July 15, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Brentwood Beat – Lessons From a Reformed Sinner

There’s almost nothing more irritating than a reformed sinner. They always want to lecture you. I will confess: I’m a reformed sinner. I’m about to lecture you.

The Brentwood News and its sister publications got into a lot of financial peril over the years. We always used to think if we could just add one more publication we could become profitable and make it to the big time.

We got close, but when the economy unraveled starting in 2008, we got clobbered. We had to shut down for a while; now we’re at least back up on our knees. We’re down to one publication, the Brentwood News. We cut up all the credit cards (or had them cut up for us). And today, we spend no more than we take in – we have no choice, really.

So how is this “lecture†relevant? Well, maybe it isn’t, except that I fear for our city – and our country, even – when so many running for office keep “doing the dance,†bending over backwards to avoid naming the cuts they’d be willing to make in order to balance the books.

As we learned the hard way, at some point, the bills really do come due. No entity can keep borrowing forever. Unless something changes, it seems like a crash is inevitable.

Here’s hoping the city’s newly elected officials will have the courage required to finally get serious about cost control. This means, at a minimum, tackling pay and pension reform – which is where so much money is going these days. But if elected officials are beholden to the special interest money that put them into office, how do they inflict the pain that will be required?

I think this idea of a charter amendment requiring the city to live within its means is an excellent idea. Our country should do the same thing. So should all of us. If it’s the “law of the land,†there’s no choice but to adhere to it.

Dealing with the city’s financial problems now will be far less painful than the pain we’ll feel once the crash comes – take it from one who knows. But it seems too often people can’t make the turnaround until a real crisis comes. Now that’s a bad habit we all should change.
OK, end of lecture. Thanks for listening.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Now, on to some house-keeping matters.

The Brentwood News is about to start a monthly email newsletter that basically carries all the same stuff that appears in our paper. Everyone gets too much email as it is, I know, but we are told all the time by folks – especially those who live in apartments and condos, where newspaper delivery is extremely challenging — that they don’t get or don’t see the paper.

Signing up for the monthly email will take care of that. If you ever hear someone say they haven’t seen an article or don’t get the paper, tell that person to go to BrentwoodNewsOnline.com.

Towards the very top of the page, on the far right, is a button to click on, “Join Our E-Mail List.†Once on the list, you can receive the Brentwood News in your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we won’t sell or share our list. We’re just trying to make sure everyone who wants to get the Brentwood News, can.

I promise we won’t send out an email every time a coyote is sighted or there’s a car accident in the Sepulveda Pass. We’re going to start monthly and only send out emails in between if they are really, really important.

If print ever goes away, having this email capability in place will help us transition to the future.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

In another move that should make finding the Brentwood News a little more convenient, we just moved some of our newspaper racks into more visible locations. With so many print publications in decline, lots of old racks have disappeared in recent years, opening up new slots.

Look for the Brentwood News in the following locations: in front of Starbucks in Brentwood Village; next to Coral Tree Café (NW corner of Darlington and San Vicente); in front of Cheesecake Factory (or whatever that place is about to become); in front of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (SE corner of Barrington and San Vicente); in front of Starbucks (NW corner of Barrington and San Vicente); just behind Peets Coffee (Gorham and San Vicente); in front of Jamba Juice (Montana Ave and San Vicente Blvd); in between Early World and Vincenti, on the south side of San Vicente; and in front of Starbucks (on the south side of San Vicente, close to 26th Street).

We also put stacks in lots and lots of stores throughout Brentwood.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

It’s now March – not too early for high school and college kids to be thinking about summer internships. The Brentwood News has always been a cool place to hang out in the summer, so if any student you know might be interested, have that individual send me an email: jeffhall@brentwoodnewsonline.com.
Speaking of students, Brentwood’s high school seniors are about to learn where they’ll be spending the next few years. Fingers crossed for all of you!

in News
Related Posts

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...

UCLA Student Researchers Face Funding Uncertainty, Student Newspaper Reports

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

The Trump administration’s plan to slash $4.7 billion from the National Science Foundation, eliminate the National Endowment for the Humanities...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

Elvis’ TV Legacy in Beverly Hills to be Explored in Upcoming Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

The session will feature rare clips from the Paley Archive, including Presley’s debut TV appearance, his 1968 Comeback Special, performances...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Home of Douglas Emmett Realty Co-Founder Becomes Brentwood’s Priciest on Market: REPORT

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

The new listing surpasses Brentwood’s previous top-priced property at 11740 Crescenda Street, which is listed at $54.9 million A Brentwood...

Chinese Bakery Hi Bake to Open First U.S. Store in Beverly Hills: REPORT

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Hi Bake will offer a fusion of French and Asian pastries, including croissants filled with molten chocolate or wagyu beef...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

(Video) Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

To Sign Up Now, Go To Schoolofrock.com Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars To...

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...