BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • Amoeba finds new home pg. 3 Sunny, with • Women sought highs in the in luxury watch 60s theft pg. 4 Volume 30 No. 7 Serving the Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities February 13, 2020 Chaotic Council Chambers Academy Museum opening in sight n Despite disruptions, forum covers much ground n Museum Row’s BY CAMERON KISZLA attempted to ask a question about what she described as “outra- newest institution In a contentious candidate forum geous” salaries for city employees, premiering on Dec. 14 hosted by the Southwest Beverly though moderator Ken Goldman, Hills Homeowners Association in president of the HOA, said the BY CAMERON KISZLA the Council Chambers at City Hall audience member had exceeded on Feb. 11, the six hopefuls for City the 15-second time limit and the During the Academy Awards on Council overcame several disrup- question included too much per- Feb. 9, actor Tom Hanks took the tions, including a disorderly protest- sonal opinion. Most of the candi- stage. However, instead of er and a loud disagreement over the dates declined to respond to that announcing a win for a director or rules for questions from the audi- question, but they weighed in on cinematographer, the two-time ence, to debate a variety of topics of other topics, including parking and Oscar winner had good news for concern for Beverly Hills voters. the Miracle Mile and film lovers One member of the audience See Council page 26 around the world: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will officially open its doors on Dec. 14. “We’re all very proud of what has been accomplished so far in photo by Cameron Kiszla the landmark that is taking shape The Dolby Family Terrace atop the Academy Museum’s sphere offers at Fairfax and Wilshire … It’s views of the Hollywood sign. going to be a very big deal, and we’ll see you there,” Hanks said. guests will be exposed to approxi- iconic film was once planned to be Construction began on the mately 50,000 square feet of in the lobby, but it will now be part Renzo Piano-designed, 300,000- gallery space containing memora- of a special gallery that focuses on square-foot museum in 2015, and bilia from many highly decorated each person’s role in working on a several delays have pushed back and beloved films. movie and how those parts come the expected opening date, first The second and third floors will together to create a film. from 2017 to 2019, then to a later house the museum’s permanent “As we’ve been refining the photo by Cameron Kiszla date in 2019 and now to this year. exhibits, including items such as narrative of the exhibition, we Robin Rowe, Lili Bosse, Rabbi Sidney Green, Lori Greene Gordon, Dr. When the museum finally the ruby slippers from “The Julian Gold and Aimee Zeltzer participated in the Southwest Beverly Hills opens at 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Wizard of Oz.” An exhibit on the See Museum page 25 Homeowners Association forum on Feb. 11. Supervisors submit bid for St. Vincent Garcetti’s ‘Green New Deal’ n County wants to use closed hospital to to address climate change house homeless people n Mayor’s plan seeks emissions and address climate to affect this decade, change. BY MORGAN KEITH “The science could not be when ‘stakes could clearer and the stakes could not Following unanimous approval not be higher’ be higher. We must act this at its Jan. 21 meeting, the Los decade to save the planet and cre- Angeles County Board of BY EDWIN FOLVEN ate a more equitable, prosperous Supervisors submitted a bid to pur- and healthy future for our chil- chase St. Vincent Medical Center Los Angeles Mayor Eric dren and grandchildren,” Garcetti with the hope of turning it into Garcetti signed an executive said in a statement. “There is lit- housing for homeless individuals. directive on Feb. 10 known as erally no time to waste, because “This is a significant opportunity “L.A.’s Green New Deal: what we do in the next 10 years for the board of supervisors to Leading By Example,” which will determine the health of our advance its work around the ques- will guide the city’s efforts over tion of homelessness amidst this the next decade to reduce carbon See Deal page 25 crisis,” said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, 2nd District. “We can make good on our commit- photo by Morgan Keith ments to address homelessness with St. Vincent Medical Center filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and closed its urgency and innovation. This is one doors on Jan. 6. heck of an opportunity. Let’s take advantage of it.” that the entity that outbid them housing, and wraparound mental Los Angeles County CEO Sachi could not secure the necessary and medical health services,” Solis Hamai said she wanted to finance financing to finalize the purchase, said. “Part of my strategy has been the purchase of the 10.5-acre cam- according to the motion by to repurpose underutilized or pus upfront, adding that she didn’t Supervisor Hilda Solis, 1st District, unused county assets to offset our want to enter into any short- or that sought to submit a second bid lack of affordable housing.” long-term obligations when creat- for the property. The county’s Public Health ing the final proposal. “L.A. County is best suited to Department deemed St. Vincent The board previously attempted take the lead in turning St. Vincent and its surrounding area as Service to purchase St. Vincent in March Medical Center into a facility that Planning Area 4, which contains the photo courtesy of Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office 2019, but was unsuccessful with could help address our need for Mayor Eric Garcetti signed a directive on Feb. 10 to create programs their bid. However, it was notified more affordable housing, interim See Hospital page 26 addressing climate change over the next decade. 2 February 13, 2020 CALENDAR Park Labrea News/Beverly Press Real Estate of “Human Interest Story” runs from experimental animator who combines Saturday, Feb. 15, through Sunday, the formal techniques and structures of investment expo April 5, at the Fountain Theatre in abstract and absolute animation with Hollywood. In “Human Interest Story,” those of cinematic genres. Her hand- The Los Angeles Real Estate Investors newspaper columnist Andy Kramer is made films use collage to explore the Club is holding a vendors expo on laid off when a corporate takeover relationship between graphic cinema Thursday, Feb. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. in downsizes the City Chronicle. In retali- and storytelling, the tension between the third floor ballroom at the Olympic ation, Kramer fabricates a letter to his form and meaning. General admission Collection. Over 40 real estate profes- column from an imaginary homeless is $12. 6712 Hollywood Blvd. sionals will offer information and ser- woman who announces she will kill (323)377-7238, lafilmforum.org. vices including lenders, property insur- herself on the Fourth of July because of ance agents, credit repair consultants, the heartless state of the world. When home inspectors, mortgage brokers and the letter goes viral, the columnist is Forever Flamenco contractors, as well as experts in forced to hire a homeless woman to Celebrate the passion, romance, love escrow, title insurance, landlord ser- stand-in as the fictitious letter writer. and emotion of Valentine’s Day when vices, Airbnb, out-of-state investments She becomes an overnight internet sen- flamenco dancer Briseyda Zárate per- and data services. Admission is free. sation and a national women’s move- forms on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 8 p.m. at 11301 W. Olympic Blvd. (310)792- ment is ignited. Showtimes are 8 p.m., the Fountain Theatre. Zárate will be 6404, lareic.com. Monday and Friday; 2 and 8 p.m., joined by dancer Lakshmi “La Chimi” Saturday; 2 p.m., Sunday. Tickets start Basile, singer Oscar Valero and gui- at $25. 5060 Fountain Ave. (323)663- tarist Andres Vadin. The performance is ‘Revenge Song’ 1525, fountaintheatre.com. part of the Forever Flamenco series. Geffen Playhouse presents Qui Tickets start at $40. 5060 Fountain Ave. Nguyen’s “Revenge Song” running (323)663-1525, fountaintheatre.com. from Thursday, Feb. 13, through Hammer Museum Sunday, March 8. The play is a rousing, Join the Hammer Museum for “Panic music-filled look at the life of Julie Party” on Sunday, Feb 16, from 5 to 8 WeHo landlords d’Aubigny, a gay 17th century French p.m. The event is a dance party for a swordswoman and opera singer. greener future through art, advocacy workshop “Revenge Song” is a heroine’s journey and action. It includes Cumbiatón DJs West Hollywood presents a workshop toward self-dis- Sizzle Fantastic and Funky Caramelo, titled “Landlord Basics” on Tuesday, covery and accep- as well as DJ Suga Shay. Guests will Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. in the West tance. In this enjoy short films, information about Hollywood Community Center at world premiere activism, after-hours admission to Plummer Park. The event is the latest in Geffen Playhouse museum exhibitions, cocktails and a series of RSO Building Blocks work- commission, con- photo courtesy of BJM food. 10899 Wilshire Blvd. (310)443- shops that educate property owners, versations about Dance fans are invited to the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa 7000, hammer.ucla.edu. managers, tenants and other communi- gender and sexual- Monica for a presentation of Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal performing its ty members about the city’s rent stabi- ity blend together original work “Dance Me” on Friday, Feb.