October 2013

Los Feliz Ledger Vol 9. No. 4

Environmental Report for Ballfields Estimated at $240K

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

CD 4 Race for LaBonge’s Seat Filling Up

By Colin Stutz Ledger Contributing Writer

By Allison C. Ferraro GRIFFITH PARK—The estimated cost for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the possible construction of two youth baseball fields at an area of the park known as Crystal Springs will be $240,000, according to city officials.

Originally, the city’s Dept. of Recreation and Parks did not request an EIR, which evaluates “impacts” of construction, such as traffic, air quality, noise and greenhouse gas emission, to name a few.

But when the city’s Bureau of Engineering—whom would oversee construction— analyzed the project, according Neil Drucker, program manager, they determined an see BALLFIELDS page 8

37 DEGREES FROM HUNGER—Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge honored students from Thomas Starr King Middle School in September for their efforts of collecting uneaten food from the campus cafeteria and donating it to those who don’t have enough to eat. Read the story on page 26. Pictured: King Middle School Principal Mark Naulls; Fabian Samayoa, 13; Environment Studies Magnet leader and teacher Annemarie Ralph; McKenna Greenleaf Faulk, 13; Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge; and Erick Sanchez, 13.

LFVBID’s Brown Act Compliance Questioned

By Tony Cella, Ledger Contributing Writer LOS FELIZ—During the past few months, the Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District (LFVBID) governing board has violated or stepped into gray areas of California’s Brown Act, which lays out how governmental bodies notify the public of meetings, conduct meetings and allow for participation.

The LFVBID, which the Los Angeles Country District Attorney confirmed was beholden to the Brown Act, fails to post agendas for public viewing in physical locations. The Brown Act requires tax payer funded boards to publish agendas on their website, if an Internet presence is maintained, and another loca-

Politics: Will Mary Garcetti Move to the Getty House?, page 3

October 2013

tion. The LFVBID currently only posts its meeting agendas on their website and Facebook page.

The Bryan Cave Law Firm, a general counsel for the First Amendment Coalition, said neglecting to leave agendas in a physical location may violate the concept of the law.

“The fact that the statute draws a distinction between an Internet posting and a ‘location that is freely accessible to members of the public’ suggests that ‘location’ means a physical location, [for example]. . . on a bulletin board,” wrote firm associate Leila Knox in an email.

Knox described the LFVsee LFVBID page 4

A Dog’s Life: Is Pot the Answer for Pet’s Pain?, page 10

LOS ANGELES—Five candidates have already filed paperwork necessary to run for the Los Angeles City Council 4 (CD4) seat opening in 2015 with an election that is still 17 months away.

Immediately following the Sept. 3rd opening of the fundraising window for the 2015 municipal elections, the current CD4 councilmember Tom LaBonge’s chief-of-staff Carolyn Ramsay filed papers stating her intent to run for the seat of which her boss will be termed out. As well, Teddy Davis, an attorney from Los Feliz, and Tara Bannister, a vice president for the National Apartment Assoc., both filed their paperwork that same day.

Following soon after were Steve Veres, a Community College District Trustee and see CD4 page 4

Los Feliz Ledger Website Hacked and Sacked

By Colin Stutz, Ledger Contributing Reporter LOS FELIZ—The Los Feliz Ledger website has been hacked suspiciously focused around the site’s online poll pertaining to the controversial issue of youth ball fields at Griffith Park, according to publisher Allison C. Ferraro.

The September poll question read: “Do you think there should be youth ball fields constructed at Crystal Springs in Griffith Park rather than at North Atwater Park (across the Los Angeles River) or the newly proposed Headworks site?”

The issue came to Ferraro’s attention on Sept. 18th when she noticed that the number of poll respondents were far higher than usual and were overwhelmingly “No” answers.

Theater: Eugene O’Neill’s “Ah Wilderness,” reviewed, page 11

Pictured are illegal registrations that came in on the Los Feliz Ledger website just on the morning of Friday, September 27th. (Photo: Allison C. Ferraro)

According to Ferraro, a typical poll on the Ledger website receives about 100 votes.

The poll has been set up, for years, Ferraro said, to require registrants to provide their first and last name as well as a valid email address.

Su Casa Real Estate: Hot real estate market, pages 13-16

“Suddenly,” Ferraro said, “I had all these strange registrations on my website that did not make sense.”

As the Ledger went to press, that poll had registered see HACKING page 4

Editorials: Baseball fields, what else? pages 19-20

Los Feliz Ledger [letter from the publisher] It’s one thing to be sla ndered.

(I have been.) It’s one thing to be libeled. (I have been.)

It’s quite another thing to have your business website “hacked and sacked,” as one friend said, over what appears to be a poll on the Ledger website in September over the construction of two baseball fields at Crystal Springs in Griffith Park.

It is unknown to me at this writing how long it will take—or at what cost—to repair the Los Feliz Ledger website from what appears to be a DEFCON attack by way of placing malicious code all over the website’s various pages and the improper procurement of website IP addresses to skew the vote on a very simple issue: the construction of two baseball diamonds for children.

Just who could have done this? Perhaps the handful of those opposed to these fields at this site? I don’t know. It’s in the Los Angeles Police Department’s hands now.

But what I do know is the Friends of Griffith Park (FoGP) and one person— Marian Dodge of both the LFIA and FoGP—so vehemently opposed the site, that now an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project at an estimated cost of $240,000 is needed. The EIR is in full swing now and will consume half the entire budget for this

project that has already been funded by city Prop. K funds.

So, guess what? Even if the EIR comes back giving the project an OK for the construction of baseball fields, there will no longer be enough money to actually have them constructed. Sad, isn’t it, how this works?

I know a song that I am reminded of here. The lyric goes something like this: “It only takes one tree it make a thousand matches/It only takes one match, to burn a thousand trees.”

This issue is very political.

Some of the same people that are opposing youth baseball fields at Crystal Springs are the very same people that sued the city in 1999 over a lack of an EIR for a proposed childrens’ museum on the edge of Griffith Park.

Perhaps the city made a mistake in not requiring an EIR for that project. But you can bet today the city is gunshy of more legal action. (The city settled that lawsuit which was filed by the Los Feliz Improvement Assoc. and paid the association’s legal fees.)

In this edition, we quote the city’s Bureau of Engineering’s Neil Drucker: “Any project the city proposes for Griffith Park, this same group opposes.” Drucker added: if Griffith J. Griffith were alive today, “I think he would have thought baseball fields were an amenity that should be there.

I don’t think Griffith would

have been opposed to baseball fields.”

If I follow these folks’ logic, then I say: let’s just tear down everything in Griffith Park: the Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo, the Greek Theater, the Autry, the horse stables, Travel Town, the tennis courts, Shane’s Inspiration and just enjoy what’s left: 4,300 acres of chaparral.

They believe their fight against, say a childrens’ museum or baseball fields, will be their legacy—their gift to Griffith Park. They are indeed correct. But this legacy is of the most notorious proportions.

In other news, we welcome Bruce Haring to the Ledger staff as Real Estate reporter. Bruce is a local and has extensive background covering real estate and related issues.

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October 2013

Los Feliz Ledger

LAUSD’s iPad Rollout A Real iMess

Booth Rentals Down, Spirits Up At Los Feliz Village Street Fair

By Colin Stutz, Ledger Contributing Writer

By Tony Cella, Ledger Contributing Writer

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)’s iPad program is seeing challenges early, as an initial pilot rollout has gotten off to a rocky start.

The first phase of a $1 billion project that will supply all students in LAUSD with the Apple iPad with educational software and updating some schools with wireless capability for the 2014-15 school year,

HILLHURST AVENUE—The Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District (LFVBID) estimated 125 booths were at the Los Feliz Street Fair Sept. 7th, according to LFVBID president Chris Serrano, down from the 140 leased last year.

An independent count, conducted by the Los Feliz Ledger, placed the total closer to 100, half the number of spots paid for at the 2011 event.

Around 30 of the booths for

selected to participate in the pilot program—still have received their iPads, even though classes have been in session for more than seven weeks.

Dr. Annick Draghi, Sotomayor’s director and the interim principal at its School of History and Dramatic Arts, said she is optimistic about the potential the tablet devices presented. Already, in her math classes she had seen

The first phase of a $1 billion project that will supply all students in LAUSD with the Apple iPad with educational software and updating some schools with wireless capability for the 2014-15 school year, has been put on hold at some of the 47 schools participating in the pilot trial this year. has been put on hold at some of the 47 schools participating in the pilot trial this year. That’s due to approximately 340 high school students on three campuses whom removed software that restricted students’ Internet use on the devices within one week of receiving them.

As well, at least 71 iPads that have gone missing during the initial 13-school trial run.

Now, LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy has immediately ordered a moratorium on allowing tablets to leave campus.

At the Sonia Sotomayor Learning Academies site in Glassell Park—where three of its five high schools have been

teachers planning tutorials for students that have impressed.

But now the wait will be even longer.

“We want to know how soon we can do something,” said Draghi. “Let’s give it a couple more days, see where we’re at and move forward.”

In the meantime local teachers are continuing to teach curriculum as they had last year before the iPads were even a subject of conversation.

The School of History and Dramatic Arts is categorized by the district as among “Schools for the Future” because it was built recently and constructed with the latest

September’s event were leased to businesses owned by residents of Los Feliz or had their main storefronts in the neighborhood.

Aside from complaints about noise and one booth that overflowed with water down Hillhurst Avenue, the board reported response from the event was positive on the whole.

To date, the LFVBID board did not have an accounting of revenue spent to

stage the fair and how much income was taken in as its treasurer Jessica Peart is on maternity leave from her position.

“We’ll have financial numbers whenever Jessica gets it together,” said LFVBID president Serrano, indicating the figures would be available between four and six weeks.

According to Serrano after a financial assessment of see STREET FAIR page 9

BID To Hold Elections: Details Unclear

By Tony Cella, Ledger Contributing Writer LOS FELIZ—According to reports made at their September board meeting, the Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District (LFVBID) must hold elections and induct a new board by December.

LFVBID President Chris Serrano said she was ineligible to chair the organization’s election committee because she is up for re-election, but said she had no idea which other board members were at the end of their terms and when elections would be held.

“It’s just something we need to look into,” she said.

Serrano did not respond to requests for comment made

after the board meeting.

The LFVBID’s election page lists the candidates for the 2013-2014 election, but one of the candidates is the former treasurer who resigned, which means the information may be out of date.

The LFVBID board did not say whether voting would take place through mail, email, at physical locations or a combination of methods.

Serrano asked board members to encourage candidates from outside the LFVBID board to vie for seats.

“We need some new blood so some of us with old blood can move on,” she said.

Currently listed on the LFVBID’s election website are the following candidates for 2013-2014: Karreno Alexanyan, JP Morgan Chase; John Abreu, Prudential California Realty; Ermanno Neiviller, il Cappricio; Forrest O’Connor, Prudential California Realty; Claudia J. Hipolito, Coldwell Banker; Dustin Lancaster, Covell; Patricia Fetters, Soap Plant / Wacko and Rosa Palencia, Citibank, who resigned her post as treasurer last spring. According to the LFVBID’s website, ballots must be received back by Dec. 7th.

see IPADS page 18

Garcetti Staying Put In Silver Lake For Now

By Colin Stutz, Ledger Contributing Writer SILVER LAKE—Mayor Eric Garcetti and his family have still not made a decision whether or not they will move from their Silver Lake home to the official mayor’s residence, the Getty House in Windsor Square, according to staff with Garcetti’s office.

Last June, Garcetti said in an interview he and his wife—social activist Amy Wakeland and their toddler daughter—were considering a move from their eco-friendly Silver Lake hillside home to the 8,076-square foot English Tudor-style mansion just adjacent to Hancock Park. But, still, no decision has been reached.

The couple moved into October 2013

their current residence in 2011, purchasing the 1950s modernist perch for $1.4 million and renovating it with an emphasis on open space and sustainable living.

Garcetti and Wakeland also bought two steep, unbuildable adjoining lots they transformed into a fully productive garden with fruit, vegetables and herbs they eat themselves and share with friends.

The Getty House was constructed in 1921 and deeded to the city in 1975 as a gift from the Getty Oil Company, serving as the official mayoral residence ever since. Former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa most recently lived there. www.losfelizledger.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Page 3

Los Feliz Ledger LFVBID from page 1

BID’s agendas as “sparse” and lacking in information for the public who do not attend meetings regularly or follow events closely.

The Brown Act requires city councils, boards of supervisors and legislative districts to provide a “brief general description of each item of business to be transacted or discussed.”

Currently, the LFVBID’s website has 2013 meeting minutes posted through June.

However, nine months are missing for 2012; there are no minutes posted for either 2011 or 2010; five months are missing from 2009 and 10 months are missing from 2008.

Agendas that are posted, however, are limited in information.

The May 2013 agenda notes committee reports,

general description can be just that—brief—it must provide enough information to ‘inform’ interested members of the public about the subject matter under consideration so that they can determine whether to monitor or participate in the meeting,’” wrote Knox, quoting a 2003 state attorney general pamphlet titled The Brown Act: Open Meetings for Local Legislative Bodies.

Also, during the LFVBID’s August board meeting prior to the Street Fair, the meeting devolved into a flurry of side conversations, with board members standing up and walking around the meeting table to pass notes to one another.

If the majority of the board factored the notes into their decision-making, according to Knox, then the action

During the LFVBID’s August board meeting prior to the Street Fair, the meeting devolved into a flurry of side conversations, with board members standing up and walking around the meeting table to pass notes to one another. If the majority of the board factored the notes into their decision-making, according to attorney Leila Knox, then the action could violate the open meetings legislation because the meeting was made outside of the public’s eye. without details as to what the reports included.

Last month’s agenda, available on the website, noted only committee reports, without detailing specific items for discussion only the item: “Special Event: Street Fair WrapUp Discussion.”

On the July 2013 agenda, it was announced that the Elysabeth Peters Group would present results from a Los Feliz Parking study but the agenda did not disclose that the LFVBID was considering granting funds for it. Ultimately, the board approved $1,000 in funding for the parking study.

In a lawsuit against the County of Merced, which the Bryan Cave associate Knox referenced, courts decided bodies were required to include a description of “each item of business to be transacted or discussed” and the agenda could not simply mention a project in general.

“Thus, while the brief Page 4

could violate the open meetings legislation because the meeting was made outside of the public’s eye.

She wrote in an email that the notes are “arguably” materials prepared by the LFVBID during a meeting and which must be “available for public inspection at the meeting” and kept as part of LFVBID’s document cache, which makes them subject to public records requests.

“You might want to ask the board for copies of the notes,” Knox wrote.

The LFVBID also does not allot time for public comment on items that aren’t listed on the agenda, but within the board’s jurisdiction, although President Chris Serrano disagreed.

Waving to an empty LFVBID boardroom, She said, if the public wished to comment on agenda items they were welcome to.

“If they show up,” she said.

HACKING from page 1

493 votes: 25 in favor on youth ballfields at Crystal Springs and 473 against.

Ferraro said she ran Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for each vote through the site’s administrative backend. IP addresses can be tracked showing zip codes and latitude and longitude coordinates for each user. She traced users from as far off as Australia, Kansas and Virgina, but mostly they were from Southern California including locations such as Pasadena, San Pedro, Hermosa Beach, Long Beach and many from one office building in the City of Carson. Some tracked IP addresses, she said, were for vacant lots or retail outlets like pharmacies.

Calls to the Ledger’s web publishing platform and the site’s hosting service helped Ferraro to discover, further, the site’s security had also been compromised and someone, using various IP addresses, had been signing in under her administrator login. Addition-

CD4 from page 1

district director for state Sen. Kevin de León (D-Hollywood), and Joan Pelico, chief of staff to Los Angeles City Council District 5 representative Paul Kortez.

These first candidates show CD4’s geographic diversity and somewhat confusing boundaries, including Griffith Park, Los Feliz, Toluca Lake, Sherman Oaks, Hancock Park, the Hollywood Hills and other areas.

Davis was born and raised in Los Feliz. Ramsay has lived in the Larchmont neighborhood for 22 years; Veres and Pelico both live in Sherman Oaks and Bannister resides in Park La Brea in the Miracle Mile neighborhood.

The 2012 City Council redistricting process left the district a misshapen region

ally, Ferraro said her Los Feliz Ledger email accounts had also been hacked.

According to Ferraro she filed a report with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on Sept 23rd and the case has now been turned over to the LAPD’s Computer Crimes Unit.

“There have been 180,952 pages that have been accessed during the month of September alone on the Ledger website,” Ferraro said, “by ‘robots or ‘worms’, about twice every minute of every day, around the clock for a couple of weeks now.”

Further, according to Ferraro, the Ledger’s publishing platform’s scanner to check for malicious code, indicated a level of “severe.”

“Apparently, malicious code,” Ferraro said, “ has also been placed all over the Ledger website.”

According to Ferraro, the IP addresses for the dropped malicious code are also traceable. Data for such, she said,

has been turned over to police.

“We will get subpoenas to get those IP addresses,” said a detective with the LAPD’s Computer Crimes Unit.

Speaking with the LAPD’s Computer Crimes Unit, Ferraro was informed stealing IP addresses is not illegal but hacking a website to alter any part of it could constitute a federal offense.

“It’s really suspicious to me that this hacking of my website and dropping malicious code coincides with skewing of a vote on the website regarding the Crystal Springs Baseball Fields,” said Ferraro.

Ferraro has editorialized often in the Ledger that she is a proponent of ballfields being built in Griffith Park at the park’s Crystal Springs site.

“I plan on pursuing this legally and pressing charges,” she said.

The newspaper’s website may have to be shutdown for an indefinite amount of time to clean the malicious code from the system.

incongruous with its collection of neighborhoods. But candidates contest there are still unifying characteristics amongst their citizens and voters.

“The residents of Council District 4 are very engaged and involved, and are people who chose to live in the city rather than living in Beverly Hills or the suburbs,” said Ramsay.

Ramsay has worked with LaBonge since 2006 except for a brief stint as program director for the Trust for Public Land, during which she worked on the acquisition of Cahuenga Peak.

“They want to be part of Los Angeles and are also very engaged in making their neighborhoods better,” Ramsay said.

Candidate Pelico agreed.

“Everybody wants the same thing. It’s the same issues everywhere you go,” said.

Pelico is a native New Yorker who was redistricted into CD4 from the Fifth Council District where she became engaged in politics through community volunteer work at her daughter’s then-school, Sherman Oaks Elementary, following a successful career in the fitness industry.

“What I love about Council District 4 is it’s eclectic, it’s everything you could possibly want in a community in the city of Los Angeles,” Pelico said. “And what people want is quality of life from traffic congestion, to getting rid of people beating on their streets, to a safer route home for their children, to getting

www.losfelizledger.com

see CD4 page 8

October 2013

Los Feliz Ledger

Increased International Minimum Wage, Greater Wage Parity

By California Assemblymember Mike Gatto It’s not often an hour, make it nearly imcourse, currency valuations.

I find myself possible for higher-paying naAmerican workers and agreeing with former Repubtions to compete. companies are having trouble lican Presidential candidate Congress, by statute, has competing because workers Mitt Romney. However, one ordered the United States are paid inhumane rates in year ago, when candidate Trade Representative to seek some other countries. This Romney openly decried Chiinput from the 50 states on “race to the bottom” hurts na for artificially depressing the effects of and policies reworkers around the world and the value of their currency, I lating to globalization and causes thousands of U.S. jobs couldn’t agree with him more. international trade. I am to be sent overseas each year.

“I’ve watched year in and responding to that call by Gradually increasing inyear out as companies have authoring Assembly Joint ternational wages, even from shut down and people have Resolution (AJR) 12, which 50 cents an hour to $1, would lost their jobs make U.S. exbecause China porters—from American workers and companies are has not played movie makers by the same to automakershaving trouble competing because rules,” said more competiworkers are paid inhumane rates in Romney. And tive and would he is right. raise bilsome other countries. This “race to the help Out sou rci n g lions of people of American bottom” hurts workers around the world out of poverty. jobs to counIt’s time and causes thousands of U.S. jobs to be tries with less for California expensive labor and Congress sent overseas each year. and materials to take meanhas led to the ingful action destruction of numerous U.S. directs the federal governto protect American jobs and industries, not least among ment to use its constitutionpromote humane, livable wagthem the Southern California al treaty powers to require es around the world. textile industry and the northtrading partners to gradually

ern California technology raise their minimum wages, Mike Gatto is the Chairmanufacturing industry. thereby raising the standards man of the Appropriations One way in which China of living in those countries, Committee in the California and many other countries and make U.S. workers and State Assembly. He represents manipulate the value of their exports more competitive.

Burbank, Glendale, La Cacurrency and engage in unSince the dawn of the reñada Flintridge, La Crescenta, fair trade practices is by republic, the United States has Montrose, and the Los Angeles fusing to enact decent and used its treaty power to require neighborhoods of Atwater Villivable minimum wage stanthings like free and fair eleclage, East Hollywood, Frankdards. Artificially depressed tions in Iraq; respect for U.S. lin Hills, Hollywood Hills, Los global wages, like Indonesia’s companies’ patent and intelFeliz, and Silver Lake. www. minimum wage of 46 cents lectual property rights and of asm.ca.gov/gatto

Page 6

POLITICS

[greetings from tom]

My Own Park Vision Plan

By Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge Griffith Park, at more than 4,000 acres, is one of the largest urban parks in the nation. I have had the pleasure of spending every morning of my life hiking in the park, for decades.

Now, after years of an extended public process, the city’s vision plan for Griffith Park has been released. While the plan proposes more theo-

huge win for youth fitness.

Additionally, Griffith Park is not only a place for sport but for culture. A new, more permanent stage at the Old Zoo area will go a long way toward solidifying the arts offerings currently available within Griffith Park. The Old Zoo area currently hosts free summer Shakespeare, as well as live symphony performances.

But every summer, an invasive stage setup process must be begun, and then later, it must

While the plan proposes more theoretical goals than tangible improvements to the park, it is certainly a step forward for Griffith Park’s future. retical goals than tangible improvements to the park, it is certainly a step forward for Griffith Park’s future.

I will always strive tirelessly for a better Griffith Park; it is the greatest gift the city has ever received. I would like to share, as well, my own vision for the park, which I have long worked for.

New ball fields at Crystal Springs are currently in the final stages of an Environmental Impact Report. The community has worked hard to bring youth sports fields back to Griffith Park, and I am excited to see this project come closer and closer to putting shovels in the ground. I remember fondly playing with my brothers on youth ball fields that were later demolished to make room for the Golden State Freeway as it chewed up parts of Griffith Park. This is an important new addition to Griffith Park and a

www.losfelizledger.com

all be dismantled. A fixed stage will eliminate that need.

I have also recently allocated resources for repairs at the Merry-Go-Round and Fern Dell. These are some of the most historic parts of Griffith Park, and they deserve our care. The Merry-GoRound recently celebrated its 76th anniversary and is a great place to spend the holidays.

At Fern Dell, meanwhile, I hope to one day include references to its history as a Native American site.

My final goal is we increase use of reclaimed water within the Park. Recycling non-potable water within our general water system can greatly increase the park’s resources. It would be a real joy to see water flow again in the Bird Sanctuary and in Fern Dell. These measures increase conservation and could prove more cost-effective.

October 2013

Los Feliz Ledger [representative adam schiff]

Sequestration’s All Too Real Effects

By Adam Schiff, U.S. House of Representatives This past February I authored a column in this paper warning of the damage sequestration—the automatic, across the board cuts to almost every federal program—would have on the country. The cuts slice everything from education to medical research, transportation and housing, indiscriminately targeting the efficient with the inefficient, the essential with the inessential.

Worse, sequestration provides no cushion for vulnerable populations, such as seniors, those living in poverty or the disabled, who most rely on these programs just to survive.

It was my hope that members of Congress would heed the warnings of scholars and economists—who almost without exception—predicted that cutting federal spending in such a way would cost millions of jobs and slow the progress of our recovery. As I noted then, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), allowing sequestration to go into effect would cut economic growth in 2013 by 50%. Six months have

passed, with little action from Congress, and now the devastating effects are being felt across the country, and right here in our community.

Last month, the children of Franklin Elementary School eagerly returned to class on the first day of school, as did over 640,000 other students enrolled in the Los Angeles Unified School District, whose funding had been cut by $37 million. Unsurprisingly, crucial programs like Head Start, special education and after school programs have suffered. Over 8,000 children in our community, who would otherwise benefit from early childhood education, will miss out, this year alone. If the sequester goes on much longer, these children will miss their one chance for a head start.

The federal spending cuts are not just hitting our schools.

Workers at the Los Feliz post office have seen the effects of the postal service laying off over 19,000 employees this year, and the Dept. of Housing and Urban Developments has been forced to dramatically cut low income housing

vouchers, resulting in rising rents for those in poverty and increased homelessness.

Projects such as the Griffith Park “Vision Plan” and the Los Angeles River Feasibility Study have also been slowed as a result of local and federal budget cuts. Cuts to police and fire are threatening public safety, while reduced funding for the National Institutes of Health’s research, vaccines, mental health services and AIDS and HIV testing are putting the health of the public at risk.

Although damage has already been done by these irresponsible cuts, it is not too late to change course. As Congress once again considers budget negotiations in the upcoming weeks, replacing sequestration with a balanced plan—that combines targeted cuts with revenues from eliminating tax loopholes for special interests— must be part of any agreement.

Congressman Adam Schiff serves in the U.S. House of Representatives and represents Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Echo Park and many of the surrounding communities.

[mitch o’farrell]

City Wants More Expansive Plan For L.A. River Restoration

By Mitch O’Farrell Los Angeles City Councilmember District 13 I want to draw your attention to some exciting things happening around the district.

As you may have seen on my blog on cd13.com, the

Please share the information on my website with your friends and neighbors along the river. Tell the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers that we

The city of Los Angeles supports a more expansive plan—$1 billion worth of renovations—as the best option for the water way. The price tag may seem high until you consider what the plan will provide: a more comprehensive habitat restoration for the Los Angeles River.

U.S. Army Corp of Engineers recommended a $453 million plan to restore nearly 600 acres of wildlife habitat along the Los Angeles River.

The city of Los Angeles supports a more expansive plan—$1 billion worth of renovations—as the best option for the water way.

The price tag may seem high until you consider what the plan will provide: a more comprehensive habitat restoration for the Los Angeles River.

But, I need your help.

want the most expansive plan for our precious water way.

In other news, my staff took to the streets of East Hollywood this week to clean up the immediate area around our District Office at Hollywood and Western. The end result is amazing—cleaner, safer streets that are much more pleasant to walk. This story is also on my website.

I’m thrilled to be at your service, and getting things done for the great 13th District!

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1

www.losfelizledger.com

7/15/13Page 2:40 PM7 POLITICS

Los Feliz Ledger BALLFIELDS from page 1

EIR was needed, in part, because some community members opposed the project and due to the park’s historic monument status, received in 2009.

“These are folks that are normally involved in Griffith Park issues and they would oppose any project the city proposed in Griffith Park,” Drucker said. “Even if the entire community supported this project, if one person is against it, we would have to have an EIR.” According to Drucker, the EIR will be released at the end of October and will also

CD4 from page 4

their streets fixed… Everyone wants their own Mayberry but it takes community working with government hand-inhand in order to do this and keep it thriving. We would be nowhere without our volunteers.”

Candidate Veres said his work brings him all throughout the region’s sprawling parts on a regular basis, especially along the 101 Highway that cuts through the district.

He pointed out and praised CD4 for the depth of Los Angeles’ natural landmarks contained therein.

“There’s more things we share in the 4th District than any other in the city,” he said. “We share Griffith Park, and we share the Hollywood sign—that whole image, all these interesting landmarks, places we go to hike and visit.”

Meanwhile, Davis grew up in Los Feliz but spanned the current CD4 boundaries from an early age, attending The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks from nursery through 12th grade.

He is currently a fellow at USC’s Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics where he prepares students for careers in public service. He said he brings 15 years of experience to the race connecting citizens with their government.

An Emmy Award-winning former journalist, Davis covered national politics for ABC News and served in the administrations of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, California Gov. Gray Davis and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley.

“I’m running for City Council because I want L.A. to work for every family in every neighborhood,” said Davis. “I grew up in Los Feliz, I played in our local parks, studied in our public libraries.

Los Angles made a better life possible for my parents when they came here from Mexico and Texas in the 1950s and I want to see our community move forward with the inPage 8

include an additional “historical impact report,” due to the park’s historic status.

“The EIR will cost half the budget we have for the project,” Drucker said of the $500,000 in city Prop. K funds already earmarked for the project. “By the time we get to construction, if we get to construction, we will have used up 65% of our budget.”

Not every Los Angeles city construction project requires an EIR. According to a Sept. 13th Los Angeles Weekly story, the city’s BOE did not propose an

vestments we need to keep it strong and full of opportunity for everyone. I’m running for City Council because I want to create jobs, reduce traffic and keep neighborhoods clean and safe.”

Bannister was raised in Turners Falls, MA and moved to Los Angeles at 18 to attend the University of Southern California. There, she got her first taste of politics, working for “Democrats for Mike Woo for L.A. Mayor” in his losing 1993 campaign before and after her graduation.

In the following year’s Bannister said she has participated in Kathleen Connell’s 1995 State Controller election and Gray Davis’s 1999 governorship, with whom she was a senior advisor until leaving in 2000. From there, she started her own public relations business working with non-profit and for-profit companies. She is also the West vice president of the National Apartment Assoc. where she works with a membership involved in senior, student, low-income, military and conventional rental housing to help make rental properties a good place to live through education and promotional efforts.

“But I’ve always wanted to return to politics and government when I had a better understanding of the real world and real world problems,” Bannister said. “This is my moment and I will give it my best shot.”

Meanwhile, as for the two top candidates from the 2011 election who competed against LaBonge, Stephen Box—who finished with 14% of the votes—now lives in the 13th District, due to redistricting, and Tomas O’Grady—who received 31%—has not said whether he will run for the seat again.

The 2015 Los Angeles municipal primary election is scheduled for March 3rd, followed by a general runoff election May 19th should any candidate not receive more than a 50% vote.

EIR for the construction of a 18,533 square-foot fire station on possibly toxic land in Sherman Oaks near a residential neighborhood.

“Some EIRs are done for fire station construction but that’s not always the case,” Drucker said. “But if we were tearing down an historic fire station then it would require an EIR.” But according to a State of California Office of Historic Preservation document, titled, “California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Historical Resources,” an EIR is not automatic for sites with historic designation, rather, it’s a judgment call by the city agency overseeing the project.

“If one of the issues was that the site was just historic,” Drucker said, “we might not have not done an [EIR]. But in this case, there are so many different ‘impacts,’ such as the removal and relocation of trees and picnic tables and there’s so much public controversy, we thought an EIR was necessary.”

Cathie Santo Domingo, also with the city’s BOE said she was surprised to find such significant public outcry for and against the project and whether Crystal Springs is an

acceptable location.

“For a relatively small project we probably have over 200 emails for and against this and probably close to 30 or 40 postcards that are speaking against this project,” she said.

Other sites for the Griffith Park baseball fields have also been lobbied for.

Earlier this year, the Friends of Griffith Park (FoGP) and Los Feliz resident Marian Dodge wrote letters to the city asking the Headworks Reservoir site, near Forest Lawn, be considered as an alternative to the Crystal Springs site.

However, after it was reported the Headworks site had potentially unsafe levels of hexavalent chromium, a known cancer-causing agent, that site has been removed from consideration.

Both FoGP and Dodge suggested both Headworks and another site—at North Atwater Park—because they say placing ballfields at Crystal Springs will displace picnickers and remove trees.

According to the city, approximately 32 trees would be removed for baseball fields at Crystal Springs and 12 would be relocated. Seven picnic tables would also be relocated about 200 yards from their current lo-

cation in Crystal Springs.

According to Drucker, once the EIR is released and circulated to the public for 45 days for public comment the BOE will prepare a final EIR and submit it for the city’s Recreation and Parks Board approval. Ideally, Drucker said, they that would occur in January 2014.

If the EIR is approved, the design process for the selected site will be completed and the department will begin the construction bid process, which generally takes three to four months.

However, depending on the level of comments received during the EIR process and the amount of mitigation measures incorporated into construction, the design process might take longer, be delayed accordingly or not happen at all, Drucker said.

“If these baseball fields don’t not get built,” he said, “we are just taking another group of kids and telling them ‘we can’t help you.’ That’s what Prop. K is all about. . .to increase amenities throughout the city to help keep kids on a straight and narrow path.”

Ledger Contributing Writer Colin Stutz also contributed to this story.

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October 2013

Los Feliz Ledger STREET FAIR from page 3

this year’s fair, the LFVBID will decide if it should stage an event in 2014. If so, according to Serrano, the organization said it would start organizing the event further in advance.

Some last minute revisions were needed for the fair according to Serrano. Boardmembers, she said, had not taken physical measurements for the layout of the booths until the night before and therefore, were forced to reconfigure the layout of the event at the last minute.

Serrano said this year will be the first the board can itemize exact costs for the fair, including fees and commission for a fundraiser hired by the LFVBID board as well as an outside hired coordinator.

“We didn’t know what we paid for in previous years,” she said.

Robert Menz, a boardmember of the Los Feliz Neighborhood Council (LFNC) said the LFNC’s participation was a “flooding success,” a reference to the board’s dunk tank accidentally discharging water onto Hillhurst Avenue and into booths downhill. The LFNC also raised over $1,000 for

charities with their participation.

Joe Zager, head of the t-shirt creation and design company, Jozo Prints said he joined the street fair for the first time this year because the Highland Park artist enjoys the human element.

“When I’m printing in my little sweat shop, it’s not as fun,” he said.

From War to Peace, a company that turns copper cabling from disarmed weapons system into jewelry, had a booth for the third year, according to sales representative Tom Buckley. Like many of the artists hawking their wares, the San Luis Obispobased company had heard about the festival through word of mouth.

“We take something destructive and turn it into something restorative,” he said.

Clothier Michelle McCreary, owner of Vintage Remade, heard about the street fair from another vendor last year and decided to give it a try. The Pasadena resident considers her products “ecofriendly” because each item of clothing is created from previously used materials.

“Los Feliz is a [commu-

nity] that gets it,” she said.

High Fidelity records store returned for a second year because the staff believes not everyone in the community realizes Los Feliz has its own record store. The Hillhurst-based music retailer said they found the LFVBID easy to work with and enjoyed the convenient location on the street.

“It’s easy for people to go from the booth to the store,” said employee Rey Limon.

The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce joined the Street Fair for the first time after being contacted by the LFVBID, according to board member Mark Morales. The organization purchased a booth to expose the group to new segments of the community.

“We want people to know we’re not just West Hollywood,” said Morales.

Cara Liles, an eleven-year resident of the community, said she tries to attend the event each year. Her family had partaken in the music, the LFNC’s dunk tank and the bounce house.

“We try to participate in local businesses as much as possible,” she said.

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[the good life]

Angel City Brewery

By Tara de Lis, Ledger Columnist Housed in a former factory space in downtown Los Angeles’ burgeoning Arts District, Angel City Brewery opened its doors to the public for tasting experiences in February 2013.

However, its history dates back much longer, as it was first founded in 1997, later set up shop in Torrance’s Alpine Village, then made the move to downtown in late 2010.

It’s now officially open seven days a week, with a minimum of eight house-brewed beers served on tap.

The bar and surrounding seating have a raucous but friendly vibe. Servers are as likely to offer free samples as they are to sing along with the rock and roll soundtrack.

In addition to pours and tours, there is often a food truck parked outside (the schedule is regularly updated on the ACB website). Since the brewery itself doesn’t serve any food, visitors are encouraged to grab a bite and bring it in, whether it’s from the truck, another area eatery or even from home.

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As for the beers themselves, the growing list may include old standbys as well as some returning favorites working their way back into rotation. The two flagship styles— the only ones sold by the bottle or 22-ounce bomber—are the Eureka! Wit beer—a Belgianstyle white—and the hop- and malt-driven Angeleno IPA. Some of the more offbeat selections include an intriguing Avocado Ale, which is rather light in style; a Vanilla Porter, projected to be a fall favorite; and a Pomegranate Saison, which is fermented with the fruit juice.

The “Beer-101-sStyle” tour last about 30 minutes and covers everything from the production process to a passaround experience involving barley, hops and malts. Questions are welcome: everyone wants to know the original use for the giant, twisted slide to nowhere (hint: it was not then, nor is it now meant for humans).

Tara de Lis is a freelance writer based in Hollywood.

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October 2013

www.losfelizledger.com

Page 9

Los Feliz Ledger [restaurant news]

Sunset Junction and Café Stella OwnerAdding Food Offerings Eastward

By Colin Stutz, Ledger Contributing Writer ECHO PARK—The entrepreneur behind Sunset Junction and its Cafe Stella is making a go for Echo Park with plans to open two new restaurants eastward down Sunset Blvd.

Gareth Kanter, is transforming the E’Pack Family Clothing Store and adjacent Sunset Snack stand into two new restaurants.

“I’ve been courting the owners of it for some time.

They approached me and asked me if I’d be interested in purchasing it, so I did,” said Kanter.

First up will be Dinette, a to-go sandwich shop between Echo Park Avenue and Logan Street. Kanter said a remodel will be required. He said he hopes to have his new shop opened by late-February.

“There’s not a good sandwich in Los Angeles, as far as I’m concerned,” said Kanter.

“I thought it was time to have someplace sort of nice and cute and open late that you can get a nice sandwich.”

Kanter said Dinette will be open until 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. and offer about a dozen sandwiches from around the world: from Vietnamese bánh mì to lobster rolls imported from the East Coast, porchetta rolls from Italy and “The Hippy,” which has a Californian vegetarian feel with avocado, red onion, tomato, sprouts and more on wheat bread.

All meats, he said, will be roasted on-site. The Dinette will also serve, he said, milkshakes made with cereal like Cap’n Crunch and Cinnamon

Toast Crunch and will offer specialty sodas and fermented fruit fizz drinks as well.

At the Dinette there will be no seating. Kanter calls it “grab-and-go.”

“There’ll be a little counter if you want to stand and eat real quick,” he said. Sandwiches will likely run from $8 to $10.

The property’s main attraction, however, will require extensive remodeling and won’t open for 18 months. The restaurant will be called Libre and will fill the adjoining 6,500-square-foot space that currently homes E’Pack.

“I don’t even have a word for it,” said Kanter. “It’s just the way I cook at home.”

Kanter said that means a lot of wood-fires and a variety of meat—fish, pork, whole chickens, rabbits cooked with olive oil, lemon, fresh herbs, garlic, vegetables, a lot of it cooked in a pizza oven in an Italian rustic manner.

“Everything served on a big wood monastery table,” said Kanter. “Everything’s going to be cooked with wood.”

Kanter said he is dedicated to make the meals affordable.

Entrees, he said, will likely run from $15 to $20. “As opposed to like $30 to $40,” he said.

“I’ve been in this business so long and I’m just kind of exhausted at food being so precious,” he said. “I think it’s everybody’s right to eat really well. I want to make it an affordable, delicious place where everybody can come and get really good food.”

[almost famous]

[a dog’s life]

Drake: Nothing Was the Same

Pets in Pain: Is Pot a Solution?

By Charles Cohen Ledger Music Critic

By Jennifer Clark, Ledger Columnist

Canadian rap star Drake deserves to his own category. At only 2 6 -y e a r s - o l d Drake seems to be popping into headlines at will.

Whether its partying with LeBron James in South Beach, Miami to announcing the establishment of his own record label—OVO Sound (October’s Very Own)— Drake’s name has become one synonymous with success and stardom.

Nothing Was the Same is Drake’s answer to the huge list of albums dropped in this year’s rap market. Featuring singles that have been filling radio station lineups for months now (“Started From the Bottom” and “All Me”), the incredible gift is the songs that remained unreleased until the album drop. Songs such as “Tuscan Leather,” “Furthest Thing,” “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” and “Come Thru” all stand out as top songs, but the elite status resides with one: “Pound Cake/Paris Morton Music 2.”

The seven-plus minute song features a vocal sample of jazz legend Jimmy Smith, producer Timbaland recreating the classic Wu-Tang Clan “C.R.E.A.M.” hook and possee DRAKE page 25

While most customers purchase items at medical marijuana dispensaries for their personal consumption, a growing number of pet owners are introducing marijuana to their animals for medicinal purposes. In fact, some dispensaries sell products marketed specifically towards dogs. But are they safe?

According to local veterinarian Dr. Doug Kramer, who focuses on alternative, holistic and comprehensive approach to animal care, the answer is yes.

Kramer learned from personal experience the benefits of giving medical marijuana to pets. He used it as a last effort to make his Husky dog, Nikita, more comfortable after she had been suffering from cancer. He fed her small amounts of marijuana and both her appetite and spirit returned for her final months of life.

As with humans, chronic pain and loss of appetite can be alleviated with marijuana and pet owners who have tried cannabis as medicine have seen a dramatic increase in their pet’s overall quality of life.

Many of the mainstream pharmaceutical medicines given to ailing and aged animals have harsh side effects such as lethargy and loss of appetite.

Medical marijuana, when administered properly, has been shown to reverse these side effects as well as relieve pain.

The drug may also be used to treat various behavioral disorders such as separation anxiety, aggression and noise phobia.

Kramer is seen as a pioneer in this field as most vets are only willing to speak about medical marijuana off record for fear of federal prosecution.

Critics of supplying pot to pets worry about high toxicity levels, which could cause hallucinations, instability and even death.

Although Dr. Kramer can’t legally give advice about medical marijuana, he does conduct various product reviews on his website and cautions against using certain products sold at dispensaries that are not geared towards pets—such as concentrated cannabis oil, cannabis wax, concentrated marijuana capsules and edible products containing chocolate—all of which pose a risk.

Previously, the only way to procure these products for your pet would be ownership of a medical marijuana card, but now there are online companies such as Companion Cannabis, where you can buy the product for a “donation.” A one-ounce bottle can be purchased for approximately $40.

For more information, visit vetguru.com or companioncannabis.com.

Los Angeles Breakfast Club Join us Wednesdays at 7 – 9 am

Upcoming speakers and programs...

Oct. 2: Dr. Donald Seligman, Los Feliz Improvement Association - “Los Feliz and the Silent Film Era: The Heart of Los Angeles Cinema 1908 - 1930” Oct. 9: Saul Jacobs & Bob Lipson, USC Emeriti College “Vaudeville to the Airwaves” - Golden Age of American Popular Music Series Oct. 16: Debbie Unruh, Founding Exec. Dir. of Elizabeth House - “Helping Women and Children in Need” Oct. 23: Pierre Odier, Author & Explorer - “Gabon, Africa - Expedition to the Virgin Woods of Gabon Searching for the Secluded Pygmies” Oct. 30: Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times Writer Earthquakes: How They Can Effect Future Construction”

Friendship Auditorium

3201 Riverside Dr. (1/4 mi. so. of Los Feliz Bl.) For upcoming programs, see www.LABreakfastClub.com or call (323) 662-1191 Page 10 LIFESTYLES

www.losfelizledger.com

October 2013

Los Feliz Ledger [restaurant review]

[theater review]

Sonny’s Hideaway Finds the Right Mix for York Boulevard

O’Neill’s “Ah Wilderness” at Actor’s Co-Op Portrays A Simpler America

By Pat Saperstein, Ledger Restaurant Critic

Sometimes it’s fun to see Lily, Nat’s sister. The two are tivity with humor and wit. a play where there’s a recogin love, but Lily can’t forgive The difficult relationship nizable plot without too many Sid’s drunkenness. between Sid and Lily, played deep undercurrents to ponder.

Nat and Essie have four

by Townsend Coleman and Such is “Ah Wilderness,” children. The most compliCarrie Madsen respectively, iconic American playwright cated is the teenager Richard, provides a counterpoint to the Eugene O’Neill’s only coma dreamer with socialist ideas loving affection of Nat and edy. O’Neill, best known who has been secretly readhis wife Essie, played by Jodi for his heavy dramas such ing The Rubaiyat of Omar Carlisle. Sid’s drunk scene is a as “Long Day’s Journey into Khayyam and the works of the comedic high point in Act 1.

Night” and “Mourning Be19th century poet Algernon Nicholas Podany is skillcomes Electra,” wrote this play Swinburne, books that shock ful in his interpretation of the to capture a childteenage Richard as he Written in 1933, the play looks back hood which he himponders the meaning self did not experi- to summer 1906—a more innocent time of life and love. ence. He called the Directed by when the nuclear family dominated play a “sentimental Thom Babbes, “Ah and such ideas as honor and duty were Wilderness” captures evocation.”

Written in 1933, the audience and commonly accepted values. the play looks back keeps its attention to summer 1906—a more inhis conservative mother. at a high pitch throughout nocent time when the nuclear Richard is in love with the nearly three-hour perforfamily dominated and such his sweetheart Muriel and mance. ideas as honor and duty were has been secretly sending her Of particular note is the commonly accepted values. erotic poems on small slips set design by Mark Henderson Although members of the of paper. When her outraged and Tim Farmer of Sets to Go. family may have had their diffather storms into the Miller If you’re a fan of traditional ferences, there is still a sense house waving the poems, he drama, this seldom performed of belonging and forgivealso brings a letter in which work by an icon of he American ness. This current rendition Muriel breaks off the relatheater is not to be missed. is onstage at Actor’s Co-op in tionship. The dejected RichFridays and Saturdays at Hollywood. The story revolves ard proceeds to go on a binge 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m. around the relationships in the where he dates a prostitute and Additional matinee Saturday Miller family living in New gets drunk. His father, Nat, is Oct. 12th, closing October London, Connecticut as famifaced with setting an appropri13th. $30; seniors $25. Stuly members set about celebratate punishment. dents $20. Group rates for six ing the Fourth of July.

Nat is torn between his or more.

Besides the father, Nat role as family patriarch and Miller—a newspaper pubhis sympathy for Richard’s 1760 N. Gower St., lisher—and his wife Essie, the dilemma. Actor Phil Crowley Hollywood on the campus family includes Sid Davis, Esbrings the character to life, efof the First Presbyterian sie’s ne’er-do-well brother and fectively interpreting his sensiChurch of Hollywood

It can be hard figuring out what a certain location needs.

In the case of Sonny’s Hideaway in Highland Park, none of the earlier restaurants on York Boulevard quite clicked, but Sonny’s already seems livelier than the others.

With a well-executed gastropub-style menu, imaginative cocktails, craft beers and wines and an even a rear patio, Sonny’s is handy for either a full dinner or drinks and appetizers—all with a lower price point than if located elsewhere.

Most traces of the previous cottage-style cafe are gone and the room is less open to the street, but cozy and dimmer with oxblood leatherette semi-circle booths and a long dark wood bar. Gone too, thankfully, are the overly friendly servers and roaming magicians of the previous spot.

The cocktail menu thoughtfully includes several refreshing virgin cocktails as well as a “low ABV” section of presumably less damaging drinks. More serious drinkers shouldn’t miss the Bourbon Fig Punch—its citrusy notes work well with some of the rich, bacon-intensive dishes on the menu.

Although both cocktails and menu items include all sorts of trendy ingredients from lime oil to wormwood in the drinks; to bone marrow and cocoa “soil,” somehow Sonny’s isn’t pretentious or even particularly hipsterish.

Instead, it’s a homey bar and grill with a modern and accessible menu.

By Marilyn Tower Oliver, Ledger Theater Critic

A hamburger is a good test of a gastropub and Sonny’s juicy bacon burger with pickled green tomatoes ($14 with fries) doesn’t hold together for long but packs a smoky jolt of flavor. No entrees top $20 and sea bass a la plancha is a good value at $19 with cauliflower puree. Vegetarians can try ricotta dumplings with stewed tomatoes and chard, but other than soup or salad, there’s not much else that’s completely meatless. Even green vegetables like Brussels Sprouts or collard greens get a heavy-duty dose of applewood-smoked bacon.

Manila clams with toast ($16) come in a good-sized bowl, while meatier choices include shortribs and pork shoulder with potatoes and hominy. A tender coffeebraised pork cheek appetizer with cool apple relish and honeycomb also makes a terrific petite entree, though the andouille-stuffed squid starter goes heavy on the salt.

As usual, the server recommends the bread pudding, but a chocolate sorbet with orange custard is a lighter finish to a dinner that can tilt to the rich side especially if you order the bone marrow hash—and really, why wouldn’t you?

Sonny’s may not quite be a destination spot, but it’s a useful and grown-up choice in an area that’s rapidly gaining a diverse selection of restaurants.

Sonny’s Hideaway 5137 York Blvd.

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www.losfelizledger.com

LIFESTYLES Page 11

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8/14/13 11:33 AM

Los Feliz Ledger

[real estate]

Market In A Wild Ride, But May Be Easing

By Bruce Haring, Ledger Real Estate Reporter August residential sales in the 90026, 90027, 90039 and 90068 zip codes remained robust. But some local realtors feel that the feeding frenzy that characterized local home transactions over the last year may be easing.

The spring and early summer saw bidding wars and multiple offers on any available residence on the market. Those are still happening, local realtors report. Only now, instead of 10 offers at far above asking price,

median prices rose just over 28% year-to-year to $645 per square foot.

Los Feliz’s 90027 August median home price percentages were down slightly yearover-year and Hollywood’s 90039 zip sales percents rose just slightly.

The National Association of Realtors noted that national existing home sales— the completed transactions on single family homes, townhomes, condos and co-

altor for a dozen years, and this is a real highlight in my career.

We have two new listings, two things that just closed, and two things in escrow. We’re not the big guys and we have all we can handle.”

The lack of available housing inventory has been fueling the rush, Locke said. “And the short sales have dried up, at least in this part of town.”

Still, Locke cautioned against irrational real estate exuberance.

“It kind of stabilized,” Meinelschmidt said. “It’s not the market dropping. It just couldn’t sustain that [frenzied] pace all year. You can get into a thing where, now, maybe two people have offers. It’s not like 10. And there might be an offer at asking price, rather than way above asking.”

But, Meinelschmidt added: there are “still investors out there looking for something to put cash in. There are people actually flipping houses right now.”

Candace Kentopian, an agent in the Los Feliz area, says listing agents and those

who specialize in sellers “will probably tell you the market has slowed down.”

The reason?

“Overpriced homes don’t sell. Affordable homes sell fairly quickly,” she said.

Kentopian said she does not believe home prices will go much higher.

“However, there will always be the home that is either priced at fair market value or lower that will sell above asking price or be in a multipleoffer situation. Good homes in good neighborhoods in good condition will always be desirable,” she said.

“The Silver Lake/Los Feliz area has been booming,” said Michael Locke, a partner at Deasy Penner. “I’ve been a realtor for a dozen years, and this is a real highlight in my career…

I don’t want to predict it’s a bubble. As a property owner and investor, I have a selfish reason to want the economy to stabilize. I don’t want it to be so hot that it pops.” there may be one or two buyers bidding, and many aren’t getting sucked into an all-out cash competition.

Statistics from DataQuick, a real estate reporting firm based in La Jolla, California, indicate overall Northeast L.A. prices were up just over 42% year-over-year as of August, with the median price up over $100,000 per home to $370,000.

Certain areas in the local market are red-hot.

In the Echo Park 90026 zip code, the Aug. 2013 median prices more than doubled $713 per square foot, up over 50% year-to-year, while in the 90039 Silver Lake area,

ops—hit their highest level in 6 ½ years over the summer, with double-digit gains.

MARKET COOLING MAY HELP While the good times for sellers are rolling, local realtors caution that the wild ride can’t go on forever. Looming Federal interest rate hikes may ultimately dampen buyer enthusiasm, and a constant rise in prices would soon overvalue homes compared to renting, taking prospective purchasers out of the marketplace.

“The Silver Lake/Los Feliz area has been booming,” said Michael Locke, a partner at Deasy Penner. “I’ve been a re-

“I don’t want to predict it’s a bubble. As a property owner and investor, I have a selfish reason to want the economy to stabilize. I don’t want it to be so hot that it pops,” he said.

Tim Meinelschmidt of Icon Partners, a division of Keller Williams Larchmont, echoed Locke’s assessment.

“Silver Lake has been booming, and it’s spilled over to Echo Park,” he said. “Both properties that I’ve listed over there have sold over asking price. In the beginning of spring, I was getting tons of multiple offers and homes were getting bid up.”

August, he said, has seen the market change slightly.

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Estates Director Architectural and Historic Properties Specialist rstanley@coldwellbanker.com 213 300-4567 cell / voice mail ©2013 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned and operated by NRT LLC. All rights reserved. If your property is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation. BRE license #: 00971211

October 2013

www.losfelizledger.com

Su Casa REAL ESTATE Page 13

Los Feliz Ledger

KAREN LOWER COLDWELL BANKER BEVERLY HILLS - NORTH

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Living & Working in Your Neighborhood

IN ESCROW LOS FELIZ $1,599,000

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New Listing - In Escrow in 1 week! (Multiple Offers) Stunning French Normandy restoration offers beautifully appointed formal living and dining rooms, large cook’s kitchen and breakfast room, two bedrooms downstairs, one with bath, and additional separate gorgeous new bath. Upstairs offers a dramatic Master Suite with generous sitting area, walk-in closet, separate open dressing area with custom built-in cabinetry, and stunning bath. A fourth bedroom and bath complete the second story. Outdoor areas offer a new pool with water feature, pretty patio with avocado and orange trees, and lush landscaping. Gated and private. Just a few short blocks to Griffith Park trails to the north and Gelson’s, The Oaks Cafe, and other neighborhood favorites to the south.

Condo Construction To Start in October Of Coffee Table Site

By Bruce Haring, Ledger Real Estate Reporter SILVER LAKE—The long-delayed townhouse construction project slated for the former Coffee Table restaurant site on Rowena Avenue is anticipated to begin in the next few weeks.

Miami, Florida-based Fifteen Group is partnering with Southern California’s Van Daele Homes to jointly own and develop the Silver Lake property, located in the 2900 block of Rowena Avenue.

The developers declined

for the location.

Previous reports indicted the townhomes would sell for between $500,000 to $600,000. According to Fifteen Group the homes will feature large master suites, walk-in showers, luxury kitchens and large amounts of natural light. The Cuningham Group architectural firm of Culver City is the designer.

Construction at the site has been delayed by real estate

The property is a 1.44-acre parcel that will host 33 townhomes with attached garages. Plans to incorporate a new version of the Coffee Table are no longer being considered, according to a city official, although the site has received city permission to have a retail component.

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to answer questions on plans for the site pending the start of construction.

The property is a 1.44-acre parcel that will host 33 townhomes with attached garages.

Plans to incorporate a new version of the Coffee Table are no longer being considered, according to a city official, although the site has received city permission to have a retail component. The city has approved up to 40 townhomes

market conditions and concerns about the project’s impact on vehicular traffic on the local roads and foot traffic for nearby retailers.

The original developer formerly slated over 60 units at the site plus a rebuilt Coffee Table at the location. But the land was later sold to the Fifteen Group and had its plans gradually downsized, moving first to 45 townhomes and finally to 33 units.

Tell us about your home you have on the market or one that you have recently purchased at alliosnferraro@losfelizledger.com

NEW LISTING / DUPLEX

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October 2013

Los Feliz Ledger

Cummings Estate Listed for $3.3 Million Sells

By Bruce Haring, Ledger Real Estate Reporter LAUGHLIN PARK—The year was 1905. President Theodore Roosevelt began his first full term. Albert Einstein presented his theory of relativity. Las Vegas was founded.

And Wilbur Cummings Sr., the scion of a wealthy New England family that made its fortune in the leather and tanning business, bought six acres in the Northeast corner of Los Angeles to build the first estate in a neighborhood that today is known as Los Feliz.

That home, known as the Cummings Estate and considered to be the oldest house in Los Feliz, is now on the market. Located at 2020 Cummings Drive in the Laughlin Park gated community, the Craftsman house and grounds are for sale for $3.3 million.

It’s a price that fetches five

bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, 360-degree views, mature grounds, original fixtures and finishes, a grand scale and the potential for expansion.

The home is 4,037 square feet, with a lot size of 33,890 square feet.

Richard Stanley of Coldwell Banker, the listing agent for the property, said Cummings came to Los Angeles after a divorce and quick remarriage to his secretary. He moved to California, opening what Stanley called a “highend shoe store,” in downtown Los Angeles.

He soon bought six sloping acres in the Northeast area from Homer Laughlin Sr. There was nothing but trees and coyotes in the area at the time, and the original address was listed as “the head of Nor-

mandie Avenue,” according to Stanley.

The property was unique for its time, boasting such features as a water tower, a hydroelectric system, a cistern fed by gravity, and one of the earliest solar heating panels, installed on the roof and intended for water heating.

Soon after moving in, Cummings began speculating in real estate, buying other

properties and sub-dividing, helping the Los Feliz area to grow.

“The house had a spectacular view of the basin,” Stanley said. “It’s now grown in quite a bit. But he was able to watch the growth of the city to pretty much what we know it as now from his front porch.

The city transformed from an agricultural area below him to completely built up.”

Cummings died in 1931.

Among its later incarnations, the estate became a rooming house for young Hollywood, boasting tenants like Tippi Hedren and Dennis Hopper. A local doctor later purchased it and began the task of restoring the original wood and other house features.

The home sold the weekend of Sept. 21st and 22nd.

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October 2013

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Su Casa REAL ESTATE Page 15

SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY LOS FELIZ BROKERAGE

As we enter the last quarter of 2013, the market remains strong and we are grateful to our neighbors, friends and clients. We remain the local brokerage of choice with over triple the sales volume of our nearest competitor in the local marketplace of Hollywood Hills East, Los Feliz, and Silver Lake-Echo Park.* IN ESCROW

NEW PRICE

LOS FELIZ | 1961 DE MILLE DR | web: 0285150 | $3,298,000 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 | MEDITERRANEAN REVIVAL | WEB: 0307536 | $3,185,000 The Silverman residence displays a musician’s gallery highlighted with original stained glass, 5bd/5.5ba, guest house, pool and spa.

Jeffrey Young 213.819.9630

NEW LISTING

LOS FELIZ | 2400 MORENO DR | web: 0285228 | $1,699,000 California Modern Traditional Moreno Highlands. Renovated approx.

2400+/- sq.ft. 3bd/2ba. Up. Grassy yard. Lake views, Ivanhoe. Done.

Boni Bryant | Joe Reichling 323.854.1780

IN ESCROW

SILVER LAKE | 2057 REDCLIFF ST | web: 0285242 | $1,300,000 Perched on a hill is the perfect setting with breath taking views of the lake and mountains. See the observatory, the Hollywood sign and beyond.

Gail Crosby 323.428.2864

SOLD

SILVER LAKE | 2183 KENILWORTH AVE | $1,200,000 3bd/2.5ba vibrant, happy home is southern traditional with cape-cod influence. Master bedroom offers simplicity and calm view of the reservoir.

Gail Crosby 323.428.2864

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

IN ESCROW

SILVER LAKE | 826 KODAK DR | web: 0285219 | $699,000 Designer-done home features 2 bedroom and 2 bath along with a converted garage space that works as a great home office or 3rd bedroom.

Rob Kallick 323.775.6305

IN ESCROW

MT WASHINGTON | 4906 GLENALBYN DR | web: 0285277 | $684,000 Tranquil contemporary, efficient and stylized floorplan. Detailed touches throughout. Extraordinary mountain and canyon views everywhere.

Michelle St. Clair 213.304.4943

NEW LISTING

SILVER LAKE | 1903 ROSEBUD AVE | web: 0285291 | $599,000 2bd/1ba bungalow. Tastefully remodeled eat-in kitchen and handsome remodeled bathroom. First purchase or your private special getaway.

Gail Crosby 323.428.2864

NEW LISTING

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

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

SOLD

LOS FELIZ | 2419 CLAREMONT AVE | $819,000 Formal dining room, breakfast room with high ceilings, gorgeous hardwood floors 2bd/1ba upstairs 1bd/1ba bath separate studio / guest apartment.

Jeffrey Young 213.819.9630

IN ESCROW

SILVER LAKE | 1355 CORONADO TER | web: 0285280 | $649,000 Built in 1923 this 2BD/1BA with a gorgeous Batchelder style fireplace, original windows, rosewood floors, and lush landscaping, gated property.

Rob Kallick 323.775.6305

SOLD

NEW LISTING

GLASSELL PARK | 3872 CAZADOR ST | $565,000 Perched high in the hills hidden behind a hedge this 1940’s Traditional, nestled on a large corner lot with great privacy and expansive views.

Jeffrey Young 213.819.9630

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

LOS FELIZ BROKERAGE MARC GIROUX | VICE PRESIDENT/BROKERAGE MANAGER

1801 North Hillhust Avenue | Los Angeles, CA 90027 | 323.665.1700 | sothebyshomes.com/losangeles *Data per MarketQuest for the dates ranging from 1.1.2013-8.31.2013 for Single Family Homes, Condos, and Townhomes for the areas of Hollywood Hills East, Los Feliz, Silver Lake-Echo Park

Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.

Los Feliz Ledger [senior moments]

To Know When You’ve Been Scammed

By Stephanie Vendig, Ledger Columnist Shopping one day, Jeanette, an active 90+ year old, was confronted with two women in a SUV motioning to her as she was pulling out of a parking space. They insisted that she had scratched their car and they were calling their insurance agent to find out the cost of damage.

Jeanette was suspicious because the scratches were on the opposite side from where she was. The women claimed the bill would be $600 and requested a $400 check. They offered to pay the remainder.

Jeanette told them she had no checkbook with her and they left.

It was a scam.

The term “scam” is used widely to describe all types of fraudulent schemes. In the old days, there would be the “confidence tricks” or game when a person or group intentionally misleads you with the goal of financial gain. Now, the word “scam” covers all schemes: whether it is on the Internet or person to person

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), seniors are the most likely demographic to be prime targets for scam artists seeking to defraud them of money or personal information.

Although it’s widely believed to be underreported, a 2009 study by MetLife’s Mature Market Institute estimates that seniors lose approximately $2.6 billion per year due to financial abuse—fraud—as well as theft by family members and acquaintances. Unfortunately, misinformation, shame, and fear often make seniors less likely to report when they are the victims of fraud.

Another senior friend, Ida, was exposed to the “Family Emergency Scam, also called “Grandparent Scam.”

She got a call saying, “Hi Grandma, I got into a little accident and I need help with the deductible of $800 to fix my car.” The caller even Ida to go to her local CVS drug store, get a “green card” putting the amount on it and then call him with the card num-

ber. She ended that conversation. She also reported it to the police. According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than 40,000 complaints since 2010 have been “Grandparent Scams.”

Another common Internet scheme is call “Phishing.”

Emails supposedly coming from legitimate companies ask for personal information or are requesting that you click on a link for the purposes of their gaining information or stealing your identity.

Many of these fraudulent scams will be discussed at the “Senior Scam Stoppers” event on Oct. 3rd from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Griffith Park Adult Community Center (GPACC) by a panel of experts arranged by Assemblyman Mike Gatto and the Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB). The event is open to the public and free.

Assemblyman Gatto said he hoped the seminar would help seniors avoid falling prey to financial abuse and feel more comfortable com-

ing forward if victimized. The Assemblyman’s interest in this issue has led to legislative efforts to protect seniors from fraud and financial scams,

including AB 1624 (2012), which protects senior citizens and others from having their bank accounts drained by a co-signatory.

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Griffith Park Adult Community Center Calendar

Thurs., October 3, 2013, 4:00-5:30 pm “Senior Scam Stopper,” a presentation sponsored by Assemblyman Mike Gato & CSLB Learn how to protect yourself from fraud from experts relating to home repair, finances, identity theft, Medicare, and more

Weds., October 16, 2013, 12:00-3:00 pm Friendship Auditorium - Lunch, General Meeting & Program Nominations of 2014 GPAC Club officers, and presentation by Northeast Division of LAPD

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

shine through

October 2013

www.losfelizledger.com

SENIOR MOMENTS Page 17

Los Feliz Ledger IPADS from page 3

wireless technology infrastructure and have staff and administration buy-in.

Even still, there’s no telling how the school’s wireless Internet system will react to more than 600 iPads working at once. Across the district, typically at older schools than Sotomayor, there have been reports of network failures.

When the iPads are finally distributed, there will also issues of incomplete curriculum to deal with. Draghi said the English teachers still need training from Pearson Education, the curriculum’s software developer, the scheduling of which is still being determined.

“When they call it a pilot, that’s what it is,” she said.

“There’s always glitches with a pilot. We’re being patient.”

The program is being funded partially by voter-approved Measure Y, R and Q bond revenues, all of which were dedicated to the repair and upgrade of aging classrooms and build neighborhood schools.

Some, such as David Tokofsky, a former teacher at John Marshall High School and former LAUSD board

Page 18

member and current educational consultant, have questioned if the respective bonds funding the iPads is even proper, given the bonds were approved for the improvement of LAUSD schools’ infrastructure.

“When I was on the school board the legal opinion given to me and the public was something like this: if you take a school building and turn it upside down and something falls out, you could not consider those items that fell out, capital goods or bond fundable,” said Tokofsky. “[Bond] money [is] predominantly to get kids to their neighborhood schools to reduce overcrowding, to make the size of schools smaller and competitive and also to repair and upgrade buildings that in many cases were built in the 1930s or earlier.”

The iPads cost nearly $700 each including the software. LAUSD’s contract with Apple stipulates that for three years, broken, lost or stolen machines will be replaced until they surpass 5% of the contract’s value. But, beyond that, the district has still not decided on a uniform approach to handling broken or lost iPads.

Advertise in the Los

Feliz Ledger (323) 667-9897

ASK GAIL Ask me now how I’m different from the rest Gail Crosby Sotheby’s International Realty 1801 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027 323/428-2864 GailCrosby@aol.com BRE: 01377453

www.losfelizledger.com

October 2013

Los Feliz Ledger [editorial: BALL FIELDS IN GRIFFITH PARK]

Ball Fields, Yes, But Not at the Expense of Picnickers and Trees

By Gerry Hans, President, Friends of Griffith Park Growing up on the farm in a family of competitive boys, we played in a 4-H softball league starting about the time I could safely swing a bat. We were driven all over Madison County, Illinois to

spreading blankets beneath the shady trees to enjoy a few hours of rest, relaxation and play. This is a time-honored tradition. I’ve heard picnickers state their families have been coming to the Crystal

vironmental Impact Report (EIR) for any project that may cause significant environmental impacts. Of the eight environmental criteria, the impact on recreational use may be the most significant.

“I’ve heard picnickers state their families have been coming to the Crystal Springs Picnic Facility for four generations and they want to continue to do so. Some live in housing without back yards they can enjoy. Crystal Springs is the only area that groups can reserve and one of a few areas where grills are allowed.” play games on hot summer Midwest nights under bright lights. Youth team sports present the kind of experience and life-lessons that every parent wants for their child. That’s something that hasn’t changed – even a half century later.

Other things have changed, though, especially in urban areas like Los Angeles.

The relative amount of available space for passive recreation—particularly for family picnicking and kids’ creative play—has dwindled. Griffith Park is huge. There’s got to be a place in Griffith Park where we can build a couple ball fields. The tough task is finding where!

Here in Griffith Park, little accessible flat terrain remains to provide for this recreational need. The building of the I-5 freeway in the 1950s resulted in huge losses of picnicking terrain, along with the loss of two ball fields at Riverside Drive. Later, an expanding zoo, the Autry’s 11 acres, new soccer fields, Pote Ball Field, and various other amenities further consumed flat land in the park.

Mike Eberts’ book, Griffith Park, A Centennial History, points out that the Great Depression presented booming times for Griffith Park. People had very little money. Colonel Griffith’s son, Van Griffith, continued to embrace his father’s convictions that the park be free to everyone. Eberts says, “For many people, Griffith Park became their vacation resort.”

Got news, folks! It still is. On any given warm nonwork day, hundreds and sometimes thousands of park users enjoy the Crystal Springs Picnic Facility. It has been used for family picnics and celebrations dating back to the 1930s. Grills are fired up and families gather, often October 2013

Springs Picnic Facility for four generations and they want to continue to do so.

Some live in housing without back yards they can enjoy.

Crystal Springs is the only area that groups can reserve and one of a few areas where grills are allowed.

The city’s Bureau of Engineering says 32 trees would be cut down and 12 moved from the proposed site in Crystal Springs. These would include a 48”-diameter heritage sycamore and many coast live oaks, both species listed on the Protected Tree Ordinance.

Aesthetics would suffer, since tall fencing—begging for sponsor banners—would need to be built.

Griffith Park’s historic picnic grounds, along with the park’s hiking and equestrian trails, seem almost sacred because of their traditional and abundant usage. A city-wide survey conducted by Recreation and Parks and cited in the Griffith Park Vision Plan, says of picnicking: “Annually, more people come to Griffith Park for this use than to any other park in the municipal system.”

So where can the two ball fields be built? That’s where the EIR process comes into play, since part of the task of an EIR is to evaluate alternatives. Since the environmental process began, lists of alternative locations have been suggested by various groups,

“Griffith Park’s historic picnic grounds, along with the park’s hiking and equestrian trails, seem almost sacred because of their traditional and abundant usage. A city-wide survey conducted by Recreation and Parks and cited in the Griffith Park Vision Plan, says of picnicking: ‘Annually, more people come to Griffith Park for this use than to any other park in the municipal system.’”

Picnic tables are not the key ingredient to great picnic areas; the grass, the shade and the open landscape are!

The city prepared an Initial Study required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Eight criteria were checked as having “potentially significant” impacts, and the City didn’t check the box saying they could be mitigated. CEQA law requires the City of Los Angeles to prepare an Enwww.losfelizledger.com

including Friends of Griffith Park. Two nearby Neighborhood Councils—Greater Echo Park Elysian and East Hollywood—have withdrawn their support for the Crystal Springs venue, showing respect for the formal environmental process.

The EIR will evaluate the various sites in a formal manner on the basis of which is environmentally superior. The results of the EIR will tell us more.

[open mike]

Los Feliz Improvement Assoc.

On Griffith Park Vision Plan I was pleased to read your recent article about the proposed Vision Plan for Griffith Park (Griffith Park “Vision” Plan Released After 7 Years, Sept. 2013.)

However, upon reading the story, I found a need to clarify the position of the Los Feliz Improvement Association (LFIA) with respect to the draft document.

One of the LFIA’s priorities in recent years has been the adoption of a formal management plan for Griffith Park that provides a governance element that includes neighboring community organizations and park user groups.

We are extremely proud of our association’s participation in the recently released Vision plan and the substantial authoring provided by our representative, Valerie Vanaman. We have already submitted our suggested edits to the Los Angeles Dept. of Recreation and Parks including, as you correctly pointed out, the importance of hiring of a park ecologist.

There are a number of specific issues that we find compelling. The stewardship of Griffith Park requires the kind of management approach that balances the sometimes competing interests of venues and user groups. Furthermore, the already stifling traffic of Los Feliz Boulevard—and other arteries surrounding the park—is aggravated by a lack of master event calendaring.

We also have an obligation to guard our residents’ right to the peaceful enjoyment of their homes and residential neighborhoods.

As for baseball fields and the planned—and funded— outdoor natural performance stage, we remain primarily in favor of a formalized Griffith Park Vision Plan that incorporates best practices to guide decision-making on all projects within the park. We agree that both projects seem consistent with the Griffith Family gift, and both are in the

already-developed flat areas of the park. However, we have chosen to await the results of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process now underway and the adoption of the Vision Plan before taking an official position on any project in the park that is not yet in place.

America’s largest urban wilderness park has a history of often well-intended but calamitous abuse. The Toyon Canyon landfill—with its detrimental aftereffects and a particular illegal oversized jumbotron sign—are but two consequences of an historic lack of planning and ordinance enforcement in the park. There are currently some in the city who favor solving current economic challenges with shortsighted and inappropriate sign districts and billboard advertising throughout the park.

We reject these concepts as patently inappropriate economic schemes for America’s largest urban wilderness park. They are, in addition, a violation of the pact made with the Griffith benefactors who donated the park as a place, “where urban man can fill his lungs with clean air and escape the pressures of urban life.”

While many venues in the park have master plans, unbelievably, Griffith Park as a whole does not. We believe that the recently released Vision Plan is a good initial step by the Dept. of Recreation and Parks and Los Angeles City Council District 4, and we hope it will lead to the first Master Plan in Griffith Park in over 30 years.

We owe it to our successors to preserve the delicate ecosystem in this glorious gift given our city by Griffith J. Griffiths in 1896.

Chris Laib Los Feliz Improvement Association President and Parks Committee co-Chair

Submission Guidelines To submit a letter for Open Mike, send to allisonferraro@losfelizledger.com or to 4459 Avocado St., LA, CA 90027.

Include your name, area in which you live and contact information.

Letters become property of the Los Feliz Ledger and may be edited for clarity or space for reprinting.

EDITORIAL / OPEN MIKE Page 19

Los Feliz Ledger [editorial: BALL FIELDS IN GRIFFITH PARK]

If You Build It, They Will Come (To Stop You)

By Linda Demmers, President Los Feliz Neighborhood Council I can’t think of anything healthier for children than playing outdoors. Teamwork and learning to win and lose with grace builds character.

When the smart phone is traded for a well-seasoned glove, everyone wins.

For years, the Los Feliz Neighborhood Council (LFNC) has been working to get baseball fields back in Los Feliz where we’re 300% inadequate even by L.A.’s admittedly “park-poor” standards.

Who could be opposed to youth baseball fields?

The project under debate, known as the Griffith Park Crystal Springs New Ball Fields, is funded through Prop K for public recreational facilities for Kids; hence, the K. Many Prop K projects are behind schedule, up to 80%

space as a place for free recreation and “that Griffith Park’s established recreational uses and users be recognized and that the City avoid their displacement.”

Some of their members have spoken out against any new baseball fields and the organization came out swinging against the Crystal Springs site in an official 8-page letter in January. Why? FoGP says their first choice for any new fields is North Atwater Park because it’s “recreationally superior” even though it adds only one new diamond, not two, and takes out Griffith Park’s lone basketball court. FoGP’s leadership has been highly vocal in declaring their opposition in phone calls, letters and e-mails lobbying city officials and

LFNC Responds to Griffith Park Vision Plan

By Tony Cella, Ledger Contributing Writer

observatory, soccer fields, tennis courts, riding centers, the Greek Theatre, and a nationally recognized playground called ‘Shane’s Inspiration.’

I realize as I write this from my wood-frame house here in Southern California, I’m being somewhat subjective. Though, I do concede somewhere in our area, there may be people living in entirely glass houses.

By the way, LFNC publishes its newsletter electronically— killing no trees for our communications.

What bothers me the most is FoGP’s effort to get an area off the 134 Freeway, near Forest Lawn, called “Headworks” deemed an acceptable alternative. Unlike Crystal Springs, Headworks is not near home for Los Feliz, Atwater Village or Silver Lake. And, incidentally, it is laden with inordinately high “Then there’s the plight of the refugee picnickers— levels of Chromium seven tables worth and the only ones with sanctioned VI or ‘Hex Chrome’ barbecues. Where will these “passive recreationalists” in its soil. go when baseball “evicts” them? Perhaps 250 yards to the Last month, empty two-acre field at Crystal Spring’s southern end, Prop K Project Manwith its bathrooms, parking, and enough space to hold ager, Neil Drucker, 70+ new picnic tables including barbecues?” cited letters from FoGP and a former in one category, but the Crysother neighborhood councils Los Feliz Improvement Assotal Springs project is seriously to oppose the Crystal Springs ciation President, as the impebehind schedule. Originally location, noting that the plan tus for choosing Headworks as scheduled for completion in would destroy the only “byan alternative. It’s not clear if December 2010, the over budreservation” picnic area.

Drucker knew of a toxicology get project is now scheduled Then there’s the plight of study identifying these carcinfor completion in 2016. the refugee picnickers—seven ogens, a study commissioned How can a ball field be tables worth and the only ones

by DWP at great expense to six years behind schedule and with sanctioned barbecues. taxpayers. twice the original price?

Where will these “passive recThis raises another quesWhile vetted by Counreationalists” go when baseball tion. Why push a site so far cil member Tom LaBonge “evicts” them? Perhaps 250 from the neighborhoods the of CD4 and supported by yards to the empty two-acre project was created to serve? neighborhood councils in the field at Crystal Spring’s southBecause once under environimpact area, there has been a ern end, with its bathrooms, mental review, the law says if coordinated effort to derail parking, and enough space to a viable alternative exists with it. The site was approved by a hold 70+ new picnic tables inpotentially fewer impacts, and majority of the Local Voluncluding barbecues?

Headworks will be an empty teer Neighborhood Oversight Apparently baseball and plot once DWP finishes conCommittee with four of seven its “screaming kids,” might struction, then it must be members in favor of Crystal dangerously spook an equesevaluated and seriously conSprings. This location is contrian’s horse. Yet, for years, sidered. Further delaying the sistent with Griffith Park facilthese very same riders have project and leaving the door ity planning guidelines that safely trotted past screamopen for interpretive lawsuits, call for new projects to be sited ing kids jumping like mad in which can be filed anonywithin already developed arblow-up bouncy houses. Simmously. More than likely the eas. Good to go? No. ilarly a “crack of a bat” might soil composition would elimiThere’s a long history wreak horse havoc, except kids nate the alternative. . . three to of debate when it comes to use alloy bats that “ping,” and five years later, that is.

Griffith Park and the recently riders have skirted Pote Field There is very little doubt released “Vision Plan” docuwhere adults swinging wood that the information about the ment doesn’t exactly chart a bats have been “cracking” soil was known. Our LFNC clear course for the park’s fubaseballs for decades. minutes record a number of ture, but one thing’s for sure, And finally, there’s the discussions on Headworks the Friends of Griffith Park “tree killings.” How can we and its contamination. The (FoGP) oppose ball fields in think of felling any trees in a “Griffith Park Wayist” webCrystal Springs. That’s who. park with tens of thousands of site, as of this writing, features The FoGP is a fairly new them? This debate could fill over 20 articles decrying ‘Hexcharitable organization. Their pages. Consider this regardworks’ and its bad soil. website (and lavish-looking ing Griffith Park: Without It’s one thing to play with quarterly publication) states felling—then relocating or facts to support a weak argutheir mission—preserve replanting—some trees, there ment; it’s disgraceful when it Griffith Park as Los Angewould not be golf courses, nor affects our children. This is, as les’ signature green and open a zoo, museums, train rides, an we say, “beyond the beyond.”

and Parks Dept. and neighborhood residents requested the document be general.

“The recreation and people of community requested it to be general,” she said. She also said describing the Vision Plan as a “term paper” was “inappropriate.”

The Vision Plan also uses phrases such as “evict,” in the case of picnickers if youth baseball fields were built at the park’s Crystal Springs location, however the LFNC approved letter to the city questioned whether anyone was under threat of being truly expelled from the park.

Vanaman felt the description of the terms in the Vision Plan weren’t over-dramatic.

“I thought it was quite even handedly done,” Vanaman said. “I don’t find any reason to agree,” with the LFNC’s criticisms.

The LFNC letter to the city, also claims that the writers of the new Vision Plan, overbilled recreational facilities available in Griffith Park

Page 20 EDITORIAL / OPEN MIKE

www.losfelizledger.com

LOS FELIZ—Citing a number of unsourced claims, the use of “bombastic” phrases and an overall “sloppy” product, the Los Feliz Neighborhood Council (LFNC) approved sending a letter to the city’s Dept. of Recreation and Parks calling for changes to the recently released Griffith Park Vision Plan.

“I would fail this if it was a term paper by students,” said chair of the LFNC’s Sports and Recreation committee Mark Mauceri, who authored the letter to the city.

According to Mauceri, the Vision Plan, which was seven years in the making, referenced claims by “scientists” and “ecologists” over environmental concerns without citing a study or providing documentation.

Valerie Vanaman, a member of the working group that created the Vision Plan, claimed the city’s Recreation

and the document’s inclusion of North Atwater Park as a recreation area.

The letter also disputes the classification of Griffith Park Boys Camp’s facilities because, the letter states, only camp participants are allowed to use the area.

The Vision Plan, which was released by the city in July, also listed Lake Hollywood Park has a baseball area, which the LFNC’s Mauceri, also disputed.

“If I played there, I’d break a few windows,” he said, referring to nearby residential areas.

Lake Hollywood Park is a grassy clearing that could be used for a variety of outdoor sports, picnicking or sunbathing, he said.

The LFNC letter also called for a removal of all references to the socio-economic, ethnic or class of park users, stating the references served

The Vision Plan also uses phrases such as “evict,” in the case of picnickers if youth baseball fields were built at the park’s Crystal Springs location, however the LFNC approved letter to the city questioned whether anyone was under threat of being truly expelled from the park.

Valerie Vanaman, a member of the working group that authored the Vision Plan felt the description of the terms in it weren’t over-dramatic.

“I thought it was quite even handedly done,” Vanaman said. “I don’t find any reason to agree,” with the LFNC’s criticisms. no use or purpose. Mauceri argued there was no evidence to back up the Vision Plan’s claims, that horse riders in the park were not all rich or that Hispanics made up the majority of picnickers.

“It makes the assumption that all Hispanics are poor,” he said.

In response, Vanaman said that not all horse-riders are “independently wealthy.”

She added that she did not understand the reasoning behind the council’s critiques.

The recently released Vision Plan was created by a “working group” of 12 area representative volunteers in an effort to rewrite the controversial Griffith Park Master Plan that was released in 2005. That plan, at a cost of $400,000 and released by Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge included such recommendations as adding parking structures, two aerial tramways, a hotel, a restaurant, a culinary school and a sports complex.

October 2013

Los Feliz Ledger

2013 SCHOOL GUIDE SPECIAL SECTION Compiled by Kimberly Gomez Ledger Contributing Writer The Los Feliz Ledger School Guide was compiled using information from schools, their websites and LAUSD.net. This list includes many schools in Los Feliz and surrounding neighborhood but it is not meant to be exhaustive.

Parents interested in Magnet schools, Permits with Transportation, Public School Choice and other Los Angeles Unified School District program options should visit echoices.lausd.net for more information about these schools and the application process.

The API (Academic Performance Index) is used by California public schools to measure academic performance year to year and is based on schools’ performance on the state’s standardized testing and other reporting.

The API scores are on a scale from 200 to 1,000. The state’s goal for each school is a score of 800 or above. The schools’ 2013 scores are reported here unless otherwise noted.

The tuitions listed for private schools are for the current (2013-14) academic year, unless otherwise noted.

Alliance Environmental Science and Technology High School 2930 Fletcher Drive Los Angeles, CA 90065 (323) 739-0560 www.esathigh.org Grades: 9-12 Student body: 460 Public or private: Public charter (API 860) The school’s themed curriculum concentrates on collegereadiness that integrates experiential learning with a focus on environmental science and technology.

Alliance Tennenbaum Family Technology High School (formerly Alliance Technology and Math Science High School) 2050 San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90065 (323) 276-5545 www.laalliance.org/schools/ tennenbaum/ Grades: 9-12 Student body: 380 Public or Private: Public charter.

(API 694) This is a Charter school at the Sonia Sotomayor Learning Academies Alliance Tennenbaum Family Technology High School utilizes the Blended Learning for Alliance School Transformation (BLAST) education model, which provides each student with a laptop and uses a wide variety of technological tools to prepare them for success in college and future careers.

ArtLAB 2050 San Fernando Rd.

October 2013

Los Angeles, CA 90065 (323) 276-5515 www.artlabhs.org Grades: 9-12 Student body: 275 Public or private: Public. (API 694) At the Sonia Sotomayor Learning Academies. An arts-integrated, project-based curriculum, ArtLAB students are prepared to meet the academic challenges of postsecondary learning and have developed the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue a career in media arts, or their choice.

Atwater Avenue Elementary 3271 Silver Lake Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90039 (323) 665-5941 atwater-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com Grades: K-5 Student body: 374 Public or private: Public (API 781) Atwater Avenue Elementary School seeks to educate and develop life-long learners in a safe, childcentered environment to enable children to become productive and responsible citizens.

Betty Plasencia Elementary School 1321 Cortez St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 (213) 482-1815 www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Plasencia_EL Grades: K-6 Student body: 975 Public or private: Public (API 786) Betty Plasencia Elementary School includes a Math/Science Magnet of about 140 students.

Through a comprehensive technology program they work to improve communication and problem solving skills. Special programs offered include Inner City Arts, Dance, Music and Chorus and Drill Team.

Campbell Hall 4533 Laurel Canyon Blvd.

North Hollywood, CA 91607 (818) 980–7280 www.campbellhall.org Grades: K-12 Student body: 1,085 Public or private: Private Orientation and school tours: Grades K-6, 11/2/13 and 1/11/14 at 9 a.m.

Grades 7-11, 11/9/2013 at 9 a.m.

For either orientation, RSVP with the admissions office at (818) 5055316.

Small group campus tours are also offered throughout the fall. Contact Admissions at (818) 505-5316 for dates.

Tuition: $25,990-$30,990 A college preparatory Episcopal day school that teaches with a philosophy marrying technological sophistication with a strong sense of community and a sense of real opportunity for the arts, sciences and communications. The academic program is structured and challenging.

Camino Nuevo Charter Academy Home Support Office 3435 W Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 Phone: (213) 417-3400 1-888-990-CNCA (2622) www.caminonuevo.org Grades: Pre-K-12 Student body: Five campuses serving approximately 1,500 students Public or private: Public (API K-8 Range 763-864; High School: 792) Admission: Admission to CNCA is on a first-come, first-serve basis. If there is more interest than openings, entrance will be determined by a public lottery. The

www.losfelizledger.com

lottery is held on the third Friday in February each year at every campus.

Founded in 2000, Camino Nuevo Charter Academy seeks to educate students in a college preparatory program to be literate, critical thinkers and independent problem solvers who are agents of social justice with sensitivity toward the world around them.

Chandler School 1005 Armada Dr. Pasadena, CA 91103 (626) 795-9314 x177 www.chandlerschool.org Student body: 417 Grades: K-8 Public or private: Private Open housea: 10/19/12 and 1/11/14 at 9 a.m. Reservations are not required and children are welcome to attend. Visits are by appointment and are scheduled on weekday mornings from October to February.

Tuition: $19,380 - $21,525 An independent, co-ed day school, Chandler seeks to develop good character, self-reliance and a commitment to community in students as a foundation for academic and personal success.

The school provides students with the highest quality and most academically challenging education in a nurturing, balanced and diverse environment.

Cheremoya Avenue Elementary 6017 Franklin Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028 (323) 464-1722 cheremoya-lausd-ca.schoolloop. com Grades: Pre K-6 Student body: 294 Public or private: Public (API 847) Cheremoya Avenue School seeks to be a high achieving school where a community collaboration of students, teachers, administrators, parents, families, neighbors and local agencies will work together to support and promote academic and character growth of students.

Early College Academy for Leaders and Scholars 2050 San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90065 (323) 276-5525 ecals.org Grades: 9-12 Student body: approx. 400 Public or private: Public charter.

(API-724) One of the Sonia Sotomayor Learning Acadmies, eCALS offers a college preparatory education to residents of Northeast Los Angeles, including advanced placement classes and college level classes. eCALS graduated 100% of its first class in 2013 with a twothirds acceptance rate to four-year colleges.

Flintridge Preparatory Academy 4543 Crown Ave. La Cañada, CA 91011 (818) 790-1178 www.flintridgeprep.org Grades: 7-12 Student body: 489 Public or private: Private Open house: 12/8/13. Individual and group tours occur throughout the school year.

Call the Admissions Office to schedule a tour.

Tuition and fees: $29,995-$30,995 Flintridge Prep offers a broad liberal arts-based education and a small class size. Their goal is to

provide for each student, in every discipline, the knowledge and tools required to excel in college and in life.

Franklin Avenue Elementary School 1910 North Commonwealth Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 663-0320 franklinaveelementary.org Grades: K-6 Student body: 439 Public or private: Public (API 916) Prospective Parent Tour: 1/31/14 at 9 a.m. Call the school office January to RSVP. Students are challenged to become fluent readers, effective communicators and strong problem solvers in mathematics. The School for Advanced Studies (SAS) program at Franklin is designed to address the needs of the large numbers of gifted and high achieving students.

Applications for the 2014 - 2015 school year are be available from the school office.

Glenfeliz Boulevard Elementary 3955 Glenfeliz Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90039 (323) 666-1431 www.friendsofglenfeliz.org Grades: K-5 Student body: 478 Public or private: Public (API 813) Glenfeliz Elementary supports academic excellence, creative arts, innovation in teaching and fostering a culture of achievement among the diverse student body.

Harvard-Westlake Middle School (grades 7-9) 700 North Faring Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90077 (310) 274-7281 Harvard-Westlake Upper School (grades 10-12): 3700 Coldwater Canyon North Hollywood, CA 91604 (818) 980-6692 www.hw.com Grades: 7-12 Student body: 1,605 Public or private: Private Tuition: $32,300 Open house: Family Visiting Days for 7th graders are 10/26/13 and 11/16/13.

Family Visiting Days for 9th graders are 12/14/13 and 1/11/14.

The Admission Office hosts weekday 9:00 a.m. coffees throughout the fall at the Middle School. Families can reserve for a Family Visiting Day or Weekday Parent Coffee through the Online Application system.

Harvard-Westlake is a coeducational, college-preparatory day school. The school is the result of a merger between Harvard School (for boys), founded in 1900, and Westlake School for Girls, established in 1904.

Holy Trinity Parish School Holy Trinity Academy (Grades K-5) Student Body: 145 2714 St. George St. Los Angeles, CA 90027 Phone: (323) 661-9200 Holy Trinity Prep School (Grades 5-8) Student Body: 130 3716 Boyce Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90039 Phone: (323) 663-2064 http://holytrinityla.com/ Public or private: Private Tuition: $4,082 Tours: Prospective parents can schedule a private tour and obtain registration packets by calling the Admissions Counselor, Ampi

Naranjo at (323) 661-9200.

A Roman Catholic, co-educational, non-profit school where educators are dedicated to the full academic and spiritual growth of culturally diverse children through enduring devotion using Jesus Christ as a model.

Immaculate Heart High School & Middle School 5515 Franklin Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028 (323) 461-3651 www.immaculateheart.org Grades: 6-12 Student body: 706 Public or private: Private Open house: Middle school, 12/15/13 at 1:00 p.m.

High school: Academic Play Day for 8th graders on11/23/13.

Open house: High School 12/2/12 at 1:00 p.m. No reservations needed.

Application packets are available on the school website Tuition: $12,925 An independent, Catholic, college preparatory school for young women who represent the religious, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity of the city of Los Angeles and its suburbs since 1906.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School 1055 North Alexandria Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90029 (323) 663-4611 ihmla.org Grades: K-8 Student body: 198 Public or private: Private Visit: An Open house will be held on 1/26/14. Reservations not required.

Tuition: $3,575-$4,675 A Roman Catholic co-educational school, Immaculate Heart of Mary School is a community of faith in which school and parents join together in the formation and education of each child to achieve a balance of faith, character and academic excellence.

Ivanhoe Elementary 2828 Herkimer St. Los Angeles, CA 90039 (323) 664-0051 www.ivanhoeschool.org Grades: K-5 Student body: 408 Public or private: Public (API 944) The school has served the community since 1889.

John Marshall High School 3939 Tracy St. Los Angeles, CA 90039 (323) 671-1400 www.johnmarshallhs.org Grades: 9-12

Continued next page

SCHOOL GUIDE Page 21

Los Feliz Ledger Student body: 3,422 Public or private: Public (API 757) Gifted/Highly Gifted/High Ability Magnet Tour Dates for the 2014-15 school year are 10/2/13, 10/16/13, and 10/30/13, all at 10:30 a.m. RSVP with Pat Jeffries at (323) 671-1430 or by email at pmj3914@lausd.net.

John Marshall High School seeks to provide the academic, social and multicultural environment needed to give students a positive direction for their future. The school has traditional and magnet programs as well as smaller learning community programs.

Larchmont Charter Schools Grades: K-10 Public or private: Public (API Scores: 908-931) Admission: By lottery. Applications available in October. The lottery is in February. www.larchmontcharter.org Tours: Tours are in the fall and winter months. Please refer to school website to sign up for an upcoming tour.

Four Campuses: Hollygrove (Grades K-5) 815 N. El Centro Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90038 (323) 836-0860 La Fayette Park Place (Middle and High School Grades 6-10) 2801 W. 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90057 Fairfax (Grades K-3) 1265 N. Fairfax St. West Hollywood, CA 90046 (323) 656-6418 Student Body: 195

Page 22 SCHOOL GUIDE

Selma (Grades 4-7) 6611 Selma Ave. Los Angeles 90028 (323) 871-4000 Student Body: 200 Tuition-free and non-sectarian public elementary school offering a project-based, constructivist curriculum. Larchmont Charter School seeks to provide a socioeconomically, culturally and racially diverse community of students with an exceptional public education.

Los Angeles River School 2050 San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90065 (323) 276-5535 www.lariverschool.org Grades: 9-12 Student body: 303 Public or private: Public. (API 658) Call (323) 276-5536 to schedule a tour.

At the Sonia Sotomayor Learning Academies.

LARS mission is to graduate young adults who are ready to be builders and stewards of ecologically sustainable and socially-just communities.

Los Feliz Elementary School 1740 N. New Hampshire Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 663-0674 www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Los_Feliz_ EL/ Grades: K-6 Student body: 422 Public or private: Public (API 792) Los Feliz Elementary School’s dedicated staff provides students with a rigorous standards-based curriculum that encourages students to become life-long learners.

Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts Campus: 2709 Media Center Drive Los Angeles, CA 90065 Office: 1553 Cassil Place Los Angeles, CA 90028 (323) 539-2810 www.losfelizarts.org Grades: K-6 Student body: 483 Public or private: Public (API 836) Admissions: Enrollment to LFCSA is governed by a Public Random Drawing (PRD). In early spring, LFCSA conducts its PRD for admission to the school for the following academic year. In order to be part of the PRD, a family must complete the short PRD application form and submit it to the school.

LFCSA is a parent-initiated, innovative, non-profit, public elementary school serving a socio-economically, ethnically and linguistically diverse student population. LFCSA seeks to provide a high-quality public education that embraces learning in and through the arts as an integral part of a balanced learning environment.

Loyola High School 1901 Venice Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90006 (213) 381-5121 www.loyolahs.edu Grades: 9-12 Student body: 1,293 Public or private: Private Open House: 12/15/13 at 1 p.m.

Reservations not required.

Tuition: $16,680 A Catholic college preparatory School, founded in 1865, for young men who represent the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity of greater Los Angeles.

Loyola is committed to the development of the whole person, through a challenging educational experience of

academic, co-curricular and religious opportunities.

Lycee International of Los Angeles (LILA) 5 campuses serving Los Angeles and Orange County Los Feliz 4155 Russell Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027 Phone: (323) 665-4526 www.lilaschool.com Grades: Preschool – 5 Student Body 313 Burbank Campus 1105 W. Riverside Drive Burbank, CA 91506 Grades 6-12 Student body: 263 Pasadena Campus 30 N. Marion Avenue Pasadena, CA 91106 Grades Preschool – 5 Student Body: 146 Public or private: Private A parents-only tour for the Los Feliz campus is scheduled 11/9/13 and at the Pasadena campus on 11/16/13. Refer to school website for information on how to join a scheduled tour or to set up a private meeting.

Tuition: $12,490 - $16,300 A bilingual French-American school.

LILA is an international, preschool through 12th grade school, committed to academic excellence in a nurturing and intimate environment that encourages personal initiative, creativity and curiosity. Students are challenged through the rigorous and wellbalanced bilingual curriculum promoted by the French and International Baccalaureate institutions.

Marlborough School 250 South Rossmore Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90004

www.losfelizledger.com

(323) 935-1147 www.marlboroughschool.org Grades: 7-12 Student body: 530 Public or private: Private Open houses: 10/12/13 for applicants to 7th or 8th grades, and 11/23/13 for applicants to 7th – 11th grades. Both at 9 a.m.

Reservations are required.

Tuition: $33,785 An independent, urban day school for young women. The school is committed to delivering a superior college preparatory education in an environment imbued with high ethical values.

Mayberry Elementary School 2414 Mayberry St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 (213) 413-3420 http://mayberry-lausd-ca. schoolloop.com/ Grades: Pre K through 6th Student body: 385 Public or private: Public (API 780) The school’s vision is that all children receive a standardsbased education in a nurturing environment. Parents and community are integral partners in the instruction and growth of the students.

Mayfield Junior School of the Holy Child Jesus 405 South Euclid Ave. Pasadena, CA 91101 (626) 796-2774 www.mayfieldjs.org Grades: K-8 Student body: 508 Public or private: Private School tours: Lower School: 10/17/13, 11/5/13, and 12/4/13 at 9 a.m.

Middle School 11/12/13 at 9 a.m.

Lower and Middle Schools 1/9/14 at 9 a.m.

Middle School Information Night,

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October 2013

Los Feliz Ledger 11/19/13 at 6 p.m. Call the school for reservations.

Tuition: $18,190 A Catholic independent K-8 coeducational school, where the overall program is guided by a Catholic heritage and commitment to Holy Child goals and philosophy.

Micheltorena Street Elementary School 1511 Micheltorena St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 (323) 661-2125 micheltorena.org Grades: Pre K-6 Student body: 330 Public or private: Public (API 741) Monthly tours of the school are held on the third Wednesday of most months, starting at 10:30 a.m. Visit the school’s website for available dates and to RSVP. An ever-evolving learning community with special programs in Arts, Science, Technology and English/Spanish Dual Language.

Notre Dame High School 13645 Riverside Dr. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 (818) 933-3600 www.ndhs.org Grades: 9-12 Student body: 1,205 Public or private: Private 8th grade visit days: 10/18/13, 10/25/13, 11/8/13, 11/22/13 and 12/6/13 all at 9 a.m. Advance online reservations are required.

Open house: 11/17/13 at 10 a.m.

Tuition: $12,500 Private Catholic co-educational secondary school offering a college preparatory curriculum with honors and advanced placement courses in art, English, foreign languages, mathematics, science and social studies.

The Oaks School 6817 Franklin Avenue Hollywood, CA 90028 323.850.3755 www.oaksschool.org Grades: K-6 Student body: 149 Public or private: Private School tours: Tours are held at 10 a.m. October through midDecember.

Call to RSVP. Parents of prospective students are strongly recommended to attend a school tour before completing an application.

Open House: 11/7/13 6 p.m.

Tuition: $19,260 A developmental school where curriculum is designed to promote growth in all developmental areas- intellectual, artistic, social, emotional and physical- and to

foster a culture that sustains the human spirit. We emphasize mastery of essential academic skills of reading, writing, computing, creating, problem solving and critical thinking.

Oakwood Oakwood Secondary School 11600 Magnolia Boulevard North Hollywood, CA 91601 www.oakwoodschool.org (818) 752-4400 Oakwood Elementary School 11230 Moorpark Street North Hollywood, CA 91602 (818) 752-4444 Grades: K-12 Student body: 757 Public or private: Private Open houses: Elementary: Prospective parents who wish to learn more about Oakwood are invited to one of several scheduled morning sessions (reservations required. Call the school for a schedule.

Secondary: 10/17/13 at 6 p.m., 11/16/13 at 9 a.m and 1/11/14 at 9 a.m. Call the school to schedule.

Prospective student open house: 12/8/13 at 12:30 p.m.

Tuition: $28,400 - $33,300 Oakwood School is a coeducational, K-12 independent day school. It was founded in 1951 by a group of parents who wanted to provide their children with an educational experience that was rich in the arts, sciences, and humanities and challenging to their creative and intellectual capacities.

Our Mother of Good Counsel 4622 Ambrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027 Phone: (323) 664-2131 www.omgcschool.org Grades: K-8 Student body: 140 Public or private: Private Tuition: $4,983 - $5,635 Open house: Late January, 2014.

Call the school to register or to schedule a tour.

A Catholic, co-ed elementary school for grades Kindergarten through 8 with an emphasis on Christian values.

Pilgrim School 540 South Commonwealth Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90020 (213) 385-7351 www.pilgrim-school.org Grades: Pre-K-12 Student body: 303 Public or private: Private Open houses: 11/3/13, 1 p.m. and 1/11/14, 10 a.m. Refer to school website to reserve.

Tuition: $15,460 - $24,940

A division of the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, the school is an ethnically and culturally diverse, co-educational day school offering a traditional college preparatory curriculum, emphasizing the mastery of fundamental skills and critical thinking at all levels. With all of Los Angeles as a classroom, academic skills are applied to real-world challenges and opportunities.

Ramon C. Cortines School for the Visual and Performing Arts 450 N. Grand Ave.

Early Childhood

Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 217-8600 central-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com Grades: 9-12 Student body: 1,356 Public or private: Public (API 737) Admission: Ramon C. Cortines High School for the Visual and Performing Arts is part of the “Belmont Zone of Choice,” giving priority admission to students living in the zone. Students from outside the zone are admitted each year on a first-come, firstserved basis. Call the school for application information.

School Tours: Tours begin in early

Elementary Grades

December. Call the school for a schedule.

With academies in Dance, Music, Theater and the Visual Arts the school aims to instill the essence of community by fostering lifelong learning and appreciation of the arts.

Renaissance Arts Academy 1800 Colorado Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90041 (323) 259-5700 www.renarts.org

Continued next page

High School

High School Open House November 9

Schedule a tour to see the Waldorf difference. pasadenawaldorf.org 626-794-9564

Discover Immaculate Heart A Private, Catholic, College Preparatory School for Grades 6 – 12

Educating the Hearts & Minds of Young Women Since 1906

Lycée International de Los Angeles Lycée International de Los Angeles (LILA) is an international, preschool through 12th grade school.

We offer a rigorous, well-balanced, bilingual education. Our Los Feliz campus hosts Pre-K through 5th grade students in an intimate environment.

Schedule your tour today. Call us at 626-695-5159.

Immaculate Heart High School & Middle School

• Academic Playday for Eighth Graders – Saturday, November 23, at 9 a.m.

• High School Open House – Sunday, December 8, at 1 p.m.

• Middle School Open House – Sunday, December 15, at 1 p.m. www.lilaschool.com

October 2013

www.losfelizledger.com

5515 Franklin Avenue • Los Angeles, CA 90028-5999 • (323) 461-3651 • www.immaculateheart.org

SCHOOL GUIDE Page 23

Los Feliz Ledger Grades: 6-12 Student body: 321 Public or private: Public charter (API 897) Information meetings: 2/12/14, 3/5/14 and 3/19/14 at 6 p.m. It is highly recommended for al prospective families to attend. Call the office to RSVP. Admission: By lottery.

Applications for the 2014-15 school year will be accepted between Feb. 3rd and April 21st, 2014 only.

A small Music and Performing Arts school providing an integrated classical education for middle and high school students from all backgrounds. Through rigorous academic inquiry, collaborative small-group instruction, and professionally-guided arts training, the Academy cultivates 21st century Renaissance citizens.

St. James’ Episcopal Day School 625 South St. Andrews Place Los Angeles, CA 90005 (213) 382-2315 x255 www.sjsla.org Grades: Pre-K-6 Student body: 360 Public or private: Private Tuition: $13,020- $17,150 Open Houses are held throughout the fall. Call to RSVP. Grounded in traditional methods, St. James has prepared bright and capable students for the best secondary schools in Los Angeles.

The St. James’ curriculum incorporates independent critical thinking with basic skills to develop students for the challenges of the 21st Century.

The Studio School Co-located within Glassell Park Elementary School 2211 W AVE 30 LOS ANGELES, CA 90065 (323) 225-4542 www.studioschoolla.com Student Body: 64 Pilot middle school launched in Fall

Page 24 SCHOOL GUIDE

2013. The Studio School is expected to grow to include 7th grade next year. At full capacity, The Studio School will serve about 300 students, grades 6th through 8th.

Open House dates are 12/9/13 and 2/27/14 at 7 p.m.

Contact Marca Whitten marcawhitten7@gmail.com or Diane Peete at Dpeete@finschools. org with questions concerning the school or the enrollment process.

Studio School seeks to advance the academic, social and emotional skills that students need for future academic success and to encourage the ability to respond creatively to 21st century challenges with integrity, discipline, compassion and courage.

St. Teresa of Avila 2215 Fargo St. Los Angeles, CA 90039 (323) 662-3777 www.stapanthers.org Grades: K-8 Student body: 150 Public or private: Private Tuition: $3,960 School tours are available upon request.

Open Houses: 1/26/14 and all day on 1/30/14.

Registration packets are available in the school office or can be mailed upon request.

A community committed to Jesus Christ’s mission of reaching out, teaching, modeling and helping others. St. Teresa of Avila School offers an academic curriculum that includes Religion, Family Life, Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Health, Music, Art and Physical Education.

School of History and Dramatic Arts 2050 San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90065 (323) 276-5500 sohda-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com

Grades: 9-12 Student body: 310 Public or private: Public (API 755) At the Sonia Sotomayor Learning Academy, the school utilizes a thematic, interdisciplinary, projectbased approach, facilitating creative expression through addressing the needs of students.

An in-depth study of history develops an expansive perspective that encourages local action and global citizenship. A study of historical context also enriches student’s understanding of dramatic arts.

Sequoyah 535 S Pasadena Ave Pasadena, CA 91105 (626) 795-4351 www.sequoyahschool.org Grades: K-8 Student body: 192 Public or private: Private Tuition: $20,250 Tours: Tours are offered from October through January. Call to make a reservation or register online.

Sequoyah teachers challenge students to be creative, idealistic and practical both in the classroom and out in the community. Curricula and activities are often specific to the particular attributes of the school and its surroundings.

Temple Israel of Hollywood 7300 Hollywood Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90046 (323) 876-8330 x4005 www.tiohdayschool.org Student body: 210 Grades: K-6 Public or private: Private Tuition: Approx. $19,000 Open House Evening: 1/23/14 at 6:30 p.m.

Tours: 10/24/13, 11/14/13, 12/12/13 and 1/9/14 at 8:30 a.m. Call the admissions office to make a reservation or to receive an

application.

Temple Israel of Hollywood Day School is a private elementary school that provides children in kindergarten through 6th grade with a dynamic developmental education designed to serve the whole child.

Thomas Starr King Middle School 4201 Fountain Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90029 (323) 644-6700 www.kingms.org Student body: 1,505 Grades: 6-8 Public or private: Public (API 843) Applications for the magnet programs: Gifted/High Ability Technology & Arts Magnet; Environmental Studies Magnet; and Film/Media Magnet available at eChoices.lausd.net starting Oct. 1. 2013 Deadline is November 15, 2013.

Visit: Tours for the magnet programs will be held Thursday mornings at 8:15 a.m. in October and November. RSVP on the school website.

Provides a quality, challenging education that fosters equality, respect, and responsibility among a diverse group of students, staff, parents and communities. The magnet program’s curriculum integrates technology and art into core subjects and electives.

The Waverly School (626) 792-5940 www.thewaverlyschool.org Elementary School 67 West Bellevue Dr. Pasadena, California 91105 Middle School 396 South Pasadena Avenue Pasadena, California 91105

www.losfelizledger.com

High School 108 Waverly Drive Pasadena, California 91105 Grades: Pre-K-12 Student body: 288 Public or private: Private Tuition: $12,250 – $22,100 Open house: For prospective Middle School students, 1/23/14 at 7 p.m.

For High School students: 1/16/14 7 p.m. RSVP required.

Tours: Separate tours are held for elementary, middle and high school and run from October through January. Tours are for adults only. Register for a tour on the school website.

A progressive and developmental school that cultivates a passion for learning and a respect for others.

Waverly students build skills in mathematics, reading, writing, and critical thinking, while developing an appreciation for the arts, humanities, and sciences.

Westridge School for Girls 324 Madeline Dr. Pasadena, CA 91105 (626) 799-1153 www.westridge.org Grades: 4-12 Student body: 497 Public or private: Private Tuition and fees: $25,700 to $31,300 Open houses: 11/9/12 and 1/11/13 at 1 p.m.

Campus visits: After Dec. 1, 2013. Call to schedule a visit and interview.

An intellectually engaging and challenging curriculum prepares students to continue their education in college and beyond as discerning, motivated learners who are committed to excellence and goodness. Westridge students find balance among humanities, mathematics, science and technology, fine and performing arts and physical education classes.

October 2013

Los Feliz Ledger [pilgrim school]

By Nicola Kachikis, 5th Grade It is a new year and we have some new teachers, new programs and new classrooms. One change is that the old Girl and Boy Scout room has been transformed into the “Fab Lab.” Our science teacher teaches “Fab Lab” and her room contains a smart board, televisions to show slide shows and power points, and an entire wall with special paint so students can write on it with dry erase markers. In “Fab Lab” students do experiments and review what they learned in their classrooms.

Another change is our new drama program. In drama we play improv games and

st. james’ episcopal school

Engaging heart, mind, and spirit

You are invited! Come learn about our blossoming arts program with classes in visual arts, dance, Shakespeare, theater, & music.

join us

Inquire at sjsla.org/admissions

Preschool Open House: October 15 Elementary Open House: October 22 213.382.2315 x255 • admissions@sjsla.org 625 S. St. Andrews Place • LA

OMGC Set for Annual School and Parish Festival in October VERMONT AVENUE—Our Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church and School will hold their annual parish festival, Oct. 11th through the 13th. Times for the event are: Friday, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

On hand will be rides, food, games and prizes.

The event will also feature a separate beer garden with television football game coverage, live entertainment night

www.losfelizledger.com

and raffle drawings.

Additionally, on Sunday morning Oct. 13th, the festival will hold a morning breakfast on the festival grounds featuring eggs, sausage, Belgium waffles and mimosas.

The event will be held at 2060 North Vermont Ave. For more information on cost saving pre-sale ride tickets or raffle tickets contact (323) 664-2111 or visit www.omogc.org

What To Do On a Hot Day The start of school was exceptionally hot. The third graders in Room 13 shared what they do to cool off: Karina: When it is hot, I like to sit in the shade to read a book and drink some icy, cool, minty, strawberry lemonade.

Alfredo: I go swimming at the YMCA and play basketball in the gym.

Pascale: When it’s hot, I like to ice skate in my favorite place.

Adrian: I go to Froyo Life and eat chocolate ice cream.

Kenneth: I like to go to the pool and swim while catching a lot of mosquitos, bees, flies, and small dragonflies!

Mercer: I go to my neighbor’s swimming pool because I need to cool off.

Lilly: When it’s hot, I like to go to Soak City and get really wet!

Naturela: I have a fruit popsicle or ice cream.

Nika: When it is hot, I like to do a flip in the pool and play Marco Polo.

William: I like to go to the pool and do the stingray slither. You go to the bottom of the pool and slither around.

Kenny: I eat delicious vanilla ice cream and go to the beach.

[temple israel of hollywood day school]

By Sam Tansey and Josie Gordo, 6th Grade Temple Israel of Hollywood’s school year has been off to a great start. It might take a little bit of time getting used to the new school year, because our temple’s main hall, chapel, library and some offices are all being remodeled.

In the meantime, we are still receiving the same amazing education we get every year with some slight improvements.

First, we have a wonderful

new principal, Hannah Bennet, whom we are all enjoying getting to know.

Our incredible library has been temporarily relocated to a bungalow in the parking lot, but our terrific librarian, Melissa, has made it feel as full of learning and as comfortable as ever.

Our music program is now using the iPads we use for many other classes to bring even more opportunity and

music variety to our class.

Our school’s garden is in full fall bloom with greens and pumpkins bursting out everywhere and an outside classroom has been set up in the midst of it.

Our new kindergarteners and the rest of the grades are almost fully acclimated to their new classes and teachers.

Everyone knows their daily routine and we all have had a great first few weeks of school.

DRAKE from page 10

[stop] all that ‘Happy to be here [stuff] that y’all want me on” stating that he doesn’t just want to be apart of rap; he wants to command it.

Soon after, a humbling shift occurs, as Drake ponders that one of his exes is now a mother. Hearing this Drake offers her a place to live and a share of his life because she’s supported him since the beginning of his career.

The album’s name comes from a single story that Drake shares when Lil Wayne first offered him a spot at Young

Money Entertainment, the changing moment of Drake’s life.

Drake’s an incredibly skilled rapper with a unique set of talents, but I had never succumbed to the hype until Nothing Was the Same. This album is truly solid throughout with that one special song that hits perfectly in flow, production and meaning. This is truly the definition of a must-have album.

sibly the best rap feature of the year: two strong verses

by Jay-Z. Following a classic Drake trademark, the song utilizes two separate beats joined together perfectly to create a smooth and beautiful listening experience. In fact, I got goose bumps the first time I heard the piano riff in the “Paris Morton Music 2 half.”

The “Paris Morton Music 2” half of the song especially stands out. Drake starts off aggressive saying: “Look, October 2013

have fun. Our teacher is great and always reminds us that, “what happens in drama stays in drama.”

In addition to these changes through out the school I’m now in 5th grade.

In 5th grade, Pilgrim students begin to play an instrument and are in the band.

My music teacher assigned me the flute, but my friends also get to learn clarinet, saxophone, drums, trumpet and trombone. I hope by Christmas we will have a song we can perform for our parents. Students can also have free private or group lessons with our music teacher.

Pilgrim school is just getting better and better!

[Franklin Avenue Elementary]

★★★✩✩ SCHOOL NEWS Page 25

Los Feliz Ledger [thomas starr king middle school Environmental Studies Magnet]

Students Launch Program to Donate Wasted Food to Needy

By Daney Salazar The school year began with a bang!

Students McKenna Greenleaf Faulk, Erick Sanchez and Fabian Samayoa were honored Sept. 12th by Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge for their effort to help the hungry.

Their teacher, Annemarie Ralph, challenged her students to identify an environmental problem, find a solution and make change happen through taking action.

When asked, “Where did

money to buy one. Ms. Ralph wrote and received a grant from Lowes Home Store that allowed the students to purchase a refrigerator.

Next the students found the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and the First Southern Baptist Church in Hollywood, who could take the food and distribute it to people who needed it.

In doing so, Faulk, Sanchez and Samayoa launched “37 Degrees” from Hunger.

Thirty-seven degrees is the

The students discovered Americans waste 40% of all edible food by throwing away between $28 to $43—or the equivalent of 20 pounds—each month.

If Americans could waste at least 15% less, the students found, that would be enough to feed 25 million people.

you get the idea to do this?” by KCAL Channel 9, McKenna responded: “We searched for community problems on the Internet and found there is a hunger problem here in Los Angeles, and we saw another problem that exists right here on our campus, food waste.”

These students saw all the uneaten food left on a table and knew that all that food that could have been eaten would go to the trash and be wasted. They decided that all that food should be given to people who do not have food and need it, and that’s just what they did.

However, they needed a refrigerator to keep the food cooler than room temperature, but they didn’t have the

Page 26 SCHOOL NEWS

[Loyola high school]

New year, New courses

By Alex Flores, 11th grade Throughout its 149-year existence, Loyola has been renowned for its vast and rigorous academic curriculum.

Once again, it has enhanced its curriculum with the addition of two new classes, Mandarin I and History of World War II. Mandarin I teaches the foundations of the complex Chinese language, and, as instructor, Mr. Michael Mikita emphasizes, “ The course is designed for beginners with no background in the Chinese language.”

With nearly 50,000 characters, the Chinese language is one of the toughest languages to learn, and it is even harder to teach, according to Mikita.

Mikita, who is currently completing his PhD in Chinese Literature from Xiamen University in Southern China, is ready to make the Loyola Mandarin program a huge success. Although he does admit that the course will require, “a heavy workload and stringent requirements” the class according to Mikita “will prepare the student in a verbal,

audio and written manner for Mandarin II.” In addition to Mandarin I, Loyola brings, this year, a new social science to its curriculum, History of World War II, which is a one-semester course taught by Mr. Levi Line.

interest in the war and would jump at the opportunity to study the war in detail if given the opportunity.”

Dedicating a whole semester to the historic Second World War, the class thoroughly investigates numerous facets of the war.

“The class will study the causes, the course, and the implications of World War II. It

“When I became a teacher, I also realized that our youth had the same passion as me because of all the video games and movies based around World War II,” said Loyola High School teacher Levi Line.

In order to incorporate a new class into a school’s curriculum, it is necessary to have a multitude of students who are extremely interested in the subject.

“When I became a teacher, I also realized that our youth had the same passion as me because of all the video games and movies based around World War II,” said Line. “[Students] had a real

will handle most geographic areas involved, the major diplomatic, political, and military events as well as most of the key figures of the War,” said Line.

Exploring the expansive nooks and crannies of a new language or one of the most indelible wars in history is a tough task. However, it is no match for the exceptional students of Loyola High School.

temperature that food must be kept to be safe from bacteria. “[Doing this] makes me feel good about myself, knowing I’m helping others,” Faulk told the KCAL reporter.

The students discovered Americans waste 40% of all edible food by throwing away between $28 to $43—or the equivalent of 20 pounds— each month. If Americans could waste at least 15% less, the students found, that would be enough to feed 25 million people.

“We can’t start off big with the entire population, but we can make a change in our community and maybe that can be a message for everyone. Even a kid can do it,” Faulk said.

www.losfelizledger.com

October 2013

Los Feliz Ledger [immaculate heart high school[

A Heartfelt Welcome at Immaculate Heart

By Louisa Melcher ’16 and Katrina Webb ’16 Hundreds of girls, wearing pigtails and ruby slippers, disco attire and Samurai warrior costumes, descended upon Immaculate Heart’s Franklin Avenue campus on Sept.

6th, as Los Angeles sweated through a late summer heat wave and triple digit temperatures.

It was “Welcome Day,” an annual celebration where members of Immaculate Heart’s senior, junior and sophomore classes chose an alliterative theme, dress in costumes and welcome the freshman class with a morning of songs, skits and dances.

The “Samurai Seniors,” “Jackson 5 Juniors” and the “Somewhere Over the Rainbow Sophomores” rolled out the welcome mat for the “Nemo Ninth Graders” and staged a series of zany performances capped off by a Welcome Dance that evening.

“Welcome Day is one of my favorite school traditions,” said sophomore Tiffany Su. “I remember last year, when I was a freshman, it really made me feel happy to see the fuss everyone made over us. It made me glad to be part of the Immaculate Heart family.”

Classes began at Immaculate Heart on Aug. 17th and the first semester is already well under way.

The Athletic Dept. and Booster Club hosted its third annual BBQ Luau on August 24th and teams are hard at work, practicing for their fall season.

The Speech and Debate team—fresh from its success last year, when it sent three students to the State Championships and two to Nationals—competed in its first competition, the “Loyola High School Invitational” from Sept. 13-15th, followed by a national competition in Greenhill, Texas, and an invitational in Long Beach from September 28-29th.

And, members of Immaculate Heart’s Campus Ministry team continued to show they are women of heart, working throughout the summer to collect donations for the food pantry at Casa Esperanza in the San Fernando Valley.

The 2013-2014 school year began with a firm embrace of this tradition and the promise of a fun and exciting year ahead.

[marshall high school]

By Allia Parsons At the beginning of this school year, many students were called into the Title One office and asked to fill out an application for reduced or free lunches.

These applications not only help many families afford lunches, but they provide a way for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to monitor the income of our school.

Because Marshall is an over-crowded school, the Title One program provides major funding which is used to pay for additional teachers.

This money also provides our school with a nurse and college counselor.

In addition, this money helps free up funding to go to our sports teams.

The Marshall Barristers play on the most sports teams in all of LAUSD and will be competing in many upcoming sporting events this fall. The four fall sports teams will be competing until mid-November. Our football team has a home game against Lincoln High School on October 11th and the Girls volleyball team will be playing Franklin at Marshall on October 9th. The girls tennis team as well as Cross Country teams are in season as well.

We are very excited for this new year with our new teachers, and exciting sporting events. Go Barristers!

AVNC Approves $5,000 For Produce Stand

By Tony Cella Ledger Contributing Writer The Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (AVNC) approved, in September—with two members opposed and one abstaining—a $5,000 grant to Taking The Reins, a local nonprofit offering farming and horsemanship classes to underprivileged women aged 11-18 for the construction of a produce stand on Rigali Ave. Enrolled students will work at the booth to develop “business skills.”

AVNC members opposing cited that the organization discriminated against males and questioned if the organization serves local children.

MOMS CLUB OF

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

October 2013

www.losfelizledger.com

SCHOOL NEWS Page 27

Fall Is A Beautiful Time Of The Year In L.A. And A Great Time To Sell!

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

2150 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

323.668.7600

georgeandeileen.com

Coming Soon

3634 Shannon Road

Just Listed

Los Feliz Hills

Call For Price 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.

Los Feliz Hills

$1,170,000

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.

In Escrow

In Escrow

3216 Ettrick Street

Just Listed

$895,000 1616 Brighton Street

Los Feliz

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 &/or room for a pool. A lovely neighborhood close to Rowena reservoir. Ivanhoe.

Thank you George & Eileen,

Burbank

$589,000

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. Nice 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.

Dear George and Eileen,

We would like you to know that our family interviewed representatives from the 4 major real estate companies and we unanimously chose you.

We were delighted with our choice. You were so professional, so detail oriented and meticulous, you held us by the hand and walked us through every step of the selling process, and you were right on the money with the asking price.

$1,370,000

Lovely 3+3.5 N. of the Blvd 1923 built home with dramatic 2-story living room, fireplace and hardwood floors. Gorgeous dining room with bay window. Updated kitchen opens to the family room and out to a wonderful veranda with a pergola, great yard and a deck surrounding prolific avocado tree. A perfect home for entertaining.

Master with nice built-ins. Central air and heat. Detached 2 car garage. Walking distance to Hillhurst restaurants and shops.

Also, on top of everything else, you were very pleasant and friendly. I believe we will continue to be in touch with you and will not hesitate to call upon you in the future.

Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts.

With best regards, Adam and Ani Aivazian

Silver Lake

$695,000

Los Feliz Hills

$1,875,000

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!

Listed & Sold

Ani and I would like to thank you for the superb job that you did selling our home at 2309 North Commonwealth Avenue in Los Feliz.

2309 Commonwealth Ave Los Feliz Hills

1474 Silver Lake Boulevard

2694 Glendower Avenue

Breathtaking views the Griffith Park hills, downtown and the city beyond are enjoyed from this warm & inviting 3+3.5 New England style residence. The gorgeous living room leads you to a fabulous deck surrounded by lush greenery with spectacular views of the mountains & Griffith Observatory. Formal dining room. Sumptuous master w/knock out views, high ceilings, fireplace, spacious bath & walk-in closet. Library or den. Garage w/workshop. 3 fireplaces.