BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • Race begins for 2022 L.A. council Mostly sunny, election pg. 3 with highs in • Homicide in the 80s Hollywood pg. 4 Volume 30 No. 38 Serving the Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities September 17, 2020 BH launches arts program Median gets a much-needed mowing n Hancock Park with diversity in mind Homeowners n City will start initiative a week before Thanksgiving Association steps in By laura coleman Nov. 19. Stemming from a collaboration By edwin folven To kick off the holiday season of the Human Relations and Arts People traversing Highland this year, the city of Beverly Hills and Culture commissions to cele- Avenue in Hancock Park may not plans to celebrate community in a brate the rich and unique cultural realize they are in the presence of safe and meaningful way following diversity of the community while a city of Los Angeles historic cul- the passage of an innovative initia- standing in opposition to recent acts tural monument: the palm trees tive to create a culture of equity and of hatred and violence, the citywide that line the street on the median inclusion. “Embrace & Celebrate program will feature the arts, lec- running from Wilshire Boulevard Culture,” which was unanimously tures and community engagement. to Melrose Avenue. approved by the City Council on The queen palms and Mexican Sept. 15, is poised to launch on See Arts page 31 fan palms were planted in 1928 and were designated as historic- cultural monument No. 94 in 1972, representing the historic grandeur of the neighborhood. photo by Edwin Folven While the trees still stand tall, the After three months without maintenance, grass grew waist-tall in the condition of the median at their Highland Avenue median. base recently became cause for concern for the Hancock Park Chvatal-Keane said. The grass Keane said. “I started contacting Homeowners Association, which grew so high Chvatal-Keane goat-herding companies and one helps maintain the median. After a advocated for bringing in a herd of was enthusiastic. I found out they city contract for maintenance goats. would need to have an electrified ended in June and replacement “We heard of them using goats line around while the [the goats] arrangements were not rapidly to clear grass around Angels were working in the median for made due to coronavirus budget Flight [Railway] downtown and safety, and that’s when things image courtesy of the city of Beverly Hills constraints, the Highland Avenue just thought it was a great idea. It’s started to get complicated. We “Embrace & Celebrate Culture” will launch with a video installation pro- median didn’t look so monumen- clean, it’s green. People [in the jected on The Wallis. tal, HPHA President Cindy neighborhood] loved it,” Chvatal- See Highland page 30 WeHo candidates debate rail, homelessness Jewish High Holy Days n WHWRA forum features eight of 11 services go virtual for 2020 council contenders n Temples offer down, filling sanctuaries to pray alongside others to mark the start By cameron kiszla respite and inspiration of the most sacred 10-day period Eight of the candidates for West during pandemic of the Jewish calendar. Hollywood City Council made their Consistent with the message of cases for election during the West By laura coleman the High Holy Days – that any- Hollywood West Residents thing is possible – local Jews are Association’s Meet the Candidates As the sun sets on Friday finding ways to connect virtually Forum on Sept. 13. evening, bringing with it the start as the COVID-19 pandemic Candidates Larry Block, John of Rosh Hashanah, hundreds of prompts people to remain isolat- Erickson, Noemi Torres, John thousands of Jews in Los Angeles ed from the larger community. “I think we really need to open Heilman, Sepi Shyne, John Duran, photo courtesy of WHWRA will celebrate the new Hebrew Jerome Cleary and Mark Farhad Moderator Bob DeCastro, top left, was joined by Larry Block, Jerome year, 5781. In years past, families gathered together before sun- See Jewish page 31 Yusupov answered questions on a Cleary, Noemi Torres, Sepi Shyne, John Duran, John Erickson, John variety of topics, including the Heilman and Mark Farhad Yusupov for the WHWRA Meet the Crenshaw Northern Extension, Candidates Forum. which aims to bring Metro rail ser- vice to West Hollywood, and home- currently scheduled to open in made, city leaders need to remain lessness, including what can be 2047, though the city is working to mindful of the cost that the city will done to help people who refuse accelerate that timeline by as much bear. social services. as 20 years by bringing in addition- “Bringing in the Metro subway, FOX 11 anchor and reporter Bob al funding through state and federal though it will change the overall DeCastro, a West Hollywood West grants, as well as a potential makeup of transportation routes, resident, moderated the forum and Enhanced Infrastructure Financing that’s a positive step, but the devil is said candidates Marco Colantonio, District, which leverages anticipat- in the details, so that’s what we Christopher McDonald and Tom ed property-tax increases near the need to look at as it gets closer,” Demille were unable to participate. rail line to help pay for the project. Yusupov said. On the topic of bringing rail to Yusupov noted that the rail ser- Block said he supports the pro- West Hollywood, all of the candi- vice is “a good idea” that “should ject, though he is against the two image courtesy of Cedars-Sinai dates expressed some degree of help with relieving some of the traf- Rabbi Jason Weiner of Cedars-Sinai plans to safely mark the support for the rail line, which is fic in the city,” though as progress is See WHWRA page 30 Jewish new year by masking himself and the shofar. 2 September 17, 2020 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press Councilman Ryu launches CALENDAR ‘Fireside Chats Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Theatre 40 Each month, the center will explore different aspects of death and dying Theatre 40 is launching a shortened new artist relief funding for 2020’ season of its Adult Education Theatre through specific topics presented by UCLA’s Center for the Art of guest speakers. The September Appreciation seminars beginning on Los Angeles City Councilman through COVID-19 and reimagin- Performance presents Constance installment will be led by Emily Monday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m., with David Ryu, 4th District, and the ing a more equitable and sustain- Hockaday’s “Artists-In-Presidents: Bower, a Shambhala member since “White,” by James Ijames, a comedy city’s Department of Cultural able city,” said Danielle Brazell, Fireside Chats for 2020” running from 1987 who is on the faculty at semi- about a gay artist who feels he is being Affairs have launched a second general manager of Los Angeles Friday, Sept. 18, naries at Shambhala Mountain unfairly excluded from a gallery show. through Friday, round of artist relief funding, with Department of Cultural Affairs. Center. The forum will focus on The series continues on Sept. 28, at 7 Nov. 13, on the new program targeted to non- “Deploying art development fees to encouragement, support and comfort p.m., with “Disgraced,” by Ayad radio, podcast profits, businesses and individuals. support the creation of new cultural in considering grief as a shared expe- Akhtar. A dinner party goes horribly and social media. “I launched this program with one programming keeps our cultural rience. The cost is $15. la.shambha- wrong when the guests discuss politics. The project is goal in mind: to support and sustain sector working during the pandem- la.org/program-details/?id=458976. “White Guy on the Bus,” by Bruce Los Angeles’ creative economy,” ic and subsequent economic crisis.” one of this sea- Graham, a drama about a wealthy Ryu said. “The artists and arts orga- The first round of emergency son’s micro- white businessman who befriends a nizations of District Four have done relief funding was allocated in commissions. Barbara Morrison single, Black mother during a series of so much to enrich our communities, August, with $500-$1,500 one-time “Artists-In-Presidents: Fireside Chats bus rides, will be streamed on Oct. 12, and we must do everything we can funding grants provided to individ- for 2020” is a creative project directed Legendary jazz and blues singer at 7 p.m. “Rasheeda Speaking,” by Joel to see them through this pandemic.” ual artists. The second round is for by visual artist Hockaday that recasts Barbara Morrison will present the Drake Johnson, will be featured on the role of the president with a multi- third annual California Jazz & Blues The fund will award up to $3,000 small arts businesses and nonprof- Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. It is a dramedy in vocal entourage. Inspired by Franklin Museum Hall of Fame Induction to arts organizations in the 4th its, but individual artists who did which a Black co-worker and white co- Delano Roosevelt’s Depression-era Ceremony and Concert Fundraiser worker are put at odds by their manip- District. The fund comes from a fee not receive grants in the first round fireside chats, the program draws on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 8 p.m., as a ulative boss. The virtual events will be paid by developers for public art are also welcome to apply. many parallels between the current Facebook streaming event. The con- led by Theatre 40 members John Leslie projects when projects are Applications will be accepted until social and economic fallout of the cert features vocalists Morrison and and Melanie MacQueen.