Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Laura Coleman
Beer Today, Beer Tomorrow
By Laura Billings Coleman, Photo by Matthew James Harrison Of the many business enterprises threatened by climate change, beer may be the most ubiquitous. Though it’s still the most popular alcoholic beverage on the planet, growing demands on water resources and challenges facing the farming of barley and hops mean beer is now facing a cloudy future.
Hometown Headliner
Categories: Alumni Type: Articles Share: By Laura Billings Coleman, Photo by David J. Turner According to the headlines, owning a news organization these days is a losing bet: News readership has been in decline for decades. Newsrooms have shed nearly three-quarters of their workforce since the Great Recession of 2008.
Everything Happens: Dr. Kate Bowler ’02 on Challenging Toxic Positivity and Our Obsession with Perfection
By Laura Billings Coleman If you’ve ever suffered a devastating personal loss, a death in the family, a terrible diagnosis, or a defining moment that will forever mark the turning point between what came before and what came after, there’s a good chance you’ve discovered Dr. Kate Bowler ‘02 in your Instagram feed.
Everything Happens: The Gospel According to Kate Bowler ’02
By Laura Billings Coleman If you’ve ever suffered a devastating personal loss, a death in the family, a terrible diagnosis, or a defining moment that will forever mark the turning point between what came before and what came after, there’s a good chance you’ve discovered Dr. Kate Bowler ‘02 in your Instagram feed.
Utilising Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) for Classifying Osteoarthritis (OA) Patients and Volunteers Based on Biomarker Concentration
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterised by the breakdown of cartilage, causing pain, stiffness, and limited movement. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective management but remains challenging due to non-specific early symptoms. This study explores the application of Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) to classify OA patients and healthy volunteers based on biomarker concentrations of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and Myeloperoxidase (MPO).
Eating healthy when you have lupus
Can I be vegetarian or vegan if I have lupus? Yes — it’s fine for people with lupus to eat a vegetarian or vegan diet. Just make sure to eat a variety of healthy plant-based foods. If you don’t eat any animal foods, you’ll need to take a vitamin B12 supplement — vitamin B12 is only found in animal foods. Are there any specific foods I need to avoid? According to Johns Hopkins Lupus Center experts, they believe that a chemical found in alfalfa may trigger lupus symptoms.
West Hollywood-owned sites bound for new life - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
In moving forward with a plan to redevelop city-owned properties, Councilman John D’Amico suggested relocating Joey’s Café on Santa Monica Boulevard across the street to the ground floor of City Hall. (photo by Cameron Kiszla) The future of city-owned properties was at the forefront of the most recent West Hollywood City Council meeting on Jan. 19 at which council members voiced support for developing the city’s underutilized properties.
WeHo off-leash dog area leaps forward - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
West Hollywood Park includes an off-leash dog park. (photo by Jon Viscott/courtesy of the city of West Hollywood) West Hollywood pups will soon have an opportunity to frolic freely in a new off-leash dog play area in Plummer Park following a unanimous vote by the City Council. The council approved the preliminary plan for a pilot program on Jan. 19 as part of the city’s long-term plans to redevelop Plummer Park.
WeHo holds first community housing element update - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
West Hollywood held the first of several meetings in which residents will be able to provide input on housing. (photo by Edwin Folven) The city of West Hollywood held an introductory webinar on the housing element update on Jan. 19, offering the community its first chance to publicly ask questions and offer input into the process. The city will be tasked with building approximately 4,000 new units by 2029, although the final number will be solidified next month.
West Hollywood resident bound for West Point - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Fairfax High graduate Garri Mikhail Eremyan II was one of seven students nominated from the 28th Congressional District to attend the U.S. service academies. (photo courtesy of Garri Mikhail Eremyan II) For Garri Mikhail Eremyan II, who graduated from Fairfax High School in 2019, the United States Military Academy at West Point represented the dream of a lifetime.
Beverly Hills denies Restaurant Row hotel - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
A proposal to develop an eight-story hotel on Restaurant Row was shot down by the Beverly Hills Planning Commission. (rendering courtesy of the city of Beverly Hills) The Beverly Hills Planning Commission rejected a plan for an eight-story hotel at the south end of Restaurant Row at 55 N. La Cienega Blvd. during its Jan. 14 meeting. The proposal submitted by developer Abraham Assil would have created 216 hotel rooms at the current home of the Stinking Rose restaurant, abutting a residential zone.
Community invited to make difference on MLK Day - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
In previous years, community members could gather in person at Big Sunday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Block Party to honor the civil rights icon. (photo by Bill Devlin) While celebrations across the country commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 18, will be different this year – given the inability to hold large in-person gatherings due to COVID-19 – there are still ways for people to make an impact at the local level.
Beverly Hills plastic surgeon dies of COVID-19 - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Dr. Payman Simoni, a plastic surgeon with a practice on Rodeo Drive, died from COVID-19. (photo courtesy of Dr. Payman Simoni’s Instagram) Beverly Hills is unlikely to halt elective cosmetic surgeries after the death of local plastic surgeon Payman Simoni from COVID-19, according to Mayor Lester Friedman. Simoni, 50, allegedly contracted the virus while performing an elective cosmetic surgery last month.
Melrose Triangle plans modified again in WeHo - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The latest version of a plan to develop the Melrose Triangle project is expected to be reviewed by the West Hollywood Planning Commission this spring. (rendering courtesy of the city of West Hollywood) For over two decades, developers have sought to revitalize West Hollywood’s western gateway by bringing to life the Melrose Triangle project, which is planned for a 2.7-acre parcel of land bounded by Santa Monica Boulevard, Melrose Avenue and Almont Drive.
Rodeo Drive podcast provides new escape - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
While travel to Beverly Hills has diminished due to the coronavirus, more people are expected to visit Rodeo Drive later this year.
New West Hollywood task force to address housing - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Orange Grove, a West Hollywood condominium project comprising 12 large loft-style homes, is among the thousands of new units that have come to market in the past decade. (photo by Marvin Rand) In anticipation of building 4,000 new units by the end of the decade, West Hollywood is taking creative measures to determine how to increase the city’s residential housing stock. The final Regional Housing Needs Assessment allocation is expected to be determined on Feb.
WeHo approves assistance for small businesses - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Clubs like the Troubadour have had no path to opening since March. (photo courtesy of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce) Small brick and mortar retailers in West Hollywood can look forward to some additional economic help in the new year following the City Council’s vote on Dec. 21 to institute several business recovery measures. “The intent behind this … really is to help our most vulnerable businesses,” Councilwoman Sepi Shyne said.
Beverly Hills hotels to defer TOT payments, again - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The Beverly Wilshire is among the properties in Beverly Hills that will be allowed to defer hotel tax payments to the city until April. (photo courtesy of the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel) The Beverly Hills City Council unanimously supported allowing local hotels to defer transient occupancy tax payments to the city for a third time on Dec. 21. The council had previously allowed hotels to defer TOT payments in March and May.
La Scala’s planned NYE celebration shut down - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Beverly Hills restaurant La Scala was warned by the city not to hold a New Year’s Eve dinner. (photo by Marc Saleh) On Dec. 28, the day before Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would be extending the regional stay-at-home order due to surging COVID-19 hospitalizations, La Scala issued the following statement regarding its planned New Year’s Eve party. “This is the message the note was meant to convey: With the dining ban set to expire on Dec.
Just in Case seeks safer BH - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Beverly Hills Fire Chief Greg Barton is leading Just in Case BH, a neighborhood-based emergency preparedness and action program. (photo courtesy of the city of Beverly Hills) Among the many lessons that COVID-19 offers, according to Beverly Hills Fire Chief Greg Barton, is that the community as a whole can always be better prepared for an emergency.
Like clockwork, theater group keeps kids engaged - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The Nine O’Clock Players’ “Magical Theatre Experience” includes the musical “Mr. Scrooge” for children. (photo courtesy of the Nine O’Clock Players) For decades, staged performances by the Assistance League of Los Angeles’ Nine O’Clock Players, the oldest children’s theater company in Southern California, were the only opportunity many local youngsters had to experience live theater.
Gascón advances plan to eliminate cash bail - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón announced sweeping reforms after being sworn into office. (photo courtesy of George Gascón) Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón is wasting no time in his efforts to reform the criminal justice system. Precisely one minute after being sworn in as the county’s new district attorney at noon on Dec.
WeHo approves digital billboard conversion - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The Sunset Strip has long been known for its billboards, and a new policy aims to bring billboards back to the limelight in West Hollywood. (photo by Robert Landau, from his book “Rock ‘n’ Roll Billboards of the Sunset Strip”) The West Hollywood City Council unanimously voted to approve a request to convert an existing static billboard to a digital billboard at 8743 Sunset Blvd., marking the first time a billboard will be allowed to be converted under the city’s new billboard policy.
WeHo to create social justice task force - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
West Hollywood’s social justice task force will advise the council on social and racial equity issues. (photo by Cameron Kiszla) The West Hollywood City Council unanimously voted to create a social justice task force at its Dec. 7 meeting. The task force, which was initiated by Mayor Lindsey Horvath and Councilwoman Sepi Shyne, will advise the council on social and racial equity issues in the community and provide policy recommendations to address systemic racism.
Beverly Hills to develop affordable housing - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The city of Beverly Hills plans to develop an affordable housing project a few blocks east of the Golden Triangle. (photo by Cameron Kiszla) The Beverly Hills City Council supported expanding the footprint of a potential affordable housing project at the southeast corner of West Third Street and Foothill Road at its study session meeting on Dec. 8.
Hanukkah in a pandemic - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The city of Beverly Hills continues to place an oversized menorah – and Christmas tree – in Beverly Gardens Park during the holidays. (photo by Marc Saleh) When the sun sets tonight, marking the start of Hanukkah and the 275th day since COVID-19 was declared a “global pandemic” by the World Health Organization, Jews across the globe will celebrate as never before.
Metro fast-tracks BH subway due to COVID-19 - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The Beverly Hills City Council voted to allow Metro to start working at 10 p.m. in response to the new county COVID-19 mandate. (photo by Cameron Kiszla) In response to new COVID-19 state and county orders, the Beverly Hills City Council voted 4-1 on Dec. 1 to allow Metro to begin work on the Purple Line Extension subway project at 10 p.m., three hours earlier than previously allowed.
Renters, landlords to benefit from BH rent subsidy program - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The Beverly Hills City Council delayed augmenting the city’s $1 million COVID-19 rent subsidy on Dec. 1, but promised that additional funding would be forthcoming. Renters in need of financial assistance are now just weeks away from getting some reprieve due to the subsidy, according to the city’s deputy director of rent stabilization, Helen Morales. “There are some people paying 50%, some people paying 25%,” she said.
Incoming D.A. George Gascón vows reform - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Los Angeles County District Attorney-elect George Gascón will be sworn in on Monday, Dec. 7. (photo courtesy of George Gascón) On Monday, Dec. 7, George Gascón will be sworn in as the new Los Angeles County district attorney. Over 2 million L.A. County residents voted for Gascón to lead the nation’s largest prosecutorial office, unseating incumbent Jackie Lacey, who had sought a third term.
The Wallis marks 25-year milestone - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Dancers from the Debbie Allen Dance Academy perform at The Wallis’ virtual benefit. (photo by Kevin Parry/courtesy of The Wallis) For almost two decades before the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts welcomed its first audience in the 500-seat Bram Goldsmith Theater, a contingent of passionate residents worked to realize the dream of creating a cultural arts destination in Beverly Hills.
New housing provides homes for WeHo seniors - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The Planning Commission supported moving forward with a new senior congregate care facility on Palm Avenue in West Hollywood that incorporates historic buildings. (rendering courtesy of the city of West Hollywood) The West Hollywood Planning Commission voted on Nov. 19 to allow a senior congregate care housing facility to proceed at 923-931 Palm Ave., despite community opposition.
Developer plans major renovations to 1930s building - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects plans to renovate the apartment building at 410 N. Rossmore Ave. with a redesigned interior featuring co-living spaces. (photo by Karen Villapando) A major renovation to the 90-year-old building at 410 N. Rossmore Ave. has been put forth by Atlanta-based developer Domos.
BH offers rent subsidy for COVID-19 relief - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Starting Nov. 16, Beverly Hills tenants impacted by COVID-19 can apply for a rent subsidy to help alleviate some of the burden. Residents will have three weeks, through Dec. 7, to apply for the subsidy, which will be a monthly payment of the balance of unpaid rent up to $1,000, paid directly to the landlord, for a maximum period of three months. On Nov.
Metro station’s north portal planned for Beverly Drive - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The City Council voted to select Beverly Drive as the location for the north portal of the Wilshire/Rodeo subway station. (photo courtesy of the city of Beverly Hills) The Beverly Hills City Council unanimously voted to have Beverly Drive become the location of the Wilshire/Rodeo Metro Purple Line subway station’s north portal at its formal meeting on Nov. 10.
WeHo supports outdoor 12-step meetings - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The Log Cabin still requires hundreds of thousands of dollars in upgrades before it can reopen for in-person meetings, even after the county lifts restrictions. (photo by Cameron Kiszla) In-person 12-step meetings are set to resume in West Hollywood following a unanimous vote by the City Council on Nov. 2 approving a contract with the West Hollywood Recovery Center to use the parking structure at West Hollywood Park. The city will be waiving all fees, including facility use fees.
Voters support five of 12 state ballot measures - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
California voters decided the fate of a dozen ballot propositions in the Nov. 3 election, choosing to pass just five of them. While Los Angeles County supported seven of the state measures, in addition to County Measure J, which mandates increased community investment into alternatives to incarceration, the overall state vote determines which propositions ultimately pass. From funding the $5.5 billion state bond in support of stem cell research (Prop.
Voters elect three to BHUSD Board of Education - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Board of Education election winners Amanda Stern and Noah Margo hand out cupcakes celebrating Margo’s birthday on Election Day. (photo courtesy of Noah Margo) As of Nov. 4, Beverly Hills voters appeared to have elected incumbent Noah Margo and newcomers Mary Wells and Amanda Stern to the Board of Education in the Nov. 3 election, in addition to overwhelmingly supporting a local sales tax measure. City Clerk Huma Ahmed noted that the local elections had been robust this year.
BH braces for increased policing around election - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The City Council discussed covering the iconic Beverly Hills sign at Beverly Gardens Park in anticipation of Election Day. (photo by Cameron Kiszla) Regardless of who is declared the winner in the upcoming Nov. 3 presidential election, Beverly Hills police say they are ready to handle any upcoming demonstrations and potential civil unrest. “I would say we’re the most prepared in Los Angeles County.
BH fights against regional housing allocation - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Beverly Hills moved forward on its fight against a mandate that it must build 3,096 new units by 2029 as part of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment – this time moving to defeat the regional figure of 1.34 million units. In furtherance of that effort, the council voted 5-0 at its formal meeting on Oct. 27 via the consent calendar to send a letter to the president of the Southern California Association of Governments requesting that the SCAG president reconvene his RHNA litigation study team.
League of Women Voters illuminates ballot measures - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The Ebell hosted the forum on measures included on the Nov. 3 ballot. (photo by Edwin Folven) To better inform voters about the myriad propositions on the Nov. 3 ballot, Mona Field, co-president of the Los Angeles League of Women Voters, held a virtual forum in partnership with the Ebell of Los Angeles on Oct. 8 covering the 12 propositions and one county measure.
Hearing continued for senior housing project - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
A proposal for a senior care facility on Palm Avenue heads to the Planning Commission in November. (photo courtesy of the city of West Hollywood) The West Hollywood Planning Commission unanimously agreed to continue the planned public hearing for a new senior housing facility at 923-931 N. Palm Ave. until Nov. 19.
Holiday season to bring fashion week to Rodeo - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The Rodeo Drive median will include mannequins clad in floral gowns as part of this year’s holiday décor. (rendering courtesy of the city of Beverly Hills) Beverly Hills residents and visitors will soon enjoy “Visions of Holiday Glamour” along the Rodeo Drive median as a parade of 10-foot-tall mannequins attired in vibrant floral gowns come to the catwalk for the holiday season. Beginning on Saturday, Nov. 21, as part of this year’s winter holiday programming, and concluding on Sunday, Jan.
Beverly Hills will protest mandate to build 3,096 new housing units - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Despite recommendations from planning staff, the Beverly Hills City Council will contest a mandate that it must build 3,096 new units by 2029 as part of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment. The state of California requires every city to have a housing element in its general plan in an effort to meet the regional needs of the community.
Beverly Hills bans trick-or-treating on Halloween - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The historic Witch’s House in Beverly Hills has been the epicenter of trick-or-treating on previous Halloweens. (The historic Witch’s House in Beverly Hills has been the epicenter of trick-or-treating on previous Halloweens. (image courtesy of Michael Libow) With Saturday, Oct. 31, just around the corner, the city of Beverly Hills announced that it would be banning Halloween trick-or-treating this year in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Milken Global Conference pivots for COVID-19 - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Milken Institute Chairman Michael Milken moderated a panel discussion on leadership with Steward Health Care System CEO Ralph de la Torre, Ancestry CEO Margo Georgiadis, Wynn Resorts CEO Matt Maddox, Liberty Media Corporation CEO Greg Maffei and WorldQuant CEO Igor Tulchinsky. (photo courtesy of the Milken Institute) For the first time in its 23-year history, the Milken Institute Global Conference went entirely virtual, a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beverly Hills draws $5.4M from last year’s budget - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Beverly Hills must spend more money to protect the city in the wake of continued protests. (photo by Edwin Folven) Beverly Hills will have to reallocate funds and draw from its reserves to pay for public-safety expenditures arising from the recent protests, civil unrest and the pandemic.
Beverly Hills City Council endorses Prop. 20 - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
The Beverly Hills City Council supports Proposition 20, which seeks longer times in prison for those convicted of theft multiple times. (image by Cameron Kiszla) The Beverly Hills City Council unanimously backed strengthening crime laws in passing a resolution to support Proposition 20 last month. The upcoming ballot proposition regarding criminal sentencing, parole and DNA collection is one of 12 California measures that voters will decide in the upcoming Nov.
Lacey, Gascón face off in BHBA debate - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Jackie Lacey (photo courtesy of Jackie Lacey) George Gascón (photo courtesy of George Gascón) Los Angeles County District Attorney candidates incumbent Jackie Lacey and challenger George Gascón went head to head centering on criminal-justice reform, in a Q&A-style debate hosted by the Beverly Hills Bar Association on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
No tricks this Halloween due to COVID-19 concerns - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
Michael Libow stands in front of his landmark Witch’s House in Beverly Hills. (image courtesy of Michael Libow) While not wanting residents to contract COVID-19 on Halloween, cities are finding out that canceling the beloved holiday can be tricky. Last month, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health backpedaled its initial decision to ban trick-or-treating, instead advising against it.
Hotels continue recovery - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press
A special robot at the Beverly Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills takes cleanliness to the next level. (image courtesy of Oasis West Realty LLC) While hospitality experts agree it will take years for the industry to fully rebound to pre-pandemic levels, local hotels continue to see a steady resurgence. Back in March when businesses shut down, hotel occupancy levels plummeted to single-digit occupancy, with many opting to temporarily close and furlough employees.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Laura
Contact Laura, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack