BHCourier E-edition 051917

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BEVERLY HILLS VOLUME: LII

NUMBER 20

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SINCE 1965

May 19, 2017

Bosse, Mirisch and Wunderlich Stump City Manager

S.O.U.L. SESSION — Alternative health pioneer Dr. Deepak Chopra teamed with Mayor Lili Bosse and an estimated 1,000 locals for a guided meditation last Friday on the front steps of City Hall. Pictured (inset): Chopra receives a proclamation from (from left) Councilmember Julian Gold, Bosse and Councilmember Les Friedman.

THIS ISSUE

The Beverly Hills PTA Council welcomed a new 4 group of leaders.

Robinson Gardens’ annual benefit tour is set for this Saturday. 14 •Real Estate •Sports •Birthdays

8 20 22

By Matt Lopez Father’s Day can mean only one thing in Beverly Hills – the return of the Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance. The annual Beverly Hills Father’s Day favorite returns on Sunday, June 18 as the 24th annual Rodeo Drive Concours celebrates the “Road To Rodeo.” The Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance annually brings around 30,000 visitors to Rodeo Drive, and a big crowd is

once again expected this year. “The Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance is the ideal Father’s Day tradition for our community,” says Mayor Lili Bosse. “It highlights the history of luxury automobiles, and showcases the latest designs and advances in automotive technology. However, most importantly, it celebrates our wonderful Beverly Hills fathers.” The Rodeo Drive Concours (see ‘RODEO DRIVE CONCOURS’ page 19)

Florence Ajamian, Soul Of ‘Stop Cancer’, Turns 100 George Christy, Page 6 For Thirty Years, Elgart Asher and Paul Swerdlove Hosted Dinners Prior To The S.T.A.G.E. Musicale Performances Benefitting APLA (Health) … A New Book Of Opulent Interiors That’s A Keeper

CLASSIFIEDS

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lack of need for immediate action, I have changed my direction. For now, I favor removing only the 13 stumps. Down the road and with more time, we can revisit the rest.” Only 13 trees were recommended for removal in a 2015 report by City consultant Gruen Associates. Aluzri responded: “Thank you Bob, I have discussed this with [City Attorney] Larry [Wiener] and we will rescind the order and ask [Beverly Hills Land Company] BHLC not to start phase 2 of the maintenance including the tree stump removal (which was scheduled for tomorrow) until the Council revisit the matter at a future meeting.” The stump removal – which was scheduled for today – has become a flashpoint in the community, elevating concern among residents (see ‘TREE CUTTING’ page 22)

Beloved Southland Concours d’Elegance Returns Philanthropist Marion To Rodeo Drive On Father’s Day Anderson Dead At 86

By Laura Coleman At 4-foot-10 inches, Florence Ajamian’s diminutive frame houses an incredibly kind soul with an indefatigable zest for life. Tomorrow, she will celebrate her 100th birthday in Beverly Hills – a milestone she credits both to her ability to smile throughout her life as well as her longtime employment with Stop Cancer. “Stop Cancer is one of the reasons I’m alive, probably,” she said of the organization where she has worked full time since Dr.

Florence Ajamian

Armand Hammer co-founded it in 1988 with Sherry Lansing. “It’s one of the reasons I’m still active (see ‘FLORENCE AJAMIAN’ page 31)

By John L. Seitz Philanthropist Marion Anderson died last Sunday at age 86. The fact that the longtime Bel-Air resident passed on Mother’s Day is only appropriate inasmuch as she and her late husband of 44 years, John E. Anderson, spent their lifetimes giving of themselves and their largesse. Marion, in particular, has been heavily involved with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, co-chairing both its board of trustees and board of regents for many years. She has been a CHLA trustee since

Celebrity Photo Agency/Scott Downie

Beverly Hills Fire Chief Ralph Mundell will retire next month. 5

By Victoria Talbot The Beverly Hills City Council voted 3-2 on Tuesday (Mayor Lili Bosse and Councilmember John Mirisch against) to go forward with a plan for “maintenance” of Parcels 12 & 13 that will include grinding of the stumps of 195 trees illegally cut down on Nov. 21-22, 2015. In that vote, new Councilmember Robert Wunderlich voted to remove the stumps. “I did not want to pose an impediment that would delay the Santa Monica Boulevard reconstruction,” he said. But Thursday morning, in a surprise move that residents are embracing, Wunderlich sent the following e-mail to City Manager Mahdi Aluzri and Bosse on his way out of the country: “New information has been presented to me regarding the stumps. Given that and the

Marion Anderson

1989, receiving the hospital’s “Living Proof Visionary Award” and the lifetime title of chair emerita. In 2011, the Anderson’s made the largest individual gift (see ‘MARION ANDERSON’ page 31)

GOLDIE’S BACK — Goldie Hawn and Amy Schumer attended the world premiere of 20th Century Fox's Snatched, along with Kate Hudson and beau Danny Fujikawa, at the Regency Village Theatre. For more photos, see George Christy’s column on page 6.


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