BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • Grocers coming to WeHo pg. 3 Sunny, with • New LAPD highs in the leader in upper 80s Hollywood pg. 6 Volume 29 No. 30 Serving the Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities July 25, 2019 New planting rules Beverly Hills goes for the BOLD n City looking for for WeHo parkways boosts to social media n Benches, lights will require encroachment permit activity, foot traffic, hotel room occupancy BY CAMERON KISZLA of the adjacent property. The strips of land were not previ- BY RYAN MANCINI On July 15, the West Hollywood ously subject to any enforceable As the temperature rises, so City Council voted unanimously to design standards, only guidelines does anticipation for Summer approve new rules for parkways, that acted as suggestions. Property BOLD in Beverly Hills, the city’s the spaces between sidewalks and owners will not be required to com- “open later days” programming the street. ply with the new regulations until beginning Aug. 1. Except for certain types of trees they want to change 50% or more “I think the variety of program- designated as street trees, parkways See Design page 25 ming is so dynamic and unique are the responsibility of the owner that it creates a must-see experi- ence,” Councilwoman Lili Bosse photo courtesy of city of Beverly Hills said. “Each season, we work to Fireworks go off over Summer BOLD, one of two programs held to elevate the campaign and I’m con- extend shopping hours for businesses along Rodeo Drive and provide fident we have done it again this entertainment for shoppers. summer.” BOLD’s goal is to provide lowing both Summer BOLD and portive marketing, according to guests late-night entertainment, as BOLD Holidays campaigns. the staff report on BOLD’s met- well as encourage businesses to After 2019’s BOLD Holidays rics delivered to the Beverly Hills remain open past their normal season comes to a close, all data City Council on March 5. closing times. will be added to information that The report also noted how the Once the four-week Summer the city gathered in 2017. From Metro’s Purple Line Extension BOLD ends, data will be tallied to there, the focus will be to deter- subway project is expected to help gauge the success. Since 2017, mine how the program will further impact both foot traffic and busi- photo by Cameron Kiszla data based on several key points help businesses, attract future rev- ness revenue. Phase 2 of the con- With the exception of some types of trees, parkways – the strip of land such as foot traffic, social media enue for the city, provide experi- struction, which will be located between the sidewalk and the street – are the responsibility of the owner posts and hashtags, and hotel room mental programming and help near Rodeo Drive, is scheduled to of tthe adjacent property. occupancy have been gathered fol- assist local businesses with sup- See City page 26 Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates First cannabis café opening dual anniversaries at L.A. gala is weeks away for WeHo n Two consumption On July 16, the West n Group will install first Hollywood Business License lounges awarded female artistic director Commission approved two mari- business licenses juana businesses that will allow later this year customers to smoke, vape and BY CAMERON KISZLA consume edible cannabis prod- ucts on site: PleasureMed, which BY RYAN MANCINI Nearly three years after will be located at 7715 Santa The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los California voters passed Monica Blvd., and Lowell Cafe, Angeles’ “GMCLA 40 / Stonewall Proposition 64 to legalize recre- to be located at 1201 N. La Brea 50” gala on Aug. 16 at Disney ational cannabis in the state, the Ave. Concert Hall will not only celebrate first cannabis consumption West Hollywood’s Community lounges have received the go- the 40th anniversary of the nonprof- See Lounges page 25 it’s first performance, but also pay ahead to open their doors. tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. “It’s going to be two great cele- brations wrapped into one,” Executive Director Lou Spisto said. The New York City Gay Men’s photo by Greg Zabilski/courtesy of Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles Chorus and 23 other choruses from The GMCLA’s upcoming gala will feature over 500 performers, include across the country will also be per- members of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus. forming with the GMCLA, with 500 singers in total. GMCLA’s 300 Spisto said. The show will also commemo- members and the other choruses Among those participating are rate the anniversary of Stonewall will be led by interim artistic direc- the “First Nighters,” four of the with a performance of “Quiet No tor Gavin Thrasher. original 99 chorus members from More: A Choral Celebration of The performance will include a the very first GMCLA gathering on Stonewall.” Recently at the variety of songs, ranging from July 12, 1979, and civil rights Carnegie Music Hall in New York rendering courtesy of AEG+Architects When it opens next year, the consumption lounge at PleasureMed musical theater and film to choral activist David Mixner. Mixner will See Choral page 26 music from the American canon, receive a lifetime legend award. will be located on the second floor, above a first-floor dispensary. 2 July 25, 2019 CALENDAR Park Labrea News/Beverly Press ‘Rooftop Ruach’ Central Garden. Admission is free. Admission is free; RSVP requested. 1200 Getty Center Drive. getty.edu. 9400 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Second Wilshire Boulevard Temple is holding a Floor. (310)248-1000, members.bever- “Rooftop Ruach” event on Friday, July lyhillschamber.com. 26, at 7 p.m. The evening begins with a ‘The Art of family-friendly service led by Rabbi Joel Nickerson and Cantor Lisa Peicott, Storytelling’ Cherie Currie and followed by a taco fiesta and entertain- Theatre West is inaugurating a new ment. Shabbat services are free and series, The Art of Storytelling, on Brie Darling open to the public, however there is a Sunday, July 28, at 7 p.m. Each evening The Grammy Museum welcomes Los $15 charge for the taco fiesta dinner. in the series will be comprised of story- Angeles-based female rock icons Guests can also bring picnics. 3663 telling around a central theme, and the Cherie Currie and Brie Darling for a Wilshire Blvd. wbtla.org/events. theme for the first evening in the series discussion and performance on is “It Happened in L.A.” Performers Thursday, Aug. 1. The event coincides include Kathie Barnes, Suzanne with the release of “The Motivator,” ‘The Randy Collins, Anne Leyden, Bruce Liberty, Currie and Darling’s debut album. The Gardner Story’ Connie Mellors, Dina Morrone, Clara duo will perform a set of songs together Rodriguez and Ben Russell. Admission and discuss the making of the new Join the city of West Hollywood for a is $10. 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West. recording with moderator Scott special showcase screening of “Go (323)851-7977, theatrewest.org. Goldman. Doors open at 7, show starts Figure: The Randy Gardner Story,” a at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. 800 W. documentary film based on the one- Olympic Blvd. grammymuseum.org. man theater show of the same name on Flamenco Friday, July 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the West Hollywood Council Chambers. What meditation happens after an Olympic quest has Fans of flamenco are invited to ended? The film follows the journey of “Meditación Flamenca” on Sunday, identity for Gardner, a world champion July 28, at 8 p.m. at the Fountain pairs figure skater who with his partner Theatre. The event of over 50 years, Tai Babilonia, is a journey achieved stardom. Gardner will attend photo by Amanda Weier through the prac- and participate in a Q&A session after Scott Roberts and Caroline Klidonas star in the Open Fist Theatre tice of flamenco the film. 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. Company’s presentation of “Dancing at Lughnasa,” by the Irish play- cante (song), baile Admission is free; RSVP is requested wright Brian Friel, running through Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Atwater (dance), toque by calling (323)848-6823, or visiting Village Theatre. Barbara Schofield directs Friel’s Tony Award-winning (which can mean go-figure.eventbrite.com. music, or touch) masterpiece set in the summer of 1936 during the Celtic harvest festival of Lughnasa. Five unmarried sisters – Kate, Maggie, Agnes, Rose and and arte (art) as a form of meditation. Wendy Castellanos Chris – live in the rural Irish countryside outside the tiny village of ‘Groundlings directs the event with dancers Vanessa Treasure Hunters’ Ballybeg. Loosely based on the lives of Friel’s mother and aunts, the Albalos, Wendy Castellanos and play is a deeply moving portrait of their everyday lives, as remembered Misuda Cohen, and vocalist Antonio de Audiences don’t need a map to find through the eyes of Chris’s seven-year-old son, Michael, now an adult. Jerez, among others. Visual artistry will side-splitting laughs in the Showtimes are 8 p.m., Monday and Thursday through Saturday; 4 p.m., be presented by Edgardo Monserrat. “Groundlings Treasure Hunters,” a new Sunday. Tickets start at $20. 3269 Casitas Ave. (323)882-6912, open- Tickets are $40. 5060 Fountain Ave. show running from Friday, July 26, (323)663-1525, fountaintheatre.com. through Saturday, Sept. 14, at the fist.org. Groundlings Theatre. Ted Michaels directs the new improv comedy show Children’s lit panel that stars Lauren Burns, Tony Cavalero, tion during a meeting on Saturday, July Lucas, a young man who gives her a Aspiring writers are invited to an Chris Eckert, Julian Gant, Patty 27, from 10 a.m.