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Volume 8 Issue 148
Santa Monica Daily Press HEADING EAST SEE PAGE 13
COMMUNITYPROFILES
WHITNEY WERNER
We have you covered
THE TOGETHER AGAIN ISSUE
Life’s a beach Hundreds celebrate grand opening of public beach house BY KEVIN HERRERA Editor in Chief
SM BEACH Standing next to a massive Victorian sand sculpture, Claudia Freire stared across the sand at the families dancing to the Beach Boys’ “Don’t Worry Baby” in celebration of the grand opening of the Annenberg Community Beach House, known for years simply as 415 PCH. “This is beautiful,” she said, her face decorated with the smile of an elated child.
“I’ve been waiting awhile for this.” It’s been a long time coming. An earthquake, recession and threats of development and a lawsuit by neighbors were some of the challenges community members and city officials faced over the last 20 years during their campaign to create the nation’s first public beach club. With the dream finally realized, thanks in large part to $27.5 million from the Annenberg Foundation, hundreds packed the 5-acre site Saturday for a bash that
rivaled those thrown by the Gold Coast property’s former owner, silent film actress Marion Davies, and her lover William Randolph Hearst, whose guests included Hollywood’s finest like Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo and Clark Cable. The event featured ornately decorated synchronized swimmers from Cirque du Soleil, who performed a graceful routine in the beach club’s historic pool lined with SEE BEACH HOUSE PAGE 10
Photo courtesy Maya Sugarman WERNER
Chef combines education and ample talent BY WILL WEISS Special to the Daily Press
PCH Chef Whitney Werner makes his bacon doing more than making bacon. During his 25-plus years in the hospitality industry he has taken a thoroughly unconventional approach to his role as chef that has brought him financial success and praise from his peers. “When it comes to chefs, people are always talking about what we call added value,” Werner said. “Essentially, what else are you bringing to the table besides putting food on the plate?” After 15 years of study and service with the American Culinary Federation, the chef has shaped his responsibilities around a philosophy of collaboration and innovation. Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com
SEE CP PAGE 11
BATHING BEAUTIES: The Beach Bubble Beauties perform tricks during the opening of the Annenberg Community Beach House on Saturday.
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