WWW.BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • Back to School section pg.18-20 Sunny with temps in the high 70s Volume 26 No. 37 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park, Beverly Hills and Wilshire Communities September 15, 2016 L.A. is in the market for Thai Town project Coalition doesn’t bite n Community will break ground on nat Garcetti’s offer Mayor offers to ban ex parte for commissioners marketplace Sept. 22 “spot zoning.” Before submitting signatures to The Los Angeles City Council Mayor Eric Garcetti stepped into put the Neighborhood Integrity approved a $1.2 million allocation the middle of the battle over the Initiative (NII) on the March 2017 for a marketplace in the Thai city’s development last week when ballot, the Coalition to Preserve Town District above a Metro Red he said he will prohibit off-the- L.A. wrote to Garcetti about how Line subway station at Hollywood record communications between “greed has fueled corruption.” Boulevard and Western Avenue. planning commissioners and pro- They asked the Garcetti to reform The Thai Community ject developers. Councilman David the city’s review process, including Development Center (TCDC) will Ryu, 4th District, followed that by eliminating ex parte communica- break ground on the Thai Town introducing a motion that aims to tions with commissioners and elect- Marketplace on Sept. 22. The pro- “increase faith in our development ed officials, and then they would ject is 10 years in the making and process” with similar strategies. consider pulling the initiative. But will help small businesses grow in But the two efforts have so far have the mayor didn’t respond in time. East Hollywood, said Chanchanit not been enough to halt a campaign Thousands of signatures were sub- Martorell, executive director of that aims to reel in development mitted to the city clerk, and the the TCDC. with a two-year moratorium on See ex parte page 25 It will include 11 food stalls operated by members of Hollywood’s Thai Community, photo by Edwin Folven and an additional stall operated by Thai mythical angel Apsonsi, near the corner of Hollywood Boulevard a member of the local Filipino and Normandie Avenue, stands at the gateway to Thai Town. community. The funding was made possible through a motion munity within East Hollywood,” ment,” Martorell said. “It will also authored by Councilman Mitch O’Farrell said. be L.A.’s new hotspot for great O’Farrell, 13th District. The TCDC is spending an addi- food.” “I support the goals of the Thai tional $892,200 on the project. The TCDC plans to open the Town Marketplace, which will be “I hope it will be what it takes to marketplace, located in an exist- a small-business incubator in the really activate the street and be an ing building at 5448 Hollywood heart of a thriving cultural com- anchor for economic develop- See Thai page 25 photo by Gregory Cornfield The Coalition to Preserve L.A. said they have no plans to withdraw their nThe Greek Theatre is rockin’ under city’s watch ballot measure after seeing what the city had to offer in response. Transition going smoothly with more enhancements planned Opponents to Measure HH It has been approximately 10 months since the Los Angeles challenge garden covenant Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) took control of the Greek Theatre, and everything is jammin’ along just fine, according to city and A judge ruled last week against The garden and community representatives. a challenge to a ballot statement open space will be Councilman David Ryu, 4th District, asked for a status update in favor of building a 26-story permanently tower and 1.7 acres of public gar- last week and RAP general manag- protected by a er Michael Shull said their report den space in Beverly Hills, writ- will reflect the benefits of the new ten by Measure HH initiators. separate signed operating system. photo by Robert Mora Wanda Beverly Hills, LLC – covenant. Nederlander Concerts had been which represents the One Officials say the new operation model for the Greek is making more money the operations manager at the city- Beverly Hills plan at 9900 for the city after a successful start to its first season as operator. - Ballot statement in owned, 5,900-seat venue at 2700 Wilshire Blvd. – and other oppo- favor of Measure HH Vermont Ave. for 40 years. But last that save energy and money. They the good news. Ryu’s motion asked nents to Measure HH challenged year, after a long process to find also completely gutted the back- for RAP to address bookings, rev- the argument submitted in favor new managers, RAP decided to stage dressing rooms and built a enue projections and measures of the tower, which will appear and Merv Griffin Way. “Now, Beverly Hills residents operate the theatre itself. new area for artists and performers. taken to protect quality of life for on the ballot with the impartial Shull said the initial transition Shull said patrons have been com- the community. analysis, an argument against, have a chance to make that plan even better,” the argument reads, went smoothly. The theatre’s minor plimenting the restorations and say When the department took over, rebuttals and the ballot question. physical improvements started they bring back the character and it launched an “open venue” model The argument in favor explains as it will rewrite the approved plan to allow a 345-foot building soon after. The department restored feeling from when the theatre was to operate the Greek Theatre, which that the city approved a plan in the façade, removed advertising to originally built. means the city maintains control of 2008 to construct an 18-story instead. The argument refers to Measure HH as a “better, greener give it a cleaner look, renovated the Shull said he is looking forward the programming calendar while building and an 8-story building plaza, improved infrastructure and to providing the status update to the providing open access to all See ballot page 26 along Santa Monica Boulevard seating, and installed LED lights city because he’ll be happy to share See Greek page 26 2 September 15, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press AIDS/LifeCycle participants ditch 15 ‘Comedy and their spandex cycling gear and wear Cocktails’ their best drag clothing in a competi- omedian Bill Devlin’s “Comedy C a l e n d a r tion to win $1,000. The event also and Cocktails” show returns on includes an after party. 8857 Santa CThursday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the 17 Household Waste Monica Blvd. www.lalgbtcenter.org. Hollywood Improv. Devlin’s show mixes some of the hottest stand-up Disposal ispose of household hazardous comedians in the country with sur- waste at a collection on ‘Frida Fest’ prise celebrity guests and a band. he “Frida Fest Art and Music Saturday, Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 8162 Melrose Ave. (323)651-2583, D Festival,” named in honor of p.m. in Beverly Hills. Motor oil, www.hollywood.improv.com. Tartist Frida Kahlo, is on Saturday, antifreeze, paint, cleaners, car batter- Sept. 17 from 4 to 9 p.m. in Plummer ies, computers televisions and more Park’s Fiesta Hall. Visitors will Rita Wilson will be accepted. There is a limit of enjoy dance, art exhibits and musical ita Wilson brings her vocal and 15 gallons or 125 pounds per vehi- performances. “Frida Fest” is orga- songwriting talents to the cle. Foothill Road, between Alden nized by the LProject Los Angeles, a RAudrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Drive and Third Street. (800)238- nonprofit dedicated to empowering Geffen Playhouse for six shows run- 0172. lesbians and bisexual women ning Thursday, Sept. 15 through through art and technology. General Saturday, Sept. 17, and Thursday, admission is $20. 7377 Santa Sept. 22 through Saturday, Sept. 24. ‘Back to Cool’ ock music fans are invited to Monica Blvd. www.lprojectla.org. Wilson will be joined by different “Back to Cool,” an outdoor art special guests each evening to share fair on Saturday, Sept. 17 from noon the stories behind their songs. Guest R to 6 p.m. at Mr. Musichead Gallery. Brainfeeder at artists include Jeff Barry, Darrell Participants can enjoy art, music and Brown, Kara DioGuardi, Billy The Bowl food trucks in a newly-renovated out- Steinberg, Holly Knight, Richard rainfeeder and the Los Angeles door gallery space. 7420 W. Sunset Marx and MoZella. The concerts Philharmonic Association pre- Blvd. www.mrmusichead.com. begin at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $59. Bsent “Brainfeeder at the Bowl” 10886 Le Conte Ave. (310)208-5454, on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. The www.geffenplayhouse.org. evening features performances by WeHo Arts Flying Lotus, Funkadelic featuring Planning Process George Clinton and Parliament, Pat Metheny eHo Arts encourages the pub- Thundercat, Shabazz Palaces, The egendary jazz guitarist Pat lic to participate in “WeHo Gaslamp Killer and special guests. Metheny returns to UCLA’s WArts: The Plan” on Saturday, Sept. Tickets start at $20. 2301 N. LRoyce Hall for a performance on 17 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Highland Ave. (323)850-2000, Thursday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. Metheny Scrumptious Café. Participants can www.HollywoodBowl.com. will perform music from throughout help shape West Hollywood’s Arts his career and will be accompanied Division programs for the next five by his longtime drummer Antonio to 10 years. 1111 N. Hayworth Ave. MMPA Pre-Emmy Sanchez. Tickets start at $39. 340 www.weho.org/theplan. Awards Party Royce Drive.