BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • Rooftop dining approved, pg. 3 Partly cloudy, • Residents rain possible demand action today pg. 4 Volume 31 No. 33 Serving Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities August 19, 2021 BHUSD students test positive for COVID LAUSD celebrates Day 1 n n Officials say Education officials pleased with student turnout transmission occurred By AAron Blevins George McKenna and other district officials joined Thurmond as he outside of schools State Superintendent of Public visited a sixth-grade classroom at By AAron Blevins Instruction Tony Thurmond joined GALA. Los Angeles Unified School “There’s no movie made about At least four Beverly Hills District officials in welcoming stu- me,” Melvoin told the class, refer- Unified School District students dents back to school on Monday at encing the 1986 TV film made have tested positive for COVID- the Girls Academic Leadership about McKenna. “But I did do a 19 since school started on Aug. Academy on the campus of Los TikTok video, though.” 13, but all of the students who Angeles High School. He told the students that he was a were in close contact with the four LAUSD Interim Superintendent seventh-grade teacher in the district individuals have tested negative, Megan K. Reilly, GALA Principal before he became an LAUSD board district officials said Wednesday. and founder Dr. Liz Hicks, school member. Three students at Beverly Hills board members Nick Melvoin and See LAUSD page 21 High School and one student at Horace Mann Elementary School tested positive this week, accord- ing to the district. During the Beverly Hills City photo courtesy of BHUSD Council special session, BHUSD Students attend their first day of the 2021-2022 school year at Beverly Superintendent of Schools Dr. Vista Middle School. No cases of COVID-19 have been reported at Michael Bregy said there is no the middle school. indication that the infectious dis- ease has been transmitted at a Beverly Hills school since the cials begin contact-tracing using or your child were not identified pandemic began. He said it was teacher data, Bregy said. as having been exposed to the never a matter of if, but when the “Of course, at the high school case,” the letter read. district would have a student test level, if you [have been exposed If students contract the virus positive. but] are vaccinated and asympto- prior to attending school, parents “It’s how you deal with [those matic, you are able to stay.” generally share their test results challenges],” the superintendent The district sent a notice to par- with the district, Bregy said. said, adding that the district is ents, informing them about the “Our school community is ready and prepared for pandemic- confirmed case and outlining the amazing, since they’ve been so related obstacles. district’s efforts to follow up on open sharing this information with photo by Aaron Blevins If a student tests positive at the case with the Los Angeles us,” he added. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, left, and LAUSD school, that student is “immedi- County Department of Public If students are unvaccinated and board member George McKenna speak with GALA students on Aug. 16. ately” isolated and given support, Health. exposed, they will undergo a quar- he said. Then, the student’s par- “If you or your child have not antine period, which can vary by ents are notified, and district offi- been contacted, it means that you See Schools page 21 Raman makes the rounds n groups and other organizations in Council member the district. meets with Rotary, Seemingly looking to address Video clears The Abbey in alleged drugging Hancock Park residents that sentiment, Raman met with n City officials, sheriff’s members of the Greater Miracle By AAron Blevins Mile Chamber of Commerce late deputies work to ensure last month, and she has spent the safe nightlife in WeHo One common criticism of first- beginning of this week meeting year Los Angeles City with local groups. By edwin folven Councilwoman Nithya Raman, On Aug. 18, she introduced her- Authorities with the West 4th District, is that she has not self to the Wilshire Rotary Club of Hollywood Sheriff’s Station and been responsive to neighborhood See Raman page 22 the Los Angeles Police Department continue to investigate claims that two women were possibly drugged at The Abbey Food and Bar in West Hollywood. One female victim who previ- ously posted on social media that she thought employees of The Abbey placed a substance in her drink that made her ill has since photo by Aaron Blevins posted that she no longer believes A victim who originally told police that an employee at The Abbey that was the case. The victim, who drugged her has recanted her story. reported the incident to the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, said the opportunity to review video, I my drink and not placing anything she met with representatives of The now want to correct the record and else in the drink. Video footage also Abbey and watched video from her clarify what happened based on showed me dancing several feet July 29 visit that showed the bar- new information that I recently from the bar, but no one tampered photo by Aaron Blevins tender did not place anything received,” the victim posted on with my drink during that time. unusual in her drink. Instagram. “My review of The Obviously, what happened to me Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, 4th District, second “After The Abbey provided me Abbey’s video footage showed a that evening was shocking and from right, and her staff speak with Wilshire Rotary President Joyce with new information, including bartender using two bottles to make See WeHo page 22 Kleifield on Aug. 18 at Canter’s Deli. 2 August 19, 2021 Beverly Press/Park Labrea News CALENDAR Hospital staffing ramps up live performances on Friday, Aug. Tickets start at $14. 2301 N. LA Phil classical 20, at 7 p.m. Ahmad is an MC, poet, Highland Ave. (323)850-2000, hol- label owner, promoter, DJ and col- lywoodbowl.com. concert laborative vocalist who fuses ele- as COVID-19 cases rise Cellist Alisa Weilerstein will make ments of hip-hop, soul, jazz, world With the faster-spreading Delta requiring hospitals statewide to her Hollywood Bowl debut in a per- music, funk, poetry and different variant driving an increase in new accept transfer patients from facili- formance with the Los Angeles Boleros De Noche artistic mediums. Electronic jazz Ánimo Production presents the Philharmonic on Thursday, Aug. 19, COVID-19 infections and hospital- ties with limited ICU capacity, pioneer and pianist de Clive-Lowe return of Boleros De Noche, featur- at 8 p.m. Weilerstein will be fea- izations, Gov. Gavin Newsom when clinically appropriate. blends acoustic, electronic and ing Gaby tured in Beethoven’s Triple signed an executive order on Aug. The governor said vaccination is world music, exploring themes of Moreno and Concerto with fellow soloists María 16 to ensure the state’s health care the most effective means of pre- belonging and identity. Admission is Tres Souls, on Dueñas and Sergio Tiempo. The facilities continue to have the venting COVID-19 infection, free. 2230 W. Sixth St. levittlosan- Saturday, Aug. program will be staffing and resources needed. transmission and outbreak. geles.org 21, at 8 p.m. at led by LA Phil The order extends provisions California has vaccinated more The Ford. The implemented to expand the health people than any other state, with Music and evening high- care workforce during the pandem- over 46 million doses administered Artistic Director Architecture lights Mexico’s ic, including allowing health care and over 78% of those eligible hav- Gustavo Dud- golden era of amel, It also workers from out of state to provide ing received at least one dose. Boleros. Launched by Los Angeles features Falla’s and art The MAK Center for Art and cultural promoter Roberto Carlos, services in California and enabling California has also implemented “The Three- Architecture is holding a virtual the performance preserves, uplifts certain medical personnel and emer- a requirement that health care Cornered Hat.” artist talk on Saturday, Aug. 21, at and celebrates Latin American gency medical technicians to con- workers be fully vaccinated, as Tickets start at $8. 2301 N. 10 a.m., via Zoom. Artists Cecilie music history in Los Angeles. tinue supporting the state’s COVID- well as stricter requirements for Highland Ave. (323)850-2000, hol- Bendixen and Sophus Ejler Jepsen Tickets start at $50. 2580 Cahuenga 19 response. The order also gives visitors at health care facilities. All lywoodbowl.com. will speak with Casey Baden and Blvd. East. theford.com. health care facilities flexibility to school staff at public and private plan and adapt their spaces to schools, and all state workers, are Kenneth Yuen, of Full Service accommodate patients. required to either show proof of Dance at Creative. Bendixen and Ejler The order also provides more full vaccination or be tested at least Jepsen’s project “Tentative Lebanese film flexibility for retired teachers and once per week. The state is encour- Concrete” experiments with new Los Angeles Filmforum presents The Wallis sculptural techniques in concrete “minutes, hours, days,” a film screen- school staff to return to fill short- aging local governments and other The Wallis presents the Versa-Style using textile forms. Two concrete ing series running from Saturday, term staffing shortages. Retired employers to adopt a similar proto- Dance Company in a three-night installations were constructed and Aug. 23, through Monday, Aug. 23. live engagement of its latest hip-hop staff can assist schools impacted by col.