The quirky Sportsmen's Lodge hotel on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City will shut down Dec. 31, the Daily News says. [* But the paper was wrong. See below.] The 11-acre site was sold last year for $51 million to Malibu developer Richard Weintraub and the lodge has been unable to get a new lease. Weintraub said he has plans for the property that include the Sportsmen's name. I've attended more political banquets and news conferences there — including many featuring Weintraub's mother, former school board member Roberta Weintraub — than anyone should. But the most memorable thing about Sportsmen's Lodge was the fishing pond where dinner patrons used to be able to catch their own trout (I believe.) The picture is from the old Valley Times in 1960.

The owner says..: Sportsmen's Lodge will not close. Steve Afriat, who represents owner Richard Weintraub, says there was a miscommunication yesterday with Daily News reporter Dana Bartholomew. A dispute between Weintraub and the operator of the lodge's banquet facilities also came into play. Bottom line: there will be renovations after the operator's lease expires next February — including possible restoration of the trout ponds — but no closure.

Photo: George Brich / Hollywood Citizen News - Valley Times Collection, LAPL