Following 10 years of planning and development, the Board of Directors of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts took a major step today towards realizing their dream with a construction-chic groundbreaking celebration at the historic Beverly Hills Post Office. Adorned with work lights and decorated with an array of construction equipment, the landmark building became the site of the festivities as almost 500 community leaders, celebrities, VIPs and politicos celebrated the start of the transition from former postal facility to vibrant performing arts venue.

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses officially invited the Beverly Hills Tournament of Roses Committee to participate in the 2011 Rose Parade. Beverly Hills will return to the world-famous parade after a 22-year absence.

 The Beverly Hills City Council unanimously invited the newly-formed Committee, incorporated as a 501c(3) non-profit corporation, to submit an application on behalf of the entire community. The Committee, comprised of Directors Fred Hayman, Robbie Anderson, Brian Rosenstein and Clif Smith, met with Tournament officials and submitted the application a month ago. Tournament COO Bill Flinn notified the Committee Tuesday of the invitation. Councilman John Mirisch originated the idea, but all members of the Council have expressed enthusiastic support for returning to the signature event.

Is the Board of Education justified in spending the resident-approved Measure E bond monies on their current litigation? The Citizens Oversight Committee is asking that  question.

The COC is a committee of citizens appointed to audit expenditures related to the $334 million Measure E bond for school site upgrades, retrofitting and modernization voted into effect in Nov. 2008.

Is BHUSD facing another budgetary shortfall? A recent audit of the Beverly Hills Unified School District food services department found discrepancies that could mean more dollar woes for the budget totaling over $400,000.

The findings follow a major discrepancy uncovered detailing over reporting of student  enrollment numbers in lunch programs and comes directly on the heels of the resignation of Director of Food Services Maria Hunsaker Feb. 5.

The report, issued by Interim Superintendent of Business Services Mary Anne McCabe, also states that the basic operational accounting system is flawed.

The newest guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy, the USS Dewey (DDG 105) entered active service this past Saturday at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station in a historic commissioning ceremony heavily supported by Beverly Hills community members.