January 2008

Vol 3. No. 7 Serving the Greater Los Feliz, Silver Lake & Hollywood Hills Area | Distribution 32,500 January 2008

Los Feliz Ledger

see Writer’s Strike page 5

see Silver Lake page 6

Forecast for 2008

[ commeNtAry ]

Writer’s Strike Felt LocallyBy Sean mahoneyLedger contributing Writer

The writer’s strike has been raging on for nearly two months with no resolution in sight. While it’s impossible to wrap one’s mind around the strikes’ estimated $21 million a day price tag, it’s easy to feel the aftershocks in our neigh-borhoods.

Recently, I’ve had casual conversations with Echo Park boutique owners, bartend-ers, and restaurant employees. “How’s business?” I’ll ask to which most reply: “slow,” “so-so” or “not as good as last year.” One shop owner recently con-fessed that she was worried that she’d have to close her doors for good. Other service industry friends have noted that busi-ness wasn’t great to begin with and since the strike, it’s been downright abysmal. Shortened business hours, empty coffee houses and available tables at once packed eateries are all tell-tale signs.

Like many freelance writ-ers, I work part time in a res-taurant to help pay bills. In the last two months I’ve noticed a general decline in spending among my customers. Econo-mists can blather on and on about the trickle down effect until they’re blue in the face.

and an apparent baby boom! It seems that our tradition of a strong sense of community and hipster innovation, along with our proximity to downtown, not to mention the beauty of the Silver Lake hills, continues to draw people and businesses to the area.

The last year for the Cham-ber has seen a number of new businesses related to children and families such as Car Seat Savvy, Bebeologie, Family Safe and the Klub Gymnas-tics. We’ve also had a tremen-dous number of young profes-sionals—designers, architects, lawyers, financial advisors and health practitioners—move their practices here. All of this has brought in the many new restaurants, boutiques, a high-end bakery and new pet relat-ed businesses.

We are also proud to have a number of “green” product shops, eco-designers and archi-tects, eco-friendly buildings, childcare centers and restau-rants. The chamber is moving to take a lead role in making Silver Lake a model of a green community. Soon, we’ll have

SILVer LAKe—What a privi-lege to be president of the Silver Lake Chamber of Com-merce, especially during this last year.

We’re experiencing so much business growth (65 new members in this last year alone), a rapid gentrification,

Baby Boom, New Businessesand Growth for Silver Lake in 2008By cheryl revkinPresident, Silver Lake chamber of commerce

Feeding the Flock: An Atwater Village woman and a friend have shared responsibility of daily feeding some of the LA River’s wildlife of ducks and geese since the 1990s. Even though the cost of grain has gone up, the woman said, she doesn’t mind the $100 a month she spends to make sure her feathered friends are well fed. Photo: Allison B. Cohen

real estate in 2007 and BeyondBy richard StanleyLedger columnist

Don’t be-lieve all the bad news you hear about the real estate market.

So far as our local market is concerned, the dire news is just not true.

Los Feliz LedgerRestaurant Guide

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see Real Estate page 6

community ActivistLe Val Lund Diesby Jean Luc renaultLedger contributing Writer

LeVal Lund as a young boy.

Le Val Lund, a retired Dept. of Water and Power en-gineer and passionate Los Fe-liz community activist, died in his home on Nov. 30th after a two-year battle with lympho-ma. He was 84.

Born on Feb. 24, 1923, Lund lived nearly his entire life in Los Feliz in a house built in 1925 by his parents, Le Val Lund Sr. and Grace Brown Lund. He attended local schools and excelled in multiple sports at John Mar-shall High School before grad-uating in 1941.

Lund spent two years at Occidental College, after which he entered the Navy’s V-12 program at the Califor-nia Institute of Technology. In 1945, Lund served with the Navy Seabees in Okinawa during World War II. Upon

see LeVal Lund page 15

Dorothy Lee, a 12-grade art teacher at John Mar-shall High School has won a $25,000 grand prize in the na-tional 2007 EXPO Classroom Makeover Contest.

Lee received over 9,000 votes in the on-line contest be-tween Oct. 31 and Dec. 3rd.

In her prize winning essay, Lee wrote, “Our teachers work

extremely hard [and] with the limited resources that they have, they teach eager students about art even as our facility falls apart.”

EXPO and school offi-cials kept the news secret un-til they could surprise Lee at a lunch time assembly, com-plete with the cheerleading squad.

Ms. Lee is flanked by JMHS cheerleaders after learning she was the$25,000 grand prize winner. Photo credit: Allison B. Cohen

marshall High teacher Wins $25,000 for classroom

Los Feliz Ledger

Page 2 www.losfelizledger.com January 2008

A Word from the Publisher and editor

LoS FeLIZcitibank

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House of Pies 1869 N. Vermont

Louise’s trattoria 4500 Los Feliz Blvd.

Los Feliz Public Library 1874 Hillhurst Avenue

Los Feliz 3 theaters 1822 N. Vermont

Newsstand Vermont and Melbourne

Palermo 1858 N. Vermont

Skylight Books 1818 N. Vermont

SILVer LAKecasita del campo1920 Hyperion Ave

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to 32,500 homes and businesses in the Los Feliz, Silver Lake and Hollywood Hills

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PUBLISHer/eDItorAllison B. Cohen

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oFFIce ASSIStANtGriffin O. Cohen

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Los Feliz Ledger

Story ideas, submissions, advertising rates

& inquiries contact:Allison cohen

4459 Avocado St. Los Angeles, cA 90027Phone: 323-667-9897

Fax: [email protected]

www. losfelizledger.com

michelangelo 1637 Silver Lake Boulevard

Silver Lake chamber of commerce 1724 W. Silver Lake Drive

Pick up the Los Feliz Ledger at dozens of locations:

In this e d i t i o n , we provide 2008 fore-casts for Silver Lake, written by Silver Lake

Chamber president Cheryl Revkin and the local real estate market by Ledger columnist and Coldwell Banker broker Richard Stanley. We also felt it important to include a forecast on the Los Feliz area, especially with reports of rising commer-cial rents, but regret that Dora Herrera, outgoing president of the Los Feliz Village Business Improvement District, declined our offer to write or be inter-viewed on the subject.

The Ledger has some plans of its own in 2008, includ-ing a series of special sections, nearly every month, on such topics as the local arts, seniors and summer camps. And with this edition, we start a regular monthly feature, the Restau-rant Guide. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

Los Feliz Ledger

January 2008 www.losfelizledger.com Page 3COMMUNITY NEWS

BB Guns threaten Franklin HillsBy Jean Luc renaultLedger contributing Writer

FrANKLIN HILLS—Residents near John Marshall High said they are worried for their safety after a number of drive-by BB gun shootings last November.

“It’s a big concern for all the residents,” said Alicia Kelly, one of at least five who have been attacked. “You walk your dog at night and you never know if you’re going to get shot.”

Although she only suf-fered a welt from the BB, Kel-ly said the shock of the attack was what scared her most.

“They pull out a gun that looks like a 9 mm and [you think] this is how you’re going to die,” said Kelly. Kelly described the shooters’ car as an older me-tallic blue Nissan sedan.

The LAPD Northeast Di-vision could not be reached for a comment.

SILVer LAKe— Camelot Kids Preschool held a snow day and boutique in December to raise funds for staff members that haven’t been paid since the fa-cility closed in mid-November pending the receipt of licenses necessary to run both the pre-school and after-school care program at a new facility at 2880 Rowena Avenue.

The facility had hoped to reopen in December, but the California state social services denied Camelot’s license ap-plication due to community complaints about running the program without a license, among other issues, according to Camelot executive director Thuy Bui. Camelot is appeal-ing the decision.

Some 40 families have been affected by the closure and many

Preschool Appealing LicensingDecisionBy Kimberly Gomez / Ledger contributing Writer

have volunteered their homes until the issue is resolved.

Silver Lake resident Steve Barr and founder of Green Dot Charter Schools said he plans to send his 2-year-old daugh-ter to Camelot once it reopens. Barr has joined Camelot’s board as vice-president.

Despite Camelot’s initial missteps in opening the new facility before being cleared by city and state agencies, Barr said the school’s issues are fixable.

“Everybody wants it to work…” said Barr, “and hope-fully the school will be back open February 1st.”

Barr said he has asked former LAUSD school board member David Tokofsky to look into Camelot’s facility and bud-geting issues and report back to the board on his findings.

Final Decisions Due on Verizon and At&t UpgradesBy marie cunningham Ledger contributing Writer

The Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power Commis-sioners are currently evalu-ating two projects that will allow Verizon Wireless and AT&T to install new equip-ment in the area to improve and expand their services.

Verizon Wireless is re-questing to install a cellular antenna on top of a utility pole near the corner of Armstrong and Tesla avenues at the Sil-ver Lake Reservoir to improve cell phone coverage. Board of Public Works Commissioner Valerie Lynne Shaw put the Verizon project on hold after a November 14th city hall meeting because the proposed site is within proximity of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Nursery School, according to Jeffrey La Dou of the Bureau of Engineering, a section of the DWP.

“It’s a matter of whether or not they can move this installation to another site and still achieve the outreach goals that they had to cover the same area,” La Dou said. “The stated risks to the school are zip. For the sake of caution the commissioner asked if it could be moved.”

Residents had voiced con-cerns that the radio frequen-cies released by the antenna could pose a health hazard to those around it, but the Federal Communication Commission, which regulates the power out-puts of such equipment, does not consider cellular towers to be a public health risk.

see Cell Tower page 4

GrIFFItH PArK—The Autry National Center is moving forward with plans to more than double the amount of its exhibition, storage and gallery space.

Brenda Levin, known most recently for her role in the renovation of the Griffith Observatory, is designing the $185 million project.

According to Museum Director, John Gray, the ex-pansion will allow more of the Southwest Museum collection to be on display. Much of the collection has been in storage to date, he said, due to space limitations.

But residents near the original Southwest Museum are critical of the Autry mov-ing most of the rare collection of Native American artifacts

to the new expanded facility. “It’s mansionizing park-

land when you don’t neces-sarily have to do that in a park,” said Nicole Possert of the Friends of the Southwest Museum, a coalition in fa-vor of keeping the museum’s collection where it is housed currently.

In February, the city’s Dept. of Recreation and Parks will hold a public hearing on the project. A final decision by the city on the project is ex-pected in spring.

If approved, the two-year renovation will begin in the fall of 2008.

The Autry National Center will also hold an “Inside Out Open House” on Feb. 10th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. that will detail expansion plans.

Autry National center expansion in Griffith Park By Kimberly Gomez / Ledger contributing Writer

Los Feliz Ledger

Page 4 www.losfelizledger.com January 2008

a classic gift boutique with retro flair

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Valentines Day is just around the corner…

Luckily so are we.

Part of ennis House renovation complete residents Ponder Public UseBy Kimberly Gomez / Ledger contributing Writer

LoS FeLIZ—A major renova-tion of the famed Ennis House in Los Feliz, one of four ce-ment-textile block homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1924, was completed in October—six months behind schedule but under the $6.5 million dollar budget according to project manager, Steve McAvoy.

A new structural frame was built to support the mo-tor court, chauffeurs’ quarters, and part of the south wall, which had partially collapsed during the 1994 Northridge earthquake and from heavy rains in 2004 and 2005.

The house had been placed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation on its 2005 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Places and the World Monuments Fund had placed it on its list of the 100 most endangered sites in the world.

Phase one of the restora-tion saw the roof replaced and water-damaged interior wood-work, floors, ceilings, win-dows, doors and a mosaic glass tile mural restored to their original conditions.

Nearly 3,000 of the house’s 30,000 concrete blocks were repaired or replaced.

Although a handful of people have seen the house since its renovation, including a Los Angeles Conservancy

reception for a 150 guests, the home is no longer open for public viewing due to a resi-dential zoning ordinance that prohibits public tours and oth-er activities.

Prior owners of the Ennis house were known to rent out the house for large parties and for filming.

“We acknowledge that there were abuses of the house in prior years,” said McAvoy. “That’s what has caused a lot of the need for all of this work to take place at one time because the house was neglected.”

Neighbors were relieved when the house was taken over by the Ennis House Founda-tion, in 2005, which is provid-ing for the needed restoration and continued maintenance of the historic building and its grounds.

Currently, more repairs are being made to the chauf-feur’s quarters for the possibil-ity of living space.

The foundation is also crafting a plan to repay the construction loan and is seeking approval from the surrounding neighborhood for future activity at the property.

Since the completion of the renovation, neighbors who are directly affected by the house have been meeting and are hoping to come to a resolution regarding its pub-lic use.

“We’re being very open-minded,” said neighbor and Los Feliz Improvement Asso-ciation board member, Donna Kolb. “We’re going to discuss it and make sure we make the right decision.”

SILVer LAKe—Pet owner, Priscilla Stultz, 45, became a victim of a home invasion rob-bery on November 30th, when her 7-year-old light tan mixed terrier poodle, Buddy was dog-napped.

Stultz was notified that Buddy was missing when her house keeper called her at work on Nov. 30th at 4 p.m.

“When I got the news I just became sick to my stom-ach. I was horrified. I am still in disbelief that someone would want to take my dog,” she said.

According to Stultz, Bud-dy was taken from the house while still in his crate. A bag of Christmas gifts was also taken. Stultz said she reported the incident to authorities and also hired so-called “pet detec-tives” on the Internet to help find Buddy.

“I believe pet owners have become victims of theft due to several reasons. . . They tend to let people have access to their homes pretty easily, such as maids, gardeners [and] pool men,” said Landa Coldiron

with Lost Pet Detection.Buddy’s taking comes at a

time when dog-napping crimes have increased throughout Los Angeles, according to a recent National Public Radio report.

Tiny Yorkshire terriers, ac-cording to the radio report, ap-pear most popular with burglars who turn around and sell the pets for profit. In some instanc-es, each dog can cost well over $2,000, according to reports.

Despite all search efforts, the burglars remain at large.

“I just want my dog back. No questions asked,” said Stultz.

Dog Napping remains UnsolvedBy Debru Petrov / Ledger contributing Writer

Buddy is still missing.

COMMUNITY NEWS

AT&T is also awaiting ap-proval to install above ground utility boxes in parts of Los Feliz that would allow the company to provide the area with cable T.V., high speed Internet and phone services all in one package, La Dou said. He noted that only one or two boxes are planned for installa-tion on Los Feliz Boulevard, and the rest will be on side streets, though “most of them are on hold.”

One Los Feliz resident, Scott Lichtig, lost a Dec. 4th appeal to stop the installa-tion of an AT&T box near his home on New Hampshire Av-enue and Los Feliz Boulevard. Commissioner Shaw denied the appeal, La Dou said, be-cause there is no alternative site for the equipment.

“They’re not even willing to move it to a less dangerous area on the street,” Lichtig said.

Commissioner Shaw will render a recommendation for the Verizon Wireless project after the possibility of new sites is explored. The recommenda-tion regarding the AT&T proj-ect will now be passed on to the board of Water and Power Commissioners. A final deci-sion on that case is expected by late January at the earliest.

Cell Tower from page 3Silver Lake reservoir to be Drained:High Levels of chemical Found

SILVer LAKe—The Silver Lake Reservoir will be drained in January after Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power an-nounced in December that it, as well as the Elysian Reser-voir, showed high levels of the chemical bromate.

The high levels of the chemical—a suspected car-cinogen with long-term ex-posure—resulted, the DWP said, through a combination of intense sunlight, bromide naturally present in ground-water and chlorine.

Some 600 million gallons of water will be dumped be-tween the two reservoirs.

DWP officials are evaluat-ing if some of it can be used to irrigate parts of Griffith Park or to fill the Hollywood Reser-voir as an emergency reserve.

The water that cannot be re-routed, reports said, will be dumped into the Los Angeles River en route to the ocean.

The process of draining and cleaning the reservoir is expected to take up to four months.

Los Feliz Ledger

January 2008 www.losfelizledger.com Page 5COMMUNITY NEWS

M a r t i n Schall, whose

website, “you-are-here.com,” has made him a celebrity in the world of urban design, paid a visit to Silver Lake during late October to photograph the region’s iconic architecture.

To gauge the popularity of the German photographer, try “googling” any important building in Los Angeles, and what will “pop-up” almost in-variably, will be one of Schall’s outstanding photographs.

I sent him an e-mail complimenting him on his site, and invited him to visit Silver Lake on his next trip to Los Angeles. Happily, he accepted my invitation, ar-riving on Oct. 25th and then accompanied me on a flurry of engagements, highlighted by a reception in his honor at the Elevado de Castillo in Sil-ver Lake on Oct. 29th, which was well-attended by the local design community, including architectural photographer Julius Shulman, Los Angeles Magazine Associate Editor Chris Nichols; architects Tim Campbell (CADD Production Resource); Sean Briski and Wil-

liam Howard (gkkworks); John Southern (Urban Operations); Hardy Wronskie (Heyday Partnership); Gustavo Gubel, Tracy Stone and Dion Neutra; Historic Downtown Los An-geles BID Executive Director J. Russell Brown; Prof. Emily Bills, USC School of Archi-tecture; Designer Ron Wood-son with partner Tom Stanley (Woodson & Rummerfield’s) and Karen Vidal (DesignVi-dal) who co-hosted the event along with husband Guy Vidal and yours truly.

During his stay, Schall also visited “Music Box Steps Day” at Laurel & Hardy

Park, dined at numerous area restaurants (Pho Café was his runaway favorite, but he also enjoyed margaritas at El Conquistador), visited Julius Shulman at his studio in the Hollywood Hills and photographed many of Sil-ver Lake’s architectural trea-sures, which will be featured on his website soon.

Councilmember Tom La-Bonge presented a “Certificate of Welcome” to Schall on the occasion of his visit on behalf of the Los Angeles City Coun-cil, extending “our warmest wishes and hopes that you will visit us again soon.”

martin Schall Visits Silver LakeBy michael Locke / Silver Lake correspondent

Pictured are Martin Schall (left) and Michael Locke (standing) with Julius Shulman at the photographer’s studio in the Hollywood Hills, November 11, 2007.

But it’s people like me, or the girl behind the bar or the man who runs the dry cleaners who feel it first hand.

If the bickering continues, matters are sure to get worse. The 1988 Writers Guild of America strike, which went on for a record six months, cost the City of Los Angeles

an estimated $500 million in revenue.

Regardless of what side you’re on, the best thing we can all do is to continue to support our favorite independent busi-nesses. Now more than ever it seems vital to their survival. Your patronage could provide a smile, some extra spending money, and might even help keep the lights on.

Writer’s Strike from page 1

Los Feliz Ledger

Page 6 www.losfelizledger.com January 2008COMMUNITY NEWS

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owners have been forced out (about 10% of our member-ship). Another consequence of our popularity is one we all experience daily—an increase in traffic and parking issues. On this front, the Chamber has had a recent success. The city has begun to install park-ing meters along Sunset Bou-

levard and will con-tinue to install me-

ters in sections of Glendale and Hyperion boulevards and Fountain Avenue. We’re more crowded and more expensive but, luckily, not more crime-ridden.

We continue to be a strong community, composed of a diversity of people on the cut-ting edge of L.A. culture. The Chamber is proud to work on all issues related to our motto: “Shop, Live and Create in Sil-ver Lake!”

a green page up on our web-site (www.silverlakechamber.com) with resources for busi-nesses and residents alike, along with lists of our green businesses and announce-ments of local “green” events and actions. And in conjunc-tion with our exem-plary Sil-ver Lake Neighborhood Council, we’re lobbying the city to get a local DASH bus route es-tablished and to make Silver Lake more bike-friendly.

Is there another side of the coin? Commercial rental fees have greatly increased. Our small businesses are popular and trendy, but there are new struggles to meet the increas-ing overhead costs and com-mercial property prices. Some “oldtime” Silver Lake business

Real Estate from page 1

First, foreclosures are not pres-ent in any amount sufficient to drag down our market—in fact, there are hardly any.

The reason, I suspect, is that most buyers in our mar-ket did not avail themselves of sub-prime loans. Buyers in greater Los Feliz usually put at least 20% down. Sec-ond, interest rates remain low enough to continue to entice buyers into the market. Third, the inventory of houses for sale is the best in years, thanks to the absence of “flippers” (fixer properties have softened in de-mand). With far fewer multi-ple offers, buyers have recently discovered that they can com-pete for properties and win.

Whereas a couple of years ago, inventories of houses for sale comprised a months’ sup-ply or less, now, two or three

months’‚ supply exists. The sole exception is the condo market, where up to 10 months’ supply is on the market in Los Feliz.

While annual sales vol-umes dropped by half in 2006, there was virtually no such change during 2007—sales volumes held steady. A notice-able slow-down occurred in September and October gener-ally, as oil prices and economic anxiety rose, but attendance at open houses remained, in my experience, consistently high.

In 2007, house prices did not come down locally, and they show no sign of any im-minent, major drop. Buy-ers are pickier than before, to be sure, but will compete for turnkey and special properties in multiple offers that yield over-the-asking-price sales.

If you are a seller, price your property a bit below the market

Is there another side of the coin? commercial rental fees

have greatly increased.

at the outset, or you may sit in-definitely without a sale.

So, what might happen in 2008? I am optimistic that we will have an encouraging, though not banner, and stable selling season in the first half of 2008 with a slowing as the presidential election nears. Here’s why: demand is grow-ing, and has been for the last two years; interest rates are likely to drop more, as the Federal Reserve chooses to fight a possible recession more than inflation; flippers who misjudged the market will dump their over-priced prop-erties soon; the economy will not crash despite the writers’‚ strike (which will settle before long); people have lots of cash in our part of the city—they are already returning to invest in unique residential real estate

see Real Estate Su Casa page B

Los Feliz Ledger

January 2008 www.losfelizledger.com Page 7COMMUNITY NEWS

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GrIFFItH PArK—The Los Angeles City Council has ap-proved $1,155,000 to fund the second phase in the recovery of Griffith Park six months af-ter the May fire that scorched nearly 1,000 acres.

The funds will be used to make repairs to storm drains and erect temporary fencing designed to catch debris should there be heavy rainfall.

“These preventative mea-sures are necessary now that we are entering our region’s rainy season,” said councilmember Tom LaBonge. “To date, even after a couple of good, steady rains, the soil is holding on the hillsides, but we can’t be cau-tious enough.”

According to a press re-lease issued by LaBonge’s of-fice, some of the worst burned areas are also some of the steep-est in the park and the Recre-ation and Parks Dept., which oversee park operations, wants to ensure that if erosion occurs

on these slopes, neighborhoods and public areas below are not adversely affected. These areas include the Los Feliz residen-tial streets of Vermont Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue and Cadman Drive in Los Feliz and Crystal Springs Drive on the east side of the park.

Phase one of the recovery covered the cost of hydro-mulching the denuded hillsides with a seedless, organic com-pound that provided a crust to help hold the soil. According to Recreation and Parks offi-cials, the hydromulching has helped greatly in holding the topsoil to the ground during recent rains.

According to the city, work has already begun on storm drain repairs. The structural fencing will be installed upon further department approvals. The fencing will be temporary and range from 20 to 100 feet in length, depending upon the width of the scorched canyon.

AtWAter VILLAGe—Atwater Village’s Joe Petricca the Ex-ecutive Vice Dean of Los Fe-liz’s American Film Institute, received a Chevalier of Aca-demic Palmes from the French Government in November at a private reception at the home of Philippe Larrieu, Consul General of France.

The Ordre des Palmes Ac-ademiques (Order of Academic Palms) is an Order for France to recognize outstanding aca-demics and educators. The or-der was originally created by Napoleon to honor eminent members of the University of Paris. The award was re-estab-lished in 1955 and is one of the world’s oldest civil awards.

Petricca, 43, is one of the youngest recipients of the medal.

In his remarks after re-ceiving the award medal, Pet-ricca noted his work with a program titled “On Set With French Cinema” that has brought French filmmakers to

the AFI campus to hold classes and seminars.

“My love of cinema, all cin-ema, allows me to have a great, great job at the American Film Institute,” said Petricca. “And it is there with “On Set With French Cinema” that my spe-

cific efforts in relation to French Cinema really solidified.”

The AFI is a national in-stitute providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media.

$1.1 Approved for 2nd Phase of Park recovery

Atwater resident Awarded by French Government

Petricca (right) with the Consul General of France, Philippe Larrieu (left) as he was knighted.

LoS FeLIZ—Song Chol Han – also known as Jesse Han, 39, and president of K2 Develop-ment, has been convicted of the June 2006 cutting down of pro-tected trees near Griffith Park.

Han was sentenced to three years probation, 20 days of public service and must donate $7,500 to Tree People, a non-profit organization dedicated to planting and caring for trees.

The June 23, 2006 inci-dent occurred at the site of four proposed residential lots on Live Oak Drive that con-tained 17 protected native trees. Tree trimmers, hired by Han, cut down two Coast Live Oak and four Southern California Black Walnut trees on a proposed building site be-fore neighbors intervened and persuaded them to stop.

man convicted for cutting Down Protected trees

Los Feliz Ledger

Page 8 www.losfelizledger.com January 2008SCHOOL NEWS

[ LoS FeLIZ cHArter ]

Kindergarteners Study Shelters

Kindergarteners have been learning about shelter at the Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts through reading, group activity and exploration.

Students worked in small groups to build tent shelters in the classroom using blan-kets and sheets. As they en-thusiastically worked togeth-er to construct their shelter, they learned to work collab-oratively and about estima-tion by guessing how many people could fit inside the shelter; then they tested out their guesses to see if they were correct.

To explore shelter con-struction, students became “researchers.” Armed with clipboards, paper, and pencils, they started with an explora-tion of their classroom and then school building—inside and out—to observe and for-mulate questions about differ-ent building features.

Then, an architect guest speaker, 1st grade parent Kevin Mulcahy, spoke to the students about building and answered questions. He brought in building plans, scale models of houses, and samples of different building materials (concrete, ceramic tile, marble, granite, wood, metal, cork, linoleum) to share with the class.

To RSVP for a January 16th school tour, please go to www.losfelizarts.org.

[PILGrIm ScHooL]

Postcard from PilgrimBy connor chandler, 9th grade

With Christmas behind us now, we have a lot to think back on.

The holiday program, “An Evening To Celebrate” – which included original sketches, a potpourri of music and dancing perfection – went off without a hitch.

Every month, it seems like we get something new, and December was no different with the addition of a brand new van, donated by the Pil-grim Korean Parents Associa-tion. Next on the list is Mr. Grady’s new math lab, cur-rently underway.

Congrats are in order for Ms. Charlotte Innes, our English and creative writ-ing teacher, who received an award from The Chaffin Jour-nal for her poem, “Inviting A Friend To Dinner.” Ms. Innes goes above and beyond just teaching by inviting es-tablished authors to share their work with her aspiring writing class.

I’d also like to nominate junior, Walker Andreen, for our “Pedestal of Glory.” Some good things about Walker are that he has red hair that makes him very popular, and he is very athletic. So good job Walker, you’ve just been Glorified.

MeetingJanuary 10, 20077:00 p.m.

Camelot Kids Preschool Corner of West Silver Lake Dr and Rowena

Childcare Provided

Learn about Middle School Options in the Silver Lake , Los Feliz and Echo Park Area. Join concerned parents in our community

Los Angeles Parents Union at 213-621-3052 or e-mailus at [email protected] www.parentsunion.org

Silver Lake Echo Park Los Feliz ChapterLos Angeles Parents Union

Micheltorena Street School has formed the non-profit “Friends of Micheltorena Street School” (FOM) to help raise funds for services, programs

and capital improvements. For this school year, FOM

hopes to raise funds for a new “Wonder of Reading” library. In addition to renovating the

current library, the “Wonder of Reading” grant will pro-vide $10,000 in new books to the school and implement the “Reading Partners” program, where community volunteers read to students.

FOM also plans to raise funds to help pay for the school’s vocal music program for the 2008-09 school year.

To volunteer as a Reading Partner, please contact [email protected] or (323) 666-2377.

[mIcHeLtoreNA Street ScHooL]

New Library and music ProgramFunding targets for “Fom”

Los Feliz Ledger

January 2008 www.losfelizledger.com Page 9SCHOOL NEWS

2328 hyperion avenue • 323.667.2275www.lyricpreschool.com

happy new year

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[ KING mIDDLe ScHooL ]

Impact makes an Impact By miguel Villegas

IMPACT is an LAUSD program of prevention and early intervention. The pro-gram provides help to kids in middle schools and high schools. The goals of the pro-gram are to improve student achievement, increase student attendance, provide students with coping skills and devel-op resiliency in students. The program has different groups for different kids. The groups within the program are: Al-cohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs; Crisis; Concerned Per-sons; Grief Crisis; IMPACT Drug Info Group; Recovery and IMPACT Plus.

At King the program is once a week and lasts 10 weeks. Students are asked to sign a contract that makes them promise that they will be there every week for the whole 10 weeks. Each session lasts about an hour, or one whole

period. The students meet at the IMPACT room, which is room 211A. These kids go be-cause whatever they say is con-fidential. This means that they can say anything and it will be kept private. The place is a safe place and they don’t feel pres-sured by others there. Other students go because a dean or a teacher refers them.

The teachers at Thomas Starr King Middle School that participate in this program are: Ms. Bishop, Mr. McDan-iel, Ms Yang, Ms. Vogelsang, Mr. Suzukida, Ms. Kantack.

Each one of these teachers has taken the IMPACT Train-ing. This training takes about three days.

Ms. Bishop, the coordina-tor of the program, gets all the referrals from the deans and teachers. From there, she in-terviews the kids that were re-ferred and chooses what group they will go into. She thinks the program is effective, and she has seen the results.

“Impact provides a safe place where students can speak their minds,” said Bishop.

Immaculate Heart stu-dents will start 2008 refreshed and renewed. Coming back from a two-week Christmas vacation spent with family and friends, the student body

now prepares for semester ex-ams. With all the hard work of studying, the girls need a break or two to clear their minds and help them relax. So our student members of the California Scholarship Federa-tion are once again putting to-gether “Finals Survival Kits,”

filled with snacks and toys to relieve the stress of the tests. The students will have another rewarding break after their fi-nals before the second semes-ter begins later this month.

Meanwhile, our winter sports teams in basketball and soccer are having lots of com-petitive fun as the season con-tinues. Immaculate Heart is very proud of our hard-work-ing athletes!

On tap later in January, is the Junior Class Ring Ceremo-

ny, one of the most memorable traditions held every year for students. The young women will receive their Immaculate Heart class rings as symbols of their love and appreciation of this school. Afterwards, seniors and juniors will share lunch together.

Finally, 8th graders, please be sure to save the date of Jan. 26th. Immaculate Heart’s second and final high school entrance exam will take place that day from 8:30 a.m. to noon on campus.

[ IHHS ]

renewed and refreshed for the New yearBy Heidi Slojewski ’10 and Lauren Aleman ’10

on tap later in January, is the Junior class ring ceremony, one of the most memorable traditions

held every year for students.

Send News About your School to the

[email protected]

Los Feliz Ledger

Los Feliz Ledger

Page 10 www.losfelizledger.com January 2008HEALTH & FAMILY

LINDA WANGformerly

of the Nail Station

in Silver Lake

The world is changing fast. Even the rate of change is changing, accelerating. If we could track this progression, the graph line would shoot upwards, showing runaway exponential growth.

Where are you, on this graph? Are you where you thought you’d be? Are you on track? Or has the track it-self changed, the graph line jumping off the page, into the un-known? You may be charting a new course.

Look back at your New Year’s resolutions from years past. Have you achieved your goals and moved on? Or are the goals elusive? Do you even want the same things as before?

Don’t dutifully copy the same old resolutions onto your new list, just because you haven’t achieved them yet. Al-low the possibility that your old goals no longer resonate with you.

That gig you wanted so badly but never got… maybe it was for the best. If it were offered to you now, you might even walk away from it. That

relationship that’s out of reach, the career change that never materialized… Ask yourself if you’ve outgrown your old vi-sion of yourself.

Who are you, now? What gives you joy, now? Identify your true priorities. Focus on what you really want—be-cause what you focus on be-

comes your life path.

R e -visit and re-think your old goals. Be open to a complete

change. Let go of old inten-tions, and upgrade to a new level of being.

Just as your cells con-stantly regenerate and self-re-pair, your intentions and goals need to renew themselves. Old goals that no longer fit you be-come burdens, blockages and limitations.

If your track no longer serves you, get off! Build a new track to infinite possibility.

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

We had an “epic” Thanksgiving

feast. Afterwards, a “bunch of dudes” came over to “chill out.” It was really “tight.”

Yes, I speak teen, the So-Cal version anyway, where the world is divided into “awe-some” events or those that “suck,” populated by “dudes” and more often than not, “bi-atches” (pronounced just so).

Understanding today’s teen aphorisms isn’t particu-larly difficult: even for some-one like me from the days of “groovy,” “cool” and “outta-a –sight;” 20-somethings fa-vor “right-on,” but not the tough political call-out, more as a friendly affirmation. “No worries,” if you know what I mean.

Tech lingo also dominates the teen vernacular: they text, google, IM and ichat. Those in college, comment on Facebook endlessly posting on the supremely popular social networking site. Wikipedia is the favored reference source. If you’ve ever had the horror of paying a teen’s cell phone bill, complete with ring tone downloads and mobile games, underwriting the wired gen-

eration can be rather pricey. Staying connected to my

teens’ world and friends, means having some glimmer of their media references. While par-ents of younger kids appreci-ate the electronic babysitting qualities of TV and DVDs (I’d hate to think how many times Martin watched “The Lion King,”) when it comes to teens, it helps to be “down” with their shows. I realize that the con-tent is often inappropriate, but if you have teenagers, then you know inappropriate is a rapidly sliding scale towards the even more inappropriate.

In its heyday and before TiVO, we bonded over “The O.C.” We’d all cozy up on the couch to be entertained by that ultimate teen fantasy world. There were some re-velatory discussions. Among my favorites, could the babe, played by Mischa Barton, se-riously have been accepted to U.C. Berkeley? These days, I don’t get “Lost” (in fact I’ve been banned from watching it with my kids due to too many questions). Until the Writers Guild strike, we’d watch “The Office,” which my son turned me onto, and is now my fa-

[ BeING WHoLe ]

Are you on track?By elma mayer / Ledger columnist

Look back at your New year’s resolutions from years past.

Have you achieved your goals and moved on? or are the goals elusive? Do you even want the

same things as before?

[ FAmILy mAtterS ]

teen talkBy Kathy A. mcDonald / Ledger columnist

see Family Matters page 16

January 2008 www.losfelizledger.com Page 11

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Los Feliz Ledger

Page 12 www.losfelizledger.com January 2008HEALTH & FAMILY

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David Moss calls himself the number one male street-walker in Los Angeles—but it’s not what you think.

“I walk the streets distrib-uting hundreds of flyers for the [Friends of the Los Feliz Li-brary] book sales,” Moss said. “Every month it takes longer and longer because I get to know the neighbors and they want to stop and talk.”

Moss did his first stint as a library volunteer in his home-town of Chicago at the age of 12. “It was May 8, 1936,” he said. “That date still resonates with me.”

Seventy-one years later he’s still at it. Moss has been an ac-tive member of the Friends of the Los Feliz Library, an orga-nization that raises funds for

the Los Feliz Public Library (LFPL), since the group’s in-ception in the late 1980s. He’s been the organization’s presi-dent for the past 14 years.

Moss is quick to point out other people without whom the library would not be what it is today, including LFPL’s current librarian Pearl Yone-zawa and her assistant Cathy O’Connor. But it’s clear, his own years of service have made a big impact.

From the days when the library was just a one room storefront, to the January 1994 earthquake that destroyed it, to its current location at Franklin

and Hillhurst avenues, Moss has attended community meetings, picked up and de-livered book donations, raised funds, organized book sales,

recruited volunteers and yes, even walked the streets (deliv-ering flyers, that is) in support of his neighborhood library.

You’re sure to find Moss outside the Los Feliz Library on the fourth Saturday of ev-ery month, heading up the monthly Friends of LFPL book sale. He coordinates the volun-teers. “I ask only one hour of each volunteer,” he said. “Most people can spare an hour.”

He also provides comic relief.

“My main concern is not how many books people buy,” Moss said. “My main concern is making it a very warm, hap-

py affair. If you can get peo-ple laughing you’re half way there.”

Moss doesn’t have any trouble getting people to laugh. In fact, humor as much as altruism appears to be a key ingredient in Moss’s recipe for a happy life. And then, of course, there’s fun.

“Have fun every day of your life with the people you meet, the things you learn,” Moss said. “Nobody really needs to live a boring life if you dig into it.”

Dr. Anju Mathur, of An-gel Medicine in Los Feliz, had a thriving family practice when she decided enough was enough.

“I was working as a general practioner and got tired of it,” she said, “because my patients would feel better and then have the same problem again. I was treating symptoms—not the cause.”

A serendipitous e-mail sent her in a new direction. “The day that I decided not to do family medicine anymore,” Dr. Mathur said, “I got an e-mail about a bioidentical hor-mone conference.”

Bioidentical hormones are made from natural sources and have a molecular structure that matches that of actual human hormones. They typically re-place synthetic hormones which, Dr. Mathur said, can have some unpleasant side effects.

Mathur said she went to the conference and never looked back. She took some time off from her family practice to study bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) and is now board certified

[ FocUS oN tHe ADVertISer ]

Dr. Anju mathurBy colleen PaeffLedger contributing Writer

Dr. Anju Mathur of Angel Medicine in Los Feliz.

by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. When she reopened her family prac-tice, Mathur slowly integrated her newfound knowledge. The results were so satisfying she ended up transforming her clinic into a full-blown anti-aging practice.

Mathur combines BHRT with a customized nutrition and fitness plan for each pa-tient. This combination of nutrition, fitness and hormone replacement, she says, can stop, delay, or even reverse the aging process.

Mathur’s patients, both men and women, have reported positive results including re-duced stress levels, weight loss, increased energy, healthier skin, better memory, improved mus-cle tone and better moods.

Mathur couldn’t be hap-pier with the new turn her medical practice has taken. “It’s very fun,” she said, “and easy to get results.”

[ PeoPLe IN my NeIGHBorHooD ]

the Library’s David mossBy colleen Paeff / Ledger contributing Writer

Now a name to the face: David Moss.

moss has been an active member of the Friends of the Los Feliz Library, an organi-zation that raises funds for the Los Feliz Public Library (LFPL), since the group’s

inception in the late 1980s.

Los Feliz Ledger

January 2008 www.losfelizledger.com Su Casa REAL ESTATE Page A

SELECTED PROPERTIESLocal Experts Worldwide

©2007 NRT Incorporated. Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. is Owned and Operated by NRT LLC. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. Farm of Jas de Bouffan, used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records or other sources.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BROKERAGES I SOTHEBYSHOMES.COM/SOCAL I USE THE WEB NUMBERS PROVIDED TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ON A PROPERTY THROUGH OUR WEBSITE

LOS FELIZ 1801 NORTH HILLHURST AVENUE T 323.665.1700

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2608 LAKE VIEW AVE Silver Lake. 2bd/1.5 ba Spanish vu home. Wd flrs, DR, wood beam ceilings & bonus room for office. www.2608lakeview.com $749,000 WEB: 0283185 Tim Hartley 310.770.5168

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Los Feliz Ledger

www.losfelizledger.com January 2008Su Casa REAL ESTATEPage B

opportunities for the long haul rather than to sink their cash in the skittish stock market or in T-bills and the like.

Besides, investors may fig-ure, if inflation or 1980-style “stagflation” arrives, it will be a great time to be in debt. Fi-nally, we may even see foreign investors‚ entering our real estate market to buy trophy properties at a weak-dollar discount.

Yearn for the good old days of 21% annual appreciation in local real estate? Don’t count on it until at least Jan. 20th, 2009 when, with a new ad-ministration, we may see years of anxiety lift and an incipient return to bullish exuberance. Until then, don’t overlook the relative bargains to be had in the 2008 real estate market.

Located in Barnsdall Park, the Hollyhock House, on Hol-lywood Boulevard near Ver-mont Avenue, is arguably, the most important house in Hol-lywood in terms of its place in architectural history.

The house was designed and built between 1919 and 1921 for Aline Barnsdall whose family had made a for-tune in oil. She envisioned an arts center with a theater, guest residences, apartments and retail shops as well as her residence—all designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Barnsdall’s favorite flower was the hollyhock. A long stalky plant with an attenuated appearance, Barnsdall asked that Wright use this as his design inspiration. Evidence of this can be seen in patterns of repeated abstract, geomet-

ricized hollyhocks around the house. Mayan temple influ-ences can be seen in the form of the house, although Wright deemed this style “California Romanza,” a style particular to this area.

Barnsdall lived in the house until 1927 when she donated it to the city of Los Angeles, with the condition that it be used for the arts. Currently, it is the only house designed by Wright in Los An-geles that is open to the public. For information: www.holly-hockhouse.net

Karen Numme, holds the title of Master of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and is a realtor/stager/designer with Keller Williams Realty in Los Feliz. www.karennumme.com

Laura Massino Smith holds a Master of Architectural His-tory degree, is an Architectural Historian and author of a series of guidebooks of Los Angeles ar-chitecture. She is also the director of Architecture Tours L.A. www.architecturetoursla.com.

[ ANGLeS oN ArcHItectUre ]

the Hollyhock HouseBy Karen Numme and Laura massino Smith

Real Estate from page 6

Here’s how the 2007 local real estate mar-ket shaped up

as the Ledger went to press:

Los Feliz and Franklin Hills(90027 and 90068):

Homes sold: 183 (+2% change from same period 2006)Median home price:$1,295,000 (+13% from 2006)Median home size: 3 bedrooms; 2.75 baths; 2,259 square feet on a 7,540 square foot lot; built in 1935.

Highest home sale: $6,000,000 (29% more than 2006 highest sale). Second highest home sale:$4,795,000 (3% more than 2006 highest sale).Condos sold: 42 (-2% change from same period 2006)Median condo price: $520,000 (+15% change from same period 2006)Median condo size: 2 bedrooms; 1.75 baths; 1,067 square feet.

Home sales volume re-mained stagnant in 2007, but prices rose a strong 13% over 2006. One “flipped” house sold for a wildly extravagant $6 million, while most trophy properties topped out around $4 millions a piece. The condo market stalled, as inventories grew to a 10 months’ supply in December—a factor to watch in 2008.Silver Lake (90039):

Homes sold: 85 (-12% change from same period 2006)

Median home price: $899,000 (+13% from 2006)

Median home size: 3 bedrooms; 2 baths; 1,576 square feet on a 5,550 square foot lot; built in 1932.

Highest home sale: $3,350,000 (70% more than 2006 highest sale)

Second highest home sale: $1,800,000 (9% less than

2006 highest sale)

Condos sold: 18 (+13% from same period 2006)

Median condo price: $489,000 (-5% change from same period 2006).

Median condo size: 2 bedrooms; 2 baths; 1,073 square feet.

2007 was another down year for sales volume in prime

Silver Lake, but the median sales price rose a respectable 13%.

As in Los Feliz, one aber-rant high sale set a record—this one a $3.35 million sleek Ar-chitectural style house by local architect, Barbara Bestor. The ultra-luxury market ceiling in Silver Lake continues to hover around $2 million. Condo sales rose moderately in volume, but fell in median value.

Silver Lake and Echo Park (90026):

Homes sold: 140 (+1% change from same period 2006)Median home price: $679,000 (no change from 2006)Median home size: 2 bedrooms; 1.75 baths; 1,105 square feet on a 5,350 square

Local Numbers for 2007By richard Stanley / Ledger columnist

see 2007 Su Casa page C

Los Feliz Ledger

January 2008 www.losfelizledger.com Su Casa REAL ESTATE Page c

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W i l l i a m Hoegee was no William Mul-holland in the

Los Angeles historic pantheon, and that makes Hoegee a perfect research topic for Gary Cowles.

The Pasadena resident scours repositories for informa-tion on lesser known but histor-ically interesting Angelenos.

Consider Hoegee. “I found two nice im-

ages of Hoegee’s Mission Re-vival style resident in a 1904 Land of Sunshine magazine,” Cowles e-mailed. “He had a business in L.A. selling tents, awnings and camping equip-ment. His home was on the hill area that is girded by Cedarhurst Drive, Common-wealth Avenue and Avocado Street. Any additional infor-mation is much appreciated.”

I pulled a slim file labeled “Hoegee” from a file cabinet, for I had once worked with the Los Feliz Improvement Association to unearth local pioneers. Hoegee’s name had come up. The file held an 1891 advertisement from The Rural Californian indicating that Hoegee manufactured cotton duck sails and tarpau-lins as well as tents from 118 E. 1st Street.

A clipping in a 1904 issue of the Los Angeles Examiner revealed his association with a proposed electric incline railway to the top of Mount Hollywood, the highest peak in Griffith Park. Obviously the railway scheme never got off the ground, despite the “Mount Hollywood Incline Railroad” having Mr. J.W. Eddy at the helm. Eddy built the beloved Angels Flight fu-

nicular which zipped up Bun-ker Hill downtown and which served a genuine need.

Hoegee, I discovered on the Los Angeles Public Li-brary’s Los Angeles Times data base, passed away in Septem-ber, 1924, several years, the story said, after selling his property. Then I found on a 1919 Baist’s map, also from LAPL, that the Hoegee prop-erty extended from Los Feliz to Ambrose and from Com-monwealth to 14 acres on the east owned by an R.D. Lowry. An outline of a house was in the center of the property as if it were on top of a hill. There was over 12 acres in the parcel in the Lick Tract. It looked as if the acreage could rival the size of the Arthur Letts estate. Letts founded the Broadway Depart-ment Store, and his grounds north of Franklin Avenue and west of Edgemont Street were widely known in their day, from about 1905 to 1925.

Cowles sent another e-mail. Reading a 1911 issue of the Pasadena Star, he found a reference to a flower show in which a gardener was given the W. H. Hoegee cup for out-standing chrysanthemums. That would mean that Hoegee was like Letts, a gentleman farmer who collected prized plant specimens.

A few days later, Cowles sent a message with an attach-ment: “thought you’d like a copy of this.” It was a hand colored postcard acquired from a postcard website. There was the Hoegee house amid lushly landscaped grounds, the type of image so popular at the time when the rest of the country was discovering

Southern Califor-nia’ generally mild weather. It was the Tournament of Roses kind of outlook on the good life.

The house was in the Mission Re-vival style—the vogue of the early 20th centu-ry, with twin towers that must have provided great views of the Griffith Park hills to the north, Hollywood and the Ca-huenga Valley to the west, and the encroaching City of Los Angeles to the east and south.

Then I noticed the flagpole towering over the house and

a flag to suit the tastes of the richest of patriots. It was huge, grand, monumental. I pulled out the story from the Los An-geles Examiner again. Hoegee had presented a 35-foot flag to the Hollywood Board of Trade meant to fly over Mount Hol-lywood. The manufacturer of canvas products was making

flags, it appeared. His home was a good place to show off his product. Wouldn’t a mountain-top be an even better place? In the tradition of all times, Wil-liam Hoegee drew attention to himself with the product he hoped to sell. Gary Cowles, re-searcher, uncovered a Los Feliz treasure.

[ cIty SLeUtH ]

Found: A Long Ago Los Feliz estateBy Diane Kanner / Ledger columnist

foot lot; built in 1922.Highest home sale: $1,550,000 (no change from same period 2006) Second highest home sale: $1,278,500 (18% less than 2006 highest sale)Condos sold: 13 (-28% from same period 2006)Median condo price: $525,000 (+1% change from same period 2006).Median condo size: 2 bedrooms; 2.5 baths; 1,226 square feet.

Silver Lake/Echo Park, 90026 is the least-changed mar-ket around. Virtually nothing changed here vs. 2006 except for a slow-down in condo sales.

New condo developments have yet to affect the larger real estate market, but that will change in the next few years.

Atwater Village (90039):

Homes sold: 36 (-31% change from same period 2006)Median home price: $679,000 (+2% from 2006).Median home size: 3 bed-rooms; 1.75 bath; 1,182 square feet on a 5,400 square foot lot; built in 1925High home sale: $1,020,000 (29% more than 2006 highest sale)Second highest home sale: $833,000 (6% more than 2006 highest sale)Condos sold: (+200% change from same

period 2006)Median condo price: $417,000 (+11% change from same period 2006)Median condo size: 2 bed-rooms; 1 bath; 819 square feet.

Almost a third fewer homes sold in Atwater Village this year compared to last year. The medi-an home in Atwater Village now costs as much as the equivalent home in Silver Lake/Echo Park, 90026—which is news. Condos (there are 40 only) play a minus-cule role here, but remain the best values, in the area, around among two bedroom condos.

Richard Stanley, works for Coldwell Banker/Los Feliz, and is a 20-year veteran local real estate.

2007 from Su Casa page B

www.losfelizledger.com January 2008Su Casa REAL ESTATEPage D

visit us online at : www.Californiamoves.com

©2007, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned and Operated by NRT, Incorporated. Coldwell Banker does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or otherinformation concerning the condition or features of property provided by the seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals.

5915 CANYON DRIVE, HHE $1,199,0001924 Mediterranean in Bronson Canyon thoroughly updated with sleek designer amenities. Exterior is reminiscent of architect Irving Gill's simplified volumes and arches. Inside, the deep autumn tones and polished wood surfaces recall the Orient Express, yet the whole is updated with today's tastes and needs. Newer systems include central HVAC, seismic retrofitting and much more. Flat, grassy garden is just right for kids or pets. Quiet, pvt.

RICHARD STANLEY (323) 906-2417

617 S. IRVING BLVD, HANCOCK PARK $2,995,000This 1923 Mediterranean-revival home is the sole home next-door to Los Angeles's official mayoral residence. Last sold in the 1970s, the home retains its original character. High ceilings, heavy cornice moldings, a coffered ceiling in the dining room, original tile in the baths and a novel, 1930s-era "cocktail room". MBR en suite with office/nursery. Family BRs have pvt terraces.

RICHARD STANLEY (323) 906-2417

1917 Hillhurst Avenue • Los Angeles CA 90027 • Office: (323) 665-5841 • Fax: (323) 666-4955

4455 LOS FELIZ #507, LOS FELIZ $539,000Great corner unit in Los Feliz Towers with view of Downtown and city lights. S.W. exposure . Two parking spaces. Great balcony, 9' ceilings, floor to ceiling glass. 1 bed + den area + 1 Bath. Pool, gym and saunas. Full service building with doormen.�

DON BRUNS (323) 906-2422

4455 LOS FELIZ #106, LOS FELIZ $525,000�Luxury condo in "Los Feliz Towers". Quiet 1st floor unit with huge garden patio. Priced to Sell. Move-in condition. Upgraded kitchen and bath cabinets. Full service building with doormen, pool, fitness center and 2 saunas.

DON BRUNS (323) 906-2422

2156 PRINCETON AVENUE, ECHO PARK $895,000Late Mid-century feel, first time ever on market, trust sale, perched on the hill with fabulous views. Extra spacious rooms. 5 bedroom, 3 baths family room and den, great work at home space. Large rear yard all waiting for the personal touches.3

LORI RAMIREZ (323) 665-5841

1321 BATES AVENUE, LOS FELIZ $597,000Cute as a button character cottages set behind a white picket fence on a large, tree-shaded lot close to Sunset Junction & Los Feliz Village. Front house is a 2+1 w/ a wrap-around front porch & a bonus space looking out to the rear yard that works quite well as an office. The back house is set to the rear of the property, allowing for maximum separation. a detached gar completes the picture. Needs some TLC, but newer plumbing & roof on front house.

ISAAC FAST/JOHN ABREU (323) 210-1434/(323) 210-2392

4621-4629 MAUBERT AVENUE, LOS FELIZ $4,900,000 GREAT DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY. BUILD 40+ CONDOS IN PRIME LOS FELIZ. TWO LOTS WITH OVER 19,000 SQ. FT. OF R4 LAND. MAKE THIS PROPERTY YOUR MONEY MAKER IN THE NEW YEAR!

VAHAN SAROIANS (323) 497-6655 CLAUDIA HIPOLITO (323) 697-2360

3977 CLAYTON AVE. LOS FELIZ $949,000 Redone California bungalow in prime Franklin Hills. Living room w/high ceilings and fireplace, open concept kitchen w/stainless steel appl., master bedroom w/master bath and private patio, dining area w/ French doors opens to the great front yard, distress hardwood throughout, down stairs den/fam room and a 3rd bedroom w/separate entrance, Detached studio/guest house. Also futures: new roof, electrical, copper plumbing. Tankless waterheater. Ready to move in!

STRAHIL GOODMAN (323) 842-8899

2326 COMMONWEALTH AVE , LOS FELIZ $1,700,000First time on the market, this one of a kind Foursquare Craftsman home still retains all the original character throughout. The two story 5+3.5 home, offers a full legal guest house, pool and privacy. It is a perfect opportunity to restore this residence to its former splendor.

KEN WINICK (213) 304-0126

1916 COLORADO BLVD., EAGLE ROCK $1,850,000Corner lot commercial property on very busy street of Eagle Rock. Currently used by American Tire Depot....excellent investment property for current use or to expand, rents are projected, one year lease remaining on lease.....do not disturb occupants. DRIVE BY ONLY, subject to interior inspection.

WALTER CASTILLO (213) 792-0940

1916 COLORADO BLVD., EAGLE ROCK $1,750,000Location, Location, Location! 2 story commercial building medical and printing office on 1 st floor and individual offices on 2nd floor. Property has new electrical , new roof, new interior,exterior paint and landscaping. Do not disturb occupants. Subject to interior inspection. All units bring in $7500 per month. In 2009 projected increase to $10,000 per month. Call listing agent for more details

WALTER CASTILLO (213) 792-0940

SOLD

357 MARIE AVE, HIGHLAND PARK $499,000�Very private retreat located behind tall wooden fence features landscaped yard, winding path down to charming cottage-style home. Beautiful refinished wood floor in the living room, new tile floor in the main bath, new flooring in master bedroom that leads to a deck and lower living area. Separate bed and bath on lower level and separate laundry room. Downtown views and tree top views make this home a special oasis in the city.

NATALIE CARTER (323) 377-3405

Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2008!from

COLDWELL BANKER LOS FELIZ

Los Feliz Ledger

January 2008 www.losfelizledger.com SENIOR MOMENTS Page 13

Good Samaritan Hospital Named AmongAmerica’s 50 Best Hospitals for 2007

1225 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017

HealthGrades®, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings company, has given Good Samaritan Hospital its highest honor based on consistent, outstanding clinical performance. Good Samaritan Hospital is ranked as a Distinguished Hospital, and has been five years in a row…a tribute to the outstanding physicians, employees and volunteers who make Good Samaritan Hospital the BEST!

Good Samaritan Hospital was ranked among the top hospitals in the nation in several specialty areas evaluated by HealthGrades, including:

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07-GSH-002 GoodBestAd.4.0.qxp 6/18/07 4:02 PM Page 1

Silver Lake Senior Club Calendar

Ad sponsored by Sunset Hall

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

General Meeting: Wednesday, January 16th, 12 pm, Friendship Auditorium.

Trips No trip in January. Call Doris Slater at (323) 667- 1879 or Jeanne Phipps at (323) 664-2681 for more informa-tion on trips for February and March.

January Classes

Classes begin January 7, 2008 unless noted

All classes will take place at the Silver Lake Recreation Center. When Griffith Park Adult Community Center opens, some classes will move to the new site.

Mondays: Tai Chi, 9:30-11:30, Gym, free • Life Story Writing, 12:30-3:30, freeTuesday: Strength Training, 1:00 – 3:00, free Wednesdays: Yoga and Stretching, 9:30 – 12:00, freeThursday: Line Dancing, 10:00 – 11:15, $16/4 sessions or $5/session beginning 1/3/08Fridays: Yoga with Susan Quon 9:30 – 11:30, $4/session Tai Chi with Susan Quon 11:30 – 12:30, $2/session Craft Workshop, 11:00 – 1:00, free • Painting 1:00 – 3:00, free Aerobics to Latin Dance Rhythms, 2:30 – 4:30, free

Widows and Widowers Group, January 11thCall Bob Friedman at (323) 662-9686 or [email protected] for place and information

For Information on the Silver Lake Senior Club, call Stephanie Vendig at (323) 667-3043, or e-mail at [email protected] or call Jeanne Phipps at (323) 664-2681.

It’s that time of year to show our determination to do better next year. Many of us end up saying “Many roads are paved with good intentions.” However, it is an important ritual. It tells us that we have the capacity to control our lives, even though it may seem that life controls us.

For the young, the life style

mode is “getting there.” At some point, we shift into the “mainte-nance” life style mode. We are now concerned with keeping our health, dignity, indepen-dence and quality of life. Mov-ing to the rocking chair won’t do it. We have to do something. This leads me to suggest some New Year resolutions for those of us who are now in the “main-tenance” mode.

“Use it or lose it,” they tell

us. Resolve to move more, so that at the end of the day, you say, you moved more than you sat. When you move, blood circulation nourishes the brain and brings blood supply to those stiff joints. Muscle tone, strength—including minimiz-ing bone loss—and more sta-ble balance are helped by with just simply walking 30 to 60

minutes several times a week. You can look at your brain

in the same way. The more you stimulate your brain, such as by figuring things out, prob-lem-solving and interacting with others, the more likely that dementia or Alzheimer’s may not be your fate. In fact, studies found that active, nor-mal older people’s brains after death still showed the build-up of the plaque of Alzheimer’s. It

appears that we have the ca-pacity in our brain to build up reserves of cognitive function-ing even though brain damage is present.

Resolve to monitor your diet so that unnecessary calo-ries are not on your plate. Chronic health problems seem to have no end. Resolve to manage your problem, rather than trying only to eliminate it. Seek out the tools or re-sources needed to accomplish your goals. One tool is obvi-ously medication, but as you function in your daily activi-ties, other tools may be need-ed. Seek out resources online (“Google” your health condi-tion), from print materials or from places or organizations serving seniors.

If you are in a care-giv-ing role, resolve to take care of yourself by giving yourself per-mission to ask for assistance or respite. There is plenty of evi-dence that the stresses of care-giving can make you vulner-able to ill health.

When you retire or your children have moved on, so-cial contacts from those ex-periences decline. You must initiate new contacts. Isola-tion is deadly for your health, sometimes resulting in depres-sion—a risk among seniors. Resolve to engage with others

in a meaningful way, whether it is joining groups, attending classes, volunteering, or hang-ing out.

As you probably suspect, I have an ulterior motive for listing these “resolutions.” The new Griffith Park Adult Com-munity Center, scheduled to

open next month, could be one place where you could find motivation and assistance with these objectives.

At this writing, the date for the center’s official “rib-bon-cutting” is January 24th, and a community celebration will be held March 1st.

[ SeNIor momeNtS ]

Dare We Have New year resolutions?By Stephanie Vendig / Ledger columnist

the more you stimulate your brain, such as by figuring things out, problem-solving and interacting with others, the

more likely that dementia or Alzheimer’s may not be your fate.

Los Feliz Ledger

www.losfelizledger.com January 2008

Private in-Home Dog TrainingGroup Classes Available in Your NeighborhoodFun, fast, reward based resultsAll problems, All breedsor call 323.225.6700

For more info, please visit:www.handlewoofcare.com

Teach that dog some manners!!

Los Feliz has many res-taurants for dining with your pooch.

The Alcove, 1929 Hill-hurst Avenue, has ample patio seating, perfect for you and Fido. The only drawback here is if you are dining solo you’ll need to leave your dog at your table while you go inside to the counter to place your order.

A few blocks down the street is Home (1760 Hillhurst Avenue) which also offers mostly outdoor seating. The patio offers a koi pond with wacky decorations that your dog can peer into. Here, there is wait service, so you can stay with your dog the whole time.

But my favorite place to dine with Reba is the Griffith Park’s Trails Café (Fern Dell

Drive, Griffith Park.) Nestled among California Oaks, the tiny kitchen offers post-hiking treats such as philo wrapped hot dogs and delicious pies. There’s always a bowl of wa-ter set up for visiting dogs and the prices are very reasonable. Your dog can sit with you at a picnic table or on a nearby hay bale.

Dining out can be a fun way to socialize and spend more time with your dog. But beware—determined to take Reba everywhere with me when she was a pup, I accompanied me to a local restaurant, that shall remain nameless, before she was potty trained. I’m still getting over the embarrass-ment of the number one she left as a tip on the pavement.

[ A DoG’S LIFe ]

Los Feliz’s Best Places for Doggy DiningBy Jennifer clark / Ledger columnist

Queen Mary Brazilian New Year’s Eve Celebration

Dec. 31st, 8 p.m. – 3 a.m., All ages$45-65 admission; $17-$22 for dinner

Step aboard the luxurious Queen Mary ocean liner for an authentic Brazilian New Year’s gala. The carnaval at-mosphere will feature vari-ous dance rooms, live musical performances, samba dancers, party favors and a magnifi-cent midnight fireworks show. Tickets can be purchased solo; for an additional cost there is a dinner buffet featuring tra-ditional Brazilian food. Re-member to wear white, Brazil’s color of peace.

1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach (818) 566-1111 www.queenmary.com

Akbar’s 11th Anniversary and New Year’s Eve Bash

Dec. 31st, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Silver Lake’s beloved Moroc-

can themed retreat presents their free New Year’s Eve par-ty. In addition to the flowing champagne, the place will host go-go dancers, belly dancers and hand out party favors. 4356 W Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake(323) 665-6810Akbarsilverlake.com

Big Foot Lodge New Year’s Eve Bash

Dec. 31st, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.Sing in the New Year with your favorite Karaoke tune and enjoy a free champagne toast when the clock strikes twelve.

3172 Los Feliz Blvd.(323) 662-9227www.bigfootlodge.com/LAhome.html

Villa Sorriso Venetian Mas-querade Ball

Dec. 31st, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.Dining and General Admis-sion packages available

This exclusive New Year’s Eve celebration takes place at one of Old Town Pasadena’s most sophisticated hangouts. This Mediterranean villa inspired restaurant will have dancing and complimentary party fa-vors and masquerade masks. Enjoy the sexy Go Go holi-day revue and lift up your free glass of champagne during the midnight balloon drop.

168 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena(626) 793-2233www.sorrisopasadena.com

New year’s eve Fetes to ring in 2008By Karen A. Lefkowitz Ledger contributing Writer

[ FItNeSS ]

Fit for twoBy Nancy J.KrankLedger columnist

E x e r c i s i n g during preg-nancy used

to be taboo. Today’s pregnant woman knows that a healthy pregnancy includes exercise.

Doing so can relieve some of the common problems preg-nant women face such as ex-cessive weight gain, varicose veins, leg cramps, swelling of the hands and feet and fatigue. Pre-natal exercise can also im-prove circulation, enhance mus-cular balance, reduce swelling, strengthen abdominal muscles, enhance muscular balance and ease postpartum recovery.

A well-designed program requires a solid understanding of physiological and anatomi-cal changes that occur during pregnancy. A pregnant wom-en’s body changes posture, alignment and has reduced strength and endurance. An instructor trained in pre/post natal fitness will take this into consideration and put together a program that is safe for you

and your baby.Pregnant women can per-

form low impact aerobic exer-cise every other day. Walking is one of the best exercises for this. Make sure you slowly warm up and stretch before your aerobic session. Swimming is also a great choice for pregnant exer-cise. My prenatal clients’ enjoy the buoyancy effect of water that supports their weight. In the water, the muscles are in a relaxed, non-weight bearing position and this can be a relief to women who are feeling more pelvic pressure and stress due to pregnancy.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecolo-gists recommends working out three times a week not exceed-ing a heart rate of 140 beats per minute. Keep in mind: If a ma-ternal core temperature rises to an unsafe level, it can cause the fetus harm. The fetus does not have a mechanism to cool itself.

If you can’t exercise, for whatever reason, then enjoy this short but amazing time. Then, refocus on fitness after the birth.

Nancy Krank is an ACE-Certi-fied Personal Fitness Trainer who lives in Los Feliz. Contact Nancy at [email protected]

LIFESTYLESPage 14

New Year’s Eve Ball at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel

Dec. 31st, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.Tickets: $175.00 in advance, $195 at the door

This sprawling entertainment complex at Hollywood & Highland transforms into a gigantic party perfect for ring-ing in 2008. Enjoy a Wolfgang Puck gourmet dinner buffet with entertainment that in-cludes casino-style gaming, DJs and multiple dance floors, live music of every variety, Cirque aerialists, stilters, acro-bats and fire dancers, strolling musicians and magicians, bur-lesque shows, body painting artists and even some Mardi Gras flavor.

The Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, 6801 Hollywood Blvd.(310) 281-8440www.daskproductions.com

Los Feliz Ledger

January 2008 www.losfelizledger.com LIFESTYLES Page 15

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There are several ways to approach this idea. There are the usual health concerned resolutions like go to the gym three times a week which could be translated into go the garden and turn the compost at least once a week. Eat healthier. Translate that into vowing to cook from the garden more.

Salsa is a breeze and is a really good use for all the to-matoes you, of course, plan on growing in 2008. Pesto is logical for all the basil that you’ll grow with those toma-toes. Start growing and eating the infamous broccoli sprouts that are high in antioxidants and vitamins and…taste good! One caveat: whether you buy them or grow them (which is easy…seeds and water) make sure to wash them thorough-ly before you use them. All sprouts can have bacteria. All

of these suggestions are the basis for just more culinary creations from the garden. It will keep you so busy that you won’t have time for all those snacks that materialize and al-ways seem to contain the four basic food groups: salt, sugar, grease and caffeine!

Create a monthly garden-ing calendar. You can still plant plenty of winter vegetables in January and flowers to grow in the spring. If you’re planting bulbs remember: roots down and pointy end up; if that’s not obvious, turn the bulb on its side; the stalk will find its way up just fine, make sure the amount of soil overtop is equal to twice the height of the bulb. If forced amaryllis or narcissus bulbs are getting ahead of your schedule and will flower too soon, slow them down by plac-ing potted bulbs in a cool (50F to 60F) room with bright light

and cut back on watering. You can also prepare your

fallow garden for spring now by doing a soil test and then adding amendments like ma-nure and compost that will decompose as it rains over the winter.

And, keep notes on the calendar about planting/har-vesting dates, soil preparation, species and varieties planted, and most importantly, how successful you thought it was. A journal can also include maps that detail where you planted certain crops previ-ously so that you can rotate these locations to minimize pest and disease problems.

Vow to visit at least two Los Angeles nurseries and two Southern California public gardens. In other words, in-clude in your resolutions to take the time and smell the roses.

[ GArDeNING ]

Gardening New year’s resolutionsBy melissa Berry / Ledger columnist

his return in 1946, he spent another year finishing his civil engineering degree at Caltech and was hired by the DWP. In 1954, he earned a master’s de-gree from USC.

Although Lund retired from the DWP in 1989, he con-tinued to research earthquake-resistant structures around the world. He also helped form the Greater Griffith Park Neighbor-hood Council (GGPNC) and was tirelessly devoted to the community.

“Le Val Lund was a good friend who was always reliable and strong, both mentally and physically,” said Cameron Fla-nagan, who along with Lund, helped establish the GGPNC. “He was a true testament to the spirit of life, always willing to learn and educate.”

Lund was also a devoted member of John Marshall High School’s alumni association. He helped plan many of the school’s

social and athletic functions. “When he decided to em-

brace an activity, he embraced it wholeheartedly,” said Eng-lish teacher Joanna Erdos, who serves as faculty liaison to the Marshall Alumni As-sociation. “When he spoke, everyone listened.”

Those who knew Lund said they will miss him dearly and hope that others will keep his passion for education alive.

“He was a wonderful fel-low—kind and brilliant,” said Ethel Pattison, Lund’s sister. “He never stopped learning, even after retirement. If he had a legacy to the young, it would be to never stop learning.”

Along with his sister Ethel, Lund is survived by niece Le Valley Pattison, grandnephew Logan Le Val Pattison, cousins Sheila Brown, Nancy Brock, Pa-tricia Riley, John Le Valley, Joan Luccisano and Thomas Pursley. Lund was laid to rest at the Hol-lywood Forever Cemetery.

LeVal Lund from page 1

The year starts with Earth’s perihelion, its closest passage to the sun, at 3:50 p.m. P.S.T. on New Year’s Day. The center of our planet is then 91,401,592 miles from that of the sun, and some 3,111,551 million miles closer than we will be on July 4th, when we are at aphelion, our greatest distance from the sun.

Mars gleams brightly in the northeast as darkness falls. The copper hued “Red Planet” is in Taurus the Bull, and at mid-month is nearly overhead at about 10 p.m. During Janu-ary our distance from the planet increases from 57 million miles to 72 million miles. If you com-pare it to the brightest night-time star Sirius in Canis Major

the Big Dog you can watch the planet as it fades from slightly brighter to noticeably fainter as it recedes.

Mercury makes an unusu-ally good showing this month. Look for it on the 9th, start-ing a half-hour after sunset the west-southwest when the planet is less than four degrees to the lower right of the thin waxing crescent moon. The planet is then only five degrees high and sets only half an hour later. By the 24th the planet will be twice as high and will set 90 minutes after sunset. We can also look forward to the first close-up images of Mercury in over 30 years when NASA’s Messenger spacecraft skims only 124 miles above

the planet’s cratered surface Mon., Jan. 14th.

Don’t miss the ringed planet, Saturn, now in Leo the Lion. Saturn appears brilliant and slightly yellow, and rises in the east at 8:23 p.m. at mid-month, and is nicely placed for examination, 66 degrees high in the south at 3 a.m.

Venus, the brightest plan-et is low in the east-southeast in the dawn, while Jupiter is lost in the glare of the sun un-til the end of the month, when it makes a spectacular pairing with Jupiter on the 31st, with the two brilliant planets sepa-rated by only one degree, and will even be twice as close to each other on the following morning.

[StArGAZING]

January 2008: mercury risingBy Anthony Cook / Griffith Observatory

Los Feliz Ledger

www.losfelizledger.com January 2008Page 16 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Almost every late boomer or GenXer will remember the TV vignettes “Schoolhouse Rock”—a series of short films with animation features that aimed to teach basic math, science, English grammar and history.

The idea was the inspira-tion of an ad executive who was concerned that his young son could not master the mul-tiplication tables but could sing the lyrics of almost ev-ery ad segment on TV. He thought that if dry education-al concepts were presented in the same way as commercials, kids would respond and easily learn them.

Fast-forward almost 20 years. “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” at the Greenway Court Theatre on Fairfax Av-enue is a live musical revue that brings the clever songs of the original television vi-gnettes to life. Although the songs date back to the origi-nal television production, the production is a new take—not a rehash of the old shows. Utilizing the talents of six young actors and the mu-sic of a live ensemble, the show revolves around Tom, played by Eduardo Enrikez, a

young teacher who nervously anticipates his first day in a classroom. Relaxing with a video game the night before, he meets five characters who represent different aspects of his personality. This device sets the stage for the musical numbers that introduce such concepts as the function of zero, subject and predicate, multiplication tables and other basic but potentially tedious subjects.

The 1970s musical num-bers even dealt with such thorny and current topics as immigration, and at one point in the theater production, the audience is invited to partici-pate by coming forward and being a part of the melting pot, a spot located at the side of the stage and projected on a screen by video camera.

A spirited cast and a lively ensemble of musicians made the production move. Especially notable were per-formances of the animated Susan Rudick and Elaine Loh who led a cute take-off teach-ing the use of interjections. This staged version of “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” was first created in Chicago, and in 1995 it went to off-

Broadway where it ran for 11 months. This production is the show’s first Los Angeles premiere.

Although this play has kid appeal, it should not be considered only children’s theater. Its main audience is most likely the generation who watched the original telecasts as kids. But it is also family friendly for even young kids.

Although musicals at some larger theaters are notoriously expensive, “Schoolhouse Rock Live” at $20 for adults and $15 for children is an excellent example of the affordable live musical productions offered at our area’s small theaters.

“Schoolhouse Rock Live!” through Feb. 25th; Satur-days at 4 p.m.; Sundays at 4 and 7 p.m., Greenway Court Theatre, 544 North Fairfax Ave. (323) 655-7679, Ext. 100 or online at www.grenwayarts.org.

If you’re looking for a place to bust out the pool

shark in you, snap your mug shot in a photo booth, and get your groove on all in the same night—without having to deal with a “Hollywood” vibe—then the Short Stop in Echo Park is your place.

Marked with only a glowing neon “Cocktails” sign, it has the feel of a one room, dingy dive bar. How-ever, there is much more there than meets the eye. Not only are there a few steps down to a fabulous little dance floor—

complete with disco ball—but there are a few steps up to a great sitting room decorated with old cop decor that hap-pens to have a pool table for you cueing pleasure.

Weeknights—preferably Wednesday and Thursday—are the best to come by…where the music is more indie/groove/retro from the jukebox rather than hip-hop DJ action on the

weekends (Saturday nights are famous for that).

Actually, weeknights are probably the only nights that I’ll ever visit this old school joint. Good for a low key hang and a few drinks after work, you can sit back, relax and jam to the tunes. The weekends, however, seem to only bring excessive lines (who waits in a LINE at the Short Stop?!?), ex-pensive drinks, and incessant booty bangs beats.

Despite its ever-chang-ing scene, I will always have a soft spot for this one. Where else can you find a dance floor that actually has room

to dance? The answer, my friends, is right at the corner of Sutherland Street and Sun-set. For those of you who are about to axe it from your list of choice bars (or if you have already), give it a chance… there is still hope.

Weekends or not, it’ll al-ways be an Echo Park relic. And you can’t get much more LA than that.

vorite show. “Chuck,” “Gossip Girl” and “Scrubs” also rate highly. I know my son is re-ally going to miss J.D., Turk, Carla and the gang when “Scrubs” series run ends, but thanks to repeats, we’ll always have J.D.’s half-acre of para-dise to discuss.

I know being able to com-municate is more than just getting the buzzwords or cul-

tural references but it’s a rather sweet start. (I was rather proud of myself for knowing all the Grammy new artist nominees and their music this year.) The point is keeping commu-nication channels open, even it means watching endless episodes of “Scrubs’” repeats, listening to KROQ on the ra-dio or hitting the Vista for the latest blockbuster. And some-times their choices actually turn out to be pretty “tight.”

Family Matters from page 10

conjuction conjuction, What’s your Function? Schoolhouse rockBy marilyn tower oliverLedger theater critic

SchoolHouse Rock Live! runs in Hollywood through February 25th.

[ SHe SAID WHAt? ]

Don’t Sell the “Short Stop” ShortBy Stella matthews Ledger columnist

[tHeAter reVIeW]

Despite its ever-changing scene, I will always have a soft spot for this one.

Where else can you find a dance floor that actually has room to dance?

Los Feliz Ledger

January 2008 www.losfelizledger.com Page 17ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Celebrate the New Year

Museum, Museum Store, and Cafe are open.New Year’s Day . 10 am to 5 pm

at the Autry National Center!

4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027 • 323.667.2000 • AutryNationalCenter.org

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Art

evening of Art, Barnsdall Gallery theater, Sat. Jan. 26, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. benefiting the Silver Lake Neighborhood Nursery School. Tickets, $15. Local artists’ work on display. Live music and ample parking. 4800 Hollywood Blvd.

Black Maria Gallery presents 3D exhibition, through Jan. 31st 3137 Glendale Blvd. Info.: (323) 660-9393 www.blackmariagallery.com “Picturing the People:” A collection of over 135 objects and photographs of and by Indigenous peoples. Through Jan. 27th. Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way. Info: (323) 667-2000. LittleBird Gallery, presents husband and wife, artists Christian Schellewald and Katrin Assmann from Essen, Germany, in their exhibitions of paintings, sketches, and collages. 3195 Glendale Blvd. Through Jan. 16th. (323) 662-1092. www.littlebirdgallery.com “Julius Shulman’s Los Angeles,” Los Angeles Central Public Library, rhrough Jan. 20th. 630 W. 5th Street (213) 228-7000, www.lapl.org

metro Gallery presents “Living room: conscious Art and Design,” artists with backgrounds from industrial designers to screen printers, and environmental activists to college art instructors, through Jan. 5th, 1835 Hyperion Avenue in Silver Lake. 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Information: (323) 663-2787 or www.metrogallery.org.

Books

Atwater Village Library Used Book Sale Jan.19th,10:00 a.m. 3379 Glendale Blvd. (323) 664-1353 Los Feliz Library Used Book Sale Jan. 26th,10:00 a.m. 1874 Hillhurst Ave. (323) 913-4710

clubs

Atwater Village Library Book club Jan. 8th, 1:00 p.m. 3379 Glendale Blvd. (323) 664-1353 Atwater Village Library Knitting club Jan. 30th, 3:30 p.m. Bring your own needles and yarn. (323) 664-1353

Los Angeles Breakfast club Wednesday mornings, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Friendship Auditorium, 3201 Riverside Dr. Public welcome. Los Angeles Garden club 4730 Crystal Springs Dr. Visitor’s Auditorium Jan. 14th, 10:00 a.m. Public welcome. Los Feliz Library Book club Jan. 5th, 11:00a.m. 1874 Hillhurst Ave. (323) 661-4188 Los Feliz Library Quilting club Jan. 19th, 11:00a.m. 1874 Hillhurst Ave. (323) 661-4188

Films

Saturday Double Features at the Autry National Center, Gene Autry in the Washington Cowboy Rovin’ Tumbleweeds (1939) and On Top of Old Smoky (1953). Special guests: Karla Buhlman, VP of Gene Autry Entertainment and the 20th Century West curator Michael Duchemin, Jan. 5th, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.Gene Autry in Rodeo Melody Trail (1935) and Bells of Capistrano (1942), Sat., Jan. 12th, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Free with museum admission. 4700 Western Heritage Way Information: (323) 667-2000 www.autrynationalcenter.org

Food

Zoopendous Nights, Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens. An indoor all-night, interactive sleepover experience for children 7 and up. Pizza/salad feast, hands-on animal activities, and bedtime stories. Continental breakfast is also served. Jan. 5th, 6:00 p.m. through Jan. 6th, 9:30 a.m. Registration required: (323) 644-4211. 5333 Zoo Drive, www.lazoo.org

Politics

Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood council Jan.15th, 7:00 p.m., Los Feliz Community Police Center, www.ggpnc.org Silver Lake Neighborhood council Jan. 2nd, 7:00 p.m. 1511 Micheltorena St. Micheltorena Street Elementary School www.SilverLakeNC.org

Lectures & Learning

“Defending Science and Secularism in the Nation’s capital: A First-year report with toni Van Pelt.” Center for Inquiry Los Angeles’ Feed Your Brain lecture series, Jan. 20th, 11 a.m. Center for Inquiry Los Angeles 4773 Hollywood Blvd. Tickets: (323) 666-9797 ext. 102 [email protected] Latina Fashionista will give a free introduction to the fashion industry, Sat., Jan. 5th, 2 p.m., at the Edendale Branch of Los Angeles

Public Library, 2011 W. Sunset Blvd. (213) 207-3000 or [email protected] for more information.

music

Don Quixote, the 15th century “man of La mancha.” Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Jan. 27th, 2:00 p.m. Pre-concert festivities at 1:00 p.m. Alex Theatre 216 N. Brand Blvd. Glendale. (818) 243-2539 www.alextheatre.org

theatre

Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting For Godot,” A Noise Within Theatre. Jan. 12th, at 8:00 p.m. Jan. 13, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Jan. 19th at 8:00 p.m.; Jan. 20 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets: (818) 240-0910 www.anoisewithin.org oprah Winfrey presents the color Purple, a soul-stirring musical based on the classic novel, through March 9th. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., TIckets: (213) 628-2772 www.centertheatregroup.org

edited by Debru Petrov

Los Feliz Ledger

www.losfelizledger.com January 2008Page 18 RELIGION

Let’s Begin TogetherExperience First Church Midweek

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Area residents joined the international community in remembering those who have been afflicted or have died of AIDS throughout December.

On December 2nd a candlelight street procession starting at the Self-Realization Fellowship on Sunset opposite the site of the Kaiser Perman-ente AIDS unit. The proces-sions proceeded to Hollywood Lutheran Church where panels of the AIDS quilt were hung.

Nearly 1.3 million square feet, the National AIDS Me-morial Quilt is the largest work of folk art ever assembled in America.

Remembrance echoed in the premier performance of

“The Celestial Veil” commis-sioned by Hollywood Luther-an Church for the event (lyrics by Fr. Adrian Ravarour of the American Catholic Church and music by Christopher A. Flores).

The communities wanted to especially acknowledge Holy Trinity Church in their remembrance, an offshoot of the gay-positive Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), who lost half of their congre-gation to AIDS in the 1980s.

An ecumenical group of pastors and religious leaders offered individual prayers for healing, followed by an octet from the premier Los Angeles women’s choral ensemble, Vox

Femina Los Angeles, and mu-sic by the Hollywood Wind Ensemble.

Drugs and other health measures have transformed the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS in Hollywood and across North America.

“In 2007, it is very easy to think of AIDS as a thing of the past, but it has shifted,” said Pastor Dan Hooper of Holly-wood Lutheran Church. “It’s

become a disease of the 3rd world, of people of color, and so many people are affected in Hollywood. It’s almost as if it’s gone back into the closet.”

This message was brought home with the poignant read-ing of the names of people in our own community who have died from AIDS. Among the names read out, and candles lit in memory, were the names of 2 and 3 year old victims. A

bell was rung as each name was read aloud and a candle lit in memory of each.

According to recent UN AIDS and the World Health Organization estimates, more than 25 million people around the world have died of AIDS-related diseases and 39.5 mil-lion are now living with HIV. In 2006 alone, 4.3 million people were newly infected with HIV.

[ reLIGIoN ]

Hollywood remembers: the New Face of AIDSBy roberta morrisLedger religion and Spirituality Writer

Los Feliz Ledger

January 2008 www.losfelizledger.com Page 19

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Los Feliz Ledger

www.losfelizledger.com January 2008Page 20 POLITICS

Thank you for an opportuni-

ty to serve you, the constituents of the 4th Council District for another year. 2008 holds great promise.

We begin 2008 welcom-ing new growth on the slopes of Griffith Park as the season’s first rains have come in ear-nest. Even trees that looked dead are coming back to life. It’s a wonderful sight.

We have also just entered into the second phase of the Griffith Park Recovery Plan and you’ll see evidence of these measures today if you are out in the park hiking or walking as I am. This phase covers repairs to storm drains that otherwise would overflow during down-pours. It also includes erecting temporary fencing across the bottom of ravines on hillsides that were denuded of veg-etation in the May 2007 fires. They are designed to catch debris such as dead branches, fallen leaves and loosened rocks that could come down in a mudslide. Even in these challenging fiscal times in mu-nicipal government, my col-

leagues on the City Council have always supported my ini-tiatives to get additional funds for recovery efforts in Griffith Park. We’re now approaching $3 million toward these programs.

If the rains contin-ue, we may not have to institute a Phase III that would be focused on refores-tation. We are very fortunate that so many individuals and organizations are volunteer-ing their time and resources to plant trees. Already, we’ve joined with TreePeople and United Voices We Plant to plant oaks.

Traffic and mobility con-tinue to be high priorities of this office. In 2007, we turned on two full signals in the greater Los Feliz/Griffith Park/Silver Lake area, which is no small feat given that citywide, only 12 are approved by the Dept. of Transportation an-nually. They are at the Golden State Freeway and Riverside Drive and Hyperion Avenue

and Monon Street. Silver Lake residents will see

lots of activity at the reservoir complex in the next few months. First, the two reservoirs will be drained and cleaned and refilled in the near future. By this writ-ing, you very likely know that the Los Angeles Dept. of Wa-ter and Power decided to take this step after tests showed that

unusua l ly high levels of bromate was discov-ered in the water this past fall.

The LADWP said the reservoirs will be refilled by summer.

On the east side of Silver Lake, we can expect construc-tion to begin on the second phase of the walking path nearest the meadow. As this is Council President Eric Garcet-ti’s district, I have advised him of my views in support of par-tial access to the area. I strongly believe we need more parks and recreation space, passive and otherwise, and have faith that a good compromise plan will come of the public hearings that have taken place on this issue.

I hope to see all of you at the dedication of the new Griffith Park Community Adult Center later this month. Happy New Year all!

Los An-geles residents

and businesses rely daily on the Dept. of Water and Power to keep the lights on and the fau-cets flowing. The department’s services are among the most im-portant the city provides.

The DWP has asked the City Council to approve in-creases to the power and water rates so that it can invest in improvements to our crum-bling infrastructure. Although I understand the need for these improvements, I also have seri-ous concerns about asking our customers to pay more unless the department can assure us that the funds will be used ef-ficiently and effectively.

In 2006, our city experi-enced severe power outages. At the time, the department told us it was a “once in a cen-tury” occurrence. When they happened again this summer, we saw that they were wrong.

After these outages, the answer “trust us” is no longer acceptable.

If we are going to flip the switch on rate increases, my colleagues and I want the department’s management to

demonstrate how they will en-able DWP to provide reliable, affordable, and clean water and power to customers.

I have introduced a mo-tion along with councilmem-bers Jan Perry, Wendy Greuel and Bernard Parks that sends the DWP rate increase pro-posal back to the department for more work. We need ev-eryone on the same page to ensure DWP is committed to: upgrading infrastructure to avoid future power outages; improving response time to customers; recruiting qualified employees to help get the work done quickly and incorporat-ing conservation and clean energy into the department’s operations.

We have asked DWP lead-ers to set benchmarks for meet-ing these goals, and to make sure that neighborhood councils are briefed on the plan and have an opportunity to voice their suggestions and concerns.

With a new general man-ager now in place, I am hope-ful that the DWP will be able to address these issues and bring a new proposal back to the City Council in 60 days.

Asking the DWP to Prove Itself Before rate IncreasesBy Los Angeles city council President eric Garcetti

[GreetINGS From tom]

Looking Ahead to 2008By Los Angeles city councilmember tom LaBonge

We begin 2008 welcoming new

growth on the slopes of Griffith

Park as the season’s first rains

have come in earnest.

January 2008 www.losfelizledger.com

.com

The Silver Lake Neigh-borhood Council, fresh off our elections which saw 10 new board members sworn in, looks to the coming year with great enthusiasm.

The board elected Laura Dwan and Rusty Millar as Co-Chairs, Michael Menjiver Vice Chair, Spencer Strauss

Treasurer and Tenaya Wallace Secretary for the upcoming year. All can be reached via our home page at www.silver-lakenc.org.

Like all neighborhood councils, we face many issues within our local area, land use, traffic, public safety and emer-gency preparedness to name a few. As co-chairs, we are ex-cited about the energy and en-thusiasm from the new board members and look forward to expanded outreach and par-ticipation. We especially look forward to more interaction the business community and

local schools.One of the best places to

get involved with the neigh-borhood council is with one of 16 standing committees. Committee meetings are much less formal than the Governing Board meetings and are a great place to bring all of those projects that you

are so passionate about. Our upcoming Governing Board meetings will feature a spe-cial presentation from differ-ent committees each month to highlight the work they are doing.

Our governing board meetings are the first Wednes-day of the month at Michel-torena St. School auditorium 1511 Micheltorena St. at 7:00 p.m. The meeting is open to all and translation is avail-able with advance notice. We hope you will become part of the Silver Lake experience and look forward to meeting you.

New Deputy for LaBonge

Jullian Harris-Calvin has been named the Los Feliz/Sil-ver Lake/Griffith Park/Atwa-ter field deputy for Los Ange-les City Councilmember Tom LaBonge.

Harris-Calvin graduated from the University of South-ern California in 2007 and from Fairfax High School in 2003.

She holds a degree in po-litical science with a history minor.

During her years at USC, she worked for the Los Ange-les Unified School District as a tutor at Fairfax High. She has also worked for the Children’s Defense Fund in their Free-dom School summer program aimed at enhancing reading comprehension for children coming from under represent-ed communities.

Page 21POLITICS

[SILVer LAKe NeIGHBorHooD coUNcIL]

New year, New Board membersby Laura Dwan and rusty millar, co-chairs

one of the best places to get involved with the neighborhood council is with

one of 16 standing committees.

Los Feliz Ledger

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Los Feliz Ledger

www.losfelizledger.com January 2008OPEN MIKE / EDITORIALPage 22

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It’s generally acknowl-edged that, during peak shop-ping season, the annual Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power Holiday Light Festival in Griffith Park makes traffic on Los Feliz Boulevard and the 5 Freeway even more of a nightmare than it already is.

According to DWP spokesperson Kim Hughes, last year 151,000 cars came through the area during the 6-week event. This year, she said, the average is between 2,000 and 4,000 per night.

Those idling cars wait-ing up to two hours to view the lights are generating copi-ous quantities of exhaust and thereby making a significant and hard-to-justify contribu-tion to global warming.

A year and a half ago, the Greater Griffith Park Neigh-borhood Council proposed to the DWP that the festival be turned into a walking event.

As a GGPNC board mem-ber, I immediately envisioned an out-of-car experience: Adults and children stroll-ing in the night air, snapping pictures, taking in the glow of the lights at their own pace, and enjoying the occasional exchange of greetings with fel-low festival-goers.

A walking event doesn’t solve the problem of the extra

151,000 cars in Griffith Park and the surrounding area. But at least those cars would spend less time in traffic and less time spewing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

So how difficult could it be to reconfigure a bunch of strings of lights and wire frames?

In at least three public meetings over the past year, the DWP showed little inter-est in changing anything and offered some pretty weak ar-guments for not changing the festival.

“It’s hard for the public to change its ways,” went one ar-gument.

When the Griffith Ob-servatory re-opened last year the public somehow found out that they’d have to take a shuttle to it (not drive!) and somehow dealt with it.

Another argument ran: “With only 2,600 parking spaces in the area, there’s not enough parking for [all those] cars!”

Really? The festival runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. night-ly. It takes one hour to walk it. If a parking spot turns over once an hour, 13,000 cars nightly could theo-retically be accommodated. Given a huge margin for er-ror in my calculations, we’re

still not close to maxing out on parking.

The DWP conceded to five “pilot” nights for a walking-only event over Thanksgiving weekend this year. There was no reconfiguration of the Fes-tival; people during the “pilot walking period” were asked simply to walk the route rather than drive it.

People drove, parked and walked through the Light Festival. I enjoyed walking it this year far more than I ever enjoyed driving it. De-spite the fact that the walk-ing nights were not well pub-licized, it was pretty obvious that hundreds of other people were loving it.

Maintaining the Light Festival as a driving event is unconscionable and inde-fensible. Redesigning it as a walking event will make it less polluting, more fun and a community experience.

The DWP needs to think outside the car.

Kurt Rademaekers is a member of the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council.

Editor’s Note: The DWP re-ports that 32,000 people took advantage of the pilot “walk-ing” program this year.

[ eDItorIAL ]

make the Festival of Lights A Walking only eventBy Kurt rademaekers

In alliance with the Envi-ronmental Affairs Department (EAD) Storm Water pollution prevention initiative, a local re-search center, Materials & Ap-plications (M&A), has joined with the Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce to present a set of guidelines and workshops for small businesses to educate how to diminish the amount of water that flows off our properties and into the storm drains—where it then flows down the Los Angeles River and into the ocean. During peak flow, the river carries 183,000 cubic feet of polluted water per second to the Pacific Ocean.

The workshops’ second goal is to assist local busi-nesses to prepare for new en-ergy-saving requirements for commercial buildings. On December 5th, the California Energy Commission unani-mously adopted the California Public Utilities Commission’s

(CPUC) plan for achieving zero net energy residential buildings by 2020 and com-mercial buildings by 2030.

It is surprising but true that it’s not cars, planes, or farms that are the biggest con-

sumers of energy nationwide; the biggest consumers are our homes and businesses. M&A has been contracted through the EAD to produce a series of workshops that will teach property owners what simple changes they can make to their lots that will not only reduce the amount of polluted runoff from their properties, but also will improve their property’s energy efficiency. The Silver Lake Chamber is committed to helping Silver Lake businesses be among the first to improve.

At the meeting, M&A will dis-cuss the methods to be taught in the workshop and hand out bi-lingual brochures. Busi-ness and property owners will be the first to be able to sign up for these workshops—to

be held in Spring 2008. More infor-mation is available at: www.material-sandapplications.org and www.lac-ity.org/ead.

To learn more, business and prop-erty owners are in-vited to attend the

next Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce meeting, January 17th from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at MALO restaurant, 4326 Sunset Blvd. Free. Guests welcome. RSVP to Cheryl Revkin, (323) 665-1281.

Jenna Didier is the Principal of Fountainhead Water Systems Design (www.fountainhd.com) and the Director of the non-profit research center, Materials & Applications (www.emanate.org), located at 1619 Silver Lake Blvd.

[ eDItorIAL ]

Workshops to Address New environmental realitiesBy Jenna Didier

It is surprising but true that it’s not

cars, planes, or farms that are the big-

gest consumers of energy nationwide;

the biggest consumers are our homes

and businesses.

January 2008 www.losfelizledger.com Page 23

www.losfelizledger.com January 2008Page 24

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