If only dogs were cats, we wouldn't have to buy special plastic bags to pick up poop.  Teacup dogs can be taught to use a litter box. They benefit from the convenience because their bladders are small and the ability to go when they need to is both a plus for their masters and more comfortable for the dogs.  But for most of us, an indoor dog bathroom is not an option. Instead there are the early morning, midday and evening walks for "man's best friend." Beverly Hills Municipal Code 5-2-105: Animal Defecation on Public and Certain Private Property, states that "it shall be unlawful for the …

“Walking is man’s best medicine.” - Hippocrates Carmageddon has come and gone. I was in New York on vacation and missed all the hoopla. Although the Big Apple has its share of gridlock like any other metropolitan city, there exists a walking culture that is as prominent as our car culture. Now that I am home in Beverly Hills, I want to keep up the long city walks that I enjoyed in New York. Walking is free, once you buy your shoes and bottle of water. It also strengthens the heart, reduces body weight and the risk of diabetes, increases bone density and improves cardiovascular capacity. The …

Gannon Baxter graduated from Beverly Hills High School on June 24. Like any other senior, he was excited about the prospect of attending prom, getting through finals, receiving his diploma, spending lazy summer days at the beach and beginning college.  His immediate plans are to attend Santa Monica College, with intentions to transfer to UC Santa Barbara. He wants to major in psychology with an emphasis on child development and eventually work as a school psychologist. Baxter is no different from any other 18-year-old as he maps out the next few years of his life. He is also gay. When I …

The move to ban circumcision is snowballing into a movement that is affecting health care coverage. Effective July 1, people in Colorado who are insured by Medicaid will no longer receive coverage for routine circumcisions. The move will save the state $186,500 annually. California is among 17 states that do not fund circumcision under Medicaid, the federal health program for people with low incomes and the disabled. Cutting Medicaid funding for circumcision is yet one more way a segment of the population is discriminated against in the campaign to ban a personal choice. In November, a …

Leanne Domnitz, a counselor at Beverly Hills High School for 16 years, is retiring. During her tenure, she had an open door policy and was readily available to see students and parents alike. Domnitz's office was warm and welcoming, with photos and books neatly arranged. Once inside, there was a sense of peace that helped to melt away anxiety over a school issue. I am in the unique position of being both an employee and parent within the Beverly Hills Unified School District. As the mother of a BHHS sophomore, Mrs. Domnitz, was our counselor. She was instrumental in assuring that my son was …

As the 2010-11 school year comes to a close at Beverly Hills High School, so with it comes the retirement of dedicated special services teacher Lorella Cargile. Mrs. Cargile, as most everyone addresses her, is a unique throwback to the days of reading, writing and arithmetic. Her classroom is decorated with family pictures, notices to students and posters with quotes meant to inspire. Cargile, a 26-year veteran of the school, runs a very structured environment in which students are busy writing paragraphs, using dictionaries and developing a love for independent reading. Goofing off is best …

Beverly Hills native Jill Black's devotion and passion to the recovery of children and adults who have lost hope has made her one of the Los Angeles area's leading humanitarians in the fight against homelessness, poverty, drug addiction and abuse. “I like to help people get back on their feet again. It’s about service and spirit. The more you give the better you feel,” Black has said. She is on the board of directors of several nonprofit organizations including Shane’s Inspiration, which creates universally accessible playgrounds for children with disabilities, and the Los Angeles …

There is a movement trickling down the California coast to ban circumcision. In San Francisco a proposed piece of legislation may appear on the November ballot banning the practice for those under the age of 18, irrespective of the freedom to observe one’s religious customs and beliefs. A violation would be considered a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $1,000 or up to one year in jail. The belief behind the proposed legislation is that the child cannot decide for himself, and the procedure is a form of genital mutilation that is dangerous and unnecessary. The Jewish and Muslim faiths both …

Everybody loves a party and Beverly Hills High School senior Omid Soumikh is the one to make you feel like dancing. When he was 15 years old, he launched Dj Krisp—with a lower-case "j"—and four years later his business is stayin' alive.  I've had the pleasure of knowing Soumikh and recently sat down with him to find out how he did it. Soumikh's love of music and sociability inspired him to seek out older DJs for their knowledge. "I wanted to be like them," he said. "They took me under their wing while I learned the business. They invited me to their gigs to watch and learn."  With his family'…

Beverly Hills is a city of labels. The ZIP code 90210 is home to Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Jimmy Choo. The fashion industry's most influential stores are within steps of each other on Rodeo Drive. Women—and men—boast their bags, belts, jeans and shoes like a prize jockey and his winning horse. I'm just as guilty. I discovered Ralph Lauren 30 years ago while working in the showrooms of New York. Preppie was in: long skirts, anklet socks, cable knit sweaters. I loved the labels. But there is another kind of label, one that bad-mouths rather than lifts spirits; words that are used …

Michelle Mowad of La Jolla Patch posted an article last week about a high school student who was murdered after trying to purchase items posted on Craigslist. The chilling article begs the question: how safe are social networking, professional networking, dating and online classified sites? Four years ago, I was forwarded an inquiry through Yoga Alliance for a private yoga teacher. I jumped on it immediately. Dr. Dean Maxwell from England was sending his teenage daughter to Los Angeles for a month. She was allegedly getting over the death of her mother, loved guitar and was interested in yoga…

If you’re the parent of a high school senior then your child is in the last lap of the K-12 years. The students who will be parading in the commencement procession may have known one another from preschool. This is particularly true of Beverly Hills where families seem to stay put. The anticipation of graduation is both exciting and bittersweet and for many, the highlight of the pre-commencement festivities is prom. For Beverly Hills High School students, prom is May 21 at the Pacific Design Center. A lot of preparation goes into prom. Shopping is at the top of the list for most girls. Should…

Welcome to 9021Mom! I’m thrilled to launch this new Patch parent column where I will share a part of me with you. I look forward to creating a virtual community of shared experiences, topics close to our hearts and a forum to help us learn from each other. This opportunity is both timely and significant for me. I became a Beverly Hills mom in 1991 with the birth of my first child. I was new to Beverly Hills, just 18 months after moving from “the city that never sleeps.” Beverly Hills became my home, although for a very long time I did not feel at home. Now as I look into the recesses of my …