Los Feliz Ledger Vol 8. No. 6
Read by 100,000+ Residents and Business Owners in Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Echo Park & Hollywood Hills
20 Now Hope for Garcetti’s Seat
City Proposing Upgrade the Glendale Hyperion Bridge
By Colin Stutz Ledger Contributing Writer
By Dena Betancourt Ledger Contributing Writer ATWATER VILLAGE—The Glendale Hyperion Bridge may soon be looking at an upgrade as the city of Los Angeles along with the State Dept. of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration have proposed to make improvements on the bridge complex. Sam Gennawey, a consultant of the Glendale Hyperion Bridge Improvement Project made the announcement during the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (AVNC) meeting in November. “The Bridge is a beautiful icon for the city of L.A. and it is historic,” said Gennawey. “[But] because it was built so long ago, there are existing safety and operational deficiencies.” Some of the improvements planned would upgrade some see BRIDGE page 7
December 2012
SKATE A FIGURE EIGHT—Ice-skating is back downtown and open daily until Jan. 21, 2013. Admission, $6. Skate rentals $2. Pershing Square, 532 South Olive. For a daily schedule: http://laparks.org/pershingsquare/or call (213) 847-4970.
Twenty candidates are now collecting the required 500 local signatures, by Dec. 5th, they hope will help earn them a spot on the City Council’s District’s 13 primary ballot next March. Richard Eastman, Derek Armand Fuchs and Arash “Asher” Ehsani were the last to enter the race the second week of November. Newcomer Fuchs, at 61, has run for Mayor three times, city council once and senator once. Married with two sons, the musician and inventor has lived in Silver Lake since he age 3. He said he has “invented a black hole in his VCR,” and is also a singer who plays the guitar, piano, bass and Nicaraguan flute. “I care for the public sector itself,” he said. “I care for the broken light bulb that has no socket. I care for the families on see CD 13 page 6
Newly Elected GEPENC Member Indicted, Facing Prison Time
The “Wimpy” Underside Of State Education Funding
By Colin Stutz, Ledger Contributing Writer
Proposition 30s passing in California’s November election have the state’s public education advocates, teachers, principals, parents and students breathing sighs of relief. Gov. Jerry Brown’s initiative combined an increased tax rate for incomes over $250,000 and an added one-fourth-of-apercent to the state sales tax designed to increase the state’s budget for education by about $6 billion a year for the next four years and preventing trigger cuts of that same amount from going into effect. That would have translated to a roughly $255 million midyear cut to the Los Angeles Unified
Less than a month after vices, the 57-year-old Tababeing elected to the Greater funda allegedly filed more Echo Park Elysian Neighborthan 100 phony work visa hood Council petitions on be(GEPENC) as half of immione of five new grants she falsely District 5 repclaimed had resentatives, the been recruited United States for positions Immigration and with prominent Customs Enhospitals and forcement (ICE) non-profit orgahas indicted nizations. Lilia Tabafunda Lilia Tabafunda. ICE’s Homeon immigration Source: Council of Trade and Investland Security ment for Filipino Americans. fraud charges. I nve s t i g at ion s The owner of an employ(HSI) arrested Tabafunda on ment agency called People’s Oct. 15th after she attempted Resources International Sersee PRISON page 10
Open Mike: An Invitation for Mr. O’Grady, page 2
Advertiser Focus: The Fretted Frog, page 4
By Colin Stutz, Ledger Contributing Writer
Theater Review: “In the Red & Brown Water,” page 9
School District (LAUSD) and reduced the public school year by 15 additional days to a total of 160 in a year, the shortest in the country. In promoting the proposition, one figure that was thrown around often was the amount of funding the state’s general fund spends per student. Statewide, that average was $5,245—$5,221 for the LAUSD—$500 less statewide than it was five years ago including a cost of living adjustment. Once considered to be one of the nation’s best public school systems, by some accounts, today California ranks
Real Estate Home Sales: page 11
48th in the country—with about $2,500 less per student than the national average. Had the cuts gone through, approximately another additional $500 would have been cut per student. William Bass, a program and policy development advisor at the LAUSD’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer, said Proposition 30’s passing means, “things are not getting terrible.” But that statewide $5,245 per student is a debatable figure, mostly because of how complicated the state’s stream of finances for education has see EDUCATION page 10
Eastside Eye: Freeways, SoLA losfelizledger.com
Los Feliz Ledger [open mike]
An Invitiation for Mr. O’Grady Regarding “King to Shift magnet schools and the feelby only including the opinions to All-Magnet Campus,” (Noing that kids who attended of one ill-informed parent. vember 2012), I am a teacher the magnets were getting betI am deeply offended by the at King Middle School and ter educations and resources comments that Mr. O’Grady have been teaching English than the students enrolled at has made to the Los Feliz Ledhere since the 2000-2001 the home school. How would ger as well as to the LAUSD school year. I am part of the Mr. O’Grady know this if he Board of Education. teaching staff that works in has never taken an interest in Becoming an all-magnet the “home-school.” what the home-school teachcampus had nothing to do In my time here, I have ers have to offer? Our homewith getting rid of the “bad seen it all: four principals, school teachers do have fewer teachers” as Mr. O’Grady has countless administrators and resources than the two other referred to some of us here. the loss of many The shift was colleagues due done in order to Our home-school teachers do have to budget cuts. provide better opThe changes in fewer resources than the two other portunities to the the last few years students in the magnets on campus, but we have have been dracommunity. matic, but nevI invite Mr. continued to help our school raise ertheless my colO’Grady to my our API scores over the years. leagues and I have classroom to worked hard to see that I, along Isn’t that what good teaching is all provide the same with my “homeabout? Being able to still maintain high level of eduschool” colcation that we alhave a high level of education without all leagues, ways have. been proving the the fancy bells and whistles that In the arquality education ticle, Mr. Stutz that he feels we other programs may have? quotes Tomas haven’t. O’Grady, founder of “Friends of King,” as somemagnets on campus, but we Claudia A. Concebida one who has knowledge on the have continued to help our English Teacher issues that the “home-school” school raise our API scores T.S. King Middle School has faced and why the transiover the years. Isn’t that what tion to an all-magnet would be good teaching is all about? the best for the students here. Being able to still maintain a Story ideas, submissions, What I have not seen in high level of education withadvertising rates & inquiries contact: my time here, is Tomas O’ out all the fancy bells and Allison Cohen Ferraro Grady in my classroom. As a whistles that other programs 4459 Avocado St. matter of fact, I do not believe may have? Los Angeles, CA 90027 he has ever set foot in any of I am offended by the clearPhone: 323-667-9897 the home-school classrooms. ly bias attitude that Mr. Stutz Fax: 323-667-1816 In the article Mr. O’ Grady has displayed in this article. acohen@losfelizledger.com is quoted as saying that he He has portrayed the “homewww. losfelizledger.com noticed a division around the school” teachers as inadequate
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LOS FELIZ Citibank 1965 Hillhurst Avenue Dresden Restaurant 1760 N. Vermont Avenue House of Pies 1869 N. Vermont Louise’s Trattoria 4500 Los Feliz Blvd. Los Feliz Public Library 1874 Hillhurst Avenue Los Feliz 3 Theaters 1822 N. Vermont Newsstand Vermont and Melbourne Palermo 1858 N. Vermont Skylight Books 1818 N. Vermont
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.
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SILVER LAKE Casita del Campo 1920 Hyperion Ave Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce 1724 W. Silver Lake Drive
December 2012
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CHLA Doctor Returns to Haiti Dr. Henri Ford, surgeonin-chief at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, has recently returned to Haiti for a week to perform pediatric surgeries on more than a dozen patients. Dr. Ford is also assisting in the development of a new hospital in his birth country, the recently completed University Hospital Mirebalais, expected to open early next year. “We want to set a course of excellence, reminiscent of a great hospital in the U.S.,” Ford said. Dr. Ford has been visiting Haiti several times a year since the 2010 earthquake to perform surgeries. He has set up clinics and other programs and he works with local surgeons, training them in techniques so they can continue work after he returns to the United States.
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Ride the Holiday Train to See Santa GRIFFITH PARK—The Holiday Train Ride and Visit with Santa will continue Nov. 30th, Dec. 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th and 9th and then nightly Dec. 12th through Dec. 23rd. Children will receive a candy cane and a gift from Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to talk about life at the North Pole. After visiting Santa parents and children can board the “Santa Express” at Travel Town Station for a trip through holiday lights and scenery. First train departs at 5 p.m. The last train runs at 8 p.m. Prices $7 per person. Infants under 18 months, free. Digital photographs with Santa are also available for $5 each. Tickets online at: http://traveltown.pfestore.com/capacity/ titles/Holiday_Train_Ride_ and_Santa_Visit_at_Traveltown.aspx
Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) and Students To Perform “Holiday Spectacular 2012” GLENDALE—The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will kick off its 34th Season at the Alex Theatre Dec.15th and 16th for its annual holiday musical extravaganza, “Holiday Spectacular 2012,” with special guests Creative Planet School of the Arts. The event will be conducted by Artistic Director E. Jason Armstrong, and will feature the voices of the 200-member chorus alongside the students of Creative Planet School of the Arts, a private kindgergarten through 8th grade academic and artsoriented school. Ensembles will perform favorites like selections from the Nutcracker, including “Sugar Plum Fairy” and “Parade of Wooden Soldiers,” as well as “I Wanna Be A Rockette” and “Be A Santa!” Tickets and information for “Holiday Spectacular 2012” range from $15 to $75 and are available online at www.gmcla.org. The Alex Theater is located at 216 N. Brand Blvd.
Home Restaurant Toy Drive Thru Dec. 15th SILVER LAKE—For this holiday season, Home Restaurant is accepting toy donations for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. December 2012
Donations of new unopened toys will be accepted until Dec. 15th. Home Restaurant will also donate 20% of sales www.losfelizledger.com
on December 10th for this cause. Home is located at 2500 Riverside Dr. on the corner of Fletcher Drive.
Advertise in the
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Los Feliz Ledger [focus on the advertiser]
[the good life]
The Fretted Frog: Echo Park’s Indie Guitar Store
Unusual Wines for the Holidays
By Kimberly Gomez, Ledger Columnist
By Tara de Lis, Ledger Columnist
ECHO PARK—When it comes to following his passions, Roland Belloir is all in. He looks back on his 15year finance career with an electronics firm as “not having a real life.” With The Fretted Frog, (he’s French, after all) Belloir decided to back his first love, guitars, and create a shop focusing on brands and gear not found at the monster retailers. It’s hard to compete with the big guys, but The Fretted Frog’s prime Echo Park location, 1200 North Alvarado St. at Sunset Boulevard put it in the swing of Los Angeles’ music scene. Belloir has geared his store to meet the needs of his customers starting with excellent service. “Luthier (someone who makes or repairs string instruments)—it’s like a religious word,” said Colin Warling, who has worked at The Fretted
Frog since it opened in 2010. He laughs when he thinks about the six years of college he attended before finding his true calling. “Luthiers can do repairs but repairmen can’t build guitars.” A passionate musician who lives locally, Warling builds, repairs and customizes guitars on site. A well-tuned team, Belloir’s niche is being a good listener and earning trust. “There are a bunch of people who know more and play better than me, but I put myself in my customer’s shoes and I make sure when they leave the store they don’t regret it,” said Belloir. With friendly service, competent product knowledge and alternative brand guitars and gear lacking in large retail music stores, Belloir has established The Fretted Frog
as L.A.’s go-to indie shop. His merchandizing is informed and extensive from very rare guitars, to banjos, basses, ukeleles, mandolins, and even hard-to-find left-handed instruments. Visiting customers are encouraged to play. “I don’t want people to be intimidated to come here,” said Belloir. “We are setting them up, adjusting for intonation, and working out the details before they go out—that’s the important thing.” For Belloir, The Fretted Frog is an evolution. His shop offers lessons for all levels, repairs, and a place to perform and see performers on an inhouse stage. As business has grown, they’ve brought on more employees right from the neighborhood. “I want to create something I feel good about and ways for people to get together and have fun,” said Belloir. The Fretted Frog 1200 N. Alvarado Street, LA (213) 353-0734.
The holiday season is a time for family gettogethers, office parties and gift giving. Celebrations call for libations, and wine is often the drink of choice at such gatherings. While many people have longtime affinities for certain grape varietals like Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon, there are a lot of lesser-known wines out there for exploration. What better time to experiment than during dinner parties and other holidaythemed events? Bringing a more obscure wine into the fold imparts the opportunity to educate—and to tell a good story. Here’s the scoop on a few misunderstood varietals. Dolcetto, pronounced “dole-chet-toe,” is most commonly found in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. Because the name includes “dolce”—Italian for “sweet”—it is a frequent (and understandable) assumption that it’s a dessert-style wine. Instead, Dolcetto is an approachable table wine, intended to be consumed young. As such, the
price point tends to be attractive as well. These days, Carménère (“car-men-air”) is most commonly associated with Chile, where it has thrived for more than a century. Its origins, however, are from France. Considered a “lost” Bordeaux varietal, for many years the grape was mistaken for Merlot. Like its distant cousin, it’s soft and supple, but spicier and earthier. The name Petite Sirah is a complete misnomer. Most folks have heard of Syrah, or even Shiraz, which is the preferred term for the grape in Australia. The natural assumption is that Petite Sirah is a lighter version of Syrah. Quite the opposite is true. Petite Sirah is heavier and “inkier” (deeper in color and character) than “regular” Syrah. To impress those past the beginner stage of oenology, drop the Durif bomb—Durif being a French varietal for which Petite Sirah is often one and the same. Tara de Lis is a freelance writer who lives in Hollywood.
St. Mary’s To Reopen Following Departure of Father Kelly By Norma Zager, Ledger Contributing Writer LOS FELIZ—St. Mary of the Angels Church on Finley Avenue will reopen and resume activities in December after Father Kelley vacated his quarters on the property October 30th. Kelley was stripped of his Anglican priesthood by the Anglican Church of America (ACA) according to vestry member Marilyn Bush. According to Canon Tony Morello, a separate Ecclesiastical inquiry October 11th, found
Kelley guilty of all charges, including violations of the constitutions and canons of the church and his vows. Kelley was ordered to leave the church premises by midnight October 31st by L.A. Superior Court Judge Michael P. Linfield, or face eviction. “The church can now resume its normal activities and reopen to its parishioners,” Bush said. The church is currently seeking a new permanent priest.
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December 2012
Los Feliz Ledger [a dog’s life]
Holiday Shopping Guide for Our Four-Legged Friends By Jennifer Clark, Ledger Contributing Writer Time to pamper our pooches with a few gifts. For the active dog, the Varsity Ball ($39.99) made by Varsity Pets is guaranteed to be 110% indestructible. Should your dog outwit the ball and tear it apart, they’ll not only replace, but also refund you 10% of the price. If you’re going to the snow, your dog will love a pair of Pawz, slip-on rubber booties that protect their feet pads. ($16-$19) The Dog Meat Set ($8-
$14) from Pet Projekt offers chew toys for dogs that look like a T-bone steak, mackerel and turkey legs. The squeak toys are BPA-free, phthalatefree and nontoxic. Want your dog to let you know that she has to tinkle? Hang some Poochie Bells on your door handle and teach her to jingle them when the feeling moves her. ($17) If you’re looking to splurge, Pet Lounge Studios offers a Bambu Pet Hammock ($170) that is both comfy and stylish. The bed includes a layer guaranteed to keep urine out. Happy Holidays!
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December 2012
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also commonly referred to as the Hillside Mansionization Ordinance. It was signed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in By Colin Stutz, Ledger Contributing Writer April 2011 and went into efTime’s up for developers and other relatively strict regufect May 9th, 2011. looking to build mega-manlations. As mandated by the city sions in Los Angeles’ hills. “We put this ordinance municipal code’s Vested DeAn 18-month developin place to protect our fragile velopment Plan provision, ment window ended Nov. hillsides,” said Councilmemdevelopers were granted 18 9th for anyone who months to move forLaBonge originally introduced had submitted plans ward with plans subto construct what mitted before the the motion to create this many saw as obtruBHO went into effect. sive eye-soars along ordinance in 2006, also commonly By the Nov. 9 date, all the city’s canyon such hillside mansion referred to as the Hillside ridges prior to the developments must Mansionization Ordinance. implementation of have been in the Plan the Baseline Hillside Check phase should Ordinance (BHO) last year. ber Tom LaBonge of the 4th they wish for construction to From now on, new singleDistrict in a press release. move forward any further. family hillside buildings will “And today we can finally shut The BHO was originally only be permitted if they comthe door. The buck stops here.” enacted to protect neighborply with the BHO’s various LaBonge originally inhoods from constructions too setback requirements, maxitroduced the motion to crelarge for the lots on which mum floor areas, height limits ate this ordinance in 2006, they were situated.
Mega Mansions: LaBonge Says, “The Buck Stops Here”
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Los Feliz Ledger CD 13 from page 1
Skid Row that have no place to sleep and not even a lousy meal. And, more than care, I think I know of ways to construct a better society for us.” Eastman was recently collecting signatures outside a Starbucks in Hollywood speaking with stakeholders as they passed by. So far he has collected about 50 signatures and was optimistic. Eastman, 59, moved to Los Angeles in 1976, to pursing working in Hollywood costuming which he later fulfilled a decade later with a job at the famed Western Costume Company. In 1994 he was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS with a dangerously low count of 22 T Cells and was given six months to live. He began taking protease inhibitors, also known as
the “magic cocktail.” During this time, he said, he worked to open Los Angeles’ first medical marijuana dispensary in West Hollywood. The protease inhibitors were successful and Eastman became a spokesperson for the drugs. Today, Eastman’s most recent T Cell count is at the same level as someone without HIV/AIDS. Eastman became a national activist for people with AIDS and for medical marijuana, petitioning to decriminalize the drug. Since, he has served on the HIV Commission for the county of Los Angeles for four years as the Homeless Task Force Commissioner, and in 2002 lost a campaign for City Council, advocating for Hollywood succession. Eastman said, if elected
to CD13, he will donate the majority of the seat’s roughly $179,000 annual salary to feeding the homeless. “One councilman cannot change the world, but one man named Richard Eastman has already helped change the world with fighting for a plant that saved my life and saves peoples’ lives daily,” he said. At 28, Ehsani is the youngest candidate running as is currently the Marketing Director at Starline Tours. The son of Iranian immigrants, Ehsani said he relates to the 60% of the district’s residents who are foreign born. If elected he said he hopes to focus on the local economy by creating a positive environment for businesses and encouraging tourism, film production and innovation in local community colleges.
[star gazing]
December 2012 By Anthony Cook, Griffith Observatory The Geminid meteor shower provides watchers a good show on Dec. 12th and 13th. The annual display is in a moon-free sky this year, and produce one or two meteors per hour from the constellation Gemini the Twins between midnight and 4 a.m. Because many Geminids are bright, they can be enjoyed even from suburban locations. Jupiter is bright and visible in the east-northeast during evening twilight, and is only a little south of directly overhead by 11:00 p.m. at mid-month. During the morning, the planet moves to the west, and sets in the west-northwest at dawn. Jupiter is opposite the sun
and closest to us, 378 million miles away, on Dec. 2nd. The planet’s cloud belts are visible with a telescope, and its four largest moons can be spotted with binoculars. Dwarf planet Ceres and asteroid Vesta are located close to Jupiter and are bright enough to spot through binoculars. The brightest planet, Venus, appears low in the east at dawn. Saturn appears to the upper right of Venus. A telescope will reveal Saturn’s spectacular ring system. The winter solstice, takes place at 3:12 a.m., P.S.T. on the 21st. It is the shortest day in Los Angeles with only 9 hours and 53 minutes of sunshine.
Los Feliz Ledger Online Look for these additional stories only at losfelizledger.com •
Politics: Reports from Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge, California State Assemblymember Mike Gatto, and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff
•
Calendar: Out and About in December
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Eastside Eye: SoLA (So LA and Sisters of LA) – Locals create original design items
Results of Last Month’s Two Polls: Regarding if Neighborhood Council bylaws should be changed so candidates could not be able to offer incentives (food, clothing, medical marijuana discounts) for votes: 85% said yes / 15% said no Regarding if Thomas Starr King Middle School should become an All-Magnet School: 68% approved of the change / 32% were against it This month’s poll: Do you ever read your news media on either a smartphone or tablet? • •
Yes, I do. No, I rarely use such devices to consume my media.
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December 2012
Los Feliz Ledger BRIDGE from page 1
bridge elements to meet seismic performance standards. The Project Manager of the city Bridge Improvement Division Wenn Chyn said safety improvements are a must. “The bridge is actually close to the Santa Monica Thrust Fault so the bridge may not be able to sustain itself during seismic activity and [would] cause catastrophic damage,” said Chyn.
December 2012
The new bridge design would have the center median barrier separate the northbound and southbound traffic, combine the two existing sidewalks into a single sidewalk on the west side of the bridge, and realign traffic lanes on the bridge. The city is also looking at changing the I-5 north off-ramp that allows traffic to turn into a one-way street on Glendale Boulevard. The off-ramp would be moved to
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connect to South Glendale Boulevard and allow traffic to turn left and right. The change would then provide space to build an access ramp to the bike path along the Los Angeles River. “The city must conduct an environmental assessment (EA) that details the potential impacts involved in addressing these issues,” said Gennawey, the consultant. An EA is done when the impact of a transportation
project proposal is uncertain. “The EA will be released within the next couple of months for public review,” said Gennawey. “We expect to hold a community meeting in early Winter 2013 to explain the project in greater detail.” The project is estimated $50 million. “Approximately 80% [of
funding] will come from a federal grant from the Federal Highway Administration and the rest from the City of Los Angeles’s matching fund and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation of Authority (MTA),” said Chyn. Construction is expected to take place in the spring of 2016 and end in late 2019.
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Los Feliz Ledger
Micheltorena Art Wall Continues Despite Vandalism By Colin Stutz, Ledger Contributing Writer SILVER LAKE—Outside a craftsman style house, strings of brightly colored construction paper paintings and drawings are hung to line the front lawn creating a make-shift art gallery, open for the public enjoyment and contribution. North of Micheltorena Elementary School on Micheltorena St. and Berkeley Ave., it’s mostly children’s work that’s on display dangling by wooden clothespins. But Meg and Carl Nordstrom who moved into the house in 2009, assures their so-called “Micheltorena Art Wall” is for everyone. “Kids get excited and they bring their parents over, they come and just draw,” said Carl Nordstrom, a 31-year-old physician.
the Nordstroms got what they deserved. There were accusations of it being a cutesy hipster project, a part of the
They started the art wall as a way to meet and engage with neighbors. Each night Meg Nordstrom packs up the gallery and brings it inside. Today she’s a little more protective of the art than she once was—after the art was removed and the art materials were stolen a couple of months ago and replaced with pornography covered with gang tattoos. The Nordstroms however revamped, stocking up on new material and slowly rebuilding the collection, piece by piece. The incident and restoration was documented on the Eastsider LA blog, raising people’s awareness. Many of the comments posted on the blog suggested
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belongs is a gallery, not on the street. Or, if you put stuff out there, you should be willing to see it vandalized.
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December 2012
Los Feliz Ledger [theater review]
“In the Red and Brown Water” By Marilyn Tower Oliver, Ledger Theater Critic “In the Red and Brown Water,” currently onstage at the Fountain Theatre, is a interesting production which infuses African mythology and Southern sensibilities with music, color, dance and dra- Diarra Kilpatrick and Gilbert Glenn Brown. Photo by Ed Krieger. ma. Written by upcoming opportunity to leave has dried playwright Tarell Alvin Mcup, and she is faced with life in Craney, this play is the first in the gritty Louisiana housing his “The Brother/Sister Plays” project. which received critical acclaim She is courted by two when they opened off-Broadmen, the steady Ogun, way in 2009. smoothly portrayed by Dorian The play draws heavily Christian Baucum; and the on African/Yoruba mytholsexy but less trustworthy ogy but is set in a gritty housShang, played by Gilbert ing project in the imaginary Glenn Brown. She is torn bebayou town of San Pere, Louitween the safe love offered by siana. It is partly a coming of Ogun and Chango’s dangerage story about a young girl ous passion. A brother figure, on the threshold of emerging the somewhat simple Elegba womanhood and partly a story portrayed by Theodore Perof lost opportunities and disilkins, is the third man in her lusionment. In many ways it is life. She also receives at times a tragedy, but that doesn’t rob unhelpful advice from her it of a rich multicultural digodmother, Aunt Elegua, mension. played by Iona Morris. When The playwright draws faced by an unforeseen event, upon Yoruba (African) myOya’s decision is shocking, thology and the tragedy “Yerand the play ends on a note ma” by Garcia Lorca, a story that for me was not quite satisof a woman’s failure to profying. duce a child, but the result is Director Shirley Jo Finney an original poetic story of loss deftly keeps the action movand fractured love. ing as the story evolves. Diarra The central character is Kilpatrtick’s portrayal of the Oya, a beautiful young womyoung Oya, however, is the an whose talent at running most stunning part of the perbrings her the opportunity to formance. The show is often leave the projects for college. sold out. Reservations a must. Not wanting to leave Mama Mojo, her ailing moth“In the Red and Brown er, effectively portrayed by Water,” through Dec. 16th, Peggy A. Blow, she decides Fountain Theatre, 5080 to postpone the offer to go to Fountain Ave. $20-$30 college. After her mother dies, at 323-663-1525 or www. she tries to pick up her life, but FountainTheatre.com.
Happy Holidays
* **
10% off Annual Holiday Sale! Monday, December 17 to Saturday, December 22 10 % Off All Packages!
One discount per customer, limited time offer, not to be combined with any other special offers. Excludes Membership.
323.906.0088 www.pilatesmetro.com 3178 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90039
from the LA Breakfast Club Join us Wednesdays at 7 – 9 am Upcoming speakers and programs... Dec. 5: Stacey Taylor, Development Director, Gary Sinise Foundation - “Serving Our Nation by Honoring Our Defenders,Veterans, First Responders, Their Families and Those in Need” Dec. 12: YMCA of Glendale Dec. 19: Saul Jacobs & Bob Lipson, USC Emeriti College - “Women Who Wrote the Songs We Love The Golden Age of American Popular Music” Due to the holiday season we will not be hosting events on Dec. 26th and Jan. 2nd.
Friendship Auditorium 3201 Riverside Drive (1/4 mi. so. of Los Feliz Bl.)
For upcoming programs, see... www.LABreakfastClub.com
Advertise in the Los
or call (323) 662-1191 December 2012
www.losfelizledger.com
Feliz Ledger (323) 667-9897 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Page 9
Los Feliz Ledger EDUCATION from page 1
become with about 150 revenue sources trickling into this larger pot, said Bass. In November, Gov. Brown reportedly began working a new proposal for a “weighted student funding formula” that would collapse the revenue streams to about 20, making them more understandable and manageable. “California has one of most labyrinthine school finance systems in the country,” Bass said. “It’s a complex layer upon layer upon layer.” Where the money comes from and how it gets to students are not easily answered questions. It starts with the 1978 initiative of California Proposition 13 limiting property taxation. So, unlike most states that rely on property taxes, California’s system is funded mostly by income and sales tax, which are highly volatile in economic downturns, making it difficult to accurately plan ahead. The state lottery and government bonds contribute too, but many of those revenue sources are saddled by mandates that designate them for a specific use, such as special education, transportation or cafeterias. To complicate matters, state and federal mandates for such programs will often come with unrealistic expectations. Special education is one such example, said Bass, for which requirements must be set “blind to cost”—meaning budgetary constraints cannot factor into operating decisions—but are in turn partially paid for by every other student in the system. “This makes it incredibly difficult to try to explain to Mom and Dad why the district can’t hire another teacher or have to fire another teacher… or anything,” he said. “No one would sit down today and say let’s design this system.” In 1988, in response to Proposition 13, voters passed Proposition 98, which requires a minimum percentage of the state budget to be spent on kindergarten through 12th grade education. But this money often doesn’t make it to schools entirely, or at least on time. “Legislators, unfortunately, monkey with this formula to never fully fund it,” said Bass. According to Bass, Sacramento will often manipulate the minimum funding by loading a “deficit factor” into the education budget formula that acts essentially as an I.O.U. when it cannot afford the entire budget. Bass likened this to the character Wimpy from the Popeye comics. “’I’ll gladly pay you TuesPage 10
day for a hamburger today,’” more difficult because of the he said. Meanwhile the govway resources are allocated ernment’s mandates on classrather than dollar amounts. room and program requireFor instance, this year’s ments continue without cash LAUSD budget prescribes funding, forcing school disone teacher per 24 students tricts into short-term money in kindergarten and grades borrowing that accrues inter1 through 3; a 1:39 ratio for est the state will not pay. grades 4 through 6; and 1:42.5 Since the mid-1990s’, for middle and high school Bass said there have only been classes. Similar formulas are five years where there was no applied to assistant principals, deficit factor in the state edunurses and clerical positions. cation-funding budget. This This methodology, acyear, the deficit factor is more cording to Bass, is blind to than 22% of the budget. Had seniority, which is the basis of Proposition 30 not passed, teacher layoffs. that would have risen to about “There are going to be 28%. disproportional impacts on “The accrued debts the [schools] that have less sestate owes education is around nior authority,” he said. Even $10 billion,” said Bass. “It will though the allotted resources take years to pay this off.” are supposed to be equal, the Tracking state funds actual dollars traveling to a into the LAUSD’s $6.78 bilschool with a more senior staff lion operating budget and its will almost certainly be greater more than 1,200 schools and than one without. 650,000 138120_POC_LosFelizLedger_B.pdf students is furtherProposition 30’s 1 After 10/22/12 5:57 PM
passing, LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy restored the school year and rescinded employee’s unpaid furlough days. It’s had a clearly positive influence, said Bass, but it’s done nothing to help Californian’s understanding of the state’s public education budget. “Its 25 years of legislation stacked on legislation stacked on legislation,” Bass said. “It’s a disservice to kids and to our stakeholders because it’s nearly impossible to explain, and funding for kids is something people need to understand. Public education is the silver bullet. [With it] you create the opportunity to prevent so many issues.” With Proposition 30, the state’s headed in the right direction again, Bass continued, “but it would be so great if it were easier to explain and talk about.”
PRISON from page 1
to board a cruise ship to Mexico, despite special agents’ prior instructions not to leave the country. The following day, she made her initial court appearance and was released on a $50,000 bond. On Nov. 1st she was named in a 10-count indictment by a federal grand jury for nine counts of visa fraud and one count of perjury. Two of the charges are related to Tabafunda’s own naturalization application, alleging fraud and false statements. On Nov. 13th she was arraigned in U.S. District Court. Attempts to reach Tabafunda were unsuccessful. According to the GEPENC’s new president, Ari Bessendorf, Tabafunda was at the GEPENC’s first meeting with its new governing board on Oct. 23rd. Bessendorf said see PRISON page 23
HERE, LIFE LESSONS COUNT TOO.
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www.losfelizledger.com
December 2012
Los Feliz Ledger
[real estate]
[ SELECT HOME SALES ] 90026 Single Family Homes 3611 2463 1622 3012 1619 3040 1515 1108 1343 1416 1880 1240 .
Ellsworth St........................$775,000 Echo Park Ave..................... 750,000 Sargent Ct............................ 726,000 Effie St................................... 620,500 Champlain Ter.................... 562,000 Berkeley Ave........................ 560,000 Allesandro St...................... 535,000 Westerly Ter........................ 530,000 N Alvarado St...................... 440,000 N Occidental Blvd............. 414,000 Morton Ave.......................... 238,000 Lilac Pl.................................... 165,000
90027 Condominiums 4353 Clayton Ave 1.....................$519,000 4455 Los Feliz Blvd 405.............. 359,000 4455 Los Feliz Blvd 206.............. 345,000 .
Median Home Sales Rise in So Cal And Locally By Allison Ferraro Southern California home sales rose sharply in October as buyers joined investors, shifting the mix of homes selling up a notch as foreclosure resales hit a five-year low, according to DataQuick, a real estate research firm out of La Jolla, CA. The median price paid for a home rose nearly 17% from a year earlier, a real estate information service reported. Last month’s sales were the highest for the month of October
rored this trend. Median prices in the Echo Park area (90026) rose 16% in October—to $533,000—compared to the same time last year. Los Feliz saw similar gains. In October 20 homes were reported sold, at a median price of $894,000—up 11.8% from a year ago. Silver Lake median prices were also higher, 8.4%. In October the median price for a home was $565,000.
Home prices in October in the Hollywood Hills (90068) were also higher, 11.9% compared to last year, for a median price of $865,000. Median prices for condominimums locally, however, were mixed. Median prices for condos rose in Los Feliz and the Hollywood Hills, 10.5% and 8.6% respectively. Silver Lake condos, however, saw a decline in price of 10.5%.
tracy do
90027 Single Family Homes 3118 3327 4635 5110 5272 3896 2330 4421 5211 4144 3516 3925 1326 4156 .
2009, though they were 11.1% below October 1988. The rise in prices, according to DataQuick was due to higher demand, triggered by ultra-low mortgage rates compared to a lower supply of homes on the market. Additionally, foreclosures were a smaller share of sales, while move-up homes are a larger share, raising the median price. Locally, the median price for a single-family home mir-
Waverly Dr...................... $1,494,000 Tica Dr................................. 1,475,000 Gainsborough Ave......... 1,449,000 Los Feliz Blvd................... 1,325,000 Los Encantos Way......... 1,200,000 Clayton Ave...................... 1,160,000 Inverness Ave..................... 920,000 Finley Ave............................. 895,000 Franklin Ave........................ 894,000 Tracy St.................................. 875,000 Griffith Park Blvd.............. 800,000 De Longpre Ave.................. 707,000 N Hoover St......................... 700,000 Prospect Ave....................... 620,000
John A a roe G roup www.tracydo.com • (323) 842-4001 • dre # 01350025
90039 Single Family Homes 2042 2700 2004 2050 2607 1902 1905 3414 3318 2007 3428 2854 3735 3319 2215 .
Balmer Dr........................ $1,295,000 Newell St........................... 1,206,818 Redesdale Ave................. 1,130,000 Meadow Valley Ter........... 955,000 Rokeby St............................. 900,000 Walcott Way........................ 650,000 Cedar Lodge Ter................. 640,000 Ferncroft Rd........................ 625,000 Glenhurst Ave..................... 615,000 Lake Shore Ave................... 549,000 Gardenside Ln.................... 490,000 Marsh St................................ 431,000 Glenfeliz Blvd..................... 425,000 Glenhurst Ave..................... 400,000 Oak Glen Pl.......................... 270,000
90068 Condominiums 2222 2700 2700 3480 3480 .
N Beachwood Dr 315......$542,000 Cahuenga Blvd E 1402..... 341,500 Cahuenga Blvd E 4001..... 292,500 Barham Blvd 117............... 275,000 Barham Blvd 308............... 235,000
90068 Single Family Homes 1941 2668 2356 2518 2377 3100 6249 6335 2246 3266 2030 3006 3424 3545 2376 6636 3122 3141 2236 7290 3137 6929 3589 2735 3419 2667 3076
Outpost Cir..................... $2,650,000 Larmar Rd.......................... 2,075,000 Hollyridge Dr................... 2,050,000 Canyon Dr......................... 1,285,000 Castilian Dr....................... 1,229,000 Arrowhead Dr.................. 1,192,000 Primrose Ave.................... 1,164,000 Tahoe Dr............................. 1,150,000 Chelan Pl............................... 990,000 Craig Dr................................. 960,000 Vine St.................................... 949,000 Vista Crest Dr...................... 939,000 Troy Dr................................... 930,000 Multiview Dr....................... 890,000 Canyon Dr............................ 880,000 Emmet Ter............................ 870,000 Barbara Ct............................ 865,000 Hollyridge Dr...................... 830,000 Canyon Ter........................... 812,500 Packwood Trl...................... 736,000 Lindo St................................. 732,000 Treasure Trl.......................... 730,000 Multiview Dr....................... 726,000 Hollyridge Dr...................... 698,000 Wonder View Dr................ 675,000 N Beachwood Dr............... 600,000 Durand Dr............................ 450,000
Sales are from the previous month. Source: Great American Real Estate Solutions
December 2012
You expect and deserve a high level of service. That’s what I provide. SOLD IN 2012 3852 Bostwick Street
1801 Bellevue Avenue
5060 Coringa Avenue 807 Maltman Avenue
285 Palisade Street
3802 Division Street
4774 College View Avenue
1673 Hill Drive
952 El Paso Drive
3229 Descanso Drive
517 N. Campbell Avenue
5117 Mount Royal Drive
1124 E. Chestnut St., Unit 42 1310 N. Hoover Street
2290 Silver Ridge Avenue
3108 Bellevue Avenue
1129 N. Screenland Drive 3611 Ellsworth Street
1203 Del Rey Avenue
1428 Mt. Pleasant Street 5341 Hilltop Road
4506 & 4510 Alumni Avenue 2662 Lake View Avenue
1843 Stearns Drive
538 E Cypress Street
2308 Loy Lane
4980 Glen Iris Avenue
1930 Mayview Drive
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! I LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH YOU IN 2013! www.losfelizledger.com
Su Casa REAL ESTATE Page 11
Los Feliz Ledger [keen to be green]
KAREN LOWER
COLDWELL BANKER BEVERLY HILLS - NORTH www.karenlower.net
WISHING YOU AND YOURS A
BRIGHT
& JOYFUL
2013 Happy New Year! Looking for a home with a view?
Gifts from Strangers By Meher McArthur, Ledger Columnist We spend this time of year buying gifts for friends, colleagues and loved ones. But, other than our favorite charities, we are much less likely to give to strangers. I recently started using Freecycle, an online notice board for people who need things or have things they no longer need, and have found it a great way to give; it’s not only helpful but very eco-satisfying. The Freecycle Network (www.freecycle.org) was founded in Tuscon, Arizona in 2003 to reduce landfill waste. Today, over 9 million people in 85 countries use it to post notices when they need a couch, a lamp, or baby clothes, or want to give away books, beads, or—like me—smokedamaged appliances. After our recent house fire, our insurance company decid-
ed to replace our smoke-damaged appliances rather than clean them. They planned to throw out our TV, fridge, microwave, stove and other items, so I asked if I could give them away. They agreed, so I advertised them on Freecycle, and received multiple responses from people who needed them—students, recent arrivals to Los Angeles and unemployed families. I was delighted that the items would get a helpful second life, rather than become trash. Later, when I needed an iPod recharger, I posted a “wanted” notice, and received one from a woman in Hollywood. I was touched when she said she’d received so many items from strangers that she wanted to give back. How refreshing that a website can inspire such generosity and reduce waste—now that’s a great gift.
Tree Lighting Ceremony Seeks Sponsorships ATWATER VILLAGE—The annual lighting of the Christmas tree on Glendale Boulevard is set for Dec. 6th at 6 p.m. Current sponsors for the event are: Patricia Aleman, State Farm Insurance (Platinum Donor); Caravella Propertieis (Gold Donor); Jill’s Paint, Luis Lopez Automotive, Shoots and Giggles Photography, Heartbeat House (Silver donors) and Hugo’s Tacos, Via Romi Salon (Bronze donors).
Sponsorships start $25$99 (Bronze); Silver ($100$199), Gold ($200-$499) and Platinum ($500 and up). Sponsors are included in the event program and receive recognition during the ceremony. In addition, sponsors receive donor plaques for their storefront and shout-outs thru the Chamber’s website and Facebook page. For information: www.atwaterchamber.org
JUST LISTED LOS FELIZ $1,549,000
www.1839Maltman.com Stunning 3bd/2ba contemporary home features city wide views with Hollywood sign and the Observatory. Special features includes a home recording studio and gorgeous Master suite. Also available for Lease @ $6000/month.
We specialize in salvaged antique home elements such as doors, windows, hardware, and lighting along with the world’s largest selection of antique tile and pottery.
REDUCED! LOS FELIZ $999,000
www.1924Myra.com Beautfiul 3bd/2ba Los Feliz Franklin Hills Traditional offers views of the beloved Shakespeare Bridge and San Gabriel Mountains.
Page 12 Su Casa REAL ESTATE
2110 W Sunset Blvd • 11 - 5:30 Tue - Sat Corner of Alvarado and Sunset Please Remember and REUSE!
Wells 213) 413-0558 • Eric’s 213) 413-6800
Happy Holidays! www.losfelizledger.com
December 2012
Local Experts Worldwide
Inviting. Discreet. Savvy. Refined. SOLD
NEW LISTING
4705 LOS FELIZ BLVD: Los Feliz. Stunning gated grandscale 2 story spanish colonial villa with 6 bedrooms and 7.5 bath built in 2005 offering approx 9,633 sq.ft. $2,950,000 Manvel Tabakian | Nadia deWinter 323.376.2222 NEW LISTING
SOLD
WWW.NEUTRATRIPLEX.COM: Neutra Modernist Triplex in the heart of Beachwood Canyon w/ units by Richard Neutra and Paul Hoag. 3 distinct units. Shown by appointment. $1,200,000 Patricia Ruben | Rob Kallick 323.671.2310 IN ESCROW
1932 TALMADGE ST : Los Feliz. Traditional 3bd/3.5ba with gleaming hardwood floors, lg family room, w/ fireplace and French doors opening to patio and master suite w/fireplace. In Franklin school district. $1,049,000 Dan Ortega 323.839.3936 SOLD
1929 N OXFORD AVE: Los Feliz. Traditional 3bd/1ba, large studio in the back can be used as an office with pretty setting, detached 2 car garage. Perfect fixer. $979,000 Manvel Tabakian | Nadia de Winter 323.376.2222
2236 CANYON TER: Los Feliz. This recently renovated, 1bd/1ba home is an entertainer’s dream with 3 patios that climb the hillside affording canyon views. $858,000 Jeff Young 213.819.9630 IN ESCROW
IN ESCROW
2980 WAVERLY DR : Silver Lake. Storybook Tudor ext. w/ traditional int. Spacious 3 bd + Two 3/4bas home, ready to be updated. Right near everything & Ivanhoe Elem. $729,000 Joseph Lightfoot 213.700.4438 SOLD
4222 PALMERO DR: Glassell Park. Perfect mid-century with warmth, style & million-dollar views. Modern upgrades & an elegantly functional floor plan. Not to be missed. $699,000 Joseph Lightfoot 213.700.4438 NEW LISTING
4353 CLAYTON AVE #1: Los Feliz. 2bd/2ba town home, w/sweeping vus of Franklin Hills.Oak hdwd flrs thru-out in an open floor plan, 4-unit building. 2- car garage. $519,000 Dan Ortega 323.839.3936
For Schools
2694 GLENDOWER AVE: Los Feliz. Stunning views of downtown, expansive views of Griffith Park hills to the ocean. 3 bd, 3.5 ba, den, 2 fpl 2 story home w/huge lofty master suite. On top of the world. $2,280,000 Rosemary Low 323.363.0381
1140 MANZANITA ST: Silver Lake. Super-cute remodeled cottage, hardwood, original details, great condo alternative wtih privacy and style. $399,000 Joseph Lightfoot 213.700.4438
NEW LISTING
2235 MORENO DR: Silver Lake. Gorgeous 3 bedrooms + 3 baths with great room remodel in Moreno Highlands. Lake views from deck. $1,249,500 Gail Crosby 323.428.2864 NEW LISTING
2623 CORRALITAS DRIVE: Silver Lake. Artistic Architectural. 3bd/2.5ba, 16ft ceilings, FPL in living room, formal din rm, media rm+2 large terr.,spectacular views. Approx 2,600 sq.ft. $989,000 Rosemary Low 323.363.0381 SOLD
3611 LAVELL DRIVE: Glassell Park. Contemporary home with 3bd/2.5ba, an open floor plan, 15’ ceilings, and a roof top deck with 120 degree views. Near hiking trails. $765,000 Jeffrey Young | Niko Deleon 213.819.9630 NEW LISTING
3000 POPLAR BLVD: Alhambra. Fully restored Tudor combines 1920s character with beautiful modern living. This 3 bedrooms and 2 baths turnkey stunner is situated on a promontory lot. $619,000 Joey Kiralla | Michelle Stclair 323.702.7001 NEW LISTING
3716 ACKERMAN DR : Glassell Park. This cozy 2 bedroom, 2 bath home boasts new floors, bathrooms, kitchen, central heat/air and fresh front and back yard spaces. $344,900 Mahealani Dominguez 562.544.0341
We are proudly supporting our local schools. Our organization and agents are currently supporting various initiatives at our local learning institutions on an ongoing donation program from closed transactions. To date we have raised over $8,500.
LOS FELIZ BROKERAGE I 1801 NORTH HILLHURST AVENUE T 323.665.1700 I SOTHEBYSHOMES.COM/LOSANGELES
Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark.Summer in Devon 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.*TheYellow House used with permission
Los Feliz Ledger [interior motives]
Downsizing By Susann Thomason Tunick Ledger Contributing Writer My husband and I recently decided to downsize to a smaller home. It is exciting and financially smart. For several years we tossed around the idea of having less maintenance and more time. We looked forward to the day when we would have more money for exotic travel and to see far-flung family and friends. What I didn’t expect to encounter was how difficult it would be to purge a family home. What should be done with the heirlooms? What should be done with the piano no one plays, the five sets of dishes, the travel souvenirs that have lived quietly in the hall close and the antique chairs? Everything has such meaning but is no longer needed. Since we want to move forward, our
new mantra is: less is more. So what do we do with all of these treasures? After deciding what is moving with us, I set out to repurpose and redesign our favorite pieces. The dining room Biedermeier buffet we found in London is our new walk up bar. The Paul Frankel server will house our AV equipment. The low chest of drawers will get lots of use as a bathroom vanity. My treasured Milo Baughman desk will be perfect as a sofa table in our new living room. The large round dining table with two leaves has served us well over the years, but our new dining space is small. Off comes the top that I’ll replace with a smaller one for the mid-century table base I still love. (I’ll store the old one, just in case!) Books have gone to the
public library and warm blankets, comforters, sweaters, coats, furniture and small appliances to the homeless. The Rescue Mission will pick up items in good condition from your home. Donations, estimated at a fair value, are tax deductible. For information: w w w.ere sc uem i s sion.org. Good clothing and furniture can be given to “Out of the Closet,” www.outofthecloset. org with donations going to Aids research. Don’t haul off the old mattresses to the dump to become landfill. Reach out to Freecycle.org or Craigslist. org and donate to the needy. Sadly, our new home is out of the Los Feliz area so this will be my last column. It has been an honor to be a contributor to the Ledger, but, leaving Los Feliz is the most difficult purge of all.
CONTEMPORARY HILLSIDE VILLA
4140 PARVA AVENUE
LOS FELIZ
$2,388,000
From the street, a modest Mediterranean exterior gives no clue to the sprawling multi-level Contemporary that lurks within. The top-level is an entertainers dream: Living, Dining, Great Room and Kitchen are laid out in a circular flow with 9’-14’ ceilings and jetliner views. 5 bedrooms and 2 bonus rooms occupy the 2 lower floors. The lush backyard features cascading waterfalls, pond and a flat grassy pad. Close to the Village and Griffith Park, this wonderful home can fulfill numerous lifestyle needs:
Susann can be reached at Susann@thomasontunick.com or Facebook Thomason Tunick.
• 5Bd/4.5Ba; 3X En Suite; Approx. 4,986 Sq. Ft. (per Appraiser) • Cooks kitchen with S/S Wolf, Sub-Zero, Miele & Bosch appliances • 150-bottle Sub-Zero wine cooler in Kitchen • Living Room w/14’ Trussed ceiling & fireplace
Ivanhoe Parents Concerned By DWP Construction
• 2x Bonus Rooms suitable for office, studio, media room, gym or ??? • Approx. 1,150 sq ft of decking overlooking City Light views
By Colin Stutz, Ledger Contributing Writer SILVER LAKE—Parents at Ivanhoe Elementary School are concerned that Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power Construction, now near the school, is causing respiratory and other ailments for local students. “They made the school a construction site,” said Jennie Chamberlain whose son and daughter attend Ivanhoe. The school’s bungalow-style classrooms she estimates are about 30 feet from Rowena Avenue where the new worksite is located. Chamberlain now heads a coalition of parents voicing their concern. Both her children had pre-existing respira-
tory conditions that she said have worsened with the construction. Black soot washes out of their noses when they flush them with water, Chamberlain said. As a result, some parents have removed their children from Ivanhoe temporarily; others are considering doing the same. “I think the real telling thing is that in [the LADWP’s] own impact report they say that any sensitive receptors—old persons, children, people with preexisting heart condition—there will be a significant impact on them within 100 meters of the site,” Chamberlain said.
• Fireplaces in Living Room & Great Room
The project’s environmental impact report states that even with mitigation measures to reduce the impact to sensitive receptors such as hospitals, schools, daycare facilities, elderly housing and convalescent facilities, “impacts would still be considered significant.” The LADWP, however, denies the construction is harmful. “The project should have no adverse impacts on any children’s health in the area,” said LADWP Communications Director Joe Ramallo, because of extra mitigation efforts that are being made. For a longer version of this story visit losfelizledger.com
• Wide plank Walnut floors throughout Public Rooms • Spacious 2-car Pebble-Tec garage w/workbench & full attic loft • Wired for sound: Kitchen, Dining, Great Room, & Top-Level Deck • Abundant storage space • Franklin/Glenfeliz Blvd Elementary
M I C H A E L
T U N I C K REAL ESTATE. REAL SERVICE. REAL RESULTS.
• 36 years sales + marketing experience • Top 2% of 54,000 Prudential agents nationwide • 21-year Los Feliz resident • Former boardmember Los Feliz Improvement Assoc.
323.646.3893 www.michaeltunick.com An independently owned and operated member of BRER Affiliates Inc. DRE #01321406.
Do you own your income property or does it OWN YOU? Clint Can Help! • Rent collections • 24/7 maintenance • 24/7 on-call for emergencies • Monthly detailed reports • Accountability and stress reliever!
Property Management Page 14 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
www.losfelizledger.com
Local Lemonade Stand Makes $450 for “Sandy” Victims GRIFFITH PARK BLVD—Andrew Drapkin along with his five and seven year old daughters and some of their friends, decided to set up a lemonade stand in November to raise money for those displaced by October’s super storm Sandy on the East Coast. In total, the three received $450 from sales and donations that have been sent to the nonprofit “Save the Children.” “It was a huge success. Our amazing community stepped up,” said Drapkin. “Our community rocks.” Advertise in the
Los Feliz Ledger (323) 667-9897
December 2012
RIVER SUPPLY CONDUIT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT DECEMBER UPDATE
LADWP is installing approximately 10,400 feet of welded steel pipe, between 48 and 96 inches in diameter in the Silverlake area. The new pipeline will increase capacity and pressure, improve system reliability, and assist LADWP in complying with new federally mandated water quality regulations.
The final phase of construction along Rowena Avenue from Glendale Boulevard to West Silver Lake Drive is expected to continue until March 2013. Rowena Avenue is reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction. Detours are available along Glendale Boulevard and Hyperion Avenue. Access continues to be maintained for residents, businesses, and customers.
LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE OPEN DURING CONSTRUCTION 1.
The Art of You Holistic Center 2820 Glendale Blvd
14. Edendale Grill 2838 Rowena Ave
26. Vamco Self-Service Cleaners 2850 Hyperion Ave
2.
Silver Lake Yoga 2810 ½ Glendale Blvd
15. Monkeyhouse Toys 2874 Rowena Ave
27. 7-Eleven 2900 Hyperion Ave
3.
Allison Levinson King Acupuncture 16. Mens Shop – Brightwell 2876 Rowena Ave 2808 Glendale Blvd
4.
Amanda Hair Salon
5.
Flower Shop
6.
Michelangelo Ristorante 2742 Rowena Ave
7.
Clover Silverlake 2756 Rowena Ave
8.
Nicky Ds Pizza 2764 Rowena Ave
9.
Applied Scholastics Academy 2772 Rowena Ave
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33. Silver Lake Auto Body & Paint 2849 Rowena Ave
22. Broome Street General Store 2912 Rowena Ave
34. Long Automotive 2801 Rowena Ave
23. Country Villa Los Feliz Health Care Center 3002 Rowena Ave
35. Silverlake Optometry 2771 Rowena Ave
Ivanhoe Elementary School 2828 Herkimer St RD
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24. Skyline Health Care Center 3032 Rowena Ave
13. MVP Sports 2818 Rowena Ave, #2
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19. Pilates Bodyshop 2894 Rowena Ave
10. Jomag Auto Repair 2808 Rowena Ave
29. Dental Office 2933 Rowena Ave
Camelot Kids Preschool 2880 Rowena Ave
18. The Establishment Salon 2894 Rowena Ave
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25. Nail Station 3038 Rowena Ave
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Los Feliz Ledger [city sleuth]
Holiday Cheer: Lighting the Greco’s Los Feliz Boulevard Homes By Diane Kanner, Ledger Columnist
745 Millwood Avenue Venice
Venice Landmark Lights Up the Market
“T
Until the Hollywood Christmas parade gets underway after Thanksgiving, the unassuming-looking residence at 4824 Los Feliz Blvd. turns its back on the street’s roaring traffic. But come late November, the home proclaims its owner’s love of the holiday with enough illumination to light Hollywood’s parade. Covered with every conceivable holiday decoration, the Greco house attracts carloads of the curious who park on nearby Berendo Street. Flora Greco began the tradition in 1976 after she and husband Paolo and son Giovanni hung lights along the rain gutters and observed their first Christmas on the boulevard. “Paolo loved it,” she said. “He would stand on the driveway while I was on the roof and direct me what to do.” Their “Two Guys From Italy” restaurant in Hollywood, where Paulo served pizza by the slice, gave them a nest egg. After a second son, Michael, was born, the Greco’s started
acquiring property, with Vermont Avenue’s most prominent commercial structure, the Luckenbach Building, as their headquarters. Purchasing the house to the east of theirs’ on Los Feliz Boulevard, Flora decorated the two for the holidays as if they were one. Santa and reindeer extended from one to the other, as they will this year. An inflatable Santa sits in front of one home, and a nativity in front of the other in Flora’s effort to keep the sacred and the profane from mixing. Her holiday extravagances, which include two large indoor Christmas trees and costumed terrier dogs, are her unintended way of demonstrating how far she has come. “Flora is the kindest person who ever lived,” said Marilyn Kezirian, a neighbor. Another neighbor echoed that sentiment. “She will do anything for you,” said Loretta Barsom. For Flora holiday decorating was a tradition started in her childhood.
Page 16 Su Casa REAL ESTATE
“When I was a kid in Valledicadore, in the Dolomites,” Flora said of her Italian homeland, “no matter how poor we were, we had a Christmas tree. We decorated with oranges and chocolate and then we ate everything.” With prosperity came sorrow following the passing of her beloved Paolo five years ago after a long battle with kidney disease. As she has for the past 20 years, the Greco’s housekeeper, Zoile Palancia, assists with the heavy lifting, bringing out ladders, poles, wire, extension cords and inflatable figures from the storage areas. Soon thereafter, other neighbors follow suit and put out their own lights. Thirty-six years have passed, and considering that Greco currently pays $200 more on her power bill for the lights each December, that means that over the years she has incurred a substantial expense to light her home. “It is worth it,” she said.
he Lantern House”, a revered, muchpublished Venice landmark is on the market. Legally, a triplex of nearly centuryold, classic beach cottages, the property is now used as a single-family compound. Find here an incomparable private oasis where fountains, art and riotous landscaping meld the indoors and outdoors into everything iconoclastic, delightful and exotic. Located on the most-coveted, celebrity-studded street in Venice, the Lantern House is close to the beach and central to the amenities that make Venice world-famous. These “cottages in the sunshine” are offered fully-furnished with the owner’s lifetime assemblage of fine art, furniture, furnishings, collectibles and curios: nearly “lock, stock and barrel”. Perfect for owner-users who need a home studio or office. Cash offers only. Shown by appointment only to serious, qualified buyers. A rare opportunity for developers. Photos / floor plans: www.745millwood.com Video tour on YouTube search: “745 Millwood”
$5,200,000 Richard Stanley
1917 Hillhurst Av. Los Angeles, CA 90027 #1 agent, Coldwell Banker Los Feliz, 1995-2009 DRE license #: 00971211 rstanley@coldwellbanker.com 213 300-4567 cell / voice mail ©2012 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.
www.losfelizledger.com
December 2012
Los Feliz Ledger [senior moments]
A New Glossary for Senior Living By Stephanie Vendig, Ledger Columnist As we age, there are new trends and new services that weren’t seen years ago. So, we must be familiar with a new vocabulary that might help with decision-making. Here are some examples: If you need management of your daily routines in your home, consider a Caregiver or Personal Care Assistant. If family members are available, they would be seen as caregiving. You can also hire caregivers, either from informal referrals or from licensed agencies, for a few hours or full time. If the caregiving is needed just for daily living, it is called Custodial care or Home Care. If medical care is needed, such as physical therapy, or treat-
ment relating to a hospital stay, it is called Home Health Care. When the need is ongoing, it is referred to as Longterm Care. An alternative to having a caregiver in your home is care within a group setting. An Assisted Living Facility can be customized according to your needs—managing your medications and helping with bathing and dressing. But the advantages are that you are in a protective environment, and you no longer have to worry about maintaining your house or preparing meals. And you are not isolated socially. Another similar group setting is the Board and Care Homes, a system of non-medical custodial care that can be
ASK GAIL
provided in a single-family residence, licensed for six or fewer residents. Both Residential Care and Assisted Living facilities operate under the same regulations of Community Care Licensing. The advantage is that the Board and Care Homes are more intimate. You would be referred to a Skilled Nursing Facility or a Rehabilitation Facility if long- term care requires intensive medical help, or you were in the hospital for treatment and released. Rehab Center is a term also used, but often it refers to drug or alcohol recovery programs. Hospice refers to care at the end of life when medical treatment is no longer being applied. Comfort care or Palliative care is provided, such as pain management or other measures used to make the patient comfortable. Hospice
can be at home or in a special facility. You may consider Retirement Communities that are dedicated to senior living. The housing includes either single family, or apartment or condo units. The focus is on independent living where you are selfsufficient like in any neighborhood. The difference is that the community is managed so that residents are protected and there is easy access to activities of interest and services. The housing may include ownership or rental. The latest retirement community type is the Continuing Care Retirement Community. Three facilities are on one location—Independent Living, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing. Each of these facilities is available as needed. Although they are managed separately, moving between these environments is easy. There is usually a large refundable entrance fee and monthly fees.
Sunset Hall - Curriculum and Advocacy Thanks to our ad sponsor Sunset Hall. They offer...
HOUSE FLIPPING 101 DEAR GAIL: I’m interested in flipping properties. What should I look for? DEAR READER: Flipping is Back! This is a good time for it. Here are tips for you: 1. Look for older fixers in upcoming neighborhoods 2. Search for divorce, “death in the family” sales, foreclosures, short sales, & auctions which are good sources of distressed properties with a realtor 3. Important factors to consider: purchase cost, closing fees, remodel costs, holding costs, staging & selling cost 4. Rule of Thumb: when home values are up your total investment should be roughly 80% of the resale value. In a steady market: your investment should be 70% of estimated resale value. In a down market: around 60% of estimated value
Programs for free-thinking seniors (323) 660-5277
Conversational Spanish at GPACC on Wednesdays
Griffith Park Adult Community Club Calendar
“Gourmet Potluck Lunch at the home of Bea Gold” Wednesday, December 19, 2012, 12:00 pm 2206 Micheltorena Street, LA, CA 90039 Bring your favorite dish ready to serve. Call Bea at (323) 660-0106 for directions or more info. Call GPACC for carpooling.
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
[immaculate heart high school]
Celebrating the Season By Claire Danna ’15 and Celynne Hebron ’15 Immaculate Heart’s jovial spirit continued throughout the upbeat month of November and now students look forward to Christmas break! Our Los Feliz neighbors must have spotted our annual 10K Walk around the greater Griffith Park area in early November. It was a fun-filled day for all the students. Some of the faculty even joined in and ran the neighborhood route with our student runners. Later, the entire IH school community celebrated our fantastic fundraiser by gathering around the quad, eating hot dogs, and exhibiting talented dancing. For Thanksgiving, the students banded together to collect food and money for our annual drive for Casa Esperanza, a supportive center in Panorama City that helps needy families in the Blythe Street neighborhood. Students, meanwhile, continue their own community service efforts with other organizations, such as Adopt-A-Family, Operation Gratitude, and Food Forward. The month ended with the staging of our fall musical, Into the Woods. Filled with colorful characters, an elaborate set, and an amazing cast and crew, all four shows were an immediate success. With winter fast approaching and December’s arrival, Immaculate Heart High School is a flurry of activity. Students are preparing for the annual Christmas Concert, as well as the school Christmas program. Meanwhile, prospective students and their families are encouraged to attend the high school’s open house on Sun., December 2nd, starting at 1 p.m.
5. Have property thoroughly inspected. Get estimates for remodel & repairs 6. Add an additional 20-30% for unforeseen repairs 7. Look at comps with a realtor. What could it sell for renovated? 8. Call Gail for more information on flipping and she’ll help you find great properties
Gail Crosby is a local real estate agent with Sotheby’s International Realty. Contact Gail with your home and real estate questions at 323.428-2864, GailCrosby@aol.com or GailCrosby.com DRE: 175513781 ADV
December 2012
www.losfelizledger.com
SENIOR MOMENTS Page 17
Los Feliz Ledger [franklin avenue elementary]
Franklin Avenue Fall Festival and Book Fair by Kaden Patel, Jane Lichtman and Hope Ware 3rd-4th graders There’s a lot happening at Franklin Avenue Elementary School in the fall. Have you ever been to the Franklin Fall Festival? Well if you have not, it’s lots of fun with lots of games and activities. Some of the games are really fun! Angry Birds is a real life game just like the video game. People also loved the Sponge Toss because they got wet on a really hot day. Another attraction that was very popular was the haunted disco. They handed out glow sticks to all the kids that entered. There was loud music with a huge disco ball. Kids had a pillow fight while they listened to the rock ‘n roll
music. Our school also recently had a Scholastic book fair. The book fair lasted two wonderful days, and we sold a lot of books and made a large profit. Everyone helped in their own way, whether it be buying or working at the fair. We sold a large variety of books and almost everyone bought something. There were books for all ages, from board books to long adult novels. There were many familiar authors including Roald Dahl, J.K. Rowling, and Rick Riordan. We’re sure that everyone had a great time at these two events! We definitely did! We can’t wait until next year!
[temple Israel OF HOLLYWOOD]
The Election At TIOH! By Eli Lesser Everyone in school was excited to go into the voting booth! At Temple Israel of Hollywood Day School (TIOH), we celebrated Election Day by having our own school election. We had four different propositions that were put to a school-wide vote: Prop Aleph: Bring back Bagel Day – 67% voted Yes
Prop Bet: Dress up on Shabbat (Fridays) – 73% voted No Prop Gimmel: Have indoor recess once a month – 60% voted Yes Prop Dalet: Have “Friendship Fruit Salad”- 68% voted No Bagel Day at our school takes place at recess once a week when families donate bagels, and students buy them for a dollar each. The money
goes to Tzedaka (a charity) at the end of the year to a cause decided by the students. Indoor recess will be once a month when the students have the option at recess to stay inside, playing board games or chatting with friends. Our school really had a great time with this election. The youngest students were jumping around and yelling, “I’m like an adult!” We had a great experience as a school community. I vote that this becomes a TIOH tradition every Election Day!
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Los Feliz Ledger your School News to: allisonferraro@losfelizledger.com
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1225 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90017 www.goodsam.org This is an advertisement. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this material. 12-GSH-015 AlmaAd_PLBN_LFL_4.3.indd Page 18 SCHOOL NEWS
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10/15/12 1:22:58 PM December 2012
Los Feliz Ledger [pilgrim school]
Visiting Artists Program by Nicola Kachikis Three years ago, Pilgrim created a great series called the “Visiting Artists Program.” Every year, from kindergarten through 12th grade, a different local artist teaches us about their art, including film, animation, sculpture, painting, drawing and design. Afterwards, we get to work with the artist to create a piece of our own. Last year our 3rd grade Visiting Artist was Gordon Bowen, a sculptor. We learned about the lost wax method used to create bronze sculptures. We went to Gordon’s foundry near downtown Los Angeles to learn all the steps of making a bronze sculpture. Then we each got a piece of wax to sculpt. Gordon took our wax sculptures and bought back our sculptures in bronze. According to our art teacher, Katrina Alexy, a big
December 2012
part of the Visiting Artists Program is “to expose the students to a variety of arts, approaches and different backgrounds. I want [students] to see,” she said, “there are women, Latina, African American, Korean and other artists creating art.” According to 4th grade teacher Mrs. Alexy, “This year the 4th grade will be working with Ana Serrano, whose cardboard worlds ignite imagination and ask you to explore your own neighborhoods to celebrate the good, the bad and the colorful. We will be working with the artist to create a cardboard village installation.” I think the Visiting Artistrs Program is great because we get to do interesting projects and we learn about each artist. I am inspired by each artist I meet and I enjoy learning from them.
www.losfelizledger.com
[glenfeliz elementary school]
Helping Our Earth By Sofia Trejo, Jenny Matias, Dana Pozos, 3rd grade Sofia’s mom reminded us about our classroom-recycling lesson. She said that there are many plastic water bottles at school. It was Sofia’s idea to start a recycling club at Glenfeliz. Jenny joined first and then she asked Dana. We named it the Environmen-
tal Club. We collected plastic water bottles around our
school, but it was a lot of work. We made a special trash can just for plastic bottles and put signs on the can so that students would not throw in regular trash. Sophia’s mom helped us make stencils to tape on the can, and we painted them. The can has a recycling symbol, outlines of bottles, and the word “recycle.” Why do we have the Environmental Club? We want to keep the school clean and help our Earth by reusing the bottles. The bottles do not go to the landfill and do not cause pollution. The bottles are crushed, shredded, and made into material to make clothes and other items. The word is spreading and all Glenfeliz children are part of the Environmental Club. Money earned from the bottles will be donated to the Red Cross to help people hurt by hurricane Sandy. Do you always recycle your plastic bottles?
SCHOOL NEWS Page 19
Los Feliz Ledger [thomas starr king middle school]
[st. james’s school]
Election 2012: A Citizen’s Responsibility
Veterans in the Family
By Ricci Cofinco
By Nicole Klar, 5th Grade Family History Project
On Nov. 6th, my school Thomas Starr King held a mock election in the “Decision 2012” spirit. We created this because we wanted our students to know how great it feels to make your voice be heard through a vote. As an American, it is our responsibility to vote because it really counts and it could change not only your future, but our future as a nation. We had three voting days: early voting on Nov. 2nd and 5th followed by Election Day on the 6th. The polling station was in the middle of our school where most students pass by. Our teacher used the school’s old study carrels as private voting booths, which were supervised by student volunteers. The student volunteers served as “Election Of-
ficials” answering our peers’ questions and encouraging them to vote. We made copies of real, early voting ballots for the voters to use. On Election Day, official distributed “I Voted” stickers for those who qualified by voting. The election was successful. We had 758 students vote out of a total of 1576 students, with 270 voting early. The results showed that 89% re-elected President Barack Obama with 8% voting for Governor Romney and 3% for other. I really like this experience because you get to make a choice that counts for yourself, and being 13-years-old, that’s a big deal. Before I made my decision and cast my vote on my ballot, I had to do research on the issues that I thought were important. I was sur-
prised that I agreed with certain candidates when it came to resolving these issues. This mock election really helped me think about my future and our future as Americans which makes me excited to vote in 2020!
A recent project my 5th grade teacher, Mr.Krueger, assigned was to find out about a person in our family that has been in any war. I was skeptical. I didn’t know of anyone in my family that was in a war. Then I
learned my grandfather was in a war. I came into class the next morning confident and excited to share my grandfather’s role in WWII. I had a lot of fun learning about my family history, and about the important roles my grandfather had.
Engaging heart, mind and spirit COME JOIN US AT AN OPEN HOUSE K-6 Open Houses December 4 • January 15 9:00–11:00 am Preschool Open Houses December 11 • January 10 3:00–4:00 pm Applications Due: January 17 Now accepting applications. To set up a tour, please contact our Office of Admission at 213-382-2315 x 255 or email admissions@sjsla.org. 625 S. St. Andrews Place • Los Angeles, CA 90005 Visit us online at www.sjsla.org
Page 20 SCHOOL NEWS
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December 2012
Los Feliz Ledger [family matters]
A Teenager Kind of Christmas By Kristen Taylor, Ledger Columnist Right about now is when children start assembling their holiday wish lists. Holiday wish lists? Yes, and preferably they’re easily accessible on Amazon from phone, laptop, or tablet. Writing a letter to Santa? That’s so two years ago. This is just one of the ways that life for parents shifts when your little kids become tweens and teens. When it comes to the specific items on those lists, you’ll find more contrasts. What was once a three-page letter full of toys that came in large boxes will be reduced to two items: 1. Cash 2. Gift cards (that gift cards are really just dressy cash is a polite illusion we use to make
ourselves feel better). Kids, it is very hard to make a tiny pile of credit-card sized envelopes under the tree look festive. There’s a reason why we wrap up socks
the kids to go to sleep, we now have to employ those same tactics to get them out of bed every day. Picky eaters who grazed like hummingbirds as we pleaded, “Finish your food, Honey. Don’t you want dessert?” now hear “The kitchen
While for years we begged and cajoled and sang and rocked and begged for the kids to go to sleep, we now have to employ those same tactics to get them out of bed every day. and other necessities in big boxes for you to open. It’s purely for the aesthetics, OK? Some more firsts this year in our two-teenager home: The parents may be the first ones up on Christmas morning. While for years we begged and cajoled and sang and rocked and begged for
is CLOSED,” “But I just went shopping yesterday,” and variations on, “Hey, that was supposed to be my lunch for tomorrow.” Remember when we thought our toddlers were
clever for how easily they took to computers and smart phones? If only we had realized that these devices and apps are designed to be toddler-easy, in order to lock in lifelong affinity. “Show Grandma how you can Skype,” has become “You cannot Skype and do your homework at the same time.” And finally, do you remember the wrenching separations of the toddler days, when they
cried every time you left the house, their school, or even the room? This holiday season I’ll be grateful if they’ll come to one Christmas Party, or even if they stick around the living room for coffee cake after the stockings are open. Yes, I said coffee cake. Made that morning, since I’ll be up early when I’ll unplug the wireless. Young or old, parenting is all about strategies.
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GIVE YOUR STUDENT AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE MARANATHA DIFFERENCE FIRST HAND. We invite your child to spend a day “shadowing” a Maranatha student and experience the excitement of high school life. Call to set up YOUR Shadow Day!
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maranatha high school A COLLEGE PREPARATORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
169 S. Saint John Avenue, Pasadena (626) 817-4021
www.maranatha-hs.org
December 2012
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SCHOOL NEWS Page 21
Los Feliz Ledger [Ivanhoe elementary school]
Ivanhoe Events By Charlotte Gilmore The recent Ivanhoedown was a very successful fundraiser this year and raised about $23,000. One of the most popular activities was the doughnut-eating contest where attendees attempted to eat a doughnut that was hanging on a string, without using hands. The winner was the one who could eat it the fastest. Jennie Chamberlain, mother of second graders Zoe and Berkeley, has started a running club that meets Tuesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Armstrong and Angus. Kids run around the block two times (or less) which equals 1.2 miles. Ivanhoe’s students will perform a revised edition of Grease. About 40 students, kindergarten through 5th grade, will be acting, dancing, and singing their way through the show. The musical will be performed at King Middle School Auditorium, Thursday, November 29th and Friday, November 30th, at 7:00 p.m.
Page 22 SCHOOL NEWS
[marshall high]
Relief By Allia Parsons With the election only a month ago, I have had time to look back and reflect on what has happened and how it affected my school. On a state level, of the most importance to the LAUSD was Prop 30, which passed. This proposition was responsible for putting all of the faculty and students at any LAUSD school on edge. If this Proposition hadn’t passed, the school year and budget for all of the LAUSD schools would have been slashed, yet again. This is a penalty far too great for an already shaky system. This would have made school end a month earlier, so the students who were taking AP classes wouldn’t be in school when the AP tests were administered. This was a very scary prospect for the students, and adding to the fear was the fact that more teachers would have been cut, and classes would grow even larger. The great news is that this proposition passed. Being so close to something as detrimental as these cuts makes the petty issues, like lack of janitors, and old desks, seem miniscule.
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Feliz Ledger (323) 667-9897
Inspired Education for Preschool through High School School tour information available at www.pasadenawaldorf.org
Open House Jan. 12
High School On our campus at William Carey International University 1559 East Howard Street • Pasadena, CA 91104 • Phone: 626-204-0786 Elementary School • Preschool • Parent Child Program 209 East Mariposa Street • Altadena, CA 91001 • Phone: 626-794-9564
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December 2012
Los Feliz Ledger prison from page 10
he’s spoken with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office and was informed there is no specific rule preventing people under indictment to serve on neighborhood councils. “It’s due process and presumption of innocence in this country, so we’re just going to take it one step at a time,” Bessendorf said. The charges against Tabafunda are the result of a probe by HSI and the Dept. of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General that had been ongoing since 2007 after receiving a lead from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Fraud Detection and National Security unit. It said Tabafunda was filing suspicious H-1B nonimmigrant visa petitions. Tabufunda allegedly used the names of shell companies and non-profit organizations such as City of Hope, Barlow Respiratory Hospital and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, to issue fraudulent employmentbased non-immigrant visa petitions. Such visas are typically reserved for aliens who
possess specific qualifications a United States company cannot find domestically. Among the jobs Tabafunda listed on the employment visa petitions were “budget analysts,” “clinical research specialists” and “health educators.” According to court documents, Tabafunda charged clients between $2,500 and $10,000 to file visa petitions on their behalf, most of who were Philippine nationals who had entered the country originally on tourist visas. If convicted of all 10 counts in the indictment, Tabafunda would face a maximum 95 years in federal prison. “I’m interested to participate on the neighborhood council because I am actively involved in the community service in our area,” Tabafunda wrote in her GEPENC candidate brief. The brief also stated Tabafunda is the executive director of Mother Movement, a nonprofit dedicated to eradicating rape and other child abuse founded by fellow GEPENC District 5 Representative Perla Reyes.
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KELLER WILLIAMS LOS FELIZ WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY TO GET A FREE PHOTO WITH SANTA CLAUS! IT'S A BUSY TIME OF YEAR FOR MR. CLAUS BUT WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT OLD ST. NICK WILL BE STOPPING BY ON
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15TH FROM 12PM TO 4PM
IN ADDITION TO OUR SPECIAL VISITOR WE WILL BE ACCEPTING ANY AND ALL UNWRAPPED GIFTS TO SUPPORT OUR LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT STATION #35'S TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE THIS SEASON LET'S REMEMBER THOSE LESS FORTUNATE BY CONTRIBUTING A BIT OF HAPPINESS AND CHRISTMAS CHEER TO A FAMILY IN NEED.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT KELLER WILLIAMS LOS FELIZ December 2012
www.losfelizledger.com
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Wishing You A Wonderful Holiday Season! from George and Eileen
2150 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Los Feliz • Silver Lake • Franklin Hills • Franklin Square • Atwater Village • Echo Park • Beachwood Canyon
323.668.7600
georgeandeileen.com
New Price
1756 Micheltorena Avenue
Silver Lake
$1,095,000 308 N. Sycamore Ave #104 Hancock Park Call For Price 3689 Shannon Road
Brand new construction in this impressive 3 + 2.5 Architectural with wonderful downtown and hillside views. This 1-story story home offers an open living, dining & spacious kitchen is ideal for entertaining and open out to a expansive view deck. Master suite w/beautiful bathroom w/large shower & walk-in closet. Dark hardwood floors. 2 car garage w/direct access. The lot is 15153 & waiting to be discovered. The possibilities are endless.
For Lease
2530 Park Oak Court
Luxury Condo in Landmark Historic 1920’s Faubourg St. Denis Bldg. This wonderful unit offers 2 bedrooms plus a den & 2.5 baths. Vintage details include high ceilings w/crown molding, hdwd, marble flrs & a gorgeous fireplace. Updated kitchen with white shaker style cabinets & stainless appliances. Mstr Suite w/luxury bath & walk-in closet. Washer & dryer in unit. Central AC & heat. Beautiful grounds w/pool, spa, exercise rm & sauna.
In Escrow
Los Feliz Oaks
$9,500 2236 Ronda Vista Drive
Impressive gated 4+3.5 estate like residence at the end of a gorgeous cul-de-sac in the Oaks. Beautiful picturesque grounds with large pool, cabana (could work for a home office) & addt’l outdoor bath. Spacious living rm w/fireplace, wonderful library or den & master suite overlooking spectacularly landscaped grounds. Charming and spacious kitchen. Formal dining room. Refinished hardwood floors. Views of Hollywood Sign and hills.
In Escrow
1016 Hyperion Avenue
For Sale
Coming Soon
Silver Lake
$459,000
Franklin Hills
$849,000
Views forever in this sexy 2 + 1.5 1960’s Post & Beam home that was completely remodeled just a few years ago. Open living, dining & kitchen is a perfect set-up for entertaining. Spectacular city & mountain views from almost every room. Kitchen with breakfast bar, dining area and walls of glass to enjoy the views. Newly refinished wood floors. New central air & heat, new roof, & exterior paint, new garage door with direct access. Fabulous!
1927 Redesdale Avenue
$1,595,000
In Escrow
Sold With Multiple Offers Over Asking!
Charming 1907 built 2 + 1.5 Craftsman with wonderful private front yard and walking distance to the heart of Sunset Junction. Cozy living room & dining room w/decorative fireplace and built-in cabinet. Hardwood floors. Newly rebuilt foundation and updated electrical. Full bath w/clawfoot tub. Laundry rm. Patio & beautifully landscaped front & side yards. Original Craftsman details. Walk to many Silver Lake eateries and Farmer’s market.
Los Feliz Hills
Stunning 4 + 3.5 1927 character Spanish home in the hills with lovely mountain & city views. Gorgeous LR w/ high ceilings & fireplace. Fabulous Gourmet kitchen w/Shaker style cabinets, Viking oven, Sub Zero, honed marble counter tops and walnut butcher block for center island. Dining rm leads to view terrace. Great guest apt or 4th bdrm. Central AC & heat. Large patio area & possible room for a pool. 10945 lot. Garage w/direct access.
Silver Lake
$970,000
Newly renovated 3 + 1.5 Mid-Centry home with separate guest apartment with 3/4 bath. Two open living spaces lead to front view patio. Updated kitchen and baths. New appliances. Newly refinished hardwood floors. Central air and heat, new roof, copper plumbing & update electrial. Beautiful tranquil setting in huge flat yard w/picturesque views. Two car garage. Laundry rm. Great location close to Silver Lake reservoir and dog park.
3143 Waverly Drive
Los Feliz
$874,900
Beautifully restored Spanish in Ivanhoe district w/a spacious LR w/great use of windows for wonderful natural lighting. An open kitchen w/Shaker style cabinets, breakfast bar, stainless oven, microwave & dishwasher. Dining rm overlooking the spectacular mountain views and leads to view patio. Tastefully updated baths w/new flooring, cabinets & tile work. Bonus rm perfect for home office. Great areas for outdoor entertaining. Move in ready.
Sold With Multiple Offers Over Asking!
2607 Rokeby Street
Silver Lake
$900,000
Single story 2+2 1937 home with Moderne influences and a gorgeous huge flat yard. Spacious living room with a fireplace. The living rm leads out to the newly landscaped yard with deck & outdoor shower. Possible room for a pool. Newly renovated kitchen and baths. Sunny remodeled eat-in kitchen w/stainless appliances. Dining rm. Central AC & heat. Refinished hardwood floors. Walking distance to the reservoir. In Ivanhoe district!