Los Feliz Ledger Vol 7. No. 6
LFVBID Election Results: Dec. 14
Read by 100,000+ Residents and Business Owners in Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Echo Park & Hollywood Hills
The Homeless Living Among Us Photo credit: Paul Gor
Ballots due Dec. 9th By Norma Zager Ledger Contributing Writer LOS FELIZ—Ballots for the Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District’s (LFVBID) 2011 board election are due Dec. 9th. Candidates are: Nicholas Cacarnakis, Prudential California Realty; Chris Diamond and Wayne Elias, Vermont Restaurant; and Brett and Jessica Peart of Collective Management. Terms are for two years. Currently the board consists of 11 members. However, Board President Chris Serrano said she would like to see the board grow to 13 members so meeting a quorum would be easier. The two current board members up for reelection are Laura Springer of Springer Chiropractic and Chris Serrano of Coldwell Banker. Serrano has served as a board see LFVBID page 21
GGPNC Reacts to Possible Delay of NC Elections By Norma Zager Ledger Contributing Writer LOS FELIZ—The Los Angeles City Clerk’s office is floating a proposal that the 2012 elections for the city’s 90 or so neighborhood councils be postponed until 2014 due to city budget cuts. If the cancellation of 2012 elections goes through, 10 termed out Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) board members would have the option of staying on the board for two more years. If they choose not to, a see GGPNC page 17
Shop Local: Holiday Gift Guide, pages 4 & 5
December 2011
Homeless (PATH) Los Angeles facility on N. Madison Avenue. “People think they’ll never be homeless but might be close to it. Boom. It can happen to see HOMELESS page 8
see LASSEN’S page 9
Silver Lake Volunteers and PATH’s Recent Survey Find 175 Homeless Living in Silver Lake
SILVER LAKE—Ask Juan Hernandez Jr. and he’ll tell you, a few slips and homelessness can sneak up on you.
“It can happen to anybody. It can happen to you, it can happen to her, it happened to me,” said the 46-year-old El Paso native from inside the three-story, 40,000-squarefoot People Assisting the
Here Comes the Sun: M & A’s Recent Installation Blooms Daily By Colin Stutz, Ledger Contributing Writer SILVER LAKE—Every morning for the past few weeks, as the sun rises over Silver Lake Boulevard, a 20-foot-tall metal structure in the front courtyard outside Materials & Applications has gently shaken and shivered with the sunrise. There, the experimental architecture and design nonprofit’s newest installation, “Bloom,” sits staunchly erect before the organization’s drab two-story concrete headquarters. Its 1,400 unique tiles give off a slow ripple of clicks as the day’s heat hits them, blossoming the edifice with the sun. The towering and twisting arch, as some passersby have remarked to themselves,
Politics: Scott Crawford Announces Run for City Council, page 7
resembles something like a small roller coaster or massive drum. “The form itself is actually derivative of what we call a hyperbolic paraboloid,” said Doris Sung, 47, one of the main architects behind the construction. “I don’t consider myself an artist so I don’t think of it like a piece or a sculpture. But when I hear The Materials and Applications team. That’s “Bloom” people talk about it, in the background. people could really care less it’s so nice that they can see about envelope systems on a something in it that’s exciting see M&A page 10 to them because I know other
Real Estate: Home Sales, page 16
By Norma Zager Ledger Contributing Writer HILLHURST AVENUE—The opening of Lassen’s health food store in the former Nature Mart location has sparked controversy and ignited a petition drive and a Nov. 19th protest against the owner’s stand on Prop. 8, the 2008 ballot proposition banning gay marriage in California. (The United States 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, in 2010, struck down the proposition citing the ban violated constitutional rights.) A donation of almost $30,000 to fund Prop. 8 has placed Lassen’s, a nine-location health food chain, in the midst of a local negative and volatile campaign against their politics. The petition—started November 9th by a poster on
Juan Jr. and Juan III in happier times now because of Silver Lake volunteers and PATH. The father and son—a graduate of John Marshall High School—lived under a bridge at Myra and Fountain avenues for a while.
By Colin Stutz Ledger Contributing Writer
Lassen’s Prop. 8 Donation Sparks Petition
Theater Review: Local Stacey Martino’s “The King of the Desert,” page 19
Austerity Measures Hit SLNC By Colin Stutz Ledger Contributing Writer SILVER LAKE — In effort to tighten its belt, the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council last month passed a budgetary motion to establish maximum amounts for grant proposals in three categories: educational, community events and community improvement. Cuts have brought the council’s city-allocated budget this year to $40,500, down from $45,000 last year. Additionally, whereas in past years unspent money would roll over to the following year, it now does not. Unspent monsee SLNC page 7
Open Mike: “Anti Palestinian Bias?” page 26
Los Feliz Ledger [letter from the editor]
Welcoming Our New Reporters, Fresh Ideas We welcome three new reporters to the Ledger staff this month. Tony Cella will report on Atwater Village, Echo Park and crime issues (yes, the Police Blotter returns this month!). He has been published in the LA Weekly, The New York Post and the Anchorage Daily News. Colin Stutz will report on issues related to Silver Lake and has been published in the Los Angeles Times, the LA Weekly and Rolling Stone. He was chosen in 2006, among thousands of applicants, to participate in “I’m From Rolling Stone,” where six reporters
interned for a summer for the magazine in the hope of landing a full time position. The contest was also a reality TV drama. Norma Zager—whom I describe as a “breath of fresh air” for the Ledger— has worked as the editor of the Beverly Hills Courier and received the 2003 Los Angeles Press Club Award as “Journalist of the Year” and “Best Investigative Series.” She is also the author of Erin Brockovich and the Beverly Hills Greenscam and has also been a stand up comic. Norma will report on issues related to Los Feliz, including covering the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood
Council and the Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District. Colin has a great story this month on the front page, regarding People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) recent survey in Silver Lake. I attended a meeting with PATH and other community members a couple of months ago where the idea of surveying our area, to help find the homeless and identify their needs, including housing, was discussed. Often in these types of meetings, nothing comes of big ideas. This time, something did. Please read Colin’s story on Juan Jr. and Juan III, “The Homeless Living Among Us.”
Story ideas, submissions, advertising rates & inquiries contact: Allison Cohen Ferraro 4459 Avocado St. Los Angeles, CA 90027 Phone: 323-667-9897 Fax: 323-667-1816 allisonferraro@losfelizledger.com www. losfelizledger.com
G IF T CA R D
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December 2011
Los Feliz Ledger
Equestrians Trample Atwater Bridge Plans By Tony Cella Ledger Contributing Writer
No Weapon Found in Vasquez Shooting Beltran’s Preliminary Hearing, Dec. 1st By Tony Cella, Ledger Contributing Writer
FOUNDED 20 05 Delivered the last Thursday of each month to 34,500 homes and businesses in the Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Echo Park and Hollywood Hills communities.
PUBLISHER /EDITOR Allison Cohen Ferraro
ADVERTISING SALES Betsy Hall
GR APHIC DESIGN & L AYOUT Brigid LaBonge & Tiffany Sims
December 2011
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No weapon has been found to link Jose Beltran to the fatal shooting of Juan Vasquez, last Aug. 7th according to the Los Angeles Police Dept. (LAPD). Meanwhile, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office has set a preliminary hearing for Beltran for Dec. 1st, according to LAPD spokesperson Jane Robinson. The two employees of Garage Pizza, located on Sunset Boulevard, that Vasquez was driving home when the shooting occurred helped the LAPD compose a composite picture of the assailant, said Det. Jose Carrillo. Police from the LAPD’s Rampart Station Gang Unit arrested Beltran on a weapons charge after an unrelated traffic stop on Aug. 12th. The weapon in the arrest was not linked to the Vasquez homicide. Officers said they “noted the similarities” between the suspect and the composite picture while Beltran was in jail on the weapons charge and “relayed the information” to Carrillo. He said the two witnesses from Garage Pizza
identified Beltran in a police line-up. According to Carrillo, he suspects Beltran is part of a small gang of 10 to 20 members that operates around the Hyperion Avenue and Sunset Boulevard area. Det. Carrillo refused to release the name of the gang. The assailant had to be local, according to Det. Carrillo, in order to navigate the hilly streets of the neighborhood with confidence at high speeds. The Ledger previously reported that Vasquez was shot after a driver possibly mistook his waving him past for a gang sign. The Ledger reported the driver pulled besides Vasquez’s vehicle and shot him in the head. Vasquez was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brain dead and later taken off life support. The LAPD remains in a “holding pattern,” Det. Carrillo said, ready to investigate potential alibis as the case progresses. LAPD requests anyone with information on the case contact them at (213) 485-2566.
ATWATER VILLAGE—Horse owners have said an early design of a proposed North Atwater Bridge is less safe than the present method for riders crossing from Griffith Park to Atwater Village: walking through the Los Angeles River. The discussion regarding the proposed new bridge was held during the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council meeting (AVNC), Nov. 12th. In addition, meeting attendees had issues regarding the proposed bridge’s short 5-foot height; that horseback riders would have to share the L.A. River bike path safely with bicyclists in order to reach the bridge; and whether or not the bridge would be illuminated, to discourage potential illegal activity. In response, Mia Lehrer, a member of the bridge design team, said bikers and pedestrians had learned to share space “civilly” near Santa Monica and that the bridge would be illuminated. Additionally, Executive Director of the Los Angeles River Revitalization Corporation, Omar Brownson, said he would ask the design team to look into raising the railings to a safer level. With the proposed bridge, horses and bicyclists will cross between Atwater Village and Griffith Park on one side, while pedestrians will use the other side to walk and stop at viewpoints overlooking the river. Walkers will not be able to cross into Griffith Park from Atwater Village because the bridge ends at the L.A. River Bike Path. “We want it to be as much of a destination as a crossing,” Brownson said, a distinction he believes will slow down bikers. Also questioned is the bridge’s current design. Attendees have called its modern look out-of-place with the historically designated Griffith Park. Director Brownson said the bridge’ look took into account cost and ecological impact, but said its aesthetic features are subjective. “Design is in the eye of the beholder,” he said. The $5 million bridge, largely funded by a single private donor, will be handed over to the city upon completion. Brownson estimated the bridge would be completed within four years. “Until now,” Brownson said, “[the space] has been a storm water conveyance,” he said. “Now it can be used for other things as well.” COMMUNITY NEWS
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Los Feliz Ledger
2011 Holiday Gift Guide There’s Nowhere But Home To: Shop/Eat/Enjoy This Holiday Season By Kathy A. McDonald Ledger Columnist
Here are some gift ideas...
Shop local for the best deals and unique finds as holiday cheer and shopping deals take over area businesses in December. Once again, there’s a Los Feliz Holiday Festival. On Saturday night Dec. 3rd from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. ride a trolley through the neighborhood’s shopping streets, meet Santa, decorate stockings, find discounts and more. Information: www.losfeliz.biz Also, the Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Silver Lake Holiday Night Out! Sat., Dec. 17th from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. Locally owned businesses will be dressing up: expect deals throughout, refreshments and live music at the Living Room on Sunset Boulevard. http://silverlakechamber.com/
Proof Bakery The year-old Atwater bakery has savory house-made vegan granola (no butter), peanut brittle ($3) and locally made Sqrl jam as delicious stocking stuffers or hostess gifts. Also at the counter: 12 oz. of Handsome Coffee Roasters whole bean, small batch sourced coffee, which is roasted downtown ($17-$28). 3156 Glendale Blvd., (323) 664-8633.
For the serious eater:
Sunset Beer Company At Echo Park’s Sunset Beer Company there are more 200 kinds of beer available in bottle from rare Belgian champagne beers like Deus Brut ($37) for celebrations to domestic craft beers. A must have for the beer geek: a beer making starter kit ($50) to brew porter or IPAs at home. 1498 W. Sunset Blvd. #3, (323) 481-2337.
The Cheese Store of Silver Lake Celebrating 10 years in Silver Lake, the Sunset Junction cheese, wine and sandwich shop has custom-made gift baskets at the ready. Savory ideas included olive oil and balsamic vinegar sets (price varies) or a sweet hot chocolate basket that includes handmade Little Flower Candy Co. marshmallows, gourmet hot chocolate mix and dissolving cocoa straws (prices start at $18). For the do-it-yourself type there are several kinds of cheese-making kits. The goat cheese making kit is $25. Goat not included. 3926 W. Sunset Blvd., (323) 644-7511.
For the literary type: Alias Books East Owner Patrick Paeper founded the Atwater bookstore in May 2010. Browse the crowded shelves that display careful
A very eclectic mix of men’s and women’s clothes plus accessories, jewelry and fine beauty products (Aesop from Australia stands out), the Mohawk General Store also has mint condition, mid-century Danish modern furniture as well as vintage light fixtures and pottery. There¹s something for everyone that appreciates elegance at this design-forward shop. 4011 W. Sunset Blvd., (323) 669-1601.
selections of titles rooted in the humanities, art, literature and film. There are numerous older, first edition and out-ofprint titles and a wide selection of photo, art and architecture books. 3163 Glendale Blvd. (323) 661-9000.
For fashionistas: Glory Sales & Service In addition to Glory’s U.S.made designer denim jeans ($85-$165 a pair) the store specializes in outfitting the modern motorcyclist or scooter rider with U.S.-made gloves,
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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Open Christmas & New Year’s Eves Cliffs Edge Restaurant
3626 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake under the big tree (323) 666-6116 CliffsEdgeCafe.com
3534 Larga Ave. Atwater Village (323) 664-9067
www.losfelizledger.com
December 2011
Los Feliz Ledger open face helmets and vintage leather jackets. Hats by Bailey and Brixton and the iconic Barbour trench coat ($419) are among the shop’s best sellers. 4659 Hollywood Blvd. (323) 6445679.
Cameo lingerie sets (ranging from $50-$75). Look for a sample sale the weekend before Christmas. 2395 Glendale Blvd, A2, (323) 522-6192.
Rebecca Minkoff at Confederacy The famed New York-based handbag and shoe designer has opened a showroom within Hollywood Boulevard’s Confederacy. Her leather, mini morning after clutch ($195) comes in a variety of colors. Protect electronics like laptops and iPads in Minkoff’s signature neoprene cases (iPad case $68). 4661 Hollywood Blvd. (323) 6619010.
Mohawk General Store A very eclectic mix of men’s and women’s clothes plus accessories, jewelry and fine beauty products (Aesop from Australia stands out), the Mohawk General Store also has mint condition, mid-century Danish modern furniture as well as vintage light fixtures and pottery. There’s something for everyone that appreciates elegance at this design-forward shop. 4011 W. Sunset Blvd. (323) 669-1601;
The Runway Outlet Selling mainly women’s clothes, though there are some men’s items, the Runway Outlet offers local designers clothes 40% to 80% off retail prices. Gift ideas include vermeil and rough diamond jewelry by Tiffany Kunz (60% off retail price), reworked vintage jewelry pieces by local designers and
For the design conscious:
At Echo Park’s Sunset Beer Company there are more 200 kinds of beer available by the bottle from rare Belgian champagne beers like Deus Brut ($37) for celebrations to domestic craft beers. A must have for the beer geek: a beer making starter kit ($50) to brew porter or India Pale Ales at home. 1498 W. Sunset Blvd. #3, (213) 481-2337.
For music lovers: Rockaway Records Looking for a piece of rockn-roll history? Posters, autographed records, handbills and music business rarities (signed contracts by bands like Beach Boys) are just a taste of
Owner Patrick Paeper founded the Atwater bookstore in May 2010. Browse the crowded shelves that display careful selections of titles rooted in the humanities, art, literature and film. There are numerous older, first edition and out-ofprint titles and a wide selection of photo, art and architecture books. 3163 Glendale Blvd., (323) 661-9000.
Rockaway’s always changing selection of collectibles. A neighborhood fixture since 1979, the store now only stocks used CDs and used vinyl; box sets are a favorite buy during the holidays. The annual holiday storewide sale is Dec. 10th. 2395 Glendale Blvd. # B, (323) 664-3232. Show at Barre: For the Record: John Hughes (Holiday Road) @ Rockwell Now through Dec. 30th, take your closest adult pop music fan to a holiday-themed musical show inspired by John Hughes’ crowd-pleasing films at For the Record. The revue is performed live in the intimate bar space at the Vermont/Rockwell restaurant. Innovative and fun, the locally created production features name TV, film and Broadway performers singing and dancing to songs from such films as The
Breakfast Club and Home Alone. Tickets are $35 but Los Feliz Ledger readers who use the code “Griswold” can purchase tickets for Holiday Road for $20 each. Weekly performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday
at 9 p.m. and Wednesday and Sunday at 8 p.m. New Year’s Eve will feature an encore performance of music from Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge (separate pricing). (323) 661-6163 (ext. 20) www.showatbarre.com
Proof Bakery – The year-old Atwater bakery has savory house-made vegan granola (no butter), peanut brittle ($3) and locally made Sqrl jam as delicious stocking stuffers or hostess gifts. Also at the counter: 12 oz. of Handsome Coffee Roasters whole bean, small batch sourced coffee, which is roasted downtown ($17 to $28). 3156 Glendale Blvd., (323) 664-8633.
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Shop Local! December 2011
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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
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C l i n i C a l
T r i a l
Stem cell research at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center is seeking patients for
Breast augmentation Surgeryas part of a clinical trial. Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center is seeking patients for a clinical trial designed to determine the optimal approach for breast augmentation surgery using the body’s all-natural fatty tissues. This procedure aims to avoid the complications associated with silicone and saline breast implants. For more information, contact Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center at 323-913-4360.
Healthy Happens Here. V e r M o n T & F o u n Ta i n
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Los Feliz Ledger
Local Announces Run for City Council Scott Crawford, long time resident of Silver Lake, has announced his campaign for Los Angeles City Council, representing District 13 which includes Hollywood, Echo Park, Atwater Village, Glassell Park and Silver Lake. Crawford is a working actor, a Silver Lake Neighborhood Council Boardmember, a community activist and a businessman. “I have always worked to improve the quality of life in my community,” said Crawford, through a statement released by Stephen Box, also a former Los Angeles City Council candidate. “And as I look forward, I’ve decided: ‘The time is now!’ and I’m going to continue the work, but from within City Hall.”
SLNC from page 1
ey is, instead, returned to the City of Los Angeles. From supporting various programs and operating costs, the council now has just about $19,000 left for the remainder of the city’s financial year that that ends June 30th, 2012. Under the program, $4,000 is allocated to educational grants and no single grant may exceed $2,000. For community events the cap was set at $2,000 total and $1,000 per grant; and for community improvement $4,000 total and $2,000 per project. If the board wishes to fund anything outside of the program guidelines, it must meet a two-thirds majority vote. First proposed by council treasurer Anthony Crump at the October governing board meeting, this decision came in response to the council’s diminished budget in effort to more responsibly structure funding motions and grants for the remaining fiscal year. To compensate for declining budgets, the council has additionally turned to trimming its operating costs. Already it has moved out of its Rowena Street office that cost about $15,000 a year and instead holds meetings around the neighborhood at restaurants and public areas compliant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, such as the Silver Lake public library, Citibank and LAMILL Coffee. The council is looking to cut costs still. Since moving out of that office space, it has held its furniture and supplies in a unit at the Public Storage facility on Glendale Boulevard in Echo Park. That space December 2011
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Crawford is a veteran community advocate with a strong background in issues such as planning and land use, historic preservation, cultural affairs, health services, sustainability and housing.
costs $247 each month, nearly $3,000 over an entire year. “We don’t need all this stuff,” said council co-chair Clint Lukens. “We don’t use any of it, a lot of it was just donated to us… We’re not needing that much space so can we kind of trim and slim and cut everything else so we just run on a shoestring, economically, and put every dollar we can back into the community where it should be instead of our overhead. We’ve already trimmed a lot of the fat, now we just need to trim it even more.” Lukens and the council have found it surprisingly difficult, however, to rid themselves of the space and its contents. Technically those desks, chairs and lamps are city property and it is unclear whether it is within the council’s jurisdiction to donate or even throw it all away. “So we’ve gone back and forth talking to the city attorney, spoken to [the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment], reached out to the council districts, and they have all given us conflicting answers. So we don’t have a clear black and white [answer],” said Lukens. The passed financial movement sparked prolonged debate over the funding requests that followed it. One was for a $100 contribution to printing costs relating to the Arts and Culture Committee’s “Holiday Night Out” event on Sunset Boulevard, which eventually passed. The other was for $2,000 in matching maintenance funds for the walking path at the Silver Lake Reservoir, which did not pass. www.losfelizledger.com
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COMMUNITY NEWS
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Los Feliz Ledger homeless from page 1
them too… People are struggling everywhere. It doesn’t pick anybody. It’s just the way it is. God makes the situation for some people so they just have to pull themselves up and believe.” For Hernandez and his 18-year-old son, Juan Hernandez III, theirs was a steadily worsening situation that landed them on the street. As the two tell it, they were living with the elder Hernandez’s uncle in his Elysian Valley house and working at his direct mail business part-time.
Walking around Silver Lake, looking for a place to sleep, the father and son settled under a lit bridge around Myra and Fountain avenues. From there Juan Jr. woke up at 4 a.m. to go to wait at the Labor Ready near Santa Monica and Virgil. Juan III would, meanwhile, take the bus and metro each morning to Pasadena Community College to study auto mechanics. When they had food, they would share it with their neighbors under the bridge. At night, instead of a TV, they’d sit back and watch the “weir-
Juan Jr. is also now holding a job as line cook at the homestyle Mexican restaurant, Alegria on Sunset Boulevard, run by Silver Lake Neighborhood Council member Nadine Trujillo who was in that first group of surveyors that interviewed the Hernandezes. In speaking to Jeremy Sidell, chief development and communications officer at PATH, he emphasized PATH’s attention to custommade solutions for their clients. “Every person’s different,” he said. “You have families, you have veterans, you have people with mental illness, you have people with substance abuse, we have people with physical disabilities, we have transgender clients, we
have gay and lesbian clients, everyone requires a different approach,” he said. PATH’s mission in its surveying is to target those most vulnerable of dying if left on the street and find them housing quickly. Many are already in PATH’s temporary housing but some will move in directly from the streets. “If you can house those people it makes a lot of sense that they wouldn’t encounter those same problems,” said PATH’s Sidell. “What you’re seeing in the whole industry is a shift from what used to be a traditional shelter model towards homeless prevention and housing.” Under the Silver Lake Connections initiative led by PATH with support from a
number of local charitable foundations and city committees, a total of 175 homeless persons living in Silver Lake were counted over that October weekend. Of the 112 surveyed, 58% were considered “vulnerable” with health conditions associated with high mortality rates, and 98% of those vulnerable persons had been hospitalized more than three times in the last year; 92% of the total was considered “chronically homeless,” defined as a person with a disabling condition who has been homeless continuously for a year or more, or has at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years; 43% reported they had been victim of a violent attack since becoming homeless. see HOMELESS page 14
How to Sell Your Los Feliz House Without an Agent
During the week, Juan III was in school at John Marshall High and Juan Jr. would wake up early and hope for work at Labor Ready or spend days hunting for more reliable employment. The uncle, meanwhile, struggled increasingly with alcoholism, staying up all night, drinking and playing loud music. Matters grew worse and once Juan III turned 18 and graduated from high school, the welfare office cut off the Hernandez’s general relief. Financial troubles followed as tensions with the uncle mounted. “After a while we were working for our rent,” said Juan III. “And then after a while [my uncle] wanted us to pay the rent and still work for him… We got like two or three months behind and after that he told us… that we would have to find somewhere else to stay.” Juan Jr. said he had managed to save a couple of hundred of dollars for a storage space and to rent a truck to move out. The money also helped the two get a motel for a couple of days. “After that,” he said, “it was just in and out of motels or on the streets.” That was early September. Page 8
dos” around them they called their “cartoons,” people who would speak to themselves in all sorts of strange voices—a monster, a baby, whatever. Across the street lived a drugged out couple always up all night screaming and fighting. Sometimes, when they could afford it, the Hernandezes stayed in a motel. But mostly, there, under the bridge, was their home. Last month things changed for the father and son, starting with a group of about 100 PATH-led community volunteers canvassing the streets of Silver Lake to survey its homeless population on the early mornings of Oct. 22th24th. Juan Jr. and Juan III’s story made a strong impact and a few of the volunteers became dedicated to help them swiftly. When PATH called Juan III on his cell phone a few days later, he came in to the brightly colored PATH Los Angeles center to speak to one of their outreach coordinators and soon brought his dad in as well. The two were accepted and situated with temporary housing in the men’s dormitory there, and now their Section 8 housing assistance application is being processed.
LOS FELIZ–If you’ve tried to sell your home yourself, you know that the minute you put the “For Sale by Owner” sign up, the phone will start to ring off the hook. Unfortunately, most calls aren’t from prospective buyers, but rather from every real estate agent in town who will start to hound you for your listing. Like other “For Sale by Owners”, you’ll be subjected to a hundred sales pitches from agents who will tell you how great they are and how you can’t possibly sell your home by yourself. After all, without
the proper information, selling a home isn’t easy. Perhaps you’ve had your home on the market for several months with no offers from qualified buyers. This can be a very frustrating time, and many homeowners have given up their dreams of selling their homes themselves. But don’t give up until you’ve read a new report entitled “Sell Your Own Home” which has been prepared especially for homesellers like you. You’ll find that selling your home by yourself is entirely possible once you understand the process. Inside this report, you’ll
find 10 inside tips to selling your home by yourself which will help you sell for the best price in the shortest amount of time. You’ll find out what real estate agents don’t want you to know. To order a FREE Special Report, visit www.SellYourHomeNoCommission.com, or to hear a brief, recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report, call (800) 284-3701 and enter ID# 1017. You can call anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to learn how you really can sell your home yourself. ADV
This report is courtesy of Brock Real Estate DRE#01511068. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.
www.losfelizledger.com
December 2011
Los Feliz Ledger lassen’s from page 1
Change.org and identified only as “Los Feliz”—currently has almost over 1,300 signatures. Comments regarding the petition posted on the website include: “I live a block away, am mourning the loss of Bulk Bin and will not set foot in Lassen’s. You are completely out of touch with your neighborhood, and I’m deeply disappointed with your discriminatory actions.” And, “I have shopped at this place for years. No more!” Peter Lassen, company owner, said he is surprised by the controversy. “I am very politically liberal and support numerous liberal causes. We have a great many employees with alternative lifestyles, including two managers, and we have never discriminated against anyone,” he said. Lassen said he believes, “…marriage is defined as a partnership between a man and woman. There are many other types of partnerships that require protecting their freedoms as well. Because the partnership of gay couples is unique, it should have different sets of rules to define these partnerships.” Los Feliz gay activist and
December 2011
artist Michael Kearns lashed out against Lassen’s donation and rejected Lassen’s claim of pro-gay hiring policies. “You can’t have it both ways. Either you are pro gay rights or not, and marriage is one of the most urgent issues today. I don’t care if all the employees are gay, if the company campaigns against equality, that is still immoral… The only way Lassen’s can make up for this immoral behavior would be to donate an equal amount to a pro-gay marriage cause.” Despite the controversy, Lassen maintains the store is a good fit for the community. “We are a small chain trying to come up against the big guys. We offer the small farmers and growers that cannot get into the big chains a place to market their products. We are certain our stores and products are in keeping with the attitudes of the neighborhood,” he said. Former City Council candidate Tomas O’Grady was surprised by Lassen’s location choice. “Cool food stores open up in Los Feliz because the population here is different. That’s why we all live here. Given the dire situation in our state today, I can
www.losfelizledger.com
think of a few hundred other things that a ‘civic’ minded storeowner could spend his ‘spare’ money on rather than trying to block others in their pursuit of happiness. I will get my granola elsewhere,” he said. Also upsetting some in the community is that Lassen’s will be closed on Sundays, as the owners are Mormons Nature Mart was open seven days a week. Lassen said the new policy gives employees a day to re-
flect and spend time with their families. Although the Nature Mart sign remains, Lassen’s bags are now prominent within the store; although at press time, the store was closed for renovations. “The Nature Mart sign remains in tact because their sale agreement gives us time to retain the sign until all renovations are concluded,” said Lassen. One signer of the petition is Catherine Davie, associate
director of marketing and communications for the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center. “We’re not planning other actions, but we won’t be surprised if some of our neighbors are,” she said in an interview. “We’re sure there would be a lot of support for anything peaceful and honest that helps to get this message out so that potential Lassen’s customers can make an informed decision.” Protest organizers said more are planned.
Page 9
Los Feliz Ledger M&A from page 1
building and what the future of that is.” Along with her design partner Ingalill WahlroosRitter and structural engineer Matthew Melnyk, about 35 volunteers and 5,000 nuts and bolts, Sung spent nearly three weeks installing “Bloom” into the courtyard and two years before that in preparation. Using thermal bimetal, typically wound into coils for thermostats, here and in other experiments, Sung is testing the material’s potential use for self-ventilating “envelop systems,”—basically an architectural term for walling. Made of two different types of metal with different coefficients of expansion, laminated together, in “Bloom” the bimetal tiles curl and react to the sun’s warmth to create a curling effect. Since 2002 the Materials & Applications courtyard has homed regularly two avantgarde architecture pieces like “Bloom” each year, providing designers with the only outdoor space of its kind in Los Angeles for large-scale installations open to the public. Since its formation, the organization has placed an emphasis on community engagement, and at a fundamen-
lucked out and got a really good price on it,” she said. “I looked at it and thought, I don’t want to just park cars here, what a waste.” Her interests had always been in public space and material experimentation but in her professional experience had known many architects with interesting ideas but could rarely get clients onboard and had no place to implement them. “So I thought… why not create a center where we can explore these atypical ideas at
tal level placing such exhibits almost directly on the street, is as basic an exercise in accessibility as they might achieve. Beyond that, directors Jenna Didier and Oliver Hess have organized special programs around the city, including art installations at the LACMA, Barnsdall Art Park and the non-profit tutoring center 826LA in Echo Park. Projects are all manned by volunteers. “We don’t turn people away if they don’t know how to use a power tool,” said Didier, 42, who has big blue eyes and raven black hair. “We teach them how to use a power tool and progress from there.” Inside, Didier and Hess work upstairs in an office filled with desktop computers, art and architecture books and a cradle and car seat for their 4-month-old daughter, Enso. Until last year, the couple lived here to cut costs and keep the organization operating. “It’s zoned commercialresidential,” said Didier, “and it’s frankly how we’re able to do this because M&A doesn’t pay us.” Didier said she was inspired by the building’s stark front courtyard when she bought the site in 1999. “It was so ugly that I
a meaningful scale and leave the work up for long enough so that you can really test what the elements do to it and what the public does to it?” she said. “Instead of waiting for the opportunity to be given to me, I saw the opportunity to go ahead and start building weird stuff and invite people to join me… I had never seen any place like that before or heard of anything like it.” In November Didier was awarded the History Collective Award by the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council and in
her acceptance speech teased some new developments for Materials & Applications’ 10year anniversary. When later asked what’s coming up, Didier and Hess said they will be working with the Getty and artist Judy Chicago for the Pacific Standard Time Festival and are developing a program of “urban acupuncture” that will design practical installations for the city’s blighted spaces and hopefully stimulate positive transformation through the surrounding neighborhoods.
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HOLLYWOOD. 3BR, 2BA bungalow off Sunset and Highland with hrdwd flrs and lush plants exposed thru open windows. www.hollywoodlistingagent.com
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L o c a l l y o w n e d a n d o p e r a t e d s i n c e 1976. Page 10
www.losfelizledger.com
December 2011
Los Feliz Ledger
tracy do Prudential C ali f o r n i a Re alty
www.tracydo.com tracy@tracydo.com (323) 842-4001 dre # 01350025
You expect and deserve a high level of service. That’s what I provide. Sold In 2011
FOR SALE 1361 Micheltorena St.
SALE PENDING 1347 McCollum St.
SALE PENDING 2281 India St.
SALE PENDING 1030 W. Edgeware Rd.
SOLD - 3434 Waverly Dr. $1,451,175
SOLD - 3353 Rowena Ave. $1,150,000
SOLD - 4232 Dundee Dr. $1,077,000
SOLD - 2304 Lake View Ave. $1,045,000
SOLD - 3225 Descanso Dr. $825,000
SOLD - 3520 Fallenleaf Pl. $800,000
SOLD - 323 N. Norton Ave. $770,000
SOLD - 3909 Prospect Ave. $747,000
SOLD - 1339 Silver Lake Bl. $715,000
SOLD - 700 Imogen Ave. $700,000
SOLD - 2207 Elsinore St. $699,000
SOLD - 2739 Griffith Park Bl. $680,000
SOLD - 3955 Cumberland Ave. $660,000
SOLD - 2000 N.Commonwealth Ave. $650,000
SOLD - 2409 Edgewater Ter. $585,000
SOLD - 3969 Barryknoll Dr. $572,000
SOLD - 943 Chung King Rd. $567,000
SOLD - 6225 Saylin Ln. $515,000
SOLD - 1521 N. Maple St. $470,000
SOLD - 3718 Glendon Ave. Unit A $450,000
SOLD - 1910 Addison Way $405,000
SOLD - 1715 Winmar Dr. $400,000
SOLD - 7135 Hollywood Bl. Unit 103 $326,461
SOLD - 8058 Troost Ave. $290,000
SOLD - 2952 Valle Vista Dr. $247,900
Happy Holidays! Wishing you all the best for 2012. December 2011
www.losfelizledger.com
Su Casa REAL ESTATE Page 11
Los Feliz Ledger [interior motives]
Pine Cones and Holly Berries For Your Holiday Table By Susann Thomason Tunick, Ledger Columnist
O
pportunity Street is Ambrose Avenue.
Unique and affordable commercial lease opportunity in
the heart of the busy Los Feliz-Hillhurst corridor. 1930s townhouse-style unit with vintage character and charm. North of Franklin, just east of Hillhurst. Hardwood flooring; street parking. Ideal for professional offices/studio/ gallery. Approx. 1200 sq. ft: 3 rooms and powder room downstairs; 2 rooms plus bath upstairs. Kitchen. Some landlord-paid utilities. $2900/mo.; 1-year lease minimum.
Richard Stanley
1917 Hillhurst Av. Los Angeles, CA 90027
#1 agent, Coldwell Banker - Los Feliz, 1995-2009 rstanley@coldwellbanker.com www.richardstanleyrealtor.com 213 300-4567 cell / voice mail 323 906-2417 direct line / voice mail DRE license #: 00971211
©2011 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned and operated by NRT LLC. All rights reserved. If your property is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.
Want Rental Income WIth less stRess?
It’s that time of year to to create an eclectic design. Markets. Create three sections create a festive Holiday table Use candles in the same color; and fill with almonds, pomethat is simple, quick, local and sprinkle some glitter fairy dust granates and oranges or whatrecyclable. Also, why not creand the table bursts onto illuever you like. Slice apart a few ate a table that takes advantage mination. pomegranates and oranges so of all that our neighborhood Larson Fenning also has their interiors become part has to offer? an assortment of wire baskets of the beauty. Create a whole My first stop was to Potthat could hold ornaments, experience for your guests by ted in Atwater Village. The seasonal fruit and pinecones serving food that uses your white Bauer Canoe vessel is from the Farmer’s Market “props:” salad with pomea great centerpiece for a rectfor a casual look. I love their granate seeds, chicken with angular table or buffet. Potbronzed turkey bookends that almonds or an orange soufflé. ted will plant it with ready could flank your basket creYolk in Silver Lake has a to bloom Christmas cactus ation. Afterwards, the turkey red star ceramic bowl that is or succulents. To festive and praccomplete your tatical. Fill with Polish one of your own silver trays ble, surround the ornaments or centerpiece with plant with sucand create a beautiful centerpiece red berry garland culents, add red with seasonal food from one of our or ornament. Add plates, white red napkins to crelinen napkins local Farmer’s Markets. ate a memorable tie with holly setting. and your table While at Potted, check out bookends could support your or buffet is complete. their Wedding Cake planter cookbooks. The wire baskets A healthy hike in Griffith for a fresh centerpiece. Plant come in several sizes and could Park will supply you with fallen the bottom with succulents, or be used for your holiday buftwigs, berries, leaves, pinecones fill with pinecones, chestnuts, fet table to hold flatware and and more that will garnish your glass ornaments, cordless lights napkins. table. Remember to use what or small poinsettias. It’s an item Polish one of your own silyou have and buy local. that you will reuse forever. ver trays and create a beautiful Send your ideas to Susann Lawson Fenning in Silver centerpiece with seasonal food Tunick at www.thomasontuLake is stocked with beautifrom one of our local Farmer’s nick.com. ful mercury votives for $9 each that creates a glamorous centerpiece. There are various Advertise in the sizes, so buy many, fill some with candles and others with a single red flower. Add a pair (323) 667-9897 of bronze antler candlesticks (two sizes) to this collection
Los Feliz Ledger
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Property Management Page 12 Su Casa REAL ESTATE
1621 Silver Lake Blvd., Suite 101 Los Angeles, CA 90026 (323) 668-7500 clukens@clintlukensrealty.com www.ClintLukensRealty.com DRE Lic #01367014
Come in for a free quote and receive a free Visa gift card!
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8/26/11 9:53 AM December 2011
Los Feliz Ledger [Keen to be Green]
Don’t Waste LA!
Arzu will give a talk entitled Helping to Make Los Angeles the Nation’s First Ze-
ro-Waste City for Sustainable Saturdays at the Silver Lake Library on Sat. Dec. 3rd at 11
a.m. Free. Contact www.sustainablesilverlake.org or call (323) 913-7451.
By Meher McArthur, Ledger Columnist I just discovered some shocking numbers about local trash. Each year, Los Angeles County generates 23 million tons of waste and recyclable materials and sends over 10 million tons of waste to landfills. The City of Los Angeles alone creates
the blue bins the city provides. However, according to Francisco Arzu of the Don’t Waste LA (www.dontawastela.org) campaign, many Los Angeles homes and businesses don’t have blue bins, so all their trash heads to the landfills.
Each year, Los Angeles County generates 23 million tons of waste and recyclable materials and sends over 10 million tons of waste to landfills. The City of Los Angeles alone creates a third of that—over 3 million tons! a third of that—over 3 million tons! What’s really scary is that many of the county’s remaining landfills will reach capacity and close in coming years. Then where will all the trash go? The ideal solution is to reduce the amount of wasteproducing items we consume, like heavily packaged food. Since this is hard for many of us to do, an easier option is to recycle as much as we can in
December 2011
“By creating a more efficient system for recycling and collecting trash from residential and commercial buildings, the city will be able to meet its goals of diverting 75% of its waste by 2013 and will create more green jobs,” he said. Don’t Waste LA is a coalition of community, environmental, faith and labor organizations working for clean air, green jobs and recycling for Los Angeles.
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Su Casa REAL ESTATE Page 13
Los Feliz Ledger HOMELESS from page 8
Karen Lower
COLDWELL BANKER Beverly Hills - NortH www.karenlower.net
WISHING YOu A
HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON
By appointment only
*
HOLLYWOOD HILLS $1,672,000
2041 Grace Avenue Stunning city views, large flat lot with pool. Prime Hollywood Hills location. 4bd/4.5ba. with 4,000+ sqft and 3 bonus rooms. www.2041Grace.com
In Escrow
LOS FELIZ $1,649,000
4941 Ambrose Avenue Magnificent architectural details. 4bd/3ba. 4,000sqft. www.4941AmbroseAve.com
New Price!
MT. WASHINGTON $799,000
Views from every room!
4429 Palmero Drive Beautiful contemporary home w/ 3bd/2.5ba + large family room. Open floorplan, stunning San Gabriel views from every room. Large flat yard w/room for pool. Mt.Washington Elementary. www.4429Palmero.com
In Escrow
Available
From inpatient hospital visits and trips to the emergency room, Silver Lake’s total annual estimated homelessness-related costs to the local healthcare system are more than $5.5 million. Even if PATH is unable to house all of those surveyed, the process acted as an outreach program to inform people sleeping on the streets of what services the nearby facility offers. Of its three branches
es,” said Sidell. “Here, instead of referring people across town they can refer people across the hall.” Silver Lake Neighborhood Council board member and business owner, Sarah Dale, also volunteered in the PATH surveying in October and first championed the case of the Hernandezes. “People experiencing homelessness are a part of our community,” said Dale. “Just because they don’t own
Of its three branches and numerous partnerships across the city, the PATH Los Angeles site in Silver Lake is the organization’s crown jewel with about 4,000 clients coming through in a year.
and numerous partnerships across the city, the PATH Los Angeles site in Silver Lake is the organization’s crown jewel with about 4,000 clients coming through in a year. The top two floors are filled with 98 beds in various dorm and cubical-type arrangements, separating men, women, families and the mentally ill, with accompanying living, cooking and dining spaces. It’s a high barrier facility so everyone there is required to be sober, working or looking for work, saving towards housing and if they have any mental illness, it must be addressed. As such, during the day, these floors are nearly empty. On the entrance level, there is the PATH Mall, a multi-service center open to the public, ready to assess and serve clients’ needs to get them off the streets. Case managers, health providers, substance abuse assistance, Travelers Aid, job services, a salon, and a monthly community court that deals mostly with petty misdemeanors are all onsite. “Back in the day, you would have to refer people across town to different servic-
a house or have a lease on an apartment, these are people that you see at Trader Joe’s, that you go to classes with, that you might even work with or that might be your busboy at your restaurant. They are part of our community and they are active in our community… I think we can embrace having a zero tolerance policy towards homelessness… I think it’s something that’s very much keeping with the spirit of Silver Lake.” In filling out a form, Juan Jr. chuckles slightly at listing PATH as his home address. This is it for him and his son, and now they’re closer than they’ve ever been. “We used to fight a lot and argue,” said Juan III. “Now we have to deal with each other so we have to get along.” “Yeah, it’s brought us a lot closer,” said Juan Jr. “Now we’re thinking down the future, OK we’ll have some time when we can go fishing now. Things that we want to do because we like to be outdoors. When my son says, ‘you know, Dad, I know with your dad you used to go hunting and stuff, how come you don’t take me?’ I’m like, ‘Soon son, soon.’”
Sign up for the
SILVER LAKE $679,000
SILVER LAKE $1,069,000
2456 Armstrong Ave
2086 Balmer Drive
Character filled 3bd/1ba + studio w/ba. Great location. Ivanhoe Elementary. www.2456Armstrong.com
Sweet 1930’s Spanish home in Prime Silver Lake offers 3bd/3ba. Private, gated + pool. Ivanhoe Elementary. www.2086Balmer.com
Page 14 Su Casa REAL ESTATE
Los Feliz Ledger electronic newsletter in between our regular publication dates. To start receiving yours, please register at www.losfelizledger.com or email us at: newsletter@losfelizledger.com
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December 2011
Local Experts Worldwide
SELECTED PROPERTIES
Andrew Morrison 323.270.2277
4715 LOS FELIZ BLVD. Los Feliz Stunning grandscale 2 story Mediterranean Villa w/6br & 7ba offering stately 10,000 sq.ft. w/private salt water-pool. $2,495,000 WEB: 0284389
Manvel Tabakian & Nadia de Winter 323.367.2222
2694GLENDOWER.COM Los Feliz 3bd/3.5ba Nantucket 3+3.5+den+fdr+hdwd flrs, 3fpl+spect.vus of Gif. Pk & Downtown, quality detailing. $2,385,000 WEB: 0284359
1929 N SERRANO AVE. Los Feliz Gated Mediterranean Villa w/tropical yard, LR w/fpl, large family rm, observation deck $1,545,000 WEB: 0284381
3115 ETTRICK ST. Los Feliz Incomparable modern new dream home. 4bd/3ba. Huge open plan, chef’s kitch, yard and views.Ivanhoe school. www.ettrickmodern. com $1,499,000 WEB: 0284303
SPANISH REVIVAL Los Feliz 3bd/3ba Beautiful Spanish w/ wood floors, panoramic views, large kitchen and gracious floor plan on a flat grassy lot. $1,100,000 WEB 0284
C.1952 IMMAC MID-CENT Los Feliz 3bd/3ba On 1/2+ acre in prime Los Feliz, stunning Mid-Century Modern with city views & uniq. architect’l detailing. Gated entry+pvt drive $2,499,000 WEB: 0284362
Manvel Tabakian & Nadia de Winter 323.367.2222
Rick Yohon 323.270.1725
Rosemary Low 323.660.5885
Troy Gregory 323. 671.2341
IN ESCROW
740 E KENSINGTON ROAD Echo Park 2bd/1.5ba Generous rooms w/soaring ceilings. Chef’s kitchen. Finished attic. Private yard w/large pool and outdoor kitchen. $779,000 WEB:0284366
FAB 50’S VINTAGE Silver Lake Mid-Century gem w/ vaulted wd. clngs., period kit./baths, lrg. patio, Dwntn vus, stone frpl., 3rd BR is convertible Den $799,000 WEB: 0284366
Carol Stewart 323.255.3800
Joseph Lightfoot 323.665.1108
MODERN UPDATED BUNGALOW Silver Lake Updated Bungalow w/ hdwd flrs, orig details & modern lines on quiet street near shops & restaurants. Great flr plan, bonus studio. $695,000 WEB: 0284395
631VENDOME.COM Silver Lake 1bd/2ba Cool & Hip! Redone 2 bd, 1 ba,wd flrs,hi beam ceil, stun. kitch & ba,.+ lge outdr entert.patio, 1 gar+huge yd+long driveway $599,000 WEB: 0284385
SHAPE YOUR DREAM HOME Silver Lake Out with the old, in with the new! Great potential to modernize this spacious traditional home w/ studio in the heart of Silverlake $535,000 WEB: 0284396
2030 N VERMONT #16 Los Feliz 2bd/1ba Gorgeous condo, completely redone. Chef’s kit, hwd flrs, 2 cozy bdrms, 2 pkg spaces, spacious. $430,000 WEB:0284410
1164 N COMMONWEALTH AVE. East Hollywood Two houses on a lot on in Silver lake adj. neighborhood. 2 +1 and 1 + 1. Tenant Occupied. Great Upside. $350,000 WEB: 0284341
5620 TUXEDO TERRACE Los Feliz One of the last great lots in the Los Feliz Oaks. Spectacular 180 degree city & canyon views. Unique architectural opportunity. $279,000 WEB: 0284219
5510REDOAK.COM Los Feliz 4bd/4ba LFeliz Oaks Spanish Est. 4+4+media rm+gym+pool/spa, hwd flr, tile 3car gar, 400amp sv, elevator, priv.+vus. $11,000/mo WEB 0284354
Rosemary Low 323.660.5885
Rick Yohon 323.270.1725
Joseph Lightfoot 323.665.1108
Rick Yohon 323.270.1725
Joseph Lightfoot 323.665.1108
Neviana Hristova 323.578.1051
Rosemary Low 323.660.5885
Sotheby’s International Realty - Los Feliz is proud to establish Sotheby’s International Realty for Schools. Our mission is to help support our local public schools and our local youth realize their full potential. Our organization and agents are currently supporting various initiatives at our local learning institutions on an ongoing For SchoolS donation program from closed transactions. To date, this year we have raised over $5,000 for Micheltorena Elementary School and Thomas Starr King Middle School. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BROKERAGES I SOTHEBYSHOMES.COM/SOCAL I LOS FELIZ 1801 NORTH HILLHURST AVENUE T 323.665.1700
USE THE WEB NUMBERS PROVIDED TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ON A PROPERTY THROUGH OUR WEBSITE
Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. The Yellow House used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records or other sources.
Los Feliz Ledger [ SELECT HOME SALES DECEMBER 2011 ] 90026 Condominium
90039 Condominiums
1077 W KENSINGTON RD 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $340,000
2393 2399 2018 2230
90026 Single Family Homes 2040 2026 1859 1339 1642 1824 1324 1913 1400 2045 1563 423 1418
VESTAL AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,725,000 VESTAL AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,725,000 WEBSTER AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 852,000 SILVER LAKE BLVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715,000 SILVERWOOD TER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 687,500 GRIFFITH PARK BLVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 582,000 N OCCIDENTAL BLVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505,000 MONTROSE ST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464,000 PORTIA ST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440,000 ECHO PARK AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430,000 PAUL TER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365,000 N BENTON WAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280,000 CORONADO TER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197,000
90027 Condominiums 4455 4455 4455 1930 1554 1554 3407 4408
LOS FELIZ BLVD 503 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $335,000 LOS FELIZ BLVD 208 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325,000 LOS FELIZ BLVD 302 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325,000 N VERMONT AVE 205 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300,000 N HOBART BLVD 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271,000 N HOBART BLVD 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268,000 HUXLEY ST 34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230,000 FRANKLIN AVE 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200,000
90027 Single Family Homes 4060 3456 4150 2209 4220 3672 2115 4317 4758 4003 3440
CROMWELL AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,225,000 BEN LOMOND PL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,175,000 HOLLY KNOLL DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,150,000 N HOBART BLVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,149,000 PARVA AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 965,000 HOLBORO DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 940,000 HOLLYVISTA AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 899,000 CEDARHURST CIR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 870,000 BONVUE AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800,000 HOLLY KNOLL DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 773,000 ROWENA AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 670,000
SILVER LAKE BLVD 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $385,000 SILVER LAKE BLVD 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380,000 GRIFFITH PARK BLVD 218 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351,000 DUANE ST 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345,000
90039 Single Family Homes 2463 3437 3636 3348 3411 1925
CORRALITAS DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $599,000 HOLLYDALE DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 595,000 BRUNSWICK AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 502,500 GARDEN AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 470,000 FERNCROFT RD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400,000 WATERLOO ST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385,000
90068 Condominiums 1951 1951 6700 2260 6752 6704 3480
N BEACHWOOD DR 107 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $458,000 N BEACHWOOD DR 106 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435,000 HILLPARK DR 203 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330,000 N CAHUENGA BLVD 201 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314,000 HILLPARK DR 202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260,000 HILLPARK DR 104 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222,000 BARHAM BLVD 217 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218,000
90068 Single Family Homes 2738 2252 2200 2338 6816 3577 6385 2525 6747 2658 2626 2061 3409
RINCONIA DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,550,000 MARAVILLA DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,519,000 VERDE OAK DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,220,000 HOLLY DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 925,000 PACIFIC VIEW DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920,000 MULTIVIEW DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 905,000 LA PUNTA DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801,000 VERBENA DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 775,000 MILNER RD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 773,000 N BEACHWOOD DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685,000 CRESTON DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 680,000 IVAR AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 605,000 OAK GLEN DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 570,000
Sales are from the previous month. Source: Great American Real Estate Solutions
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December 2011
Los Feliz Ledger GGPNC from page 1
new boardmember would be appointed in their place. The GGPNC went on record at its Nov. 15th regular board meeting as being reluctant to cancel elections in 2012 after recently instituting new policies that the board will be composed of mostly elected seats. In the past, the board has been made up of 10 elected members and nine appointed members. “If the terms are extended and a member chooses not to stay on, our bylaws have
does not wish to postpone the elections to 2014. All neighborhood councils have until Jan. 6th to respond. A final report will then be given to Mayor Villaraigosa and the Los Angeles City Council. GGPNC board and election committee member Mark Mauceri said the survey was meant to gage reaction of the various boards and uncover new options. “I think [the City Clerk] got themselves into a pickle and didn’t anticipate the back-
“I think [the City Clerk] got themselves into a pickle and didn’t anticipate the backlash,” – Mark Mauceri, GGPNC boardmember and Election Committee member a provision for appointing a replacement. Our board has had to appoint replacement members from time to time,” said GGPNC President Ron Ostrow. “This is obviously something we would hope to avoid, as the board has worked hard to transition from a half appointed, half elected board. I think it would be a disservice to our community to be forced into a situation where the entire board ended up having been appointed (which is what would be the net result of all ten members not staying on).” Current board members that would be up for possible re-election in 2012 are: Ron Ostrow, Frank Masi, Jessica Kornberg, Christina Khanjian, Harpreet Mahli, Tomas O’Grady, Daniel McCarthy, Rafik Ghazarian, Leslie VanKeuren Campbell and Alex De Ocampo. In order to get input from all the city’s neighborhood councils, an overseeing organization—the Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils (LANC)—has sent each board a survey. The GGPNC has indicated on the survey, it, as a whole,
December 2011
lash,” Maurceri said. “The surveys will identify individual needs and preferences. We had over 1,500 voters last time, a town hall with a show of hands isn’t practical for us, but may be for others with traditionally light poll turnouts. We told them in the survey we want to run an election, so now we have to wait and see what they come back with.” Los Angeles Councilmember Tom LaBonge, who represents the GGPNC’s area, said the budget cuts are not an attempt to eliminate neighborhood councils. “Neighborhood councils are very important, but every city department has to be altered to serve our current budget crisis,” he said. Bong Hwan Kim, the Los Angeles General Manager of the Dept. of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) will examine the options presented by LANC. The City Council’s Arts, Parks and Neighborhoods Committee will hear the draft ordinance from the city attorney at their meeting Nov. 30th at 3 p.m. Then vote to send it onto City Council for review.
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LFVBID’s Holiday Festival Set for Dec. 3rd By Norma Zager, Ledger Contributing Writer LOS FELIZ—The Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District (LFVBID) will host its annual Holiday Festival, Dec. 3rd from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. an event initiated a handful of years ago to help promote local shopping for the holidays. The event will kick off with a tree lighting ceremony at the Los Feliz Library, 1874 Hillhurst Ave. Also planned are a Children’s Choir and speech by Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge. Santa Claus will be on hand for the tree lighting and then move on to Coldwell Banker to pose for photos. Two 50-seat trolleys trav-
eling in both directions along Hillhurst and Vermont avenues and Hollywood Boulevard will transport guests throughout the village to participating locations. Flyers will be available detailing event stops and locations. The event is funding by the LFVBID and by individual participating businesses. Last year, few came out for the annual event, but according to LFVBID president Chris Serrano, she hopes this year will be different. “I believe our budget was $10,000 [last year], she said. “It will most likely be less this year. We are hoping to advertise… [and have] posters and postcards for businesses
to advertise who are willing to do so. [Information] will also be distributed to the local schools.” Primrose Organic Salon, 4616 Hollywood Blvd., coowner Melissa Tonay said her shop will open its doors again this year and urged other businesses to become involved. “We have stocking decorating for the kids. We also will provide treats for the kids and expect a large turn out,” said Tonay. “We hope to increase participation this year and make the festival an annual event that all Los Feliz and surroundings area residents can be proud of.” For more information: email info@losfelizbiz.org.
Noise Complaints Prompt GGPNC to Review Vermont/Rockwell’s Operations By Norma Zager, Ledger Contributing Writer LOS FELIZ—The Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) spent more than two hours at their Nov. 15th general board meeting discussing whether Vermont/Rockwell, on Vermont Avenue, was in compliance with its Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Neighborhood complaints regarding noise issues initiated the possibilities of changes to restaurant’s original CUP. The GGPNC had their “Planning and Land Use Management Committee” investigate the concerns and submit a report back to the board. Currently, Vermont and Rockwell’s CUP includes the two venues will operate daily from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.; not to sell and promote hard liquors by the bottle; not to support party promoters and party bus events; to hire security guards to monitor patrons inside and outside; after 11:30 p.m. valet
parking attendants will deliver the cars to patrons on Vermont Avenue; and to install siding to the roof to reduce sound. Neighbor input, as reported by the committee, persuaded many board members to favor a harder line on the hours issue. Restaurant neighbor Dave Bass has been the most vocal opponent. “All business is not alike; there is good business and there is bad business,” he said. “Good business can be many things, but bad business negatively impacts neighbors and operates illegally. Vermont/Rockwell has taken what was good business for decades and used it as license to operate an illegal nightclub and dance club, negatively impacting the surrounding community in many ways. The neighbors have done a wonderful job of standing up for their rights and fighting
to return Los Feliz Village to a quiet, peaceful, clean place to live. We encourage other neighbors to take control of their community too—if they do not, we have seen that other interests will.” The GGPNC could not verify the neighbor’s charges, but ultimately, rejected the 1 a.m. closing time and recommended midnight. However, GGPNC board member Christina Khanjian told board members that noise issues were not specific to the establishment. “There is a Starbucks and other business parking lots in the immediate area that are also contributing to the noise levels. We did an exhaustive investigation of this issue and even went out at midnight when the restaurant closed to examine the noise and found they had improved the problem as they claim.” see NOISE page 19
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Los Feliz Ledger
Happy Holidays from all of us at
Page 18
Bus Rides for Employees Getting Cheaper By Norma Zanger, Ledger Contributing Writer LOS FELIZ—The Los Angeles Metro Transportation Authority (MTA) is offering local employers a bus cost savings program for their employees, according to Rick Walker, with the MTA who made the announcement at the Nov. 8th Los Feliz Village BID (LFVBID) board meeting. According to Walker, employees taking part in the
program—called BTAP or the “Business Transit Access Pass”— would save 75% annually or more. The pass includes all Metrolink and MTA lines. According to Walker, employees receiving such a benefit from employers are essentially receiving a raise with no tax implications. He approximated, employees
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could save up to $700 a year with the program for their transportation fees. “It is… an incentive to get people out of their cars and into the busses,” Walker said. Employers who are interested in the program can call Rick Walker at (213) 9225635 or email walkerr@ metro.net for information.
December 2011
Los Feliz Ledger [theater review]
Dramas Provide Insight Into Some Societal Issues By Marilyn Tower Oliver, Ledger Theater Critic “The House of Gold,” is a tragedy dealing with child exploitation in our society. The theme is brought home in the play’s first moments when the mother, ably acted by veteran actress Denise Crosby, serves breakfast to her husband, Tony Pasqualini who asks what is in the yummy sausages. Her grisly answer is: “Jon Benet.” The unfolding action is loosely based on the tragic, to date unsolved murder in Colorado of the young beauty queen. Veteran actress Gates McFadden, best known for her work on “Star Trek: the Next Generation,” directs the play and as a child actor is sympathetic to the plight of children pushed onstage without a choice. Jacqueline Wright’s performance as young Jon Benet is stunning. An adult actress, she captures Benet’s innocence and vulnerability. And Graham Sibley as the possibly murderous child molester makes your skin crawl. Running without intermission for about 90 minutes “The House of Gold” is a surrealistic and profound play that gives much to ponder. In 2010, I reviewed “The King of the Desert” in which Los Feliz playwright Stacy Martino traces the life of her actor husband Rene Rivera from the barrios of Texas to success as an actor of stage, screen and television.
This incarnation has a set that is more complex, the lighting better and the setting more intimate. Actor Rene Rivera is right in front of you, bringing the audience directly into the action. The actual drama is unchanged. Rivera is an energetic actor who portrays himself as a child and young adult and transforms into other characters who impacted his life. The switch of characters is sometimes confusing especially at such close range. His performance is quite amazing and at times becomes overwhelming. I was hoping to see the theme more expanded in this production. However if you missed the play in 2010, this is a second chance to understand the problems facing many of the young Latinos who are trying to succeed in this culture.
noise from page 17
Bass disagreed and presented a video of noise emanating from the restaurant during late night hours. GGPNC President Ron Ostrow allowed members to view the video, but some committee members reminded the board their own noise investigation showed otherwise. According to Jacqueline Kerr, the committee is still investigating if other establishments in the same area—which share a parking lot—are also contributing to the noise. “We are all looking for a sleep-able solution for the neighborhood around Vermont-Rockwell, and the restaurant owners have worked hard work with the community to make this happen. So far, they have been largely suc-
cessful, but there are still a few kinks to iron out,” said Kerr. Ostrow reminded members the GGPNC does not exist to punish or reward applicants or businesses, but is strictly an advisory board with no authority. The board decided to reexamine the issue in six months. Additionally, a one-year review by the LA planning administrator to ensure compliance with the conditions would be initiated. Vermont/Rockwell representative Elizabeth Peterson said after the meeting, that from the beginning the owners worked with residential and business leaders to become good neighbors. “They worked with the GGPNC… sub-committee to reach a positive compromise. The owners cannot
now understand how the committee’s excellent job can be thrown out and replaced by hysteria and rumor-driven conjecture about remaining problems.” Peterson said the GGPNC has the right to make a decision based on any information it chooses. Vermont/Rockwell co owner Wayne Elias commented on the decision the next day. “We are confident that with our willingness to work with the community, LAPD, the businesses and residents of our neighborhood, as well as all of the City agencies designed to protect all of our well-being, we will arrive at an equitable and peaceful solution where we can all enjoy each other’s company and interaction.”
“The House of Gold,” Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. through Dec. 4th at the Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave. in Atwater Village. $25 with pay what you can Sundays at 2 p.m. 323-644-1929 or www.ensemblestudiotheatrela.org “The King of the Desert,” at the El Portal Forum Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd. through Dec. 4th; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with a talkback question and answer session on Sunday. $20; Seniors and veterans $15. (818) 811-4111 or (818) 508-4200. Online at www.elportaltheatre.com.
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December 2011
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 19
Los Feliz Ledger
The Echo Celebrates 10 Years By Colin Stutz, Ledger Contributing Writer With some fondness, Liz Garo, senior talent buyer for Spaceland Productions, recently remembered the disasters of The Echo’s opening concert 10 years ago. “Our first show was AntiPop Consortium,” she said with a slight laugh. “The bathroom doors on the women’s restroom were still being hung as we were letting people in the doors. They’re a hip-hop collective and they did half of their set a cappella because the electricity went out.” Garo has been with owner Mitchell Frank’s Spaceland Productions 12 years, which started its concert production company with the disassociated and renamed Spaceland
second, bigger venue downstairs called The Echoplex, extending its reach to larger artists yet. “Musically and creatively we may take chances where other venues don’t,” said Garo. “We book things that we really like so we maintain a sense of quality. And we like to have some sort of neighborhood and community around us. I get e-mails all the time from people saying, ‘I want to break into the Eastside scene. We want to play in that room.’ But stuff that does really well at the Troubadour or in Santa Monica, doesn’t necessarily do well at The Echo.” To celebrate its decade anniversary, Garo is planning
“We book things that we really like so we maintain a sense of quality. And we like to have some sort of neighborhood and community around us.” – Liz Garo club in 1995, building the local music scene along with it. Six years later it expanded its musical community eastward. “When we opened the Echo, everybody told us we were crazy to be so far east and nobody would go into Echo Park, because at that time Echo Park was still kind of sketchy,” said Garo. “But very similarly to what happened to Silver Lake after Spaceland got its success also happened to Echo Park, in that other businesses start moving in, people start buying houses there, that’s sort of how a neighborhood gets revitalized.” Since, the venue has established itself as one of the Eastside’s most significant and taste-making live music venues, having hosted early shows for such indie breakout artists as Avi Buffalo, Airborne Toxic Event, Silversun Pickups, Best Coast, Diplo and Devendra Banhart. In 2007 it opened a
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10 special concerts labeled as anniversary events. Such shows—including performances by Baltimore electronic artist Dan Deacon, Long Beach rockers The Growlers, and L.A. indie-punks The Soft Pack, among others—will include drink specials, giveaways and t-shirt silk screenings. The non-profit Internetbased radio station, Dublab, will record webcasts of some events as well. Additionally, Garo said, they’ll be bringing back their “Irregular Wine Tasting” events, and two popular club nights that used to call The Echo home—“Club Underground” and “Hang the DJs.” Says Garo, “We originally wanted to do one big blowout show for the anniversary, but instead we’re really trying to make it a month-long celebration. It’s a thank you to the fans and neighborhood and everyone who has been supportive to us.”
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[the good life]
Get in the Holiday ‘Spirit’ With Moonshine By Tara de Lis Ledger Columnist Moonshine is suddenly hip. That’s right, the ‘hooch’ that fueled Proh ibit ionera parties is trendy—except the current brands are actually high-quality spirits and legal. Which means, technically, modern moonshine isn’t really moonshine. There are purists who poo-poo the concept, pointing out that there’s a reason whiskey and bourbons are barrelaged. I say don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. The Original Moonshine is produced in Culpepper, Virginia, and is made with only estate-grown corn. It’s distilled four times and charcoal filtered for a particularly smooth taste. And it’s only 80 proof—the same as most vodkas. Buffalo Trace, part of Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, makes three “White Dog” products: Mash No. 1 (unaged bourbon), a wheated mash (pre-Pappy Van Winkle) and a rye mash (like Sazerac). Ole Smoky comes in cleverly bottled in Mason jars—a play on the product’s southern heritage. A further twist is the incredibly unique flavors. Moonshine Cherry makes for a great Roy Rogers, and Apple Pie is fall in a glass. Midnight Moon also makes flavored moonshines. The strawberry stands out among more traditional flavors. And sister company Catdaddy’s regular moonshine is aromatic and spicy. Tara de Lis is a freelance writer who lives in Hollywood.
December 2011
Los Feliz Ledger [senior moments]
For the Long Term: Our Choices By Stephanie Vendig, Ledger Columnist We know we can’t live forever and most of us prefer to stay in our homes and community to the end. But as we age, we may need help to manage our daily lives. According to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, about 70% of people over age 65 will need longterm care during their lifetime and more than 40%, in a nursing home. “Long-term care” means a range of services and support that help you manage tasks of everyday life over time. Most are not medical care, but instead focus on household chores, personal care, or trans-
portation. Your house may need to be modified, or you may need a signaling device that you wear to contact an operator in emergency. While about 1/3rd of today’s 65-yearolds may never need long-term care services and supports, 20% will need care for longer than 5 years. Help can come from family or friends. It may be services in your home from a nurse, a caregiver, a therapist, or it may be services in the community such as adult day care service or a senior center. And, it could be in a group setting such as an assisted living facility, a board and care facility, a skilled nursing facility, retirement community, or a continuing care retirement community.
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In an assisted living facility, residents have independence knowing personal care and support services are available if needed. In a skilled nursing facility, 24-hour care and medical services are available. Similar to an assisted living facility are board and care facilities with limited sizes. Most are home settings with only six residents. All are state licensed. Retirement communities or independent living facilities could also be used for longterm care. You will gain amenities that relieve you of worries such as maintenance of your household or preparation of meals. And you gain easy access to activities and socialization. The continuing care retirement community includes different group settings in one location. For example, there would be separate housing for independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing. You would be able move between facilities depending on the type of care needed at any time. Financing long-term care is another matter of concern since most of us do not normally plan for the care when we are younger. This will be a topic for another column.
lots, the poorest result of a LFVBID election in three years. Past LFVBID election return rates have been: 14.5% in 2010; 11.7% in 2009 and 24% in 2008. Additionally, in 2009, the LFVBID was accused by some of a lack of transparency and inadequately keeping the then 250-plus fee-paying members— all local businesses—abreast of activities, including elections. Additionally, in the past, LFVBID members have complained of not receiving ballots. “We are using better communication tools such as social networking and a new mass emailing system in addition to the traditional mailings to ensure better participation,” said marketing and public relations committee chair Tonay. “Our goal is to establish constant contact.” Results will be announced Wednesday, Dec.14th at the LFVBID’s monthly board meeting at CitiBank on Hillhurst Avenue. According to Tonay, the board will also send out an announcement via mail, e-mail, Facebook and Twitter to notify members and the community. For information: info@ losfeliz.biz.
LFVBID from page 1
members for 5 years. Springer was unavailable for comment. Current members that will remain on the board are: Vice President and special events committee chair Ermanno Neiviller, Il Capriccio; Treasurer Rosa Palencia, Citibank; Dustin Lancaster, Bar Covell; Melissa Tornay, Primrose Organics; Claudia Hipolito, Coldwell Banker. “The position brings an average of five hours a month commitment,” Serrano said. “It is also always good to bring an influx of new people, new ideas and energy to the board and we also appreciate help from anyone who wants to volunteer on a committee.” In addition to its elected board, the LFVBID has various committees including communications and special events. Committee seats are non-elected. Committee meetings are held once a month on Thursday mornings at Palermo Ristorante. “Free pizza and drinks are included and it is always an enjoyable event. This is also a great way to become involved on a limited basis,” Serrano said. Last year’s election received 10% of returned bal-
Medicare Questions: Changes for 2012 Thurs., Dec.15, 2:00 – 4:00* “Julius Caesar” – Discussion of Shakespeare’s play • Wed., Dec. 7, 2:00-4:00 Free Computer Classes, thru Dec., all ages* 3203 Riverside Drive, just north of Los Feliz Bl. * Call for info and reservations (323) 644-5579 Lunch Program: Mon.-Fri., GPACC, 11:30 AM sign in, Noon lunch, Donation under 60 $4, 60+ $2 Club Info and Newsletter:
Stephanie Vendig, (323) 667-3043 or vendig@sbcglobal.net. Join GPACC: Only $15/year for trips and news. For information on trips, call Doris Slater, (323) 667-1879
Los Angeles Breakfast Club Join us Wednesdays at 7 – 9 am
Upcoming speakers and programs...
December 7: Pasadena Humane Society “Compassion and Care for All Animals” December 14: Eric Warren, Author “Eagle Rock Then and Now” December 21: Saul Jacobs and Bob Lipson The Golden Age of American Popular Music “Popular Christmas Songs and the Stories Behind Them” December 28: L. A. Breakfast Club Closed Friendship Auditorium 3201 Riverside Drive
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Los Feliz Ledger [OMGC] By Alex Nam, 5th grade We’ve been practicing our songs, with recorders, for the Annual Christmas Program, which is right around the corner! Due to the many hours of vigorous practicing, it is guaranteed that our songs will enliven the Christmas holiday. Our music conductor, Mr. Jackson, and our music teacher, Ms. Moss are very enthusiastic and want students to have fun when performing. Our homeroom teachers have also provided much help and support. The Christmas holiday involves the members of the community to come together as a family and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. So, I hope that you can join us in celebrating this joyful holiday at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church on Thursday night, Dec. 15th at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome and admission is free! If you would like to join us for a reception in the Hall following the program, please contact our school principal, Ms. Essman at (323) 664-2131 or principal@omgcschool.org.
Page 22 SCHOOL NEWS
[holy trinity school]
Busy December By Caitlin Caguco
grade class is doing their own Nativity Skit for the very first time as well as our Christmas Program, Dec. 13th, an event
where each grade performs skits and songs. Christmas vacation starts on Dec. 21st and school resumes on Jan. 2nd.
Let us not forget one more special event in December: Christmas! Santa Claus will be coming to town on Dec. 25th!
The Christmas cheer is indeed spreading throughout Atwater. On December 1st, the choir at Holy Trinity will be singing at the Atwater tree lighting! On Dec. 2nd, we will be hosting Parent/Teacher conferences. It is slightly nerve racking, yet exciting at the same time. The grade book is closed, the first trimester is finally over, and the second trimester has just begun. We get our report cards during the conference. Parents and teachers share ideas and thoughts about their students. The upside is that students have no school that day! A three-day weekend! Basketball season is starting for the boys and girls Varsity and B Team. They have been practicing every day (excluding Fridays, of course) since November. The girls are definitely “in it to win it!” and we hope the boys will do just as amazing. Also, during December, we are having a sock and underwear drive. All items collected will be given to a homeless shelter. Also in December, the 8th
www.losfelizledger.com
December 2011
Los Feliz Ledger [thomas starr king environmental studies magnet]
Learning to Make a Difference By Keelin Murray 6th grader The first year in the Environmenta l Studies Magnet is going well. On October 13th, the 6th grade environmental magnet students went to the Pasadena Convention Center for a day of climate change activities sponsored by NASA and JPL. First, we heard a speech from 17-year-old Alec Loorz, the founder of the “I Matter March.” We went to several other rooms and did activities including a seismic wave play; saw an award-winning solarpowered boat built by high school students, and heard other scientists talk about climate change. By day’s end, we had learned about melting glaciers, pollution from fossil fuels, and what we can do to help global warming from getting worse. The Beautification Club has been trying to raise money to get every student at our school a reusable water bottle so that there is less plastic bottle use. So, Oct. 29th students went to the Ivan-Hoe-Down at Ivanhoe Elementary to share our idea and try to get donations. We brought fresh herbs from our garden to give to the people who donated. We also brought our model of the Cola Kayak, which is a kayak made of one-liter soda bottles, made by the 7th grade environmental students. We have also organized a craft sale, Dec. 13th, where the Beautification Club will be making crafts out of recycled material. We are all very excited about all of the great things we have been doing and are even more excited for upcoming events and community outreach to help our environment.
Send the
Los Feliz Ledger your School News to: allisonferraro @losfelizledger.com
December 2011
[Ivanhoe elementary]
Scary Fun at This Year’s Ivanhoedown By Stella RosenbergMarkland Wow, the Ivanhoedown was a hit! On October 29th we had our annual Halloween festival from 1:00 pm to 8:00pm. Each grade from Kindergarten to 5th sponsored a game and craft. We had a teacher dunk tank; a boo-licious donut eating contest (off a string); a yummy creepy cake walk and a ghoulish photo booth. When the moon came out, the spook came on with the monster mash dance party and movies. The scariest and most fun were our famous haunted house and the Rickshaw Ride, a mysterious rickety hayride. “The rickshaw was really a scare!” said student Chloe Beebe. The money we make at the Ivanhoedown helps pay for very important things like classroom aides, the P.E. program, art & music classes, and other things benefitting Ivanhoe students and our community. This is our most profitable fundraising event of the year. We rely on the help of parents, teachers and the community for this special day. We hope to see you next year at this funtastic event!
[franklin avenue elementary]
What I Am Most Thankful For By Emiliano Vaca-Vargas, 4th grade Thanksgiving reminds me of all the things I’m thankful for. I appreciate my family, my education and my life. I’m especially thankful for my family because nobody in my family has died. My family has my brothers Jony, Fausto, and my sister Eliana. Also, my mom and dad. I also appreciate my education because some people do not even get to go to a school or even learn anything. I was lucky I moved to be able to go to this school. Finally, I’m grateful for my life. We would not be able to live without life. As I enjoy this holiday season, I realize that I have many reasons to be thankful: my family, my education and my life. www.losfelizledger.com
IHHS Senior and All-American Diver, Signs with UCLA All-American diver Maggie Denison, a senior at Immaculate Heart High School, has signed with UCLA, where she will be a member of its Division One diving team starting next fall. Denison trains six days a
week at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center and holds the CIFSouthern Section record in both Division 3 and Division 4 diving. She has also qualified for the 2012 Olympic Trials, to be held June 18-24, in Federal Way, Washington.
Look for the January edition of the
Los Feliz Ledger on December 29th
Admissions Open House Sunday, December 4, 2011 ■ 1:00–3:00 The headmaster speaks at 1:15 and 2:15
Inspiring minds, engaging hearts No reservations required 818.949.5514 www.flintridgeprep.org/open-house prep ad_los feliz ledger_11-25-11.indd 1
11/10/11 5:05 PM SCHOOL NEWS Page 23
Los Feliz Ledger [Pilgrim School] Lily Kachikis, 6th grade This fall, 6th grade has been full of surprises. We started taking electives and had class elections, selecting a treasurer, a secretary (me), a social commissioner and a class president. But, the most exciting change is each 6th grader is given a laptop on loan from our school for the entire school year. However, along with our laptop excitement came laptop responsibility. There is no gaming on school laptops and each student is responsible for taking their laptop from class to class without dropping or damaging it. Also, each student must put away and charge their laptop at the end of the day. There is also a secondary school policy that says what we can and can’t do online. So far we have been researching different topics on the web. We then create Powerpoint or Keynote slide shows for our Humanities class. In our Study Skills class, we use the laptops to surf the Internet and research careers for future occupations that we might find an interest in.
Even with the many new expectations that come with having a laptop, everyone in 6th grade feels that it is so worth it to be able to have access to such a great research tool. It makes us feel more mature to be carrying around a laptop!
Advertise in the Los
Feliz Ledger (323) 667-9897
Pasadena Waldorf School Open Houses
[temple israel of hollywood]
Multicultural Day 2011
High School Open House
By Charles McKenna Multicultural Day is a project where each grade learns about a country. Over the years, I have studied Russia, Jamaica, Brazil, Tunisia, Canada and Mexico. This year, as a 6th grader, I am studying Iran. Other Grades are studying Spain, Greece, Peru, Israel and the USA! Multicultural Day is also an opportunity to eat typical food from that country and to perform a dance from your country in a show. In addition the entire school sings an opening song and a closing song and each grade gets a costume unique to their country. We are so excited for the day!
Adults and prospective 9th graders Saturday, January 21, 2012 • 1–4 p.m. Elementary School Open House Saturday, January 21, 2012 • 12–2 p.m.
High School On our campus at William Carey International University 1539 East Howard Street • Pasadena, CA 91104 Elementary School • Preschool • Parent Child Program 209 East Mariposa Street • Altadena, CA 91001 Phone: 626-794-9564
www.pasadenawaldorf.org
weStridge School’S 21st annual
open house
save the dates
Learn about Westridge and experience the community at Open House!
1 t o 4 p . m . • S at u r d ay
January 7, 2012
Join families and students from Pasadena and surrounding communities in search of summer activities for every budget! Over 100 local, national, and international camps, programs, and activities for students between the ages of 5 and 18 will be represented. admission is Free!
Tour the new Platinum LEED-certified Science and Math Building, a learning environment that provokes involvement, imagination, and inventiveness where girls have the opportunity to do science, not just study it. To RSVP or for questions about Open House, please contact the Admissions Office, 626.799.1053, ext. 256, admissions@westridge.org or visit www.westridge.org.
Summer Opportunities Fair 2012
art • outdoor adventure • sports • theater • travel • tutoring Enjoy the fair’s festive food, activities, and family fun!
Westridge school
Since 1913 An independent day school for college-bound girls grades 4 through 12
For more information, visit www.westridge.org/sof or email sof@westridge.org. Like us on Facebook and keep up with event updates! www.facebook.com/westridgesof
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Saturday
February 4, 2012
324 Madeline Drive • Pasadena, California 91105 Page 24 SCHOOL NEWS
www.losfelizledger.com
December 2011
Los Feliz Ledger [immaculate heart high school]
Rain Fails to Dampen IH Spirit! By Emma Davidson ’14 and Georgia Peppe ‘14 Showers threatened Immaculate He a r t ’s 10K Walk fundraiser Nov. 4th, but the IH Pandas forged on with tremendous school spirit as if it were a typical sunny, Southern California morning. As always, Immaculate Heart prepared a back-up
plan, in case of heavy rainfall, to ensure that our fundraiser’s culminating event would be a fun-filled day no matter the weather. Fortunately, nearly 1,000 students, parent volunteers, and faculty and staff members were able to march through city streets and continue the Walk tradition as planned. The walkathon ended with a celebration of food, music and dancing in the
school auditorium. Along with our successful fundraiser, Immaculate Heart has been very busy preparing for upcoming activities. Sunday, Dec. 4th, at 1 p.m., Immaculate Heart will hold its annual Open House for prospective high school students and their parents. This is an opportunity for interested students to learn more about IH.
We will showcase everything our school is about with student-led classroom tours and teacher presentations. Immaculate Heart’s emphasis on community service is clearly visible throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season. This was exemplified by this year’s Thanksgiving food drive in support of Casa Esperan-
za. All students and teachers gathered canned goods, pounds of rice, pasta and other food items that were donated to the Casa Esperanza Center, which serves needy families living on Blythe Street in Panorama City. Our Pandas wanted to ensure that these families had a wonderful Thanksgiving feast like any other.
Los Feliz Ledger Online Read these additional stories only at losfelizledger.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Attempted Murder in Atwater Village Los Feliz’ Longest Running Home Holiday Light Display Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge Looks Back at 2011 Eric Garcetti “Walking Atwater Village” Assemblymember Mike Gatto Dog’s Life: “Operation Santa Paws” Family Matters: College Admission Season Is Upon Us Veterans, Students and More Rally for “Filipino Veterans Fairness Act” “Images of America: Griffith Park” lecture Dec. 15th at Los Feliz Library Le Barcito, One of the Last of a Long Streak of Area Gay Bars, Closes Marshall High School Football Finishes Regular Season with 8-2 Record Holiday Caroling at Mt. Hollywood Congregational, Dec. 10th New Silver Lake Chamber Members Police Blotter Star Gazing December 2011 Calendar
Winter Solstice! 2880 ROWENA AVENUE
SATURDAY DEC. 3RD 10am-1pm $15 ENTRANCE FEE FOR ADULTS
KIDS FREE (includes UNLIMITED sled rides AND jumpy castle)
real SNOW sleigh rides winter wonderland TRAIN ride CRAFTS Holiday BOUTIQUE JUMPY castle sand C ASTLE DJ FOOD & drinks photos with SANTA CL AUS
This month’s poll: • •
I will shop at Lassen’s and don’t care that the owner donated to Prop. 8. I will not shop at Lassen’s because the owner donated to Prop. 8
same name same values
second campus Brawerman east
elementary school of wilshire Boulevard temple
Fall 2012 r fo gs in en op e ad Gr t rs Fi & en rt ga Kinder Schedule your tour now: Dec 8
Visit Brawerman east at our historic temple Campus 3663 Wilshire Boulevard • Los Angeles • www.brawerman.org Gillian Feldman • (213) 835-2173 • gfeldman@brawerman.org December 2011
www.losfelizledger.com
SCHOOL NEWS Page 25
Los Feliz Ledger [open mike]
Letter from Editor Has Anti Palestinian Bias
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I have always been impressed with your paper and can only credit you with being the power behind its success. There is so much good about the Los Feliz Ledger and it meets needs in our community that are met by no one else. However, I have to say I was really disturbed and disappointed by your most recent Letter from the Editor, (November 2011). It contains what can be perceived as a clear bias against Palestinians in your choice and repetition of words. You correctly identified the Israeli in question as a “father”—because the important part of the story is that he is a father who has lost his daughter and is therefore grieving. However, when discussing the man who was convicted of the crime you repeatedly refer to him simply as a “Palestinian,” subtly but unmistakably equating that term with the criminal acts of one man who had Palestinian nationality. Again, you refer to the murderer as simply “The Palestinian.” And again and again you use the word “Palestinian” to refer to groups of people who represent certain factions within the Palestinian nationality and not the great diverse whole that makes up that full body that is meant to be referred to when we use the word “Palestinian.” Unfortunately you didn’t take time to make clear edits which would have reflected what you were trying to say without allowing a clear bias to enter in and leave your readers disappointed and disturbed. Another thing that was very disappointing was that you refer to this man as being “quoted” in the Los Angeles Times, but then you summarize his quote in your own words and use the word “essentially” which tips the
reader off that you have clearly “interpreted” what he said— which, given your bias, leaves your interpretation suspect. Why not just print the man’s words—the “quote” you mention? Do you not trust your readers to make sense of a man’s direct words? I can only assume that the reason you wrote in this way is that you have some kind of bias which may be codified in your political beliefs. If you are indeed against the Palestinian State, or harbor a prejudice against the Palestinian people as a whole, or have some political beliefs that relate to your telling of this story it was also your duty to disclose that. I am a registered Democrat and Christian who views the Israeli Palestinian struggle with concern and compassion for both sides and recognize the complexity of the issues at hand. I have no affiliations to disclose, but I would do so if I felt it necessary to explain anything I’ve written in this letter to you. All in all it was a very odd choice for an essay that sought to compare the great problems in the world to those of our little community. And it was also odd that you chose only one situation set in Israel and Palestine to make your point. Why not mention several world stage struggles: the conflict in India, the troubles in Turkey after the Earthquake, the floods in Thailand that are overtaking Banghkok, the troubles in Israel and Palestine (generally without taking a clear side with your choice in language), and then weaving in your final point about how good we have it here back home in our neck of the woods in L.A. Timothy Hane East Hollywood
Publisher’s Response: I have just returned from the region and was greatly affected by my time there. I am Christian and do believe there should be a Palestinian state and I am also compassionate to both sides of the issue. The issue could have been better addressed if I had more editorial space. For instance, in the original version, I directly quoted the man who killed the young girl from the Los Angeles Times, but that was edited for space issues. Also, I could have included the Palestinian’s name, but chose not to (nor name the one freed Israeli solider) again, only to simplify for the reader (as neither the Israeli solider or the man who murdered the girl are household names). I thought calling him a “murderer” only would enflame the issue, so I chose to just refer to him as the Palestinian. I meant no bias or harm and regret if the letter indicated such.
Submission Guidelines To submit a letter for Open Mike, send to allisonferraro@ losfelizledger.com or to 4459 Avocado St., LA, CA 90027. Include your name, area in which you live and contact information. Letters become property of the Los Feliz Ledger and may be edited for clarity or space for reprinting.
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Page 26 OPEN MIKE / EDITORIAL
www.losfelizledger.com
December 2011
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$629,000
On the market for the 1st time in 24 yrs. Classic artist’s
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$539,990
high ceilings, skylights, views, & other artistic touches create the perfect ambience for creativity & comfortable
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MICHAEL REMACLE
(310) 902-1564
2150 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.668.7600 georgeandeileen.com
Just Listed
1917 Oxford Street
Coming Soon
Los Feliz
Call For Price
Lovely 3+3 1922 Spanish close to Griffith Park. Stunning LR w/high barrel ceiling & Batchelder fireplace. Gorgeous formal DR w/built-ins. Possible 4th bd/office. Beautiful hrdwd flrs. A/C. French doors leads to patio & large yard w/hot tub. Garage being used for great studio.
For Sale
2216 Commonwealth Avenue
Los Feliz
$895,000
For Lease
Silver Lake Hills
Call For Price
Dramatic 3 + 2.5 Contemporary home with newly refinished hrdwood flrs, new stainless appliances, new counter tops and fresh interior paint. Spacious LR w/ high ceilings, fireplace & built-ins. Great open floor plan. Dining area leads to lovely terraced yard. Master with fireplace, private bath and walk-in closet.
3607 Amesbury Road
Silver Lake
$3,000
Los Feliz Hills
$795,000
Lovingly maintained 3+2.5 Traditional w/Mid-Century feel. Large living room, wet bar, hrdwd floors & original casement windows. Charming kitchen, dining area. Fam rm & din area open out to a nice patio. Master suite w/private bath. Nice views from many rooms. Appx 2451 sq ft + large bonus rm or home office.
In Escrow
2616 Glendower Avenue
Silver Lake
$368,000
Los Feliz Hills
$2,150,000
Stunning 4+5.5 Architectural w/spectacular city views + a full separate guest apt. Gorgeous LR leads to deck w/downtown views. Great master suite. Cook’s kitchen, DR, breakfast rm, family rm, home office, media rm. Three fireplaces. Sauna. 3 car garage. Solar panels. Rose garden. Incredible entertainer’s home!
Sold
4003 Holly Knoll Drive Los Feliz $785,000 Beautifully updated 3+2 Traditional with large family rm. Living room with fireplace. Refinished hrdwd flrs. Newly renovated eat-in kitchen. New cabinets, countertops, flooring and stainless appliances. Newly renovated baths. Central AC & heat. Nice sized yard w/ room for a pool.
4119 Perlita Avenue #A
$1,395,000
3840 Clayton Avenue
Franklin Hills
$675,000
A great value in this 2+2.5 Franklin Hills residence with great views of the Silver Lake and Franklin Hills. Spanish pavers in LR & dining rm. Spacious wood decks to enjoy outdoor living and entertaining. Central air & heat & E/Q retrofitted. Bonus rm could be 3rd bedroom.
2428 Meadow Valley Terrace Silver Lake Hills $695,000 Lovely 2+1.5 Traditional residence. LR w/fireplace & views of the Observatory & hills. Formal dining rm w/built-ins. A charming deco kitchen. Cozy den with 2nd fireplace. Huge bonus room with bar. Needs some TLC, but with work could be home sweet hm Ivanhoe. Short sale.
Sold
Atwater
$295,000
Charming 2+1 condo in a lovely 1940’s Traditional complex surrounded by lush landscaping. Clean spacious unit. Hardwood floors, subway tile in bath, formal dining room, crown molding. Two parking spaces. Walk to many great restaurants & shops. Close to public transportation & 5 freeway. Short sale.
Sold
4101 Garden Avenue
Pasadena
Impressive, gated & beautifully restored 4+ 5 1911 Colonial Revival Estate with Craftsman touches on a 16,736 lot. Stunning LR w/Batchelder fireplace. Large gourmet kitchen w/custom cabinets & top quality blt-in appl w/views of the incredible expansive grounds. 4151 square feet + basement & attic. Incredible.
In Escrow
In Escrow
Great 2 + 2 top floor unit just completely renovated. Enjoy a new kitchen with gorgeous Shaker style cabinets, new appliances, new counter tops and newly renovated bathrooms. Spacious living room with high ceilings,balcony, fireplace & new wood floors. Wonderful pool and spa.
972 North Los Robles
For Sale
Just Listed & In Escrow
Wonderful 2+2 Mid Century Post & Beam residence on a picturesque setting. Fabulous open floor plan with lovely views from most rooms. Spacious LR with fireplace, hardwood floors, great outdoor area for entertaining and relaxing. Lovingly updated. 1766 sq ft. Very Special!
2018 Griffith Park Blvd #314
1742 Redcliff Street
For Sale
For Sale
Lovely 3+2 Spanish home north of Los Feliz Blvd w/fabulous guest unit. Gorgeous LR, formal DR, hrdwd flrs updated kitchen, den near kitchen leads to yard w/rm for pool. Central AC. Guest unit with living area, kitchen, bedroom and additional 3/4 ba. 2 car garage. Large Yard.
2270 Silver Lake Boulevard
Dear George and Eileen, We want to extend our gratitude for all you did to help us sell our two properties. Your advice & guidance every step of the way were invaluable. Your knowledge of our area & understanding of recent sales were key to the proper pricing of our properties. But more than that, you are genuinely nice people to work with and to know! The recommendations you gave for people to help us get our home and duplex ready to put on the market were terrific. We are very grateful for all your help & will recommend you to any one we know in that area of LA who is looking for real estate advice. Phyllis and Bill Rideout, 1815 San Jacinto & 1756 Micheltorena
Atwater
$525,000
Built in 1941, this picture perfect duplex offers 2 spacious 1 + 1 units. Each unit offers a sunny LR with beautiful hardwood flrs & a great eat-in kitchen w/Ceasarstone tops, new stoves & laundry areas. Fresh paint inside & out. Nice yard & detached garage. Both units vacant.
1859 Webster Avenue
Silver Lake Hills
$860,000
Wonderful 2+2 Mid Century Post & Beam residence on a picturesque setting. Fabulous open floor plan with lovely views from most rooms. Spacious LR with fireplace, hardwood floors, great outdoor area for entertaining and relaxing. Lovingly updated. 1766 sq ft. Very Special!