By Paulo Murillo | WEST HOLLYWOOD – Over 20,000 participants passed through the streets of West Hollywood Sunday morning for the 38th Annual Los Angeles Marathon 2023. West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tem John Erickson referred to the turnoff at the Rainbow District on Santa Monica Boulevard as the “Rainbow Mile.”

“It’s the best mile,” he told Wendy Burch of KTLA. “We’ve got all the colors, we’ve got all the diversity, and there’s no better place to do it than West Hollywood… we love that they come through the city every year. We can see the crowds come out, every family from all walks of life, and we do it right here in West Hollywood because this is where everyone is welcome.”

KTLA chose to telecast the marathon on “The Rainbow Mile,” so the scene was festive on Santa Monica Boulevard. People dressed in costumes, held up signs cheering their loved ones on, and spectators fist bumped the runners as they rushed by.

The 26.2-mile marathon kicked off at Dodger Stadium at 6:30 a.m. beginning with wheelchair participants, followed by the women’s division. Then a short distance later, the men’s division kicked off, followed by the general public. The course ran through Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the finish line was at Century City.

Kenya’s Stacy Ndiwa was the first to cross the finish line Sunday in the women’s division. She clocking in at 2 hours and 31 minutes. Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer won the men’s division in 2 hours, 13 minutes and 13 seconds. Elite female runners always start the race 18 minutes and 19 seconds ahead of the men.

Jemal Yimer of Ethiopia won the men’s division of the Los Angeles Marathon on Sunday, while Stacy Ndiwa of Kenya took the women’s division. Via @AP https://t.co/kKgEbiFdfy

— Bloomberg Africa (@BloombergAfrica) March 19, 2023

Top 5 women’s results! pic.twitter.com/JOwXF878p6

— Los Angeles Marathon (@lamarathon) March 19, 2023

The portion of the route that runs through the City of West Hollywood remained unchanged from previous years. Runners made their way westbound into the City of West Hollywood along Sunset Boulevard at Marmont Lane, just west of N. Crescent Heights Boulevard. From the Sunset Strip, runners turned left (south) onto N. San Vicente Boulevard; then right (west) onto Santa Monica Boulevard; then left (south) onto N. Doheny Drive, where they will enter the City of Beverly Hills. The Marathon ran through West Hollywood between miles 14 and 15 of the course.

For full results, visit: (Link)

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Paulo Murillo is Editor in Chief and Publisher of WEHO TIMES. He brings over 20 years of experience as a columnist, reporter, and photo journalist.

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The preceding article was previously published by WeHo Times and is republished with permission.

By Paulo Murillo | WEST HOLLYWOOD – A deputy at the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that two security guards at Heart WeHo were physically assaulted as they were ejecting two unruly men out of the nightclub.

One security guard was punched in the face and the other guard was bitten during the altercation. The incident happened on Thursday, March 16, at roughly 11 p.m.

According to the report, two men were being escorted outside of the nightclub located at 8911 Santa Monica Boulevard, when one of suspects punched one of the security guards in the face. A physical altercation ensued and another guard was bitten in the arm. The bite broke the skin in the arm. The man who was punched in the face required some stitches.

Both men were arrested for felony charges based on their assault.

The incident at Heart WeHo occurred roughly 24 Hours after a woman was stabbed at Beaches WeHo Wednesday night, located nearby. A physical altercation between a male suspect and a security guard at the bar led to a woman being stabbed in her thigh area. The suspect was arrested and the victim was taken to a nearby hospital. She is reportedly in stable condition.

If you see something, say something. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. If you see something, say something. Anyone with information can also drop a tip at https://www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Your identity is always encrypted and anonymous. No personal information, phone number, e-mail, IP address or location is ever requested, saved, traced, tracked or monitored. Period.

The purpose of Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers is to prevent and reduce crime, by forming a partnership among the community, law enforcement and the media to offer anonymity and cash rewards to anyone providing information leading to an arrest.

Crime Stoppers encourages members of the community to assist local law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime by overcoming the two key elements that inhibit community involvement: fear and apathy.

West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station polices the City of West Hollywood and the unincorporated communities of Franklin Canyon, Universal City (which includes Universal Theme Park, Studios, and Citywalk), and the Federal Enclave in West Los Angeles.

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Paulo Murillo is Editor in Chief and Publisher of WEHO TIMES. He brings over 20 years of experience as a columnist, reporter, and photo journalist.

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The preceding article was previously published by WeHo Times and is republished with permission.

By Paulo Murillo | WEST HOLLYWOOD – The City of West Hollywood has launched WeHo Wi-Fi, the City’s first major free outdoor public Wi-Fi network. The new Wi-Fi network spans the entire length of Santa Monica Boulevard within West Hollywood utilizing a network of powerful Wi-Fi 6 access points installed at traffic light intersections and select transit shelters along the boulevard that provide robust Wi-Fi coverage.

The City’s WeHo Wi-Fi network will provide free outdoor Wi-Fi connectivity to members of the public, including residents, businesses, visitors, and city staff members who are working in the field. In addition, the free outdoor public Wi-Fi network is also available at West Hollywood Park, including the Aquatic and Recreation Center, and at the Plummer Park Community Center. Members of the public may access the WeHo Wi-Fi network via mobile device by selecting ‘WeHo Wi-Fi’ and agreeing to the terms of service.

Public Wi-Fi is not designed to be used inside buildings, or inside a vehicle, moving or stationary, and while the City strives to keep the Wi-Fi operational at all times, the service may be unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances like weather, Internet provider outages, network upgrades, or technical issues. The City does not have access to your device, nor does it collect any personal information. However, the WeHo Wi-Fi system does collect statistics such as device type, operating system, and Wi-Fi usage that will help better serve the public as this service grows.

With the rapid growth of technology and the increasing demand for connectivity, the City of West Hollywood believes that providing free outdoor public Wi-Fi is an important service that can make a significant difference in the lives of people who live, work, and visit West Hollywood.

For additional information please visit the City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Wi-Fi website information page at www.weho.org/services/weho-wi-fi or contact the City’s Information Technology Division, at [email protected] or at (323) 848-6448. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

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Paulo Murillo is Editor in Chief and Publisher of WEHO TIMES. He brings over 20 years of experience as a columnist, reporter, and photo journalist.

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The preceding article was previously published by WeHo Times and is republished with permission.

WEST HOLLYWOOD – A Coalition of agencies will distribute free naloxone and fentanyl test strips to help keep those celebrating St. Patrick’s Day safe. Pickle the drag queen will be assisting in distributing resources.

To ensure that individuals have access to life-saving resources during a time of celebration and increased risk, the coalition is saying to folks, “Make your own luck this St. Patrick’s Day weekend.”

Take action and stay safe with free naloxone and  fentanyl test strips that will be made available on Saturday, March 18, 2023, 7 p.m. at the West Hollywood Park, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd. on the Robertson Blvd. side of the park.

Sponsors include the Safer WeHo Coalition: 

▪ AIDS Healthcare Foundation 

▪ Friends Community Center 

▪ Los Angeles Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse 

▪ Being Alive LA 

▪ Men’s Health Foundation 

▪ Los Angeles LGBT Center – WeHo Life 

▪ Tarzana Treatment Centers 

▪ Out Here Sexual Health 

▪ The Wall – Las Memorias Project 

▪ Drag Queen Story Hour 

▪ City of West Hollywood ▪ West Hollywood Project

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Special Victims Bureau, is currently investigating a sexual assault that occurred in the City of West Hollywood and is seeking information regarding the suspect.
 
On March 13, 2023, between the hours of 1:30 AM and 1:45 AM, Deputies assigned to West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station responded to the 7600 block of Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood regarding a sexual assault involving a male suspect and a female adult victim. The suspect approached the victim at a bus bench and forced her to a nearby parking garage where the sexual assault occurred. The suspect then walked southbound on Fuller Avenue and out of view.
 
The suspect is described as a:

• Male, Black, approximately 28 years old
• Approximately 6’01” / approximately 210 lbs., muscular build
• Black eyes, mustache
• Last seen wearing a ski mask, baseball cap, cream colored “XTC” sweater over a green hoodie, black pants, and white shoes.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – Special Victims Bureau is tasked with investigating the sexual and physical abuse of children and felonious sexual assaults involving adult victims. 

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Special Victims Bureau toll free tip line at (877) 710-5273 or by email at [email protected]

If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP or “P3 Mobile” for the hearing impaired on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

By Paulo Murillo | WEST HOLLYWOOD – E Entertainment reports that Pump Restaurant, partly owned by reality TV personality, Lisa Vanderpump, may be leaving the City of West Hollywood after being on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Robertson Boulevard (next the The Abbey Weho) for the past 10 years.

According ET, broker Leslie Haro with City Street Commercial has revealed that Pump Lounge at 8948 Santa Monica Blvd., is being sold and that the landlord is currently looking for a long-term tenant. Vanderpump owns the restaurant with her husband, longtime restaurateur, Ken Todd; they do not own the property. According to Haro the restaurant and bar is expected to be sold.

However, Vanderpump told ET that she and her husband have a great relationship with the landlord and that they are currently discussing resigning their lease over the next few months. She revealed that they haven’t made a decision yet, but they will be be opening two more restaurants with Caesars Palace.

A sign in the window of Pump restaurant this past weekend stated that the restaurant was closed due to the rain. However, we reported here first that Vanderpump’s two highly profiled West Hollywood restaurants, Pump Lounge and Tom Tom Restaurant, both had their liquor licenses suspended this past Wednesday, March 8. Tom Tom was reinstated on March 10, but Pump Lounge is still suspended as of March 15, 2023, per California’s Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC).

On March 8, the first episode of “Vanderpump Rules,” aired aired since a scandal first broke on March 3, when TMZ reported that Tom Sandoval one of the junior partners at Tom Tom Restaurant, was cheating on his longtime girlfriend Ariana Madix with Leviss. The story shocked fans, as Sandoval and Madix were one of the show’s steadiest couples.

The scandal dubbed “scandoval” reportedly gave the show its highest total viewers with 2.2 million viewers and the highest-rated episode among 18-49 demo in nearly three years according to The Wrap.

As word of the “Scandoval” spread to bigger audiences on social media, live viewing for the March 8 episode also doubled from the previous week’s episode, which aired March 1. In terms of streaming, the episode also climbed to the third highest Bravo episode to be watched on Peacock the next day among both total viewers and among adults 18-49 through 3 days.

“I want to first and foremost apologize to everyone I’ve hurt through this process,” Sandoval posted on his social media platforms. “Most of all, I want to apologize to Ariana. I made mistakes, I was selfish, and made reckless decisions that hurt somebody I love. No one deserves to feel that pain so traumatically and publicly.”

Pump Lounge is expected to open tonight after being closed since last Friday.

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Paulo Murillo is Editor in Chief and Publisher of WEHO TIMES. He brings over 20 years of experience as a columnist, reporter, and photo journalist.

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The preceding article was previously published by WeHo Times and is republished with permission.

By Paulo Murillo | WEST HOLLYWOOD – Kent Okukporo, 42, has been charged with sexual battery, drugging someone with intent to commit sexual assault and attempted kidnapping in an incident Los Angeles County Sheriff detectives say took place on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

Detectives from the LASD’s Special Victims Bureau and the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station are investigating a sexual assault case involving Okukporo who witnesses drugged, sexually assaulted, and tried to kidnap a female adult as she visited The Abbey Food and Bar with friends in West Hollywood.

A press statement from the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station noted that on February 25, patrol deputies received a call from a female adult and several witnesses who alleged a male adult had placed drugs in her drink while she was inside The Abbey nightclub.

When the victim became disoriented, the male grabbed her by the arm and attempted to take her outside of the location and into an unknown vehicle. As the male held onto her, he sexually assaulted her. The victim was able to get away from the suspect.

At the time of the incident, the suspect had been seen by Abbey security personnel at the location pulling on the victim, so they intervened, which cause the suspect to release the victim and quickly leave the location.

During the investigation, detectives reviewed surveillance footage of the suspect inside the night club with security personnel. The next day, the suspect returned to the night club where he was spotted and identified by nightclub security personnel as being the one who was seen pulling the female adult outside of the nightclub the previous evening.

Security personnel contacted the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, who responded and detained the male adult. He was also identified by the female adult as the one who drugged her drink, attempted to take her outside, and sexually assault her.

Okukporo was arrested for drugging someone for the purposes of sexual assault, attempted kidnapping, and sexual battery. He was taken to the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station where he was booked with bail set at $160 thousand dollars. He posted bail and was released on March 1, 2023.

Detectives presented their case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office which reviewed the case and filed one count of drugging someone with the intent to commit a sexual assault, attempt kidnapping, and sexual battery.

Okukporo’s next scheduled court date is March 14, 2023, at the Los Angeles County Airport Courthouse.

Investigators West Hollywood are looking for more possible victims of the suspect.

The City of West Hollywood began distributing drink-spiking test strips in partnership with the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s WeHo Life program to West Hollywood nightlife establishments last October. Drink-spiking test strips are designed to detect the possible presence of “date rape” drugs, such as GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) or ketamine. The test-strip user drops a small amount of drink liquid on the testing patch, which turns dark blue if drugs are present.

If you see something, say something. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. If you see something, say something. Anyone with information can also drop a tip at https://www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Related: (Link)

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Paulo Murillo is Editor in Chief and Publisher of WEHO TIMES. He brings over 20 years of experience as a columnist, reporter, and photo journalist.

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The preceding article was previously published by WeHo Times and is republished with permission.

By Paulo Murillo | WEST HOLLYWOOD – A woman was allegedly drugged, sexually assaulted and then almost kidnapped by a man she encountered at The Abbey in West Hollywood, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on Thursday.

KABC 7 reports that it is not yet clear when the incident happened or if they have suspect in custody. A full report from the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department is expected at some point later today.

According to KABC deputies say they are looking for other possible victims.

The City of West Hollywood began distributing drink-spiking test strips in partnership with the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s WeHo Life program to West Hollywood nightlife establishments last October. Drink-spiking test strips are designed to detect the possible presence of “date rape” drugs, such as GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) or ketamine. The test-strip user drops a small amount of drink liquid on the testing patch, which turns dark blue if drugs are present.

The WeHo Life program has partnered with local nightlife venues to ensure test strips are available on an ongoing basis for interested patrons. The immediate aim is to inform and educate community members and businesses that drink-spiking test strips are a tool for personal safety that can be used anywhere at any time. The City and the Center hope that personal experience with using test strips will encourage nightlife patrons to purchase, carry, and use them on a regular basis.

If you see something, say something. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. If you see something, say something. Anyone with information can also drop a tip at https://www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Your identity is always encrypted and anonymous. No personal information, phone number, e-mail, IP address or location is ever requested, saved, traced, tracked or monitored. Period.

The purpose of Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers is to prevent and reduce crime, by forming a partnership among the community, law enforcement and the media to offer anonymity and cash rewards to anyone providing information leading to an arrest.

Crime Stoppers encourages members of the community to assist local law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime by overcoming the two key elements that inhibit community involvement: fear and apathy.

Crime Stoppers uses a three-part approach to preventing and solving crimes. The first part of the program is to empower the community by providing a safe way to report criminal activity. Secondly, Crime Stoppers partners with all forms of media in the Los Angeles region to inform the community on how to anonymously report crimes. Law Enforcement is the final part of the triangle; they follow-up on tips from
community members.

West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station polices the City of West Hollywood and the unincorporated communities of Franklin Canyon, Universal City (which includes Universal Theme Park, Studios, and Citywalk), and the Federal Enclave in West Los Angeles.

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Paulo Murillo is Editor in Chief and Publisher of WEHO TIMES. He brings over 20 years of experience as a columnist, reporter, and photo journalist.

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The preceding article was previously published by WeHo Times and is republished with permission.

City of West Hollywood Hosts Free Screening and Discussion of Documentary ‘Motherland’  About the Invasion of the Republic of Artsakh

WEST HOLLYWOOD – The City of West Hollywood will host a free screening and discussion of the feature-length documentary film Motherland, which focuses on the invasion of the Republic of Artsakh by Azerbaijan and Turkey and the massacre of more than 5,000 indigenous Armenians.

The screening of Motherland will take place on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the West Hollywood City Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. Viewer discretion is advised, as the film contains graphic images of violent warfare. A discussion will follow, which will be moderated by City of West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne featuring filmmaker/director Vic Gerami; producer Henrick Vartanian; and editor Chris Damadyan. Parking validation will be available for the adjacent five-story West Hollywood Park structure (parking is limited to availability). RSVP is requested in advance via Eventbrite.  

Through an activist and journalistic lens, Motherland chronicles the Armenian people’s fight for peace, liberation, and humanity. The documentary is aimed toward a worldwide audience so international viewers can not only witness the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Artsakh and Armenia, but can also experience the extraordinary beauty of the people and cultures in both countries.  

Motherland is an investigative documentary written, directed, and produced by journalist and LGBTQ activist Vic Gerami. In creating the film, Gerami traveled to Armenia twice to document and capture the present struggle of Armenians in Artsakh and share their stories with the global community. The documentary features seven members of Congress, including Congressmember Adam Schiff (D–CA), Senator Bob Mendez (D–NJ), Congressmember Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), Congressmember Jackie Speier (D-CA), Congressmember Katie Porter (D-CA), Congressmember Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA), as well as Baroness Caroline Cox, Life Peer Member of the British House of Lords.

The film premiered in Los Angeles in 2020 and was well received by local and international critics. Motherland has garnered worldwide attention and has been invited to screen at numerous film festivals. It was shortlisted for Film Independent’s ‘Spirit Awards’ and was Oscar-qualified and available in the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences Screening Room. It was chosen as an ‘Official Selection’ at the Cannes World Film Festival, International Activism Film Festival, and the Docs Without Borders International Film Festival. 

For additional information, please contact Jasmine Duckworth, City of West Hollywood Community Programs Coordinator, at (323) 848-6559 or at  [email protected].

For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

Neighborhood Conversation to Discuss Laurel House and Park Artist Residency Program

The City of West Hollywood invites community members to attend the third Neighborhood Conversation about a Laurel House and Park Artist Residency Program. The Conversation will be led by consultant team Kimberli Meyer and Sara Daleiden on Friday, March 17, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Plummer Park Community Center, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard. The consultants will share updates on the project and seek feedback from the community. 

The City-owned real property at 1343 N. Laurel Avenue, known as Laurel House and Park, consists of a 30,000-square-foot lot, a 7,177-square-foot former single-family dwelling, and an unattached accessory structure that is approximately 2,379 square feet and consists of a chauffer’s cottage and garages. The original portions of the structures were built in 1917. The conversion of the original single-family residence into four apartment units and the southerly four-car garage addition were completed in 1941. The property was designated as a Local Cultural Resource by the City of West Hollywood in 1994.

In 2010, the West Hollywood City Council directed staff to develop a plan to open the grounds at 1343 N. Laurel Avenue as open space on a temporary/interim basis for public use. From 2013-2014, the City conducted an extensive community visioning process for the Laurel property. The community expressed support for several potential uses during the visioning process and prioritized several factors, including: access to more community gathering spaces; activation as an Arts and Cultural Center; maintenance and/or enhancements of the property’s use for peacefulness and beauty; preservation of the house and gardens, but activation through new features and programming; and, continued use for dog walking.

In 2018, the West Hollywood City Council received a report forwarded by the Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission focusing on Artist-in-Residence programs, including consideration of the use of 1343 N. Laurel Avenue as a potential Artist-in-Residence site. This recommendation was forwarded to the Council Subcommittee for further review and consideration. In October 2022, in a feasibility study update, the City Council confirmed that the site should be used for arts and culture programs and it directed staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a qualified architectural design firm to continue the programming and design process.

Kimberli Meyer and Sara Daleiden are guiding the development of the Artist Residency Program for the cultural resource, Laurel House and Park, located at 1343 N. Laurel Avenue. Meyer is an independent cultural producer, curator, writer, and designer working across the fields of art and architecture. She served as the Director the MAK Center for Art and Architecture, at the Schindler House, 835 N. Kings Road, from 2002-2016. Daleiden is a consultant who specializes in facilitating civic engagement using arts and cultural exchange strategies. She encourages local cultures to value neighborhoods, public space, civic art, business development, as well as artist residencies, creative placemaking and media culture-making.

For additional information, please contact Rebecca Ehemann, Arts Manager, at (323) 848-6846 or at [email protected].

For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

West Hollywood Celebrates American Red Cross in March

The City of West Hollywood celebrates the American Red Cross during the month of March to honor and celebrate the Red Cross and its commitment to providing humanitarian relief for people around the world.

As part of the City’s recognition of March as Red Cross Month, West Hollywood City Hall, located at 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard, will be lit in red from Monday, March 13, 2023 through Tuesday, March 21, 2023 to raise awareness and to encourage community members to participate by volunteering, giving blood, learning lifesaving skills, or donating to the organization.

In 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (I.C.R.C.) was founded by Henry Dunant in Geneva, Switzerland. It called for improved care for wounded soldiers in wartime. Sometime later, in 1881, Clara Barton and several of her acquaintances founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. after learning about the Swiss-inspired global Red Cross network. Today, the American Red Cross continues to attract millions of volunteers and supporters dedicated to helping people who have been affected by war and crises. 

Recognizing March as Red Cross Month provides an opportunity for the City to honor and celebrate the employees, volunteers, donors, and partners who have committed their lives to making a difference in their neighborhoods and communities across the world. The Red Cross provides about 40% of the nation’s blood and blood components, all from generous volunteer donors. The Red Cross estimates that one in seven patients entering the hospital will need a blood transfusion — whether they are accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, or those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer, or sickle cell disease. To meet the needs of these patients, the Red Cross must collect approximately 12,500 blood and nearly 3,000 platelet donations every day.

During the past two years, the City of West Hollywood participated in community outreach for the ADVANCE Study (“Assessing Donor Variability And New Concepts in Eligibility”), a pilot study aimed at research and collaboration to make blood donation a more inclusive process while maintaining the safety of the blood supply. Study enrollment concluded on September 30, 2022 and researchers from the participating blood centers – Vitalant, OneBlood, and the American Red Cross – continue to share study data with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). New proposed policy by the FDA would eliminate the time-based restrictions on men who have sex with men (and their female partners) and, instead, screen potential donor eligibility based on a series of questions that assess HIV risk, regardless of gender.

As the world marks one year since the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces and the humanitarian crisis continuing there, The International Committee of the Red Cross — together with its partners in the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement — are active in Ukraine. Red Cross is also active in the response to the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. The City’s WeHo Responds program is helping facilitate contributions from local residents, businesses, and others to organizations to make a difference in Ukraine, Turkey, and Syria. Details about the International Committee of the Red Cross are included in a directory of nonprofit humanitarian organizations listed on the City’s website at www.weho.org/wehoresponds.

For more information about the City of West Hollywood’s recognition of American Red Cross Month, please contact Jennifer Del Toro, the City of West Hollywood’s Community and Legislative Affairs Supervisor, (323) 848-6549 or [email protected].

For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

West Hollywood Presents

West Hollywood Artists and Icons Featuring Barbara Bain

West Hollywood’s Artists and Icons series will host a conversation with actress, director, and concerned citizen Barbara Bain, highlighting her decades-long career.

The event will take place on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at the City of West Hollywood’s Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and opening remarks will take place at 7 p.m., followed by the conversation and a Q&A that will begin at 8 p.m. The event is free, but seating is limited. RSVP is requested via Eventbrite. 

Parking validation for the adjacent five-story West Hollywood Park structure, will be available at the event (parking is limited to availability).

Best known for her work in the landmark television series Mission: Impossible, Barbara Bain was the first actress in the history of television to receive three consecutive Emmy Awards for Best Dramatic Actress. She began her acting career in New York under the instruction of Lee Strasberg of the Actors Studio. After settling in Los Angeles permanently, she established herself at the Actors Studio West. In 1968, the Actors Studio West moved to William S. Hart House in West Hollywood and Barbara was active in the Studio’s efforts to relocate. She is a Lifetime Member of The Actors Studio where she taught classes and performed scene work for many decades.

The conversation will be moderated by Corey Roskin, a writer and social services professional based in Palm Springs, California. Roskin worked for the City of West Hollywood for 29 years, most notably coordinating special events and projects as part of the City’s Social Services Division. For the past 21 years he has also been programming and producing literary events including the West Hollywood Book Fair, Lambda Lit Fest, and Palm Springs Pride on the Page, among others. He currently serves on the Boards for the Omega Sci-Fi Awards and the Palm Springs Library Foundation.  He has also volunteered for a variety of social services and cultural arts programs for nearly 40 years.

 The West Hollywood Artists & Icons is a periodic series organized by the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division that celebrates the lives and work of West Hollywood residents and artists who present their work in the City, and who have made significant contributions to local, national, or global culture. The series has previously focused on many local artists and icons including Bette Davis, Mae West, Michael McMillen, Dan Guerrero, and Frances Taylor Davis.

For additional information about the Artists & Icons Series, please visit: www.weho.org/community/arts-and-culture/about/west-hollywood-artists-iconsFor more information, please contact Joy Tribble, the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Specialist, at (323) 848-6360 or at [email protected].

For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

Applications for Youth Scholarship Program

The City of West Hollywood will open its application window for the 2023 Youth Scholarship Program on Monday, March 13, 2023. The program awards $2,000 to graduating high school students who are West Hollywood residents and who are pursuing a post-secondary education at an accredited college, university, or trade/vocational school. Students must have completed 150 verified hours of community service to be considered. The Youth Scholarship Program application period is open through Friday, May 12, 2023. The scholarship money can be used for any expense incurred in pursuing post-secondary education at an accredited college, university, or trade/vocational school.

To qualify for a youth scholarship, students must meet the following requirements:

• Residency – Applicant is a West Hollywood resident at the time the scholarship application is submitted and awarded. Please visit www.weho.org/city-government/contact-us/map-of-weho for a map of West Hollywood.
• Secondary Education – Applicant is a high school senior ready to graduate or an individual receiving a GED. 
• Post-Secondary Education – Applicant is planning to attend a college, university or trade/vocational school and has proof of acceptance to a post-secondary institution.
• Community Service – Applicant has performed and provided verification of 150 hours of community service.

More information, application instructions, and the application link are available by visiting www.weho.org/youthscholarship.    

The Youth Scholarship Program is organized by the City of West Hollywood, but scholarship funds come entirely from individual and community donations. The City has awarded 40 youth scholarships since the program began. To support the program, the City encourages donations from community members, organizations, and area businesses. Community members wishing to donate to the Youth Scholarship Program may do so at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/youthsco.

The City of West Hollywood created the West Hollywood Youth Scholarship Program in 2007 and it is one of the first municipal government sponsored programs of its kind in the country. The Youth Scholarship Program recognizes the importance of education to our community and encourages and supports local students interested in pursuing their education beyond high school.

For additional information please contact the City of West Hollywood’s Social Services Division at [email protected] or by calling (323) 848-6510.

For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

City Council Playhouse Design Steering Committee

West Hollywood invites the community to attend upcoming City Council City Playhouse Design Steering Committee discussions for the new West Hollywood City Playhouse that will replace the former Coast Playhouse, located at 8325 Santa Monica Boulevard, across the street from West Hollywood City Hall on Santa Monica Boulevard near N. Sweetzer Avenue.

Proposed as a new 99-seat approximately 5,000-square-foot venue, the Playhouse will serve as an arts and cultural event facility that will support artists and nonprofit arts organizations by providing an accessible venue in the center of West Hollywood. The project will include public programming and an outdoor landscaped civic space.

In February, the City hosted two community design visioning workshops with members of the local community as well as local artists and performers. City staff will collate input from these previous community workshops and the design team will receive guidance from the Steering Committee and community members on crafting the new Playhouse design during these sessions. 

The Steering Committee will include members of the West Hollywood City Council; members of the Arts & Cultural Affairs Commission; Public Facilities, Recreation, and Infrastructure Commission; and Planning Commission Design Review Subcommittee; as well as technical advisors and experts in fields including performance facility design, theatre technology, climate and sustainability, open space goals, and construction. The City will host three in-person City Council Playhouse Design Steering Committee discussions to collect feedback and ideas and finalize the design for the new Playhouse:

The City Council Playhouse Design Steering Committee Meeting #1 will take place on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 5 p.m. in the Kings Road Park Community Room, located at 1000 N. Kings Road. The purpose of this in-person meeting is to review the community feedback to date, review the project’s goals and objectives, discuss site and building programming opportunities, and discuss initial design concepts. 

The City Council Playhouse Design Steering Committee Meeting #2 will take place on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 5 p.m. in the Kings Road Park Community Room, located at 1000 N. Kings Road. The purpose of this in-person meeting is to review updated design concepts and technical refinements based on previous input from the community and Steering Committee. 

The City Council Playhouse Design Steering Committee Meeting #3 will take place on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 5 p.m. in the Kings Road Park Community Room, located at 1000 N. Kings Road. The purpose of this in-person meeting is to further review updated design concepts and technical refinements based on previous input from the community and Steering Committee and to determine recommendations to the City Council regarding the programming and design of the playhouse.

For additional information about the City Playhouse project, please visit www.weho.org/city-government/city-manager/capital-projects/city-playhouse-design.

For more information about City Playhouse design and construction, please contact Michael Barker, City of West Hollywood Project Architect, at (323) 848-6483 or at [email protected]

For more information about City Playhouse arts programming and playhouse operations, please contact Rebecca Ehemann, City of West Hollywood Arts Manager, at (323) 848-6846 or at [email protected]

For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

38th Annual Los Angeles Marathon will Take Place on Sunday, March 19, 2023

Runners in the 2023 Los Angeles Marathon Presented by ASICS will be making their way through the City of West Hollywood on Sunday, March 19, 2023 as part of a 26.2-mile Stadium to the Stars course. 

Celebrating its 38^th running, the Los Angeles Marathon course will begin, once again, at Dodger Stadium and it will conclude at Century Park in Century City, as it did last year. The portion of the route that runs through the City of West Hollywood remains unchanged.

The Los Angeles Marathon route for 2023 will guide runners westbound into the City of West Hollywood along Sunset Boulevard at Marmont Lane, just west of N. Crescent Heights Boulevard. From the Sunset Strip, runners will turn left (south) onto N. San Vicente Boulevard; then right (west) onto Santa Monica Boulevard; then left (south) onto N. Doheny Drive, where they will enter the City of Beverly Hills. The Marathon will run through West Hollywood between miles 14 and 15 of the course.

To ensure the safety of the large numbers of Los Angeles Marathon runners, there will be several street closures in the City of West Hollywood on Sunday, March 19, 2023 from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.; crews will work to reopen roads to vehicle traffic as quickly as possible as the Marathon moves through the City of West Hollywood:

• Sunset Boulevard between Marmont Lane and Clark Street/N. San Vicente Boulevard (the route enters the City of West Hollywood from the City of Los Angeles west along Sunset Boulevard from Marmont Lane, just west of N. Crescent Heights Boulevard);
• N. San Vicente Boulevard between Sunset Boulevard and Melrose Avenue;
• Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega Boulevard and N. Doheny Drive;
• N. Doheny Drive between Santa Monica Boulevard and Beverly Boulevard (the route exits the City of West Hollywood to the City of Beverly Hills south along N. Doheny Drive).

Parking will be strictly prohibited along the Los Angeles Marathon route. “No Parking” signs will be posted prior to the event. Vehicles in violation will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.

Los Angeles Marathon spectators and community members who are searching for alternative parking solutions in West Hollywood during the Los Angeles Marathon are encouraged to visit the City of West Hollywood’s website, where a directory of parking structures and municipal lots with hours of operation and rates is available online. Members of the public are encouraged to carpool and to use public transportation, taxis, or ridesharing options.

For additional information regarding the 2023 Los Angeles Marathon Presented by ASICS, including details about road closures and alternate access routes, community members may email, call (213) 542-3000, or visit the Los Angeles Marathon website. Members of the media interested seeking media credentials for the event should apply directly with McCourt Foundation.

For more information specific to the City of West Hollywood regarding the Los Angeles Marathon or related street closures, please contact the City’s Event Services Division at (323) 848-6502. The City of West Hollywood’s Special Event hotline for general information is (323) 848-6503.

For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

City of West Hollywood Celebrates Women’s History Month in March

West Hollywood will celebrate National Women’s History Month in March with a series of virtual events to recognize and honor women and women’s history.

From Sunday, March 5, 2023 through Wednesday, March 22, 2023, the globe lanterns above Santa Monica Boulevard will glow in purple and gold. Throughout the month, a series of streetlamp banners that commemorate famous American women, civil rights leaders, and women’s rights activists will be on display along Santa Monica Boulevard. The City’s featured streetlamp banners will include: Gail Abarbanel; Maya Angelou; Ivy Bottini; Rachel Carson; Hillary Rodham Clinton; Midge Costanza; Marion Wright Edelman; Alicia Garza; Barbara Gittings; Dolores Huerta; Coretta Scott King; Wilma Mankiller; Michaela Mendelsohn; Patsy Mink; Connie Norman; Michelle Obama; Rosa Parks; Sonia Sotomayor; Gloria Steinem; Elizabeth Taylor; and Oprah Winfrey; among others. 

National Women’s History Month will officially kick-off with the unveiling of two new women’s history month streetlamp banners honoring local community leaders: Nadia Sutton, founder of PAWS/LA, and, in memoriam, Ruth Williams, who was a neighborhood advocate who was involved in the City as early as its founding, and who served on the City’s Public Safety Commission for many years; Williams passed away in 2022. The streetlamp banners presentation will take place at the regular meeting of the West Hollywood City Council on Monday, March 6, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the City of West Hollywood’s Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room at the West Hollywood Library, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. Attendance is free; no RSVP is required. Limited validated parking will be available at the adjacent five-story structure. The City Council meeting broadcast will be available for viewing on the City’s website by visiting www.weho.org/wehotv or on the City’s WeHoTV YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/wehotv.  

MashUp Contemporary Dance Company’s annual International Women’s Day Dance Festival will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Plummer Park’s Fiesta Hall, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard. The event will kick off with a day full of community, dialogue, master classes, and performances through the LA Women in Dance Summit. Free admission. To find out more about the day of programming, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/la-women-in-dance-summit-tickets-514314196607. This project is supported in part by a grant from the City of West Hollywood. 

The City of West Hollywood and its Russian-Speaking Advisory Board will host a program created by Helix Collective celebrating International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 5, 2023 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Plummer Park’s Fiesta Hall, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard.  The celebration features a concert featuring music by female composers of film, television, and video games. Helix Collective’s nine-piece film music ensemble will perform original works by Dara Taylor (The Tender Bar), Sherri Chung (Riverdale, The Red Line), Anna Drubich (Barbarian), Amritha Vaz (Mira, Royal Detective). There will also be a screening of an International Women’s Day documentary dedicated to women heroes in the local community. Free admission. For additional information call (323) 848-6826 or email [email protected].

Women and Books is a book club that meets on the first Tuesday of each month to discuss books written by women authors. On Tuesday, March 7, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. the group will discuss In the Shadow of the Mountain: A Memoir of Courage by Silvia Vasquez-Lavado. Women and Books is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood through its Women’s Advisory Board and by West Hollywood Library. Admission is free, but space is limited so RSVPs are encouraged. This is a hybrid event and will be hosted in-person at the West Hollywood Library Community Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard, as well as virtually via WebEx Meetings. To RSVP for the in-person event and for more information please visit the LA County Library website: https://lacountylibrary.org/west-hollywood-library/. 

To participate on WebEx Meetings please visit the following WebEx link: https://lacountylibrary.webex.com/lacountylibrary/j.php?MTID=maa8a00d769f8b023cc81d2d603b7184c. 

The City of West Hollywood and its Women’s Advisory Board will co-sponsor the Annual Herstory Awards & Reception, which is presented by the Hollywood Chapter of the National Organization for Women (Hollywood NOW) to honor a woman who has made exceptional contributions to the community and embodies the spirit of feminism. This year’s honoree is Jeanette Robinson Flynt, Executive Director of Black Women for Wellness. The event will take place on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 7 p.m. at the West Hollywood Library Community Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. Admission is free. For more information contact [email protected].

The City of West Hollywood will present A Conversation with Barbara Bain as part of its ongoing West Hollywood Artists and Icons Series on Thursday, March, 16, 2023 at 7 p.m. at the City of West Hollywood’s Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room at the West Hollywood Library, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. The conversation will highlight the career of actress Barbara Bain, who is best known for her work in the landmark television series Mission: Impossible and was the first actress in the history of television to receive three consecutive Emmy Awards for Best Dramatic Actress. Admission is free.  RSVP Required: https://artistsandicons-mar2023.eventbrite.com.  

The City of West Hollywood will join centennial celebrations across the country honoring the 100^th anniversary of the Equal Rights Amendment by hosting a #ERA100 birthday bash on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 11 a.m. with the organization Equal Means Equal at the West Hollywood City Hall Courtyard, located at 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard. The Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced on March 22, 1923 by suffragist leader Alice Paul. Free Admission. For more information: #ERA100 | Online-RSVP.com or call (323) 848-6823.

In celebration of women authors, WeHo Reads: Crafting Literary Legacies will be held virtually on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 6 p.m. The discussion will focus on creating new truths through storytelling and putting women at the center of literature with Natashia Deón, Toni Ann Johnson, Malia Márquez, and Laura Warrell. Admission is free. To RSVP and for more information, please visit www.weho.org/wehoreads. WeHo Reads is a literary series presented by the City of West Hollywood and produced by BookSwell.

Also on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the 26th Annual West Hollywood Women in Leadership Awards and Reception will take place at the Andaz West Hollywood, located at 8401 Sunset Boulevard. The event is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood and its Women’s Advisory Board and the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Admission is $25 and proceeds will benefit the West Hollywood Youth Scholarship Fund; for tickets, please visit https://wila2023.eventbrite.com  or call (323) 848-6823.

The City and its Women’s Advisory Board will host the Women’s History Month Block Party on Saturday, March 25, 2023 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at West Hollywood Park, located at 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard. This fun and festive outdoor event will include a DJ, giveaways, booths featuring local women-owned businesses and resources, and a costume contest. Admission is free.  For more information call (323) 848-6823.

The City will co-sponsor Ladies of Courage, presented by Eye of the Poet, a free two-day cultural arts celebration and festival celebrating the achievements of women, on Saturday, March 25, 2023 and Sunday, March 26, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at West Hollywood Park, located at 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard. The festival features art, poetry, music, dance, and projection mapping. Admission is free. For more information, including the event schedule, please visit: www.ladiesofcourage.com.

Artworks by noted women artists will be on display in West Hollywood throughout the month and beyond. Jessica Goehring’s LightWave, a kinetic artwork inspired by the California Light and Space Movement will be installed at the West Hollywood Aquatic and Recreation Center located at 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard and on display from Monday, March 20, 2023 through March 2024. Digital art is also currently on display now through Wednesday, May 31, 2023 on billboards on the Sunset Strip. Kassaram (Adapted) by Thania Petersen examines how embedded clichés devalue culture and provide the framework for the permission of subjugation. It is on display at the Streamlined Arbor Billboard located at 9157 Sunset Boulevard Billboard. Reverse Women by Sarah Rara illustrates how hope and progress for women’s rights are walked back, as a woman’s personal freedom is reversed to gone. It is on display at the Invisible Frame Billboard located at 8743 Sunset Boulevard. This project is presented as part of the Moving Image Media Art Program (MIMA). The West Hollywood Moving Image Media Art Program (MIMA) is an exhibition series administered by the Arts Division, as part of its Art on the Outside program, and is presented with the Sunset Arts and Advertising Program. 

A full schedule of City of West Hollywood events and meetings is available at www.weho.org/calendar.

For more information about Women’s History Month in the City of West Hollywood, please contact Larissa Fooks, the City of West Hollywood’s Community Programs Coordinator, at (323) 848-6413 or at [email protected].

For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

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For more information, please call the City of West Hollywood’s City Council Offices at (323) 848-6460. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

For up-to-date information about City of West Hollywood news and events, follow @wehocity on social media, sign-up for news updates at www.weho.org/email, and visit the City’s calendar of meetings and events at www.weho.org/calendar.

By Paulo Murillo | WEST HOLLYWOOD – During the public comments portion of the regular West Hollywood City Council on Monday, March 6, 2023, David Cooley, the founder of The Abbey Food & Bar, stood before council to make a statement in solidarity with drag performers.

Cooley was joined by eleven drag entertainers who perform at the Abbey WeHo and The Chapel. Some in the group held Tennessee flags.

He later posted his remarks on the @abbeyweho Instagram page:

“Last week, Tennessee became the first state to criminalize drag shows.

It is now possible for a drag performer to be charged with a felony and have their voting rights stripped, just for performing.

The bill is also so broad, it also means a trans person walking down the street could be charged with a felony for impersonating a male or female.

Tennessee lawmakers are not done, they also have bills targeting venues that feature drag performers. They want to reclassify them as strip clubs. It could soon be illegal to see a drag queen in a gay bar in Tennessee.

Drag is not a crime.

Tennessee isn’t alone. Just two months into 2023, conservative lawmakers have introduced over 340 anti-LGBT bills.

We are here tonight to show solidarity for our friends in Tennessee and ask the City of West Hollywood to issue a proclamation affirming that Drag is art, not a crime.

Drag is an artform built on self-expression and artistic performance. Drag is also powerful tool for political protest, that uplifts the LGBTQ+ community in the face of discrimination and oppression.

We want the City of West Hollywood @wehocity to make it clear that drag is both an art and form of political protest — both protected by the United States Constitution.

We can send a powerful message to the entire country that we value and support the rights of all individuals to express themselves freely and openly. We can send a message to our friends all over the country, whose rights are being stripped away, that we support them.

I urge you to take a bold and affirmative stand to support drag performers everywhere. #beyourself #notacriminal #SupportDragQueens #DragIsNOTaCrime“

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Paulo Murillo is Editor in Chief and Publisher of WEHO TIMES. He brings over 20 years of experience as a columnist, reporter, and photo journalist.

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The preceding article was previously published by WeHo Times and is republished with permission.