This is the time of year when we are supposed to think good thoughts about humankind.
We should all be especially heartened by the community’s response to the big fire last month at Gorham and Amherst.
A big construction project got torched – literally – and several who lived in an apartment building next door had to flee for their lives, leaving their worldly possessions behind.
Overnight, fellow Brentwoodians put out the call to see who could do what for these innocent victims. Brentwood’s local hotels – The Luxe, Angeleno and the Brentwood Inn – made rooms available. Others donated food, cash and clothing. Fazio Cleaner gave a big break on dry cleaning.
Those who are now getting by because of the generosity of others want the rest of Brentwood to know how appreciative they are. There’s a holiday message of hope that’s hidden within this awful situation. To learn more, I invite you to read the update provided by Marylin Krell on page 8.
Marylin is the president of the South Brentwood Residents Association. She represents the area where the fire took place and has spearheaded the effort to help those pushed out of their apartments.
Brentwood is lucky to have her. But Marylin is not unusual in Brentwood. The list of local heroes is a long one. We’re lucky to live here.
Local residents who volunteer and collect money for the purpose of sprucing up the VA (Veterans Park Conservancy) recently refurbished a Rose Garden there that will facilitate “complementary†healing in the form of meditation, yoga and Tai Chi. See story on page 10.
Gary Avrech, another Brentwood resident, is promoting a celebration of Martin Luther King this coming January. For more details, see page 5.
Green Hollow Square continues to stir passions. A final EIR is expected any moment now. This month, we have guest editorials from the Green Hollow Square team and Elin Schwartz, a Brentwood resident who would like to see the project downsized. See pages 28-29.
Deborah Price of Brentwood Glen runs a company called “Cozy Faux†which sells comfy throws. If you are still looking for a holiday gift item, anyone would like one of these. See story, page 23. Go to www.CozyFaux.com to learn more.
A bright-eyed young Bella Nalle from Archer School showed up the other day asking if she could do a stint as a Brentwood News intern. Of course we said yes; see her first story on former teen throb Shaun Cassidy, page 13.
Brentwood is a busy place, that’s for sure. What are YOU up to? Tell the rest of Brentwood by sending your story to jeffhall@brentwoodnewsonline.com. If it’s important to you, chances are it’s important to your neighbors as well.
Brentwood News wishes you a great holiday season. See you in the New Year!
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Hi Jeff:
Thank you for putting the article on the Brentwood Eucalyptus trees in the Brentwood News. You gave them a nice display. We appreciate it very much. Also, thank you for the positive article you wrote on Green Hollow Square. I would also prefer Brentwood Commons. All your comments made a lot of sense and I hope your thoughts of having a Brentwood retail center that we can be proud of comes true. I also liked the idea of your suggestion of how to deal with the Coral Trees which we all love.
Best, Sandra Caruso
Jeff — I compliment you on a very even-handed discussion of the Munger project. I will try to touch on some of your points in my piece.
Elin Schwartz
