Source: Facebook; Mel Melcon, Los Angeles Times.

SILVER LAKE—Event organizers predict that more than 500 people attended a memorial walk July 25th to celebrate the life of Dr. Marc Abrams, the locally famed Silver Lake “Walking Man.”

Abrams, who was found dead in his hot tub July 21st, has walked shirtless along the same route, in rain or shine, every day for as long as most anyone in the community can remember. The cause of his death remains under investigation.

Crowds gathered in a grassy field beside the Silver Lake Recreation Center to speak in honor of the local icon before embarking on a five-mile portion of Abrams’ regular walking route. The Facebook event page, created by Brandon Fuller, 25, had listed that 572 people had planned to participate in the memorial walk.

A few people at the event were close friends and patients of the doctor, but most were members of the community who saw him on a regular basis, though they were not personally acquainted with him.

“I’ve seen him thousands of times and I would always wave and say hi,” said Raymond Lomax, 48, of Los Feliz, who was wearing a T-shirt he made to celebrate the event. “I see a lot of people and don’t know each of them personally. But, I still want to support him because he was a part of our neighborhood.”

Paul Redmond, an 18-year Silver Lake resident, reminisced about the 2004 Queen of Silver Lake pageant when Abrams made a surprise “walk-on” onto the stage.

“He was sort of aware of himself being a local icon. He wasn’t scheduled to be in the show. He just walked on as part of his regular walk and the crowd went wild,” Redmond said.

The event came a day after the Los Angeles Times printed a story stating that Abrams was under criminal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Dept., according to several anonymous sources, for allegedly inappropriately prescribing drugs to patients from his Studio City medical practice.

“I know some of you probably read stuff in the L.A. Times,” said event organizer Verdell Wilson, addressing the crowd through a megaphone. “I don’t know anything about that. What I do know is that he was our neighbor and he walked the streets of our neighborhood for 30 years. We’re here to celebrate that guy.”

The megaphone was shared with the crowd so members of the community could speak about Abrams’ life and what it meant to them.

Kevin West, who said he was one of Abrams’ “better friends,” read a letter on behalf of Abrams’ wife Cindy, thanking the community for creating and attending the event.

Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmember Tom LaBonge also came to pay their respects.

Garcetti announced the Los Angeles City Council adjourned their meeting Friday in Abrams’ memory.

“For all of the changes that Silver Lake has gone through, we haven’t ever lost a piece of our soul like we have now,” he said.

August 3rd is “National Night Out.” This event involved 36.7 million people last year in over 14,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide.

The program is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support and participation in local anticrime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

National Night Out is celebrated with outside and front porch vigils, block parties, cookouts, parades, festivals, visits from local officials and law enforcement, safety fairs and youth events.

The event provides a great opportunity to “socialize with your neighbors by bringing whatever you would be doing in your backyard to the front of your property”, she Monique Frese, a resident of Los Feliz.  “Brighten your street by leaving the porch light on at night, take a walk through your neighborhood with some neighbors and in so doing, make your own neighborhood a progressive party.”

For free registration materials call 1-800-NITE OUT or visit the National Night Out website at www.nationalnightout.org.

SHUTTERED: A store sits empty at the edge of Atwater Village’s business district on Glendale Boulevard. The shuttered business, along with a few others, signify the neighborhood’s struggle to balance trendy boutiques and restaurants with an economy that may not be ready to support them. Though the area still sees plenty of foot traffic, it wasn’t enough to keep some businesses afloat. Photo: Michelle Kunz

ATWATER VILLAGE—If Evita Corby didn’t have more than the local foot traffic generating income for her Glendale Boulevard business, she would definitely be worried.

The owner of Velvet Threads, a vintage and designer clothing store at 3203 Glendale Blvd., also commissions clothing rentals for movie studios, which, she said, is what is keeping her in business.

“I’ve seen three boutiques close in the last year,” she said. “Business has definitely changed. I was doing double what I’m doing now. People are being more savvy with money and as cheap as my prices are, I’ve had to drop them.”

Earlier this year, local business owners began to notice that some of the staple women’s clothing and accessory boutiques on Glendale Boulevard were closing their doors.

Movements, 3125 Glendale Blvd., left in early January, with Violet Willow, 3127 Glendale Blvd., following in March.

In late July, All Aboard! Boutique, 3195 Glendale Blvd., closed for good and Carolyn Hamilton, owner of Importante at 3149 Glendale Blvd., decided to relocate and conjoin with a similar room decor and accessory shop in Hollywood called Mush, located at 5661 Hollywood Blvd.

“One (boutique) would close, and then another and another,” Hamilton said. “Two years ago, there was an excitement of Atwater. At the time we had five art galleries. Now, we have one and a half, and a few good restaurants, but retail is just dying here.

Hamilton said she decided to move after a friend offered to let her rent out some of the space in her own shop.

“I’m going to pay her rent, I bring over my inventory, we both promote the same store and it’s a way to keep costs down,” she said.

Gina Harth, owner of All Aboard! Boutique, originally opened up in March 2005 in Echo Park, and later moved to Atwater Village because of a sudden increase in her rent that she said she could not shoulder.

Harth has shared her store space with The Little Knittery since she relocated within Atwater Village last year, but even after splitting the costs of rent, Harth said she has still seriously worried about being able to pay her overhead costs since January.

“It’s been too hard to survive here. It’s been an ongoing struggle. Every month was a little better, but then it suddenly dropped off. It hasn’t been what I made in Echo Park,” she said. “Other businesses in the area have closed down. This area isn’t really known as a shopping area anymore. It’s more of a service area now.”

Andy Hasroun, president of the Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce and owner of 55 Degree Wine at 3111 Glendale Blvd., said it’s not the state of the economy or the neighborhood to blame for the failure of local businesses. It’s the fault of the businesses owners themselves.

“A successful business person is the person that knows how to maneuver in bad times,” he said. “It’s knowing how to work around it and keep it alive in bad times, and doing whatever it takes to keep your doors open. If that means being there 15 hours a day, just do it. Deal with it. That’s what I do and believe in.”

During the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (AVNC) meeting last month, the board announced that they would be hosting “Summer Nights on the Boulevard” this year in order to continue to support local businesses.

Summer Nights on The Boulevard will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 26th and again on Sept. 23rd on Glendale Boulevard.

The board is also helping to promote the chamber’s “Shop Atwater First” campaign that was inspired by AVNC Co-Chair Leonora Gershman-Pitts.

“The point is to always shop Atwater first, until I absolutely cannot get what I need here and I have to go to Silver Lake and Los Feliz,” she said. “We want our stakeholders to know that you can get almost everything that you need right here in Atwater. It benefits all of us.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: As the Ledger went to press, Carolyn Hamilton, of Importante contacted us with concerns she had about our story. See an edited version of the letter from Hamilton here.

Letter From Carolyn Hamilton Regarding “Atwater Village Struggling as Businesses Close”

Carolyn Hamilton, of Importante, was interviewed for our August 2010 lead story, “Atwater Village Struggling as Businesses Close.” As the Ledger went to press, we received a letter from Hamilton with some concerns she was having regarding her interview on the matter with reporter Caitlyn Foyt.

What follows is Hamilton’s edited letter:

My concern after our brief conversation was that some people (myself included) might have given you the impression that Atwater Village is in dire straits and that our future is hopeless.  Even though I am indeed moving on I really don’t believe this to be the case.  The community has been hit hard, it’s true, just as other neighborhoods have been rocked on their heels.

In the five years since I set up shop here the changes have been many.  Atwater was pretty sleepy back in the day but quickly it became known for cutting edge art galleries (five on Glendale Blvd. at one time), innovative workout studios and eventually our boutiques and restaurants.  It was around this time that I, with my co-organizer Sonic Muze, started the Artwater Festival to celebrate the creative energies coming out of our little neighborhood.  All of the businesses pulled together for two years running to put on a great show and show our appreciation to our patrons.  It was an exciting time.  And it was only a couple of years ago.  Then the recession hit.  The galleries were the first to drop, relying as they do on people’s disposable income.  Then the domino effect kicked in and you know the rest of the story.  Except this is just a chapter not the end of the book.

This city is full of DIY types with a vision who will snatch up the available leases and give it a good go.  Atwater Village will be vibrant again.  The AVNC has said they will continue with last year’s highly successful “Summer Nights” series and Sonic Muze has even made noises about reviving the Artwater Festival in 2011.  The neighborhood will bounce back.

Thanks for your interest.

Carolyn Hamilton
Importante

This will be the third time that the city’s library hours have changed since last December. Overall, some 100 library employees lost their jobs system wide in the recent rounds of cuts.

This means that local library users will have access to fewer books, fewer CDs and DVDs and less Internet access and fewer activities for children and teens.

“[The budget cut] cut services especially for kids and everyone that is looking for jobs,” said Melissa Potter, senior librarian at the Silver Lake branch. “The change in hours will cause a huge inconvenience for people who use the library facilities on a regular basis, [like] people who come to the library to apply for jobs and check their e-mail.”

Melissa Potter

“The change in hours will cause a huge inconvenience for people who use the library facilities on a regular basis…”
– Melissa Potter, Silver Lake Library

One of the most popular programs at the Los Feliz branch is story time for children. With the new budget cuts, story time will not be as often and when it does happen, will be shorter in duration.

For some, the impact will be felt each week.

“We come to story time almost every Wednesday. It’s great to have free programs,” said Devin Dworsky, a nanny of two children, Chloe and Ryan. “Ryan loves books and reading and he’s met a lot of his friends here. It’s a good social atmosphere and it’s nice to have something to do that isn’t expensive,” she said.

According to Mark Stong, president of the fundraising group “Friends of Los Feliz Library,” there has been a 30% staff cut systemwide and a 38% cut in hours in programs to the general public.

Since December 2009, Friday morning hours were eliminated and in April 2010, Sundays were as well.

“Time will tell,” said Stong, “the impacts on the community. . . we don’t have a crystal ball to see how this will all turn out.”

Stong said the cuts will not affect the work of the fundraising group, including its popular monthly book sale.

“We’re positive thinkers,” he said.

The system includes the Central Library downtown, eight regional libraries and 64 branches.

For information about locations and hours visit: www.lapl.org.

Two unidentified persons snuck through the L.A. streets with their weapons of choice: a shovel and a pickaxe. Under the patchy lighting of the streetlights overhead, they led a pack of similarly covert individuals to the desired location.

The party members referred to each other by their aliases. Their leaders were known to them simply as “Mr. Stamen” and “Roly Poly.”

The mission was to plant a “guerrilla garden.” The “gardeners” pick their spot, whether it’s a plot of land next to a freeway bypass or on a city sidewalk, and without a permit or any rights to the land, they start digging and planting.

LA Guerrilla Gardening (LAGG) is a nonprofit organization that began two summers ago in Hollywood. It all started when a group of friends were meeting for “Mr. Stamen’s” 27th birthday party. “Mr. Stamen” rejected the notion of a typical party bar venue for the occasion and chose to plant a garden instead. The party guests were suddenly reborn as “guerrilla gardeners.”

“We had no intention of making it a big thing,” said “Roly Poly,” co-founder of LAGG with “Mr. Stamen.” “[We] weren’t trying to start anything, but it snowballed from there.”

Today, the organization has over 900 members. Its mission is to change Los Angeles one garden at a time.

The “Gorilla Gardners” mostly plant succulents, which are better adapted to Los Angeles’ mostly arid climate. Cuttings are donated from members’ own gardens.

They don’t seem to mind that what they are doing is considered vandalism. For “Mr. Stamen,” the right and wrong of “guerilla gardening” is rather gray—that’s what he likes about it.

“Technically it is vandalism,” he said, “but who’s going to bust us for gardening?”

It’s safe to say that most of the members are drawn to the organization because of its illicit nature.

“The people involved are as interesting as the organization,” said member “Delta Mike,” 30.

“Emily,” 27, first joined LAGG in June. She is a Bikram Yoga teacher who calls herself a rebel.

“You gotta stick to the rhythm, but you also gotta improvise a little—like jazz. It¹s all about the next rebellious act,” she said.

“La Fleur,” 35, a real estate consultant, planted eight “guerrilla gardens” in May. Recently while visiting the gardens to water them, he said he experienced a bit of nostalgia.

“There was a familiarity with the plants. I was like, ‘I planted that one, I remember that one, I had to help that one out’. In a sense, they are our friends,” he said.

In all, the organization has planted at least 20 impromptu gardens throughout the city.

Though their altruistic acts of vandalism are illegal they have never received punitive measures. Even Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge has shown support by coming to one of the digs and offering high fives and ice cream.

Defending LAGG, LaBonge said that they aren’t “altering” the land, but “enhancing” it instead. “I applaud anyone who enhances any public space,” he said.

LaBonge himself—along with a few of his city beautification team members—also have undertaken a few “guerrilla gardening” projects of their own. “In my office, we’ve picked a few projects in a guerrilla effort,” he said.

One of which will very soon on the northwest corner of Glendale Boulevard and Riverside Drive.

“We’re going to transform that little space to make it more appealing,” LaBonge said. “Anytime you put a little color, a little love, a little care to a bit of land, it reaps a lot of benefits to the people who see it.”

There are two guerrilla gardens in Los Feliz. One is in front of Club Spaceland on Silver Lake Boulevard and the other is at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Bates Avenue.

For the “guerilla gardeners” the door is always open for new members. If ever you find yourself walking by, they said, feel free to water them. And if you feel a little rebellious, you can go out to LAGG’s next dig.

“There’s a misconception that you need to know how to garden [in order to be a guerilla gardener]. But when it comes down to it, you put a seed in the ground and water it,” said “Roly Poly.” “It’s not that intimidating.”  Visit www.laguerrillagardening.org.

The new cell tower during construction. Photo: Andrew Lasky

LOS FELIZ—Recently, Our Mother of Good Counsel (OMGC) church’s bell tower has been encased in scaffolding. The work being done is not for repairs, but rather to hide a cell phone tower along the church’s structure.

Cell phone users locally and elsewhere, demand strong coverage. But homeowners groups complain heartily about the unsightly towers cell providers must erect to provide strong signals.

The church’s new cell tower, according to Father Jim Mott, is to provide better cell reception for all in the area and more importantly, those at Our Mother of Counsel church, which previously had poor reception.

“I feel wonderful about it,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a great help to our community. The reception around here is very bad and we keep getting dropped calls so this will facilitate people using their cell phones.”

However, some are concerned that the cell tower could increase the risk of cancer or other health issues of OMGC students and neighbors.

“I’d be concerned for the children at the school and for people within a block radius,” said Andrew Lasky who lives near OMGC. “It’s like sleeping within close proximity to a microwave.”

But according to the American Cancer Society, there is little evidence that the radiofrequency waves (RF) emitted by a cell tower base are harmful. According to the organization’s website, the energy level of a cell tower’s RF waves is low compared to other types of radiation; the lengths of RF waves are long creating a situation where they are not concentrated enough to affect individual body cells and the level of RF waves at ground level is very low and are not significantly different than the levels of radiation from other sources, such as those from radio and television broadcast stations.

“For these reasons, most scientists agree that cell phone antennas or towers are unlikely to cause cancer,” the site states.

Father Mott said he feels comfortable the cell tower is completely safe.

“When the public hearing was held, there was only one or two people that even came to voice a concern and evidently it’s not a problem,” he said.

LOS FELIZ—For sale and recently reduced! 6,000 square foot Los Feliz mansion in a pre-Columbian style evoking the mystique of a Mayan temple. This fixer-upper was “renovated” in 1994 by the Northridge earthquake, and recent flooding has added an aquatic element to the site. But, with a bit of elbow grease, you can dig out some of the old Hollywood glamour under this pile of concrete bricks.  It can all be yours for the bargain price of $7.495 million.

Why would any buyer be crazy enough to go for this deal? Because this is the Ennis House, meaning Frank Lloyd Wright designed these concrete ruins, and this is the property’s second price chop, after it was reduced from $15 to $10.5 million in February. This latest reduction, announced in June, brings it to 50% off the original asking price.

Frank Lloyd Wright

Everyone knows Frank Lloyd Wright and his iconic work, and one would expect properties like the Ennis House to be snapped up in an instant, by virtue of Wright’s name alone. However, Wright’s four concrete textile-block houses in Los Angeles (the Ennis, Millard, Storer, and Freeman houses) are well known for creating more headaches than headlines, due to expensive and ongoing conservation issues.  Wright’s Millard House in Pasadena has also languished on the market, and both properties are considered to need significant updating and maintenance.

The first Ennis House reduction, announced by Christie’s Great Estates in February, was intended to underscore “the foundation’s commitment to finding the right buyer and enabling that buyer to reinvest in the home’s preservation,” according to Ennis House Foundation President, James DeMeo.

Now, even at the “bargain” price of $7.5 million, it is doubtful many buyers will be able to afford the necessary renovation—the house is rumored to need upwards of $7 million in additional structural repairs and maintenance.

From one particularly picky seller’s point of view, these properties are still rare works of art, and should be treated as such. Yet, from the buyer’s perspective, the evocative allure of owning a Wright house no longer outweighs the conservation concerns, despite the properties’ history and legacy in Los Angeles.

“If you live there, you have to be totally dedicated to Frank Lloyd Wright and be willing to spend a lot of money to keep it from floating down the hill,” explained Wim de Wit, Head of the Getty’s Department of Architecture and Contemporary Art. “It demands quite a bit to live in a landmark building.”

But how low must the prices go before these expensive fixer-uppers are again appreciated for their true value?

For now, there is at least one person invested in the future of one of Wright’s homes: its realtor.  Crosby Doe Associates, out of Beverly Hills, owns the listing for the Pasadena Millard House (current asking price: $4.9 million), as well as listings for homes by famed L.A. Modernists such as John Lautner, Rudolph Schindler and Craig Ellwood.

In fact, Crosby Doe deals only in so-called “capital A” architecture, and would surely balk at being described as a “realtor” by profession.  Doe considers himself to be a conservationist and architecture historian rather than simply a real estate broker, and takes great care in ensuring that the architectural integrity of his listings are continued from one owner to the next.  He is as selective with his buyers as he is with his listings.

Doe’s care in the sale and maintenance of each listing has even developed an unofficial catchphrase in real estate circles: “WWCD: What Would Crosby Do?” Many buyers seek Doe’s advice about how to maintain the architects’ intent in their homes.  Even if they do not, he is not shy about letting them know what he thinks.

Of a Richard Neutra house recently sold, Doe complained: “The new owners have ruined it. Inside there is almost nothing left.  And worst of all, they think they have improved on Neutra. It’s as if someone bought a Monet and then said, ‘I don’t like the sky here and I want more flowers there.’”

He has even ruffled the feathers of high-profile clients like Diane Keaton, respected for her passion for Los Angeles architecture, and Madonna, because they made changes not in line with the original design objective of their houses.

In 1922, Wright opened an office in Los Angeles looking for a change, after an unfortunate turn of events at his Wisconsin live-work studio Taliesin, including the brutal murder of his girlfriend by a servant. At 55 years old, he was already considered past his prime, known mostly for his groundbreaking Prairie Houses in Chicago. In the early 1920’s in the growing city of Los Angeles, Wright sought to reinvent himself and his practice, and he began to experiment with concrete.

Wright’s textile-block method was designed to keep the cost of construction and materials down, accessible to any family with a limited budget.  The uniform pieces could be cast and laid by the owners themselves, allowing for easy modifications if need be.  Wright called this method the “Usonian Automatic,” a play on “U.S.A.,” envisioning the future for middle-class living.

Though in the same aesthetic as the Millard House, Wright abandoned all middle-class sensibility with the 1924 Ennis House, his last commission of this type, which was considerably larger and more dramatic.

“In the siting and design of the Ennis house,” according to the late architecture historian David Gebhard in his book, The California Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, “Wright went the furthest in revealing his attachment to the pre-Columbian architecture of Mexico and Central America.” The Ennis House was so sensational that it was used as a movie set several times, including 1959’s House on Haunted Hill.

Though the middle-class ideal of the textile-block method predated L.A.’s popular Case Study House program by several decades, the trend never caught on. In practice, concrete block construction proved to be quite expensive.  For example, in the case of the Pasadena Millard house, Wright contracted the Millards to pay $10,000 to build the house, an already significant sum in 1923; in actuality, it cost $23,000 to build.  


The houses are even less practical to maintain today. While the privately-owned Millard House has been adequately renovated, the foundation-funded Ennis House has fallen under disrepair.

After the 1994 Northridge earthquake and a series of heavy rains in 2005, the city red-tagged the building as uninhabitable and the National Trust placed the house on the 11 Most Endangered list. Under private ownership until 2005, the house is now under the purview of the non-profit Ennis House Foundation.  The Foundation has had modest success raising $6.5 million in funding for the stabilization of the house, and has now decided to put the house on the market in hopes of attracting a private buyer.

In a statement by the Ennis House Foundation on their website, they explain that “the house needs more stewardship at this point than a small nonprofit can sustain.”

If you’re looking for a river respite, Russian River Getaways may be the place for you. Located in Guerneville along the Russian River, these rental homes are all dog friendly. Not only can your pet frolic in the relaxing River, but you can also take in the stunning redwoods, wineries and leash-free beaches all just 70 miles north of San Francisco.

The camping enthusiast can enjoy staying closer to home at Leo Carrillo State Park Campground off of the Pacific Coast Highway. This site offers space for both tents and RV campers. It’s located near a dog-friendly beach as well as tide pools.

Or head east to Palm Springs. The Caliente Tropics Resort allows dogs at an extra cost of $20 a night. The Palm Springs dog park, located behind City Hall, boasts a 1.6 acre off-leash playground. And you will love being able to see the scenic dessert views at The Purple Palm, which will also provide your dog with a bowl of water when you eat on their patio.

Dogs deserve their days of summer too!

Each resignation was tenured separately, and the three seem to be unrelated.

Owen, who served as chair of the Planning, Zoning and Historic Preservation (PZHP) committee, sent his resignation letter to former president Charley Mims on April 10th of this year. He had held the position for nearly four years, and stated in his letter that he felt it was time to move on.

“The current situation facing the committee, because of the economic malaise, is less critical than it has been during the last five or six years,” he wrote, “and thus this is an appropriate time to pass the chair to another.”

During his time as chair, the PZHP committee worked on such issues as the expansion of local businesses, the commercialization of Griffith Observatory and affordable housing.

In his letter, Owen also reiterated the current status of several matters that are currently in front of the board, including pending requests for the committee’s support of liquor licenses for several local restaurants.

Owen was unavailable for comment.

Bernadette Soter, longtime activist on issues surrounding Griffith Park, submitted a letter to a group of undisclosed recipients on July 2nd announcing her resignation. Soter did not run for re-election to the GGPNC board this year, instead opting to serve only as the head of the neighborhood council’s Parks, River and Open Space (PROS) committee.

Soter did not respond to repeated attempts by the Ledger to reach her for comment, however members of the PROS committee expressed their sadness over her resignation.

“It’s a huge loss,” said Laura Howe, who also serves as co-chair for the PROS committee. “She’s one of the most dedicated people that have ever participated in the community.”

After joining the GGPNC in 2004 as the chair of the PROS committee, Soter, a longtime environmental activist, was an outspoken advocate for open space in Griffith Park. Beginning in 2005, she was a key player in drafting the Griffith Park Master Plan as part of a city-appointed team called the Griffith Park Draft Master Plan Working Group.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge, with whom Soter worked closely on matters concerning the park and surrounding areas, expressed his surprise and disappointment over Soter’s resignation.

“Bernadette Soter has had a great impact on the betterment of Griffith Park,” he said in an e-mail statement, adding that her “love of the park” was evident in many of her endeavors.

Recently, Soter became involved in the long-standing conflict among members of the board when she suggested that board member Mark Mauceri had submitted letters to the city printed on falsified GGPNC stationary. Mauceri later accused Soter of inappropriately sending an e-mail to the PROS committee in which she encouraged members to vote in a certain way for GGPNC elections.

Neither accusation was ever confirmed, but the clash, among others, may have contributed to Soter’s decision to resign, said Howe.

“I think it’s in part because she’s tired of being hassled by the members of the GGPNC,” she said. “It’s a constant argument, arguing over small little things that have nothing to do with protecting the park and community activism.”

Newly appointed president of the GGPNC board Ron Ostrow expressed his gratitude for the work Owen and Soter put in to the board.

“Ken and Bernadette put in countless hours of service,” he said. “The two of them were fiercely dedicated to their committees, and they had the respect of the people who worked with them.”

Dan Hooper, who also serves as the pastor of the Hollywood Lutheran Church, resigned in an e-mail dated July 12th. According to Ostrow, Hooper was not present for six meetings in 2010 prior to his resignation. After being contacted by Ostrow, he replied with an e-mail his intent to step down.

“Please accept my resignation from the GGPNC,” he wrote.

According to Howe, Soter will continue to work with the PROS committee but in a different capacity. Owen will be replaced by Gary Khanjian.

Most of the bikes taken were from under car apartment garages, according to the newsletter, that had locks on them. Items taken included
cameras, lens, bikes, electronic devices, computers, garage door openers, laptops, television and cell phones.

The newsletter reports that some locations where the thefts occurred were: 1900 and 2000 block of Rodney Drive; 3900 to 4300 block of Los Feliz Blvd., 2000 block of Hillhurst Ave., 4600 block of Clarissa and 1300 to 2600 block of Glendale Blvd.

In an hour-long debate, the board granted Fontanesi half of her request, $3,100.

Fontanesi had originally asked for $6,300 from the board to curb the overall costs of the program, which run $220 per day.

During the two full rounds of discussion, the board unanimously agreed that the program was very important, but because the annual budget has been cut down so drastically the council gave only what it felt it could.

“I’ve lost sleep over this,” said AVNC Co-Chair Lenora Gershman-Pitts said, her eyes brimming with tears. “I’m a proponent of this, I think that nutrition is the most important thing that we can teach people because nutrition is the basis of health.”

The board intends to revisit the topic and possibly give Fontanesi more funding in September, when the group will have a clearer picture of what the remainder of the year’s spending will be like.

HOLLYWOOD—Pat Boone received a proclamation from Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge and the City of Los Angeles, designating July 12th as “Pat Boone Day.”

The actor, singer and author met with LaBonge’s constituents at the Las Palmas Senior Center where adoring fans created their own Pat Boone Day, paying homage to the actor by screening “State Fair,” the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.

“Pat Boone is a Hollywood legend and an American icon,” LaBonge said. “More than a part of Americana, he has become a huge part of Los Angeles through his charitable efforts.  Los Angeles loves Pat Boone.”

Under the leadership of longtime Silver Lake resident Bill Watanabe—Director of the Little Tokyo Service Center of Los Angeles and recent recipient of a National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) Award—the first national Asian Pacific Islander American/National Trust for Historic Preservation Forum was held in San Francisco in June.

The three keynote speakers were Silver Lake resident Dr. Sue Fawn Chung, an Advisor Emeritus of the NTHP; Irene Hirano Inouye, President of the U.S.-Japan Council of Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, wife of U.S. Senator Inouye, and NTHP Board of Trustees member; and Anthony Marion Babauta, Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs, Dept. of the Interior.

The purpose of the forum was to mobilize Asian American communities to participate in the preservation movement of protecting significant buildings, the built environment, archaeological sites and to engage young people in Asian American preservation.

Approximately 200 people participated in the forum. Historic sites are generally listed on the state and national registers, but according to Elaine Jackson-Rotondo of the National Park Service, only 3 percent of the sites on the national register represent minority locations and of this figure, less than 3 percent are Asian-American.

Among the Silver Lake sites for consideration is the former home of the late architect, Eugene Choy.

Watanabe will again chair the steering committee that will plan the 2012 forum, tentatively scheduled to be held in Los Angeles.

And while local sellers note an up-tick in multiple bids, interest rates continue to hover at basement lows and the local market continues to show greater stability than that of the overall Southland region, sales remain sluggish for higher-end homes.

“Right now inventory is low and demand is huge…for homes below the $500,000 mark. I’m seeing them move very quickly, oftentimes with multiple offers and final amounts higher than the initial listed prices,” said realtor Matthew Morgus of Keller Williams Realty in Los Feliz. However, “once you hit the $1-million-and-over price points, the market goes down after that.”

Overall June sales in Los Feliz rose 5% over June 2009 while the median sales price for a single family home, at $684,866, represents a 4.9% increase over the previous quarter, according to Trulia.com, which compiles statistics from area brokers and agents and the local Multiple Listing Service.

The average listing price in Los Feliz was $1,225,792 and the average price per square foot was $389. The median price for a single-family house in the Hollywood Hills came in at $967,500 in June, up 22.4% from a year ago. The average listing price on Trulia.com for homes in Hollywood Hills was $2,159,139, as the average price per square foot was $560 in the first quarter.

In Silver Lake/Echo Park, June sales were down 1.3% over the same period last year, while the single-family median was $525,000, up 21.2%, or $92,000, from the first quarter and down 3.7% from June 2009. The average price per square foot for homes in Silver Lake was $395.

Coldwell Banker realtor Ken Winick, who’s sold homes in Los Feliz, Hollywood Hills and Silver Lake/Echo Park areas for over 20 years, notes the average Los Feliz price, of about $1.2-million, is only slightly off from the $1.3-million listing in 2007, just before the brunt of the economic downturn.

Clearly, he said, the market, “held its own” and has proved comparatively stable over the last couple of years.

“Serious buyers,” said Winick, “are out there in full force on any given Sunday.”

Both Winick and Morgus suggest the tendency of sellers to over-price their $1-million-plus homes has kept Los Feliz and its neighboring areas from a faster market recovery.

Renee Kische, also a Keller Williams realtor, suspects the market has also been slowed by tighter lending practices, now requiring would-be borrowers to present larger sums for collateral, even if they have high-paying positions and are more than able to cover their mortgage payments.

In the Los Feliz, Silver Lake/Echo Park and Hollywood Hills neighborhoods in particular, where many residents are high achievers but nonetheless self-employed, “you look at the debt-income ratio and taxes that are so high, you can’t qualify for a loan.”

Kische—who recently launched www.AccessHollywoodRealEstate.com, an interactive online video guide—said buyers who refuse to give up their ownership dreams may need to revisit more traditional investment practices, like socking away a little more money for their home nest eggs.

“It’s basic economics,” she said.

GRIFFITH PARK—Mike Azarian, the owner of the Roosevelt Café at the Roosevelt Golf Course in Griffith Park, smiles when he says he has seen many of his dreams come true.  In the past year or so, he first bought and renovated the Los Feliz Café (Formerly Eat) at the Los Feliz Golf Course; followed that up with purchasing and renovating the Roosevelt Café, and got married all around the same time.

Azarian gained valuable experience working in his family’s restaurant in Germany before coming to the U.S.  Even though he has yet to turn 30, he earned his stripes in food and catering managing large banquets and events in the Sunland, Tujunga, La Crescenta Area

The young proprietor brought back to life the bold red and white décor at the Los Feliz Café.  He kept the old neon “Eat,” sign front as a reminder of when it was first built in 1957.  Long-time neighbors said they appreciate the renovation and have re-discovered the shaded patio coupled with its American diner menu as a peaceful meeting place.

The Roosevelt Café, built in 1992, has served as a clubhouse for many, and a place to unwind after golf.  Located at 2650 Vermont Ave. across from the Greek Theater—in the heart of Griffith Park—the location is ideal, but, according to Azarian, the restaurant had fallen onto hard times before he took it on.

“In my mind I wanted to bring it back to when the people used to love it,” said Azarian.

Unlike the Los Feliz Café, there wasn’t much historical information for the Roosevelt to reference, but Azarian concentrated on sprucing up the surroundings and highlighting the best aspects of the restaurant—convenience and relaxing setting.

“It’s for everyone that uses the park—you can be hiker, dog walker, tourist, or just someone who enjoys having lunch in the park,” said Azarian.

Open for breakfast and lunch, Azarian brought the basics of any fine restaurant.   Working alongside his employees, they serve everything from hamburgers, salads and omelettes to Armenian Shawarma sandwiches.

New customers are finding out you don’t have to play golf to eat there.

“At the Roosevelt it’s a restaurant in the park, but you haven’t left the city,” said Azarian.   “I want to make the Roosevelt a destination for our community because it’s there for them.”

ATWATER VILLAGE—“Friends of Atwater Village” wants all of your old photographs, newspaper clippings, documents and local business receipts.

If you lived in Atwater Village between 1900 and 2000, your history would be a welcomed addition to a photographic history book project that aims to preserve the memories and history of Atwater Village.

“If people pass away, that treasured photograph may be lost forever, but if it’s in the book, it’s there for forever,” said “Friends of Atwater Village” board member Luis Lopez. “It’s the 100 year anniversary of Atwater Village and it’s a great time to spark that interest.”

“Friends of Atwater Village” is also asking for former and current residents or business owners to share their personal Atwater Village History.

Submit all memorabilia to “Friends of Atwater Village” by late August to be duplicated and considered for the book.

The history book will be available on store shelves in early 2011. Visit www.friendsofatwatervillage.org for more information.

Children’s Festival Set for Aug. 8th

HOLLYWOOD—The 25th Annual Children’s Festival of the Arts will be held Sunday, August 8th, from noon to 4:30 p.m.

The free event will have dance and music from around the world, family art workshops, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck from Six Flags Magic Mountain, puppet making and more.

Paramount Pictures, 5555 Melrose Ave. Information: (323) 871-2787 or www.hollywoodartscouncil.org.

Sponsors include: Barnsdall Arts, Los Angeles Childrens Hospital and Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti.

Skylight Books Announces Literary Event, Oct. 24th

LOS FELIZ—PEN USA West, a literary organization, will partner with Skylight Books and other neighborhood organizations and businesses to present an all-day literary-related event at Barnsdall Park on Sunday, October 24th.

It will be a free event involving authors, schools, possibly interactive events for adults and kids, films and music.

Town Hall Set for Oct. 2nd

By Caitlin M. Foyt, Ledger Contributing Writer

ATWATER VILLAGE—A town meeting in October will reach out to a different suspect of stakeholders in the Atwater Village community: The people who are not on the internet.

“We have to make sure it’s people in far north Atwater Village and far South Atwater Village and those who for years and years—are for whatever reason—not online have the opportunity to let us know what they think,” said Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (AVNC) Co-Chair Leonora Gershman-Pitts.

The meeting will take place Sat. Oct. 2nd, at 1 p.m. at Christ Church of Griffth Park, 3852 Edenhurst Ave.

The meeting will serve as an informal means of “checking in” with the people of the community, offering stakeholders the opportunity to voice their concerns and ask questions of local politicians.

Los Feliz Village Street Fair, July 31st

LOS FELIZ—The Los Feliz Street Fair—organized by the Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District (LFVBID), will be July 31st.

The event will be from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Trolleys will shuttle attendees up and down Hillhurst and Vermont avenues. Life entertainment. Food.

Shakespeare Co. Moves to Griffith Park

GRIFFITH PARK—After six seasons in Barnsdall Park, Independent Shakespeare Co. has moved its summer festival of free performances to Griffith Park.

In 2009 despite diminished funding, the festival played to its largest audience ever: nearly 12,000. Audience members were routinely turned away due lack of space. The new site in Griffith Park, at the Old Zoo, can accommodate twice as many people.

William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” will be performed through Aug. 5th-29th. Old Zoo, near 4730 Crystal Springs Dr. Free admission. Bring blankets and low-backed chairs as there is no seating at the site.

Kiwanis Club Organizes Free Dental Clinic for Children

LOS FELIZ—The Hollywood/Los Feliz Kiwanis Club has announced a free dental clinic for needy children in the Hollywood and Los Feliz communities.

As of July 1st, in conjunction with the YMCA and QueensCare, the Kiwanis Club launched a summer long free dental clinic at Selma Elementary School in Hollywood.

The clinic provides basic dental care including check-ups, cleanings, fillings, with more advanced care available through follow-up visits. To date the clinic has improved the lives of 63 children and remains open to any child in need.

Info and applications are available at www.hollywoodlosfeliskiwanis.org or by calling Club President Robert Menz (323) 522-6941.

Tango at the Ford Aug. 21st

HOLLYWOOD—Fiesta Argentina will return for its 6th straight season to the Ford Amphitheatre, Aug 21st at 8 p.m. Free tango lessons and a picnic begin at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $40, $35 and $12 for children.

A portion of the event will be played in authentic old instruments and the artists will be dressed in the attire of the beginning of the tango age.

The performance will showcase Osvaldo Roval—known today as “The Tango Legend;”—Pablo Goldstein on the flute; Hugo Weinzinger, on guitar; pianist Jorge Bernieri; bassists Jorge Pineda and badoneonist Jorge Trivisonno.

LOS FELIZ—On June 11th 22 8th grade students graduated from Our Mother of Good Counsel School in Los Angeles.

Congratulations: Marcus Droz, Alexia Gradford, Brooke Roth, Ryan Elias, Arlene Gonzalez, Stephanie Droz, Ryan Miranda-Cacdac, Eric Sweasey, Andy Ovakimyan, Kailey Martinez-Ramage, Francis Laborte, Diana Petrosyan, Michael Datuin, Aaron Wada, Amy Noochlaor, Gabriela Chaparro, Janet Shin, Madeleine Grillo, Kevin Huerta, Sooji Nam, Jullyanna Mendez, and Anna Enriquez.

Also present was their 8th grade teacher Jane Jayaraj and principal Andrea Deebs.

JIa Doughman and Christian Lebano star in “Opus.” Photo by Ed Krieger

Classical music mavens and theater enthusiasts alike will savor “Opus,” an insightful look into the emotions and angst of a string quartet at the Fountain Theatre. The play was so successful in its July run that it has been extended through August.

The temperamental members of the fictional Lazara String Quartet are preparing for a high profile performance at the White House when the mercurial but brilliant violist—and former lover of the lead violinist—disappears.  Tensions rise when his replacement, a brilliant young woman in her first professional gig, joins the all male group. The individuals’ volatility clashes with the group’s desire to produce a flawless, harmonious performance.   The ensuing action is at times hilarious, at times poignant.

This production  is the Los Angeles premiere of Opus which received numerous awards when it made its 2007 debut in Philadelphia with subsequent performances in New York City.

Playwright Michael Hollinger, a classically trained violist, describes the play as “an exploration into group dynamics,  people working together to create something greater than the sum of their parts.”   These emotions are particularly heightened in small ensembles.

Director Simon Levy has skillfully drawn out the different personalities of the five characters without resorting to clichés.   The capable cast of Daniel Blinkoff, Cooper Thornton, Jia Doughman, Gregory G. Giles and Christian Lebano deftly interpret their complex, high-strung characters creating a counterpoint that complements the intricate chamber music they appear to perform.

The set, designed by Frederica Nascimento provides a pleasing backdrop to the drama.   The play runs without intermission for about 90 minutes.

“Opus,” through August 29th at the Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave.  Performances: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.  $25 Thursday, Friday; $30 Saturday, Sunday.  Special rates for students and seniors. Reservations: www.FountainTheater.com or (323) 663-1525.

LOS FELIZ—The name is a little odd, but that’s no reason to shun Tangier Korean BBQ, of Tokyo: a fun spot offering a close-to-authentic Korean barbecue experience. With Japanese pop decor, Korean fare and a leftover Moroccan name, it’s a uniquely L.A. spot that’s fun for groups and families.

The former Tangier lounge is a large space, with a bar in front, a private room to the side and a dining area with spacious booths with Korean-style wooden dividers. Life-sized anime statutes greet diners at the door, and the walls are lined with colorful Japanese comicbook-style murals.

The menu will be familiar to Korean barbecue fans. Pick either a set dinner or a selection of meats, all of which come with a vast array of panchan side dishes, which include cabbage and cucumber kimchi, potato salad, marinated tofu, bean sprouts, black beans, seaweed, anchovies and broccoli leaves.

The meat is the main attraction, although non-beef-eaters can grill up chicken, seafood or vegetables. It’s hard to pass up the weekday deal of $24.99 for unlimited Kobe beef, since that meal also includes chicken and pork kalbi (short ribs). Set meals are huge, adding salad, sashimi and soup to the parade of meats.

One nice touch is a plate of fresh vegetables for grilling included with the Kobe meal, including squash, mushrooms, asparagus and carrots, which make a nice break from the meat. Unlike some spots where the servers frequently check the grills, diners here grill their own meats, which takes some concentration with thinner, quick-cooking meats.

The well-marbled Kobe Harami slices are a buttery, tender marvel, tucked into a lettuce wrap with a dab of salty soy paste. Sliced chicken breast doesn’t  stand up as well to the grill—skip it if possible and concentrate on beef.

Bigger appetites can also choose from traditional Korean dishes like bibimbap, kimchi stew and seafood pancakes.

Some dishes seem less spicy than their Koreatown counterparts— the heat might be a little toned down for the Los Feliz crowd, but the food still has plenty of flavor.

Meals average $25-$30 a person before alcohol, but the nearly-endless procession of meats means there’s no chance of leaving hungry. Sure, there are plenty of choices for Korean BBQ just a few miles away, but Tangier Korean BBQ brings some welcome variety to the Los Feliz dining scene.

Tangier Korean BBQ of Tokyo, 2138 Hillhurst Ave. (323) 663-2000.

Richard Stanley

If it’s true that Richard Stanley has been fired and will no longer be contributing to the Los Feliz Ledger because of complaints from critics, how very sad for the residents of Los Feliz!

I thought the purpose/mission of the Los Feliz Ledger was to foster community dialogue.  As such, I find it reprehensible that a little criticism would stifle openness in the conversation.  Since I don’t pay for the Ledger, I can’t threaten to cancel my subscription; but I will think twice about placing any value on information contained in the publication in the future.

I’ve always found Richard Stanley’s column to be very informative and helpful in demystifying the real estate business and practices. I don’t understand how anyone can construe his columns as disparaging of realtors or the industry in general.

If the criticism is being leveled by other brokers or industry members then perhaps a little introspection is in order.

Pebble Wilkins

That is a shame! His outlook toward Los Feliz has been to keep faith with its roots, the historic residences (without legal constraints), and honesty in real estate dealings.  He found the condo I am now in.

What is more, he has written cogently about many topics in the real estate business in Los Feliz and in general.

My sister in law has been a realtor in the Denver area for years and has been furious with the selfish wheeler-dealers in her profession who besmirch others who are scrupulously honest.

Sound familiar?

Charlotte Cremin, Finley Avenue

One day three years ago, I noticed at the intersection there were no signs along Kingswell. All along Rodney, from Franklin Avenue to Hollywood Boulevard, are four-way stops. Clearly there is a pattern of complete traffic stops in all directions. But, why wasn’t there a four-way stop at Kingswell and Rodney?

Traffic in all directions was confused. Cars heading east or west would stop when they didn’t need to. Cars heading south on Rodney would assume Kingswell traffic would stop—and they wouldn’t.  Pedestrians would begin to cross the intersection thinking the pattern of four-way stops continued only to be met with an aggressive horn or almost hit.

Filled with considerable anecdotal data, I wrote to the Dept. of Transportation; Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge; the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council and the editor of the Los Feliz Ledger asking that a four-way stop be erected at the site.

The city tested the intersection and deemed a four-way stop was not necessary.  The main justification for this was there has not been enough reported accidents.

Undeterred, I reached out to Councilmember Tom LaBonge. He met with me at the site and agreed to file a motion to induce the Dept. of Transportation to add the stop sign. He did and nothing happened.

Still waiting and fighting this two years later, I proposed to the city to add a “Cross Traffic Does Not Stop” sign beneath the stop signs on Rodney. They denied my request.

Finally, the city, in 2009 approved the removal of the stop signs on Rodney and approved the installation of new stop signs on Kingswell, of which would include “Cross Traffic Does Not Stop” signs.  After all my requests to add stop signs to Kingswell, the city will, by removing them from Rodney!

This brings us back to the same predicament as we were in at the beginning.  I tried, once again, to lobby the city to install the 4-way stops. Nothing.

Yet just a few weeks ago, surprisingly—amazingly—joyously, my wife drove by Kingswell and Rodney and stop signs were being installed!  How they were approved, I don’t know.

But the time this simple process took, the cost to a bankrupt city of installing these two stop signs and the overall backwards thinking is obnoxious.  If one were to ever look at why a big city is run poorly, the case of the Kingswell at Rodney intersection is a prime example.

Matt Summers is a resident of Los Feliz.

Photo by: Christine Cotter, 2009. This photo originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.

The Islamic Center of Southern California has always been a trailblazer: the community first organized in 1952, making it the first of what is now over 80 Muslim communities in southern California. It has been at its Vermont Avenue location since the 1970s, joining interfaith initiatives and challenging stereotypes about Muslims. And the Center’s latest venture is the source of heated debate in religious communities.

Claremont School of Theology, a United Methodist-affiliated school, recently announced plans to extend their curriculum beyond Christianity and into Judaism and Islam. The Islamic Center is the Muslim partner in this venture.

“We think people of faith and morality should appreciate other faiths, by learning about them. It behooves us to develop a cooperative spirit, one that de-mystifies what the other is,” says Jihad Turk, the Director of Religious Affairs at the Center. “This program will hopefully leads grads to want to work with local Christian, Muslim [and other] communities, wherever in the world they end up.”

Turk (who holds a position equivalent to imam, but says most people just call him by his given name) isn’t just preaching love and understanding. In his five years at the Center, he has led three pilgrimages to the Middle East, under the auspices of the Wilshire Center Interfaith Council. Joined by rabbis and Christian leaders, Turk has taken laypeople to the birthplace of the world’s three largest religions. Here in Los Angeles, the Center operates a food bank for Hope-Net, a program that distributes food through religious institutions of various denominations.

Despite its apparently open-minded attitude, Turk wouldn’t call the Center liberal.

“Labels are tricky,” Turk said. “Our practice is probably on the progressive side. We don’t mandate that women cover their hair, for example. But in American terms, ‘liberal’ doesn’t really define us. But we do often collaborate with very progressive organizations, such as ACLU. We’re part of the National Campaign Against Torture. Liberal churches are on board with that. We don’t fit into a pigeonhole.”

Like many religious organizations in the Unite States, the Islamic Center is trying to weave together values both old world and new.

“Our home is where is our children are raised,” said Turk. And in Los Angeles, those children have the benefit of knowing other cultures.

On June 5th, Ivanhoe’s 4th grade Girl Scout troop 1835 went on their first camping overnight to a campsite in San Dimas and left no trace.

The troop didn’t disappear into thin air; they practiced an outdoor ethics program called “Leave no Trace.”

Luna Garcia loved preparing food outdoors, which she said was challenging but enjoyable. “We made several things including chili with cornbread, and s’mores, of course!” Luna said.

“It was a fun learning experience to work as a team. It gave the girls that didn’t know each other as well a chance to bond,” said Coco Nelson.

There were even some high jinx.

“The best part of the trip was when we explored and found a dark tunnel covered in algae and scared the other girls by jumping out at them,” said Rowan O’Bryan.

Troop leaders Roseanne Harber, Samantha Follows and Pamela Dreyfuss, were so pleased with their troop’s commitment to “Leave No Trace” that they’re gamely planning next year’s trip, already.

90026 Condominimums

1707 MICHELTORENA ST 302 $395,000
850 LUCILE AVE 14 385,000
872 LUCILE AVE A 365,000
1707 MICHELTORENA ST 314 315,000

90026 Single Family Homes

1322 MICHELTORENA ST $885,000
1540 N BENTON WAY 765,000
1419 ANGELUS AVE 750,000
1319 N OCCIDENTAL BLVD 610,000
1654 MICHELTORENA ST 550,000
1706 MORTON AVE 521,000
1447 AVON TER 471,000
3123 BERKELEY AVE 428,000
1443 CALUMET AVE 411,000
1475 WALLACE AVE 390,000
2167 VESTAL AVE 390,000
227 LAKE SHORE TER 295,000
442 PARKMAN AVE 270,000
2211 MONTANA ST 256,000
132 N WESTLAKE AVE 194,000

90027 Condominiums

5125            HAROLD WAY 103            $190,000

90027 Single Family Homes

2221 N CATALINA ST $2,499,000
4046 CROMWELL AVE 2,290,000
2131 CEDARHURST DR 1,450,000
3710 LOWRY RD 1,245,000
3327 TICA DR 1,130,000
2020 N HOOVER ST 863,500
4543 AVOCADO ST 851,000
4237 LOS NIETOS DR 850,000
4020 WOKING WAY 800,000
3133 ETTRICK ST 708,000
4230 NEWDALE DR 575,000
1853 N MARIPOSA AVE 530,000

90039 Condominimums

2018 GRIFFITH PARK BLVD 103 $390,000
2354 FLETCHER DR 113 175,000

90039 Single Family Homes

MEADOW VALLEY TER $900,000
2112 PANORAMA TER 882,500
2081 ARMSTRONG AVE 791,500
3200 BRIER AVE 740,000
2340 LAKE SHORE AVE 732,000
2252 SILVER RIDGE AVE 695,000
2209 GLENHURST AVE 670,000
3461 GRIFFITH PARK BLVD 660,000
3710 EDENHURST AVE 552,000
3048 LAKE SHORE AVE 505,000
3437 GARDENSIDE LN 425,000
3235 FINCH ST 420,000
2971 LAKE SHORE AVE 419,000
2615 HOLLYDALE DR 415,000
2440 LA CLEDE AVE 342,000
2203 LOMA VISTA PL 200,000

90036 Condominiums

2020 HOLLY DR 12 $480,000
2020 HOLLY DR 3 470,000
2020 HOLLY DR 10 469,000
2020 HOLLY DR 4 460,000
2020 HOLLY DR 8 455,000
2020 HOLLY DR 13 455,000
2020 HOLLY DR 9 450,000
6752 HILLPARK DR 304 331,500
2700 CAHUENGA BLVD E 3103 239,000
1929 TAMARIND AVE 9 216,000

90068 Single Family Homes

3035 BECKMAN RD $3,100,000
5761 VALLEY OAK DR 1,775,000
6755 WEDGEWOOD PL 1,320,000
2676 HOLLYRIDGE DR 985,000
2338 BRONSON HILL DR 875,000
2314 CANYON DR 810,000
2100 IVAR AVE 755,000
6871 SUNNY CV 698,000
3125 LAKE HOLLYWOOD DR 630,000
6764 MILNER RD 619,000
7200 SUNNYDIP TRL 600,000
2909 PARK CENTER DR 500,500
2306 HOLLY DR 455,000

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

BOOKS

‘Here at the Beginning’ and Other Stories

This installment of the New Short Fiction Series, Los Angeles’ longest-running spoken-word series, features work by the author Andrea Seigel. Guest performers include Alex Boling, Niki Breitfeller and C.C. Pulitzer. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

L.A. Municipal Art Gallery at Barnsdall Art Park,
Sun., Aug. 8th, 7 p.m.
4800 Hollywood Blvd., East Hollywood.
Info: (323) 662-7900
www.newshortfictionseries.com

Hot Summer Nights

Each Saturday night this month, Skylight will stay open until midnight, giving book lovers a chance to squeeze in extra hours of literary enjoyment. The nights will feature snacks, music (some of it live), art and other assorted fun. August 14th will also feature a birthday tribute to the late author Charles Bukowski on what would be his 90th birthday; the party begins at 8 p.m.

Skylight Books,
Sat., Aug. 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 9 p.m.-midnight.
1818 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz.
Information: (323) 660-1175;
www.skylightbooks.com

Laura Skandera Trombley

The Autry’s Women of the West division welcomes renowned scholar Laura Trombley, who has written numerous articles and books about the beloved author Mark Twain, the latest of which is Mark Twain’s Other Woman. Trombley will discuss the unknown side of the legendary author. Trombley is also the president of Pitzer College. Free with museum admission (adults $9, students and seniors $5, children 3-12 $3, children under 3 free).

Autry Museum of the American West,
Sun., Aug. 8th, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.
4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park.
Information: (323) 667-2000;
www.theautry.org

COMMUNITY

North New Hampshire Block Party

This inaugural neighborhood get-together encourages community members to come out and get to know their neighbors. The festivities include a live jazz quartet, a cake walk and other games, an inflatable bounce house, and a potluck. Guests are encouraged to bring dishes to share; hot dogs and beverages will be provided.

Hollywood Lutheran Church,
Sun., Aug. 15th, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.
1733 N. New Hampshire Ave., Los Feliz.

Micheltorena Street Elementary School transforms into a flea market the last weekend of every month.

Silver Lake Art Craft and Vintage

On the last Saturday and Sunday of every month, this eclectic flea market springs up, showing off vintage clothing, collectibles, arts, crafts and more. Those who work up an appetite shopping can breathe easily, as there will also be a “food truck block party” on the premises.
Micheltorena Street Elementary School,
Sat.-Sun., Aug. 28th-29th, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
1511 Micheltorena St., Silver Lake.
Info: (323) 467-0623;
www.silverlakeartcraftvintage.com

KIDS & FAMILIES

Children’s Festival of the Arts

The Hollywood Arts Council presents the 25th annual Children’s Festival of the Arts. The festival features live entertainment, kid-friendly workshops, face painting, arts and crafts, special appearances from beloved cartoon characters, and more.

Paramount Pictures,
Sun., Aug. 8th, noon-4:30 p.m.
5555 Melrose Ave., Hollywood.
Information: (323) 871-2787;
www.hollywoodartscouncil.org

MOVIES

‘All About Eve’

Cinespia’s al fresco summer movie series continues with this screening of Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s classic film All About Eve (1950), starring Bette Davis as a fading Broadway star and Anne Baxter as her scheming disciple. A DJ will spin music before and after the screening. Showtime is 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 (available at the gate).

Hollywood Forever Cemetery,
Sat., Aug. 7th, 7:30 p.m.
6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood.
Information: www.cinespia.org

Free Movie Tuesdays

Silver Lake’s new library isn’t just a place to check out books; it’s also a place for community events, such as this weekly movie-screening series. Call for specific movie selections.

Silver Lake Branch Library, Tues., Aug. 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st, 5:30 p.m.
2411 Glendale Blvd., Silver Lake.
Information: (323) 913-7451,
www.lapl.org MUSIC & DANCE

Al Green and the Pointer Sisters

Al Green, the legendary soul singer behind such iconic songs as “Let’s Stay Together” and “I’m Still in Love With You,” will perform an evening of old favorites as well as new hits. He’ll be joined by R&B divas the Pointer Sisters.

Tickets are $30-$110.
Greek Theatre, Sat., Aug. 21st,
7:30 p.m.
2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz.
Information: (323) 665-5857;
www.greektheatrela.com

Gustavo Dudamel conducts his first Los Angeles opera this month. Photo by Anna Hult.

Dudamel Conducts ‘Carmen’

Gustavo Dudamel, the dynamic new music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will conduct this concert production of Georges Bizet’s Carmen. It marks his first opera in Los Angeles. In addition, a number of rising stars will perform, including Natascha Petrinsky in the title role and Yonghoon Lee as Don José. Tickets are $10-$156.

Hollywood Bowl, Sun., Aug. 1st, 7:30 p.m.
2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood Hills.
Information: (323) 850-2000;
www.hollywoodbowl.com

‘Iron’

C. Derrick Jones and Nehara Kalev, better known as the husband-and-wife team Catch Me Bird, present their newest piece of work, Iron. The show, which combines dramatic aerial artistry and athletic dancing, is inspired by their own marriage. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to picnic in the plaza and enjoy performance installations, sculptural art and interactive surprises. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25-$45 ($12 for students and children).

Ford Amphitheater, Fri. Aug. 13th, 8:30 p.m.
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood Hills.
Information: (323) 461-3673;
www. fordamphitheater.org

THEATER

‘Medea’

Euripides’ ancient Greek tragedy demonstrates that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. After Medea is betrayed and cast aside by her husband, Jason (of the Argonauts), she becomes consumed by her own desire for vengeance. This production, directed by Travis Terry, brings new dimension to the play with a modern setting. Tickets are $20 ($18 for students and seniors).

Knightsbridge Theatre, Aug. 6th-29th, Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m., Sun., 6 p.m.
1944 Riverside Drive, Silver Lake.
Information: (323) 667-0955;
www.knightsbridgetheatre.com

‘Much Ado About Nothing’

This summer marks a new chapter for the Independent Shakespeare Company, whose free outdoor performances at Barnsdall Park grew so popular a new venue was needed. The ISC’s new Griffith Park Shakespeare Festival this month features Much Ado About Nothing. The Bard’s romantic comedy features not one but two couples navigating the ups and downs of love, plus a cast of misfits, gossipmongers and interlopers.

Griffith Park Old Zoo, Thurs.-Sun., Aug. 5th-29th, 7 p.m.
4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Griffith Park.
Information: (818) 710-6306;
www.iscla.org ]]> http://www.losfelizledger.com/2010/07/events-calendar-august-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.losfelizledger.com/2010/07/star-gazing-stargazing-for-august/ http://www.losfelizledger.com/2010/07/star-gazing-stargazing-for-august/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:01:54 +0000 admin http://www.losfelizledger.com/2010/07/star-gazing-stargazing-for-august/

The moon is absent during the peak night of the Perseid meteor shower, making this a good year to watch the event. The peak is on Thursday night/Friday morning, August 12th and 13th. While a few meteors are visible from the northeast starting at about 11:00 p.m., the greatest numbers—around one per minute—come between 1:00 a.m. and 4:45 a.m.–the start of dawn. A fairly strong, but somewhat reduced, shower should be visible the next night (Friday night/Saturday morning), again at its best between 1:00 a.m. and 4:45 a.m. Remember that the greatest numbers of meteors are visible only from wilderness regions far from city light pollution, such as are found in mountain or desert campgrounds. Use a deck chair or chaise lounge to relax look up nearly overhead to the east or northeast.

The brilliant planet Venus and the fainter planets Mars and Saturn are in close formation during the early evening throught the first three weeks of the month.  Conditions for observing are best, looking low in the west at 8:40 p.m. The group is most attractive  on the 12th, when the planets are joined by a slender crescent moon.

The moon is at last-quarter phase on the 2nd, reaches new on the 9th, is at first quarter on the 16th, and is full on the 24th, two nights before passing just north of Jupiter.

Bright planet Jupiter, in Pisces the Fishes, has cleared the horizon and is easy to see, low in the east, by 10:00 p.m. at midmonth. Jupiter is highest in the south just before dawn. Binoculars will show you Jupiter’s 4 largest moons. The distant planet Uranus appears as a star as bright as one of these moons less than 3 degrees to the west (right) of Jupiter this month.

I recently read a fascinating book about childhood that captured a sentiment that I think is common to parents today.  In the book, titled, “Where did you go?  OUT.  What did you do?  NOTHING,” Robert Paul Smith laments the loss of a child’s world of games, play and imagination, a private world, wholly separate from that of their parents.  Smith recalls his own childhood freedoms and time spent doing things that never involved his parents, like playing marbles and kick-the-can, exploring construction sites, and making up games with arcane rules that passed from kid to kid without any sort of adult instruction.

Smith writes, “My world, as a kid, was full of things that grownups didn’t care about.  My fear now is that all of us grownups have become so childish that we don’t leave the kids much room to move around in, that we foolishly believe that we understand them so well because we share things with them.”

He’s right that parents and other caregivers sometimes dictate a child’s actions from dawn to dusk, with most play being directed, supervised, and otherwise shaped by grownups.  But I’m not sure that parents do this because they themselves are childish.  To me it feels more like parents no longer trust childhood as a means to an end, as if too much (or sometimes, any) undirected free time with friends or on their own will surely lead the children to grow up un-enriched blobs barely able to tie their own shoes, much less appreciate art or win a chess match.

But what I found most interesting about Smith’s book was that it was written in 1957.  Smith was comparing his own childhood to that of his son’s, lamenting how child psychologists and Dr. Spock had taken over what, in his day, was a mostly hands-off process.

Yet I had just the sort of free-range childhood in the 1970s that Smith thought had passed on in the 1950s. Perhaps these two different parenting styles have always co-existed, with one or the other simply getting more attention or becoming more in vogue as the pendulum swings from generation to generation.

According to Smith, we’re not the first helicopter (meaning hovering) parent generation, and it appears that we won’t be the last.

Kristen Taylor lives in Silver Lake with her family.  She is the owner of Juvie, a store for older boys and girls.

On June 10th, my classmates and I all left for the last time as students.

Over the seven years my class and I have been at The Oaks, it has always has been a second home. This column is my way to say goodbye to the school I love.

I am attending Oakwood next year, so this is the last column I will write about The Oaks. The teachers and staff at The Oaks have prepared me, and everyone in my class, for whatever might happen next on our journey.

I want to thank, more than anybody else, my classmates. They were always there to help me when, for example, I stumbled a line in “Much Ado About Nothing.” They always cheered me up when I was feeling down, and they were always there to make me laugh.

I’m a paper pack rat. I clip articles from newspapers and magazines. I hold onto press kits and I probably have every birthday and holiday card that anyone has ever sent me. I also have a lot of stuff I call “vintage belongings.”

Evidently my obsession is inherited: my cousin recently sent me boxes of old pencils, cigar boxes and buttons to sell at the Silver Lake Art Craft & Vintage flea market.  However, her loose buttons revealed to me the depth of my keepsake clutter:  not only do I have all of my loose buttons but I also have my grandmother’s button jar and some from my mother. (They are vintage!)

Although I didn’t grow up in the Great Depression, I’ve managed to internalize the ethos of that era. I’m a saver though I don’t go far as to carefully save the twine that comes around the Los Angeles Times as my kids’ great grandma Helen did. I am really trying to mend my ways (Good thing I have all those buttons!).  And although I don’t think I’m a candidate for A&E s’ Hoarders, I don’t want to watch the show to find out.

For some time I have been de-accessing accumulated stuff, and in April I took a class on organizing paperwork taught by Beth Zeigler in Echo Park. She blogs about organizing (http://bneato.blogspot.com) and also writes about the subject for Apartment Therapy.

At her Bneato Bootcamp, class participants are asked to bring a box of paperwork they need to organize. I was genuinely surprised that other people showed up on a Saturday afternoon with their boxes—glad to know I’m not the only one dealing with the problem. We made file labels, file folders per her system but most importantly discussed what kind of records to keep and what to throw out. My favorite part of the class: shredding years of bills (I also have boxes of old bills, receipts and insurance policies). Shredding was incredibly satisfying.

Once I came home, I was inspired to go through my files, chucking bags of paperwork. There is certainly a Feng Shui effect to de-cluttering: clearing out my office and desk and attic files genuinely made me more productive. I made files and folders for my son—we have an annual summer project of organizing his room. I’m really trying to break the pack rat cycle, though I did notice that he has tickets from every movie and concert he’s ever attended.

For more information on upcoming Bneato Bootcamp sessions go to bneato.com

Pick for August 2010

Dennis Hopper Double Standard at MOCA’s Geffen Contemporary

Painter and film director Julian Schnabel was the guest curator for MOCA’s retrospective of actor/director/painter/photographer Dennis Hopper’s artworks.

Beginning in the late 50s, Hopper was fascinated by the art world—photographing many of its star artists—like Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg and Roy Lichtenstein—as well as chronicling his varied life from viewing bullfights in Mexico to Civil Rights marches.

More than 200 works are on display. Don’t miss Schnabel’s ingenious display of Hopper’s black-and-white photographs.
www.moca.org

LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles City Council voted 14-0 in July, to approve a proposal by Council President Eric Garcetti to create a new Office of Economic Analysis.

According to a statement, released by Garcetti’s office, the office will provide the city with rigorous and independent research to guide job creation and economic development initiatives and to assess other city actions for their impact on jobs and the economy.

The office will be funded by Garcetti’s office for one year. After that Garcetti would seek to permanently establish the office.

“The Office of Economic Analysis is about ensuring the City has the rigorous, independent research it needs to best create jobs and improve the economy,” Garcetti said, through a statement. “The Office of Economic Analysis will help ensure the big economic picture is taken into account in every City decision that directly or indirectly affects the economy, from business tax reform to traffic improvements.”

Los Angeles has suffered because of the downturn in the real estate market. Housing prices have fallen, and tens of thousands of homes have been foreclosed upon. It is apparent that many financial institutions share in the responsibility. And now, we’re seeing some of those same banks compound the problem by allowing homes they have taken over through foreclosure fall into extreme states of disrepair.

Too many of these derelict homes have become magnets for trash, vermin and crime; empty swimming pools becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes and hazards for our children. Dilapidated homes, especially those with yards overgrown by weeds and brush, pose a fire danger to the entire neighborhood—just as they drive down property values and quality of life.

Make no mistake—this is a citywide problem. Young couples and established professionals have found themselves underwater on their mortgages, leaving modest starter homes and “McMansions” alike empty in every Los Angeles neighborhood.

I heard about these problem homes from many, particularly from those struggling to keep up with their own mortgages, who are working hard to protect their neighborhoods and property values from further decline. It was clear that firm action was necessary, so I proposed an ordinance that went into effect in July to deal with this issue.

First, the ordinance directs the city to develop an inventory of foreclosed properties, so that we know where these homes are and who is accountable for them. Through this registry, the city will require banks to clean up the properties at their own expense when ordered to do so by the city.

Second, the ordinance would establish steep fines—up to $100,000—to crack down on banks that neglect their properties. Those funds will be used to pay for the registry, inspections and enforcement, allowing the city to take action without cost to the taxpayer—the way it should be. The people of Los Angeles should not have to pick up the tab when a financial institution breaks the law.

The key to this plan is the people of Los Angeles. While this program will be robust in its inventory and inspection functions, we need the community to be involved. Any resident can—and should—call 311 to report an issue with a foreclosed home, or any non-emergency issue requiring city action, including potholes, graffiti, bulky-item pick up and more. Additionally, in my Council District, the 13th, problem homes can be reported through A new iPhone app which can be downloaded at iTunes by searching for “Garcetti 311.”

Together, we can hold banks accountable, speed Los Angeles” economic recovery and protect our neighborhoods.

It’s been a spectacular few months in the City and I am proud of how communities in the 4th District have been working closely with my office to improve our neighborhoods.

One example of that spirit of cooperation is Hoover Walk. Last year, through the patient efforts of Mary Frances Reynolds-Smith, the City’s Community Beautification folks and my staff, (including Mary Rodriguez, who participated as a community member and then as my deputy) we were able to see the gorgeous Ricardo Mendoza mural through to completion. During this long process, we worked with the City Bureau of Engineering to obtain a FEMA grant to restore the wall after heavy rains.  The neighborhood worked closely with us over the years as we moved toward completion. Neighbor Paul Rudnicki planted the agave plants, before he died in 2006, that set off the mural nicely.

This May, I directed the Bureau of Street services to repave Hoover Street to complete the beautification of this area. This month, Hoover Street neighbors will gather in the cul-de-sac to celebrate their community.  The block party is the best way to meet your neighbors and I think it’s significant that community fellowship begins at Hoover Walk.

Another mural project nearby has attracted the same level of community spirit and cooperation. The Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) worked with John Marshall High School art teachers and students on a mosaic tile mural that will grace the site of the Big “M” originally painted on the corner of Griffith Park Boulevard and St. George Street.  A mural design contest elicited an image of a gorgeous stretch of shades of blue with a silhouette of the famous John Marshall High School tower.  Famed mosaic tile muralist, Yuriko Etue will work with students on the installation, which will be finished soon.  Keep up the good work and I hope to see you in September at the dedication of the John Marshall High School mural.

Today, many of us can look forward to a longer life span than ever imagined by our ancestors. According to the Census Bureau, the 85 years and older population in America is the fastest growing age group, and if you manage to get to 65, you could have an average of almost 18 additional years left to live. The average lifespan of people has risen to 78 for men and 84 for women.

As a consequence, the current group of people 65 and older is pushing 13% of the population. In the year 2000, the 65+ represented 12.4% of the population, but by the year 2030, they will be 19% of the population. The Census Bureau has even predicted that the United States would have 5.3 million people aged over 100 in 2100.

We are living longer and becoming more numerous for a variety of reasons. It isn’t just the sheer numbers (78 million) who were born between 1946 and 1964, or the large groups of immigrants who came at different periods in recent history.  It is also because of major public health achievements in this country that have prevented deaths once frequent in earlier times.  In the article “Ten Life Expectancy Successes to be Grateful For” by Mark Stibich, Ph.D. from the about.com website (Updated 9/29/09), the following achievements were identified: immunizations and vaccines, motor vehicle safety, work place safety, controlling infectious diseases, heart and stroke mortality, safer, healthier foods, protecting mothers and babies, family planning, fluoridation of drinking water and tobacco control.

But along with living longer, a few problems present themselves. Chronic conditions rather than acute conditions become more prevalent. Some illnesses are associated mainly with old age, such as Alzheimer’s. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 5.3 million Americans have the disease.

Living longer depends upon factors that may not be in your control, such as genetics or access to health care.  But more and more, there is a lot of attention to those factors that become our responsibility, such as hygiene, diet, nutrition, exercise, lifestyle and socialization. At the least, we should all be pursuing the concept of preventive care, such as screening and early detection, education, or interventions to address negative lifestyle choices and to improve healthy lifestyles.  To promote preventive care as another way of controlling costs, the government just announced rules for one of the benefits of the new healthcare law.  Private insurers will soon be barred from charging co-pays or deductibles for certain screenings, routine vaccinations, and a range of other preventive health services. The rules take effect for new health plans that begin on or after Sept. 23rd.

Although our clothes always seem so squeaky clean after a visit to the dry cleaners, most dry cleaning is ironically done using a toxic chemical. Perchloroethylene (or perc, for short) is a synthetic, volatile organic compound (VOC) that is still used as a solvent by most dry cleaners in the U.S.

Perc has been found to cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, skin, respiratory irritation, and possibly liver and kidney damage and cancer. It also finds its way into the air, water and soil during the disposal of dry cleaning waste.

California has committed to phasing out perc by 2018. But for the next 8 years, it’s worth searching for a dry cleaner with green practices, ideally one that uses liquid carbon dioxide instead of perc, since this method does not use harmful chemicals. One local dry cleaner, Holly Hills Dry Cleaning and Laundry in Hollywood (www.hollyhillsdrycleaning.com) switched to liquid CO2 three years ago.

“Many of our customers were worried about perc and wanted greener cleaning. We also provide re-usable dry cleaning bags to customers to use instead of plastic bags,” said customer service representative Daniel Miranda.

Fortunately, many dry cleaners are adopting a similar organic approach, meaning that our clothes can actually come home squeaky and “clean.”

Sustainable Saturdays at Silver Lake Library

Solar Electricity for Your Home or Business

Discussion and “Q and A” by Matt Moses of Mimeos Sustainability Consultants

Sat. Aug. 7th, 11 a.m. Free. RSVP at www.sustainablesilverlake.org or call (323) 913-7453.

So far this summer, we’ve covered two types of refreshing drinks to ward off the heat: mezcal, which can be a fancy blended tequila substitute, or rocks margaritas, and crisp rosés, which can add an element of sophistication to backyard barbecues.

But there are times when a cold one is the only option. For those triple-digit scorchers that call for something a little stronger than water but nowhere near as potent as hard liquor or even wine, nothing hits the spot like a light-bodied summer brew.

Sure, staples like Corona or Red Stripe are a safe bet, but there’s also a whole industry of truly seasonal beers created especially for summer; the opposite of the heavy, highly alcoholic porters and stouts favored in winter. Sometimes cheekily referred to as “lawn mower beers,” producers both big and small are increasingly in on the action.

Previously at the forefront of the craft beer movement and now the largest American-owned brewery in the country, Samuel Adams produces a summer ale that is widely available from April through August. Notes of lemon zest are complemented by Grains of Paradise, a West African peppery spice with purportedly aphrodisiac properties.

Newcastle is in its second year of summer ale production, following a successful debut in 2009. For lovers of the trademark “Castle browns,” this lighter, hoppier, citrus-centric style represents a radical departure, but has served to introduce a new audience to the brand.

Central Coast brewery Firestone Walker’s first official entry into the summer ale category, Solace, is a tangerine-scented, slightly clove-y unfiltered brew combining the styles of Belgian Farmhouse ales with Bavarian wheat beers.

Out of Bend, Oregon, Deschutes Brewery took their summer ale, Twilight, as a challenge to make a truly interesting lighter-style beer, which is available from May to September.

Colorado’s New Belgium, best known for Fat Tire, also makes a popular summer beer called Skinny Dip, an au naturale Cascade hoppy sensation with Kaffir lime overtones.

Tara de Lis is a freelance writer who lives in Hollywood.

Hollyhock House

History buffs, come forward! The city needs your help in uncovering cultural assets, places that matter to Angelenos, which might otherwise be lost to demolition.

“Information will give property owners and developers greater up-front certainty about the historic significance of a place so they can plan accordingly,” said Silver Lake resident Janet Hanson, who is also the director of SurveyLA, with the Dept. of City Planning.

“Parks, stores, social halls, canals and bridges are being documented. Historic districts range from residential neighborhoods to industrial complexes,” she said.

SurveyLA seeks to uncover sites where significant social events occurred. For example, a 1964 demonstration by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), which prevented members of the White Citizens Council from leaving the building then located at 3201 Los Feliz Blvd., would be noted.

Hollyhock House at 4800 Hollywood Blvd. in Barnsdall Park, would be recognized not only for its revolutionary design, but the significance of its first owner, Aline Barnsdall to 1920s and 30s Socialism.

The hardware store at 1801 N. Western Ave. would be recognized as the former location of Flower View Gardens.  The Ito family who built it was among the first Japanese Americans in Los Feliz to tend flower farms in the foothills below Griffith Park from 1917 to 1942.

Also, SurveyLA would recognize Los Feliz for its significance to early 20th century film production. Today’s reminders, such as DeMille Drive in Laughlin Park and KCET’s brick studios on Sunset Drive, have already been noted by SurveyLA, according to Donald Seligman, through the efforts of the Los Feliz Improvement Association (LFIA) which Seligman serves as president.

“The LFIA is very supportive of this project and we provided SurveyLA with a trove of research formatted on DVD and hardcopy. We provided lists of important architects’ works, celebrity addresses through the last 100 years, as well as our oldest housing stock. I would be surprised if they have any more material from any other part of Los Angeles than what they have for Los Feliz,” he said.

Can you recommend a neighborhood or structure important to a Los Angeles trend such as race relations, film, transportation and aerospace?  Survey LA has already received some 1,000 nominations.

Visit www.SurveyLA.org to fill out the “My Historic LA” form. Identify a resource which warrants evaluation by professional consultants and you will lead the way to preserving history.

And watch footage of 1930s era Olvera Street, 1940s era Venice and 1950s era Hollywood at the SurveyLA.org site.

Aggreviated Assaults:             1
Burglary:             16
Robberies:             8
Thefts:            5
Homicide:             0
Burglary Theft from Vehicle:            54
Grand Theft Auto:             11

Theft:
07/17/10, at 1300 block Glendale Blvd. The suspect took the victim’s property from in front of location.

Theft:
07/14/10, at 2000 block Rodney Dr. Suspects cut the lock off bicycle and fled location with property. Property was under apartment garage.

Burglary:
07/17/10, at 2600 block Glendale blvd. Suspected pushed open the front door, enter and removed property.

Burglary:
07/17/10, at 4300 block Los Feliz blvd. Suspects pried open rear sliding door, entered and removed property.

Burglary from car:
07/12/10, at 4300 block of Los Feliz Blvd. Suspects opened unlocked passenger side door, entered vehicle and removed property.

Burglary from car:
07/10/10, Finely and Catalina. Suspects entered property by smashing window.  Suspects removed property and fled location.

Burglary from car:
07/14/10, 2000 block of Hillhurst Ave. Suspect smashed passenger window of vehicle and removed property.

Safety Tip:
Lookout for each other and report suspicious activity immediately to the Police Department.

Allison Cohen Ferraro

Since the Silver Lake “Walking Man’s” death, July 21st, much has been said and written about this enigmatic man.

Only time will tell the truth behind the Los Angeles Times story that the 58 year old was being investigated before his death for the illegal distribution of drugs.

Only time will tell about how this man, who seemed to live a life of contradictions, died. He was a physician who basked in the sun for hours without a shirt and a promoter of exercise, though he was known to be a junk food addict.

For now, please visit our website to read about how more than 500 people gathered July 25th to walk in his honor. Also post your thoughts and stories about the “Walking Man” on this website.