February 2012

Los Feliz Ledger Vol 7. No. 8

Locals, Literally, Sick and Tired Of DWP Project

Read by 100,000+ Residents and Business Owners in Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Echo Park & Hollywood Hills

Pool Grows Larger For CD 13 Candidates

By Colin Stutz Ledger Contributing Writer

By Colin Stutz Ledger Contributing Writer SILVER LAKE—More than two-dozen neighborhood residents say they have recently developed respiratory issues and claim a nearby Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power (LADWP) construction site and its contractor, Steve P. Rados Inc., are to blame.

Residents have also complained of severe noise and local businesses are reporting staggering decreases in business, all surrounding the work site located along Glendale Boulevard from Riverside Drive to where Rokeby Street and Waverly Drive intersect in north Silver Lake.

Martha Mattieu, 72, who lives off Waverly Drive, has a pre-condition of asthma but was ordered onto oxygen by her doctor after construction

February 2012

Current Los Angeles City Council District 13 candidates are (left to right from top): Josh Post, Rueben Martinez, Mitch O’Farrell and Scott Crawford.

see DWP page 26

Three more candidates have entered the race for the Los Angeles City Council District 13 seat opening in 2013.

They are Mitch O’Farrell of Glassell Park and a senior advisor to Los Angeles City Councilmember Eric Garcetti; Echo Park activist and California Dept. of Justice Deputy Attorney General Josh Post, and Atwater Village Neighborhood Councilmember and real estate agent Rueben Martinez.

The three join the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council’s Scott Crawford in vying for Garcetti’s seat. Garcetti will be termed-out in 2013 and has entered the city’s mayoral race.

O’Farrell career of public service began in 2002 when he began working for Garcetti’s Council District 13 office.

Previously he was in the ressee CANDIDATES page 12

GGPNC Votes to Support Marijuana Dispensary Ban

GGPNC Adopts Resolution to Support Griffith Park Ballfields

By Norma Zager, Ledger Contributing Writer

By Norma Zager, Ledger Contributing Writer

GRIFFITH PARK—Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) board member and Public Safety Chair Andrea Laderosa successfully urged the GGPNC to support Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar’s proposed ban on marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles at the GGPNC’s January 17th meeting.

Huizar has long advocated for clarification from the state on creating clear guidelines on the sale of medical marijuana.

“I personally believe in the use of and the value of medical marijuana for patients who actually need it,” Huizar said in an interview.

“But if we are put in a situa-

tion like we are today, where we have no tools at our disposal to control for the ill-effects of medical marijuana dispensaries on local communities, we have no other option but to repeal our ordinance, ban dispensaries and wait to see what happens in the California Supreme Court case.”

Recently the California State Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments if cities can ban medical marijuana dispensaries. California Proposition 215 allows their existence while current federal law does not.

There are three relatively new dispensaries in the Los Feliz area: at 4614 Hollysee MARIJUANA page 7

GRIFFITH PARK—The Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) has unanimously adopted a resolution to support the construction of two youth baseball fields in Griffith Park.

According to Mark Mauceri, GGPNC Sports and Recreation Committee Chair, the fields would be funded

by Prop. K “LA FOR Kids,” which earmarks funds for recreation and parks to help “combat the inadequacies and decay of the city’s youth infrastructure,” according to Prop.

K wording.

The idea of new Griffith Park baseball fields was initiated Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge.

Griffith Park is in LaBonge’s city council district 4.

Los Feliz resident and mother of five, Erica Yoder Chapman spoke at the GGPNC’s Jan. 17th meeting— prior to the council’s vote— in favor of the two new ball fields.

“As a past president of the Los Feliz Mom’s club, I can tell you there are so many of us who want this field. We really need more recreation and playgrounds here in the neighborhood, not across town. I can bring you as many people as you want to stand in this room and support the project,” Chapman said.

Joe Young, chairman of

the GGPNC’s Parks, Rivers and Open Space (PROS) committee, spoke against the vote saying the GGPNC’s PROS committee didn’t have adequate time to evaluate the city’s proposal.

The construction of the 5 Freeway destroyed the previous Griffith Park ball fields in the late 1950s.

In the Sports and Recreation committee’s resolution, they cited inadequacies of Los Feliz’s youth recreational facilities and the influx of local families with children.

“We have no city-staffed recreation center,” Mauceri said. “There are no public basketball courts in all Los see BALLFIELDS page 4

Online at www.losfelizledger.com

Community News: Bea Gold’s Tell Me A Story, Published, page 5

Back In the Days: Los Feliz Drive-In, page 10

Focus On the Advertiser: Soap Plant/Wacko’s Billy Shire featured, page 12

Calendar: Milo Greene: The local Theater Review: O(h) reviewed. indie band performs at the Satellite this month

Los Feliz Ledger [letter from the publisher] One of my favorite stories in this m o nt h ’s edition was submitted by Thomas Starr King Middle School student William Suy about getting local restaurants to stop offering plastic straws.

Good luck William on your request. It’s a good one.

We also take a look back at the old Los Feliz Drive-In that was (along with baseball fields) demolished in Griffith Park for the 5 Freeway. Coincidentally, on our front page this month, we have a story that the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council has unanimously adopted a resolution to support the construc-

Page 2

tion of two youth ball fields in Griffith Park (whether or not this is a good idea or not is our online poll this month. Visit losfelizledger.com to have your opinion counted.)

It was also a bit shocking to see what the Los Angeles Redistricting Commission has come up with for new boundaries for Los Angeles City Council District 4 (LaBonge’s) district, see our story on page 9 and our website for the proposed map; changes proposed to Council District 13 (Eric Garcetti’s) district as well as proposed new districts for the city.

Also important this month: with the prospect of more budget cuts to the Los Angeles Unified School Dis-

trict, please read local principals thoughts on this, in their own words, on page 6.

Story ideas, submissions, advertising rates & inquiries contact: Allison Ferraro 4459 Avocado St. Los Angeles, CA 90027 Phone: 323-667-9897 Fax: 323-667-1816 acohen@losfelizledger.com www. losfelizledger.com

Corrections & Amplifications Regarding “LaBonge Queries Firm For Amphitheater Design for Griffith Park’s Old Zoo Area” (January 2012) we misidentified a production company that already stages theater at the site as the Independent Theater Company. The production company in fact is called the Independent Shakespeare Co. We regret the error.

www.losfelizledger.com

February 2012

Los Feliz Ledger

LFVBID Talks on Improvements Continue

By Norma Zager Ledger Contributing Writer

Ordinance to Ease Parking for Business Owners Finally Sputters Forward lage Neighborhood councilBy Tony Cella, Ledger Contributing Writer ATWATER VILLAGE—The long awaited Atwater Village Parking Credit System Ordinance should be ready for a vote by the Los Angeles City Council in mid-February, according to a representative of City Councilmember Eric Garcetti’s office.

The bill enables businesses to buy parking credits instead of building underground lots to fulfill the city’s require-

February 2012

ments for parking space. Many smaller businesses cannot afford to build underground parking, so the credits make it easier for small businesses to open and operate.

Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce member Luis Lopez has followed the ordinance since 2007, when it was a land use study for the local neighborhood council.

He said he is shocked the

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ordinance has taken so long to pass because the proposed system replicates parking programs in Eagle Rock and Pasadena.

According to Lopez, the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council did all the research necessary for the bill’s passage, worked with a legal team to draft a proposed ordinance and gave the materials to Garcetti.

The former Atwater Vil-

member blamed the delay on Garcetti’s office. He alleges they didn’t include a deadline for the City Attorney to return the bill, which consequently made it low-priority.

“Seems like CD13 didn’t know. They dropped the ball,” he said.

Garcetti’s office denies Lopez’s account.

“We sometimes ask [the City Attorney] to get us the bill in two days and it takes two months,” said Garcetti spokesperson Julie Wong.

Potential business owners looking to open shops in the village’s Glendale Boulevard pedestrian shopping district aren’t pleased.

Andy Hasroun said he wouldn’t have tried to open a gastro-pub next door to his wine shop, 55 Degrees, if he knew the bill would take this long to pass.

Now he pays rent for a space he’s unable to use, along with interest on loans he took out to finance the restaurant.

“We can’t wait any longer.

It’s as simple as that,” Hasroun said.

However, when the bill is passed remains to be seen.

“We’ve got to get this passed before we all go bankrupt,” said Hasroun.

LOS FELIZ—A discussion of communication and reorganization monopolized the Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District (LFVBID) meeting, Jan. 10th including ways to better reach business owners, improving the board’s database for communication and the creation of a yearly calendar of meeting and events.

Marketing Chair Melissa Tornay said it is far more difficult to keep track of the data than many imagine.

“Sometimes we have an e-mail address for a store manager for a national company and they may have left and we have no way of knowing,” she said.

Chris Serrano, LFVBID president, said simply walking into the stores and collecting information is not always productive.

“Not every employee is anxious to provide… information, so we cannot always get the desired result from that method,” she said.

Additionally Tornay said she has created a new board calendar to organize events and activities in advance.

“This will give us a timeline of how to prepare for events like elections that need a lot of advance preparation,” she said.

Currently the board meets the second Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the Citibank community room on Hillhurst Avenue. Vice President Ermanno Neiviller suggested the board consider a few evening meetings a year as well.

“The board also discussed a lack of cash flow, which has led to the its inability to have area trees trimmed.

“We have just a little over $11,000 currently in our account,” she said.

According to Serraro, assessments for all business owners should be mailed by April by the city. Serrano suggested the trees might be trimmed in stages until funding from the received assessments arrives.

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Page 3

Los Feliz Ledger

Rowena Plans Downsize: And “Road Diet” A Possibility

By Colin Stutz, Ledger Contributing Writer SILVER LAKE—Major developments are on the way to Rowena Avenue, specifically the half-mile stretch between Hyperion Ave. and Glendale Blvd. Currently being planned is a new housing project of 45 townhouses to be built at 2916-2930 Rowena Ave., the former location of The Coffee Table cafe and restaurant. Developer Fifteen Group expects to begin construction in late spring or early summer.

Fifteen Group, a development agency originally from Miami, FL, purchased the site last July from another developer unable to complete the project due to finances.

The Dept. of City Planning had approved the site for a 64-unit condominium project in 2006, but in studying the property and neighborhood, Fifteen Group decided something smaller would be more appropriate, said Principal Justin Barth.

“The 64-unit complex was just kind of this big concrete building,” Barth said.

Now, after community and Silver Lake Neighborhood Council (SLNC) input— which in January approved a motion to support the development property modification—Barth said designs are underway and Fifteen Group is waiting for the Dept. of City Planning to approve its map modifications.

In debating whether to support downsizing the development, the SLNC specifically discussed parking and the inclusion of a café.

Under the guidelines of the previously planned 64-

unit condo project, a large underground parking structure was included but has now been replaced by attached garages in the new plan. The former plans also included a commercial cafe space, which the SLNC said it encouraged but could not demand with the downsize. In so doing, the SLNC supported a variance of parking that would not require Fifteen Group to provide at least five extra on-site parking spaces if it does decide to include a café on the property.

“It is a dead street without any commercial businesses,” said council member Elizabeth Bougart-Sharkov, who heads the Urban Design and Preservation Committee.

Barth said that market conditions, in the end, would dictate if plans would include a café.

Once construction begins, the project is expected take 16 to 18 months to complete. The developer predicts its one-block proximity to the high performing public Ivanhoe Elementary School, should be a major selling point for the townhouses.

“There are families that are priced out of the market and we feel like we can provide a townhouse for a more reasonable price than a single-family house for families wanting to send their kids to [Ivanhoe],” said Barth.

This could all dovetail nicely with the department of transportation consideration of a so-called “road diet” on this thoroughfare that would cut the traffic lanes down from two to one each way, adding bike lanes and street parking

instead. The effort would be in coordination with the bike plan the city adopted last year to insert 1,600 miles of bikeways in 30 years.

At the city council’s request, the transportation department is now preparing an environmental identification report that measures the effect this change would have on the neighborhood.

According to Barth Fifteen Group has no stance on the subject but can see pros and cons: a “road diet” would slow traffic but might clog up residential streets with commuters looking for a shortcut around Rowena, he said.

BALLFIELDS from page 1

Feliz… and that’s just wrong.

Golf and tennis we have in spades, but we need to do better in the more traditional ‘stick and ball’ sports, and this Prop. K plan is a chance to at least bring little league back, we certainly have the kids for it. I have three.”

Mauceri also stressed Griffith Park’s deficiency of ball fields when compared to other Los Angeles city parks that are only a fraction of the size.

“Why L.A.’s largest public park doesn’t have a little league field is just beyond me. We have the chance to put back what the 5 Freeway wiped out. Area parents shouldn’t have to drive to the Valley so their kids can play sports,” he said.

A Los Angeles City Bureau of Engineering exploratory plan, presented at the meeting, showed two adjacent ball fields that could be incorporated into the park’s Crystal Springs area.

“This will be a long process, and I have no doubt there will be staunch opposition to these fields from park advocate groups who would rather have the whole of the park be designated an ‘urban wilderness,’” said Mauceri. “But it’s a big park and there’s room for some kids’ ball fields… Sometimes we all have step back and see the forest through trees. . . if we really do what’s right by the neighborhood.”

For more information, please visit: www.ggpnc.org/ go/recreation

HAVE A QUESTION? “ASK AN ADVISOR FRIDAYS” Mustard Seed Cafe on Hillhurst Ave. Fridays in February, 3-5pm Can’t make it during that time...

866-562-9362

323-522-6941 • robert.menz@natplan.com

Ha Ventine’s Dy!

Sunday, September 25th is AVFM’s Annual Salsa Tasting Contest at noon!!!

Contact joyce@see-la.org for more information.

Page 4

COMMUNITY NEWS

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February 2012

Los Feliz Ledger

Basic Math Guides SLNC Grant Decisions

By Colin Stutz, Ledger Contributing Writer SILVER LAKE—Three educational programs received grants from the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council (SLNC) in January, each for an amount of $1,333.33. This was an even split of the total $4,000 the council had allotted for its educational spending, per new grant funding guidelines it approved in October as a precautionary measure to keep the council’s budget on track for the remainder of the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

The receiving parties were The Wildwoods Foundation’s Full Circle Program; Hilltop Nursery School; and the Literacy, Arts, Culture, Education & Recreation (L.A.C.E.R.) after school program at Thomas Starr King Middle School.

The Wildwoods Foundation’s Full Circle program is a nature-based academic program dedicated to building community through a combination of outdoor activities for 5th grade classes, spanning eight weeks, once a week for an entire day, serving schools throughout the surrounding neighborhoods and across the city.

The Hilltop Nursury is a parent-participation cooperative

preschool that was founded in 1951, which will put the money towards student scholarships.

The funds received by the L.A.C.E.R. will be applied to its drama program at Thomas Starr King Middle School.

Both Wildwoods and Hilltop’s initial grant applications were for $2,000, while L.A.C.E.R. requested $1,700.

The SLNC’s grant funding guidelines state that no educational grant application may exceed $2,000 each. This was the first time this grant-funding protocol was put into practice.

Each program made a presentation at the SLNC governing board meeting on Jan. 4th, and then after hurried deliberation the council voted the on grants’ division.

Formerly, funding such grants would be decided one at a time, as they were proposed to the council, but with a budget that has been decreasing every year, the organizations that stepped forward earlier had an advantage.

Council member Sarah Dale, said she felt the division of funds could have been done more systematically.

“I don’t like the idea that

we just divide things by three.

What if there were five educational grants that came before us, would we have divided them by five?… I think it sets a bad precedent for anyone coming in asking for money.… If all we’re going to do is divide stuff by the number of people asking, then that’s not even a process.”

“Community Improvement Grants” will be award at the SLNC’s meeting on March 7th.

L I A R E R O M

Local Bea Gold’s “Tell Me A Story” Published growing up in old New York in the 1930s and 1940s.

Some of the work has already been exhibited in 2009 and 2010 through the Silver Lake Art Collective.

Gold said she is “thrilled” to finally have her book published and hopes to have a signing party in the near future.

SILVER LAKE—Local artist and community activist Bea Gold’s book Tell Me A Story has been published and is now available for purchase online through Barnes and Nobles and Amazon.com websites.

The book consists of 36 stories and illustrations by Gold.

Stories portray the experience of a young, Jewish, first generation American girl,

Available at amazon.com and bn.com

metro.net/works

S K R O W E H T IN

“America Fast Forward” is aimed at creating jobs the right way. Find out more at americafastforward.net.

or phase

corrid n transit

2

expositio

Metro has released the final environmental report for the Regional Connector Transit Corridor light rail line. The twomile underground route will connect the Metro Gold, Blue and Expo lines through Downtown LA. > A 30-day public review of the report is currently underway and a vote by the Metro Board is expected next month. > The route connects with the Metro Blue and Expo lines at 7th Street/Metro Center Station and with the Metro Gold Line at Alameda Street. > The Regional Connector will save approximately 20 minutes of travel time by eliminating passenger transfers through Downtown.

For more information, visit metro.net/regionalconnector.

Demolition crews are working along Colorado Avenue and 17th Street in Santa Monica in preparation for construction of Phase 2 of the Exposition Transit Corridor. > Phase 2 will extend westward from the Culver City Station now under construction and run along the old Pacific Electric Exposition right-of-way to 4th Street and Colorado Avenue in downtown Santa Monica. > A $1.5 billion agreement between Metro and the Expo Construction Authority will fund the project through Measure R tax revenue as well as state and local funds. > Train testing is currently underway on Phase 1 of the Expo Line running between Downtown LA and Culver City.

For more information, visit buildexpo.org.

February 2012

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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Page 5

Los Feliz Ledger [in their own words]

Effects of More LAUSD Budget Cuts

of the American West Fine Art Exhibition and Sale Saturday, February 4, through Sunday, March 18, 2012

With talk of another budget shortfall for the Los Angeles Unified School District in the amount of $543 million for the next academic year and possible remedies of increased taxes or a new parcel tax, we asked local educators and a spokeswoman with Los Angeles Unified School District boardmember Bennett Keyser’s for their thoughts.

Karen L. Sullivan Glenfeliz Elementary principal Students won’t come home talking about their same teachers at Glenfeliz Boulevard Elementary if the Los Angeles United School District budget isn’t remedied. “They’ll notice The Autry National Center’s Masters of the American West Fine Art Exhibition and Sale if they aren’t here. They’ve is considered the country’s most important Western art show. Each year, more than been here forever,” she said.

75 nationally recognized, contemporary Western artists challenge themselves to create The budget shortfall will also and exhibit their very best work. Stylistically and thematically diverse, their works force us to cut our intervenrepresent the extraordinary range of subject matter that contemporary, historic, and tion group, which helps out mythic Western experiences inspire. underperforming students as well as playground supervisors and the music program. The library may also lose its fulltime librarian, who keeps the shelves organized and moderates book selection that would be a great loss to students. The librarian reinforces literacy, and also inspires learning by imparting an appreciation for reading through story time sessions. That’s the magic eltres_jan_ledger_121610 reading brings to a student. In the long run, the economy will be hurt indefinitely because the next generation of workers won’t have as strong an academic background due to the lesser quality in schooling.

At the Autry in Griffith Park

Jumie Sugahara, Ivanhoe Elementary School principal I think what we’re waiting for right now is how this will play out in Los Angeles Uni-

fied as far as what budget cuts will be. We don’t receive much as far as categorical funding.

It’s not a title one school but there’s still a need to create programs for kids that need more support…. what would affect us is if they have to increase class size. I think right now. . . we’re holding tight to see what Superintendent Deasy does. . .

We’re waiting to see what the budget cuts for art and music, and that we have been able to supplement. I think that it’s a big “what if” right now. And it’s a crazy time because right now I don’t know when the official last day of school is, we haven’t heard.

Kristen Murphy, Thomas Starr King Middle School principal One of the first impacts of budget cuts is the reduction of office staff. I have to answer the phone sometimes. At this point, we really don’t know what the impact is going to be.

King is fortunate in being a Title 1 school that we do receive federal Title 1 dollars. We get a per-pupil allocation for 85% of our students that does help us out, so we’ve still been able to purchase things like a full time nurse, a full time librarian and some additional counseling time, so we’ve been really fortunate. We’re also lucky in that our neighborhood councils have been really good to us: the Greater Griffith park Neighborhood Council; the Los Feliz Improvement Assoc., the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council and Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge. I don’t want to say I’m not concerned about budget see LAUSD page 18

Dennis Doheny, Silver Breeze, oil on linen, 30 x 36 in.

Participating Artists William Acheff Peter Adams Cyrus Afsary Bill Anton Clyde Aspevig Gerald Balciar Greg Beecham Christopher Blossom Kenneth Bunn John Buxton George Carlson Ken Carlson Bruce Cheever Tim Cherry Len Chmiel William Churchill John Coleman Michael Coleman Nicholas Coleman

Carole Cooke Don Crowley Dennis Doheny John Fawcett Luke Frazier Tammy Garcia Veryl Goodnight Richard V. Greeves Robert Griffing George Hallmark Harold T. Holden Doug Hyde Oreland C. Joe Sr. T. D. Kelsey Francois Koch Mehl Lawson T. Allen Lawson Calvin Liang Z. S. Liang

David Mann Bonnie Marris Walter T. Matia Krystii Melaine Herb Mignery Denis Milhomme Dean L. Mitchell James Morgan Bill Nebeker Jim C. Norton Ralph Oberg JoAnn Peralta Andrew Peters Robert Peters William S. Phillips Daniel W. Pinkham Kyle Polzin Scott Tallman Powers Kevin Red Star

Jason Rich Gayle Garner Roski Lindsay Scott Sandy Scott Tim Shinabarger Kyle Sims Mian Situ Daniel Smith Matt Smith Tucker Smith Tim Solliday Howard Terpning Richard D. Thomas Margery Torrey Kent Ullberg Curt Walters Morgan Weistling Kim Wiggins Jim Wilcox

4700 Western Heritage Way . Los Angeles, CA 90027—1462 . TheAutry.org

Page 6

COMMUNITY NEWS

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February 2012

Los Feliz Ledger MARIJUANA from page 1

wood Blvd.; 4511 Sunset Blvd. and another next to the Vista Theater on Sunset Boulevard.

There are three additional dispensaries in Los Feliz but outside of the GGPNC’s boundaries.

Laderosa is now seeking the support of Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge on the proposed ban.

“Right now, he is not supporting it, and I’m not sure why that is,” she said.

In a subsequent interview, LaBonge said he has spoken to physicians and would like the American Medical Assoc.

(AMA) to weigh in on the issue.

“I voiced my concerns over the impact of these dispensaries in the area and want the AMA to take a stand on the treatment component. Then we can ask it be sold at established pharmacies like CVS,” LaBonge said. “This could be a valuable tool and that bridge needs to be crossed as soon as possible.”

West Hollywood and Beverly Hills already have strict regulations for dispensaries in place, but Los Angeles has been unable to curtail the growth and is battling numerous lawsuits.

February 2012

Los Angeles Police Dept.

Cpt. Bill Murphy also told the GGPNC dispensaries offer criminals what they seek most: drugs and money, creating great temptation for robbers.

The ability to pay huge rents was also discussed by others that spoke at the meeting.

“Landlords that had tenants moving out because they couldn’t afford to pay $12,000 a month are now getting rents of $75,000 from these dispensaries,” said guest speaker East Hollywood Neighborhood Councilman Craig Cox. The neighborhood councils of East Hollywood, Eagle Rock and Hollywood Studio District have all gone on record as supporting the proposed ban.

But GGPNC council member Nelson Bae said he disagreed with the proposed ban.

“We are facing an economic recession the likes we haven’t seen in 80 years and we’re trying shut down one of the few industries that is booming?” he said. “Banning profitable businesses while we sit around, procrastinate and create more bureaucracy is nothing short of asinine,” he said.

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“Future Directions for Los Feliz” Community Forum Feb. 13 LOS FELIZ—The community is invited to attend “Future Directions for Los Feliz,” the first Los Feliz Improvement Association forum in 2012.

The roundtable discussion will be Monday, Feb. 13th at the Autry National Center in Griffith Park. The event starts with a mixer at 6:30 p.m. with a light buffet. The formal program begins at 7:15 p.m.

The moderated panel of elected and appointed officials will include Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge, California Assemblymember Mike Feuer, Congressman Adam Schiff, County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles Police Dept., Northeast Division Captain Bill Murphy and Dept. of Recreation and Parks General

Manager Jon Kirk Mukri.

Topics to be explored will be posed by moderators and LFIA Past Presidents Donna Zenor and Terry Hughes.

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Page 7

Los Feliz Ledger [obituary]

Robert Herzog, Silver Lake Community Activist 1940-2011

By Michael Locke, Ledger Columnist

Bob Herzog, Co-Chair of the Silver Lake History Collective, a committee of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, died on Nov. 14th, 2011 after a battle with cancer. He was a Silver Lake native and had a great love for and strong devotion to the community. He attended Hollywood High School and the Univ. of Southern California, where he earned a degree in Business He began his professional career at the American Broadcasting Company and worked for various advertising agencies, beginning with J. Walter Thompson.

He lived and worked in Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Juan, Puerto Rico where he met his life partner, Jim Van Wheeldon. The couple moved to London Street in Silver Lake in 1976.

Tiring of the world of advertising, he took several years off to rest and travel. For a time, he found himself working as a house painter with Van Wheeldon. After Wheeldon’s death from AIDS, he

Los Feliz Library Looking for Volunteers The Los Feliz Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library is looking for volunteers to re-shelve books for one hour per week.

The Los Feliz Library is one of the smallest libraries in all of Los Angeles, but almost a quarter of a million books,

DVDs and CDs are checked out annually by an average of 3,700 people visiting the library each week.

There will be an introductory meeting Sat. Feb. 18th at 11 a.m. at the library for interested volunteers.

Look for the March edition of the

Los Feliz Ledger on Thursday, March 1

took over the painting business, where he spent 18 years as the owner of Herzog Painting.

Retiring from the painting business in 2005, Herzog became involved in community service. At the time of his death, he was actively involved on the board for The Silver Lake Improvement Association and the Griffith Park Adult Community Center. For the past three years he served as Co-Chair for the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council’s History Collective.

In an interview for the Silver Lake History Collective on July 8th, 2008, Herzog recollected his life in Silver Lake, “I love this community, and my home, where I have lived for the past 35 years. It is a great pleasure to work with my neighbors in preserving the culture and history of our neighborhood. We spend our lives working and raising families, then retirement comes and offers an opportunity to share our lives with others and flower into maturity,” he said.

Rice Tasting and Cooking Demo, February 4th well as pre-prepared rice dishes. The cooking demonstration will showcase recipes and techniques used in traditional Donabe rice pot cooking.

ECHO PARK—Common Grains, a natural food grocery story, will host a rice exhibition at Cookbook, featuring more than 50 kinds of rare and artisanal Japanese rice.

Guest can both taste and purchase the uncooked rice as

1549 Echo Park Ave., Sat., Feb. 4, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Free.

[open mike]

Los Feliz BID Making an Effort Regarding your “Letter from the Publisher” (January 2012), as the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council Business Representative, I attend many of the LFVBID meetings and at one such meeting I actually helped the LFVBID stuff and mail 300+ ballots. That’s in addition to the digital advertising and recruiting they conducted via email and Facebook.

I understand the percentPage 8

age of returned ballots [in the LFVBID’s recent election] was incredibly minimal and something must be done to fix that. But I don’t believe it was through lack of effort by certain members of the LFVBID. I’ve also seen the tremendous amount of work done by a very limited number of active LFVBID members.

Rob Menz Los Feliz

COMMUNITY NEWS

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February 2012

Los Feliz Ledger

Unification Called For in Redistricting

CD 4 Could Be Dramatically Affected

By Tony Cella, Norma Zager and Allison Ferraro Ledger Contributing Writers

Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Echo Park

WE SAY HondaOfHollywood.com Facebook.com/HondaOfHollywood

While the first pass of proposed Los Angeles City Council district boundary changes were released by the Los Angeles Redistricting Commission Jan. 25th, local activists continue to plead local neighborhoods stay in tact.

Local community leaders called for the commission to solidify Atwater Village into a single City Council district at a meeting earlier in January.

“We shouldn’t have two council districts when there’s one Neighborhood Council,” said Barbara Lass of the Atwater Village Residents’ Assoc.

Alex Ventura of the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council said the opinions of residents and business owners in North Atwater are neglected because they comprise a minute portion of Council District 4.

Los Angeles City councilmember Tom LaBonge, who represents some the district, did not return requests for comment.

Eric Garcetti, candidate for mayor, represents the majority of Atwater Village, which lies in Council District 13.

His spokesperson, Julie Wong, said some residents expressed concern to Garcetti that if the two councilmembers don’t maintain a working relationship their community won’t be represented at the council, which could cut them off from potential services.

Garcetti has not taken a stance on whether Atwater Village should be unified, but encouraged residents to vocalize their opinions at public

hearings.

Atwater Village City Council lines were split in 1992. The neighborhood was in a single district between 1986 and 1992, after being split for 14 years prior.

In Los Feliz, the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) has resolved the boundaries of the neighborhood council should remain intact and reside within a single City Council district.

“As the boundaries of Los Feliz and Griffith Park do not appear to be threatened or split—the GGPNC just wanted to be on record as stating its support for the our neighborhood council jurisdiction to remain intact within any reconfigured council district,” said GGPNC Treasurer Nelson Bae. City Council boundaries are redrawn every 10 years due to population changes.

Public hearings on the proposed boundary changes continue throughout February. The commission hopes to adopt a final plan, for City Council approval, by March 1st. For information: www.redistricting2011.lacity.org LaBonge’s District 4 is potentially one of the most affected districts. The current proposed new boundaries of District 4 run from Silver Lake to Bel-Air and north to Encino relocating Hancock Park, Windsor Square and the Larchmont area to Council District 5 (Paul Koretz).

Maps of the proposed changes are available at losfelizledger.com

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Page 9

Los Feliz Ledger

Remembering When: The Los Feliz Drive-In

By Tony Cella, Ledger Contributing Writer LOS FELIZ—Los Angeles Councilmember Tom LaBonge knows where to find an underground theater in Los Feliz.

“It’s right there in lanes 1, 2, 3 and 4,” he said referring to the 5 Freeway, where the drive-in was torn down in order to build.

Los Feliz was home to a drive-in theater during the 1950s. Called simply the Los Feliz Drive-In, the Dept. of Transportation bought the property as part of the Interstate 5 Highway expansion project in 1957. The twoscreen theater’s ad last ran in the Los Angeles Times on Oct. 2nd, 1956.

According to records, the independently owned theater

was built in March of 1950 and opened with Nevedan and Pirates of Capri.

LaBonge said he remembers piling into the family station wagon to watch the

lombe regrets not going to the theater in her younger days.

“People liked to go there, put earphones on and listen to movies,” Hollombe said.

She remembers it being

LaBonge said he remembers piling into the family station wagon to watch the Southern Pacific trains with his brothers, then heading to the Hyperion Bridge to peer over and sneak a showing of a Disney movie.

Southern Pacific trains with his brothers, then heading to the Hyperion Bridge to peer over and sneak a showing of a Disney movie.

Resident of Kingsley Manor, a retirement home near Los Feliz, Suzanne Hol-

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popular place for the younger crowd to go on weekends.

“Lovers went there, in convertibles,” she said. “It was nothing out of line.”

The Los Feliz Drive-In entered the courtroom at least once during its six-year life, winning a case against the city.

According to an archived Los Angeles Times article, a judge ruled a nearby baseball field (which also was eventually demolished for freeway construction) had to turn off—or shield its lights—during night games to prevent interference with movie screenings.

The baseball field, owned

by the Dept. of Recreation and Parks, was built before the drive-in, but the judge decided in favor of the drive-in.

Fate however, didn’t favor the theater for long. The theater sold its property to the Dept. of Transportation in

1956 for the 5 Freeway.

Hollombe remembers people were upset when the drive-in closed.

“It was a landmark in Los Feliz,” she said. “I used to drive by there,” she said. “I should’ve gone in hindsight.”

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February 2012

Los Feliz Ledger [greetings from tom]

Copper Wire Theft

By Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge Copper wire theft is an ongoing problem in Los Angeles and the nation as a whole.

Cha l leng i ng economic times make the theft of copper wire and heavy metals very lucrative.

Thieves are taking the copper wire from streetlights, in some cases, leaving whole blocks in the dark. My office is receiving a few complaints from the Los Feliz area of the 4th District about streetlights going dark, but the problem is not as prevalent in Los Feliz as in other areas of the city.

There are two dedicated crews from the Bureau of Street Lighting who are responding to all of these outages. But they can only move so fast; and with the city’s budget challenges, replacing stolen copper-wire is an extra cost that we can ill-afford.

Here’s what you can do to help prevent copper wire theft. Call 911 immediately if you see a wire theft in progress or see any suspicious activity around streetlights.

Anybody working on the streetlights should have a yellow City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting nearby with a city seal, the words “street lighting” on the driver and passenger doors and the word “Exempt” on its license plate. Workers should be wearing an orange vest, hard-hat and carry city identification.

If something seems amiss, take photos or video, get a license-plate number of the vehicle, but do not confront these people.

Having well lit streets

February 2012

is a public safety issue and a core service of the city. Since 2007, Bureau of Street Lighting crews have responded to 1,800 copper wire thefts and have restored function to some 12,000 streetlights.

The Bureau, along with a private manufacturer, has built a special lockable lid for existing concrete electrical vaults to protect them from repeated thefts. This new lid is placed on all locations where theft has occurred, protecting them from further plunder.

But opportunistic thieves will move to another unprotected location, so it’s important that we all be vigilant to suspicious activity around our street lights.

[eric garcetti]

Streets 4 People Coming to Silver Lake

By Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Council Member

With its active and engaged residents, as well as quaint shops and re s t au r a nt s , Silver Lake is an ideal neighborhood to launch Los Angeles’s Streets For People (S4P) project.

S4P is an effort between Los Angeles city and county departments that seeks to quickly and inexpensively transform under-used streets into vibrant public spaces.

The first S4P pilot project is expected to open this spring and will convert Griffith Park Boulevard between Sunset Boulevard, Maltman Avenue and Edgecliffe Drive into a pedestrian plaza bordered by potted planters, moveable tables and chairs and a decorated

www.losfelizledger.com

street surface. This site was considered an optimal choice because it already generates a significant amount of bicycle and pedestrian activity because of nearby local businesses and the twice-weekly farmer’s market.

The Silver Lake Improvement Association (SLIA), Silver Lake Neighborhood Council and the Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce played instrumental roles in building consensus for the project.

When construction is complete, SLIA, in partnership with adjacent business owners, will oversee the site’s maintenance and programming. The pilot project will be installed for approximately one year and the street will be closed to automobile traffic during this time.

Angelenos want safer and more welcoming streets for walking, jogging, and bicycling. And we also seek public spaces where communities can come together for family and neighborhood activities. Streets for People is designed to meet these needs in a cost-effective manner, and I hope that the Silver Lake projects is the first of its many successful efforts.

[mike gatto]

California’s Unstable Tax Revenues

By California Assemblyman Mike Gatto Ever wonder why California government seems so prone to boom and bust? Our revenue charts look like seismograph paper. Our state’s general fund, which pays for things like education and public safety, has gone from over $100 billion dollars to closer to $80 billion dollars in just a few years. This is because we rely too heavily on volatile sources of income.

Thirty years ago, California income taxes accounted for less than a third of state revenues.

In 2010, individual income taxes accounted for 44% of California’s tax revenue—very high compared to other states. Compounding the issue is state’s heavy reliance also from capital gains tax revenues.

Between 2007 and 2009, during the height of the current recession, capital-gains taxes, as a percentage of the state’s general fund, plummeted from 12% to 3%, as investors left the stock market and could not sell homes for profit. This de-

pendence caused billions of expected tax dollars to disappear, and caused an immediate hole in the state budget.

Relying on these unstable revenue sources is poor policy.

This year’s projections are actually taking into consideration whether Facebook will go public in 2012, creating more Silicon Valley millionaires, who will have to pay considerable capital gains taxes. Is that any way to govern a state? Hoping that a dot.com IPO will result in an influx of tax dollars?

I am considering legislation including overhauling the tax code and implementing an enhanced “Rainy Day” savings fund. Ups and downs happen, but they need not be so severe. That just results in squandering when times are good, and unneeded suffering when times are bad.

Mike Gatto is the Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore of the California State Assembly. He represents parts of Los Angeles, including Los Feliz, North Hollywood and Silver Lake among other areas.

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POLITICS Page 11

Los Feliz Ledger

The Soap Plant thrived in the urban setting and Shire expanded next door with Wacko—a natural extension

Wacko, Shire led the trend of showing and selling these artifacts as merchandise in La Luz De Jesus Art Gallery, which he created upstairs.

Twenty-five years later, La Luz de Jesus still rotates so-called low-brow art shows monthly, now in its current location at 4633 Hollywood

a lot of different categories— toys, soaps, skull stuff, lunchboxes,” said Shire. “It’s all about my eyes, doing it fast and knowing what to order.”

Shire is admired by gift vendors for finding the next best thing, as he did with Tiki culture, prominently displayed at Wacko.

of Shire’s artistic interests— where he popularized ethnographic items such as Japanese toys, Godzilla and cultural folk arts. His clothing store, Zulu, opened soon after.

Finally, when his collection of Dia De Los Muertos art was brimming over in

Blvd. where Shire combined his stores in 1994. The site was a former U.S. Post Office.

“The gallery is based on Southern California pop culture. . . surfing, hot-rodding, skateboarding, pin-up art, tattooing,” said Shire.

“The store is the best of

“I wouldn’t call it nostalgia, but I definitely cater to different generations,” said Shire pondering his philosophy to Soap Plant/Wacko. “I’m mining my own history for things that really strike a chord with me and trying to show people their roots.”

[Focus on the Advertiser]

Billy Shire on 40 Years of Soap Plant/Wacko

By Kimberly Gomez, Ledger Contributing Writer LOS FELIZ—Marking 40 years of Soap Plant/Wacko— the famed sprawling store of pop culture design, books, toys and kitsch—owner Billy Shire laughingly credits “not being afraid of bad taste,” for much of his success.

A self-studied artist from Echo Park, Shire was 20 when he and his mother opened Soap Plant in 1971 near the hippy culture intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Sanborn Avenue. Their shop sold highquality lotions and soaps— still supplied by a family from

Berkeley—as gifts.

“We’ve always been visually oriented and pan cultural and I started getting into more ethnic type baskets which led into masks,” said Shire.

Back then, Shire picked up work as a leather and studs artist costuming rock bands.

He also liked to travel to Mexico where he became fascinated with Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) art.

By 1980, Shire set up shop on Melrose Avenue, an area cultivating creative retail and trendy eateries.

candidates from page 1

teer work around Echo Park and other areas in Los Angeles.

“I’m trying to bring together communities, work harder than the next candidate on the street level and change the way things are done,” said Post.

Martinez, who has lived in Atwater Village for 26 years, is the only Los Angeles native of the current candidates.

“This is my city,” he said.

“This is where I grew up.

This is the only city I call my home.”

Raised in what’s now considered Korea Town, Martinez recalls his first jobs working at a Carl’s Jr. on Sixth Street and Western Avenue, and then at Rampage Hardware on Bronson Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard.

It was a rough area, he said. He credits his mother and stepfather for keeping him from “becoming a gang member or going the wrong way.”

Martinez is a father of three; a real estate agent for Keller Williams/Los Feliz; a small business owner of Cecilia’s Custom Lamp Shades; and a South Atwater Representative on the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council since 2010.

“I’m a very simple guy,” he said. “I love my community.

This is the only community I know, the only city that I know, and I want to do the best I can… I’m not a politician. I speak from my heart, and my heart is in my city.”

Several more candidates are expected to enter the race in the months to come once the city’s redistricting process has been completed.

Among them are Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council President Jose Sigala, medical marijuana activist Richard Eastman, and State Senator Kevin DeLeon of the 22nd District.

taurant business and has was a dancer and gymnast.

O’Farrell, 51, said he will leave his position as Garcetti’s senior advisor this month to pursue his candidacy.

In O’Farrell’s tenure with Garcetti’s office, the Ohio-native helped establish a community and senior center in Glassell Park, managed the Echo Park Lake and boathouse project and removed transient encampments from the Los Angeles River basin.

Most recently he has been working on projects such as bringing a farmers market to Glassell Park and plans for a footbridge over the Los Angeles River from Silver Lake to Atwater Village.

“No one knows the district like I do,” said O’Farrell.

“And over the last year it really became clear to me I wanted to stay in the 13th District.

There’s so much to do, there’s so much more potential that hasn’t even been tapped.”

Echo Park activist Post, 33, is a newcomer to politics and boasts that fact.

“I’m the first to admit that I’m an outsider,” he said, adding the city’s political scene is “becoming this club of cronyism.”

Raised in rural Missouri, Post moved to Los Angeles a little more than a decade ago.

His credentials include managing communications for the city’s BEST After School Program and working as a staff attorney for a federal judge on human rights and government cases.

He also assisted in the prosecution of government corruption for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and as acted as a visiting U.S. constitutional law professor at the Universidad de Guanajuato in Guanajuato, Mexico. He also has a list of community service and volunPage 12 COMMUNITY NEWS

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February 2012

Los Feliz Ledger

[city sleuth]

Art for Art’s Sake at Barnsdall Park

By Diane Kanner, Ledger Columnist LOS FELIZ— Artists with major reputations gathered at the Municipal Art Gallery Jan. 15th: men and women whose careers began at the MUNI during the 1970s and 1980s.

Don Bachardy, Betye Saar, Peter Alexander and Kent Twitchell were among artists and panelists before a large Nancy Stanford, seated, with Josine Ianco-Starrels crowd, all gathered to hear the outspoken Starrels. The result pleased curator, Josine Ianco-Starrels, both City Hall and the art who launched the artists. community.

“The County Museum “At the County Museum, was much too fancy for lothe establishment was scared,” cal artists,” the Romanian Ianco-Starrels said near the born curator explained reend of the two-hour program. calling her arrival to BarnsShe recalled a show at the dall Park in 1975. “I wanted MUNI called ‘Portraits 1979,’ the MUNI to represent local including a portrait of the people paying local taxes. I then well-known County Musought people who had work seum curator of modern art, ready to show. Anytime I who came to see his portrait. saw good work, I became “He asked me what I was very greedy. Many artists doing next,” Ianco-Starrels releft hating my guts because,” called. Her answer was: “A show she said, she painfully honest on Xeroxophy.” Perplexed, the about their output. man asked if Ianco-Starrels had The afternoon was a roasta contract with Xerox. love fest of Ianco-Starrels and The answer was, of course, her relationship with the city that so many artists at that department that oversaw the time were experimenting with MUNI, the then Municipal the Xerox machine.

Arts Department.

Ianco-Starrels recalled the Back then, Ianco-Starman said, “So it is still about rels called City Hall “Civic art and beauty for you isn’t Virtue headquarters,” and it? When will you see that it that is the name of the exis about money?” To that she hibit currently at the MUNI replied: “I will go to my grave until Feb. 12th. poor before I make money the “I wanted to fill all 10,000 reason for putting together an square feet with crashing wave art show.’” paintings, the kind of art LaWhen she left the MUNI guna Beach produces,” she in 1984, Ianco-Starrels worked said. “All the crashing waves, at a Long Beach museum. all the barns, all the sunsets— Now an independent curator, when you see them all together her MUNI papers have been you would realize how awful given to the Smithsonian Arthey were, what the Germans chives of American Art. call ‘kitsch.’”

The City of Los AngeOnce, she said, a politiles Dept. of Cultural Affairs’ cian told her to ensemble a “Civic Virtue: The Impact of tribute to Martin Luther King the Los Angeles Municipal with a show of black artists.

Art Gallery and the Watts “The black artists were Towers Arts Center” at Barntired of shows by black artists, sdall Park, 4800 Hollywood so I let them ask artist friends Blvd. until Feb. 12th. A closfrom the community to paring reception takes place on ticipate as well,” and Iancothe 12th from 2 to 5 p.m.

February 2012

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90039 Single Family Homes

2086 BALMER DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,040,000 2400 MORENO DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 990,000 2300 BAXTER ST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 807,000 2300 BAXTER ST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 807,000 2051 KENILWORTH AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 680,000 2428 MEADOW VALLEY TER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645,000 3251 GARDEN AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535,000

90068 Single Family Residences 3215 BONNIE HILL DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $975,000 6836 CAHUENGA PARK TRL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 867,000 7792 SKYHILL DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 865,090 7342 PACIFIC VIEW DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 795,000 7185 WOODROW WILSON DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577,000 7254 SYCAMORE TRL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410,000 2700 CAHUENGA BLVD E 1206 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410000 3206 CANYON LAKE DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1754500 3401 BARHAM BLVD 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250000 3374 FLOYD TER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600000 3284 BARHAM BLVD 102 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235000 3076 CAHUENGA BLVD E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400000 6240 ROCKCLIFF DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 660000 6218 ROCKCLIFF DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 700000 2769 WESTSHIRE DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 980000 2145 BEACHWOOD TER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 610000

Sales are from the previous month. Source: Great American Real Estate Solutions

IN ESCROW HOLLYWOOD HILLS $1,672,000

www.2041Grace.com – City views, large flat lot with pool – Prime Hollywood Hills location – 4bd/4.5ba., 4,000+ sqft and 3 bonus rooms

How do you know if your rents are at market?

Call NOW for a FREE Rent Survey!

BUY or LEASE MT WASHINGTON $799,000 / $3950mo

www.4429Palmero.com – Contemporary home w/ 3bd/2.5ba + family room – Open floorplan – Large flat yard with room for a pool – Mt.Washington elementary

Views from every room!

Property Management Page 14 Su Casa REAL ESTATE

www.losfelizledger.com

1621 Silver Lake Blvd., Suite 101 Los Angeles, CA 90026 (323) 668-7500 clukens@clintlukensrealty.com www.ClintLukensRealty.com DRE Lic #01367014

February 2012

Los Feliz Ledger [interior motives]

Color My World

By Susann Thomason Tunick Afraid of color? Here are ten simple ways to infuse color into your home without changing the entire room.

In a neutral room, reupholster a chair in your favorite bright fabric. “Buttercup Yellow” pops but is also neutral enough to blend with almost anything else. Add a few pillows on the sofa in the same hue. Add bold colored lamps

February 2012

to replace the ones you have.

For impact, add a matching shade to add a bolt of energy to your room.

Are you tired of “all white” or “play it safe beige” but don’t want to reupholster?

Buy a bright colored area rug and your neutrals will float on a bed of color.

With neutral walls, paint your ceiling a beautiful color, like blue, tangerine or pale

www.losfelizledger.com

mustard. The whole room will come alive. Match that color somewhere in the room, with pillows, artwork or a vase.

Try adding color with some shine to reflect the light in the room by using silk pillows or taffeta draperies. The texture shimmers and adds depth to the color you’ve chosen.

Change your neutral draperies to color. For maximum impact, place the rods near the ceiling for maximum drama. This works for 8 to 9 foot ceilings. If ceilings are very high, place the rod 12 to

18 inches above the window.

Don’t want the expense of new drapes or lamps? Add colored trim to existing draperies or lampshades. The trim can run vertical on the lead edges of your draperies or at the bottom. Break out the glue gun for your lampshades and add trim.

Paint your cabinetry, bookshelves or paneling. It adds color

in an unexpected place.

Tired of your white closet?

Whether your closet is large or small, paint or wallpaper one wall. It will be so inviting!

Wallpaper is a great way to add multiple colors. “Walnut on Beverly” has some interesting papers. Check out w w w.casartcoverings.com.

These papers are press-on and are not permanent. Genius!

Su Casa REAL ESTATE Page 15

P ATRICIA R UBEN Sotheby’s International Realty Los Feliz Brokerage DRE# 01262286

323.671.2310 Patricia.Ruben@sothebyshomes.com

CONGRATULATIONS In our fast-paced world of constant communication, it is sometimes important to stop and take a moment to celebrate our successes. This is one of those times.

Listing and Selling the Historic Homes of Los Feliz #1 Producing Agent at Sotheby’s International Realty Los Feliz in 2011 #1 Producing Agent in 90027 with over 16 million sold in 2011

SOLD

SOLD

“Walt Disney’s” 4053 Woking Way Residence

“Van Griffith” 2630 N.Vermont Residence

Walt Disney’s personal residence. This historic home features circular rotunda, painted ceilings, Juliet balcony and the projection and screening room built to watch dailies of what are now classic films. Also includes the original playhouse featured in “The Man Behind The Myth.”

Circa 1925, historic compound with main and guest residences that neighbor Griffith Park. Enter via double gated driveway with parking for 10 cars. Parklike flat grounds includes swimmer’s pool, loggia with outdoor fireplace, stone paths and premier landscaping.

offered at $3,650,000

offered at $4,875,000

SOLD

SOLD

4853 Glencairn Road

4517 Dundee Drive

Legendary Estate c. 1936 - Milton J. Black, architect. Private promontory, private 2-bedroom guest home, resort pool, multiple gardens, and private parking. Approx. 25,740-sq.ft. double lot. Unobstructed Downtown skyline views from most rooms. Main residence includes 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths.

Grand master bedroom wing with private living room, fireplace, one-of-akind views. Beautifully landscaped path to private pool area. First time on the market in 50 years.

Privacy on one of the finest architecturally significant streets in Los Feliz.

Gated with private driveway.Top of the world panoramic views; Downtown, ocean and the Observatory. Towering two-story entranceway, 3 bedrooms, loft, den, office area and 2.5 baths. Ultimate indoor-outdoor LA lifestyle.

Bonus guest pavilion. Everything but ordinary, the views will leave you breathless, the privacy will keep you calm.

offered at $2,295,000

offered at $3,395,000 LOS FELIZ

•

1801 North Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

•

sothebyshomes.com

Los Feliz Ledger [keen to be green]

Green Thoughts for Presidents’ Day

By Meher McArthur, Ledger Columnist In this election year when the economy and jobs are the main focus of our politicians, it seems hard for President Obama and lawmakers to prioritize the environment.

Roosevelt was a great pioneer of environmental stewardship, lobbying Congress for wilderness protection, setting aside 150 million acres of timberland as public do-

I cheered when I heard the recent news that Obama had rejected the Keystone XL pipeline.

Yet such strong pro-environmental action by Obama has been rare.

I cheered when I heard the recent news that Obama had rejected the Keystone XL pipeline. Yet such strong pro-environmental action by Obama has been rare. Like other recent presidents such as Bill Clinton—even with Al Gore as his VP—he hasn’t been able to turn the White House as green as some of us hoped.

How does he compare with earlier presidents?

A century ago, Theodore

February 2012

also passed.

Jimmy Carter was perhaps the most recent champion of the environment, creating the Dept. of Energy in 1977—to promote clean energy and alternative fuels— and mandating fuel-efficient cars.

With more encouragement, Obama might strengthen his stance in favor of energy efficiency, conservation and green jobs and go down in history not only as the country’s first black president, but the greenest too.

Art Exhibits Continue at Keller Williams HILLHURST AVENUE—An opening reception showcasing the works of two artists will be held at Keller Williams/Los Feliz, 1660 Hillhurst Avenue, February 24th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Daniela Kamp-Taylor’s photo collages and Lori Pond’s photographs will be featured. The exhibit will run through May.

Proceeds from the opening evening will benefit the Birthday Box Project, a volunteer non-profit organization that provides resources to homeless families to create memorable birthday parties for their children.

Information: (323) 300-1000 and www.kwLosFeliz.com

mains, overseeing the creation of 50 wildlife refuges and five national parks, and establishing the U.S. Forest Service.

Richard Nixon was surprisingly green, signing the bills that established the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Air Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Under him, the Endangered Species Act and Clean Drinking Water Act

www.losfelizledger.com

Su Casa REAL ESTATE Page 17

Los Feliz Ledger [stargazing]

February 2012

By Anthony Cook Griffith Observatory

1915 Mayview Drive - Silver Lake

$ 498,900

Represented buyer

Sold in a Week!

N

ine buyers competed for this home and pushed the price to market value in just one week. Sleek, Mid-Century Modern, one-story home with the proverbial “walls of glass” that invite sweeping views of the Los Angeles basin indoors. Popular atrium floor plan with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Large den with wet bar. Generously-sized kitchen with breakfast area. Flat, home-level grassy garden. In unspoiled, original condition.

First time on the market since new. www.5258loscaballeros.com

Sold for $1,091,450.

What’s the most effective way to sell or to buy a house in this market? Ask me!

Richard Stanley 1917 Hillhurst Av. Los Angeles, CA 90027 #1 agent, Coldwell Banker - Los Feliz, 1995-2009 rstanley@coldwellbanker.com www.richardstanleyrealtor.com 213 300-4567 cell / voicemail 323 906-2417 direct line / voicemail DRE license #: 00971211. ©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.

2460 Meadow Valley Terrace - Silver Lake

Elena Jovis Real Estate

When I take a listing I get it sold !

310. 866. 7385 www.elenajovis.com

Detailed viewing information available at www. griffithobservatory.org.

DRE # 01853376

Hollywood Hills - Los Feliz - Silver Lake lausd from page 6

cuts because obviously it’s not a good situation, the state is in trouble, the district’s funds are being cut, but King is a pretty remarkable place… and our teachers have really rallied and our scores continue to go up despite the fact that we’re doing more with less. Budget cuts are never easy for anyone but I think we will weather the storm.

Susanna Furfari, Micheltorena Street School principal I’ve heard rumors about how it will probably increase the class size. Every time we have these cuts somehow our school has managed to still maintain a lot of the core programs and initiatives that we think are essential. So I’m optimistic for next year. One of the newest ways that we’ve been working on keeping our core programs sustainable is Page 18 Su Casa REAL ESTATE

$ 1,450,000

Venus and Jupiter are in the southwest sky shortly after sunset and until after 9:00 p.m.

They start the month separated by 40 degrees and are 12 degrees apart by month’s end. Telescope users should see the faint planet Uranus slightly more than a third of a degree south of blazing Venus on the 9th.

At dawn, two objects with stellar appearance are side-by-side high in the south. The object on the right is the blue-hued star Spica, of “Virgo the Maiden,” while the golden object on the left is the planet Saturn. A telescope shows a view of Saturn’s rings, tilted at 15 degrees.

While not spectacular like comet Lovejoy—which briefly graced southern hemisphere skies last Christmas—comet Garradd continues its period of visibility in binoculars and small telescopes this month moving into the far northen consellations of “Draco the Dragon” and “Ursa Minor, the Little Bear” (also known as the “Little Dipper”).

After the 18th, the comet will be close enough to the North Star that it is above the horizon all night.

through community partnership. For example [we have a] partnership with the Silver Lake Conservatory, it’s about bartering and trying to make due with what we have. We want to have a girth of services that we can provide to our students at a high quality, whether or not we have lots of money coming in… I think there are a lot of resources in Silver Lake and it’s just about getting to know people and reaching out to them and trying to find ways to work together.

Sarah Bradshaw, Chief of Staff for LAUSD Board Member Bennett Kayser (District 5) It’s obscene, we have to sit here and wait for the state. We have to plan based on what they might do. Now part of the state’s planning this year is based on what the voters might do with the governor’s www.losfelizledger.com

proposed ballot initiative. We have to budget for it passing, we have to budget for it not passing, and we have to live with the consequences regardless. It is criminal. We are 49th in the nation for per pupil funding… 42% of our kids are English language learners. 76% of our kids are in poverty. And then with our precious dollars we have to spend a ridiculous amount on testing and doing all back office or not really hands on productive learning stuff. So that’s kind of where it’s at.

So much is being asked from the schools and the kids are so needy. The time to fight is now. But among options there are class size increases, shorter school year and more services cut to students.

This story was reported by Ledger reporters Colin Stuz and Tony Cella.

February 2012

NOURMAND & ASSOCIATES REALTORS Locally owned and operated since 1976

Nourmand & Associates Hollywood Office 6525 Sunset Blvd - Suite G6 Los Angeles, CA. 90028 www.Nour mand.com

Michael Nourmand President

Howard Lorey Branch Manager of fice: 323.462.6262 email: MNour mand@Nour mand.com HLorey@Nour mand.com

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Nourmand & Associates’ Hollywood office - the youngest in the family of three - is celebrating its fourth birthday/anniversary. Since opening its doors in 2008, our Hollywood office has thrived. In fact, we’ve enjoyed such a growth spurt that we outgrew our offices, and have recently moved from our original space in the Tower of the Hollywood Athletic Club to larger, newly-renovated suites in the historic Hollywood Bungalows, just adjacent to the Tower.

When we opened our doors four years ago, we brought the boutique back, and grew up the oldfashioned way. At the heart of Nourmand & Associates’ success is family. After all, our name is our brand and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ve been privately owned since our company’s inception in 1976.

Today, we continue to be inspired by the recent revitalization and boom of Hollywood’s rebirth and are still actively engaged in one of Los Angeles’ most famous and historic neighborhoods. Because of our central location, we are the ONLY full-service Brokerage with an unlimited neighborhood reach. Our associates have the ability to easily access the surrounding neighborhoods of the Hollywood Hills, Hancock Park, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Echo Park and West Hollywood communities.

Come visit us and be part of something special…

Three Offices. One Respected Name. www.nourmand.com

Local Experts Worldwide

SELECTED PROPERTIES

4715 LOS FELIZ BLVD: Los Feliz Stunning grandscale 2 story Mediterranean Villa w/ 6bd & 7ba offering stately 10,000 sq.ft. w/private salt-water pool. $2,495,000 WEB: 0284389 Manvel Tabakian & Nadia de Winter 323.376.2222

2694GLENDOWER.COM: Los Feliz. Nantucket 3bd 3.5ba+den+fdr+hdwd flrs, 3fpl+spectacular views of Griffith Park & Downtown, quality detailing. $2,385,000 WEB: 0284359 Rosemary Low 323.660.5885

3115 ETTRICK ST: Los Feliz. Incomparable modern new dream home. 4bd/3ba. Huge open plan, chef’s kitch, yard and views. Ivanhoe school. www.ettrickmodern.com $1,499,000 WEB: 0284303 Rick Yohon 323.270.1725 NEW LISTING

1929 N SERRANO AVE: Los Feliz. Gated 1 story Mediterranean Villa w/tropical yard, LR w/fpl, large family rm, observation deck, extra studio rm w/ba $1,490,000 WEB: 0284381 Manvel Tabakian/Nadia De Winter/Gail Crosby 323.376.2222

STRIKING UPDATED SPANISH: Silver Lake.

Spacious LR w/ vaulted ceiling. FDR, Chef’s kitchen, sunny breakfast rm. Wood floors, period sconces.

Sunny and bright. $959,000 WEB: 0284466 Carol Stewart 323.255.3800 IN ESCROW

821-823 1/2 N ALEXANDRIA AVE: Hollywood.

Traditional, 4 Unit character bldg. Hdwd flrs. Front & Rear entrance, covered parking. Sits above street. $865,000 WEB: 0284417 Judy Dionzon 323.394.2330

2648 ARMSTRONG: Silver Lake Romantic 1937 E.Coast Trad. 3bd/1.5ba, hdwd flrs, fpl, stun. outdr patio/gazebo, lge flat lot, prime loc. charm galore $869,000 WEB: 0284470 Rosemary Low 323.660.5885

NEW LISTING

FAB 50’S VINTAGE: Silver Lake. 3bd/2ba MidCentury gem w/vaulted wd. clngs., period kit./baths, lrg. patio, Dwntn vus, stone frpl., 3rd BR is convertible Den $799,000 WEB: 0284366 Joseph Lightfoot 323.665.1108

2493 LANTERMAN TER: Silver Lake 3bd/1.5ba Panoramic canyon views! Stunning home with clean lines and modern accents. Large secluded flat grassy backyard with garden. $799,000 WEB: 0284471 Stacy Boucher 323.217.6911

NEW LISTING

740 E KENSINGTON RD: Echo Park. Generous rooms w/soaring ceilings. Chef’s kitchen. Finished attic.

Private yard w/large pool and outdoor kitchen. $799,000 WEB: 0284357 Carol Stewart 323.255.3800

3932 CLAYTON AVE: Los Feliz. 3bd/2ba Private 1940’s view home in the Franklin Hills. Flexible floorplan, tons of light, perfect for entertaining! $795,000 WEB:0284469 Boni Bryant & Joe Reichling 323.395.9084

OWNER USER DUPLEX: Echo Park. Great upper Elysian Hts location w/PANORAMIC VISTAS side by side 2 level units delivered vacant 3bd/2.5ba+2bd/ 1.5ba+sep attached gymnasium $749,000 WEB: 0284456 Peter Reyes 323.356.2879

SHAPE YOUR DREAM HOME: Silver Lake. Out with the old, in with the new! Great potential to modernize this spacious traditional home w/ studio in the heart of Silverlake $505,000 WEB: 0284396

2604 N BEACHWOOD DR. #1: Hollywood Hills East 2bd/1.75ba 60’s style, Move-in cond. Lots of light & windows, Near Beachwood Village. $493,000 WEB: 0284459

SOLD

SOLD IN 2 DAYS OVER ASKING: Silver Lake.

Charming 3bd/2ba pretty home on the hill sold in a hurry! Ask Gail how she does it. $725,000 WEB: 0284434 Gail Crosby 323.428.2864

Joseph Lightfoot 323.665.1108

Judy Dionzon 323.394.2330

Sotheby’s International Realty - Los Feliz is proud to establish Sotheby’s International Realty for Schools. Our mission is to help support our local public schools and our local youth realize their full potential. Our organization and agents are currently supporting various initiatives at our local learning institutions on an ongoing For SchoolS donation program from closed transactions. To date we have raised over $5000 for Micheltorena Elementary School and Thomas Starr King Middle School.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BROKERAGES I SOTHEBYSHOMES.COM/SOCAL I LOS FELIZ 1801 NORTH HILLHURST AVENUE T 323.665.1700

USE THE WEB NUMBERS PROVIDED TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ON A PROPERTY THROUGH OUR WEBSITE

Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. The Yellow House used with permission.

Sotheby’s International Realty does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records or other sources.

Los Feliz Ledger [senior moments]

Aging: Can We Do Anything About It?

By Stephanie Vendig, Ledger Columnist The New Year began for me with the shocking message news that I was at risk for osteoporosis.

This condition is common for those in their 70s and 80s as bones become less dense, making it easier for them to break.

Throughout our life old bone tissue is constantly replaced by new bone. But after the age of about 30, the rate of turnover changes with more bone dissolving than being produced.

For women, in particular, bone is lost more quickly after menopause.

But with this chronic condition as with others, such as diabetes and heart disease, I am told that if I do something, the likelihood of se-

vere consequences from these conditions could be reduced or prevented. For example, if the diet is changed, calcium and vitamin D supplements are added, smoking and alcohol are eliminated, movement is increased, exposure to sunlight is increased and there is avoidance of long-term use of corticosteroids, bone health may be maintained in spite of the normal aging process. So now I have to be serious about my New Year Resolutions, which often fade away during the course of the year.

Our heart is another part of our body that needs attention without waiting for the inevitable to happen. I remember when my father,

in 1961, was diagnosed with heart disease. He was told to go to bed to rest—nothing more. He died nine months later at 54. Today the story is quite different. Not only have medical advances changed the way of treating heart disease but now there is a great deal of knowledge about what we can do to keep our heart healthy.

We now know that high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and secondhand smoke are all risk factors associated with heart disease, and a change in our behavior can reverse the course of the disease.

One such heart condition common in older people is arrhythmias. The heart rate (pulse) is either too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia) or irregular. Normally your heart is able to pump blood throughout your system without working any harder than needed. It is seen as an electrical system that contracts and expands in an orderly way.

Symptoms may be very mild or severe or even life threatening, and treatments vary from medications to different types of pacemakers depending upon the kind of arrhythmia.

On Feb. 15th, 1:00 p.m.

to 3:00 p.m. at Friendship Auditorium, 3201 Riverside Dr., will be a physician-led presentation about arrhythmias. Since February is Heart Month, this presentation is part of a national heart-health awareness campaign sponsored by the National Council on Aging and Medtronic. In addition to the presentation, Debbie Allen, actress and dancer, will make a personal appearance. Music and dancing will round out the afternoon. Lunch served at noon.

Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

For information: www.JointhePaceMakers.com

Look for the March edition of the

Los Feliz Ledger on March 1st

Sunset Hall - Curriculum and Advocacy Thanks to our ad sponsor Sunset Hall. They offer...

Programs for free-thinking seniors (323) 660-5277

Conversational Spanish at GPACC on Wednesdays

Griffith Park Adult Community Club Calendar

General Meeting & Lunch Wed., Feb. 15, noon-3:00 • Friendship Aud. Heart-Beat Irregularity/Pacemakers AND Debbie Allen, Actress & Dancer, music & dancing* Memory Class Thurs., Feb. 2–23, 1:00–3:00* Ongoing Health Conditions Mgmt Mon., Feb. 6–Mar. 19, 1:30–4:00* “Environment and Society in a Changing China,” Prof. Emer. Ted Crovello, Wed., Feb. 22 & 29, 2:00–4:00 pm 3203 Riverside Drive, just north of Los Feliz Bl. * Call for info and reservations (323) 644-5579 Lunch Program: Mon.-Fri., GPACC, 11:30 AM sign in, Noon lunch, Donation under 60 $4, 60+ $2 Club Info and Newsletter: Stephanie Vendig, (323) 667-3043 or vendig@sbcglobal.net.

Join GPACC: Only $15/year for trips and news.

For information on trips, call Doris Slater, (323) 667-1879

Los Angeles Breakfast Club Join us Wednesdays at 7 – 9 am Upcoming speakers and programs...

February 1: Tomas O’Grady - Enrich LA “Enrich LA - A Garden in Every School” February 8: Saul Jacobs & Bob Lipson USC Emeriti College - The Golden Age of Popular Music Series “Johnny Mercer and Hoagy Carmichael” February 15: Lashandra Maze and Rebekah Miller - Counseling 4 Kids “Counseling 4 Kids - Meeting the Needs of Foster Children” Friendship Auditorium 3201 Riverside Drive (1/4 mi. so. of Los Feliz Bl.)

For upcoming programs, see... www.LABreakfastClub.com

• Licensed nurse on-site around the clock • Chef-prepared, restaurant-style dining • Free scheduled transportation daily • Fitness and social activities • Medication management • Housekeeping and laundry • Assistance with daily living • Award-winning Circle of Friends® memory program • Short-term stays available • Specialized Alzheimer’s care

Burbank (818) 972-2405 Encino (818) 788-8870 Hollywood Hills (323) 874-7711 Rancho Palos Verdes (310) 377-9977 Westwood (310) 475-7501 Thousand Oaks (805) 496-9301 RCFE License 197603515, 197603848, 197605090, 198204246, 197607761, 565801746 © 2012 Belmont Village, L.P.

The Community Built for Life ®

or call (323) 662-1191 February 2012

“We choose Belmont Village.”

www.belmontvillage.com

www.losfelizledger.com

SENIOR MOMENTS Page 21

Los Feliz Ledger [Eastside Eye]

Locals Restore a Lautner Architectural Gem

By Kathy A. McDonald, Ledger Columnist Always a challenge, restoring a neglected older property is almost always also a labor of love. Furniture designer Ryan Trowbridge of Los Feliz and his partner interior designer Tracy Beckmann recently completed an extraordinary restoration and thoughtful renovation on a hillside street in Desert Hot Springs.

In 2008, the pair purchased the four-room, 1947-built hotel designed by architect John Lautner—of Silver Lake’s Silver Top. Originally the hotel was to be at the gateway to a 600-acre development. In 1947, Lautner was fresh off his fellowship at Taliesin West under the tutelage of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The hotel’s design echoes Taliesin’s primitive tents where light, the desert sky and the rugged environment are embraced.

Constructed of redwood, glass, concrete and steel, the building’s steel framing cantilevers out, creating a wingshaped overhang that shades each room. Although the rooms are compact in size, there’s an incredible feeling of expansiveness due to the 180-degree view through a glass wall. Each room opens to a private patio and cactus garden. Lautner was known for his sympathetic way of incorporating the natural world into his buildings.

Purchasing the property took some time due to its uniqueness and its location in a tract home neighborhood.

When Trowbridge and Beckmann first saw it, the entire building—including all the

redwood—was painted solid white.

“It was a crazy adventure because nothing was standard,” saidTrowbridge of the restoration, but most visitors have been “blown away,” by seeing the building returned to its original look.

There have been some additions: bathrooms have been redone in Heath Ceramic tile, three units have restored kitchenettes, one has a full kitchen and furniture is now of-the-period vintage finds.

Among Beckmann’s projects is the hotel at the LA Athletic Club and Mas Malo restaurant downtown. Trowbridge, in addition to his furniture and light constructions, is a partner at Bar 107 in downtown Los Angeles.

Hotel Lautner is open for overnight stays via hotellautner.com. During Palm Springs Modernism Week, an open house on Sun. Feb. 19th will benefit the Lautner Foundation.

[restaurant review]

Mohawk Bend—Echo Park’s New Gathering Spot

By Pat Saperstein, Ledger Restaurant Critic Since its summer opening, Mohawk Bend has become Echo Park’s all-purpose rec room. At first, getting into the restaurant was nearly impossible as it was always packed.

The crowds have evened out now so it’s still hopping during peak hours, but not too hard to get a table earlier on weeknight.

The restaurant’s centerpiece is the long bar with 72 taps of nearly all Californian beers. We tried a Jamaica Red from the extremely remote Mad River Brewing at the top of the state, and a beer flight is a fun way to try several different varieties.

The menu is simple and complements the beer and there are several vegan choices.

Pizzas are popular, especially Monday nights when $10 buys continuous pizza deliveries in the back room.

Not only are the beers Californian, most of the hard liquor is from small California-based producers. Even cocktail ingredients are local,

like Miracle Mile Bitters.

The philosophy extends to the menu, where much of the produce comes from farmer’s markets. But except for the Carlsbad mussels, the reasonably priced dishes don’t come with any particular pedigree, just brief descriptions like “natural beef patty.” Nicely fried cod in an IPA beer batter ($14) has a lighter crust than some and the caper aioli makes a zingy topping. The Kennebec potato’s flavor comes through in the fries, which can also be ordered as a side with Japanese togarashi seasoning or rosemary gremolata.

Pizzas are whimsically named: Salad Daze has avocado and lettuce, while Pig Newton ($14) has Serrano ham, fig tapenade and goat cheese. The crust has a good yeasty flavor, so keep the toppings simple for optimum flavor. Vegan toppings include house made seitan sausage and vegan mozzarella.

The menu changes frequently, so the Dork burger

that was available at opening—made from duck and pork—has been replaced with a beef burger, while vegetarians might like the quinoa/ lentil burger.

Salads include organic quinoa with almonds and oranges and Flash Gordon— grilled lettuce with avocado and an assertively dilled dressing. During weekend brunch hours, try Huevos Divorciados, breakfast quinoa or the Elvis French toast with bananas, peanut butter and bacon ($11).

The attention to local ingredients is appreciated, though the food is fairly basic. But whether you sit on the fireplace-warmed front patio, the back room with soaring ceilings and another fireplace, or the tap-dominated front room, Mohawk Bend is a temple to beer and a versatile spot for festive eaters and drinkers.

Mohawk Bend, 2141 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park, 213-483-2337

Eastside Eye pick for February Pacific Standard Time: Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, Backyard Oasis: The Swimming Pool in Southern California Photography, 19451982, now through May 27.

For mid-century modern fans heading out to Palm Springs for modernism week, the Getty’s Pacific Standard Time sponsors this first major exhibition that dives into swimming pool photographs.

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Page 22 LIFESTYLES

www.losfelizledger.com

February 2012

Los Feliz Ledger

Los Feliz Ledger Online Read these additional stories only online at losfelizledger.com • Abandoned “Haunted House” at 4540 Franklin Ave. to be demolished • The Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council votes to legalize urban beekeeping • Sports: After finishing first place in league play last season, the Marshall basketball Barristers storm out of the gates this year looking to repeat • Theater: O(h) at The Actors Company Theatre in West Hollywood reviewed • February 2012 Calendar • The Good Life: Tara de Lisa discusses Valentine’s Day Beers Results from Last Month’s Poll: We asked whether or not readers think the Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District (LFVBID) is doing a good job or if changes were needed for the organization to be more effective.

58% of respondents said they felt the LFVBID is doing a great job.

42% of respondents said they felt changes could be made This month’s poll: Do you think there should be Little League baseball fields constructed in Griffith Park? Please vote yes or no.

February 2012

www.losfelizledger.com

LIFESTYLES Page 23

Los Feliz Ledger [glenfeliz elementary]

Reaching Out

by Kathryn Ferman 5th Grade It has been exciting to receive pen pal letters from students in South Africa.

Ms. Spang suggested South Africa because a teacher from there wrote to her. We are very excited to get our replies and learn about kids from another country!

Recently we attended an assembly called “The Power of One.” It taught us about bullying. We learned to tell an adult when someone is getting bullied. You can stop bullying by not being a bystander.

A really crazy thing has happened. On a super windy night a very old California live oak tree was uprooted on the playground. Workers cut the tree into pieces and some of the trunk pieces will be used as seats for our new reading garden.

On Feb. 4th, at 9:00 a.m. we will plant our reading garden. Thanks to Friends of Glenfeliz (FOG) especially Ms. Emiliana Dore, Lowe’s, and Enrich LA, our garden has come to be. [marshall high school]

Rolling with the Changes

By Allia Parsons We are going through a lot of changes. I just came from a private school, so it’s all a big change to me. Many small decisions that would be easily made at a private school, must be run through LAUSD, a confusing bureaucracy.

During my decision making process, there was a lot of fear and misinformation coming at me from all directions.

I heard that there would be a huge decrease in the number of school days, which doesn’t seem to be happening. I heard about enormous class sizes of 50 or 60 students. But my largest class is 40.

Overall Marshall seems to be running fairly smooth, even though it has just changed from year round to the traditional school year. There are a lot of unknowns like pending budget cuts that could hit the school system.

Change is always stressful, but the strong teachers and true spirit of Marshall are keeping the school afloat, making the experience an adventure, not a catastrophe.

Page 24 SCHOOL NEWS

[immaculate heart high school]

Tradition Rings in New Semester

By Emma Davidson ’14 and Georgia Peppe ’14

Students recently survived semester exams and now are back on campus ready for a new term after a muchneeded break!

January is always a blur of intense studying as students brace themselves for finals.

This year, as a treat in the midst of all our finals preparations, we enjoyed a performance by the men’s a capella singing group from Point Loma Nazarene University, which offered a rousing performance of contemporary and classical songs.

The spring semester now launches with the time-honored tradition known as Ring Day. Immaculate Heart will formally recognize the juniors as upper class members and present them with their school rings. The ceremonies include a special liturgy, as well as a warm welcome from the senior class.

[pilgrim school]

African American History Month

By Lily Kachikis, Grade 6 P i l g r i m School has a long history of racial integration so we have a lot to celebrate for African American History in February.

This year, we started out early by celebrating Martin Luther King’s birthday with a special all-school Chapel.

The whole school sang “We Shall Overcome.” We listened to Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech while we saw video clips of the speech and pictures from the civil rights movement.

In choir, we are learning protest songs that activists sang during peaceful civil rights protests. So far we have learned, “We Shall Overcome,” “Lift every Voice and Sing,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” and “If I Had a Hammer.” All the songs are high-spirited and hopeful.

We are also learning about a group of Civil Rights activists known as the Freedom Riders who protested in a nonviolent way.

We are also looking forward to visiting the African American History Museum, and participating in an all school African American History Month pot luck.

[holy trinity school]

By Scarlet Galvez 8th Grade In January, our 8th graders had High School Placement Tests. We are applying to schools like Immaculate Heart, Loyola and Notre Dame. Also, our Academic Decathlon Team went to the Cathedral Bowl and did well.

And finally, we had our Open House and Art Fair. There were very beautiful pieces of art and class work there.

In February, we will continue celebrating Catholic Schools Week through Feb. 3rd and on Feb. 10th, we will be having our annual FatherDaughter Dance. I am planning to go with my father.

Last year we had a blast and this year we know it will be fun being with one another.

[ivanhoe elementary]

Ivanhoe iPads

By Stella RosenbergMarkland, 4th grade This school year something very exciting happened: the kindergartners and 1st graders got a grant for iPads. A technical grant is when someone gives funding for technology to someone or some place.

Enough iPads were given so that every student in one class can use one. After one class uses the iPads they go to the other class. The kindergartners and 1st graders use the iPads as a resource for learning. They also play fun but educational games.

Students are still very young and not quite ready to bring them home to use, so they leave them at school. Ms. Morris, one of Ivanhoe’s kindergarten teachers said: “The kindergarteners use the iPads to learn their letters, new words, grammatical symbols, and numbers.”

Ivanhoe has had a very wonderful technology program for 2nd-5th grade students for the past few years. It is really great the program now extends to the kinder and 1st grades!

Computers have been a great resource to our school learning in the past, therefore all of us at Ivanhoe really hope this iPad technology program will be successful in the future.

e Episcopal School of Los Angeles

For Information on Admissions or the STEM Institute go to www.es-la.com www.losfelizledger.com

February 2012

Los Feliz Ledger [temple israel of hollywood]

Values Project at TIOH

By Juliann Freedman This semester 6th graders are beginning a project on values. Each student will choose a value to study. I chose the value of saving animals’ lives. Other values my friends chose include artistry, friendship, commitment, individuality and family.

Our first step is to find artwork, which represents our value. My sister has been helping me by drawing pictures for me. We will explore our chosen values also by studying related texts and also finding representations of our values’ influence on our world such as in movies or pieces of art. We will also be interviewing people we feel cherish our value.

Our class will ultimately be creating a project on VoiceThread, which is an online slideshow program.

[our mother of good counsel]

Waiting by the Mail Box

Silver Lake Goes Strawless

By Josh Gonzales, 8th grade

By William Suy

January was a busy month for me, applying to high schools, hosting our school’s Open House as a member of Student Government and preparing for the Academic Decathlon coming up in March.

Now comes the endless days of waiting for that acceptance letter. I’m hoping I get a “yes” from Loyola.

I have to thank OMGC for preparing me for this moment. My nine years in the school with a rigorous academic curriculum has helped me to reach this point in my education.

Until that letter arrives, I’ll continue to prepare for the Academic Decathlon and work hard to finish the year strong.

We have been working to ban straws at local restaurants by making posters showing that straws are bad for our health and community and posting them up at our local restaurants.

We sent four students to Korner Grill across the street.

We also went to the restaurants Pho City, Tang’s Donuts and Garage Pizza. They all were super friendly and let us display our posters.

Straws are harmful because many of them end up in the L.A. River, which goes to the Ocean. Also they are made of plastic, which is made by using fossil fuels that pollute the Earth, trapping heat in our atmosphere.

If you are a restaurant owner consider compostable straws, which will biodegrade.

Chances are, your customers will appreciate it. Another is to just not hand people straws with their drinks, why not have them ask for one? Help us save the planet, one straw at a time!

Send the

Los Feliz Ledger your School News to: allisonferraro@losfelizledger.com

February 2012

[Thomas starr king middle school]

www.losfelizledger.com

[family matters]

The Ultimate in Outsourcing

By Kristen Taylor, Ledger Columnist Advances in reproductive technology have resulted in a multitude of ways to have a baby including gestational surrogacy, where one woman’s embryo is implanted in a surrogate who potentially carries the baby to term in exchange for a fee.

Since the 1980s, surrogacy has been an expensive procedure, and fraught with legal and regulatory challenges in the United States and other western countries. And much like other labor-intensive (pun intended) work that is heavily regulated, baby carrying can now be outsourced to less expensive workers in countries where there is less oversight and fewer rights for workers in general, and women in particular.

It is a simple matter of geography. Hiring a woman in Ohio to be a surrogate isn’t physically any different than hiring a woman in India.

There are just longer plane rides for the biological mother who first creates the embryo and then later when she goes to collect the baby.

However, a woman in India will make only a fraction of the fee that an Ohio surrogate and she would have to sign a contract stipulating she won’t abort the pregnancy and will undergo a C-section to control the timing of the baby’s birth.

Both of these agreements could potentially endanger the surrogate’s health.

The surrogates are also closely monitored, living in supervised housing where their diets and lifestyle habits are controlled. I can’t help but think of these facilities as baby farms, which has a uniquely dystopian ring.

These issues have already been covered in the media but the recent attention to outsourcing in this country makes foreign surrogacy arrangements newly relevant.

Federal legislation might be in order to ensure that women who purchase surrogate services abroad uphold the same human and labor rights that would be enforced if they were to enter into similar arrangements at home.

SCHOOL NEWS Page 25

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began.

Another neighbor Lillian Groag started waking up choking in the middle of the night. She has visited several ear, nose and throat doctors and allergists but none could determine the cause. According to Groag, when she leaves town for work, she feels better.

According to another resident, Michael Newsom his two dogs and a cat died within a few weeks of each other.

None were old or unhealthy, he said, and with each he noticed respiratory issues prior to their deaths.

Ana Calderon has also been experiencing allergytype conditions and wheezing, worse than she’s had before.

“I couldn’t understand why I was always getting this asthma,” she said.

As a deejay, Calderon works nights and is rarely home before 3:30 a.m. She said when the construction starts at 7 a.m. it’s so loud she can’t sleep causing stress and anxiety. As a newlywed, she said, it seems that every argument with her husband can be traced back to the construction.

“Everything is more difficult than it needs to be,” she said.

The construction is part of a water quality project replacing the current two-mile river supply conduit that runs through the neighborhood.

This portion of the project began in October and is now expected to be finished in April.

The construction will then move down Rokeby Street for another month and a half.

For residents, the end can’t come soon enough.

Jerome Courshon, who works from home as a film producer, started taking pictures of what looked like improper practices at the construction site.

Promised in the project’s environmental impact report is that the site would be watered at least twice daily. According to Courshon, that has not happened. He has dozens of videos photographs of the unwatered dry site, uncovered dirt trucks and piles, and other infractions taken almost daily through January.

He has also taken several readings of the construction site’s noise from his apartment, approximately 95 feet away. According to Courshon, the levels have been as high as 94db.

According to city code, equipment and machinery cannot exceed 75 dB at a distance of 50 feet.

In mid-January, Courshon hosted a community meeting at nearby Silverlake Presbyterian Church. In attendance were 22 residents, five DWP staff members and four

representatives of the contractor. Throughout the two-hour meeting, as the neighbors listed off complaints, their moods grew heated.

“I feel like we’ve put up with it for a reasonable amount of time but we’re frustrated because we haven’t seen reasonable progress,” said Jeff Kaufman who’s lived in the same property on Rokeby Street for 10 years.

For some the construction has been so unbearable, they’ve moved away. “I am not off the site, I’m in the site. I hear everything… I welcome you to stay at my home for a night. We can’t breath, we can’t sleep and we’re [angry],” said Keith Ruggiero, a sound engineer who eventually moved away because he could no longer work from his home.

“We need to be more visible,” said Glenn Singley, Director of Water Engineering and Technical Services at LADWP, of his department’s oversight after hearing complaints. “Let’s come back and see what we can do because there’s a lot more work coming as well. The neighborhood’s complaints are being looked into. There were some things that we had to tighten up,” he said, including regular watering onsite and covering dirt piles overnight.

Singley said an industrial hygienist will also monitor the site and take air quality samples to see if there are any concerning constituents in the soil.

“We are pretty much in bedrock in this particular area,” he said, “so we don’t expect there to be anything that has been dumped on the site or penetrated but we’ll see if there’s anything that raises a red flag.”

The project manager from Steve P. Rados Inc., Derek Rados, said his company and crew are trying to take resident’s complaints in consideration and they’re working as fast as possible. However, he said, the site has harder rocks than initial reports showed

and that has made things difficult.

“You can only go as fast as your excavating and especially with this hard rock it’s really hard to excavate. . . .You run into things in underground construction you don’t expect,” he said.

According to Rados, since the meeting, a sound engineer has explored methods of sound mitigation and work crew have been more diligent about consistent watering and sweepings of the work area, as well as covering dirt stalk piles.

To his knowledge, he said, none of the crew has experienced respiratory problems since working on this site.

The construction has hurt local businesses as well.

On Riverside Drive, down the hill where it intersects with Glendale Boulevard, Armen Yeghikyan, 47, who works at Valero gas station, walked along the gas pumps one recent afternoon. He ran his finger along the top of one pump, showing a clear line in the dust. Pumps are wiped down every morning, he said, but by 11 p.m. the dust is twice as bad.

Business, he added, is also down about 30% which he attributes to the construction because of a lack of commuter access to the gas station.

Rafi Abramyan, 54, owns the Dyno Smog test center behind the gas station. Though he has been coughing more recently, he’s more concerned about his business.

Since construction started, Abramyan said he’s seen a nearly 90% dip in sales. On a recent day, he said he only had one customer in 10 hours.

He said he might be forced to move or close his business all together.

“Right now I’m stuck in the middle of something and I don’t know what to do,” he said.

Abramyan said he has filed a claim with the city to compensate for his losses.

“They told me it’s being investigated,” he said.

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February 2012

IN ES CR OW

4915 LOS FELIZ BLVD

$5,399,000

Casa Domingo, built in 1927. Meticulously restored over a 5 year period. Estate boasts 2-story cathedral entry, 5BR & 4BA, 36,000+ lot w/ tennis court, pool, gated motor court & guest house. www.CarterOrlandEstates.com

CARTER + ORLAND

(213) 703-1001

8655 HILLSIDE, HWD HILLS

$1,526,000

Built in 2005, 3 BD, 3 BA, over 2,200 sf, plus bonus room. Great city views. Entertain inside & out. www.8655Hillside.com. Coming soon, 2509 Apollo, Mt. Olympus, $1,399,000, luxurious 5 BD, 4.5 BA, buyer will carry/lease option to buy. www.2509Apollo.com

SHIVA MEHRDAD

(310) 505-9560

2609 COMMONWEALTH AVE

$1,099,000

Contemporary 4BR/3BA Cottage on the edge of Griffith Park w/ large, gated private lot & pool. Best of all worlds- walk to village and close to hiking trails. www.CarterOrlandEstates.com

CARTER + ORLAND

(213) 703-1001

JU ST SO LD

724 PROSPECT DR, GLENDALE

$1,049,000

Adam’s Hill area. Spanish Hacienda, great views, 3-car garage, 5BD, 5BA, formal DR, formal LR & Master w/ FPs. Hardwood floors, arches throughout, balcony. Lush garden. Guest house.

Chauffeurs quarters. 18000 sq ft lot.

NICK MERCADO

(323) 896-9955

CO MI NG

2957 LONDON STREET, SILVER LAKE

2127 N. VINE ST, HOLLYWOOD DELL

GRANT LINSCOTT

$529,000

MICHAEL LOCKE, LOCKE + PARTNERS (323) 533-3161

(323) 333-6222

1735 GOLDEN GATE AVE., SLVR LAKE

VENUS MARTINEZ

1640-1642 MALTMAN, SILVER LAKE

$494,000

Listed at $495K. In escrow in less than 13 days and I can do the same for you. Adorable, 2 separate units in highly desirable area of Silver Lake. Studio unit rented for $1500. Front unit vacant.

$359,000

Downtown skyline views, luxury condo living, 1 BD, 1 BA. When thinking of selling your condo, who better to ask than who lives, works andrepresents the Los Feliz Towers? www.4411losfelizunit405.com

RAFIK GHAZARIAN

(323) 371-1151

(323) 300-1099

VENUS MARTINEZ

(323) 300-1099

1149 N. LOUISE, GLENDALE

$465,000

2 BR + 2 BA. Updated, move-in ready, in one of the most prominent neighborhoods in all of Glendale. High ceilings, hardwood floors, lg. bay window & fireplace. Calif. basement & lg. attic space. Cozy, private backyard. Must see!

TOM BARSEGHIAN

JU ST LIS TE D

4411 LOS FELIZ BLVD #405

$615,000

Beautiful & romantic, in a highly desirable area. Walk to Sunset Junction. Entertain in indoor and outdoor large patio areas. Enjoy details galore inside. Probate sale.

JU ST SO LD

SO ON !

Art Deco-inspired c.1930s Vintage Traditional. Bright and airy, period details, hardwood floors (under carpet). 3 Bedrooms + 2 Baths. Great value and style! www.2957LondonStreet.com

$1,049,000

Gorgeous Spanish Duplex completely rebuilt from the ground up in the Hollywood Dell! Upper unit is 3BR/2BA and lower unit is 2BR/2BA, Stunning open spaces, wood floors, Add’l separate office space!

818-583-SOLD (7653)

NE W

3111 S. CATALINA ST., LA 90007

$399,000

Valued income property near USC. Well-maintained, both units are in great condition, two parking spaces. 2 BD, 1 BA, approx.

900 sq. ft. per unit. Generous fenced-in yards. Downstairs unit has been updated.

STEVE GARZA

(323) 823-0738

712 BURWOOD TERR., HIGHLAND PK

PR ICE

$386,000

Charming, updated Spanish 2 BD, 1 BA + detached studio space for office or workshop. Perched above st. gets natural light. Restored, orig. flrs & windows retain character. 712burwood.com

ROB KALLICK

(323) 775-6305

2150 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Los Feliz Hills • Los Feliz Oaks • Silver Lake • Franklin Hills Franklin Square • Atwater Village • Beachwood Canyon

323.668.7600 georgeandeileen.com

Just Listed

3931 Clayton Avenue

Just Listed

Los Feliz

$1,195,000

Stunning gated 4+3 Contemporary with incredible views + 2 studios - 1 w/bath. Perfect floor plan for entertaining w/great indoor outdoor flow.

LR w/fireplace & wall of glass to enjoy view. Great kitchen with a cozy sitting area. Master opens to a deck w/amazing vus. Fabulous home.

Just Listed

717 Parkman Avenue

Silver Lake

$498,600

For Sale

Los Feliz

$695,000 1119 Sanborn Avenue

Storybook 3+1.75 Brick Tudor with picture windows to enjoy sweeping city views in spacious LR & DR. Charming original kitchen & breakfast room that leads out to patio and yard. Hardwood floors. 3rd bdrm ideal for home office. Needs updating, but could be very special. Short sale.

Los Feliz

$895,000

In Escrow

3840 Clayton Avenue Franklin Hills $649,000 A great value in this 2+2.5 Franklin Hills residence with great views of the Silver Lake and Franklin Hills. Spanish pavers in LR & dining rm. Spacious wood decks to enjoy outdoor living and entertaining.

Central air & heat & E/Q retrofitted. Bonus rm could be 3rd bedroom.

Los Feliz

$879,000

2216 Commonwealth Avenue

Los Feliz

$895,000

Lovely 3+2 Spanish home north of Los Feliz Blvd w/fabulous guest unit. Gorgeous LR, formal DR, hrdwd flrs updated kitchen, den near kitchen leads to yard w/rm for pool. Central AC. Guest unit with living area, kitchen, bedroom and additional 3/4 bath. 2 car garage. Large Yard.

2616 Glendower Avenue, Los Feliz Hills Listed & Sold In 10 Days!

1742 Redcliff Street

$659,000

972 North Los Robles

Pasadena

$1,395,000

Impressive, gated & beautifully restored 4+ 5 1911 Colonial Revival Estate with Craftsman touches on a 16,736 lot. Stunning LR w/Batchelder fireplace. Large gourmet kitchen w/custom cabinets & top quality blt-in appl w/views of the incredible expansive grounds. 4151 square feet + basement & attic. Incredible.

In Escrow

3607 Amesbury Road

Los Feliz Hills

$775,000

Lovingly maintained 3+2.5 Traditional w/Mid-Century feel. Large living room, wet bar, hrdwd floors & original casement windows. Charming kitchen, dining area. Fam rm & din area open out to a nice patio. Master suite w/private bath.

Nice views from many rooms. Appx 2451 sq ft + large bonus rm or home office.

Sold Short Sale

In Escrow

Lovely 3+3 1922 Spanish close to Griffith Park. Stunning LR with high barrel ceiling & Batchelder fireplace. Gorgeous formal DR w/built-ins.

Possible 4th bd/office. Beautiful hrdwd flrs. A/C. French doors leads to patio & large yard w/hot tub. Garage being used for great studio.

Silver Lake

1911 Craftsman Tri-plex steps to Sunset Junction in w/loads of potential.

A duplex w/1 - 2 bed 1 bath unit & a 1 bed 1 bath unit & a separate 1 bd 1 ba house + parking. $4,500 monthly income. 2836 sqft. 7696 lot. Walk to great shops & eateries. Good investment or owner user property.

For Sale

For Sale

Circa 1924 2-Story 4+3.5 bath Mediterranean set behind gates with classic details thru out. Beautiful LR & formal dining rm. Upstairs are 2 large add’tl rms that lead to roof top deck w/views of the Observatory.

3100 sq ft. Hardwood floors & gorgeous staircase. AC. Five fountains.

1917 Oxford Street

3839 Franklin Avenue

New Price

Newly renovated 2+1 Craftsman. Large kitch w/new cabinets, granite tops, new stainless appl. Spacious LR & DR. Gorgeous bathroom that looks out to view. Home office area. Large down sloped lot that could be decked & some flat yard. AC. Bonus room & laundry area. A gem!

1901 N. Oxford Street

Just Listed

Silver Lake Hills

$869,000

Dramatic 3 + 2.5 Contemporary home with newly refinished hrdwood flrs, new stainless appliances, new counter tops and fresh interior paint. Spacious LR w/high ceilings, fireplace & built-ins. Great open floor plan. Dining area leads to lovely terraced yard. Master with fireplace, private bath and walk-in closet.

Dear George and Eileen, We appreciated your professionalism when we bought our home in 2009, so when the time came for us to sell and move to Australia, we decided to have you handle the listing of our home as well. We were concerned about the fact that we would be out of the country during the listing, so we very much appreciated the regular updates and communication during the listing and escrow - and we were very impressed when you listed and sold our home in 10 days! We would highly recommend you to anyone that is considering selling their home.

Mok and Suki Choe 2616 Glendower Avenue, Los Feliz Hills

2428 Meadow Valley Terrace Silver Lake Hills $645,000 Lovely 2+1.5 Traditional residence. LR w/fireplace & views of the Observatory & hills. Formal dining rm w/built-ins. A charming deco kitchen. Cozy den with 2nd fireplace. Huge bonus room with bar. Needs some TLC, but with work could be home sweet hm Ivanhoe. Short sale.