Los Feliz Ledger Vol 6. No. 11
Future of New King Magnet Unclear Amid LAUSD’s “Doomsday Budget”
Serving the Greater Los Feliz, Silver Lake & Hollywood Hills Area | Distribution 34,500
Garcetti: In Or Out? We’re Not Sure Yet By Erik Derr Ledger Contributing Writer Eric Garcetti—the tall, dark and highly popular city
council president from Los Angeles’ 13th District—has emerged a leading contender in the upcoming race for the mayor’s office.
But, despite prodding from several media outlets, he hasn’t announced whether or not he will run in the 2013 election and most likely will
By Erik Derr Ledger Contributing Writer SILVER LAKE—Less than half a year after Thomas Starr King Middle School announced it would open a new “eco” based magnet this coming fall, there are questions about the program’s viability, even before it starts. Faced with a $408 million budget shortfall, the Los Angeles United School District (LAUSD) has drawn up a so-called “Doomsday” budget that officials say would have to be implemented if Gov. Jerry Brown can’t find more state funding for schools. Preliminarily passed by the LASUD school board Feb. see LAUSD page 6
CRA Postpones Atwater Village Redevelopment Agency’s Future Unclear By Caitlin M. Foyt Ledger Contributing Writer ATWATER VILLAGE—The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA/LA) has postponed plans for the Northeast Los Angeles (NELA) River Corridor Study Area because the agency’s future statewide is uncertain, according to California Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed state budget summary. “The CRA/LA is postponing all activities related to plan adoptions and/or amendments until the Governor’s budget, which includes legislation that would abolish redevelopsee CRA page 7
City Sleuth: Neutra’s Notable Recreation Center, page 10
May 2011
not make a decision until this summer. He said he doesn’t like making such announcements “too far in advance.” Announcement or not, in an April 4th Los Angeles Times editorial, editor-at-large Jim Newton wrote that if Garcetti runs he is “immediately in front of the pack.” Thus far, Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel has announced, as has Los Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry and Austin Beutner, who is currently serving as First Deputy Mayor for Antonio Villaraigosa. Other names being bandied about include developer Rick Caruso, state senator Alex Padilla and Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavksy. One thing is for sure, though: Garcetti said he would like to remain president of the city council—especially see GARCETTI page 11
Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti at work in council chambers.
Marshall High Sending Two Students To Play Division 1 College Softball
DWP Cancels Holiday Lights Festival For 2nd Consecutive Year
By Kimberly Gomez, Ledger Contributing Writer
GRIFFITH PARK—When 11year old Tami Campos learned the Griffith Park Holiday Lights Festival has been cancelled for the second year in a row, she let out a thoughtful sigh and muttered, “Oh well.” Her mother, Mandy, who was packing groceries into the back of her family’s red SUV, had much the same, disappointed reaction, but with a minor twist. “Well,” she said, “at least there won’t be all that traffic. We missed the lights last year, but it made it a lot easier to get around during the holidays.” Construction work around the park led to the annual show’s cancellation in 2010.
FRANKLIN HILLS— For the first time ever, two Marshall High School softball players have signed on for Division I schools— the NCAA’s highest level of intercollegiate athletics. Megan Reiner, a pitcher, will be joining Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey for the 2012 season. Infielder, Jessika Sandoval was recruited to play for sixtime defending Southwestern Athletic Conference softball champions, the Mississippi
Advertising Focus: Naturalmind Beauty & Beyond, page 13
Valley State Devilettes. Both seniors signed their letters of intent to attend their respective schools in a movsee MARSHALL page 9
Theater Review: “Re-Animator, The Musical,” page 13
By Erik Derr, Ledger Contributing Writer
People in My Neighborhood: Sandy Driscoll, page 14
Frank Brenton, an electrician on lunch break outside the supermarket, didn’t think his Christmas would be any less merry without the light show “because if my kids wanted to go, we’d have to sit hours in line, in the car, just to see a few Christmas lights.” Such were some of the recent reactions in front of the Ralph’s supermarket, at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Western Avenue, to the recent announcement by the Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power (LADWP) that the wildly-popular light event will be remain dark next holiday season due to budget cuts. The Ledger took an unscisee DWP LIGHTS page 9
School News: OMGC School Visited by Local Firefighters, page 21
Los Feliz Ledger [letter from the publisher] In a press release issued April 20th by Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Gruel regarding the Mayor’s proposed budget for the fiscal year starting July 2011, Gruel writes: “It’s time to be honest with Angelenos about the scope of the fiscal crisis we are facing and the painful, but necessary solutions.” What is to come, is not exactly clear, but already I can’t count the number of potholes I drive over on a daily basis; I receive less parking tickets (thankfully) when my meter runs out on Avocado Street due to fewer patrollers on the street; graffiti seems to
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be on the rise and now neighborhood council budgets are threatened (see page 11 for the story) as well as an astonishing cut of almost 90% potentially of Los Angeles Unified School District magnet school funding (see page 1 story and Family Matters, page 23); and the possible elimination of some athletics at Marshall High School (see page 1 story, again). It’s been years since the country’s economic meltdown but the ripple effects of the crash of real estate and the mortgage banking meltdown still continue (see our story on “Underwater” Homeowners, page 16). I want to personally thank community leader Barbara Ferris, the Greater Griffith
Park Neighborhood Council and the Los Feliz Improvement Association for their “Connect Los Feliz” mixer held April 4th. Certainly, in times like these, collaboration amongst community groups is essential.
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May 2011
Los Feliz Ledger
Preschool Hosts Blood Drive To Benefit Childrens Hospital LA Offers Car Seat Checks as Well
GGPNC Sports & Recreation Hits the Field Running
AVNC Takes Stance vs. Park Advertising
The newly created Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) Sports & Recreation group convened its first public meeting on April 11th with what committee Chair Mark F. Mauceri called our “starting nine.” “We have a nine founders: a few local dads, two staff members from the Silver Lake Recreation Center, one AYSO Director and three current GGPNC members, so I’d call it a good start,” Mauceri said. The following night, at a special budgeting meeting, the GGPNC Governing Board approved a $3,400 grant for Thomas Starr King Middle School to install two new height adjustable basketball backboards and hoops, enabling the formation of youth basketball leagues from the school. “The gym is a great space, but it’s hard for a 5-year-old to hit a free throw on a 10 foot rim,” said Nelson Bae, GGPNC Board Member and city officiator for various sports leagues. “This new equipment will enable kids to play at an
By Caitlin M. Foyt, Ledger Contributing Writer
age appropriate level, so they can learn the game without getting frustrated,” Bae said. Los Feliz’s American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Region Director, Brent Whittlesey added: “We’re focused on expanding sports opportunities right here in the neighborhood. Parents shouldn’t have to drive to other parts of the city for their kids—or themselves—to enjoy athletics.” According to Mauceri, the group is currently focusing on what is do-able with the existing facilities in the area, but “we’re also taking note of what other city neighborhoods enjoy in the hopes of meeting or exceeding those levels, so, we’re looking for soccer moms, sports dads, and the like join in with us. People who want to see all sorts of athletics organized here, from winter volleyball leagues to pee-wee football,” he said. “We’ll take all comers.”
ATWATER VILLAGE—The Atwater Village Neighborhood Council has voted 10 to 1 to object to advertising signage in Los Angeles public parks, including Griffith Park, and has approved a letter to Los Angeles city councilmembers Eric Garcetti and Tom LaBonge and City Attorney Carmen Trutanich supporting this position. The vote came in response to a presentation by Bernadette Soter, with Friends of Griffith
Park, a grassroots non-profit dedicated to preserving the natural and historical heritage of the park. Soter said she first became aware of an attempt to post ads on roofs, bench seats, trash cans and walls throughout public parks when she watched a KCET “SoCal Connected” segment called “Show Me The Money” last February. Other issues raised in the televised report were posee AVNC page 6
Camelot Kids will host their 3rd annual blood drive benefiting Childrens Hospital LA on May 24th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. “We have a mobile donor bus on site to take 4 blood donations every fifteen minutes and our goal this year is to have those seats filled the entire day,” said Renae Plant, Director. Additionally, Safe Kids USA’s Buckle Up program will be providing car safety education and information throughout the day offering free child safety seat inspections, and educational demonstrations to parents and kids about riding safely, and being safe outside of cars in driveways and parking lots. According to Safe Kids USA, four out of five car seats are used incorrectly. Participants can make an appointment to have their own seats checked by child passenger safety technicians. Call Camelot Kids (323) 662-2663 to schedule an appointment for a car seat inspection or blood donation, or simply show up on the day.
Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast May 7th The Griffith Park Lion’s Club will have its 68th annual pancake breakfast, May 7th from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Wells Fargo Bank Parking lot, 3250 Glendale Blvd. Tickets are $5. There will be a silent auction, door prizes and free glaucoma screenings. For information call Betty Barlotta at (323) 394-2452.
Info: www.ggpnc.org under “Sports & Recreation” or call (213) 973-9758.
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Los Feliz Ledger [greetings from tom]
Making Progress on Some Pervasive Issues By Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge
metro.net/works
L I A R E R MO WORKS IN THE
nsit tion tra exposiid phase 2 corr or
nnector nal co region orridor tra sit c
ay ide subw westste n ex nsio
The Expo Construction Authority passed two major milestones for Phase 2 of the Expo Transit Corridor to extend the nearly completed light-rail line to Santa Monica. Exposition Transit Corridor Phase 2
The City of Los Angeles has an ordinance against parking cars for sale on Los Feliz Boulevard and Franklin Avenue. Responding to complaints from constituents, I introduced a motion in October 2008, asking the City Council to form a task force to find ways to regulate the sale of cars on city streets. Today, we have an ordinance that makes it unlawful for any person to park any vehicle on the streets or public lands in the city for the purpose of advertising to the public the private sale of that vehicle. The ordinance covers Los Feliz Boulevard, between Interstate 5 and Western Avenue; and Franklin Avenue, between Hillhurst Avenue and Western Avenue. Violators are subject to citation, towing, impound and fines. In addition, the City Council may amend the ordinance to include other streets within the city of Los Angeles, should that become necessary. Los Angeles also has a comprehensive “Mansionization” ordinance, now that the Baseline Hillside Ordinance has been approved by the City Council and signed by the Mayor. Again, I introduced the original motion for this ordinance after hearing complaints from residents about huge neighboring homes
blocking views and sunlight and destroying the character of the neighborhood. This is a long overdue step that gives architects and builders clear guidelines for residential development and renovation in both the flat lands and the hills of Los Angeles. Another issue that’s starting to gain attention is the parking of mobile billboards on city streets. There’s already an ordinance prohibiting “unhitched” mobile billboards taking up parking spaces. Now, we’re starting to see these rolling advertisements parked on the public street still “hitched” to a vehicle, which isn’t technically illegal. My staff and I are examining the issue and talking with the City Attorney’s office about a possible amendment to the existing Mobile Billboard ordinance to include those that are still “hitched” to a vehicle. Parking’s tight enough without having to share valuable spaces with a billboard. The Los Angeles Zoo just unveiled a new environmentally friendly parking lot that allows storm water to percolate back into the groundwater supply, rather than flow into the Los Angeles River. Make the most of this great time of year, and continue to enjoy and love the great city of Los Angeles.
[mike gatto]
California Voters Should Know Who Is Paying for Democracy By California Asseblymember Mike Gatto At the beginning of a Dodger game or even an NPR broadcast, the listener hears that the program is “brought to you by” and a list of corporate sponsors or donors. How is it that special interests can sponsor ballot initiatives without the voter being made aware of the same? I’ve authored legislation that would change that. The bill is AB 65, and it would require that the top five contributors to a ballot initiative campaign be listed right in the ballot pamphlet. Ensuring that voters are well informed before heading to the ballot box is critically important to creating a rational system of governance in our state. For example, just last year, out-of-state oil companies spent millions to place an initiative on the ballot in an attempt to overturn California’s clean-air laws. Environmentalists had to counter with millions of their own, just to inform voters of this cynical attempt by out-of-state interests to purchase an exemption at the ballot box. see GATTO page 5
5K Walk Through Los Feliz, Street Party & Lighting Celebration
> A $1.5 billion agreement between Metro and Expo Authority will fund the project through Measure R tax revenue as well as state and local funds. > A $541.7 million contract was awarded to design and build Phase 2 of the Expo Line extending the line now under construction farther west to Santa Monica. > Phase 1 of the Expo Line, between Downtown LA and Culver City, is 88 percent complete and expected to partially open later this year.
Saturday, April 30, 2011 Check-in begins at 2:30 p.m. Walk begins at 5 p.m.
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Have fun with family and friends while helping kids in our community.
Regional Connector Transit Corridor > The Federal Transit Administration gave formal approval for preliminary engineering work to begin on the Regional Connector, bringing it a step closer to actual construction. > A two-mile, fully underground light rail line has been approved for the route of the Regional Connector Transit Corridor connecting the Metro Gold Line, Metro Blue Line and future Expo Line through Downtown LA.
Westside Subway Extension
For more information, visit metro.net/3010
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POLITICS
itw-wsc-be-11-005 ©2011 lacmta
> The Federal Transit Administration also gave formal approval for preliminary engineering work to begin on the Westside Subway Extension. > The approved route is a subway extension running between the Metro Purple Line Wilshire/Western Station and the Westwood/ VA Hospital. > The $4.2 billion project will extend the subway a distance of approximately nine miles to Beverly Hills, Century City and Westwood.
Visit CHLA.org/WALK for more information. Special thanks to the Los Feliz business community for its ongoing support of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
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May 2011
Los Feliz Ledger GATTO from page 4
And that’s just one example. There are plenty of other instances of special interest groups, in many cases from out of state, trying to affect California law or even the rights of California citizens with a ballot initiative. I believe the electorate would be better informed if they simply knew who was the “money” behind a ballot initiative, because in almost every instance, knowing who seeks to change California law to their benefit is half the battle. Knowing this will help voters make informed decisions—and informed decisions are always best. Mike Gatto’s website is asm.ca.gov/gatto. E-mail Mike at: assemblymember.gatto@ assembly.ca.gov. [eric garcetti]
Envisioning Atwater Village’s Future By Eric Garcetti Los Angeles City Council President In the last ten years, I have
May 2011
been proud to partner with the Atwater Village community on a variety of neighborhood projects. Together, we have tackled everything from creating more parks and green space to making Glendale Boulevard a more robust, pedestrian friendly place to shop, dine and stroll. I have just two more years to serve as your City Councilmember and in this remaining time, I want to work with you to address Atwater Village’s top priorities. I’ve launched an initiative called Los Angeles Neighborhood Dreams (LAND), a collaborative process through which community-members in my Council District are identifying what they want to see addressed most in the next two years. The LAND process is two-fold – first community stakeholders come together at a Visioning Summit to identify priorities; then, a community steering committee will continue to meet to refine and execute plans to bring the projects to fruition. Atwater Village stakeholders were invited to participate in a neighborhood Visioning Summit in March. I was pleased that dozens of community members spent a Saturday afternoon participat-
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ing in this process. Here are the priorities and ideas that the community developed at the summit: • Connections and connectivity: more safe passageways, including pedestrian and equestrian bridges • Neighborhood businesses: creating more incentives to attract local businesses and creating a guide to local stores • Transportation/walkability: better signage, crosswalks, traffic calming measures, pedestrian-friendly improvements and maps
• Los Angeles River: making the river a destination for families, walkers and cyclists, improving access to the river from the neighborhood, bringing more activities to the river and creating an equestrian bridge • Beautification: painting murals under train bridges, planting more trees and greenery on main streets, bringing more sidewalk dining to commercial areas and beautifying medians • Community: identifying an area as the heart of the com-
munity for neighborhood gatherings, building a new park and improving existing parks, good zoning that maintains the character of the neighborhood We are taking applications from members of neighborhood organizations who would like to participate in the LAND steering committee. For more information contact Angela Motta of my office at (323) 957-4500 also visit: www.cd13.com.
POLITICS
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Los Feliz Ledger LAUSD from page 1
15th, the plan would slash funding for the district’s magnet schools program by 86%, or, put another way, take away $10.5 million from the $12.2 allotted for the program’s costs in the 2010-2011 academic year. That would leave a total $1.7 million to operate all 169 magnets located throughout the LAUSD. Dr. John Deasy, the district’s superintendent-elect, in early April introduced a oneyear budget for 2011-2012 that, according to a press release, would “save school programs including those that support the arts, magnet schools, after-school activities and early education.” As the Ledger went to press, the district’s communications office was unable to explain
how Deasy’s budget would “save” the magnet schools or impact program funding levels. Should the LAUSD’s “Doomsday” budget be implemented, it would eliminate the program coordinators who currently oversee individual magnet sites, along with about 7,100 other district administrators, teachers and counselors at traditional schools. LAUSD spokeswoman Lauren Mendoza said that if the “Doomsday” budget is implemented, staffing and teaching for the magnet schools throughout the district would shift to the regular staffs at the affected program’s respective school sites. Online bloggers across the district’s service area fear the cuts will lead to the magnet program’s demise and Los Angeles Times columnist Steve
Lopez, who lives in Silver Lake and has a child that attends a local elementary school, alluded to as much in a recent opinion piece about the LAUSD’s ongoing challenges. “It is very sad,” said Tomas O’Grady, president of Friends of King, the middle school’s nonprofit support group, who led last year’s campaign for the new King magnet. “Is it just me or am I the only chap who thinks our priorities are all eschew?” King would lose three of its 175 magnet staff under the “Doomsday” plan, while John Marshall High School would lose seven of its staff of 160. The area’s non-magnet schools would also see staff cuts, with Los Feliz Elementary School losing six of its 21 faculty; Ivanhoe Elementary losing two of 18 staffers and Micheltorena Elementary see-
ing one of its 19 staff members cut. The faculty, school staffs and parents “involved in these magnets will still do whatever it takes to deliver,” said O’Grady, who also recently lost a bid for a Los Angeles City Council seat to incumbent Tom LaBonge. “We simply have no choice.” AVNC from page 3
tential conflicts of interest by Barry Sanders, who had approved (since denied by the city council) a $57,000 deal for Warner Bros. to advertise “Yogi Bear” in three different Los Angeles parks. Sanders is president for both the Recreation and Parks Commission and the Los Angeles Parks Foundation. Soter called the issue “a runaway train.” She said she is attempting to gather support against such practices from community groups and neighborhood councils. “I spend an inordinate amount of time in Griffith Park with my child and I am always horrified by how much she has already, only at 11 months, been assaulted with advertisements,” she Leonora Gershman-Pitts, AVNC co-chair. “I love Griffith Park deeply and I love that I can go there and be completely shut out from everything else in the world.”
Silver Lake Jubilee Set for May 21st & 22nd SILVER LAKE—The Silver Lake Jubilee is set for Saturday and Sunday, May 21st and 22nd, under the bridge at Sunset and Santa Monica boulevards. On hand will be more than 50 bands, 50 performance artists, more than 60 vendors and gourmet food trucks and food from local restaurants. $5 general admission. Free for children 10 and under and for those 60 and older. Info: silverlakejubilee.com
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Why Hire the Silver Lake Criminal Defense Attorney? By Damian Leone, Attorney-at-Law
“Defending People Not Criminals” Damian Leone has successfully defended clients against a variety of felonies and misdemeanors including public embezzlement, assault, battery, identity theft, commercial burglary, forgery, lewd conduct, ticket scalping, grand theft, petty theft, DUIs, drug charges, and hit and runs. His clients come from the wide range of cultures, personalities and people that are L.A. Whatever their background, when their case is over most all say they are glad they hired Damian and would recommend him. Having received his B.A. from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., he received his J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. Damian is a member of the the L.A. County Bar Assn, Criminal Justice Section, and the State Bar of CA Criminal Law Section. He also volunteers for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles Santa Monica Homeless Citation Clinic. For a No Charge Initial Consultation contact: Law Office of Damian Leone 4242 Sunset Blvd., #3, Silver Lake, 90029 (323) 304-4778 LawOfficeofDamian Leone.com
Shakespeare in the Park For 2011 GRIFFITH PARK—The Independent Shakespeare Company will return to Griffith Park this summer with three productions: The Merry Wives of Windsor; Love’s Labour’s Lost and Hamlet. The Merry Wives of Windsor will perform June 30th through July 31st; Hamlet runs July 14th through August 28th; and Love’s Labour’s Lost will run from Aug. 4th through August 27th. Page 6
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The location is the Griffith Park Old Zoo near 4730 Crystal Springs Dr. There is no seating at the site. Please bring a blanket or low-backed chair. Last year, the season drew 13,000 in attendance—the largest summer theater event in Los Angeles. The productions are free. For information and directions visit: www.iscla.org or call (818) 710-6306. May 2011
Los Feliz Ledger
Area Groups Connect At “Super Mixer” The Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) and the Los Feliz Improvement Association (LFIA) co-hosted a “Connect Los Feliz” super mixer for the board members of several local resident and business associations on April 4th. The mixer, held at the Desert Rose Restaurant on Hillhurst Ave., was designed to foster productive working relationships among the major resident, homeowner and business associations in Los Feliz. Among the 50 attendees were board members of the GGPNC, the LFIA, the Los
Feliz Business Improvement District, the Los Feliz Square Neighborhood Association, the Franklin Hills Residents Association and The Oaks Homeowners Association. The gathering, an initiative of the GGPNC Outreach Committee, provided an opportunity for people from distinct areas of the community to come together in a relaxed, informal setting to create new ties, refresh old ties and encourage constructive dialog about issues that effect the whole neighborhood. More mixers of this nature are planned.
CRA from page 1
Alex Ventura, chair of the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council’s (AVNC) Environmental and Land Use committee said that he, personally, is pleased that CRA’s involvement in the community has come to a halt. Ventura was instrumental in drafting a letter to Los Angeles City Councilmembers Tom LaBonge and Eric Garcetti that stated the AVNC’s opposition to the CRA’s ideas for the Atwater community. If the governor doesn’t end up shutting down the CRA, Ventura said he wouldn’t be surprised if this is not the last time Atwater Village hears about this development project. “I have no doubt that they wouldn’t try to reopen this project in three to four years after the next city council election,” Ventura said. “They would have to establish blight in the next three years, though and it’s soon going to be impossible to establish blight in Atwater Village. A lot can happen in three years and things will only get better and nicer.”
ment agencies statewide, is adopted,” said associate planner at CRA/LA, Alison Becker. “That could happen anytime between [now] and June 30th, or even later.” The proposed redevelopment zone locally includes all of Atwater’s northern industrial area, including the residential area between Chevy Chase Drive and Goodwin Avenue, as well as all residential and commercial properties between Fletcher Drive and Carillon Street. Also included were all industrial and some residential property along the Seneca Avenue / Casitas Avenue corridor. The CRA/LA alluded to green roadways and development of the Los Angeles River as part of the project, but the organization had not yet shared with the community its specific plans for the area. The possible redevelopment was a concern for many Atwater Village residents because any redevelopment would require Atwater Village be declared a “blighted area.”
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Los Feliz Ledger
Climate Change Film and Panel Discussion, May 11th BARNSDALL PARK—The League of Women Voters will host “Climate Change: Global Consequence—Local Action,” a film screening and panel discussion, Wed. May 11th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Barnsdall Gallery Theater. The event will feature the award winning documentary, “Climate Refugees” and a video short from Oxfam America, Sisters on the Planet. “Climate Refugees” illustrates the impacts of climate change already occurring. After the film, there will be a panel discussion with local climate policy experts. $10; $5 for students. Information: www.lwvlosangeles.org
DWP LIGHTS from page 1
entific, random survey of 20 people in the immediate vicinity of the grocery store. An estimated 80% of those questioned said they would miss the light show and hoped it would return, while the remaining 20% cited a variety of reasons they wouldn’t miss it—the resulting traffic congestion being most often mentioned. In fact, over 90 percent of those interviewed—pretty much every participant old enough to drive a car—said they strongly disliked the traffic jams the light show has historically caused throughout the area. “Oh my God, the traffic is so bad,” said college theater major Chris Drew. “I don’t know about everybody else, but the traffic sucks all the enjoyment out of it. I think it’s gotten too big for the park. Griffith Park and the surrounding roads can’t handle it.”
MARSHALL from page 1
ing ceremony held at Marshall High School in April. Marshall Coach Orky Labrador—who happens to be Sandoval’s aunt and Marshall’s softball coach since 1996—said she couldn’t be prouder of her top players who have been starters since their freshman year. Both, she says, showed the kind of early commitment it takes to play at the four-year college level. Friends since meeting at Marshall, Sandoval and Reiner also play softball together on an 18-and-under Gold travel team. “I might not get another kid like this for 10 years,” said Coach Labrador. “This is a great opportunity for them and for our program.” The hope of playing at this level, both girls said, was just part of what made sacrificing time with friends and maintaining good grades worth it.
“All the work that I did paid off,” said Reiner who said she plans to study biology and eventually go into physical therapy and travel with sports teams. “To go to college and have it all paid for and getting everything settled for my future is amazing.” And what a boost the scholarships have done for other athletes at Marshall. “I think the team looks up to us seeing what we can do and how far we’ve gone,” said Sandoval who says she’ll major in biology and follow her aunt into physical education. “And seeing us going to D-1 schools shows them what they can do too.” Marshall High’s Varsity Softball team has six graduating seniors on the squad. The team hopes to finish the season as League Champions for the 3rd consecutive year and to be seeded 4th out of over 60 teams with a shot to win the citywide playoffs.
Skateboarder Aaron Zim, 16, suggested “all the excitement [over the light festival] was always kind of dumb… My family took me there a couple of times when I was younger. There are a lot better things to do.” On the other hand, 70-year-old Susan Cohn, a retired secretary and mother of three, couldn’t think of many other things that better represent the holiday season in Los Angeles. “We went to see the lights every year. It became our family tradition. Maybe it was a little crowded, but that just meant it was something people really enjoyed,” Cohn said. “It made our holiday.” In early April, the LADWP, which serves about 1.4 million electric customers and 680,000 water customers, unveiled a list of budget cuts and cost-saving measures to reduce operating costs by $440 mil-
lion over the next three years. The Holiday Light Festival was one of several programs the utility looked to for immediate savings. “Our customers are being forced to tighten their belts in this economy and we need to be more frugal too,” said Ron Nichols, LADWP’s general manager. “These budget cuts are part of our commitment to function more like a business in today’s economy.” Functioning as a modern business is all well and good, but the light festival “is so delightful,” said one local resident who frequents meetings of the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC), but asked not to be named. Even with the city’s budget woes, she said, it would be a shame if LADWP don’t find a way to turn the light festival back on, once and for all. “To hell with the money,” she said.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Page 9
Los Feliz Ledger [city sleuth]
Los Feliz Dream Homes Tobey West twest@nourmand.com P: 310.409.8696 F: 424.652.2255 dre #01485673
Master of Arts
Send the
Los Feliz Ledger your letters or story ideas to: allisonferraro @losfelizledger.com
Eagle Rock’s Notable Recreation Center By Diane Kanner, Ledger Columnist
EAGLE ROCK—The gymnasium and stage inside Eagle Rock’s Recreation Center at 1100 Eagle Vista Dr. appear much as they did when the clubhouse was dedicated in 1954. In the vast Los Angeles Recreation and Parks system, you won’t find any facility like it. Not only is it a pristine example of International Style architecture, it was designed by the father and son who put the style in the architectural lexicon—Richard and Dion Neutra. Last month, Dion Neutra gathered there with clients and collaborators and at other Neutra buildings to recognize the 85th year of the Neutra practice, which still continues in Silver Lake. With its flat roof, glass clerestory windows and steel frame, the Recreation Center bears the architectural traits of the Neutra vocabulary. Seldom examined in the trove of literature on the Neutras, some of the center’s story is available in the Public Officials Papers Collection of Cal State LA. John C. Holland represented Eagle Rock during the postwar era when the city of Los Angeles commissioned architects like the Neutras to design new schools and playgrounds for its baby boomer population. Holland’s City Council papers reveal that Eagle Rock’s Women’s 20th Century Club and Chamber of Commerce lobbied for the purchase of 30 acres of “rough terrain in the foothill area” just below the geographic feature for which the community was named, the Eagle Rock.
Money was available through the multi-million dollar Playground Bond Fund of 1947, and the city purchased the land for $35,000 from the Huntington Land and Improvement Company in 1949. Within years, the Recreation and Parks Commission voted to proceed with construction of a playground and recreation center on the foothill land. History intervened when North Korean troops invaded South Korea in June, 1950, and America’s National Production Authority banned the construction of recreation facilities. Following the signing of a Korean armistice in July, 1953, the Recreation and Parks Commission proceeded with plans to build a $100,000 recreation center/clubhouse, and broke ground that month after Neutra and Associates were selected as the architects. In the end, the project cost $171,683. By 1958, baseball and softball diamonds and tennis courts were funded. Eagle Rock had a first class park, and just in time, for the population boom was necessitating east west highway expansion. The 134 Freeway split the mighty Eagle Rock from the community it was named for, including the Neutras’ Rec Center. The park was spared, but a home by architect Rudolph Schindler several miles to the west at 325 Ellenwood Dr. was in the freeway path, and was demolished. To learn more about the 85th anniversary celebration of Neutra architecture, visit www.neutra.org.
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Relay for Life Set for June 11 & 12 GRIFFITH PARK—The 4th Annual Griffith Park Communities Relay for Life, organized by the American Cancer Society, will be June 11th and 12, at the Mulholland Foun-
cancer never sleeps, teams of people will camp out at Mullholland Fountain throughout the evening. The event is designed to raise funds for cancer research
The idea behind the event is that: as cancer never sleeps, teams of people will camp out at Mullholland Fountain throughout the evening. tain at Los Feliz and Riverside Drive. The event covers a 24 hour period starting at 9 a.m. and continues until 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Relay for Life is a community gathering Walk-A-Thon to help fight cancer. The idea behind the event is that: as www.losfelizledger.com
and to raise awareness of cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and patient support. For information to register your team, sign up as a team member, a survivor or to make a donation visit www.relayforlife.org/ griffithparkca. May 2011
Los Feliz Ledger GARCETTI from page 1
with a city deficit looming at a reported $485 million—a position he has repeatedly been elected to by the council, every two years, since 2005. “Most issues,” he said, hinge on “establishing public trust,” which he said seems a tall order amid the economic instability and persistent doubts by many Angelenos about the accountability of city officials. “How do you get your fiscal house in order, ensure technology is advancing and get people back to work?” said Garcetti, who was named
“L.A.’s Favorite Elected Official,” by the Los Angeles Alternative Press in 2003. How do you “get people’s faith back?” As if giving a glimpse of a potential mayoral campaign platform, Garcetti said that while reforming immigration law is the federal government’s responsibility, Angelenos, he said, must understand “the huge stake” the city and region have in ending illegal immigration while retaining and caring for those who have learned and developed vital marketplace skills. He also said the city must push through public employee
Neighborhood Councils Make Last Minute Funding Requests; Face Reduced Budgets
pension reforms and that he would call for greater scrutiny of the proposed new football stadium downtown—a project which he supports for its ability to spur economic growth
ative people out there,” he said. Garcetti, son of former Los Angeles City Attorney, Gil Garcetti, taught public policy, diplomacy and world affairs at Occidental College
“Most issues,” he said, hinge on “establishing public trust,” which he said seems a tall order amid the economic instability and persistent doubts by many Angelenos about the accountability of city officials. downtown. Locally, he said that Griffith Park could stand growth too, but not the type of sweeping projects directed by a “Master Plan.” Instead, he said he prefers “smaller, more organic” usage plans that provide greater park access. “There are so many cre-
and the University of Southern California before being elected to the city council in 2001. Recently he was fined by the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission $4,800 for accepting tickets to the Governor’s Ball after the Academy and Emmy awards in 2007
and the Governor’s Ball and Academy Awards in 2008. Three other councilmembers were additionally fined for similar violations. The issue, Garcetti said, was he failed to report the dinners following the events and that he has “paid back every dollar” and freely admits he made an error. Garcetti, known for his leadership and as a “gifted coalition builder” said he believes city officials can win back those they serve by keeping their civic eyes and ears open, as he has. “I think every public official needs to see the city from the street level,” he said. “When you get out of the car you find amazing pockets of opportunity… I fall in love with this city weekly.”
By Erik Derr, Ledger Contributing Writer LOS ANGELES—Mayor Antonio Villaragoisa’s 2011-12 budget calls for a 10% cut in neighborhood council funding—to $40,500 a year—as well as the elimination of allowing the city’s 89 neighborhood councils to “roll over” unused funds from year to year. The city also gave all neighborhood councils a deadline of April 15th to submit funding requests—in advance by April 15th—through the end of the fiscal year, June 30th. The Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) met April 12th to prioritize their funding requests to the city. They included $14,000 for such things as adjustable basketball ball hoops for Thomas Starr King Middle School; sound equipment for John Marshall High School; a garden project at Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts; a lunchtime supervisor at Los Feliz Elementary School; benches for Franklin Elementary School; stainless steel water bottles for volunteers for the Friends of the Los Angeles River; neighborhood watch signs; outreach materials discouraging the use of gas-fueled leaf blowers; and the purchase of recycling containers for the Griffith Park Adult Community Center. “We are providing services and funding to some very worthwhile and deserving institutions and projects,” President Ron Ostrow said of the GGPNC’s last round of approved allocations. As the new city budget heads to the city council for consideration, Ostrow summed up the GGPNC’s prioritizing experience with a sense of relief but also caution. “The city is not doing the May 2011
public any service by forcing neighborhood councils to worry about deadlines. There is another 2½ months left in the fiscal year and the city is making [the councils] spend their funds for fear of losing them. While I believe our council acted responsibly and funded some great projects, the fear that the city may take away funds could be a motivator for some neighborhood councils to spend for the sake of spending. That urge should be resisted.” While it might not matter in the long run, in Echo Park, the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council voted “no” on any funding decreases. Jose Sigala, president of that neighborhood council said he was inspired by the myriad appeals of Los Angeles’ leaders to save dollars and help close the deficit in the city’s budget. Sigala assumed his fellow councilors would approve at least a small budget dip. But, then “the whole board voted that we don’t want any budget cuts,” he said. “That was a surprise.” Sigala said all the numbers crunching he did preparing for the neighborhood council’s year-end budgetary funding submissions meeting to the city— similar to the one held by the GGPNC—he forgot how passionate members of his council are about supporting their community. “They see economic pain facing a lot of our working families, how many families can’t afford the things they need every day,” he said. “There are things we can do to augment city services… we have a strong multiplier effect… the things we do can spread through the community and reach so many.” www.losfelizledger.com
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Los Feliz Ledger
GPACC Takes it Outside By Michael Locke, Ledger Contributing Writer
Members of Keller Williams/Los Feliz, along with Los Angeles City Councilmember celebrate the Keller Williams donation to GPACC at the site.
GRIFFITH PARK—The Griffith Park Adult Community Center (GPACC) is moving outside! Thanks to community help and various fund-raising efforts, the center is develop-
ing an outdoor patio area with landscaping; the area will provide additional class space and opportunities for gardening and outdoor dining. In April, the club received
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a gift of $1,025 from Keller Williams Los Feliz Realty. the funds will be used to embellish the patio and provide landscaping. Previously, Los Feliz Café donated outdoor tables and the Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power donated concrete rails to act as a buffer, separating the patio from the parking lot. Well known local artist Yuriko Etue will create designs for the concrete barriers with help from the center’s artistic members. GPACC Director Monty Sutherlin and Stephanie Vendig, president of the Adult Center accepted the Keller Williams gift on behalf of the center. Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge was on hand to preside over the presentation, as well as several Keller Williams agents who participated in the effort, including branch manager Anthony Vulin. “At Keller Williams Los Feliz Realty, we believe contributing to the community is a fundamental responsibility,” said Chris Laib, co-chair of Keller Williams Cares, Los Feliz. “Our clients and business benefit directly from a healthy, vibrant community”. GPACC is in its third year now and has a very active group of seniors involved in a wide range of activities, now to include a communal garden. “The garden will benefit the center in many ways”, said Councilmember LaBonge. “Getting out of the house, eating healthy, getting some exercise, and most importantly, the social connection from their relationships at the center, will have long term benefits.” Stephanie Vendig added: “We are grateful for this donation as it contributes to the enhancement of the greater community so a place like GPACC can thrive and serve well the older adult population.”
[eastside eye]
David Edward Byrd: An Illustrator with a Rock-n-Roll past By Kathy A. McDonald, Ledger Columnist
Jimi Hendrix. Woodstock. The Fillmore East. The Who’s Tommy. Do you associate certain images with these rock-n-roll legends? Illustrator David Edward Byrd is the man behind some of the most iconic album covers and poster art of the late 1960s and 1970s rock era. A graduate of Carnegie Tech., Byrd got his start serendipitously: his friend worked for promoter Bill Graham who needed some posters made quickly for an upcoming show. And the rest is rock-nroll history, as Byrd went on to design Jimi Hendrix’s poster art for his headlining show a the Fillmore East in 1968, posters for the Grateful Dead and the Grammy-award wining album cover art for The Who’s Tommy. For the past 15 years, Byrd has lived in Silver Lake along with partner and mosaic artist Jolino Beserra. Their 1928 bungalow is a colorful pastiche of inlaid mosaics and handpainted furniture. Stepping inside the house is like walking into a three-dimensional sculpture as mosaics cover many surfaces. “To me it’s important; art is your life, what you touch and see every day,” said Byrd. Also gracing the wall is Byrd’s original line drawing for the classic program cover art for the 1971 Broadway musical Godspell that depicts
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Jesus with cascading, intertwined locks. “I never felt I had a style, but everyone thinks I do,” said Byrd of his prolific career. “I let the job tell me how to do it.” His other distinctive art deco-tinged images are found on posters and playbill cover art for original Broadway productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and Stephen Sondheim’s Follies and the poster art for the film Day of the Locust. Byrd continues illustrating today and his once throwaway rock posters are highly collectible. Although he formerly did all his work by hand, he now draws the initial image by hand then scans it and paints it via desktop computer. “There’s so much about making art that is tedious,” muses Byrd. “I used to ink each interlocking motif and rosette by hand. I couldn’t do it today.“ He is now putting the final touches on two upcoming exhibitions. On May 7th, a display of his rock era posters will open to the public at Echo Park’s Bedrock Studios. Beginning June 11th, Glendale’s Brand Art Library Galleries will host a 40-year retrospective of Byrd’s work aptly entitled: The Byrd Show: 40 Years of Art & Design. Information: www.david-edward-byrd.com/ www.brandlibrary.org/brand_ gallery_schedule.asp
May 2011
Los Feliz Ledger
Re-Animator, the Musical, at Steve Allen Theater is a Bloody, Horror Spoof
indochinevien
By Marilyn Tower Oliver, Ledger Theater Critic
ics and snappy music by Mark Nutter are witty albeit macabre. As the dialogue is mostly sung, the show is more an operetta or even an opera than a musical. The show is not for the squeamish or faint of heart, however. When I arrived, I took a seat in the second row. Bad choice! Before the play began, a staff member announced Graham Skipper that those of us in per who portrays the creepy the first two rows should wear pseudo scientist Herbert protective gear so as not to be West and Chris L. McKenna hit by simulated blood, and who plays the serious medishe proceeded to pass out garcal student Dan Cain. Jesse bage bags with holes cut in the Merlin is hilariously scary as tops for our heads. By that the sinister Dr. Hill, the protime, there was a full house, fessor who tries to steal West’s and I was stuck. Indeed, there serum. Special kudos to Peter was a lot of gore, and in spite Adams whose musical effects of the garbage bag tunic, my and arrangements provide clothing and skin were spatcontinuity to the production. tered with fake blood that fortunately was not permanent. “Re-Animator-The Musical” This show is so out of plays through May on Fribounds that it may turn out days 8 p.m. and midnight, to be a cult classic in its own Saturday at 8 p.m. and right. There is never a dull Sunday at 3:30 and 8 p.m. moment in the action, directTickets $30 at www.stevealed by Stuart Gordan with cholentheater.com or a 1-800reography by Cynthia Carle. 595-4TIX (595-4849). High-energy performances are offered by the cast, and there is 4773 Hollywood Blvd. Free never a dull moment. parking behind the building. Of note are Graham Skip
[Focus on the Advertiser]
Naturalmind Beauty and Beyond By Kimberly Gomez, Ledger Contributing Writer SILVER LAKE—Open a little over a year, Naturalmind Beauty & Beyond—its exterior walls a vertical garden— still draws a double take from passersby. Inside the 15-foot bare wood ceilings, vibrant plants and original art in every direction almost overtake one’s senses. Even the furniture feels organic, moveable and on wheels, borrowing their shape from nature itself. Naturalmind Beauty & Beyond is the creation of owner Arnaud Ozharun, who, after some 40 years as a hair designer and salon owner in Paris, France, followed his dream to Los Angeles—Silver Lake, to be precise, having been acquainted with the artist-clustered neighborhood by Parisian friends. In Paris, Ozharun pioneered the idea of a multifunction beauty salon doubling as an art space. And May 2011
Naturalmind Beauty & Beyond, at 3607 W. Sunset Blvd. perfects the multi-function capability—at once a spa/salon, and art gallery that once stylist stations tuck behind abstract screens, transforms into a 5,000 square foot space for lavish bi-monthly parties. “I want to show the works of young artists and the art world,” said Ozharun. The Naturalmind Beauty & Beyond salon and spa experience is like no other. The buzz is out on the unique and engaged stylists with extensive backgrounds in hair design. Naturalmente, their exclusive line, is the foundation that keeps customers coming back—so much that the salon recently began opening on Mondays just to handle the business. “Do you notice how great it smells in here? It’s lavender, it’s fennel, it’s essential oils,” said Jaime Foley, stylist and
Ozharun’s right hand when the room is bursting with clients. “I love working for a company that all we are doing is organic, biodynamic and 100% vegan.” Naturalmente products are yet another creation that Ozharun came to, well, naturally. “Forty years ago there was no product,” said Ozharun. “I started in the early 1970s using eggs, vinegar, shea butter, coco butter on hair and mixing tree sap and alcohol for hairspray.” After four decades of clients as prominent as Queen Elizabeth and Princess Anne, Ozharun has seen his profession come back to basics. And he stresses that beauty requires only the essentials. “What’s the most important thing about hair today is healthy natural glamour,” he said. Look for a Naturalmente makeup line coming soon. For information: naturalmindbeauty.com
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If horror stories are you cup of tea, you won’t want to miss “Re-Animator-The Musical” currently onstage at the Steve Allen Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. The show has been so popular that performances have been added through May including a midnight show on Fridays and has drawn audiences from as far away as San Francisco and Phoenix. The night I saw the show, the couple next to me were horror mavens who had driven up from San Diego. Some audience members even come dressed as the story’s characters. The plot is a recap of “ReAnimator,” a 1980s cult movie favorite based on a story by H.P. Lovecraft. The plot is very campy. Set in a medical school, the story revolves around Herbert West, a student who believes he has created a serum to revive the dead. When he moves in with serious medical student Dan Cain, gory havoc reigns. As Herbert begins to test whether his serum can actually bring corpses back from the dead, most of the play’s characters meet an unfortunate end. If this sounds creepy, one must remember that this is a comic filled spoof set against a catchy musical score performed live on a keyboard with acoustic effects. The clever lyr-
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Local Dog Trainer Sandy Driscoll By Colleen Paeff, Ledger Contributing Writer SILVER LAKE— “When I was a kid I used to walk all the dogs in my neighborhood,” said Sandy Driscoll. “When I got my own dog… I bought a book by Lassie’s trainer and I taught her to do all kinds of things by hand signal. She even sneezed on command.” Driscoll was born in Ohio, but moved to Silver Lake in 1966 when her job with McGraw-Hill brought her west. She’s been training dogs professionally for 25 years. And since 1997, she’s been training full-time. Driscoll works with dogs and their owners for any number of reasons, but she sticks to private lessons. “I find I’m better at working with individuals than with a group,” she said, “because with group training you have to give people one way of accomplishing something with the dog…and just like people they’re all different.” Driscoll balances her professional work as a trainer with a healthy dose of volunteering. For many years she was the volunteer coordinator for the Los Angeles City animal shelters. She admits that animal shelter work can be stressful, both for volunteers and employees, because so many of the animals end up euthanized. “People used to say to me ‘I don’t know how you can do this,’” Driscoll said, “… and I would always tell them if I could just find a home for one dog or one cat it would be
worth it.” Driscoll is currently the president of Volunteer Services for Animals, an organization that helps fund spaying and neutering of pets for people in need. And, for the past five years she has been taking her dog Gunner, a 9-year-old Doberman Pinscher and retired show dog, to work as a therapy dog. Twice each week Sandy and Gunner visit children at group homes for abused and neglected kids. “It gets very emotional sometimes,” Driscoll said, “because these kids–a lot of them just don’t have anybody else.” Driscoll said she enjoys the combination of paid work and volunteering. “It’s a nice mix,” she said. “I told myself one time that if I could spend a day getting some exercise…making a little bit of money, spending time with a friend, and doing something nice for someone else— those are the four things I like to include in each day—then my day is complete.” For more about Sandy Driscoll and Gunner visit www.sandydriscoll.com.
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Page 14 LIFESTYLES
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May 2011
Los Feliz Ledger
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Su Casa REAL ESTATE Page 15
Los Feliz Ledger
BRIAN ADES TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS YOU NEED GOOD INFORMATION www.brianades.com | email: brian@brianades.com | cell: (310) 503-8080 few partial installments each month while they sought assistance through the distressedmortgage hotline set up by the Bush Administration and their lender directly. The only “help” the couple was able to muster from their lender was a delay in their monthly payments for about 30 days. Then, they were told, the installment amounts would return to their previous, un-workable levels. “We asked for help, like the government encouraged us to do, and literally got nothing,” said Chavez, who now rents a two-bedroom apartment. “They basically were unwilling to change any of the other terms of our contract.” Paul Habibi, a lecturing real estate professor for UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, acknowledged the way the government and lenders have doled out help on an “as-needed basis”—with those in the worst financial shape getting assistance first— is a form of moral hazard. The
[real estate]
“Underwater” Homeowners: Help May Be On the Way By Erik Derr, Ledger Real Estate Reporter Of all the things Chris Peacock looked forward to when he and his brother bought their Silver Lake home in 2004, a lesson in business ethics wasn’t one of them. But, the so-called Great Recession and national mortgage market meltdown hit less than a handful of years after the Peacocks’ purchase and the brothers, like millions of others, suffered a fairly quick drop in income, as work became scarce. Also, just like millions of other homeowners, the two found themselves owing more on their house than it was worth. Data presented in March by market analyst CoreLogic shows an estimated 23.1 nationally—and about 32% of all residential properties with a mortgage in California—
suffer “negative equity,” otherwise known as being “underwater.” Over the last four years, about 5 million homeowners have lost their property to foreclosures. The Peacocks— Chris, a television editor, and brother Bailey, a movie trailer producer—began digging into their life savings, just to keep up with their mortgage payments. Several months and with greatly-depleted joint funds later, the brothers decided to pursue a loan modification: a two-year ordeal during which they filed multiple applications that were denied every time, even though the bothers still had never missed a payment and had managed to protect their credit rating. That was the point, said
Chris Peacock, when he finally understood the reality of home financing in the current economy. The home financing market gives “an incentive for people who are struggling. . . to intentionally miss payments and ruin their own credit in order to keep their homes,” Peacock said. Liliana Chavez, an Echo Park auto insurance office manager, said the way she and her husband lost their first home in 2009, during the beginning days the mortgage crisis, “was so disheartening.” Following their eviction of a problem tenant who occupied the extra room in their Palmdale house, the Chavezes were unable to make their full mortgage payments. They managed to scrape up a
policies, he said, have insulated those who didn’t make the wisest financial decisions. “It’s not set up in a fair fashion,” he said. Habibi, principal for Habibi Properties LLC, one of the largest private multi-family housing owners in the metropolitan Los Angeles area, echoes Chris Peacock’s belief that federal and state homeowner assistance programs have largely proven ineffective. “If you’re a homeowner who hasn’t missed a payment, but is just struggling,” he said, “the reality is” there hasn’t been “a state program or a federal program set up to help you. It doesn’t exist.” But that reality may be changing. The state recently announced the California Housing Finance Agency has expanded its guidelines to include more at-risk homes in its “Keep Your Home California” program, designed to help 100,000 low-to moderate-insee REAL ESTATE page 19
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LOS FELIZ. Casa Estrella, c. 1928. 4 bedrooms, outdoor terraces native to architecture. Superlative outdoor areas wrap around this villa. Verdant treetop and breathtaking mtn views.
1376 Edgecliff Dr.
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SILVERLAKE. 1920’S Character craftsman with guesthouse/studio. Updated kitchen and baths, French doors in master suite open to private garden. Hardwood floors, woodburning fireplace.
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Page 16 Su Casa REAL ESTATE
4778 Cromwell Ave.
$2,295,000*
LOS FELIZ. 1922 A.F. Leight Mediterranean. 4 ensuite bedrooms with city views. A large swimmers pool and beautifully landscaped yard complete this walled and gated oasis.
SOLD
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HOLLYWOOD HLLS. Mid-Century diamond nestled in the hills of Beachwood. This 2 bedroom is the definition of style and distinction. Every room is graced with 180˚ views.
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$549,000
4059 Cromwell Ave.
$1,299,000
LOS FELIZ. Romantic Country English home sited atop rolling grassy lawn and private gardens. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, cook’s kitchen and wood burning fireplace.
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Silver Lake. Restored 1930’s Spanish hacienda w/3BR, 3BA. Family rm, media rm, 5 patios. Fountains and lush gardens. 3,900 sf. More photos: www.elenajovis.com
Miracle Mile. 2BR/2.5BA townhome, prvt garage w/direct access. Washer & dryer in unit, small HOA w/low dues. Perfect location to restaurants, shops & nightlife.
Elena Jovis
Linda Chamberlain 323.828.7269 Howard Lorey 323.251.4553
310.866.7385
ACTIVE 2114 Rockford Rd.
ACTIVE
- $1,549,000
2006 Preston
-
$422,000
Silver Lake. Rare loft-style living w/ cstm recording studio by designer Robert Maune. 2 decks w/lake & mtn views. Cook’s ktchn, 4BR/4BA, master w/fireplace & lush bckyrd.
Echo Park. Quiet location. Outdoor gardens with deck and views. Original charm, modest updating and potential to convert large basement into living space.
Sherri Rogers Anthony Stellini
Steven Maher
310.888.3368 310.888.3378
ACTIVE 5747 Briarcliff Rd.
-
310.433.5192
ACTIVE $1,149,000
1114 3rd St.
-
$348,000
Los Feliz. Beautiful architectural home in Los Feliz Oaks. 3BR/3BA, family room, redone kitchen, 2 FP, patio and grassy yard. More photos: www.elenajovis.com
Burbank. Short-Sale, lovely updated condo alternative. 2BR/1BA house. Proximity to shopping and nightlife is fantastic! Inviting sunken rear patio/deck.
Elena Jovis
Manila Chansmouth 818.395.3979
310.866.7385
ACTIVE
ACTIVE $949,000
251 W. Dryden St. #28 - $269,000
Hancock Park. Updated Sycamore Square Spanish corner lot. LR w/fp, FDR, 3BR/2BA, bonus rm, lots of storage. Front patio, lrg side yrd, beautiful rear yrd, 2-car gar.
Glendale. Sunny townhome close to shops & restaurants. 2BR/1.5BA, huge ground flr patio, inside laundry, west facing unit, perfect to relax & enjoy the afternoon sun!
Scott Campbell
Margaret Arana
855 S. Orange Dr.
-
323.252.9870
LOOKING FOR BACKUP
ACTIVE 3318 Glenhurst
-
323.997.5339
$649,000
2866 Durand Dr.
-
$888,000
Atwater Village. Eco-friendly traditional 3BR/2BA. Go green w/solar panels, dual pane wndws, tankless H20 heater. Mstr w/spa bath & French drs. Updtd kit, spacious yrd.
Hollywood Hills. Mid-Century diamond nestled in the hills of Beachwood. This 2BR/2BA is the definition of style & distinction. Every room is graced w/180˚ views.
Courtney Smith Kurt Wisner
Sherri Rogers Anthony Stellini
323.899.8509 323.841.3839
L o c ally owned and operated since 1 9 7 6 .
310.888.3368 310.888.3378
Los Feliz Ledger [ SELECT HOME SALES MAY 2011 ] 90026 Single Family Homes 3118 SWAN PL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,050,000 2344 VISTA GORDO DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 850,000 90027 Condominiums 1755 N EDGEMONT ST 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $125,000 4411 LOS FELIZ BLVD 201 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265,000 90027 Single Family Homes 2041 CUMMINGS DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,595,000 3645 LOWRY RD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,353,000
90039 Single Family Homes 3305 CHILDS CT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $805,000 2451 LANTERMAN TER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 762,000
90068 Condominiums 2222 N BEACHWOOD DR 314 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $530,000 5918 CHULA VISTA WAY 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403,000
90068 Single Family Homes 3530 MULTIVIEW DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,515,000 2601 LARMAR RD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,450,000 Sales are from the previous month. Source: Great American Real Estate Solutions
[interior motives]
The Power of Editing By Susann Thomason Tunick Ledger Columnist Design trends change just like fashion. Sometimes “less is more” is in vogue and other times, clutter is the rage. Art, accessories from travels, and layering may feel right at the moment, but how many times have you walked into a room that’s just too busy and suddenly those treasures look like mere dust collectors? We all want to be surrounded by the objects we love. How do we know when our placement of objects detracts rather than enhances? Here’s a trick I use with my clients and myself. Remove all of the art and accessories from a room so that you can feel the room in a bare state. This includes rugs and table lamps. It may be beneficial to under decorate several rooms at the same time so that accessories can be switched around. Then carefully add back piece by piece. Don’t go back to the same arrangement. Add slowly and carefully and look for a different point of view and aim for the unexpected. Move your rugs around or place them on an angle to create a dynamic viewpoint. If there
have always been two lamps on your credenza, try one instead. Those vertically stacked books on your shelf will look like new by placing them horizontally or combined vertically and horizontally. Art and mirror placement can make a huge difference in a room. By rearranging on a different wall, the art will look new. A dramatic look is to hang a huge piece of art on a smaller wall. If, for years, a painting has hung above the sofa, try a mirror, instead. A friend and fellow designer and Los Feliz resident, Merle Sheridan, recently created a new living room. A Steinway baby grand was repositioned, the sofa and chairs shifted and the Chinese armoire moved to a different wall. Her beautiful art collection, consisting of eclectic accessories from around the world, now has a new life. Nothing was purchased to make this change. The key was repositioning what she owned. Susann Thomason Tunick can be reached at susann@thomasontunick.com.
UMANA CONSTRUCTION General Contractor Commercial & General
Francisco Umana 6509 Blewett Ave. Van Nuys, CA 91406
Page 18 Su Casa REAL ESTATE
Lic. #733580
www.losfelizledger.com
(818) 780-0869 (818) 819-0520 Cell: (818) 298-3513
May 2011
Los Feliz Ledger [keen to be green]
Getting Back on Two Wheels By Meher McArthur, Ledger Columnist Before I moved to Los Angeles, I didn’t drive at all. I used public transport or cycled–until I was 33 years old! Once in L.A., I got a car, started commuting and had a child. I gave up cycling and my poor bike stood for years in the garage gathering dust and rust. Though I know it’s healthier and greener to cycle, fear of Los Angeles drivers has kept me off two wheels. But some recent events have inspired me to buy a new bike. Last October, the wonderful cycling event CicLAvia began in Los Angeles (www. ciclavia.org), and it’s gaining momentum as more people ditch their cars to cycle on the streets of downtown L.A. Also, cyclist friends have given me helpful tips on bike safety and good local routes. Finally, my son is old enough to ride his own bike with us
now (slowly and shakily), and we’re planning to join the L.A. River Ride on June 5th. “The LA River Ride is a safe environment for the whole family to cycle, and there are rides for all ages and abilities,” said Alexis Lantz of the LA County Bicycle Coalition (www.la-bike.org). “It’s also a chance to experience the revitalization of the LA River.” Now, armed with new hope and a good helmet, I’m ready to get back in the saddle! Sustainable Saturdays at the Silver Lake Library Building a Better, Bike-able Los Angeles with Alexis Lantz, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. Saturday, May 7th, 11 a.m. Free. Contact www.sustainablesilverlake.org or call (323) 913-7451.
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Los Feliz Ledger (323) 667-9897
REAL ESTATE from page 16
come homeowners. Funded by the U.S. Treasury Depts.’ “Hardest Hit Fund,” the program offers financial help, up to $15,000 per household through one assistance option, along with relocation assistance and principal reduction. The new version of the program would offer: • Mortgage assistance of up to $3,000 per month for unemployed homeowners nearing mortgage default. • Mortgage assistance for homeowners who have fallen behind on payments due to documented financial hardship. • Relocation assistance for homeowners who have started a short sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. • Capital to cut the outstanding principal balance for those owing more than their homes are worth. “We are part of a very large group of struggling yet responsible home owners that are not being heard… the world, and especially the banks, need to hear our story,” said Chris Peacock.
FOUNDATION design 2378 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039 www.foundationdesignla.com
MOTHERʼS DAY MAY 8 TH
Heaven is now more affordable... “One of my favorite homes in Los Angeles.” --Joel Wachs, president, The Andy Warhol Foundation New lower price. The Ralph Brown Residence, Phil Brown, architect, 1963. Second offering since new. In remarkable original and judiciously-updated condition. Ridge-top site at the end of a secluded cul de sac deep in the Los Feliz Oaks affords privacy and 200-degree, hillsto-city-to-ocean views. Bold use of steel cantilevered roof system above broad entertainment/view decks, extensive glass, high ceilings, elegant spaces. 3 bedrooms; 2 baths; 2,360 square feet of living space per the owner on a 10,890 square foot lot per the assessor--with room for a pool and possible pool house/ studio. One-level, open-plan living; gracious reception area; light-filled, generously-scaled rooms with high ceilings. Walls of glass merge indoors and outdoors. Quiet and private. www.5699hollyoak.com $2,399,000
Richard Stanley 1917 Hillhurst Av. Los Angeles, CA 90027 #1 agent, Coldwell Banker - Los Feliz, 1995-2009 rstanley@coldwellbanker.com www.richardstanleyrealtor.com 213 300-4567 cell / voice mail 323 906-2417 direct line / voice mail DRE license #: 00971211. ©2011 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned and operated by NRT LLC. All rights reserved. If your property is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.
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May 2011
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Su Casa REAL ESTATE Page 19
Local Experts Worldwide
SeleCted propertieS NeW eXclusIve
315 N. SYCAMORE: hancock Park. c.1929 stunning mediterranean Fourplex on desirable sycamore ave. substantial 2bd/2ba units w/garage parking & numerous updates $1,649,000 Juan Longfellow/Louise Leach 310.920.3019
3477 BEN LOMOND PL: los Feliz.. c1927 mediterranean 3bd/4ba. Gorgeous old world character seamlessly updated to perfection. Impeccable! www.benlomondplace.com $1,279,000 Web: 0280289 Rick Yohon 323.270.1725
NeW eXclusIve
ARCHITECTURAL: silver lake. mark Kirkhart’s, stunning silver lake architectual wood/glass/concrete, soaring ceiling 2bd/2ba w/fab. kit & baths, hi end finishes $1,149,000 Rosemary Low 323.660.5885 IN escroW
1809 SILVERWOOD TERRACE: silver lake. stunning reservoir views, elegant updated kitchen and baths, large balconies that capture the views. close to shops and restaurants $1,075,000 Joseph Lightfoot 323.665.1108
1236 N. MARYLAND AVE: Glendale. 2219 RICHLAND AVE: los Feliz. spectacular 3bd/3ba spanish/med revival located in spacious +/- 3,300 sq ft. 5bd/4ba contemporary w/lg the Glendale highlands pool & bkyrd. N. of los Feliz blvd. lr w/2-story ceilings $999,000 Web: 0026143 & fpl, fam rm. $999,000 Web: 0284184 Manvel Tabakian, Nadia De Winter & Gail Crosby 323.376.2222 Stephen Placial 323.671.2330
IN escroW
solD
1525 ANGELUS AVE: silver lake. a skillful blend of old and new. Wood floors, chef’s kitchen, granite counters, high-end appl, tumbled marble and Italian tile in the bath. $850,000 Web: 0284205 Joseph Lightfoot 323.665.1108
3110 BERKELEY CIRCLE: silver lake. spacious 2bd/1.5ba + den + bonus office. vus. Wood flrs, character details. Indoor/outdoor flow. Pvt patio, yard. close to shops. $829,000 Web: 0284201 Carol Stewart 323.255.3800
1768 ROTARY DR: silver lake. 60’s modern w/incredible views. entertainer’s dream. master br captures mtn vus, silver lake, Downtown & beyond $815,000 Web: 0284152 Joseph Lightfoot 323.665.1108 NeW eXclusIve
2476-2478 LAKE VIEW AVE: silver lake. original charm, hdwd flrs, each unit 2bd/1ba, lightfilled office/studio below, beautiful mtn vus, close to everything $775,000 Web: 0284187 Joseph Lightfoot 323.665.1108
1749 W SILVER LAKE DR: silver lake. 2 story trad. with updated baths, large eat-in kitchen, Fr. Drs to patio and terraced garden. hdwd floors, period details, close to everything $749,000 Web: 0284212 Joseph Lightfoot 323.665.1108
1621 MCCOLLUM PL: silver lake. loft-like master w/deck, terrace garden, Downtown views. hdwd flrs, stainless appliances, 3rd br perfect for studio/office.$698,000 Web: 0284052 Joseph Lightfoot 323.665.1108
3206 BERKELEY AVE: silver lake. 2030 N. VERMONT #9: los angeles. character spanish in the silver lake hills. 2bd/1ba 2bd/2ba spectaculary redone inside condo at the right with bonus room with separate entrance. location. Great courtyard. tons of storage. $399,000 $589,000 Web: 0284198 Web: 0284192 Stephen Placial/Luisa Ferrante 323.671.2330 Neviana Hristova 323.671.2388
For SchoolS
1406 N. BENTON WAY: silver lake. california bungalow, vaulted ceiling in lr, hdwd floors, 3br/2ba, pleasant private yard, lush gardens, close to shops and restaurants $749,000 Joseph Lightfoot 323.665.1108
Sotheby’s International Realty - Los Feliz is proud to establish Sotheby’s for Schools. Sotheby’s for School’s mission is to help our local youth realize their full potential. Our organization and agents are currently supporting various initiatives at our local learning institutions on an ongoing donation program from closed transactions.
Southern California BrokerageS I sothebyshomes.com/socal I loS feliz 1801 North hIllhurst aveNue t 323.665.1700
uSe the WeB numBerS provided to find out more information on a property through our WeBSite
operated by sotheby’s International realty, Inc.. sotheby’s International realty® is a registered trademark. the yellow house used with permission. sotheby’s International realty does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records or other sources.
Los Feliz Ledger [Ivanhoe elementary]
[lycee international de los angeles]
Burgers and Tech Night!
Raising Funds for Others
By Diego Chiat
By Carsun Hall, 4th Grade
On Monday, April 4th, Ivanhoe had its second annual In ‘n Out bu rger/Tech Night! 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students presented their technology projects to family and friends. Students created Keynote portfolio presentations with all the work they did during the school year, including iMovies and podcasts. Tickets were sold for an In n’ Out burger meal which attracted people to come to the event, and part of the profit went to the school. Many adults complimented Ms. Yagi, our technology teacher, for the magnificent work that she helped the students create. I think the Ivanhoe One to One program is very useful because we are able to bring laptops home every night to create projects and do our homework. We learn a lot of excellent computer programs like Word, Pages, Keynote, Inspiration 8 and ICal. The One on One program will help lots of students learn how to use computer programs that they will need in the future.
At LILA a k i nder g a rtener named Daniel Smith has made a painting of the Japanese flag and put them on t-shirts. He is selling them to help earthquake victims in Japan rebuild. His fundraiser is called “Julez For Japan.” Also, a 7th grader named Théo Grison has started “Foot Pour Tous.” That is French for “Soccer For All.” He is collecting used soccer jerseys and is giving them to kids in Iraq and Afghanistan who cannot afford them. These fundraisers were made on their own. I think these are excellent ideas, and I am glad they came up with them.
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Los Feliz Ledger
[larchmont charter]
[pilgrim school]
Spirit Week
Field Trip Takes Us Back In Time
By Serena Storm Jamison, 7th grade Our school has been proudly showing its school spirit in a grand array of fun activities during “Spirit Week.” From March 8th to April 1st, we all got to show our unique sense of style in celebrating Pajama Day, Crazy Hair Day, and Cartoon Character Day in a glow of pure fun. It was truly a week to remember. May 26th is our school‘s Spring Concert, where classic favorites like Journey’s “Separate Ways” and Queen’s “We Will Rock You” will be sung out valiantly in a glorious medley put together by our wonderfully talented music teacher, Baraka Williams. Everyone’s working their hardest as we are all very anxious for the show. We’re coming up with more exciting events in the future—here at Larchmont Charter School, the fun never ends!
By Lily Kachikis, 5th grade This spring my class went on a field trip to an area in Glenoaks known as Riley’s Farm. Riley’s Farm is an organization that reconstructs the day and life of the people who lived during American revolutionary war. Students from several different schools were present that day and each assigned to a different class— weaving, gardening, gun handling and usage (we used sticks not guns!), silversmithing and games.
[our mother of good counsel] By Grace Larsen, Student Body President On April 5th, our local fire department visited our school with two fire trucks to demonstrate equipment use and on fire safety to our kindergarten through 4th grade students. There were many “oohs
your School News to: allisonferraro @losfelizledger.com
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During the classes, if you answered a question correctly, you would get a shilling. Whoever collected the most shillings by the end of the day got a delicious candy apple from their bakery! All of us were jealous of the winners. After our classes we each received our ‘rations’—a piece of cornbread, a strip of beef jerky, a slice of cheese, and a cup of sweet lemonade. It may seem like a small snack, but it was very filling! Although the early American experience was fun, I was glad to get back to Pilgrim School and 2011.
and aahs” made by the students as they watched the firefighters climb the large extension ladder. They also had fun playing at being a firefighter by getting to squirt water from one of the large hoses. Also, on this day, the students saw school staff and faculty walk around school all day with blue hair. The teachers sprayed their hair blue as a result of the students reaching their goal of over $2,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Pennies for Patients Program. The fundraiser was a rewarding experience for our students, faculty, and parents.
SCHOOL NEWS Page 21
Los Feliz Ledger [thomas starr king]
Field Trip to Malibu Lagoon by Celeste Cisneros
Our Mother of Good Counsel School We are now accepting Fall 2011 Registrations for Pre. K – 8th grade. Private tours are available on request by calling 323-664-2131, or visiting our School located at 4622 Ambrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA. 90027. www.omgcschool.org
My class recently went to the Malibu Lagoon. We learned about fish anatomy, plankton, water quality and about some resident birds at the sandbar. We learned that some fish have two eyes on one side of their body and they camouflage with the sand to catch prey as they swim by. Some species of shark have a spike on their dorsal fins. We also learned about brackish water—a mixture of fresh and salt water. Freshwater drains from the mountains into the lagoon that has a small amount of salt water. We also tested the lagoon for pH levels. pH stands for potential hydrogen. That day the pH level was 7.5–or neutral. We studied the differences between zooplankton and phytoplankton. Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that live in the ocean. Zooplankton are actually tiny little animals, with many varieties. The trip was paid for by www.friendsofking.org.
[holy trinity]
A Day in the Life of a Student at Holy Trinity School
[ihhs]
School’s End Is Near! By Olivia Origel ’13 & Maura Turcotte ‘13
By Anais Singh, 8th grade With graduation near, there are many things going on right now, like our Science Fair on May 10th. This is a kindergarten through 8th grade event and all students will create their own science projects. We recently had three students place in the Junior High Academic Decathlon in Math, Literature and Religion. The 7th and 8th grade girls participated in the Ramona Challenge and placed 1st in Sculpture, 2nd in Social Studies and Honorable Mention in Monologue. I am sad to see many of the people who have been at Holy Trinity with me leave and move on to high school. My classmates are attending different high schools: Bellarmine Jefferson, Providence, Cathedral, Holy Family, St. Francis, Crespi and many others. These past years have been very memorable at Holy Trinity School. Once a husky… always a husky!
Send the
Los Feliz Ledger your School News to: allisonferraro@losfelizledger.com
Students spent the last Saturday in April helping the Friends of the Los Angeles River clean up the nearby Glendale Narrows section of the river. This project was one of many activities students organized as part of Earth month. Now, students can be seen around campus studying for AP exams. However, students can enjoy a brief break from their studies with such activities as Awards Night on May 11th, where students are honored for their achievements, and our annual art show, May 17th and 18th. Students are also anticipating the Junior and Senior Prom, at the Biltmore Hotel on May 20th with the theme Rendezvous at Gatsby’s. Soon, the freshmen, sophomores and juniors will have one final chance to say goodbye to their senior sisters on Class Day, May 31st this year. This year-end tradition is a wonderful way to wish the Class of 2011 all our best. Graduation will take place on June 1st at the Hollywood Bowl.
[sark on sports]
Can Marshall Varsity Volleyball Break the 2nd Round Curse? By Sarkis Adajian, Ledger Sports Columnist The volleyball Barristers set a strong pace right out of the gate in what could be the last season that Marshall carries its volleyball program. The Marshall boys volleyball team started the season with a 7-2 record and head coach Adina Mori-Holt says the reason is experience. “We got a very strong team,” he said, “because most are returning seniors. We are working a lot on improving our game after each and every time we play a match. I’ve got a really competitive squad of guys.” The Barristers have always been at the top of their league, or at the very least in second. Throughout the years they have only had one main threat, Eagle Rock High School. “In our league our biggest competition is Eagle Rock.
Page 22 SCHOOL NEWS
Generally, Marshall is usually first or second in league. We are always successful. Sometimes there are teams that fly under the radar, but we always manage to be competitive,” explained Mori-Holt. And again this year, Eagle Rock is off to a 9-0 start. What does Marshall need to do in order to take control of first? “Learning how to handle a pressure situation. Our league doesn’t have much competition. So we need to step it up in tournaments,” said coach Mori-Holt. Even if Marshall is able to qualify for the playoffs they have one huge monkey that they need to get off their back, “the curse of the second round.” “We have the Marshall curse, we always lose in the second round,” said Moriwww.losfelizledger.com
Holt. “I strongly believe we can get to the semis. I think we are totally capable. It comes down to our mental games. This is the first year that we are really balanced and strong and athletic.” No matter what the outcome of the season, head coach Mori-Holt has one message for her seniors, “Volleyball is definitely a sport that can be played and enjoyed an entire lifetime. Whatever the outcome is for the season I am proud of their accomplishments and they should be proud also. Just because their high school career ended it doesn’t mean their volleyball career is over. This is the most fun I have had as a volleyball coach.” This could be the last season Marshall High School carries its volleyball program, due to budget cuts. May 2011
Los Feliz Ledger [family matters]
Wasn’t Last Year’s Education Budget a Crisis Budget? By Kristen Taylor, Ledger Columinst This is getting embarrassing. Here I am, your broken record columnist, railing about cuts to the Los Angeles schools budget. Again. Or should I say, “education?” Because at a certain point, when 4,500 teachers are let go, when class sizes approach 40 in elementary schools, when the school year is cut to 175 days, when programs for gifted and talented kids are gutted, when libraries don’t have librarians, when music rooms sit empty and quiet…what we’re providing to our kindergarten to12th grade students may not really qualify as an education. District wide, the situation is grim. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is dealing with a $408 million budget deficit for the 2011-2012 school year. The crisis budget passed in March calls for layoffs of more than 7,300 employees, including 4,500 teachers. Funding for Magnet programs will be cut by 90%. The Marshall High School
May 2011
Principal, Daniel Harrison, told me that the school will lose almost half of its teachers next year, and the general school class size is expected to rise to about 45 students. Marshall High School’s Gifted Magnet Coordinator, Rachel Morton, has been notified that her position will be eliminated. Morton has been with the Magnet since its inception in 1999, and while she will be rotated to a teaching position rather than fired, she is still concerned about the fate of the popular and successful program. California Governor Brown asked the legislature to put a measure on the June ballot that would extend current taxes and restore a good amount of LAUSD funding, but Republicans blocked the effort. Unfortunately, the deadline for this measure to make it onto the ballot has already passed, so when the current tax rates expire, all taxes will be considered new taxes, rather than extensions. We all know just how palatable new taxes are to the public, and to
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certain legislators seeking reelection. You might wonder what’s on tap for 2012-2013. LAUSD is projecting an $891 million deficit, almost 20% of the entire budget (which has already been cut $1.2 billion since 2009). If this concerns you, I suggest that you contact the Republican State Senators who have refused to extend the current tax rates and vehicle registration fees. Even though they’re not our district representatives, they hold all the cards for Los Angeles. Let them know the situation in your child’s school, and what it will mean to you if these cuts to California’s education budget are forced through.
Los Feliz Ledger Online • GOOD LIFE: Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, writer Tara de Lisa introduces us through various tequilas. • SILVER LAKE: Meadow opens, finally • ATWATER VILLAGE: Sweet! AVNC teams up with local theater listing and review website Visit losfelizledger.com to take this months poll regarding the cancellation of the DWP’s Holiday Festival of Lights.
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SCHOOL NEWS Page 23
Los Feliz Ledger [senior moments]
A Radical Plan to Reduce our Deficit By Stephanie Vendig, Ledger Columnist Since Conrecord “prevalence of food intion would create more comgress has resecurity.” petition and more efficiency. cently passed their nonbindWith the Ryan plan, seIt also assumes that seniors ing budget measure setting up niors, with their longevity and will spend less if they have to a framework for future legislahigh health costs associated personally cover more of their tion, we are getting a clearer with more vulnerability to health care costs. However, idea on the division between chronic disease, will shoulder according to the Congressiothe parties on how the $1.6 a heavier burden. Accordnal Budget Office, it will shift trillion deficit should be diing to the American Assoc. of the risk of higher costs to the minished. I don’t think anyone Retired Persons (AARP) the patient rather than to governwould argue for not worrying voucher system as proposed ment. about this defiFor a retiring cit, but it is a For a retiring 65 year old average earner, 65 year old averbit alarming to age earner, fully fully 49% of his or her Social Security hear that Wis49% of his or her consin Repre- benefits would be absorbed by Medicare Social Security sentative Paul would out-of-pocket costs in 2022, and 62% by benefits Ryan’s plan be absorbed by was adopted Medicare out-of2030, up from about 20% today. focusing alpocket costs in most exclusively on the spendby Mr. Ryan “…would dra2022, and 62% by 2030, up ing-cuts-only approach. matically increase costs for from about 20% today. This plan includes targetMedicare beneficiaries while The GOP blueprint would ing the America’s safety-net removing Medicare’s promise cut almost $800 million from programs while making the of secure health coverage—a the federal-state Medicaid tax-cuts of the Bush era perguarantee that future seniors program (MediCal in Califormanent and reducing the top have contributed to through a nia) that provides health care individual tax rate from 35% lifetime of hard work.” to the poor and disabled, and to 25%. Meanwhile, our counContinuing the current pays for nursing home care try is still experiencing high system for people 55 years and for millions of senior citizens. unemployment rates, higher over, those under 55 will be Block grants will be sent to poverty rates (14.3%, highreceiving subsidies for private the states, including the Food est since 1994), growing uninsurance plans, capped at Stamp program. With more insured rates, and according the rate of inflation. This apchoices but limited funds, to the Dept. of Agriculture, a proach assumes that privatizastates will probably change the
eligibility or increase cost sharing. Older adults and people with disabilities account for 2/3rds of all Medicaid spending and have nowhere else to turn for coverage of these services. Since there are limited options currently to pay for long-term services and supports, individuals typically exhaust their own assets before
turning to Medicaid. Now the issues of whether to increase taxes, and how to control healthcare costs will be debated in the Democratcontrolled Senate. The choices should become clearer for all of us as the debates will surely continue into the 2012 campaigns, hopefully concluding with a more balanced plan.
Sunset Hall has expanded services to Seniors! Sunset Hall offers curriculum & advocacy programs for freethinking elders at two locations! The popular Conversational Spanish, GPACC on Wed. For other programs, call Wendy Caputo at 323-660-5277.
Griffith Park Adult Community Club Calendar Classes and Events: New Activity: Build your own remote control model airplane. Class starts in May. Other classes include Art, Music, Dance and Exercise. Computer and Work Out equipment are available. Call GPACC at (323) 644-5579 or come by 3203 Riverside Dr., in the pkg lot of Friendship Aud., so. of Los Feliz Bl. to sign up and for more info. General Meeting and Lunch Wed., May 18, Noon – 3:00 • Friendship Aud. Book Sale, White Elephant, Plants and Food, 3:00 – 5:30
Sign up at GPACC for lunch the week before Lunch Program: Mon.-Fri., GPACC, 11:30 AM sign in, Noon lunch, $1.75 donation, age over 60. Club Info and Newsletter: Stephanie Vendig, (323) 667-3043 or vendig@sbcglobal.net. Join GPACC: Only $15/year for trips and news. For information on trips, call Doris Slater, (323) 667-1879
‘‘I choose to stay connected.” “When my son and his family moved out-of-state, I worried that we would lose touch. But thanks to Belmont’s Center for Learning, we’re more connected than ever. I even get e-mail from my grandchildren! Plus, I always have lots of pictures to show my friends. The Belmont Village Activity Programs Coordinator got me up to speed in no time, on computers designed especially for me. Now my grandkids can’t believe I’m surfing the web and I can’t believe how easy it is!”
‘‘I Choose Belmont Village.’’ • Chef-prepared, restaurant-style dining • Free scheduled transportation daily • Fitness and social activities • Licensed nurse on-site around the clock • Medication management • Housekeeping and laundry • Assistance with daily living • Circle of Friends® memory program • Short-term stays available • Specialized Alzheimer’s care
Burbank (818) 972-2405 Encino (818) 788-8870 Hollywood Hills (323) 874-7711 Rancho Palos Verdes (310) 377-9977 Westwood (310) 475-7501 Coming Soon Thousand Oaks (805) 496-9301
RCFE Lic 197603515, 197603848, 197605090, 198204246, 197607761 © 2011 Belmont Village, L.P.
The Community Built for Life ® www.belmontvillage.com
Page 24 SENIOR 1MOMENTS LozFeliz_04_29_CFL.indd
www.losfelizledger.com
May 2011
4/19/11 9:59 PM
Los Feliz Ledger [religion and spirituality]
Abundant Spirituality on Union By Katherine Spiers, Ledger Religion Writer SILVER LAKE—Though it seems an unlikely spot, there must be something spiritual in the air on Union Avenue. There are three churches alone between the 100 and 300 blocks. All three are Christian, but they come at their shared religion from very different angles. Filipino Christian Church is a Disciples of Christ church.
Disciples of Christ is a denomination native to the United States, and it is highly evangelical. They were among the first to arrive in the Philippines after the Spanish-American War, ready to spread their particular word. Interestingly, different denominations split up the Philippine islands into sections, making region and religion deeply intertwined for
Filipinos. The church itself might not look like much in passing, but it’s actually a Los Angeles Historical Landmark, due in some part to its stained-glass windows. The two other churches on the street are much more obvious as houses of worship. Our Lady of Loretto, a Catholic church and school, has one, tall Modernist spire soaring above the street—quiet a change, given that for the first decade of the church’s existence, services were held in a cable car garage. But Loretto’s spire is no longer the most visually arresting feature on Union. The Church of Christ, at 141 N. Union Avenue, has just completed a complete remodel, at a cost of $7.6 million. It’s now a large peach-colored building, topped by three spires. It may not be the most historic building on the block, but it is now the most noticeable.
The
Los Feliz Ledger
Los Angeles Breakfast Club
is looking for a new columnist to write about spirituality and religion. E-mail Allison Ferraro, publisher, with your interest and writing samples allisonferraro @losfelizledger.com
[stargazing]
Stargazing for May By Anthony Cook, Griffith Observatory The planets Mars and Jupiter emerge from behind the glare of the sun as May begins, joining Venus and Mercury low in the east during dawn, producing many interesting groupings during the first half of the month. On the May 1st, look at 5:30 a.m. to see the brightest planet, Venus, to the upper left of the the second brightest planet, Jupiter, above which is
from the point due south on the horizon and the zenith (directly overhead) at 10:00 p.m. The waning gibbous moon passes Saturn on the night of the 13th. The moon’s phase is new on the 2nd, first quarter on the 10th, full on the 17th, and is at last quarter on the 24th. It appears near Jupiter on the 29th, then is above Mars and Venus on the 30th. The only meteor shower
The only meteor shower not spoiled by moonlight this year is the eta Aquarid shower on the morning of May 6th. hovering the slender waning crescent moon. To the upper right of Jupiter, less than half a moon-diameter away (close enough to fit in the same telescopic field-of-view) is the red planet, Mars. The innermost planet, Mercury, is located between Jupiter and Venus. By the 12th, the moon will be long gone, but the four bright planets will be within 6 degrees of each other, and can all be seen at once through binoculars. The ringed planet, Saturn appears as a bright yellow “star” in Virgo the Maiden and is well placed for viewing during the early evening. Saturn appears more than halfway up
not spoiled by moonlight this year is the eta Aquarid shower on the morning of May 6th. From locations far from city lights, as many as one meteor every 3 minutes should be expected to be streaming from the southeast between 2:30 a.m. and the start of dawn, at 4:24 a.m. The meteors are fragments shed centuries ago by the famous comet Halley. The comet was last seen well 25 years ago, in the spring of 1986, and will next be at its brightest in the summer of 2061. Eta Aquarid meteors are active in lesser numbers between April 21st and May 13th each year.
Join us Wednesdays at 7 – 9 am Upcoming speakers and programs... May 4 “Identity Theft Prevention” May 11 Pierre Odier, Author and World Traveler - “Cambodia: Angkor - A Lasting Legacy”
“I want to focus on the importance of remembering the Holocaust, and how we, as Christians, have a special moral obligation to make sure this will never happen again. Religiously motivated hate and inhumanity cannot be tolerated.” —Dr. R. Scott Colglazier Senior Minister
May 18 USC Emeriti College - Saul Jacobs & Bob Lipson “Songs and Stories of the Singing Stars” May 25 Cathy Kort - Hollygrove - “Heart for Hollygrove”
Friendship Auditorium 3201 Riverside Drive (1/4 mi. so. of Los Feliz Bl.)
For upcoming programs, see... www.LABreakfastClub.com
yom ha’shoah holocaust remembrance
or call (323) 662-1191
Forgotten Voices
We invite you later that afternoon to the concert, Forgotten Voices, featuring Ryan Ross, who sings the works of Jewish composers exiled or murdered during the Holocaust. This special event is recognized by the Austrian, German and Israeli Embassies. 2:00pm
May 2011
www.losfelizledger.com
service
Sunday, may 1 11:00am 540 S. Commonwealth Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90020 Tel. 213.385.1341 • www.FCCLA.org
RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY Page 25
Los Feliz Ledger [editorial]
City Needs to Solve Riverside Drive Housing Development Issues Now While Project is Still in Planning Stages by Richard Stanley
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For the last several years, I’ve had the honor to serve, with a handful of other stakeholders, on the Planning, Zoning and Historical Preservation Committee of the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC). That’s a mouthful. In truth, I feel as though I am one of the advisors on a committee that advises another committee that advises our city council member—a kind of subcommittee of the PTA. As such, we usually hear from folks who want to exceed zoning or building code limits imposed by the city. We also gather community feedback before coming to a recommendation to the GGPNC. We are all volunteers. Occasionally, we are apprised of upcoming projects that do not need special consideration—so-called “by right” projects that comply with all applicable building and zoning codes. Why would a developer ask to bring such a project to the attention of the community and possibly stir up controversy? Because getting the support of the community looks good to the people downtown and some of them, such as the Los Angeles Housing Department, control public funds that, in part, subsidize such projects. Recently, our committee heard presentations from DAVCO Communities, LLC, a large developer of low-income, or otherwise known as “affordable” or “income-restrictive,” housing projects. Locally, DAVCO proposes to redevelop a site on Riverside Drive, south of the Mulholland Fountain, now occupied by an auto repair shop in a former gas station. They propose to build 49 “family” units: 34 twobedroom units and 15 three-
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Page 26 EDITORIAL / OPEN MIKE
bedroom units, for a total of 113 bedrooms. To accommodate the parking needs of the tenants, they will provide 60 parking spaces only. This number of parking spaces is actually 11 more spaces than the city requires for units of this type. There is no visitor parking provided or required by the city. I have no objection to DAVCO’s plans generally, as they exceed some of the minimum requirements laid down by the city. DAVCO plans to remediate the site of toxic substances, and, arguably, to elevate the site to its highest and best use by helping to meet the needs of lower-income families here in the city. The site has many advantages, as it is served by major bus routes and freeways, next to Griffith Park and across the street from the Griffith Park Adult Community Center (GPACC), soccer fields, tennis courts and the city swimming pool. DAVCO plans to hold the finished development indefinitely and to manage the property in such a way that tenants must have appropriate credentials to live there, such as having a job. What does concern me, however, is that the city is not stepping up, proactively, to fix inevitable problems that its “by right” regulations will create. For example, the parking requirements are unrealistic. Here, the city allows another of its “one size fits all” approaches that may be suitable for a heavily urbanized site to be applied to a suburban site. Unlike in denser-populated neighborhoods, there is no market anywhere within walking distance near this part of Riverside Drive. A bus ride or car trip is the only way to go
shopping. Many, if not most apartments are likely to house two drivers, at least. Where will they park? The quick answer is the street, but not so fast. Riverside Drive prohibits parking from 10 p.m. until the next morning (a relic of the motor home city of homeless of years ago). Further, those who cross Riverside Drive at this location, between a major local traffic intersection and freeway off and on-ramps, do so at their peril. The closest traffic light and crosswalk are too far away to serve the development’s anticipated 100 to 200 residents and their guests. Residents will certainly be lured across Riverside Drive to additional parking, not to mention to the Griffith Park attractions. A suitable pedestrian crosswalk and traffic signal should be incorporated into the plans now, before a tragedy occurs. As the city sets the preconditions for future problems, so too, let it resolve the costs of solutions with those that benefit the most: the developers. Too often the city, in its rush to increase housing density city-wide, offers generous concessions to developers without anticipating the deleterious consequences to be borne later by the city infrastructure and its neighborhoods. Whether a new development is “by right” or not, the city needs to look beyond a project’s lot lines to the greater effects upon the block, the street, the neighborhood— and its people. The city has not learned that it’s easier and cheaper to fix a problem before it becomes a mess. Richard Stanley is a real estate broker for Coldwell Banker/ Los Feliz.
[open mike]
The Meadow is Now Available For All I had the pleasure of driving past the newly opened Silver Lake Meadow several times last weekend with my friend Catherine Moyers. Catherine, who has since moved to the Central Coast, was president of the Silver Lake Residents Association some 15 years ago when the plan including the meadow was first developed. We recalled with rueful amusement all the dire predictions that have been made
by hand-wringing NIMBYs. These “concerns” plagued the planning process and threatened to derail the project again several years ago. None of these (congestion, parking problems, mass invasions from other neighborhoods) were apparent last weekend. Congratulations to all the people whose hard work, ingenuity— and yes, patience and persistence— have made this lovely meadow available to us and
our neighbors. Yes - our neighbors. The idea that guests from other parts of LA are a threat is repugnant. If we were confined to our quarter, I would never be able to hear music in Leimert Park, or stroll around Balboa Lake or Mariachi Square, or go to the beach. All parts of our wonderful, diverse city are for all of us to enjoy! Susan North, Silver Lake
To submit a letter for Open Mike, send to allisonferraro@losfelizledger.com or to 4459 Avocado St., LA, CA 90027. Letters may be edited for clarity or space for reprinting.
www.losfelizledger.com
May 2011
Largest Real Estate Office in Los Feliz (175 Agents) #1 Real Estate Office from Downtown LA to Hollywood JU ST LIS TE D
2448 Glendower, Los Feliz
$3,249,000
Midcentury beauty, authentic details: floating stairs, terrazzo floors, wood & stainless steel surfaces. 3 BR, 3.5 BA, promontory w/ LA views. Over ½ acre, level, lush landscape, w/ 2nd lot to put pool, guesthouse or 2nd residence. www.2448glendower.com
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NE W
18 Glen Holly, Pasadena
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I helped my buyers purchase this great home from Better Shelter before it hit the MLS. If you want the inside track on properties like this one give me a call!
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2732 Auburn St. #2, 90039
$507,500
Spanish Style Duplex with wood floors, huge backyard and laundry room. Upper: 2 bed, 1 bath. Updated kitchen and bath, views, fireplace, outdoor patios. Lower: 1 bed, 1 bath, tiled kitchen and bath. Ivanhoe school district.
Steve Senigram & Champ Davenport
Alyssa Valentine & Richard Wilkinson
$295,000
Los Feliz Towers, 2 Bedroom condo – Closed escrow in 21 days!
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(323) 371-1511
1660 Hillhurst Avenue LA, CA 90027 Blog: www.kwLFblog.com
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(323) 401-6896
IN
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1023 Myra Ave., Silver Lake
$579,000
Amazing duplex close to Sunset Junction in Silver Lake. 1 Bed, 1 Bath units. Check out www.LAAwesome.com for more info.
MATT MORGUS
(213) 880-6420 NE W
CON STR UC TION
3922 HOMER ST., MONTECITO HTS. $399,999 Just built 3 + 2.5. Imagine having a spectacular 1880 sq. ft. of living space w/ a great, open floor plan. Cape Cod on a cul-de-sac near the Historic Heritage Square Museum. Lot 5,000 sq. ft. prox. Conventional or FHA loan.
Raphael Guerin
COMING
JU ST SO LD
4411 Los Feliz Blvd.
(323) 380-8973
$1,149,000
Stunning 2 Story Mediterranean House walking distance to Los Feliz Village. 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, Completely Remodeled, Entertainers Dream, Hacienda like patio, Pool, Spa, Fire pit, Outdoor FP and a Guest House.
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VIE WS
$565,000
$1,499,000
Southern Colonial Charm 3/3+sunroom+bonus studio in highly coveted neighborhood. Completely updated yet original architectural charm intact. Island kit, lrm w/FP, formal drm w/ wainscoting. Sexy Carrera master suite. Lush back yard. All framed in a regal magnolia tree.
LIS TING
1930’s Spanish style home in the San Rafael Hills of Pasadena. Close to the Rose Bowl, Old Town and Eagle Rock. Check out www.LAAwesome.com for more info.
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5017 Ambrose Ave., Los Feliz
(323) 369-5111
JU ST SO LD
SOON
2220 Reservoir St, ECHO PARK 90026
4253 Fountain Ave., Silver Lake
Rob Kallick/ Matthew Morgus
Michael Remacle
Coming soon from ModOp Design is this newly remodeled bungalow in Echo Park. This 2BR/2BA home includes a separate detached studio rental above the garage and private yards for both units. Call for more info!
(323) 775-6305
SOLD IN TWO WEEKS! Fixer opportunity in the heart of Sunset Junction. Be a part of all the action in Silver Lake’s most vibrant neighborhood. Call Michael for more information. www.ShelterSafari.com
(310) 902-1564
Tel 323-300-1000 • Fax 323-300-1001 Web: www.KWLosFeliz.com
2150 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.668.7600 georgeandeileen.com
Just Listed
2516 Kenilworth Avenue
Silver Lake Hills
Call For Price
4525 Cockerham Drive
Just Listed
Los Feliz Hills
$1,095,000
Influenced by legendary Architect Richard Neutra, classic Mid-Century 2 + 2 home is located on a lovely cul-de-sac in prime Los Feliz Hills location. Spacious living room w/ fireplace, quality built-ins & bamboo floors.Den overlooks the expansive park-like yard. Sunny kitchen with eat-in breakfast nook, newer appliances & lovely views. Gorgeous dining room, built-in buffet. Open floor plan A/C. Copper plumbing. Sec system.
For Sale
Just Listed
West Los Angeles
$769,000
Premier luxury 3 + 2.5 townhome. The formal entry leads you to the living room w/dark cherry wood flrs, fireplace & high ceilings. Gourmet kitchen w/granite tops, stainless appl. Master w/high ceilings, fireplace, private bath w/double sinks & separate shower & tub + 2 closets. Plus private laundry, crown moldings, recessed lighting, central air & heat, security system, direct access to garage from unit & spacious roof to deck.
New Price
3607 Amesbury Road
“ Thank you for understanding the special qualities of my home and bringing me multiple offers from many qualified buyers!” Erica Freed “ We were more than pleased with your ability to generate multiple offers after just one week on the market and even more amazed that we were able to enter escrow for our property at a price above list!” Lisa Silva, ANR Director of Operations “ When choosing a realtor, I did my research, and you came to me as the most prepared and knowledgeable about my area.” K.C. Schillhahn
Just Listed
Beautifully updated 5 + 4 Moreno Highlands 1940’s Traditional. Step into formal entry & thru to the gorgeous LR w/fireplace & blt-in’s that opens to a balcony to enjoy views of the gorgeous yard, patio & scenic views. Newly updated kitchen w/Caesar stone tops, new cook top, oven & dishwasher. Beautifully renovated baths. Family rm leads out to the spacious yard. Garage with direct access. Ivanhoe. Home Sweet Home.
1807 Barrington Avenue
Dear George and Eileen ...
3625 Lowry Road
Los Feliz Hills
$869,000
Coming Soon
3017 Fall Avenue Silver Lake Call For Price Lovely gated 3+3 1920’s Spanish in the heart of Silver Lake. Step from the courtyard into the spacious living room opens to dining rm & den w/views of the reservoir. Kitchen has been updated w/new cabinets, countertops & Bosch appliances. Upstairs there are 2 + 1 bath. On lower level is the 3rd bedroom which makes for a great home office/family rm or guest quarters. Wonderful spacious yard. Needs a little TLC, but has so much potential.
Los Feliz
$785,000
Stunning restoration of a Classic 2+2 Spanish in the Franklin Square. Gorgeous living room w/possible Batchelder tiled fireplace leads to spacious dining rm. Cook’s kitchen w/new cabinets, tops & stainless Viking appl. Sunny rooms. New baths. Hardwood floors. A/C, copper plumbing, tankless water heater, many windows & more. Home office. Garage great for studio. Beautifully landscaped yard for California living!
New Price
Los Feliz Hills
$1,275,000
Built in 1986, but reinvented by Richar of Richar Interiors of Chicago to enhance this striking 2+2.5 Architectural view home w/a wonderful home office that could be turned back into a 3rd bdrm. Gorgeous LR w/fabulous fireplace, high ceilings, balcony & access to the beautifully landscaped yard w/decks, gardening areas & hot tub. Kitchen w/Viking, Sub Zero, wine frig & more. Spacious formal DR. Great master suite w/2nd fireplace & sexy bath. Stunning!
For Sale
Comfortable & lovingly updated 3+2.5 Traditional w/Mid-Century feel. Large living room w/wet bar, hardwd floors & original casement windows to let in the natural light. Charming kitchen w/built-ins + breakfast & dining area. Family room & the dining area open out to a nice patio - perfect for dining al fresco. Master suite w/private bath, double sinks & closets. Lovely vus from many rooms. Appx 2451 sq ft + large bonus rm for great home office. A lovely home.
1954 Berendo Street
1739 Deloz Avenue Los Feliz Franklin Hills $839,000 Inviting and beautifully updated 1960’s Mid-Century 3 bedroom 2 bath home with a great vibe offering stunning views from the Griffith Park Observatory, to the Los Feliz Hills & out to the city. Wonderful living room w/pitched ceiling, wood floors, fireplace & deck out to enjoy the view & overlooks the great yard. Charming kitchen & dining room. Master opens out to deck & yard. Central air & heat. Security system. 2 car garage with direct access. A very special home.
Coming Soon
1474 Silver Lake Boulevard Silver Lake $619,000 Charming gated 3+2 bath California bungalow in great Silver Lake area. Kitchen with limestone flooring, tile countertops, skylight & newer stainless appliances. Dining room leads to enchanting patio & the beautifully landscaped yard withfruit trees.. Master suite with private bath, spa tub. French doors open to a charming patio. A/C, copper plumbing, newer electrical & sec system. Electric gate driveway. Walk to Sunset Junction, reservoir & dog park – urban living at it’s best!
1950 Lucile Avenue
Silver Lake Hills
$1,069,000
Stunning 3+2.5 2008 Mediterranean home w/views of Hollywood sign & Griffith Park Observatory. LR w/gorgeous fireplace, built-in’s, dark floors. The LR leads to balcony to enjoy the glorious views. Cook’s kitchen newer ss appl & granite tops. Formal DR. High ceilings. Wonderful master suite & private bath. Large patio surrounded by greenery w/built-in BBQ & small flat yard. Ivanhoe. Scenic views from most rooms. Move-in ready.
Coming Soon
1900 Monon Street Los Feliz $735,000 Lovely 2-story 3+2 Traditional on a lovely cul-de-sac. Spacious living room. Beautifully remodeled kitchen w/gorgeous tile work, stainless appliances, natural lighting & breakfast bar. Master bedroom w/private bath. Dining rm opens to a large patio & deck surrounded by greenery - perfect for outdoor entertaining. Incredible views of Shakespeare bridge. Hardwood floors. Central A/C. Garage w/direct entrance. A charming home in a great neighborhood. Franklin Elementary.
Listed & Sold Over Asking In 10 Days!
3848 Clayton Avenue
Los Feliz
$735,000
Beautifully renovated & transformed 3 + 2 contemporary home with a Traditional feel offering lovely hillside views from most rooms. Living room, dining room, breakfast room and kitchen with dark flooring. Spacious galley kitchen with new cabinets, granite tops and tile backsplash. Living room and one bedroom open to view decks. Central A/C & heat. Separate entrance to a bonus rm. View decks from the living room & a bedroom.