July 29, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Brentwood Beat: Let’s try a little more “win-win”

Brentwood Beat columnist Jeff Hall.
Brentwood Beat columnist Jeff Hall.

It’s still the start of a new year, a time for resolutions. I think a little more “win-win” thinking would do our community good. Pushing in the direction of win-lose often results in lose-lose.

A while back Charlie Munger decided to pull the plug on Green Hollow Square, a “victory” for opponents. We now see a big patch of dirt that might stay that way for years. Is this what victory looks like?

Those opposed to Archer’s proposed upgrade are determined to block it because it’s possible there will be a few more car trips in and out of Archer during the course of a day.

But Archer already buses 80 percent of its students in and out; it seems like Archer expansion opponents should seek to hold other schools in the area to Archer’s same high standards.

Such a move might actually cause a real and very significant reduction of car trips on Sunset. That would be a win for all of us. Instead, all the energy is going into blocking Archer’s proposals. Win-lose.

A federal judge recently halted the construction of an amphitheater on the VA property, the result of a lawsuit by veteran activists seeking an end to all outside uses of the VA property.

The activists, aided by the ACLU, are seeking more assistance for homeless veterans in the area, which is of course laudable.

It has never been clear to me how a park with an amphitheater that veterans can use hurts veterans. And it’s all being paid for with private funds. At no cost, the VA could have a new park that veterans could enjoy. That’s a win-win, it seems to me.

Because of the lawsuit, the VA said it could no longer provide parking for those wanting to attend the PGA golf tournament held each year at the Riviera Country Club.

In turn, PGA organizers said they would no longer offer a bunch of free tickets to veterans.

And, soon enough, veteran attendance at UCLA baseball games could become a thing of the past if UCLA has to move the stadium.
I’m still not sure who, if anybody, is winning here.

That the VA can and should do much more for homeless veterans is a no-brainer. At a minimum, couldn’t the VA take all money it makes from its various outside projects and immediately steer that money in the direction of helping homeless veterans?

Wouldn’t that be a win for homeless veterans?

Brentwood School is the beneficiary of a long-term, below-market VA lease that is now in the same legal jeopardy as other outside projects. Brentwood School built a huge athletic facility, including a first-class aquatic center, on VA land.

Surely Brentwood School could open up its pool on certain days and hours to veterans. There’s a win-win. Brentwood School gets its pool, veterans get access to the pool.

Archer School wanted its own aquatic center, too, but that got shot down in recent negotiations as Archer continues to seek approval for its expansion plans. Same with some proposals for expanded athletic facilities, including night lights.

Why not let Archer share Brentwood School’s swimming pool – and its other athletic facilities as well? The two schools are within walking distance of one another.  Can’t we all get along – and share? Wouldn’t that be a win?

Remember, Brentwood School is on VA property – which means it’s on U.S. property, which means the property is owned by us, the taxpayers. There is no public pool in Brentwood. So while I’m at it, why not open Brentwood School’s pool to the public during the summer?

People who want to swim and who don’t own a pool are forced to drive elsewhere. This adds to traffic, everyone’s number one issue. If people decided to cooperate more, maybe we could actually reduce traffic.

There was an article in the LA Times recently about developer (and Brentwood resident) Rick Caruso and his quest to find a community-friendly use for a big block of retail he’s gearing up to revamp in the Palisades.

Caruso and his people did a lot of outreach and learned that people really weren’t yearning for more high-end retail; what people really wanted was an ice cream shop, a small movie theater and a bookstore. Nice. Caruso says he’s happy to comply. Double nice.
It’s too bad Charlie Munger didn’t try the same technique; it seemed to be much more about what he and his people wanted, not what the people of Brentwood – his prospective customers – actually wanted.

Maybe we can entice Rick Caruso to buy up the Munger property and apply the same win-win philosophy here in Brentwood that he’s successfully applying in the Palisades.  Maybe we can give him a warmer welcome than that given Charlie Munger.

In addition to a bookstore, an ice cream shop and a small theater, let’s add a Mexican restaurant, a fish place, a brew-pub and a little park. And plenty of underground parking.

I almost forgot: Let’s ask Mr. Caruso for a public swimming pool as well.

If we put more community-friendly services right here in our own backyard, that should actually reduce traffic in the area. Isn’t that what everyone wants?

Or do people really just want to fight all the time? I say we try something new. Let’s try a little win-win.

• Do you have a story idea, news tip or a comment to share? Contact Jeff Hall by email at jeffhall@brentwoodnewsonline.com.

Related Posts

Brentwood Beat: Let’s Get Practical

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Do you ever spend time on NextDoor?   It’s a local online bulletin board.  I check it out maybe twice a...

Los Angeles Fire Department Airlifts Two From Brentwood Trails in Same-Day Rescues

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Two Were Hoisted in Back-To-Back Emergencies From Rugged Terrain Two individuals were airlifted to safety Saturday afternoon in separate incidents...

More Than $50 Billion in Damage: What January’s Wildfire Cost the City of Los Angeles

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Nearly 11,000 Properties, Many in Pacific Palisades, Affected; True Losses Likely Higher Nearly $52 billion in residential real estate across...

Award-Winning Beverly Hills Villa Lists for $39.9 Million in Celebrity-Filled Enclave

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Limestone Showpiece Hits Market in the Flats, From Acclaimed Architect Tucked in the heart of Beverly Hills Flats, a limestone-clad...

(Video) A Plus Tree: A Steward of Urban Forest Management Across Los Angeles

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

For More Information, Go to Aplustree.com A Plus Tree: A Steward of Urban Forest Management Across Los Angeles For More...

The Third Place Reinvented: Why Kavahana Is Becoming LA’s New Favorite Hangout Spot

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

In a city full of coffee shops that close too early and bars that don’t cater to the sober (or...

Avocet Playa Vista: Your New Luxury Retirement Experience

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

A wealth of high-end amenities, gourmet cuisine, mind-body programs and stimulating cultural events, centered around a luxury lifestyle retirement experience...

LAPD to Conduct DUI Checkpoints Across City This Weekend

July 26, 2025

July 26, 2025

LAPD officials said checkpoint locations are chosen based on areas with high numbers of DUI-related crashes and arrests The Los...

Metro D Line Resumes Today After 70-Day Closure

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The shutdown, which began May 17, enabled Metro to connect the current line to newly built tunnels extending west under...

Sunset Jazz & Pizza Series Returns to The Lobster

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The series blends jazz from a three-piece house band with handcrafted pizzas and $5 Open Brewing beers  The Lobster’s popular...

Measles Case Confirmed in LA, Officials Urge Vaccination

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Investigators are working to identify potential exposures and assess the risk to others Health officials have confirmed a case of...

Premiere of ‘All These Women’ Coming to Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Set in 1913, the play dramatizes the uphill struggle for the right to vote as women across the United States...

Santa Monica City Attorney to Step Down, Take New Public Role in California

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

City Council will discuss hiring a replacement at its July 29 meeting Santa Monica City Attorney Doug Sloan has announced...

Herbie Hancock to Headline Hollywood Bowl in August

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Known for his decades-spanning career, Hancock is one of jazz’s forward-thinking voices Jazz legend Herbie Hancock is set to return...

LAHSA Appoints New Interim CEO Amid System Transitions

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The agency is navigating uncertainty following the county’s decision to create a separate homelessness department and shifting federal policy priorities...