BEVERLY HILLS VOLUME XXXXVI NUMBER 48 $135 PER YEAR - $1.25 PER COPY •
THIS ISSUE
Operation Smile begins selling “Zachary, Luke or Griffin” teddy bears. 4
Moonstruck watches debuted at Two Rodeo. 4
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‘TIS THE SEASON— More than one hundred patients, families, hospital supporters and celebrities gathered in the Joyce and Stanley Black Healing Garden at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Tuesday evening for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony. The hospital tradition is sponsored by the Cuñado family of Simi Valley, who provide the decorations every year as a way to bring the holidays to hospital patients and thank the staff for the care their son received. Photo Courtesy of Keats Elliot Photography
By The Courier Staff The Beverly Hills City staff says it has reached a tentative agreement with the Beverly Hills Police Officers Association for a new five-year employment con-
tract. The City staff and the police officers concluded months of negotiations by tentatively agreeing to a 1 percent overall increase in salary and a two-tier (see ‘CITY AND POLICE,’ page 20)
The Peninsula Beverly Hills has been named the “Best Hotel in the United States” and the “Best Hotel in the Western United States” by the readers of Global Traveler, the only monthly magazine for business and luxury travelers. Additionally, The Pe n i n s u l a Hotels was named “Best International H o t e l Chain.” Winners of the 8th annual GT Tested Reader Survey Awards were announced at a gala event last night and are featured in the December issue of Global Traveler, now available on newsstands. The GT Tested Readers’ Survey Awards were based on an open-ended survey of its readers
By Marla Schevker Recent past president of the BHUSD Board of Education Lisa Korbatov learned a lot over the last year. She learned she needed to have a thick skin because “on any given day, no matter what you do, someone won’t agree with you.” She learned decisions cannot be made in a vacuum; at minimum it’s necessary to explain it to constituents and hopefully get buy in. But more importantly, she learned being on
Beverly Hills sisters bring film and joy to hospitalized kids. 19
Maria Cooper Janis Shares Never-BeenSeen Photographs From Family Albums In Gary Cooper Enduring Style — Ralph Lauren Wishes He Had Met BestDressed Gary Editorial from Rabbi Pressman AND MORE • Announcements • Real Estate • Rentals • Sales • and More
BAXTER HONORED—The Southern California Leadership Network annually recognizes leaders who are inspiring positive change in the region at the Southern California Visionaries luncheon in the Millennium Biltmore downtown. This year, the “Lifetime Still Achieving” award was presented to Amb. Frank Baxter, chairman emeritus of Jefferies & Company, Inc, a global investment bank. He retired as CEO in 2001, a position he held since 1987. He is the former ambassador to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. From left are: Bob Klein, Mark Gibello, Mary Davis, Steaven Jones, Amb. Frank and Kathy Baxter, Carl McKinzie and Donna Tuttle.
Lisa Korbatov
(see ‘KORBATOV,’ page 41)
City Rejects Roxbury Bids, To Hold Community Mtg. in Jan.
George Christy, Page 6
CLASSIFIEDS
to determine the best in 66 travel-related categories. The survey, conducted from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, required that only questionnaires with more than 50 percent of the questions answered were considered. E m ployees of the magazine and members of the travel industry w e r e barred from participation. “I am so pleased by this recognition from the readers of Global Traveler,” said Offer Nissenbaum, managing director of The Peninsula B.H. “My heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every staff member. Their commitment to our guests is reflected in this honor.”
Lisa Korbatov Reflects On Term As School Board President
El Rodeo student meets Simon Cowell at X Factor taping. 5
•Health & Wellness 8 •Fashion A-L •Arts & Entertainment 37 •Birthdays 42
DECEMBER 9, 2011
Peninsula Beverly Hills Named Best Hotel In U.S.
City And Police Tentatively Agree On Employment Contract Diamond encrusted Barbie debuts. 5
SINCE 1965
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Residents expressed frustration over the Beverly Hills City Council’s past inability to listen at a meeting in which the council unanimously rejected the bids for the “too large” Roxbury
Park and Community Center Tuesday for being over budget. The council also promised to hold a community meeting in early January to allow the com(see ‘ROXBURY,’ page 39)
School Board Welcomes New Members, Says Goodbye To Old By Krystal Leach de Amante Standing ovations were plentiful as old board members retired and new board members took the helm during the BHUSD Board of Education installation Tuesday.
Long-term board members Myra Lurie and Steven Fenton addressed fellow board members and the community with heartfelt speeches regarding their time on the school board. (see ‘INSTALLATION,’ page 42)
COZY COUPLINGS IN HOLLYWOOD—Co-stars Lea Michele and Ashton Kutcher attended the premiere of Garry Marshall’s New Year’s Eve, as did the film’s Katherine Heigl with husband Josh Kelley. More photos in George Christy’s column on page 6.Photos by Gilbert Flores /Celebrity Photo