BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • CicLAvia meets Hollywoods pg. 3 Sunny, with • Oil well catches highs in the fire at Beverly Hills 80s High School pg. 5 Volume 29 No. 33 Serving the Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities August 15, 2019 Smooth back-to-school WeHo licenses more cannabis businesses n Two dispensaries drop-off for BHUSD plan to open this fall n Traffic issues mostly mitigated on first day BY CAMERON KISZLA Two more cannabis companies BY RYAN MANCINI Vista Middle School opened its doors with a ribbon-cutting cere- will be opening in West With new security systems and mony after welcoming, for the first Hollywood. On Aug. 13, the West traffic configurations in place, the time, 6-8 grade students to its cam- Hollywood Business License Beverly Hills Unified School pus. Commission voted unanimously District opened its campuses to stu- The morning began using new to approve the business licenses dents for the first day of school on traffic configurations for dropping for CALMA and the Artist Tree. Monday. off students, as well as afternoon Aside from construction or ren- Horace Mann and Hawthorne pickups. Parents received short ovation permits that might be schools opened their campuses to required, the business licenses are K-5 grade students, while Beverly See District page 25 the final requirement from the city. rendering courtesy of the Artist Tree The businesses received broad The Artist Tree will grow cannabis plants in its retail store, which will support from the commissioners, also feature local artists. who raised a few concerns about traffic and safety but mostly liked awarded permits in all five cate- Lauren Fontein, a founder and the planned shops. Many of the gories in the city’s selection owner of the Artist Tree. owners and operators of other process – the only cannabis busi- “We decided to separate the cannabis permit winners in West ness to do so – this business businesses into two separate loca- Hollywood spoke during the pub- license is only for the 8625 Santa tions just because of the size we lic comment portion of the meet- Monica Blvd. location, which will want to do for the lounge,” ing in favor of awarding the house the dispensary and delivery Fontein said. “We’re unable to licenses. side of the business and is expect- find a property of fit both.” Both businesses were granted ed to open in October. The other The Artist Tree hopes to procure licenses for adult-use recreational two permits, for an edible-only a site for its consumption lounge in and delivery sales. The Artist consumption lounge and a con- the next month or so, Fontein said. photo courtesy of Beverly Hills Unified School District Tree’s store will provide medical sumption lounge that allows Aside from cannabis products, Beverly Vista Middle School students arrive on campus for the first day of sales as well. smoking and vaping as well, will the Santa Monica Boulevard loca- While the Artist Tree was be for a different facility, said school with the guidance and supervision of school and district officials. See Dispensaries page 25 Three new settlements reached in lawsuits over BHPD policies n City says agreements will save money, time in avoiding court BY EDWIN FOLVEN photo by Edwin Folven Plans have been withdrawn for a public plaza on Stanley Avenue that The city of Beverly Hills has reached settlements totaling would have closed the road to vehicle traffic north of Melrose Avenue. $975,000 with two Beverly Hills Police Department employees and one former employee who filed lawsuits claiming discrimination, Stanley Avenue Plaza retaliation and harassment by Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli. “The city of Beverly Hills is plan is off the table committed to maintaining a photo by Edwin Folven respectful work environment free munity members and businesses Settlements have been reached in three additional lawsuits by employees n Concerns prompt from harassment, retaliation and in the area. of the BHPD that claimed improper treatment by Chief Sandra Spagnoli. discrimination,” Beverly Hills City withdrawal of proposal The Melrose BID, along with Attorney Laurence S. Wiener said for space off Melrose the Mid City West Community in a statement. “We have managed found liable for workplace retalia- assertion the city disagreed with – Council, had proposed perma- to reach agreements without the tion and harassment in a case filed and awarded the employees $1.1 BY EDWIN FOLVEN nently closing Stanley Avenue, cost and distraction of trials so that by four current members of the million, it did not rule that discrim- just north of Melrose Avenue, to the Beverly Hills Police Beverly Hills Police Department ination occurred. The Melrose Avenue Business create an area where people Department can focus on its prima- who alleged they were discriminat- The city also previously settled a Improvement District has could gather and interact. The ry responsibility, keeping our com- ed against by Spagnoli. Although discrimination and harassment law- scrapped plans for a community plan called for tables, chairs and munity safe.” the jury determined some state- suit filed by former Capt. Mark plaza on Stanley Avenue after street furniture to be placed there The settlements follow a jury ments made by Spagnoli qualified opposition surfaced from com- verdict in July in which the city was as harassment or retaliation – an See Council page 26 See Residents page 26 2 August 15, 2019 CALENDAR Park Labrea News/Beverly Press LGBT center Hollywood historian E. J. Stephens, co- WeHo Summer author of “Griffith Park (Images of outdoor film America),” will introduce the film. Sounds 4700 Western Heritage Way. (323)857- Join the Los Angeles LGBT Center for West Hollywood presents a performance 6000, theautry.org. a special screening of “Labyrinth” by the Matt Politano Trio on Sunday, (1986) on Friday, Aug. 16, at Aug. 18, at 5 p.m. at Kings Road Park. Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The Charles White The concert is part of the city’s Summer screening is part of the center’s OUT Sounds free outdoor concert series. Under the Stars series. The film stars exhibit tour Politano is a transcendental improviser Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie in Join Suzanne Jackson, a former stu- who explores music with artistry and a story about a 16-year-old girl who is dent of artist Charles White, for a imagination, while still showing respect given 13 hours to navigate a labyrinth walkthrough of the exhibit “Life for the beauty of a melody. Seating is and rescue her baby brother before her Model: Charles White and His first come, first served. Audience mem- wish for him to be taken away is grant- Students” on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 2 bers are encouraged to bring a picnic and ed by the Goblin King. Gates open at p.m. at Charles White Elementary blanket. 1000 N. Kings Road. 6:30 p.m. General admission is $25 and School. Co-curator C. Ian White will weho.org/summersounds. proceeds support the center’s programs provide an introduction for the tour, and services. 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. which is being held in conjunction Beth El Book eventbrite.com/e/labyrinth-tickets- with the Los Angeles County Museum 59934323174. of Art. The exhibition is open through and Film Club Sept. 15, and includes work by Kerry Hollywood Temple Beth El is launch- James Marshall, David Hammons and Wilshire Boulevard ing the Beth El Book and Film Club on Judithe Hernández, among others, Sunday, Aug. 18, at 6:30 p.m. The club who were mentored by White. Temple Ruach will discuss “Einstein and the Rabbi,” Artwork in diverse media and modes Wilshire Boulevard Temple is holding a by Rabbi Naomi Levy. Winner of the of expression is on display alongside “Rooftop Ruach” event on Friday, Aug. 2017 Nautilus Award in the sketchbooks, photographs and archival 16, at 7 p.m. The evening begins with a Religion/Spirituality of Western footage. 2401 Wilshire Blvd. family-friendly service led by Rabbi Thought category, the book is an explo- lacma.org. Joel Nickerson and Cantor Lisa Peicott, ration of the meaning and purpose of followed by a community dinner and the soul. 1317 N. Crescent Heights entertainment. Shabbat services are free WeHo Rec Expo Blvd. RSVP requested by calling and open to the public. However there (323)656-3150, or emailing photo by Jenny Graham is a $15 charge for the dinner, and West Hollywood’s Recreation Services [email protected] guests can also bring picnics. 3663 Monica Hong and Gavin Lee star in the California premiere of “Hannah Division invites the community to the Wilshire Blvd. wbtla.org/events. and the Dread Gazebo,” a play running from Saturday, Aug. 17, through WeHo Rec Expo on Sunday, Aug. 18, at Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Fountain Theatre. The play, presented by the 11 a.m. The free, family-focused event Red Cross Fountain Theatre in association with East West Players, is a story of will transform Plummer Park into a playground, providing constituents an blood drive ‘Love Struck’ unexpected whimsy, delightful comedy, profound despair and more than Macha Theatre presents “Love Struck,” opportunity to experience programs Donors are sought for a Red Cross a little magic. Hannah is two weeks away from becoming a board-certi- a romantic lesbian comedy about two featured by the city throughout the year. Blood Drive on Tuesday, Aug. 20, from fied neurologist when she receives a strange package from her grand- Latinas, running from Friday, Aug. 16, Enjoy the music, giveaways and activi- 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the parking through Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Zephyr mother, who may or may not have just ended her life in a most flamboy- ties.