BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • Cedars-Sinai studies Rainy, with coronavirus pg. 3 highs in the • Psychic arrested 60s in scam pg. 4 Volume 30 No. 11 Serving the Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities March 12, 2020 BH businesses seek to Changes for cannabis in West Hollywood? n Competing ballot change gig worker law initiatives might affect n Chamber of Commerce, Bloom talk exemptions city’s rules BY CAMERON KISZLA vices, but the law that was enacted BY CAMERON KISZLA applies to almost everyone,” said The Beverly Hills Chamber of Blair Schlecter, vice president of A pair of proposed ballot initia- Commerce is pushing for changes economic development and gov- tives aim to amend the city of to Assembly Bill 5, the gig worker ernment affairs for the chamber. “It West Hollywood’s rules regarding law that went into effect at the applies to all these industries where cannabis businesses. beginning of this year. we weren’t hearing about any prob- The West Hollywood Close the The law, which forces companies lems.” Loopholes Initiative, the first ini- who categorized some workers as For instance, Schlecter said, tiative to be announced, would independent contractors to treat some jobs in the entertainment have West Hollywood combine its them as employees and thus subject industry weren’t exempted. medical and recreational sales per- to additional benefits, was decried “Musicians and all these people mits into one type of retail permit by technology companies like Uber who have a way of doing business and would combine smoking- allowed and edible-only con- and Doordash, who rely on gig they’ve done for many years, the photo by Cameron Kiszla sumption lounge permits into one workers who can set their own structure has all changed. They’re MedMen West Hollywood is one of the “WeHo Originals” who are consumption lounge permit, schedules, instead of hiring full- not happy about it, and the people seeking changes to the city’s cannabis rules. time or part-time workers. who employ them or contract them among other changes. But beyond the gig economy, the aren’t happy about it either,” Supporters of the Close the law is affecting a wide variety of Schlecter said. Loopholes initiative believe the consumption lounge permit win- an adjacent restaurant to “deliver” industries, from journalism to To ensure they are in compliance city’s process is overly complex – ners allege makes it very difficult food to the lounge. entertainment and more who use with the law, businesses – even more so than state regulations, for them to successfully operate “Currently, medical marijuana freelancers and contract workers, small businesses – might need to which don’t differentiate between their businesses, many of which sales make up less than 3% of and some California residents are hire an attorney for help, and for medical and recreational sales – planned to use the sale of food and overall retail sales in the state of reportedly losing work because of smaller jobs, the attorney’s fees and the city ordinance was put in drinks to keep customers in their California. To continue to provide the law’s stipulations. wouldn’t make economic sense, place before the state finalized its stores. So far, only one consump- access to safe, state compliant “I think a lot of the concern about Schlecter said. rules that do not allow consump- tion lounge – the Original product to patients, all retailers independent contractors was in the tion lounges to sell anything other Cannabis Café – has been able to context of these ride-hailing ser- See Law page 26 than cannabis products, which begin operations, and it relies on See Initiatives page 25 Feuer launches bid for L.A. mayor Tom Bergin’s is back n City attorney, former City Council member for St. Patrick’s Day mounts 2022 bid n Historic Irish pub 1936 and has been located at 840 BY EDWIN FOLVEN S. Fairfax Ave. since 1949. plans bash after a However, near the end of 2019, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike year off Tom Bergin’s reopened, and Feuer on Monday became the first Francis Castagnetti, who oper- candidate to announce a bid to BY CAMERON KISZLA ates the pub with his brother, become the city’s next mayor dur- David Castagnetti, said Bergin’s ing the 2022 election. When historic Irish pub Tom will host an all-day celebration Feuer, a longtime Fairfax District Bergin’s closed after St. Patrick’s on March 17. resident who formerly represented Day 2018, there were worries it “We couldn’t be more excited the Los Angeles City Council’s 5th would be the last holiday cele- about it,” Castagnetti said. District from 1995-2001, and brated in the venerable bar and served in the state Assembly from restaurant, which first opened in See Whiskey page 25 2006-12, has been city attorney since 2013. He vowed to address homelessness and affordable hous- ing, two of the key issues currently photo by Edwin Folven affecting the city, Feuer said. He Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer has announced his candidacy for also plans to keep residents’ con- mayor and wants to hear from residents about their concerns. cerns at the center of his priorities and is embarking on a series of “lis- the better,” Feuer said. “I want to II. He emerged determined to use tening” sessions throughout the take on the city’s biggest challenges his time on Earth to perform the city. and I want to do it with accom- most important work in the world. Feuer said his bid for mayor is plished and neighborhood-centered For him, that was educating kids,” based on a lifelong philosophy of leadership. I want to fight for peo- Feuer said. “My dad’s example led helping others and improving soci- ple who need us to stand up for me to public service.” ety. Early in his career, he led Bet them.” Feuer said he had early experi- Tzedek, an organization that pro- Feuer said the importance of pub- ence in governance by helping vides legal services for seniors, lic service was instilled by his Mayor Tom Bradley when he ran families and people in need. father at a young age. for governor during the 1980s. photo by Cameron Kiszla “I am on a mission to make the “My dad barely survived a Nazi The historic Irish pub Tom Bergin’s will host a St. Patrick’s Day party biggest impact on people’s lives for prisoner-of-war camp in World War See Feuer page 26 from 6 a.m. on March 17 to 1 a.m. on March 18. 2 March 12, 2020 CALENDAR Park Labrea News/Beverly Press ‘Man of God’ ‘Worst-Case DuBois will explore the movement to win the right to vote for women Anna Moench’s production “Man of through portraits of its leaders and God” will run from Thursday, March Scenario’ devoted activists including Lucretia 12, through Sunday, April 12, in the Actor C. Thomas Howell stars in Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at “Worst-Case Scenario,” am apocalyptic B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Carrie Geffen Playhouse. During a mission romance running from Friday, March Chapman, Catt and Alice Paul, Ida B. trip to Bangkok, four members of a 13, through Saturday, April 11, at the Wells-Barnett and many others. The Korean Christian girls’ youth group dis- Hudson Comedy presentation will be followed by a sign- cover that their revered pastor has hid- Central Backstage ing of the book, “Suffrage: Women’s den a camera in their hotel bathroom. Theatre. Worlds Long Battle for the Vote.” 4700 Their communal rage and disillusion- collide in a tiki bar Western Heritage Way. (323)667-2000, ment fuel increasingly violent revenge on the edge of theautry.org. fantasies. Previews runs through Kauai when an Wednesday, March 11. Showtimes are aimless Silicon 8 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 3 and 8 Valley dropout p.m., Saturday; and 2 and 7 p.m., meets the bar’s ‘Maslenitsa Sunday. Tickets start at $30. 10886 Le brassy owner, who has a plan for all Cultural Festival’ Conte Ave. (310)208-5454, geffenplay- worst-case scenarios except finding house.org. love. The production is inspired by the Dance Studio Showtime-Katusha pre- real-life event on the morning of Jan. sents the “Maslenitsa Cultural 13, 2018, when an incoming missile Festival,” an Eastern Slavic cultural Tamino at alert was mistakenly issued for the carnival on Saturday, March 14, at island of Kauai. Previews will run from noon in Plummer Park’s Fiesta Hall. Hollywood Forever March 13-15; opening night is March The festival focuses on folk traditions The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood 20. Showtimes are 8 p.m., Friday and and celebrates the end of winter and the Forever is hosting a performance by Saturday; 3 p.m., Sunday. Tickets are rebirth of the “new sun.” Admission is free. 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. Tamino on Thursday, March 12, at 8 $42. 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. p.m. In addition to being a landmark worstcasescenariotheplay.com. weho.org. historic cemetery, Hollywood Forever hosts outdoor clas- sic film screen- Comedy play Salastina Music ings, concerts, lit- Kentwood Players presents “Vanya and erature events, lec- Sonia and Masha and Spike,” a new Society tures and live pod- play running from Friday, March 13, Classical music fans are invited to a cast tapings. photo by Charlie Mount through Saturday, April 18, at the Salastina Music Society performance Tamino combines Michael Van Duzer stars as Henry Kissinger and Steve Nevil as Westchester Playhouse. Christopher of works by Shostakovich on Sunday, classical music President Richard Nixon in Theatre West’s production of “Our Man in Durang’s hilarious comedy is set in March 15, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.