team to keep the trash picked up and sidewalks clean in the business area. He and his team have supported Meals on Wheels, the Los Angeles Firefighters Foundation, local schools, the Woman’s Club, PAPA (Palisades Americanism Parade Association), the Historical Society’s upcoming Centennial publication and numerous other nonprofits.
He moved to the Palisades with wife Wendy in 1971 and told this editor in an earlier story, “We’ve always been strong believers in giving back to the community.”
After graduating from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in business administration, Edlen joined his family’s Westside business, which supplied curtains and drapes to mobile homes.
He retired at an early age and then took on consulting projects. “But I was working at home, and I wanted to get back with people,” he said.
Since 2007, Edlen has contributed 10 percent of his net commission income to any nonprofit group with a 501(c)3 classification.
Katie O’Neill painted the picture of Arnie Wishnick that is in her gallery window.
Marilyn Crawford, who worked at the Chamber with its former executive director, Arnie Wishnick wrote Circling the News. “Have you seen the portrait of Arnie in the old Chamber window on Antioch? Katie O’Neill put it in her studio window, and it is wonderful. So far, Arnie is at the Library, Village Green, Antioch Street posts, Katie’s gallery window, Theatre Palisades (ads in ‘memory’ of), a brick on Sunset and now P.R.I.D.E will dedicate a town clock in his name.
“Is there any other individual in the Palisades so honored?” Crawford asked. I do not think so. I am so proud to have been his administrative assistant from 1999 through 2017.”
Artist Katie O’Neill explained the painting, “I was carrying something from my old studio [Via de la Paz] to the new studio on Antioch and ran into Ken Kells, who was walking by. We started chatting about Arnie and as soon as he mentioned the idea of painting Arnie, I knew I had to do it.”
O’Neill said she met Arnie more than 10 years ago, when she moved from her Malibu studio to the Palisades.
“It was almost like starting my business all over again, so the Chamber was invaluable,” O’Neill said. “I really got to know Arnie after I hosted my first Chamber mixer at my space on Sunset and he was the master of ceremony.
“Over the years, he was continually supportive and helpful in the success of my business,” she said. “It’s still hard to imagine I won’t see him turn the corner, sharply dressed with a crooked, genuine smile.”
Wishnick appreciated O’Neill’s talent, and her art was featured on four chamber directory covers. Her work has subsequently been selected to serve as covers for three Palisades Americanism Parade Association programs.
O’Neill, the daughter of Thomas (now deceased) and Virginia, grew up in the Palisades and attended Marquez Elementary, Paul Revere and PaliHi.
She was one of five kids and her mom taught her how to paint. “I had an idyllic Palisades childhood in the 1970s and 1980s,” O’Neill said. “I did a lot of commercials and a short-lived sitcom.”
The sitcom was called “Together We Stand,” until they killed off O’Neill’s TV father, Elliot Gould, and retitled the show “Nothing Is Easy” with Dee Wallace Stone as a single mom.
After graduating from USC film school, O’Neill worked as an assistant editor and in development in Los Angeles. She moved to New York City, where she “dog-walked by day” and was the house manager for Classic Stage Company, an off-Broadway theater.
After a year, her mom called and asked, “Do you want to open an art studio with me?” O’Neill returned home and the two opened their studio in Malibu.
Eventually, O’Neill had two young sons and had to decide whether to keep the Malibu studio and move the family there or relocate the studio to Pacific Palisades. “I wanted to raise my kids here,” she said.
One son, who graduated from Palisades High School is now a freshman at Cal Poly (California Polytechnic State University), and the other is a sophomore at Palihi. He was in the recent spring musical “Oliver” and has an incredible voice.
“He has loved music since he was a toddler,” O’Neill said and added “The Palisades High theater department is amazing. So many opportunities to learn so much.”
From Sunset to Via de la Paz to 15330 Antioch, O’Neill said, “I love my new location. It’s like Mr. Roger’s neighborhood with people just dropping in to say ‘Hi.’
And, “I love that I have a little peek of my beloved Santa Monica Mountains out the front door,” she said.
One can view the paintings that are on sale at the store or on her website (oneillsfineart.com). Or stop by the store to see “Arnie” (not for sale). Call (310) 459-1030 or email [email protected].
Artist Katie O’Neill has many paintings to select from in her store on Antioch.
Seven of the eight candidates participated in the CD 11 forum held by Westside Current and Circling the News. (Left to right: Mat Smith, Allison Holdorff Polhill, Soni Lloyd, Traci Park, Mike Newhouse, Greg Good and Jim Murez.)
BY JAMIE PAIGE
WESTSIDE CURRENT EDITOR
In a 90-minute forum in Venice on April 6, Council District 11 (CD11) candidates were united in advocating for a safer community as well as the need to build relationships and consensus.
Westside Current and Circling the News hosted the event at the Hotel Erwin in Venice. The candidates were asked about topics ranging from public safety to discretionary spending.
Spending Priorities
Candidates were asked how they would spend discretionary funds—money intended to benefit the district and its neighborhoods.
Greg Good stated that he would prioritize spending on safety measures at the top of the list . “I would start with overtime for the LAPD—narcotics specifically,” he said. He noted that he would also put money into sidewalk projects and tree trimming.
Mike Newhouse said that he would primarily spend the money on building shelters to get the unhoused off the streets and would clear encampments in 30 days. He would also triple the sanitation budget. “The city needs a deep clean,” he explained.
Jim Murez stated that he would direct funding into community organizations. “When I planted trees, we planted on twice as many streets because of funding from Caltrans,” he noted. “We used volunteer services and programs.”
Candidates were also asked about funding for public works projects. Mat Smith said he wants to see spending for things like the Interceptor, a system that stops river trash from entering the ocean that will roll out as a pilot project this year. Allison Holdorff Polhill also said she thought the Interceptor was an important project, adding that the Purple Line subway extension coming to the Westside is essential as well.
When asked about inefficient spending in CD11, Traci Park stated that one of the biggest expenditures is on homeless service providers. She said she has serious questions about the lack of results from the organizations that employ them. “Because there are so many people who need help, reining that spending back and investing in programs that work is essential,” she said.
Soni Lloyd, a high school teacher in Venice, said that more effort should be made to inform CD11 residents of how money is spent. He noted that spending on police dominates the city budget, and he would work to change that. “Especially for our communities of color, I am calling for services to uplift them rather than police them. We want services, not police all the time.”
Positions on Other Issues
All of the candidates but Lloyd said they support the Business Improvement District. And all but Good and Lloyd stated that they favor the recall of Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon.
Newhouse, Park, Smith and Lloyd said they are in favor of the city having its own health department; Good, Murez and Polhill disagreed.
All of the candidates except Lloyd and Good said the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) should be disbanded. “It isn’t cutting it,” Park offered. But Good countered, “[Keeping] it has to be on the table.”
As for Councilman Mike Bonin’s latest motion to eliminate criminal history, credit history and eviction background checks for tenants, all of the candidates said they opposed it.
The candidates were also opposed to Bonin’s motion to allow homeless shelters run by nonprofits in all zones, including residential, without review or consideration of the impact. Park offered her reasons for not supporting the motion: “This is the perfect example of the city trying to sneak something into a motion. The last sentence in that motion calls for making our current temporary shelters permanent. They are being dishonest and lacking transparency about that.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” said Newhouse, “and I am on record for being staunchly opposed to it. I don’t think we need to change our zoning to house and address our homeless population. It would also have the unintended consequence of igniting lawsuits. It’s not a commonsense approach.”
In affirming his opposition, Good said, “I think we know we need beds all over the district. This has to be part of a community process with deep community engagement.”
Smith added: “I entered this race because I don’t think our elected officials are representing our values. [They are] giving away our community that many of us have worked hard to [improve]. It makes no sense. I’m the furthest from Bonin. I oppose it.”
Polhill joined them in their opposition. “We’ve had encampments close to our schools, threatening our children. I also think we were promised these shelters were temporary—and they should be. People should learn how to fish, and we should not be giving people permanent spaces. They should be temporary.”
Lloyd added that he couldn’t support anything Bonin is doing with homelessness. “I’ve seen his record. I’ve lived his record. It’s gotten worse and worse. I’m a schoolteacher—and I don’t like my kids walking past the encampments. We need to set a timeline. I don’t think what Bonin is doing is sincere.”
Permanent Housing
Park, Newhouse and Murez were then asked about permanent supportive housing. Park highlighted the gross misuse of HHH spending and said there needs to be a cap on it. “It’s shameful that we are building at the rate that we are [referring to how slow it is]. I would advocate reallocating those funds to emergency and transitional interventions, which is what we need right now to get people off the streets and connected to services. We don’t have a decade to wait.”
Newhouse pointed out that he is a land-use attorney who spent the last six years on the West LA Area Planning Commission. “I can tell you that we are vastly wasting dollars that could house three times as many people. We have to cut the red tape. That’s what makes permanent supportive housing so expensive to build.”
Murez said that he favors more supportive housing but said they need to be built in commercial districts. “It would reduce traffic and put people in houses where we need them. I think [California] Senate Bill 9 and Senate Bill 10 are wrong. We can’t put that many more cars in the neighborhoods. The sewer pipes can’t handle it; the water pipes won’t take it. So, we need to build on the commercial side where we have plenty of infrastructure in place.”
“We need to separate these conversations,” said Smith, who does not support building a single affordable housing unit for those living on the streets. “I believe that permanent solutions exist in more affordable areas. When people can’t afford to live in our area, they find places in other areas and commute. We need to find houses for the people who match our values.”
Regarding the question of whether an equal distribution of affordable housing in CD11 is achievable, the candidates who responded all said it’s a collective responsibility.
“What’s getting missed in this conversation is the middle class,” said Lloyd. “People like myself—your teachers, your firemen, your grocery store workers—we are being driven out of this neighborhood. You need people like us to live here. We should all share the load. There is no shame in living next to an apartment building. I’ve been doing it all my life.”
Candidates were next asked if they would eliminate the Venice Median project, a permanent supportive housing project proposed for construction on 2.6 acres adjacent to the historic Venice Canals. Newhouse, Park, Polhill, Murez and Smith all said they were against the project and would kill it if elected.
Good said that if elected, he would sit down with developers and the community to see if there is some sort of agreement around the project’s scope and aesthetics. “If not, we really have to reconsider it. Clearly, the cost and Coastal Act elements have to be considered. We have a housing crisis. We have to look closely at any project. We have to see if the scale and scope make sense and the costs make sense.”
Murez said he had other ideas for the area, which include parking. His plan calls for a park west of the canal and a parking structure east of the canal. “It would allow Venice to capitalize on tourism, which is the low-hanging fruit, and it would allow the commercial properties in Venice to not have on-site parking. By doing that, the commercial properties would be able to expand in what they are doing today and do well.”
Public Safety
The candidates then returned to the hot topic of public safety.
“I am sickened and heartbroken by the violent crime that has gone on in our community,” said Park. “We cannot have a situation where young mothers and seniors can’t [safely go out in] their own neighborhoods. There are people in this room who have been the victims of violent crimes. I see you. I know you. I know your stories and I am here because of you. Public safety is my top priority.”
“We need more police officers,” added Newhouse. “I look at it as common sense. We don’t have enough police officers. We need more cadets in the academy. We have to make civilian hires quickly and get officers off the desk and into the community.”
While again highlighting his plan to spend discretionary funds on police overtime, Good added that “out-of-control” drug trafficking needs to end. He also suggested that a Venice park ranger station be considered. “We have to address this with intention and urgency.”
“As a combat veteran who has been shot at, I understand the difficulties the police go through,” said Smith. “On day one, I will fund the police. People talk about defunding—I will talk about re-funding the police. And I will bring back morale to the police department.”
When asked about the dangers that have arisen around the encampments, Polhill said that her top priority would be to eliminate encampments. “I have a plan on day one to eliminate encampments by providing resources and a menu of options. We need law enforcement and social workers on the street.”
“Let’s offer these people jobs,” added Lloyd. “People need housing assistance. We need a program to help get people off the streets.”
Members of the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness worked the concession stand at the Genesis Invitational, serving fans during the golf tournament.
Anyone purchasing a chicken sandwich or a beer by the fairway on Hole 18 at the Genesis Golf Tournament in February would have been surprised by the cheerfulness and the amount of work that the volunteers manning the concession stand put in the effort.
Running the enterprise was Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness volunteers.
Golfing fans and homeless volunteers?
PPTFH co-chair of the fundraising committee and volunteer, Carol Sanborn explained that the group was close to having raised enough money to hire a mental health officer to work with the homeless. For working the stand, the group made nearly $7,000, which inched them ever closer to enough money to hire a professional.
The PPTFH annually raises more than $120,000 to fund two social workers. Those workers, who are in the streets and in the parks almost every day engaging the homeless, said that many homeless need special help, which they are not trained to give.
Sanborn said, “The Outreach Team and the Volunteer Response Committee were reporting interactions with persons more severely mentally ill and increasingly suffering the effects of methamphetamine and fentanyl.”
Jay Snider of The Snider Foundation, posed the question to the task force, “How can I be the most helpful?” PPTFH Co-President Sharon Browning knew that a clinical case manager (CCM) was needed for those with mental issues, but didn’t know if the group could raise the money.
To find a person to help the most severely mentally ill and those who are addicted, would require a full-time person for three years at a competitive salary.
The Snider Foundation pledged a $90,000 Challenge Grant, requiring PPTFH to raise $180,000 in new funding by June 1, 2022.
Soon after Snider’s Challenge Grant, PPTFH’s Charter Funding Partner, St. John’s Health Center Foundation awarded PPTFH a generous Community Impact Fund Grant.
Three PPTFH Funding Partners, the Cynthia L. and William E. Simon Jr. Foundation, the Gries Family Foundation and Kimi and Graham Culp made substantial contributions, beyond their annual pledges.
Then, a Palisades homeowner, who was selling a residence designated the CCM Campaign as the recipient of a percentage of commission proceeds. Realtor and long-time PPTFH supporter Michael Edlen and The Edlen Team matched the donation.
In addition to these named donors, over 50 generous individual donors made contributions to the CCM Campaign, enabling PPTFH to meet the Snider challenge a full two months early.
Sharon Browning said that many of the 50 donations came from PPTFH volunteers, who believe in the mission and know the way that this community is dealing with the homeless – with compassion and dignity is working.
To learn more about the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness and its mission, or to donate or volunteer, visit: PPTFH.org.
Tatyana Yukhtman, who grew up in Ukraine, has started a nonprofit, Groza Care Foundation, to aid children impacted by war.
Groza Learning Center, located at 881 Alma Real, has offered tutoring, test prep, private schooling, assessments and summer programs for students in kindergarten through college, since 2002.
Groza Learning Center Director Tatyana Yukhtman was born and raised in the Ukraine.
Yukhtman has now started the Groza Care Foundation, the nonprofit branch of Groza, which will aid Ukrainian children displaced by war.
This undertaking will fill a void in much-needed humanitarian services for refugees through the “The Ukrainian Rainbow” project.
The plan is to try to cushion the impact of the war on children, by setting up learning and emotional support hubs in Poland. These hubs will allow children to continue their education and receive counseling free of cost.
The first hub, in Wroclaw, Poland, will open for 55 children this month. The goal is to offer assistance to more than 200 children at this location. There is a plan to open additional hubs in Poland and other countries that harbor large populations of Ukranian refugees.
Groza Care has also partnered with a local organization Notice Me, which cares for the physical and health needs of the displaced children. The nonprofit has received tremendous support from international organizations such as the Poland Chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization.
Thanks to partnerships, the Poland location will also provide housing, language education, and job training for Ukrainian refugees.
The Groza program will support displaced Ukrainian educators by employing them so that they can receive a reliable income and benefit from returning to a normal routine. They will serve as the school’s director and teachers. These adults are in a unique position to help youngsters continue their education while coping with the horrors of war.
Groza Care is asking for Palisades residents to spread the word about the nonprofit and the Ukrainian Rainbow Project (#UkrainianRainbow), to attract new donors and talents.
A tax-deductible donation will go towards teacher and support staff salaries, classrooms, supplies and equipment. Visit: www.GrozaCare.org.
from Park Ridge, NJ released this, their signature song, in 1979. Love their harmonies and these lyrics–“Talks have been terminated; payments have been stopped.” Man.
