Larchmont Chronicle
presort standard u.s. postage
paid
south gate ca. permit no. 294
FEBRUARY 2011
vol. 48, no. 2 • delivered to the 76,439 readers in hancock park • windsor square • fremont place • park labrea • larchmont village • Miracle Mile
Council candidates speak on budget, priorities
SECTION ONE
Election in March for District Four office
VALENTINES tell how they met. Pages 10 to 12 SYCAMORE Square is on the map. 5 BLOOD DRIVES for Valentine's. 7 SHOW HOUND is best of breed. 14
DELICIOUS exhibit at Louise's. 16 POET captures youth with words. 17 NEW ZEALAND, take two. 32 HEALING rock 'n roll beat. 35
SECTION TWO Real Estate Home & Garden
ELECTRONIC wizardry in Vegas. 5 LUSH eco-friendly gardens. 13
For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11
REVISED PLAN calls for a six-foot high fence around the Irving Blvd. home.
Mayor's office presents new plan for wall at Getty House Neighbors protest height in historic zone Another attempt to gain approval for a wall around Getty House, the Mayor’s home at 601 S. Irving Blvd., received a chilly reception from members of the Windsor Square Association at a recent meeting.
Temple trial to continue in May in federal court RLUIPA cited Congregation Etz Chaim is set to return to trial in May regarding a case against the city of L.A. in federal district court. The Highland Ave. temple attorney Fred Gaines argues the city violated the congregation’s rights when it denied the synagogue a conditional use permit to operate as a religious institution. Gaines claims the temple is protected under the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). “The major question going forward is whether the City will enforce the zoning restrictions that protect residential use in Hancock Park?” said Michael Wright, attorney for the homeowner group, Concerned Residents of Hancock Park. City officials will not comment pending litigation.
Rev. Jeff Carr, the mayor’s chief of staff, presented a revised plan to build a wall around the home with a reduction from eight-and-onehalf feet to six-feet high. Carr said the wall will have hidden security features embedded to help mitigate any possible attacks on the property. It would also save the cost of 24/7 security. The wall would be in violation of the rules of the Windsor Square Historical Preservation Overlay Zone. “There should be no special treatment for this single-family property, and no variance
The Chronicle asked the three candidates for the Fourth City Council District office to submit a biography and answer questions on the budget and to name their top priority if elected in the March election. Here are their responses: Stephen Box is an entertainment industry professional, producing commercials and film. He writes for CityWatchLA, LAStreetsBlog, and Transit Coalition. His company Third Eye Creative provides branding, marketing and communications services. He has served as a director for Habitat for Humanity and as a workforce development instructor. Tom LaBonge, incumbent, has served the City of Los
Read all about Miracle Mile in March edition Newsmakers, new developments, subway update and new restaurant openings will be featured in “Miracle Mile 2011,” a special section to be distributed on Fri., March 4. Advertising deadline is Feb. 16; for more information, contact Pam Rudy, 323-462-2241 x11.
See Mayor, p. 5
Angeles as a Councilmember and a Council Deputy since 1976. He was elected to his first four-year term in 2003 and second four-year term in 2007. In 2001, Tom won handily after a special election to represent the people of the 4th Council District. His priorities as an elected leader include public safety, neighb o r h o o d STEPHEN BOX preservation and enhancement, improved transportation systems, m o b i l i t y, TOM public safety, LABONGE expansion and improvement of parks and open space and beautification. To m a s TOMAS O’Grady: O’GRADY After studying industrial engineering he settled in New Jersey, where he bought and renovated property. Tomas is currently the president See Candidates, p. 8
On the Boulevard Glimpses by Jane
SCOUTING ADVENTURES are featured in our annual Boy Scout Section. See pages 18, 19
It didn’t take the beautiful weather during the Rose Parade for easterners to yearn for the sunny days in southern California. Larchmontians were out in full force to take advantage of our “summer” temperatures. Susan Greenberg was sipping a cafe latte when we spoke to her at Starbucks. She told us her son Sam is now a freshman at George Washington University. *** Congratulations to Kim Rudy and Patrick Rodriguez on the birth of Cole Alexander
www.larchmontchronicle.com ~ Entire Issue Online!
See BLVD., p. 30