BH Courier 05-20-2011

Page 1

Late Breaking: Ezri Namvar Convicted Of Wire Fraud, See Page 4

BEVERLY HILLS VOLUME XXXXVII NUMBER 20 $135 PER YEAR - $1.25 PER COPY •

www.bhcourier.com

By Courier Staff Any idea that the community broadly supports the proposed massive gymnasium and activity center in Roxbury Park championed by Mayor Barry Brucker and Vice Mayor Willie Brien was dispelled by the tension and turnout at the Roxbury Park

Firefighters extinguish a car fire at Fire Service Day. 4

WELCOMING RECEPTION–A reception welcoming the debut of the new Doctors of USC satellite facility in Beverly Hills brought out (from left): Dr. David Agus, USC President C. L. Max Nikias, Dr. Neda Shamie, Dr. Mitchell Gross and Dean Carmen Puliafito. Photo by Steve Cohn

Council Fails Again To Take Stand Against BHHS Tunnel Tickets are selling fast to “KCET Uncorked” at Bouchon Bistro June 12. 5

Eight Beverly Hills Italian restaurants receive “Q” seals. 9

Student athletes qualify for CIF Division 2 Finals. 18 •Fashion •Health and Wellness •Education •Restaurant Review •Birthdays

8 12 18 21 22

George Christy, Page 6 The Food, The Flowers And The Famous Folks At Their Favorite La Grenouille In New York—It’s “Heaven On Earth,” Says Vanity Fair Editorial from Rabbi Pressman AND MORE

CLASSIFIEDS • Announcements • Real Estate • Rentals • Sales • and More

32

MAY 20, 2011

Citizens Erupt Against City Council’s Huge Roxbury Plan

THIS ISSUE

BHUSD Superintendent visits the EATalian program at Il Fornaio. 4

SINCE 1965

Vice Mayor Willie Brien felt compelled to defend the city council against allegations of inaction to block the threatened MTA subway tunnel under Beverly Hills High School. The city of Beverly Hills

went on record supporting mass transit and the “subway to the sea” conditioned upon a Wilshire Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard route years (see ‘COUNCIL,’ page 27)

Beverly Hills Chamber Of Commerce Hires New Director By Marla Schevker The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce announced at the Beverly Hills City Council Study Session Tuesday they have found a new Chamber of Commerce director, Alexander Stettinski. Stettinski has been a market-

ing professional for over a decade with a strong focus on business communities. He provided strategic direction and leadership for all marketing and communications related activi-

Community Center meeting Wednesday evening. Beverly Hills residents, passionate on both sides, argued with each other as well as with Community Services Director Steve Zoet, Landscape Architect Pat Hirsch and Building Architect Stephen (see ‘ROXBURY,’ page 11)

Brien/Brucker Attack On Rodeo Drive Rejected 3-2 By Courier Staff A massive public break between the city of Beverly Hills and its premiere merchant assocation, the Rodeo Drive Committee, was narrowly averted Tuesday when newly-elected

council member Dr. Julian Gold broke with Vice Mayor Willie Brien and Mayor Barry Brucker to honor the City's commitment to the RDC to contribute to the (see ‘RDC,’ page 16)

Gary Woods Finalist For BHUSD Superintendent The Courier has learned that San Marino Unified School District Superintendent Gary Woods is a finalist for the superintendent’s position in the Beverly Hills Unified School District. San Marino is the top-performing academic school district in California. Woods interviewed in Bev(see ‘SUPERINTENDENT,’ page 16)

Gary Woods

(see ‘CHAMBER DIRECTOR,’ page 27)

From The Gridiron To Lawry’s To BHCC, Johnson Still Scoring Big By John L. Seitz have a sterling Scoring touchgridiron career as downs was once a a fullback at Slipway of life for Todd pery Rock UniverF. Johnson and–in a sity in Pennsylvacertain respect–still nia before trying is. out at the San The outgoing Diego Chargers’ board chair of the training camp the Beverly Hills Chamsummer of 1986. ber of Commerce, “After looking Todd Johnson who will turn the reins of that or- at some of those big bruisers ganization over to Bruce Schul(see ‘TODD JOHNSON,’ page 22) man next month, actually did

CHLA Named One Of The Best By U.S. News & World Report Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) has once again been named to the elite Honor Roll of children’s hospitals in the U.S. News & World Report rankings released Tuesday. Only 11

children’s hospitals in the United States achieved Honor Roll status for 2011-12, and CHLA is the only hospital in California to (see ‘CHLA,’ page 12)

MICKEY MOUSE’S NEW BEST FRIEND—Mickey Mouse couldn’t resist putting the moves on glamorous Penelope Cruz during the world premiere at Disneyland of Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. The production and marketing budget for the film was $400 million. More photos in George Christy’s column on page 6. Gilbert Flores/Celebrity Photo


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