former city planner
Jane Blumenfeld is a former planner for the City of Los Angeles.
PROFILE
Jane Blumenfeld
Guest
FROM Jane Blumenfeld
Design and Architecture
Seniors evicted in Westwood Many renters in LA fear eviction, as landlords increasingly use the Ellis Act to turn affordable apartments into more profitable homes. But did Watermark Retirement Communities go too far, when they posted eviction notices on the doors of almost 200 seniors, many in their 90s, in an independent living facility in Westwood Village? Their goal: to get the prime property out from under rent control and turn it into a luxury assisted living facility. Residents and their boomer children are not going without a fight, and have enlisted support from local politicians and media. Does Watermark care? DnA talks to residents, their children and public interest lawyers about a story that has put a human face on the housing crisis in LA.
Recommended
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Why did Jared Kushner want a back channel with Russians? News broke Friday that President Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, tried setting up a back channel between the Trump transition team and the Russian government. What are the consequences for Kushner, President Trump, and the investigation into Russian meddling?
The Business
Industry insights and lessons learned from memorable guests We have interesting guests on The Business, and sometimes our conversations are too long to fit into one show. This week we give you stories that were too good to leave on the cutting room floor, including some sharp insights on making it in the industry from David Mandel, David Simon, Shawn Levy and Matt Reeves.
Bookworm
George Saunders: Lincoln in the Bardo (Part I) Lincoln in the Bardo dramatizes a grieving President Lincoln as he visits the grave of his beloved son Willie, who died at age eleven. In the novel, the buried dead believe they're not dead -- "they're sick and refer to their coffins as "sick boxes."
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Previewing James Comey's blockbuster testimony Former FBI director James Comey testifies Thursday in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee, but his opening statement has been released. In it, he says he felt pressured by Donald Trump to declare loyalty to him and publicly clear him of any wrongdoing in the Russia investigation.