Articles from the August 23, 2018 edition


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  • Culver City Firefighters Heading Home!

    Aug 23, 2018

    After 30 days battling the largest fire in California history, Strike Team XLA-1075A, made up of firefighters from the Culver City, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills fire departments are on their way home today! Photo courtesy Culver City Firefighters Local 1927...

  • City Blows Chances for Affordable Housing

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Aug 23, 2018

    It is my firm belief that City Hall over the years has squandered city assets to pay for huge salaries and benefits. Coming soon, a startling expose. No, probably not in your neighborhood but in Fox Hills with “Those People.” When Culver Villas Apartments at 4043 Irving Place in Downtown Culver was originally proposed as a low-income housing project, an unnamed Culver City councilperson quietly approached the Culver City Community Development Office and requested that the plans be changed. The...

  • Details Emerge of Shooting Death in Culver

    David W. Myers, Managing Edito|Aug 23, 2018

    Law-enforcement officials have identified the knife-wielding man that was shot and killed last week in Culver City by officers as Michael Harrison, age 30. The shooting occurred shortly before 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18, in the 4100 block of Mentone Avenue. Deputy Marvin Crowder of the Los Angeles County Sherriff's Department confirmed that Harrison was pronounced dead later that day at a hospital. The bizarre incident apparently began a few blocks away from the deadly shooting. Culver Police...

  • Culver City Holds Fiesta La Ballona This Weekend

    Aug 23, 2018

    Culver City’s Fiesta La Ballona presents three days of free live music and dancing as part of the City’s annual end of summer spectacular on August 24-26, 2018. Fiesta is held at Veterans Park and is produced by the City of Culver City, the Fiesta La Ballona Committee, local sponsors, and scores of volunteers. Veterans Park is located at 4117 Overland Avenue in Culver City. Fiesta hours are 4:30pm to 10:00pm on Friday, August 24; 11:00am to 10:00pm on Saturday, August 25; and 11:00am to 9:00pm on Sunday, August 26. Fiesta will open on Fri...

  • Cetera Wows Crowd in Newport Beach

    Steven Lieberman, Observer Reporter|Aug 23, 2018

    Peter Cetera, former front man, lead singer and the "Voice of Chicago," treated a crowd of 1,200 fans to a great concert at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach amphitheater. After leaving Chicago in 1985, Cetera tore-off the rear-view mirror and never looked back. His career skyrocketed to the next dimension when he went solo. The charismatic stage performer and Grammy Award-winner sang all of his big hits with his distinctive and unmistakable golden tenor voice. He also is famous for not only being...

  • Loaded Centaurs open '18 with always tough West!

    Greg goodyear and Larry Weiner, Special to the Observer|Aug 23, 2018

    After several years of total frustration with West Torrance High, the Culver City Centaurs finally broke through and walloped West 58-24. Senior quarterback Jonathan Martin last year broke through with a one-game passing record by throwing for 537 yards and five touchdowns versus West. The Centaurs were ranked No. 1 all year in Division 11 but lost a heartbreaking 57-56 overtime game to Covina in the semi-finals. Culver is starting this season with a relatively experienced sophomore quarterback, Zevi Eckhaus. But he started three games last...

  • Rams Spoil Raiders' Return to Los Angeles

    Fred Altieri, Sports Reporter|Aug 23, 2018

    Home sweet home counts, even in the preseason. The virtual battle for the most fans in the seats at the L.A. Coliseum may have been won by the Oakland Raider fans. But the real battle on the football field was won by the Los Angeles Rams. Among the 69,037 in attendance the Rams fans took it all in stride, knowing that they will be the ultimate fanbase in Los Angeles for years to come. The Rams played their second consecutive 2018 preseason without the benefit of their starters but still managed...

  • LAFC Enjoys its 'Home Cooking'

    Fred Altieri, Sports Reporter|Aug 23, 2018

    A blessing in disguise is always welcome. The sparkling new Banc of California Stadium in Downtown Los Angeles has quickly evolved into one of the best home-field advantages in Major League Soccer. The Los Angeles Football Club recently lost their very first soccer match ever inside their beloved state-of-the-art venue, but the bitter taste was soon washed away. LAFC took control in the second half and blanked the struggling yet competitive Colorado Rapids, 2-0, on Sunday night, Aug. 19....

  • Lucky Ducky Swim in Culver Plunge

    Aug 23, 2018

    The Lucky Ducky Swim will again be at the Fiesta La Ballona Saturday, Aug. 25 and Sunday, Aug. 26. At 3:00 pm on Sunday, the rubber ducks will "swim" across the Culver City Plunge in two preliminary races followed by the final winning race. There will be three Lucky Ducky winners. The top prize is $500 cash, with the second prize of two tickets to a Lakers basketball game and third prize a one-year free membership to the Culver-Palms YMCA. The proceeds from the Lucky Ducky Swim will benefit...

  • Chargers Offense Getting More Balanced

    Bill Seals, Sports Reporter|Aug 23, 2018

    Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Anthony Lynn has been preaching for a more balanced offense since he was hired for the job in 2017. Last season, the Chargers struggled to consistently run the ball, but led the NFL in passing so it was difficult to achieve the balance on offense. With Charger quarterback Philip Rivers and a talented group of receivers, the choice was easy. As offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said, “You can't ignore the fact that we have guys like Travis (Benjamin) and T...

  • City Officials, Families Speak Out For Traffic Safety as School Begins

    Aug 23, 2018

    As millions of students in Los Angeles County prepare to return to school, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is encouraging drivers to slow down and look out for people and children walking and biking. City officials, parents and children recently gathered at a special press conference at La Ballona Elementary in Culver City to raise awareness about the need for drivers to slow down and be alert as students return to school over the coming weeks. The event highlighted...

  • Deadline set for Culverites to Run in Japan

    Aug 23, 2018

    The Culver City Sister City Committee, a nonprofit international and intercultural community organization, is looking for one male and one female runner to participate in the 26th Annual Osaka Senshu International City Marathon in Japan. The deadline for applications is Sept.14. The marathon will be held in February. As good citizen-diplomats, the two selected runners will live with Kaizuka host families during their five-day stay. Applicants must be at least 18, be regular runners, and be able to run a mostly flat course in winter conditions....

  • Victims of Wildfires Must be Wary of Scams

    Aug 23, 2018

    Thousands of wildfire survivors face a long road recovering from the devastating fires that have destroyed or damaged thousand of homes in California. But now, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is warning against a new threat: Unlicensed contractors and scam artists trolling those areas. "A wildfire leaves more than burned homes and uprooted lives in its wake," Jones said. "These catastrophes also can blow in fly-by-night unlicensed contractors and door-to-door scam artists eager to capitalize on the misfortunes of innocent and traumatized...

  • Government Pension Coffers Stretch Even Thinner

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Aug 23, 2018

    Last July, our state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) reported that from June 2016 to June 2017, the state pension fund (CalSTRS) had its unfunded liabilities increase by almost 11 percent, from $96.7 billion to $107.3 billion. That’s despite school districts (statewide) increasing their contributions over 70 percent, from $5.9 billion in 2013-14 to $10.1 billion in 2016-2017. According to an LAO analysis from last February, we haven’t even seen the last of these contribution increas...

  • Culver Defense Looks Strong for New Season

    Greg goodyear and Larry Weiner, Special to the Observer|Aug 23, 2018

    The Centaur defense performed well last season and even had three consecutive shutouts in league competition. But it got pushed around in the semi-final playoff game, when they were shredded for over 300 yards rushing by Covina, and lost 57-56 in overtime. Over the years, the Achilles heel of the defense has been stopping the run, but the coaching staff is very confident that the longstanding problem won't be an issue this year. “Our defense is filled with size, speed athleticism and experience," said Culver High Head Coach Jamal Wright. "This...

  • Services set for Stella-Marie Moreno

    Aug 23, 2018

    Stella-Marie Moreno, a longtime Culver City resident, died peacefully in her sleep after a short illness. She was 95 years old. She is survived by her children: Robin Corwin, Cindy Blake, Janice Schretenthaler, Pat Kenner Marcel and Robert Konieczny. Also by her grandchildren Chloe and Michael Corwin, Cara Ghiora and Alex Konieczny. Stella-Marie Moreno was a longtime parishioner at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Culver City. Her funeral mass will be held there on Saturday, Sept. 1, at 11 a.m....

  • 'COMFORT LETTER' MAY SMOOTH LOAN PROCESS

    David W. Myers, Managing Editor|Aug 23, 2018

    DEAR DAVE: My employer was nice enough to give me a full year off of work when my husband and I had our first baby in April of last year. Now I am back at work and we want to buy our first home, but the bank is giving us a hard time because I was out of the workforce for an entire year. I explained to the loan officer the reason for my absence, but he won’t approve the mortgage unless I put the whole thing in writing and also obtain a letter documenting my situation from my supervisor. Is this t...