November 2013

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Y EN P P E A H OW L L HA

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

Vol 9. No. 5

CD4 Candidates Pick Up Funding and Endorsements

LFVBID’s Budget Depleted—Owes More Than It Has Possible Farewell to Street Fair Discussed

By Tony Cella Ledger Contributing Writer

By Colin Stutz Ledger Contributing Writer The 2015 Council District 4 (CD4) election is already picking up pace with several candidates hitting early fundraising benchmarks and picking up endorsements along the way.

Both Steve Veres and Carolyn Ramsay have announced hitting the $50,000 mark in their campaign contributions.

With endorsements, too, both candidates are showing strong support with more than 16 months to go until the March 3rd, 2015 primary election.

Veres was the first of five candidates to announce hitting the $50,000 fundraising threshold. Among others, he has also received endorsements from State Senators Kevin de Leon, State Senator Ricardo

KNOCK ON WOOD—About 270 cars were entered in this year’s Franklin Avenue Elementary Pinewood Derby, Sat., Oct. 19th. The final race trophy winners were: 1st place: Oliver Plath; 2nd place: Lulu Dillion; 3rd place: Nick Soviak; and 4th place: Jack Naliboff. “Best in Style” winners were: Tomek Adler, Ruby Espinosa, Patrick Gallardo, Georgie Grieve, Emily Haddad, Eli Hager-Buchan, James Janney, Abby Newsome, Kate Norton, Madiline Potter, Ella Roberts, Brody Robertsen, Max Sanders, Mia Smith and Willa Supple.

Photo: Michael Locke.

see CD4 page 4

By Colin Stutz, Ledger Contributing Writer

Focus on the Advertiser: Los Feliz Designer, Cynthia Bennett, page 7

LOS FELIZ—The Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District (LFVBID) announced in October they owe more money than they have left in their budget for the current fiscal year ending July 2014.

“We have a stack of invoices to be paid and not enough money to pay them,” said treasurer Jessica Peart.

Peart did not respond to requests for a full accounting of unpaid bills.

The board claimed late and unpaid mandatory assessment fees from local businesses were part of the reason for their financial crisis.

Regarding the 2013 Street Fair, the LFVBID paid $12,000 to board member Brett Sloan for his work staging the fair—which was unsee LFVBID page 4

Mayor & Local Officials Go “All In” For L.A. River Restoration

Following a seven-year study, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is recommending a $453-million restoration of the Los Angeles River. But local politicians, activists and community members are saying it does not go far enough.

November 2013

The tentative plan— known as “Alternative 13”—is one of four options outlined in the long awaited $10 million Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study also called the ARBOR (Alternative with Restoration

Eastside Eye: The Warm Glow of Neon, page 10

Benefits and Opportunities for Revitalization). It would restore 588 acres of habitat at select points along 11 miles of the river from Griffith Park to downtown Los Angeles and is the second less expensive option to date.

Key features include day lighted tributaries, a side channel in Griffith Park, widening of marshlands at Taylor Yard near Glassell Park, historic wash restoration at Piggyback Yard near Union Station and a restoration at the Arroyo Seco junction. Funding would be 31% federal and 69% local funding.

However, Mayor Eric see RIVER page 13

Real Estate: Market Remains Strong, page 11

Questions Linger Regarding LAUSD’s Deasy’s Status And Bond Funding Used for iPad Rollout

By Colin Stutz, Ledger Contributing Writer The Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) early rollout of iPads has gotten off to a turbulent start and the plan’s chief proponent is rumored to be resigning.

LAUSD Supt. John Deasy reportedly told some top district officials Oct. 24th, he may resign in February. Deasy, however, has not submitted a resignation and underwent a previously scheduled job evaluation by the school board Oct. 29th.

Deasy, 52, was closely allied with former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa who was termed out of office in July. Deasy, who has held

his position since 2011, has seen his influence weakened further with the recent school board elections, as two candidates backed by his allies lost.

Speaking at an event in Hollywood Oct. 25th, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti

see DEASY page 19

School News: Atwater Elementary’s Music: Check out our new local Shelli-Anne Couch Gets Creative club listings, losfelizledger.com with Budget Cuts, page 11

Los Feliz Ledger [letter from the publisher] I am really proud of this month’s edition. It always amazes me when assigning and editing stories for the Ledger, the incredibly rich area in which we live and work.

We’ve started two new items this month. Jennifer Clark has been writing our “Dog’s Life” column for years now. It was her idea to start having readers ask questions about their dog’s behavior. This was prompted by my asking her what am I do with Khaleesi—yes, that’s my dog—who keeps killing small animals and bringing them to me as gifts?

(Read the story on page 6.) If you have a question about your dog’s behavior you can now

email Jennifer directly at adogslife@losfelizledger.com.

Also, our area has a rich assortment of club life. Please see our new club listings— in addition to our regular monthly calendar of events— at losfelizledger.com Regarding the Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District. I really don’t know what to say anymore, except this concept for our area possibly needs to be re-thought or re-imagined. I am hopeful a fresh crop of local business owners will consider running for a seat on the LFVBID’s governing board during its upcoming election.

And I have to acknowledge some local school principals and Atwater Elementary parent Shelli-Anne Couch. Parents and

administrators are now taking matters into their own hands and coming up with some creative ways to bridge spending cuts at our local public schools.

See the story on page 20.

Finally, I am happy to report the hacking of the Los Feliz Ledger website ceased almost immediately after last month’s edition was published and we believe now the site is once again, a safe place, to visit. Thank you to Silver Lake’s Plant Systems who sent the Ledger a donation for our website’s repair. Unbelievably great. Thank you.

And Happy Halloween!

Little Dom’s will be having an all day Halloween dog costume contest today. Perhaps I will dress up Khaleesi as Katniss Everdeen.

2411 Glendale Blvd.; the Hollywood Field Office of Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge, 6501 Fountain Avenue and the Glassell Park satellite office of City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, 3750 Verdgo Rd. as well as the Los Feliz Ledger website at losfelizledger.com.

The public is invited to submit comments on the “Draft EIR” no later than Dec. 17th to: Maria Martin, City of Los Angeles, Public Works, Bureau of Engineer-

LOS FELIZ Citibank 1965 Hillhurst Avenue Dresden Restaurant 1760 N. Vermont Avenue House of Pies 1869 N. Vermont Louise’s Trattoria 4500 Los Feliz Blvd.

Los Feliz Public Library 1874 Hillhurst Avenue Los Feliz 3 Theaters 1822 N. Vermont Newsstand Vermont and Melbourne Palermo 1858 N. Vermont Skylight Books 1818 N. Vermont

FOUNDED 20 05 Delivered the last Thursday of each month to 34,500 homes and businesses in the Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Echo Park and Hollywood Hills communities.

PUBLISHER /EDITOR Allison Cohen Ferraro

ADVERTISING SALES Libby Butler-Gluck

GR APHIC DESIGN & L AYOUT Brigid LaBonge Tiffany Sims

OFFICE A SSISTANT Griffin O. Cohen

SILVER LAKE Casita del Campo 1920 Hyperion Ave Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce 1724 W. Silver Lake Drive

Griffith Park Baseball Fields Draft EIR Released Today The city released today a “Draft Environmental Impact Report” for the possible construction of two youth baseball fields in Griffith Park.

The report will cover the potential environmental effects of the proposed ballfields and can be found at the city’s Bureau of Engineering’s website http://eng.lacity.org.techdocs/emg/Environmental_Review_Documents.htm; at the Atwater Village Public Library, 3379 Glendale Blvd., at the Silver Lake Public Library,

Available at these locations:

ing, Environmental Management Group, 1149 S. Broadway, 6th Floor, Mail Stop 939, Los Angeles, CA 90015-2213 or via email to: Maria.Martin@lacity.org. Please include “Griffith Park Crystal Springs Draft EIR Comments” in the subject line.

Additionally, there will be a community meeting on the project Wed., Nov. 20th at the Witherbee Auditorium of the Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive. The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m.

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November 2013

Los Feliz Ledger [buy local]

New Silver Lake Businesses Offer Inner and Outer Well-being

By Kathy A. McDonald, Ledger Columnist Kure Spa A new spa and nail salon on Glendale Boulevard has some strong local ties. Owner Thien Ho—a graduate of Belmont High—formerly owned Gloss Nails on Sunset Boulevard. After she sold the business three years ago, she kept searching for a nail salon that met her expectations. When she couldn’t find the perfect one, she decided to open Kure Spa on Glendale Boulevard— adding personal beauty services such as waxing and facials.

The location may have been destined. Across from Silverlake Wine, the modest two-storefront building was once La Puma Ravioli—going back some decades—and then went through a series of businesses from Panty Raid to the office of Ana Henton’s MASS Architecture. When Ho first saw the building she realized it was one she had picked originally for Gloss.

Ho collaborated with Henton on Kure’s interiors; they combined the two storefronts, creating a clean, minimalist look where all-white walls serve as backdrop for original contemporary artworks by Ho’s husband. There are custom-made neon works and a neon “chill” sign is a playful message.

The salon’s practical aspects were thought out too.

“I designed the custom nail chairs because I was tired of massage chairs; the foot soaking sink is stainless steel,” with no jets, “and there’s a built-in shelf for shoes and bags,” Ho said. The chairs also feature an outlet for charging phones.

Ho also makes her own skin scrubs with grapeseed oil, sugar and essential oils).

Customers begin their nail treatments with a foot soak in Epson salts and a natural botanical tea soak.

As a local entrepreneur, Ho is firmly committed to the neighborhood: she and her

husband also own Echo Park’s Xoia Vietnamese Eats.

Kure Spa, 2378 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, 90039, (323) 6681234.kurespa.com. Open 7 days: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

Supplements & Sundries Owner Fitz Carlile’s mission at Hyperion Avenue’s Supplements & Sundries is straightforward.

“I wanted to create a neighborhood business, focused on promoting health, wellness and fitness,” he said.

In addition to free advice on sports nutrition and personal training goals, Carlile and his staff take the time to explain the different benefits of the store’s protein supplements. Also in stock are all kinds of protein snack bars, vitamins and a wide choice of bottled juices and smoothies.

Located next to Body Builders Gym, Carlile decided to open the store after noting the area’s many fitness studios—from YAS and Curves to Silver Lake Yoga—and fitness walkers, runners and bicyclists. He envisions the shop as a resource for those who want to gain or loose weight, need sports nutrition advice and who want information on the many fitness studios in the area.

“We want to become a hub of free information and advice on a variety of health and wellness questions,” he said.

Currently the store has partnered with Metro Fitness to offer a selection of athletic wear. Still to come is a to-go coffee and fresh juice bar.

Supplements & Sundries, 2522 Hyperion Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90027, (323) 913-0096, Open 7 days: Mon. through Fri. 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Los Feliz Ledger Online Read these additional stories only at losfelizledger.com • • • • • • • • •

Local NCs budget nearly 50% of funding for outreach efforts Dana Hollister wants to convert abandoned church on Griffith Park Boulevard into a hotel and bar Neglected planting areas at Los Feliz Post Office revitalized into “Paseo de Los Feliz” Aqueduct Centennial Garden at the Mulholland Fountain to mark 100th anniversary of the Los Angeles Aqueduct Atwater NC votes against development for old Atwater Post Office parking lot GLBT Church Celebrates 45th Anniversary Say Cheese’s Glenn Harrell Leads by Example Restaurant Review: Hillhurst Avenue’s “The Palace” Star Gazing for November

November 2013

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Page 3

Los Feliz Ledger CD4 from page 1

Lara, former State Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer, Assembly member Jimmy Gomez, and labor unions including United Association (UA) Plumbers Local Union 78 and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1277.

“Steve Veres and I share a common interest in working to improve Californians’ lives,” Lara said in a statement.

“Whether it’s creating more jobs, enhancing our transportation systems, improving our

big difference in Los Angeles,” said LaBonge in a statement.

O’Farrell called out Ramsay’s record of on-the-ground constituency assistance.

“Carolyn’s connection to the neighborhoods of Los Angeles is exactly what we need more of on the City Council and why I’m supporting her,” he said in a statement. “In the race to succeed Tom LaBonge, Carolyn Ramsay is the only one with a long track record of improving the lives of constituents in every neighborhood.

filed his statement of organization in October. But according to his listed treasurer David Gould, Smith has since decided not to run.

Smith ran an unsuccessful campaign for City Attorney that ended in the primary election in third place with 16% of the votes.

Tara Bannister, a vice president of the National Apartment Assoc. and Joan Pelico, the current chief of staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz are also candidates.

The lure of filling the seat LaBonge is being termed out of is proving to be very compelling. In context, at this point in the Council District 13 race that was decided earlier this year—and at its most swollen had more than 20 candidates running for election—no candidate had yet submitted his or her name to compete. schools and colleges, promoting meaningful social justice reforms, or ensuring a clean environment for our families, I’m confident Steve will be a strong advocate for these issues and more on the Los Angeles City Council. I’m proud to give him my wholehearted support.”

Ramsay is the current Chief of Staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge who has represented CD4 since 2001. LaBonge and District 13 Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell have stepped forward to support her candidacy.

“I endorse Carolyn Ramsay as a tremendous asset to the city of Los Angeles. As a community leader for many years and a member of my staff, Carolyn has demonstrated that she has the heart, mind and commitment to make a

She is the candidate who is best suited to step in on day one and continue the success in the 4th City Council District.”

Davis, a former staff member to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, California Gov. Gray Davis and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, has also received an endorsement by former California Senate President pro Tempore David Roberti.

“I’m endorsing Teddy Davis to be my L.A. City Councilmember because he has deep roots and broad experience in our community,” said Roberti in an interview.

“Teddy has laid out a plan to create jobs, reduce traffic, and keep neighborhoods clean and safe. We can count on him to build a Los Angeles that works for everyone.”

Attorney Greg Smith also

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The lure of filling the seat LaBonge is being termed out of is proving to be very compelling. In context, at this point in the Council District 13 race that was decided earlier this year—and at its most swollen had more than 20 candidates running for election—no candidate had yet submitted his or her name to compete.

And LaBonge withheld his endorsement in that race until less than three months before the primary election.

CD4 includes Griffith Park, Los Feliz, Toluca Lake, Sherman Oaks, Hancock Park, the Hollywood Hills and other areas.

cluded holding it every other year in a parking lot to avoid costly city street closure fees, limiting participation only to local businesses and raising booth rental costs.

Additionally discussed, was an admission charge for all attendees.

LFVBID boardmember Dustin Lancaster critiqued proposals for a small-scale event because he believed they wouldn’t draw the interest of the community.

“We’re teetering toward a farmer’s market,” he said.

“What’s special about that?”

Boardmember Claudia Hipolito questioned the usefulness of the event, which is meant to draw attention to local businesses.

“If [the neighborhoods are] in Forbes magazine, they’re known,” she said, in reference to the publication naming Silver Lake as the best neighborhood to live in the country.

“Our purpose is to take care of the BID businesses, not just promote them,” she said.

Although the treasurer has asked the organization to make the Street Fair profitable or at least break even, the LFVBID president adamantly stated the event has never added revenue to the organization’s coffers.

“The Street Fair has never been a money making venture.

Ever. Regardless of what anyone says,” said Serrano.

The board tabled the topic in order to research options and hopes to gain public opinion at their next board meeting Nov. 13th at 6 p.m.

LFVBID from page 1

profitable this year—according to information obtained through a public records request.

Of note is whether the organization’s bylaws allow for the payment of fees to a current board member and if that is a conflict of interest.

The LFVBID does not have a copy of their bylaws on its website and did not respond to requests for a copy.

September’s Street Fair brought in just over $73,200, but cost between $110,000 and $120,000 to stage, according to LFVBID boardmembers.

Part of the poor revenue draw, according to boardmembers, was due to the placement of the bars, which the LFVBID paid $5,282 to stock and supply, on either side of the event.

The LFVBID also paid a sponsorship solicitor a commission of $4,200 for his raising $26,000 for the event.

The revelation that the annual event sunk into the red once again, paired with the fragile state of the board’s budget, led to a debate over whether the Street Fair should exist at all or be staged in a lesser form.

LFVBID President Chris Serrano pushed for the board to not hold a Street Fair next year, calling for a motion several times.

“We cannot afford to spend $40,000, $30,000 or $17,000 or whatever that we can’t recoup,” she said.

Ideas floated regarding the future of the Street Fair in-

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Los Feliz Ledger [a dog’s life]

Dog Keeps Leaving Dead Animals on Doorstep

By Jennifer Clark, Ledger Columnist Question: My Korean Jindo has been killing and bringing animals into the house for me. It was OK when it was a rat. Then the next victim was a squirrel. But yesterday she killed a feral kitten and brought it into the house. It was very sad. Is this normal behavior for this breed?

Answer: While it must have been extremely disturbing to

before you bask in the glow of how much your dog respects you, there are a few things you’ll want to rule out: Is your dog hunting because she’s hungry? Have there been any changes in the house lately? Did you add any new pets or people to the pack? Is your yard secure?

Jindos were initially bred for hunting and guarding, so they excel at catching back-

[almost famous]

Paul McCartney New

By Charles Cohen, Ledger Music Critic Paul McCartney is one of the greatest and most successful musicians of all time and it is this legacy that brings significance to any release of his. At 71, McCartney steals the headlines again with New. While elements of the old McCartney can be heard in “New” and “Early Days” it is incredible that McCartney continues to branch out

his musical repertoire to new genres. “Appreciate” is an example that radiates a more modern-electronic pop vibe than typical McCartney and he pulls it off swimmingly.

The album opens with the energetic “Save Us” as McCartney sings what could easily be an alternative hit on its own. The lone single “New” is the best song off the album and one can even hear some

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Your dog is acknowledging you as the Alpha in the pack. It is both a sign of respect and honor. be presented with a dead kitten, your dog’s behavior is completely natural. She can’t distinguish between a wild bird and what we deem to be an untouchable cute kitten.

By bringing you these “gifts” your dog is acknowledging you as the Alpha in the pack. It is both a sign of respect and honor. However,

yard critters. They are highly intelligent and are capable of high jumps so be sure that your walls are six feet or higher.

As difficult as it to come home to these “gifts,” according to your dog, they really were given with best intentions.

Have a question for Jennifer? Email her at adogslife@ losfelizledger.com

traces of his past Wings days.

The most interesting song is “Early Days” a tribute McCartney’s memories and experiences. The lyrics are backed by a beautiful guitar riff and a chorus that embodies the spirit of McCartney’s legendary career: “They can’t take it from me, if they tried/I live through those early days.”

The album proves to be a delightful listen showing the true genius McCartney possesses to still make music that sounds fresh while paying tribute to his past glories.

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10/23/13 4:37 PM November 2013

Los Feliz Ledger [focus on the advertiser]

Cynthia Bennett and Associates, Designing and Building For the Future

By Kimberly Gomez, Ledger Columnist LOS FELIZ—When Cynthia Keltner and her husband, Jim, remodeled their Los Feliz home in 1991, they hired Cynthia Bennett and Associates, who added space to their kitchen by opening it up to the laundry room. The extra deep counters and bay window, in keeping with the English Tudor style of the home, has withstood time. Now, after 20 years, there was never any question that they would call in Bennett to freshen up her original work.

“A lot of my clients say, ‘We’d rather stay here and put our money into this house,’” said Bennett. “We have a lot of people that have looked around and decided to stay put.”

For the Keltners, Cynthia Bennett and Associates (CBA) will redo the lighting, the counters, and backsplash and update their appliances.

“She’s thoughtful, and takes the time to pull together a team of craftsman and contractors,” said Cynthia Keltner, who has seen neighbors run up unnecessary costs on extensive do-it-yourself projects. “It matters to have a good designer with a vision for tomorrow.”

Bennett has always been ahead of her time. Years living in Europe influenced her to discard the separate kitchen,

Beachwood Baffled By LaBonge Van Ideas

By Tony Cella, Ledger Contributing Writer BEACHWOOD CANYON— Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge’s motion to consider creating a fleet

tioner’s rental cars.

“We appreciate him paying attention to the issue, but wish he had listened to

“We appreciate [Tom LaBonge] paying attention to the issue, but wish he had listened to residents, the people who elected him,” said President of the Beachwood Canyon Resident’s Assoc. Fran Reichenbach.

Cynthia Bennett, (right) owner of Cynthia Bennett and Associates pictured with interior designer, Carolien Fehmers.

dining and living rooms for the “great room” for families to be together long before today’s trend. And she led the pack on the concept of designbuild firms.

“When I didn’t do the construction it wouldn’t come out the same as I imagined,” she said. “I decided I needed to become a contractor.”

Back then, female contractors were a rarity. Bennett was one of three women and 200 men to take the contractors exam in 1983.

Known for her attention to detail, particularly for restoration projects, Bennett is forward thinking when it comes to all aspects of design, from space planning, material selections to use of technology.

The CBA technology division,

headed by her son, Michael Fehmer, integrates high tech electronics and lighting control for energy saving. And material selections are greatly influenced by staying ‘green.’

Carolien Fehmers, CBA’s interior designer, who is Bennett’s daughter, knows that luxury materials and decorative accents can also be ecofriendly.

Clients are guided through a thorough design of the space, from architectural and structural details, electrical and mechanical plans, to the selection of all materials, appliances, and fixtures.

“We keep the integrity of the project while being cost conscious,” said Bennett. “[Some] Clients have come back three times.”

of vans to shuttle tourists to the Hollywood Sign has been decried by Beachwood Canyon residents, who say there streets are already flooded by tour buses, hikers and vaca-

residents, the people who elected him,” said President of the Beachwood Canyon Resident’s Association Fran Reichenbach. see BEACHWOOD page 8

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Upcoming speakers and programs...

Nov. 6: Saul Jacobs and Bob Lipson, USC Emeriti College - “Big Hits of the Big Bands” Golden Age of American Popular Music Series Nov. 13: Hungarian Concert Pianist, Judith Nesleny, will perform. Ms. Nesleny is a former pupil of Istan Antal, Zoltan Kodaly, Rosina Lehevinne, among others, and is recognized as an expert on the works of Franz Liszt.

Nov. 20: Winston Wo, Los Angeles Chinese American Citizens Alliance Community Action - “Fostering Community-Minded Youth Leadership” Nov. 27: Rick & Virginia Hawthorne,Valley View Vaulters - “Helping Change Lives Through Vaulting & Gymnastics for all Ages & Abilities”

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November 2013

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Page 7

Los Feliz Ledger [mike gatto]

Hyperion Bridge Should Have Bicycle Lanes

By California State Assemblymember Mike Gatto R e c e nt l y, the Los Angeles Dept. of Transportation (LADOT) announced plans to modernize and upgrade the historic Hyperion Bridge. This World War I-era memorial viaduct plays a critical role in connecting Atwater

ing automobile capacity. The Coalition’s proposal would also encourage calmer traffic conditions, something community members have repeatedly asked for. By lowering the design speed from 55 mph to 35 mph, removing the median crash barrier, and striping narrower urban lane widths, motorists would not be encouraged to pick up speed

Local access improvements on one end of a bridge are not enough.

Local residents need a bridge that provides safe accommodation between Silver Lake and Atwater Village.

Village, Silver Lake, Los Feliz and Glendale. After reviewing LADOT’s proposal I am concerned that the current project proposal would create something freeway-like, in a residential area where such a structure is not needed, wanted, or safe.

A freeway-like bridge could also encourage unsafe automobile speeds and would fail to create a bicycle lane, which locals want and deserve.

I applaud the LADOT’s proposal for its improvements to the Los Angeles River Bike Path, particularly the completion of the interchange between the Bike Path and Glendale Boulevard. However, local access improvements on one end of a bridge are not enough. Local residents need a bridge that provides safe accommodation between Silver Lake and Atwater Village. Without a bicycle lane on Hyperion Avenue, cyclists who wish to travel east-west and cross the Los Angeles River and the 5 Freeway, will continue to face dangerous obstacles and significant inconvenience.

The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition has proposed an alternative design that provides a safer facility for all users and creates space for increased cycling and pedestrian access without decreas-

Page 8

POLITICS

before entering the residential neighborhoods on either end of the bridge.

As a state legislator and community member, I care deeply for the health, safety, and well being of my neighbors. As long as we can keep automotive traffic moving and provide safe bike lanes, we will have succeeded in the redesign and modernization. That’s why I wrote a letter to the LADOT asking them to consider the Coalition’s proposal and to work with community stakeholders to create a proposal that meets the needs of this modern urban transit route for automobiles, cyclists and pedestrians.

The Hyperion Avenue viaduct has been a historic, visible and heavily travelled monument in our community. I look forward to working with LADOT to ensure that the bridge continues to connect our neighborhoods in a safe manner.

Five LFVBID Boardmembers Up For Election

By Tony Cella, Ledger Contributing Writer LOS FELIZ—The Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District (LFVBID) governing board announced board members Chris Serrano, Richard White, Chris Diamond, Jessica Peart and Brett Peart are up for re-election this winter.

The board members did not respond to inquiries as to whether they would run again.

To serve on the LFV-

BID board, a candidate must own or work for a local business. Eligible members must submit information no later than Nov. 11th to run for election.

According to the LFVBID’s website, ballots will be sent to the approximately 300 members of the LFVBID in November. Those elected will be announced at the board’s Dec. 11th meeting.

LFVBID Board members serve for two years, said President Serrano, but she was unsure if term limits apply to boardmembers and refused to produce a copy of the bylaws for inspection.

The LFVBID has invited interested parties to attend their Nov. 13th meeting at 6 p.m. in the Citibank community room on the third floor of the 1965 No. Hillhurst Ave.

BEACHWOOD from page 7

already filled to “overcapacity.” It’s common, she said, to see tourists standing or walking down the middle of the neighborhood’s eponymous street, which has no pedestrian sidewalks. Tourists and hikers, seeking a glimpse of the Hollywood sign, often double park or leave their vehicles with portions jutting into the street, she said.

The congestion burdens local residents and impedes services from accessing the area to search for lost hikers or recreationalists suf-

fering from injuries or heat related illness, according to Reichenbach.

The problem, Reichenbach said, only worsens when sight-seers unfamiliar with the area attempt to leave. In their confusion, she said, the visitors cause more congestion and often must ask locals for advice on exiting the neighborhood. Many of the hikers ask residents for directions to the Hollywood Sign on the way in as well.

“Residents have to act as babysitters,” she said.

The councilmember, who refused comment for this story, has said previously he believes the passenger vans will thin the congestion on Beachwood Drive because more visitors will take the city-sponsored shuttle instead of their own vehicles.

The motion is on hold in the city’s transportation committee.

According to Reichenbach, she and her resident’s association oppose the idea because the canyon streets are

Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the California State Assembly. He represents Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, and Silver Lake: asm.ca.gov/gatto

www.losfelizledger.com

November 2013

Los Feliz Ledger [representative adam schiff]

[people in my neighborhood]

Affordable Health Care Through Covered CA

Roya Dedeaux

By Rep. Adam Schiff

Roya Dedeaux has only lived in Los Feliz for nine months, but she’s living in a part of its history. Dedeaux’s home is the former Fern Dell Nature Center in Griffith Park. Her husband, Adam Dedeaux, is a park ranger and the young couple was lucky enough to secure living quarters there.

“I love living here,” Dedeaux said. “I love the restaurants, the culture and how people love to be from Los Feliz.”

Dedeaux is a recent graduate of the California State University Long Beach Master’s program in counseling. Working as a marriage and family therapist intern, she’s found that she truly enjoys working with patients in a private practice.

Dedeaux works with people of all ages, but especially loves working with teens.

“It’s easy for me to remember what it’s like to be 16 and very, very passionate about everything I’m feeling,” she said.

And she’s found teens are especially open to art therapy, something Dedeaux uses ex-

In 2007, a constituent from Burbank wrote to me with an incredibly personal and painful story.

After being sexually assaulted, she was prescribed a routine antidepressant by the attending physician—a prescription she filled once. Years later, she was denied health insurance coverage, and the insurance company had cited her depression as a preexisting condition in their denial letter. She asked me to support healthcare reform so that people like her couldn’t be denied coverage in the future.

Recently, California took a historic step forward by launching a health insurance exchange—Covered California. This marketplace is a new way to shop for health insurance—online, by phone or in person. Consumers can now compare insurance plans on an “apples-to-apples” basis according to price, quality and benefits and choose the plan that best fits their needs and budget. Insurance companies are now more incentivized

than ever to offer consumers better products at lower prices.

And, of particular significance to the constituent who wrote to me in 2007—as a result of the Affordable Care Act that established these exchanges –starting in January 2014, no individuals, regardless of age, will ever be denied coverage because of a preexisting condition.

I encourage you to visit the website to see if you qualify for premium assistance, federal subsidies or Medi-Cal assistance to help pay for coverage.

Improving the way our nation delivers health care was not a simple undertaking, and provisions of the Affordable Care Act will need to be adjusted going forward. I am committed to taking whatever steps are needed to improve the functioning of this significant reform and invite your comments and feedback on how the Act has affected your family and any ideas for change.

For more information, visit my website.

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By Colleen Paeff, Ledger Columnist tensively in her practice.

“I found my niche to be with people who have difficulty expressing themselves.”

Dedeaux said. “Doing art really helps people who don’t just want to talk about it.”

It’s no coincidence that art

plays a big role in Dedeaux’s therapy practice. It plays a big role in her personal life, too.

“When I was in 4th grade my teacher let me tie string to my desk so I could make friendship bracelets while she talked,” Dedeaux said, “because I couldn’t listen unless my hands were busy.”

Nowadays her hands are mostly busy with crocheting.

“I don’t remember not knowing how to crochet,” she said.

And what started as a hobby has become a business. In the beginning, Dedeaux crocheted items for herself and her friends. Then, when her sisters joined sororities in college they wanted earrings with their sorority and school colors–and so did their classmates.

Dedeaux started making Harry Potter house colors, too, and gradually began selling her wares on her own Etsy shop, ShowYourColorz.

Most of the items she sells are based on granny squares. “[Granny squares are] a traditional thing that get a bad rap sometimes,” Dedeaux said, “but I think they’re beautiful.”

She puts a modern twist on the traditional craft and seems to do the same in her therapy practice.

“I want to do a therapy group where people bring their yarn,” she said. “Throughout history, groups of people have gotten together to work and talk, so I’d like to do that in my practice, too.”

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November 2013

www.losfelizledger.com

POLITICS

Page 9

Los Feliz Ledger [los feliz confidential: 1920]

Charlie Chaplin’s Short Stint and Marriage in Los Feliz

[eastside eye]

Street Art: Our Neon-Lit Neighborhood

By Donald Seligman, Ledger Columnist

By Kathy A. McDonald, Ledger Columnist

Holly wood is famous for short-lived tenures both in marriages and in residencies.

Nevertheless, few match the brief record of Mildred Harris and her marriage to Charlie Chaplin.

Harris, born in 1901, was a child actress by the time she was 11. By her 15th birthday she had outgrown her innocent roles and was cast in full frontal nudity as a harem girl in D. W. Griffith’s Intolerance.

One year older and quite attractive, the 16-year-old Harris met Chaplin at a party in mid-1918. Soon after, she demonstrated her acting chops by convincing him that she was pregnant with his child.

They married on Oct. 23rd, 1918 in Los Angeles.

The newlyweds rented No. 5 Laughlin Park, a large mansion next door to Cecil B. De Mille’s estate built in 1915.

The promised pregnancy was a false alarm. Harris was sent

Around Silver Lake, Los Feliz and Echo Park are fine examples of vintage neon signs, once the street side calling card of choice. Today these pieces of cultural history are more valued than ever and efforts are made to preserve the finest creations.

“Neon is hand-crafted and what is hand-crafted in our world today?” said Kim Koga, director of the Museum of Neon Art (MONA), which will open in Glendale in mid-2015.

As Los Angeles’ development extended to the suburbs, much of the historic core and downtown’s vintage neon remained.

Koga points to the House of Spirits’ sign on Echo Park Avenue as a “treasure,” and admires the Jensen’s Recreation Center sign on Sunset Blvd.

Neon was a popular medium inside too and vintage neon clocks are a favorite of collectors.

“It’s the most commercial rated lighting,” said neon artist and restorer Curtis Stimpson of Curtis Clocks in Burbank.

At one time, there were four neon clockmakers in Los

Page 10 COMMUNITY NEWS

to Good Samaritan Hospital for a nervous breakdown four weeks after the wedding. In disgust, Chaplin temporarily left the Laughlin Park residence for the Los Angeles Athletic Club, a habit he would continue off and on throughout their short marriage.

Harris, however, took heart when a real baby was conceived soon after her release from the hospital. But any appeal Chaplin might have had for her faded quickly, and he sent her alone to the Mt. Lowe resort in the mountains above Altadena and New York City in back to back months.

In the spring of 1919, the couple was for all practical purposes separated. Chaplain completely moved out of the Laughlin Park house after only six months of wedded turmoil.

He also insisted his soon-tobe-ex find another place to live costing no more than $250 per month, considerably less than the Laughlin Park rent.

The large house was then sold to film star Anita Stewart and

her husband, actor and director Rudolph Cameron.

The Chaplins’ child, Norman Spencer Chaplin, was born on July 7th, 1919, but lived only three days. His death was the final nail in the marriage coffin. Even though Harris claimed to believe that Chaplin would eventually return to her, the break was final. One year later, Mildred filed for divorce, and it was granted in 1920.

The brief marriage was not a complete loss for Harris, whose connection with the most famous actor in silent film resulted in a reenergized career. Her $200,000 divorce settlement was also a rich reward for such a brief union.

Chaplin’s fascination with young girls led to two more teenage wives. And his renown, resulted in the “Charlie Chaplin House” moniker for 2010 De Mille Drive, despite the nearly imperceptible residency.

Seligman is the author of “Los Feliz and the Silent Film Era.

www.losfelizledger.com

Angeles.

“Every business, store and restaurant had a clock and there were courtesy clocks everywhere,” said Stimpson.

“Neon light is so smooth, warm and inviting and it can fill an area like no other light.”

A standout neon clock can be found at Thomas Rug Cleaning and Ararat Oriental Rug on Riverside Drive.

Harry Torkomian, partner along with his father, commissioned Curtis Clocks to restore their neon clock, which had been painted over.

It “has a beauty to it and is very eye-catching,” said Torkomian. When MONA’s new building opens Los Angeles will once again have a venue where neon art can be appreciated. Meanwhile, its collection can be viewed in Montclair during the monthly Pomona Art Walk, every second Saturday. A holiday open-air neon cruise bus tour, which includes Los Feliz and Sunset Boulevard, is set for Sat. Dec. 21st.

For information: neonmona.org

November 2013

Los Feliz Ledger

[real estate]

[real estate]

Desirable Area Keeps Median Price Jumping

By Bruce Haring, Ledger Real Estate Reporter The government may have shut down, interest rates may be in flux and the Federal Reserve appears on the verge of a shake-up. But the momentum in the local residential housing market has been slowed only slightly by the tumult.

Area real estate professionals report that the September housing market is still going strong, albeit slightly less frenzied than the previous six months. Apparently, things have settled down to more reasonable levels from the peak activity of the spring and early summer.

“We’ve seen a little bit of slowdown, but nothing significant,” said George Moreno of George & Eileen Moreno Realtors. “Properties, if priced right, still get multiple offers and lots of activity.” George’s partner and wife, Eileen adds: “The inventory is still low, so we’re still seeing prices go over asking if the property appeals to a broad number of people.”

The boom period of the preceding nine months was highlighted by prominent investment companies and highnet worth individuals entering the market in a big way.

Both groups were seeking a quick profit by betting heavily that residential real estate had reached a bottom and was now on the upswing.

As of September, “investors have fled,” according to Brock Harris of Brock Real Estate in Silver Lake. “Flippers are no longer seeing competition from other flippers, but from homebuyers, who finally got word from 2011 that prices are the lowest in decades and dog piled what little inventory we had.”

Harris said he has noticed a slowdown since Labor Day, but said he isn’t particularly bothered.

“Rising rates are more a concern. Rates are up almost a full point since last year,” he said. He added that he had exactly 100 sales in August in the 90026, 90027 and 90039 zip codes. “[And for] October, we are on track for half that.”

Michael Caldwell of Housing Solutions also said the residential market began to slow down in August because of the jump in interest rates.

“Investors seemed to hold off, looking for a promise of greater return in other investments,” he said. “And the higher rates took some of the wind of the sails of traditional financed-buyers.”

Still, Caldwell said rates have since floated down, “so more traditionally financed buyers are returning.”

LOCAL MARKET STILL STRONG While the perceptions indicate the market may have slowed down a bit, the numbers are still jumping when compared year-over-year with 2012. The median home price in Los Angeles County is now $425,000, up 25% from September of last year, according to statistics from DataQuick, a real estate reporting firm based in La Jolla, California.

In the 90027 zip code, DataQuick reported September sales of single-family houses are up 13.3% from 2012, with a median sales price of $1.1 million. Nearby 90039 in Silver Lake has seen sales increase 9.5%, resulting in a sales median price of $665,000.

Echo Park, which had an enormous amount of residential investment in the preceding months, continued to boom. Sales in the 90026 zip code are up a robust 21.9% year-to-year, with the me-

dian sales price is pegged at $640,000.

But, Hollywood’s 90068 zip was the king for September, with median prices at $1.19 million, up over 50% from the previous year.

The next few months locally should likely see a steady sales pace continuing, according to Eileen Moreno.

“I don’t see a lot of inventory coming on the market any time soon. Good properties will still see multiple offers. If you’re in other areas, even 20 minutes away, they’re not seeing the same aggressiveness we are. But this area is so desirable, we will still see those offers.”

Silver Lake’s Harris concurs.

“Prices should remain steady, and unsuccessful summer buyers are still hovering, waiting for the right deal. But inventory is tight.

Sellers know prices are going up, at least long-term, and are in no hurry to put their homes on the market too early,” he said.

Pilgrim School to Expand Campus

By Bruce Haring, Ledger Real Estate Reporter LOS ANGELES—Pilgrim School is in the early stages of planning and fundraising for a major expansion of its campus, including a new high school, athletic field, early education center and a combined 600-seat gym and performing arts center.

The projects will be built in phases, with the athletic field and a 190-vehicle underground parking garage set to break ground this June and anticipated to be completed within a year.

The school is located at 540 North Commonwealth Ave. and hosts classes for about 350 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, including some foreign students who board at an off-campus dormitory.

Head of School Mark Books said serious discussions began three years ago on the expansion project. see PILGRIM page 12

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Su Casa REAL ESTATE Page 11

Los Feliz Ledger PILGRIM from page 11

[commercial real estate]

Whole Foods and Gelson’s On Collision Course in Silver Lake

By Bruce Haring, Ledger Real Estate Reporter SILVER LAKE—Whole Foods is taking over the site currently occupied by Ralphs supermarket at 2520 Glendale Blvd. But that’s not the only change that may roil the local grocery markets in the coming months.

Gelson’s, owned by the Arden Group Inc. and with local stores in Silver Lake and the Hollywood hills, has announced it is “considering strategic options,” which is corporate code for exploring a potential sale.

The chain has recently closed several stores in Southern California, including one in Pasadena, and analysts say the pending collision in Silver Lake with Whole Foods could cause further headwinds for the upscale chain, as the stores court similar customers.

Meanwhile, Albertson’s has begun a downsizing of under-performing stores in its chain, while Walmart’s Neighborhood Market, a small grocery-oriented outlet by the Arkansas-headquartered retailer, has opened its first location in the area, serving Echo Park and nearby communities.

Add in AmazonFresh’s debut in Los Angeles earlier this year, the continued push

by big box stores like Costco and Target in groceries that squeezes everyone on prices, and the ongoing market share stolen from large chains by ethnic community-focused stores, and a potential shakeup looms for some familiar local food stores.

The Whole Foods debut in Silver Lake has been much anticipated by local fans who previously had to travel to experience its offerings.

Whole Foods has not set a specific date for the store’s opening, according to spokeswoman Hilary Maler.

CHANGE IS COMING Analysts predict that the local landscape for food shopping will change in the next year.

Supermarket analyst David Livingston is blunt.

“You should expect further erosion,” he said.

Livingston cites the recent closing of the Fresh & Easy chain as the first domino to fall.

“Look for more stores like Walmart Supercenter, Walmart Neighborhood Market, Aldi, and the Fresh Market to continue to open stores. Winco as well. When a fat guy gets on a

crowded bus, someone will need to get off,” he said.

Jeffrey Cohen, an analyst with IBISWorld, agreed.

“Profit margins are very thin in the grocery industry and the growing threat from mass merchandisers such as Walmart, Costco and Target make it difficult for grocery stores to compete. Walmart is likely going to experience an increase in sales while taking away customers from smaller local grocery stores. This is likely to force smaller grocery stores out of the industry.”

But one analyst sees a positive to all the shaking and baking.

As a result of Amazon entering the market, “more grocers are starting to pay attention to the online side of their business,” said Joseph Tarnowski, the editor-in-chief of Progressive Grocer Independent, a trade magazine covering the supermarket industry.

Tarnowski said he also sees opportunity for local ethnic stores, that are “more responsible to their markets because of their closer ties to the communities they serve. A national chain having an ethnic section cannot compare to an entire store that is built around the concept.”

“I think as the school has begun to grow and our middle school and high school has been growing, it became obvious that this was a need,” he said.

The school’s outdoor sports teams currently lack an outdoor athletic field and must travel for games and meets, he said.

Brooks said the overarching vision for the construction is to unify the disparate elements of the property, which includes the non-denominational school and the First Congregational Church.

The church cathedral was built in 1932 and the school begun in 1958, with various elements added over the years.

“We want to create a nice

campus feel and an environment that’s more enjoyable for students and church members,” said Brooks.

The Gensler architecture and design firm talked to students, parents, faculty, staffers, church members, community members and school alumni to devise a master plan for the construction, which is a joint church and school project. The completed facilities will be open for public use, Brooks said.

The First Congregational Church backed the project with a $3 million gift, and the board of governors made a second gift of $3.3 million. The school’s “Field of Dreams” campaign has already raised $7.8 million toward its overall goal of $16 million for the project.

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Taking the Reins Property At River Ridge Stables for Sale

By Bruce Haring, Ledger Real Estate Reporter ATWATER VILLAGE—A portion of the land at River Ridge Stables is for sale, and the nonprofit, Taking the Reins, that owns it is not commenting on the property’s future.

The River Ridge Stables on Rigali Avenue are part of the equestrian enclave that includes the Los Angeles Police

property since 1920.

Eventually, the Ahmanson Foundation purchased the land for $1.5 million from the financially troubled Ashkenazy and donated it for construction of the existing Los Angeles Police Dept. horse facility.

Jane Harman, the execu-

“I guarantee the non-profit is thriving and doing a lot of good work in the Atwater Village area,” she said.

The River Ridge Stables property is listed as a farm in the real estate multiple listings, a zoning rarity in the city.

Los Angeles is in the process of updating its 67-year-old zon-

The 37,000-square-foot parcel is listed at $1.39 million.

The land has long been coveted by developers.

Dept. (LAPD) horse facility.

The 37,000-square-foot parcel is listed at $1.39 million.

The land has long been coveted by developers.

In 1985, Ashkenazy Enterprises Inc. sought to convert land it owned there that was leased by the Los Feliz Stables into a large apartment complex, a move bitterly opposed

by Atwater residents and the equestrian community.

After attempting to get the property re-zoned, the developer ultimately withdrew plans, and later evicted the stable, which had been on the

tive director of the nearby Taking the Reins—a non-profit serving adolescent girls in Los Angeles—declined comment on the potential River Ridge Stables sale.

“We have very meaningful irons in the fire,” she said, and “had some decisions to make regarding what’s in the best interests of the property and us, and we’re proceeding and will leave it right there.”

Harman said there were no problems at the non-profit, which is listed as “active” with the California Secretary of State.

Page 12 Su Casa REAL ESTATE

ing codes with an eye toward streamlining and encouraging development.

Brock Harris, a realtor in Silver Lake, said that while zoning is complicated, “it can be changed. You can get variances.”

His assessment of the River Ridge land’s future: “It will most likely get redone as units,” he said. “The highest and best use [of land] is housing. That’s what we are seeing everywhere. Some developer would love to put 10 tiny homes on it and sell them for $600,000 each.”

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November 2013

Los Feliz Ledger RIVER from page 1

and wetlands to the Los Angeles State Historic Park near Chinatown.

In this broader spanning scenario, the federal government would be responsible for 54% of the cost, while local funds would cover 46%.

That’s an additional $197 million more of local money from Alternative 13 to 20.

Even with its larger price tag, Garcetti said he felt the additional expense was well worth it.

“We know too that we Garcetti has been outspoken don’t come hat-in-hand to in favor of the study’s “AlterWashington,” he said. “We native 20,” which is the most have said that we will step up expensive and expansive of the and find the resources to be a options. partner, a majority stakeholder Likewise, Congressmemin this.” bers Adam Schiff and Xavier As one of President Barack Becerra, City CouncilmemObama’s earliest supporters in bers Mitch O’Farrell, Tom California, Garcetti traveled LaBonge and Gil Cedillo, and to more than a dozen states to Los Angeles Unified School help Obama’s reelection.

Board Member Bennett Kay“I haven’t called in any faser—along with citizen groups vors from our incredible presisuch as Friends of the Los dent,” Garcetti said, “but you Angeles River and can bet I’m going to Friends of Griffith call this one in.”

Park—have all At the Taylor voiced their support Yard site—where exof “Alternative 20” pansive restoration as well. is planned in each “This [restoraalternative with the tion] is going to intent of making the be yet another imsite park space—the provement that will Metrolink maintebring Los Angeles nance facility there into the world class been the subject status that we’re deof neighborhood serving,” said councilire and accusations member O’Farrell. of significant health “This is the opportunity of a With a $1.08 bilrisks caused by idling lion price tag, “Altertrains and toxic parlifetime — one shot to do this native 20” includes ticulate matter. everything offered in In all alternaand to do this right,” said “Alternative 13” and tives, the city would Mayor Eric Garcetti at a adds an additional 83 acquire the property restored acres. and remediate the site Los Angeles River Also included before handing it over in this option is the ARBOR Study public hearing in to the Army Corps of expansion of a dirt, Engineers.

October at the L.A. River soft bottom along “I’m very pleased a 1.5-mile stretch to see Alternative Center and Gardens Hall. between Los Feliz 13 and 20 include Boulevard and the converting Taylor Glendale 2-Freeway Yard into a park,” as well as the removal of en“This is the opportunity said Congressmember Adam cased concrete of the river of a lifetime — one shot to do Schiff in an emailed statein downtown as well as the this and to do this right,” said ment. Schiff has been a marsh restoration at downGarcetti at a Los Angeles River leading force behind calling town’s Piggyback Yard.

ARBOR Study public hearing for Metrolink’s accountabilThe plan also would inin October at the L.A. River ity in issuing a health risk asclude the restoration of the Center and Gardens Hall. sessment.

Verdugo Wash confluence— “We would actually like According to Metrolink which will establish a consomething more expansive officials, that health risk assessnection between the river and than even [Alternative] 20. ment should start in January. the Verdugo mountains—the But 20 is the best option on The ARBOR Study Draft widening of the river between the board and it’s a start,” he Integrated Feasibility ReBette Davis Park, near the Los said. port is now available at the Angeles Equestrian Center, to According to Garcetti, he US Army Corps of Engineers the upstream end of the Ferand others will be lobbying website. The public comment raro Soccer Fields in Griffith Washington for its support on period has been extended until Park and connecting the river the greater “Alternative 20.”

Nov. 18th.

[keen to be green]

Eco-Clutter

By Meher McArthur, Ledger Columnist I have been enjoying purging our home of superfluous stuff like old books, clothes and ornaments. However, as I go through the kitchen and office, I realize with dismay that some of our clutter was generated by my own attempts to be green.

In the kitchen are stacks of plastic containers saved for food storage, cute plastic spoons from the ice-cream shop and way too many stainless steel water bottles. My desk and shelves are cluttered with notepads made of sheets of paper printed on one-side, padded envelopes destined for re-use, old greetings cards saved for arts and crafts projects. And then there are the

many tote bags in my car, the garage and the bedroom closet.

Eco-clutter is perhaps the hardest clutter to for me to purge because it was formed out of good intentions. But it’s time for me to trust the recycling companies more and let the paper and plastic containers go into the blue bin. I must resist the temptation to accept another free tote bag and give away some of the bags I have to a used book sale at the library, or to the person behind me at the grocery store who forgot theirs.

I am learning that caring for the larger environment should not be at the expense of cluttering my own.

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Su Casa REAL ESTATE Page 13

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LOS FELIZ | 1961 DE MILLE DR | web: 0285150 | $2,998,000 Coveted gated Laughlin Park architectural 5bd/4.5ba, library, media room and sitting rm, formal dining room, w/knockout views of city/mtns, pool/spa.

Rosemary Low 323.660.5885

LOS FELIZ | 2349 N CATALINA ST | $2,699,000 Private courtyard Mediterranean located North of the Boulevard. 4 bedrooms, 4 baths plus office and den with views and pool.

Troy Gregory 323.203.5661

NEW LISTING

NEW LISTING

NEW LISTING

PASADENA SW | 748 LAGUNA RD | web: 0285239 | $1,975,000 Perfection, this stunning and artfully designed post and beam is tranquil and private. Enhanced with walls of glass, open space, light, with master ste, etc.

Julie Mollo 323.459.2789

HOLLYWOOD HILLS | 6316 IVARENE AVE | web: 0285220 | $1,869,000 ‘Villa Leone,’ circa1923 Italianate architectural 3bd/2ba + den. Restoration of country estate on large flat grounds. www.villaleonehollywood.com Rick Yohon 323.270.1725

NEW LISTING

IN ESCROW

SILVER LAKE | 2064 BALMER DR | web: 0285284 | $1,250,000 Pretty Spanish floor plan offers polished vintage tile, rich wood floors and beautiful beams in the living room. 3bd/4ba with office and bonus room.

Gail Crosby 323.428.2864

SILVER LAKE | 2407 TESLA TERRACE | web: 0307813 | $1,050,000 Prime Spanish Circa 1927 with views toward the east, A gated courtyard entry with fountain leads you to this 3bd/3ba, plus den, Ivanhoe school.

Jeffrey Young 213.819.9630

NEW LISTING

NEW LISTING

SILVER LAKE | 2419 BERKELEY AVE | web: 0285293 | $829,000 Two Craftsman Bungalows with period details, updated systems, front house 2bd/2ba, rear house 1bd/1ba+1, private alley access, views, decks.

Joseph Lightfoot 213.700.4438

MT WASHINGTON | 4053 CAMINO REAL | web: 0285287 | $749,900 Mid-Century, open plan, gourmet kitchen, hardwood floors, high ceilings, owner suite, 3 bedrooms, 2 fireplaces, garage, spa with canyon views.

Lynn Shepodd 323.301.6331 | Ann Saucier 323.203.0959

NEW LISTING

LOS FELIZ | 3824 VALLEYBRINK RD | web: 0285333 | $699,000 Classic Spanish bungalow with original details, wood floors, beamed ceiling, updated kitchen and bath, and grounds inviting you to garden, or just relax.

Joseph Lightfoot 213.700.4438

SOLD

LOS FELIZ | 1978 N VAN NESS AVE | web: 0285322 | $1,295,000 Formal dining room, breakfast room with high ceilings, gorgeous hardwood floors 2bd/1ba upstairs 1bd/1ba bath separate studio / guest apartment.

Konstantine Valissarakos 323.252.9451 | Rick Yohon 323.270.1725

NEW LISTING

SILVER LAKE | 1537 N BENTON WAY | web: 0285323 | $999,000 4bds, on 2 lots approx. 1/3 acre. 3bds are upstairs. Lower floor boasts a huge living room with fireplace, dining room, great room, kitchen and more.

Joseph Lightfoot 213.700.4438

NEW LISTING

SILVER LAKE | 2360 SILVER LAKE | web: 0285316 | $798,000 Lake/meadows view from this 2 story 3bd/2ba modern home+ large guest apt, walk to rest./lake/dog prk, parking for 5 cars.

Rosemary Low 323.660.5885

SOLD

NEW LISTING

ATWATER | 3353 MADERA | $670,000 Well maintained, 2 properties on 1 lot. Offering 2 bedrooms and 1 bath.

The 2nd separate unit has 1 bed, 1 bath. Represented the buyer.

Joseph Lightfoot 213.700.4438 | Jessie Thurston 323.552.6662

LOS FELIZ | 5500 RED OAK DR | web: 0285243 | $13,500/month Grand gated Spanish estate located in the prestigious “ Los Feliz Oaks” offering 4 bedroom and 4.5 bath, over 5,000 sq.ft. of living space.

Manvel Tabakian | Nadia deWinter 323.376.2222

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Los Feliz Ledger [THEATER REVIEW]

JFK Conspiracy Play “Sunny Afternoon” On Stage

the history of our country.

The 89-minute play contains strong language, runs

without intermission and may not be suitable for children.

Sunny Afternoon, through

Dec. 1st, Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood.

Tickets: (800) 838-3006.

By Marilyn Tower Oliver, Ledger Theater Critic Nov. 22nd marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Although Lee Harvey Oswald, who was killed two days later while in police custody, was declared the lone assassin, conspiracy theories still abound.

“Sunny Afternoon,” written and directed by Christian Levantino and produced by Corryn Cummings, explores the 48 hours that Oswald was kept in the custody of Police Cpt. William Fritz.

As playgoers find their way into the small theater space, they see a young man handcuffed to a chair in a sparse office—the only decoration is the Texas lone star flag and a photograph of President Kennedy. As the action begins we discover this is Oswald, portrayed by Andy Hirsh, and that he has just been arrested for killing the president.

Almost immediately we become aware of tensions between the Dallas police and FBI agents who want the case to be moved to Washington, D.C.

References to the film The Manchurian Candidate hint that Oswald may have been brainwashed and is acting under the control of others. Even though the audience knows Oswald’s fate, we were on edge as a shocking conspiracy theory unfolds.

The large cast is predominately male with Janellen Steininger portraying the only female character, Postal Inspector H.D. Holmes. The acting is uniformly strong. Hirsh’s interpretation of Oswald’s shows a man who is either naïve or perhaps duplicitous in his protestations of his innocence.

In contrast, police and federal agents exude a testosterone, “good old boy,” filled world. Fine characterizations are offered by Darrett Sanders as police Cpt. Fritz, Gil Glasgow as the police chief and Michael Franco as District Attorney Henry Wade.

“Sunny Afternoon” will reverberate with those who lived during this tumultuous time and for a younger generation will bring to life an epic event in

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shine through

November 2013

www.losfelizledger.com

Su Casa REAL ESTATE Page 15

Los Feliz Ledger [senior moments]

When You Need More Help

By Stephanie Vendig, Ledger Columnist My 93-yearold aunt is a role model for me. I watch her and can pick up tips for my own challenges ahead. Her social life is full as she has easy access to many activities in the retirement community where she lives.

Because of her living situation at Laguna Woods Village, she is in daily contact with her friends either at an early evening meal, or in the multitude of interest groups or classes available for her pleasure.

Just recently, though, she was advised to give up her car.

Her normal self-sufficiency is not what it used to be. She is experiencing mobility limitations so her cane and walker are becoming her companions more often, and finding the energy to take care of regular household chores is becoming harder.

Although her community is organized for independent living, a caregiver can live in my aunt’s apartment.

And in this 14-story building in the village, there are quite a few caregivers serving those

who need help. Some may be hired around the clock, but others may be needed only for a few hours a day or even weekly.

When my aunt decided she needed extra help, she didn’t have to go far. She

need to hire a caregiver because our family is not available. Unless you get a referral from someone you trust, you are dealing with strangers. You can arrange with a licensed home care organization, and, they will be able to provide a home care aide to take care of your nonmedical needs. But In California, you might assume that the home care aide entering your home has been

certifying their compliance with basic standards.

In a report prepared for the California Senate Rules Committee at the request of the Senate Health Committee in 2011, the title was “Caregiver Roulette.” Now, with this legislation, the decision to safely get extra help will hopefully be less of a gamble.

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A lack of regulation in California has resulted in legislation signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in October. The Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act of 2013 requires agencies to conduct background checks on workers, provide five hours of training, list aides in an online registry and have workers obtain a license certifying their compliance with basic standards. hired someone who was working part time for one of her friends. She didn’t worry much about whom she was getting since the caregiver was already a known.

For those of us who are not in such a convenient place, there are more challenges, especially in a crisis. We might

This lack of regulation in California has resulted in legislation that was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in October.

The Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act of 2013 will require agencies to conduct background checks on workers, provide five hours of training, list aides in an online registry, and obtain a license

thoroughly screened and trained. However, a business license is the only requirement needed to provide nonmedical home care services. Individuals who offer these services in newspaper classified ads or Internet services such as Craigslist are similarly free of state oversight.

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

Conversational Spanish at GPACC on Wednesdays

Griffith Park Adult Community Center Calendar

Weds., November 13, 2:00-4:00 pm “What Seniors Want to Know about the Affordable Care Act” with Marilyn Friedman, Professor Emeritus, Nursing, California State University LA

Weds., November 20, 12:00-3:00 pm Friendship Auditorium - Lunch, General Meeting & Program Election of 2014 GPAC Club officers

3203 Riverside Drive, just south of Los Feliz Bl. * Call for info and reservations (323) 644-5579 Lunch Program: Mon.-Fri., GPACC, 11:30 AM sign in, Noon lunch, Donation under 60 $4, 60+ $2 Club Info and Newsletter: Stephanie Vendig, (323) 667-3043 or vendig@sbcglobal.net.

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

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

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www.losfelizledger.com

10/24/13 11:54 AM November 2013

Los Feliz Ledger Los Feliz Ledger

Snow White Fall 2013_Los Feliz Vertical 1/8 Page Ad 9/17/13 9:40 PM Page 1

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Gardening Fun

A MAGICAL, MUSICAL, FAIRY TALE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY! Directed and Choregraphed by Todd Nielsen

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What Makes a Good Friend?

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It’s good to have a lot of friends. A good friend is someone who will help and respect you. Pets are good friends because they support you. A true friend can be a member of your family, too. Even a great book can feel like a friend!

The golden rule is to treat people the way you want to be treated. Friends are honest and share stuff and feelings with you. It makes us sad if our friends are sad. A real friend will not break your heart.

You can show you are a good friend by behaving in a kind way, and also by not cutting in line. Friends are very important to a happy life. If you don’t have any friends you will be very lonely. If you are being bullied, a friend will stand up for you and help you.

A good friend is loyal and helpful. You should be thankful for your friendships and work to be a great friend yourself.

My summer was wonderful because I grew many vegetables. I learned about gardening from my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Marks.

She taught me how to clean weeds and grass from the dirt. I learned how to plant seeds for vegetables.

After planting seeds you need to water about every other day. I liked watching my seeds grow and sprout this summer. It was very exciting. I also talked to them by saying positive things.

This summer I grew squash, tomatoes, corn, chiles, mint and cucumbers.

I was so happy when I invited my family to taste my vegetables. I loved eating my vegetables because they tasted fresh. My squash was extra big this year. I gave some to Mrs. Marks and she cooked them for her husband. She said that they were delicious.

I liked the growing experience. I learned how hard it can be to grow vegetables but also how good they are to eat. At Glenfeliz we are going to have a new and larger garden area this Spring. More classes will be able to learn about gardening. We will call it the Glenfeliz Farm.

Send the

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

[lila]

Monique Mickus, Founder of LILA

By Eleanor Harvey and Emma Levi, 5th grade

Monique Mickus, founder of LILA, would have been proud to see her school expand to new premises.

Mickus was a former translator who wished to educate her children in a bilingual setting. She founded a five-campus system of FrenchAmerican schools called the Lycée International de Los Angeles (LILA). Today the campuses are located in Los Feliz, Pasadena, Orange County, West Valley and Burbank.

Burbank, the most recent campus addition, opened last August for LILA’s middle and high school students. It was constructed because of the lack of space at Los Feliz, where the elementary school is expanding yearly. In this year’s 5th grade alone there are almost 100 students of many different nationalities across all the campuses. Mickus, who died in 2001, would find it incredible to see how much her school has grown, from only seven students in 1978, when it was founded, to over 1,000 in 2013.

Congratulations, Monique Mickus! Your dream lives on!

THE

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November 2013

www.losfelizledger.com

SCHOOL NEWS Page 17

Los Feliz Ledger [King Environmental Studies Magnet]

Explorer Week

Walking to School

By Nettie Brown and Izabel Hernandez Alfaro, 7th grade

On Oct. 9th, 2013, some students from King Middle School made a remarkable decision. They walked to school.

As part of a nationwide event called “Walk or Bike to School Day,” Los Angeles Unified School District has claimed one day each year as its official day to promote healthy lifestyles and a healthier environment. In California alone,

[pilgrim school]

over 500 schools participated.

“I think that this event will really help promote and raise awareness of the growing issue of obesity, not only in our local communities, but in our state,” said King student, Brianna.

As they arrived at school, other students—200 of them— as well as teachers, staff, and representatives from the office of councilmember Tom LaBonge, celebrated their effort.

We have participated in this event for many years, and we plan to for a very long time.

All our walking students will remember how they made a difference.

By Nico Kachikis, 5th Grade The Pilgrim ship has just returned from an amazing school-wide journey! Inspired by the book and film In the footsteps of Marco Polo, by writer, photographer, documentarian and explorer Denis Belliveau, Pilgrim students studied the cultures, history and geography of the lands that Marco Polo explored. Each grade did a project related to Marco Polo and his journey

from Venice to China.

In 5th grade, with the help of secondary students, we did modern-day cartography. We created a website based on each major city in Marco Polo’s journey.

My group did Venice Italy, the starting point of Marco Polo’s trip. We wrote about the culture and history of this amazing man-made island and even posted videos of their

carnival and photos of typical Venetian food, art and struggles with the annual flooding called “Agua Alta.”

Other student groups made catapults, had geo-cache scavenger hunts, painted Islamic patterned tiles and learned a traditional Chinese dance.

At the end of the week, we celebrated with a potluck lunch. We learned so much about different cultures, religions and ways of life. I believe this week has inspired us to read, explore and learn more about this big beautiful world.

King Students Recycle to Help Ronald McDonald House SILVER LAKE—Thomas Starr King Middle School held its annual Halloween Carnival Oct. 25th.

In order to play the carnivals’ 13 “spooky booth” activities, students had to provide recyclable cans and bottles. Over a four-hour period and over 800 students

Page 18 SCHOOL NEWS

later, 52 pounds of aluminum cans and 223 pounds of plastic bottles were collected for redeeming at a recycling center.

The proceeds—$361— from the collectibles will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House on Fountain Avenue for its game room.

www.losfelizledger.com

November 2013

Los Feliz Ledger DEASY from page 1

said he was “disheartened to hear the news” of Deasy’s possible resignation.

Garcetti said Deasy is “a friend and whose work I support.”

Under Deasy’s $330,000-a-year contract, he can resign or be terminated anytime with 30 days notice.

Deasy had threatened to quit earlier if school boardmember Richard Vladovic were elected Board of Education President, which he was in July.

Should Deasy resign, suspicions will link his decision to frustrations with the school board but also the Common Core Technology Project (CCTP) that he pushed to start this year to supply every student and teacher with an

selling bonds. Among such construction-type projects as building schools or purchasing property, it states supplying schools with “furniture, equipment, or necessary apparatus of a permanent nature” is an approved use. By allowing the iPads to leave school campuses—as was always the original intent—it removes the tablets from being considered permanent and thus LAUSD might be perceived as challenging this code.

LAUSD declined to comment for this story.

However there may be precedent that supports LAUSD’s use of bond money for the tablets.

In 1963, Attorney General Stanley Mosk ruled that bond funds could be used to

Should Deasy resign, suspicions will link his decision to frustrations with the school board but also the Common Core Technology Project (CCTP) that he pushed to start this year to supply every student and teacher with an iPad and modernize school buildings with wireless networks.

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iPad and modernize school buildings with wireless networks. That has been all in effort to prepare students for the computerized Common Core State Standards tests California schools are implementing for the 2014-2015 school year.

Phase 1 of the rollout has not gone smoothly. In September, at least 71 iPads went missing from a single school and across three high school campuses approximately 340 students removed restrictive software to gain indiscriminate internet access. As a result, Deasy issued a moratorium on students leaving campus with the devices.

When the district returns to the School Construction Bond Citizen’s Oversight Committee in November, it will also have some explaining to do on funding the $1 billion iPad project with school construction bonds. When the program was presented to the advisory Bond Oversight Committee (BOC) in January and the $50 million “Phase 1” was approved, it was not stated explicitly that the iPads would be taken home.

The bond money that will be used to fund the program will be from Measures R, Y and Q, which are dedicated to “repair, upgrade, and modernize” the district’s facilities.

In the California Education Code it lists the appropriate use of a district issuing and November 2013

buy library books, which are somewhat similar in nature to the iPads in that they would leave school with the intent to return. But that ruling explicitly denied the purchase of textbooks. The distinction between whether an iPad falls within the realm of either of these categories is currently unclear.

The larger issue, yet, may be using the bond funds for the purchase of items when such a short lifespan, such as iPads. Though the district hopes to get five years out of out the tablets, it was revealed at a Budget, Faculties and Audit Committee meeting in October that the license for the Pearson Education software that comes preloaded on the devices is only for three years.

That means, after that time, LAUSD would need to either renegotiate, find a new vendor or use out-dated software until the end of the iPads’ lifespan.

At the Budget, Faculties and Audit Committee meeting, committee members grilled the LAUSD staff on further issues including if there are enough outlets to charge iPads in each classroom if the tablets are to stay on campus and the logistics of installing wireless technology at more than 1,000 campuses.

Other questions went unanswered with promises they would be fielded at an Oct. 29th board meeting. www.losfelizledger.com

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Page 19

Los Feliz Ledger

Local Schools Get Creative To Bridge Budget Cuts

Look for the December edition of the

Los Feliz Ledger

By Tony Cella, Ledger Contributing Writer While John Marshall High School remains in banner fundraising limbo, other schools in Northeast Los Angeles have found creative ways to fill gaps in their budgets during a time of sweeping budget cuts and evaporating tax bases.

While attending last spring’s “Electric Blue” fundraising event for Atwater Elementary School, Shelli-Anne Couch, the President of the Friends of Atwater Elementary, noticed most attendees weren’t from the community.

So, she had an idea.

To draw in the Hispanic neighborhood, Couch has conceived and organized a Dia de Los Muertos Festival, set for Nov. 2nd, to benefit the neighborhood elementary school, a first for the educational institution. The event will feature sugar skull painting, a salsadancing contest and vendors in the school field.

“It’s a community event that just happens to benefit the school,” said Couch.

Couch also organizes an annual “Blue Light Disco” dancing event where attendees “get down and groovy,” she

Page 20 SCHOOL NEWS

said, for $5 admission charge.

The booster club president said she brings in a spare disco ball and other parents donate a sound system. In about two hours, the event raises several thousand dollars and brings in money faster than asking students to sell chocolates.

Other local schools have capitalized on the Hollywood community to fund school cuts.

At Micheltorena Elementary School, Principal Susanna Furfari said she takes advantage of Silver Lake’s cramped parking situation and the campus’ proximity to popular filming locations, in particular LAMILL Coffee and the nearby Paramour Mansion. Film crews, including the makers of Californication, have used the school’s lot as a base camp or extra parking lot during shoots.

“It can be a lot of money, but you never know,” Furfari said. “Some years you have two filmings, some years you have 10.”

Weddings at the Paramour also use the school for parking as well, and run a see SCHOOLS page 21

on November 29th

• • • • •

1:1 iPad Program 32 AP and Honors Courses 41 Athletic Teams Performing & Visual Arts Student Ministries

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www.losfelizledger.com

November 2013

Los Feliz Ledger

9 O’Clock Players Present “Snow White” HOLLYWOOD—The Nine O’ Clock players kick off their 2013-13 family theater season with their take on the classic “Snow White.”

Performances Sun., Nov. 3rd at 2 p.m. through Sun.,

Nov. 24th, Assistance League Theatre, 1367 N. St. Andrews Place. Meet the cast after every show.

SCHOOLS from page 20

budget film used the location up until the weekend before classes started.

“There were some extra challenges managing the situation because teachers needed to enter the school,” said Grant, but, she said, we made it work.

Dorris has received around $40,000 from the use of its property, money that has funded an advisor who helps supervise the yard and assists students with English as a Sec-

shuttle from the school, she said, “because no one wants to walk up Micheltorena.”

FilmLA, a permitting organization that contracts with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), connects crews with schools.

After the arranger’s fee, each elementary school takes 75% of the payment with the rest going to the LAUSD. Micheltorena’s proceeds have funded new projectors,

Tickets: (323) 469-1970 or nineoclockplayers.com.

[open mike] In response to “Letter from the Publisher,” (October 2013), I am appalled at your editorial about personalizing Marian Dodge as hacking into you website. I cannot believe you are singling out Marian. I know Marian is passionate about Griffith Park but she would never hack the Ledgers’ website.

Just because a person has

a difference of opinion does not suggest they would do such a horrible act. To [libel] someone as honest as Marian is repulsive to me. You as an editor and publisher should know better.

Gail Zaritsky, Los Feliz Publisher’s Note: I never said Ms. Dodge hacked the Los Fe-

liz Ledger’s website. I wrote that I did not know who had done this and editorialized that Ms. Dodge is opposed to the construction of youth ballfields at the Crystal Springs location of Griffith Park as is a local nonprofit organization, Friends of Griffith Park. The issue has been turned over to the Los Angeles Police Dept.

Dorris has received around $40,000 from the use of its property, money that has funded an advisor who helps supervise the yard and assists students with English as a Second Language. Community partnerships are being made as well.

computers, a teacher’s assistant and chairs and tables for the remodeled staff lounge, according to Furfari.

Dorris Elementary, built in the 1920s, also attracts film projects as well, according to principal Susan Grant.

Most are single day shoots for commercials or a scene for a television show, looking to take advantage of the building’s East Coast styled architecture. Last summer a small

November 2013

ond Language.

Community partnerships are being made as well.

After Micheltorena lost their music program to cuts, principal Furfari negotiated with the Silverlake Conservatory of Music where the music school provides classes for children during the fall and spring but does not pay to lease the space. The deal includes 16 scholarships for Micheltorena students.

www.losfelizledger.com

SCHOOL NEWS Page 21

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8/14/13 11:33 AM

Los Feliz Ledger [Loyola high school]

Loyola Dances Popular With The Ladies

By Alex Flores, 11th grade On Sept.

28th, Loyola hosted our annual welcome dance. Named after the famous Chicago music festival, “Loyolapalooza” intended to replicate the convivial atmosphere of Chicago’s Lollapalooza on our main quad.

Loyola dances are renowned for their incredible atmosphere and 2013 was no exception. This year Loyola went

Additionally, the main dance floor served as the hub for Groove Factor Entertainment, who, once again, did a phenomenal job as DJ. “One of the most enjoyable aspects of the dance were the DJs on the main dance floor. I liked how they interacted with everyone on the dance floor because it created a fun environment,” said senior David Mariscal.

In all, 2,450 students attended dancing on two different floors...

This year, Loyola kept its notorious 3:1 girl to guy ratio intact.

above and beyond to provide those who attended with the best high school dance experience possible.

“This year we had an elevated stage that was about 10 feet above the students… and computerized lighting that was controlled by a technician,” said Chris Walker, director of activities.

In all, 2,450 students attended dancing on two different floors.

The first dance floor, placed in Malloy Commons, featured a stage with fog machines and flashing lights.

The staple of Loyola’s first dances is the abundance of high school girls attending.

This year, Loyola kept its notorious 3:1 girl to guy ratio intact.

“When I arrived at the dance, I was astonished to see so many girls,” said freshman David Chavez.

In all, Loyolapalooza was a huge success.

“The first Loyola dance is a social event where one can meet new friends and not worry about the arduous school year looming in the distance,” said Gabriel Rivas, a junior.

MOMS CLUB OF

los fELIZ MOMS OFFERING MOMS SUPPORT FOR MORE INFO CHECK US OUT AT LOSFELIZMOMSCLUB.ORG

[john marshall high school]

College Bound?

The All Important Junior Year

By Alia Parsons, 11th Grade Junior year is regarded by most as the hardest of all the high school years. This assumption is becoming more accurate as the number of prep classes, club meetings and homework deadlines pile up.

However, at Marshall, I am aware of a multitude of different programs that are designed to make these last years a little more manageable. One of these major resources is the College Career Center, led by our school college counselor, Ms. Bryant.

Each week there are a plethora of events from college visits, to personal statement workshops and much more. Recently I attended two of these college information sessions and realized what a wonderful resource it is. Since a majority of the students at Marshall are unable to visit most of the colleges that they end up applying to—especially if they are out of state— these information sessions add another dimension to the schools of their interest.

Speaking directly to the college representative adds a personal aspect to the monotonous websites and mission statements that can begin to blur into one massive confusion.

Additionally, there are monthly SAT booster classes that go over the basics of test taking as well as in depth analyzing of frequent mistakes, and how to prevent these from happening.

All-inclusive with very little effort, students at John Marshall High School have an abundance of amenities to make their college application process less daunting.

Lycée International de Los Angeles

EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES! Marlborough provides an intensely rewarding environment where girls connect with the programs, their teachers, and each other. Our transportation program serves the Los Feliz, Glendale, and Pasadena communities.

LILA is a French immersion, preschool through 12th grade, academic school.

We offer a rigorous, well-balanced, bilingual curriculum and an intimate, caring environment.

A bilingual education gives your child more than two languages.

Children exposed to different languages...

• become more aware of other people, different cultures and other points of view • tend to be better at multitasking and focusing attention • are often more precocious readers and find it easier to learn other languages To schedule your tour, please call

626-695-5159

To learn more, please visit our website: www.marlborough.org/admissions or call our Admissions Office at (323) 964-8450.

www.lilaschool.com

250 South Rossmore Avenue Los Angeles, California 90004

November 2013

www.losfelizledger.com

SCHOOL NEWS Page 23 Lila-LFLedgerAd02.indd 1

10/14/13 12:41:25 PM

Our Listings Are Selling For Top Market Value!

Call us if you are considering selling and let us show you why our approach to selling homes in your neighborhood is working!

George & Eileen 323-668-7600 2150 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

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

323.668.7600

georgeandeileen.com

Just Listed

Coming Soon!

2019 North Berendo Street

Los Feliz

$1,149,000 3634 Shannon Road

Lovely 4+3 2-story English style home with a pool that’s located in the much sought after Franklin Square neighborhood. Spacious living room with fireplace. Nice dining area. Bonus room is perfect for game room. Great outdoor space with pool and patio. Separate outdoor bonus room is perfect for home office. Central AC & heat.

Approximately 2018 sq ft and 6502 lot size. Blocks away from the great shopping and dining of Vermont and Hillhurst Avenue’s!

Listed & Sold Over List Price!

3216 Ettrick Street

Los Feliz

For Sale

Los Feliz Hills

Listed & Sold For Full List Price!

$1,1111,000 1474 Silver Lake Boulevard

Charming 3 bedroom 2 bath 1937 built Spanish home has been enjoyed by the same family since the 1950’s. Gracious living rm with fireplace. Formal dining room with coved ceiling. Hardwood floors. Laundry room. 5 years new central air and heat. Updated 220 amp panel. Copper plumbing. Cozy den with built-in book shelves. Great opportunity for possible expansion and/or room for a pool. A lovely neighborhood close to Rowena reservoir.

$1,445,000 3678 Holboro Drive

Character 1936 4+3.5 Traditional home that’s been in the same family since 1955. Spacious living room with fireplace, beautiful moldings and gorgeous refinished oak floors. Newly renovated kitchen w/white Shaker cabinets & black Caesar stone tops and new stainless appliances. Charming breakfast and formal dining rm. Wonderful original oak paneled library w/fireplace. 2815 SF. Central AC & heat. Copper plumbing. A gracious home in the hills.

Silver Lake

Thank you George & Eileen...Recently posted on Trulia.Com Having just had our second child and the news that we were moving for a job half way across the country right after the holidays, my family and I were a bit stressed. George and Eileen stepped in and literally took care of everything with such a high level of integrity and honesty.

From the moment we met to discuss their marketing strategy, to setting expectations of timing to completing the sale, they were spot on every step of the way. It was hands down the best experience we have ever had when selling a home. They completely exceeded our expectations and we can’t be thankful enough...that and they sold our house for an amount that well exceeded asking price.

Rob O’Sullivan I cannot say enough about George and Eileen Moreno. They encouraged me to fix up and stage my house when other brokers just wanted me to sell it as is. I took their advice and ended up making a great deal over asking price because of the way my house looked when it went on the market. They are both incredibly knowledgeable and always came through for me with their expertise and counseling. I never would have made such a great profit if it wasn’t for them. I give them my highest recommendation.

Glenn Benest

$1,170,000

Listed & Sold Over List Price!

$695,000 1616 Brighton Street

Lovingly renovated & restored 3+2 home. Living room w/wet bar, nicely appointed kitchen w/limestone flooring, tile countertops, skylight & newer stainless appliances. Beautifully landscaped yard w/fruit trees, pergola & fountain. Master w/private bath, spa tub, walk in closet & French doors to garden. Copper plumbing, AC, earthquake retrofitted, sec system, electric gate. Close to Sunset Junction, the reservoir & dog park. Urban living at its best!

Los Feliz Hills

Very special 1960’s 3+3 home w/family room, home office, pool & lovely views! Spacious LR w/fireplace, hardwood floors w/walls of glass to enjoy the great city & mountain views. Kitchen & living room lead to view deck. Master suite w/spa tub, double sinks & 2 closets. Large family rm w/3/4 bath leads out to to a large heated pool, patio, deck & small fenced yard. Approx 2927 sq ft. Parking for 4 cars. Tucked away in the hills for a nice sense of privacy.

Burbank

$600,000

Charming 1940’s 3+2 home with detached guest house with ¾ bath in a nice Burbank area that’s walking distance to the lovely neighborhood Vickroy Park. Large family room with fireplace that leads out the great yard and patio. Retro kitchen with breakfast area. Master with remodeled bath. Character 2nd bath. Refinished hardwood floors and central air & heat. Room for a pool. More than 1600 sq ft and the lot is 7250. Detached garage. A lovely home.