Project to replace building that went up in flames on Venice Boulevard

By Dolores Quintana

After five years (and a fire), a project that was previously approved in 2017 as a five-story building with 65 apartments will now be built in a redesigned form 

This new development will be taking the place of a commercial building that went up in flames in 2020, as reported by Urbanize Los Angeles. The former building at 10801 Venice Boulevard, near the corner of Venice and Glendon, has already been demolished. The new design is six stories high and will have 85 apartments that are located above the commercial ground floor space and an underground parking garage with two levels for vehicles. The original five-story design was approved using density bonus incentives but this version takes advantage of the Transit Oriented Communities incentives that allow buildings to be built taller than normal zoning would allow. The incentives are given only if the developer sets aside a certain number of apartments as deed-restricted affordable housing.

Developer Reza Amin resubmitted this redesigned plan via an LLC called Venice Ventures with Plus Architects as the designer of both versions of the development. According to Urbanize Los Angeles, the design is “a contemporary podium-type building with cantilevered, sloping balconies and a rooftop amenity deck.” and joins similar developments in the area like the ones at Venice Boulevard and Mentone Avenue currently being built by the California Landmark Group and another apartment complex that has been proposed at Venice and Overland Avenue by Wiseman Residential.

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Redfin report shows 11.1 percent increase in median home prices

By Dolores Quintana

Are Westside home prices rising? 

On the Westside of Los Angeles, Redfin.com has reported that the median price for homes in the area is $2.1 million and went up about 11.1 percent in comparison to the previous year. A grand total of 895 homes sold, an increase from the previous year’s total of 749. 

During the pandemic, most office and other white collar workers have switched to remote work from home out of necessity, which has allowed many more people to buy houses that are outside of the traditional areas that make commutes less burdensome. This fact combined with low mortgage rates drove a buying frenzy throughout the United States. According to Redfin.com, the peak of the bidding war rate was in April of 2021, when that rate reached a high of 74.6 percent. Redfin’s standard of a bidding war for a home is if their agent receives one other competitive bid for a home after the first bid is placed. As the year wound down and the holidays arrived, the bidding war rate dropped to a low of 59.6 percent in December as mortgage rates started to rise. 

Even so, the lack of available homes for sale keeps the market extremely competitive. Candace Evans, a Redfin team manager in New York, as quoted by Redfin.com,  “Buyers should anticipate that they may not win a house until their sixth or seventh bid. If you’re the type of person who falls in love with a house, this is not your market. If you show a house to 10 buyers, you’ll probably get eight offers. An agent on my team just put a home in the Bronx on the market and started receiving offers even though there hadn’t been a single open house or tour yet. The house ultimately received over 10 offers and went for well above the asking price.”

In comparison, the bidding war rate in December of 2020 was 54 percent so while December of 2021 had the lowest bidding war rate of the year, it was still more than the year before. The rate in November was 61.3 percent which is only a difference of 1.7 percent.

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By Tom Elias, Columnist

Even before a proposed homeowner-inspired measure aiming to restore full zoning powers to local governments hit the streets looking to qualify for next fall’s ballot, the battle over who would control housing decisions in California began heating up.

Proponents will need just short of 1 million valid voter signatures to put their plan on the ballot, but because many non-voters also sign petitions, they’ll likely need to gather almost 1.5 million names to be certain.

That should not be too hard, once most homeowners understand how fully state legislators attempted last year to usurp the most basic powers cities and counties have long exercised.

As long as California has been a state, the most basic function of local governments has been to decide where housing will be placed, where it won’t go and how much to allow. Voters have passed countless ballot initiatives instructing their local governments in how to do that.

But with two strokes of a pen wielded by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September, that all may have ended. When he signed new laws known as Senate Bills 9 and 10, most city council members might as well have gone back to being ordinary citizens.

The two new laws allow at least six times as much building as before in areas formerly zoned for one home per lot. The ratio goes much higher for properties anywhere near rapid transit stops or “major transportation corridors.”

All without any requirements for either new parking spaces, water, schools or even a single affordable housing unit.

If ever there’s been a plot to let developers get rich quick, this is it. In fact, many of the liberal Democratic lawmakers who voted for these two bills see their election campaigns at least partly funded by developers.

Homeowner groups view these new laws as a license for unbridled development at a time when almost everyone believes California has a massive housing shortage. This perception is furthered by the homeless encampments that abound in almost all parts of the state.

When he ran for office in 2018, Newsom vowed to spur the building of 3.5 million new housing units by 2026, eight years later. But new home construction lags far behind that pace, and units that do get built often languish unsold for many months, even if they are supposedly affordable.

One reason is cost. The average affordable housing unit now runs more than $450,000 to construct, and most families with income below California’s median of $75,200 per year (half the households in the state earn more than that yearly, the other half do not), can’t afford so-called affordable housing.

There’s an illusion in the public consciousness that the unhoused will somehow benefit from new affordable housing. But almost none of them have the cash to buy in.

Meanwhile, state officials do nothing to promote and speed conversion of vacant office space into residences, many of which would cost far less to create than today’s supposedly affordable units.

Into this picture now come developers with large bankrolls offering to buy up existing one-home lots and build as many as six units on each, with no new amenities for the surrounding community. The same developers are behind another initiative that would completely counteract the one aiming to save single-family zoning. The way this one is written, whichever measure gets more votes will govern, period. No compromises here.

Many homeowners now getting behind the initiative to cancel SB 9 and 10 and give land use decisions back to local officials appear unaware of the competing initiative, but both will almost certainly make the ballot.

This promises to be a battle unlike anything since 1978, when Proposition 13 clashed with another measure known as Proposition 10, a softer version of 13’s property tax limits. Both passed, but 13 got more votes and has governed ever since.

Meanwhile, websites and organizations are popping up regularly with names like “Our Neighborhood Voices” and “Liveable California.”

The upcoming competition is vital because so much of California’s character would change if SB 9 and 10 were allowed to let developers proceed without concern for either anything aesthetic or the infrastructure they have traditionally had to provide when erecting new subdivisions.

Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com. His book, “The Burzynski Breakthrough, The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Government’s Campaign to Squelch It” is now available in a soft cover fourth edition. For more Elias columns, visit www.californiafocus.net

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Alonzo Mansel arrested in connection to January 11 incident

By Dolores Quintana

A 77-year-old man was fatally stabbed recently in Playa Del Rey by his stepson. 

23-year-old Alonzo Mansel was arrested on suspicion of the fatal stabbing of his stepfather and causing injury to a woman at the scene of the fatality in Playa Del Rey on Tuesday, Jan. 11 as reported by The Los Angeles Times. The crime took place around 6:00 p.m. at a residence on Redlands Street in the 200th block. 

An argument took place between the suspect and his stepfather and the woman was injured at the same residence. The police have not confirmed any relationship between Mansel, his stepfather or the 50-year-old woman. Mansel then fled the scene. 

According to a report from CBS Los Angeles, Mansel got into a car wreck three miles from the scene of the crime when he hit a light pole at the corner of Manchester Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard. He was captured by the LAPD and The Los Angeles Airport Police after fleeing the scene of that accident at Sepulveda Eastway and Westchester Parkway, about a half a mile away.

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Two-term Incumbent Limps into June Primary against a Field of Multiple Challengers

By Nick Antonicello

The Recall Bonin 2021 effort was able to secure 25,965 valid signatures, just some 1,400 short of the required number to spur a special municipal election. 

But it just wasn’t to be. 

Despite a valiant effort of some 200 volunteers from around the 11^th CD with an emphasis of workers coming from the Venice Community, just what is Mike Bonin’s future in public office and continuing as the council member representing Venice? 

With 39,271 signatures collected, there was a high degree of confidence that this 120-day effort through the summer and fall would translate to a special municipal election that would have shortened Bonin’s ten years in office and despite falling short on the signatures, does that mean Bonin is any less popular than he was yesterday? 

Reaching 95% of the legal goal, the Recall Bonin forces will have to reassess their options and quite possibly consider a legal challenge to those signatures that were deemed insufficient by the LA City Clerk’s Office. 

In the audit of signatures that was supplied to recall organizers Nico Ruderman and Katrina Schmitt, they broke down in specifics why these were deemed invalid. 

Duplicate signatures, invalid signatures, invalid registration, non-registered voters, wrong district residence, invalid address and invalid circulators saw 13,306 petitions eliminated which left the effort just short of the necessary and legal threshold. 

And while the recall effort has been stalled and possibly over, does this further enable Mike Bonin’s outright contempt for 11^th CD residents tired and exhausted by his failed programs and policies, especially when it comes to rampant homelessness and rising crime? 

For Venice continues to be plagued by more of the same and new encampments are now back at the beach, the perceived hallmark accomplishment of a council member who seems to care more about transients, criminals, alcoholics, drug addicts and gang affiliated homeless and non-residents then those who work, live and continue to oppose his far left agenda that the homeless are our “neighbors” and they have an absolute right to live on the streets like a third-world nation that has left most Venetians exhausted and frustrated. 

For the open drug use, defecation, urination, harassment of tenants and homeowners alike to say nothing of the fires, break-in’s and trespassing is just fine with him. 

And with so many Venice residents focused on the hope of the recall, the announcement that the effort fell so short leaves many wondering just what is next? 

For a band of loosely assigned volunteers from Venice and around the district got a bird’s eye view how city politics really works close-up. 

And while we now have alternatives and choices beyond Bonin, they are uninspiring first-time hopefuls who lack a vision that is clear, concise and quite frankly disappointing thus far. 

For what brought people together was Bonin himself. 

He had become the reason and rallying cry in a place as diverse and unique as Venice itself. 

For the recall effort was truly grass roots in every sense of the word, a collection of neighbors, friends, retailers and community officials just seeking help in reversing the high crime and uncontrolled encampments that had taken over Venice by storm led by an elected official who is blind to the damage being done and the community values of clean streets and safe neighborhoods that are being savaged and eliminated on Bonin’s watch!

For the notion that right is now wrong and wrong is now right reigns supreme in Venice and other neighborhoods, but does this cesspool of crime and attacking LAPD and LASD represent those who have had enough? 

For Venice has been most tolerant and giving when you consider the decades of friendly coexistence that has been part of the culture of this community. 

There was never a call to eliminate homelessness in Venice, but to end the proliferation of the Venice unhoused population that is eating away at the core of Dog Town from within because the problem had now overrun the neighborhood where it became obvious to all that the inmates were now running the asylum and Venice itself had lost control of it’s own future. 

For instead of elected community officials being relied upon to represent the community, “not-for-profit,” non-residents who actually profit from the scorn of homelessness now control the policy conversation and discussion and those who dare question or oppose these wrong-headed view of things are now labeled NIMBY, racist and haters!

For Mike Bonin avoided political disaster yesterday, as being the first council member in decades to be recalled. 

This “skin of his teeth” avoidance doesn’t change the community’s perception of his lack of accomplishment or ability to listen to those who pull the community wagon as this millionaire, “limousine liberal” doubles down on the notion that responsibility, accountability and neighborhood values do not matter because throwing billions at a problem he has made worse is a narrative that makes him the darling of those who have no interest in fixing anything, but rather further destroying a community already divided and bruised by his Machiavellian ways. 

Yes, Mike Bonin threaded the needle and is still holding on for dear life politically speaking, but the after effects of his destructive, delusional and myopic policies go on, and that in the end will be his undoing because right is on the side of the community and wrong is what Mike Bonin is really all about.

Nick Antonicello is an Editorial Page Contributor who will be covering the 11^th Council District campaign. A longtime Venetian, he can be reached at nantoni@mindspring.com or (310) 621-3775.

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Ralph Terrazas announces retirement

By Sam Catanzaro

Officials this week announced that Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas will retire after nearly 40 years of service to the Los Angeles Fire Department — and that Kristin Crowley, a top deputy with a stellar 25-year track, has been nominated as its next Chief. If confirmed, Crowley would be the LAFD’s first female chief. 

Crowley, currently Acting Administrative Operations Chief Deputy and Fire Marshal, is a 22-year veteran of the Fire Department. She made history as the Department’s first female Fire Marshal and is the second woman to earn the rank of Chief Deputy.

In her current role, she helped to develop a five-year strategic plan to identify areas of growth within the Department and foster culture more open to change. As Chief, she plans to work to both deepen existing efforts and create new mechanisms to foster equity and inclusion in the Department.

“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to be the next Fire Chief of the Los Angeles City Fire Department and to lead the Department into the future,” Crowley said. “As the Fire Chief, if confirmed, I vow to take a strategic and balanced approach to ensure we meet the needs of the community we serve. We will focus our efforts on increasing our operational effectiveness, enhancing firefighter safety and well-being, and fully commit to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture within the LAFD.

Chief Terrazas, who was sworn in as L.A.’s Fire Chief in 2014, was the first Latino to serve in that role. A 39-year veteran of the Department, Chief  Terrazas helped steer the City through some of its greatest challenges, and brought about meaningful advancements and innovations within the Fire Department.

“It was a privilege to serve as the Fire Chief of this world-class Department,” Terrazas said. “For nearly eight years, we made considerable strides in technology, implemented innovative ways to respond to emergencies, and became a model for other agencies. Chief  Crowley is an exemplary leader and has a broad base of experience that will serve the Department well. She has risen through the ranks over the past 26 years and I proudly promoted her three times during my tenure because she demonstrated a commitment to advancing the Department. Chief Crowley has been successful at every position and I expect her success to continue as the next Fire Chief.”

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Hyatt House LAX now open

By Dolores Quintana

A new bar and restaurant has opened with rooftop views of LAX. 

Hyatt House LAX has now opened and features four different opportunities to get meals or snacks while at the Hyatt Hotel that services LAX, according to their website. You can find a morning meal or adult beverage at the Breakfast at Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails restaurant, Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m to 9:00 a.m. or on Saturday or Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The website describes the restaurant this way, “Wake up to breakfast served every day at the Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails, including an inviting selection of hot and cold items that are free with your stay. Pair your breakfast with coffee, milk, juice, or tea.

For more breakfast and midday to early evening food options, Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails is there to take care of you. The website describes the food at Greenleaf this way, “Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails inspires healthy communities across Los Angeles, by offering the finest and freshest local ingredients to create a modern lifestyle experience. Greenleaf offers an unwavering commitment to provide flavorful and fresh dining options, including an extensive craft cocktail menu.” Greenleaf is open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.

H Market is there for grab and go meals, snacks and beverages 24 hours a day. The website states H Market’s mission in this way, “Whether you’re looking for grab-and-go snacks or groceries to prepare in your room’s kitchen, our 24-hour guest market has you covered.”

ShoresLAX is the final destination in the Hyatt House LAX and their website describes the restaurant and bar this way. ShoresLAX is a destination rooftop restaurant and bar showcasing delicious California Coastal Cuisine and Cocktails with a polished Southern California vibe.  Dine and sip on cocktails with unprecedented views of LAX runways, downtown Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.” Shores LAX is open from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m daily.

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Shawn Laval Smith in police custody

By Sam Catanzaro

Police have arrested a man suspected of the murder of Brianna Kupfer, a Pacific Palisades woman working at a furniture store in Hancock Park.

On Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced that Shawn Laval Smith as the suspect in the January 13 murder of 24-year-old Kupfer. On Wednesday around 11:50 a.m. Smith was arrested by the Pasadena Police Department in the area of Fair Oaks and Colorado Boulevard.

Kupfer was working at Croft House, a furniture business located on the 300 block of North La Brea Avenue, at the time of the murder. A graduate of both Brentwood High School and the University of Miami, she had been working on a degree in architectural design at UCLA.

The LAPD says Kupfer immediately had a bad feeling when Smith walked into the store.

“She sent a text to a friend saying there was someone inside the location that gave her a bad vibe. Regrettably, that person sees the text immediately,” said LAPD Lieutenant John Radtke.

Around 15 minutes later, a customer discovered Kupfer stabbed to death. Police say there is no known motive.

The Smith was seen leaving the store through the backdoor and fleeing into an alley, heading in the direction of La Brea and Oakwood avenues.

Riley Rea, a co-owner of the furniture store, told the Los Angeles Times that Kupfer had been working at the business for just over a year and she was intelligent, poised and well-liked by her peers, noting, “she was mature beyond her years.”

“I’m absolutely devastated for her and her family,” Rea said. “It just seems so disgusting and unexpected. Really there are no words to say how shocked we are to lose such a wonderful person.”

Over the past few years, various police departments across the country have arrested Smith. In 2020, Covina police arrested him for a misdemeanor of receiving stolen property not prosecutors did not press charges. Smith also appears to have been released on a $50,000 bond in South Carolina in connection to a 2019 arrest on suspicion of firing a weapon into an occupied vehicle, the NY Post reported. In addition, in 2016 Smith pleaded guilty to attacking a Charleston police officer “but it was not immediately clear what sentence he was given in the case that was closed in 2018,” the Post adds.

“I heard his rap sheet is much worse than that, but that tells you that somebody is not doing their job and there needs to be a change,” Kupfer’s father Todd told the Post. “We all recognize that this could have happened to anybody’s child. It’s just senseless. My daughter was a completely innocent victim and there was 100 percent no provocation.”

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Shawn Laval Smith considered armed and dangerous, police say

By Sam Catanzaro

Police have identified a man wanted for the murder of Brianna Kupfer, a Pacific Palisades woman working at a furniture store in Hancock Park. 

On Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced that Shawn Laval Smith as the suspect in the January 13 murder of 24-year-old Kupfer. Smith remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous. The LAPD says anyone who sees him should not approach him and call 911 immediately.

Police describe Smith, a 31-year-old Black man, as 6 feet, 2 inches tall and around 190 pounds. The LAPD believes him to be homeless and has been in numerous Southern California cities, including Pasadena, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Covina and San Diego. Police noted that Smith is likely to use public transportation, and has frequently at bus stops and train platforms.

The LAPD has released footage from a nearby 7-Eleven store, showing Smith shopping 30 minutes after Kupfer’s death. He was also at other stores before and after the murder, police added.

“This individual responsible for this vicious, senseless and brutal crime walks amongst us,” said LAPD Chief Michel Moore said during a Tuesday press conference. 

Over the past few years, various police departments across the country have arrested Smith. In 2020, Covina police arrested him for a misdemeanor of receiving stolen property not prosecutors did not press charges. Smith also appears to have been released on a $50,000 bond in South Carolina in connection to a 2019 arrest on suspicion of firing a weapon into an occupied vehicle, the NY Post reported. In addition, in 2016 Smith pleaded guilty to attacking a Charleston police officer “but it was not immediately clear what sentence he was given in the case that was closed in 2018,” the Post adds. 

“I heard his rap sheet is much worse than that, but that tells you that somebody is not doing their job and there needs to be a change,” Kupfer’s father Todd told the Post. “We all recognize that this could have happened to anybody’s child. It’s just senseless. My daughter was a completely innocent victim and there was 100 percent no provocation.” 

Now, thanks to private donations, a $50,000 reward the City of Los Angeles is offering for information leading to Smith’s arrest has increased to $250,000. 

“We will find this vicious criminal, we will arrest him and we will get him prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” LA City Councilman Paul Koretz said Tuesday after introducing a motion to create a $50,000 reward. “But we must fight for justice for her even though nothing will bring her back. Our mission and my objective is that the perpetrator that took away Brianna from her beloved parents, colleagues, friends and our community will be permanently locked away, constantly reminded of his horrible, ugly and senseless murder of an innocent young woman who had endless potential.” 

Koretz represents Council District 5, which includes Hancock Park. Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin, who represents Pacific Palisades where Kupfer resided, has not released a public statement other than posting the LAPD details on Smith.

Kupfer was working at Croft House, a furniture business located on the 300 block of North La Brea Avenue, at the time of the murder. A graduate of both Brentwood High School and the University of Miami, she had been working on a degree in architectural design at UCLA. 

Riley Rea, a co-owner of the furniture store, told the Los Angeles Times that Kupfer had been working at the business for just over a year and she was intelligent, poised and well-liked by her peers, noting, “she was mature beyond her years.”

“I’m absolutely devastated for her and her family,” Rea said. “It just seems so disgusting and unexpected. Really there are no words to say how shocked we are to lose such a wonderful person.”

The LAPD says Kupfer immediately had a bad feeling when Smith walked into the store.

“She sent a text to a friend saying there was someone inside the location that gave her a bad vibe. Regrettably, that person sees the text immediately,” said LAPD Lieutenant John Radtke. 

Around 15 minutes later, a customer discovered Kupfer stabbed to death. Police say there is no known motive. 

The suspect was seen leaving the store through the backdoor and fleeing into an alley, heading in the direction of La Brea and Oakwood avenues. 

Anyone with information relating to Smith’s whereabouts can contact LAPD West Bureau Homicide investigators at (213) 382-9470.

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Edible Flowers can add flavor, beauty, and some have medicinal benefits. Learn about three types of Edible Flowers at the McGraph Family Farm stand.
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Video brought to you by Santa Monica College

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Santa Monica Outdoors program has been extended for local businesses. Hear from a city official and local restaurant owner about the program and what is expected for the future.
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Video brought to you by Santa Monica College

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Final tally 1,350 signatures short of required amount 

By Dolores Quintana

The group that attempted to recall Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin was unable to collect the number of signatures needed to set in motion a recall election, according to city officials.

Even though the city election where Bonin plans to run for a third term is only months away on June 7, Recall Bonin 2021 is the third attempt to recall a city council member in the last year. The two other attempts were against Nithya Raman, which ended in September of 2021, after organizers admitted they would not meet the signature target date and Kevin de León, which ended in November 2021 after one of the original proponents withdrew. If the drive to recall Bonin had succeeded, it might have been merged with the June election anyway. 

The Recall Bonin group turned in the signatures in November of 2021 and claimed to have collected over 39,000 signatures. Tuesday was the due date for the verification of signatures to be completed and on that day, City Clerk Holly Wolcott announced that her office could only verify 25,965 of the signatures on the petitions that were turned in. That final total was 1,350 signatures short of achieving its goal. 

Councilmember Bonin responded to the news, in a statement as quoted by the Los Angeles Times, by saying that this judgment ended  “wasteful, distracting abuse of the electoral process” — but not an end to “attacks on progressive values.”

“Recall proponents and reelection challengers oppose housing and services and insist on doubling down on failed, expensive strategies, like pushing unhoused people from block to block or throwing them in jail. I am pleased by today’s news, and I am going to keep on fighting for what I know is right,” Bonin said. 

Organizers of this recall effort can dispute the signatures that have been disqualified within 30 days, according to the City Clerk. Katrina Schmitt, one of the group’s leaders, has said that the group plans to review the signatures that were ruled as invalid and consult their lawyer. As quoted by the Los Angeles Times, Schmitt said, “We are going to continue forward. We have a huge volunteer base of people who are increasingly upset and disturbed every day by the conditions in our communities. We’re going to continue with the movement that we’ve built to ensure he’s no longer in public office.” and that the group remains dedicated to achieving that aim. However, the disqualification of the signature drive must be very disappointing for the group’s members.

As of now, Bonin’s opponents in the upcoming election in Council District 11 are Venice Neighborhood Council President Jim Murez, public law attorney Tracy Park, and Allison Holdorff Polhill, a former assistant to Nick Melvoin, LAUSD president. 

This is the second time Bonin has faced a recall effort. In 2017-2018, constituents launched an unsuccessful recall effort in response to increased congestion resulting from lane reductions championed by Bonin. This initial effort, however, was localized to the Playa Del Rey and Mar Vista areas. This latest effort, however, has drawn support from across the district from voters frustrated by Bonin’s handling of the homelessness crisis. Critics of Bonin have repeatedly pointed out his refusal to enforce the anti-encampment ordinance and take issue with his policies to deal with the unhoused issue. They claim that the encampments are the cause of crime and violence in CD 11 neighborhoods. 

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Crossing over the 101 Freeway set to break ground this spring

By Sam Catanzaro

The world’s largest wildlife crossing will break ground soon, an important effort to support Santa Monica Mountains’ wildlife, including mountain lions, bobcats and cottontail rabbits. 

As reported by LA List, the Liberty Canyon Wildlife Crossing is on track to break ground this spring. The crossing will aim to provide a safe and sustainable passage for wildlife across US-101 near Liberty Canyon Road in the City of Agoura Hills that reduces wildlife death and allows for the movement of animals and the exchange of genetic material.

According to Beth Pratt, California Regional Executive Director for the National Wildlife Federation, the groundbreaking will take place this spring. 

“[The groundbreaking is set for] this spring. [And] the bid is about to be advertised by Caltrans. That’s huge…I’ve been working on this a decade,” Beth Pratt, California Regional Executive Director for the National Wildlife Federation told LAist. “So that bid’s gonna go out and based on that schedule, we should be looking at break[ing] ground this spring.”

The freeway is a formidable and virtually impenetrable barrier for many wildlife species including mountain lions, bobcats, gray foxes, coyotes, and mule deer that inhabit and travel between these two mountain ranges. In particular, mammals with large home ranges such as mountain lions and bobcats need large connected habitats in order to hunt, breed, and thrive.

“The freeway is a formidable and virtually impenetrable barrier for many wildlife species including mountain lions, bobcats, gray foxes, coyotes, and mule deer that inhabit and travel between these two mountain ranges. In particular, mammals with large home ranges such as mountain lions and bobcats need large connected habitats in order to hunt, breed, and thrive,” reads the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy’s website. “The construction of US-101 divided this previously continuous habitat range into isolated habitat fragments and resulted in severely restricted movement between the two mountain ranges. For mountain lions in particular, the consequences of this restriction results in increased inbreeding and territorial fighting, and very low genetic diversity, within the Santa Monica Mountains.” 

“The wildlife crossing is critical in the linkage between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Sierra Madre Range, which is one of the few coastal to inland connections remaining in Southern California,” the website continues. 

In addition to the news of the spring groundbreaking, LA List also reports that the State of California is set to provide the project $10 million as part of next year’s proposed budget. The total project cost will be around $78 million. 

The news comes just weeks after UCLA scientists tracking two local mountain lion populations, one in the Santa Monica Mountains and another in the Santa Anas,  reported signs of inbreeding among these groups. 

According to the study, these two populations are cut off from other cougar populations by busy freeways, and therefore face limited breeding opportunities. 

The study reported the animals averaged a 93 percent abnormal sperm rate. In addition, some of the mountain lions displayed physical signs of inbreeding, like deformed tails or testicular defects. 

The study called for the need for wildlife crossings, which would allow the mountain lions and other animals to find a broader pool of potential mates. 

“Mountain lions, also known as cougars, are a bellwether species, making them a leading indicator that inbreeding could soon cause problems for other wildlife species in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains,” researchers said in announcing the study. “The study warned that there’s a real risk of extinction for the mountain lions in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana ranges. Although they haven’t seen evidence yet, once scientists start finding significant inbreeding depression — meaning decreased fertility and reduced kitten survival — extinction is predicted to occur within 50 years, with a median extinction time of 12 to 15 years.”

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Plaza now open after years of petitioning 

By Dolores Quintana

A pedestrian plaza right next to the Venice Boardwalk has now opened. 

The area that is now closed to traffic is Westminster Avenue between Ocean Front Walk and Speedway and this new plaza was the idea of the local Venice residents who campaigned for it for many years. 

Urbanize Los Angeles who first reported the news, quotes the Change.org petition started to generate support for the plaza. 

“In 2011, community members Laura Lee (former owner of Zelda’s) and Alex from Venice311 amongst other community members starting [sic] re-envisioning Westminster Ave. between Ocean Front Walk and Speedway to be a more cohesive gathering space consisting of tables, chairs and umbrellas,” reads the petition.  

The need for this effort to improve the area’s pedestrian safety was really brought home in 2013 when a man drove his car into the paved footpath Oceanfront Walk and killed an Italian tourist. 

There was an earlier attempt to fund this project through the LADOT’s People Street Program which failed, but the subsequent attempt was successful. This attempt added a delivery loading zone, removable furnishing that could be used during the day and removed at night and by putting limits on the programming that was available to lessen the impact on the neighborhood.

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LAHSA count to take place February 23 for Westside

By Sam Catanzaro

On Friday, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) announced the postponement of the 2022 Greater Los Angeles Point-in-Time (PIT) Homeless Count to February 22-24, 2022. LAHSA cited the current COVID-19 Omicron variant surge in Los Angeles County as the reason for the postponement of the count, which was initially supposed to take place at the end of January. 

The Homeless Count will now conducted over three nights in different parts of the region: 

February 22: San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys; 
February 23: West Los Angeles (including Santa Monica), Southeast Los Angeles, and the South Bay
February 24: Antelope Valley, Metro Los Angeles, and South Los Angeles

“While we work to ensure an accurate Homeless Count, we cannot ignore the surging number of positive COVID-19 cases across our region,” said LAHSA Executive Director Heidi Marston. “Even with safety precautions such as moving training online, developing outdoor deployment sites, and keeping households together, moving forward with a count in January places our unhoused neighbors, volunteers, staff, and the accuracy of the Count at risk.”

Before the Omicron variant led to a surge, LAHSA made several anticipated design changes to the 2022 Homeless Count to limit COVID-19 transmission, including moving most deployment sites outdoors— at many sites, volunteers will not leave their cars to pick up their count packets. In addition, training sessions were moved online. 

LAHSA has also partnered with Akido Labs to develop a mobile app that uploads data collected to a central server instead of returning paper sheets to local sites for manual tallying. 

“Using the new app will improve data gathering and quality assurance processes while limiting the number of in-person contact volunteers have with Homeless Count staff,” the agency said. 

Last year, the count could not be conducted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the last time the count could safely be conducted, 66,436 people were found to be living on the street in tents, makeshift dwellings, and vehicles across Los Angeles County. 

LAHSA continues to seek volunteers to count in February. Those interested can visit theycountwillyou.org for more information and register.

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Local News And Culture In Under 5 Minutes.
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* Omicron Delays 2022 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count 
All this and more on today’s show was made possible by Santa Monica College.

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Volcanic explosion in Tonga sends small tsunami to West Coast over the weekend

By Sam Catanzaro

A tsunami that reached the California coast over the weekend inflicted no damage to Venice beaches. 

On Friday, the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano erupted, sending a plume of ash 12.4 miles into the air. Satellite imagery shows a giant ash cloud and shockwaves extending from the eruption. Waves crossed the shoreline of Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, on Saturday, flooding onto coastal roads and inundating properties. There have been no reports yet of mass casualties. The extent of the damage remains unknown as communications have not yet been reestablished.

At 4:53 a.m. the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a tsunami advisory for the coastal areas of California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. The hardest-hit area was the Santa Cruz harbor where tsunami waves rushed in at high time flooding a parking lot. Flooding was reported at the port San Luis parking lot as well. No damage was reported to coastal areas within Santa Monica Bay. 

The NWS canceled the advisory at 12:37 a.m. January 16.

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No damage expected for Santa Monica Bay beaches

By Sam Catanzaro

A tsunami advisory remains in effect for Venice Beach following a volcanic explosion in Tonga.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the tsunami advisory will be in effect until further notice.

“Tsunami advisories mean that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is expected or is already occurring. Areas in the advisory should not expect widespread inundation. Tsunamis are a series of waves dangerous many hours after initial arrival time. The first wave may not be the largest,” the NWS said.

According to the NWS, the first waves were expected to reach the Los Angeles area around 7:50 a.m.

“The tsunami is NOT expected to cause major damage to Santa Monica beaches or pier. The tsunami will bring large and dangerous rip currents to all Southern California beaches today,” the City of Santa Monica said.

The advisory applies to the coastal areas of California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska.

“If you are located in this coastal area, move off the
beach and out of harbors and marinas,” the NWS said. “The tsunami advisory will remain in effect until further notice.”

On Friday, the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano erupted, sending a plume of ash 12.4 miles into the air. Satellite imagery shows a giant ash cloud and shockwaves extending from the eruption. Waves crossed the shoreline of Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, on Saturday, flooding onto coastal roads and inundating properties.

At 8:44 a.m. Saturday, the NWS reported flooding at the port San Luis parking lot with tide gauges indicating tsunami waves between 1-2.5 feet.

For the most up-to-date information visit https://www.weather.gov/lox/

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Below Market Housing for Historically Displaced Households pilot application window to open January 18

By Sam Catanzaro

Santa Monica will soon begin accepting applications for families displaced from the city in the 1950s and 1960s due to the construction of both 1-10 Freeway and Civic Center. 

Beginning January 18, 2022, the City of Santa Monica is opening applications for the Below Market Housing (BMH) pilot program for historically displaced households. 

“We created this program in the earnest hope that former Santa Monica residents take advantage of this new affordable housing opportunity,” said Mayor Sue Himmelrich. “If you know community members who were displaced in the 1950s and 1960s, we ask for your assistance in sharing the pilot information so we can identify as many candidates as possible.”

Beginning in the 1950s, the federal government provided funding for urban renewal across the country, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of families from their homes and neighborhoods. 

“Santa Monica was not immune to these national policies and practices. The local impact was particularly significant on two areas of the city: the Belmar Triangle (what is today the area that houses the Civic Auditorium) and the I-10 Highway/Pico Corridor,” reads a City of Santa Monica report on the displacement of families. 

The Belmar Triangle area was once populated with rows of shotgun houses. The neighborhood, made up mostly of Black residents and business owners, was targeted for urban renewal and in the 1950s, the City used eminent domain to purchase properties to make way for the construction of the Civic Auditorium under a national program called Build America Better.

The area around the I-10 Freeway shares a similar history of displacement. The freeway was built in the 1960s, essentially splitting the Pico neighborhood in two, displacing mostly low-income households, including African American and Latino families. The State of California used eminent domain to purchase houses that ran the route of the current highway to connect downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Coast Highway. The highway expansion started in 1957 and was complete in 1966. 

“By the late 1960s, thousands of Santa Monica households had been displaced by urban renewal projects,” reads the staff report. 

In March 2019, while discussing proposed amendments to the City’s Affordable Housing Production Program, City Council directed staff to explore a historical displacement policy or “right to return” provision of the City’s affordable housing policy to commemorate the Belmar Triangle neighborhood beyond naming recognition of the new sports field on the site at the Civic Center. The result was the Below Market Housing (BMH) pilot program for historically displaced households. 

Under this news program, participants will have priority in City-funded housing and inclusionary housing. The City will accept up to 100 applicants, who must be descendants of displaced households, either children or grandchildren. The application period is from January 18 – February 22, 2022.

If more than 100 households apply within the first 30 days of the window, the City will conduct a lottery. 

“Otherwise, after the first 30 days of the enrollment period if less than 100 applications have been received then the enrollment period will be extended and households that applied within the first 30 days, and households that apply after February 22, 2022, up to 100 applicants, will be reviewed for eligibility in the order they applied,” the City said in a press release announcing the program.

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