Week in Review: Sofitel Withdraws, Weho Goes Barefoot and Boystown Deemed 'Historic'

The Sofitel heli-stop saga came to a close Tuesday when the Los Angeles hotel announced it would no longer pursue its plan to use its emergency evacuation helicopter landing pad for commercial landings. Patch reported Thursday two schools serving West Hollywood students might not comply with modern earthquake safety standards. Former CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson kicked off the West Hollywood Women's Leadership Conference on Friday.

In other news, wind gusts knocked over a large tree Thursday afternoon, causing property damage and traffic along Harper, reported City News Service. Los Angeles police officers patrolled synagogues and Jewish cultural centers on Saturday in the wake of Thursday's blast at the Chabad House Lubavitch of Santa Monica, according to authorities. 

Editor's Picks:

 rose quickly to Top 5 early in the week. The news came after City Councilmen John Duran and John D’Amico, with California 42nd District Assemblyman Mike Feuer, sent letters to the California Department of Transportation, voicing strong opposition to the Sofitel's proposal to use the helicopter pad on its roof for nonemergency landings.

Patch followed up on resident Larry Block's proposal for Boystown's official city designation with . City Councilmen John Heilman and John Duran announced that they are in favor of recognizing the area of Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega and La Peer Drive—historically the center of the city’s gay population.

Our big story Thursday was: . Patch found that West Hollywood Elementary remains at risk for damage in an earthquake, as does nearby Fairfax High, according to an investigative report by California Watch.

Must See Photos:

This week's  captured the TOMS Shoes "One Mile Barefoot Walk." A crowd gathered late Tuesday afternoon at Plummer Park to march down Santa Monica Boulevard barefoot to Whole Foods. Visit the West Hollywood Patch Facebook page for the complete photo gallery.

Weho Patch rounded up homes in the 90069 for sale in our . Whether you are looking to buy or just want to peruse, check out these classic and modern West Hollywood residences, ranging in price from $700,000 to $1 million.

Best in Columns:

Contributor Hillary Povar's question, , sparked a heated conversation through the week. She rants: "People in our neighborhood work out and have nice bodies, but is is necessary for them to walk around shirtless or in bikini tops? What do you think?

Weho Patch's new column, Barbara Meltzer addresses . A recent statewide study of 4,000 New York residents 60 years and older found alarming rates of undetected elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. L.A. County Deputy District Attorney Gina Satriano offers several tips for prevention.

In , Patrick Gomez profiles Fiesta Cantina bartender Mark Freeman, who has made a name for himself as drag performer Lorayne Love. Have you seen Lorayne Love in action or gotten a drink from Freeman at Fiesta?

 was the subject of this week's Backstage Pass. Lady Danville, a local band described as Simon and Garfunkel meets Death Cab for Cutie, and composed of Michael Garner, Dan Chang, and Matthew Frankel, has made a name for themselves in the indie rock circuit. 

Mark Your Calendar:

National Library Week (April 10-16) begins Monday. As part of the annual celebrate at the , popular children’s musician Dan Crow will perform on April 13.

The City of West Hollywood’s Public Safety Commission will host a member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s California Taskforce Team on Monday at 6:30 p.m. The special guest will speak about earthquake preparedness. 

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