May 2008

Los Feliz Ledger Vol 3. No. 11

Two King Middle School Students Remain in Critical Condition

Serving the Greater Los Feliz, Silver Lake & Hollywood Hills Area | Distribution 34,500

After the Fire

By Catherine Billey Ledger Contributing Writer SILVER LAKE—Two sixth grade students from Thomas Starr King Middle School remain in critical condition at Childrens Hospital after being struck April 15th by a car at the intersection of Sunset and Fountain avenues shortly after dismissal, according to Los Angeles Police Dept. spokesperson Officer Ana Aguirre.

No criminal charges have been filed, police said, because the driver was not speeding, stopped immediately and there was no indication of negligence.

The accident occurred just one day after Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge and Council President Eric Garcetti visited the school to announce a $900,000 state grant award—the highest amount available from “Caltrans’ Safe Routes to School” program—to make it safer for students to walk and bike to school.

Grant monies will be used to widen sidewalks on Hyperion Avenue, intensify lighting in the Myra Avenue underpass, install signage to show drivers their current speed and to install what is called “bulbouts” which are small sidewalk peninsulas that widen the sidewalks for pedestrians and force drivers to slow down when turning a corner.

“Most accidents occur in a signalized crosswalk,” said LaBonge in a subsequent telephone interview. “We must all slow down. There’s nothing worse than being hit by a car.”

May 2008

By Rachel Heller Ledger Contributing Writer GRIFFITH PARK—In the days after last May’s massive wildfire raged through Griffith Park, as city workers scrambled to assess the damage, some local park enthusiasts dealt with the destruction by doing their best to get back to normal.

Photographer Colin Remas Brown, of Silver Lake, decided to walk his dog.

Wandering down an open trail among the scorched oaks one afternoon, the ground a blanket of fallen ash, Brown began to sense the singular nature of the landscape. He went home and grabbed his Canon.

“It looked like it had snowed,” he recalled. “It was eerily quiet and there was this awful mood. That day, you sensed something apocalyptic had happened.”

The blaze broke out on May 8th, 2007 at 1:20 p.m. near the Roosevelt Golf Course. Fanned by high winds, flames moved quickly through dry grass and brush, threatening over 300 homes in the Los Feliz area. More than 120 fire fighters from 21 companies worked to extinguish the blaze, according to the Los Angeles Fire Dept.

Nearby residents were evacuated in the meantime – a harrowing memory for Comsee Fire page 4

Photos by Colin Brown

Education Budget Cuts Felt Locally

By Kimberly Gomez, Ledger Contributing Writer Since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s announced proposed reductions of $4.8 billion in the state education budget, local school administrators have been crunching numbers to get more out of their already tightlysqueezed budget.

Local Los Angeles Unified Schools are faced with reducing budgets for bilingual education and other allocations used toward student achievement.

Many such cuts have already been designated for Title see Education page 7

Out of the Ashes Art Contest Winners The Los Feliz Ledger and Symphony in the Glen have announced the winners of the “Out of the Ashes: Griffith Park Grows Green Again,” children’s art contest.

The 1st place winner is Mya Greene, 11, Ivanhoe Elementary, for “Griffith Park Scene;” 2nd place: P. Daniel Ingar, 11, St. Francis of Assisi for “Through the Fire and 1st Place: “Griffith Park Scene” by Mya Greene, 11, Ivanhoe Elementary

see Art Contest page 5

Americana at Brand Set to Open May 2nd

By Kimberly Gomez, Ledger Contributing Writer GLENDALE—Just short of two short years since breaking ground, The Americana at Brand will open May 2nd.

The 900,000 square foot residential and retail complex sits on 15.5 acres and will feature 75 shops and boutiques, restaurants, an 18-plex cinema and luxury and apartments and condominiums.

Inspiration for the $400 million project comes from developer Rick Caruso, who also developed The Grove, located in the Fairfax district of mid Los Angeles.

Many of the hugely successful Grove’s attributes will be replicated at The Americana such as a trolley, manicured landscaping, lots of patio dining and a water fountain and stage.

The difference is the Americana’s dancing fountain is three times the size of The Grove’s and is the focal point of a 2-acre grassy park.

The opening, while anticipated, is met with some trepidation. The community has been concerned about the impact of such a project on local traffic and the potential damage The Americana could inflict on sales at the aging Glendale Galleria.

But, Caruso and his staff said they worked hard to avoid cannibalizing existing retail in the area. According to Caruso Affiliated staff, there will not be any duplication of shops in the Americana and the nearby Glendale Galleria. see Americana page 8

Los Feliz Ledger [ letter from the editor ]

Celebrating Earth Day

Colin Brown’s Haunting Photographs of Griffith Park W he n I first saw C o l i n B r o w n’s photographs, taken days after last year’s Griffith Park fire, I was shaken—nearly nauseous.

The images of a blackened and burned park showing the last moments of life for deer, bears and coyotes those devastating days during the fire last May, were haunting.

Because the images are so disturbing, we could not print them all here. Still, I encourage readers to visit

Colin Brown’s website http:// griffithparkfirephotos.com/ or view the collection this month (May 3rd through 18th) at drkrm. Gallery, 2121 San Fernando Road, Suite 3, Los Angeles 90065. (323) 223-6867, www.drkrm.com.

The photographs are a clear reminder of what really happened during those days of last year’s fire.

Some use the park for walking, hiking, horseback riding, playing tennis or soccer. Others view the park as an idyllic location for a Sunday afternoon picnic. But the fire and the photographs remind us, that above all, the park is not ours.

Los Feliz Ledger FOUNDED 2005 Delievered the last Thursday of each month to 32,500 homes and businesses in the Los Feliz, Silver Lake and Hollywood Hills communities.

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Allison B. Cohen

ADVERTISING SALES Olga Measures

GRAPHIC DESIGN & LAYOUT Tiffany Sims

OFFICE ASSISTANT Griffin O. Cohen

Labeler, Stamper and Tearsheet Manager Charles “Chunny” Cohen

Photo credit: Marie Chao

LA Zoo celebrates Earth Day with a message of “Paper Nor Plastic.”

The Los Angeles Zoo held its annual Earth Day Expo in April—as part of the nation’s 38th Earth Day. The theme

was “protecting our children’s health and future.” On hand over the weekend of April 19th and 20th, was information about recycling and conservation as well as education about California wildlife.

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

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May 2008

Los Feliz Ledger

Los Feliz Resident Renews Efforts for Permit Parking

By Rachel Heller Ledger Contributing Writer LOS FELIZ—Where to park in Los Feliz might become a tougher question for out-ofarea visitors if Los Angeles officials grant a local homeowner’s request to limit street parking in a large swath of the community.

Resident Dana Cremin is renewing her three-year efforts to clear crowded curbs in the Los Feliz flats as she prepares to petition her neighbors to support a preferential parking district.

Under the terms of the proposed district, residents who live south of Los Feliz Boulevard and north of Hollywood Boulevard between Normandie and Vermont Avenues would have to buy permits to park in their neighborhoods.

Cars parked without permits would be ticketed.

“We have a lot of retail, restaurant and club business around here,” Cremin said, adding that customers’ cars often overflow from scant commercial parking lots into nearby residential streets.

“This could be a helpful thing to all the people in this neighborhood, and force the city to provide parking for all the businesses in the area.”

Members of the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council last year struck down Cremin’s request after local apartment dwellers voiced see Parking page 14 [ POLICE BLOTTER MAY 2008 ] saulted victim and then fled on foot.

Aggravated Assaults: 4 Grand Theft Auto: 43 Burglary Theft from Vehicle: 69 Robbery: 7 Burglary: 13 Robbery: March 26th, at Hillhurst and Avocado. Suspect approached victim from behind and pushed her to the ground.

Suspect took victims luggage and fled on foot.

Robbery: April 2nd, 2800 block of Hyperion. Suspects entered store wanting candles. Suspects pushed victim against a wall and pointed a handgun to victim’s head demanding money. Suspects took money and candles then fled.

Robbery: April 6th, at Russell and Hillhurst. Victim approached by 3 suspects asking for a cigarette and victim’s wallet. Suspects as-

May 2008

Burglary: April 11th, 4000 block of Cumberland Ave. Suspect entered via unlocked front door, ransacked location and removed property.

Robbery: April 12, at Benton Way/Reservoir St. Victim approached by 5 suspects demanding property who then knocked victim to ground and punched and kicked victim. Suspects fled on foot with victim’s property.

Burglary: April 12th, 1700 block of Vermont Ave. Suspect climbed over a locked gate from an adjoining business, smashed the front glass door, entered and removed property.

Burglary: April 12th, 3700 Sunset Blvd. Suspect pried open a roof access hatch, entered and took property.

Burglary: April 12th, 3700 block of Sunset Blvd. Suspect stripped screws from roof access hatch, entered property. Alarm was activated and suspect took property.

www.losfelizledger.com

Postponement of SLNC Elections to 2010 Upheld

By Catherine Billey, Ledger Contributing Writer SILVER LAKE—A motion by co-chairs Rusty Millar and Laura Dwan to rescind a Feb. 19th vote postponing Silver Lake Neighborhood Council board elections until 2010 failed at the April 2nd general meeting.

“The original vote does stand,” Dwan affirmed after the vote was taken.

Some believe that the election postponement, conflicts with SLNC election rules as postponing elections to 2010 will give some board members disproportionately longer terms than others.

But the city clerk’s office, which decided in late 2007 to take over neighborhood council elections, has stipulated that the SLNC can revise their bylaws to detail the election cycle

Election Reform Group Seeks SLNC Input

change. However, at least 100 Silver Lake stakeholders must approve the new bylaws by a two-thirds vote.

It is unclear at this time, what happens to the election cycle—and the board’s decision to postpone elections to 2010— if the bylaw change does not receive the votes necessary for passage.

Because of this, some stakeholders at the April 2nd meeting encouraged the SLNC board to rescind its vote altogether.

“If the board doesn’t vote yes on rescinding the 2010 vote, it will be a bad scene,” said former SLNC board member Dave Keitel, who assisted a community team in drafting the original bylaws.

By Catherine Billey Ledger Contributing Writer

see SLNC Election page 8

see Reform page 6

SILVER LAKE—At the request of the Los Angeles City Council, a west Los Angeles based election reform group called the California Clean Money Campaign (CCMC) is seeking input from the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council (SLNC) and other like groups in Los Angeles, to consider the idea of full public funding of city elections.

Reform groups like CCMC argue that publicly funded elections would be more open, inclusive, encourage more women and minorities to vote and elicit higher voter participation. CCMC also argues that full public COMMUNITY NEWS

Page 3

Los Feliz Ledger Fire from page 1

monwealth Ave. homeowner Norman Mennes.

“It was very frightening,” said Mennes, 92. “There was a knock at the door and the voice said, ‘get out now.’ When you think your house is going to burn, what do you take?”

Mennes took photos of his parents and of his deceased wife, and a wad of cash. A neighbor drove him to a friend’s house on Avocado St., where he spent the night. The next day, Mennes found that the house he has called home since 1974 was spared.

Before containment on May 11, the flames devoured 817 acres of native flora and hiking trails. Almost 20 percent of the 4,200-acre park— one of the country’s largest municipal havens–lay blackened, the hillsides singed bare and left prone to erosion.

Twelve months later, the

healing is far from over, but there are signs of recovery. Due to the work of city officials and agencies—and the devotion of local hikers hoping to rehabilitate this well-loved urban sanctuary—Griffith Park, this spring, is again in bloom.

“The park is growing back very well,” said Mike Shull, director of planning and development for the Los Angeles Dept. of Recreation and Parks.

“It’s getting quite green.”

A smooth recovery was not guaranteed when Parks Dept. employees first began to take stock of the charred land, Shull said. Trees were still smoking for weeks after the fire. Every now and then, one would flare up.

More ominous, however, were the steep slopes rising above park-adjacent homes, stripped of their vegetation.

Before the fire, plant roots had worked to anchor the

soil, and without them, the hillsides were susceptible to mudslides during the impending winter rains.

“Our first concern was public safety,” said Shull, who helped form a working group the week after the fire that joined local non-profits and park groups, engineers, and national parks officials to plan a course of action.

To combat potential erosion, the Parks Dept. sprayed 500 acres of the burn area with hydromulch, a wood mulch and guar gum slurry designed to form a protective layer over the topsoil. The $1.9 million project was completed in less than 30 days last September and October.

“It worked,” said Shull, adding that the mixture did not contain seeds from plants foreign to the environment.

“We had virtually no erosion this winter. We wanted the park to come back naturally.

Disturbing nature’s process can do more harm than good.”

This decision to let the park’s native plants regenerate answered one of the main concerns of the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council, according to council president Charley Mims.

“One of our concerns was that the city maintain native trees, plants and animals, and—to the extent feasible—that they keep non-native plants and trees out of the park,” Mims said.

“Recreation and Parks heard the community… We’re very encouraged by that.”

The carpet of grass and purple blossoms now covering the hills is a boon to Los Angeles city councilmember Tom LaBonge, who has been hiking in Griffith Park for the past 30 years.

Coming down Charlie Turner Trail toward the Griffith Observatory on a recent morning with his wife, Brigid, and their cocker spaniel, Dexter, LaBonge paused to say annyong haseyo, or “hello,” to passing Korean hikers.

“This park is special to a lot of people. You pick up languages, friendships, ideas,” the 4th district councilmember said as dawn broke over Los Feliz below.

Pointing out the green ledge of Dante’s View—a beloved landmark 90 percent destroyed last year—LaBonge marveled at the park’s steady re-growth in the wake of the fire.

“Right after the fire we led hikes so people could see the destruction,” he recalled.

“It was as if you were in the Observatory looking at pictures of Mars—just this barren landscape.”

Brown’s photographs tell the story best.

His images capture a child’s tricycle abandoned near the scorched hillside; a red fire extinguisher dwarfed by the twisted boughs of charred trees; and most hauntingly, the burnt carcasses of deer and coyotes, gristle still clinging to the ribs, strewn among the hills where many were stopped in their tracks with no time to escape.

“I think it was important that I took those pictures,” Brown said. “At that time, everyone was focusing on the landmarks and whether the homes were safe. Mine were the only [pictures] that showed that side of the fire—that animals had died.”

Parks Dept. workers had to clear animal remains from the burn area along with the other initial debris, Shull said.

“You don’t have a fire like that and have no casualties,” he noted, adding that it was mainly birds that perished after becoming confused in the smoke. “Most of the ground-level wildlife did get out of the way.”

These days, Griffith Park is teeming with life—both animal and human—and is almost entirely open again to see Fire page 5

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COMMUNITY NEWS

www.losfelizledger.com

May 2008

242

Los Feliz Ledger Fire from page 4

the public. Hiking trails reopened incrementally over the past year, and now only one damaged road by the Old Zoo, Vista del Valle, remains closed.

Beaut if ic at ion efforts have been underway since last summer, when LaBonge designated “volunteer days” the second Saturday of every month to give community members a chance to help. An average of 50 to 80 locals have gathered for each date to take part in tree planting, weed removal, and fixing up the trails.

“Hundreds of people have taken advantage of this opportunity to engage with the park,” said LaBonge, who has also donated his own time to the cause.

As a result of the fire, which is believed to have started when someone threw a lit cigarette into dry brush, the city of Los Angeles last fall banned smoking in all public parks. Mims wants to see the ban extended to golf courses as well.

May 2008

sides for erosion next winter, he said.

“It could take upwards of five to seven years for all the growth to come back,” Shull said. “But we’re satisfied with the results so far.”

Meanwhile, Brown, this month, will expand his growing fan base as he exhibits his photographs at Drkrm. Gallery in Los Angeles. “Aftermath: The Griffith Park Fire” will be on display May 3rd to 18th, coinciding with the anniversary of the blaze.

“Each time I walk into the park, a little bit of those gloomy days after the fire is erased from my Photo by Colin Brown memory,” said Brown, “We’re really hopeful that who still walks his Italian Greythis fire can be a wakeup call hound, Dan, along their old for the public not to smoke in trail. “Someday soon, I’ll only parks, and that the city will have my photos to remind me.” enforce this ban,” Mims said.

Colin Brown’s photograHeading back into the dry phy of the fire can be viewed summer months, Shull said at: Drkrm. Gallery, 2121 San Griffith Park is in good shape.

Fernando Rd., Suite 3, Los The Parks Dept. will continue Angeles, CA 90065. The opento keep brush cleared out to ing reception is May 3rd, from guard against future fires, and 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. www. will again monitor the hilldrkrm.com/aftermath.html

www.losfelizledger.com

Art Contest from page 1

Flames;” and 3rd place: Hanna Barakat, 8, Ivanhoe Elementary, for “The Green Hills.”

The kick off for the contest was Oct. 14th, 2007 at the Symphony in the Glen “Out of the Ashes” concert for Griffith Park. Local school children were asked to create artwork of life growing out of the ashes and what Griffith Park might look like when everything has re-grown. The artwork was

judged on originality, creative interpretation of the theme, clarity of expression and use of color. Judges were: Allison Cohen, publisher of the Los Feliz Ledger; Barbara Ferris, with Symphony in the Glen and Al Alu, art instructor with the city of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Dept. currently teaching at Barnsdall Art Park.

A total of 77 submissions were received. Thank you to all students who submitted work.

2nd Place: “Through the Fire and Flames” by P. Daniel Ingar, 11, St. Francis of Assisi

3rd Place: “The Green Hills” by Hanna Barakat, 8, Ivanhoe Elementary.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Page 5

Los Feliz Ledger Reform from page 3

funding makes elected officials accountable to voters, not special interest or big money donors.

The City Council’s request that neighborhood councils be involved in the issue of full public funding of elections was brought directly to the SLNC at their general board meeting on April 2nd

by Wayne Williams, a CCMC representative.

The states of Arizona and Maine have had full public funding of election campaigns since 2000 and Connecticut adopted the idea this year. Cities to date that have also made

Los Angeles, it would influence elections of the mayor, city council, city controller and city attorney. The city currently spends $2.6 million on a partial funding program.

According to the City Ethics Commission, to move over to a fully publicly funded model would require an additional $9 million. But other estimates weigh in between $6.1 to $8.8 million, depending on the final chosen proposal.

Experts say public funding minimizes excessive attack ads by special interests.

“It doesn’t ban independent expenditure,” said Trent Lange, president of the

Reform groups like CCMC argue that publicly funded elections would be more open, inclusive, encourage more women and minorities to vote and elicit higher voter participation. the switch include Portland, Oregon and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

According to the CCMC, there are a variety of possible funding scenarios that enable cities to mix and match proposals with a blend of their own ideas. After attending CCMC sponsored workshops, on the matter, representatives from neighborhood councils are asked to complete questionnaires with their opinions on such issues as limiting personal funds, seed money and donor amounts.

SLNC co-chair Rusty Millar suggested the matter be directed to the group’s Government Affairs Committee, headed by Loren Colin and Paul Neuman for further consideration.

If full public funding were adopted by the city of

CCMC. “That would be a violation of free speech.”

According to Lange, public funding would match funds, dollar for dollar, in response to independent expenditures.

As an example, he said, if an outside group spends $50,000 on an attack ad, the publicly funded opponent would automatically get funds to respond.

“Sometimes you’ll find that independent expenditure committees will be more careful,” Lange said, “because they’ll know that whatever their attack is, their opponent will find the money to fight back. Some will still do it if they have a specific message, but if they’re just doing it to smear candidates, they won’t, because candidates will be able to respond to their smears.”

[ silver lake correspondent ]

More Parks Coming to Silver Lake

by Michael Locke, Silver Lake Correspondent SILVER LAKE– A group of Silver Lakers met on the corner of Parkman and Silver Lake Boulevard April 5th to discuss transforming the wedge-shaped piece of land into a pocket park called “Parkman Triangle.”

Under the direction of Silver Lake’s Parks & Green Space Committee Co-Chair Ricardo Accorsi, community members have been busy identifying and cataloging scraps of public space—including medians, roadway shoulders and stairways and transforming them

into safe and functional “gathering places that promote a distinct Silver Lake identity, with self-sustaining flora.”

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May 2008

Los Feliz Ledger Silver Lake from page 6

thing—sites that behave as gateways and others that will serve as destinations.

Besides Parkman Triangle, the committee is moving forward with two other sites, Larissa Park and Maltman Square.

“Ironically, the future of these kinds of public, non-pri8UBC4773RTL_Free Ckg_LFL_.indd LOSspaces FELIZ LEDGER_04_01_08__5.9 vate lies in their owner-

Harder hit is nearby Ivanhoe Elementary. That Silver Lake school is looking at losing a handful of staff.

“Half the budget that the district gives us is gone—it looks really bad,” said principal Jumie Sugahara.

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are enrolling today at Thomas Starr King middle and John Marshall high schools. Schools receive funds from the state on a per pupil basis.

“Losing students is a good thing—[there is] less crowding,” said Marshall High school Principal, Dan Harrison. “But it gives us smaller budgets.”

The Los Angeles Unified School District School Board will meet in May, to decide how to trim almost $100 million from next year’s budget.

Further state budget cuts, educators said, could add another $460 million in required reductions over the following two years.

environment. I envision the space holding some boulders and native, drought-resistant trees and shrubs, as well as signage. Since Parkman Triangle is such a dramatic intersection, we want to transform it into a neighborhood focal point, a town plaza of sorts.”

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“Hopefully, that will be something that will remain the same because it does make a difference in education especially for the little ones,” said Veronica Sasso, principal of Franklin Avenue Elementary.

Many schools, like Micheltorena Street Elementary remain in the process of listing what are must haves.

“We’ve done a bunch of parent surveys and have prioritized what we would cut if we had to,” said Susanna Furfari, principal of Micheltorena Street Elementary in Silver Lake.

Harder hit is nearby Ivanhoe Elementary. That Silver Lake school is looking at los-

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ship,” said Accorsi. “It is important to have the neighbors around each of these sites have a say in their design and improvement, so that a sense of attachment is fomented.”

Neighborhood activist Ara Babaian, who lives near the Triangle and has spearheaded local interest in the project, added: “This is part of a greater effort to turn the area south 6.4 of Sunset into a more pleasant

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I funding, part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The federal measure was intended to help close achievement gaps between low-income and other students.

“We have a large Title I population. We hire our teaching assistants out of that and it also pays for our parent community representative and materials and supplies,” said Los Feliz Elementary School principal, Kathy Pilkinton.

Another area under consideration is the return to larger class sizes. Established in 1996, kindergarten through 3rd grade classes in California have been capped at 20 students per class.

ing a handful of staff.

“Half the budget that the district gives us is gone—it looks really bad,” said principal Jumie Sugahara.

According to Sugahara, parents at the school have started a fundraising effort to make up the gap. Doing so, she said, has so far saved one teacher’s job. More funds, she said, are needed to save at least two other positions.

Over at Glenfeliz Elementary, so far, a total of three teaching assistants will be cut.

“We’re pretty bare bones and instruction will go on but it’s obviously going to affect kids if they cut even further,” said Glenfeliz principal Carole Rosenblum.

Furthering the budgetary crisis is that fewer students

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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Los Feliz Ledger

Junior Golf Tournament Held

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Event attracts 620 Young Golfers GRIFFITH PARK—The 58th Annual City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Junior Golf Tournament was held March 15th through the 17th.

Approximately 620 young golfers participated.

Several courses were in play for the tournament, including the 18-hole course at Griffith Park and Sepulveda. “The young players were a delight to observe,� said coordinator Sylvia Langton, “very respectful, responsible and serious about their participation.�

Results were as follows: Boys—Bhavik Patel won the championship flight; Jonathan Noori, A Flight; Tyler Sluman, B Flight; Ben Doyle, C Flight; Aaron Wise, D Flight; Brandon Kewalramani, E Flight.

Girls—Lee Lopez, won the championship flight; Unok Suzy Kim, A Flight; Han Wu, B Flight; Arinda Bhanaraksa, C Flight; Amy Lee, D Flight and Mika Liu, E Flight.

Tiger Woods was the boy champion of this same tournament in 1991.

Americana from page 1

The Americana will offer condos—starting at $800,000 and apartments, ranging from $2,200 to $5,500 a month.

And here’s a nice perk: Americana residents will have access to a complete concierge service—that can fetch dry cleaning, concert tickets or deliver dinner. Passageways are underground of the shopping area so residents can traverse the site, if they like, without ever stepping foot on the public shopping area.

For a list of retailers visit americanaatbrand.com

“The community supported the project from day one and had a lot of input in how this was going to be,� said Todd Russell with Caruso Affiliated. “I think this is a great shot in the arm for Glendale and the city recognizes that.�

The Glendale Galleria attracts 26 million people annually—a count that Caruso hopes to double at Americana.

One feature that The Americana has that The Grove does not, is residential living.

SLNC Election from page 3

Because the vote stands, the SLNC Bylaws Committee will draft a new version of the bylaws for board approval, which, SLNC officials said will be voted on by the community in a special ballot.

But current board member Joanna Paden disagreed. “As far as I’m concerned,� she said, “this board has made a decision and that decision should stand.�

Feliz Ledger

(323) 667-9897

s A CLASSIC GIFT BOUTIQUE WITH RETRO FLAIR s

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Mother’s Day: May 11

By Karen Lefkowitz Looking for something special for your mom for her big day, May 11th? Consider these options:

there are boundless choices.

Gift certificates available.

3206 Los Feliz Blvd.

(323) 665-3869

Bittersweet Butterfly Floral shop offering a selection of lingerie, jewelry, sweets and an assortment of beauty products and candles.

1406 Micheltorena St. (323) 660-4303

Lake Clothing store and apothecary in one. Bath, beauty products and delicates gifts reside inside, along with feminine clothing items.

2910 Rowena Ave. (323) 664-6522

The Wizard of Art For the visually expressive mom this school offers fine art classes for all ages.

1947 Hillhurst Ave.  (323) 661-0341 Dtox Day Spa Sauna, steam room, yoga, as well as facials, massage, nail and body treatment services;

Jasmine’s Garden Exceptional floral designs and gifts are available through this full service floral shop.

Check for special Mother’s Day arrangements. Free delivery is available to the 90027 zip code.

2030 Hillhurst Ave. (323) 953-8899

“What a neighborhood bookstore should be...�

L.A. Times

• Great selection of books about Los Angeles • A full schedule of author events • Unique greeting cards Unaccustomed Earth

by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri

1818 N Vermont Ave (next to the Los Feliz Cinema)

323.660.1175

open daily 10am - 10pm

www.skylightbooks.com Page 8

COMMUNITY NEWS

order any book in print 24 hours a day

www.losfelizledger.com

May 2008

Los Feliz Ledger [ Family Matters ]

[ being whole ]

Eckhart vs. The Secret

Best Mother’s Day Ever

By Elma Mayer, Ledger Columnist Eleven million people are watching Eckhart Tolle on Oprah.com, as of this writing.

A year ago, Oprah’s viewers were abuzz about The Secret.

Even though Tolle and The Secret play to the same audience, they are actually at odds.

The Secret says that our thoughts create our reality. Tolle, on the other hand, teaches that we are not our thoughts. Since we can observe them, we can transcend the ego thinking those thoughts.

The Secret’s cheesy title, vague attributions to mysterious cabals, and materialistic focus gloss over any kernels of real value. It does make a few good points, and it introduced the principles of the Law of Attraction to a wide audience.

But lack of intellectual and spiritual integrity place The Secret at a relatively low level of consciousness.

When applied properly, the Law of Attraction presents a complementary angle on Tolle’s view. It teaches us to observe how our thoughts affect reality. A key ingredient is allowing—similar to Tolle’s concept of letting go of ego.

The Secret kept this a secret, and instead focused on how to get what we desire.

Tolle’s A New Earth vibrates much higher. His teachings of presence, and being the observer of your thoughts, are flowering into the collective mind. Eleven million participants certainly could tip the scales toward a critical mass of enlightened awareness. Everyone’s talking about A New Earth. It’s no secret!

Elma Mayer, MA, is a Certified Practitioner of The Yuen Method of Chinese Energetics. www.nowhealing.com (323) 309-7687

Look for our June 2008 Edition Thursday, May 29th

By Kristen Taylor, Ledger Columnist OK, Kids!

Mother’s Day is a couple of weeks away, which is plenty of time to prepare. While the flower pot you’re covering with seeds and glitter in Mrs. Bipson’s class is going to turn out great, face it: Mom knows that pot is Mrs. Bipson’s vision for Mother’s Day, not yours. So if you want to show your mother just how much you care, and make this the best Mother’s Day ever, listen up.

The good news is that this Mother’s Day isn’t going to cost you one dime of your Wii game fund. The bad news? It will require a little thought and conscientiousness (look it up!).

What your mother really wants, for just one day, is proof that all of her hard work is actually paying off. You can think of it as a mothering report card, and you need to show her that she’s getting straight As. How do you do this? Easy! Whatever you would do on any other day, do the opposite. Here are some examples.

It is an hour after lunch.

Instead of asking your mother what’s for dinner, ask your father (don’t forget the usual frown and groan when he tells you).

You need pencils, a protractor, solar cells and low-gluten rice for a school project due tomorrow. Instead of sending your mother to six different stores, make due with pens, a compass, a flashlight, and Arborio rice. If your mother taught you one thing, it’s that every teacher can be distracted by a good risotto.

Instead of texting/emailing/IM-ing/ichat-ing with your friends, have a conversation (look it up!) with your mom.

This next one, I’ll admit, might be the toughest thing that mothers try to teach their children, so follow closely. If you take something off, open something up, or otherwise move something from where it was‌ stay with me here‌ put it back. Right away. No, not after you finish that episode. Now. This is all a little advanced for the preschoolers out there.

My advice for the little ones?

If you’ve been toying with the idea of giving up diapers once and for all, Mother’s Day is the day to do it.

Happy Mother’s Day! Kristen Taylor lives in Silver Lake with her family. She is the owner of Juvie, a store for older boys and girls. Her e-mail address is kristentaylor@ sbcglobal.net.

/VER

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Los Feliz Ledger

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[ micheltorena street school ]

[ mayberry elementary school ]

Teacher Wins Women’s Award

Mayberry Street Elementary School in Silver Lake will hold their 2nd Annual “Fiesta�

Sat., May 31st from 11:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.

The event will offer performances by the school’s student band, food, carnival games and a silent auction. Kids can also explore a hook and ladder truck from Los Angeles Fire Station 20 and a police cruise from the LAPD Northeast Division.

The Los Angeles Conservation Corps will also conduct a tree give-away as part of the Million Trees LA Program.

Admission is free. 2414 Mayberry St., Los Angeles.

By Cindy Cruz, 6th Grade On March 28th, Karla Lopez, a teacher at Micheltorena received an award for outstanding accomplishments in honor of International Women’s Month. She was nominated by one of her friends who works at La Opinión, a newspaper for Spanish readers. The award was given to her by the state senate, California Legislators of Los Angeles, and La Opinión.

We appreicate Ms. Lopez’s hard work. Ms. Lopez represents what a proud Latina woman should be like and is a role model for women, children, and her 6th grade class.

She is a jewelry designer, an artist and a teacher. “It is an honor to win this recognition because it is given to those who go beyond what is expected,� said Ms. Lopez.

Ms. Lopez has taught her students responsibility by creating a recycling program for the school. She helps students learn about other cultures through art and is also responsible for the repainting of the mural on Sunset. She teaches her students that if you put your mind to something, you can accomplish it. “I never expected this award,� said Ms. Lopez, “and it just shows us that if we try, it can happen.�

Brighton Early, a senior at Immaculate Heart High School has won first place in the annual Cabrini Literary Guild creative writing contest.

Veronica Gonzalez, also of Immaculate Heart High School, also won 5th place for fiction.

The annual creative writing contest honors the top five fiction and non-fiction entries submitted by local Catholic high school students. This year’s judges included Los Feliz Ledger publisher Allison B. Cohen.

Awards were presented to the students April 10th at a luncheon held at Oakmont Country Club in Glendale.

Local Silver Lake author Kerry Madden was the guest speaker.

The Rose Scharlin Cooperative Nursery School in Silver Lake will host its spring fundraiser “Cirque de la Rose,�

May 10th from 12:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

The event will feature performances by TROUPE, an ensemble of acrobats, dancers, aerialists and actors, as well as arts and crafts, face painting, food and music, and chances to win prizes from the jester. Event goers can even participate in the event’s “Tumbling and Circus Skills Booth.â€?

Page 10 SCHOOL NEWS

$15 adults; $10 Children.

2414 Lake View Ave. www.rosescharlin.com

Pilgrim School Salutes Miss Sarah Hatfield Science Department Chair

Three years’ teaching experience

“Teaching is about much more than learning about science or math. It’s learning compassion, integrity, and cooperation, which are essential for success.�

Visit us at www.pilgrim-school.org or phone for a personal tour, (213) 385-7351 x 355

For more information please call or visit us. The office is open Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4:30pm.

1550 Maltman Avenue • Los Angeles, CA 90026 (323) 665-3601 office • (323) 665-4143 fax www.saintfrancisofassisicatholicschool.com

Admission is $12 at the event; $10 via website presale.

Children under 10 are free.

2700 Tesla Avenue. www. neighborhoodnurseryschool. org (323) 804-3466.

Co-Op Nursery School Fundraiser May 10th

BS, Biochemistry, Mary Baldwin College

< Kindergarten through Eighth Grade < Well-Rounded Academic Program < Departmentalized Junior High < Music Program < Extended Day Care < Athletic Program < Federally Funded Lunch Service < Family/Parent Involvement < Fully Accredited by WASC and WCEA

Silver Lakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Neighborhood Nursery School will hold itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spring fair and silent auction May 17th, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

On hand will be food, fames and music by Ellen and Matt, The Hollow Trees, Tomas Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Grady, and Foreign Born.

Cabrini Writing Contest Winners Announced

Teaches Biology, AP Biology, Life Science, and coaches volleyball

Now accepting applications for the 2008-2009 school year!

Neighborhood Nursery School Spring Fair

This is Pilgrim School UĂ&#x160; Excellence in academics.

UĂ&#x160; Technology integrated classrooms.

UĂ&#x160; Core arts education.

UĂ&#x160; Small class sizes ensure individual attention.

UĂ&#x160; Every senior class, 100% college bound.

UĂ&#x160; A nurturing community, a beautiful historic campus.

UĂ&#x160; Full summer school and camp program.

We Grow Students Preschool through Grade 12 College Preparatory Day School Since 1958 Pilgrim School is a division of First Congregational Church of Los Angeles Fully accredited by CAIS and WASC; a member of NAIS

www.losfelizledger.com

Pilgrim School 540 S. Commonwealth Avenue Los Angeles 90020 (213) 385-7351 www.pilgrim-school.org May 2008

Los Feliz Ledger [ lycee international los angeles ]

Cours Contre la Faim

By Sebastian Nicolau, Jemila Benchikh and Souraya Beydoun, 8th grade LILA, has recently participated in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Race Against Hunger,â&#x20AC;? to help raise funds for the non-profit group Action Against Hunger.

A total of 465 students ran in the event, with each kilometer finished representing funds that could be donated.

Known as Course Contre la Faim in French, Action Against Hunger is a French charity that donates money to third world children. It is similar to a French UNICEF. Of the 854 million people who suffer from the hunger in the world, 524 million live in Asia and the Pacific and 206 million in Africa. Another 69 million suffer from acute malnutrition, of which 60 million are children of less than 5 years. Finally, 10 million people die worldwide of hunger each year, including 6 million children of less than 5 years.

May 2008

[ franklin avenue ]

Franklin-Palooza Rocks!

[king middle school]

By Ruby Hersch, 5th Grade

Teacher and Studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Film to Screen at Cannes

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s here, the biggest Franklin Elementary School fund-raiser of the year, the Franklin-Palooza, May 2nd from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Adults get to shop for over 200 items in the Silent Auction while kids get to rock out in the Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Disco featuring live music and DJ Mike Dubb or do crafts and other activities at The Clubhouse, a private play room with supervision. Fine dining at the International Food Fair with delicious food from neighborhood restaurants is free with admission.

This event will be green.

Food and drinks will be served using compostable cups, plates and flatware, and plastics and paper will be recycled.

A film produced and cowritten by King Middle School animation teacher, Kirk Palayan, and written and directed

by King and Marshall High school graduate Max Carlson will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival this year and has also won the award for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Thrillerâ&#x20AC;? at the 2nd annual Buffalo-Niagra Film Festival.

Carlson, whose family lives in Franklin Hills, also received the jury award for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most Promising Directorâ&#x20AC;? at the Buffalo-Niagra Festival.

The film, titled Dissociative, is about an abandoned person who overcomes great obstacles to fulfill her destiny. More about the film can be seen at www.oddboxfilms.com.

[ immaculate heart high school ]

By Lauren Aleman â&#x20AC;&#x2122;10 and Heidi Slojewski â&#x20AC;&#x2122;10 Recently, we observed our most memorable and whimsical day of the school year: Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. The annual event theme was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let It Be Me!â&#x20AC;? and the students took that theme to heart.

The event began with the formal crowning of the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statue of Mary, followed by a liturgy and then entertainment of song, dance and more.

The day culminated with a celebration dance by the whole school before everyone enjoyed

potluck lunches with friends and faculty on the quad.

In May, students in Advanced Placement classes will prove how much they worked this year through A.P. tests that will hopefully earn them college credit. Club elections will take place to prepare for next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities. Visual and performing arts students will showcase their talents through an art show, dance performances and drama finals.

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SCHOOL NEWS Page 11

Los Feliz Ledger [ people in the neighborhood ]

Vahan Saroians

Phillip Bartell

#1 Commercial Real Estate Broker #3 Residential Real Estate Broker

By Colleen Paeff Ledger Contributing Writer

at Coldwell Banker Los Feliz

Commercial

Phillip Bartell grew up in a small farming community of 1,200 people in rural Illinois.

His dad was—and still is—the town banker. His grandfather hoped Bartell would get involved in farming one day, but Bartell had other ideas.

“I started out wanting to study journalism,” he said, “because I was too [scared] to say I wanted to get into film— no one did that where I was from.” But from the very first film class he took at Colombia College in Chicago, Bartell was hooked.

Bartell his first job in Hollywood, in 1994. Working as the apprentice editor on Allison Anders’ film Mi Vida Loca, he was immediately drawn to editing.

“I knew it would be a great training ground for directing,” he said, “because you’re looking at the dailies with the director.

You’re looking at the performances, the composition, how it’s lit—the results of everything they did on the set.”

After six years in the editing room, he stepped into the writer/director chair with his short film Crush. The film won over 20 awards including the Audience Awards at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.

Bartell continued to work as an assistant editor, writing and directing a second short film, L.T.R. in 2002. He edited his first feature film, Eating Out, in 2004. Written and di-

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rected by Q. Allan Brocka, the film, dubbed the “gay American Pie,” delighted audiences from Rhode Island to San Diego, where it won the Audience Award for Best Feature.

When Brocka was unavailable to direct the sequel, he turned Bartell for help.

Bartell and Brocka cowrote the script, Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds, which Bartell directed and edited in eight weeks during 2006.

Bartell and Brocka have plans to collaborate on Eating Out 3, but for now Bartell is hoping there may be some murder and mayhem in his future via his own feature film, Lizzie, a modern re-telling of the Lizzie Borden story.

Griffith Park Clubhouse

Come for the View, the History or the Wings

By Heather Downie, Ledger Contributing Writer

Page 12 LIFESTYLES

LD

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163 S. Fairfax, Los Angeles $2,750,000

[ focus on the advertiser ]

GRIFFITH PARK—A year ago, the Griffith Park wildfires crept closer and closer to the table and outdoor patio where Kyle Koestner is now sipping a cold schooner. Behind him, 90 degree heat beats down on golfers taking their turn in trying to get out of a nearby sand pit.

“There was definitely a moment when I thought we would lose everything,” said Koestner, the owner of the Griffith Park Clubhouse.

While many Angelenos worried the fires would de-

T JUS

stroy the Griffith Observatory or Zoo, few desperately waited to hear about the fate of the Clubhouse. Sadly, far too many people—locals included—did not and do not know the place exists, even with its rich history and killer chicken wings.

The Griffith Park Clubhouse is a restaurant and bar located just past the William Harding golf course pro shop.

It consists of two large Spanish revival rooms, a banquet hall and a second large sitting room filled with vaulted beam ceilings, panoramic windows

Kyle Koestner (R) and his partner Mike Griffith Park Clubhouse.

and walnut floors. Outside, two huge patios overlook the course.

When Koestner and his partner took over the clubhouse six years ago, they transformed it from a business in a state of disrepair into a fully restored restaurant. They improved the menu, pulled out tired carpet to expose walnut

floors and pulled down drapes to let the light in through huge windows.

The Clubhouse was rebuilt in 1937 at the request of then President Begakis at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The original clubhouse had been destroyed by fire in 1933.

In its history, the clubhouse has seen a number of high profile visitors. Walter Alston, who managed the Dodgers first in Brooklyn and then in Los Angeles from 1954 to 1976, would stop by to grab a drink and debrief big games www.losfelizledger.com

with the waitresses. Sixteen year old Tiger Woods won a junior championship there.

And has legend has it, Babe Ruth was notified that he had been traded to the Yankees while playing on the course.

To this day, actors and politicians still play the links. So do “golfers, non-golfers, old and young… and lots of hipsters” said Koestner.

Koestner surveys the view from the clubhouse’s patio.

“Sitting here now, you would never guess that a fire almost ripped through here,” he said.

The Clubhouse is located at 4730 Crystal Springs Dr., next to the William Harding Golf Course. www.montereyconcessions.com May 2008

Los Feliz Ledger

Local Experts Worldwide

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ELYSIAN HTS ARCHITECTURAL: Elysian Heights. Architectural Digest 1925 Revisited –spectacular vus of city, mts, lake & out to the ocean. 2 lvls of Spanish Romance $779,000. WEB: 0283194. Peter Reyes 323.356.2879

914 AVE 37: Mt. Washtington. New Price.

Architectural gem, Gregory Ain 1939. Awaits restoration. Huge 20k sqft. Lot. w/spectacular views. $649,500. WEB: 0283160. Karen & Marc 323.804.8043

3223 LARISSA DR: Silver Lake. Fantastic architectural 2bd/2ba, loft-like feel, balcony overlooking gorgeous backyard. www.3223larissa.com $645,000. WEB: 0283275.

Delaina Gallardo 323.854.8330

3372 ROWENA AVE #9: Los Feliz. Lofty 2bd/2ba townhome w/ bonus office/den upstairs.

Bright & light upper rear corner unit w/ 2 sty LR & tree top vus. $629,000. WEB: 0283293.

Margaret Goldsmith 323.671.2327

325 N DILLON ST: Silver Lake. Charming Bungalow. Major upgrades, orig details: built-ins; French doors; & wd flrs. Close to Silver Lake & Downtown. $539,000. WEB: 0283236. Joe Lightfoot 323.665.1108

COMMERCIAL SUBLEASE: Glendale. Silver Lake/Los Feliz adj. 2648 sft, huge open loft like space w/ soaring ceil & auto access. Grt for office, studio, storage. $3,500/mo. WEB: 0283261.

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BROKERAGES I SOCALSIR.COM I LOS FELIZ 1801 NORTH HILLHURST AVENUE T 323.665.1700 BEVERLY HILLS I PACIFIC PALISADES I

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©2008 NRT Incorporated. Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. is Owned and Operated by NRT, LLC. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. Farm of Jas de Bouffan, 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.

May 2008

www.losfelizledger.com

Su Casa REAL ESTATE

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Los Feliz Ledger [ real estate ]

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Going On With This Market?

By Richard Stanley Ledger Columnist First, whatever information I share in this column is based primarily on my own firsthand experience and assessments. That said, here is my take on whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening in residential real estate around our part of town.

Sale Prices: Imagine a symmetrical bell curve, with sale prices rising vertically and time running horizontally. Put â&#x20AC;&#x153;2006â&#x20AC;? at the top of the bell. Last year, 2007, was about at the same sale price height as 2005. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prices are about at the height of 2004. I expect we will soon, maybe later this year, or next, see prices at about 2003â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s level.

At some point, prices will level out, then rise againâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;they always do.

The Inventory: This spring is seeing an explosion of inventory. Smart sellers know to attract a buyer today requires pricing their property so that it is perceived by buyers as an outstanding value.

Overpricing (at, say, the level of 2006), or making small

to price â&#x20AC;&#x153;ahead of the curveâ&#x20AC;? so that buyer urgency may be fomented.

Buyers: Open house attendance is very high lately. Pent-up demand is present and growing.

Reckless speculators are absent.

Buyers today intend to live in what they buy. Sellers who price well-maintained, attractively updated properties ahead of the price curve can still attract multiple offers in the first week of marketingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and get overthe-asking-price sales. Further, buyers in the market now have cash to spend. Perhaps because of the stock marketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s instability, perhaps because of scarce mortgage money, perhaps because of a desire to reduce monthly overhead, buyers are making offers with enormous down paymentsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;even all-cash offers.

Foreclosures: Lenderowned properties, despite what the media may lead you to believe, are not having much, if any, effect upon our local real estate market. Foreclosed properties are few locally.

Those that are for sale tend not

Sellers who price well-maintained, attractively updated properties ahead of the price curve can still attract multiple offers in the first week of marketingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and get over-the-asking-price sales.

Effects of the Griffith Park Fire: In the year since the fire in the park, I have not noticed any resultant effect upon the Los Feliz real estate market. I currently represent a house that overlooks part of the scorched park, Glendale and the San Gabriel Mountains all the way to Mt. Baldy. Some people remark about â&#x20AC;&#x153;how close the fire came,â&#x20AC;? but everyone

is inspired by the â&#x20AC;&#x153;amazing,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;spectacularâ&#x20AC;? view. We will always remember with gratitude the courage and skill of the fire department last May. Already, we are witnessing natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fascinating recovery from the devastation. And, the Los Feliz hills continue to offer the unique and irresistible allure of urban vistas at the edge of the wild.

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Announcing the Formation of price reductions over several months or more, is deadly.

After a few weeks, the property remains forever stale. In a softening market, it is better

to be good values. Often they require significant remedial work and/or have irreparable defects such as a poor location or bad design.

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www.losfelizledger.com

May 2008

3/17/08 8:29:35 PM

Los Feliz Ledger [ city sleuth ]

Source for Sleuthing: Los Angeles Attractions

By Diane Kanner, Ledger Columnist

Borislav Stanic has photographed and written the ultimate guide to Los Angeles the 512-page Los Angeles Attractions from Museon Publishing. Because Stanic distinguishes myth and legend from fact as it appears in the public record, his book should become a valuable aid to both the serious and casual observer of “a conglomeration of some 90 independent municipalities,” our fair city of Los Angeles.

What convinces me that Stanic deserves honors is his analysis of the property which started me on the path of Los Feliz sleuthing. Local lore had it that silent film star Norma Talmadge once lived in the baronial Mediterranean estate located at 4320 Cedarhurst Circle. Previously long neglected, and in the spirit of Billy Wilder’s “Sun-

into fresh cement. Hollywood’s most successful showman, Sid Grauman, took it from there in the forecourt of his Chinese Theater. A dozen references to the life and work of Talmadge conclude with her passing. On page 132, the marker for her resting place in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is pictured. Coverage of the city’s cemeteries, and

those who are buried or interred in them, comes in the form of full page maps and biographical sketches.

Illustrated with vintage postcards, vibrant present day photos, maps, and historic photos, Los Angeles Attractions documents the holdings of museums, books depicting Los Angeles in fiction, and the birth of Hollywood, our beach

cities and aviation. Thumbnail background is given, as well as more thorough analysis of such topics as the Tongva and Chumash people, Spanish colonization, mission and rancho and boom eras, oil, transit, water, agriculture, and of course, show business.

Copies are available at the public library or Skylight Books.

Borislav Stanic’s Los Angeles Attractions

set Boulevard,” it has been renovated in recent years. The public record and Los Angeles Attractions reveal that the house was in fact owned by a French film director named Maurice Tourneur. This was at a time when Talmadge resided in Beverly Hills.

The book explains how Talmadge inspired another legend when she accidentally stepped out of her car and

[ SELECT HOME SALES MAY 2008 ] 90026 Single Family Homes 1469 1525 1369 636 1649

WESTERLY TER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,495,454 ANGELUS AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 950,000 LUCILE AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 910,000 N VENDOME ST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 670,000 MCCOLLUM PL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 650,000

90027 Single Family Homes 3427 BEN LOMOND PL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,250,000 2909 GLENDOWER AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 790,000 3916 MELBOURNE AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 745,000

90039 Single Family Homes 1969 LUCILE AVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $970,000 839 N JUNE ST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 880,000 2272 INDIA ST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 730,500

90068 Condominiums 1979 GRACE AVE 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $825,000 1900 VINE ST 209 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 450,000

90036 Single Family Homes 2341 2016 3313 3889 6697

E LIVE OAK DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,219,000 CANTATA DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,850,000 BONNIE HILL DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,740,000 FREDONIA DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,545,000 WHITLEY TER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,332,500

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

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MAXIMUM EXPOSURE ONLINE Coldwellbanker.com • Californiamoves.com Realtor.com • LATimes.com• Openhouse.com 1917 Hillhurst Avenue • Los Angeles CA 90027 • Office: (323) 665-5841 • Fax: (323) 666-4955

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2422 CAZAUX PLACE

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3747 PRESWICK DRIVE

$950,000

Los Feliz Spacious & Bright Contemp, Views! Pool, 4BD 2.5 BA. Updated gourmet Kit, Italian cabinets & Wolfe range appliances, Subzero fridge, on 1st. level 2 fplc LR. & FR. 2nd level has Lg. mstr bdrm. walk-in closet, dbl sinks, dressing area, addl 2 bedrooms & 1 bath. laundry room. Private patio, & lush greenery

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6201 QUEBEC DRIVE

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Newly renovated 3 bedroom + 3 bathroom plus loft architectural home. 30’ ceilings. Interior designer-owner. Updated systems. City/cyn views. Numerous decks and balconies. Unforgettable.

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SILVER LAKE

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Silver Lake Hills View Home. Spacious, Light, Bright on a street to street lot with access to yard from media/family room. Must see charmer close to SL Village's many amenities.

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SILVER LAKE

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4119 HOLLY KNOLL DRIVE

$799,000

Charming Franklin Hills 2-story traditional on a lovely street near the Shakespeare bridge. Serene mountain views from kitchen, dining & living rooms. Large front patio w/ koi pond & a backyard w/ patio & tropicals. 2 bd/1.5 bath, a loft + office! Wood flrs, fplc, huge storage and 2-car garage

LORI RAMIREZ

KERRY MARSICO

$679,000

Great owner-user 2-on-a-lot in handy neighborhood. 2+1 front bungalow with lots of character and 1+1 rear bungalow. Gardens front and rear.

1308 N. OCCIDENTAL BLVD.

(323) 906-2417

$699,000

Romantic Art Deco-inspired retreat featuring stained glass entry, glass block and hammered copper details, gleaming hardwood floors, 2 sep. garages.

Completely renovated with new systems

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RICHARD STANLEY

www.KerryMarsico.com (213) 700-6515

MICHAEL LOCKE

www.1308NorthOccidental.com

(323) 533-3161

$1,495,000

Located in prime Los Feliz, this 2 story home features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, custom designed eat-in kitchen w/ state-of-the-art appliances & fixtures.

Spacious formal dining. Cozy sunroom & livingroom w/fpl flow to patio & beautifully landscaped garden creating an enchanting entertainment oasis.

Close to park & recreation. cabbott@coldwellbanker.com fsimson@coldwellbanker.com

SIMSON/ ABBOTT

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3331 DESCANSO DRIVE

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SILVER LAKE

$860,000

Stunning 3 BD/2 BA Modern. Perfect home for relaxing & entertaining - real indoor/outdoor living. Remod kit w/stainless steel appl. Open LR w/high clngs, fplce & DA. Loft-like mstr bdrm ste w/2 walk-in closets. Roof deck w/fplce & 360 degree views. Pvt back patio w/herb garden. Bamboo flrs. All systems updated.

LisaBrende@coldwellbanker.com LISA BRENDE

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LOS FELIZ

2517 ST. GEORGE STREET

$729,000

Move-in ready & stylishly upgraded, this 3 BD, 2 BA traditional home is one of the best deals in the Franklin Hills. Hdwd flrs, a mstr ste w/ natural stone flooring, grassy yrd w/ beautiful landscaping, & a garage make this hm a mustsee for your buyers. Just blocks away from Restaurants & Shops. nataliecarter@coldwellbanker.com chris.danna@camoves.com

N CARTER/DANNA

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ELYSIANLOS HEIGHTS FELIZ

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1185 N. MARIPOSA AVENUE

3606 CADMAN DRIVE

LOS FELIZ

What a find! Absolutely charming Spanish in prime Silver Lake hills and Ivanhoe school district. Beautiful hdw floors, FDR, eat in kitchen, covered patio, terraced yard w/ gorgeous redwood pergola. Trust sale, no court confirmation needed.Third Bedroom could be a den or studio space.

lramirez@coldwellbanker.com (323) 665-5841

LOS FELIZ

HOLLYWOOD HILLS EAST

2092 CERRO GORDO STREET

$609,000

Charming artist's retreat atop Elysian Heights. Spectacular landscaped gardens provide privacy & seclusion in this Shangri La, where you can enjoy city skyline views as you bubble in the spa. Open floor plan & cool cross-breezes. Wide plank floors & a slate FP enhance this woodsy 1 BD/1BA home.

ISAAC FAST

imfast@coldwellbanker.com (323) 210-1434

Los Feliz Ledger [ senior moments ]

Memory Loss: Part of Aging?

By Stephanie Vendig, Ledger Columnist As I added one more year to my life this month, I become acutely aware of new potential limitations and my own (and my peer’s) increasing vulnerability. Life can be golden as you indulge yourself with interests that you were unable to take advantage of when you had responsibilities of work and child rearing. But, as we live longer, changes within our bodies happen in a normal way, but some changes have negative impacts over time.

The one condition that scares us all is dementia, and in particular, Alzheimer’s disease, which currently afflicts

over 5.1 million Americans.

According to the American Academy of Neurology, 10 percent of people over age 65 and 50 percent over age 85 have the disease. The Alzheimer’s Association projects that as many as 7.7 million will have the disease by 2030.

The numbers rise due to more of us in the older age brackets, but also because there is currently no effective prevention strategy or cure.

Last month at the Griffith Park Adult Community Club’s general meeting, we heard from a man in his 60s about his experience with Alzheimer’s after being diagnosed with a cognitive memory loss four years ago. He participates in

Griffith Park Adult Community Club Calendar General Meeting and Luncheon: Wednesday, May 21st, 12 pm - 3 pm, Friendship Auditorium, 3201 Riverside Dr. Luncheon is part of the Nutrition Program served 5 days of week at the Center. $1.75 is a donation for those over 60 years. Daily lunch is served at 12 pm and you can come in for coffee and check in at 11:30

Trips April 30 – Camp Seeley Call Doris Slater at (323) 667-1879 for more information on other trips.

May Classes Contact Griffith Park Adult Community Center at (323) 644-5579 or stop by 3203 Riverside Dr., in the parking lot of Friendship Auditorium south of Los Feliz Blvd to get a schedule of classes and events.

Silver Lake Recreation Center at 1850 W. Silver Lake Drive (323) 644-3946 will also have classes.

For Information on the Griffith Park Adult Community Club and getting a newsletter, call Stephanie Vendig at (323) 667-3043, or e-mail at vendig@sbcglobal.net or call Jeanne Phipps at (323) Sunday May 4, 2008, 1:30 pm, the annual Sunset Hall Garden Party at Paramount Studios. Join us to honor: Jim Hightower, America’s most popular populist, best-selling author, radio commentator and public speaker; and Los Angeles’ own Jackie Goldberg, educator; former LAUSD Board member, L.A. City Councilperson, and California Assemblymember; political and social activist. Reservations must be made by Monday, April 28th. Call Wendy Caputo at (323) 962-5277.

Programs for Free-Thinking Seniors!

To learn more about our current calendar of classes, concerts and cultural events, visit www.sunsethall.org. For information: Wendy Caputo (323) 962-5277

Calendar sponsored by Sunset Hall

a support group at Assistance League Leeza’s Place in Hollywood. From his perspective, it is important to learn about the disease as early as possible, and to expect your doctor to take measures to rule out other diseases or medication side effects as the cause of symptoms of memory loss and confusion.

Especially important is not allowing your doctor to just chalk up your concerns to old age.

Most of us experience forgetfulness from time to time and we should attribute it to our normal aging, but there are characteristics that suggest more serious forms of memory impairment. For example, sometimes you misplace your keys or can’t remember the right word or name. That is

normal. But if this happens frequently and with difficulty, then you may have mild memory impairment. In dementia, you forget what an item is used for or put it in an inappropriate place, or may not recognize a person or start to lose language skills.

Curently, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is proven only by an autopsy. However, an evaluation based on information relating to the individual’s history, mental status exams, interviews with families and friends plus lab tests ruling out other conditions is accurate about 90 percent of the time.

With earlier detection, there are opportunities to focus on reducing the mental deterioration and managing

Interdependence

By Wendy Caputo Ledger Contributing Writer Are any of us truly “independent”? Throughout our lives we rely on friends, family, neighbors, schools, teachers, employers and the community at large to support us. In one day, our lives touch and intertwine with many people. In truth, humans are interdependent beings, mutually depending on each other every day.

We are all guilty of equating “independence” with strength, and “dependence” with weakness. Remember, there is strength in numbers!

We must acknowledge the necessity of interdependent relationships in order to maintain our independence. As we get older, our greatest tool for maintaining independence comes from forming resilient interdependent relationships.

Never be afraid to have honest conversations with your “interdependents” about the tools you need to maintain your individual independence.

Give them permission to act as your advocate if needed. We will be stronger individuals if we acknowledge our need for interdependent relationships.

the disease. In addition, there can be more thoughtful planning in regard to the demands of caregiving. According to experts, seven out of 10 people with Alzheimer’s disease live at home with family and friends providing 75 percent of their care. The burden is awesome and demands often shortchange the caregivers’ ability to take care of themselves.

Support outside of the family must be included in the caregiving. Leeza’s Place is one such organization that offer support for caregivers through support groups and strategies to lessen their burden.

Contact the national Alzheimer’s Association for information at 800-272-3900 (24 hours) or visit www.alz.org. [gardening]

M O R I N G A!

By Melissa Berry, Ledger Columnist Moringa is known and used all over the world and is absolutely remarkable. It does amazing things for your health – including long lasting energy.

It is an ideal plant to grow in or out-of-doors. You can pick its leaves, which can always be a replacement for spinach, and make it part of a delicious fresh salad, or use it in one the many Moringa recipes that are available including tea.

Moringa seeds have wings and are about the size of a large pea. Seeds don’t need sunlight to germinate. Here are some suggestions on germination.

Soak the seeds for 24 hours and then put them between

two damp paper towels and keep the paper towels wet until they sprout.

Once the seeds have broken loose from the winged shell they will have ruffled growth at the ends. This is the shoot that contains the first leaves and should be exposed to the sun. Plant the seeds about ¾ of an inch beneath, with the two shoots protruding from the seed. It is a good idea to use pots to get the trees started since you have more control over the care of the tree.

As with any Moringa recipe, you’ll sleep like a baby after eating it. For further information and recipes contact: info@moringafarms.com.

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SENIOR MOMENTS Page 13

Los Feliz Ledger Parking from page 3

opposition to the preferential parking district she proposed.

At a contentious meeting of the GGPNCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Transportation Committee on April 10th, 2007, about 300 Los Feliz denizens packed the Griffith Park Ranger Station to weigh in on the proposal. During three hours of public comment, 62 locals spoke out against what they viewed as a biased measure that would unfairly benefit the less-populated, singlefamily home enclaves north of Franklin Avenue, while penalizing renters from the denser, apartment-heavy blocks south of that street. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For some of these buildings, there is no parking,â&#x20AC;? said Michael Hyatt, who has lived on Normandie Avenue south of Franklin for over 20 years.

He said much of the curb traffic clogging the single-family home area is created by renters who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find parking on their own streets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a shameâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nowhere else for us to go,â&#x20AC;?

Hyatt said.

With only eight residents speaking out in favor of the parking district during last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting, the Transportation Committee dropped the issue. The following week, at its regular board meeting, the GGPNC voted to â&#x20AC;&#x153;adopt a general policy against preferential parking districtsâ&#x20AC;? that would oppose any future efforts to obtain one in the area.

But Cremin believes the strong community resistance to the measure stemmed from a misunderstanding over the preferential parking districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposed boundaries.

She said the GGPNCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Transportation Committee distributed an incomplete map to residents when it advertised the April, 2007 meeting. The

Page 14

map stakeholders saw only showed a 13-block sectionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; or about one quarterâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;of the proposed full district area, she said, where the Los Angeles Dept. of Transportation in late 2006 conducted a survey to judge whether a parking district was needed.

said, who felt the parking measure aimed to keep them away from multi-million dollar homes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People think it is a limited and narrow parking district,â&#x20AC;? said Cremin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It actually covers a large area, including both homeowners and renters.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;For some of these buildings, there is no parking... Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a shameâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nowhere else for us to go.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Michael Hyatt, Normandie Avenue Renter In the area bordered by Los Feliz Boulevard and Franklin Avenue between Normandie Avenue and Edgemont Street the Dept. of Transportationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brian Gallagher found that available parking spaces were, on average, 82 percent occupied, and upwards of 36 percent of those vehicles were determined to be from outside the community. Only 75 percent occupancy and 25 percent out-of-area vehicles on four blocks of a proposed district are required to qualify a neighborhood for a preferential parking district, he said.

All the blocks south of Franklin Avenue to Hollywood Boulevard, and east of Edgemont Street to Vermont Avenue were excluded because the survey was just a â&#x20AC;&#x153;preliminary studyâ&#x20AC;? and the full boundaries had not yet been finalized, said Gallagher. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the parking study data was good for a small area, then likely it would be valid for a larger area that would ultimately be determined by the submittal of petitions at a later date,â&#x20AC;? Gallagher said.

The survey sectionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s makeup of mainly single-family residences and historic buildings might have fueled a sense of discrimination among southof-Franklin renters, Cremin

The abridged map was publicized to residents by mistake, said Transportation Committee chair Jacqueline Kerr. She said the city sent out the map and she forwarded it

to stakeholders, unaware that it was incomplete. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was misinformation that misled, and it was all unintentional,â&#x20AC;? Kerr said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No one set out to confuse anyone or hide anything. There was just simply a human error, and I unknowingly disseminated the error.â&#x20AC;?

Cremin last fall met with Los Angeles city councilmember Tom LaBonge and other city officials, hoping to push the parking measure forward.

In an October letter to Dept. of Transportation general manager Rita Robinson, LaBonge said a preferential parking district is â&#x20AC;&#x153;certainly a valid option to address the parking shortageâ&#x20AC;? in the

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neighborhood.

But, he stressed: â&#x20AC;&#x153;My support for this project is conditionally based upon the submittal of valid petitions in support of this districtâ&#x20AC;Śfrom at least three street segments south of Franklin Avenue.â&#x20AC;?

According to many locals, the district is not likely to get that support.

The issue sparked heated discussion at the GGPNCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent April 15th general meeting, where several stakeholders and board members expressed anger that Cremin is still pursuing a measure that the majority of the community said they vehemently opposed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want a preferential parking district when see Parking page 21

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www.losfelizledger.com

May 2008

Los Feliz Ledger [ MAY 2008 events calendar ] Edited by Debru Petrov Art “Only You Can Break Your Heart,” presented by LittleBird Gallery—a solo exhibition by Dan Monick.

Opening reception: May 17th, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Thru June 10th.

3195 Glendale Blvd.

(323) 662-1092 www.littlebirdgallery.com

Oksana Badrak, presented by Black Maria Gallery. Opening Reception: May 31st, 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Black Maria Gallery, 3137 Glendale Blvd. www.blackmariagallery.com “Menace & Charm: The Nostalgia of Childhood,” through May 24th.

Black Maria Gallery, 3137 Glendale Blvd. (323) 660-9393 www.blackmariagallery.com “Unions & Intersections,” solo exhibition by Valentin Toledo, through May 3rd.

Metro Gallery 1835 Hyperion Ave. (323) 663-2787 www.metrogallery.org

“Society of Illustrators L.A.,” through May 6th.

Junc Gallery, 4017 Sunset Blvd.

(213) 814-2640 www.juncgallery.com

“All the Saints of the City of the Angels,” solo exhibition by J. Michael Walker, thru Sept. 7th.

Autry National Center 4700 Western Heritage Way (323) 667-2000 www.autrynationalcenter.org “Cowboys and Presidents” explores the intersection of the American cowboy culture with presidencies from Theodore Roosevelt to the current George W. Bush Administration, through Sept. 7th.

Autry National Center 4700 Western Heritage Way (323) 667-2000 www.autrynationalcenter.org “Common Ground,” exhibition includes African American and Latino contemporary artists who explore the relationship between the black and brown communities of California, through June 1st.

California African American Museum 600 State Dr., Exposition Park (213) 744-7432 www.caam.ca.gov

“Beyond The Iconic: Comtemporary Photographs of Paris,” features the works of 24 French photographers, through June 1st.

Free admission during regular library hours.

Los Angeles Central Library Getty Gallery, 630 W. 5th St. (213) 228-7000 www.lapl.org/events

Books Atwater Village Library Used Book Sale May 17th, 10:00 a.m.

3379 Glendale Blvd. (323) 664-1353

Edendale Branch Friends of the Library Book Sale May 7th, 2:00 p.m. & May 10th, 12:30 p.m., 2011 W. Sunset Blvd.

(213) 207-3000

Clubs Los Angeles Breakfast Club Wednesday mornings, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m Friendship Auditorium, 3201 Riverside Dr. Public welcome.

Los Angeles Garden Club “The Flower Show: Reflections” 4730 Crystal Springs Dr. Visitors’ Auditorium May 12th, 10:00 a.m.

Public welcome.

Atwater Village Library Book Club May 13th, 1:00 p.m.

3379 Glendale Blvd. (323) 664-1353

Atwater Village Library Scrabble Club May 24th, 1:00 p.m.

3379 Glendale Blvd. (323) 664-1353 Los Feliz Library Book Club May 10th, 11:00 a.m.

1874 Hillhurst Ave. (323) 913-4710

Dance Los Angeles Ballet presents, Summer Performance May 3rd, 7:30 p.m.

Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd.

Tickets: (818) 243-2539 www.alextheatre.org

2008 Dance Downtown Summer Season: May 16th, Salsa, Merengue May 30th, Line Dancing 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Beginner dance lessons begin at 6:30 p.m.

Free admission Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave. (213) 972-7211 www.musiccenter.org

Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano and Ensambles Ballet Folklorico de San Francisco May 17th, 11:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

Free admission on first-come basis.

Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave. www.musiccenter.org

Food Celebrate Cinco De Mayo at the Autry with ballet folklorico, mariachis, charros, salsa-tasting competitions and live tortilla making demonstrations.

May 4th, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Free with museum admission.

4700 Western Heritage Way (323) 667-2000 www.autrynationalcenter.org Taste of Downtown Glendale Proceeds go towards low-income children, uninsured families living in the Glendale area.

May 14th, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Info:(818) 548-7931 Tickets: www.glendalehealthykids.org

The Greek Theatre 2700 N. Vermont Ave. Tickets:www.greektheatrela.com Hollywood Bowl Summer Concerts: The Police, May 27th, 28th, 7:30 p.m.; R.E.M., May 29th, 7:00 p.m.; The Cure, May 31st, 6:30 p.m.

Hollywood Bowl 2301 N. Highland Ave. Tickets:www.hollywoodbowl.com Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra presents, Peter and the Wolf, for the entire family.

May 4th, 2:00 p.m.

Pre-concert activities at 1:00 p.m.

Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd.

(818) 243-2539 www.alextheatre.org

Los Angeles County Museum of Art Friday Night Jazz Series: Justo Almario, May 2nd; Ralph Penland & The Polygon Quintet, May 9th; Thom Rotella, May 16th; BoneSoir, May 23rd; Sandra Booker & The Creole Jazz Movement, May 30th.

Music begins at 6:00 p.m.

Free admission.

5905 Wilshire Blvd. (323) 857-6115 www.lacma.org

Observatory Orchestra Brass Quintet May 10th, 2:00 p.m.

Free admission Echo Park Branch Library 1410 W. Temple St. (213) 250-7808

Los Angeles County Museum of Art Latin Sounds Concert Series: Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars, May 24th, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; INCA, the Peruvian Ensemble, May 31st, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Free admission Dorothy Collins Brown Amphitheater (323) 857-6115 www.lacma.org

Politics Silver Lake Neighborhood Council May 7th, 7:00 p.m.

1511 Micheltorena St. Micheltorena Street Elementary School www.SilverLakeNC.org

Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council May 20th, 7:00 p.m., Los Feliz Community Police Center, www.ggpnc.org

Lectures & Learning Architecture & Beyond Lecture Series Los Feliz Library May 15th, 6:30 p.m.

1874 Hillhurst Ave. (323) 913-4710

Finance Smart: How to Raise Financially Responsible Children and Youth Atwater Village Library May 31st, 11:00 a.m.

3379 Glendale Blvd. (323) 664-1353

Los Feliz Village Street Fair Set for June 8th LOS FELIZ—The 17th annual Los Feliz Village Street Fair will be Sunday, June 8th, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Vermont Avenue between Franklin Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard.

Visit losfelizvillageonline.com to learn more information about being an exhibitor or if you are an artist and would like to perform at the event.

Music Benefit Concert for Griffith Park starring Ludacris and Tommy Lee, May 28th, 7:30 p.m.

Approximately 15,000 people attend the event each year. The event is sponsored and produced by the Los Feliz Village Business Improvement Association.

Los Feliz Library Scrabble Club May 10th, 1:00 p.m.

1874 Hillhurst Ave. (323) 913-4710

Echo Park Library Crochet & Knitting Club Beginners welcome.

May 3rd, 10th 11:00 a.m.

1410 W. Temple St. (213) 250-7808

April 12 through September 7 What is it about cowboys that evokes such diverse emotion and imagery? The intersection of cowboy culture and presidential politics is explored in the Autry’s new exhibition Cowboys and Presidents. Theodore Roosevelt helped redefine the cowboy’s character and carried both sides of the cowboy image into the White House, where it has remained for more than a century.

Groups of 10 or more save over 25%!

Tour group leader and bus driver get in free!

For more group tour information and a free brochure, call 323.667.2000, ext. 336, or visit AutryNationalCenter.org.

4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027 • 323.667.2000 • AutryNationalCenter.org Museum, Museum Store, and Cafe are open Tuesday—Sunday, 10 am—5 pm

May 2008

www.losfelizledger.com

FREE PARKING

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 15

Los Feliz Ledger [on writing]

[ eastside eye ]

Goodbye to Metro Gallery

Ann Whitford Paul—Waking Children’s Imaginations

By Kathy A. McDonald, Ledger Columnist

By Kathy A. McDonald, Ledger Columnist

Rounding Hyperion Avenue’s major curve, perhaps you’ve noticed Metro Gallery. Since September 2005, gallery owners Juan Garcia and David Freire have added cultural vitality to the heavily trafficked thoroughfare, predominantly populated by industrial shops. Close by are the Found Gallery— “Not Particularly Tall” opens May 3rd—and popular lunch spot Viet Soy Café; Hyperion Tavern and Casita del Campo are also within walking distance. However, after MaryAustin Klein’s solo exhibition “Collective Amnesia” ends in June, Metro Gallery will be moving on.

After a celebratory closing party June 28th, Garcia and Freire intend to swap their space with the hair salon’s next door with the plan to eventually move downtown, with some guest curatorial work at City’s Hall’s Bridge Gallery in between. In response to the evolving nature of the gallery business, the team will work closely with their artists, developing online and innova-

tive sales approaches.

For both, the founding of Metro Gallery came for their personal passion for art.

“Working with the gallery and artists has opened up great opportunities and alliances,” said Garcia.

He and Freire are proud of their tenure: not only supporting local artists and the area’s art scene but with other efforts such as a mural project on Myra Avenue under the Sunset Blvd. bridge and annual participation in the Silver Lake Art Crawl.

Initially the gallery showcased local artists with a bent towards abstract work. The gallery’s final show features representational work by Echo Park-based painter Mary-Austin Klein and is slated for May 17th through June 21st. Klein was a popular participant in last summer’s Frogtown Art Walk. Per the artist, her striking California landscapes depict Los Angeles as a “spoiled land of enchantment.”

Metro Gallery, 1835 Hyperion Ave. 323-663-2782 www.metrogallery.org.

Writer Ann Whitford Paul

LOS FELIZ—Los Feliz resident and children’s picture book author and poet Ann Whitford Paul has for more than 30 years, been writing for children.

She began writing when her third child was born. “I began to think about the things I loved to do at home,” she said. “My favorite time was before the kids had a nap or went to bed and I was reading to them.”

But Paul’s literary success wasn’t achieved overnight. It was only after writing for five years and 180 rejections that she sold her first book. She credits classes and the writer’s program at UCLA Extension—where she now teaches.

“I wouldn’t be a published

writer today without it,” she Spanish words; Word Builder said. and for adults: How to Write a Her recently published, Picture Book.

If Animals Kissed Good Night, Paul also visits area elemenwas inspired by a game she tary schools presenting an enand her children played at gaging explanation of writing bedtime that grew out of visits via a quilt. Her “story quilt” to the L.A. Zoo. Throughout shows the progress of a book her career, the zoo and walks from inspiration, to writing, to in the local hills have been an mailing it off through the edimportant source of ideas for iting and publishing process. the sweetly voiced author, now As a longtime writing teacher, a grandmother. Concepts for Paul has found that many times Paul’s Hello Toes! Hello Feet!

“People get discouraged and and Shadows are About came quit writing before they should from local walks. quit,” she said.

At a recent April appearance and reading at Skylight Books, Paul shared stories of her writing career and introduced her family. Three more books are scheduled for 2009: Tortuga in Trouble— the continuation of a series in which Paul cleverly If Animals Kissed Goodnight was inspired by Paul’s many i n t r o d u c e s visits to the Los Angeles Zoo with her children.

[eastside eye]

Picks for May Autry National Center, All the Saints of the City of Angels. Artist J. Michael Walker illustrates the history of the 103 streets named after saints in Los Angeles. Through Sept. 7th.

Getty Center, California Video. A must-see for any fans of the genre from early 1970s works to Jennifer Steinkamp’s cloud-inspired installation. Through June 8th.

Skylight Salon at Skylight Books, Saturday May 24th 4:00 p.m. to 5:30

p.m. A new monthly mixer that marries information on literature from indie publishers plus free refreshments and socializing.

Venice Art Walk. Studio Tours and Silent Auction. Sunday May 18th.

More than 60 artists open their studios; lots of eats and a great silent auction at Westminster Elementary on Abbot Kinney Boulevard—all proceeds go to the Venice Free Clinic. (310) 392-9255.

jonmeasures.com Page 16 LIFESTYLES

www.losfelizledger.com

May 2008

Los Feliz Ledger [ restaurant review ]

[good life]

Amarone

Ecuador Goes Upscale at El Caserio

By Chris Rubin, Wine and Spirits Columnist

By Pat Saperstein, Ledger Restaurant Critic The new upscale version of longtime Ecuadorian/Italian restaurant El Caserio is definitely tricky to find, even if you know itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s located in the former insurance company office next to the Hollywood freewayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Silver Lake Boulevard on-ramp.

The space has been transformed into a long restaurant space complete with blownglass chandeliers, comfy upholstered booths and kitschy oil paintings. Outside, a brick patio is invitingly furnished, with plantings attempting to shield

Other Ecuadorian starters include humitas (corn and cheese tamales) shrimp ceviche and locro de papas, a soup with potatoes, feta cheese and avocado.

As in Peruvian cuisine, potatoes are ubiquitousâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and if you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t had a saltado before, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be surprised to find itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an Asian-influenced stir fry of shrimp or beef with a soy-based sauce, sauteed with onions, tomatoes and French fries. Strangely enough, it works, although with a scoop of buttery rice on the side, it might approach starch El Caserio offers a full menu of overload.

Desserts are strictpasta dishes, reflecting the many ly Italiano, including Italian settlers in South America. jumbo cannolis, tiradiners from the street. Soccer misu and the like. Beers from games play on the TV in the bar Peru, Argentina and Mexico area at the entrance, where a full are available, along with sancocktail menu is available. gria, a short wine list and fruit One of just a handful of juices including blackberry Ecuadorian restaurants in Los and guanabana.

Angeles, El Caserio offers a El Caserio is a pleasant full menu of pasta dishes, realternative to some of the arflecting the many Italian seteaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funkier restaurants, but tlers in South America. it comes with a price: pastas Gnocchi with pesto gets run from $12 to $16 and main a local twist with peanuts incourses from $14 to $28. Dinstead of pine nuts, but the othner for two with a cocktail er pastas are standard Italian each was $70. preparations.

We started with suEl Caserio, 401 Silver Lake per-crispy fresh empanadas, Blvd., (213) 273-8945. stuffed with chicken, beef and Pat Saperstein blogs cheese. A touch of the fiery ajo about L.A. restaurants chile sauce gave them just the at EatingLA.com right punch.

A ma rone is one of Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most intriguing wines, sought after by collectors, yet not well understood by the larger winedrinking public. The word means â&#x20AC;&#x153;big bitterâ&#x20AC;? in Italian, and it was meant to contrast this particular type of wine, new to the region in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;30s and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;40s, from the local sweet wines that were popular at the time.

What makes Amarone distinctive is the drying of the grapesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;corvino, rondinella, molinara and other varietiesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;indoors on straw mats (or, more recently, bamboo racks) before they are pressed to extract their juice, yielding an unusually concentrated wine.

This process has been used in the region for 2000 years, but recent decades have brought changes as some winemakers have adopted new technologies employed in other parts of the world. Does this represent the loss of unique characteristics of regional wines, or simply an improvements that should have taken place long ago?

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the raging debates of the wine world. And, luckily, some cling to the oldfashioned methods, whether from love of tradition or lack of funds, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unlikely the old ways will ever be lost entirely.

Masi, one of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most highly regarded producers with a history dating back to 1772, has both embraced tradition

and technology, employing a yeast found in zinfandel grapes and developing a new system to fight oxidation during the winemaking process.

These are long-lived wines, and most benefit from extended cellaring before opening.

But not all: Masiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Costasera

lack the complexity of Masiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s single vineyard releases, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good place to start to understand one of Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most compelling wines.

Anyone wanting a deeper look into Amarone should consider some of Masiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s other current releases: Campolongo Di Torbe Amarone Classico ($130), Vaio Amaron Amarone Classico ($75) and Mazzaono Amarone Classico

â&#x20AC;Śluckily, some [winemakers] cling to the old-fashioned methods, whether from love of tradition or lack of funds, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unlikely the old ways will ever be lost entirely.

Amarone Classico 2004 ($60) represents a new face of this old wine, one thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready to drink on release. Soft and pleasantly medium-bodied, it has aromas of cherries, tar and violets, and some cabernet-like notes. This introductory level bottle may

($140). All are from the 2001 vintage, and each comes from just a single vineyard, so the flavors are more intenseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;everything from dark fruits to cocoa and raisins. Consider these an advanced course in Amarone.

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LIFESTYLES Page 17

Do you want this...

...to become this?

It’s in the works now! If you want to keep the integrity of your neighborhood, come join the fight.

Run for the Board of your Neighborhood Council!

Our elections will be run by the Office of the City Clerk, Election Division this year and in the following years. All applications will be processed through the Office of the City Clerk.

Visit www.ggpnc.org to download the requests or call 323-908-6054. You may also call the Office of the City Clerk, Election Division at 311 and ask for the GGPNC applications.

Application Deadline is Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 5:00pm Download Request for Applications for Candidacy

Election district map available at www.ggpnc.org

and VOTE BY MAIL at www.ggpnc.org or call us at 323-908-6054. If you miss the filing deadline of May 22, 2008 you may request to be a write in, filing deadline June 18, 2008.

Deadline for VOTE BY MAIL Request is Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 5:00pm. You may request translations in Spanish and Armenian.

Deadline for returning VOTE BY MAIL Ballots is Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 5:00pm.

Election will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2008, from 10:00am to 4:00pm at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church 2071 Dracena Drive, Los Angeles 90027 *entrance to parking lot on Vermont Avenue

Ten District Representatives will be elected this year (two each from the geographic districts: A B C D E). Nine additional Board Members will be appointed by the Board Members to assure diversity of stakeholders on the Board.

For more information, visit http://cityclerk.lacity.org/election

Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council Your Neighborhood. Your Voice. Your Council.

★ ★ ★ V O T E O N S AT U R D AY, J U N E 2 1 ★ ★ ★

Los Feliz Ledger [ city council president Eric Garcetti ]

[greetings from tom]

Four Simple Things You Can Do to Improve Your Neighborhood

Problem Solving Along Riverside Drive I want to share a recent issue that illustrates how my office works with residents, other council offices and city departments to do effective problem-solving. It demonstrates why I like to bring all parties to the table to hash out solutions together. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the key to good government, especially in periods of fiscal restraint like weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in now.

The issue relates to concerns about recreational vehicles (RVs) and cars parking long-term on Riverside Drive between Los Feliz Boulevard and Fletcher Avenue. This has been a chronic problem for residents and the Los Angeles Police Dept. alike. People were living in and/or committing lewd acts in some of the RVs. Other vehicles were abandoned, and became targets for thieves and taggers. Trash accumulated and detracted from the beauty of the area.

My staff and I spoke to the residents, as did Council

President Eric Garcetti whose district adjoins this area. We consulted the Dept. of Transportation and Senior Lead Officers Al Polehonki, Sam Salazar and Gina Chovan about how best to address the problem without inadvertently disrupting the neighbors.

The solution was to create two no-overnight-parking districts in this area: one prohibits all overnight parking and the other allows residents only to park overnight.

The day before the new parking signs were installed, we requested that PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) reach out to those who were unfortunately living in the RVs. PATH workers offered a wide range of services to them, everything from hot showers to medical care, jobs programs and legal counseling.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve driven by in the past month, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll notice that the offending vehicles are gone. My staff and I are proud to have helped make this happen.

By Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Council President Over the last handful of years, the city of Los Angeles has implemented many new programs that make it easier for all of us to get involved with improving our neighborhoods.

Here is a list of easy ways that you can help. â&#x20AC;˘ Report graffiti for removal. Report graffiti by calling 3-1-1, the City of Los Angelesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s non-emergency service number. You will need to have the location of the graffiti and the type of surface so that the paint-out crew will know what kind

Not only will reporting potholes help drivers maintain their cars, fixing potholes before they become bigger problems will allow the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bureau of Street Services do a better and more efficient job of maintaining our streets.

of paint and equipment to bring. Requests are typically fulfilled within 48 hours. â&#x20AC;˘ Report bulky items for pickup. Whether they are your own items or abandoned unsightly old sofas or mattresses, you can call 3-1-1 to request pick-up of large unwanted items. For your own items, call at least 24 hours in advance of your regularly schedule trash pick-up day. â&#x20AC;˘ Report potholes to be filled.

Call 3-1-1 to report potholes for repair. Requests are typically filled within 24 hours.

â&#x20AC;˘ Recycle at your condo or apartment. The City of Los Angeles now offers free recycling services to apartment and condominium buildings. Help us reduce our collective carbon footprint by calling 3-1-1 to request this service at your home.

[ flashback ]

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LA City Councilmember Tom LaBonge, May 8th 2007, during the early stages of the Griffith Park fire.

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Los Feliz Ledger [religion]

OMGC Invites All to Its New Plaza

By Roberta Morris Religion and Spirituality Columnist Our Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church (OMGC) on the corner of Vermont and Ambrose is known as a beautiful place of worship.

Now with its new plaza, more than ever it’s a place for the wider community.

The church celebrated the opening of their new plaza, April 26th, featuring a 22’ by 8’ ceramic tile mural designed

by Isabel Piczek.

OMGC is an Augustinian parish, staffed by Augustinian friars, and the mural depicts aspects of the friars’ presence in Los Feliz since 1925.

Piczek, along with her sister Edith, also designed the original stained glass windows of the church when it opened in 1960.

The plaza was created as a welcoming environment for the church’s parishioners and for the wider community, according to Father James Mott.

For many years citizens in the area have come to OMGC to vote, since the parish is a polling place for all national and most municipal elections.

Also the Greater Griffith Park

Neighborhood holds many of its larger town hall meetings at OMGC. Father Mott continues to work with area residents to make OMGC more welcoming, a community resource for everyone as well as a place of worship and education for parishioners.

There is now a monthly concert series that kicked off in March with ComedySportz, L.A.’s longest running comedy hit.

On May 23rd, the church will feature contemporary Christian artist Michele Ryan for an evening of inspiring, contemplative music. While Ryan’s concert will feature Christian songs, most often the music is not specifically religious.

Sunday mornings, the new plaza can be enjoyed while sipping coffee and enjoying breakfast treats. Proceeds go to support “Mission Circle,” an Augustinian orphanage in Tijuana and the mission in Peru.

For more information visit OMOGC.org.

[ OBITURARies ]

Theodore Philip “Ted” Coates, Jr. 1936-2008 Ted Coates, a long time resident of Silver Lake, passed away Sat., March 15th at Cedars Sinai Hospital.

Born Aug. 8th, 1936, “Ted,” as he was known by his many friends and neighbors, graduated in 1954 from San Fernando High School and later attended UCLA where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.

He then joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves where he became a staff sergeant.

Following military service, Coates worked for Los Angeles County for over 30

years. He is survived by His wife, Luz Mateo, son Donald Coates, sister Seville Huffacker, brother Phillip Coates and much extended family and friends.

Erik T. Whitaker – 1942-2008 He Served Two Catholic Parishes in Silver Lake

by Michael Locke, Silver Lake Correspondent

Longtime Silver Lake resident Erik T. Whitaker passed away Feb. 12th. He was 64.

Born in 1942, Whitaker attended area schools, graduating from Hollywood High School in 1964, where he played football. He gradu-

ated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and afterwards worked for Mobil Oil Company for 27 years.

On retirement, Whitaker served as a volunteer administrator at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church for 12 years, after which he served in the capacity of business manager at the parish school, and later in the same capacity at St. Teresa of Avila in Silver Lake until this year.

He had no known survivors, except for his many friends and neighbors who will remember him for his generosity and the sacrifices he made in serving others.

Parking from page 14

it’s residents of the neighborhood against each other,” said GGPNC president Charley Mims. “We’re not into creating conflict between our stakeholders.”

Hyatt, the Normandie Avenue renter, said forcing area residents to pay for parking would be unfair to some who might not be able to afford it.

If a preferential parking district were in place, annual permits would cost $22.50 per vehicle, with each household entitled to three permits, according to Los Angeles Parking Violations Bureau regulations. Households would also be entitled to two four-month visitor passes at $15 a piece, and an unlimited number of $1.50 one-day guest permits.

“You pay more than that if you get two parking tickets,” Cremin said. “It’s a small amount of money to have to pay.”

Cremin said she is now waiting to receive city petitions to circulate through the neighborhood and submit to the city.

The parking district would need support from at least 67 percent of area residents, and then the Dept. of Transportation would likely conduct a new study to gauge parking patterns in the whole area, Gallagher said. The “maximum allowable boundaries” of a parking district are determined by the petitions submitted, and then expanded by two blocks in all directions as a safety measure against spillover parking, he added.

This 22’ x 8’ mural is featured in OMGC’s new plaza.

May 2008

www.losfelizledger.com

RELIGION Page 21

Los Feliz Ledger [ open mike ]

[ open mike ]

Let the Autry Be

SLNC Election to 2010

Regarding the recent Letter from the Publisher â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let the Autry Be,â&#x20AC;? (April 2008) I concur with your plea to Let the Autry Be. I am a member of the Autry and a resident of Los Feliz. As a former city attorney

Association), Chris Laib, that [because of the traffic one day we will wake up and] â&#x20AC;&#x153;canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get out of our driveways,â&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D;what a joke. The geography of Los Feliz in relation to the zoo and the Autry makes this impossible in view of the roads for

The concept that its expansion and zoo improvements are causing traffic problems to be mitigated by the Autry are ridiculous. for 32 years I dealt extensively with environmental law issues and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Too often it is used to foment fictions and cause delays.

The current opposition to the Autry expansion is an example. The concept that its expansion and zoo improvements are causing traffic problems to be mitigated by the Autry are ridiculous.

As to the quote in your paper from a representative of the LFIA (Los Feliz Improvement

entering and leaving the park.

The LFIA does not speak for me and a lot of other residents on this issue and they should stop talking because as you point out why should the Autry take the brunt of every traffic woe in the area?

Michael H. Miller Amesbury Road Thank you for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;rightonâ&#x20AC;? letter regarding Let the Autry Be. Angela Stewart Los Feliz

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This letter is in response board meeting and due to the We made the decision for to the article â&#x20AC;&#x153;SLNCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Electiming of the memo, the issue 2010 because it felt, given the tion Move to 2010 Generates was not placed on the January options, the best one for Silver Heated Debateâ&#x20AC;? (April 2008) agenda [and the] SLNC chose Lake and the community.

by Catherine Billey. unanimously to have the city And I do not regret that I am sorry that Ms. Billey clerk take over elections. This decision. What I do regret is missed the opportunity to exseemed the best choice for the that the decision has created a plain to Silver Lake residents community and for the council. rift within the board and bethat in late December 2007 all Indeed, since this was a recomtween past board members and of Los Angelesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neighborhood mendation made by neighborcurrent members. I have never councils were faced with a difhood councils for neighborfelt so berated and belittled as ficult decision about what to hood councils it seemed like I did by past board members do with their elections. the obvious choice. when they atSmack dab tended the Febin the middle of We made the decision for 2010 because ruary and March the holiday season and just a it felt, given the options, the best one general meeting.

And in reading few short weeks for Silver Lake and the community. the quotes from after the new Silmy fellow board ver Lake Neighmembers, members who I reborhood Council Board (with The problem comes in the spect greatly, I am saddened new co-chairs) was sworn in, next decision: have the city that they feel the need to point the Dept. of Neighborhood clerk take over elections in a finger rather than find a way Empowerment (DONE) eJune 2008 or June 2010? to work together. mailed a memo to our fledg2010 seemed very far away, My hope is that this â&#x20AC;&#x153;deling board: you need to make too far really but the other opbateâ&#x20AC;? will lead us to a better a decision about whether to tion of 2008 seemed completeway of working together as continue to run your own ly unrealistic. It meant that board members and that we elections or have the city clerk we would have to change our will engage more residents in take them over. by-laws and have 100 commuthe process of changing our byThis choice came from a nity members present at the laws. I am an eternal optimist recommendation to DONE March general board meeting, and I believe in doing right by and the City Council made by just a month and a half from Silver Lake. I know that this leaders in Neighborhood Counthe mid-January meeting. To board believes the same. cils across the city. They argued the majority of the board it that the city clerk should run all seemed better for the communeighborhood council elections nity if we took some time to Tenaya Wallace so that elections would be more make the changes to the bySLNC Region 2 cost effective and engage more laws and to work together to Representative people in the process. engage community members Secretary At a special Silver Lake Neighborhood Council meetSend the ing in mid-January, held beLos Feliz Ledger cause the DONE deadline was your letters or story ideas to: prior to our February general acohen@losfelizledger.com

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