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BEVERLY HILLS VOLUME XXXXVII NUMBER 42 $135 PER YEAR - $1.25 PER COPY •
THIS ISSUE
Horace Mann students celebrated Red Ribbon Week this week 4
Former Mayor Jimmy Delshad hit New York for the Mayor’s Luncheon. 4
Olympic distance runner visits BHHS cross country teams. 5
•Arts & Entertainment •Birthdays
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George Christy, Page 6 George Clooney Was Honored At The Carousel Of Hope Ball, Where He Was Glimpsed Enjoying Swigs From A Bottle Of Cabernet Sauvignon; A Magical Evening With Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland Editorial from Rabbi Pressman AND MORE
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SINCE 1965
October 26, 2012
City Council Fails to Back School L.A. Weekly Slams Board, Refuses To Oppose Measure J Council Majority For Measure J Stance By Matt Lopez The Beverly Hills City Council neglected to back not only its Board of Education, but communities from all across Los Angeles Tuesday when it refused to take a stance opposing Measure J at its study session. The City Council voted 4-1 to "not take a position in support of Measure J". Vice Mayor John Mirisch, a staunch op-
poser to Measure J and member of the “Coalition to Vote No On Measure J” was the only dissenter. “Not supporting something is not the same as opposing it,” Mirisch said of the resolution. ”This (resolution) doesn’t address the civil rights, social justice or spending (issues).”
Editor’s Note: Councilmember Lili Bosse is on record independently opposing Measure J. The Courier joins in the L.A. Weekly‘s comments, reprinted from the LA Weekly blog:
Last night, four members of the Beverly Hills City Council blew a golden public relations opportunity — and refused to approve a strong antiMeasure J resolution. The initiative seeks to extend
(see ‘MEASURE J,’ page 20)
(see ‘LA WEEKLY,’ page 21)
Specialty Surgical Center Wins Tax Appeal Against City Staff
FULL HOUSE—So many people turned out to support Specialty Surgical Center against the City’s tax ploy that it was standing room only in council chambers. A second nearby room had to be opened where overfow visitors could watch the hearing on a television. Courier Photo by Matt Lopez PIONEERS—Hawthorne second grade teacher Kathy Feeley works with Charlie Greenleaf who is using a reading comprehension program on an iPad. Hawthorne is currently piloting a iPad program for BHUSD. Courier Photo by Laura Coleman
El Rodeo students tended to their new garden. 5
Joan Rivers remembers her summer vacation. 8
www.bhcourier.com
BHUSD Prepares for Technology Based Future With New iPads By Laura Coleman On Tuesday, the Board of Education listened to a “Five Year Plan” on the future of technology in Beverly Hills schools that one expert said was already obsolete in the modern age where tech savvy is essential to achievement. “We’re really just at the very beginning of what’s happening,” BHUSD’s Apple account executive Dan Roach told the board. “To look at anything beyond two years is a waste.” Across the country, class-
rooms are increasingly integrating Apple’s iPad technology to transform the educational process. The growing rate at which the revolutionary tablet computer, priced at roughly $500, is being used by school districts is prompting educators and administrators to rethink how to best educate students. Following Tuesday night’s technology presentation by NIC Partners on ways to provide infrastructure to use technology to
By Matt Lopez Aside from an occasional head nod in agreement or disareement, James Khodabakhsh M.D., and Peter Cornell M.D., mostly sat quietly and patiently through more than four hours of testimony, deliberation and public comment at Tuesday night's formal City Council meeting. What was a measly four and a half hours, anyway? After all, these two managing directors of
By Marla Schevker The Beverly Hills City Council “retreated” on Sunday for an all-day workshop at City Hall. The key question presented was, “What is the role of municipal staff in a city and how should council members interact with them?” After all five council members “agreed” that their purpose is to represent the residents of Beverly Hills, two strong views emerged. One view deferred to “staff”; the other “put residents first.” The council's view broke along similar lines, with Mayor Willie Brien and members Barry
Brucker and Julian Gold arguing to prohibit public criticism of staff, while Vice Mayor John Mirisch and Councilmember Lili Bosse reminding the others that they “represent the citizens, not the staff" in conducting the City's affairs.” The majority stressed the need to keep staff “happy” in order to be well served; Mirisch and Bosse took the position that the council is responsible to the people and it is up to the staff to serve the people, not the other way around. (see ‘RETREAT,’ page 21)
SUPRISE, SUPRISE — “A grand night it was,” informed Spago Manager Tracey Spillane about Wolfgang Puck’s surprise birthday party for his wife Gelila. Among the 90 guests were Quincy Jones, Monique Lhuillier with Tom Bugbee, infanticipating Devon Aoki, Berry Gordy with Eskader Gobeze, Greg Gorman, Liz Goldwyn, Kevin Lee, and DJ Bobby Nourmand. Gelila wore a couture creation by James Galanos, and Tracey Spillane ads, “Chef Lee Hefter’s menu of hamachi ceviche and roast rack of lamb was a hit.”
(see ‘IPADS,’ page 19)
plans to the Division of the State Architect (DSA). Plans, which Cayabyab told The Courier he would submit in six months, reflect a $62 million budget. “The board is back on budg(see ‘HORACE MANN,’ page 20)
(see ‘HEARING,’ page 20)
Council Majority ‘Retreats’ On ‘Hostile’ City Conduct Issues
Horace Mann School Edges Closer To Reconstruction By Laura Coleman Horace Mann edged closer to construction renovations at Tuesday’s Board of Education study session with the board directing Chief Facilities Officer Nelson Cayabyab to submit
Specialty Surgical Center (SSC) already spent months battling the City over an unprecedented tax reclassification and demand for $5.5 million in back taxes. Tuesday it all came to a head during SCC's tax assessment appeal hearing before the City Council. By a 2-1 vote, Specialty Surgical Center had its assessment overturned. Handshakes, hugs and high-fives
Photo Courtesy of Spago
For more photos, see George Christy Page 6.