GRIFFITH PARK—Los Angeles Dodgers rookie catcher Eliezer Alfonzo who lost two family members following twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, made his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, July 5.

The stronger of the two earthquakes measured with a magnitude of 7.5, following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake just 39 seconds earlier, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. As of July 5, Venezuelan officials reported nearly 3,000 people dead, more than 12,000 injured, and over 41,000 people still missing. The numbers continue to rise as rescue efforts continue.

Alfonzo’s stepmother, Patricia, and his 16-year-old sister, Eliana, were reported missing. They were found dead on Sunday, July 5, in the rubble of a collapsed hotel in La Guaira, Venezuela.

Alfonzo was called up from the minor leagues on Saturday, July 4, to serve as a backup catcher for the Dodgers. He learned of his family members’ deaths on Sunday, just hours before the game, and made his major league debut that same night.

Dodgers’ infielder Miguel Rojas, a friend of Alfonzo’s father and a fellow Venezuelan, wrote “Alfonzo” along with a cross and “Fuerza Matatán” on his cap to show his support. Alfonzo wrote “E y P, RIP” near the brim of his own cap in honor of his stepmother and sister.

Despite the Dodgers losing 5-2 to the San Diego Padres, Alfonzo made his debut just hours after receiving the news.

By Milan Manesh

BEVERLY HILLS—On July 7, legendary Beatle’s drummer, Ringo Starr celebrated his 86th birthday at the Beverly Gardens Park. He was joined by his wife, former Bond girl, Barbara Bach, her sister, Marjorie Bach, brother-in-law, Joe Walsh, Grammy-winning guitarist T-Bone Burnett, drummer, Jim Keltner, and actor Ed Bagley Junior. A musical performance by Molly Tuttle and her band was enjoyed by all those present, including hundreds of fans. “Born Richard Starkey on July 7, 1940 “at a very young age” he knew from very early on what he wanted to do. ‘When I was 13, I only wanted to be a drummer,’ remembers Ringo,” states Ringo Starr’s website. He played in various bands in the beginning before in August 1962, Ringo officially joined Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison as a Beatle. Starr’s Peace and Love Tour began in 2011, when Ringo held a “Peace and Love birthday event outside the Hard Rock Café in Hamburg, Germany. It has been a tradition ever since July 7, 2012. Earlier they all convened for a moment of “Peace & Love” in front of the Hard Rock Café Nashville. In June 2013, the Grammy Museum opened with the first major exhibit, “Ringo: Peace and Love,” in Los Angeles’ live entertainment district, located at 800 W. Olympic Boulevard. This event attracted 120,000 visitors. On July 7, 2014, and July 7, 2015, Ringo celebrated his birthday with his traditional Peace & Love event at Capitol Records in LA. In 2016, and 2017, and 2019, Ringo was in Los Angeles. He celebrated his 76th birthday by hosting his annual “Peace & Love” event at Capital Records Tower in Hollywood. He celebrated his 78th birthday in Nice, France in July 2018, with his family and the All-Starr Band. Starr hosted a virtual charity broadcast in 2020, entitled, “Ringo’s Big Birthday Show.” The online concert was available on his official You Tube Channel. In 2021, on his 81st birthday, Ringo celebrated from his Beverly Hills home on what his website refers to as a photo call. In 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, Ringo Starr’s Peace and Love celebrations were held at Beverly Hills Gardens. Starr is the 2013 recipient of the French Medal of Honor and was appointed Commander of Arts and Letters in recognition for his musical and artistic contributions. In April 2015, He was inducted by Paul McCartney into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for the second time as a solo artist for Musical Excellence. The First time was as a Beatle. In October 2015, Ringo and the All Starrs went on tour performing 21 shows in 31 days. He earned 9 Grammys, released 18 solo studio records between 1970-2015, acted in 15 films, and earned an Academy Award. He was nominated for an Emmy and has published three books. Ringo resides in the Trousdale Estates in Beverly Hills. By Sharon

MALIBU—The city of Malibu is currently looking to hire a Public Safety Director. The salary for the position ranges from $199,767 – $260,651 annually plus benefits.

This executive leadership position oversees emergency management, wildfire preparedness, homelessness initiatives, contracted law enforcement, code enforcement, parking enforcement, and other critical public safety programs while working closely with the City Manager, City Council, and regional partners.

Candidates who have experience as a public safety leader and passion for emergency preparedness, collaboration, and serving the community are asked to apply.

The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree in public administration, Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Public Safety, or a closely related field, along with substantial progressively responsible experience in public safety, emergency management, enforcement operations, fire services, or related disciplines. Candidates should have a minimum of eight years of professional experience, including at least three years in a leadership or management capacity overseeing programs, staff, budgets, and complex operations.

The deadline for application submissions is Friday, July 31. In-person interviews will take place on Wednesday, August 19. To apply visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/malibucity.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica announced on Tuesday, July 7 that the nomination period for three seats on the Santa Monica City Council, three seats on the Rent Control Board, four seats on the Santa Monica-Malibu School District Board and four seats on the Santa Monica College District Board opens on Monday, July 13.

Interested candidates are asked to attend the Candidate Workshop on July 13 at 10 a.m. in City Hall Council Chambers to learn about the nomination process and pick up forms.

Candidates unable to attend the workshop must make appointments to pick up nomination packets after the workshop. For available appointment dates/times, visit the city’s election website.

Completed forms must be filed by Friday, August 7 at 5 p.m. The filing period will be extended to Wednesday, August 12 at 5:30 p.m. if an incumbent does not file nomination papers.

Interested individuals can visit www.santamonica.gov/elections/2026-11-03 for appointment times, general resources on how to run for office and other election information. Election Day will take place on Tuesday, November 3.

By Danny Jones

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—The Los Angeles Fire Department battled a structure fire on Tuesday, July 7. The fire was located at 2:53 p.m. at 2305 N. Stanley Hills Dr.

The hillside property was on fire, with trees and heavy brush are burning around the home. Crews are operating defensively and prioritizing protection of neighboring structures.

Knockdown declared at 3:20 p.m. Firefighters transitioned to an offensive posture and commenced rescue searches, following improved smoke and fire conditions.

Surrounding brush was extinguished, with no neighboring structures reportedly impacted. The cause of the fire has not been disclosed to the public.

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Sunday, July 5, an unidentified man was found holding what appeared to be a rocket-propelled grenade, otherwise known as an RPG. The man told deputies that another man asked to see the item and had been the one walking around showing it to people near the 9000 block of Sunset Boulevard. That second man had already left the scene before deputies arrived.

Several 911 calls were received around 2 a.m., alerting authorities to the suspect with what looked like a military-style weapon in the popular nightlife district.

Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department arrived on scene and determined the weapon was a non-working replica. Authorities took a misdemeanor report for brandishing a replica firearm, an offense that carries a minimum of 30 days and up to six months in county jail, plus up to $1000 in fines, under California Penal Code 417.4.

Brandishing an imitation firearm under Penal Code 417.4 is charged only as a misdemeanor in California, unlike brandishing an actual weapon or firearm under Penal Code 417, which can be elevated to a felony under certain aggravating circumstances such as serious injury or brandishing near a day care.

No arrests were made, and the names of both men involved have not been released to the public.

By Milan Manesh

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—The Hollywood Bowl has introduced its first major sound system upgrade in decades. The venue has been fitted with a new, fully immersive 360-degree sound system, including an L Series speaker system that allows sound to be louder while preserving audio clarity.

The centerpiece of the new system is an AI learning program called Source Intelligence, which isolates onstage vocals to provide clearer sound. L-Acoustics, the French audio company that designed the system, aimed to fix a problem live performers have faced for decades.

The company says Source Intelligence blocks background noise, such as crowd noise and other instruments, that would previously blur a singer’s voice through the speakers. The upgrade has received praise from those who have used it.

Ryan John, a front-of-house engineer, called it the biggest improvement to live vocal quality he has experienced in his career. Source Intelligence is not only installed at the Hollywood Bowl, but it is also touring with major acts such as Harry Styles, The Weeknd, and Bruno Mars.

By Milan Manesh

SANTA MONICA—On Saturday, July 11, from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m., three blocks of Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade will shut down for the evening and transform into an open-air food and music festival known as the Santa Monica Block Fest Vol. V.

According to Secret Los Angeles, Block Fest Vol. V is a free, all-ages summer festival series hosted by the city of Santa Monica that will feature live DJ sets, a night market, food vendors, and allow open containers for adults over the age of 21+ in the designated Santa Monica’s Entertainment Zone (EZSM).

Block Fest Vol. V will split Third Street Promenade into two distinct stages, giving attendees the opportunity to experience diverse DJ sets hosted by either Yappy Studios or Beat Repeat.

Featured on Posh, the event website, the artists who will take the Block Fest Vol. V stages are: Distant Matter, Moonlght, Sam Silver, Marzi, Wenzl, Nash Rly, Plexusplay, KNWN, Waxthieves, Kira X, and J Nikole.

The festival will be held at 1400 Street Promenade. For more information or to RSVP for the event, either visit https://posh.vip/e/santa-monica-block-fest-vol-v-free-music-festival or, text “vol5” to 310-882-7842.

By Megan Hanson

SANTA MONICA—On July 7, the city of Santa Monica voided their lease negotiations with the business owners of California Roadhouse to occupy the restaurant space located at 256 Santa Monica Pier. According to Santa Monica City Manager, Oliver Chi, the lease agreement process has reportedly been called off due to non-compliance. The company failed to meet employee protections required to utilize the space. The process began six months ago in November 2025, with negotiations to bring in a new restaurant into the vacant Rusty’s location on the Santa Monica Pier. On January 7, the City of Santa Monica again announced that the Historic Santa Monica Pier building was to become Route 66 themed California Roadhouse. Following a delay from the Unite Here Local 11 Labor Union, prompted officials to pull them off the March 24 agenda. On April 13, the city gave an update indicating that the leasing process had been stalled. July marks the one-year anniversary since Chi took over as City Manager accepting an annual salary of $410,604. This is reportedly the fifth city that Chi has held the top position, the first being Rosemead at 27. He oversees a city budget of close to $8 million and approximately 2,000 employees. For those in the restaurant industry looking to occupy the vacant 4,000 square foot pier space, there are strict rules to abide by. The cost is $27,000 per month with a three percent annual increase. Business owners sign a lease agreement with the understanding that they must give preference to former pier restaurant employees before hiring new personnel. This practice is referred to as a worker-recall ordinance. Tenant Improvements are expected and the city may allocate funds from time to time up to $500,000 for improvements. Improvement allowances are audited to prove the work paid for has been completed. Leases may include maintenance waivers to help business owners and operators to manage the upkeep of their patio grades to match the rest of the pier. Leases must pass a unanimous vote from the City Council and the City Manager finalizes the leases terms of agreement. By Sharon

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills announced that Festival Beverly Hills is returning on Sunday, July 12 to Beverly Gardens Park.

The event is free to the public and will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a day of music, dance, interactive workshops, and culinary delights that showcase the rich tapestry of many cultures from around the world.

The festival is a celebration of artists who have shaped regional and international cultural landscapes. This year’s program line-up of artists includes, Maruja Limon, an all-female quintet on tour from Barcelona known for its vibrant music that blends flamenco, pop, and Latin rhythms; Elida Almeida, a Cape Verdean-born artist who infuses her Cabo Verdean beats – batuque, funaná, coladera and tabanka – with Latino energy; Latin Grammy-nominated, Afro-Peruvian jazz saxophonist and producer Anibal Seminario; Los Angeles-based Viver Brasil Dance Company, who create culturally rooted and aesthetically bold Afro-Brazilian dance theater with an emphasis on ancestral practices, street styles, and live music; Shivam Arts Dance, who blend traditional Northern Indian dance with contemporary music and choreography; and Klezmer Juice, representing the Jewish diaspora by way of Argentina, who will bring his ebullient musicianship back to the Festival after a two-year hiatus.

The Farhang Foundation returns as a festival partner, sponsoring a performance from Black Cats, a new iteration of the legendary Iranian pop group led by Shahbal Shabpareh. The tribute will feature energy of Iranian pop with fresh, modern influences, creating a sound that resonates across generations.

Additional partnerships include Horotropzi in collaboration with the Bulgarian Consulate; music, dance, culinary, and performances and hands-on creative arts with the Chinese American Cultural Association; dance performances from the Indonesian Consulate; the Carpathian Trio from the Romanian Consulate; and stilt walker Eddie Olive, from the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate; ballet folklorico with Spotlight Award finalist Aleyda Arreola; and Latin jazz and mariachi presented by the Neighborhood Music School, among others.

Festival goers will be able to explore the Mayan calendar and learn soccer’s ancestral game P’ok Ta Pok with Casa Maya de la Cultura; experience a traditional coffee ceremony with Little Ethiopia’s Nikki Legasse; create a soccer-themed zine with the Boyle Heights-based Las Fotos Project; and make maracas with the Neighborhood Music School, among other activities.

AYSO will host a youth soccer clinic celebrating Summer of Soccer 2026 and the international games.

Festival Beverly Hills is a celebration of culture and community. For additional artists, program and activation announcements visit: www.beverlyhills.org/csevents.

By Danny Jones