Larchmont Chronicle
vol. 52, no. 6
• delivered to 76,439 readers in hancock park • windsor square • fremont place • Miracle Mile • Park La Brea • Larchmont •
IN THIS ISSUE Larchmont Chronicle
June 2015
W E
Graduate edition
S A L U T E
1
T H E
GRADUATES OF 2015
June 2015
Project provides brighter lights in Windsor Square Additional lampposts also add security
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St. Jam
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Immaculate Heart
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GRADUATION salute. Special edition 1-16
NATIONAL honor. 1-15
COUNCILMAN Tom LaBonge honored. 1-5, 26, 27, 28
Ninety-nine new or rehabilitated lampposts, all with bright but long-lasting and energy-efficient bulbs, have been installed in much of Windsor Square, thanks to residents who took up the challenge to promote a streetlight assessment project. The lights are being placed in Windsor Square between First and Third streets, from Beachwood Dr., Plymouth to Irving boulevards. The additional lampposts, which are very similar to the original ones installed in the 1920s, have been financed by the property tax payments of abutting property owners seeking to increase safety and aesthetics. Better lighting will help address long-standing problems with illicit activity previously occurring after dark on unlighted neighborhood streets, said resident Paul
LVNA address development, crime, outreach Police at meeting
FACADE returns to former glory. 2-4 For Information on Advertising Rates, Please Call Pam Rudy 323-462-2241, x 11 Mailing permit:
By Billy Taylor Residents filled Van Ness Elementary School auditorium for the semi-annual Larchmont Village Neighborhood Association meeting May 12. Nearly 80 neighbors heard from LAPD officers and a new neighborhood prosecutor, plus two presentations from property developers. LAPD Officer Harris Cho of Olympic Division addressed the crowd on crime prevention, noting vehicles parked on public streets can be attractive targets. Steve Houchin, a new neighborhood prosecutor for the area, announced the city’s latest community-outreach effort. Officials are now using the social networking site, Nextdoor, to interact with residents. Houchin encouraged the neighborhood to keep communication open. Milan Ratkovich, a development manager with The Ratkovich Company, provided insight into the process of neighborhood development with the evening’s guest preSee LVNA, p 10
Newman, a member of the Windsor Square Association streetlighting committee. He worked with neighbors to gain support for the assessment, which totaled $885,848. The project cost included a city contribution arranged by Councilman Tom LaBonge of more than $1 million. See photo page 4.
One resident's solution to texting drivers Markers spread her message By Sondi Sepenuk Driving down any thoroughfare in Los Angeles, you may notice the person driving 40 miles per hour next to you is texting on a cell phone. Concerned parent Margot Grabie, Citrus Ave., finally had enough and decided to do something about it. “After seeing near crashes by drivers who were texting and driving, I’ve taken this issue very seriously in search of a solution to make our community safe,” says Grabie. Her solution? To write a message on her car’s rear window, encouraging drivers to stop texting. She then began to offer the same window markers to other drivers so that they, too, could share their own “no texting and See Resident's solution, p 14
VOLUNTEERS join councilman-elect David Ryu following his victory for Council District Four.
Ryu takes office July 1 following runoff victory Neighbors tell how they voted On July 1, David Ryu will take the oath of office to become City Councilman for the fourth district following his victory in the May 19 election. Ryu, who defeated Carolyn Ramsay by 1,600 votes in the race to replace Tom LaBonge as councilman, will govern an area from Sherman Oaks to Miracle Mile. His victory was attributed to strong support from the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando Valley. Ryu, 39, will be the first Korean American to sit on City Council, and only the second Asian American after Mike Woo, who served until 1993.
Cindy Chvatal, Hancock Park, was a Ryu supporter. “I got to know David during his campaign, and I think he will be an excellent councilman for the entire CD4 district. He not only won the mail-in vote but also won on election day, at the polls, across a very large, diverse district. I am See Ryu takes office, p 12
Public outcry results in exterior painting Back to original The exterior paint on the historic Chandler house in Windsor Square is being restored. Randy Esada, a member of the Windsor Square Concerned Citizens League, said public outcry convinced the homeowners to repaint the home back to the original colors. The painting of the stoneSee Public outcry, p 10
Seniors in July
MESSAGE to stop texting while driving is aim of Margot Grabie, shown with daughter Ava.
Our annual section spotlighting the mature set will be in the July issue. Advertising deadline is Mon., June 15. For more information contact Pam Rudy, 323462-2241, ext. 11.
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