BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • Councilman talks homelessness Sunny, with strategy pg. 3 highs in the • A conviction after mid 80s 32 years pg. 4 Volume 29 No. 35 Serving the Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities August 29, 2019 Preservation commission Tar Pits plans bubble to surface n Public input sought OKs French Market plan on multi-year process n Restaurant might occupy the historic LGBTQ spot for reimagining site BY CAMERON KISZLA Commissioner Christopher Winters BY EDWIN FOLVEN was absent. On Aug. 26, the West Hollywood The commission’s vote, which Three plans for a transformation Historic Preservation Commission recommended the City Council cer- of the La Brea Tar Pits & voted 4-2 to approve a four-story tify the environmental impact Museum, formerly the Page commercial project that includes report as adequate and approved a Museum, were publicly unveiled the French Market building at 7985 certificate of appropriateness for for the first time on Aug. 26 by the Santa Monica Blvd. the property, allows the project to designers and architects tasked Commissioners Edward S. Levin next go before the Planning with re-envisioning the site. and Gail Ostergren voted against Commission. Three firms – Copenhagen- approving the project, while based Dorte Mandrup, Diller See Restaurant page 22 Scofidio + Renfro and WEISS/MANFREDI, both of photo by Edwin Folven New York, were selected to devel- The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum will undergo a transformation in the op conceptual designs for the Tar coming years, and museum administrators want input from the public Pits’ future. The proposals were about three proposed designs. presented before a packed house at the El Rey Theater and demon- The public is being asked to three firms with established exper- strated vastly varying visions for weigh in on the plans and provide tise in integrating public green how the site could be reimagined. input. Renderings, drawings and space with museum collections to From an elevated museum build- models from each of the three help us see the site with fresh ing described as a “geometric design teams are on display at the eyes,” said Dr. Lori Bettison- halo” to a new configuration of the museum through Sept. 15 and Varga, president and director of museum and surrounding park, people can offer input in person. the Natural History Museums of and a dramatic addition of a new The public can also text @tarpits Los Angeles County, which over- wing to the museum building, the to 35134 to provide input, or visit sees the La Brea Tar Pits and plans offered a first glimpse at the tarpits.org/reimagine. Museum “They did not disap- rendering courtesy of Faring what the future may hold for the “After embarking on the point. These three concepts offer The exterior of the French Market building will be preserved as part of a La Brea Tar Pits, as well as its mis- process to reimagine La Brea Tar four-story commercial building on Santa Monica Boulevard. sion of preserving the past. Pits earlier this year, we selected See Three page 21 Police crack down on e-scooter riders Portion of La Cienega Park n Citations issued for project going to City Council riding on sidewalks, dangerous practices n Rec and Parks City staff and the architectural firm Johnson Favaro also pre- BY EDWIN FOLVEN commission approves sented details of the master plan design but waits on project during the meeting. The Los Angeles Police Following the public comment Department launched a crackdown cost period, commissioners voted to on e-scooters and e-bikes in the BY RYAN MANCINI submit the plan’s design and Melrose Avenue shopping district phase process to the City Council on Aug. 22, targeting people riding Beverly Hills Recreation and for consideration and approval, on sidewalks, violating a 15-mph Parks Commission approved two though they did not approve a speed limit and having more than motions for the La Cienega Park motion to consider the cost esti- one person on a single device. and Recreation Complex Master mate pending further review by Approximately 15 motorcycle Plan Project during a meeting on the commission. officers from the West Traffic Tuesday, Aug. 27. See Parking page 22 Division swarmed the Melrose area photo by Edwin Folven throughout the afternoon and cited Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz discussed safety issues people violating California vehicle codes. Citations carry a minimum involving e-scooters with Capt. Elaine Morales, of the LAPD’s West $197 fine. Authorities did not have Traffic Division, and other police officials. the number of tickets issued during the operation but said dockless importance of other e-scooter and e- “We are focusing our attention on vehicle violations are on the rise. bike regulations, including requiring scooters and scooter riding, “We are trying to take a proactive riders to be over 18 and to have a whether it’s a scooter rider violating approach,” said Capt. Elaine valid driver’s license. Headlamps any kind of law or cars that are vio- Morales, commanding officer of must be affixed to dockless vehicles lating the laws, putting the scooter the West Traffic Division. “So far, after dark. People 18 and older are not riders who are riding lawfully at year to date, we have had approxi- required to wear a helmet under risk,” Tiano added. mately 200 [e-scooter] citations, California law, but it is “highly rec- The enforcement operation was and half of those citations were ommended,” Tiano said. The opera- held in the Melrose area because a given out to riders who were riding tion on Aug. 22 was part of a larger high-number of violations occur photo by Ryan Mancini on the sidewalks.” crackdown on e-scooter and e-bike See Koretz page 21 During Tuesday’s meeting, Rec and Parks commissioners shared Lt. Lonnie Tiano stressed the riding throughout the city. concerns about the overall cost of the master plan project. 2 August 29, 2019 CALENDAR Park Labrea News/Beverly Press ‘The Music of Angeles Museum of the Holocaust. p.m. on the main Raucher was born in 1927 in Czeladz, stage in Santa John Williams’ Poland. Aware of impending danger, Monica College’s Raucher’s parents sent him and his Theatre Arts The LA Philharmonic presents brother to live with relatives in Building. Peter “Maestro of the Movies: The Music of Wolbrom, Poland. After the outbreak of MacIntosh will John Williams” on Friday, Aug. 30, and war in September 1939, Raucher trav- share insights on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 8 p.m., and eled back to Czeladz, where he was geisha culture and Sunday, Sept. 1, at 7:30 p.m., at the soon confined to a ghetto. He was later a traditional dance and music perfor- Hollywood Bowl. The beloved master deported to Germany and spent the rest mance will be held. A Q&A session and of cinematic scores hosts memorable of the war laboring in subcamps of the ‘geisha games” will follow the presen- evenings of his movie music conducted Gross-Rosen complex. After liberation, tation. 1900 Pico Blvd, jflalc.org. by colleague and friend maestro David he returned to Poland and reunited with Newman, including some selections his sister and uncle. They were illegally performed with film clips. Tickets start smuggled to Munich, and Raucher later at $14. 2301 N. Highland Ave. holly- ‘Fiddler on the settled in the United States in 1950. A woodbowl.com. Q&A session follows the discussion. Roof’ sing-along 100 S. The Grove Dr. (323)651-3704, Hollywood Temple Beth El is holding a ‘Rooftop Movies’ at lamoth.org. “Fiddler on the Roof Sing-along” on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. at the tem- the Montalban Nigerian art ple. Dress as Tevye, Goldie or another Enjoy a screening of “Rumor Has It … favorite character from the Sholom The Fowler Museum at UCLA presents ” (2005) on Friday, Aug. 30, and Aleichem story that was turned into the “On Display in the Walled City: Nigeria “Purple Rain” (1984) on Saturday, Aug. Broadway hit and later an Oscar-win- at the British Empire Exhibition, 1924– 31, during the Rooftop Movies series at ning movie. The film will be shown 1925,” an exhibit running from Sunday, the Montalban. “Rumor Has It …” stars with words to the songs so audiences Sept. 1, through Jan. 12, 2020. The Jennifer Aniston, Mark Ruffalo and can sing along to “Tradition,” “Sunrise, exhibit includes 38 objects from the Shirley MacLaine and is about a Sunset,” “If I Were a Rich Man” and Fowler Museum’s “Wellcome woman who learns that her family was other favorites. Tickets, which include Collection” that were acquired from the the inspiration for the book and film popcorn and refreshments, are $12 in Nigerian Pavilion during the “British “The Graduate,” and she might be the advance; $18 at the door. 1317 N. Empire Exhibition” in Wembley from offspring of the well-documented event Crescent Heights Blvd. (323)656-3150, 1924-25. Twenty Nigerian men and in the film. “Purple Rain” stars Prince or email [email protected]. women were invited to participate as as a young musician, tormented by an artists in the exhibition, which show- abusive situation at home, who must cased British wealth while simultane- contend with a rival singer, burgeoning Fahey/Klein Gallery ously stimulating trade with the coun- romance and his dissatisfied band. Fahey/Klein Gallery presents “Paolo try’s colonies. 308 Charles E. Young Tickets are $18. Doors open at 6 and the Roversi, Intangible Presence,” an Drive North. fowler.ucla.edu. films start at 8:15 p.m.