VOL . LVI NO. 48
NOVEMBER 27, 2020
IN THIS ISSUE
Beverly Hills City Council to Review Closure of In-Person Restaurant Dining 4
THE NEWSPAPER OF RECORD FOR BEVERLY HILLS
BHCOURIER .COM
Council Bans Unpermitted Assemblies at Beverly Gardens Park BY SAMUEL BR ASLOW
Every Saturday for the last 18 weeks, Beverly Gardens Park has transformed from tourist attraction and leisure destination to de facto town square. The weekly “Freedom Rally” has given a home to locals and people across Los Angeles County who support President
Nessah Vandal Sentenced 5
L.A. Christmas Market Opens
Donald Trump and oppose public health guidelines they view as onerous. But with the presidential election over and still no end in sight to the unrest animating the rally, residents of Beverly Hills have begun asking: when will we get our park back?
At a Special Meeting on Nov. 24, the Beverly Hills City Council passed new restrictions on the use of its public parks for unpermitted assemblies. (Unpermitted continues on page 7)
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Portions of Beverly Gardens Park boarded up due to recent protests Photo by Shawn Farr
Beverly Hills Hit Hard by New Dining Restrictions
Courier Calendar 2 News 4 Sprituality 6
BY BIANCA HEY WARD
Community 8 Birthdays 1 0 Fun & Games 1 2 Classifieds 1 8
THE WEATHER, BEVERLY HILLS
Friday
68° | 45°
Saturday
70° | 45°
Sunday
70° | 48°
Monday
69° | 48°
Tuesday
70° | 48°
Wednesday
68° | 48°
Thursday
69° | 47°
SINCE 1965
Parklet at Croft Alley on Brighton Way Photo Courtesy of Croft Alley
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge and hospitalizations increase, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) announced new dining restrictions that took effect on Nov. 25. The modified public health order prohibits all dining out at County restaurants, breweries, wineries and bars. The new restrictions were announced on
Nov. 22. In a sobering milestone, the County reached a new record for daily new COVID19 cases on Nov. 23, surpassing 6,000. That number was well above the 4,500 new daily case threshold set to prompt a new “Targeted Stay-at-Home Order.” In a Nov. 22 press release, Public Health officials said, “To reduce the possibility for crowding and the potential for exposures in settings where people are not wearing their face coverings, restaurants, breweries, wineries and bars will only be able to offer take-out, drive thru, and delivery services. Wineries and breweries may continue their retail operations adhering to current protocols. In person dining will not be allowed, at minimum, for the next three weeks.” However, the County is seeing resistance to the new dining restrictions. (Dining Restrictions continues on page 11)
BHHS Alum Nominated to Head DHS BY SAMUEL BR ASLOW
A Beverly Hills High School alumnus may soon clock in to work at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. On Nov. 23, President-Elect Joe Biden nominated Alejandro Mayorkas to serve as the head of the Department of Homeland Security. If confirmed by the senate, he would become the first Latino and immigrant to assume the Cabinet position. “We have no time to lose when it comes to our national security and foreign policy,” Biden said in a statement. “I need a team ready on Day One to help me reclaim America’s seat at the head of the table, rally the world to meet the biggest challenges we face, and advance our security, prosperity, and values. This is the crux of that team.” (Mayorkas continues on page 7)
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