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Larchmont Chronicle

MAY 2024

Bust

(Continued from Page 1) It is disturbing to city officials and to residents of the Windsor Village neighborhood alike. Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky said, “Stealing a bust from a public park is totally unacceptable.” Barbara Pflaumer, president of the Windsor Village Association said, “We are saddened at the loss of the beloved bust of Harold Henry, the benefactor of the park that is enjoyed on a daily basis by the whole community. It is our fervent hope that the bust will be returned or replaced.” The park has been a magnet for locals since the city purchased the land in 1965. Prior to becoming a community park, the large two-lot property was a family compound owned by the Wood family. It consisted of five houses. When the city bought the land, neighbors united to ask then Councilman Hen-

BUST of former Fourth District Los Angeles City Councilman Harold A. Henry at Harold Henry Park in Windsor Village.

Photo by Julie Stromberg

ry to create a park instead of approving the building of a large apartment complex. Clearly, the neighbors got what they wanted. (Prior to serving as a councilmember, Henry had established the Wilshire Press in 1925, a newspaper that he edited and published until 1941.) Over the years, playground equipment has been upgraded

325 N. Larchmont Boulevard, #158 Los Angeles, California 90004 windsorsquare.org 157 N. Larchmont Boulevard

The Month of May

“May is the month of expectation, the month of wishes, the month of hope.” — Emily Brontë • Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society Annual Garden Tour and Silent Auction: May 4 — This year’s garden tour features five delicious gardens of varying sizes, three in Windsor Square, one in Fremont Place and one near Hancock Park on Fuller Avenue. 12-4 p.m. windsorsquarehancockpark.com

periodically and, a decade ago, a nearly $1 million park renovation was done on the neighborhood’s jewel of a park. The

Letters

(Continued from Page 2) to walk to. There would be more pedestrian traffic to the businesses from the residents above them, which should make them more profitable. Additionally, preserving the manicured gardens of preservationists between the boulevards gives the apartment-dwellers green spaces to jog and bike and walk their dogs and — ideally — take their kids to school in safely. I hope you’ll work to help us all find common ground. Chris McKee Park La Brea

Biased review At the Movies?

• Yom HaShoah Commemoration: May 5 — Holocaust Museum LA, 100 The Grove Drive. Honor survivors, remember those who perished, safeguard Holocaust history, and stand up against antisemitism and hate. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. holocaustmuseumla.org • Cinco de Mayo: May 5. • Ebell Mother’s Day Brunch: May 12 — 743 S. Lucerne Blvd. The tradition continues for families honoring the mothers and mother figures in their lives. Brunch Buffet and live music. 12-2 p.m. ebellofla.org • LAPD Police Advisory Board Meeting, Olympic Division May 2, Wilshire Division, May 16: Join community members in providing information and advice to the LAPD Olympic Division (1130 S. Vermont Ave., 6-8 p.m.) and Wilshire Division (4861 W. Venice Blvd., 7-8:30 p.m.) and in taking information from the police department back to the community. • Memorial Day: May 25. • Windsor Square Important Dates: Windsor Square HPOZ Board meets May 1 and 15 at the John C. Fremont Library. Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council General Board Meeting is May 8.

©LC0524

WE NEED BLOCK CAPTAINS! Be the leader of your block and point person for all that’s going on in the neighborhood. The WSA has numerous block captain positions open. A great opportunity to engage with neighbors and community leaders. blockcaptains@ windsorsquare.org The Windsor Square Association, an all-volunteer group of residents from 1100 households between Beverly and Wilshire and Van Ness and Arden, works to preserve and enhance our beautiful neighborhood. Join with us! Drop us a line at 325 N. Larchmont Blvd., #158, Los Angeles, CA 90004, or visit our website at windsorsquare.org.

EMPTY PEDESTAL on which the bust of Harold A. Henry stood for decades.

The review of the movie “Wicked Little Letters” by “At The Movies with Tony Medley” [April 2024] once again reveals Mr. Medley with his political bias injected into his movie reviews. Mr. Medley seems to be easily offended by Jennifer Lawrence, who was not featured in the film, but he includes a photo of her in a Patton costume, presumably to make his point. Referring to casting, he complains about “offensive woke presentism used in the casting of a character.” Yes, the cast includes some BAME actors, which would not be historically accurate. However, while the film’s narrative might not appeal to all viewers, many seeking a good laugh and enjoying the strides women have taken toward equality might find much to appreciate in this film. My issue with the review is the focus on Mr. Medley’s “woke” and agitprop complaints, referring to the movie as “feminist because virtually all the male characters are presented in a negative light.” The injection of his personal bias in any review takes away from a movie that tries to balance humor with a wonderful cast. (Perhaps he should stick to reviewing Tom Cruise movies?)

pedestal on which the stolen bust once stood was part of the renovation. The Los Angeles Dept. of Recreation and Parks was notified about the theft, and Edwin Canales, senior park maintenance supervisor, told us that the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) had been notified. The city art collection department of DCA is in charge of artwork in parks. Longtime Windsor Village resident Julie Stromberg, who recently relocated west to Brookside, has hopes that the bust will be returned. Said Stromberg, “It’s so sad. I have trouble accepting it. [The bust] is such a special thing.” When the Chronicle reached out to the LAPD Senior Lead Officer Hebel Rodriguez, he told

us the investigation is still open. Rodriguez said detectives are gathering information and plan to ask neighbors whose homes face the park whether they have security cameras that may have captured footage of the theft. A police report (#240708017) was filed on April 10. As the Chronicle went to press, City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto said in an April 18 newsletter that she is partnering with the Los Angeles City Council, the Bureau of Street Lighting, the LAPD and the Port Police Dept. to eliminate the market for stolen copper. She sent a letter to 700 City recyclers to notifiy them that they will face state penalties if they break California’s laws regarding stolen copper.

I submit that the movie review and companion photo were misguided and distasteful. Disappointing to say the least. Margaret R. Wood Hancock Park [The Larchmont Chronicle editorial cartoon of General George S. Patton — with the face of Jennifer Lawrence — was not Mr. Medley’s idea. He first saw it when every other reader did. — Ed.]

through the years; he’s more of a movie opinion writer than a film critic (think Justin Chang, formerly of the Los Angeles Times). Ego drips from his “reviews,” qualifying him for membership in the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which always was full of self-important hacks who hung on the fringe of the film industry. Rather than apologize for him in an editorial, I hope that you will replace Mr. Medley with someone more qualified. I’ve read the Larchmont Chronicle almost since its founding, but if Medley continues to appear in your publication, the paper will go direct to the recycling bin when it arrives. It’s your prerogative to weigh in on the culture wars, but know that you will lose devoted readers if you do. Alan Warhaftig Miracle Mile North